Obituaries
Jan Tefft
Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and sister, Jan Marie Tefft, 64, of Vermontville, passed away Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020 in her home with her loved ones by her side, after a short but valiant fight against ovarian cancer.
Jan is survived by her husband, Michael Howard Tefft of Vermontville; her son, Andrew Fowler and wife, Casey of Grand Ledge; daughter, Crystal Fowler of Portland, and grandsons, Grayson and Micha Fowler, Conner Gleason, and her beloved dog, Jasmine.
Also surviving are brothers, Brad Fedewa, Brian Fedewa and wife, Annette, Greg Fedewa, Chris Fedewa and wife, Lisa, and sisters, Valarie and husband, Doug Erwin, Tonya Fedewa and husband, Michael Nowik, Wendy and husband, Don Cole, Andrea Fedewa and husband, Dave Haines, Lynne and husband, Joe Vermillion, and numerous nieces and nephews, all of central Michigan. She is also survived by in-laws, Sue and husband, Randy Fogle, Steve Tefft and wife, Gloria, and stepson, Tyler Tefft and wife, Alia.
Jan was preceded in death by her father and mother, Vernon and Dorothy Fedewa and sister-in-law, Jeri Fedewa.
Jan Marie Fedewa was born in Lansing on January 20, 1956. She graduated from Portland High School in 1974 and worked for 30 years at Fisher Body before retiring in 2008.
Jan and Mike were married in Grand Ledge on September 17, 2007.
Jan had a feminine side that loved the color pink, hearts, and bling. But she had another side that was just as comfortable rolling up her sleeves and doing the hard and dirty work in the garden. She loved the outdoors and took great pride in her gardening and landscaping, with an ability to create beauty in outdoor spaces with her own very distinctive style.
Jan was a very high-energy person, always on the go, with the speed and agility of a hummingbird. She and Mike loved camping, hiking, and fishing, and especially enjoyed their time in the Ludington area. Jan was also an avid skater, skier, and bowler.
The Fedewa family is famous for huge family get-togethers for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, and Independence Day. Jan was an integral part of that tradition, highlighted by her wonderful baked beans and German chocolate cake, which rarely had leftovers.
There was no one more dependable than Jan when you really needed her. Most of all, Jan was a giver, always thinking of others and selfless in her relationships with friends and family. She treasured the time with her grandsons and formed a particularly strong bond over the last several years with Avery Hoppes, her young grand-niece.
Jan’s selflessness was shown right to the end. The last thing she wanted was to be a burden or trouble for anyone. Jan lived her whole life like that, always giving more than she took. We should all strive to learn from that part of her character.
The family requests that donations be made to Heartland Hospice of Mason. Services will be held at a later date. Arrangements are entrusted to Lehman Funeral Homes. Online condolences may be made at lehmanfuneralhomes.com.
Albert B. Startup
Albert B. Startup, 96, of Charlotte passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Friday, September 11, 2020.
Al was born July 1, 1924, in Royal Oak. Immediately after high school, in 1941, he enlisted in the United States Navy. Soon after enlisting in the Navy, the country became involved in World War II. During his time in the Navy, Al served in the submarine service and participated in battles fought in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. In 1945, he was honorably discharged from the Navy. Soon after his discharge, he joined the Naval Reserves and was selected for active duty at the Great Lakes Electronics Laboratories. Upon being relieved of active service duty in the Navy a second time, Al joined the United States Army where he served his country for an additional 17 years. After retiring from the Army, Al worked for Owens Illinois for an additional 26 years, until his retirement in 1989. In addition, Al maintained and farmed the family farm from 1962 until 1989.
On November 25, 1952, he married the love of his life, Maudie Irene Lake in Battle Creek. Together, Al and Maudie were blessed with three children and nearly 68 years of marriage. By all accounts, Al was a gifted man that possessed many talents; he obtained his pilot’s license and captain’s license, served on the Olivet School Board, amongst countless other accomplishments. In his spare time he enjoyed spending time with his family, woodworking, gardening and travel. Al was baptized and was a member of the Lee Center United Methodist Church in Olivet.
Al is survived by his wife of nearly 68 years, Maudie; Children: Charles Startup of Charlotte, Susan (David) Hiler of Lawrence; Grandchildren: Alena M. Clark of Flushing, Amanda (Joe) Richards of Vicksburg, and Benjamin Wierenga of Lawrence.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ruth and Charles Zwayer, and his son, Michael K. Startup in 1980.
Funeral services were held on Thursday, September 17, 2020, at the Lee Center United Methodist Church with Rev. Dr. James Gysel officiating. Interment followed at Maple Hill Cemetery.
Those desiring, may make contributions in Al’s memory to the Lee Center United Methodist Church, 23058 21 Mile Rd., Olivet, MI 49076.
To view’s Al’s obituary online or leave a condolence for the family, please visit burkhead-green-kilgo.com.
Joyce E. Dankenbring
Joyce Dankenbring, age 72, of Huntington, died at 9:06 a.m. Thursday, September 10, 2020 at Parkview Randallia Hospital in Fort Wayne.
Visitation will be from 3 – 7 p.m. Monday, September 14, 2020 at Bailey-Love Mortuary, 35 West Park Drive, Huntington, Indiana. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, September 15, 2020 at Bailey-Love Mortuary with Rev. Raymond Scribner officiating. There will be one hour of visitation prior to the service. Burial will be in Marion National Cemetery. Please follow local recommendations for face coverings and social distancing during all events.
Preferred memorials are to Huntington House, in care of Bailey-Love Mortuary, 35 West Park Drive, Huntington, Indiana, 46750.
Joyce was born on August 17, 1948 in Lansing, Michigan, the daughter of Henry and Ruth (Klaun) Foote. She graduated from Charlotte High School in 1966 and attended Lansing Community College. She married David C. Dankenbring on July 6, 1979 in Grand Ledge, Michigan, where they lived and worked together on their third-generation family farm before moving to Huntington. She attended classes at Michigan State University to become a master gardener and was a member of a book club in Lansing.
Survivors include her husband of 41 years, David Dankenbring of Huntington, her mother, Ruth Foote of Afton, Michigan, a son, Kent (Melissa) Dankenbring of Huntington, and a brother, Alan Foote of Howell, Michigan. Her father precedes her in death.
Please sign the online guestbook at www.baileylove.com. Bailey-Love Mortuary is honored to serve the family of Joyce E. Dankenbring.
Kyle Moulton
Kyle Richard Moulton, 62, of Charlotte passed away peacefully at home on August 25, 2020.
Kyle was born on December 2, 1957 in Lansing, the son of Richard and Shirley Moulton. Kyle graduated from Eaton Rapids High School. He worked for many years as a painter. He also worked in construction and maintenance. He retired from Eaton County Health and Rehab services in September of 2017.
He was married to Brenda Moulton on August 25, 2017 in Charlotte. Kyle was happily married and he had a great sense of humor – he could make anyone laugh. He enjoyed old cars, old records, and music. He was also very fond of his cats.
Kyle is survived by his wife, Brenda Moulton; his parents, Richard and Shirley Moulton; his son, Andrew Moulton; and his niece, Lauren (Joshua) Anderson, along with many cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his sister, Kristen Moulton.
If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions may be made in Kyle’s memory to the ASPCA (for donation information please visit ASPCA.org or call 1-800-628-0028).
A Celebration of Life will be held outdoors beginning at 2 p.m. on September 20, 2020 at 926 High Street in Charlotte. Come as you are.
Alice Ruth Miller, 72, of Eaton Rapids passed away September 4, 2020. The youngest daughter of Harry M. and Annabelle (Crain) Sutton, she was born September 25th 1947, and was a life-long resident of Eaton Rapids and a 1965 graduate.
Alice is survived by her children, Melissa (Miller) and Keith Goodman of Boyertown Penn. and Dale Miller of Okemos; grandchildren, Amber Goodman and Bailey Miller; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Alice’s wishes were to be cremated with no service at this time, due to the pandemic.
Just know she misses the love and laughter of friends and family, as she walks again under the sun.
Special thanks to the staff at Mid Michigan Hospice Residents at Sparrow Hospital Lansing, Mich.