Obituaries
David Jack Woodbeck
David Jack Woodbeck, age 78, of Charlotte, was born on October 6, 1946, and passed away peacefully on April 27, 2025. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends, who will remember him not only for his quiet and loving demeanor, but also for the significant contributions he made to their lives and to the community.
Dave enjoyed a robust career, having retired from General Motors after more than 30 years of dedicated service. His time at General Motors was not just a job for him; it was a place where he honed his skills and nurtured a passion that would later inspire him to help his son, Bryan, build a drag racing car. This family project highlighted Dave’s love for organized drag racing, an interest that brought him joy and provided cherished memories with his family.
Education was also an important part of Dave’s life. He graduated from Charlotte High School with the class of ‘64, a milestone that set the foundation for his future endeavors.
In his leisure time, Dave found immense enjoyment in spending time with his family. He cherished the moments they shared at the home they built on Big Lake in Osceola County, where laughter and love echoed in the air. His interests extended beyond the family, as he was also a former vice president of the Eaton County Amateur Radio Club.
Dave leaves behind a loving family who will carry on his legacy: his devoted wife, Peggy; his son, Bryan and Susan Woodbeck; his grandchildren, Matthew and Holly Woodbeck, and Courtney and Jon Parcher; as well as four great-grandchildren who brought him boundless joy. He is also survived by his brother, Alan Woodbeck, and sisters Barbara and Dan Martin, and Judy and Chris Tuller.
He was preceded in death by his loving parents, Gayle and Helen Woodbeck, and his daughter, Candace Woodbeck, as well as his granddaughter, Laura Woodbeck.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at 11 a.m. at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home with Pastor Charles Jenson officiating. The family will receive friends on Friday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the funeral home and one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Burial will take place at Maple Hill Cemetery.
Those desiring may make contributions in Dave’s memory to Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org. To view Dave’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com
Jacqueline Edna Polhamus
Jacqueline Edna (Husted) Polhamus, 75, passed away April 21, 2025. She was born May 7, 1949 in Eaton Rapids, MI to Edgar and Judith (Rockerfellow) Husted.
While attending Charlotte schools, Jackie met the love of her life, Robert E. Polhamus, Jr. They married on December 23, 1967. They enjoyed 52 adventurous years together.
Jackie and Bob spent most of their lives in the military. She enjoyed the opportunities this provided to visit Europe. She cherished the folk medals they earned from the folk walks they participated in.
When they retired, they returned to Michigan. Through the years she was honored to be involved with the DAV Auxiliary of Michigan. Jackie especially enjoyed their trips to the DAV conventions in the Upper Peninsula.
Jackie had a deep compassion for the elderly and spent her working life as a CNA. She wanted to make the last years of people easier and happier.
Throughout the year Jackie took pride in her gardens. She loved to work in them, preserve the produce, to share the produce and the flowers.
Among her favorite things to do were gardening, riding the family horses, knitting, crocheting, and sewing. In quiet moments you might find her reading historical novels of the first peoples of the Americas. Or, with a bowl of popcorn watching her horror movies.
Jackie had a deep love of family. Her family was always on her mind. She is survived by her son, Gerry (Sandi); grandchildren, Angel Polhamus, Angela Burgoff, and Bruce, Blake, Kody and Evan Polhamus; four great grandchildren; her sisters, Beverly (Malvern) Kelly and Marie Husted; and her extended Rockerfellow, Husted, and Polhamus families. She was predeceased by her husband, Bob; daughter, Tanya; infant son, Robbie; and her parents.
There will be a celebration of life for Jackie on May 10, 2025 from 2-4 p.m. at 200 N. Bostwick St., Charlotte, MI. Come share your memories.
Sandra Anne Smith
Sandra Anne “Sandy” (Morrissey) Smith, 87, a life-long resident of Potterville, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 5, 2025 in St. Joseph, Michigan. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, May 10, at 1:00 p.m. at the Sycamore Creek Church in Potterville, with visitation from noon until 1:00 p.m.
Sharon Anne Pierce
Sharon Anne Pierce, of Eaton Rapids, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 23, 2024, at the age of 93. Born on January 29, 1932, in Eaton Rapids, MI, she was the beloved daughter of Carl and Helen (Hogan) Hamman. A proud graduate of Eaton Rapids High School, Class of 1950, Sharon built a life rooted in family, hard work, and love.
She married Jerry Pierce, and together they raised four children while running Central Auto Salvage Pool, a business they owned and operated until 1998. Sharon was a lifelong learner with a deep love for reading, and she found joy in board games, card games, and completing jigsaw puzzles. Her happiest moments were often spent with family and friends at her cherished cabin in Manistique, MI, surrounded by the natural beauty of northern Michigan.
More than anything, Sharon was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and loyal friend. She will be remembered for her kind heart, her strength, and the countless memories she created with those she loved.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Jerry; her grandson, Drew Pierce; and her brother, Harold Hamman.
Sharon leaves behind her children: Nancy (Kevin) Pople, Penny (Dennis) Mann, Steve (Julie) Pierce, and Scott (Betsy) Pierce; her grandchildren: Corey Hathaway, Jessica (Josh) Comer, Katie Mann, Julia (Alex Badalyan) Mann, Evan Mann, Robert Pierce, Eric (Cara) Kent, and Ryan (Kristen) Kent; ten great-grandchildren, two great great-grandchildren; as well as many extended family members and dear friends.
A memorial visitation took place on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. at Skinner Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids Chapel. A private graveside service will follow.
In honor of Sharon’s love of reading, those who wish may make memorial contributions to the Eaton Rapids Area District Library. To share memories or offer condolences, please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
Kay Francis Bodell
Kay Francis Bodell of Onondaga passed away April 22, 2025, at the age of 88. Kay was born in Onondaga, Michigan on September 20, 1936, son of the late Raymond Dale and Nadine Leone (Stone) Bodell. He met the love of his life Doris Harris and they married on October 4, 1958. Kay was a lifetime resident of Onondaga where he and Doris were deeply involved in the community. He helped establish the Onondaga Township Fire Department, where he volunteered as a firefighter for 25 years. Kay also served as Township Supervisor for 17 years. He retired from the State of Michigan’s Department of Transportation in 1989 after 33 years of service. Kay was a former member of the Onondaga Sportsman Club and helped with their establishment.
He is survived by his daughters, Deborah (James) Hanks of Pleasant Lake, Karen Bodell of Grass Lake; son, Russell Bodell of Onondaga; grandchildren, Deren Bodell, Robert (Natalie) Hanks, Andrew Bodell, Matthew (Sarah) Hanks, Joshua (Taylor) Bodell, Reighann Anders, Morgan (Donald) Piepkow, Jordyn Bodell, Chase Vahoski, Hailee Vahoski; great grandchildren, Kylie, Hadley, Brooks, Lucas, Emma, Zachary, Clayton, Oliver and Madelyn; daughter-in-law, Cynthia Bodell; siblings, Howard (Louise) Bodell, Raymond (Patricia) Bodell, Norm (Virginia) Bodell, Myron (Roxanna) Bodell, Myrna (Michael) Corts, Robert (Cathi) Bodell. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Doris Bodell; sons, Kenneth Bodell and Ronald Bodell; siblings, Elyn Bodell, Lyle Bodell and Janet Patterson; sister-in-law, Betty Bodell.
A funeral service was held at the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel on Monday, April 28, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. with visitation one hour prior and Sunday, April 27, 2025, from 3:00-5:00 p.m. and 6:00-8:00 p.m. Interment took place in Onondaga Cemetery immediately following the service. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the Onondaga Township Fire Department or the Onondaga Community Church in loving memory of Kay Francis Bodell. To leave condolences for the family, visit our website www.millsfuneral.com.