Obituaries
Marvin R. Ruff
Marvin “Marv” Reinhold Ruff, 95 of Charlotte, a guy who loved breakfast and social time at “Wee Willies” restaurant, died September 2, 2020. Marvin was the son of Reinhold F. and Bertha (Scherbenske) Ruff, born near Lehr, North Dakota on February 4, 1925. He lived with his parents on a farm north of Lehr and attended a Logan County School. They moved into town in 1933, where Marv helped his father in the Standard Oil bulk business and service station. Several years later, he was named the youngest Standard Oil Bulk Agent in the history of Standard Oil of Indiana, which covered thirteen states.
On October 15, 1950, Marv married Viola “Vi” Strehle in Medina, N.D. They moved to Michigan where Marvin worked in the trucking industry. In 1984 he retired after 28 years as an automotive transport operator for Howard Sober, Inc. Marv and Vi enjoyed spending several winters in Florida in their fifth wheel camper. They also made several trips to North Dakota during the summer months. Marv enjoyed horse racing, motorcycles, gambling, and a nice shot of whiskey.
Marv was preceded in death by his wife, Vi, in 2011; as well as his sister, Marlys Nickisch; and his parents. He is survived by his children, Desiree and Weston Ruff; granddaughter, Miranda (Chad Stalker) Bishop; and great-granddaughter, Myla Jane Stalker.
Friends are encouraged to support Marv’s family at visitation and funeral services. Mask and distancing guidelines will be practiced. Services are Tuesday, September 8, 2020 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte, with visitation from 12 noon to 1 p.m. and the funeral service at 1 p.m. with Pastor Charles Jenson officiating. The funeral service will be webcast so you may watch it from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device that has internet access. Go to prayfuneral.com, click on Marvin’s tribute, and then click on photos & videos from your computer (or media from your smart phone). Just prior to the beginning of the service, a link will appear on this page to watch the webcast.
If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Marvin on his Tribute Page at PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Lorrane J. Clark
Lorrane Jean Clark, of Eaton Rapids, passed away August 30, 2020 at the age of 79. Lorrane was born in Eaton Rapids, April 27, 1941, the daughter of Lloyd and Marguerite (Gay) Dawley. She was a stay at home mom caring for her four children. Lorrane enjoyed knitting, crocheting, sewing, cooking and gardening.
She is survived by her daughter, Angela (Mark) Parker of Lansing; sons, Roy (Laura) Clark of Olivet, Joseph Clark of Eaton Rapids; eight grandchildren; sisters, Sandra Scott, Sandy Orr, Beverly Bouts all of Eaton Rapids. Lorrane was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Nathan Clark; son, Tim Clark; sister, Janet Kent; brother, Richard Dawley.
Memorial services and visitation will be held on Saturday, September 26, 2020 from 1 – 5 p.m. at Faith Assembly of God Church, 9800 S. Cochran Rd., Olivet, MI 49076. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. Please visit our website to place online condolences, millsfuneral.com.
Donna Wall
Donna Wall, age 84, passed away at home on August 12, 2020. Born in Albion, Mich on December 14, 1935, she was the oldest child of Walter and Thurza (Gordon) Harden. She grew up on a farm and drove tractors at a young age. On February 11, 1956, she married Jim Wall. A devoted wife and mother, Donna shared with her family her love of fishing, camping, and spending time outdoors working in her flower and vegetable gardens. She spent free time feeding and watching birds, traveling, playing cards, and completing jigsaw puzzles. In addition to caring for her four children, she managed several rental properties and for over 40 years she sold Avon in the area as a way to visit friends.
Donna was predeceased by her husband of 59 years, James (Jim) Gary Wall, Sr., her parents and her younger brother, John Harden, of Albion. She is survived by her four children, James (Barbara) Wall, Jr. of Haslett, Clifford (Kathryn) Wall of Raleigh, NC, Steven (Angelika) Wall of Bay Point, CA and Deborah Wall of Eaton Rapids; grandchildren, Rebecca, Sarah, Hannah, Alex, Rachel and Michael; older half-brother, David Harden.
No services are planned at this time. Memorial contributions may be made in Donna’s memory to Eaton Community Palliative Care, 2675 S. Cochran Rd., Charlotte, MI 48813. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. To share condolences or memories please visit: millsfuneral.com.
Charlotte Conklin
Charlotte Conklin was welcomed into the arms of her Lord and Savior August 31, 2020.
She married Philip Conklin September 20, 1963 in Charlotte Mich. She and her husband spent their entire married lives farming and running the cider mill and raising their two children. She was a member of Chester Gospel Church, where she spent over 55 years as the church organist and Sunday School teacher. She enjoyed working in her rose garden and vegetable garden, and any activity outside during the warm summer months. She cherished making memories with her family including an almost annual trip to Florida, many times with her daughter. Family was always very important to her and she loved them all unconditionally. She loved spending time with her sisters sharing stories and laughing about memories old and new. She enjoyed visiting with customers during cider season each year and looked forward to meeting new customers.
Charlotte is survived by her husband of 56 years, Philip; son, Bruce (MiSuk) Conklin; daughter, Carla (Ben) Morris; grandsons, Brian (Erica) Conklin, James (Kelly) Conklin; granddaughters, Elizabeth Zaracki, Chantel Soto; great-grandsons, Keegan, Bishop and Charles; great-granddaughters, Adrianna and MaKayla; sisters, Ruth (John) O’Bryant, Anna Mae (Wayne) Karn, Jeanne (Bill) Bartlett and Jaynne (Albert) Simpson.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Peter and Wilma Jansen; brother, John Jansen; and great-grandson, Eli.
A graveside service was be held at Gresham Cemetery on Wednesday, September 2 with Pastor Barry Smith officiating. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Charlotte on her tribute page at www.PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
If desired the family has suggested memorial contributions to Gideon’s International, Eaton County Camp.
Gloria L. Diamond
Gloria Lorraine Diamond, a woman with strong family values, grace, love and patience, died August 29, 2020. Gloria, 79 of Charlotte, Michigan, was born May 2, 1941 in Eaton Rapids, the daughter of Robert T. Hoag and Majil Naomi Gibbs. On May 9, 1959 at the age of 18, Gloria married the love of her life Harold J. Diamond and together embarked on a 61 year adventure together. She devoted her life to her husband and her family. Gloria spent over 30 years owning a child day care. She enjoyed gardening as well as sewing and quilting. She could never make quilts fast enough for her family. She was truly a great seamstress. She would make christening gowns for her grandchildren. She would also make clothes for the grandchildren, and the dresses with matching ribbons were just amazing. True joys to her life were the grandchildren. The trips, vacations and visits with them truly made her happy.
Gloria is survived by her one and only true love, Harold J. Diamond; children, Naomi Wood (Jim Lilly), Lorrie (Bill) Householder, David (Diana) Diamond, Jeff Diamond, James Diamond and Cindy Stewart; grandchildren/great, Ashton (Chelsey) Hunter, Adalynn and Hazel Wood, Brennon (Paige) Wood, Alexus (Joe) Wood, Brooke (Graham) Wood, Aaron (Bekah) Colton and Dani Householder, Maegan (Jen) Householder, Angel Diamond, Mariah Diamond, Nikki Butler and Sabrina Whitt; and special niece, Majil Naomi Newth. She was preceded in death by her grandson, Skylar James Wood, and her parents.
Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Gloria on her Tribute Page at PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.