Obituaries
Alvetta J. Lea
Alvetta Jean Lea, one of the nicest women in town that made everyone feel welcome in her home, died January 7, 2019. Alvetta, 79, was born at home in Bellevue on February 12, 1939 to Lyle and Ferne (Kinsey) Smith. April 15, 1955 she married her sweetheart, Ronald Walter Lea, and together they raised five children that filled their home with laughter and adventures. Strong in many ways, Alvetta was a survivor, overcoming Polio and Rheumatic Fever in her younger years, then cancer and many surgeries later in life. In addition to raising a family, Alvetta also worked at Gambles Dime Store, and at Fruin Pharmacy in Bellevue as a clerk. Always thoughtful of others, Alvetta crafted over 500 hats, dolls, and scrubbies for many different charities, both through her church and privately. Her positive attitude, even through her illnesses over the years, and her kindness to everyone around her will always be remembered.
Alvetta is survived by her husband, Ronald Lea; children, Ron (Rosa) Lea, Terrie (David) Martens, Tammie Gibson, Carl (Diana) Lea, and Tina (Jeff) Scott; 16 grandchildren; 14 bonus grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; one great great-grandchild; and brother, Rick Smith. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Robert, Bruce, and Carroll; and sister, Myrna Lynn Avery.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, January 9 at Bellevue First Baptist Church, with Pastor Donald Francis officiating.
If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Pray Funeral Home to help with final expenses. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Alvetta on her tribute page at PrayFuneral.com.
Marie J. McKeon
Marie Josephine McKeon, 89, of Bellevue, former long-time waitress at Jim’s Tiffany Lounge, in Lansing, passed away on January 4, 2019. Marie was born on May 3, 1929, to Carl and Leona (Kratochvil) Anderson in East Jordan, Mich. She attended East Jordan High School. Marie married Joseph F. McKeon and together they began their lifelong legacy of 52 years, raising four children and creating lasting memories for them all.
Marie’s employment as a waitress at Jim’s Tiffany Lounge for more than 20 years, with her quick and up-beat service, made her a favorite with many legislators that lunched there regularly. Marie was one of those special people that everybody loved; and will be remembered as someone always on the go. Marie was very proud that she and her husband built their own house in Bellevue, with help from their children, their family, and their friends. Marie was also proud of her children, and that she was her daughter, Nancy’s, best friend. Crafts were one of Marie’s favorite things to do. She was an incredible painter, until she lost her eyesight. She loved garage sales and had an official bumper sticker to prove it. Marie was grateful for being a two-time cancer survivor, and felt this to be one of her biggest accomplishments.
Marie is survived by her three children; son, Clinton “Harvey” (Tami) Bates; daughter, Nancy G. (Ronald, Sr.) Feher, and son, Michael P. (Lynn Granger) McKeon; brothers, Don and Bill Anderson; son-in-law, Bill Dixon; 10 grandchildren, Ryan, Nicole, Jenny, Michael, Ann Marie, Lisa, Sandi, Cindi, Nicki, and Ronny; and 13 great-grandchildren.
Marie is predeceased by her husband, Joseph; daughter, Pamela Ann Dixon; grandson, Andrew Joseph Bates; one great grandchild; and brother, Robert Anderson.
Private Family Services will be held at a later date.
Friends and family are encouraged to share memories and condolences on Marie’s tribute page at PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte.
Dinah K. Watson
Dinah Kay Watson, an accomplished traveler who visited all 50 states, died January 5, 2019. Dinah, 75, of Charlotte, was born July 22, 1943 in Charlotte to Douglas and Helen (Hitt) Rickle. She graduated from Grand Ledge High School, and earned her associate’s degree. Dinah worked for two years as a hairdresser before she married Danny Watson on February 2, 1963. Dinah then worked for the State of Michigan until her retirement in 1999, and then worked in data processing at Auto Owners Insurance. The Eaton County 4H Fair was a big part of Dinah’s life, attending for 37 years proudly supporting her children and grandchildren. Everyone knew Dinah as a very caring person, always doing things for others and making family the center of her world. In her spare time, Dinah loved gardening, reading, baking, playing poker, eating out, attending musicals, and especially enjoyed time spent with her grandchildren. Her family laughingly says that she had a large collection of books, teapots, and other things that needed to be dusted.
Dinah is survived by her husband of 55 years, Danny Watson; daughters, Debra (John) Bussard, and Rebecca Ruhlig; grandchildren, Victoria Ruhlig, Katie Bussard, Jeff Bussard and Paul Bussard; sister, Barbara (Dave) Root; and several nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her son, Randy Jo Watson; and her parents.
Memorial services were held Friday, January 11, 2019 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte, with Pastor Jordan Humbarger officiating.
If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the American Lung Association or the American Heart Association.
Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Dinah on her tribute page at PrayFuneral.com.
Charles Smith
Charles “Chuck” Smith, 79, of Charlotte, passed away Tuesday, January 1, 2019, at the Henry Ford Allegiance Hospice Home in Jackson. He was born December 26, 1939 in Lansing, the son of Oliver and Flossie (Brendahl) Smith. Chuck graduated from Bath High School with the class of 1958. Soon after graduation he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, where he proudly served his country. After his honorable discharge from the Marines, Chuck went on to earn his master’s degree in business from Michigan State University. On October 24, 1964, Chuck married the love of his life Marilyn Sue Lease in Eaton Rapids. They enjoyed 54 years together. Chuck loved his family and was especially fond of his grandchildren. He and Marilyn hardly ever missed being at the grandchildren’s sporting events. In his free time Chuck enjoyed woodworking and playing golf. Chuck was a devoted member of First Lutheran Church.
He is survived by his wife, Marilyn Sue; daughters, Teresa (David) Johns of Charlotte, Amy (Jason) Engle of Spring Arbor; grandchildren, Torey (Kori) Johns, Taelor (Nate Davis) Johns, Tegan Johns, Tanner Johns, Jonah Engle, Jadon Engle, Alena Engle; great-grandson, Henry Johns; siblings, Joyce Powers, Jim Smith, and Irma Ash.
Chuck was preceded in death by his parents; son, Charles Max Smith in 1969; and siblings, Barbara, Ellen, Carol Mae, and Jerry.
Funeral services were held Friday, January 4, 2019, at First Lutheran Church in Charlotte. Interment followed at Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to First Lutheran Church, 550 E. Shepherd St., Charlotte, MI 48813 or Lewy Body Dementia Association, 912 Killian Hill Road, S.W., Lilburn, GA 30047.
To view Chuck’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family, please visit burkhead-greenfunerlahome.com.
Mary Jo Gorsuch
Mary Jo Gorsuch (Twitchell), 76, of Crystal, died January 9, 2019. Mary Jo was the daughter of Ford and Enid (Geisenhaver) Twitchell, born November 11, 1942 in Charlotte.
She is survived by her brother, A.G. Twitchell; her children, Kurt (Lana) Hauffe and Dawn (Steffes) Hauffe and their father, Pete Hauffe; step-daughters Julie Anderson, Joy Gorsuch, and Jennifer Lison; 14 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her husband of 35 years, Lincoln Gorsuch on December 15, 2018.
Mary Jo graduated from Potterville High School, Central Michigan University with a bachelor’s degree, and San Diego State University with a master’s degree. Her work history included the following schools: Grand Ledge, Harper Woods, Warren, Centerline, Saginaw and Carrollton Adult Ed, Rincon Indian Reservation in Valley Center, Calif. She returned to Michigan and taught at Potterville High School until her retirement in 1998. From 1986 to 2011, Mary Jo and Lincoln lived in an old log cabin on Thornapple Lake where many happy family gatherings took place. Following retirement, she and Lincoln traveled to California and Texas, finally settling in Zephyrhills, Fla., where they spent 15 years.
During the years of 1985-1998 Mary Jo became active in community theater, performing with The ReVue in Vermontville, and the Thornapple Players in Hastings. She fell in love with the theater and expressed that these were some of the happiest times of her life. One of her favorite quotes was, “All the world is a stage.” Her other love was writing and during those years, she often wrote articles for local newspapers. She co-authored two books: Carrollton Centennial 1976 and Rincon Cook Book 1980. For her grandchildren, she compiled a collection of her childhood memories, entitled Notes To My Grandchildren.
Friends are encouraged to support Mary Jo’s family at visitation and memorial services. Memorial services are Thursday, January 17, 2019, at 11 a.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Margaret Hollenbeck officiating. Visitation will be held two hours prior to the service.
If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Eaton Community Palliative Care.
Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Mary Jo on her tribute page at PrayFuneral.com.