Obituaries
Nancy Jane Cohrs
Nancy Jane Cohrs of Charlotte, Michigan passed away suddenly on December 9, 2021. She was born in Vicksburg, Michigan on October 12, 1957, to Fred Robert and Maxine Muir Cohrs. Nancy graduated from Vicksburg High School, attended Michigan State University, and worked for 41 years at Meijer Distribution Centers in Lansing, Michigan.
Nancy was dearly loved by her family and friends. She expressed her love through loyalty, generous gifts, and volunteering to take on the toughest tasks to help others. Her cheerful sense of humor during even the toughest times made those around her feel important, loved, and special. Nancy was devoted to her nieces and nephews, whom she treated as her own children. We will remember her with love and laughter, and with a commitment to honor her warmth, strength, determination, and work ethic.
Nancy was preceded in death by her parents and her brother William Robert Cohrs. She is survived by siblings and in-laws Fred and Ann Cohrs, of Springfield, Virginia; Dan Cohrs, of Vancouver, B.C.; Mary Ann (Cohrs) and Phillip Weaver, of Caledonia, MI; Tim and Linda Cohrs, of Kalamazoo, MI; and Susan Cohrs, of Coppell, TX; and by her best friend of 40 years, Charlene R. Crabtree, of Charlotte, Michigan. Nancy’s nieces and nephews include Jeff Cohrs, Laura (Cohrs) Anthony, Philip Cohrs, Suzanne (Cohrs) Rogers, Daniel Cohrs, Mark Cohrs, Phillip Weaver, Matthew Weaver, twelve great nieces and nephews, numerous cousins, and many more loved ones. Family and friends will gather to celebrate Nancy’s life in Summer 2022.
Jerry L. Davids
Jerry Lee Davids, age 57 of Charlotte, a fella who was a kind and generous soul under his rough exterior, died December 17, 2021, in Lansing following a lengthy illness. Jerry was born October 10, 1964, to his parents Larry Lee Davids, Sr., and Marilyn Jean (Heikkila) Davids, in Charlotte. Jerry attended Charlotte High School graduating in 1983. Following graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army.
Jerry was known to many as a strong willed, boisterous, “tell you what was on his mind in no uncertain terms” type of guy. Underneath his roughhewn exterior he had a generous streak that was always willing to help those in need. His work in the Lansing area was in manufacturing and drywall installation. He was a huge fan of Michigan State University sports. Above all he considered his family most important in his life. He was most proud of the fact that after a troubled past he was able to turn his life around.
Jerry is survived by his children Jody Copeland, Danielle (Cass) Escalante, and Jason (Heather) Davids, stepchildren Tiera (Ben) Spitler and Chrissy Fedewa; five grandchildren; his parents Larry Davids Sr, and Marilyn Stiles; and his siblings Larry (Janet) Davids Jr, Ricky Davids, Chad (Heather) Stiles, Connie (John) Hong and Chantel (Frank) Bonilla. He was predeceased by his infant daughter Samantha Marilyn Jean Davids; stepdaughter Suzanne Fedewa, and grandparents Mary and Otto Heikkila and Florence and Bernard Davids.
Friends and family are encouraged to support Jerry’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his tribute page at www.prayfuneral.com. Funeral services to celebrate his life were held Monday, December 27, 2021, with Pastor Charles Jenson officiating. 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 Jerry’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). Memorial contributions are suggested to Cardboard Prophets. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home.
Melissa Kelly
Melissa Ann Marie (Johnson) Kelly, 39, an amazing one in a million wife to Jacob Kelly from Bellevue, MI passed on Saturday, December 25, 2021 at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, early Christmas morning. A holiday that she cherished along with it being her favorite time of the year. Melissa was born January 11, 1982, in Battle Creek, MI. She married Jacob Kelly on September 15, 2012. They soon founded Kelly Farms & Club Lambs of which she was very proud of and totally vested in. She served on the Executive committee as a 3rd year member of the Eaton County Farm Bureau Board of Directors, a past Eaton County Fair Board member, and a leader of the Junior Fair Board. Over the past 15 years Melissa was employed at Jackson National in Lansing, Michigan where she continually progressed throughout the company. Melissa was promoted to a Senior Compliance Analyst in March of 2021 spending her last few years with the compliance team who loved and adored her.
She was a stranger to no one, was the life of the party, cherished her friends and brought the best out in everyone. With a smile on her face you would find her mentoring children involved in 4-H and FFA, where she was a huge help with the Bellevue FFA program. Within the FFA program she helped plan from its inception, to getting the room ready, working the fund raisers and serving on the advisory committee. She absolutely loved all those kids! Melissa’s love for shopping and giving were like no other, she would give you the shirt off her back or earrings out of her ears – she was such a giving soul. When time allowed Melissa enjoyed traveling with Jake whether it be to a weekend getaway after harvest was done, or a road trip to pick up a new lamb. Spending time in the sheep barns and attending the sheep shows was a passion for her. She and Jake were rising stars in the sheep industry with Kelly Farms & Club Lambs and are very proud of what they have accomplished.
Melissa is survived by her husband, Jacob; parents, Randy Johnson & Suzanne (Lynch) Johnson; brother, Jarrod (Ronda) Johnson; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Diane and Dennis Kelly; sister-in-law, Amber (Treg) Bryan; nephews, TC and Riggin Bryan. And her beloved fur babies Stryker and Lucy. Melissa is preceded in death by her grandparents Richard L. and Harriet Louise Johnson and Thomas and Mary Lynch as well as her favorite dog Wyatt.
Friends and family are encouraged to support Melissa’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her tribute page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation will be held Monday, January 3, 2022 from 5-8 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte, MI. A Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, January 4, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. at Bellevue United Methodist Church, Bellevue, MI, with Reverend Virginia Heller officiating. The funeral will also 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 Melissa’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions may be made to the Melissa Kelly Scholarship Fund at Eaton Community Bank (checks payable to Jacob Kelly). The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home.
Tracey A. Goodenough
Tracey Ann Goodenough, of Charlotte, an outgoing person who happily lived for the day, died unexpectedly on December 26 in Lansing at the age of 58. Tracey was born September 10, 1963, the daughter of Bernard and Mary Jane (Matt) Kramp.
Tracey was a 1981 graduate of Lansing Eastern High School. Following high school, she earned a Medical Assistant Degree from Ross Medical School and worked as a Pharmacy Technician for over 20 years. She was currently employed as an Optical Technician at WalMart in Battle Creek. Tracey loved the company of others She was a generous spirit and a great friend who could always be counted on to help others in any way needed. Tracey was loved dearly by her family.
Tracey is survived by her mother Mary Jane Kramp, her children, Cody Ray (Shanna) Goodenough of Mason, and Krystle Marie Goodenough of Lansing; grandsons Conner Ray Goodenough and Lucas Kretzinger; brothers Kevin John Kramp and Mark Anthony Kramp both of Henderson NV; Sister Dawn Marie (Brian) Jensen of Germantown MD.
A Funeral Mass was celebrated for Tracey at St. Mary Catholic Church in Charlotte Friday, December 31, at 11:00 a.m. Interment followed in Maple Hill Cemetery. The funeral was webcast so you may watch it from any computer or smartphone. Go to www.prayfuneral.com, click on Tracey’s Tribute Page, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone).
Ralph W. Leigon
Ralph W. Leigon Jr., 71, of Vermontville, passed away on December 25, 2021.
He was born in Battle Creek, on September 12, 1950, to the late Ralph Leigon Sr. and Harriet (Harrison) Harris. Ralph worked as a truck driver for many years. On August 21, 1976, he married Connie Lutz at Ceresco Baptist Church. Connie preceded him in death on March 16, 2013.
Ralph loved working with his hands, refurbishing furniture, spending time with his grandchildren and his animals, and he loved to help people out where he could. He was active in the Cub Scouts, when his son was younger. He enjoyed the outdoors and loved to hunt & fish.
Ralph is survived by his son, Ralph (Denise) W. Leigon III; grandchildren, Shania (Cameron) Reed and Derick Leigon; two great-grandchildren, Flora Betz and Serena Reed, and another great-grandchild arriving soon, Aurora Reed; four sisters, Orlanda (Steve) O’Connor, Julie Douglas, Tracy (Adam) Wheeler, and Cristy King.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Connie Leigon; his parents, Ralph Leigon Sr. and Harriet Harris; his stepfather, Brooks Harris; and his sister, Robin Leigon.
Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, January 22 at First Baptist Church, 1110 S Cochran Ave, Charlotte, MI 48813. Arrangements were entrusted to Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services. Please go to https://kempffuneralhome.com to view the online obituary, sign the guest book, or leave messages for the family.