Obituaries
Deane W. Johnston
Deane William “Bill” Johnston — a loving and caring husband, father and grandfather — died Saturday, February 1, 2020. Deane, age 93, of Charlotte, was born October 9, 1926, in Hesperia, Mich., the son of Edson and Gladys (Leach) Johnston. On August 14, 1948, Deane married his sweetheart Velma Sigourney and created their legacy together until her passing in 1972. Deane later married Ann Furman. He retired from Motor Wheel Corporation. Following his retirement, Deane became an investor in Easy Living Trailer Sales. His hobbies included playing cards, cribbage, tinkering, going to deer camp with the guys and spending time at the Eagles Lodge in Holt. Throughout his life, Deane was proud of his longevity and his family.
Deane is survived by his children, Carol (Harry) Kelley, Larry (Jane) Johnston; 7 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; sisters, Iris (Ray) Dietrick and Judy (Gary) Bisel; stepsons, Ted Furman, and Greg Furman. He was predeceased by his wife, Velma; daughter, Sheila Johnston; second wife, Ann; brother, Charles; sisters, Marge (Herb) Simpson, Shirley (Carl) Beagle; and stepson, Craig Furman.
Friends are encouraged to support Deane’s family. Funeral services were held on Thursday, February 6, 2020, at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Pastor Randy Royston officiating. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Eaton Community Palliative Care. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Deane on his tribute page at prayfuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
George M. Smith
Mr. George Melvin Smith, III, age 73, of Battle Creek, formerly of Charlotte, passed away peacefully on February 3, 2020, at McLaren Hospital in Lansing after a lengthy illness. George was born on November 1, 1946, in Charlotte, the son of George Melvin Smith, II and Doris Emma (nee Walker) Smith. George was a graduate of Charlotte High School class of 1965. George worked for Owens-Illinois in Charlotte and attended Olivet College until he was drafted into military service in 1967. George served in military police for the United States Army in Vietnam from 1967 until he was honorably discharged in December 1970 as a SP4. George enjoyed painting and listening to his favorite music (Beatles, Elton John and many other classic artists). George also enjoyed several years residing in Colorado Springs. George primarily resided in the Battle Creek area for the past 20 years until returning to the Lansing area for respite care due to his service-connected disability.
George is survived by his aunt, Dorothy Bargy of Potterville; his brother, Richard (Ann) Lown of Charlotte; and his cousins; Judy Kelly of Charlotte, Dennis (Cindy) Walker of Nashville, Debra (Terry) Shaver of Charlotte, Daniel Bargy of Brighton; nephew Evan Lown of Lansing; and niece, Emma Lown of Charlotte. George was predeceased by his mother and stepfather, Doris and William Lown; uncle, Burt (Cleo) Walker; uncle, Donald Bargy and cousins George and Doris Walker.
Funeral services will be held at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte on Saturday, February 8, 2020, at 10:30 a.m. with military honors at Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of George are requested to either Charlotte Veterans of Foreign Wars (V.F.W.) Post 2406, 695 Lansing Rd., Charlotte MI 48813 or Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Michigan.
James Caruthers, Jr.
James Charles Caruthers, Jr. — a gentle and caring man who loved his family — died February 1, 2020. Jim, age 70, was born July 21, 1949, in Charleston, W. Va., to James Charles and Phyllis Marie (Kirk) Caruthers. Jim enjoyed golfing, cars, cooking and playing games with his mom and sister. Cherished memories include car shows on Father’s Day with his daughters, crossing the Mackinac Bridge on a tractor, challenging his Uncle Gene in golf games and a special dog he had, Joey. He was employed as a store manager at a Florida Wendy’s restaurant. Jim was very proud of how he grew as a person over the years, building a strong relationship with his daughter and grandsons.
Jim is survived by his daughter, Aimee Powell; sons, Brian and Chris Caruthers; step-daughter, Mary-Margaret Medler; Violetta Conley; grandsons, Hunter and Eric Powell, and Joseph Caruthers; mother, Phyllis Renner; sister, Shirley Raths; aunt, Kathy Brownfield; uncle, Gene Brownfield; uncle, Robert Kirk; aunt, Sandy Kirk; niece, Jennifer Apol; and nephew, James Raths.
Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Jim on his tribute page at prayfuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Ronald D. Granger
Ronald “Ron” Dale Granger — an adventurous, straightforward and strong husband, father, grandfather, brother and son — died Monday, February 3, 2020. Ron, age 72, of Charlotte, was born September 9, 1947, in Charlotte, the son of Robert and Margaret (Townsend) Strang. He was a graduate of Charlotte High School in 1965. Ron later joined the Air Force and served during Vietnam. On April 16, 1971, Ron married Deborah “Debbie” Dunham. Ron was a man that, as mentioned, was adventurous, and after his service in Vietnam, he joined the Air National Guard. He worked in Battle Creek as a weapons and munition specialist. He retired as a Master Sergeant in 2001. Ron was referred to by his squad as the Zoo Keeper of the “Party Animals.” He was extremely proud of his years serving his country. A passion for blowing things up has always stuck with Ron. He had a term called “backyard ballistics.” Ron was an active member of the Eagles, American Legion and VFW, and he enjoyed his time being able to socialize with fellow veterans. Ron had a very strong love for panning for gold. He was a member of the GPAA and LDMA. Ron would pan for gold when he would be stationed at different bases around the country — from California, Denver, Georgia and Alaska. He loved finding gemstones, gold and other valuable items. Ron was a very generous man who would collect something valuable and then give it away, even if it was extremely valuable. He was always willing to help others. Ron enjoyed hunting, and he turkey hunted until he said that it became too easy. He also enjoyed the annual trip to deer camp in the UP with his buddies. Above all, Ron loved his family. He was always telling others about them.
Ron is survived by his wife, Debbie; children, Jeffrey (Jenny) Granger, Kathryn (Steve) Miller, and Karla (Willie Conroy) Lilly; grandchildren, Kevin Miller, Brooke Miller, Kayla Bruce, and Kyle Lilly; brothers, Patrick (Jody) Strang, Robert Granger, and Dennis (Janice) Strang; mother-in-law, Esther Dunham; brothers-in-law, Frank (Sue) Dunham, Michael Dunham, John (Rita) Dunham, and Richard (Leslie) Dunham. He was predeceased by his parents; and brothers, Robert Strang and Russell Granger.
Friends are encouraged to support Ron’s family. Funeral services were scheduled for Friday, February 7, 2020, at 11 a.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Pastor Charles Jenson officiating. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Eaton Community Palliative Care or Eagles Community Dinners (FOE Aerie 3552). Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Ron on his tribute page at prayfuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Michael Woodbury, Sr.
Michael Woodbury, Sr., age 66, of Charlotte passed away unexpectedly Monday, January 27, 2020, at his home.
Michael was born in Lansing on July 12, 1953, the son of the late Willard and Etta (Holton) Gleason. He was raised in the Mulliken and Olivet area and attended local schools. Michael served his country in the United States Army as a sniper in the 21st Armory Division during the Vietnam War, being discharged in 1969. He was married to Marcia (Yeasley) Woodbury for over 13 years, and together they had two children. Michael later met Ms. Ella Ressigue, and the two became best friends and companions for many years before she passed away in 2015. Michael began his working career at Oldsmobile in Lansing where he worked for several years. It was during his time at GM that he became interested in trucking and ventured into over the road truck driving, which he did for over 25 years before retiring.
Michael loved his family, and spending time with them was always something he looked forward to doing. He loved bowling and was on a league for many years with his daughter. During those warm summer days, he enjoyed taking his daughter and granddaughter for rides on the motorcycle trike. Each year, he would ride the trike to the Vermontville Syrup Festival, with the trike’s signature horn announcing his arrival. Michael had an amazing talent to communicate with the small animals around his home. Each day, he would venture onto his back deck, and with a scratch on the door, the squirrel he named “Baby” would eat cookies directly from his hand. He could make a certain sound that the birds would come to as well. Even the woodpecker named “Dum-Dum” knew to go from window to window tapping until he found the room Michael was in and then would await a handful of suet for his reward. Michael was a great cook, and his family would always request him to make his no-recipe sausage gravy, that you just can’t replicate. Michael was a very good neighbor and loved helping whenever and wherever he could. He was involved with the local Amish community, and they became great friends.
He is survived by his daughter, Melinda (Brent) Rozema, four sisters, Nancy (Max) Sampsel, Wanda (Steven) Lahr, Joyce Sweet, Janet (Ronald) Parker, two brothers, Melvin (Beth) Gleason, Russell (Dayle) Gleason, his granddaughter Paige Rozema, and Ms. Ella Ressigue’s many family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his beloved companion Ella Ressigue, his ex-wife Marcia Woodbury, his son Michael Woodbury Jr., and his brother Wesley Woodbury. A memorial service was held at the Daniels Funeral Home in Nashville on Sunday, February 2.
Memorial contributions can be made to the family of Michael Woodbury. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Daniels Funeral Home. For further details, visit www.danielsfuneralhome.net.