Obituaries
Filomena Kepler
Kilomena Kepler, age 92, of Charlotte, formerly of Bari, Italy, a salesperson, passed away on December 13, 2020.
Stephen Fitzpatrick
Stephen Fitzpatrick, 74 of Charlotte, a man who proudly kept his lawn looking like a golf course, passed away peacefully at home with his family by his side on December 11, 2020. Stephen was born July 21, 1946 in Concord, Mich. to Joseph and Perile (Sloan) Fitzpatrick, one of nine children. In June of 1965 he married Mary Lou Carr and they embarked on many adventures together, raising a family and living life to its fullest. Over the years, Stephen did many things to support his family, including many years at Osborne Buick, starting as a mechanic, working into sales, and then finally as the general manager. He later drove truck, and in his retirement found other jobs to always keep himself busy. Although he was a stubborn man, his family shares many fond memories of how his stubbornness worked for him to keep going, even when he was home bound.
Stephen enjoyed doing lots of activities with his grandpuppy, JoJo. Together they would mow the lawn (taking extreme care to make it look amazing and like a golf course), and in the winter they would plow the driveway and the neighbors as well using his Kubota. Stephen also took great pride in cleaning and dusting his car daily. When he was able to, he loved fishing for Bluegill on Duck Lake.
Stephen is survived by his wife, of 55 years, Mary Lou; children, Jennye (Gary) Whitford, Jeff (Tiffany Graham) Fitzpatrick; grandson, Brogain; and eight brothers and sisters. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Perile Fitzpatrick.
Friends are encouraged to support Stephen’s family. The family received visitors on Thursday, December 17, 2020 at the Pray Funeral Home, followed by a graveside service at Bosworth Cemetery. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions in lieu of flowers to Eaton Community Palliative Care. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Stephen on his tribute page at PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Nancy Lou Pruden
Nancy Lou Pruden, 84 years, of West Unity, passed away Thursday, December 10, 2020, at SKLD-Bryan Center, Bryan, Ohio. Nancy was born August 22, 1936, in Grand Rapids, Mich., the daughter of the late William and Marion (Manning) Wrench. She was a 1954 graduate of Dimondale High School, Dimondale, Mich. She married Robert Hale Pruden on July 27, 1956, in Dimondale, and he preceded her in death on April 17, 1974. Nancy was a devoted homemaker, caring for the needs of her family. She was a member of the West Unity United Methodist Church as well as a former member of the Three Arts Club. Nancy enjoyed all her cats, taking daily walks around West Unity, visiting with everybody she met along the way, gardening, sewing and most of all spending time with her family.
Surviving are her five children, Tim Pruden of Marshall, Tom (Kim) Pruden of Charlotte, Tony (JoDee) Pruden of Charlotte, Jeff Pruden of Charlotte, and Tammy (Brent) Hulbert of Bryan, Ohio; ten grandchildren, Mike (Brandi) Pruden, Tiffany (Brian) Matson, Andy (Holly) Pruden, Matthew (Jennifer) Pruden, Joshua (Ashley) Pruden, Greg (Courtney) Pruden, Natasha (Kollin Woolace) Merschdorf, Miranda (Lucas Leonard) Merschdorf, Cody (Morgan) Hulbert, Cory Hulbert; 14 great-grandchildren, Ivan, Ashley, Erik, Haley, Lola, Landon, Piper, Brooke, Brynn, Jackson, Killian, Skylar, Kolbie and Nolan; one brother, Bob Wrench of Hesperia, Mich.; one sister-in-law, Barb Wrench of Howard City, Mich. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Robert Pruden; one brother, Bill Wrench and one daughter-in-law, Kathy Pruden.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be no public visitation or services at this time. Memorial service for Nancy Pruden will be held at a later date, when it is safe to gather and celebrate her life. Arrangements are under the care of Oberlin-Turnbull Funeral Home, 202 North Liberty Street, West Unity, Ohio 43570.
Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider memorial contributions be made to the Williams County Humane Society, 9464 County Road 13, Bryan, Ohio, 43506.
Condolences may be sent to the family or the online guest book may be signed at oberlinturnbull.com
William J. Partridge
William (Bill) Joe Partridge, first born son of Seth William Partridge and Dorthy Orabell Partridge (neé Gillihan) of Charlotte, Mich., passed to the home of his Lord on Sunday, December 13, 2020. He is survived by the love of his life, his wife Bonnie Ellen Partridge, (neé Ackerson) of Portland, Mich.; his brother, Ronald Partridge and his wife Sharon Partridge (Howard); his five children, Tracey Partridge (Ann Arbor, Mich.), David Partridge and wife Tammy Partridge (neé Crews) (Cedar Springs, Mich.), Larenda Kerns (neé Patrick) and husband Jeff Kerns (Charlotte, Mich.), Tammy Patrick (Charlotte, Mich.), Danielle Partridge Hryniewicz and her husband Wojciech Hryniewicz (LomƵa, Poland); grandchildren Josh, Sunrise, Jazmin, Billy, Seth, Andrew, Jordyne, Jessup, Zosia, Ralph, Michael, Maximillian, and Elley; and nine great granchildren. He was predeceased by both parents.
Bill lived for his family, friends, hunting, and fishing. An avid whitetail deer hunter, he collected over 60 deer antlers from bucks he had taken. He also loved dancing, helping friends, reading novels, NASCAR, Elvis, motorcycles, woodworking, and carving. He loved CB radio when that was a thing–he was Want More and she the Blond Bomber (yes kids, you have superheros as grandparents). Bill was Scoutmaster of Charlotte Boy Scouts Troop 644 in the early-mid 70’s, as well as a member of Carpenter’s Local 1004 Union, Charlotte Chapter 2298 of Moose International, Sons of AmVets, and Charter Member of the Charlotte Eagles 3552. He was lovingly known as Bill, dad, daddy-waddy, poppa, grandpa, pops, bud, and other terms of endearment by his family. His children all own things he made or carved on.
He teased the kids and grandkids with all kinds of silly phrases: PeelekeyHobob, Mugwump, Dutch Irish Whoopee, Five on the beak, I gotch your nose, all the way from my toes, Pull my finger.
We, his family, could write books with all the stories. He will be greatly missed.
In keeping with Bill’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at a later date.
To view Bill’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.
Gerald L. VanVleet
Gerald Lee VanVleet, age 81, of Charlotte, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on November 27, 2020. He was born April 23, 1939 in Battle Creek, the son of Eva Mae Butler and Robert Stevens VanVleet. He married his loving wife, Shirley, on July 26, 1969, and they have been married for 51 years. He enjoyed his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
An avid race fan, Gerald could be found at Spartan or Springport speedway every weekend during the summer. He also enjoyed fishing, being outdoors, and taking rides on his John Deere tractor.
Gerald is survived by his wife, Shirley; his children, Rebecca Reid of Eaton Rapids, Marjorie (Chris) Bashaw of Charlotte, and Jeremy (Jennifer) VanVleet of Petaluma Cal.; four grandchildren, Thomas Reid of Eaton Rapids, Samantha (Deren) Hoag of Coldwater, Jake Smith of Coldwater, and Richard Harris Jr. of Angola, Ind.; four step-grandchildren, Christopher (Brittany) Bashaw Jr. of Quincy, Samantha Bashaw of Owosso, Hailey Bashaw of Traverse City, and Rose Smith of Ocean Side, Cal.; nine great-grandchildren; his brother, Robert (Donna) VanVleet Jr. of Lake Lavine; and sister, Ruby VanVleet of Coldwater; and many nieces and nephews. Gerald was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, David VanVleet of Battle Creek and Ronald VanVleet of Bellevue; son-in-law Michael Reid of Eaton Rapids; and great-grandson Jayden Smith of Hillsdale.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday December 8, 2020 at Faith Assembly of God in Olivet, with Pastor Todd Mclane officiating. Interment followed at Perry Cemetery.
Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Gerald on his tribute page at PrayFuneral.com.
The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.