Obituaries
James E. Rieben
James E. Rieben, age 70, of Swanton, was welcomed into heaven Thursday evening, October 8, 2020 by his wife Barbara who passed away just two weeks earlier. Jim was born in Bridgeton, New Jersey to the late Earl Rieben and Ruby (Lanham) Mingin on October 17, 1949. Following in his parents’ footsteps he started working at Owens Illinois in Charlotte, Michigan right out of high school in the warehouse. Jim and Barb married in 1970 and had their only child, Tina Jo, in 1974. In 1977 his job with OI led him and his family to Upstate New York, where he worked the next 21 years. In 1998 Jim and Barb relocated to Toledo, and he finished out the remainder of his 44 years with the company.
In his younger years you could find him either on a boat, water skiing or snow skiing. Jim loved NASCAR and was known for his one-liner jokes. He loved to watch movies, TV and listening to music as loud as the surround sound would go. Most of all, Jim was dedicated to family and supporting his grandchildren. He cherished watching his grandchildren show their projects at the Fulton County Fair. Jim’s true paradise was the time he spent being a snowbird with Barb in Florida.
Left to cherish his memory are his daughter, Tina Jo (Alex) Tedrow of Wauseon; step-mother, Ann Rieben; grandchildren, Jolyssa M. (Garrett Cass) Tedrow, Ashlynn R. Tedrow and McCoy J. Tedrow; brothers, Paul Rieben, Kenny Rieben, Janet (Louie) Forte, Dave (Laura) Rieben; along with many dear friends. In addition to his parents and wife Barbara, Jim was preceded in death by his brothers, Earl Donald Rieben as a toddler and Arthur Rieben.
Friends and family will be received from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 17, 2020 at Barnes Funeral Chapel, 5825 State Highway 109 in Delta; where a memorial service honoring Jim’s life will begin at 11 a.m. Inurnment for both Barb and Jim will follow at Zion Cemetery in Wauseon. Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, those attending are asked to follow CDC guidelines by wearing a facial mask and observe six-foot distancing when possible. Pastor Maryann Reimund will be officiating. Online condolences may be sent to the family through our website at barnesfuneralchapel.com.
Wanda J. Stornant
Wanda Jeanette Stornant – a feisty hardworking Nurse’s Aide – died Sunday, October 11, 2020 in Charlotte at the age of 82. Wanda was born June 20, 1938, the daughter of Lester and Ruby (Barnhart) Sherman.
Wanda was always a hard worker. She spent many years as a Nurse’s Aid at Emmanuel Nursing Home in Charlotte, caring for numerous people from the community. Her talent as a caretaker was an extension of her home life, where even though their family had limited resources, she always made sure that her daughters had everything they needed. Some of her favorite times of the year were the holidays, whether it was family gatherings, or the numerous holiday decorations that would adorn their home. Another of her favorites was dancing, it helped her deal with the everyday challenges of life. When grandchildren came along she reveled in spending time with them. It didn’t matter if it was babysitting, or later wrestling with her grandsons as they grew up, she loved every minute of it. Wanda loved attending church at New Hope Community Church.
In her later years she remained active, even mowing lawns for some of her “elderly” neighbors in the trailer park. She also became a caregiver for a dear friend, Maxine Rolfe, who had taken Wanda “under her wing” as a youth and became a second mother to Wanda. The family will often recall how even as Wanda grew older she still maintained her feisty attitude and would remind them that, “I’m still kick’n.”
Wanda is survived by her daughters, Jeanette Lonyo, Debbie Mast, Theresa (David) Baker, and Gina (Joe) Gilliam; nine grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, Joe Stornant.
Memorial services are Saturday, October 24 at 2 p.m. at New Hope Community Church with Pastor Randy Royston officiating. Visitation is one hour prior to service, from 1-2 p.m. Mask, group capacity, and distancing guidelines will be observed. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to New Hope Community Church. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Wanda on her tribute page at PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Douglas W. Peck
Douglas Waldo Peck – devoted husband, father and grandfather – of Charlotte died on Friday, October 2, 2020. Doug, 85, was born December 15, 1934 in Charlotte to Waldo Fetter and Vera Liola (Rogers) Peck. Doug graduated from Charlotte High School class of 1953, then proudly served his country in the Army as an Engineer Specialist. He was employed with General Motors for over 30 years, retiring in 1985 as a General Foreman. He was an encourager to those people who spoke up to share their opinions and ideas. His supervisory skills often gained him the “troublemaker employees” because he was able to work with and become a friend to them. He owned Our Own (formerly known as Gamble’s) Hardware Store and enjoyed helping with customers’ quandaries and liked to offer helpful solutions. He also devoted 15 years with the Eaton County Sheriff Patrol in the Handicap Patrol.
Doug is survived by his children, Steve (Kerry) Peck, Shannon (Larry) Bond, Tammy (Kevin) Voigt; step-children, Jody (Mike) Mankerian, Kerry (Steve) Peck; 14 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; special friend whom he spent the past 10 years in Florida with, JoAnn Butera. He was predeceased by his wife, Joellyn (VanDyke) Peck; brother, Roger Peck; sister, Margaret VanLiew; and his parents.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, October 6, 2020 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Pastor Charles Jenson officiating. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Eaton Community Palliative Care. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Doug on his tribute page at PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Joan Barbara (Cornelius) Fosket – a loving mother, wife, sister and friend – passed away peacefully, with family at her side on October 12, 2020. Joan, age 88, was born February 4, 1932, to William and Beulah Cornelius in Lansing, Michigan. She was raised primarily in Charlotte and graduated from Charlotte High School in 1950, where she ran around with her twin sister, Janet, and their friends, Annie and Poohie, known as the HAGs (Haven’t Any Glamor). Shortly after graduating from high school, she married the love of her life, Vernon, on January 20, 1951. Married for 69 years, they resided in Potterville where they raised their five children, and together ran their business, Vern Fosket Carpet Company.
Joan is remembered as a kind, tender-hearted woman with many memorable attributes. Considered the matriarch of her family she not only helped her husband run their business, but was an incredible homemaker. She gardened, canned vegetables and fruits and was known for her incredible home cooked meals. Joan also had a love of sweets; there was not a time that she would pass up on a sweet treat to enjoy, especially a hot fudge sundae from McDonald’s (with extra fudge, of course). Her children remember that she was a wonderful mother and recall that she even made most of their own clothes that they had growing up, as well as her uncanny sense of humor and her love to play April Fool’s pranks on her children each year.
Along with her sense of humor Joan instilled a sense of love and respect in her children to carry with them in their life. Her family always came first and she made sure they knew that growing up. She taught them to have kind hearts and especially taught them a tender side to animals, as Joan was an avid animal lover. She loved their ponies, Airedale terriers – especially her Maude – and cats, and would even bring in strays to live, including a chipmunk named Charlie.
Joan’s love and memory will be carried on in her surviving five children: her two sons, Dennis (Mary Angela) Fosket, and David (Danna) Fosket; along with her three daughters, Victoria Fosket, Laurel (Mark) Williamson, and Sharon (Dino Kalush) Kozachik. She is also survived by many grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Vernon Fosket, and her siblings, Bill Cornelius, Mary Ackley, Jack Cornelius and her twin sister, Janet Forte.
In keeping with her wishes, Joan will be cremated and a private graveside ceremony for immediate family will take place at a later date at Benton Township Cemetery.
Those desiring may make contributions in Joan’s honor to Sensations Memory Care, 511 E. Shepherd Street, Charlotte, MI 48813. To view Joan’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, Charlotte.
Ann K. Simpson
Ann K. Simpson of Eaton Rapids passed away October 8, 2020 at the age of 78. Ann was born in Lansing, Michigan on June 1, 1942, the daughter of Jonas and Eivor (Ericson) Arnell. She worked at Lansing General for 20 years as well as Charlotte and Eaton Rapids hospitals as a Medical Transcriptionist. Ann enjoyed reading and was an active member at the Eaton Rapids Senior Center.
Ann is survived by her husband of 58 years, Norman; daughter, Cheryl (Jeff) Donley of Potterville; step-children, Ronnie Simpson of St. Johns, Connie Rohrer of Lansing and Randy Rohrer of Washington; grandchildren, Kristina, Stasi and Matthew Donley; great grandchild, Damon Wonch; four step-grandchildren; three step-great grandchildren; sister, KarinMcClellan; as well as serval nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her step daughter-in-law, Sue Simpson.
Cremation has taken place and there are no services planned at this time. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 22478, Oklahoma City OK 73123 or donor’s choice. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids. To share online condolences or memories please visit, millsfuneral.com.