Obituaries
Cruz R. Silvas
Cruz R. Silvas, age 90, of Charlotte, passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, August 14, 2021. She was born May 2, 1931, in San Antonio, Tex. the daughter of Pedro and Marcelina (Garcia) Rangel. On November 28, 1948, she married the love of her life, Frank R. Silvas. Cruz had a heart of gold and was always concerned about the needs of other. She adored her family and was especially fond of all her grandchildren. She was a lady in the truest sense of the word. Cruz was always polite and courteous towards others. She was a huge baseball fan and could often be found in front of the TV cheering for her team. Cruz was an excellent cook and began making tortillas at the age of seven. Even though she only attended formal school until the third grade she went on to accomplish great things in life. She was a tremendous bookkeeper and was the glue that held the family together.
Cruz is survived by her children, Olga “Augie” Williams of Charlotte, Frank (Barbara) Silvas of Charlotte, Theresa Faust of Charlotte; grandchildren, Ron McConnell, Yvonne (Bill) Sandner, Travis (Carli) Silvas, Ryan (Vanessa) Silvas, Bailey (Alley) Silvas, Brendon (Sarah) Rankin, Amber Faust, Wesley Faust, Arron Faust; 17 great-grandchildren; one great-great- grandchild; brothers, Pedro Rangel, Louis (Debbie) Rangel; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Frank; son-in-law, D. Kent Williams; grandson, Blake Rankin; sister, Modesta Brown; brother, Martin Rangel and two infant sisters.
Funeral services were held on Thursday, August 19, 2021. at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home. Burial followed at Maple Hill Cemetery.
Those desiring, may make contributions in Cruz’s memory to the National Kidney Foundation, 11921 Rockville Pike, Suite 300, Rockville, MD 20852.
To view Cruz’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit burkhead-green-kilgo.com.
Linda Sue (Wright) Kenyon
Linda passed away on August 13, 2021 after a long and courageous battle with dementia.
Linda was born on January 31, 1952 to DeWayne and Barbara Wright, where she grew up on her beloved family farm. Linda was a country girl through and through. Linda graduated from Maple Valley High School in 1970. Linda and Mike Kenyon were married on August 28, 1971, after a romance that began in 8th grade (YES 8th grade!).
Linda was the most genuine person anyone could ever wish to meet. Linda never had an enemy. She did not like confrontation and would always find the best and gentlest way to resolve the situation.
Linda was gifted with not one but two green thumbs which probably were inherited from her father. When her aunt Dema opened “Grandma’s Greenery” in Nashville, Linda went to work for her. After a few pointers from her aunt, Linda went on to become an award-winning floral designer. Her love and skill for all things floral and plants became legendary in the Mid-Michigan area.
If anyone asked Linda what meant the most to her, it would be her love of family. Her own immediate family, her family of friends, who are near and far, and the Wright family. she cherished so much being born into the Wright family and the love and memories that she carried with her all of her life.
She was preceded in death by her parents, DeWayne and Barbara; infant son, J. Patrick; brother-in-law, Rick Rochester.
Linda is survived by her husband, Mike; daughter, Sarah Kopulos; and son, Patrick (Christy) Kenyon; sisters, Debra (Dave) Ressler, Cindy Rochester, Denise (Randy) Kendra; and eight awesome grandchildren, Drew and Cal Kopulos, Annabel, Trey, Lucy, J. Loyal, and Vivian Kenyon.
Goodbye to the most beautiful person, inside and out.
“She is all that I said before and always a little after.
She is all that she can be in everything that is done.
She is all the flowers in the field, and all the jewels in my eyes.
She is a world within myself, which nothing can conceal.”
A celebration of life for Linda will be held September 18, 2021 at 1 p.m. at the Nazarene Church in Nashville.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Daniels Funeral Home in Nashville, MI. For further details please visit danielsfuneralhome.net.
Mary J. Workman
Mary Joyce Workman, “Aunt Mary” to all, died August 13, 2021. Mary, 60, of Charlotte was born on May 23, 1961, in Lansing to James and Vernal (Atwell) Workman. Mary graduated from Charlotte High School in 1979 and spent most of her career at the Collins Road Post Office front window. She retired in 2020 from the Dimondale Post Office after many dedicated years to the U.S. Postal Service. She will always be remembered as a loving, thoughtful, and generous woman who baked the best cinnamon rolls. Every Easter, the congregation at Peace Lutheran Church could count on a special cinnamon roll treat. Mary was so proud of her nieces and nephews and was very involved in their lives. Mary’s greatest loves were her fur babies. She would dress them up for special occasions, such as cowboy outfits at Frontier Days.
Mary is survived by her siblings, Roger (Marcia) Workman, Jim (Kim) Workman and Cheryl (Robert) White; nephews Michael Warren and Matt Pfeifer; best friend, Pamela Ochoa-Rodriguez. She was preceded in death by her parents.
Friends are encouraged to support Mary’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her tribute page at prayfuneral.com. Visitation is Saturday, August 21, 2021, 2 to 4 p.m. with the funeral immediately following in the Pray Funeral Home Gardens in Charlotte with Pastor Neil Brady officiating. The family invites attendees to a luncheon after the service at Peace Lutheran Church in Charlotte. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Howard E. Griffin Jr. “Griff”
May 8, 1951 – July 5, 2021
On May 8, 1951, Howard was born to Howard Griffin Sr. and Dorothy (Smutek), growing up in the Pennifield area. As a boy he was a dedicated Boy Scout and loved getting into mischief – especially when it involved the one he knew as dad, Wink and uncles, or on the Ashcraft farm in Olivet where he quickly became family.
He spent as much of his life as he could in nature – in the woods or on the water – camping, hunting, fishing, farming or just listening; or even racing and riding anything with a motor. A life-long believer in happiness, he knew no matter the situation or how bad he was hurting, he needed others happy. He was known for being goofy and funny, knowing how to make anyone smile.
He attended Pennifield High School where he loved playing sports, earning him a scholarship to U of M. In 1969 he graduated, turning down college to proudly join the Marine Corp. He left for San Diego, California for training and then traveled the world where needed most. Though a well-trained, high ranked, honorable Marine, he loved telling stories of pranks and mischief he and his brothers would do.
After returning home he married Kim Gallihugh and started his family shortly after, settling in Olivet where he was a loving, devoted father. He taught his children morals, honor, humor, the love of all nature and how to survive from her, and the basic needs to stay strong in life.
He married his partner in life, Sally, in the early 90’s, shortly after they purchased their little piece of heaven in Blaney Park, spending as much free time as they could there. That became easier after his retirement from Air Way Manufacturing in Olivet. They spent every spring and summer there in the tranquility of the woods, enjoying sitting on the deck and feeding the wildlife, especially the chipmunks.
Griff loved spending time with family and friends, telling stories over a hot cup of black coffee. He also enjoyed scratching scratchers or wearing cards out playing solitaire while keeping score.
Our proud Marine passed July 5, 2021, close the beautiful shores of Lake Superior while in the U.P. for the summer; it was one his favorite places on earth to be.
Griff was preceded in death by his grandparents, John and Leah Smutek; parents, Wink and Dorothy Brewer; biological father, Howard Griffin Sr.; along with many, many, friends and family members.
Surviving him are his wife, Sally; his son, Bridger; precious granddaughter, Dezeray; daughter and on-in-law, Charity and Pete; Godchildren, Chris, YoYo, and Lizzy; sister, Evelynn; brother, Wayne; his favorite uncle and aunt, Frank and Peg; his two best friends, Mike Schriner and Mike Rigelman; many nieces and nephews and friends; plus, a half-sister and –brother whom he was never able to meet, Michelle and Mike Griffin.
There was a private family viewing, respectfully arranged by the very caring and professional people of Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services in beautiful Marquette, MI, (906)-228-3040.
Any thoughts, memories or family contributions can be sent to Howard’s daughter, Charity Griffin, P.O. Box 293, Olivet, MI 49076.
Nicholas L. Kane
Nicholas “Nick” Lee Kane, born March 19, 1985 at 7:11 a.m. in Lansing at Sparrow Hospital and was taken from us too soon on August 14, 2021. Survived by his wife Shiria Nichole (Velasquez) Kane, son Ethan Lee Kane, girlfriend Rachael DePue, mother Kimberly K. Day (Scott), father Gary L. Kane, mother in-law Susan Houghton (Jeff), favorite father-in law Arthur Velasquez (Sandii Peterson), brother Brian Kane (Cindy), sister Jennifer Anderson (Phil), aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. He was proceeded in death by his grandparents, Charles and Beverly Kane, Harvey and Shirley Gearhart and Arturo and Maria Velasquez. Early in his life he enjoyed playing high school football at Charlotte High School, weightlifting, Boy Scouts and yearly trips to Cedar Point. In his free time, you could find Nick enjoying a Michigan football game, working on and remodeling their home, finding items online that he could fix up using the skills he learned from his dad or helping those around him. He was the type of person that would give the shirt off his back if there was someone in need, if you didn’t know him, he may look intimidating, but those who knew and loved him knew he was just a big caring “Teddy Bear” with a contagious laugh and smile. His hard work ethic and competitive nature could be seen in everything from his job to playing games with his family, who he loved very much and were his pride and joy. In his final months he found extreme joy in his relationship with his growing family. Public visitation for Nick was held on Friday, August 20, at the Palmer, Bush & Jensen Family Funeral Home, Lansing Chapel, between 2 and 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m., located at 520 E. Mt Hope Ave in Lansing. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 21, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Tiger Den Pavilion within Potter Park Zoo on Pennsylvania Ave. The family requests that you wear either U of M attire or something blue in his honor.