Obituaries
William Lorenz
William Alexander-Draves Lorenz (Alex), 33, of Lebanon, Mo., formerly of Vermontville, passed away August 31, 2018 in Columbia, Mo. He was born December 26, 1984 in Hastings to Don and Penny (Byington) Lorenz. Alex became a world traveler at 2 when his family was stationed in Swabish Gmuend, Germany. He returned to Germany at 16 as an exchange student through Lions Club International. He joined the Missouri National Guard at 17 as a 12 Bravo Combat Engineer/Bridge Crewman. He deployed in 2004 as part of Operating Iraqi Freedom, where he earned the Presidential Unit Citation as well as other medals and awards. On January 20, 2004, he married Tasha Sue Rice, to this union one son, William Michael Lorenz was born.
He was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Darren Rice; honorary brother/cousin, Derek Byington-Lloyd; niece, Lilly Draves; grandmothers, Peggy Byington, and Dona Shifflette.
He is survived by wife, Tasha, and son, Michael; mother, Penny Byington; father and step-mother, Don and Shonda Lorenz; mother-in-law, Connie Rice, all of Missouri; siblings, Kenny Lorenz of Phoenix, Ariz., Desiree (Barry) Canterbury of Olivet, Scotty, Garrett (Samantha), Lena, Kara and Trenton Lorenz; stepsiblings, Reyna, Subrina, and J.T. Brown, all of Missouri; nephews, Raymond (Emily) Lorenz of Yuma, Ariz., Lucas, Henry, and Jesse; nieces, Brianna, Joni, Janessa, Joelyn, Abbigale, Alyce, Amelia, Rebecca, Iris and Hailey; grandfathers, Philip Byington of Vermontville, and William Draves of Brighton; his “Omi,” Bettty Draves of Brighton; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
A service with military honors and burial will be held Tuesday, June 25, 2019 at 11:15 a.m. at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta. The service will be followed by a luncheon at the Vermontville Community Center, located at 108 N. Main Street in Vermontville.
Donations can be made in Alex’s name to Walleye for Warriors, P.O. Box 129, Bay City, MI 48707, or walleyeforwarriors.com.
Lona D. Houston
Lona Denise Houston, 72, of Olivet, passed away Sunday May 26, 2019, at Oaklawn Hospital in Marshall. She was born March 18, 1947, in Charlotte, the daughter of Harold “Bud” and Betty (Owen) King. Lona graduated from Olivet High School with the Class of 1965. On July 22, 1978, she married the love of her life, John R. Houston in Eaton Rapids. They were blessed with nearly 41 years together. Lona was a faithful servant of her Lord and Savior. She was a devoted member of the Bellevue Church of Christ for many years. Lona’s family was very important to her. She cherished her children and grandchildren. Lona was always looking forward to the next family gathering. She enjoyed sewing dresses very much and was a member of the sewing group, Dresses for Hope. She and John also enjoyed traveling together throughout the United States.
Lona is survived by her husband, John; children, Aaron (Casey) Harris of Kerrville, Texas, Jamie (Jeff) Kita of Olivet, Jason (Heather) Harris of Charlotte; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; siblings, Ted (Sue) King of Bellevue, Ezzie (Jim Borton) King of Ovid, Jim King of Bellevue; aunt, Alice Owen of Ameilia, Ohio; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; granddaughter, Hannah Harris; sister, Linda (Doug) Klont; and several aunts and uncles.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, June 3, 2019, at 10 a.m. at Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home, with Jon Doty officiating. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 3 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment will take place at Oakwood Cemetery in Eaton Rapids.
Those desiring, may make contributions in Lona’s honor to the family to be split between her favorite charities.
To view Lona’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family, please visit burkhead-greenfuneralhome.com.
Esther J. Wyble
Esther Jane (Robins) Wyble, of Charlotte, a kind, loving and devoted mother, grandmother and friend, died Sunday, May 26, 2019 at Eaton Community Palliative Care. Esther, 92, was born April 17, 1927, the daughter of James and Alpharetta (Smith) Robins. She graduated from Charlotte High School in 1945. In June of 1947 Esther married her sweetheart, Theodore, and together started their legacy until his passing in 2008. Esther is retired from 28 years as a fabricator. She had a heart of gold, which led her to devote her retirement to volunteering her time: to the county for 30 years, Hayes Green Beach Hospital, and the VFW. Esther crocheted afghans for veterans, her church and for her loved ones. She was known for her baking. Her famous peanut butter sheet cakes were very popular for everyone’s birthdays and special events. If you were lucky she would make you her mystery cake, where she would have you guess the off the wall ingredient that was added. Her other hobbies included reading, traveling, gardening (she had beautiful flower beds), and also spending time outdoors. Esther will be remembered for always thinking about others and devoting her time to others.
Esther is survived by her children, Norman Wyble, Shirley Wyble, Sharon (Jack) Thompson; grandchildren, Norman (Heather) Wyble II, Autumn Murphy, Amber Matthews, Seth (Heather) Matthews; four great-grandchildren; and sister, Marvel Wyble.
She was predeceased by husband, Theodore; son, Duane Wyble; eight siblings, and her parents.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, May 29, 2019 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte, with Pastor Charles Jenson officiating.
If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Eaton Community Palliative Care.
Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Esther on her tribute page at PrayFuneral.com.
David Foster
David “Larry” Foster of Charlotte, an avid hunter and fisherman that could always find the best fishing hole, died May 25, 2019. Larry, 79, was born April 25, 1940 in Lansing to David and Agatha (Massey) Foster. He worked at General Motors on the line, retiring several years ago. Larry loved being outdoors, all of his favorite activities revolved around that, including: hunting, fishing, gold prospecting, traveling to Colorado, Canada, Alaska and Hawaii, and even watching the outdoor channel on TV. He had a large collection of game trophies to enjoy while he was indoors. Sixteen years ago Larry had a change of heart and became a Christian, enjoying studying the Bible and praying with his wife, Barb, every day. Barb is comforted knowing she will see him again in Heaven. Larry loved hugs and sharing his faith with others. Larry valued friendship, and if you were his friend he let you know he loved you.
Larry is survived by his wife of almost 27 years, Barbara (Shaver) Foster; children, David (Connie) Foster, Martin (Kathy) Foster, Joe Wheeldon, William (Beverly) Stone, Michael (Elisabeth) Stone, Diane (John) Wiley, and Toscha Klopp; 15 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
He was predeceased by daughter, Sonja Crabtree; his parents; and a brother and a sister.
Friends are encouraged to support Larry’s family at visitation and memorial services. Memorial services are Friday, June 14, 2019, at noon at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte, with Pastor Randy Royston officiating. Visitation is two hours prior to service, from 10 a.m. to noon on Friday, June 14.
If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to New Hope Community Church.
Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of David “Larry” on his tribute page at PrayFuneral.com.
Larry L. Sterle
Larry L. Sterle, 73, died Tuesday, May 21, 2019 at the home he shared with his son outside Charlotte. Larry was born November 27, 1945, and raised in Mason, where he was a graduate of Mason High School. He served in the U.S. Army, and was a career letter carrier with the U.S. Post Office.
He was married for over 46 years to Jacqueline “Jackie” Sterle, and was the loving father of Waylon, 50, and Shannon, 47.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Sterle and Thelma (Rich) Sterle; sister, Joan (Sterle) Ammerman; mother-in-law, Dorothea Demery; and beloved wife, Jackie Sue (Toman) Sterle.
He is survived by his son, Waylon Lee Sterle; daughter, Shannon Marie (Sterle) Patton and spouse, Joseph Patton; brother-in-law, Archy Ammerman; brother-in-law, Mark Turcotte and spouse, Susan Neill; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Larry was a serious reader of American and World history, of which he acquired a professorial knowledge. He was a passionate fan of Michigan sports, and enjoyed watching old movies, especially spaghetti-westerns and historical epics. In his retirement, he indulged in several driving trips, visiting locations from Civil War battlefields to Devil’s Tower National Monument. He enjoyed the company of his family, holiday meals, playing marathon sessions of Euchre, and was known to complete the Sunday New York Times crossword as if he was jotting down a grocery list. He was an intelligent, curious, kind and loving husband, father and friend.