Obituaries
Julie A. Parish
Julie Ann Parish, 49 of Vermontville, died one day before her 50th birthday on November 8, 2021, due to an unfortunate accident. Born in Lansing, MI on November 9, 1971, to Jerry and Joyce (Wells) Bristol, she grew up and graduated from Olivet High School.
Julie had a way of winning people over very quickly, with her beautiful Christian attitude, she believed in the power of prayer and saving souls by bringing others to the Lord. Julie was very faithful to the church. She spent her time and money on what was most important to her: helping people and bringing them together and spreading joy to others. A big hug was in store for everyone Julie knew, even people she just met. A bit stubborn once she made up her mind, Julie used this to her advantage to get things done.
Family was everything to Julie. She was very proud of her grandkids and truly enjoyed time spent with them and the adventures they had, doing anything and everything for them. Her family was so excited to share that she arranged for an enormous 200-foot slip and slide on their last 4th of July together, just one example of her fun side and making things extra-special for her family. For the last 13 years Julie worked for Shyft. She had an exemplary work ethic, was proud of a job well done and a very valued member of their team.
Julie is survived by her grandmother, Marianna Wells; husband, John Dale Parish; parents, Jerry and Joyce Bristol; children, Tosha Parish, Sarah Berryhill, Nicole Parish and John Henry Parish; grandchildren, Lamont, Sydnee, Samyah, Louise and Henry; sister, Jenny Stewart (Kenneth Stewart Jr); niece, Keighly Alley (Danny Alley); nephews, Jimmie Stewart (Shaylee Stewart) and Jacob Stewart (Taylor Stewart); great-nephew, Stetson; father-in-law, Jack Quantrell; and best friends, Becky Bruce, Stasi Glasscock, Vee Grimwood, Sherree Carpenter and Kris Locke. She was predeceased by her grandfather, Kenneth Wells; and mother-in-law, Judy Quantrell.
Friends and family are encouraged to support Julie’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her tribute page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation is Friday, November 19, 2-4:00 PM and 6-8:00 PM at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. Memorial Services will be Saturday, November 20, 12:00 noon at the Charlotte Assembly of God with Pastor Randy Royston 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 Julie’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). Memorial contributions are suggested to New Hope Community, where Julie was very involved as an active member and a trustee. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home.
James M. Lerch
James Marion Lerch, an avid bowler and patriotic man, died November 15, 2021, at the age of 64. He was born August 22, 1957, in Charlotte to James and Jean (Denherder) Lerch. Traveling the country on his Harley, James enjoyed lots of road trips but his favorite place to visit was always Las Vegas. Many people will remember James from bowling, as he bowled on leagues for over 20 years, and from Reidy’s Pizza where he was a bartender. Some of James favorite things including watching the Detroit Tigers play baseball, listening to country music, and enjoying a cocktail with friends. He also worked as an estimator for lumber yards including Wolohan Lumber and Barry County Lumber, giving builder’s estimates for the supplies they needed to complete their projects.
James is survived by siblings, Patricia (Milt) Freeman, Beverly Daniels (Robert Swan), Michael (Valerie) Lerch; and many nieces and nephews as well as great-nieces and great-nephews. He was predeceased by his parents; and his loving feline friend of 22 years, Annie the cat.
Friends and family are encouraged to support James family by attending services or sharing memories on his tribute page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation is Sunday, November 21, 4-6:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. Funeral services are Monday, November 22, 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home. 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 James’ tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). Memorial contributions are suggested to any veteran service organization. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home.
Mary O. Bergman
Mary Olive Bergman, age 93 from Charlotte formly of Lansing passed away on November 16, 2021. Mary was employed by the Lansing School District. Arrangements are being made by Pray Funeral Home, Inc.
George W. Riddle
George Willis Riddle, 96, of Charlotte, died peacefully on Sunday, November 7, 2021, surrounded by his family. George was born August 7, 1925, in Charlotte, the son of Grover Cleveland and Mabel Louise (Summers) Riddle. George was drafted into the U.S. Army during his junior year of high school and shipped out in 1943 to serve in the 82nd Airborne in the European theater of WWII. Upon his return from the war in 1946, he went back to Charlotte High School and graduated in 1946. After school, he went to work part-time at the Post Office and Aluminum Extrusion. He later went to Carefree, rising to Plant Manager before his retirement in 1985. He and his wife, Wilma “Billy” Riddle, enjoyed travelling all over the world, marking each destination with a peg on the world map at home. Years later, he and his companion, Wanda, spent winters in Englewood, FL, where George loved sunbathing, a craving he enjoyed all the way into his last days. In his last years, he enjoyed ice cream on Fridays with his granddaughter, and time spent close to family.
George is survived by his daughter, Denise Riddle; son, Geoffrey (Diana) Riddle; daughter-in-law, Darlene Riddle; 4 grandchildren, Kara Riddle, Kaci Riddle, Nicole (Chad) Guilford, and Amanda (Bobby) Decker; 9 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews; and his long-time companion, Wanda Wells. He was predeceased by his wife, Wilma “Billy” (Amick) Riddle; son, George Willis Riddle, Jr.; and sisters, Eunice Wells and Jean Oberlin.
Friends and family are encouraged to support George’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his tribute page at www.prayfuneral.com. A Memorial Service was held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, November 12, 2021, at Pray Funeral Home with Laura Cooper officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Interment will take place in Maple Hill Cemetery, Charlotte. 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 George’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). Memorial contributions are suggested to Mid-Michigan Hospice. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home.
Rita M. Godin
Rita Marie Godin, 69, of Charlotte, a woman of devout Faith and enduring love for her family, died on Wednesday, November 10, 2021. Rita was born February 8, 1952, in Granite City, IL, the daughter of William Edward and Norma Gail (Reis) Breidenbach. She earned a bachelor’s degree in speech pathology and started her master’s degree at the University of Northern Colorado, where she met the love of her life, Donald Edward Godin. The two married on June 16, 1973, in Colorado, and started their family. Throughout the early years of their family life, they moved to several different states, before settling in Charlotte, MI in 1987. Shortly after, in 1993, Rita started substitute teaching throughout the area. Education and learning remained a life-time passion for Rita. Her interest in the connection between music and brain health led her to attend many conferences on brain-based learning. She was always interested in understanding how the human mind learned, and in seeking how sound and natural healing works to expand brain power, especially in children. She was a devoted and busy mother of 7 and served at both the local and state levels of the Parent Advisory Committee, an organization dedicated to children with special needs. Rita loved to dance. She was a member of the County Cloggers and enjoyed square dancing in her youth, and always pestering Don to get on the dance floor. She was also an avid sewer, creating many special treasures for her family and friends. Rita loved the local Charlotte Library and could often be found there. She contributed much to her St. Mary Parish family, including co-founding the Youth Group, and singing in the choir. Many will remember her calming presence as a Lector at St. Mary Catholic Church in Charlotte, and all her service to others in the church and beyond.
Rita is survived by her husband of 48 years, Donald Godin; their 7 children, Michelle (Karl) Hart, Paul (Stacie) Godin, David (Alison) Godin, Stephen Godin, Elisabeth (Andrew) Struve, Phillip Godin, and Jeannette (Robert) Holloway; 13 grandchildren; 3 step-grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; sisters, Mary Teresa (Don) Hanes and Catherine (Charles) Bachwirtz; brothers, Edward (Sylvia) Breidenbach and James (Carmen) Breidenbach; and her nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents and her infant daughter, Monica.
Friends and family are encouraged to support Rita’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her tribute page at www.prayfuneral.com. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 29, 2021, at St. Mary Catholic Church with Rev. Fr. Dwight Ezop officiating. Visitation will be from 2:00 – 4:00 and 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. with a Rosary at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 28, 2021, at Pray Funeral Home. Interment will take place in Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte. 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 Rita’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). Memorial contributions are suggested to the Charlotte Library or Area 8 Special Olympics. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home.