Obituaries
Peter William Tengler Jr.
Peter Tengler was born in December 19th 1944 in England to Peter and Dorothy Tengler. He passed peacefully in his home in Olivet, MI on November 14th 2019. Peter worked as an engineer on the Canadian National Railroad for 36 years. He enjoyed fishing, golfing, vacationing and spending time with his family. He was loved by many and cared for others deeply. He is survived by his wife, Alice Tengler and children Elizabeth Tengler, Billy Tengler, and Matthew Ward.
Margaret Ann Fitnich
“Maggie” Margaret Ann Fitnich, a beloved family member and therapy dog at Eaton Rapids Medical Center, died November 4, 2019. Maggie, age 10 (or 70 in dog years), was born May 10, 2009, in a litter of 12. While her father was a Miniature Poodle, Maggie was the largest of the litter and grew to be much larger than her littermates. Maggie joined the Fitnich household shortly after she was born and brought much joy to her people parents, Trisha and Jason Fitnich. Trisha enrolled Maggie in training classes at K9 Connections at the age of two. Maggie easily earned her AKC Canine Good Citizen award and participated in several other classes, including agility. Her temperament as a natural encourager brought joy to those she met, so it was an easy decision for Maggie to be trained as a therapy dog. Maggie made many appearances at Charlotte-area nursing homes, the Eaton County Youth facility and eventually became a therapy dog at the Eaton Rapids Medical Center, where she was sought after and found in many various departments. When she was nine, she lost her eyesight. Trisha enrolled Maggie in Nose Work classes in order to “see” through her sense of smell. It was truly amazing to see Maggie navigate both at home and throughout the hospital and locate specific rooms, as well as her treats. In addition to her work at the hospital, she made appearances at Lockwood Elementary in Eaton Rapids through the mentoring program and volunteered time at the Eaton Rapids District Library with the Children’s Reading Program. She was a very patient and good listener, as children learned to improve their reading abilities by reading stories to Maggie. Trisha considers it a wonderful honor to have had this beautiful companion in her life and to be at her side when she left our world. She is proud of Maggie bringing so much joy to others, by being present with their therapy and spreading her love as only beloved pets can.
Duane and Sharon Mears
Duane and Sharon Mears
Duane “Dewy” and Sharon Mears of Charlotte, soul mates for 26 years, died together unexpectedly on November 11, 2019. They were married August 22, 1993, and loved many of the same activities in life. A blind date at the bowling alley is where they met, and they have been together ever since. They were extreme U of M football fans, holding season tickets for many, many years. Together, they enjoyed gardening and many other activities. They loved traveling. Their favorite time together was time spent at Grand Marais in the U.P.
Dewy, 57, was born August 6, 1962, in Yakima, WA, to Herman and Sylvia (Tefft) Mears. A sales rep for Nabisco for 29 years until his retirement, Dewy made lots of friends. He was just awesome. With a great sense of humor and a hopeless romantic, Dewy loved setting up surprises for Sharon. Small-engine repair came very naturally to Dewy, and his family was always amazed at his know-how.
Sharon, 64, was born December 7, 1954, in Battle Creek to Richard and Frances (Beatty) Jelinek. She worked at Pennock Hospital, Hastings, in home healthcare prior to her retirement. Known as funny, feisty and strong-willed, Sharon loved to have fun, and she was also a great gift-giver. She enjoyed yard sales and bargain shopping and was a collector of Boyd’s Bears and many cookbooks, which she often used to bake delicious treats. Christmas was her favorite time of year. She loved to celebrate with family for days. Sharon was also talented at making wedding cakes, something she learned to do with her sister.
Dewy and Sharon died in a tragic accident, along with Dewy’s mother, Sylvia Mears. They are survived by Dewy’s sister, Joy Martin; Sharon’s sister, Sandy Hook; Sharon’s brothers, Ron (Peg) Hook and Randy (Leona) Hook, aunts, Charlice Crane and Nila Baldwin; and many nieces and nephews. They were preceded in death by Dewy’s father, Thurman “Sonny” Mears; Dewy’s brother, Scott; and Sharon’s parents, Richard and Frances Jelinek.
Friends are encouraged to support the Mears family at visitation and funeral services. Funeral services are Saturday, November 16, at 11 a.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Pastor Mark Booth officiating. Visitation is scheduled for Friday, November 15, from 6 to 8 p.m. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to American Cancer Society “Lavonne’s Lame Ducks Relay for Life of Eaton County.” Friends and family are asked to share memories of Duane Mears and Sharon Mears on their Tribute Pages at www.PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Sylvia Rose Mears
Sylvia Rose Mears, age 81, of Charlotte, a kind soul that lived for God, family and friends, died unexpectedly November 11, 2019. Born December 4, 1937, in Owosso to Earl and Joyce (Purdy) Tefft, she graduated from Perry High School. Sylvia enjoyed being a mother and grandmother and loved telling the story of her “miracle twin granddaughters.” Her family describes her as the sweetest lady ever. Always appreciative of the small gifts in life, Sylvia’s life reflected her beliefs as a woman of God. She was always generous and supportive of her friends and family. Sylvia truly lived for summer and yard sales and filled in her winter with thrift store shopping to get by until the next yard-sale season. A great cook, Sylvia was known for her oatmeal cake — the dish she brought to most potlucks.
Sylvia died in a tragic accident with her son and daughter-in-law, Duane “Dewy” and Sharon Mears. She is survived by her daughter, Joy Martin; granddaughters, Ashley Vaughn and Jessica Martin; and sisters, Charlice Crane and Nila Baldwin. She was predeceased by her husband, Thurman “Sonny” Mears; sister, Earline Bowen; and brother, Lloyd Tefft.
Friends are encouraged to support the Mears family at visitation and funeral services. Funeral services are Saturday, November 16, at 11 a.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Pastor Mark Booth officiating. Visitation is scheduled for Friday, November 15, from 6 to 8 p.m. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society “Lavonne’s Lame Ducks Relay for Life of Eaton County.” Friends and family are asked to share memories of Sylvia on her Tribute Pages at www.PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
John Dorance Truax
John Dorance Truax, a hardworking man of logic and love for his God and family, died peacefully on Thursday, November 7, 2019, in Lansing. John, age 77, of Charlotte, was born January 26, 1942, in Mount Clemens, MI, the son of James Laverne and Florence Lillian (Torrey) Truax. He graduated high school in Warren, MI, before attending Michigan Technological University and earning a bachelor’s degree in physics. On August 23, 1968, John married his life-long love, Lynne Irene Cotter, and the two started their family. Throughout the years, they lived in many states – including Texas, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Kentucky and Michigan. John worked in various careers with each move – including teaching, computer programming, HVAC, Walmart greeter and the Michigan Department of Transportation. John and Lynne settled in Charlotte in 2007, where John went to work at the Eaton County Sheriff’s Office. Many will remember John as a kind-hearted man, always working harder than 100 percent at everything he did in life and work. He was a voracious reader, often reading countless books at a time. He was a devoted member of Bellevue First Baptist Church. Above all, he loved his family, especially his grandchildren.
John is survived by his wife of 51 years, Lynne; their sons, James (Sarah) Truax of North Easton, MA, Joel (Faith) Truax of Charlotte, and Jason (Jessica) Truax of Charlotte; five perfect grandchildren, Brianna, Shyann, Sierra, Saphirah, and Wyatt Truax; step-brother, Don (Sophia) Acton of Los Angeles; and step-sister, Dorothy Crafts of Rochester, MI. Also special to John were his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Don and Kathy Gilman and their family. He was predeceased by his brother and sister-in-law, Don and Barbara Truax; and step-brother-in-law, John Crafts.
A memorial service was held on Tuesday, November 12, 2019, at Bellevue First Baptist Church with Pastor Don Francis officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to Bellevue First Baptist Mission Fund. Friends and family are asked to share memories of John on his Tribute Page at www.PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte.