Obituaries
Sallie Emmer
Sallie Emmer, born April 14, 1929, passed away on March 19, 2020. Sallie was a retired teacher who taught at Eaton Rapids and Charlotte for many years. She married Gene Emmer in 1951 and had three daughters, Laura, Lisa and Leslie. She loved art and art history and was accomplished in watercolors and figure painting, something she Sallie Emmer fine-tuned in retirement. Sallie had the gift of giving. She truly cared for the happiness of others. She gave her all to make sure her family was taken care of. Sallie was a strong individual who wouldn’t budge if she thought she was right, despite her family pointing out how opposite her politics were. She was true to her beliefs and respected others as well and cared deeply for her daughters and their well-being. Sallie had a special place in her heart for her grandson, Mattias DeDoes. In the days of a stay-at-home mom, she worked fulltime, cared for her family and the home — something we all should respect. At the same time, she never met a cookie she did not like or a flower she would not plant. Like her husband, Sallie loved books and movies about Sherlock Holmes. Her kids liked nothing better than to take her to the latest Bond movie. Between movies she read mysteries, especially Detective Montalbano. She will be dearly missed. She is survived by her daughters, Laura (Patrick) Marutiak, Lisa Emmer (Steven DeDoes), Leslie (Jim) Long; grandchildren, Mattias DeDoes, Shelli Long; great-grandchildren, Margeaux (Will) Wing, Maci (Matthew) McNamara, Morgan (Ryan) Wing and great-great-grandchildren, Vaida, Norah and Claira. Due to current conditions, a private service will be planned. To share memories or leave condolences, visit skinnerfuneralhomes.com.
Sandra L. Sevenski
Sandra “Sandy” Linn Sevenski — a warm and loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother died unexpectedly at home in Elmira, Mich. Sandy was born January 4, 1949 in Onaway, Mich. She married Michael John Sevenski on February 25, 1967, and the two lived a life of love and happiness raising their four children. As an adult, Sandy Sandra L. Sevenski attended Olivet College and went to work for Eaton Intermediate School District in early childhood development, retiring after many years of service. Mike and Sandy remained active at St. Mary Catholic Church in Charlotte throughout the years. Sandy loved singing, art and time spent at the casino. She was known to adopt dogs from family members and would always go out of her way to help others. Sandy loved time spent with her grandchildren, who lovingly called her “MeMe.” Following her husband Michael’s death in 2019, Sandy moved up north to the family property in Elmira, where she kept busy with her group of friends. They called themselves the “widow’s club,” and they played cards and took care of each other. Many will miss Sandy, especially her ability to make others laugh, even at inappropriate times. Sandy is survived by her children, Renee Sevenski, Michael John Sevenski II, Cami Sevenski, and Ryan (Dawn) Sevenski; grandchildren, Kelsey (Michael) Sailor, Konner Whitinger, Anna Marie Sevenski, and Steven Michael Sevenski; great-grandchildren, Michael and Ty Sailor; and several siblings, nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband of 52 years, Michael John Sevenski, in 2019. Friends are encouraged to support Sandy’s family. Memorial services will be planned at a later date, when quarantine and sheltering guidelines have been eased. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Special Olympics Michigan or Hospice of Lansing. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Sandy on her tribute page at prayfuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
John W. Franks
John William Franks, age 90, of Eagle, formerly of Charlotte, passed away on March 14, 2020. He worked as a repairman for General Motors. Funeral services were held on Thursday, March 19, 2020 at the Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte.
Zelma L. McCrimmon
Zelma Lorraine (Stickles) McCrimmon, age 77, of Midland died Sunday morning, March 15, 2020 at her home, surrounded by her loving family. She was born July 25,1942 in Lansing, daughter of the late William and Zelma (Kikendall) Stickles. Zelma was a 1961 graduate of Charlotte High School. On May 14, 1977 she married James McCrimmon in Vermontville. Together, they spent 34 years until his passing in 2011.
In 1984, she received a certificate as a respiratory therapy technician and entered a career in Arizona which later took her to Louisiana and that would last 30 years. Zelma had a deep love of animals and gave over 200 dogs a loving home. She was a loving and caring woman that had a deep faith. She was always hard working and enjoyed crocheting, bee keeping and helping others.
She will be missed by her four children, Marvin Jr.(Diane) Humphrey, Darlene (Gene) Faylor, Rebecca Humphrey and Laura Humphrey; stepchildren, Deborah Funk, and Jason McCrimmon; 20 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brothers: William Stickles, Mervell Stickles, Royal Stickles, David Stickles, Robert Stickles and George Stickles. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her stepson, James “Buzz” McCrimmon.
In honoring Zelma’s wishes and keeping up with her tradition of helping people, her body will be donated to the University of Michigan Anatomical Donations Program. A private memorial service will be held at a later date. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider the Humane Society Of Midland County. Services were entrusted to Ware Smith Woolever Funeral Homes in Midland.
Steven T. Kita
Steven Thomas Kita, age 52, of Bellevue passed away Thursday, March 12, 2020, as a result of an accident. He was born February 7, 1968, in Marshall, the son of Stanley and Nancy (Key) Kita. Steve graduated from Olivet High School in 1986. Family was of the utmost importance to Steve. He cherished his daughter and loved each and every moment they spent together. Steve enjoyed deer hunting, snowmobiling, riding his quad, fishing and nearly every outdoor activity. He also looked forward to his regular trips to the Upper Peninsula. Above all else, his life with Mallory defined who he was. Steve was a worker in the truest sense of the word. He was always busy working with his hands and always enjoyed what he was doing. Steve worked for over 20 years for the Calhoun County Road Commission.
Steve is survived by his daughter, Mallory Kita of Bellevue; parents, Stan and Nancy Kita of Bellevue; brothers: John (Carla) Kita of Bellevue, Jeff (Jamie) Kita of Olivet; several nieces and nephews; and numerous cousins and close friends, including Lisa Kelley, Mallory’s mother.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents: John and Delia Key, Stanley and Lillian Kita; and uncles: Elmer Key, Joseph Kita and Frank Kita.
Due to the new state mandate limiting crowd sizes, a private funeral service was held on Wednesday, March 18, 2020, at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home with Jon Doty officiating. There will be a public memorial service held at the funeral home at a later date. Interment took place at Lee Center Cemetery.
Those desiring may make contributions in Steve’s memory to the Olivet FFA Alumni or American Diabetes Association. To view Steve’s obituary online, or to leave a condolence for the family, visit burkhead-greenfuneralhome.com.