Obituaries
Brian Thomas Andersen
Brian Thomas Andersen — a caring and loving, son, brother and uncle — died unexpectedly on Sunday, November 3, 2019, at his residence in Eaton Rapids. Brian, 41, of Eaton Rapids, was born on May 3, 1978, in Hammond, IN, to Tom and Fran (Burke) Andersen. Family meant the world to Brian. If there was a family event, he was there. Brian traveled regionally with his grandfather and father to be fur trader re-enactors. If anyone asked Brian for help, he was always there to assist them. Fixing things came natural to Brian, and he didn’t just fix it, he improved it. Brian was an avid welder, and he worked as a welder for the last several years. This led to him being a very talented fabricator. Other passions for Brian included the Chicago Bears, hunting coyote and pistol shooting.
Brian is survived by his parents, Tom and Fran; sisters, Kim (Chris) Palmer, Erica (Mark) Hampton; nieces, Josette Hampton, Cadence Palmer, Clare Palmer; nephew, Caleb Palmer; and grandfather, David Andersen.
A memorial service for Brian will be held on Friday, November 22, 2019, at 2 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home. There will be a visitation just prior, from 1 to 2 p.m. Friends and family are asked to share memories of Brian on his Tribute Page at www.PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte.
Ruth A. Trowbridge
Ruth Ann Trowbridge, age 87, of Charlotte, passed away Saturday, November 2, 2019, at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing. She was born February 19, 1932, in Corunna, the daughter of Virgil and Foryst (Jakeway) Yerrick. Ruth adored her family and always looked forward to spending time together. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Ruth had a great sense of humor and quick wit. She always kept everyone on their toes waiting for the next punch line. Ruth enjoyed crossword puzzles, reading and traveling. She loved country music and made yearly trips to Florida, always making a stop in Nashville. Ruth was a staunch Democrat and was very active in local politics. She retired after many years of service from Michigan Bell Telephone and later from United Way, where she worked as a labor liaison.
Ruth is survived by her daughter, Pam (Barry) Walter of DeWitt; son, Todd (Susanne Rodriguez) Trowbridge of Charlotte; grandchildren: Todd (Neisha) Trowbridge Jr., Zachary Walter, Sean Larabee, Ryan Rausch, Jen Rausch; 8 great grandchildren; one great great-grandchild; and sister, Marge Corden of Holt.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Gordon Trowbridge; daughter, Deb Rausch; son, Scott Trowbridge; sisters: Audrey Flagg, Marlene Pierce; and brother, Virgil Yerrick Jr.
Funeral services were held on Thursday, November 7, 2019, at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home with Pastor Charles Jenson officiating. Inurnment will take place at Kalamo Hillside Cemetery at a later date.
Those desiring, may make contributions in Ruth’s memory to the Capital Area United Way, 330 Marshall St., #203, Lansing MI 48912.
To view Ruth’s obituary online, or to leave a condolence for the family, visit www.burkhead-greenfuneralhome.com.
Father James Lothamer
Father James Lothamer, PSS, Ph.D., passed into the warm embrace of eternal love on November 1, 2019, on All Saints Day, at the age of 76. Born James William Lothamer in Coldwater on November 9, 1942, to John and Helen (Cox) Lothamer, he was the second child of a family of 14 siblings.
As a young man, he attended Coldwater St. Charles School before entering St. Charles Seminary in Columbus, OH, where he received his undergraduate degree. He completed his seminary training at St. John’s Seminary in Plymouth, MI. Prior to his ordination to the priesthood, he joined the Society of St. Sulpice, a French order of priest teachers that conducted higher education for priests and lay ministers throughout the world.
Fr. Jim was assigned to St. Mary’s College in Baltimore, where he remained for 20 years of his ministry. While in his teaching and administrative duties at St. Mary’s, he took a sabbatical to the University of Toronto where he earned doctorate degrees in theology and philosophy.
Returning to Michigan in the early 1990s, Fr. Lothamer served as pastor and intermediate pastor at the following churches: St. Joseph, Adrian; St. Agnes, Fowlerville; St. John Student Chapel, East Lansing; St. Mary, Pinckney; St. Mary, Charlotte; St. Ann, Bellevue; St. Mary, Bronson; and St. Mary, Morrice. Each parish brought new friends and relationships that he cherished and maintained. A three-year interim was spent in Menlow Park, CA, as director of a Sulpician retreat center for Catholic priests.
A long life of servitude and involvement as a priest, teacher, friend and family member, Fr. Lothamer led a life focusing on the importance of community, social action and the mystical love of God. He was always generous with his intellect and resources, and his homilies are noted for the deep and powerful teaching truths that pervaded his texts.
Among Fr. Lothamer’s loves were company, study, travel and family ancestry. Connecting his American family with their European counterparts through his language skills, he cemented family ties. He delighted in sitting in the French/ German countryside sharing conversations and a glass of wine with his European cousins.
Fr. Jim was well loved by his large family. He knew each person from the oldest to the youngest and, as one nephew shared, “He was always nearby.” Fr. Lothamer’s life journey involved prayer, knowledge and heart. He will be missed by all who benefited from his ministry and presence. Fr. Jim is survived by his sisters, Susanne Colligan, Sharon Harrington, Rose Bonvillain, and Helen Malinowski; his brothers, Peter, Jesse, Timothy, Simon, Joseph, Patrick, Jerry, and Christopher. He was preceded in death by his brother, Jack; and his parents.
Friends were and are encouraged to pay tribute to Fr. Jim during the following services: A Rosary was held on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019, at the St. Agnes Catholic Church in Fowlerville. Visitation followed and a Vigil Service was held at 7 p.m. A second visitation will be held on Friday, November 8, 2019, at the St. Agnes Catholic Church in Fowlerville, from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m., followed by the Funeral Mass at 6:30 p.m. A third visitation will be held on Saturday, November 9, 2019 (Fr. Jim’s birthday), from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at St. Ann Catholic Church in Bellevue with a Prayer Service at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow the Prayer Service at Riverside Cemetery in Bellevue.
If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to The Lothamer Family Burse of Zambia, with checks payable to The Society of St. Sulpice. Cards may be sent to the St. Agnes Catholic Church in Fowlerville. Friends and family are asked to share memories of Fr. James Lothamer on his Tribute Page at www.PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte.
Ronald J. Harder
Ronald J. Harder of Owosso, formerly of Eaton Rapids, passed away on Friday, October 25, 2019, at the age of 63. He was born February 8, 1956, to Roger and Consuelo (Casillas) Harder in Lansing. Ron loved spending time with his girlfriend, Delia, and traveling around to various casinos, going out to eat and socializing with their friends. He loved spending time at the cabin at Crystal Lake. Ron loved to go boating and fishing and having friends over. He enjoyed visiting the alpaca farm and Lake Michigan. He loved country music. Ron was great at landscaping, building and painting and did beautiful work helping family members with different renovation jobs. He had a great memory, loved working with numbers and always held his children in high regard. Ron will be dearly missed by all who remember him. Preceding him in death were his parents; step-mother, Barbara Harder and his brother, Roger Harder.
Surviving are his children, Jennifer (Stefan) Meyering, Jamie Harder, Jay (May) McKenzie; grandchildren, Alyssa, Aubrey, Alivia and Aidan Meyering; sisters, Peggy (Dale) Sadler, Connie Harder, Sally Harder; brother, Robert (Barbara) Harder as well as several nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.
A memorial visitation will be held on Monday, November 4, 2019, from 4-7 p.m. at Skinner Funeral Home, Lansing Chapel. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice in Ron’s name. To share memories and condolences, visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
Raymond D. Wilcox
Raymond Dewitt Wilcox passed away on October 22, 2019, at the age of 95. Raymond was born to Leo and Edna Wilcox on October 20, 1924. When Raymond was two years old, his mother passed away. A few years later, Leo married Arlene Morehouse who brought her strong faith to the home. Several years later, baby sister Bonnie was born, and Raymond took great joy in having his little sister tag along on his many adventures. It was Raymond’s fun-natured love of his little sister that attracted his future wife, Ardath.
Raymond graduated from Sunfield High School in 1942. He was busy on the family farm and also loved sports, hunting and all things mechanical. He was active in 4-H and had the Michigan State Fair Grand Champion Cow. As a result, he was offered a college scholarship at Michigan Agricultural College (later Michigan State University). He often remarked that he regretted the decision to pass up that scholarship since he always enjoyed learning something new. Thus began his strong desire for his kids and grandkids to attend college of some kind and also his lifelong love of Michigan State University and Spartan basketball.
In 1947, he married Ardath Hynes, who was the love of his life. Naturally outgoing, he brought adventure into Ardath’s life. Ardath, a natural worrier, even was convinced to ride in his motorcycle sidecar, shoot guns and take fun trips to Lake Michigan. They eventually settled in the Sunfield area. They both trusted Christ as Savior, and during this time of life began attending the Sunfield United Methodist Church, where they remained lifelong active members with Raymond serving as a trustee and chairman of the Pastor Parish Relations Committee. He was very generous in supporting his local church and community, many missions and charities.
Raymond worked alongside his dad on the farm. Both he and Ardath knew the value of hard work and family. Soon after establishing their own farm, Kendall and Lorraine were born. At a young age, Kendall joined his grandpa and dad in the farming operation. The entire family’s involvement in agriculture continues to this day.
Raymond began working for Hough Brothers Construction. He learned to fly and loved to travel to jobs around the United States. He was a devoted father and husband, although he sometimes found the balance of work and family difficult. But every night, like clockwork, he called to check in with the family, keeping up on all the activities at home.
When Raymond turned 65, rather than retire as most, he began his own construction company, Specialty Industries, Inc. He loved the challenge of starting a new business, and the company blossomed. During these years, the importance of family began to resonate clearly, as Raymond and Ardath set aside work schedules to attend almost every activity that their grandchildren were involved with. They became well known as grandma and grandpa to kids in Lakewood, Maple Valley and Portland. Most activities were followed by dinner or ice cream to celebrate successes as well as to ease the blow of losses.
Raymond and Ardath enjoyed good health and independent living for over 90 years. Recently, as health issues began to take their toll, the family was assisted by Luminate Home Care. Their loving care allowed Raymond and Ardath the opportunity to enjoy living in their own home. Ardath passed away in May of this year just short of their 72nd anniversary. On October 22, 2019, at the age of 95, Raymond also went to be with the Lord. Their strong commitment to their Lord Jesus Christ, and each other, unconditional love for their family, hard work ethic and fun-loving spirits will be greatly missed.
Raymond is survived by his son, Kendall (Kerry) Wilcox and his daughter Lorraine (Brian) Benedict, seven grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, and brother in-law Lindy (Beth) Hynes. He was preceded in death by his wife Ardath of 71 years, great-granddaughter Kyra Winslow, parents Leo and Edna Wilcox, stepmother Arlene Weeks, siblings Bonnie (Roy) Van Houten, infant brother Donald Wilcox, stepbrother Paul Morehouse, and brother in-laws Glendon (Mary) Hynes, and Cecil Hynes.
A Celebration of Life was held on Oct. 30 at the Sunfield United Methodist Church. A graveside service at the Sunfield Cemetery followed. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Sunfield SPYS or the Sunfield United Methodist Monday Night Supper Fund, which provides free meals to the community.
Visit a special page created for Raymond to leave a condolence for the family at RosierFuneralHome.com. The family has entrusted the arrangements to Rosier Funeral Home, the independent, family owned funeral home in Sunfield.