Obituaries
Elaine Augustine
Elaine Augustine, 90, of Bellevue, Michigan, passed away on Sunday, May 12, 2024, at Thornapple Manor in Hastings, Michigan.
She was born on January 10, 1934, to Glenn and Lillian (Himebaugh) Brown in Bellevue, Michigan.
On October 10, 1954, Elaine married James Augustine in Bellevue, Michigan, sadly he passed away on March 13, 2018. For 21 years she worked for Bellevue Public Schools in the food service department, retiring in 1999. Elaine was a member of Heritage Hills Bible Church in Bellevue, Michigan. The neighborhood could always count on Elaine for having fresh baked cookies out on her back porch for you to help yourself to. She was an excellent cook and enjoyed helping with luncheons at Heritage Hills Bible Church. Elaine enjoyed tending to their garden and then canning the bountiful harvest. She didn’t know a stranger and always made you feel welcomed and loved. Elaine’s greatest joy was her family, especially her grandchildren.
Elaine is survived by her loving children; Glenn Augustine of Battle Creek, Michigan, Harry (Louise) Augustine of Bellevue, Michigan, Dale Augustine of Bellevue, Michigan and Robyn (Bill) Courtney of Bellevue, Michigan; her 9 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, James H. Augustine, her parents, her sister and brother-in-law Vera (Fred) Finney, her father and mother-in-law Harry (Margaret) Augustine, her brother-in-law, Jerry Augustine and her sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Marilyn (Jack) Thornton.
Visitation for Elaine took place on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at Heritage Hills Bible Church (13015 S M-66 Hwy, Bellevue, MI 49021).
The funeral service was held on Thursday, May 16, 2024, 11:00 a.m. at Heritage Hills Bible Church with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. Pastor Aaron Sommers officiating.
Burial followed at Ellis Cemetery in Assyria Township, Michigan.
Memorials may be directed to the Bellevue Scholarship Fund or Heritage Hills Bible Church.
Arrangements were entrusted to Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services. Please visit www.kempffuneralhome.com to view the online obituary, to sign the online guest book or to leave the family condolences.
Connie Louise Bazaire
Connie Louise Bazaire, of Parrish, Florida, formerly Charlotte, Michigan passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on May 9, 2024, at the age of 86. Connie was born on June 2, 1937, in Charlotte to Theodore and Atha Carter. Connie established lifelong roots in the Charlotte community, beginning with her role as a trusted employee and helper to her father, Theo, in his first grocery store (Carter’s IGA) on Lansing Road. In her High School years (1951-1955), Connie loved playing the flute and piccolo in the Charlotte High School Marching Band, under the direction of Robert K. Powell. Mr. Powell had a long history with the music department at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY, and was instrumental in helping Connie receive a music scholarship to continue playing her beloved instruments in College for the Hilltoppers marching band. In 1957, Connie transferred to Michigan State University to study Nursing, and so began the “Spartan years,” that would be some of the best of her life. While at Michigan State, Connie met her husband Keith during her last year on campus, and the two would later marry in June of 1961 at the First Congregational Church in Charlotte, Michigan. Connie and Keith were both avid Michigan State Football and Basketball fans and would attend countless tailgates and games over the years. Connie’s sons would joke with her about being the “President de Facto” of the Izz-zone (Southern Chapter).
Connie began her nursing career as an RN at Henry Ford Hospital, in Detroit Michigan, and enjoyed learning the hands-on practice of nursing while she was there. After marrying Keith, Connie would join him in Columbus Ohio, at Ohio State University, where he was obtaining his master’s degree. Following OSU, the two would settle in Midland, Michigan, where Keith began working for Dow Chemical. Keith and Connie would eventually move back to Charlotte in 1969, and Connie would continue her Nursing career at Hayes Green Beach Hospital. Ultimately, Connie would finish her career as a Hospital Administrator, as the Director of Nurses at Hayes Green Beach, retiring from that position in 1985. Connie loved being a part of the Charlotte community, and over the years would become a member of many volunteer organizations, and groups. Women’s Club of Charlotte, Daughters of the American Revolution, Mobile Meals, as well as a contributor to the ongoing donor funding for Hayes Green Beach Hospital.
Connie, alongside Keith would enjoy many years of traveling with their life-long friends, Larry and Sonnie Cody of Charlotte. The Bazaire’s and Cody’s would spend many wonderful years travelling to Maui, Hawaii, and built a lifetime of memories on the Island. Inspired by Keith’s private pilot flying lessons, Connie would join him in the process of obtaining her own pilot’s license shortly after Keith earned his “wings” in 1988.
Later in life, after her three sons began their own journeys, she would rediscover her love for playing cards (most notably Bridge). She cherished her time with the bridge club that would gather at Evelyn Bay Coffee shop in downtown Charlotte.
Throughout the years, Connie enjoyed giving back to the community of Charlotte, her time spent with her children and grandchildren, nurturing local friendships, and staying involved at her church and hospital. Connie will be missed by many. She had a great sense of humor, a giving nature, and tremendous strength as a mother of three boys.
Connie is survived by her eldest son, Jeffrey; son, Kevin; and son, Michael (Erron Sparks); grandchildren, Allison Bazaire (Bill), Carter Bazaire (Lincy), Ty Pion (Kristin), Brooke Miller (Daniel); great-grandchild Hazel. Connie was preceded in death by her husband, Keith; father, Theo; mother, Atha; sister, Carol Carter (Gray); father-in-law, Henry Bazaire; and mother-in-law, Wilma Bazaire.
Family and friends are encouraged to support Connie’s family by sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. A graveside service for family and friends will be held at Maple Hill Cemetery, Charlotte, Michigan, Summer 2024. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Sally Sue Marks
Sally Marks, age 82, of Lake City, Michigan, passed away peacefully at her home on May 4, 2024, surrounded by her devoted and loving husband and all of her children.
Sally was born Sarah Sue Briggs on December 26, 1941, in Lansing to Elmer and Margaret (Daly) Briggs.
She was united in marriage to Michael F. Marks on September 16, 1961, in Lansing, Michigan.
Sally loved to bake, and she loved to cook for family and friends. Sally loved her Irish heritage and could do the Irish jig. She and Mike visited Ireland along with their lifelong friend, Tom Kelly. Sally was the head lunch lady at Grand Ledge High School cafeteria for 25 years. Sally loved to crochet blankets for family and friends. She also loved to embroider. She was a fierce euchre player and enjoyed playing on a few different bowling leagues. She loved to spend time with family and vacation with her grandchildren. Sally was a member of the St. Stephen Catholic Church in Lake City.
Sally is survived by her loving husband, Mike, and their children, Jon (Kit) Marks, Jeff (Kristine) Marks, Eleanor (Tom) Parks, and a foster son, Brian Kelley. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Jessica, Allison (Tyler), Bodie, and Spencer.
Sally was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, and two brothers.
A Memorial Mass was held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at St. Stephen Catholic Church in Lake City with Rev. Michael Janowski officiating. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. until the time of services.
Burial will take place at a later date in the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Lansing, Michigan.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the St. Stephen Catholic Church.
The family is being served by the Young-Holdship Funeral Home in Lake City. Words of comfort and memories may be shared online at www.holdshipfuneralhomes.com.
Meredith Ann Lindsay
Meredith Ann Lindsay, age 76, of Charlotte and formerly of East Lansing, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on May 14, 2024, comforted by her loving family and caregivers at Eaton County Medical Care Facility, following a yearlong battle with acute myeloid leukemia.
Meredith was born in Lansing on July 28, 1947, and was a graduate of Lansing primary schools and Eastern High School. She was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Marian (Hauenstein) Bischoff. Meredith is survived by Stuart, her husband of 35 years; sister, Deborah (Donald) Murray of Lansing, MI; half-sisters, Penny Lee of Knotts Island, NC and Onalee Ursery of Bradenton, FL; children, Krista (Jody) Chosa of Appleton, WI and Shelby (Scott) Butler of Charlotte, MI; loving stepchildren, Aileen (Jerry) Behl of Grandville, MI and Scott (Kim) Woltjer of Byron Center, MI; grandchildren, Rachael Behl of Grand Rapids, MI, Adrianna and Cassandra Butler of Charlotte, MI, McKenna, Sydney, and Mason Levanetz of Appleton, WI, Skylar Miller of Grandville, MI, Megan Woltjer of Grand Rapids, MI, Jacob (Kristin) Woltjer of Grandville, MI, Alex (Emily) Chosa of Denmark, WI, and Kayla Chosa of Crystal, MN; along with loving great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
Meredith graduated from Michigan State University in 1984 with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work followed by a Master of Social Work from M.S.U. in 1985. She was a clinical social worker in the substance abuse field for 10 years, during which time she taught substance abuse courses at M.S.U., became a member of the Academy of Certified Social Workers, and was appointed a surveyor for the Council on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. Her interest in gerontology lead to joining the State of Michigan in 1995 as a surveyor on federal quality care standards at public and private nursing homes across Michigan. Her special interest in enhancing enforcement of standards for use of psychotropic medications among nursing home residents was recognized by federal officials at the time of her retirement in 2017.
Meredith enjoyed a life of learning, reading, nature study and spending time with beloved family and friends. She and her husband Stuart traveled widely and especially enjoyed the many waterfalls and other scenic beauty in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
The funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel. Her family received relatives and friends from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. on Friday, May 17 at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged to the Greater Lansing Food Bank.
Charles Marvin Hood
Charles Marvin Hood was born on February 26, 1959, in Charlotte, MI, the son of Eilene Viola (Gilbert) Hood and Harley Hood, Sr. He passed away peacefully with his daughter by his side on May 5, 2024. Charles served in the United States Army National Guard, enlisting on December 7, 1977 and remaining on active duty until his retirement on January 3, 1998, serving 20 years. He loved bowling. He bowled several leagues and continued even after becoming an amputee in 2019. He enjoyed golfing in the summertime with family and friends and watching any of the Detroit sports teams. On July 3, 1984, he and former wife, Dotty Watson, were able to finalize the adoption of their daughters, Tonya and Terrie. He received his GED in 1977 but went on to graduate from Charlotte High School in 1981. Charles was a very stubborn man over the years and was not always the easiest to get along with, but his family always loved him anyways.
Charles is survived by both his daughters, Terrie Jo Jackson and Tonya Eilene-Jean Hood; his five amazing grandchildren, Cassidy Jade Walters, Jasmine Elizabeth Jackson, Lori Jean Jackson, Brandon Lee Hood, and Ethan James Hankins; brothers, Thomas (Marie) Hood, Robert (Treva) Hood, and Stephen Hood; sisters, Carol (Lowell) Knox and Anna-Marie Hood; several nieces and nephews; former son-in-law, Travis Jackson; and special friend, Steve Pratt. He was preceded in death by both of his parents; brothers, Harley Hood, Jr., Richard “Dick” Hood, and Gilbert Hood; and sisters-in-law, Mary Hood and Liesa Hood.
Friends are encouraged to support Charles’ family by attending services or sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation was on Thursday, May 16, 2024 at Pray Funeral Home prior to procession to Ft. Custer National Cemetery for burial at 2:00 p.m. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Elara Caring Hospice. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.