Obituaries
Dustyn T. Converse
Dustyn Thomas Converse, age 38, of Charlotte, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, December 1, 2020. He was born August 25, 1982, in Lansing, the son of Justin and Colleen (McDaniel) Converse. Dustyn was a fiercely devoted father, son, brother, and friend. He had a tremendous sense of humor and loved to make people laugh. Dustyn had a huge heart and always wanted the best for others. Dustyn adored his children and had a special bond with his son, Devon. Dustyn also enjoyed sports and excelled in wrestling.
Dustyn is survived by his children: Devon Converse, Maizie Converse; parents, Justin and Brenda Converse of Charlotte; siblings: Shane Dills of Lansing, Nissae (Dave) Jackson of Charlotte, Justin Alward Converse IV of Charlotte; girlfriend, Leah Heinze; grandmothers: Diane (George) Goodnoe, Patricia Crandell; great grandmother, Marion Leiter; several aunts and uncles; and numerous cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Colleen Converse; grandfathers: Justin Alward Converse II, Jerry Crandell; great grandparents, Justin and Marge Converse, and Rolland and Myrtle Delano.
A private funeral service will be held on Saturday, December 12, 2020, at 11 a.m. at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home. A public visitation will be held on Friday from 2 – 4 p.m. and 6 – 8 p.m. at the funeral home with face covering and capacity guidelines being observed. Due to the funeral service being private and for immediate family only the service will be livestreamed at listentochurch.com/listen/bgk.
Those desiring, may make contributions to Justin A. Converse III to be placed in a savings account for Dustyn’s son, Devon.
To view Dustyn’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit burkhead-green-kilgo.com.
Robert Brian Fiala
Robert Brian Fiala, of Charlotte, formerly of Bronx, N.Y., occupation of roofer, passed away on November 23, 2020 at the age of 63.
Philip B. Palmer
Philip B. Palmer, age 84, of Charlotte, went home to be with his Lord and Savior, on Thursday, November 19, 2020. He was born May 25, 1936, in Battle Creek the son of Roy and Delphia (Brewer) Palmer. On January 12, 1957, Philip married Eva Joan Huber in Midland. They soon became inseparable and did everything together. Phil worked at Clark Equipment in Battle Creek as a motor assembler for 30 years. Phil was a true minister of the gospel. He loved people and always did his best to witness Christ’s love to anyone he encountered. He served the Church of God in various different ministries for over 50 years. Phil was the Minister of Music at the Capital Avenue Church of God in Battle Creek, Minister at First Church of God in Colon, South Cochran Church of God in Charlotte, Burlington Church of God in Burlington, and numerous other churches. Phil always saw the good in everyone and kept a positive attitude. His family was very important to him and he treasured each and every opportunity he had together with them.
Philip is survived by his wife of almost 64 years, Eva of Charlotte; daughter, Rebecca (Douglas) Douglas of LaFayette, Ga.; son, Thomas (Valerie) Palmer of Charlotte; six grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; four great great grandchildren; and sister, Martee (Hank) Bakhuyzen.
He was preceded in death by his parents and five brothers.
In keeping with Philip’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at a later date.
Those desiring, may make contributions in Philip’s honor to the Church of God Foundation, P.O. Box 2420, Anderson, IN 46018.
To view Phil’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit burkhead-green-kilgo.com.
The family is being served by the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home.
Larry E. Ainsworth
Mr. Larry Edwin Ainsworth, age 79, of Vermontville, Mich. passed away Saturday, November 21, 2020 at The Grand Rapids Home for Veterans. Beloved husband of Julia and the late Lorelei (1991). Loving father of Brian (Jill) and Steven (Kelly). stepfather of Trinka Jeffery and Clifford (Kristen) Jeffery. Dearest grandfather of Luke, Maria, Kayla, Grace, Stormy, Benjamin and Jack.
Larry was born in Battle Creek, Mich. on February 8, 1941, the son of the late Edwin and Margaret. Larry was raised in Vermontville, Mich. and was a proud graduate of Vermontville High School. While in high school, Larry was a talented athlete finishing as a State Track Champion in the 1/4 mile. After completing high school, Larry continued his education, putting himself through DeVry Tech Institute in Chicago working as a bartender and in construction.
On August 10, 1966 Larry entered the United States Army where he served in the Vietnam War. Initially, Larry’s original assignment was as a radio operator, but was recategorized as a machine gunner once the military took note of his “country boy” marksmanship. While in Vietnam, Larry was also given charge of building many of the structures of the forward communications base he was assigned to due to his construction experience while attending DeVry. Larry was a proud veteran and was honored with the Vietnam Counter Offensive II Medal, Sharpshooter Rifle Medal, National Service Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, and The Purple Heart which he received after being wounded in the Tet Offensive.
When Larry returned home, he returned to General Motors where he worked for over 30 years before retiring at the age of 53. While his children were young, Larry volunteered as the varsity track coach at Maple Valley High School. His commitment to community could be seen through his dedication in assisting local law enforcement as president of the Mounted Division of the Eaton County Sheriff’s Department. Larry was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed several big game hunting adventures with his son Brian, including hunting elk in Montana and Wyoming, and nearly all of the family vacations were spent fishing or hunting.
After retiring, Larry and his beloved wife, Julia, enjoyed traveling throughout the United States, visiting The Outer Banks in North Carolina, Vermont, New Orleans, Texas, and North into California, and many other places. They also enjoyed relaxing on Rice Lake in Canada where they fished together. Larry loved his Nashville Baptist Church family, spending time together in fellowship was something Larry always enjoyed.
Funeral Services will be held at The Daniels Funeral Home, Nashville, Mich., at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, December 1, 2020 with pastor Deano Lamphere officiating.
The family will receive visitors on Tuesday, December 1 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Daniels Funeral Home in Nashville.
Interment will take place immediately following the funeral service at Lakeview Cemetery in Nashville. Larry will be interned with full military honors provided by the United States Army, and the American Legion Post 45 – Hastings, Mich.
Memorial contributions may be made in Larry’s name to the Maple Valley High School track program at 11090 Nashville Highway, Vermontville, MI 49096 or the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans, 1-Blue Activities, 3000 Monroe NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505.
For anyone not feeling comfortable attending services at this time, the family is also planning a Celebration of Larry’s life to take place next spring/summer at an outside location when hopefully this pandemic is at bay.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Daniels Funeral Home in Nashville. For further details please visit their website at danielsfuneralhome.net.
Marilee A. (Ulery) Kilbert
Marilee A. Kilbert, age 92, of Charlotte, formerly of Elkhart passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 19, 2020 at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, Michigan. Marilee was born on September 3, 1928 (Labor Day!) in Elkhart to Calvin and Ruth Ulery. She married Howard J. Kilbert on August 9, 1947 at Grace Lutheran Church in Elkhart.
Marilee graduated from Elkhart High School where she was a class officer, helping each year with reunion planning. She worked for many years as a nurse’s assistant for the Elkhart Community Schools and for Whitehall Laboratories. She faithfully volunteered for decades at Elkhart General Hospital Emergency Room on Friday evenings and for 60 years was a regular volunteer and instructor of CPR and First Aid Classes for The American Red Cross. Marilee was proud of her EMT certification and happily spent many summers as camp nurse at Singing Hills Girl Scouts Camp. She was a faithful member of Grace Lutheran Church in Elkhart and the William Tuffs Chapter of the National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR).
Marilee will be greatly missed by her children: Barbara (Scott) Myckowiak of Charlotte, Patricia (Bob) Grimm of Middlebury, Ind., Nancy (Dave) Holderread of Lansing, Mich., and Linda Kilbert of Bargersville, Ind.; four grandchildren: Bob Deaton, Jim (Hannah) Holderread, Jon Holderread, and Becca (Caleb) Hubble; five great-grandchildren; and her brother, Herbert (Joan) Ulery Sr. of Middlebury, Ind. She was preceded in death by her husband, Howard in 2002 and her son, Jim in 1972.
Marilee lived in Elkhart almost all her life. She loved living there and missed it greatly when she relocated to Michigan in her last few years. She spent many fun-filled days at the family cottage at nearby Stone Lake. She was a great cook and showed her love by cooking wonderful meals for her family. Pies were her specialty and she traditionally made several for Thanksgiving dinner, including her famous Peanut Pie. She also was able to accurately recreate her mother’s famous sugar cookies and shared them often. As family gathered around the table for grace before her special meals, it was almost inevitable that Marilee would realize the rolls or some other dish was left behind in the kitchen. Her standard comment “Let’s pray and then I’ll get it” has become legend in the family. Marilee shared her family’s fondness for popcorn and enjoyed it frequently. Until her decline in recent years, she was an avid seamstress and quilter, gifting many family members with her handiwork. She was a tenacious genealogist, digging deep to find family connections and lineage. She loved to travel and after retirement enjoyed many special trips with Howard or her daughters. Marilee’s generous spirit and loving care will be missed by those who knew and loved her. We are comforted by the knowledge that she is now in heaven, free from pain and confusion, and joyfully reunited with Howard and Jim and others who have gone before her.
Due to COVID-19 there will be no public service at this time. Stemm- Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home, 1531 Cobblestone Blvd., Elkhart IN 46514 is handling the arrangements. A private service will be held for the immediate family with burial following at Rice Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please make donations in Marilee’s honor to Grace Lutheran Church, 831 West Marion Street, Elkhart, IN 46516, American Red Cross, 1123 South Indiana Avenue, Goshen, IN 46526, or William Tuffs Chapter NSDAR, c/o Treasurer Stephanie Wright, 22532 Winchester Drive, Elkhart, IN 46514.