Obituaries
Joseph A. Jager
Joseph “Joe” Augusto Jager, a man who took care of others and lived for other people, of Charlotte, passed away July 3, 2021. Joseph, 74, was born September 16, 1946, in Detroit, Mich., the son of Joseph and Inez (Martini) Jager. Joseph earned a master’s degree from Michigan State University and special accident reconstruction training. He had 32 years of service at the Eaton County Sheriff Department, retiring as a Chief Deputy. He was also a teacher. Joseph was a practical, thoughtful, and intelligent man who enjoyed Michigan State University sports, cooking, family, and an occasional trip to the casino. He was very proud of his master’s degree and his 32 years served at the Eaton County Sheriff Department.
Joseph is survived by his wife, Catherine; sons, Ken (Bonna) Jager and Ryan (Adena) Hankins; grandson, Joseph S. Jager; sister, Delores Mize; and close friends, Rick Jones and Dan Lee. He was predeceased by his wife, Sandra; son, Kevin; his parents; and sisters, Inez K. Kitchen and Joan S. Jusko.
Friends are encouraged to support Joseph’s family. Funeral services were Thursday, July 8, 2021 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Pastor Charles Jenson officiating. Interment took place at Michigan Memorial Park, Flat Rock. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Eaton Community Palliative Care. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Joseph on his tribute page at PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Keith A. Kleinfelt
Keith Alan Kleinfelt, age 65, passed away unexpectedly on June 30, 2021 in Winchester, Ky. He was affectionately known to many as Bully or Moose. He was born on January 9, 1956, in Charlotte, Mich., the son of William and Dolores (Crilly) Kleinfelt. He graduated from Olivet High School in 1974. During high school he worked at Airway Manufacturing in Olivet, approximately 1976 to 1980, at Carefree General Aluminum in Charlotte, approximately 1980 to 2007, at Kleinfelt Well Drilling in Charlotte, and retired from Goodwill Industries in 2018 in Charlotte.
He was an easy going, quiet man, but was always up for conversation if you stopped by. He was always willing to help you out with any task and let you do it your way, as long as the job got done. “Whatever works,” he would say. He was also a man who would always have your back in any situation. He was at his happiest working on anything mechanical and he could fix anything. It didn’t matter if it was a car, truck, motorcycle, lawn mower or household appliance, he could make it work. He loved to tinker with all his treasures in his garage and over the last few years he enjoyed traveling to Kentucky to help his daughter Kali on her horse farm.
He is survived by his wife, Kelli (Morgan) Kleinfelt of 30 years; children, Kali Kleinfelt (Justyn Harper) of Mt. Sterling, Ky., Liesl Hansen-Spence (Steve) of San Diego, Calif.; his grandchildren, Sean, Isaac and Phillip Spence; brother, Bryan Kleinfelt (Wanda); and sister, Jane Sobleskey (Steve); in-laws, Leo and Virgilene “Sue” Morgan; brother-in-law, Greg Morgan; sisters-in-law, Trina Clark and Vicki Mitchell; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his mother in 2019 and his father in 2021.
There will be a private family viewing and a public memorial service held on July 10 at 11 a.m. at Celebration Church, formerly Five Corners Church, Charlotte. A luncheon will follow the service. Memorial contributions can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. Friends and family are invited to share memories of Keith on his tribute page at prayfuneral.com.
James D. Emery
James Delbert Emery, 68, of Charlotte, passed away Wednesday, July 7, 2021 in Corbin, Kentucky on his way home to Michigan. He was born February 21, 1953 in Charlotte, Michigan, the son of Thomas Alva and Geraldine Evelyn (Grundstrom) Emery.
James was a devoted family man and loved spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He was a hard worker, a ‘jack of all trades,’ and always kept busy. He worked for Owen Illinois, Dowding Industries, and finished his working career with his passion at Netterfields P&L. He loved to play his guitar and serenade his friends and family. He was always in for a night at the casino or bingo and loved watching Christmas and Hallmark movies (especially Christmas in July) with his family. James was only a phone call away when it came to helping his friends, family, and co-workers for troubleshooting any issues that they came across.
James is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Nancy Emery (Norris); mother in-law, Mary Norris; children, Vanessa (Caroyll) Camp, Justin (Lacie) Emery, Jesse (Cassie) Emery, Virginia Norris; siblings, Gerald Lewis, Thomas Emery, Kathi (Tom) Dominguez, Eugene Emery, Carmen Harris, James Norris, Joe (Shirley)Norris; 15 beloved grandchildren and nine great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews; all his Netterfield family and Mia Emery the cat.
James is preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Geraldine Emery; father in-law, Max Norris; sister, Charlene Vaughn; sister-in-law, Barb Emery and Linda Emery; grandson, Benjamin Emery; and Hallmark Emery the cat.
A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, July 11, 2021 from 2:00-5:00pm at the Charlotte American Legion, 1000 W. Lawrence Hwy, Charlotte MI 48813.
Donations can be made, in his name to one of his two favorite charities: Charlotte Christmas Kiddies (mail or drop off a check at the Charlotte Fire Department. Make checks payable to: Charlotte Fire Christmas Kiddies), or Shriners Hospitals for Children – www.lovetotherescue.org.
Chase D. Jesse
Chase Dylan Jesse, age 20, died unexpectedly in a kayaking/drowning accident on July 5, 2021 while vacationing in Mackinaw City with family. Chase was born on February 26, 2001 to Jack and Elizabeth Jesse at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, MI. Chase grew up in Eaton Rapids and graduated from Eaton Rapids Public Schools in May of 2019. Early in 2021, Chase moved to Canton, with his brother, Cody Jesse, and took a full-time job with Fuyao Glass America, where he worked hard and received several promotions.
Chase loved all different music genres. The music relaxed his gentle spirit and inspired him to learn to play the piano and guitar. Chase also loved playing video games with his friends online and was rumored to be quite a good gamer, too! Chase was a huge help to his parents and enjoyed helping out the neighbors by shoveling their walks in winter with no expectation of praise. He just wanted to be a nice guy. Chase was such a good son, brother, uncle, nephew, neighbor and friend, and he will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him. Chase had a beautiful soul, and his life here ended much too soon, but his family takes comfort in knowing that he is now in Heaven, with his dad, who passed away earlier this year, in March.
Chase is survived by: his mother, Elizabeth Jesse; his brother, Cody Jesse; and by his half brothers, Michael, Andy, Jaremy, and Andrew; and by his half-sisters, Heather and Heidi; as well as his nieces and nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends. He was preceded in death by his dad, Jack Jesse.
Chase will be cremated and his memorial service is being planned. Contributions in memory of Chase may be made to the charity of your choice. To share memories of Chase or for updates on service date and time, please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com
Ruth A. Houghton
Ruth Ann Houghton, of Eaton Rapids, passed away July 3, 2021, at the age of 79. She was born in Lansing, Mich. on July 11, 1941. Ruth retired from Eaton Rapids Public Schools as a bus driver. She loved playing games with family. As long as Ruth was with family, she was happy.
Ruth is survived by her children, Jeff (Susan) Houghton and Shelly (Randy) Morrison both of Eaton Rapids; four grandchildren, Jeff (Michelle) Houghton, Justin (Ashleigh) Houghton, Jessica (Richard) Skursky, and Jennifer (Jon Miller) Cokonougher; and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Donald and Virginia (Miller) Nevins; husband, Louis; brother, Butch Reinhart; and sister, Beverly Bailey.
A celebration of life was held at 1 p.m. on July 9, 2021 at Calvary Grace Assembly, 915 Water Street, Eaton Rapids. Visitation was one hour prior to the service. The family has entrusted arrangements to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel. Please visit millsfuneral.com to place online condolences.