Obituaries
Terence Clinton Merrick
Terence “Terry” Clinton Merrick, the oldest Disney Kid around, of Eaton Rapids, Michigan died January 25, 2022. Terry, 76, was born June 18, 1945 in Charlotte to Jesse James and Lenora June (Friar) Merrick. Terry was the family touch stone, THE guy, very smart, with a wonderful and rich sense of humor. He graduated from Battle Creek Central in 1963, was a First-Class Petty Officer and Fire Control Technician in the US Navy, and loved piloting his own aircraft. He was an award winning golfer, a fisherman, a bowler with a couple of 300 games; enjoyed boating, camping, MSU and Lions football, Euchre and Poker, playing piano. He enjoyed it all. He made numerous videos and loved editing. Terry graduated from Cooley Law School in 1981, and became a Private Attorney. He retired as a Judge with the State of Michigan. Terry married Charlene Kae (Hineline) in 1999 and were married for fourteen years. He absolutely loved going to Disney and traveled there more than 40 times with his family.
Terry is survived by his children, James Todd Merrick, Jeffery Dean (Terri) Merrick, Jesse Allan (Skye) Merrick; grandchildren, Shelby, Brody, Avery, Elle, and Theodore; great-grandchildren, Cooper and Jackson; sister, Linda (Herbert) Brizendine; nephews, Matthew (Lisa) Brizendine, Nicholas (Kelly) Brizendine; and many special friends. He was predeceased by his wife, Charlene; parents; and brother, Tim Merrick.
Friends are encouraged to support Terry’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Funeral Services are Tuesday, February 1, 2022, 11:00 a.m. at Pray Funeral Home with Rev. Richie Thomas officiating. Visitation will be held just prior to the service from 10-11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Ft. Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, MI. The family is also planning a Summer Celebration of Life for Terry. The funeral 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 Terry’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Dexter Lake Church in Battle Creek. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Doris Pauline Gordon
Doris (Dorie) Pauline Gordon, age 86, passed away at her home in Weidman, MI on May 24, 2021.
Doris was born on January 17, 1935 to Myron Henry and Doris Olivia (Brandt) Shaw during an ice storm as Dorie would add. She graduated Eaton Rapids High School in 1953. She was an avid artist. She was an dedicated fisher woman who had the chance to fish the Tasman Sea at Chain of Lagoons, Tasmania. The blue gills in Michigan never stood a chance.
She is predeceased by her parents, husband Oliver Barclay Gordon, brother Loyd Shaw, brother in law Ron Bowser, and nephew Danny Bowser. May they all know peace.
Dorie is survived by her sister, Virginia (Ginny) Bowser, her four children: Brian Carter, Brent Carter, Sheri Merritt, and Mitchell Carter. She is further survived by six grand children and six great-grand children.
Calvin D. Richards
Calvin Duey Richards of Eaton Rapids, passed away January 19, 2022, at the age of 94. Cal was born in Lansing, MI, May 28, 1927, the son of Calvin and Leona (Munson) Richards. He enlisted in the Air Force in August of 1945 and was honorably discharged in November of 1946, and he was a proud veteran. Cal moved to Eaton Rapids in 1949 where he lived until shortly before his death. He worked for Eaton Stamping for 37 years before retiring in 1985. After retirement, he and his wife, Mildred, wintered in Florida where he made many great friends.
Cal was a former member of the Elks Club and the Moose Lodge, both in Lansing. He enjoyed woodworking and bowling, but really loved playing golf. He was a tireless worker and got great joy from helping others. He had many good friends and was a good friend to many.
Cal is survived by his son, Bill (Marilyn) Richards of DeWitt; daughters, Kathy (Tim Miank) Richards, and Barb Alexander of Lansing; step-son, Jim (Jan) Squires of Florida; step-daughters, Joan Hyatt of Charlotte, and Jackie Williams Kasten of Eaton Rapids; 13 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren and several great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Mildred; his parents; sister, Roberta Mead; brother, Ralph Richards.
His kids would like to thank Jim, Jan, and Dondi Squires for their continued support of Cal, especially after the death of his wife; the best neighbors anyone could hope for, Kim and Carol Freer; loving companion, Dorothy Phillips, who brought him much happiness over the past couple years of his life; and the staff of Fairview AFC for their tender care these past several months. Your kindness is appreciated more than you’ll ever know.
Memorial services will be held at a later date. Those desiring may make memorial contributions to the Jean Bradford Kline Senior Center in Eaton Rapids where he spent many happy hours. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel. To leave online condolences for the family, please visit our website, www.millsmuneral.com.
David Verhelle
David “Vert” Verhelle of Eaton Rapids, MI passed away on January 22, 2022, at the age of 76. Anyone who met David or Vert as many lovingly called him could not forget him. His unconventional personality either made you a bit uneasy or you instantly fell in love with his sense of humor.
If you wanted to find Vert, the first place to look would be his favorite bar stool at Abies Bar, where he worked for his long-time friend, Fred Wager. Vert was either drinking a Natural Light or jumping in the dumpster to squish the trash down. Vert was Fred’s right-hand man, once Vert became sick the tables turned and Fred became Vert’s right-hand man. What they had was a true-blue friendship.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Andree and Mildred Verhelle; sister, Myra “Lisa” Skidmore; and brother, Dennis Verhelle.
Surviving are his three brothers, Wayne, Ron, and Rolly Verhelle and many nieces and nephews.
For those who knew Vert please know he lived up to his nickname through his very last days. To share memories or leave condolences, please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHome.com.
Tamera Anderson
Tamera “Tammy” Sue Anderson, age 53, of Olivet, passed away Saturday, January 8, 2022. She was born December 5, 1968, in Lansing, the daughter of James and Anna (Rasmussen) Anderson. She graduated from Bath High School with the class of 1988. Tammy was a devoted mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She cherished her grandchildren and loved to care for them. In her spare-time she enjoyed camping and spending time up north. Tammy was an extremely selfless person and always put others before herself. She also loved her many pets but was especially fond of her cat, Sassy and her dove, Snowflake. Tammy had a tremendous work ethic and was a dedicated employee at Michigan State University.
Tammy is survived by her daughter, Christina Smith of Bellevue; grandchildren: Jordan Raatz-Smith, Jasmine Smith, Dezarae O’Rourke, and Sammy; father, James (Carol) Anderson of Curtis; siblings: Pamela Frei of Charlotte, Chad Anderson of Maple Rapids; nieces: Nichole Hoag, Cammuel Mackie, Tiffany Anderson, Brianna Anderson, Hannah Frei; step-siblings: Hiram and Dawn Miller, Elijah Miller, Joseph and Girls Miller, and Jim (Tammie) Valdez.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Anna Anderson, whom she cherished and missed very dearly every day.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 14, 2022, at 11 A.M. at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 5 P.M. to 8 P.M. at the funeral home and one hour prior to the service on Friday. Burial will take place at Oakwood Cemetery in Grand Ledge.
Those desiring, may make contributions in Tammy’s memory, to the family. To view Tammy’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com.