Obituaries
Gerald F. Lehman
Gerald F. (Jerry) Lehman, 81, passed away on December 11, 2020 in Lansing, his life cut short by Covid-19. He was born January 28, 1939, in Clarkston, Michigan, the second son of Percy and Ruth Lehman. At the age of six he moved with his family to Roscommon, a small northern community. After graduating from high school, he first attended Western Michigan University, later transferring to Michigan State University. He and Dyna Parmenter, the love of his life, were married December 15, 1962. Jerry was also the love of Dyna’s life and they were together for 63 years and came four days short of celebrating their 58th anniversary.
Upon earning a B.A. degree in art at MSU, Jerry joined the former Michigan Highway Dept. as a graphic artist. From there he took his artistic skills to the DNR, launching a career that spanned 23 years in parks and wildlife programs.
Upon retirement in 1992, Jerry was commended by the Michigan Legislature in a resolution citing his public service on behalf of the state’s tourism and recreational interests.
Over the years, Jerry was a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather. His three daughters’ credit him for inspiring them artistically while blessing their lives with a steady hand of support and sharp sense of humor.
Friends and others who had the pleasure of knowing Jerry admired him for being easy going and good natured. He was also well regarded for his big heart in helping others. Another plus was his dry humor which he made ample use of with loved ones, much to their delight.
Jerry enjoyed tinkering with things and was blessed with an abundance of patience to see them through successfully. This story started with him spending countless hours as a child building model airplanes. It stretched into devoting two decades in his senior years to renovate his treasured 1967 Pontiac Firebird convertible!
Not only did Jerry have the fortitude to delve into intricate undertakings, but he also had the skills to fix, modify or upgrade projects. He applied this special knack to home improvements throughout his life. For good measure, he was Mr. Fix-It in answering handyman needs of his grown children.
Jerry took on a lifelong love of golf, tracing back to his Roscommon childhood when his parents acquired and brought back into play, an abandoned golf course now known as Ye Olde Country Club. Many years later, as a seasoned ball striker, he had his shining moment in golf: a hole in one at Royal Scot in the Lansing area.
Jerry and Dyna spent the last 20 years wintering in Orange Beach, Ala. playing golf and making more wonderful friends.
The cherished life of Jerry will live on in the hearts of his wife Dyna; daughters Raelee (Ron) Edgar, Lisa (Kevin) Chapin, and Pam (Dale) Nutt; granddaughters Dani (Max) Larson, Brianne Edgar, and Sydney Nutt; grandsons Matt Edgar, Nick and Connor Chapin, Tyler, Keegan, and Mitch Nutt; great granddaughter Molly Larson; brother Dick Lehman. Brothers and sisters-in-law; Bruce Parmenter, Louise (Jerry) Hall, Vivian (Peter) Reed, Tom (Margaret) Parmenter. Nieces and nephew; Kevin, Karen, and Julie; Bruce Jr., Maureen; Glenn, Elaine, Ken, and Dale; Paula; Jennifer, Todd, and Brian. Plus, many great nieces and nephews. Cousins; Frank, Tom, Brian, Mary Jo, and John.
A private family celebration of life was held on Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at Pray Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held in 2021 in Roscommon, Mich. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions in Jerry’s honor to the First Congregational Church, 106 S. Bostwick Street, Charlotte, MI 48813. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Jerry on his tribute page at PrayFuneral.com.
The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Bertha F. Cobb
Bertha Faye Cobb, 87, of Vermontville, died Saturday, December 5, 2020, 12 days after her loving husband Richard Cobb. Bertha was born August 12, 1933, in Shiawassee County, the daughter of Ira and Dorothy (Bourassa) Wilson. She attended Laingsburg High School. On August 22, 1949, Bertha married Richard Cobb and the couple started their legacy together. Bertha worked as a Production Worker at Aluminum Extrusions for 20 years. She was strong willed, but very loving. Her family meant the world to her and she was always there to take care of anyone in need. Bertha enjoyed cooking for her family, sewing and spending time with her grandchildren.
Bertha is survived by her son, Richard L. (Belinda Harwood) Cobb; six grandchildren, Shelly (Brent) Rehm, Darren (Monelle) Cobb, Jared (Nicki) Osborne, Christie (Chad) Lutz, Richard (Evelyn) Osborne, and Andrea Cobb; 12 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband of 71 years, Richard Cobb; daughter, Janice Cobb; son, David Cobb; sisters, Joyce Wilson and Grace Stewart; brothers, Gale Wilson and Don Wilson; and her parents.
Friends are encouraged to support Bertha’s family. Funeral services were held Friday, December 11, 2020 at 2 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Pastor Charles Jenson officiating. The funeral was also webcast for viewing from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device with internet access, by going to PrayFuneral.com, clicking on Bertha’s tribute, then clicking on photos and videos from a computer (or media from a smart phone).
The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to the staff of Eaton County Health and Rehabilitation Services facility for their outstanding care of Bertha during her time at the facility. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to The American Cancer Society. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Bertha on her tribute page at PrayFuneral.com.
The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Vicky L. Lettimore
Vicky Lynne Lettimore, age 70, of Charlotte, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her family on Sunday, December 6, 2020. She was born July 11, 1950, in Lansing the daughter of Edward and Victoria Morse. Vicky graduated from Lansing Sexton High School with the class of 1968. On July 11, 1969, she married the love of her life, Walter Anthony Lettimore Jr. Vicky cherished her family and enjoyed watching her grandsons play sports. She was a wonderful baker and made many beautiful cakes throughout the years. She always looked forward to her family’s many camping and fishing trips.
Vicky is survived by her husband of 51 years, Walter; daughters: Victoria L. Lettimore of Charlotte, Dawn (Chad) Stanley of Charlotte, Shannon (Mike Foster) Lettimore of Potterville; grandchildren: Lora Kirkbride, Jordan Jackson, Earl Long IV, Jayden Jackson, Josh Wilson, Carter Jackson, Hunter Stanley, Michael F. Foster; great granddaughter, Avery Kirkbride; brother, Dawayne (Karen) Morse; sister-in-law Patricia (David) Garrison; and multiple nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brother Edward G. Morse; grandson, Anthony Kirkbride; and great grandson, Noah Combs.
A private funeral service was held on Thursday, December 10, 2020, at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home. Due to the funeral service being private and for immediate family only the service was livestreamed at listentochurch.com/listen/bgk.
Those desiring, may make contributions in Vicky’s honor to the American Diabetes Association.
To view Vicky’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit burkhead-green-kilgo.com.
Donald D. Balmer
Donald Dale Balmer, age 77, of Dimondale passed away Thursday, December 3, 2020. He was born in Lansing. Don was a devoted father, brother, and friend of many. He loved hunting, fishing, camping, and was a member of the Oldsmobile Outdoor club. He studied at Devry Institute and became a Journeyman Electrician for Oldsmobile in Lansing.
Don is survived by his children, William James Balmer and Kevin Balmer; and his brother, Lyn Balmer. He is the grandfather of Alicia, Liam, and Cole. Preceding Don in death was his loving wife, Margaret (Maggie) Balmer.
A private viewing was held at Vickers Funeral Home in Leslie.
Mary Jane Schriner
Mary Jane Schriner, 87, of Olivet, died November 10 after a quick and deadly battle with COVID-19. Mary Jane was born November 8, 1933 in Decatur, Michigan, to Raymond and Mildred (Mead) Ashcraft. She lived on a farm with seven brothers and sisters on the western edge of Fort Custer in Battle Creek, where she attended the Martin school. In 1949, the family relocated to a farm outside of Olivet.
In 1954, she married Newton Delbert Schriner of Peoria, Illinois. The following year, they built their own home where she resided until her death. During that time, Newt and Mary Jane had six children: Vickie Sue (Jim) Ashley, Richard Allen (Carole) Schriner, Micheal Lee (Cheribeth) Schriner, Kenneth Martin (Karen) Schriner, James Kelley (Stacey) Schriner and Timothy Dean (Zada) Schriner.
In 2009, Mary Jane and the family were reunited with her eldest daughter, Nancy (Jay) Hoppe. Nancy told us, “I was found after 56 years, and she loved me. Mom walked with the Lord, and she conquered many hardships because she believed God would help her along the way.” When Nancy brought her four children and 13 grandchildren to the first family reunion, she was shocked to see the size of her family. “I felt so happy that you accepted me,” she said. Of course, it was a gift both mother and daughter had hoped for; proof that their love never faded.
Mary Jane was never one to work only one job. She began her working career as a baby-sitter, caring for the many children who stayed on the farm while their parents worked. She became a prepper in a canning factory. She was a waitress at the Bib and Tuck and line worker at Owens-Illinois. She was employed at St. Regis paper and later became a machine operator at Airway Manufacturing. She worked as a custodian at Olivet Community Schools while at the same time worked as “The Dump Lady” for Walton township and caregiver for Crestview Adult Foster Home (the latter two for more than 20 years). In addition, she baked wedding cakes.
Mary Jane was no stranger to hospitals and survival. In the 1960’s, a car accident nearly took her life; a month later she returned home after surgery for an infection, as a metal hair curler had penetrated her skull. Three times she battled three different types of cancer, and three times she had surgery on other parts of her body- yes, she was tough!
Her daughter Vickie said, “She may have been the Dump Lady but to so many she was Grandma Mary Jane. Her love for people and animals was her ministry; she believed that it was her obligation to greet people with a smile, not complain, and bring a little happiness to others just by being friendly.” Vickie added, “the clients at Crestview knew through her mannerism that Grandma Mary Jane had their best interests at heart, treating them as she treated her own family.”
Mary Jane loved to travel and often took along a few extra kids. She made a point of watching the sporting events of her children and grandchildren and rarely missed their plays, concerts, or recitals. She collected Barbies, piggy banks, and chicken figurines. She was an ambitious baker and made sure the family always had plenty of birthday cakes and Christmas cookies. In addition, she spent time with her grandchildren watching Family Feud and Hallmark movies, picking blueberries, or baking pies. She was a talented seamstress, often opting to make a doll or outfit for a gift instead of buying it.
Mary Jane made sure her family and friends had all the things money could not buy. For many years she shared evening chats with her mother and Grandma Polly (Laverne) Janousek. She was generous, humorous, and compassionate. She made time for many friends (too numerous to name here), and telling jokes about red hair were life-long themes for her and her siblings. Her lightheartedness inspired her youngest son, Tim, to say, “We Gingers had to stick together.” As one granddaughter and her husband wrote to Grandma, “We love you for the ninja star throwing, beer pong playing, gun-shooting, wonderful and beautiful woman that you are.” Another granddaughter called her the glue that held the family together.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Newton (2006); sister Laurie Lorraine Ashcraft; and brothers Donald Edward Ashcraft and Robert Eugene Ashcraft. Her sister, Loretta Mae McGillis, of Olivet, also died from complications due to COVID-19 on November 27, 2020.
She is survived by her brother Raymond Alexander Ashcraft, Jr. of Nashville, Mich.; sister Ruth Ann Phillips of Inverness, Fla.; brother Kenneth Paul Ashcraft of Lansing, Mich.; 45 grandchildren; 51 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
A celebration of Mary Jane’s life will be held later in the spring or summer when people can safely gather outside. Donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or The Shriners Children’s Hospital.
The family asks that readers wear a mask, wash hands often, keep social distancing, and treat COVID-19 as the killer that it is.
To view Mary’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit burkhead-green-kilgo.com.