Obituaries
Connie Cullen-Guzy
Connie Cullen-Guzy, age 76, passed away peacefully on February 26, 2020, in her hometown of Charlotte. She is survived by her loving husband, Stan; daughter, Autumn; son Brad and his wife, Renee: son Marty and his wife, Leigh; and three grandchildren, Cullen, Asher and Trenton.
Connie was genuinely caring, compassionate and selfless, which led her to a long and successful career in nursing where she was able to fulfill her passion for helping others. As a mother of three, she was a beautiful, fun-loving, supportive parent who taught her children how to live a life full of love and laughter. One of her greatest joys was being grandmother to three grandsons who will always cherish her playful and whimsical spirit.
Connie and her husband Stan shared a very special and genuine love. They lived their life together traveling, exploring nature, gardening and enjoying every minute they spent in each other’s company.
Connie will be forever remembered for her sense of humor, love of life and beautiful smile.
Louise N. Mann
Louise Natalie Mann, age 103, of Jackson, formerly of Olivet, passed away Wednesday, March 5, 2020, at Henry Ford Allegiance Hospital. She was born June 11, 1916, in Glen Arbor, Mich., the daughter of John and Alvina (Billiau) Hunsberger. Louise was the consummate lady. She was a caring and thoughtful person who was always looking out for the needs of others. She kept a beautiful home that functioned as a well-oiled machine. She enjoyed cooking and preparing delectable meals for anyone who visited. Louise enjoyed quilting and crocheting. She made thousands of mittens and hats that she lovingly donated to different churches and hospitals throughout her life. Louise was a member of the Olivet Rebekah Lodge #96 since 1958.
Louise is survived by her children: Natalie Benson of Leslie, Richard (Katherine) Mann of Leslie; 13 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; and several great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Norman V. Mann; children: Ella Mann, Martha Mann, Daniel Mann, Martin Mann, Nita Smith; siblings: Orval Hunsberger, Elsie Lauer, Leo Hunsberger, Johnny Hunsberger, Barbara Hunsberger and Virginia Baxter.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2020, at 1 p.m. at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home with Pastor Rich Mitterling officiating. The family was scheduled to receive friends on Friday, March 6 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment will take place at Olivet Cemetery.
Those desiring may make contributions in Louise’s honor to Henry Ford Allegiance Hospital.
To view Louise’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family visit burkhead-greenfuneralhome.com.
Albert W. Kienutske Jr.
Albert William Kienutske Jr., age 75, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, February 23, 2020. Born in Lansing, on May 21, 1944, he was a lifelong resident of Nashville. He was the beloved husband of Gayla Kienutske for 42 years and loving father of five children — Tim (Becky) Kienutske, Brian (Wendie) Kienutske, Jowana (Dale) Begerow, Larry Kienutske and Robin(Jim) Fletcher. He is survived by 14 grandchildren, five great grandchildren; siblings Lonny (Gloria) Kienutske, LaVern (Cherry) Decker, Lorraine Carter(Harold), Rose (Floyd) Cook and Ruth Decker; mother-in-law Audrey Steward; sister- in-law, Nina Glasscock; brother-in-law Lester (Linda) Steward; step sisters, aunts, uncles, several nieces, nephews, cousins, longtime friends Melvin Kellogg and Lonnie Ackley, and many family members in the Owosso area, as well as his beloved dogs.
He was preceded in death by father Albert Kienutske Sr.; mother Dorothy Baker-Kienutske-Decker; son Larry Kienutske; step-parents Hubert (Phoebe) Decker and Leona Decker; father-in-law Clare Steward; grandson Joshua Fletcher; nieces Samantha Cornwell and Lona Cannon.
He was known as ‘Al’ or ‘Billy’ to friends and family, also as ‘K-9’ to those he worked with at GM Oldsmobile in Lansing for more than 42years, where he retired in 2005. He was a huge die-cast car and motorcycle enthusiast, collecting many both big and small over the years as well as a staunch supporter of President Donald Trump. Al was a big man with an even bigger heart, who was loved and adored by many with an endless love for his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He was a proud father and splendid husband whose absence is deeply felt by his family.
In honor of his wishes, donations were made to Gift of Life. Memorial services will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2020, at noon at the Sunfield United Brethren Church, 8436 W. Grand Ledge Hwy. in Sunfield, with a luncheon immediately following. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Barry County Animal Shelter.
Joyce E. Cole Hoedeman
Joyce Elaine Cole Hoedeman of East Lansing, formerly of Mason and Charlotte, passed away on February 24, 2020. Joyce was born in Grand Ledge on May 10, 1941, the second daughter of Darwin and Helen (Carrow) Cole. As an infant, she moved to Charlotte and lived there until she married David Hoedeman and moved to Mason where they raised their three sons.
Her love of music and drumming started as a young girl and her participation in the Charlotte Oriole Band was a great source of enjoyment for her; she was a proud graduate of the Charlotte High School Class of 1959. Her husband, David, preceded her in death in 2006, after being married 46 years.
She is survived by her three sons, Mike (Kathy), Matt (Karen), Marc (Sarah); her 5 grandchildren, Jessica (Dustin), Brad (Nicole), Jason, Patrick (Corinne), and Nicholas; great-grandsons, Keegen and Jayce; great-granddaughters, Renay and Mackenzie; 2 sisters, Janet (Jim) Dunn and Judy (Doug) Badgley. Many nieces and nephews also survive, plus her Chippewa Indian cousins, Injun Jim Carrow, Eddie Two-Toes Carrow, Jill Carmondy; and her best friend, Rodney Rodgers, also survives her.
Funeral Services were held on Friday, February 28, 2020, at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, Mason Chapel. Interment was held in Hawley Cemetery in Mason. Instead of floral tributes, Joyce’s request was for donations to be made to the Lakeside Chapel Reachout Center, 5800 Park Lake Rd., Bath MI 48808.
Jaqueline M. Hicks
Jaqueline “Jackie” May Hicks went to be with our Lord on February 24, 2020. Jackie was born in Charlotte on December 21, 1940, to Harold and Edna Clark. She was one of five children. Jackie married the love of her life, James Hicks, on May 6, 1961. Jackie dedicated her life to raising her four children, spreading the word of God while being a missionary in Mexico and Honduras and being a caregiver to whomever needed her help. She was such an inspiration and wonderful example of pure selflessness. Jackie enjoyed cooking, playing games, and if there was a rocking chair in sight, you would find her rocking. However, her greatest pastime was spending time with family and friends, exchanging stories and memories.
Jackie was preceded in death by her husband James and her three brothers Elwood, Jerry and Richard. She is survived by her sister Donna Compton; her children Kimberly (James) Owens, Edward (Murielle) Hicks, Rodney (Cherie) Hicks and Jodi Lincoln; grandchildren Nicolas (Sara) Lincoln, Jacob Lincoln, Charissa Owens, Merissa Owens, Christopher Hicks, Schasta (Kyle) Cross, Jeremy Hicks, Melinda Hicks, Robert Hicks, Andrew Hicks, Samuel Hicks and Charity Hicks; as well as her five great-grandchildren Emma, Camdynn, Grace, Caroline and Cadence.
There will be a celebration of life ceremony on Saturday, March 14, 2020, at 2236 Narrow Lake Rd. in Charlotte beginning at 1 p.m. After the ceremony, there will be a gathering at the Thirsty Bird located at 208 S. Cochran Ave. in Charlotte.