Obituaries
Dorothy J. Ritter
Dorothy Jane Ritter died Thursday, August 26, 2021. Dorothy, 96, was born August 23, 1925, on the Otto family farm in Benton Township to Earl and Dessie (Walcott) Zimmerman. She was a lifetime member of the Potterville United Methodist Church and life member of the Brookfield #352 Order of the Eastern Star.
Dorothy is survived by her children, Phyllis (Christopher) Reynolds and Daniel Ritter; two granddaughters, Abbigail Reynolds-Weant, and Hannah Reynolds-Cleland; four great-granddaughters, one great-grandson; sister, Lucille Eldred; and many nieces and nephews who loved to visit Aunt Dorothy. She was predeceased by her husband, Royal; son, David; daughter, Mary; and brothers, Harold, John, and Stanley Zimmerman.
Funeral services were held Monday, August 30, 2021 at Sycamore Creek Church in Potterville with Lyle Robinette officiating. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Sycamore Creek Church, Eaton Community Palliative Care, or a charity of your choosing. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Norma E. Salisbury
Norma Elaine Salisbury, a kind and gentle woman of God, died peacefully in her home on Thursday, August 26, 2021, surrounded by many people who loved her dearly. Born Norma Elaine Houghtaling on May 31, 1933 in Lum, Mich. to Joseph and Marion (Goodrich) Houghtaling, she grew up in a family filled with Christian values, hard-work, and love. On August 11, 1951, she married Rev. Arthur R. Salisbury, and filled the world around them with kindness and compassion. Their two children carry on these beautiful traditions.
A kind smile, always present, compassionate, patient, and humble, Norma also had a wonderful laugh that would bring a smile to your face in an instant. Some of her many generous talents include making wedding cakes, making candy for all kinds of special occasions, and taking plates of these delicious goodies to everyone she knew, and sewing (she sewed every single stitch of her daughter’s wedding). In addition, Norma was a homemaker extraordinaire: cooked wonderful meals, sewed, and cared for not only her children but the neighborhood children, and did everything with kindness and a loving attitude. Norma was also known as a wonderful pianist at their churches for many years.
Norma gained many lifelong friends in her neighborhood by fostering a neighborhood event every Tuesday, which became neighborhood pizza night. All the neighbors gathered together for pizza, salad, and dessert. Norma’s salads were always very deliberately and artistically put together (her salads were never just a tossed salad, everything in them was placed in a way that made the salads beautiful and delicious looking). A kind and fair woman, she was an example of a servant for others and a follower of Jesus.
Norma is survived by her husband of 70 years, Rev. Arthur Salisbury; son, Arvid (Katie) Salisbury; daughter, Arla (Lee) Barnhill; five grandchildren, Jenica Lawrence, Astin Salisbury, Brock Salisbury, Cody Barnhill and MaLeesha Wilmoth; 11 great-grandchildren; and sister, Isabel Rauh. She was preceded in death by siblings, Elva Ostrander, Francis (Nadine) Houghtaling, George (Louise) Houghtaling; brother-in-law, Chris Rauh; and her parents.
Friends are encouraged to support the Salisbury family by sharing memories on her tribute page at prayfuneral.com. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, August 31, at the Waverly Nazarene Church in Lansing with Pastors Russell Marklund and Duane Royston officiating. The funeral was webcast so you may watch it from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device that has internet access. Go to prayfuneral.com, click on Norma’s tribute, then click on photos and videos from your computer (or media from your smart phone). If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Sparrow Home Care Hospice. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
James K. Bly
James Kay Bly, a big hearted and very stubborn man, died August 30, 2021, at his home in Forestville, Mich. Born in Charlotte on June 4, 1969, to John K. and Brenda K. (Beck) Bly, he grew up in the town and graduated from Charlotte High School. At the age of 12, Jimmy was diagnosed with diabetes, and at the time it was very unusual for someone diagnosed so young to live beyond their 20’s, but he was a dedicated soldier in fighting diabetes and fought the odds to live a very full life.
Always free-spirited, James loved the outdoors and lots of activities that would take him there. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, and cooking on the campfire, and riding his Harley motorcycle. Old Westerns with John Wayne were his favorite movies. James was also an extremely patriotic person and proud to be an American. He owned Jimmy B’s Flooring and over the years also worked in a lumber yard, worked as a machinist, and was a brick maker. The kind of man that would give you the shirt off his back, James was a very genuine man with a lot of love to share.
James was a loving father, dedicated husband, and beloved son and will be greatly missed by his family. He is survived by his wife, Amy; son, Scott Bly (Kara Johnson); granddaughter, Taeah; parents, John and Brenda Bly; brother, John K. (Lisa) Bly II; in-laws, Daniel (Pamela) Jorae; and close friends, Mavis, Gary (Yvette), Will, and Fred (Danielle). He was predeceased by his grandparents.
Friends are encouraged to support the family by attending services or sharing memories on James’ tribute page at prayfuneral.com. Funeral services were held Friday, September 3, at 11 a.m. at Pray Funeral Home with Pastor Tom Jones officiating. The funeral was webcast so you may watch it from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device that has internet access. Go to prayfuneral.com, click on James’ tribute, then click on photos and videos from your computer (or media from your smart phone). If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (jdrf.org). The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Gary L. Shaw
Gary Lee Shaw, 72, from Charlotte, Mich. passed away July 29, 2021. Gary was born October 12, 1948, in Lake Worth Fla., to Edward and Betty (Beebee) Shaw. Gary was the quintessential family man. He was lucky enough to have found love early in life. While Gary was in high school, he met Lucy Redfield who would later become his wife. The two of them shared 54 blessed years together. During that time, they had two children and created a life focused on family connections. Gary’s devotion to his family was well known to all, and it was that devotion and love for Lucy, their children, and grandchildren that created a strong foundation for a happy life. Gary cherished his time spent with his beloved grandsons, often watching them participate in sports and driving them to school in “Papa’s school bus.” Gary’s heart was full of love for his family, but it didn’t end there; he always had room for others. It was said that Gary “never met a stranger in his life” and any new encounter was viewed as an opportunity to make a new friend. He loved his friends and valued the time he spent with them. During the 37 years that Gary worked as a car hauler, traveling the country, he befriended many of his coworkers and formed the most valued friendships with them. Gary took great joy in camping as well as watching racing of all kinds. He didn’t just watch racing but participated as well. He particularly enjoyed racing karts and slot cars. In retirement, Gary would often advocate locally and in Washington DC for preservation and restoration of pensions for more than one million retirees and workers; a cause that was of utmost importance to Gary.
Gary is preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Betty; and his brother, Charlie Shaw. Left to cherish Gary’s memory is his wife, Lucy; children, Skip Shaw, and Kellie (Brian) Banko; grandchildren, Cameron Shaw, Eli Banko, Evan Banko, Ryan Lord, and Jenna Smith; siblings, Pam Smith, Jerry Shaw, Pat (Sherry) Shaw, and Sharon (Bill) Dodge; many nieces and nephews; and Gary and Lucy’s dearest dog Tatar.
There will be a celebration of Gary’s life on Saturday, September 25, 2021 beginning at 1 p.m. at the Fraternal Order of Eagles, 116 Lansing St, Charlotte, Mich.
Cynthia A. Bishop
Cynthia Ann Bishop, age 67, of Charlotte, passed away peacefully with her family at her side on Tuesday, August 31, 2021. She was born November 26, 1953, in New Castle, Ind. the daughter of Eugene and Sharon (Butler) Wojcik. Cindy graduated from North Side High School in Muncie, Ind. in 1972. After graduating high school, she went on to earn her undergraduate from Ball State University and her master’s degree in Nursing from Walden University in Minnesota. Cindy had a passion for nursing and was dedicated to helping others. She worked as a critical care nurse, taught nursing to countless students, and retired as a donation coordinator with Gift of Life. Cindy also was instrumental in establishing a stroke patient support group where she would encourage those who had experienced the devastating effects of a stroke. Cindy loved animals and cared for many pets throughout her life. She loved her home and enjoyed feeding the orioles, hummingbirds, and numerous other of God’s marvelous creatures. Cindy also loved traveling with Rick in their Mustang and motorhome throughout the country. She was a member of the Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church, Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church Choir, West Michigan Mustang Club, Charlotte Cruisers, and the National Honor Society.
Cindy is survived by her husband, Rick; stepchildren, Brandan (Miriam) Bishop of Kentwood, Tami (Jack) King of Kentwood; granddaughter, Kylee King; and cousin, Cheryl Reed and her family.
She was preceded in death by her parents and uncle, Leo Wojcik.
In keeping with Cindy’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 11, 2021, at 2 p.m. at the Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church with Pastors Gary Wales and Jack Conklin officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. The family requests that masks be worn at the visitation and the memorial service.
Those desiring, may make contributions in Cindy’s memory in lieu of flowers to the Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church or the Capital Area Humane Society.
To view Cindy’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit burkhead-green-kilgo.com
The family is being served by the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home.