Obituaries
Gregory James Carroll
Gregory James Carroll, a fun-loving man with a giant heart, died April 28, 2024, at the age of 51. Greg was born November 2, 1972, in Lansing to Robert and Kathy (Kendall) Carroll. Greg graduated from Everett High School in 1990 and went on to have many adventures that led him around the world. Bowling was one of his favorite activities, and he was very skilled at it, bowling many perfect 300 games. Greg was also a lawn perfectionist and truly enjoyed his time on the lawn mower, as well as planting flowers, bushes, and other yard work that made his home a beautiful piece of art, a little bit of heaven on earth. His family described Greg as coming out of his shell when he met Staci, the woman who became his wife in 2021. They spent 7 years together with many adventures like MSU tailgating, traveling, attending concerts, kayaking, and many other activities with family and friends before he proposed with the help of a tennis ball and their loving dog Stafford. With a quick wit, Greg always had a joke to tell whether it was a dad joke, a good joke, or dirty joke, and he had an infectious smile and laugh that he generously shared with those around him. A caring father, kind and generous friend, Greg was never a stranger for long and his presence will be deeply missed.
Greg is survived by his wife, Staci; sons, Nicholas Carroll and Devin (Samantha) Carroll; grandchildren, Christopher and Myles Carroll and his first granddaughter that is due any day; mother, Kathy (Carroll) Halligan; sister, Heather Trentadue; mother-in-law, Teresa (Eric) Oswald; father-in-law, Mark (Shirley) Sanders; sisters-in-law, Nicole (Robert) Helcher, and Danielle (David) VanGuilder; and niece and nephew Austin and Averie VanGuilder. He was predeceased by his father, Robert Lee Carroll.
Friends are encouraged to support Greg’s family by sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation was Thursday, May 2, at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. Funeral services were Friday, May 3, 11:00 a.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Daniel O’Brien Sowles officiating. 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 Greg’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). If desired, memorial contributions are suggested to the family or to Pray Funeral Home to help with final expenses. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Richard I. Sherrell
Richard I. Sherrell, age 64, of Onondaga, Michigan, passed away on April 26, 2024. Richard was born on October 25, 1959, the son of Bobby and Mary Sherrell. There are no services planned at this time. Memorial contributions can be directed to a charity of your choice. Arrangements entrusted to Vickers Leslie Funeral Home, 109 N. Church Street/PO Box 503, Leslie MI 49251. 517-878-6600.
Robert Lynn McCreery
Robert Lynn McCreery of Eaton Rapids passed away April 29, 2024, at the age of 76. Bob was born in Jackson, Michigan, October 1, 1947, the son of Maurice “Mac” and Thelma (Shoemaker) McCreery. He graduated from Jackson High School, attended the University of Arizona, finishing up his education and graduating from Michigan State University. Bob was the owner of Michigan Wholesalers Inc., which he took over from his father. He was a very active member of the Jackson Host Lions Club. Bob loved sports, especially MSU Hockey and was an avid Eaton Rapids Soccer Club supporter. He enjoyed watching the animals in his yard and even had some rabbits join him on the porch. Bob was a very good golfer playing with his son, this year taking 2nd in the league. His sons were the center of his world. Spending time with them was his purpose in life and he was so proud of them.
Bob is survived by his sons, Conner (Brittany) McCreery of Waterloo, IA, Jacob (Madison Azelton) McCreery of Eaton Rapids; sister-in-law, Kathi (Rob) Horwath; cousin, Shelley Deatrick. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mac and Thelma McCreery; wife, Beverly Jo McCreery in 2015; father and mother-in-law, Frank and Margaret Kirchen.
Memorial Services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at the First United Methodist Church, 600 S. Main Street, Eaton Rapids. Visitation will be at the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel Monday from 6-8 p.m. and at the church one hour prior to the service. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the Lions Clubs International Foundation or the Beverly Jo McCreery Education Fund in loving memory of Robert Lynn McCreery. To leave condolences for the family, visit our website www.millsfuneral.com.
Judith Hicks
Judith “Judie” Ann Hicks, 90, of Marshall, passed away with her beloved family by her side on Sunday, April 21, 2024.
Judie was born on the family farm in Olney, Illinois, on July 29, 1933, to Clarence and Grace Bauman. Judie married the love of her life, Byron “Bud” Hicks, on October 6, 1951. They enjoyed nearly 72 years of marriage prior to his death in August of 2023. Judie is survived by her cherished daughter, Lonnie (Monte) Starkweather; granddaughters Kellie (Brad) Janousek and Jessie (Kevin) McClelland; and two treasured great-grandsons, Ryder and Hayden McClelland. She is also survived by extended family members and many wonderful friends.
Judie spent her early childhood on the Bauman family farm in Olney. There she loved farm life and animals, especially her lambs, Bunny and Blackie, as well as her dog, Pat. The family moved to Battle Creek for job opportunities. Judie graduated from Battle Creek Central where she met her dear friends, Jackie, Carolyn and Pat. They all took turns being bridesmaids in each other’s weddings and remained lifelong friends and travel companions.
Judie and Bud met through her older brother Bill. They married in 1951. In the early years of her and Bud’s marriage, she spent her time making a home. Then she held her most important job – mom to Teddie, Lonnie and Danny. Her family was always first and the most important thing in her world.
In 1971, Judie attended the dental hygienist program at KCC. She worked at picking teeth cooties in offices in Battle Creek, Marshall and Albion. In addition to work, she focused on raising her daughter with tremendous strength and determination following tragic loss. The Hicks family could be found snowmobiling in winter and by the pool with friends in the summer. Pool parties at the Hicks’ were the hottest ticket in town as Judie was the “hostess with the moistest!”
Judie always excelled at baking and cooking. Her apple pies were legendary and a staple of many family dinners. She also perfected her “bunny” and “snowman” pancake making skills at many overnight breakfasts for her granddaughters.
An animal lover at heart, Judie always had a critter. She loved Golden Retrievers and German Shepards. The ultimate “guard dog” was her beloved Newfoundland, Barney. The Hicks’ home also had its fair share of yellow cats through the years.
Judie was an avid antique collector; particularly, Tea Leaf ironstone which she remembered from her grandma’s dinner table. Her “Harelooms” antique booth kept her busy after her retirement in 1995. Bud and Judie spent time traveling to auctions as well as Tea Leaf National Conventions. They often traveled to old car events and took tours with friends. Many times, the “girls” were brought along for the ride. Bud and Judie retired to Zephyr Hills and enjoyed time shuffling in the sunshine with all their Valleydale friends. Many evenings were spent with glasses of wine over SkipBo and Euchre.
Ryder and Hayden were “grandma-great’s” pride and joy. Judie was always prepared with ice cream and trips to the zoo with her special guys.
Judie was preceded in death by Bud; her parents; brothers, Willard (Bill) Bauman and James Bauman; sister, Bonnie Greene; and her sons, Theodore “Ted” Hicks in 1969 and Daniel Hicks in 1957.
Visitation was held Wednesday, April 24 at the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home & Cremation Services. Funeral services were held at the funeral home on Thursday, April 25 at 11 a.m. Interment followed at Hicks Cemetery in Pennfield with a gathering of friends and family immediately after. Memorial contributions can be made to Shriner’s Hospital for Children or Pawsibilities Animal Rescue of Eaton County.
A special thank you to all the wonderful caregivers at the Villa at Winston Court for all of the love and support that you provided both Judie and Bud.
Joanne Gardner
Joanne (Cook) Gardner of Charlotte, Michigan, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loved ones on Wednesday, April 23, 2024. She was 91.
Joanne was born on August 24, 1932 in Traverse City, Michigan. She was the eldest daughter of Archie Fay Cook and Ruth Emma (Hubbell) Cook, and older sister of Mary Beth and Archie Fay Junior (Jim). Following in the footsteps of her parents, both dedicated educators, Joanne completed her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in speech and language pathology at Central Michigan University, and an additional Master’s degree in psychology at Western Michigan University. She taught in the Charlotte Public School system for 38 years and was a member of the Upsilon chapter of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International for Key Women Educators, ever devoted to supporting both students and fellow teachers.
In Charlotte, she met the love of her life, Joseph Munroe Gardner. They married on February 21, 1970, and have been inseparable ever since. Together with her husband, Joanne traveled the world, from every corner of her home state to Australia, China, and Mexico, to name a few. Joanne also spent much of her time giving back to her local community through her work with the Order of the Eastern Star of Michigan Brookfield #352 chapter; she was a loyal member for 73 years. Joanne was an avid crafter, delighting many with her quilts and home-made cards, and one of the best square-dancers this side of the Mississippi.
Joanne is survived by her husband, Joe Gardner; her sister, Mary Beth (Cook) Tereschuk; eight nieces and nephews; and many, many great-nieces and nephews, all of whom love her dearly. She now joins in Heaven, her mother and father; brothers, Jim and baby Robert; brothers-in-law, Luey Heisler, Hugh Boehmer, Dean Thuma, and Daniel Tereschuk; sister-in-law, Betty Thuma; and nephews, Ron Thuma and Danny Tereschuk.
To honor Joanne’s request, there will be no service. Please celebrate her life and lasting legacy privately or make a donation in her name to the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International Upsilon chapter or the Order of the Eastern Star Brookfield #352 chapter. Friends are encouraged to share memories of Joanne on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.