Obituaries
Ralph Emerson Newth
Ralph Emerson Newth, a generous yet stubborn man of wisdom and love, died Saturday, September 19, 2020 in Lansing. Ralph was born January 11, 1945, the son of Emerson and Sybil (Cathcart) Newth. He graduated from Charlotte High School in 1963 before earning an Associate’s Degree and working in IT for Michigan National Bank. He then worked road construction for Hollister before starting his career with Fisher Body in Lansing. He retired from GM in 1998. Ralph enjoyed time with a bottle of Budweiser alongside his friends, whether at the Alpine or Playtime Bar in the old days, or CB’s Bar and Zoo since it opened in 1978. Many will remember Ralph as man who gave of himself, and loved his friends and family.
Ralph is survived by his children; Gayle Newth, Wendell (Majil) Newth, Robbie Xander Allan, and Theresa King; grandchildren, Thomas Herbst, Leonard Herbst, Tori Herbst, Zayne Newth, and Zaraya Newth; and his sisters, Carol Sweet and Donna Kruger. He was predeceased by his parents and his brother, William Newth.
Friends are encouraged to raise a glass at CB’s in honor of Ralph. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Ralph on his Tribute Page at prayfuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Edna S. VanSplintern
Edna S. VanSplintern, age 88, of Charlotte, passed away peacefully at her home with her family by her side on Friday, September 18, 2020. She was born October 7, 1931, in Lansing, the daughter of James and Ethel (Allen) Symonds. When Edna was a young girl the family moved to Fife Lake. Her childhood years were very happy times for her. Edna graduated from Fife Lake in 1949. In 1950, Edna married Stanley VanSplintern. She enjoyed deer hunting, fishing, traveling, and spending time at her home on Duck Lake. She looked forward to the family reunions that were held at the family farm in Fife Lake. She enjoyed the activities at the reunion, especially horse shoes and BINGO. Edna retired after 31 years of service from Bell Telephone.
She is survived by her children: Robert (Sandra) VanSplintern of Charlotte, Debbie (Robert) Fullmer of Charlotte, Jody (Paul) Moran of Charlotte; grandchildren: Chad (Tracy) VanSplintern of Bellevue, Chanda (Shawn) Hall of Charlotte, Aaron VanSplintern of Olivet, Bradley (Zoe Johnson) Butts of Lansing, Bobbi Moran of Charlotte; five great grandchildren; three great great-grandchildren; sister, Wynona Cummer of Fife Lake; and several special friends.
Edna was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Stanley in 2002; daughters: Tina K. VanSplintern in 1955, Susan Young in 1992; and six siblings.
A private graveside service will be held at Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte.
Those desiring, may make contributions in Edna’s memory to the Sparrow Foundation, 1322 E. Michigan Ave., Suite 204, Lansing, MI 48912.
To view Edna’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit burkhead-green-kilgo.com.
Clyde Fox
Clyde “Art” Fox, age 90, of Charlotte, passed away peacefully Monday, September 14, 2020. He was born March 3, 1930, in Vermontville, the son of Clyde and Ruth Fox. Art graduated from Charlotte High School in 1948. On March 3, 1950, he married Marilyn Jean Shiels in Charlotte. Art managed the Shell Station, Lansing Street Mobile, and Farmers Gas and Oil in Charlotte. He was a skilled mechanic who could fix or build anything. He also worked for Spartan Motors as a mechanic. While working at Spartan Motors he had the privilege of traveling throughout the country working on fire trucks and even at Universal Studios on their tram project.
Art loved his family and enjoyed being together at family gatherings. Art also enjoyed the outdoors and always looked forward to hunting season and his trips to the U.P. with other men from town. He was an active member of the Eaton County Buck Club. Art could be found every day at the round table at the Eaton Place. It was there that he would keep up with the happenings around town and connect with his many friends.
Art is survived by his children: Marcie (Paul) Racine of Vermontville, Marty (Eileen) Fox of Charlotte, Nancy (Scott) Anderson of Dimondale; 10 grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren; and sister-in-law, Ruth Fox of Arkansas.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Marilyn Jean Fox in 2013; son, Robin E. Fox in 2016; and brothers: Amos (Virginia) Fox and John Fox.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 26, 2020, at 11 a.m. at the Charlotte Church of Christ. The family received friends on Friday, September 25 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home. Burial will take place at Maple Hill Cemetery.
Those desiring, may make contributions in Art’s honor to Eaton Community Palliative Care, 2675 S. Cochran, Charlotte.
To view Art’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit burkhead-green-kilgo.com.
Margaret H. Peltier
Margaret Hazel Peltier, devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend, died September 6, 2020 at the age of 98 in Hartwell, Ga. Margaret formerly resided in Bradenton, Fla. and Charlotte. She was born March 3, 1922 in Hibbing, Minn. to George and Hazel (Bartlett) Tinkey. She graduated from Potterville High School where she lettered in basketball. She married Gordon Peltier on August 30, 1941. Margaret was a hard-working farmer’s wife who was busy, but always had time for others. A heart of generosity and a great memory, Margaret always remembered family birthdays and made sure she recognized them. She enjoyed square dancing, playing cards, shuffleboard and visiting with friends. She and Gordon were on the shuffleboard league at El Rancho Park in Florida and she was the president of the Petticoat League for several years.
Margaret is survived by her son, Jerry (Alice Ann); daughter, Sue (Darryl); 10 grandchildren; many great and great-great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Charlotte Wright in 1970; her husband of 67 years, Gordon in 2008; and daughter, Bonnie Norris in 2018.
A graveside service with immediate family will be held at Deepdale Memorial Gardens in Lansing, with Pastor Charles Jenson officiating. Friends are encouraged to support Margaret’s family by sharing memories of Margaret on her tribute page at PrayFuneral.com. If desired, a memorial contribution in Margaret’s honor can be made to a charity of your choice.
Marilyn W. Biczak
Marilyn W. Biczak passed away peacefully Thursday morning, September 10, 2020, surrounded by family; she was loved. She was born in Charlotte on May 9, 1939 to Charles and Gertrude Bush and was the older sister to twins Donna Cogswell (Donald) and Doras Weinley (Bob).
Marilyn was preceded in death by her husband, Alan J. Biczak on May 2, 2016.
She is survived by her two lucky children, Laura Pulsifer (Jim) and David J. Olson (Brooke).
Laura and David feel fortunate to have had such a strong and encouraging advocate as their Mother. She was their biggest cheerleader in life and instilled in them a sense of compassion for others.
Marilyn was also blessed with nine grandchildren: Andrew McDonough (Kailee), Daniel McDonough (Callie), Dylan Sawyer, Dave Olson (Megan), Blake Olson, Grayson Olson, Andy Pulsifer (Paige), Alex Pulsifer (Ryann), and Jennifer Tenbrink (Nick). Alan and Marilyn traveled extensively during their retirement and settled back in West Michigan 10 years ago. At that time, she and her daughter and son-in-law created “Sassy Glass Necklaces” and participated in hundreds of craft shows throughout Michigan; Marilyn not only made the necklaces but was the personality of the business. Marilyn loved two things in life: family and shopping. She wasn’t interested in cooking and she wasn’t afraid to admit it. However, her delicious cheesy garlic bread was phenomenal! She adored her grandchildren and great grandchildren and loved spoiling them all with treats, reading to them and just talking to them about their day. Marilyn will be missed by her very best friends from high school, the “Eight-Eights” and Charlotte H.S. Class of 1957, her co-workers, where she worked as a medical secretary, many nieces and nephews, along with her adopted family at Shoreline Allergy. Marilyn was a world traveler, country music enthusiast, and honorary member of the Grand Ole Opry, world-class shopper and a friend to all she met. She was remarkable, in that, wherever she was she brought laughter, happiness and genuine caring for whomever was in front of her at that moment. She was kind, selfless and genuine in a way like people used to be; she was timeless. There will be no services at this time due to COVID-19. Please consider donations to Harbor Hospice of Muskegon in her memory. Arrangements entrusted to the Spring Lake Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 213 E. Savidge St, Spring Lake, MI 49456. Share memories with the family at their online guest book at www.sytsemafh.com.