Obituaries
Joe N. Hubbard
Joe Neal Hubbard, 61, passed February 3, 2019 at home with his family close to him. He was born in Lansing on January 17, 1958, to Eileen May (Smith) and Jack Earl Hubbard. Joe had many jobs around the area over the years, working for Fisher Body, the Clark gas station, and then Kane Heating and Cooling for the last 30 years, with Joe and Kathleen buying the company in 1999. Joe always made time for family, including every day he would have lunch at noon with his wife at The Eaton Place.
Joe had many things to keep him busy, he loved riding his Harley, going camping in the U.P. and yearly camping trips with Ted. He also enjoyed Monday night pool league, and monthly birthday parties for family members. Joe loved beating Kathy at Cribbage, they always had an ongoing tournament. Joe gave up golf when his brother-in-law and friend, John Vlahakis, passed in 2015. He also loved a challenge when a Kane customer needed something custom made out of sheet metal.
Joe is survived by his loving wife of 31 years, Kathleen; five daughters, Jennifer Robles (Chris Tossava), Jesica Hubbard, Michelle Henry, Antonia (Joseph) Challender, and Jennifer Lynn (Joey Green) Squier; grandchildren, Cody, Kayla, Mason, Rose, Grace, Katie, Austin, DeVante, Britany, Alexis, Rachel, Athena, Adara, J.D. (Joseph Donald), Chrisitian, Trevor Joe-Jack, Emalynn, and Elijah; six great-grandkids; mother and step-dad, Eileen and Bennie Pittman; step-mother, Sharon Hubbard; siblings, Shannon, Shawn (Michelle), Jerry, Antonette, Jack Wayne, Teresa, Lynda (Mike), Betty, and Julie (Jerry); many specials aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews, cousins; best friend, Ted; friend and business partner, Chad Lewis Jr.; and many, many more.
Joe was preceded in death by his father, Jack Earl Hubbard; and sister, Mary.
Special thank you to Michelle Hubbard for her special care and devotion when Joe needed her, he adored her and was calmer when she was there, and brother, Shawn Hubbard, for his love and support.
Friends are encouraged to support Joe’s family at visitation and funeral services. Funeral services are Monday, February 11, 2019, at 1 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte, with Pastor Charles Jenson officiating. Visitation is Sunday, February 10, from 1 to 3 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home, as well as two hours prior to the services, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, February 11.
If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Eaton County Humane Society.
Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Joe on his tribute page at PrayFuneral.com.
Peggy L. Hartley
Peggy Louise Parker (McConnell) Hartley, a kind, caring and generous lady loved by many, died unexpectedly on January 29, 2019 at the age of 85. Born September 24, 1933 in Charlotte, MI to Robert and Kathleen (Johnson) Parker, Peggy married her first love, Max McConnell, at the age of 17 on her father’s 35th birthday. She graduated from Charlotte High School in 1952, and Peggy and her husband farmed with his parents. They were a very busy family – all working together, proud and happy. Peggy enjoyed family times at Houghton Lake, as well as trips with her husband to Las Vegas.
After Max passed away, Peggy married Richard “Butch” Hartley and they continued the tradition of trips to Las Vegas. Butch and Peggy bought a Motel in Ludington and moved there in 1987. In 1993 they sold the motel and moved into a new home, with a basement big enough to hold all 52 of their family members in the basement for gatherings, and Peggy’s mother moved in with them so Peggy could care for her.
Peggy always had so much love to share with those around her. She was very proud of her family, and loved family gatherings and cooking “The Best” homemade chicken pot pie, beef and noodles, and swiss steak that everyone enjoyed. She was also a volunteer for Meals on Wheels. Fishing, playing cards, dominos, and games with her family were some of her favorite things to do.
Peggy is survived by her husband, Richard “Butch” Hartley; children, Randy (Karen Morehouse) McConnell, Debbie (Robert) Kinney, Jim McConnell, Denise (Mark) Williams, and Kent (Carrie) McConnell; step-children, Rick (Shelley) Hartley, and Leasa Stornant; 22 grandchildren; and 25 great-grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her first husband, Max McConnell in 1983.
Friends are encouraged to support Peggy’s family at visitation and memorial services. Memorial services are Saturday, February 2, at 1 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte, with Pastor Charles Jenson officiating. Visitation was held Friday, February 1, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Eaton Area Senior Center in Charlotte or Jean Bradford Kline Senior Center in Eaton Rapids.
Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Peggy on her tribute page at PrayFuneral.com.
Charles Kessler
Taken far too soon, Charles “Chuck” Kessler of Eubank, Ky. passed away at the age of 64 on January 26, 2019 following a brief illness. He was born on January 23, 1955 in Philadelphia, Penn. to the parents of Sam and Rosalyn Kessler. Chuck began his 37-year career with the Department of Defense at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard in 1973 as a sheet metal apprentice, learning the sheet metal trade from drafting to manufacturing and installation aboard naval vessels. In 1982 he was promoted to sheet metal supervisor, a position he held until the closing of the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard in 1994. That same year, Chuck was transferred to the Great Lakes Naval Training Center in Great Lakes, Ill. He was promoted in 2005 to Quality Assurance Specialist in the Public Works Department, a position he held until his retirement in 2010. Formerly from Kenosha, Wisc., Chuck had a passion for volunteering, as well as the Philadelphia Eagles. He was a member of the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department Citizen’s Academy from 2005 to 2013. Chuck assisted with numerous public events such as the Kenosha Business Expo, the Kenosha County Fair, the Kenosha Civic Parade, and the Drug Awareness Resistance Education (DARE) program. Chuck also assisted with the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) from 2011 to 2013. In 2013 Chuck moved to Olivet. He joined the Olivet Lion’s Club and was a member of the Charlotte Frontier Days Board of Directors, where he served as the Parade Chairman in 2016. Chuck also enjoyed assisting with the Eaton Special Riding Volunteer Association in Charlotte, where horses are introduced to children with special needs. In 2014 Chuck was hired by Walmart in Charlotte. On June 22, 2015 Chuck and Sue Rigas were married. Both Chuck and Sue were baptized on July 23, 2016. They moved to Eubank in October 2016, where Chuck continued his employment with Walmart at the Somerset, Ky. store.
Chuck leaves behind his wife, Sue; his children, Eric, Julie, and Joey Kessler; former spouse, Susan Kessler; his sisters, Naomi Bailey and Faye Schmidt; brothers, Edward and Michael Kessler; nieces, Laura Ann, Rebecca, and Renee; and nephews, Max and John, as well as hundreds of friends.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, February 2, 2019 in the Chapel of Southern Oaks Funeral Home in Somerset, Ky.
Joseph. L. Russell
Joseph Lee Russell, 86, of Olivet, passed away Friday, January 25, 2019 at his residence. Joe was born on June 21, 1932 in Birmingham in his grandparents’ house to Irving and Mary (Plowfield) Russell. Growing up, he was called J. Lee but became Joe at work. His nieces and nephews still knew him as Uncle Jay.
Joe graduated from Olivet High School in 1950 and worked at Post until he entered the United States Army on October 14, 1952. He proudly served our country until his honorable discharge on October 13, 1954. Joe was an M.P. doing guard duty during classified atomic testing on Pacific atolls. He then returned to work at Post.
Joseph married Anita Shreve on September 30, 1955. He met and wooed her from his Harley Davidson, cruising downtown Marshall. In 1964, Joe and Anita, along with a group of friends, traveled by motorcycle to Alaska. They saw firsthand the damage from an earthquake and the majestic scenery. They shared 63 loving years together.
Joe worked in several positions before his four-year apprenticeship to become an electrician for Post Cereal Company in Battle Creek. He also became an elevator repairman and was later sent to Pennsylvania for training when operations became electronic. After 36 years, he retired in 1987. He was able to spend time with his daughter Judy, helping her and her husband, Steve Langridge modernize their milking operation before her untimely death in 1990.
Joseph enjoyed woodworking, cutting firewood, growing blueberries and strawberries and just being in the woods. He and Anita drove many miles in their motor home, visiting friends and family in Florida, Georgia, and Texas. They even went to the Rose Bowl Parade, although it rained that year and dad got separated from the group. Mom wouldn’t let the bus leave without him. When their first great-granddaughter was born, they gave up traveling so they could watch her grow. He continued riding his Harley until last summer, although mom began to say “No thanks!” He always drove an Allis Chalmers tractor and located and restored several for his sons and grandson.
Joseph is survived by his wife, Anita Russell of Olivet; children, Jan (Matthew Taylor) Russell of Olivet, Joe (Angela) Russell II of Olivet, John Russell of Olivet, and Joni (Will) White of Charlotte; grandchildren, Daniel (Angela Porter) Corralez, Justin Corralez, Joshua (Kelly) Russell, Jordan (Casey) Russell, and Zach Russell; four great-grandchildren, Audrey Russell, Amelia Russell, Kaius Russell, and Keion Adams; sisters, Marianna Wells, and Barbara (Richard) Gellasch.
He was preceded in death by parents, Irving and Mary Russell; daughter, Judy Langridge; sisters, Ruth Van Lieuw, Maxine Baker, and Audrey Rice; and brother, Willis Russell.
Funeral services were held at Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services, Marshall Chapel on Wednesday, January 30, 2019 at 11 a.m., with Pastor Doug Hammond officiating. Joseph was laid to rest in Bosworth Cemetery following the services.
Please leave the family a personal message and sign the online guest book at kempffuneralhome.com.
James L. Baird
James L. Baird was born in Midland, Mich. on October 28, 1938 to George and Virginia (Chase) Baird who predeceased him in 1985 and 1998. He graduated with life-long friends from Caro High School before serving with the United States Marine Corps and attending Bay City (Delta) College. His 20 years with the Michigan State Police included assignments from Trooper in Grand Haven, L’Anse and Flint to ES Team (SWAT) to Detective First Lieutenant in the Criminal Investigation Division.
While in the MSP, Jim graduated from LCC and MSU, creating a Spartan fan who always supported the Alumni Association and Ralph Young Fund. He hunted and fished from Northern Labrador to Costa Rica while serving Eaton County in several positions; including chairman of the Planning Commission for 13 years. His private investigation company thrived due to the trusted efforts of several MSP retirees, and provided him with sufficient funds for considerable travel and entertaining friends on Anna Maria Island.
Jim leaves behind the love of his life, his wife, Jeanne; his children, Leanna, Dianna, and Joanna; step-daughters, Andrea and Kimberly; grandchildren, Jon Eric (Yo The Doof!), Madalyn, Gunnar, Kaitlyn, and Jacob; step-grandchildren, Tyler and Taylor.
He is predeceased by his son, Michael Baird.
He leaves this world with many friends, many laughs, not many things not done, and few regrets. Don’t cry because it’s over, laugh because it happened.
Two memorial services are planned. The first was held at Terra Ceia Manor in Bradenton, Fla., at noon on Wednesday, January 30, 2019. The second will be held at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte, at 12:00 noon on Saturday, February 9, 2019.
If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Wounded Warriors, Crosswalk Teen Center in Charlotte, or Eaton Community Palliative Care.
Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Jim on his tribute page at PrayFuneral.com.