Obituaries
Mary Lou Velasquez-Solis
Mary Lou Velasquez-Solis, age 74, of Dowling, formerly of Charlotte, passed away Sunday, November 7, 2021. She was born June 22, 1947, in Stockbridge, MI the daughter of Guillermo and Maria (Vasquez) Velasquez. Mary Lou received her primary education in Laredo, Texas as she traveled with her family early on in life as a migrant worker. After wanting a better life for their children, Mary Lou’s parents moved them to Michigan, where she worked her later teenage years as a waitress and in housekeeping. Mary Lou’s job she loved the most though, was being a homemaker and mother to her children. They were all her pride and joy! She carried a strong work ethic throughout her life and was known a being a woman very strong in her faith. Mary Lou had a heart of gold and was a mother, friend, or grandmother to all that she knew. It made her happy to cook for and feed her family. She was known to cook every meal with just a touch of her soul. She was a nurturer, a giver, and an avid Goodwill shopper- always shopping for bargains and deals she could gift to others. Mary Lou will never be forgotten and will be truly missed by her family and her friends.
Mary Lou is survived by her children: Joey Reyna of Haslett, Marcos (Elsa Grable) Reyna of Fort Wayne, Jessica (Andrew) Gibbs of Dowling; grandchildren: Mercedes (Mark) Tompkins, Jasmine Reyna, Maria Reyna, Anthony Reyna, Andrew Reyna, Colby Lewis, Talia (Bret) Goedert, Janessa Wood; great grandchildren: Vera Tompkins, Amelia Tompkins, Paisley Goedert; siblings: Willie (Jesus) Velasquez, Chris (Maria) Velasquez, Santiago (Sarah Slocum) Velasquez, Margie (Rudy) Soto; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Mary Ellen; and niece, Ann Williamson.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, November 15, 2021, at 6 p.m. at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home. A time of visitation when the family will receive friends will take place two hours prior to the service at the funeral home from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Those desiring, may make contributions in Mary Lou’s honor to the charity of their choice.
To view Mary Lou’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com
Loraine S. Trudell
Loraine Sue (Barnhart) Trudell, age 80, of Quincy, Illinois, died Saturday, October 30, 2021, in Eastside Home in Pittsfield IL. She had been ill with lung cancer, yet peacefully passed while under hospice care. Sue (Loraine) was born June 11, 1941 in Olivet, MI. the daughter of Bert and Thelma (Goodrich) Barnhart. As a graduate of Olivet High School, Sue continued her affinity for reading, whether for education or entertainment. While quiet on the surface, Sue quickly opened up to engage in meaningful discussion. She was also known as a fountain of information when it came to history and politics. In addition to raising their three sons with spouse Thomas, she was skilled at writing and copy-editing for various publications, working for magazines and newspapers. Sue also worked for the American Heart Association.
Sue is survived by sons, Craig Trudell of Wisconsin, Sean Trudell of Wisconsin, and Kyle (Sandy) Trudell of Quincy Illinois; former spouse Thomas Trudell of Georgia; grandchildren, Alyssa (Jake) Eisch, Marcus Trudell, Cody (Lauren) McLaughlin, Kyle (Katie) Trudell, Carter Trudell, Taylor Trudell, Gage Garner; and 3 great-grandchildren. Sue was preceded in death by parents Bert Barnhart in 2002 and Thelma Barnhart 2014, sister Sally A. (Barnhart) Jeffery in 2014, aunts Doris Goodrich, Naoma Moore, Yvonne Williamson, and great-grandson Logan McLaughlin.
Memorial services will be held on Friday, Nov. 12, 2021, at 2 p.m. at the Burkhead-Green Kilgo Funeral Home with Rev. Fr. Dwight Ezop officiating. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. just prior to the service. Interment will be in the Lee Center Cemetery near Olivet, Michigan immediately following the memorial service.
To view Sue’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com
Jaynne E. Simpson
Jaynne Elouise Simpson, 74, of Charlotte, a woman always known to wear a loving smile and a tidy hairstyle, died peacefully on Friday, November 5, 2021, surrounded by family at home. Jaynne was born April 2, 1947, in Lansing, the daughter of Dutch immigrants, Peter and Wilma (Boersma) Jansen. She graduated from Charlotte High School in 1965, and in 1968, married the love of her life, Albert Wayne Simpson. The two settled near the family farm to raise their daughters. Jaynne was known to neighborhood children as “Mama Jaynne” for her ever-open invitation into their home. Jaynne worked many years as Church Secretary at 1st Baptist Church of Charlotte, where she will long be remembered for her kindness and compassion. She was a longtime member of the Women’s Home Fellowship, sang in the choir, and played the piano every Sunday for many years. Her family and friends will always remember her jokes and good humor, her perfect hair and makeup, and her devotion to her family and her Faith.
Jaynne is survived by her husband of 53 years, Albert Simpson; daughters, Susan (Scott) Burton and Sarah (Derek) Fountaine; 3 granddaughters, Hannah Fountaine, Holly Fountaine, and Sophie Burton; sisters, Ruth O’Bryant and Anna Mae (Wayne) Karn; twin-sister, Jeanne (William) Bartlett; brother-in-law, Phil Conklin; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents; brother, John Jansen and his wife, Lucille Jansen; sister, Charlotte Conklin; brother-in-law, John O’Bryant; and nephews, David O’Bryant and Don Karn.
Friends and family are encouraged to support Jaynne’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her tribute page at www.prayfuneral.com. Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 11, 2021, at 1st Baptist Church of Charlotte with Pastor Bryce Feighner 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 Jaynne’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). Visitation was from 2:00 – 4:00 and 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 10, 2021, at Pray Funeral Home. Memorial contributions are suggested to 1st Baptist Church of Charlotte, Hospice of Lansing, or The Michigan Alzheimer’s Association. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home.
Dwayne K. Tinkey
Dwayne Keith Tinkey “Tink,” 73 of Charlotte, died unexpectedly on Sunday, November 7, 2021, at home. Dwayne was born March 10, 1948, in Charlotte, the son of Eugene Henry and Lurabelle Mae (Smith) Tinkey. He graduated from Potterville High School before enlisting in the U.S. Army. He also later served in the Army National Guard. In the years following his retirement from General Motors, Tink found himself enjoying the outdoors, especially playing golf. He served as greens keeper at Broadway Acres Golf Course in Charlotte, where he found a whole new family around the course and at the Tiki Bar. He set up the Friday golf scrambles and was a fierce cribbage player, card player, and U of M Fan.
Dwayne is survived by his daughter, Laura (Juan) Castillo; son, Jeffery Tinkey; grandchildren, Elijah and Erica Castillo; great-grandchildren, Kyle Moats and Zane Castillo; brothers, Roger Tinkey and Jim (Jan) Tinkey; many nieces and nephews; his life-long friend, Chuck Colley; and his dog, Lizzy. He was predeceased by his parents.
The family wishes to make a special thank-you to Dwayne’s Broadway Acres Family. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Capital Area Humane Society. The family encouraged family and friends to share photos and stories of Tink by sending an e-mail to dad@tnkrtm.net. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home.
Starr L. Patterson
Starr Lynn Patterson, 57 of Potterville, a warm and kind-hearted individual, died November 6, 2021. She was born in Lansing, MI on August 16, 1964, to Herbert and Gladys (Covell) Sedelmaier. Starr was always willing to help others, and often used her fun sense of humor to help those around her laugh. A sewing machine operator at Peckham Industries, she was very proud of being named Employee of The Month once. Purple was her favorite color, she enjoyed playing games on the computer, and she was frequently heard saying her favorite word, “Whatever.”
Starr is survived by her husband, Robert; three children; her friend and mother-in-law, Linda Winters, Aunt May Covell, Aunt Judy, and Uncle Len Wisniski; and cousins, Tim Bowman, Jerry Bowman, and Penny Bowman; and her beloved pet guinea pig, “Sweetie.” She was preceded in death by her father-in-law, Ray Winters.
Friends and family are encouraged to support Starr’s family by sharing memories on her tribute page at www.prayfuneral.com. A memorial service is being planned for Spring of 2022 at the South Cochran Church of God. Memorial contributions are suggested to the family. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home.