Obituaries
William C. Vance
William “Bill” Clayton Vance — a selfless and loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend — died peacefully on Saturday, January 25, 2020, in Kalamazoo. Bill was born November 14, 1962, in Charleston, WV, the son of Clarence Wesley and Gay (Kessinger) Vance. The family moved to Potterville in 1964, where Bill graduated high school in 1980. He went to work at Spartan Motors, starting on the line and working his way up to supervisor.
Bill was most at peace in the outdoors. His greatest passions including hunting and fishing, as well as NASCAR. He and Sue held season race tickets for 10 years, camping on the infield and traveling to Bristol. He played baseball at Spartan Motors and enjoyed bowling. Bill was a lifelong fan of the Dallas Cowboys and the Detroit Lions. He collected guns and knives and was fanatical about paranormal activity, especially theories on aliens and sasquatch. The family also spent time at their cabin on Narrow Lake, where Bill was usually the pontoon boat captain. All who knew Bill loved him. Many will remember his strength, his love for family and for always having a candy bar ready for his grandson Cooper.
Bill is survived by his wife of 36 years, Sue; daughters, Tabitha Vance and Billi Jean (fiancé Cody Hennaut) Vance; grandson, Cooper Hennaut; five sisters, Nancy (Patrick) Pung, Brenda (Charles) Tomlinson, Chris (Steve) Morris, Terri (Joe) Jenson, and Rita Poyer; godson, Maverick Kreps; best friend for life, Charlie Berryhill; and his dog, Mia. He was predeceased by his parents; brother-in-law, Brian Poyer; and his dog, Hunter.
Friends are encouraged to support Bill’s family. A memorial service was held on January 30, 2020, at Pray Funeral Home with Bill’s uncle, Rev. James Vance officiating. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the family in the care of the Pray Funeral Home. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Bill on his tribute page at www.PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Helen L. Vierk
Helen Louise Vierk, age 95, of Charlotte, died peacefully on Friday, January 24, 2020, in Marshall. Helen was born October 22, 1924, in Vermontville, the daughter of Boyer and Hazel (Wells) Rickle. She graduated from Vermontville High School in 1942 and enrolled in comptometer classes at Lansing Community College. Helen married Lee Vierk on September 13, 1947, and the two started their life together on the farm. She worked six years at Oldsmobile before going to work full-time alongside Lee on their “3000 layer” egg farm. Helen was a co-founder of the Spaulding 4H Club and a life member of Michigan Farm Bureau. She volunteered countless hours to the Eaton County Fair, as well as with the Eaton County Adult Handicap Programs. In her personal time, Helen loved sewing and crocheting and time outdoors in her flower gardens. She and Lee also enjoyed traveling, including winters in Texas, a caravan through Mexico to Cancun and a Caribbean cruise to celebrate their 50th anniversary. They were 35-year members of the Good Sam RV Club. Following Lee’s death in 2010, Helen managed on her own, having breakfast everyday at Big Boy and a McDonald’s cheeseburger every night for dinner. Above all, Helen loved her family.
She is survived by her son, Larry (Diana) Vierk of Charlotte; daughters, Janet Bowers of Olivet and Brenda Vierk of Lansing; six grandchildren, Mark (Denise) Vierk, Chris (Nicole) Vierk, Tracie (Chris) Portillo, Chanda (Todd) Aves, Matt (Kyleigh Kunkel) Bowers and Melissa (Bruce) Carpenter; 18 great-grandchildren; several great-great-grandchildren; sister, Margaret Wood; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband of 63 years, Lee; brothers, Douglas Rickle and Bob Rickle; several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; and her parents.
Friends are encouraged to support Helen’s family. Funeral services were held January 28, 2020, at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Laura Cooper officiating. Interment took place in Kalamo Hillside Cemetery. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Helen on her tribute page at www.PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Roland H. Korp
Roland “Ron” Henry Korp, age 89, of Charlotte — a proud patriot and loving husband, father and grandfather — died peacefully on Tuesday, January 28, 2020. Ron was born June 22, 1930, in Niles, Mich., the son of Roland Glen and Dorothy Bell (Bergoine) Korp.
He graduated from high school in Bellevue in 1949 before enlisting in the U.S. Army and proudly serving during the Korean Conflict. Upon his return from the war, he went to work in 1953 for the Grand Truck Railroad, retiring in 1992 as leading car inspector. Ron also served in the Michigan National Guard for many years, earning his retirement as a Master Sergeant. He was a member of the Charlotte VFW and the Eaton Area Senior Center. Ron had a passion for his cars, always keeping them in pristine condition, even waxing the engine. He loved Christmas time and lived life with a perpetual smile. Ron never had an enemy and will be missed and remembered by many.
Ron is survived by his wife of 54 years, Linda Korp; his children, Susan Gleason, Tim (Mary) Korp, Rhonda (Tom) Crawford and Tracy (John) Golematis; grandchildren, Angela, Matthew, Andrew, Tayler, Abby, Hannah, Savannah, and Andra; great-grandchildren, Erika, Mia, Carina, Meghyn, Sophie, Reece, Laigha, Violet and another on the way; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and his siblings, Betty (Herbert) Ellis, Kenneth (Vicky) Winslow, Robert (Doris) Korp and Claribell (Cecil) Stice.
Friends are encouraged to support Ron’s family. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, February 1, 2020, at Pray Funeral Home with Pastor Don Francis officiating. Visitation was scheduled from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, January 31, 2020, at the funeral home. Interment will take place in Maple Hill Cemetery. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Salvation Army or the American Diabetes Association. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Ron on his tribute page at www.prayfuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Barbara J. Allen
Barbara J. Allen, age 88 of Charlotte, formerly of New Port Richey, Fla., passed away Wednesday, January 15, 2020. She was born on May 29, 1931, in Vermontville. Barbara worked her entire life at Michigan Bell Telephone Company as operator, repair supervisor and later as toll testman. She retired to Seven Springs Golf and Country Club, New Port Richey, Fla., in 1982, with her husband Chester Allen. She lived there until 2017 when she moved back to Michigan to be near her family. She enjoyed playing golf and won many tournaments over the years. She lost one eye to a tumor shortly after retirement that never held her back or changed her golf game. Barbara was predeceased by her parents Norma (McNabb) and Don Bosworth and her husband Chester D. Allen in 2000. Barbara is survived by her siblings, Karen McGlaughlin (Lavell Howe) of Charlotte, Edwin (Ruth Bosworth) of Cadillac, her nieces Ginger Terpstra (Rick) of Charlotte, Shawn Raleigh (John) of Charlotte, nephew Don Rogers (Brandi Viele) of Colorado Springs, CO and nieces Teresa (Mart) Williams of Cadillac, Debbie (Ted) Lockwood of Traverse City. Cremation has taken place. No services will be held per her request. Special thanks go out to Julie Coenen for the tremendous care and compassion given until her passing. Also, thanks are offered to special caregivers Megan and Marie at the Haven. Contributions in her memory can be made to Hospice of Lansing, Stoneleigh Residence, 3411 Stoneleigh Dr., Lansing MI 48910.
Agnes V. Graves
Agnes Victoria Graves, age 95, of Charlotte, passed away Monday, January 27, 2020, at the Eaton County Health and Rehabilitation Services with her family by her side. She was born at home near Nashua, Mont., the daughter of Albert and Minnie Pearson Schakosky on January 27, 1925. Her childhood was spent on the family homestead. She attended a one-room school, named Big Four School. After graduating from that school, she went on to high school and graduated from Glasgow, Montana High School in 1941, just before World War II was declared. When soldiers began to be stationed in Glasgow, she became a USO hostess. It was then that she met John Graves from Texas, as he was there training on the B-17 bombers. They were married in Melissa, Tex., once he returned from flying 25 bombing missions over Europe. Together, they spent several years in Texas before moving to Michigan. Aggie worked for the State of Michigan, Department of Social Services, in Lansing. She retired after 27 years of service. In retirement, she became a volunteer for various organizations including Hayes Green Beach Hospital, Woldumar Nature Center, Mobile Meals, American Red Cross, Charlotte Business Women Organization and the Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church. When it became evident there was a need for a facility for the senior population, she became a part of the effort to secure the Eaton Area Senior Center, of which she was a life member. Aggie also enjoyed traveling in both the United States and Europe.
She is survived by her children: Vicki (Don) Voisin of Charlevoix, Jessica (Everett) Gard of Clarkston, Matthew (Tammy) Graves of Rockford, Andrea (Wayne) Price of Conway, S.C.; nine grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and sister, Alyce (Hugo) Mosser of Slaton, Tex.
She was preceded in death by her parents and five siblings.
Funeral services were scheduled for Friday, January 31, 2020, at noon at the Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church with Rev. Gary Wales officiating. The family was to receive friends from 10 a.m. to noon at the church on Friday. Those desiring, may make contributions in Aggie’s honor to the American Red Cross.