Obituaries
Raymond F. Hunt
Raymond Floyd Hunt, 60, of Eaton Rapids, died Tuesday, February 5, 2019, after battling cancer. Raymond, was born September 5, 1958 in Portland, Ore. to Thomas and Margaret (Myers) Hunt. Raymond graduated from Charlotte High School in 1976. Following graduation he enlisted in the Army and proudly served his country. He worked as a housekeeper at HGB and also at the Sheraton Inn. Most recently he worked in home health. Raymond enjoyed playing card and board games, riding his bike, and also collecting eagles.
Raymond is survived by his loving family; daughter, Cassandra (Dustin Arnold) Hunt; girlfriend, Bernice Sherman; siblings, Annie (Theadore) Carmoney, Thomas (Rebecca) Hunt, John Elkins; and his nieces and nephews.
Raymond was predeceased by his parents, and brother, Howard Hunt.
Friends are encouraged to support Raymond’s family at visitation and funeral services. Funeral services are Tuesday, February 12, 2019, at 11:30 a.m., at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte, with Pastor Charles Jenson officiating. Visitation will be held two hours prior to the service, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Interment will follow at Ft. Custer National Cemetery in Augusta.
If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the family to assist with final expenses.
Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Raymond on his tribute page at PrayFuneral.com.
Geraldine L. Bursley
Geraldine Louise “Gerry” Bursley, 93, of Charlotte, a caring and loving, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great great-grandmother died January 23, 2019. Gerry was born April 7, 1925 in Hammond, Ind. to Gerald and Frances (Ling) Niccum. She graduated from Charlotte High School in 1943, and soon after married Dale Bursley. Together they enjoyed Polka festivals in Indiana, Ohio, and all over Michigan. The Bursleys loved to dance every Saturday night at the Moose Lodge. While Polka music and dancing were two of Gerry’s favorite activities, she also loved gardening, fishing, camping, traveling, crocheting, and crossword puzzles. Experimental meals were common in the Bursley household, she loved trying new recipes. Gerry will be remembered for her loved showed towards others, she never met a stranger.
Gerry is survived by her daughters, Carol (Larry) Hill of Nashville and Connie (Al) Upright of Charlotte; nine grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren, five great great-grandchildren; and beloved extended family members, Paul (Linda) Campbell, and sons.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Dale in 2011; grandson, Don Beck; and her parents.
Friends are encouraged to support the Bursley family at her celebration of life. Her celebration of life is Saturday, February 2, 2019, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Sunfield United Brethren Chruch.
If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Eaton Community Palliative Care or the Sunfield United Brethren Church.
Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Gerry on her tribute page at PrayFuneral.com.
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.