Obituaries
Gail L. Allen
Gail Lynn Allen, 67, of Charlotte, peacefully went to heaven on July 30, 2021, surrounded by her family after an 18-month battle with cancer. Gail was born in Mich. on May 10, 1954, to Ira and Loretta (Schilling) Pifer. She graduated from Maple Valley High School in 1972. Gail spent her life devoted to her husband David and twins Jacob and Justin; she never stopped doing for her immediate family. She was beloved throughout the town of Olivet, as a very active member of the sports booster program. Her home was always warm and welcoming to all the friends her boys brought home. Gail had a very active social life in the Rio Grande Valley, where she and her husband David spent twelve winters. She influenced so many people from Texas to Canada, with many stops along the way. She had an extremely special relationship with her great nieces and nephews; Layla, Brittney, and Nate were always a part of her life. She was one of the toughest people you will ever meet. The legacy she built will be carried through all of time. Every time one of her crocheted blankets is wrapped around shoulders, every time we wrap each other in a warm embrace, every time we feel cozy and at home, we will feel her love. One of her family mantras has always been, “Leave this place better than you found it.” In no life lived has this ever been more exemplified. Gail definitely left everything and everyone better than she found us. Gail is survived by her husband, David; sons, Jacob (Kate) Little of Charlotte and Justin (Becky) Little of Olivet; grandchildren, Kirsten, Courtney, Noah, and Jaxson; brother, Randy (Denise); and sisters, Cindy and Sandy (Wayne); nieces and nephews, Cheri, Robby, Stephanie, TJ, Steve, Bonita, and Jimmy.
A celebration of her life will take place on Saturday, September 25, 2021, at the family farm on Brookfield Road, Charlotte, Mich. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Lula D. Adams
Lula “Dawn” Adams, 87, of Charlotte, a woman devoted to family, died peacefully August 3, 2021. She was born in Lansing, Mich. on June 9, 1934, to Malcom and Aletha Bollman. She married David Adams on October 17, 1953 and together they raised five children. Dawn adored her family and enjoyed being a full-time mother. Her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren gave her immense joy and pride, she enjoyed making even the small moments memorable and special. Always helping others whenever she could, Dawn was also a caretaker for elderly family members, drove a special needs bus from 1975 to 1991, and worked for a local car dealership delivering cars. She also volunteered for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and was a chairperson for the local society.
Dawn enjoyed cooking and canning, as well as knitting and sewing, which was very helpful in raising five children. She also loved fishing, and the family had many memorable trips over the years that involved time spent on fishing trips. Dawn and David spent 68 wonderful years together making memories on many trips including Canada, a weekend at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, and one big trip to Alaska.
Dawn is survived by her husband, David; children, Roger Adams (Cindy Molnar), Jerry Adams, Mary (Jeff) Burpee, and Chris Adams; grandchildren, Andrew Adams, Bethany (Randy) Slaght, Jason (Lisa) Adams, Jerome Adams, Alaina (Brian) Dempsey, and Molly (Mike) VanSyckle; Jeff (Bethany) Burpee Jr., Allison (Mike) Cosgrove, and Judson Burpee; 27 great-grandchildren; and sister, Beatrice “Squeak” Steele. She was predeceased by son, Douglas Adams; and eight siblings.
Friends are encouraged to support Dawn’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her tribute page at prayfuneral.com. Visitation was Friday, August 6, 2021, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. Funeral services are Saturday, August 7, at 11 a.m. at Pray Funeral Home with Dawn’s favorite (and only) son-in-law, Jeff Burpee, officiating. The funeral will be webcast so you may watch it from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device that has internet access. Go to prayfuneral.com, click on Dawn’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 the Muscular Dystrophy Association. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Virginia C. Hicks
Virginia C. Hicks, age 87, of Charlotte, passed away Friday, July 30, 2021. She was born Sunday, December 3, 1933, the youngest of four children, in Olivet, to Harry T. and Blanche (McDonald) Hisler. Virginia grew up on the family farm outside of Olivet during the depression. She fondly remembers the large wood cookstove in the kitchen and no electricity for many years. On the farm they raised all their own food and therefore lived very well. They canned all their vegetables and fruit and always had a plentiful supply of meat, milk, and eggs. Virginia’s growing up years were very special to her and held many fond memories. She graduated from Olivet High School in 1951.
In July of 1953, she married Darrell “Tink” Hicks. Together they raised four children in the Potterville area and lived a short time in Florida. Virginia was a devoted homemaker, but once her children were a little older, she took a job with the Eaton Intermediate School District. She would retire from there after many faithful years of service. After retirement she volunteered for Meals on Wheels, Hayes Green Beech Hospital, and the Eaton County Medical Care Facility.
Virginia is survived by her children, Julie (Jerry) Carpenter, Kathi Hicks, Jeffrey Hicks, Kristi (Brian) Klaiss; grandchildren, Mike (Jessica) Carpenter, Kara (Jim) Jones, Matthew (Chelsea) Carpenter, Nicholas Davis, Samantha (Patrick) Carpenter Batterson, Kaitlyn Carpenter; great-grandchildren, Brady Carpenter, Tyler Carpenter, Emory Jo Carpenter, Camden Michael Carpenter, Adalyn Carpenter; sister, Charlotte Dowding; sisters-in-law, Dorma Hisler, Phyllis (Howard) Moore, Janette Bruce; brothers-in-law, Richard (Marion) Hicks, Jack Hicks, Dale (Carol) Hicks, Jerry (Evelyn) Hicks, Robert Hicks, Bruce (Tonya) Hicks; and numerous cousins and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Harry T. Hisler; and sister, Kathryn (Leo) Stevens.
In keeping with Virginia’s wishes, cremation has taken place and no services are being held.
Those desiring, may make contributions in Virginia’s memory to Charlotte Community Library or the Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church.
To view Virginia’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.
Diana J. Barendregt
Diana Jo Barendregt, born June 13, 1933, passed away on November 18, 2020. A celebration of Diana’s life will be held on Wednesday, August 11, 2021 at 3 p.m. at Vickers Springport Funeral Home located at 121 Pearl Street in Springport, Michigan. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Paralyzed Veterans of America, National Processing Center, PO Box 758589, Topeka, KS, 66675-8589; or Cascades Humane Society, 1515 Carmen Drive, Jackson, MI 49202. Arrangements entrusted to Vickers Springport Funeral Home.
Kevin D. Ide
Kevin Dennis Ide, of Eaton Rapids, passed away surrounded by his family and puppies, August 3, 2021, at the age of 59. Kevin was born in Lansing, February 20, 1962, the son of Dennis and Lois (Dygert) Ide. He was a 1980 graduate of Eaton Rapids High School. In high school, he played golf and was a four-year letterman in tennis. For over 30 years, he and the love of his life, Belinda, ran the Ide Adult Foster Care Family Home in Eaton Rapids. He was an avid outdoorsman enjoying hunting, fishing and blowing speakers out of stereos all the time. Kevin was a prankster right up until his final days. He had a great love for his family, and they felt his love every single day.
Kevin is survived by his wife, Belinda Ide; daughter, Hannah (Clayton) McKone of Mattawan, Mich.; son, Joshua Ide of Eaton Rapids; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Gary and Pat Slusser of Dimondale; sisters, Denise, Val, Martha and Elizabeth; many brothers and sisters-in-law; several nieces and nephews; his puppies, Molly Mae, Albert, Prince and Daisy Mae; and grand-dog, BoJangles. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Marge.
Celebration of Life will be held at a later date at the family home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Leukemia Foundation. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel. Please visit millsfuneral.com to place online condolences.