Obituaries
Bruce M. Bryan
Bruce Mac Bryan — a loving and devoted, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather — died January 16, 2020. Bruce, age 90, was born June 23, 1929, in Charlotte, to Rex and Cecil (Hawley) Bryan. Following graduation from Charlotte High School in 1948, Bruce met Shirley Ann Parr and on July 9, 1950, they married and started their family together. Bruce lost his sweetheart of 64 years in 2015. He worked throughout his life as a grocery stock boy at the Charlotte Kroger store, and as an electrician, working for the IBEW Local 65, including a time with his own company, Maple City Electric. Bruce was the ultimate handyman, as he built three of the family homes and also a fishing cabin. There was no project that he couldn’t handle. Bruce joined the Charlotte Masonic Lodge #120 Free & Accepted Masons in 1962, serving as past master in 1969. He went into the Saladin Shrine Temple Grand Rapids in 1973, and he could be seen in many local parades riding on his mini 50 Shriner bike. He also served on the Charlotte Board of Education from 1960 to 1971. When Bruce was not serving his community, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, golf and bowling.
Bruce is survived by his daughters, Diane (Larry) Bass, Patricia (James) Bueter; grandchildren, Michael (Connie) Betts, Lisa (Jeff) Callaghan-Keefer, Nicholas (Megan) Bueter, and Joseph (Heather) Bueter; great-grandchildren, Hannah, Thomas, Emma, Elliett, Jackson, Benjamin, Jane; and sister-in-law, Shirley Bryan. Bruce was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Shirley; siblings, Ruth Grier, Dan Bryan, Beryl Wilkerson, Ned Bryan, Doris Byrnes and Joan Bryan.
A family affirmation service was held on Monday, January 20, 2020, at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Shriners Hospitals for Children – Chicago. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Bruce on his tribute page at www.PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Charles Thomas Mead
Charles Thomas Mead — a kind-hearted and giving husband, father and grandfather — of Olivet, died on Saturday, January 18, 2020, after a long battle with cancer. Charles, age 66, was born April 18, 1953, in Charlotte, to Raymond and Viola (Rowell) Mead. On November 8, 1986, Charles married his sweetheart Sharon. He worked at Carefree Factory in Charlotte in quality control for 30 years prior to their closing. Following his time at Carefree, Charles started his own handyman business called CTM Enterprise, where he worked the last 15 years. He was a devoted member of the Olivet First Assembly of God. His hobbies included bowling, watching NASCAR, cheering on the Detroit Lions, gardening and tending to his property, which included lots of mowing.
Charles is survived by his wife of 33 years, Sharon; daughter, Ariane (John) Van Iwaarden; 4 grandchildren, Mikayla, Collin, Clayton, Keghan; foster-daughters, Andrea Williams, Mia Williams; step-daughters, Dawn Howlett, Amy Reynolds, Deanna Hebenstreit; step-sons, Dan Griffin, David Griffin, Shane Wells; brother, Clifford Mead; sister, Margaret King; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents; step-daughter, Darlene Griffin; brothers, Stanley Mead, Newton Schriner, John Schriner; and sister, Rebecca Conklin.
Friends are encouraged to support Charles’ family. Funeral services are Saturday, January 25, 2020, at noon at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Pastor Mike Knauff officiating. Visitation will be held just prior to the service, from 11 a.m. until noon. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Charles on his tribute page at www.PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Dale “Sonny” Kenneth Foote, Jr.
Dale “Sonny” Kenneth Foote, Jr., of Vermontville, died on January 17, 2020. Dale was born on February 4, 1929, to Dale K. and Irene (Frank) Foote. Dale lived a simple life and was proud of the farm work that he did and the improvements that he made to his land throughout his life. He loved working with his tractor: planting seed and watching his crops grow. He also loved driving his semi across the country, which he did for 30 years before retiring in 1992 from Fleet Carrier of Pontiac, Mich. At home, he loved fishing in his pond with his granddaughter, Shamarr.
Westerns were a favorite of his, especially anything with Clint Eastwood. He could watch them over and over and never tire of them. He truly was a “cowboy at heart.” Dale enlisted in the Navy in 1946, serving two years on the east coast. In 1948, he married Patricia Dickey, divorcing in 1953. In 1968, he married Lorraine Grzadzinski. Dale was a proud member of the American Legion, Fraternal Order of the Eagles and the N.R.A.
Dale is survived by his son, Ken (Anne) Foote; daughter, Charlotte Garlinger and Deborah ( Jack) Vineyard; step-daughters, Jodie (Steve) Kilpatrick and Tammi Gearhart; brothers, Raymond (Mary) Foote and Edwin (Alice) Foote; sister, Phyllis (Leo) Trumble; 4 grandchildren, 2 step-grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, 1 step-great-grandchild and numerous nieces and nephews. Dale was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Lorraine; sisters, Barbara Hess and Pat Sayles; brother-in-law, Kendal Sayles; son-in-law, Jerry Garlinger, and step-daughter, Lauren Coddington.
Funeral services were held on Thursday, January 23, 2020, at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Pastor Kevin Barker officiating. Interment followed at Woodlawn Cemetery, Vermontville. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Dale on his tribute page at www.PrayFuneral.com.
Catherene Elizabeth (McCamly) McNeilly
Catherene Elizabeth (McCamly) McNeilly, age 98, of St. Johns passed peacefully on January 11, 2020, in Charlotte.
She is survived by her four children: Gail Lyn Miller of St. Johns, David (Sharon) McNeilly of Bear Lake, Dr. Paul (Julie) McNeilly of Clare, and Cathy (Andy) Rudnitsky of Charlotte. Grandchildren include: Teri (Wey) Miller Looney, Mandy (Kyle) Miller Koop, Kelly (Dave) Miller Myers, Stacy (Mark) McNeilly Peery, Jennifer (Mark) McNeilly Novak, Meghan (Keith) McNeilly Swayman, Andrew (Kathy) McNeilly, Thomas Rudnitsky and Anna Rudnitsky.
She also has 20 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Catherene was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Gordon McNeilly; her only brother, Derrol McCamly; and son-in-law, Paul Floyd Miller.
Catherene was born on December 28, 1921, in Homer, Mich., to Myron and Ethel (Hyman) McCamly. She married Gordon Louis McNeilly on June 28, 1941. She started Michigan State University (MSU) at the age of 16, and after three years, she took time off to get married and have her family. Catherene completed her bachelor’s degree in home economics at MSU in 1969.
Her children remember her as a person who loved life, was always very kind and positive, and she always encouraged them to further their education to reach their goals. Catherene loved to travel with family and friends, and she was an avid sports fan.
To honor Catherene’s wishes, there will be no funeral. The immediate family will have a private celebration of her wonderful life. In lieu of flowers, send donations to MSU College of Education, MSU Veterinary College or the charity of your choice. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Catherene on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Rhoma S. Powers
Rhoma S. Powers, age 91 of Bellevue, entered our Lord’s Kingdom on December 17, 2019. She was born January 11, 1928, in Crystal City, Missouri, to loving and devoted parents, Mitchell C. Smith and Mary B. (Phillips) Smith. She was a graduate of Crystal City High School and attended Central Methodist College in Missouri.
The story of Rhoma cannot be told without her beloved husband, David. Rhoma and David were part of the “Greatest Generation.” Prior to David enlisting in the United States Navy and serving in the Armed Guard during World War II, David and Rhoma had their “first date” on December 23, 1943. They celebrated that date for the next 70 years. Shortly after their first date, David told a buddy that he “was going to marry that girl someday.” David and Rhoma were married August 5, 1947.
Rhoma provided a loving home for her husband of nearly 67 years. She was a wonderful mother to their two daughters, Janice Lynn and Joan Elyce. When Rhoma retired from the health care field, she and David moved from Battle Creek to Bellevue in 1990 and built their dream retirement home, “Penny Run.” They enjoyed being closer to their grandsons, Mitch and Scott, and attended many of their sporting events. Rhoma was a member of the Bellevue Book Club, 20th Century Club, Bellevue Historical Society, Friends of Bellevue Township Library, Methodist Primetimers, and Bellevue Task Force. She and David were long-time members of Bellevue First Baptist Church (Pastor Donald Francis).
Rhoma is survived by her daughter, Joan (Parr) Powers of Bellevue. Her grandsons, Mitchell (Jennifer) Parr of Dallas, Texas and Scott David Parr of Beijing, China. She is also survived by her son-in-law, Dennis (Nancy) Rewa; grandsons, Ben Rewa and Joey Rewa and granddaughter, Kelli (Brady) Hustad; seven great grandchildren and sisters-in-law, Judith (Joe) Powers and Beverly (Dick) Bueker and four nephews and one niece.
She was preceded in death by her infant sister, Norma Jean; her loving daughter, Janice (Denny) Rewa and her beloved husband, David Lynn Powers.
Cremation has taken place and a private memorial service is being arranged. In her final days, Rhoma said “don’t be sad when I die, I have had a wonderful journey.”
Arrangements were entrusted to Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services in Marshall. Visit kempffuneral.com to see the online obituary, sign the online guest book or leave condolences to the family.