Obituaries
Judith Hicks
Judith “Judie” Ann Hicks, 90, of Marshall, passed away with her beloved family by her side on Sunday, April 21, 2024.
Judie was born on the family farm in Olney, Illinois, on July 29, 1933, to Clarence and Grace Bauman. Judie married the love of her life, Byron “Bud” Hicks, on October 6, 1951. They enjoyed nearly 72 years of marriage prior to his death in August of 2023. Judie is survived by her cherished daughter, Lonnie (Monte) Starkweather; granddaughters Kellie (Brad) Janousek and Jessie (Kevin) McClelland; and two treasured great-grandsons, Ryder and Hayden McClelland. She is also survived by extended family members and many wonderful friends.
Judie spent her early childhood on the Bauman family farm in Olney. There she loved farm life and animals, especially her lambs, Bunny and Blackie, as well as her dog, Pat. The family moved to Battle Creek for job opportunities. Judie graduated from Battle Creek Central where she met her dear friends, Jackie, Carolyn and Pat. They all took turns being bridesmaids in each other’s weddings and remained lifelong friends and travel companions.
Judie and Bud met through her older brother Bill. They married in 1951. In the early years of her and Bud’s marriage, she spent her time making a home. Then she held her most important job – mom to Teddie, Lonnie and Danny. Her family was always first and the most important thing in her world.
In 1971, Judie attended the dental hygienist program at KCC. She worked at picking teeth cooties in offices in Battle Creek, Marshall and Albion. In addition to work, she focused on raising her daughter with tremendous strength and determination following tragic loss. The Hicks family could be found snowmobiling in winter and by the pool with friends in the summer. Pool parties at the Hicks’ were the hottest ticket in town as Judie was the “hostess with the moistest!”
Judie always excelled at baking and cooking. Her apple pies were legendary and a staple of many family dinners. She also perfected her “bunny” and “snowman” pancake making skills at many overnight breakfasts for her granddaughters.
An animal lover at heart, Judie always had a critter. She loved Golden Retrievers and German Shepards. The ultimate “guard dog” was her beloved Newfoundland, Barney. The Hicks’ home also had its fair share of yellow cats through the years.
Judie was an avid antique collector; particularly, Tea Leaf ironstone which she remembered from her grandma’s dinner table. Her “Harelooms” antique booth kept her busy after her retirement in 1995. Bud and Judie spent time traveling to auctions as well as Tea Leaf National Conventions. They often traveled to old car events and took tours with friends. Many times, the “girls” were brought along for the ride. Bud and Judie retired to Zephyr Hills and enjoyed time shuffling in the sunshine with all their Valleydale friends. Many evenings were spent with glasses of wine over SkipBo and Euchre.
Ryder and Hayden were “grandma-great’s” pride and joy. Judie was always prepared with ice cream and trips to the zoo with her special guys.
Judie was preceded in death by Bud; her parents; brothers, Willard (Bill) Bauman and James Bauman; sister, Bonnie Greene; and her sons, Theodore “Ted” Hicks in 1969 and Daniel Hicks in 1957.
Visitation was held Wednesday, April 24 at the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home & Cremation Services. Funeral services were held at the funeral home on Thursday, April 25 at 11 a.m. Interment followed at Hicks Cemetery in Pennfield with a gathering of friends and family immediately after. Memorial contributions can be made to Shriner’s Hospital for Children or Pawsibilities Animal Rescue of Eaton County.
A special thank you to all the wonderful caregivers at the Villa at Winston Court for all of the love and support that you provided both Judie and Bud.
Joanne Gardner
Joanne (Cook) Gardner of Charlotte, Michigan, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loved ones on Wednesday, April 23, 2024. She was 91.
Joanne was born on August 24, 1932 in Traverse City, Michigan. She was the eldest daughter of Archie Fay Cook and Ruth Emma (Hubbell) Cook, and older sister of Mary Beth and Archie Fay Junior (Jim). Following in the footsteps of her parents, both dedicated educators, Joanne completed her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in speech and language pathology at Central Michigan University, and an additional Master’s degree in psychology at Western Michigan University. She taught in the Charlotte Public School system for 38 years and was a member of the Upsilon chapter of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International for Key Women Educators, ever devoted to supporting both students and fellow teachers.
In Charlotte, she met the love of her life, Joseph Munroe Gardner. They married on February 21, 1970, and have been inseparable ever since. Together with her husband, Joanne traveled the world, from every corner of her home state to Australia, China, and Mexico, to name a few. Joanne also spent much of her time giving back to her local community through her work with the Order of the Eastern Star of Michigan Brookfield #352 chapter; she was a loyal member for 73 years. Joanne was an avid crafter, delighting many with her quilts and home-made cards, and one of the best square-dancers this side of the Mississippi.
Joanne is survived by her husband, Joe Gardner; her sister, Mary Beth (Cook) Tereschuk; eight nieces and nephews; and many, many great-nieces and nephews, all of whom love her dearly. She now joins in Heaven, her mother and father; brothers, Jim and baby Robert; brothers-in-law, Luey Heisler, Hugh Boehmer, Dean Thuma, and Daniel Tereschuk; sister-in-law, Betty Thuma; and nephews, Ron Thuma and Danny Tereschuk.
To honor Joanne’s request, there will be no service. Please celebrate her life and lasting legacy privately or make a donation in her name to the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International Upsilon chapter or the Order of the Eastern Star Brookfield #352 chapter. Friends are encouraged to share memories of Joanne on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Claudia Klaiss
Claudia “Jean” Klaiss of Charlotte, a nurturing, caring woman and friend to many, died April 5, 2024, at the age of 83. Jean was born in Jackson, Michigan on January 22, 1941, to Berkley and Hilda (Rhinehart) Larzelere. Throughout her lifetime she worked many different places, including Dewey’s Party Store, Owens Illinois, bus driver for Charlotte Public Schools, G.C. Murphy Five and Dime, Klaiss TV, and Murray’s Flower Shop, but most recently was happily retired. A lifetime member of V.F.W. Post 2406 and American Legion Post 42 in Charlotte, Jean enjoyed volunteering and being a part of a community of friends. Jean loved her family dearly and had many great memories of growing up with her sisters, family reunions, barn building, playing cards, and so much more with family at the heart of it all. She was very proud of her miracle baby, Dawn, and enjoyed married life as Mrs. Donald Klaiss, with a special love between them; becoming a blended family, which gave her more family to love; and the camping trips enjoyed together.
Jean is survived by her daughter, Dawn (Brian) Gibbs; step-children by title but children through love, Donald (Martha) Klaiss Jr., Brian (Kristi) Klaiss, Alan (Trina) Klaiss, and Gary (Susan) Klaiss; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; siblings, Jackie Robinson and Judy Jones; brothers and sisters-in-law, Sue (Chris) Scott, Sally (Rod) McMichael, Jan McQuay, Fred (Nadine) Klaiss; several nieces, nephews, and extended family members; and her longest and dearest friend since birth, Karen (Milo) Wright. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Ken Wenzel and second husband, Donald “Duck” Klaiss; daughter and son-in-law, Laurie and Pete Sperry; sisters, Linda Davis and Meredith Potter; brother, Berkley Larzelere; and brothers and sisters-in-law, Jim Klaiss, Darwyn Jones, Jim Davis, Jean Reed, Larry McQuay, and Ken Robinson.
Friends are encouraged to support Jean’s family by sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation was Sunday, April 7, at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. Funeral services were Monday, April 8 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Greg Rinehart officiating. The funeral was webcast so you may watch it from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device that has internet access. Go to www.prayfuneral.com, click on Claudia’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to CFD Christmas Kiddies. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Terry Lee Chaney
Terry Lee Chaney, 77 of Prescott, AZ (formerly of Charlotte, MI) died April 8, 2024. Terry was born December 20, 1946, in Lansing, MI to Maynard and Alice (Flasher) Chaney. He joined the Air Force, serving from 1966-1970. Terry worked at Spartan Motors for 20 years until his retirement in 2009, and then in 2018 moved to Arizona. Many different outdoor activities were the things Terry enjoyed most in life, including hunting, fishing, camping, training dogs, and riding and showing horses he received numerous achievement awards in horse riding.
Terry is survived by his daughters, Michelle (Rob) Keckler and Heather (Travis) Piepkow; five grandchildren, Alana, Amanda, Mason, Brooke, and Joseph; two great-grandchildren, Anorah and Owen; sister, Robyn (Jerry) Daugherty; brothers, Larry (Faith) Chaney and Russ (Linda) Chaney. He was preceded in death by his first and second wives, Carol Conklin Chaney and Linda Henderson Chaney; and grandson, William Piepkow.
A graveside service was held at Perry Cemetery in Charlotte, Michigan on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Joy Lynn Clark
Joy Lynn Clark of Dimondale, passed away April 20, 2024, at the age of 70. Joy was born on November 3, 1953, in Lansing, Michigan, the daughter of Morris and Mary (Miles) Remington. She was honorably discharged from the National Guard in 1979. Joy worked many years for Sparrow TCI before retiring in 2018. She was first and foremost a full-time grandma. Her four grandchildren were her whole world. Joy would do anything with her grandkids, including playing Roblox on occasion. She will be remembered for being a very dedicated and wonderful mother. She was also an amazing artist. Over the years she had created some beautiful paintings and drawings. Joy had quite the green thumb, she enjoyed gardening as well as cooking.
She is survived by her daughters, Doreen (Mark Klemish) Zimmerman of Eaton Rapids, Paula (Robert Perry) Zimmerman of Eaton Rapids; grandchildren, Kaleb Chambers, Maxximus Perry, Xander Perry, Robert Perry Jr; brother, Steven Remington; sisters, Linda Hartman, Nancy (Ed) Deatsman. Joy was preceded in death by her parents; and her brother, Michael Remington.
Memorial Services will be held at a later date. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Ele’s Place of Lansing in loving memory of Joy Lynn Clark. To leave condolences for the family, visit our website www.millsfuneral.com.