Obituaries
Pamela K. Shier
Pamela Kay Shier, 76, was called home on May 29, 2020, at Eaton Community Palliative Care in Charlotte, Michigan.
She was born to Grace (Hendricks) and Harold Payne on December 11, 1943 in Flint, Michigan.
After completing high school, she worked as a surgical assistant at Flint Osteopathic Hospital, before transitioning to sell Avon. That career choice was a perfect fit and she excelled at it working her way up to a District Manager before retiring in 2002. Pam won numerous sales awards and reward trips – including to Hawaii, Japan and Switzerland.
A blind date would lead her to find her future husband and soul mate, John (Jack) Shier. They started their married life in Durand, Michigan. Due to his transfer with the Grand Trunk Railroad, they moved to Bellevue, Michigan to be closer to his work in Battle Creek. It was there that they renovated a beautiful 100-year old Victorian home on Capital Avenue. This was a wonderful place to raise their two daughters: Jackie and Chris.
Pam enjoyed cooking, reading, travel (including trips to Italy, the United Kingdom and France), sewing and spending time at her cottage in Coldwater, Michigan with her family. She loved sewing and made her own clothes and many gifts for friends lovingly labeled “Shier’s Attire.”
After raising two daughters, she enjoyed all things boy-related with the addition of four grandsons: Tyler (Brittany) Daniel Burkett, Riley James Beam, Brandon Robert Burkett and Conner David Beam.
Pam was a dog lover and the family raised numerous cocker spaniel breeds: Duffy, Biscuit, Patches and Bella.
Pam is survived by her husband of 56 years, John (Jack) Carl Shier; daughters Jacqueline (Dan) Rene Burkett and Christine Kaye (Jerry) Beam; half-sister Sharon (James Waske) Payne, two nieces, Amanda and Kate and one grandniece, Charlotte; four grandsons and best friends Iva Hopkins and Jerry Yelinek, Sr.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Pawsibilities Rescue, 2200 W. Bellevue Hwy., Olivet, MI 49076. Assistance with memorials is available through the funeral home.
Given the Covid-19 situation, Pam’s sewing fabric will be donated to a local organization to make much-needed face masks.
A private graveside service is being planned for the family at Bellevue Riverside Cemetery.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services, 203 N. Elizabeth St, Bellevue MI 49021.
To leave a personal message and sign the on line guest book, please visit https://www.kempfuneralhome.com.
Larry W. Carpenter
Larry Wade Carpenter, age 81, of rural Bellevue passed away peacefully Monday, May 25, 2020 surrounded by his family.
Larry was born in LaGrange, Ind. on December 11, 1938, the son of the late Wade and Mary (Miller) Carpenter. Larry and his family moved to the Nashville area in 1947 where he attended Nashville schools, graduating from Nashville High School in 1957. While in high school, Larry participated in football, basketball, baseball and track.
Larry’s life dream was to be a dairy farmer, so he married a dairy farmer’s daughter, Vanessa (Potter) Carpenter on October 4, 1958. He was a former Assyria Township supervisor, a 35-year member of the Michigan Milk Producers, a member of Farm Bureau and several other farm-related organizations. Larry farmed many years with his in-laws Wendell and June Potter before he and Vanessa purchased the farm in May 1967, where they raised their four sons. In 1983, Larry purchased a milk hauling business which he operated with his sons Brad, Bruce and Barry.
Larry is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Vanessa;four sons: Brad, Bruce, Brian (Vicki Niehaus), and Barry (Sue) Carpenter; two sisters, Karla Murrphy, Barbara (Stephen) Bouwens; a brother, James (Sandra) Carpenter; grandchildren Shelby, Mitchell Carpenter; step-grandson, Matthew (Lindsey) Day; sister in-law, Nianna Jarrard; brother in-law, Charles Potter; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by mother and father in-law, brothers in-law Michael Murrphy and Joe Jarrard.
Funeral services were held at Ellis Cemetery in Assyria Township on Friday, May 29, with Pastor Mikki Sandlin, Baseline Methodist Church officiating. Memorial contributions can be made to the Maple Valley FFA or Maple Valley Scholarship Fund. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Daniels Funeral Home in Nashville.For further details, visit danielsfuneralhome.net.
Hans A. Langmaack
Hans Adolf Langmaack, age 90 of Charlotte — an outgoing man liked by many, who loved being a farmer — died May 21, 2020 at his home surrounded by family. Hans had very strong German roots, as his parents immigrated to the United States in the early 1920s. Hans was born April 2, 1930 in Charlotte to Hans Detleif and Wilhelmina (Muhs) Langmaack. He was a Farm Bureau member for over 65 years and a member of both 4-H and FFA in his youth, earning the State FFA Star Farmer degree. He couldn’t have been prouder watching his children and grandchildren as they grew and joined 4-H and FFA, allowing him the joy of attending the fair and watching them compete.
Hans held several jobs over the years, mostly related to agriculture. He began his career as a milk tester for Michigan Agricultural College (MSU) followed by a stint as a driver for Zeeland hatchery in Charlotte. He then transitioned to AE Hoover for a short time before he and his wife Pat purchased their farm in 1956. Hans milked cows at their Chester township farm even after he was able to fulfill a dream by purchasing his own livestock trucking business in 1976. He enjoyed operating his business for over 30 years, earning the 4-H Emerald award for trucking 4-H animals at no charge all those years. Thursday night “farmer suppers” were a joy to both Hans and Pat, giving them a chance to visit with friends. But his biggest joy in life was watching his children and grandchildren grow into good people and great parents.
Hans is survived by his wife of 66 years, Patricia; children, Peggy (Michael) Papoi, Robert (Debbie) Langmaack, Karl (Kendra) Langmaack, Chris (Kristina) Langmaack; 13 grandchildren; and 9 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his daughter, Amy Hettinger; and sister, Ingrid (Joe) Iauch.
Graveside services took place on Friday, May 29, 2020. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Eaton County Fair Red Barn restoration project c/o Eaton Ag Society, PO Box 38, Charlotte MI 48813. The family would like to thank Residential Health Care and Dr. Ted Coy M.D. and staff for their exceptional care and compassion. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Hans on his tribute page at prayfuneral.com.
James Powers
Mr. James “Jim” Powers, age 89, of Nashville passed away Sunday, May 24, 2020 at Thornapple Manor, in Hastings. Jim was born in Vermontville on October 23, 1930, the son of the late Thomas and Bernadine (White) Powers.
He was raised in the Vermontville and Nashville areas and attended local schools. Immediately after his schooling, Jim enlisted in the United State Army. He was the widower of Elaine (Downing) Powers. The couple was married Oct 6, 1952 in Fort Wayne and made their home together in the Nashville area where they raised their family together.
After being honorably discharged from US Army, Jim began working at Oldsmobile in Lansing, and later became a supervisor at Clark Equipment where he was employed for over 10 years. After leaving Clark Equipment, Jim took a job at Morman Feed Company as the lead mechanic overseeing the companies vehicles. It was during his time at Morman Feed, that he was able to pursue his passion for automobile restoration, as he refurbished may older vehicles for the company’s owner. In 1971, Jim purchased the Shell Station in Nashville, which he operated successfully until 1990 when it was sold. Jim was a hard worker, who’s passion for automotive mechanics expanded when he purchased a new building in town and opened his own auto repair facility where he worked until 2005 when he retired after being injured.
In his spare time, Jim enjoyed spending time with his family. The family cabin in Luther, Mich. was always a favorite destination when traveling. It was not uncommon for Jim and Elaine to pack up their Winnabago and visit various destinations throughout Michigan. After retiring Jim spent his winters enjoying the warmer climate on South Padre Island in Texas.
Jim is survived by his three daughters, Sharon Varney, Margaret Felder, Maryellen (T.R. ) Myers; two sons, James M. (Dawn) Powers; Patrick (Linda) Powers, 13 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Elaine, three brothers, Glenn “Ed,” Lewis, and Milton Powers, and son-in law Richard Varney.
Funeral services were held at the Daniels Funeral Home in Nashville on Thursday, May 28, with Pastor Jeff Hodge officiating. Jim was interred at Lakeview Cemetery Nashville with full military honors provided by the United State Army. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Daniels Funeral Home in Nashville. For further details, please the website at danielsfuneralhome.net.
William K. Wight
William K. Wight, age 76, formerly of Syracuse, Ind., died Tuesday, March 31, 2020 in Brookville, Ind., a victim of COVID-19. Bill was born May 4, 1943 in Lansing, the son of the late William G. and Bessie (Hammond) Wight Morgan; and a brother to the late Roberta Gustafson and to Evelyn (Pete) Janos, Port Charlotte, Fla. He and the late Gayle Louise Rowe were married in 1963 and are survived by two daughters; Lisa Peterson, North Webster, Ind. and Penny (Robert) Combs, Haines City, Fla. His loving grandchildren are Patrick Burchett, Lukas, Jack and Tyler Peterson, and great-grandchildren, Ailah and James Burchett.
On April 10, 2010, Bill and Jan (Montag) Day of Brookville, Ind., were wed and lived happily in Charlotte and Brookville. Bill was warmly embraced by his step-children, Robin, Oldenburg, Ind.; Stefanie, Columbus, Ohio; Christopher (Lessie), Middletown, Ohio and William (Kim), Cincinnati; as well as grandchildren, Seth and Jada Lewis, Garrett, Kira, and Ryan Day, Rose Brock, Drake Doane and Kyle Day. He is greatly missed by numerous nieces, nephews, brothers- and sisters-in-law, and many many loving friends.
Bill loved the Lord and sought to serve him all his life, through his religious teaching, his volunteer mission work and generous service to churches where ever he lived. He had recently fulfilled his youthful dreams of being a pastor and preaching the Gospel, serving as Associate Pastor of Creekside Church, Brookville, until his death. Bill enjoyed a long career as director of state, county and city parks in Missouri, Indiana and Michigan. He also managed an Olympic Canoe and Kayak Team, officiated high-school and college football and basketball games and presented motivational lectures at many state-wide and national professional conferences.
A graveside service will be held at Syracuse Cemetery, 969 North Mill Street, Syracuse, Ind. on Tuesday, June 16th at 1 p.m. A memorial service will be held at Creekside Church, 11001 Bossert Road, Brookville, Ind., when we are able to gather once more.
Memorials may be directed to New Mercies Community Services, PO Box 375, Brookville IN 47012.