Obituaries
Lee E. Coltson
Lee Edward Coltson, 80, of Bellevue passed away May 8, 2019 surrounded by his family. Lee was born September 28, 1938 to Leonard and Verle (Vrooman) Coltson of Olivet. Lee graduated from Bellevue High School in 1956. He began working at Coltson’s Clothing and Shoes and then in the office of Cheney Limestone (both in Bellevue) before starting a 17 ½-year career as a policeman/detective with the City of Battle Creek. He then took a Friend of the Court position with the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Department. Lee left the Sheriff’s Department in 1991 to start his own private detective business, which he ran until his retirement in 2016 at the age of 77.
During his life Lee was a Cub Scout Master, active in the Bellevue Athletic Boosters, President of the Bellevue Whirl-a-ways square dance club, and served on the Bellevue School Board when the new high school on Love Road was built. In addition, he was a three time past president of the Bellevue Lion’s Club, served as president of the Bellevue Alumni Association, and was elected President of the Village of Bellevue. In 2013, Lee was placed in the Bellevue High School Hall of Fame for his activities in the community during his life.
Lee is survived by, in his words, “his very lovely wife,” Sharon (Tew) Coltson of 59 years; their three sons, Thomas (Vicky) and Timothy (Kris) of Bellevue and Patrick (Dawn) of Hastings; grandchildren, Jennifer, Jacob, Joe, Janice, Clay, and Garrett Coltson, Stasia Swiger and Betsey Smith; great-grandchildren, Skylar, Railys, and Kairi Mulkey, Hayes Coltson, Paige Smith, Evan Willis, Zachary, Matthew and Abigail Beard.
Lee was preceded in death by his parents and sister Caroline Howard.
Services will be held on May 22, 2019 at United Methodist Church in Bellevue. Family will be available for visitation starting at 10 a.m. Memorial services will begin at 11 a.m., followed by a luncheon.
Memorials may be made to the Bellevue United Methodist Church or Bellevue Lions Club.
Family and friends that wish to leave condolences, may do so by visiting lighthousefuneral.com.
Kim Bruce
Kim Renae Bruce, 60, of Charlotte, passed away Friday, May 10, 2019, at her home surrounded by her family. She was born January 24, 1959, in Beeville, Texas the daughter of Frederick and Angie (Wertz) Earl. Kim graduated from Charlotte High School in 1977. On August 11, 1979, she married her beloved soul mate and best friend, Randy Bruce, at the First Congregational Church in Charlotte. Kim was a fiercely devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She was the hub of her family and always saw to it that everyone was well cared for. She was especially proud of her grandchildren and loved watching them grow as individuals. Kim had many things that she enjoyed during her life. Randy and Kim built their house in 1986 and planted almost every tree on the property. She loved her magnificent flower gardens and landscaping that she created and the nature it supports. She could be found every morning with a cup of coffee and Clancy Dog at her side, having her daily coffee talk with her mom, enjoying the sights, smells, and sounds from her front porch. Kim also enjoyed cooking, boating, golfing, bowling, Detroit Tigers, MSU athletics, traveling, and spending time in nature. Kim and Randy spent many summers on the water together beginning in 1978. They cherished many special moments together, years using their jet boat, and later cruising the Great Lakes in their bigger boats. Kim worked at Char Lanes, General Motors, drove school bus for Charlotte Public Schools, and was a devoted employee for over 27 years at the Barry/Eaton County Health Department as the hearing and vision technician, working with great people over the years and helping many children. She was also a member of the Charlotte branch of the GFWC (Greater Federation of Women’s Clubs), and Mobile Meals.
Kim is survived by her husband of nearly 40 years, Randy; daughters, Angie Marie Bruce of Charlotte, Alicia Renae Bruce of East Lansing; grandchildren, (grand)daughter Alyvia Renae Bruce, grandson, J.C. (Jason) Carroll Lea, Jr.; parents, Fred and Angie Earl of Cadillac; brothers, Mark F. Earl of Dimondale, Thomas L. Earl of Charlotte; mother-in-law, Myra Bruce of Charlotte; sisters-in-law, Johanna (Jeff) Stolowski, Diana (Geoff) Riddle, Lisa Bruce; aunts and uncles, Denny Wertz, Darry and Dee Wertz, Donny and Linda Wertz; many cousins and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Duane and Martha Wertz, Harold and Ruth Earl; father-in-law, Wally Bruce; brother-in-law, Jeff Bruce; nephew, Grant Bruce; Aunt Marsha and Uncle Thomas Dewey, Aunt Carla Wertz, and Aunt Carolyn Piersma.
A memorial service was held on Thursday, May 16, 2019, at the First Congregational Church, with Pastors Curtis Demars-Johnson and Andy Shaver officiating.
Those desiring, may make contributions in Kim’s honor to First Congregational Church, 106 S. Bostwick, Charlotte, MI 48813, Eaton Community Palliative Care, 2675 S. Cochran Rd., Charlotte, MI 48813, or Siren/Eaton Shelter, 520 Robinson St., Charlotte, MI 48813, Journey’s Dream, https://journeysdream.org/donate-landing-page/.
To view Kim’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family, please visit burkhead-greenfuneralhome.com.
Roy L. Brooks
Roy Lawrence Brooks, born January 3, 1958, passed away May 2, 2019, following a several month’s illness. A lifelong resident of the Charlotte area, Roy graduated from Charlotte High School in 1976, then commenced to develop his talent for inventing and repairing all things mechanical. His enjoyment of, and skill with building and racing cars evolved, over time, into a hobby as he focused more and more on developing his business, Roy’s Welding Fabrication and Repair. His wife, Mary, described him as a “jack of all trades,” but as a skillful welder and inventor of solutions to mechanical problems, he had no peer. No one ever left his shop at 3483 Island Highway unhappy with the work done or miffed about the price paid. A big job or little job, Roy gave it his undivided attention, creative solution, and high-quality result.
Roy is survived by his wife of 25 years, Mary (Klatt) Brooks; brother, Jon Brooks; sister, Gail Twork; daughter, Tammy Perleberg; grandchildren, Rusty and Harley Perleberg; great-granddaughter, Ava Moore; special buddies, Jerry Clay and Mike Carter; extended family members; plus countless friends, business associates, and satisfied customers.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and brother, Donald.
Having celebrated the life of Roy Brooks at Riedy’s on May 11, the family plans no further service.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Roy’s family would be appreciated.
A jack of all trades, but one of a kind: Roy Brooks will be missed by all who knew him.
Gary O. Richards
Gary Otis Richards, 80, of Bad Axe, formerly of Charlotte, passed away Monday, April 29, 2019 due to heart complications. He was born August 16, 1938 in South Bend, Ind. to the late Walter and Hazel (Guthrie) Richards. He married Mary Kay Richards on February 21, 1976 in Charlotte. Gary was a 1957 graduate of Holt High School. He worked in various jobs, including bartender and factory work. He was a former member of Teamster, Charlotte Eagles, and the Charlotte Moose. Gary enjoyed racing cars in his younger years and enjoyed watching NASCAR. He was a huge Michigan State fan. He enjoyed the company of his friends and family, especially when he spent time with his daughters and grandsons. Gary cherished time spent with his wife, Mary Kay, the love of his life.
Gary is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Mary Kay Richards of Bad Axe, formerly of Charlotte; two daughters, Valerie (Mark) Kneffel of Ubly, and Jennifer Gilmore of Phoenix, Ariz.; two grandsons, Ja’Coby Gilmore of Phoenix, and Otis Kneffel of Ubly; sister, Nancy (Ted) Kingsley of Dimondale; sister-in-law, Barbara George of Greenville, N.C.; nephews and nieces, Gary and Brinda Ridenour of Charlotte, Troy Ridenour of Ft. Myers, Fla., Jody Root of Charlotte, Dawn and Jeff Wendorf of Charlotte, Monica Murray of Lansing, Jeremy and Amy Nierecberger of Charlotte, Timothy Clark of Windermere, Fla., Joanna and Marcus Waller of Greenville, N.C., Nicholas and Angela George of Encinitas, Calif., and Christopher and Daryl George of Northvale, N.J.
A memorial service for Gary will be held June 1, 2019, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Charlotte Eagles. Memorials are suggested to the donor’s choice.
Michael L. Broskey
Michael Lee Broskey passed away peacefully April 26, 2019 surrounded by family following a short battle with cancer. He was born April 4, 1944. Mike had a passion for garage sales and flea markets, finding watches and clocks.
He is survived by his children, Lori (Dave) Root, Mark (Shannon) Broskey, Mike (Pam) Broskey, Alex Joseph Broskey, Robin Broskey, Bob (Lexi) Broskey, Sonny Broskey; sisters, Mary Ellen (Denny) Geisenhaver, Myra Little, Rose Broskey; brother-in-law, Charles Leonard; numerous nieces and nephews, and grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Joeseph and Alvina; wife, Dixie; son, Jason; siblings, Fran, Roger, Beverly, Bonnie, and Iva; brothers-in-law, Neil Geisenhaver, and Dennis Little.
There will be a celebration of Mike’s life on Sunday, May 5, 2019 at 2 p.m. at the Masonic Temple in Charlotte.