Obituaries
James M. Moran
James Michael Moran, 90 of Charlotte, known for his smile and happy nature, died August 21, 2020. Jim was born August 31, 1929 to Paul and Loretta (White) Moran in Belding, Mich, where he grew up, graduated from high school, and met his wife at the BelRockton dance hall in the early 1950’s. In 1954, Jim married his sweetheart, Ann, and they moved to Charlotte about ten years later. He served in the Army and was stationed in Germany. After working for 35 years in the Sears-Roebuck automotive center in East Lansing as a mechanic, Jim retired and lived to “take it easy,” as he always told his friends and family when he would say goodbye after a visit.
A sports fan, Jim loved watching sports on TV, but especially the Detroit Tigers baseball team. He also enjoyed westerns, especially Gunsmoke, and any movies with John Wayne. His neighbors remember him walking around the neighborhood every day, and enjoying coffee at Burger King or McDonald’s with his friends.
An easy-going, family man, Jim loved his family and was very proud of his kids, but gave most of the credit for the way they turned out to his wonderful wife, Ann. A simple man with simple needs, Jim always had advice and a wrench to fix the kids’ troubles and cars over the years. Jim loved his grandkids and enjoyed going to all of their sporting events.
Jim’s family will miss his smile. He is survived by his children, Pat (Dale) McGilvra, Sandy (David) Valade, Denise (Jim) Emede, Colleen (Edward) Osario, Marcy (Tim) Kozerski, Paul (Jodi) Moran, and Christy Moran; grandchildren, Jason (Andrea) McGilvra, Bill and Ashley McGilvra, Jordan Emede, Leslie, Michelle and Jim Osario, Michael, Steven and Katie Kozerski, Tom and Bobbi Moran, and Kyle Greene; great-grandchildren, Connor Shaull, Chloe and Kenley McGilvra, Hailey Armas, and Jace Quiroga; sister, Mary Mumby; brothers, William Moran and Dan Moran; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife, Ann; brother, Jack; and his parents.
Funeral services were Tuesday, August 25, 2020 in the Pray Funeral Home Gardens in Charlotte, officiated by Laura Cooper.
If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Jim on his Tribute Page at PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Catherine G. Nichols
Catherine “Cathy” G. Nichols, a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and sister, of Portland, died Tuesday, August 25, 2020 at Sparrow Hospital surrounded by her family. Cathy was born November 17, 1946, in Eaton Rapids, the daughter of Allen and Beatrice (Pritchard) Bowen. She graduated from Maple Valley High School and on August 14, 1965, she married William J. Nichols and together they spent the next 55 years creating their legacy. Cathy was a woman that always took care of others before taking care of herself. She devoted herself to serving others, spending her life working in customer service jobs. In 2003 Cathy was awarded the Woman of the Year by the American Business Women’s Association. She was a true servant to the Lord, attending the First Baptist Church of Portland. Cathy served as Sunday School teacher and volunteered for numerous other events around the church. When she wasn’t serving others Cathy enjoyed reading, working in her flower garden, baking, traveling, and most importantly spending time with her family.
Cathy is survived by her husband, William; daughters, Evette (Rodney) Minier, Billie Jo (Steve) Catey; grandchildren, Rodney (Lyndsay) Minier II, James (Sara) Courtney, Kristen (Tony) King, William Catey, Jon Catey, Tyler (Katie) Minier; Seven great-grandchildren; Five sisters, Janice (Mark) Kersjes, Yvonne Wright, Peggy Nichols, Sheila (Russie) Braden, Jackie Johnson; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents; husband’s parents, William and Elizabeth Nichols; brothers-in-law, Mike Johnson, David Nichols, and Ballard Wright.
A memorial service will be held at a later date at the First Baptist Church of Portland. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to The First Baptist Church of Portland. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Cathy on her Tribute Page at PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Sharon Kaye Bayes
Sharon Kaye Bayes, age 78, of Charlotte, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, August 25, 2020. She was born May 2, 1942, in Charlotte the daughter of Carson and Eva (Rawson) Parr. Sharon graduated from Charlotte High School with the Class of 1960. In 1987, Sharon married David L. Houghton in Hawaii. Sharon was one of the most loving and caring individuals you could ever meet. She had a heart for people and was always concerned about the welfare of others. She adored her family, especially her grandchildren. Sharon loved having a good time and was quite the practical joker. She enjoyed antiques, traveling, and helping others. Sharon’s faith in the Lord was very important to her. She was a devoted and active member of St. Mary Catholic Church.
Sharon is survived by her husband, David; children: Andrew (Trina) Bayes of Olivet, Andrea Jewett of Charlotte, Amber (Tim) Thelen of Westphalia; grandchildren: Cameo Bayes, Jadelynn Bayes, Jordan Jewett, Alicianna Thelen, Kenny Thelen; sisters: Venice Martin, Anona Osborne, and Linda (Mike) Kehres.
She was preceded in death by her parents; granddaughter, Eva Thelen; sisters: Jean Davis, Shirley (Bruce) Bryan; brothers: Dick Parr, and Wayne Parr.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, August 31, 2020, at 11 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church with Rev. Fr. Dwight Ezop celebrating. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home. Interment will take place at Maple Hill Cemetery.
Those desiring, may make contributions in Sharon’s memory to Meals on Wheels or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
To view Sharon’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit burkhead-green-kilgo.com
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.