Obituaries
Brenda Jean Hill
Brenda Jean Hill, 58, passed away on Tuesday, October 29, 2019, at her home in Riverton, WY. She was born on June 16, 1961, in Lansing, the daughter of Eric J. and Judith K. (Speer) Magoon. She attended schools in Charlotte. On April 1, 2010, she married Albert “Bud” Hill in Columbus, NE. Brenda loved helping Bud with projects both at their home and at their cabin. She loved spending time with her family and was always willing to spoil her grandchildren with treats. She loved drawing and coloring and especially loved taking care of her family. Brenda had a servant heart and was a very hard worker. The Lord blessed her with a green thumb and she, in turn, blessed many with samplings from her plants. She loved attending Set Free Church with her sister and knew and loved her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Brenda held many jobs over the years, but for the last 13 she worked for School District #25 as a custodian. She enjoyed working near children — being a ‘grandma’ to many in her hallway and always having a ‘goodie’ to share.
Survivors include her husband, Albert Hill of Riverton; son, Morgan and his wife, Shay Skipper of Georgia; daughter, Brandi and her husband, Corey Vogelsang of Riverton; brother, Rod and his wife Sally Magoon of Michigan; sister, Cyndi and husband Richard Mills of Riverton; and three grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents.
A memorial service was held on Saturday, November 2, 2019, at Davis Funeral Home. Online condolences for the family may be made at the theDavisFuneralHome.com. Services are under the direction of the Davis Funeral Home.
Brian Thomas Andersen
Brian Thomas Andersen — a caring and loving, son, brother and uncle — died unexpectedly on Sunday, November 3, 2019, at his residence in Eaton Rapids. Brian, 41, of Eaton Rapids, was born on May 3, 1978, in Hammond, IN, to Tom and Fran (Burke) Andersen. Family meant the world to Brian. If there was a family event, he was there. Brian traveled regionally with his grandfather and father to be fur trader re-enactors. If anyone asked Brian for help, he was always there to assist them. Fixing things came natural to Brian, and he didn’t just fix it, he improved it. Brian was an avid welder, and he worked as a welder for the last several years. This led to him being a very talented fabricator. Other passions for Brian included the Chicago Bears, hunting coyote and pistol shooting.
Brian is survived by his parents, Tom and Fran; sisters, Kim (Chris) Palmer, Erica (Mark) Hampton; nieces, Josette Hampton, Cadence Palmer, Clare Palmer; nephew, Caleb Palmer; and grandfather, David Andersen.
A memorial service for Brian will be held on Friday, November 22, 2019, at 2 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home. There will be a visitation just prior, from 1 to 2 p.m. Friends and family are asked to share memories of Brian on his Tribute Page at www.PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte.
Ruth A. Trowbridge
Ruth Ann Trowbridge, age 87, of Charlotte, passed away Saturday, November 2, 2019, at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing. She was born February 19, 1932, in Corunna, the daughter of Virgil and Foryst (Jakeway) Yerrick. Ruth adored her family and always looked forward to spending time together. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Ruth had a great sense of humor and quick wit. She always kept everyone on their toes waiting for the next punch line. Ruth enjoyed crossword puzzles, reading and traveling. She loved country music and made yearly trips to Florida, always making a stop in Nashville. Ruth was a staunch Democrat and was very active in local politics. She retired after many years of service from Michigan Bell Telephone and later from United Way, where she worked as a labor liaison.
Ruth is survived by her daughter, Pam (Barry) Walter of DeWitt; son, Todd (Susanne Rodriguez) Trowbridge of Charlotte; grandchildren: Todd (Neisha) Trowbridge Jr., Zachary Walter, Sean Larabee, Ryan Rausch, Jen Rausch; 8 great grandchildren; one great great-grandchild; and sister, Marge Corden of Holt.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Gordon Trowbridge; daughter, Deb Rausch; son, Scott Trowbridge; sisters: Audrey Flagg, Marlene Pierce; and brother, Virgil Yerrick Jr.
Funeral services were held on Thursday, November 7, 2019, at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home with Pastor Charles Jenson officiating. Inurnment will take place at Kalamo Hillside Cemetery at a later date.
Those desiring, may make contributions in Ruth’s memory to the Capital Area United Way, 330 Marshall St., #203, Lansing MI 48912.
To view Ruth’s obituary online, or to leave a condolence for the family, visit www.burkhead-greenfuneralhome.com.
Father James Lothamer
Father James Lothamer, PSS, Ph.D., passed into the warm embrace of eternal love on November 1, 2019, on All Saints Day, at the age of 76. Born James William Lothamer in Coldwater on November 9, 1942, to John and Helen (Cox) Lothamer, he was the second child of a family of 14 siblings.
As a young man, he attended Coldwater St. Charles School before entering St. Charles Seminary in Columbus, OH, where he received his undergraduate degree. He completed his seminary training at St. John’s Seminary in Plymouth, MI. Prior to his ordination to the priesthood, he joined the Society of St. Sulpice, a French order of priest teachers that conducted higher education for priests and lay ministers throughout the world.
Fr. Jim was assigned to St. Mary’s College in Baltimore, where he remained for 20 years of his ministry. While in his teaching and administrative duties at St. Mary’s, he took a sabbatical to the University of Toronto where he earned doctorate degrees in theology and philosophy.
Returning to Michigan in the early 1990s, Fr. Lothamer served as pastor and intermediate pastor at the following churches: St. Joseph, Adrian; St. Agnes, Fowlerville; St. John Student Chapel, East Lansing; St. Mary, Pinckney; St. Mary, Charlotte; St. Ann, Bellevue; St. Mary, Bronson; and St. Mary, Morrice. Each parish brought new friends and relationships that he cherished and maintained. A three-year interim was spent in Menlow Park, CA, as director of a Sulpician retreat center for Catholic priests.
A long life of servitude and involvement as a priest, teacher, friend and family member, Fr. Lothamer led a life focusing on the importance of community, social action and the mystical love of God. He was always generous with his intellect and resources, and his homilies are noted for the deep and powerful teaching truths that pervaded his texts.
Among Fr. Lothamer’s loves were company, study, travel and family ancestry. Connecting his American family with their European counterparts through his language skills, he cemented family ties. He delighted in sitting in the French/ German countryside sharing conversations and a glass of wine with his European cousins.
Fr. Jim was well loved by his large family. He knew each person from the oldest to the youngest and, as one nephew shared, “He was always nearby.” Fr. Lothamer’s life journey involved prayer, knowledge and heart. He will be missed by all who benefited from his ministry and presence. Fr. Jim is survived by his sisters, Susanne Colligan, Sharon Harrington, Rose Bonvillain, and Helen Malinowski; his brothers, Peter, Jesse, Timothy, Simon, Joseph, Patrick, Jerry, and Christopher. He was preceded in death by his brother, Jack; and his parents.
Friends were and are encouraged to pay tribute to Fr. Jim during the following services: A Rosary was held on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019, at the St. Agnes Catholic Church in Fowlerville. Visitation followed and a Vigil Service was held at 7 p.m. A second visitation will be held on Friday, November 8, 2019, at the St. Agnes Catholic Church in Fowlerville, from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m., followed by the Funeral Mass at 6:30 p.m. A third visitation will be held on Saturday, November 9, 2019 (Fr. Jim’s birthday), from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at St. Ann Catholic Church in Bellevue with a Prayer Service at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow the Prayer Service at Riverside Cemetery in Bellevue.
If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to The Lothamer Family Burse of Zambia, with checks payable to The Society of St. Sulpice. Cards may be sent to the St. Agnes Catholic Church in Fowlerville. Friends and family are asked to share memories of Fr. James Lothamer on his Tribute Page at www.PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte.
Ronald J. Harder
Ronald J. Harder of Owosso, formerly of Eaton Rapids, passed away on Friday, October 25, 2019, at the age of 63. He was born February 8, 1956, to Roger and Consuelo (Casillas) Harder in Lansing. Ron loved spending time with his girlfriend, Delia, and traveling around to various casinos, going out to eat and socializing with their friends. He loved spending time at the cabin at Crystal Lake. Ron loved to go boating and fishing and having friends over. He enjoyed visiting the alpaca farm and Lake Michigan. He loved country music. Ron was great at landscaping, building and painting and did beautiful work helping family members with different renovation jobs. He had a great memory, loved working with numbers and always held his children in high regard. Ron will be dearly missed by all who remember him. Preceding him in death were his parents; step-mother, Barbara Harder and his brother, Roger Harder.
Surviving are his children, Jennifer (Stefan) Meyering, Jamie Harder, Jay (May) McKenzie; grandchildren, Alyssa, Aubrey, Alivia and Aidan Meyering; sisters, Peggy (Dale) Sadler, Connie Harder, Sally Harder; brother, Robert (Barbara) Harder as well as several nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.
A memorial visitation will be held on Monday, November 4, 2019, from 4-7 p.m. at Skinner Funeral Home, Lansing Chapel. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice in Ron’s name. To share memories and condolences, visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.