Obituaries
Charles “Butch” Rutter, a man who lived a full life even after the doctors gave him an early expiration date, died December 1, 2019, at the age of 85. Butch was born September 15, 1934, in Logan, OH, to Valley and Estella (Wright) Rutter. He married Marilyn Sumerix in the summer of 1957, and they moved to Olivet where they raised their family. In the 1970s, Butch had a terminal cancer diagnosis, and doctors told him that he wouldn’t live to see his 25th anniversary with his wife, but he proved them wrong and lived a long and happy life with his beloved Marilyn. Butch enjoyed his church and served as a trustee and a youth leader at the Brookfield Church. He enjoyed working with children and was a 4-H leader with The Walton Wonders 4-H Club. A very dedicated employee, Butch worked many years for the Calhoun County Juvenile Home as a childcare worker until his retirement. Some of Butch’s favorite activities included hunting, fishing (with trips to Canada as often as possible), watching the Detroit Tigers play baseball and traveling around the United States. Since 2005, Butch and Marilyn enjoyed winters in Ft. Myers, FL.
Butch is survived by his wife of 62 year, Marilyn; children, Jacquelynn Rutter-Kwiatkowski, Jeffrey (Katie Collier) Rutter, and James Rutter; grandchildren, Katelyn and Stephanie Kwiatkowski and Alex Schneider. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Vance and Victor Rutter.
Friends are encouraged to support Butch’s family at visitation and funeral services. Funeral services are Monday, December 9, at 1 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Rev. John Morse officiating. Visitation is Sunday, December 8, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society or Elara Caring Hospice. Friends and family are asked to share memories of Charles “Butch” on his Tribute Page at www.PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Bette Eileen Emede
Bette Eileen Emede of Vestaburg, age 96 — our loving mother, grandma, great-grandma and great-great-grandma — passed away peacefully surrounded by family on November 27, 2019. Bette was born to Harold and Flossie May (Bohner) Convis on December 23, 1922, in Lansing. Bette was a graduate of Lansing Eastern High School. Bette was the beloved wife of Gerald Emede for over 57 years and the mother of five children. She was well-loved and cared for until the end.
She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Harold and William Convis, husband Gerald Page Emede, son Gary Emede, daughter Susan Hendrick and her grandson James John Emede.
Surviving are her children; Cheryl Sage Emede, William (Julie) Emede, and James Dean (Denise) Emede; sister-in-Law Sharon Emede, and daughter-in-law Linda Emede, grandchildren; Natalie Sage (Martin) Petermann, Thomas Emede, Stacy (Luke) McGarry, Jake (Kami) Emede, Jordan (Jasmine) Emede, Urian and Jeremy Spotts, Roger and Travis Smith; great-grandchildren Saige Petermann, Ryder, Kason and Max McGarry, Cheyenne Emede, Preston Spotts, Kaelyn Welsh, Aliya Agnello and Ashton Smith, Tobias, Holden, Brody, Jayden, Trey and Jocelyn Smith; great-great-grandchildren Hayden and Sabrina Emede, and special family friend Amanda McQueen.
A celebration of Bette’s life will be held in the spring. A cremation has taken place and arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Lux and Schnepp Funeral Home, Riverdale. To view Bette’s obituary or to leave a condolence for the family, visit luxfuneralhomes.com.
Barry Kurt Janetzke
Barry Kurt Janetzke, a hard-working handy man, died on November 28, 2019, at the age of 67. Barry was born to Reinhold and Mary Lou (Jolliff) Janetzke in Lansing on July 9, 1952. On June 6, 1980, Barry married his love, Tammy (Durbin) Janetzke. He earned his degree in skilled trades and was proud of the awards he earned during his time spent as a laser operator at General Motors. Barry was known for being precise and thorough in his work, which is a skill that he passed on to his children. Always frugal, Barry did his research on items before purchasing them and preferred American-made products.
A big kid at heart, Rock & Roll lover, Barry, prioritized spending time with his family. He was a super dad who had fun camping, swimming at Lake Michigan and enjoying the sand dunes. Barry is survived by his wife, Tammy; their children, Jamison Janetzke, Aaron (Mandy) Janetzke, Travis (Dawn) Heinze, Michael (Christina) Janetzke, and Regan Janetzke; grandchildren, Tara, Alex, Lauren, Devin, Logan and Brayden; granddog, Sophia; mother, Mary Lou Janetzke; siblings, Rev. Doug (Marguerite) Janetzke, Randy (Sue) Janetzke, Phillip Janetzke, Shari (Terry) Roe; and sister-in-law, Debbie Parish. Barry was preceded in death by his father, Reinhold Janetzke; and daughter-in-law, Stefanie Janetzke.
Friends and family will celebrate Barry’s life at a later date. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Kennedy’s Disease Association or Cure SMA. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Barry on his Tribute Page at www.PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte.
Neil G. Isham
Neil G. “Pete” Isham, age 94, of Albion, peacefully passed away in the comfort and company of family at Maplewood of Marshall on Monday, December 2, 2019, after a long and rewarding life.
Pete was born on February 9, 1925, at the family’s home on a farm near Dowling to Howard and Sarah (Hammond) Isham. He attended Hastings High School. Like many young men of his generation, he chose to enlist on June 16, 1943, in the military to serve his country, choosing the U.S. Navy. He served as part of a U.S. naval detachment assigned to merchant marine ships to provide protection when those ships were attacked. He traveled both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans during the latter part of the war. He was honorably discharged on March 12, 1946.
Upon returning home, he was uncertain of what he wanted to do and worked a variety of jobs. Neil attended Michigan State University’s forestry program. He earned his certificate in forestry and went to work for Smith Tree Service and Landscaping in Lansing. Through this work, he connected with the Consumers Power Company of the era (now Consumers Energy) and went to work for them.
Pete worked as an industrial meterman — repairing, maintaining, replacing and installing meters on larger customers for Consumers. He worked with them for 36 years, retiring in 1987.
Pete was married on February 27, 1948, to Zeatha Dolena “Dolly” Isham. They moved to Albion in 1956. In 1956, they began construction of their family home in Albion, where they spent their lives together. Dolly was from Canada, and she always enjoyed time there with her family, which may be what inspired Pete to dedicate a week a year for some personal solitude, canoeing and fishing with his sons or friends. Family reunions for Dolly’s side of the family were attended regularly in Sand Bay, Ontario, and later at Sylvan Shores Estate near Cheboygan, MI. Neil’s love of the outdoors was fulfilled with these trips — canoeing and kayaking, fishing and camping. Pete and Dolly worked as campground hosts after their retirement. They did this at Pictured Rocks National Park in northern Michigan and Junction Creek USFS Campground near Durango, CO. Dolly preceded Pete in death on March 7, 2018. They celebrated 70 years of marriage together.
He was a member of the Patrick Leo Hanlon Post 55 of the American Legion. Pete was a long-time member of the Caring Community Church.
He is survived by his sons, Michael (Don) Isham, Brian (Barbara) Isham, Gary (Terry) Isham, and Mark (Christine) Isham; his daughter-in-law Joan Isham; and a “adopted by the family” son Gary (Debbie) Christner; nine grandchildren, Jason Isham, Alyssa James, Anne Kuhns, Will Ferguson, Casey Ferguson, Allison Isham, Matthew Isham, Erika Isham, and Josh Isham; two great-grandchildren Kiera Isham and Zadie James; and many nieces and nephews.
Pete was preceded in death by his parents, a son Scott Isham, a granddaughter Laura Isham, and his brothers Merrill Isham, Garrett Isham and Caryl W. Isham.
A memorial service will be held at Caring Community Church in Albion in 2020 and will be announced when it is scheduled. Arrangements are by the Marshall Chapel of Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services. Memorial contributions in Pete’s memory are requested to Caring Community Church or to the Albion American Legion. Assistance with memorials is available at the Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services. Visit kempffuneralhome.com to leave a message for the family.
Donald Fletcher Cogswell
Donald Fletcher Cogswell, a man who loved to laugh and always had a joke to share, died December 4, 2019, at the age of 81. Don was born in Charlotte on May 13, 1938, to Leman and Thelma (Diamond) Cogswell, and lived in the Charlotte area his entire life. After graduating from Charlotte High School, he worked for GM for 38 years as a millwright and also enlisted in the National Guard.
A very loving, caring, and wonderful husband, father, and friend to many, Don will be missed dearly in his community. Known as a regular for morning coffee at McDonalds, and exercising at the Wellness Center, many will remember Don best for dressing up as Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny to pass out candy canes and jelly beans in front of his home. An avid Detroit Tigers fan, he not only enjoyed watching the team play, but also loved buying Tigers and baseball memorabilia on eBay.
Donald is survived by his wife of 43 years, Donna; daughters, Tammy (Daniel) Crandell and Dawn Andrews; sons, Donald Todd Cogswell and Bill (Sara) Andrews; 10 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; and his beloved dog, Pier; and cat, Romeo. He was preceded in death by his parents, Leman and Thelma Cogswell; and brothers, Richard and Gary Cogswell.
Friends are encouraged to support Don’s family. Funeral services are Tuesday, December 10, 2019, at 2 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Pastor Charles Krueger officiating. Visitation is Monday, December 9, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Eaton Community Palliative Care or Pawsibilities Rescue. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Don on his Tribute Page at www.PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.