Obituaries
Lance Wireman
Lance Wireman of Charlotte, MI lost his long battle with mental illness on Tuesday, November 5, 2019, at the age of 36. Lance was born on August 20, 1983, in Lansing, the son of Diana VanVleet and Gene Wireman. He attended Charlotte public schools, worked for Walmart and, most recently, for CVS Pharmacy as a shift manager. He was a loving and caring person who could always make you laugh. Lance loved his siblings, his family and Patricia Johns with all his heart. He enjoyed bowling, playing video games with his brother, hanging out with his sister and two nephews and trips to visit his grandparents on Lake Lavine in southern Michigan. His greatest passion in life was writing, and he especially loved writing music.
He is preceded in death by his uncles, John VanVleet and Robert VanVleet.
Surviving are his mother, Diana (Bob) Lake; father, Gene Wireman (Cindy); brother, Bryce Lake; sister, Jennifer Wireman (Jesse); grandparents, Robert Jr. and Donna VanVleet, Betty Whitaker-Factor; nephews, Jayce and Jax who he adored; best friend, Jake Flermoen; his one and only, Patricia Johns and several aunts, uncles, cousins and special friends.
A memorial service and dinner will be held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, November 17, 2019, at the Charlotte American Legion. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the Go Fund Me page in memory of Lance. To share memories or condolences, visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
John Frank Hokanson
John Frank Hokanson, age 95, a man who grew up in the days when a handshake was all that was needed for making agreement, passed away on November 1, 2019, in Charlotte. He was born on April 14, 1924, to John Frank and Daisy (Haroon) Hokanson II in Vermontville. John lived his life with the philosophy of treating others as he would like to be treated; was always honest with people and expected honesty from others. John was employed by Prescott Motor Sales in Vermontville, which furthered his knowledge, love and ability to monkey with small engines. He was employed at Charlotte Auto Parts, then at A.E. for over 25 years, and continued doing small engine repairs once he retired. He and his beloved wife, Veda, loved to spend time at their family cottage at Horsehead Lake and then, in later years, in North Carolina. He had a green thumb for gardening and enjoyed fishing. He was very proud of the fact that he still had his driver’s license and was active driving around town. His love for his favorite grandson was very evident (he had only one), and he treasured each of his granddaughters.
John is survived by his sons, Michael (Janet) Hokanson; Charles (Patty) Hokanson; grandchildren, Travis Hokanson, Kim Hokanson-Marr, Shannon Hokanson-Rondon, Charlotte Hokanson-Gulier, Annie Garwood; 16 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Veda; brother-in-law, Stanley C Burt; son, Stan Hokanson, and his parents.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, November 5, 2019 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Pastor Charles Jenson officiating. Interment followed at Woodlawn Cemetery. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Great Lakes Hospice. Friends and family are encouraged 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.
Virginia (Ginny) Elizabeth Aitken Lewis
Virginia (Ginny) Elizabeth Aitken Lewis, a friend to many, passed away November 4, 2019. Ginny, age 76, was born in Detroit on November 10, 1942. Ginny’s upbringing was highly influenced by her grandmother, Mable King. She was raised in Detroit and Walled Lake, graduating from Walled Lake High School in 1960. Following high school, she attended Ferris State University, graduating in 1962 with a degree in court reporting.
Before marrying Thomas Andrew Aitken on April 4, 1964, Virginia worked for the federal bankruptcy courts in Grand Rapids, Lansing and Kalamazoo. After they married, Ginny and Tom resided in Charlotte for 27 years, where they raised their three children. She was an active stay-at-home mom, helping her children in every way she could. She loved traveling and showing her children the world. In spite of her allergies, she enjoyed gardening, as well as any time she could spend on the golf course and happily passed on her love of golf to her children.
Over the years, Ginny was active in her community in many ways, including: treasurer of St. John’s Episcopal Church, member of the altar guild and the choir; president of the Charlotte Women’s Club (GFWC); and an active member of the Charlotte Country Club. In 1994, she moved to and enjoyed life on Gun Lake, especially on the deck with a glass of wine, family and friends. After losing her first husband of 33 years in 1997, she married Fritz Lewis in 2000. Ginny particularly enjoyed singing in the choir at Emmanuel Episcopal Church for many years and was an avid bridge player.
Ginny is survived by her son, Brian (Dianne) Aitken of Livonia; daughters, Marguerite (Carl) Falkenstern of Ada, and Melissa Aitken of West Bloomfield; grandchildren, Erik Aitken, Emily Aitken, Chloe Falkenstern, and William Falkenstern. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Thomas Aitken, in 1997, and her second husband, Fritz Lewis.
Visitation was scheduled at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte on Friday, November 8, 2019, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to – 8 p.m. Funeral service will be at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Hastings on Saturday, November 9, at 1:30 p.m. with visitation in the Parish House beginning at noon. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Alzheimer’s Association research fund. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Ginny on her tribute page at www.PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home.
Richard E. Bullock Jr.
Richard E. Bullock Jr. 84, of Saugatuck, MI, passed away November 3, 2019, in Venice, FL. On November 7, 1934, Richard was born in Strong City, KS, to the late Richard Ervie Bullock Sr. and Fannie Bullock.
Richard enlisted in the Navy 1951 and served during the Korean War. It was upon a visit to Portland, Michigan, with a navy buddy that he was introduced to his wife of 62 years, Ann.
After moving throughout the state of Michigan, Richard settled his family in Charlotte, where he owned and operated Adtech Plastics for 25 years. Upon the sale of his business, Richard and Ann moved to their beloved Saugatuck, where they enjoyed many years of boating on Lake Michigan and spending time with family. They developed many friendships over the years bringing them much joy and fun times. Richard was extremely proud of his five grandchildren and played a very important part in all of their lives. Richard/ Dad/ Papa will be remembered as a fun loving, generous and kind-hearted man.
Richard was preceded in death by his beloved wife Ann, his parents and his four siblings.
Surviving Richard are his children, Susan Bullock of Gila, NM, Nancy Henry (Tim Rice) of Traverse City, Judi Bullock-Bohr (Bill Bohr) of Portage, MI, Charles Bullock of Zeeland, MI; and grandchildren Eric, Macy, Jordan, Morgan, Matthew…
A celebration of Richard’s life is being held at Dykstra Funeral Home – Mulder Chapel, 188 W 32nd St. in Holland, MI, on November 15, 2019, at 11 a.m., with a luncheon to follow. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Holland, 270 Hoover Blvd, Holland MI 49423. To share a memory or to sign an online register book please visit, www.dykstrafuneralhome.com.
Virginia Eleanor Martens
Virginia Eleanor Martens died October 29, 2019. Virginia was born on December 1, 1930, in Hastings and grew up in Lacey and Bellevue, MI. She attended Bellevue Community Schools and Cleary Business College.
Virginia married Gordon E. Martens on August 26, 1950. They lived and raised their family in Bellevue. She worked as a homemaker and as a church secretary, first at Bellevue United Methodist Church and then at Washington Heights United Methodist Church and Community Ministries in Battle Creek. She lived in Bellevue for most of her life and was a longtime member of Bellevue United Methodist Church and the Bellevue United Methodist Women.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Gordon; her son, Rick Martens; and her sister, Marjorie Beckman. She is survived by her daughters, Jan Walsworth and Deb Martens, son-in-law Jim Bennett, and daughter-in-law Laurie Hagan-Martens; grandchildren Hugh Milne (spouse Moira), Eric Walsworth (spouse Karla), Sarah Carpenter (spouse Bryan), Monica Martens, Elizabeth Bennett (spouse Rob Holveck), and Anna Bennett; great-grandchildren Brianna Duncan (spouse Brian), Trevor Brown (spouse Natalie), Keilyn Carpenter, Ella Walsworth, Wesley Walsworth, and Forrest Bennett-Holveck; sister-in-law Beverly Martens; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Virginia loved visits from her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed garage sales, sewing and knitting, reading, watching old movies, playing bingo and eating ice cream. She was a loving and supportive mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and friend and will be missed by many.
A memorial service in celebration of Virginia’s life will be held on Friday, November 29, at 1 p.m. at Bellevue United Methodist Church.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Greater Lansing Food Bank, PO Box 16224, Lansing MI 48901 or at greaterlansingfoodbank.org.