Obituaries
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.
Caren J. Miller
Caren Joyce Miller, of Holt, passed away June 22, 2021 at the age of 46. Caren was born in Lansing, Mich., January 30, 1975, the daughter of Paul and Cheryl (Vlaz) Miller. She graduated from Eaton Rapids High School in 1994. Caren made bookmarks and sewed using plastic canvases. Some of her favorite pasttimes were talking on the phone to her mother, listening to Christian music and audio books and playing various games, including UNO, Skip-Bo, Yahtzee and Lego’s.
Caren is survived by her mother, Cheryl Miller of Holt; daughters, Sarah Levasseur of Holt and Irene Levasseur of Charlotte; brother, Paul (Liana) Miller of Ohio; grandmother, Shirley Vlaz; aunts and uncles, Kay (Chris) Stahl, Dane (Linda) Vlaz, Grace (Lonnie) Wolfe, Becky (Joe) Hinton; special friends, Lana Bumgart and Annette Evans; and her cats, Rascal, Rosie and Smokey. She was preceded in death by her father, Paul Miller; grandparents, Dane and Betty Vlaz, Fred Miller and Laura (Ryan) Serage; sister, Christy Miller.
Memorial services will be 12 p.m. on Saturday, July 10, 2021 at the Eaton Rapids Assembly of God Church, with visitation taking place one hour prior to the service. Memorial contributions may be made to the ALS Foundation. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. To place online condolences, please visit millsfuneral.com.
Betty L. Polhamus
Betty Louise Polhamus, age 90, of Lansing, formerly of Charlotte, passed away peacefully at home with her family by her side on Wednesday, June 23, 2021. She was born September 16, 1930, in Lansing the daughter of James and Mary (Salter) Polhamus. Betty graduated from Charlotte High School in 1948. She went on to attend Lansing Community College where she earned her nursing degree. Betty was a true caregiver and loved her work as a nurse for over 30 years at Hayes Green Beech Hospital. It was there that she was known for her quote “you’re not the only pebble on the beach.” She was very active with the Eaton County Genealogical Society and enjoyed the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Redwings, and all MSU Spartan Sports. She was a devoted Christian and faithfully served Him throughout her life.
Betty is survived by her children, Mark VerStrate Tampa, Fla., Susan Polhamus of Lansing; grandchildren, Magan (Jason) Eikenberry, Heather (Alex) Denslow-Hue, Alaina Kreger, Katie (Brad) Reed, Jordan (Brittany Gray) Smith, Ian VerStrate; five great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; siblings, John (Ruth) Polhamus, James Polhamus, Mary Heath, Jay (Marsha) Homan; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings: Robert (Martha) Polhamus, Eugene Polhamus, Arlene (Earl) Frith, Esther (Charles Clark) Homan, Theresa Homan, Thomas Homan; nieces and nephews: Joel Homan, Julie Clark, David Polhamus, Jimmy Polhamus, and Robert Polhamus Jr.
The family received friends on Friday, June 25, 2021, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home. A private family service took place at the funeral home. Burial took place at Millerburg Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Betty’s honor to Sparrow Hospice.
To view Betty’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit burkhead-green-kilgo.com.
Isabelle R. M. Turner
Isabelle Rose Marie Turner, daughter of Stephen Turner II and Nicole Dugan, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 20, 2021. Isabelle was born May 5, 2021 in Lansing. Isabelle is survived by her mother, Nicole Dugan; father, Stephen Turner II; older brother, Xavier Turner; grandparents, Katie Valdez, Russell (Brenda) Dugan, Cindy Jo Villanueva, Stephen Turner; great-grandparents, Cindy Bedker, Gary (Tracy) Valdez, Judith Turner, Lori Robertson; great-great-grandparents, Millie Handley, Betty Bennett, Roberta Dugan; uncles, Dillon Valdez, Ahmani Knox, Russell Dugan Jr., Camden Dugan, Justin Turner, Konrad Hester, Zachary Turner; aunts, Tonia Hoeflinger, Heather Gingrich, Tristin Turner, Rachel Turner, Logan Turner, Ava Turner; and numerous cousins, great-aunts and uncles. Isabelle is predeceased by great-grandparents, Patricia Villanueva-Dimond, Luiz Villanueva, Stephen Turner; great-great-grandparents, Charlene Reed, Jess Bennett; cousin, Azariah Stec, and great-aunt, Liberty Fraizer;
A funeral service was held at 3 p.m. on Friday, June 25, 2021 at Pray Funeral Home. Visitation was from 1 to 3 p.m on Friday, June 25, 2021 at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte, MI. Memorial contributions may be made to the family to assist with expenses, payable to Stephen Turner and Nicole Dugan . Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Isabelle on her tribute page at prayfuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home.