Obituaries
Bernard Williams
Bernard “Bernie” Williams, a kind and loving father, grandfather and brother, died July 22, 2021. Bernie, 90, lifelong resident of Charlotte, was born September 2, 1930 in Charlotte to Harry and Queen (Moore) Williams. He was a soft-spoken man, kind-hearted and put his focus on others rather than himself. A family man, he treasured the time spent with his wife and children and was there when needed. He had a passion for flying, and was a flight instructor, and a founding member of the Eaton Flying Service. Bernie owned and operated Garfield Tavern with his wife Elsie for 9 years. Later he retired from General Motors as Plant Security. He enjoyed game time with his family and friends and living his best life each and every day. Bernie was able to use his handyman skills to help anyone in need. His love for travel led to many fond memories created of the camping trips up north and out west. If asked, Bernie would say he was most proud of his family.
Bernie is survived by his daughters, Terry Wellman, Jo (Mike) Davis; son, Mark (Denise) Williams; grandchildren, Jarrod Schultz, Tony (Rachel) Schultz, Jeff (Lindsey) Davis, Kyle Williams, Kevin (Kelsey) Williams, Lauren Davis; seven great-grandchildren; siblings, Margaret Harmon, John (Betty) Williams, and Larry Williams. He was predeceased by his wife, Elsie; son, Ronald; and his grandson, Matthew.
Visitation will be held Monday, July 26, from 6-8:00 p.m. and Tuesday, July 27, 10-11:00 a.m. A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, July 27, 11:00 a.m. at Pray Funeral Home with Dan Sowles officiating. Friends are encouraged to support Bernie’s family by attending, or sharing memories on his tribute page at www.prayfuneral.com. The Williams family would like to thank his second family at Hope Landing for the exceptional care he received while there. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Hope Landing. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Lillian E. Morrison
Lillian Ellen Morrison, a longtime employee at Walmart in the jewelry department, died July 19, 2021. Lillian, 90, of Charlotte, was born June 20, 1931 in Aurelius Township, Ingham County Mich. to William and Eliza (Disbrow) Herrick. Lillian was a very loving and caring person who would give you the shirt off her back to help others. One of her most favorite things was taking her grandchildren on several camping trips. Lillian loved to go fishing with her husband, so much so that they did it on their wedding day! She was an avid Detroit Tigers fan and enjoyed knitting afghans for her grandchildren. Lillian was employed by G.C. Murphy’s as a stock person, managed Colonial Village apartments in Olivet for 15 years and was most recently employed by Walmart where she received an award for many years of service in the jewelry department. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
Lillian is survived by her daughters, Marilyn Baker and Foy Hackler; sister, Sharon Garcia; nine grandchildren, many great- and great-great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, Bob Morrison; sons, Gary Morrison and Robert Morrison; parents, William and Eliza (Disbrow) Herrick; brother, William Herrick; sisters, Birtice Lundy, Roberta Quinn, Dorothy Star, Marie Opdike, Maxine Herrick, Vera LaMathe and Pauline Batora.
Graveside services were held Friday, July 23, 2021 at 11 a.m. at Deepdale Memorial Gardens in Lansing, Mich. with Pastor Darwin Kuhl and Pastor Charles Jenson officiating. Visitation was from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte, Mich. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to West Carmel Congregational Church.
Family and friends are encouraged to share remembrances and condolences online at Lillian’s tribute page at prayfuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Richard “Dick” Rulison
Richard “Dick” Rulison, 66, passed away of a heart attack on Sunday, July 11, 2021, at his home on Cabbage Road in Tapiola, Mich. He was born in Charlotte, Mich. and was the son of Katherine and Robert Rulison. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Daniel, who was killed in Vietnam. He is survived by his brother, David; sister-in-law, Linda; and his nephews, Jesse and Adam (wife Rachel), whom he loved very much.
Dick started working with horses in his early teens and apprenticed with a local farrier after graduation from Charlotte High School in 1973. In the early 1980’s he moved to Tapiola where he continued shoeing horses locally and working at the Pelkie Co-op. In 1983 he took a job with Carriage Tours on Mackinac Island. Until his recent retirement, he worked and lived on the island during the summer seasons and spent the winters in Tapiola. He loved his U.P. Tapiola life, and for over 30 years he donated his “off-season time” as a volunteer for Little Brothers-Friends of the Elderly and was a fireman for the Otter Lake Volunteer Fire Department.
Dick had a great sense of humor and never ran out of stories to tell, and embellish, in his own special way. He will be missed deeply by his family and many friends.
A celebration of Dick’s life will be offered on Saturday, July 24, 2021 at 12 noon at the Tapiola Pavilion. Food and refreshments will be provided.
The interment of his ashes will be held at a later date this fall at the Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte, Mich., followed by a celebration of his life.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to Little Brothers-Friends of the Elderly or the Otter Lake Fire Department.
The O’Neill-Dennis Funeral Home of Hancock is in charge of the arrangements. To leave online condolences, please go to oneilldennisfh.com.
Robert C. Sherman
Robert Charles Sherman (AKA New Poppa) went to be with our Lord and Savior on April 23, 2021. Rob was 53 years old and was the kind of man who placed his family first and would never say no to anyone who needed help; especially his four grandchildren, Kimberly Duncan (10), Peyton Duncan (6), Joseph Duncan (4), and Jaxin Sherman (1.5), with another little Sherman on the way.
Rob was born in Ionia on June 9, 1967, to Ronald and Evelyn (Fritts) Sherman. Rob lived in Phoenix for the last seven years, working the last two years with DLR designing audio and video rooms for businesses and schools, which was a passion that he loved.
Rob is survived by his wife, Shawn; children, Kirstine Duncan and Brandon (Aaron) Sherman; parents, Ronald and Evelyn Sherman; brothers, Brian (Laurie) and Brett (Kim) Sherman; nieces, Kelly Huynh and Macy Sherman; and nephews, Chris, Duncan and Will Sherman. Robert is also survived by his father-in-law, Robert Granger; sisters-in-law, Shannon Schumacher (Colton) and Brandi Granger; brother-in-law, Bryan (Bonnie) Granger; and nephews, Mark (Kailynn) Granger, Anthony and Ethan Granger and Gavin Bonney.
He was predeceased by grandparents, Ervin and Dorothy Fritts, and Charles and Katherine Gorsuch; as well as his mother-in-law, Penny Granger.
A Celebration of Life will be celebrated on August 14, 2021 at 1 p.m. at the Charlotte VFW for all friends and family.
Harriet E. Ashbay
Harriet Elizabeth Ashbay, of Manton, Mich., passed away, July 6, 2021 at Pleasant Lake Lodge in Cadillac. She was 92.
Harriet was born February 18, 1929 in Ann Arbor, Mich. to Charles Edward and Esther Alyce (Aseltine) Bowling and they preceded her in death. On March 4, 1950 in Ann Arbor, Mich. she married Lewis Junior Ashbay and he preceded her in death on July 26, 2018.
Harriet graduated from the University of Michigan High School and later worked at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Lansing. Harriet later retired from Michigan State University’s Geography Department. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Manton for many years.
She was an amazing woman, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Harriet had a gift that engaged others. She was a fantastic conversationalist and genuinely was interested in others. Children were drawn to her; neighborhood children were always around, and she helped shape and guide them in a fun way. Harriet loved her perfect grandchildren and loved to play games with a competitive spirit and Harriet’s rules.
She is survived by her children, Gordon (Valli) Ashbay of Grand Ledge, Gary (Ellen) Ashbay of Battle Creek and Lucinda (Michael) Rathbun of Cadillac; eight grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
In addition to her parents and husband she was preceded in death by a son, Warren E. Ashbay; and siblings, William, Edith, Babe, Catherine, Chester, and Charles.
Graveside services will be held 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 24, 2021, at Fairview Cemetery in Manton. A luncheon will follow at her home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church or to Hospice of Michigan Cadillac Chapter. An online guestbook is available at petersonfh.com.