Obituaries
Niles Beardslee
Niles Beardslee of Vernon, Arizona passed peacefully at home surrounded by family on December 16, 2024.
He was born in Windsor Township, Dimondale, Michigan to Carl and Iris Beardslee on January 17, 1935. Niles met and married Marilyn Hicks in Windsor Township, and together raised four children: Steven of Harrison, Sandra (Rick) Griffith of Harrison, Tracy, and Thomas (Sharon) of Vernon, Arizona.
Niles retired from Lindel Drop Forge in Lansing. He also owned and worked a small family farm in Vermontville.
Niles and Marilyn have 15 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren and one on the way.
Niles was preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn, and son, Tracy.
No service is scheduled at this time.
Matthew Michael Hart
Matthew Michael Hart, age 37, beloved son of Richard and Theresa passed away unexpectedly after a brief illness on December 24, 2024. Matt was born April 14, 1987 to Richard and Theresa (Smith) Hart. He was smart, witty, kindhearted, and a friend to anyone he met. He cared deeply for others and would give up anything he had to help someone else. He had a special love for his sister, Jenna, and would not go a day without telling his family that he loved them. We were so blessed to have our entire family living in the same house and caring for Matt during his illness. We will be forever grateful for that time with him.
While attending Charlotte High School, Matt was a very talented trombonist and first chair in the Symphony Band. He studied under the direction of Ava Ordman at Michigan State University. After high school, Matt attended Lansing Community College and graduated at the top of his class in the Paralegal Program.
Above all else, Matt was the most wonderful and loving son that a parent could ask for. He loved unconditionally and strongly and was always the first to apologize if he thought he had wronged you in any way. He will be missed beyond measure and the world will never be the same without him in it. Matt is survived by his parents, Richard and Theresa (Smith) Hart; loving sister whom he adored, Jenna Hart; grandmother, Shirley Hart; aunts and uncles, Gary and Kathie (Smith) Ayotte, Ed and Deborah Smith, Jeff and D’Lynn Smith, and Carl and Cathy (Hart) Anderson, and many loving cousins. He is also survived by his wonderful neighbor friends, Scott and Chris, numerous other friends, and constant companion, his cat, Jack. Matt was preceded in death by his grandparents, Walter Smith, Joan Smith, and Papa Gene Hart.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to New Hope Pet Rescue or an animal rescue of your choice. Pets were very near and dear to Matt’s heart. Family and friends were invited to a visitation on Wednesday, January 1, 2025, 1:00-4:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. Memories of Matt can be shared on his tribute page at www.PrayFuneral.com
Ruth Kenyon
Ruth (Frost) Kenyon, 73 of Nashville passed away unexpectedly on December 22, 2024.
Ruth was born in Hastings on January 26, 1951, the eldest daughter of Roy and Wilma Frost. She graduated from Charlotte High School in 1969.
She was full of life and had many jobs, working at Dog N Suds through high school, A&P grocery store, Owens Illinois. After 25 years she retired from General Motors, as well as owning and operating South End Party store in Nashville from 1987-1997.
Her passions were working in her yard and gardens, cooking and trying new recipes, and had a love for cats.
Ruth leaves behind her devoted husband of 31 years , Larry Kenyon; two sons, Ed Sheldon, Rob and Sarah (Rathbun) Sheldon; grandsons, Dalton (Rage) Sheldon and Eston Sheldon; mother, Wilma Frost; and sister, Roberta Urie.
Proceeding her in death are her father, Roy Frost and brother, Gary Frost.
Celebration of life will take place at Route 66 Tavern (the old 2Js) in Nashville, MI on Sunday, January 26, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Daniels Funeral Home, conveniently located at 9200 E. M-79 Hwy, Nashville, MI. For further details, please visit our website at www.danielsfuneralhome.net.
Richard Dart Otto
Richard (Dick) Dart Otto, age 76, of Olivet, was welcomed into Heaven on Saturday, December 21, 2024 unexpectedly. He was born July 12, 1948, in Lansing, Michigan the son of Thomas and Doris (Schultz) Otto. Richard graduated from Cooley High School in Detroit with the class of 1967. On March 29, 1969, Richard married Lynda E. Jones in Detroit, Michigan. Soon after their marriage, Richard was drafted and was stationed in Dover, Delaware, but his favorite assignment was in Anchorage, Alaska where he served his country in the United States Air Force. After Richard was honorably discharged from the Air Force he decided to stay in Alaska. He went to a trade school for the next four years and became a Plumber/Pipefitter with the UA Local 367 Plumbers and Steamfitters Union in Anchorage, Alaska.
Richard worked in many different areas of Alaska servicing remote Native villages. He also worked on the Alaska Pipeline. Richard was a man of great integrity and was blessed with a contagious smile, robust laugh, and a unique sense of humor. He was an entrepreneur in the truest sense of the word. He started and ran many different businesses throughout the years. He also had a passion for fishing- especially in Alaska on the Kenai River. But what brought him the most joy in his life was his family. He cherished each and every one of them in his own special way. Richard loved spending time together with those that he loved most, including his dog Cooper.
Richard is survived by his wife of 55 years, Lynda; children, Heath (Melinda) Otto of Olivet, Timothy (Kimberly) Otto of Chelsea, Laura (William) Hessert of Bellevue; grandchildren, Payton Otto, Cooper Otto, Teegan Otto, Nolan Otto, Grady Otto; sister, Patricia (Albert) Young of Commerce Township; and numerous nieces, nephews and countless friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, John (Nancy) Otto; nephew, Alan Otto; and grandson, Oliver Hessert.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 4, 2024, at 11 a.m. at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home. The family will received friends on Friday, January 3 at the funeral home and one hour prior to the service on Saturday.
In lieu of flowers, the family would like to collect funds to put towards the beautification or improvement of his favorite fishing place where he spent countless hours and made many memories in Soldotna, Alaska. Funds can be sent to the following Venmo account: @laurahessert. The ability to give cash or a check will also be available at the times of visitations and service.
To view Richard’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com
Cynthia Sue Burns
Cynthia “Cindy” Sue Burns, a God-fearing woman, went to be with the Lord on Monday, December 16, 2024 after a courageous battle with cancer. Cindy, 65, of Charlotte, was born on Christmas Eve 1958 in Lansing, the daughter of Rex and Martha (Linden) Henderson. Upon graduating from Sexton High School in 1977, Cindy attended college for a short time before beginning her career with GM. Cindy worked on the assembly line at GM for 30 plus years before her retirement. After retirement she worked as a CNA at the Eaton County Medical Care Facility. Family meant the world to Cindy. They have endless memories of their travels together around Michigan, checking out the lighthouses, taking in the views of the Great Lakes, or just driving in the country taking in the scenery. Cindy was a movie and TV show buff, she enjoyed all the classics from Indiana Jones to Golden Girls, and Murder She Wrote. The holidays meant a lot to Cindy, she always loved spreading joy to those in need. Cindy was an active member of the Charlotte Assembly of God church in Charlotte. She loved Jesus and was very devoted in her faith. Above all she was proud of her family and all the memories that they share.
Cindy is survived by her children, Traci Zdenahlik, and John Porter; grandchildren, Alizia, Trinidy, and Xavier; mother, Martha Henderson; siblings, Annette (Joe) Cardenas, and Lucy (Brad) Jackson; niece, Kara; and nephew, Kyle. She was predeceased by her father, Rex Henderson; granddaughter, Angelina; and her beloved fur babies.
Friends are encouraged to support Cindy’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation is Sunday, December 22, 2024, from 2-5:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. Funeral services are Monday, December 23, 2024, 1:00 p.m. at Charlotte Assembly of God with Pastor Shane Bryant 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 Cindy’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 Charlotte Assembly of God Church. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.