Obituaries
Merle W. Oliver
Merle Wayne Oliver, of Charlotte, formerly of Eaton Rapids, passed away September 29, 2021, at the age of 94. Merle was born in West Liberty, Ill., June 28, 1927, the son of Harold and Fannie (Buchanan) Oliver. At the age 17, he enlisted in the US Navy where he would proudly served during WWII for six years. After retiring from the Navy, he went on to enlist with the Army National Guard in Lansing as a Supply Sergeant where he worked for 21 years before retiring. Merle was also a school bus driver in Eaton Rapids, a hobby farmer, and a member of the First United Methodist Church in Eaton Rapids. He enjoyed playing golf, square dancing, watching horse races and was a huge Michigan fan.
Merle is survived by his wife of 73 years, Barbara Oliver; son, Gary (Yolanda) Oliver of DeWitt; daughters, Sue Oliver of Eaton Rapids and Sheryl Oliver of Eaton Rapids; grandchildren, Eric Cervantes, Stacy (Travis) Lemon, Jayme (Jesse) Lawton, Angela Oliver, Robert (Mary) Oliver, Meagan (Randy) McLouth, Sara (Jeremy) Latham, Joshua (Rebecca) Oliver; 11 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; sister-in-law, Carol Oliver; brother-in-law, Jim Aldrich. He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Sunie Oliver; siblings, Ted Oliver, Marian Jessup, Betty Dunevant, Ellen “Cricket” Aldrich.
Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday October 9, 2021, at the First United Methodist Church, 600 S. Main St., Eaton Rapids, Mich. A light reception will follow the service. Memorial contributions may be made to the church. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. To leave online condolences for the family, please visit their website, millsfuneral.com.
Patricia A. Payne
Patricia Ann Payne, age 83, passed away on Wednesday, September 29, 2021, at MidMichigan Medical Center in West Branch, Mich. She was born on January 24, 1938, in Greenville, Mich. to LD and Mildred (Haner) Baldwin. Patricia lived in Rose City, Mich. for the last two years, formerly of Eaton Rapids, Mich. On November 14, 1958, she married John Payne in Lansing, Mich. Patricia was a member of the First Baptist Church in Bellevue, Mich. when she lived in Eaton Rapids. She was attending Fresh Start Ministries Church in West Branch. Over the years she enjoyed making many kinds of crafts, including crocheting, cross stitching, tole painting and card making. She loved Jesus and her family and showed it in many ways. Patricia could make anyone feel comfortable and loved. Patricia is survived by her loving husband of almost 63 years, John Payne of Rose City; daughters, Barbara (Jeffrey) Morse of Rose City and Susan (Douglas) Sherman of Eaton Rapids; six grandchildren, five great grandchildren; and sister, Carol Gooder of Bellevue, Mich. She is preceded in death by her parents. A celebration of life for Patricia will be held later. Condolences can be mailed to The Payne Family, PO Box 83, Rose City, MI 48654 or shared online at steuernolmclaren.com Arrangements were handled by Steuernol & McLaren Funeral Home in Rose City, Michigan.
Arthur L. Clark
Arthur Lee Clark, age 72, of Charlotte, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, September 26, 2021. He was born April 7, 1949, in Lansing, the son of Richard and Carla (Hodge) Clark. He graduated from Lansing Sexton High School in 1967. Art proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. His favorite pastime was hanging out with his family whenever he was able. He also enjoyed fishing, gardening, grilling, and making people laugh. April Fool’s Day was his most favorite holiday. Art retired from Walmart after many faithful years of service in the floor maintenance department. Art had a heart of gold and would always see to it that everyone was taken care of even if it was to his own detriment.
Art is survived by his children: Travis Clark of Charlotte, Adam (Beth) Clark of Charlotte, Kelly Clark of Charlotte; step-children: Cheri (Brad) Cook, David Griffith, Travis (Kershana) Griffith; 11 grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren; sister, Toni (Mike) Hurl of Lansing; brother, Tim Clark of Lansing; honorary daughter, Katrina Willoughby; and several nieces, nephews and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wives: Barb Clark in 1986, Wanita Clark on June 6, 2021; brother, Bruce Clark; and step-son, Jim Griffith.
A graveside service with military honors will be held on Friday, October 8, 2021 at 11:30 a.m. at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, Mich. The family asks that all those planning to attend the graveside service to please arrive at least 15 minutes early. There will also be a memorial gathering held on Friday from 12:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the American Legion Post 42 in Charlotte.
Those desiring, may make contributions in Art’s memory to the family or the charity of their choice.
To view Art’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.
Jacob L. Lincoln
Jacob Lee Lincoln, 36, a guy with a magnetic personality that always drew people to him, died September 25, 2021, in San Antonio, Texas. Jacob was born in San Antonio on August 15, 1985, to James and Jodi (Hicks) Lincoln. They later moved to Charlotte, Mich. where Jacob grew up and graduated from High School. Friends and family remember Jacob as a fun-loving goofball, a character that loved friendly conversation and playing pranks on his friends and family. A very family-oriented guy, Jacob was very close with his older brother, Nicolas, and did lots of activities with his extended family like fishing, bike riding, and being quite a daredevil in many activities. There are stories of mountain biking near Eaton Rapids through a rough terrain, riding skateboards, and all sorts of outdoor activities because Jacob wasn’t afraid to try anything. Guns intrigued him, so he started collecting them.
Since Jacob wasn’t afraid to try anything, he learned how to be an exceptional HVAC technician. The business he worked for, Will Fix It HVAC, said he was beyond exceptional as a technician, and an extraordinary salesman. He was a customer favorite.
His family is very proud that Jacob gave his heart to God, and now he rests in his Heavenly Father’s arms. Jacob is survived by his parents, Jodi Lincoln of Charlotte, Mich. and James Lincoln of San Antonio, Texas; brother, Nicolas (Sara) Lincoln; niece, Emma Grace; grandparents, Peggy Lincoln and Hulen (Mary) Lincoln; aunt, Sherry Lincoln; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Jim Hicks; grandmother, Jackie Hicks; and great-grandmother, Edna Roberts.
Friends and family are encouraged to support Jacob’s family by attending services or sharing memories on their tribute page at prayfuneral.com. Visitation and services will take place at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte, Mich. in the near future. Information on the services will be shared as soon as it is available. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home.
Nancy L. Whalen
Nancy Lee Whalen, 74, of Newberry, died Thursday afternoon, September 23, 2021, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.
Born May 24, 1947, in Eaton Rapids, daughter of the late Edward J. and Phyllis N. (Hill) Merchant, Nancy was a 1965 graduate of Charlotte High School and attended Davenport College of Business.
Nancy was employed as a bookkeeper for several companies in the Lansing area until her retirement. A resident of Newberry since 2008, Nancy was a member of Living Waters Assembly of God Church and the American Legion Post #74 Ladies Auxiliary. Her hobbies included crocheting, knitting, quilting, playing cribbage and an avid NASCAR fan.
In addition to her parents, Nancy is preceded in death by her husband, Walter Whalen; and son, Richard “Rick” Whalen.
Survivors include her children, Louanna (Jeff) Lawson of Charlotte, Buck (Cheryl) Whalen of Eaton Rapids, and Jody (Peter) Lannoo of Canton; eleven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; siblings, Sandra Fast of Charlotte, Sue Valora of Charlotte, and Aggie (Neal) Robertson of Eaton Rapids; daughter-in-law, Nancy Whalen of Holt; close friends and relatives of the Whalen family.
Per request, cremation services were accorded. A Celebration of Life will take place Saturday October 30, 2021 from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the V.F.W. Post 2406, 695 Lansing Road, Charlotte, Michigan 48813.
Memorials may be directed to the family in her loving memory.
Condolences may be expressed at beaulieufuneralhome.com.
Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.