Obituaries
Colonel John Ghere
Colonel John Ray Ghere (Ret.) of Onondaga, passed away February 3, 2022, at the age of 87. John was born in Anthony, KS, October 3, 1934, the son of George and Fern (Hill) Ghere. In 1935, when John was 1, his parents moved to Michigan by horse and wagon during the Dust Bowl Era. John was an only child and grew up on his parent’s farm on Barnes Road just outside Eaton Rapids. He was a 1953 graduate of Eaton Rapids High School where he was in the band and played football. He was a graduate of Central Michigan University and ROTC. He was then commissioned an officer into the US Army. John married Barbara Nye on May 2, 1964 in Charlotte, Michigan.
Colonel Ghere had a distinguished military career with over 36 years of service. He attended Fixed Wing Flight School in Class 60-4 learning to fly the single engine L-19, an aircraft he loved the rest of his life. He was an instructor pilot in the L-19 for several years. He then flew the DMZ in Korea in the L-19 in the early 60s. He then received orders to attend Rotary Wing School to learn to fly helicopters including the new UH-1 Huey helicopters. John was then assigned to the 11 Air Assault in Ft Benning, Georgia from 1964 to 1965 where tactics for helicopters were being developed for Vietnam. In 1965 the unit formed as the 1st Cavalry Division for deployment to Vietnam. John was assigned to the 1/9th also known as the “Buffalo Soldiers’’. John was part of the advance party flying to Vietnam by C-130 while much of the unit and helicopters went by ship. In Vietnam John flew a UH-1B gunship which was the forerunner of the UH-1 Cobras. While flying reconnaissance John identified a potential landing area near the Chu Pong Mountain that would later be known as LZ Xray. John flew at LZ-Betty and then later at LZ-Xray in what would be known as the Battle of the Ia Drang Valley in November 1965. This battle is documented in the book and movie “We Were Soldiers Once…and Young”. John’s farm boy upbringing led to him doing some innovative modifications to his UH-1B. John was proud that he never lost a crew member or his aircraft. His closest call was having the heel shot off his boot while flying. John flew the same UH-1B for his entire tour despite being shot down 3 times and then having his helicopter repaired to fly another day. “His” helicopter was lost 3 weeks after he left the country with the entire crew.
John was a decorated pilot earning the Distinguished Flying Cross, 21 Air Medals and Master Army Aviator Wings. He had over 600 hours of combat time and 5,000 of total flying time. After Vietnam and active duty, he joined the Michigan Army National Guard as a pilot and later commanded Company A, 38th Aviation Battalion for 4 years. He was then assigned to the State Headquarters working on military support plans and operations where he also received a Meritorious Service Medal. He then later retired as a Colonel from the US Army Reserve in 1994. John is recognized in the US Army Aviation Flight Line Gallery, the Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame, and the CMU ROTC Hall of Fame. He was a member of the Quiet Birdmen (QB) Lansing Hanger.
After active-duty John was a farmer for over 30 years, a passion he loved. After a few years of teaching at Eaton Rapids and Jackson High Schools he focused on farming more and growing his farm. John served a term as Onondaga Township Supervisor as an active member of the community. John was instrumental in starting up Onondaga VFW Post #6986 and served as post commander. John continued to fly privately and would rebuild and restore several L-19 aircraft. He enjoyed hosting his Vietnam co-pilot and crew chief on his farm for deer hunting and meeting at reunions.
John is survived by his wife, Barbara; daughters, Jean (Randy) Maiville of Onondaga, Karen Ghere of Lansing; grandchildren, Katherine and Elizabeth Maiville, both of Onondaga, Christina Ghere of Onondaga. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral services with military honors will be 11 a.m. Friday February 11, 2022, at the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. Interment will follow in Onondaga Cemetery. Visitation took place on Thursday. Memorial contributions may be made to the VFW National Home for Children, 3573 S. Waverly Rd., Eaton Rapids, MI 48827. To leave online condolences for the family, please visit our website, www.millsfuneral.com.
Annette L. Pettit
Annette Louise Pettit, age 72, of Lansing, MI passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, February 5, 2022, at McLaren Hospital. She was born on October 22, 1949, in Eaton Rapids, MI to George L. and Elizabeth M. (Smith) Pettit. She graduated from Eaton Rapids High School in 1967. Annette had a zest for life and enjoyed shopping, gardening, crafting, golfing, going to sporting events to watch nieces and nephews, and spending time with friends and family. She never met an animal she didn’t love, and had several “best friend” dogs and cats in her life. She worked in retail for many years sharing her fashion sense with her customers. She also worked in the travel industry allowing her to travel extensively to other countries making new friends wherever she went, never being afraid to try new things. She was loved by many and will be missed by all who enjoyed her stories, energy, and enthusiasm.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and longtime companion, Gary Johnson.
Annette is survived by her sister, Mari Lin Pettit; brother, Michael G. (Judith) Pettit; sister, Susan M. (Michael) Arrington; nieces and nephews, Elliott (Carly) Pettit, Taylor (Ryan) Rademaker, Adrienne (Andrew) Beals, Alex Arrington; great nieces and nephews, Tucker Beals, Tatum Beals, Cooper Beals, Vera Pettit, George Pettit, Sutton Rademaker and many other special aunts, uncles and cousins.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. For those desiring memorial contributions may be made to Fanciful Farms in memory of Annette. To share memories or leave condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
Penny Johnson
Penny Lou Johnson of Eaton Rapids, passed away February 6, 2022, at the age of 71. Penny was born in Gladwin, MI, January 30, 1951, the daughter of Roy and Marian (Lange) Johnson. She graduated from Eaton Rapids High School in 1969 and was an employee at Eaton Rapids Public Schools for several years. Penny enjoyed working on puzzles, bowling in her younger years, and watching the Detroit Tigers. She loved meeting the girls for lunch every Wednesday, and loved being able to keep up with everyone through social media on her computer. The greatest joy in her life was spending time with her family, especially her grandkids.
Penny is survived by her children, Heather (Eric) Mergener of Eaton Rapids, Alex (Patricia) Carris of Port Orchard, WA; grandchildren, Kaila and Ashley Carr, Ciera, Kenny and Dakotah Carris, Brandon Siple, Daniel and Rachael Mergener; great grandchildren, Aveian, Eli, Alannah, Aubree, Blayke and Theo; siblings, Randi Colestock, Sue (Tom) Wilson. She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, Robert Johnson, James Johnson, Tom Johnson, and Cheryl Moss.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, February 14, 2022, at the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. Visitation will take place on Sunday from 6-8 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Association. To leave online condolences for the family please visit our website, www.millsfuneral.com.
Robert Schilz
Mr. Robert Howard Schilz, age 82, of Nashville, MI, passed away Sunday, January 9, 2022 at Spectrum Health Pennock Hospital, in Hastings, MI.
Robert was born in Eagle, MI on January 16, 1939, a son of the late Verna (Reed) and Howard Schilz. He was raised on his family farm the Charlotte area and attended local schools graduating from Charlotte High School in 1957. During his younger years Bob was very active in FFA, and 4H where he showed hogs, and learned to knit.
On December 28, 1962, Robert married Sandra (Gillett) Schilz at the Oneida Gospel Church. The couple had been introduced by mutual friends while they were still in high school and spent their first date, at the Sunday School picnic. Robert & Sandra established a beautiful Christ centered relationship spending time together attending Youth for Christ Events, and Singpirations with neighboring churches. Robert loved music and for many years played his trumpet in the Orchestra at Oneida Gospel church where they had attended church. Robert loved his church and enjoyed volunteering his free time to work as a youth leader, chaperoning and leading youth activities and adventures.
Bob began his working career shortly after completing his education working his family farm in Charlotte for many years. The family relocated to the Nashville area in 1974 and he began working at Clark Equipment as a truck driver where he worked faithfully for over 10 years. Bob enjoyed driving truck and would often take the kids with him to work so they could enjoy a day with dad riding in the semi-truck. The majority of Bob’s career was spent with the Eaton County Road Commission where he was responsible for road maintenance, plowing snow in the winter and oversee road cleanup projects.
Bob & Sandra enjoyed spending time during the summer traveling throughout the state of Michigan camping with close friends, especially the Upper Peninsula,
Robert is survived by his beloved wife Sandra, his children, Faith (Roger) Byykkonn, , Kaylin, (Shawn) Rhoades, (Sonya) Schilz, Paul (Phetsamone) Schilz, Tim (Stacey) Schilz
his sister, Sharon Moore, 12 grandchildren, and 10 great grandchildren
he was preceded in death by his infant sister Juanita Schilz.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, February 5th at Grace Church in Nashville, MI with Pastor Don Roscoe officiating. There will be a time of fellowship and luncheon immediately following the funeral service at Grace Church in Nashville. The family will receive visitors on Friday February 4th from 3-5 PM at the Daniels Funeral Home in Nashville, MI. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Daniels Funeral Home in Nashville, MI. For further details please visit our website at www.danielsfuneralhome.net.
Terri L. Visscher
Terri Lynn Visscher, a world traveler, highly recognized and accomplished flight attendant, beloved sister, and loving daughter passed away January 31, 2022, at her family’s home in Charlotte. Terri, 55, of Charlotte was born December 15, 1966, in Muskegon to Eugene (Gene) and Barbara (Heneveld) Visscher. Terri graduated from Charlotte High School in 1985. Following high school, she graduated from Davenport University before finding her life’s passion of becoming a flight attendant. One of her proudest moments was when she graduated from the Northwest Flight Attendant school. She lived in Hawaii for 18 years taking care of passengers on flights from Honolulu to Tokyo and beyond. Though she was frequently far away, Terri valued her friendships and connections with her nieces, nephews and friends’ kids. She would often travel halfway around the world to attend a birthday party, dance recital, or just to say Hello. After her retirement, Terri returned to Charlotte where she continued to nurture her other passion, family and friends. She was often referred to as the “Favorite Aunt.” With a heart of gold and a passion for life, Terri lived each day to the fullest. Her generous spirit was often demonstrated through her willingness to help anyone at any time. During the holiday seasons, the smell of chocolate chip cookies and “Terri’s Special Chex Mix” would emanate from the Visscher kitchen with great anticipation from all. Terri will be dearly missed by anyone who was blessed enough to have had the opportunity to know her.
Terri is survived by her parents; Eugene and Barbara (Heneveld) Visscher; brother, Jerry (Shannon) Visscher; sister, Traci (Dr. Kendall) Bos; 4 nieces; Samantha Visscher, Madelynn Visscher, Lauren Visscher, Reagan Bos; 2 nephews; Emmitt Visscher, Ethan Bos; and numerous loving aunts, uncles and cousins.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date in the spring. It will be webcast so you may watch it from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device that has internet access. Go to www.prayfuneral.com, click on Terri Lynn Visscher tribute, then click on Photos & videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). Just prior to the beginning of the service, a link will appear on this page to watch the webcast. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to palliative care. Family and friends are encouraged to share remembrances and condolences online in Terri’s Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte, MI.