Obituaries
Clarence Elliston
Clarence “Butch” Elliston, of Charlotte, passed away on October 13, 2020, at the age of 75. He was born on September 15, 1945, the son of Richard Elliston and Florence (Corwin) Elliston.
Butch was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving in both Vietnam and Germany. That’s where he acquired his skill and love of cooking. However, anything to do with fishing was really his passion. He also loyally followed his Detroit Tigers and Lions, as difficult as that was at times. He was a true MSU fan as well.
On March 26, 2002, Butch married his sweetheart, Judy Elliston. Together they ran their business, Pick a Song Karaoke and D.J. Service. They treasured the many memories and good friends they made during this time.
Butch is survived by his loving wife, Judy; his daughters: Sandy Lam, Amanda (Chuck) Davis; stepdaughters: Trina (Dave) Clark, Tammy (Jeff) Hall; stepson, Tim Haney; grandchildren: Erin Davis, Emily Hall, Ellaina (Kevin Pung) Hall, Hannah Clark, Olivia (Jake Simmons) Clark, Matt Clark, Isabelle Clark, Alex Hernandez, Rene Hernandez; honorary grandson, Nick Doty; great grandson, Benjamin Doty; sister, Dorothy Pifer; sister-in-law, Irene Elliston; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and siblings: Glen Wagner, Myrtie Munchbach, Kathryn Munchbach, Richard Elliston, and son-in-law, David Lam.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 17, 2020, at 11 a.m. at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home with Pastor Charles Jenson officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. The wearing of masks and social distancing will be required.
Those desiring, may make contributions in Butch’s honor to the Capital Area Humane Society, 7095 W. Grand River Ave., Lansing, MI 48906.
To view Butch’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit burkhead-green-kilgo.com.
Ronald Richard “Dick” and Cherie Jeannine “C.J.” Clark
Ronald Richard “Dick” and Cherie Jeannine “C.J.” Clark both left this earthly home free of illness and assured of no more pain in heaven. Ron was born January 2, 1939 and passed September 25, 2020 in Cherokee Village, Arkansas. He was born to Hazel (Grindol) Dowler and Donald A. Clark in Lansing, Michigan and was a 1957 graduate of Charlotte High School. He worked 18 years for Goodyear as a master mechanic before retiring after 19 years from the State of Michigan, Department of State, Bureau of Automotive Regulation as a Regulatory Agent. Cherie was born July 20, 1949 and passed on July 24, 2018 in Thayer, Missouri. She was born to Raymond and Ruth (Siebert) Conklin in Lansing, Michigan and was a 1967 graduate of Everett High School. C.J. was a published author of poems and fictional stories. They were married on June 15, 1983, starting their life together in Perry, Michigan. Upon Ron’s retirement they moved to Britt, Iowa, New Castle, Wyoming, and then settled in Hardy, Arkansas.
They are survived by his sons, Rodney (DeAnna) Clark and Ronald (the late Jill) Clark, his daughter, Marsha Clark, all of Charlotte, Michigan and their daughter, Marisa Clark of Cherokee Village, Arkansas; grandchildren, Douglas Clark, Christopher Best, Aaron and Ryan Clark, Kimberly Bosworth, Tiffney (Lee) Vickers; great granddaughters, Kate Bosworth, Abigail and Flora Vickers; his brother, Jock Clark; her brother, Keith Conklin; many uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Cremation has taken place. Memorial contributions can be made in Ron’s name, “Ronald R. Clark”, c/o Centennial Bank, 1927 Hwy. 62/412, Highland, AR 72542.
James E. Rieben
James E. Rieben, age 70, of Swanton, was welcomed into heaven Thursday evening, October 8, 2020 by his wife Barbara who passed away just two weeks earlier. Jim was born in Bridgeton, New Jersey to the late Earl Rieben and Ruby (Lanham) Mingin on October 17, 1949. Following in his parents’ footsteps he started working at Owens Illinois in Charlotte, Michigan right out of high school in the warehouse. Jim and Barb married in 1970 and had their only child, Tina Jo, in 1974. In 1977 his job with OI led him and his family to Upstate New York, where he worked the next 21 years. In 1998 Jim and Barb relocated to Toledo, and he finished out the remainder of his 44 years with the company.
In his younger years you could find him either on a boat, water skiing or snow skiing. Jim loved NASCAR and was known for his one-liner jokes. He loved to watch movies, TV and listening to music as loud as the surround sound would go. Most of all, Jim was dedicated to family and supporting his grandchildren. He cherished watching his grandchildren show their projects at the Fulton County Fair. Jim’s true paradise was the time he spent being a snowbird with Barb in Florida.
Left to cherish his memory are his daughter, Tina Jo (Alex) Tedrow of Wauseon; step-mother, Ann Rieben; grandchildren, Jolyssa M. (Garrett Cass) Tedrow, Ashlynn R. Tedrow and McCoy J. Tedrow; brothers, Paul Rieben, Kenny Rieben, Janet (Louie) Forte, Dave (Laura) Rieben; along with many dear friends. In addition to his parents and wife Barbara, Jim was preceded in death by his brothers, Earl Donald Rieben as a toddler and Arthur Rieben.
Friends and family will be received from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 17, 2020 at Barnes Funeral Chapel, 5825 State Highway 109 in Delta; where a memorial service honoring Jim’s life will begin at 11 a.m. Inurnment for both Barb and Jim will follow at Zion Cemetery in Wauseon. Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, those attending are asked to follow CDC guidelines by wearing a facial mask and observe six-foot distancing when possible. Pastor Maryann Reimund will be officiating. Online condolences may be sent to the family through our website at barnesfuneralchapel.com.
Wanda J. Stornant
Wanda Jeanette Stornant – a feisty hardworking Nurse’s Aide – died Sunday, October 11, 2020 in Charlotte at the age of 82. Wanda was born June 20, 1938, the daughter of Lester and Ruby (Barnhart) Sherman.
Wanda was always a hard worker. She spent many years as a Nurse’s Aid at Emmanuel Nursing Home in Charlotte, caring for numerous people from the community. Her talent as a caretaker was an extension of her home life, where even though their family had limited resources, she always made sure that her daughters had everything they needed. Some of her favorite times of the year were the holidays, whether it was family gatherings, or the numerous holiday decorations that would adorn their home. Another of her favorites was dancing, it helped her deal with the everyday challenges of life. When grandchildren came along she reveled in spending time with them. It didn’t matter if it was babysitting, or later wrestling with her grandsons as they grew up, she loved every minute of it. Wanda loved attending church at New Hope Community Church.
In her later years she remained active, even mowing lawns for some of her “elderly” neighbors in the trailer park. She also became a caregiver for a dear friend, Maxine Rolfe, who had taken Wanda “under her wing” as a youth and became a second mother to Wanda. The family will often recall how even as Wanda grew older she still maintained her feisty attitude and would remind them that, “I’m still kick’n.”
Wanda is survived by her daughters, Jeanette Lonyo, Debbie Mast, Theresa (David) Baker, and Gina (Joe) Gilliam; nine grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, Joe Stornant.
Memorial services are Saturday, October 24 at 2 p.m. at New Hope Community Church with Pastor Randy Royston officiating. Visitation is one hour prior to service, from 1-2 p.m. Mask, group capacity, and distancing guidelines will be observed. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to New Hope Community Church. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Wanda on her tribute page at PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Douglas W. Peck
Douglas Waldo Peck – devoted husband, father and grandfather – of Charlotte died on Friday, October 2, 2020. Doug, 85, was born December 15, 1934 in Charlotte to Waldo Fetter and Vera Liola (Rogers) Peck. Doug graduated from Charlotte High School class of 1953, then proudly served his country in the Army as an Engineer Specialist. He was employed with General Motors for over 30 years, retiring in 1985 as a General Foreman. He was an encourager to those people who spoke up to share their opinions and ideas. His supervisory skills often gained him the “troublemaker employees” because he was able to work with and become a friend to them. He owned Our Own (formerly known as Gamble’s) Hardware Store and enjoyed helping with customers’ quandaries and liked to offer helpful solutions. He also devoted 15 years with the Eaton County Sheriff Patrol in the Handicap Patrol.
Doug is survived by his children, Steve (Kerry) Peck, Shannon (Larry) Bond, Tammy (Kevin) Voigt; step-children, Jody (Mike) Mankerian, Kerry (Steve) Peck; 14 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; special friend whom he spent the past 10 years in Florida with, JoAnn Butera. He was predeceased by his wife, Joellyn (VanDyke) Peck; brother, Roger Peck; sister, Margaret VanLiew; and his parents.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, October 6, 2020 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Pastor Charles Jenson officiating. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Eaton Community Palliative Care. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Doug on his tribute page at PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.