Obituaries
Audrey Bradfield
Audrey “Jean” Bradfield, a woman who loved her family and being in the presence of others, died on Monday, February 10, 2025. Jean, 86, of Charlotte, was born on August 24, 1938, in Charlotte, the daughter of Vernon and Van Loa (Collier) Childs. Upon graduating from high school Jean worked as a Secretary at Bradfield Accounting. For many years she volunteered at the Eaton Rapids Medical Center and Hayes Green Beach Hospital. Jean loved family camping trips to Snow Lake and other campgrounds around the state. Every summer she loved attending the Thursday night concerts at the courthouse. Jean also enjoyed dancing, playing bingo, and playing the organ. Above all, her family brought her the most enjoyment in life.
Jean is survived by her sons, Mike (Michelle) Bradfield, and Chris (Jennifer) Bradfield; grandchildren, Melissa (Kyle) Nash, Jason (Katie) Bradfield, Justin (Aubrey Gilman) Bradfield, Ashley (Heather Suhonen) Bradfield, Elizabeth (Korey) Kazor, Jeff Byrd, Gage Mingus, and Kye Mingus; great-grandchildren, Zane, Canaan, Weston, Kashton, Wade, and Abel; siblings, Tony (Linda) Childs, Danny (Diana) Childs, and Bonnie Harwood; and many friends and extended family members. She was predeceased by her parents.
Friends are encouraged to support Jean’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation is Saturday, March 22, 2025, from Noon until 1:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held following at 1:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home 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 Jean’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Robert Frank Morris
Robert (Bob) Frank Morris of Charlotte, MI passed away on February 9, 2025, at the age of 87. He was born in Grand Ledge, MI on August 9, 1937; the son of Raymond and Syliva (Greenfield) Morris. Bob graduated from Grand Ledge High School in 1956. He served with the National Guard for several years, and Bob worked for General Motors and retired after 30 years of service. Many of the activities Bob enjoyed most were centered around being outdoors, whether it was farming, hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, camping or collecting sap to make maple syrup. Bob enjoyed hunting deer, elk and bear with trips to Montana, Colorado, Iowa, and his home state of Michigan. Born and raised on a farm, he was a farmer at heart and truly enjoyed everything about farming, whether it was planting and harvesting or the many animals he raised, including horses, cows, pigs, chicken, and turkey. He also raised and sold AKC registered Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, and Springer Spaniels. Bob was a generous, good-hearted, and kind man who enjoyed helping neighbors and spending time with his family. The family would like to give special thanks to Eaton County Health and Rehabilitation Services for the exceptional care shown to Bob.
Bob is survived by his wife, Bonnie; children, Belinda (Jeff) Riddlebaugh, Jeff Morris, Amy (Phil) Kelso, Rob (Amy) Morris, Salleigh (Josh) Lyon, Larry (Fawn) Morris, Tina Ellena, Joan Ellena, and Teddy (Veronica) Ellena; fifteen grandchildren, Tori (John) Pline, Cody Morris, Clay Morris, Emily (Brandon) Kenyon, Hunter Morris, Remi Lyon, Lane Morris, Jake Morris, Theodore Ellena III, Jorge Hernandez Jr., Tyler O’Boyle, Tavontaye Ellena, Diamond Ellena, Jawon Ellena and Michael Ellena and seven great-grandchildren; brother, Jonnie (Marge) Morris, sister Joy (Lloyd) Thomas; sisters-in-law, Joan Morris and Becky Wood; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Sarah Jane Morris; parents, Raymond and Sylvia (Greenfield) Morris; brother, Carl Morris and sister, Jeanie Morris.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, February 19, at 3:00 p.m. Visitation will take place before the service from 1:30-3:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Pastor John Bailey officiating. Friends are encouraged to support Bob’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Eaton County Health and Rehabilitation Services. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Donna Mae Johnson
Donna Mae (Sundstrom) Johnson passed away on February 12, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family. She was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, Leonard Johnson. They are now dancing together in heaven. Donna was a devoted mother to her children Cathy Roberts, Dan (Katherine) Johnson, Linda (David) Prevo, Tom Johnson and beloved grandmother and gigi to nine grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.
Donna graduated from Charlotte High school in 1950 where she was a cheerleader and a twirler in the band. She married the love of her life, Leonard, in October 1950 and began a lifelong commitment to building and maintaining her family, a value that she has instilled in all her children and grandchildren. Donna was new to farm life and quickly learned to cook, sew, garden, and created a beautiful and gracious home. She often expressed that the birth of her children changed her life and she took great joy in all their accomplishments.
Donna and Leonard enjoyed many years of travel in their motor home with family and friends. They were snowbirds in Arizona and had great fun with the lively group of friends that lived on their block. Donna was in a bridge club in Charlotte for more than 50 years and enjoyed playing the game wherever she was. She loved to be outdoors and had beautiful gardens. She collected things in nature and used them to create beauty in her home.
Donna delighted in fun and maintained a love of adventure and learning throughout her life. She appreciated all that life gave her. Donna often expressed how grateful she was to have lived a long life full of wonderful experiences with her loving family and friends. She had a life well lived and will be greatly missed. The family she created will continue with her love.
In keeping with the family’s wishes cremation has taken place and a private family gathering will take place later this year.
Those desiring may make contributions in lieu of flowers to the American Cancer Society www.cancer.org
To view Donna’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com
The family is being served by the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home.
Joanne Ruth Jones
Joanne Ruth Jones, a generous and determined woman, died February 10, 2025. Joanne, 93, of Charlotte was born on November 23, 1931, to Burr Lewis and Ruth (Gamble) Wood. She married Barton Jones, and the pair made a dynamic duo living the farm life, and the chores to go along with. Hard-working, spunky and loving, she had a wonderful sense of humor and loved spending time with her family and then later her grandchildren. Crafting and collecting shells and pudding stones and loved to travel out west in their motor home. Joanne volunteered at the VFW Home in Eaton Rapids; served as President of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary and was a Life Member of that esteemed organization.
Joanne is survived by her sons, Steve (Cheryl) Jones, Mike (Ann) Jones, Larry (Cindy) Jones; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and her siblings, Noveda, Phyllis, Feleniece, Lewis, Oral, Leon, Genevieve, Dean, and Dale.
Friends are encouraged to support Joanne’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation is Sunday, February 16, 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. Funeral services are Monday, February 17, 11:00 a.m. at Pray Funeral Home 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 Joanne’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smartphone). If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Hospice of Lansing. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Sheri DeAnne Cogswell
Sheri DeAnne Cogswell of Battle Creek, passed away February 7, 2025, at the age of 55. Sheri was born in Eaton Rapids, Michigan, on September 26, 1969, the daughter of Daryl and Loretta (Slaght) Steele. She graduated from Eaton Rapids High School with the class of 1987. Sheri was a manager at Cracker Barrel, she worked there for 27 years after starting out as a waitress in 1998. An accomplished herbalist, Sheri’s deep connection with nature was evident in her extensive knowledge of plants and their healing properties. Her nurturing spirit extended to her family and pets, whom she adored above all. Some of Sheri’s happiest moments were spent surrounded by her many family members. She also enjoyed traveling and riding her motorcycle whenever she had the opportunity.
Sheri is survived by her daughter, Chaina Cogswell; grandchildren, Peytan, Paisleah and Poppy DeAnne; parents, Daryl and Loretta Steele; brother, Daryl (Paula) Steele II; nieces and nephew, Megan, Ashleigh and Daniel (Rachel), as well as numerous other family members and friends. She was preceded in death by her grandparents.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at FoxView, 975 Main Street, Nashville MI 49073. The immediate family will receive family from 12-1:30 p.m. and friends from 1:30-2 p.m. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to Ionia County Humane Society in loving memory of Sheri DeAnne Cogswell. To leave condolences for the family, visit our website www.millsfuneral.com.