Obituaries
Larry Earl Walker
Larry Earl Walker, 81, a kind-hearted “strong man” of deep love for his family, died peacefully at his home on Thursday, November 21, 2024. Larry was born November 17, 1943, in Lansing, the son of Earl and Leona (Smurr) Walker. He graduated from Charlotte High School in the class of 1961 and shortly after married the love of his life, Roxanne Pruden on August 10, 1963. He worked many years at GM, retiring in 1995, but farming was his lifelong passion, which he did right alongside his family until his retirement in 2002, when he slowed down only slightly. Larry and Roxanne worked hard, but they played hard, too.
Every summer holiday weekend, they hosted a huge campout with friends and family at the park they worked hard on at the back of the farm. Larry and his grandsons eventually even built a small log cabin shed on the property. Larry’s grandchildren were his world. He loved time spent with them, especially outdoors working, cane pole fishing, or on trips up North riding dirt bikes. His grandkids will remember him as a soft-spoken “super grampa” who attended all their sporting events and made sure to make a big family dinner for them each and every Sunday. No one left Larry and Rock’s house hungry. Larry lived his life by the Golden Rule – “treat others as you would want to be treated.”
Larry is survived by his son, Chad (Carolyn) Walker; grandsons, Benjamin (Lindsey) Walker and Christopher (Alexa) Walker; seven great-grandchildren, Jetzen, Dawszen, Ellyszen, Boszen, Hutzen, River Roxanne, and Ember Lynn; and several nieces and nephews and extended family. He was predeceased by his loving wife, Roxanne; their daughter, Trina; and his sisters, Donna Johnson, Joyce Johnson, and Shirley Van Auken.
Friends are encouraged to support Larry’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 p.m. followed by a reception 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 1, 2024 at Hidden Creek Farms, 2181 E. Vermontville Hwy., Charlotte, MI. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Elara Caring Hospice in lieu of flowers. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Daniel W. Bargy
Daniel W. Bargy, 63, a generous man with a big heart, died unexpectedly at his home in Brighton on Tuesday, November 19, 2024. Dan was born May 15, 1961, in Lansing, the son of Donald Wellington and Dorothy (Walker) Bargy. He graduated from Potterville High School in 1979 before earning a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University. Dan started his career during his high school years working co-op for the State of Michigan Driver’s License Bureau. His first full-time job with the Defense Department in Grand Rapids only briefly held his interest before he moved into internal auditing for several organizations throughout the years, including Michigan National Bank, Domino’s Pizza, American Community, Tecumseh Products, the Teamsters, and most recently the Detroit VA, where he retired from a few years ago.
Dan was a proud member of the Potterville Masonic Lodge and the First Presbyterian Church of Brighton. He was an active member of his neighborhood and both the communities of Brighton and Potterville. Dan’s generous nature led him to constantly be looking out for others, whether it be bringing meals or offering thoughtful gifts or flowers to friends and family. He had a special place in his heart for cats. He housed several rescues throughout the years, took in his mother’s cat after she passed, and loved his three fur babies, Annabelle, Leah, and Freddie as if they were his children. Above all, Dan loved his family. Dan, also, had a love for collecting antiques and reselling them at his three antique mall locations.
Dan is survived by his sister, Debra (Terry) Shaver of Charlotte; niece April (Zachary) Dillinger of Charlotte; nephew, Andrew (Kaleigh) Shaver of Eaton Rapids; great-nieces and nephew, Abigail Dillinger of Charlotte, Noah, Clementine, and Terri-Anne Shaver of Eaton Rapids; his beloved cats; and a host of close friends and colleagues. He was predeceased by his parents.
Friends are encouraged to support Dan’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation was on Monday, November 25, 2024, from 3–5:00 p.m. and 7:30 – 9:00 p.m., with a Masonic Service at 7:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. Funeral services were at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, at First Presbyterian Church of Brighton with Pastor Scott Phillips officiating. Interment will take place at Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte. The funeral will be webcast so you may watch it from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device that has internet access. Go to www.prayfuneral.com, click on Dan’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 Eaton County Humane Society or Michigan Humane – Livingston County. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Richard Carl Wood Jr.
Richard Carl Wood Jr., 68, of Charlotte, Michigan, passed away on November 21, 2024. Richard was born November 14, 1956.
A celebration of life is being planned for a later date. Arrangements entrusted to Vickers Springport Funeral Home, 121 Pearl Street/PO Box 235, Springport, MI 49284. 517-857-4848.
Penny Ellen (Patrick) Ryan, age 64, of Nashville, passed away peacefully in the loving arms of her Savior on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, surrounded by all of her children and grandchildren. She was born January 2, 1960, in Charlotte, the daughter of Charles and Thelma (Maggard) Patrick. Penny graduated in 1978 from Charlotte High School. She married David Richard Ryan on January 11, 1992, at the Holt Assembly of God. Penny’s family and faith were the two most important things in her life. She loved her children and grandchildren, and they made many precious memories with her. Penny was a devoted Christian and member of the Charlotte Assembly of God. Her church and church family were precious to her. She worked the majority of her life in healthcare caring for others. In her spare-time Penny enjoyed cooking, baking, canning, and singing praises to her Lord. She will be dearly missed by all those who knew and loved her.
Penny is survived by her children, Christopher (Jennifer) Patrick, Tiffany (Michael) Kidder, Noah Ryan; grandchildren, Daylia Patrick, Farrah Patrick, Penny Kidder, Michael Kidder Jr.; sisters, Connie (Paul) Kirby, Charlene Cooley; and numerous foster children, nieces, nephews, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and husband, David in 2021.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at 1 p.m. at the Charlotte Assembly of God with Pastor Shane Bryant officiating. The family received friends from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. just prior to the service at church.
Those desiring to make contributions in Penny’s honor may do so by donating to the Charlotte Assembly of God, 1100 E. Clinton Trail, Charlotte, MI 48813.
To view Penny’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.
Clayton Jake Higelmire
Clayton Jake Higelmire of Eaton Rapids, passed away November 11, 2024, at the age of 27 at the Hospice House of Mid-Michigan in Lansing, MI. During the last two weeks of his life, Clayton was visited by several close family and friends who loved him dearly. Clayton was born in Charlotte, MI, August 12, 1997, the son of David D. and Melaine A. (Stone) Higelmire, Jr. On June 24, 2023, he married Breanna Barnes at his grandparents, Dave and Linda Higelmire’s home. Clayton graduated from Eaton Rapids High School and Olivet College. While in high school and college he wrestled and played football. His high school football team won the District Championship in 2014 and 2015. Clayton was a two time All State wrestler in high school and placed 2nd and 4th in the State. When he was at Olivet College, Clayton was the Freshman of the Year in 2017. In 2018 and 2019 he was a starter for Olivet College at the NCAA Regional Championships. After college, he worked for BBR Mobile Home Set-Up. Clayton (“Spanky”) had a big heart and would do anything for anybody. People loved him wherever he went. He was always looking out for people. Clayton loved talking to his Grandma Linda about the Bible and said she was the smartest person in the world and knows everything.
Clayton is survived by his wife, Breanna Higlemire; son, Beau David Higelmire; parents, Dave and Melaine Higelmire; grandparents, David and Linda Higelmire, Kathy and Melvin Stone; grandmother, Mabel Stone; brother, Thomas Higelmire; nephews Dalton and Reese, and in-laws, Chuck and Sue Barnes. He was preceded in death by his aunt, Kimmie (Higelmire) Sebastian; uncles, Charlie Knight, Denny Burton, Buck Sanders and cousin, Andrew Higelmire.
Clayton’s Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 23, 2024, at the Tompkins Township Hall, 9999 Tompkins Rd., Rives Junction, MI 49277 with Pastor Matt Rhode officiating. A meal will immediately follow the service. The family has entrusted the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel with arrangements. To leave condolences for the family please visit our website, www.millsfuneral.com.