Obituaries
Marion Maurer
Marion Maurer, 86, of Olivet, passed away Sunday, September 2, 2018, at her home with her family by her side. She was born October 23, 1931, in Hastings, the daughter of Floyd and Dorothy (Loveland) Denny. Marion spent her growing up years in Barry County. She graduated from Hastings High School in 1949 and then went on to Michigan State and took a short course in home economics. On June 11, 1950, she married Harold R. Maurer at her parent’s home in Hastings. After her marriage, she and Harold moved to their new home on Mathews Road in Olivet. This was where they raised their family. Marion was very active in all aspects of the farming operation. She helped milk cows, did field work, and maintained her home. Marion was a 4-H Leader for many years. She made most of the girl’s dresses while they were at home and even entered them in several Grange sewing contests. In one of these contests she became a State Champion Seamstress. Marion was active in her children’s education. She served as a room mother, was PTA President, and put on many style shows. She always enjoyed the Eaton County Fair and had a hot dog booth there for years. She lived her life for her family.
Marion is survived by her children, Marvin (Tammy) Maurer of Charlotte, Martha (Alan) Scott of Columbiaville, Aaron Maurer of Olivet, Darlene (Roger) Conley of Charlotte, Carla (Brian) Wilmore of Charlotte; 13 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; sisters, Joyce (Oliver) Boulder of Woodland, Kathryn Dewitt of Hastings; brother, Robert Denny of Battle Creek; sisters-in-law, Iva Jean Wilmore, Maxine Baun, Shirley Watson; numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Harold; step-daughter, Karen Haigh; four sisters; and two brothers.
Funeral services were held on Friday, September 7, 2018, at 2 p.m. at Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home in Charlotte. The family received friends two hours prior to the service at the funeral home. Interment followed at Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte.
Those desiring may make contributions in Marion’s honor to Eaton Community Palliative Care, 2675 S. Cochran Road, Charlotte, MI 48813.
David E. Cross
David Eliot Cross, a loving and caring, son, brother, uncle and friend, died unexpectedly August 22, 2018. David, 40, was born November 16, 1977 in Lansing to Sam and Kathy (Jones) Cross. He was a 1996 Charlotte High School graduate. In high school David loved running cross country and track, two sports that he was truly good at. David worked in the frozen foods department at the Meijer Warehouse. Some of his interests include creative hobbies such as art and poetry. He also had a strong passion for the outdoors, going for walks whenever he could. Other hobbies included reading, going to the movies, and playing the keyboard. Family was very important to David. He loved spending time with them and was actually a caretaker for his grandmother, and loved spending time with his nephew, Ryan.
David is survived by his parents, Sam and Kathy (Jones) Cross; siblings, Jonathan Cross, James (Christina Raby) Cross, Lisa (Brian) Ruble, and Robert Cross; grandma, Elva Jones; nephew, Ryan Cross; niece, Ambrosia Ruble; cousins, Joshua Kirk, Jennifer Kirk, along with other cousins and aunts and uncles.
David is predeceased by grandparents, Gerald and Alice Cross, and Wilbur Jones; and aunt, Jan Kirk.
A celebration of life was held at the Charlotte Church of Christ on Wednesday, August 29, 2018 at 7 p.m. with Pastor John Bailey officiating.
Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of David on his tribute page at PrayFuneral.com.
Annie M. Campbell
Annie Margaret Campbell, 94, of Sunfield, died Monday morning, August 27, 2018. She was born February 11, 1924 in Pineville, N.C., a daughter of Fred and Daisy (Fowler) Thrower. She was a former member of Sunfield United Methodist Church and its Women’s Society, plus the Red Hats.
Annie was preceded in death by her husband, Harold; daughter, Allene Mullins and son, Loren Fred Campbell. Surviving are two daughters, JoAnne (Dennis) Clay of Charlotte and Patricia (Clair) Hewitt of Sunfield; seven grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; one great great-granddaughter; nieces and nephews.
Services were held Friday at Barker-Leik Funeral Home, Mulliken, with Randy and Sally Seifert officiating. Interment was in Meadowbrook Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Eaton County Health and Rehabilation Services – Activity Fund, 530 Beech St., Charlotte, MI 48813.
Lawrence E. Suntken
Lawrence Edward Suntken, 76, of Charlotte, a story-teller and prankster, passed away August 24, 2018. He was born June 5, 1942 to Edward and Arlene (Guy) Suntken in Lansing. Lawrence attended Sunfield High School, graduating in 1960. Lawrence married Jill Maxam in 1966, and they raised two daughters, and their legacy continued with five grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. Lawrence worked at Owens-Illinois for 30 years. Hunting and fishing were a big part of his life, and he loved recounting stories of his adventures with his family and friends. Lawrence enjoyed watching the deer and wildlife in his yard, and evening drives with his family so they could look for deer. He loved his dog, Domino, who was the true “Ruler of the Roost.”
Lawrence was always thinking of others, he would pick up returnable bottles and cans, and put the proceeds in a fund to use for special purposes. The Welch Historical Museum in Sunfield also benefited from a number of things he donated to them. He also enjoyed building birdhouses, antiquing, and cutting wood (which he did until he couldn’t start his gas chainsaw any longer, then he bought an electric chainsaw). After his wife Jill died in 2016, Lawrence met Kay Stuber at a support group at Eaton Community Palliative Care. When Kay tied his shoes for him, he fell for her kind ways, and she loved the way he was a gentleman—the kind who opened the door for ladies. They enjoyed dancing together at the Maple Grove Grange.
Lawrence is survived by his daughters, Yvonne Visger and Felisha (Lloyd) Prickel; granddaughters, Ashley (Joshua) Sanders, Mackenzie (Adam) Foster, Alison Childers and Cassey Childers; grandson, Taylor (Samantha) Visger; great-granddaughters, Brenleigh Sanders, Ava Foster, and Aubriana Childers; great-grandsons, Jensen Sanders, Easton Foster, and Mason Visger; brothers, Lavern (Marilyn) Suntken, Loyal (Glea) Suntken, and LaGrand Suntken; and girlfriend, Kay Stuber.
He was preceded in death by wife, Jill Ione Suntken; grandson, A J Childers; and his parents, Edward and Arlene Suntken.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, August 28 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte, with Courtney Suntken officiating.
If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Welch Historical Museum in Sunfield or Eaton Community Palliative Care.
Share memories of Lawrence on his tribute page at PrayFuneral.com.
Dixie L. Stahr
Dixie Lee (Miller) Stahr, a kind hearted, strong willed and happy go lucky, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, died Saturday, August 18, 2018. Dixie, 79, was born October 1, 1938, in St. Johns to Frances and Martha (Hartig) Miller. She graduated from Haslett High School. In 1962 Dixie married Thomas Beals and together they created their legacy until his passing in 1980. Dixie worked as a cashier for the Charlotte IGA and for Meijer before her retirement in 2002. Being outdoors was a strong passion for Dixie. She loved fishing, gardening, watching birds and camping at Yankee Springs Deep Lake Campground. She was a proud member of the TOPS Club 433 in Eaton Rapids. Dixie also enjoyed sewing and embroidering. Her family always knew where she was and when not to bother her, every night at 7 p.m. you could find Dixie watching The Wheel of Fortune, if you had to call it better have been before or after the show. She was a member of the New Hope Church in Charlotte. Dixie loved her dogs, Molly, Buddy and Jake. Above all her biggest passion in life was being a grandmother to her grandchildren and great-grandchild.
Dixie is survived by her children, Allen “Tom” (Kris) Beals, and Laura (Horace “Lewie” Doty) Griffin; grandchildren, Kayley, Timothy, and Nikolaus; great-grandchild, Damon; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Dixie is preceded in death by her first husband, Thomas; son, William Thomas Beals; siblings, Karlene, Roger, and Doug; and her parents.
A private family memorial service is going to take place at a later date.
If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to The Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure to benefit breast cancer.
Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Dixie on her tribute page at PrayFuneral.com.