Obituaries
Nancy J. Wiers
Nancy Jane Wiers, a woman known for being the mother of the neighborhood, died Monday, June 21, 2021. Nancy, 81, of Kalamazoo, was born October 8, 1939, in Highland Park, MI, the daughter of William and Effie Grace (Dietz) Waldrop. On December 17, 1966, she married the love of her life, Gerald “Jerry” Wiers. Nancy and Jerry ran a youth foster care home out of their house and fostered over 200 children. All of the neighborhood children would come to their house for Nancy’s cooking. Upon the passing of her husband, Nancy at the age of 50 earned a bachelor’s degree from Olivet College in Business Administration. She later earned a master’s degree from Western Michigan University in Public Administration. Nancy went on to work for the State of Michigan as a Financial Analyst for 35 years, and she worked for many school districts throughout Mid-Michigan. Nancy was a proud lifelong member of the Order of The Eastern Star, she was a member of numerous chapters throughout the state. She served as the past grand organist for 25 years. Nancy was also awarded the Worthy Matron 10 times. She also served as the Grand Treasurer for the Grand Chapter OES of Michigan. In her free time Nancy enjoyed reading, watching NCIS, playing the organ and piano, knitting, crocheting, traveling, collecting anything with ladybugs, and her dogs. Her biggest pride of her life was her husband Gerald “Jerry” and her grandchildren
Nancy is survived by her sons, Michael (Melissa) Wiers, Mark (Janie) Wiers; grandchildren, Steven (Emily Wise) Wiers, Ashlyn Wiers, Logan Wiers, Morgan Wiers, Jake Gibson, Maria Gibson, Paul Gibson, Becca (Michael Schultes) Mastin, and Travis Jones; daughter-in-law, Tammie Gibson-Lea; special friend, Larry Hoekstra; and numerous foster children. She was predeceased by her dear husband, Gerald “Jerry,” parents; and her son, Tony Gibson.
Friends are encouraged to support Nancy’s family by sharing memories on her tribute page at prayfuneral.com. A graveside service will be held at Riverside cemetery in Bellevue, Mich. on Tuesday, July 6, 2021 at 11 a.m. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to The Alzheimer’s Association. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Roberta Jane Johnson
Roberta “Bobbie” Jane (Ammon) Johnson, age 86, formerly of Charlotte, Mich., passed away on Tuesday, February 23, 2021 in Gilbert, Ariz. surrounded by her family.
Bobbie was born in Charlotte, Mich. to Bertha Sederlund on December 1, 1934. She attended school in Lake Orion and Charlotte, and graduated from Charlotte High School in 1953. She married Kenneth “Jerry” Johnson on June 2, 1956 at Center Eaton Church. Jerry and Bobbie moved to Arizona in 1957 where she spent many years working clerical jobs before dedicating her time to raising her family.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence and Bertha Sederlund; her husband, Jerry Johnson; and her brothers, Jon and David.
Bobbie is survived by her children, Erika (Charles) Sutherlin of Queen Creek, Ariz. and Amy (Fred) Brown of Gilbert, Ariz; her sister, Martha (Ray) Lawrence of Charlotte; her sisters-in-law, Donna Ammon, Joan Sumerix and Shirley Johnson; and her beloved grandchildren, Gabrielle, Madeline, Owen, and Isabelle, along with her many nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.
Jane A. Tharp
Jane Anne Tharp –“Miss Janie”– 88, of Charlotte, Mich., known for her love of children and commitment to the community through the Charlotte Community Pre-school, passed away on June 27, 2021. Jane was born March 5, 1933 in Charlotte, Mich. to Harold and Lucile (Dowker) Smith. Jane received her associates degree in teaching from County Normal in Hastings, Mich. also continuing her education at Western Michigan University and MSU where she was an active participant in the Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority. Most people will remember Miss Janie for fostering and operating the Charlotte Community Preschool for several years. Jane being very active in the community, was a member of the Parent Cooperative Preschool Advisory Board, the American Women’s Group, and TOPS. She was also a Campfire Girls leader.
Jane is survived by her sons, David C. (Betsy) Tharp of Chicago, Ill. and Mark J. Tharp of Charlotte, Mich.; daughter Sharon Tharp Gault of S.C.; grandchild Ian Gault and sister, Sue (Dick) Trimble. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Diana K. Tharp; sister, Helen (Jack) Snedeker; Sally Vanderploeg; son-in-law, Danny Gault; and her parents.
Funeral services were held on Thursday, July 1, 2021 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Celebrant Laura Cooper officiating. Guests were encouraged to dress casually as a tribute to Miss Janie. 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 Jane’s tribute, then click on photos and videos from your computer, or media from your smart phone. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Jane on her tribute page at PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Peter Lothamer
Peter Lothamer of Bellevue, formerly Coldwater, was born August 20, 1947 to John and Helen Cox Lothamer. He passed away on June 21, 2021 at home surrounded by his family. He was 73 years old. He graduated from Coldwater St. Charles in 1965. Shortly afterwards he moved to Bellevue and then started Lothamer’s Farm Market. Peter married his soulmate Micki Mathews on May 31, 1969. He was a farmer at heart, raising popcorn, and vegetables. He and Micki operated the market and sporting goods store for 32 years. He was the director of public works for the city of Olivet for 17 years. Peter enjoyed woodworking, fishing, gardening, and spending time with his grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Jim, Jack, and Tim. Surviving are sisters, Susanne, Sharon, Rose, and Helen Mary; and brothers, Jess, Simon, Joe, Pat, Jerry, Chris. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Micki; children, Racheal (Randy) Barnes, Mat (Beth), and seven grandsons and one granddaughter. They all held a special place in his heart, and he loved them all dearly.
Visitation will take place at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, in Charlotte on Saturday, July 10, 2021 at 9:30 a.m., followed by funeral at 11 a.m. Shortly following a luncheon and fellowship time will take place in Bellevue at St. Ann’s.
Richard L. Vance
Richard Lynn Vance, 65 of Dimondale, passed away exactly one month after his wife Kathy, on June 26, 2021 after a short battle with brain cancer. Richard was born August 3, 1955 to Jon Vance and Elanor Westphal in Brighton, Mich. Richard went to work at Auto Owners Insurance Company right after he graduated from Lansing Eastern High School in 1973. He was a hard worker and instilled that trait into his children. For many years Richard was very active in adult softball leagues and played for the Auto Owners Insurance Company team. He was also a lifelong bowler playing in numerous area leagues, and he was very good. His children and grandchildren were his main focus throughout his life, and he supported them by attending all their ballgames, recitals and concerts. He often said, “They make me as proud as I can be.” Not only did he love his family but he was also devoted to his pets. After 44 years at Auto Owners, he retired as an auditor and he traded a suit and tie for a set of motorcycle leathers and made his longtime dream a reality when he bought a Harley. He became a member of the Lansing Area Harley Owners Club ( H.O.G.S) and recently became its Director. He married Kathy Semrau on April 7, 2017, and together they traveled all around the country on his Harley for the past five years. He and Kathy were active with all their common interests and packed so much into the few short years that they were together.
Richard is survived by his daughter, Christi (Don) Grinnell; son, Jason (Trisha) Vance; stepsons, Tucker (Michelle) Fuller, Dalton (Karin) Fuller; grandchildren, Hunter, Madelyn, Christine, Trason and Benjamin; sisters, Elaine (Dan) Cupp of Eaton Rapids and Eva (Joe) Hay of Bangor and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife Kathy, in May; his parents; his brother, Ron (2020).
A public memorial service will be held Saturday, July 31, 2021 at 3 p.m. in the Pray Gardens with interment following in Eastlawn Memorial Gardens in Okemos with the procession led by the H.O.G.S. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Richard on his tribute page at PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.