Obituaries
Katelyn Mae Aapala
Katelyn Mae (Clark) Aapala, passed away peacefully at her home in Charlotte on June 9, 2025, at the age of 42. Born on January 19, 1983, in Lansing to Randolph and Lisa (Hoberg) Clark, Katelyn dedicated her life to her family, career, and her steadfast commitment to serving others.
Katelyn graduated from Charlotte High School with the class of 2000 and went on to earn her Associate’s Degree from Lansing Community College. For over 15 years, she was a vital part of Richard’s Appliance, where she served as a sales clerk. Her dedication and commitment to her work were evident through her interactions with customers; all were treated as her “favorite customer,” showcasing her personality as a true “people person.” Katelyn took great pride in ensuring that each customer felt valued and cared for.
Her love for family was unmatched. Katelyn cherished every moment spent with her husband Aaron and their children, Clark and Sophia. She was a devoted supporter at all of her children’s sporting events, reveling in their achievements and milestones. Yearly trips to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula were a tradition for Katelyn, where she found joy in exploring the beauty of nature. Another of Katelyn’s loves was her dogs. She will be deeply missed by her family, who will carry her memory forward in their hearts.
Katelyn is survived by her loving husband, Aaron; her devoted children, Clark and Sophia; her father-in-law, Richard Aapala; her sister, Meagan Clark; and her brother, Jacob and April Clark.
Katelyn was preceded in death by her father, Randolph Clark; her mother, Lisa Clark; and her mother-in-law, Gail Aapala.
Those desiring to make contributions in Katelyn’s memory may do so by donating to Elle’s Place, 1145 W. Oakland Ave, Lansing, MI 48915 to help support grieving and bereaved children and teens.
A celebration of Katelyn’s life will be held at a later date.
The family is being served by the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home.
Julie Marie Hennessy
Julie Marie Hennessy was the kind of woman who could do it all…woodworking, plumbing, flooring, and running marathons, there was not anything she was afraid to tackle. She died unexpectedly Saturday, June 7, 2025 at the age of 62, leaving her friends and family to remember that tomorrow is not promised. Julie was born July 2, 1962 in Flint to Donald and Kay (MacKenzie) Clark. Immediately after high school she started working for GM, and received her Bachelor of Science Degree from General Motors Institute, where she then worked for the next 42 years as an Engineer.
Julie loved to be active and enjoyed many sports including swimming, running (she ran in several marathons including qualifying and running in the Boston Marathon), and biking. With a passion for biking, she cycled in the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Race Across Iowa (RAGBRAI), the oldest and longest bicycle tour in the world, 14 years in total. When she could not be outdoors participating in sporting events or doing home improvement projects, she also enjoyed doing crossword puzzles, crafting, knitting, doing math problems, sudoku, and the NY Times Puzzles.
The absolute joy of Julie’s life was being a grandma. She adored her grandchildren, Wynn and Kylie, and was a full-time nanny for Wynn. Grammy always had time and energy to do crafts, read books, go for walks, play on the swings, and do all the things that kept the kids entertained and engaged. She was very proud of teaching Wynn to swim, one of her greatest passions.
Julie is survived by her daughter, Kelsey Williams; son, Arron (Mary) Sparks; grandchildren, Wynn and Kylie; and sister, Lisa (Jeff) Basinski. She was preceded in death by her parents.
Friends are encouraged to support Julie’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation is Monday, June 16, 12 noon – 2:00 p.m. with funeral services immediately following at 2:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Daniel Sowles officiating. 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 Julie’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 St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Eaton County Humane Society. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Katherine Johnson
Katherine Johnson, a beautiful soul, went to be with her Lord on June 9, 2025, after a long and courageous fight with cancer. She was a loving wife and mother with a passion for helping others in her church, her family, and her community.
She is survived by her husband, Dan; son, Keith (Joanna); daughters, Kara Prickett and Amelia Johnson; grandchildren, Lyla, Henry, Indigo, Avery, and Leo; eight sisters; six brothers; and dozens of nieces and nephews.
Her legacy of caring will continue.
A celebration of Katherine’s life was held on Friday, June 13, 2025, at 11 a.m. at the First Congregational Church with Pastor Adam Droscha officiating. The family received friends on Thursday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home.
Those desiring may make contributions in Katherine’s memory to the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org
To view Katherine’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.
David Lee Trumley
David Trumley, 1954 – 2025, was born in Lansing, Michigan in 1954 to Richard and Beverly (Greenshields) Trumley. He lived a life full of curiosity, kindness, and a deep love for history.
He proudly served in the U.S. Army, then followed his adventurous spirit around the world. While abroad, he met his wife, Ghizela, in Scotland. Together, they built a life of love, learning, and travel, settled in Berlin, Germany.
David was a passionate reader and historian and known for his wit.
He is survived by his wife, Ghizela; children, Aaron, Curtis, and Lauren; brothers, John and Steve; and his father, Richard. He was preceded in death by his mother, Beverly.
David will be remembered always.
Barbara Jean Sleeper
Barbara Jean Sleeper, age 82, of Vermontville, MI, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, June 4, 2025.
Barbara was born on April 11, 1943, in Lansing, MI, to Robert and Patricia Shassberger. She graduated from Lansing Eastern High School in 1961 and went on to earn her teaching degree from Michigan State University in 1965. She later received her Master’s degree in Special Education from Western Michigan University. On September 12, 1964, she married the love of her life, LeRoy Sleeper. They shared 50 wonderful years together before LeRoy’s passing in 2014.
Barbara was saved in 1972, a moment that shaped the rest of her life. She had a heart for serving others and a deep love for her family, her faith, and her community.
She began her working life at the D&C 5-and-dime store and later worked at Lansing General Hospital caring for employees’ children alongside her best friend Cheryl. Her greatest professional joy, however, came from her years as a Home Economics teacher at Maple Valley Schools, where she lovingly taught generations of students, including several of her own children. Of all her years in education, these were among her most cherished. Barbara had a special bond with her students and stayed in touch with many of them throughout her life.
After earning her Master’s degree, Barbara went on to teach at Portland Middle School, where she continued her work in special education. She retired from Portland, holding fond memories of the strong connections she formed with students and families there as well. Her dedication and compassion left a lasting impression on everyone she taught.
Barbara was talented and creative, she learned to sew at a young age and even made her own wedding gown. She loved cooking and sharing recipes, and her kitchen was always a warm and welcoming place. She had a deep appreciation for nature, especially watching birds, and she delighted in keeping family and friends informed of every springtime milestone from the first robin sighting to the blooming of wildflowers. She loved reading, gardening, and most of all, spending time with her children and grandchildren. Her faith was her foundation, and she often reflected on the promise of eternal life, once writing: “Death is not the end, something better is waiting for us.”
She was a devoted wife, a loving mother, and a proud grandmother. Barbara is survived by her six children: Jeff (Kelly) children: Ava and Max; Brian, children: Anna, Gordie; Joshua (Christy) children: Alaina, Caleb, and Tyler; Leah (Dennis) child: Kalel; Bethany (Lonnie) children: Charlotte and Faith; and Michael.
Her legacy of love, faith, and kindness will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew her. If desired donations may be left to the family.