Obituaries
Ellen Anne Gidner
Ellen Anne Gidner, a very humble and caring lady, died December 4, 2019, at the age of 90. Born October 17, 1929 in Jackson to Lyle and Anna (Whiting) Hartley, she graduated from Holt High School in 1946. She married Keith Gidner in 1951, and together they created a legacy of love and caring for others. Ellen was very proud of her 28 years as an employee at Eaton Federal Bank, starting as a teller and retiring from the accounting department as a bookkeeper. After retirement, Ellen and Keith were very busy, camping with friends in the summer and winters in Texas. Never one to complain, Ellen was very easy to get along with and made many friends over the years. She was very proud of her family and loved spending time with them, making every event special and full of love.
Ellen is survived by her husband of 68 years, Keith; children David Gidner, Cindy (Gary) Sabo, and Brian Gidner; grandchildren, Jessica, Lindsay, Julia, Jill, Josie, Cody, and Connor; and 6 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her sisters, Janice and Esther.
Friends are encouraged to support Ellen’s family. Funeral services are Saturday, December 7, 2019, at 11 a.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Pastor Gary Wales officiating. Visitation is Friday, December 6, 2019, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Ellen on her Tribute Page at www.PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Mary Clarice Harris
Mary Clarice Harris, age 73, a warm and caring woman of deep Faith and a loving mother and grandmother, died Tuesday, December 3, 2019, at her home in Charlotte. Mary was born January 22, 1946, on Selfridge Field Airforce Base in Harrison Township, MI, the daughter of William Richard and Mary Lisette (Leitz) Stephens. During her childhood, the family moved often with her father’s Air Force assignments. She graduated high school from Rome Free Academy in Rome, NY, before eventually returning to Michigan and taking a job with Michigan Bell Telephone Company, where she met Michael Duane Harris. The two married six months later on February 21, 1970. They settled in Charlotte, where Mary served as a troop leader for both boy scouts and girl scouts, and she began her career in education as a volunteer for Potterville schools. Following her time in Potterville, she started with Charlotte Public Schools in juvenile corrections, eventually moving on as a para professional at the high school, Galewood Elementary and, finally, the middle school before retirement after over 15 years.
Mary devoted much of her time and talent to Peace Lutheran Church in Charlotte. As a longtime member, she served as head of the Altar Guild and helped prepare meals through the church for the Eaton Area Senior Center Thanksgiving dinners. She lived a busy lifestyle in retirement, mostly through the workings of her Faith. She enjoyed swimming at the Aquatic Center and Tuesday trips to the movie theater with her best friend Chris Stough. Chris and Mary also travelled the country together, visiting family members and friends. Above all, Mary loved and cherished her family.
Mary is survived by her husband of 49 years, Michael; son, Michael (Lauria) Harris of Trenton, MI; daughter, Mary (Trevar Hogan) Harris of Marshall, MI; granddaughter, Alice Harris, and another granddaughter due in January; brother, Robert (Nancy) Stephens; sisters-in-law, Beverly Stephens and Nancy Cherry; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brothers, William Stephens, Jr. and Barry Stephens.
Friends are encouraged to support Mary’s family. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, December 10, 2019, at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Pastor David Keller officiating. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, December 9, 2019, at the funeral home. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Mary on her Tribute Page at www.PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Charlene Candice Moore
Charlene Candice Moore, age 91, an eternal optimist and center of her family, died on Thanksgiving morning, November 28, 2019, in Petoskey. Born in Potterville on July 31, 1928, to Ray and Bonnie (Bramble) Laverty, Charlene grew up there and graduated from Potterville High School in 1946. She married Donald Moore and worked at Michigan Bell as an operator until they expanded their family. A few years later, she returned to work at AT&T at their switch station in Charlotte, retiring with 32 years of service. Over the years, Charlene enjoyed lots of activities in the Charlotte community, including membership at the Charlotte Country Club (where she had a hole in one), bowling and dancing with Don. Charlene and Donald loved to travel to Bradenton, FL in the winters after their retirement.
Charlene is survived by her daughters, Candace (Ron) Karr of Petoskey and Connie Burgess; 9 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Donald, in 2013; and her son, Rocco Moore, in 2007.
A spring 2020 interment at Benton Township Cemetery is being planned. Friends and family are asked to share memories of Charlene on her Tribute Page at www.PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte.
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.