Obituaries
Donald Dean King
Donald Dean King, of Charlotte, a Maintenance Mechanic, died on November 12, 2020 at the age of 61. Funeral service was held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, November 17 at the Charlotte Assembly of God Church. Arrangement were made by Pray Funeral Home.
John E. Damon
John E. Damon, 89, of Bellevue, rode away into the sunset for the final time on his John Deere tractor, Thursday, November 12, 2020.
He was born on July 7, 1931 to Andrew John and Luella (Hodge) Damon in Battle Creek.
John served in the United States Army from February 6, 1952 until January 26, 1954, attaining the rank of Private First Class.
John was a longtime farmer in Convis Township, while also holding down jobs roofing with his Uncle Maurice Hodge, Agri Sales in Charlotte and retiring in 1996 from Atwood Automotive in Battle Creek.
He could be seen at many auctions, buying and selling. Wednesday was stockyard day and Elaine would never know what he was going to unload out of the stock trailer. John always had stock at the farm, raising beef and pork for his many customers as well as chickens, rabbits and ducks. Menard’s was the place to go, John loved the good buys and the rebate checks. He will be missed by Elaine, Daisy, Kit Kat, Big Boy and Wiggle Worm.
John is survived by Elaine, who has lovingly been by his side for 30 years; his step-children, Darrick Douglas of Battle Creek, Teresa (Brent) Jones of Battle Creek and Heather (Cedrick) Hawthorne; his siblings, Denny Damon of Marshall, Maxine (Don) Collins of Olivet and Sue (Paul) Coats of Bellevue; his sister-in-law, Mickey Damon and an army of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his first wife Mary, his parents, his sister Betty Harrison, his brothers; Robert, Kenneth and Wayne.
A graveside memorial service was held on Thursday, November 19, 2020 at Austin Cemetery in Convis Township.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Fountain Clinic in Marshall, Oaklawn Hospice or to Pawsibilities Animal Rescue in Olivet.
Arrangements were entrusted to Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services, 205 N. Elizabeth St., Bellevue, Michigan 49021. Please visit kempffuneralhome.com to view the online obituary, to sign the online guestbook or to leave the family condolences.
Joan Ann Kerstetter Wilmore
Joan Ann Kerstetter Wilmore, 92 of Charlotte, passed away peacefully November 12, 2020 at her home with family. Joan was born in Lansing, Mich. on December 13, 1927, the only child of George and Mabel (Cooper) Kerstetter. George, Mabel and Joan moved to the city of Charlotte when Joan was a small child, to be close to George’s parents, who owned a farm on Mulliken Road. In the early 40’s they moved to the farm, which at that time had a double house.
Joan said many times she thought she had been put in exile, leaving town! She soon became a part of farm and country life, and met the neighbor boy, Norm Wilmore, when he came to work for her family. We all know where that led, before Norm spent time in the service, they were engaged and after his return, they married on July 2, 1948. They rented a farm on Vermontville Highway before purchasing and moving to their farm on Shaytown Road in Vermontville. This is where they milked cows, farmed, and raised a family of five, Connie, Karen, Vicki, Pam, and Kirby.
In 1977, and after most of the kids had moved out and moved on, Joan and Norman moved back to the beloved home of her parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents on Mulliken Road. Joan re-designed and remodeled the house, became a HGB volunteer (which she loved doing), and was frequently seen with the McDonald’s coffee club where she felt very much a part of being a Charlotte girl! Joan had many friends that she went to school with, church with, and knew from being a part of the greater Charlotte community. Over the years she worked at McNamara’s Drug Store, Wilcox-Gay, and Barber State Bank, and was a member of Gresham United Methodist Church where she served on many boards and committees. Joan lived a life of service to her family, church, and community. Her faith in God sustained her through many ups and downs in life, and her family knows she is now walking hand-in-hand with her husband, Norman, in Heaven.
Memories of Joan will be cherished by her family, including her children, Connie (Chuck) Corbin, Karen Scott and friend Chuck O’Connell, Pam (Fred) Todd, and Kirby (Kate) Wilmore; nine grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Norman in 2013; her daughter, Vicki Watson; and grandson, Chad Gingrich.
Friends are encouraged to support Joan’s family by sharing memories on her Tribute Page at PrayFuneral.com. The family will have a private graveside service. In 2021 the family plans to have a Celebration of Life for Joan once it is safe to do so. If desired the family suggests memorial contributions to the Gresham United Methodist Church. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home.
Janice Barnett
Janice Barnett, age 84, of Bellevue, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Wednesday, November 18, 2020. She was born November 12, 1936, in Gladwin, the daughter of John and Jenny Morrison. She married Don Barnett Sr. on July 12, 1958. Jan adored her grandchildren. She was a devoted Christian and faithful member of Faith Assembly of God. Her church family was very important to her. Jan also enjoyed time spent fishing and being outdoors at Tri-Lakes Campground in Marshall with her family.
She is survived by her children: Patricia (John) Moore of Battle Creek, Billy Sam (Gerald Allred) Bowen Jr. of Olivet, Diana Lee Braden of Bellevue, Debra Ann Parks of Bellevue, Donnie Lee Barnett Jr. of Marshall, Gary Douglas Barnett of Battle Creek, Dawn Marie (Jerry) Stone of Battle Creek, Darla Jean (Brad) Tennent of Kentucky; 14 grandchildren; 31 great grandchildren; six great great grandchildren; brother, Roger (Pat) Morrison of Saginaw; sister, Claudia Smith of Northern Michigan.
Jan was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Don Barnett; sons-in-law: Bill Braden and Frank Cummings; grandson, Johnny Cummings; and ten siblings.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, November 23, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. at Faith Assembly of God, 9800 S. Cochran Road, Olivet, MI 49076 with Pastor Todd McLane officiating. The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m at the church. Burial will follow at Rice Creek Cemetery.
Those desiring may make contributions in Jan’s memory to Faith Assembly of God, 9800 S. Cochran Rd., Olivet, MI 49076.
To view Jan’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, Charlotte, Michigan.
Brian Whitcomb
Brian Whitcomb, 42, of Bellevue died on Sunday, November 15, 2020 at his home following a long illness.
Brian was born on April 3, 1978 in Battle Creek to Randy and Debbie (Clift) Whitcomb.
He graduated from Bellevue High School in 1996.
Brian was a carpenter foreman for Schweitzer Company in Battle Creek for several years. Prior to that he worked for Grand River Construction in Hudsonville. He was a member of the Battle Creek Eagles Aerie 299, the PNA Club in Battle Creek. When he was younger, he was active in the 4-H Rodeo, he took part in team penning/roping, and breaking horses to ride for himself and others for many years following his years in 4-H. Brian participated for many years at Michigan State University Cowboy Christmas Rodeo. He enjoyed gatherings with family and friends and enjoyed cooking a big food spread for everyone to enjoy. Brian enjoyed hunting, fishing, trapping, target shooting, and helping others. He enjoyed spending time with his family especially time with his nephews.
He is survived by his parents, Randy and Debbie Whitcomb; two siblings, Garett (Char) Whitcomb and Amy (Phil) Rigelman; five nephews; several aunts, uncles, many cousins; and lifelong friend Monique Colizzi. He was preceded in death by his grandparents George and Shirley Whitcomb, and Clyde and Letha Clift; aunt Lisa Clift; uncle George Whitcomb; aunt Sue Whitcomb; cousin Janet Whitcomb.
Due to COVID-19 a memorial service will take place at a later date. Memorial contributions are requested to Oaklawn Hospice, 13444 Preston Drive, Marshall Mich. 49068 or Eaton County 4-H, 551 Courthouse Drive #1, Charlotte, Mich. 48813. Memorial contributions may be mailed to the Kempf Funeral Home, P.O. Box 519, Marshall Mich. 49068 for delivery to the charity. Leave a personal message for the family and sign the online guestbook at KempfFuneralHome.com.