Obituaries
Leah M. Sparks
Leah Mae Sparks, age 87, of Charlotte, passed away peacefully of Friday, October 2, 2020. She was born May 13, 1933, in Charlotte the daughter of Fred and Winifred (Carter) King. Leah graduated from Olivet High School in 1951. On October 11, 1952, she married the love of her life D. Charles Sparks. Leah had a true servant’s heart. She was always concerned about the needs of others. Leah was always ready to fix you a meal whenever you would happen to stop by at her home. She enjoyed making candy and her chocolate covered cherries were always a hit. Leah enjoyed watching wildlife but was especially fond of the birds that came to her feeder. She also liked knitting, crafting, and attending bible studies. Both she and Charlie could be found every day at Wee Willies Restaurant in Charlotte, where they enjoyed visiting with their many friends.
Leah is survived by her grandchildren Michelle Lautner of Charlotte, Michael (Tatiana) Niculitcheff-Lautner of St. Peters, Mo.; son-in-law, Teddy (Sherry) Lautner of Lapeer; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, D. Charles Sparks in 2012; daughter, Sue Lautner in 2012; and three sisters.
A private funeral service was held on Tuesday, October 6, 2020, at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home with Pastor Charles Jenson officiating. Interment followed at the Bosworth Cemetery.
Those desiring, may make contributions in Leah’s honor to the American Heart Association or the Alzheimer’s Association.
To view Leah’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit burkhead-green-kilgo.com.
John A. Bedunah
John Arther Bedunah, age 78, formerly of Charlotte, died at 5:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 29, 2020 at Haven Hospice in Chiefland, Florida.
John was born on September 25, 1942, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Bedunah in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, where he was raised and attended school. He later went on to serve in the United States Army (Battery C, 6th Batallion, 40th Artillery), where he was stationed at Fort Bragg, and served in Frankfort, Germany. He had been a Charlotte resident for a number of years, and most recently resided in Florida.
John worked for AE Hoover, Jet Engineering, and McDonald Builders. Our father loved to build houses, dune buggies and Harleys and tinkered with old cars. He enjoyed camping and fishing, and loved to travel.
John is survived by his daughters, Cathy S. (Bedunah) McGarey and Sandra A. (Bedunah) Hillard; his son, John A. Bedunah, Jr.; his sister, Dixie MacArthur; nine grandchildren; six great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by Gerald Max Bedunah and Elaine Cecelia Chartrand.
A memorial luncheon for his friends and family will be held on Saturday, October 10, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. at the VFW located at 695 Lansing Road in Charlotte. Burial will be at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta on Monday, October 12, 2020 at noon. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, P. O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, Okla. 73123 or cancer.org.
Thomas B. Smith
Thomas Bruce Smith, of Eaton Rapids, Mich. passed away on Tuesday, October 6, 2020 at the age of 66. Tom was born on October 13, 1953 in Eaton Rapids, the son of Bruce and Betty (Morrow) Smith. He was a graduate of Eaton Rapids High School class of 1971 and went on to work for Consumers Energy as a consumption analyst. He eventually took a job with General Motors in 1978 where he worked until he retired in 2008. Tom loved all types of music especially singing and dancing around the campfire with family and friends. He loved the outdoors and was an avid backyard philosopher, golfer, bowler, hunter, fisherman and enjoyed many camping trips to the Two Hearted River and Rainbow Lodge in the U.P. Above all he enjoyed spending time with his family and making memories around the family farm and Smith pond.
Tom is preceded in death by his father; children, Daniel and Amy Smith; and grandson, Logan Smith.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Roxann (Swan) Smith; children, William (Kim) Smith, Michael (Meghan) Smith; grandchildren, Brysen, Peyton, Isabella and Jackson Smith; mother, Betty Smith, father–in-law, Jim Swan; brother, Rick (Deb) Smith; sister, Tena (Doug) Park; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
A memorial service will be held at noon on Friday, October 16, 2020 at Skinner Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids with visitation starting at 11 a.m. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the Capital Area Down Syndrome Association in memory of Tom. To share memories or leave condolences please visit SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
Howard V. Cotter
Howard Vernon Cotter of Eaton Rapids, Mich. passed away on Tuesday, October 6, 2020 at the age of 93. Howard was born on October 26, 1926 in Marlette, Mich. the son of Vernon and Florence (Howard) Cotter. He moved with his family to Lansing, and graduated from Eastern High School class of 1945. Howard proudly served in the United States Army during WWII. He worked for General Motors retiring as a Senior Industrial Engineer in 1982. Howard was a devout member of the Capitol City Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and was a member for over 60 years. He was also a talented artist and enjoyed oil painting and working on cars.
Howard is preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Doris “Bonnie” Cotter and daughter, Pam Kamm.
Surviving are his son, Bruce (Patricia) Cotter; daughters, Patricia (Timothy) Gordon, Penny (Norm) Klein; grandchildren, Nichole Gordon-Seymour, Misty (Mark) Reiber, Andrea (Chris) Morton, Shonie (Jeff) Koebnick, Ty (Jessica) Cotter, Stephanie Cotter-Stierley, Jessica (Josh) Bradford, Matthew (Tricia) Klein, Kasie (Brandon) Thomas, and Brent (Yasmeen) Klein; 20 great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 10, 2020 at Capitol City Baptist Church in Holt with visitation starting at 10 a.m. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in memory of Howard. To share memories or leave condolences please visit SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
Donald E. West
Donald West of Eaton Rapids joined his wife in a heavenly choir and dancing on October 1, 2020. He was born August 5, 1928 in Cleveland, Ohio and was able to work his way through college (GMI) for an engineering degree in Flint, Michigan. He then earned his MBA at Central Michigan University. He was conscious early in his life what his purpose was on earth: to make this world a better place, especially for young folk. While commanding American Legion Post 165 in Midland, he founded a Sons of the American Legion squadron. Living in Bullock Creek, while president of Southtown Little League for two years, he spearheaded a goal to build two regulation diamonds so that 200 boys would have a good place to play baseball.
Serving on the board of Lansing Community Credit Union for 14 years, he pushed for many rules making it easier and cheaper for members to get loans. In Mason he coached a Babe Ruth for a couple of years and even the Mason baseball team for a couple of games. During winters in Harlingen, Texas, he volunteered to teach fifth grade students, for over 15 years, how to read and comprehend stories. For a couple of years, he was a greeter at the local airport welcoming incoming travelers to Lansing and helping outgoing fliers with any issues.
He helped direct and sing on the Eaton Rapids Senior Center chorus where his best enjoyment was when they sang at rehab centers. His role for several years as an impersonator of a departed person on cemetery tours allowed him to bring that person’s role to life in a positive way. Don also made popcorn at a local hospital for over 20 years and was volunteer of the month for October of 2017.
He enjoyed seeing the smiles on the faces of the customer. He always bought a few bags of popcorn to distribute to patients where he sang. As a wood carver, he personally carved over 40 whimsical walking canes and gave them to family and friends who needed them. He was an optimist and really enjoyed life and living.
His beautiful wife, Jackie, died in January 2019. They were married for over 64 years. His brother, Jerry died in 2013 and sisters, Betty Mason in 2016 and Patti Westland in 2019. He is survived by his four sons; Kerry (Barbara), Brian (Cindy), Dana, and Don Bo (Kelly). He has five grandchildren and onegreat-grandson. He also is survived by two sisters, Helen Marie Lawer, and Phyllis Shaw.
Funeral services with military honors will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 10, 2020 at the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel. Visitation will be held on Friday from 4 – 7 p.m. and one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 162 Bridge St., Dimondale, MI 48823 or the Eaton Rapids Senior Center, 201 Grand St., Eaton Rapids, MI 48827. To share online condolences or memories, please visit millsfuneral.com.