Obituaries
Douglas Earl Stites
Douglas Earl Stites, age 74, a steadfast and principled public servant, passed away peacefully at his home on May 25, 2025. Known for his directness, honesty, and unwavering integrity, Doug lived a life marked by quiet strength, ethics and dedication to his work, his family, and his community.
Born on September 8, 1950 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Doug was the cherished son of Robert E. and Leona (Oehrl) Stites. His formative years were spent on the shores of Lake Mecosta, a place that remained dear to his heart and evoked treasured memories of a childhood surrounded by family, nature, and animals.
After graduating from Central Michigan University and Lake State Superior University, Doug spent several decades in Sault Ste. Marie, leading the Michigan Works! Of the Upper Peninsula. His daughter, Robin, was born in 1979. In the late 1980’s, Doug met Leanne, and he soon relocated to the Lansing area and began working for the State of Michigan. Doug and Leanne married in 1990.
Doug’s most notable professional contributions included his tenure in the office of Governor John Engler, advancing workforce development initiatives across the state. There, Doug’s keen intellect and sharp political insight, nurtured by his voracious appetite for reading and his deep interest in history and public affairs, allowed him to help guide policy decisions with purpose and conviction.
Following his time in the Governor’s office he continued his leadership as CEO of Capital Area Michigan Works! where he served with vision and determination. Doug’s dedication to developing the workforce of Michigan and his ability to bring people together helped shape policy, improve lives, and build stronger communities across the state.
Doug’s love of the outdoors was deeply rooted in his experiences across Michigan, especially the Upper Peninsula, where he developed a lifelong passion for hunting, both fur and fowl. That passion was born from lessons first taught by his mother, who introduced him to hunting and fishing and later to cooking the wild game he brought home. Those early experiences blossomed into a love of cuisine and hospitality. It was not uncommon for Doug to spend days planning and preparing elaborate gourmet meals for family and friends, fussing over the details of each dish until it met his high standards. These dinners were more than meals, they were expressions of his love, creativity, and attention to detail.
Doug was known for his commanding presence and keen sense of purpose. He possessed a powerful personality that allowed him to lead with clarity, negotiate with strength, and make difficult decisions with confidence. Whether guiding a complex workforce initiative, planning a weekend fishing trip, or pouring over the details of the next family dinner gathering, Doug always knew where he was going and how to get there.
Doug is survived by his wife of 34 years, Leanne; his daughter, Robin Stites; stepchildren, Tracy (Robert) Rossman and Christopher Waite; grandson, Joseph Arens; brother, Phillip Stites; and a wide circle of friends, colleagues, and extended family who admired and respected him deeply.
Friends and loved ones are encouraged to remember Doug by sharing memories on his Tribute Page on the Pray Funeral Home website at www.PrayFuneral.com, or making a donation to a local Hospice organization. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date. In honoring his legacy, we remember a man who served with dignity, loved with sincerity, and lived with unwavering purpose, always leading from the front, and always inviting others to his table with warmth and grace. May his memory live on in the lives he touched and the stories that will be shared for generations. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte, MI.
Robert William Thomas
Robert “Bob” William Thomas, a man referred to by his children as “The Mayor,” died on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, after a battle with ALS. Bob, 70, of Charlotte, formerly of Gwinn, MI was born on May 17, 1955, the son of Clarence and Janetta (Medlyn) Thomas. He graduated from Negaunee High School in 1974. In school Bob was very involved in sports, he played basketball, football, track, and fast pitch softball. In his younger years Bob enjoyed the summer spent at their family camp on Big Shag Lake in Gwinn. On April 28, 1989, Bob married his former high school classmate, Nita Koski, and together they spent the next 36 years creating many lasting memories. Being born and raised in the UP, Bob was a huge Green Bay Packers and Detroit Tigers fan, although he did enjoy U of M football and MSU basketball. Many will remember Bob for his jokester personality and his ability to strike up a conversation with anyone that he crossed paths with. In 2018, Bob and Nita moved to Charlotte to be closer to their grandchildren. He loved spending any time he could with them and enjoyed watching their sporting events. Bob loved his dog Tai, and his grand-dogs, Tank and Maverick. He found great comfort in having them around.
Bob is survived by his loving wife, Nita; children, Danielle (Wayne) Thomas of Dallas, TX, Kenna (Gus) Farrach of Dallas, TX, Amy (Travis) VanAlstine of Charlotte, MI, Jeramie (Susan) Soderberg of Midland, MI, and Jason (Kendall) Soderberg of New Ulm, MN; 23 grandchildren; siblings, Jane Nordeen of Gwinn, MI, Sally (Archie) Mitchell of Ishpeming, MI, Richard (Barbie) Thomas of Gwinn, MI; sister-in-law, Marilyn Thomas; and numerous nieces and nephews that he loved dearly. He was predeceased by his parents; and brothers, John Thomas, and Jim Thomas.
Friends are encouraged to support Bob’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. A visitation will be held on Saturday, May 31, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Upper Peninsula Animal Welfare Shelter (UPAWS). The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Kristin Marie Peterson
Kristin “Kris” Marie Peterson, age 60, an extraordinary teacher that loved and supported all her students, passed away at home on May 19, 2025. Kris was born October 21, 1964 in Marquette, MI to Donald Rouker and Hazel Marie Salonen Rouker. As a child, Kris loved softball and basketball, eating M&M’s and spaghetti, playing outside, playing the French Horn, and was very talented at sailing. Kris was always known for her kindness and desire to follow the rules. A graduate of Gladstone High School in 1982, she then attended Adrian College where she earned her teaching degree in mathematics and she was the first person in her immediate family to earn a college degree, a definite point of pride for Kris. While at Adrian, she was a resident advisor where she met her lifelong friends Beth and Gina. Kris landed her first teaching job at Romulus High School in 1986. The thing she disliked the most was that the lunch ladies would always charge her the student rate for her lunch, because, due to her small stature, they did not believe she was a teacher. The following school year, Kris began her career of teaching at Olivet High School. Over her 33 years of teaching, Mrs. Peterson impacted thousands of students as a mathematics and calculus teacher, softball coach, volleyball coach, academic recovery teacher, Sunday school teacher, and the greatest cheerleader for any student who wanted to succeed. Kris was recognized as an influential educator by her students many years, and received Walmart Teacher of the Year recognition and the Influential Educator Award several times.
Kris met Burt Peterson in Ypsilanti, and in July of 1990 they were married. The couple adopted three children, all of whom she gave her whole life for. Paul, Amanda (Jaysen), and Matthew were the absolute center of her happiness. Kris helped with homework, spent hours watching sports from the stands, attending performances at Wharton Center with Amanda, played outside for hours, and provided her children with any opportunity they needed to reach their dreams. She was the kindest soul on earth.
Kris is survived by her husband of 35 years, Burt; her children, Paul, Amanda (Jaysen), and Matthew; father, Don (Joanne) Rouker; sisters, Leana (Jimmy) Davison, Penni Young (Dan), and Lysa (Dan) Stockwell; mother-in-law, Betty Peterson; brothers-in-law, Steve and Chris (Suzanne) Peterson; many nephews, nieces, great nieces; aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and colleagues. Kris was preceded in death by her mother, Hazel Rouker; grandparents; and her sister-in-law, Julie.
Friends and family are encouraged to remember Kris by sharing memories on her Tribute Page. Funeral services were on Wednesday, May 28, 2:00 p.m. at Peace Lutheran Church in Charlotte. Visitation was held on Tuesday, May 27, 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte, MI. The funeral was webcast so you may watch it from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device that has internet access. Go to www.prayfuneral.com, click on Kris’ tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). Donations in her memory may be made to The Parkinsons Foundation, Olivet High School Scholarship, or Peace Lutheran Church. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home.
Dillard Dalmos Kratzer
Dillard Dalmos Kratzer, ‘Dal’, passed away peacefully on May 20, 2025, at the young age of 87.
Dal is survived by his beloved wife and soulmate, Kate Ash (Legge); daughter, Deborah (Kris) Louden; son, Don (Ayako) Kratzer; two grandchildren, Jacob Louden, Nathan Louden; siblings, Barb and Becky; and many in-laws, nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by his parents, Dillard and Helen; and sister Elaine.
Dal was born in Amazonia, Missouri on December 16, 1937, moving to Liberty, Missouri in 1938.
Dal graduated from Liberty High School in 1955. He then went on to study Animal Husbandry at the University of Missouri, graduating in 1959. But Dal, always inquisitive, wanted to know more. So, on he went to Iowa State university where he earned an M.S. in Animal Breeding. The science of animal breeding involves statistics and so began Dal’s journey with statistics. The pinnacle was a PhD in 1965 from Iowa State in Animal Breeding and Statistics studying under the renown Dr. Jay Lush. For a short time, Dal was an assistant professor at Iowa State University. In1968, Dal accepted a position at the University of Kentucky as a professor of Animal Science and Statistics; eventually becoming a full professor.
In 1977, Dal accepted a position as a biostatistician with the then Upjohn Company in Kalamazoo, MI. Now the fun begins. His contribution to the company and the animal health industry is immeasurable. His penultimate dedication to excellence was respected by his industrial colleagues and regulatory officials alike. In development of animal health products, he was dedicated to excellence and was able to instill that belief in all who worked with him. He was awarded the Upjohn award in 1988, for making substantial contributions towards improving the efficiency of research studies while increasing the reliability of decisions from them. Dal organized and led a numerous of workshops on Experimentation Science both here and abroad, further exemplifying his commitment to excellence but with the added bonus of sharing his knowledge and ability. His legacy for animal health includes large animal and companion animal products still on the market and effective years after FDA approval. But that is only the tip of the iceberg when discussing Dal’s statistical career in animal health. For example, when Kate came to the Upjohn company as a fresh PhD in statistics, Dal took on the role of mentor and gently guided her, with wisdom and humor into practical, manageable but highly principled solutions. In this same way he mentored and guided his colleagues and had a profound impact on them. After Dal retired from the company, he continued an active statistical consulting business for a good number of years.
But what else of this man?
He loved soccer and was very active in the 80’s in AYSO (American Youth Soccer organization), both coaching and refereeing. Of course, he also played in various leagues. A highlight was a trip to the World Cup when held in the US.
The rest of the story began with a trip the Irish National Sheepdog Trial in 1990. Dal said ‘I can do that’. Kate and Dal purchased property and with a gift of a Border Collie from a dear friend, it starts to get real. Houses, barns, fences appeared as well as more dogs. Soon they were on the road to sheepdog trials and clinics. In 1999, a few years after buying the farm, Dal retired from full time statistical work and thus had the time to pour himself into his Border collies. His heart dog was Paddy and she took him many places. Another wonderful dog, Tib, took him to a placement in the National Final and was the dam of a 3-time national champion. Dal’s analytical nature earned him respect from the sheepdog community and he had the honor of judging a number of prestigious trials in this country. But it must also be said that people admired his kind nature, sense of humor, and fair play.
Of course, there were other dogs. In his later years, when he was unable to compete in sheepdog trials, he had a little rescue dog, Marti. Dal was frequently seen feeding her table food from his own spoon! She was his constant companion.
Another of Dal’s loves was single malt scotch. On a wonderful trip to Scotland, Kate and Dal visited many distilleries and thus he cultivated a taste for highland single malts. In point of fact, he was a Scotch snob! He loved nothing better than a ‘wee dram’.
A celebration of his life will be held at a later date, details to follow. Perhaps there we can all remember him with funny, strange or silly stories, over a ‘wee dram’.
That’ll do, Dal.
Those desiring may make contributions in Dal’s honor to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org
To view Dal’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.
Gerald Lee Jones
Gerald Lee Jones, age 84, of Charlotte, Michigan passed away on Sunday May 11, 2025, at MediLodge Capital Area in Lansing. Gerald was born in Eldora, Iowa on May 23, 1940 to parents Mervyn and Ruth Jones, who have preceded him in death as well as his youngest brother Terry. Gerald graduated from Brooklyn High School and attended Jackson Junior College, now Jackson College. Gerald did many things and all with passion. He raced cars, built cars, raced snowmobiles, golf, and bowled achieving a number of 300 games.
After retiring as Engineering Manager from Control Systems Integrators in Lansing, he continued to play golf and bowl and began building computers for friends and family.
Gerlad continued to race, but this time it was on the internet, called I-Racing. Gerald is survived by his wife of 35 years, Jo Anne (Phelps); brother Larry (Nancy) Jones; daughter Jeri Lynn; and four grandchildren. There will be no visitation or services at this time.