Obituaries
Michael James Cole
Michael James Cole, 65, a man dedicated to his family and friends, died peacefully on Friday, July 18, 2025. Mike was born April 28, 1960 in Lansing and was the son of Lawrence and Shirley (Prevost) Cole. As a young man, Mike worked for Longs of Lansing making many lifelong friends. He then joined Capital Cadillac as parts manager and worked there for over 20 years. In his retirement years, he carried his knowledge over to various automotive parts stores including Advanced Auto and Napa.
Mike had many friends and loved hanging out, listening to music, and debating with whomever would listen. You could often find him riding his bike around town, hitting up the local food joints for their nightly specials and a few cold ones with his brother. No matter where Mike was, he carried his real passion, music, with him, his favorite music being from the 60s and 70s. Throughout the years Mike went to countless concerts. He was his happiest listening to music outdoors in the sunshine with friends and a cold beer in his hand. Much like his father, he had a lifetime interest in cars and loved watching the Detroit Lions and Tigers. He also enjoyed
snowmobiling, playing softball and volleyball in his day, and had an avid love for frogs. Above all, family meant everything to Mike.
Later in life he met the love of his life Diane. They enjoyed many years taking road trips, and spending time together. Their favorite spot to frequent was Pere Marquette.
Mike is survived by his loving girlfriend, Diane Conner; siblings, Karen Berry and Keith Cole; nephews, Ben (Ashleigh) and Brian (Dayna) Berry; great-nephew and niece, Cole and Camryn (aka Mug and Mini). He was predeceased by his parents and his brother-in-law, Richard Berry.
Friends are encouraged to support Mike’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his tribute page at www.prayfuneral.com. A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 30, 2025 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., just prior to the service. Please join the family for food, fellowship and sharing memories of Mike immediately following the service at the Forty ET Eight Chateau, 2949 S. Waverly Hwy., Lansing, MI 48911.
The funeral will be webcast so you may watch it from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device that has internet access. Go to prayfuneral.com. Click Michael’s tribute, then click on photos and videos from your device. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Paul J. Johnson
Paul J. Johnson was born on February 23, 1936 and left this world on July 19, 2025 in his home at Independence Village, Grand Ledge, MI.
Paul was born in Eaton Rapids, Michigan to Paul R. and Bessie L. (Whitaker) Johnson. He was preceded in death by his parents; his cousin, Charlie Johnson; and his wife of 40 years, Carol (Vaag) Johnson in 2017. He is survived by his children, Eileen (Jerry) Fhaner, Janette (Dan) Miller, Doug (Tom Alton) Johnson, Jim Kirk, and John (Randi) Johnson; grandchildren, Nicole Miller, Heather Miller, Willie Huhn, Ryan (Dani) Miller, Allison (Jordon) Williams, and Kylie (Skiland) Judd; and nine great-grandchildren.
Paul spent most of his years in the Charlotte area, with a few years in Wolverine, Michigan as his dad moved them there to find work. His parents lives, and his childhood was tough; at 15 his first paying job was hauling ashes of coal out of the basements for school teachers for 50 cents an hour. He also worked at the box factory where he made 60 cents an hour. While helping raise his family, he worked at Beech Manufacturing, Dale Steel and in 1967 began work at Fisher Body where he worked until retirement in 1997. For 8 years, while working at Fisher Body, he picked up and hauled milk to Detroit and Ovid.
He and Carol loved to travel in their RV, and when he retired they spent their time between Michigan, Minnesota, and Arizona. In his heart, Paul was a farmer and the time in Minnesota was spent working the fields in the spring and harvesting in the fall. They made many friends over the years and Paul continued to do so when he moved to Independence Village after Carol passed. His family and friends will miss his easy smile, his friendly demeanor, his whistling, and his sense of humor.
Friends are encouraged to support Paul’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation and services will be held on Thursday, July 31 at 11:00 a.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests The American Diabetes Foundation or Hospice of Michigan for memorial gifts. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Shirley Ann Delaney
Shirley Ann Delaney of Charlotte, formerly of Vanderbilt, Michigan, devoted her life to her family and her church. She went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, July 20, 2025 at the age of 90. Shirley was born October 24, 1934 to Sidney and Carrie (Howse) Robinson. She lived a life of caring for others, became an LPN after her children were grown and maintained being active for many years at Vanderbilt Community Church, and more recently Chester Gospel Church. Due to her husband’s employment with the State Police they moved around Michigan encouraging her to find her own ways to contribute to the communities they lived in. Shirley enjoyed hosting family gatherings, multi-generational camping trips, hosting deer camp, and loved vacationing with her family. She enjoyed doing crafts with her sister and sister-in-law, reading, cooking, and was known to make a really delectable blackberry pie. No matter what the time was, when family came to visit she always had something delicious to eat.
Shirley is survived by her children, Robert (Bethany) Delaney, Shelley (Jerry) Melville, Tom (Dianne) Delaney, and Dianna (Scott) Martin; nine grandchildren, John (Jenna) Delaney, Christine (Adam) Graff, Josiah Delaney, Melissa Melville, Carrie Melville, Brian (Melinda) Delaney, Jennifer (Bryan) Golonka, Max (Cassie) Martin, and Aimee (Paul) Westhouse; thirteen great-grandchildren, Alice, Willa, John David, Forrest, Elliot, Grayson, Ruby, Mason, Malaina, Maverick, Everett, Ford, and Maeve; brother, Mac (Sue) Robinson; sisters-in-law, Beverly Robinson and Norrine (Larry) Dipinski; and dear friend, Betty Christian. She was predeceased by her husband, Robert Delaney Sr. in 2014; her parents; and siblings, Wayne Robinson and Trudy (Larry) Anderson.
Friends are encouraged to support Shirley’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation were held Thursday, July 24, 2025 from 2-3:00 p.m. with Funeral service following at 3:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Pastor Robert Baribeau 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 Shirley’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). Interment will take place on Friday, July 25, at Fairview Cemetery in Gaylord. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Chester Gospel Church. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Mary Carolyn Lease-Strang
Mary Carolyn Lease-Strang of Eaton Rapids, passed away on July 22, 2025, at the age of 93. Mary was born in Eaton Rapids, Michigan on July 14, 1932, the daughter of Victor and Lucile (MacDonald) Alt. She graduated from Eaton Rapids High School in 1950. After high school she attended Katharine Gibbs Secretarial School in Boston. Mary worked for Consumer’s Energy as a Secretary in Eaton Rapids and Charlotte for several years before going on to work for Motor Wheel for 14 years before her retirement. She married Don Lease on June 3, 1953. Mary and Don had a cottage on Pretty Lake and enjoyed boating on Spring Lake. She liked to crochet and in her earlier years Mary enjoyed golfing with her daughter. She was a gifted pianist, even taking lessons at Michigan State. She shared her talent for many years at the First Congregational Church playing cantatas. Mary was also very sociable and one of her favorite things was to play cards with friends and family.
Mary is survived by her children, Vicki Lease of Eaton Rapids, Janie (Mark) Fitzgerald of Eaton Rapids; sister, Ginny (Dick) Huntington of Hart. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Donald Lease in 1990; second husband, Keith Strang in 1999; parents, Victor and Lucille Alt; son-in-law, Jim Cowles; lifelong friend, Sharon Pierce.
A Graveside Service will be held at a later date. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the Braille and Talking Book Library, 702 West Kalamazoo Street, Lansing, MI 48909. To leave condolences for the family, visit our website www.millsfuneral.com.
Betty Lou Goostrey
Betty Lou Goostrey passed away peacefully on July 15, 2025, at the age of 89.
Born on December 7, 1935, to Silvion and Ethel Dahlem, Betty lived a life marked by strength, warmth, and devotion to those she loved. She was known for her incredible hospitality—always ready with food on the table, a kind word, and a welcoming home.
A woman of many talents, Betty found joy in quilting, gardening, and growing flowers. She had a lifelong passion for genealogy and spent countless hours exploring her family’s history. She was a hard worker and a true friend to many.
In the early 1960s, Betty embarked on a motorcycle trip to Alaska and back—an adventure that perfectly captured her sense of wonder. She loved traveling, playing cards, and simply being surrounded by the people she loved.
Betty was blessed with four children from her first marriage to George Hammond: Douglas Hammond, Steven Hammond, Dawn Hammond, and Gayle Hammond. She later found love again and married Edward Goostrey, with whom she shared a joyful life filled with travel, laughter, and companionship.
She was preceded in death by both George and Edward, as well as all four of her children. Despite these profound losses, Betty’s love for her family remained unwavering, and her legacy continues through her grandchildren and great-grandchildren—whom she cherished deeply.
Betty is survived by her brother, Charles Dahlem, whom she loved very much; her daughters-in-law, Karen Schriner, Nancy Wilson, and Sandra Hammond; as well as many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews who will carry forward her stories, her strength, and her love.
Betty loved the Lord, and her Bible was filled with bookmarks and underlined verses. One she had highlighted was Hebrews 13:5: “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Her family finds deep comfort in knowing that she is now at peace, resting in the presence of her Savior.
A private graveside service will be held for the family.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages you to honor her memory by planting something beautiful or spending time with those you love—just as Betty always did.
To view Betty’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.