Obituaries
Robert E. Thompson
Robert Egbert Thompson, age 83 — a loving, father, grandfather and friend — of Charlotte died Wednesday, May 6, 2020 at The Eaton Community Palliative Care. Robert was born July 3, 1936 in Charlotte, the son of Farley and Juanita (Shumaker) Thompson. He graduated from Charlotte High School and later served in the Army National Guard. Robert worked as a machinist at Diamond Reo and was also a dairy farmer. He then moved to southern Indiana in 1986, where he started working at the Indiana Department of Natural Resources in the forestry department. Following his retirement from the DNR, Robert moved back to Michigan to be closer to his family. Roberts hobbies included hunting, his mules and collecting knives. He loved wearing his bib overalls and being a good ole country boy. In 1952, at the age of 16, he became the second recorded person in Eaton County to tag a white tail buck.
Robert is survived by his children, Rob Thompson, Jane (Larry) Johnston, Gina (Ross) Himebaugh; eight grandchildren, Brad Johnston, Larry Johnston, Sarah Schumacher, Aimee Fletcher, Leah Heinze, Maria Heinze, Siera Blain, and Martina Swanson; 16 great-grandchildren; sister, Vonda Stanton; special friends, Dorene Bearndt and Tony Kidd, and the members of the Enon Baptist Church in Salem, Ind. He was predeceased by his parents; sister, Eva; and nephew, Eric Stanton.
John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.
The Thompson family is going to be having a memorial service for Robert at a later date in Indiana at the Enon Baptist Church. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Robert on his tribute page at prayfuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte.
Haylee J. Hosack
Haylee Jo Hosack, age 31, of Eaton Rapids passed away May 1, 2020. Haylee was born in Charlotte on November 10, 1988, the daughter of James Hosack and Cynthia (Gosenca) Hosack. She was an amazing aunt, stubborn and silly little sister and the special super-sweet daughter. Haylee loved her cats, Winter Bug and Sunshine, dearly. She enjoyed taking pictures, drawing and writing poetry.
Haylee is survived by her mother, Cynthia (Jason Williams) Hosack of Eaton Rapids; brother, James Hosack of Charlotte; sister, Crystal Hosack of Olivet; uncle, Mike Gosenca of Charlotte; as well as several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her father, James.
Private family services will be held. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the family to help with expenses (gofundme.com/f/Haylee-jos-heaven-going). Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel. Online condolences and memories of Haylee Jo may be placed at millsfuneral.com.
Duane E. Wolfe
Duane E. Wolfe, age 82, of Charlotte passed away Sunday, May 3, 2020, at Golden Days AFC with his family by his side. He was born August 10, 1937 in Kellersburg, Penn., the son of Donald and Hilda (Hetrick) Wolfe. Duane graduated from Red Bank Valley High School in Pennsylvania. Duane was a tremendous husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. He was a hard worker his entire life. Duane began working at the age of seven while his father was away serving in WWII. Duane wore many different hats during his life. He was a farmer, accountant, grave digger and union steward. Duane worked over 33 years at Owens-Illinois, first in Pennsylvania and then transferred to Charlotte. He was a huge proponent of buying glass and never plastic products. After his retirement, he went to work at Adessa Auto Auction. He worked there for over 20 years until he experienced a stroke earlier this year. Duane was a very good listener and was never quick to offer advice; although if you asked him what he thought he would not hold back. Duane had a passion for Oldsmobile cars. In his mind there was no other car worth driving. He was a “made in America” type of man. He tried to support his country in any way possible and did not like imported goods. Duane enjoyed all sports but was especially fond of the Detroit Tigers, Pittsburg Steelers and Penn State University. He also enjoyed taking vacations, camping, flea markets, antiques and attending auctions. The family would like to especially thank the staff at Golden Days AFC for the loving care they provided Duane during his time there.
Duane is survived by the love of his life, Mary; children: Judy (Richard) Parish of Eaton Rapids, Joyce (Rocky) Good of Kentwood, Daniel Wolfe of Nashville, Brenda (Steve Palacios) Swanson of Charlotte, Blane (Deb) White of Vermontville, Jackie (Jim Shattuck) of Fowlerville, Judi (David) Lemon of Potterville; 19 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; and several great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Deborah Vega; grandson, Ryan Lopez; and brother, Malcolm Wolfe.
A private funeral service was held. Interment took place at Gresham Cemetery. Those desiring, may make contributions in Duane’s honor to the charity of one’s choice. To view Duane’s obituary online, or to leave a condolence for the family, visit burkhead-greenfuneralhome.com.
Michelle A. Smith
Michelle Anne Smith, age 52, of Charlotte passed away peacefully April 22, 2020, at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing. She was born November 16, 1967, in Lansing, the daughter of Herald and Lila (Shumaker) Ryan. Michelle graduated from Charlotte High School in 1986. On April 25, 1992 she married Kevin Smith in Lansing. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. Michelle loved her family and cherished each and every moment they were able to spend together. She worked as a waitress for many years at the Eaton Place Restaurant in Charlotte. Michelle loved her job and all the friendships that she made while working. Michelle loved all animals, reading Danielle Steel books, collecting Tweety Bird memorabilia and salt and pepper shakers.
Michelle is survived by her husband of nearly 28 years, Kevin; children: Charlie-Jo (Reymundo) Sauceda of Charlotte, Nicole (Charles) Bryner of Charlotte, Tyler Smith of Charlotte; grandchildren: Lila Rose Sauceda, Oliver Bryner, Lewis Bryner and Liana Sauceda; special parents, Veronica (Loy) Nash of Charlotte; sister, Rosanna (Robert) Freeman of Potterville; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
In keeping with Michelle’s wishes, cremation has taken place, and a memorial service will be held at a later date. Those desiring may make contributions to the family. To view Michelle’s obituary online, or to leave a condolence for the family, visit burkhead-greenfuneralhome.com. The family is being served by the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home in Charlotte.
Thomas E. Mahar
Thomas Eugene Mahar, age 89, of Lake Leelanau passed away Saturday, April 25, 2020 at Medilodge of Traverse City with his loving family by his side.
Thomas was born April 26, 1930 in Hastings, to Michael and Nora (Spencer) Mahar. On October 18, 1952 in Nashville, Mich., he married Patsy Jean (Firestone) Mahar, who preceded him in death on February 14, 2006.
Tom honorably served his country in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. Over the years, he often spoke highly of his time at sea; the challenges he experienced, the people he met and all the places he visited while on board the USS Hyman. While in the U.S. Navy, he obtained his initial electronics training where he advanced to become an electrical engineer. He loved spending time with his family, playing cards and playing solitaire on the computer. His hobbies were designing, building, tinkering with and repairing things. He was a long-time member of St. Mary’s Parish of Lake Leelanau where he served as eucharistic minister and lector. Before moving to Lake Leelanau, he was a member of St. Cyril Church in Nashville. Tom served his community as commander of the Little Finger VFW Post 7731 of Lake Leelanau and was also the financial secretary of the Knights of Columbus for many years.
Tom is survived by his six children, Kathryn Lea (Bill) Smith of Farmington Hills, Marilyn Ann (Curtis) Crow of Traverse City, Annette Marie (David) Andres of Traverse City, Patrick Aaron Mahar of Traverse City, Karen Louise (Derek) Botfield of Portage, and Matthew Scott (Ashley) Mahar of Clarksville, Tenn.; a half-brother Joseph Mahar of Alloway, NJ; a half-sister, Magdalen Joppie of Hastings; 14 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Bernard and Robert; sister, Martha Stamm; daughter, Barbara Jean; son, Thomas Allen; daughter-in-law, Carol Mahar; grandson, Michael Mahar; and great grandson, Devin Cowan.
A celebration of Tom’s life and graveside service will take place at a later date to be determined. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Mary of the Assumption Church, PO Box 340 Lake Leelanau MI 49653. Memorials may also be directed to Hospice of Michigan, 10850 East Traverse Highway, Traverse City MI 49684. Share condolences and memories with Thomas’ family at martinson.info. Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Leelanau.