Obituaries
Donald A. Hull
Donald Arthur Hull, 54, of Eaton Rapids, Mich., passed away on April 19, 2021 after a valiant battle against COVID-19. Don was born July 4, 1966 to Joyce (U’ren) Hull-Davis and Robert Hull in Saline, Mich. From that day forward he considered every 4th of July celebration to be a glorified birthday party. He took great pride in his Eaton Rapids up-bringing and told copious stories of his neighborhood and youth group memories. After graduating from Lansing Christian High School in 1984, Don went on to serve in the United States Air Force for five years. He later went on to study Production Management and received his bachelors from Spring Arbor University in 2006.
Don spent his career working in Manufacturing at both Meridian Magnesium and General Motors, through which he formed many of his life-long friendships. He also had a passion for sports which illuminated through his co-ed softball participation, coaching his kids’ sports teams, and cheering on his Michigan State Spartans. Above all else, Don is remembered most for his love and pride in his wife and children and all of their beauty and accomplishments. If you knew (or think you met) Don, he undoubtedly remembers you and any stories you might have told him, including the name of your childhood dog or what color huffy bike you rode around the neighborhood.
Don is survived by his “beautiful bride” of nearly 21 years, Renae Petty-Hull; and his two children, Madelynn Hull (Andrew Lula) and Chase Hull, who will continue to grow and avenge this untimely death. He is also survived by his brothers, Chris (Trish) Hull, Mike (Norene) Hull, Mark (Kimberly) Petty, Ryan (Kelly) Petty; and countless nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends. Don is now dancing with the angels who passed before him, including his parents, Joyce (U’ren) Davis-Hull and Robert Hull; and his daughter, Linzee.
Friends are encouraged to support Don’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his tribute page at PrayFuneral.com. Visitation will be held in the Pray Funeral Home Gardens on Monday, April 26, 2021 from 3 to 5 p.m., with a memorial service following at 5 p.m., with Laura Cooper officiating. Mask, group capacity, and distancing guidelines will be practiced. 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 Don’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 Alzheimer’s Association. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Edgar A. Smith
Edgar Allen Smith, a man known for his handlebar mustache, for having a strong opinion and for being a magic mechanic, passed away with his family by his side on April 16, 2021. Edgar, 81, a lifelong resident of Charlotte, was born in Charlotte to Wendell and Alice (Harmon) Smith. On July 25, 1959 Edgar married the love of his life, Phyllis Elaine Woodbury and together they raised three children. Edgar had a strong passion for antique cars, restoring eight of his own, and helping numerous others restore theirs. He and Phyllis were members of multiple antique car clubs, the Mid-Michigan Model A Club, Central Michigan Model T Club, Crank & Throttle Model A, and several national car clubs such as the W.O.K.R. He also proudly served six years in the Michigan Army National Guard at the Charlotte Armory, with an honorable discharge in 1962. Edgar worked as a store manager for Wrigley’s Supermarket for 18 years and Eberhard Supermarket for seven years. In 1980, with his wife, they started a family business at their residence that he was very passionate about, Central Michigan Stripping, an auto body stripping company. His favorite joke was to introduce himself as a stripper, to see what the person’s reaction would be. Edgar was a man referred to by many for being a Jack of all trades, he would fix it all. Above all, family meant everything to Edgar, he always made sure to put them first.
Edgar is survived by his wife of 61 and a half years, Phyllis; daughter, Carol (Tom) Pell; sons, Robert Smith, Marc (Pat) Smith; grandchildren, Jeramie (Karle) Pell, Zania (Matthew) Emery, Chris (Allison) Cummings, Chelsea (Justin) Buchholz, Adam (Alissa) Smith; six great-grandchildren, with one on the way; many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents; brother, Bruce Smith; and sister, Mary Rogers.
Friends are encouraged to support Edgar’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his tribute page at PrayFuneral.com. Funeral services were Friday, April 23, 2021 at 2 p.m. in the Pray Funeral Home Gardens. Mask, group capacity, and distancing guidelines will be practiced. 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 Edgar’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 American Cancer Society. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Raymond D. Winters
Raymond D. Winters, a man who devoted his life to serving others, died Sunday, April 18, 2021. Raymond, 88, of Charlotte, Mich., was born November 8, 1932, in Charlotte, the son of Carl and Margaret (Silverthorn) Winters. Raymond enlisted in the United States Air Force and served from 1951 to 1952, then worked in Wisconsin through 1965. When he returned, began working at Fisher Body in 1968, where he worked on the assembly line and retired in 1995. He also was determined to earn his diploma and graduated from Olivet Adult Education 1979. On November 5, 1988 he married the love of his life, Linda Beals-Patterson. You could find Raymond spending his time after retiring volunteering at the Helping Hands Food Pantry, mowing the grass at the Eaton Area Senior Center, and also serving on his church council. Raymond and Linda were both active members at the South Cochran Church of God. Hobbies that Raymond enjoyed were crossword puzzles, watching the Detroit Tigers and listening to some Hank Williams Sr. and other country music.
Raymond is survived by his wife of 32 years, Linda; children, Tom Winters, Peggy (David) Gardner, Carla (Mike) Fell, Robert (Starr) Patterson; eleven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by daughter, Betty Brown; grandson, Daniel Fell; his parents; siblings, Kenneth Winters, William Winters, Shirley Oswald, and Ila May Royston.
Friends are encouraged to support Raymond’s family. A memorial service is going to be held at the South Cochran Church of God. The date of the memorial will be determined at a later date. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to The Helping Hands Food Pantry. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Raymond on his tribute page at PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Marilyn J. Gilding
Marilyn Joan Gilding, a loving mother and grandmother, age 67, of Eaton Rapids, formerly of Charlotte, died peacefully on Sunday, April 18, 2021. Marilyn was born August 9, 1953 in Hastings, Mich., the daughter of John Edward and Norma Jean (Bidelman) Hickey. She graduated from Hastings High School in 1971 before going to work at General Aluminum in Charlotte, where she met the love of her life, Jerrold “Jerry” Gilding. The two married on April 15, 1977 and soon started their family. Marilyn lived a life devoted to her children and grandchildren. She was a constant volunteer at Weymouth Elementary, helping with field trips and class parties. In her spare time, she could be found watching soap operas and reality TV with a can of pop by her side.
Marilyn is survived by her children, Tara (Steven) Vanluven, Tasha McCrimmon, Trevor (Britnee) Gilding, Tia (Joel) Johnson; seven grandchildren, Jensen and Maddie McCrimmon, Kelsey and Jaxson Johnson, Caiden Gilding, Carter and Gracie Vanluven; sisters, Janice Wilson, Ann Winans, and Sue (Asa) Randall; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband of 43 years, Jerrold Gilding in 2020; son-in-law, Christopher McCrimmon; brother-in-law, Bruce Wilson; and her parents.
The family received visitors on Thursday, April 22, 2021 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Charlotte. A Rosary service was held at 7 p.m. on Thursday. The funeral mass was celebrated at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 23, 2021 at the church with Rev. Fr. Dwight Ezop officiating. The funeral is available for live stream through Marilyn’s tribute page at PrayFuneral.com, click on Marilyn’s tribute, click photos and videos from your computer, or media from your smart phone. Interment has taken place at Ft. Custer National Cemetery, in Augusta, Mich. Memorial contributions may be made to the family in care of Tia Johnson. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Marilyn on her tribute page at PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Darcy W. Sunkle Sr.
Darcy Warren Sunkle Sr., age 68, of Springport, Mich., departed this life on April 18, 2021 in the comfort of his home. A celebration of Darcy’s life will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 24, 2021, at the Springport VFW located at 230 Mechanic Street in Springport, Michigan. Arrangements entrusted to Vickers Springport Funeral Home.