Obituaries
Mary S. Wadsten
Mary S. (Smith) Wadsten, age 89 of Southfield, formerly of Charlotte, passed in peace on July 2, 2020. Mary is survived by her sister, Anne (Smith) Kent; sister-in-law, Carole (Wadsten) and Leo Link; many nieces and nephews: Glenn and Mary (Madry) Shook, Tom and Teresa (Kent) Gloden, Jeff and Kris (Kent) Hynes, Kevin and Cassandra Wadsten, Matt and Joyce (Redwood) Tellitocci, Scot and Sherri (Katz) Pirie, Kyle and Marcia Wadsten, Sandra (Wadsten) Johnson, Steve Wadsten, Nancy (Redwood) and Brian Salin, Gregory Watson and dear friend Carolyn Plsek. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Donald Wadsten; her parents, Joseph and Mary (Vrbensky) Smith; sisters, Frances (Smith) Madry and Elsie Smith; brothers-in-law, Louis Madry and Gerald Kent; nephews, John Kent and Larry Redwood; and niece Gayle (Redwood) Stanek.
Mary graduated from Charlotte High School in 1948 and from Wayne State University in 1953, where she received her master’s degree in elementary and secondary education majoring in business administration. She completed 30 hours beyond her master’s degree studying at the University of Hawaii and Arizona State University. She held positions of business teacher, office and distributive education coordinator and business department head at Cody High School in Detroit, where she began her career and worked until she retired in 1986. She also taught part-time at Wayne State University, University of Detroit, Oakland Community College and Henry Ford Community College. She conducted numerous workshops for Professional Secretaries International at Schoolcraft College and the Detroit College of Business.
Mary lived life to the fullest and was a classy and beautiful woman. She loved her family and friends, golf, dancing, bowling, skiing, baking and her career. She loved planting her flowerbeds that were always magnificent. She touched the lives of many community friends whom she met throughout her daily travels over the years and carried their favorite chocolates to gift as tokens of appreciation and affection for each of them. She helped many by being a great listener, friend, supporter, advocate, editor and advisor. She never slowed down or stopped. Her superb work ethic, intellect and kind heart were apparent in all aspects of her life. She was an amazing friend to anyone she met, always leaving her friends and relatives feeling special, understood, and encouraged. She showed great interest in her nieces and nephews from childhood to adulthood and served as a wonderful role model to them.
Mary leaves behind many relatives and friends who will miss her, her spirit and her vibrancy.
St. Mary Catholic Church in Charlotte. A Funeral Mass with Rev. Fr. Dwight Ezop officiating was held on Tuesday, July 7, 2020 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Charlotte. Interment took place in Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to either Beaumont Hospice (1975 Technology Dr. Suite J120, Troy MI 48083) or Helping Hand Homecare Service (2360 Paris Dr., Troy MI 48083).
Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Mary on her tribute page at prayfuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Elaine B. Craven
Elaine Beverly Craven, age 93, of Charlotte, died peacefully on Sunday, May 31, 2020 in Lansing. Elaine was born April 2, 1927 in Lansing, the daughter of John H. and Daisy E. (Mascho) Brethauer. She married Frank La Vern Craven on June 7, 1946 and the two raised five children. In her early years, she worked as an elevator operator for RE Olds. Eventually, she went to work as a cook at the Charlotte Junior High School. She and Frank enjoyed 30 years of annual trips to Harlingen, TX, and time spent together with family in the outdoors, especially camping and even fishing together. They also loved to go out dancing together. Elaine served as a Den Mother for her sons during their Cub Scout years, and as a Bluebird leader with Judy. She was a skilled crafter, creating quilts and Christmas decorations for her family and friends. She was a faithful member of Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church for many years. Above all, she loved her family, and treasured her 71 ½ years of marriage to Frank before his passing.
Elaine is survived by her sons, Roger (Ruth) Craven of Charlotte and Gregory (Johanna) Craven of Grand Blanc; daughter, Judy (Jim) Greening of Charlotte; 10 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank La Verne Craven in 2017; and her sons, Tim Craven in 1986, and Garry Craven in 2018.
A private family graveside service took place at Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church, Eaton Rapids Community Christian Church or Hope Landing. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Elaine on her tribute page at prayfuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Darcy D. Hayes
Darcy Danielle Hayes, age 38, of Eaton Rapids, passed away at her home unexpectedly on July 2, 2020. Darcy was born June 22, 1982 in Eaton Rapid to Richard Helfrich and Brenda (Mortimer) Cain. She was a 2001 graduate of Holt High School. Darcy worked for Dollar General and then as a school bus driver for the Eaton Rapids School District. Over the years, she had donated many gallons of blood to the American Red Cross and in that tradition, was an organ donor, saving lives along the way. Darcy love to crochet and take walks, especially with the neighborhood dogs.
She is survived by her husband, Jerry Ray Hayes Jr.; children, Blake Allen, Phoebe Marie and Abigail Kay Byron all of Eaton Rapids; sisters, Melinda (Walt) Obrinske of Albion, Carley Shoemaker of Jackson, and Darla Mortimer of Lincolnton, NC, Summer Elizabeth Rogers of Springport; mother, Brenda (Kevin) Rogers of Springport; grandparents, Glenn and Vickie Mortimer of Eaton Rapids; sister-in-law, Erin Hayes of Kinross, MI; in-laws, Lynette and Bob Clark of Eaton Rapids, Jerry Hayes Sr. of Charlotte; several nieces and nephews. Darcy was preceded in death by her father, Richard Helfrich; great-grandparents, George and Maryellen Mortimer.
Private family memorial services will be held at a later date. Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery, Eaton Rapids. In lieu of flowers, a fund is to be established for college expenses for her children. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. Visit the website to place online condolences or to sign the guest book, millsfuneral.com.
Vivian L. Freer
Vivian Lee Freer, age 79, of Eaton Rapids passed away July 6, 2020. Vivian was born in Charlotte on October 8, 1940, the daughter of Wayne and Irene (Coats) Galusha. She married the love of her life, Richard Freer, on January 28, 1961 and renewed their vows at St. Peter Catholic Church in 2015. Together they raised three beautiful daughters. Vivian was the organist and choir director at the First Congregational Church. She was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary with the Eaton Rapids Fire Department, the Eaton Rapids Women’s Chorus and was an extremely talented seamstress.
Vivian is survived by her husband of 59 years, Richard Freer; daughters, Janet Freer of WA, Cindy (Kevin) Richmond of Eaton Rapids, Teresa Treadwell of Charlotte; grandchildren, Meagan and Lance Treadwell, Daniel (Janelle) Smith, Christina Smith, Ryan and Adam Richmond, Lawrence Treadwell III; great-grandchildren, Makayla Glassbrook, Breyden Bresky, Evelyn Sanchez; and brother, Dean (Cindy) Galusha. She was preceded in death by her parents and son-in-law, Lawrence Treadwell II.
Funeral services were scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday, July 10, 2020 at St. Peter Catholic Church with Fr. George Puthenpeedika officiating. Interment was to follow in Munger Cemetery. Those desiring may make memorial contributions to the Eaton Rapids Fire Department. Visit millsfuneral.com to place online condolences.
Donald A. Karn
Donald Alan Karn, 57, of Hastings, formerly of Charlotte, died June 28, 2020. He was a Tool & Die Maker at Advanced Tooling Systems.
Funeral services are pending.