Obituaries
Perry (Joe) Mire
Perry (Joe) Mire, age 63, passed away, January 31, 2021. Joe was born March 26, 1957, the son of Henry and Anna (Lance) Mire.
Joe was a farmer at heart with a work ethic that was unmatched. His favorite was planting corn. Joe worked with his best friend, from childhood, Darrell Newton of Newton Family Farm. He started working in 1978. Joe was like one of their family and he was loved by them all.
Surviving Joe are brothers, Henry, Jerry (Jackie), Max (Sheila), Harlow (Tammy), John Abbott; sisters, Connie (David) Berkimer, Kathy Abbott; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents and his stepdad, Robert Abbott, brother Eli and sister Penny Oberlin.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 6, 2021 at 10 a.m., at the Daniels Funeral Home in Nashville, Mich.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday February 6, 2021 at the Daniels Funeral Home with Joe’s friend Thomas Newton officiating.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Daniels Funeral Home in Nashville. For further details please visit their website at danielsfuneralhome.net
Michael J. Cooper
Michael John Cooper, 70, of Charlotte, a devoted family man and 25-year veteran of the Eaton County Sheriff’s Office, died January 24, 2021 at home with his beloved family by his side. Born on October 21, 1950 in Lansing to Clarence and Arlene (French) Cooper, Mike grew up as the only boy in a family with two sisters, and he learned quickly how to protect and care for those he loved.
Mike served his country in Vietnam from 1968 to 1970 in the 101st Airborne. When he returned, he married the love of his life, Penny Deverman, in 1970. Together they raised their daughters, Shannon and Tonya, and enjoyed as much time with family as possible, including time with grandchildren and great-grandchildren as their family grew up. His family meant everything to Mike, they were his true love and passion in life.
Traveling west during winter months, Mike enjoyed riding his Razor with the Desert Creek riding group in Bullhead City, Arizona. He also loved going to hunting camp, the “Hale Creek Club,” with his best friends. Mike worked for 25 years at the Eaton County Sheriff’s Office, retiring as a detective and the first K-9 dog handler in Eaton County with his partner, Zeb.
Mike is survived by his wife of 50 years, Penny; daughters, Shannon Jungel and Tonya Cooper; grandchildren, Michael Cooper, Taylor Jungel, Hailey Jungel, Nicholas Jungel, and Jordan Stralnic; great-grandchildren, Hope Cooper, Daisy Cooper, Brantley Cooper, Miles Jungel, and Ella Smithers; sister, Roxanne Graham; sisters-in-law, Carolyn (Larry) Masseau, and Pam (Larry) VanDorpe; brothers-in-law, Paul Kays and Dave (Ellen) Deverman; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his mother- and father-in-law, Rose and David Deverman; sister, Nancy Kays; brother-in-law, Kenneth Graham; and grandson, Austin Cooper.
Funeral services were held Thursday, January 28, at the Charlotte Assembly of God with Pastor Jack Brown officiating. Friends are encouraged to support Mike’s family by visiting his tribute page to share memories at PrayFuneral.com. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Disabled American Veterans (dav.org/donate). The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Douglas C. Rodebaugh
Douglas Carl “Rocket Man” Rodebaugh, a man who enjoyed the fast lane, died Tuesday, January 26, 2021, at home in Bellevue. Doug was born June 2, 1955, in Lansing, the son of Gerald and Anita (Pifer) Rodebaugh. He graduated from Potterville High School in 1973 and soon hit the gas on his lifetime passion of drag racing. He raced from the time he was 21 until he no longer could get behind the wheel. Doug married Jodi Kay Hayes in 1977, and the two started their family. Their family included more than children, as the Rodebaughs were always known to have a pet Dalmatian. Doug was self-employed, operating Rocket Man Motorsports in Lansing for over 25 years. He enjoyed sports, especially the Lions and Michigan football, and watching Tigers baseball.
Doug is survived by his wife of 43 years, Jodi; their children, Heather (Cheryl) Rodebaugh-Richards, Anthony (Trish) Rodebaugh, Doug Rodebaugh, Jr., and James (Shelby) Rodebaugh; and ten grandchildren, Ashley Lord, Allison Reese, Emily Coddington, Katie Rodebaugh, Corinne Rodebaugh, Hayleigh Rodebaugh, Rachael Rodebaugh, Gavin Rodebaugh, Sadie Rodebaugh, and Myles Rodebaugh. He was predeceased by his parents.
Friends are encouraged to support Doug’s family. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 30, 2021 at Pray Funeral Home with Pastor Chuck Jenson officiating. Visitation was held from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, January 29, 2021 at the funeral home. Mask, group capacity, and distancing guidelines are practiced at the funeral home. The funeral will also be webcast beginning 15 minutes prior to the service so you may watch it from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device that has internet access. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Hemophilia Foundation of Michigan at hfmich.org. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Doug on his tribute page at PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Jennifer L. Brooks
Jennifer Lynn Brooks, a feisty, spunky and hard loving, wife, mother, daughter and friend, died unexpectedly at home on Friday, January 22, 2021. Jen, 44, of Potterville, Mich., was born January 18, 1977, the daughter of Larry and Barbara (Heinze) Reed. She graduated from Potterville High School in 1995. Jen worked the last 14 years as a self-employed property inspector throughout mid-Michigan. On September 19, 2015 Jen married Bryan Brooks and they have been inseparable ever since. Jen was always the life of the party, she loved singing karaoke at local bars with her daughter, Alexis, and friends belting out their favorite country music. She also had a very competitive side, and enjoyed playing in local softball, bowling, volleyball, and cornhole leagues, that she competed in with her husband Bryan. Family meant the world to Jen and she adored their time spent playing games, watching movies, and being together. Jen was always sharing her knowledge of art with her daughter Averi. She also enjoyed baking cheesecakes, shopping, and drawing cartoon characters. Jen will be remembered for always being able to make the best of even the worst situations.
Jen is survived by her loving husband, Bryan; children, Alexis (Nathan Fraley) Reed, Averi Watson, Skyler Brooks; third daughter, Monica Ornelas; mother, Barbara (David) Wambold; brother, Aaron Reed; in-laws, Kenneth (Janice) Brooks; sister-in-law, Christy (Dave Banks) Brooks; numerous nieces and nephews; and her beloved dogs and cats. She was predeceased by her father, Larry Reed; and grandparents, William and Iva Heinze.
If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the family to help with funeral expenses. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Jen on her tribute page at PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Jay H. Lee
Jay Howard Lee, 50, of Charlotte, died unexpectedly at his home on Saturday, January 30, 2021. Jay was born on August 18, 1970, in Charlotte, the son of Orval and Florence (Monteith) Lee. Jay married the love of his life, Joyce Bogart on November 9, 2019. Family came first to Jay in his time and commitments. He will always be remembered for being a hard worker, kind, dependable and big hearted. One example of Jay’s gentle caring ways is that he took care, with such compassion, of his mother when she was ill. Jay enjoyed fishing, camping, watching local short track racing and NASCAR with Dale Earnhardt being his favorite driver. He also was a huge fan of U of M, wrestling and football teams. Always hoping for the big win, Jay often purchased scratch off tickets.
Jay is survived by his wife, Joyce; son, James Allen Lee; mother, Florence Lee; sisters, Jodi (Rex) Van Guilder and Sue Ann Lee; nephew, Matt McLean; niece, Megan Lee; special nephew, Buster; great-niece, Madison McLean; and his aunts and uncles and many cousins. He was predeceased by his father, Orval Lee; and his grandparents, Howard and Lavina Lee, Gerald Monteith and Georgia Garfield.
A Celebration of Life will be held following Sunday services on Sunday, February 7, 2021 at Celebration Church (formerly Five Corners Church). Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Jay on his tribute page at PrayFuneral.com. Memorial contributions may be made to the family in care of Jodi Van Guilder to help with expenses. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.