Obituaries
Joan Ann Kerstetter Wilmore
Joan Ann Kerstetter Wilmore, 92 of Charlotte, passed away peacefully November 12, 2020 at her home with family. Joan was born in Lansing, Mich. on December 13, 1927, the only child of George and Mabel (Cooper) Kerstetter. George, Mabel and Joan moved to the city of Charlotte when Joan was a small child, to be close to George’s parents, who owned a farm on Mulliken Road. In the early 40’s they moved to the farm, which at that time had a double house.
Joan said many times she thought she had been put in exile, leaving town! She soon became a part of farm and country life, and met the neighbor boy, Norm Wilmore, when he came to work for her family. We all know where that led, before Norm spent time in the service, they were engaged and after his return, they married on July 2, 1948. They rented a farm on Vermontville Highway before purchasing and moving to their farm on Shaytown Road in Vermontville. This is where they milked cows, farmed, and raised a family of five, Connie, Karen, Vicki, Pam, and Kirby.
In 1977, and after most of the kids had moved out and moved on, Joan and Norman moved back to the beloved home of her parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents on Mulliken Road. Joan re-designed and remodeled the house, became a HGB volunteer (which she loved doing), and was frequently seen with the McDonald’s coffee club where she felt very much a part of being a Charlotte girl! Joan had many friends that she went to school with, church with, and knew from being a part of the greater Charlotte community. Over the years she worked at McNamara’s Drug Store, Wilcox-Gay, and Barber State Bank, and was a member of Gresham United Methodist Church where she served on many boards and committees. Joan lived a life of service to her family, church, and community. Her faith in God sustained her through many ups and downs in life, and her family knows she is now walking hand-in-hand with her husband, Norman, in Heaven.
Memories of Joan will be cherished by her family, including her children, Connie (Chuck) Corbin, Karen Scott and friend Chuck O’Connell, Pam (Fred) Todd, and Kirby (Kate) Wilmore; nine grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Norman in 2013; her daughter, Vicki Watson; and grandson, Chad Gingrich.
Friends are encouraged to support Joan’s family by sharing memories on her Tribute Page at PrayFuneral.com. The family will have a private graveside service. In 2021 the family plans to have a Celebration of Life for Joan once it is safe to do so. If desired the family suggests memorial contributions to the Gresham United Methodist Church. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home.
Janice Barnett
Janice Barnett, age 84, of Bellevue, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Wednesday, November 18, 2020. She was born November 12, 1936, in Gladwin, the daughter of John and Jenny Morrison. She married Don Barnett Sr. on July 12, 1958. Jan adored her grandchildren. She was a devoted Christian and faithful member of Faith Assembly of God. Her church family was very important to her. Jan also enjoyed time spent fishing and being outdoors at Tri-Lakes Campground in Marshall with her family.
She is survived by her children: Patricia (John) Moore of Battle Creek, Billy Sam (Gerald Allred) Bowen Jr. of Olivet, Diana Lee Braden of Bellevue, Debra Ann Parks of Bellevue, Donnie Lee Barnett Jr. of Marshall, Gary Douglas Barnett of Battle Creek, Dawn Marie (Jerry) Stone of Battle Creek, Darla Jean (Brad) Tennent of Kentucky; 14 grandchildren; 31 great grandchildren; six great great grandchildren; brother, Roger (Pat) Morrison of Saginaw; sister, Claudia Smith of Northern Michigan.
Jan was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Don Barnett; sons-in-law: Bill Braden and Frank Cummings; grandson, Johnny Cummings; and ten siblings.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, November 23, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. at Faith Assembly of God, 9800 S. Cochran Road, Olivet, MI 49076 with Pastor Todd McLane officiating. The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m at the church. Burial will follow at Rice Creek Cemetery.
Those desiring may make contributions in Jan’s memory to Faith Assembly of God, 9800 S. Cochran Rd., Olivet, MI 49076.
To view Jan’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com.
The family is being served by the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home, Charlotte, Michigan.
Brian Whitcomb
Brian Whitcomb, 42, of Bellevue died on Sunday, November 15, 2020 at his home following a long illness.
Brian was born on April 3, 1978 in Battle Creek to Randy and Debbie (Clift) Whitcomb.
He graduated from Bellevue High School in 1996.
Brian was a carpenter foreman for Schweitzer Company in Battle Creek for several years. Prior to that he worked for Grand River Construction in Hudsonville. He was a member of the Battle Creek Eagles Aerie 299, the PNA Club in Battle Creek. When he was younger, he was active in the 4-H Rodeo, he took part in team penning/roping, and breaking horses to ride for himself and others for many years following his years in 4-H. Brian participated for many years at Michigan State University Cowboy Christmas Rodeo. He enjoyed gatherings with family and friends and enjoyed cooking a big food spread for everyone to enjoy. Brian enjoyed hunting, fishing, trapping, target shooting, and helping others. He enjoyed spending time with his family especially time with his nephews.
He is survived by his parents, Randy and Debbie Whitcomb; two siblings, Garett (Char) Whitcomb and Amy (Phil) Rigelman; five nephews; several aunts, uncles, many cousins; and lifelong friend Monique Colizzi. He was preceded in death by his grandparents George and Shirley Whitcomb, and Clyde and Letha Clift; aunt Lisa Clift; uncle George Whitcomb; aunt Sue Whitcomb; cousin Janet Whitcomb.
Due to COVID-19 a memorial service will take place at a later date. Memorial contributions are requested to Oaklawn Hospice, 13444 Preston Drive, Marshall Mich. 49068 or Eaton County 4-H, 551 Courthouse Drive #1, Charlotte, Mich. 48813. Memorial contributions may be mailed to the Kempf Funeral Home, P.O. Box 519, Marshall Mich. 49068 for delivery to the charity. Leave a personal message for the family and sign the online guestbook at KempfFuneralHome.com.
Harold Earnest McDonald
Harold Earnest “Spanky” McDonald, a dependable and supportive person to all he met, died Monday, November 16, at his residence at the age of 88. Harold was born September 14, 1932 in Lansing, the son of Roscoe and Bessie (Rogers) McDonald. Harold, or “Spanky” as his grandfather called him, was a self-proclaimed “wild child” with an ambitious streak as he was growing up. As a youth in Lansing he delivered papers for both the Lansing State Journal and the Detroit Free Press. He became well known around the neighborhood and it wasn’t unusual for him to be invited to breakfast at one of the neighbors’ homes (after he had eaten breakfast at his own home).
Harold also loved visiting the farm of his grandparents where he would often follow his cousin’s lead…pulling the goat’s whiskers, terrorizing the chickens, pulling each other around in a toy wagon and riding an old “doodle bug” around the countryside. One of his favorite stories is the day he and classmates climbed up on the schoolhouse roof to fix the school bell rope. They pulled the ladder up and stayed up there the rest of the day. However, the teacher came to his house to inform his parents, and that “earned him a whippin.”
As he grew older his attention turned to tractors and cars. He often recalled his first car as a green ’36 Chevy with no shift, no brakes, no gas, and no glass. Spanky entered the U.S Army in 1950 and served in Korea where he was one of the survivors of the Iron Triangle. Upon returning from service overseas he escorted dignitaries around Ft. Custer and helped indoctrinate new troops.
Harold met his wife, Vera, while hanging out at the gas station of Vera’s father, Harold Brown. Spanky and Vera were married in 1953 in Muir, Mich. at her grandparents’ farm. Together they raised two sons, Harold Jr. and Steven. They moved to a farm outside of Charlotte where Harold developed his love of farming and tractors. His ambition led him to several other jobs at the same time which included his work at Aluminum Extrusions (AE) in Charlotte where he a was one of the longest-term employees. He also began work as a minister, helping to establish the RLDS church in Charlotte, where he served as treasurer for many years, and at the same time owned and managed several rental apartments. After AE closed, Harold and Vera moved to Leslie where they ran a motel. In 2002 they returned to Charlotte. During all that time Harold’s favorite hobby was “bookkeeping.” He reveled in keeping track of numbers and accounts.
Harold is survived by his wife Vera; his two sons, Harold Jr., and Steven; four grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; five great-great grandchildren; and his sister, Hazel Whitford Bowen Smith. He was predeceased by his parents; his sister, Clara Belle; brother, Leon; and two great-grandchildren.
Visitation and funeral services were held on Friday, November 20, at 1 p.m. at Real Life Church in Charlotte with Pastor Martin Garn officiating.
Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Harold on his tribute page at PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home.
Beverly J. Newcomer
Beverly J. (Kelley) Newcomer, 83, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, November 10, 2020. She was born on February 7, 1937 in Lansing, Michigan. Beverly was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She enjoyed reading, cooking, baking, gardening, sewing, crocheting, and traveling to see her children and grandchildren. She also enjoyed doing projects around the house with her husband George; from building a fire pit to adding a new addition. Beverly was an active member at Calvary Baptist Church as a Ladies Ministry Committee member and enjoyed being in the nursery loving on the babies. She was known for her hugs at church—and there would be a line next to her pew to receive them. She also volunteered as a room mother in the Charlotte Public Schools for all six of her children.
Preceding her in death was her beloved husband, George E. Newcomer; her three brothers, James, Phillip, and Frank Kelley; and her sister Norma Jean Kelley (Hagerman). She is survived by her son, Kelly (Chong Im Kim) Newcomer of Savanah, Ga.; daughters, Pamela (Agaifea) Uini of Tahrump, Nev., Linda (Ronald) Haigh of Bellevue, Diane (Ronald) Kreps of Bellevue, Teri (Eric) Jensen of Traverse City, and Patricia (Ramon Rivera III) Newcomer-Rivera of Charlotte; grandchildren, David (Melissa) Newcomer, Christopher Uini, Joshua Uini, Jessica (Julian) Branscombe, Paul (Hiro Ko) Haigh, Crystal (Dale) Dowding, Laura Haigh, Leanne (Seth) Ojala, Heather Kreps, Jared Jensen, Jesse (Taylor) Rivera, Kyle Rivera (engaged to Emily Kemp), Adrianne Rivera; seven great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews who knew her as “Aunt Betsy.”
Friends are encouraged to support Beverly’s family. Funeral services are Saturday, November 21, at 12:30 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church in Charlotte with Pastor Mark Booth officiating. Visitation is scheduled for Saturday, November 21 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church. Mask, group capacity, and social distancing guidelines will be observed. Please be considerate of others during this time.
If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Calvary Baptist Church of Charlotte and Eaton Community Palliative Care. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Beverly on her tribute page at PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.