Obituaries
Roland H. Korp
Roland “Ron” Henry Korp, age 89, of Charlotte — a proud patriot and loving husband, father and grandfather — died peacefully on Tuesday, January 28, 2020. Ron was born June 22, 1930, in Niles, Mich., the son of Roland Glen and Dorothy Bell (Bergoine) Korp.
He graduated from high school in Bellevue in 1949 before enlisting in the U.S. Army and proudly serving during the Korean Conflict. Upon his return from the war, he went to work in 1953 for the Grand Truck Railroad, retiring in 1992 as leading car inspector. Ron also served in the Michigan National Guard for many years, earning his retirement as a Master Sergeant. He was a member of the Charlotte VFW and the Eaton Area Senior Center. Ron had a passion for his cars, always keeping them in pristine condition, even waxing the engine. He loved Christmas time and lived life with a perpetual smile. Ron never had an enemy and will be missed and remembered by many.
Ron is survived by his wife of 54 years, Linda Korp; his children, Susan Gleason, Tim (Mary) Korp, Rhonda (Tom) Crawford and Tracy (John) Golematis; grandchildren, Angela, Matthew, Andrew, Tayler, Abby, Hannah, Savannah, and Andra; great-grandchildren, Erika, Mia, Carina, Meghyn, Sophie, Reece, Laigha, Violet and another on the way; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and his siblings, Betty (Herbert) Ellis, Kenneth (Vicky) Winslow, Robert (Doris) Korp and Claribell (Cecil) Stice.
Friends are encouraged to support Ron’s family. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, February 1, 2020, at Pray Funeral Home with Pastor Don Francis officiating. Visitation was scheduled from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, January 31, 2020, at the funeral home. Interment will take place in Maple Hill Cemetery. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Salvation Army or the American Diabetes Association. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Ron on his tribute page at www.prayfuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Barbara J. Allen
Barbara J. Allen, age 88 of Charlotte, formerly of New Port Richey, Fla., passed away Wednesday, January 15, 2020. She was born on May 29, 1931, in Vermontville. Barbara worked her entire life at Michigan Bell Telephone Company as operator, repair supervisor and later as toll testman. She retired to Seven Springs Golf and Country Club, New Port Richey, Fla., in 1982, with her husband Chester Allen. She lived there until 2017 when she moved back to Michigan to be near her family. She enjoyed playing golf and won many tournaments over the years. She lost one eye to a tumor shortly after retirement that never held her back or changed her golf game. Barbara was predeceased by her parents Norma (McNabb) and Don Bosworth and her husband Chester D. Allen in 2000. Barbara is survived by her siblings, Karen McGlaughlin (Lavell Howe) of Charlotte, Edwin (Ruth Bosworth) of Cadillac, her nieces Ginger Terpstra (Rick) of Charlotte, Shawn Raleigh (John) of Charlotte, nephew Don Rogers (Brandi Viele) of Colorado Springs, CO and nieces Teresa (Mart) Williams of Cadillac, Debbie (Ted) Lockwood of Traverse City. Cremation has taken place. No services will be held per her request. Special thanks go out to Julie Coenen for the tremendous care and compassion given until her passing. Also, thanks are offered to special caregivers Megan and Marie at the Haven. Contributions in her memory can be made to Hospice of Lansing, Stoneleigh Residence, 3411 Stoneleigh Dr., Lansing MI 48910.
Agnes V. Graves
Agnes Victoria Graves, age 95, of Charlotte, passed away Monday, January 27, 2020, at the Eaton County Health and Rehabilitation Services with her family by her side. She was born at home near Nashua, Mont., the daughter of Albert and Minnie Pearson Schakosky on January 27, 1925. Her childhood was spent on the family homestead. She attended a one-room school, named Big Four School. After graduating from that school, she went on to high school and graduated from Glasgow, Montana High School in 1941, just before World War II was declared. When soldiers began to be stationed in Glasgow, she became a USO hostess. It was then that she met John Graves from Texas, as he was there training on the B-17 bombers. They were married in Melissa, Tex., once he returned from flying 25 bombing missions over Europe. Together, they spent several years in Texas before moving to Michigan. Aggie worked for the State of Michigan, Department of Social Services, in Lansing. She retired after 27 years of service. In retirement, she became a volunteer for various organizations including Hayes Green Beach Hospital, Woldumar Nature Center, Mobile Meals, American Red Cross, Charlotte Business Women Organization and the Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church. When it became evident there was a need for a facility for the senior population, she became a part of the effort to secure the Eaton Area Senior Center, of which she was a life member. Aggie also enjoyed traveling in both the United States and Europe.
She is survived by her children: Vicki (Don) Voisin of Charlevoix, Jessica (Everett) Gard of Clarkston, Matthew (Tammy) Graves of Rockford, Andrea (Wayne) Price of Conway, S.C.; nine grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and sister, Alyce (Hugo) Mosser of Slaton, Tex.
She was preceded in death by her parents and five siblings.
Funeral services were scheduled for Friday, January 31, 2020, at noon at the Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church with Rev. Gary Wales officiating. The family was to receive friends from 10 a.m. to noon at the church on Friday. Those desiring, may make contributions in Aggie’s honor to the American Red Cross.
Gary L. Mandel
Gary Lee Mandel, age 70 passed away January 25, 2020, at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio. He was born November 2, 1949, to Raymond and Helen (Kieffer) Mandel in Neenah, Wisc.
Throughout his life, he was a factory worker, a social worker in Walworth County, Wisc., and a SSA federal employee retiring in 2011. He loved all Wisconsin sports and outdoor activities — including hiking, biking, kayaking, cross-country skiing, camping, golfing and playing softball.
Preceding him in death were his parents, and sons Shawn I. Mandel and Shannon McQuillin.
Surviving are his partner Lynda Norris, brother Roy (Nancy) Mandel, children Erin Shilo (Jeff Turley) Mandel, Garrett Mandel, Gina (Justin) Langholff Morgan, Shawyn (Kyle) Anderson, ErinRose McQuillin, Samatha (Len) Skar, Roy (Chrystal) Aseltine and Chet (Mandy) Norris, 21 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, special niece Teri Rae Mandel and nephew Rick Mandel and many life-long friends.
A Celebration of Life will take place at a later date.
John K. Cripe
John Kenneth Cripe, age 70, passed away on January 25, 2020, in Powell, Tenn. John was born June 18, 1949 in Jackson, Mich.
John enjoyed racing cars in his younger years, as well as mud bogging. He served in the U.S. Army 101st Airborne Division, where he fought in the Vietnam War. He retired from the Michigan National Guard and General Motors.
John was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Myrtle. He is survived by his wife, JoAnn; sister Lois (Terry); six children, John (Jatana), Jill, Janell (Tony), Janie (Justin), Jeremiah and Jeff (Melissa); step-children Bobbi, Scott and Stephanni; grandchildren, Jordan (Alyssa), Justin, Aleisha, Samantha, Michael, Michelle, Zach, J.J., Brandon, Rhyleigh, Gracie, Noah, Meghan, Audrey, Hazel, Maizie, Justice and several step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
John’s wishes were to be cremated. A memorial service will be held at the VFW Post 6056, 230 Mechanic St. in Springport, on Sunday, Feb. 9, at 1 p.m.