Obituaries
Ruben G. Chavez
Ruben Gracia Chavez, 89, a devoted Christian and family man, went to meet his Lord and Savior. Ruben’s sunrise was August 22, 1929 in Corpus Christi, Texas to Jesus and Guadalupe (Gracia) Chavez, and his sunset was September 17, 2018 in Potterville. A man of knowledge, peaceful calm, and quiet faith, family was everything to Ruben. He greatly enjoyed trips when he and his wife, Lucinda, would pack all of the kids in the station wagon and head to Texas to visit family. For a time, he ran his parents’ store, Chavez Grocery, and he later worked for Oldsmobile, retiring in 1987. Ruben enjoyed Spanish music, flea markets, word searches, and puzzles, but spoiling his grandkids with gum, spare change, ice cream, and cookies filled his heart with the greatest happiness. Ruben loved his wife deeply, and it showed through the love he had for his family.
Ruben is survived by his wife of 68 years, Lucinda Martinez (Lozano) Chavez; eight children, Ruben L. Chavez Sr., Guadalupe Hoag, Sylvia (Ray) Jolly, David (Yvonne) Chavez, Armando Chavez, MaryHelen (Terry) Wheeler, Catalina Jones, and Manuel (Meg) Chavez; 24 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; siblings, Joe Chavez, Ramiro Chavez, Lucy Jalifi, Rosalinda Peña, special sister-in-law, Lucy Rendon; and many nieces and nephews.
Ruben was predeceased by his parents; son, Carlos “Danny” and son-in-law, Don Hoag; and siblings, Adolfo Chavez, Gloria Gutierrez, Jesus Chavez Jr., and Alonzo Chavez.
Graveside services were held Friday, September 21, at 2 p.m. at Benton Township Cemetery.
If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to St. Mary Catholic Church in Charlotte.
Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Ruben on his tribute page at PrayFuneral.com.
Carol J. Schneider
Carol Joanne Schneider of Charlotte passed away on Friday, September 7, 2018 at the age of 79. Carol was born on June 26, 1939 in East Jordan, Mich., the daughter of George and Helen (Springstead) Klooster. She was raised on the family farm in East Jordan where she worked and sold eggs to the local grocery stores. Carol had a beautiful voice and enjoyed singing in the church choir as a child. She graduated from East Jordan High School Class of 1957 and went on to receive a secretarial certificate from Grand Traverse Community College. Carol went to work for the State of Michigan in the Department of Natural Resources retiring after 30 years of service in 1991. She enjoyed playing cards, cribbage, crossword puzzles, camping, fishing and spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Carol was and avid Detroit Redwings, Tigers and MSU Football fan. She was a member of the Family Shooters Corral and her local neighborhood-knitting group.
Carol is preceded in death by her parents; brother, Ron Klooster; grandchildren, Dustin Howe and Robin Frazier.
Surviving are her husband of 46 years, Raymond Schneider; children, Cindy (Dean) Harmon, Theresa (Joe) Smith, Sandy (Alec) Champlin, Mary (Doug) Howe, Pamela (Paul) Wygant, Patricia (Donald) Kidd, Brain (Taylor) Donaldson, Becki (Tom) Goodman; 29 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; sisters, Marilyn Pierce, Kay Richards and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, September 11, 2018 at Skinner Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids Chapel.
For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Foundation in memory of Carol.
To share memories or leave condolences, please visit SkinnerFuneralHomes.
Sandra K. Place
Sandra Kay “Sandi” Place, 73, of Olivet, died on Saturday, September 8, 2018 at Eaton County Health and Rehabilitation Services. Sandi was born November 27, 1944 in Marshall to Howard and Betty (Miller) Faulkner. When Sandi was 6 years old she lost her parents when they were killed in an auto accident. From that time on, she was lovingly raised by her grandparents, Harry and Esther (Rapp) Miller, and her aunts Mary Lou, Shirley, Darlene, Dorothy, Marian, Margaret, Mildred, and uncles Harry, Robert and Laverne Miller.
She graduated from high school and went on to the Hurley School of Nursing, graduating as a Registered Nurse. Sandi then attended MSU and graduated with her BSN degree.
She was married to Merlyn D. Place on September 18, 1966. The couple has made their home in Olivet since then. She worked at the Battle Creek Veterans’ Administration Hospital for many years, retiring from there as a nursing supervisor in 1999. Sandi then taught nursing at Kalamazoo Valley Community College for 15 years, retiring in March of 2014.
Sandi was a member of the Oaklawn Hospital Auxiliary and volunteered at Oaklawn. She was a member of the Ella M. Brown Charitable Circle. For a number of years she enjoyed volunteering at the Marshall Historical Home Tour for the Marshall Historical Society.
She crocheted hundreds of baby afghans to give to mothers for their first baby. Her family have all benefited from her talent, with many afghans and blankets placed in family homes. She was beloved by her family and was a loving influence on their many lives.
Surviving are her husband, Merlyn; daughter, Amy (Michael) Gancasz of Royersford, Penn., and son Brian (Stacey) Place of Charlotte; four grandchildren, Tom Moran, McKenna Kay Place, Nolan Gancasz and Riley Gancasz; her aunts, Shirley (Jack) Lawler of Marshall, and Darlene Coats and Dorothy Stults both of Olivet; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her grandparents; her uncles, Harry, Robert and Laverne Miller; and her aunts, Mary Lou Duckham, Marian Heisler, Margaret Miller and Mildred Foote.
Funeral services to celebrate her life were held on Wednesday, Sept. 12, at the Marshall Chapel of Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services, with Rev. Jack Brown officiating. Cremation followed services with committal later in Bosworth Cemetery in Olivet.
The family suggests donations to The Battle Buddy Foundation, 8859 Cincinnati-Dayton Road, West Chester, Ohio, tbbf.org.
Visit kempffuneralhome.com to leave a message for the family.
Wilma J. Hogle
Wilma J. Hogle finally got her wish and passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on August 31, 2018. She was born on September 23, 1929, in Charlotte to Lowell and Louise Boyer. She graduated from Charlotte High School in 1946 and married Albert Hogle in 1947. Wilma worked at Michigan Bell and AE Hoover. After she retired she volunteered at Hayes Green Beach Hospital for many years. Wilma knitted and donated hundreds of baby booties for the newborns. Over the years she knitted mittens and slippers that she gave to anyone who needed them. Wilma was also known for her wonderful homemade bread.
Wilma is survived by daughter; Linda Lamb of Columbia, Tenn.; sons, Neil (Patricia) of Lansing, Lowell of Charlotte; five grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; sisters, Mary Hall of Charlotte, Donna (Paul) Thayer of Plainwell; and sister-in-law, Jean Boyer of Sunfield.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband; two sisters; and two brothers.
A memorial visitation will be held on Saturday, September 15, 2018, from 2 to 6 p.m. at Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home in Charlotte.
Those desiring, may make contributions in Wilma’s honor to Sparrow Hospice or the charity of their choice.
To view Wilma’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family, please visit burkhead-greenfuneralhome.com.
Lavinia C. Kineman
Lavinia Carolyn (Milner) Kineman, of Hastings, was born January 7, 1935 and passed on from this earth September 3, 2018. Lavinia Carolyn Milner was born in Hickman County, Ky. She attended High School and Junior College in Paducah, Ky. and continued on to Murray State Teacher’s College. On September 14, 1957, she married Jack Lavern Kineman, her college sweetheart, and traveled with him on his life’s journey as a civil engineer throughout the Midwest. Although she is gone from this earth she is treasured in our hearts and minds as a loving wife and caring, nurturing mother and grandmother who believed in hard work and perseverance. She believed in all of us and we are grateful for her life and love.
Lavinia, “Carolyn” to many, is survived by her husband and three children, Steven Kineman (Marie McLaury) of Charlotte, Rhonda Kineman (John Houck) of Chicago and Melinda (Michael) Rodgers of Grand Rapids; five grandchildren, Radie, Maizie, Zephie (Josh) Hillard, Bram Kineman and Oskar Houck.
In keeping with Carolyn’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a private family burial will be held.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Diabetes Associations.
To view Carloyn’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family, please visit burkhead-greenfuneralhome.com.
Cards of caring and remembrance can be sent in-care-of Steven Kineman, 388 North Wheaton Rd, Charlotte, MI 48813.