Obituaries
Robert E. Roush Sr.
Robert Edward Roush Sr. age 72, formerly of Olivet, had his life drastically changed on December 17, 2016 due to a major stroke. On August 13, 2020 he passed away at The Cedar Creek of Hastings, into his Heavenly Home.
Bob was born September 15, 1947 in Battle Creek to Bill and Audrey (Budd) Roush. He graduated from Bellevue High School in 1965 and was drafted into the Army for two years stationed at Fort Hood in Texas as a key punch operator. Bob’s ability to type kept him from going to Vietnam.
In 1969 he married Linda Adams, she preceded him in death in 1970 leaving behind a newborn son. Bob married Cathy McVay from Lake Odessa in 1971 and just celebrated 49 years of marriage on August 6.
Bob enjoyed farming, gardening, raising pigs and all sports. He helped many 4-H kids win a champion at the county fairs. He cheered the Olivet Eagles for many years, also hitting other schools to watch athletes come through the ranks.
Bob worked at Roush Machine and Tool, Airway, Tevilo, Clark’s, and thirty some years at Riverside Machine Products.
Bob enjoyed his grandchildren and looked forward to their visits.
Bob is survived by his wife Cathy; son Robert Jr. (Becky) Roush; grandchildren, Robert III, David, Lyndi, Matthew and Ellie Roush; brother Bill Roush; sisters Jane (Dale) Bradley, and Tami (David) Beard; sisters-in-law, JoAnne Emery, and Lois Downing; brother-in-law Wesley (Gail) McVay; several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, step-families, and friends.
Preceding him in death were his first wife, Linda; father, Bill Roush; mother and stepfather, Audrey and Floyd Hydon brother, Larry Roush; grandparents; parents-in-law, Howardand Marian McVay and brothers-in-law, Wesley Emry and David Downing.
Visitation for family and friends was held on August 17, 2020. Funeral services were held privately on August 18, 2020 at The Daniels Funeral Home in Nashville with Pastors Lester DeGroot and Deano Lamphere of Nashville Baptist Church.
Burial was at the Hotchkiss Cemetery, Marshall Township, on J drive N, Marshall, Michigan
In lieu of flowers, Bob’s wishes are for contributions to be made to Nashville Baptist Church Youth Department.
Victor J. Parker
Victor John Parker (Vic) of Marshall, Mich. passed away Tuesday, August 18, 2020 under the loving care of his family after a brief battle with cancer. He was born in Marshall to Robert (Bob) and Jeannine (Rule) Parker on July 22, 1956. He is survived by his parents; his daughters, Catie (Mike) Boring and Kristi (Trevor) Love; and his granddaughters, Nora and Claire Love and Olivia and Maggie Boring. He is also survived by his sister, Lynda (Tim) Frantz and Greg (Angie) Parker of Charlotte; nieces, Lauren and Grace; step daughter, Kelly Kelly; and many Parker cousins, aunts and uncles.
Vic graduated from Charlotte High School in 1974. He participated in Boy Scouts and sports, but his true roots were set in Marshall on the family farm on Verona Road. He cherished many memories of sledding with their pony, raising livestock and making a crop. He spent his teens and early twenties traveling the draft horse circuit with Castagnasso and their Clydesdales. Later and at the present he tended to his flock of sheep and herd of cattle, and spent his “free time” making hay and other crops to feed his animals. He also loved deer and coyote hunting and fishing on Garfield Lake.
He was an extremely hard-working man. He bought his first semi in 1978 and ran Vic Parker Trucking, hauling across country until he married and started his family in 1985. At that point he hauled locally and trucked gravel and grain. In the 90s he transitioned a bit and added excavating to his work load. He was a skilled heavy machine operator and loved problem solving. Often times he was heard saying, “It has to look worse before it can look better,” as he worked on projects.
Though he seemed a little rough around the edges and could be a little gruff, he had a servant heart and would drop anything for a friend or stranger in need.
He dedicated many hours of his time and equipment to the Calhoun County Fairgrounds, serving as the chairman of the livestock committee presently, and in previous years served as a fair board member, chair of the infield committee, Sheep Club leader, and informally dedicating countless hours to infrastructure improvements and building projects such as the building of the sheep and goat barn, fairgrounds museum, and infield and track improvements. He was awarded Volunteer of the Year in 2002 and was given a lifetime membership because of his service.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, August 29, 2020 at 4 p.m. with a brief memorial service followed by a visitation open house at the Calhoun County Fairgrounds. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to the CCAIS in memory of Vic Parker. Donations will go to the granary project that Vic was excited to move forward with this year.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Vickers Springport Funeral Home, P.O. Box 235, Springport, MI 49284.
Shirley E. Sleight
Shirley Elaine Sleight, age 93, of Charlotte, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Sunday, August 9, 2020. She was born April 10, 1927, in Walton Township the daughter of Ira and Reva (Maybe) Smith. Shirley graduated from Maple Valley High School with the class of 1945. On July 28, 1946, Shirley married Charles “Joe” Sleight at her sister’s home in Grand Ledge. Joe and Shirley raised their family on the family farm on Kalamo Highway just outside of Charlotte. Shirley was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and great great grandmother. She was always busy working with her hands. She was a tremendous cook and baker who loved to share her delicious creations with everyone. Shirley enjoyed canning, cooking, playing cards, volunteering as a 4-H Leader with the Maurer 4-H Club, and spending time with her friends in the “I go you go Club.” Above all Shirley cherished her family and loved being together with them every opportunity she had.
She is survived by her children: James (Barbara) Sleight of Charlotte, Jo West of Charlotte, David Sleight of Harrison, Donna (Steve) Davidson of Charlotte, Lou (Jim) Bartolacci of Mason, Lora (Bob) Zenz of Farwell; 17 grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren; and 5 great great grandchildren.
Shirley was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Charles “Joe” Sleight in 1987; son-in-law, Raymond West; siblings: Glen (Thursa) Smith, Hattie (Charles) Baribeau, Don (Dorothy) Smith, Elwin (Eva) Smith; and several dear friends.
A private funeral service was be held on Wednesday, August 12, 2020 at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home with Jim Starr officiating. Burial took place at the Hamilton Township Cemetery in Harrison.
Those desiring, may make contributions in Shirley’s honor to Hospice of Lansing, 3186 Pinetree Road, Lansing, MI 48911.
To view Shirley’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit burkhead-green-kilgo.com.
Seth A. Archer
Seth Anthony Archer, 21, of Charlotte, died August 16, 2020. He was born April 19, 1999 in Charlotte to April Eitniear and Andrew Archer. Seth was an energetic, loving child, growing up to be a kind hearted person with a comforting voice. A typical young man, he loved social media, taking selfies, and listening to music. Seth spent lots of time helping on his grandparents’ farm, and grew up loving horses because of his time there.
Seth is survived by his mother, April Miller (Nicky Mills); sister, Brittney Eitniear; nephew, Tucker Allen; aunt, Jennifer King; grandparents, Gerald and Sandra Archer and Suzan and Ronald Eitniear; and cousins, Jacob Emery, Jared Emery, and Hannah King. He was preceded in death by his father, Andrew Archer.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, August 19, 2020 in the Pray Funeral Home Garden.
Friends and family are encouraged to support Seth’s family and share memories of Seth on his Tribute Page at PrayFuneral.com.
The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
John J. Conrad
John J. Conrad of Charlotte, age 57, passed away surrounded by his family and friends on Thursday, August 13, 2020 after a short illness. He was born on April 17, 1963 to Sherwood R. and Kathryn (Staron) Conrad at Ft. Benning Army Hospital in Columbus, Georgia. John was a graduate of Everett High School and the meat-cutting program at Southwest Technical Institute in Fennimore, Wisconsin. He married his wife of 30 years, Debbie Daugherty, on May 26, 1990 in Canton, Michigan. They were blessed with a son, John, and a daughter, Chelsey, along with Debbie’s daughters, Sheri and Kristy.
John was a conscientious, hard worker and excelled in his occupation as a Journeyman meat-cutter. He worked the majority of his career, thirty-four years, for Meijer, Inc., working in Sterling Heights, Monroe, Mason, and Charlotte, assisting in the start-up of new stores.
An avid outdoorsman, John thoroughly supported the management of both the environment and wildlife. A skilled hunter, with the bow and arrow as well as with firearms, John took great pleasure in his “deer camp,” where he hosted both family and friends. His other sources of enjoyment were fishing, beekeeping, vacationing at Munro Lake with Grandpa and Grandma Mangler, and sitting on his back porch overlooking the pond and bird feeder.
A man with a strong faith, John used the last days of his life to show his love and appreciation for his family. He surprised Debbie a few weeks before his passing by arranging a ceremony renewing their wedding vows. He also arranged the baptism of his and Debbie’s grandchildren, Hunter, Adalynn, and Hazel. His brother, Jim, officiated at both ceremonies. Family and friends shared in their celebrations.
John was preceded in death by his grandparents, Fred and Agnes (Ondra-Staron) Mangler and Sherwood F. and Helen (Farr) Conrad. He is survived by his wife, Debbie; son, John Conrad; daughters, Chelsey (Ashton) Wood, Sheri (David) Collins, Kristy (Martin) Wilmath; grandchildren, Hunter, Adalynn, and Hazel Wood, Cody and Meghan; great-grandchildren, Rylee, Beau and Blakely Wilmath; his parents; brother, Jim (Helen) Conrad; and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, August 29, 2020, 1 p.m. at First Lutheran Church in Charlotte. Masks and social distancing will be observed. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of John on his tribute page at PrayFuneral.com The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
John’s family wishes to thank the many friends and family who brought food, sent cards, and visited John during his illness. A special thanks to Hospice caretakers Ranea and Niccole for their compassionate, patient care.