Obituaries
Raymond Howard Bigford
Raymond “Ray” Howard Bigford, a man who was known as the favorite for his sense of humor, died on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, at the age of 83, Raymond of Charlotte, was born on June 19, 1941, to Albert and Ester (Johnson) Bigford, Sr. in Jackson, Michigan. He attended and graduated from High School from Laingsburg in the class of 1959. Ray was a familiar face at Olivet College serving as the Head Housekeeper beginning in 1986 and retired in 2008 and took great pride in the relationships over the years. On April 23, 1966, Ray married Dorothy Collins, and they enjoyed their 46 years together until her passing in 2012. In his younger years he enjoyed fishing and hunting. Each year he looked forward to the family rabbit and squirrel hunting adventures and Deer camp spent with the guys each year. Ray loved to bowl, participating in various bowling leagues, and enjoyed singing as well as playing his guitar. He was a faithful member of the former South Cochran Church of God in Charlotte. Ray loved reading his Bible and attending church each Sunday. Above all his biggest joy in life came from his family.
Raymond is survived by his daughter, Dawn McLeod; grandchildren, Heidi (Jonathon Wicker) McLeod, Krystal (Arynn) Moon, Raymond McLeod, Tyler (Shasta) McLeod; great-grandchildren, Raylen, Leon, Sondra, Joseph, and Taylor-Rose; siblings, Marilyn (Jan) Vantassel, David Bigford, Shirley (Thomas) Mahoney, and Albert Bigford Jr.; and numerous extended family members. He was predeceased by his parents; his wife, Dorothy; siblings, Bob Bigford, Frank Bigford, Terry Bigford, and Cathy Bigford.
Friends are encouraged to support Raymond’s family by sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation was Friday, October 11, 2024, from 4-7:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. Funeral Services were Saturday, October 12, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home with Rebecca Douglas officiating. Burial will take place in the Greenlawn Cemetery, Orland, Indiana. The funeral was webcast so you may watch it from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device that has internet access. Go to www.prayfuneral.com, click on Raymond’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the family payable to Pray Funeral Home to assist with funeral expenses. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Dennis Charles Kennedy
Dennis “Denny” Charles Kennedy of Charlotte who loved all kinds of outdoor activities and was very active with many organizations, died October 10, 2024 at the age of 73. Denny was born April 11, 1951 in Lansing to John and Marie (Geller) Kennedy and was a graduate of O’Rafferty High School in Lansing. He worked for 42 years in security and sales consulting, with 33 years of increased sales awards, and retired in 2020. Denny was instrumental in starting Teens Encounter Christ (TEC) in the Lansing area, and was also very active in other organizations, including The American Quarter Horse Association, American Kennel Club, American Hardware Association, and Michigan Association of Security and Investigative Professionals.
With a big heart and a dry sense of humor, Denny was the type that was willing to try to do almost anything. Fishing, woodworking, landscaping his property, and traveling with his wife to show horses were some of the things he enjoyed most. He also had a passion for Michigan State sports, something that he learned from his father. A proud family man, Denny enjoyed supporting his wife and daughter show horses, and watching his son play football at Northern Michigan. He greatly enjoyed the family farm that we created piece by piece. Denny and Carol were also dog breeders, and he was right there to support Carol with each new litter.
Denny is survived by his wife, Carol; children, Henry (Sally) Bowman III, Wayne (Melissa) Kennedy, and Darlene Kennedy; and grandchildren, Jessica, Abigail, Joseph, Matthew, Emma, and David. He was predeceased by his parents.
Friends are encouraged to support the Kennedy family by attending services or sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation is Saturday, October 19, 2024, 10-11 a.m. at First Lutheran Church in Charlotte. Funeral services will follow the visitation at 11:00 a.m. at First Lutheran Church with Pastor Sean Esterline officiating. The funeral will be webcast so you may watch it from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device that has internet access. Go to www.prayfuneral.com, click on Denny’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Tunnel of Towers. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Darla Kay Brzezinski
Darla Kay Brzezinski, of Charlotte, passed away unexpectedly on October 4, 2024, at her beloved Lake Leelanau where she spent so many happy days. She was 66. Darla was born in Germfask, Michigan and grew up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and graduated from Newberry High School. After high school she began a dedicated career with the State of Michigan, first with the Liquor Control Commission and later with the Office of Retirement Benefits, before retiring in 2010.
Outgoing and friendly, Darla was the kind of person who could make anyone feel at ease. She was a “comfort person” — always thinking of others and ready to lend a hand. But those who knew Darla well also knew she had strong convictions and a straightforward way of expressing them. With Darla, there was no gray area — you always knew where she stood, and she wasn’t shy about speaking her mind.
In her younger years, Darla was quite the pool shark, earning both trophies and respect with her sharp eye and steady hand. It was in the late seventies, standing near a jukebox, that she met Dale, the love of her life. They were married in 1982 and went on to raise two sons, Jason and Michael, together. The family shared many camping trips to the family camp overlooking Lake Leelanau, where Darla’s love for the water blossomed. She adored life at the lake, spending long afternoons on the pontoon, flip-flops on her feet, watching the swans glide over the water.
After retirement, Darla and Dale traveled together, checking items off their bucket list. One of her most cherished memories was swimming with dolphins, an experience she described as pure joy, captivated by their grace and playful spirits. In more recent years, after grandchildren came along, Darla’s world revolved around them. She loved nothing more than spending time with her family, especially the little ones, watching them grow and creating memories to last a lifetime.
Darla also had a passion for Bingo, and in recent years, she and her dear friend Desi would travel to new destinations just to enjoy a good game. Her friendly competitive spirit and laughter made her a joy to be around.
Darla will always be remembered for her kindness, her fierce love as a mom, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and the countless lives she touched with her warmth and generosity. She leaves behind her loving husband Dale, her son Jason (and wife Natasha) and daughter-in-law Jessica, her grandchildren, Makala Coolidge, Jason Riley Brzezinski, Calie Brzezinski, Danny Paul Brzezinski, Zackery McKinley and Zoe McKinley; great-grandchildren, Hadley Coolidge and Adalynn Cordray; brother John Zitnik, sisters Lisa Johnson and Tera Fields and many cherished friends. Darla was preceded in death by her youngest son Michael in 2012.
Friends were encouraged to support Darla’s family at visitation Tuesday October 8, 2024, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home. Guests were encouraged to stay for the Rosary at 7:30 p.m. which was followed by an evening Remembrance and Affirmation service where some of the family’s best stories of Darla were shared. Friends and family were also invited to join the Brzezinski family the next day for the Funeral Mass celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday October 9, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Charlotte with Rev. Fr. Dwight Ezop Celebrating. For those unfamiliar with the Catholic Mass or Rosary, guides will be provided to help you follow along and understand the significance of each part.
If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to St. Mary Catholic School.
Family and friends are encouraged to share remembrances and condolences online in Darla’s Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com.
While Darla may no longer be with us, we’re sure she’s found the ultimate Bingo Hall up above — and knowing her, she’s already won the jackpot…BINGO!
Cheryl Ann Wahlquist
Cheryl Ann Wahlquist of Eaton Rapids, a cherished educator, devoted family matriarch, and spirited soul, passed away peacefully on October 7, 2024, at the age of 79. Sherie was born on December 6, 1944, in Chicago, IL, the daughter of the late Edward and Violet (Christensen) Hughes.
Sherie’s bright spirit and generous nature touched the lives of all who knew her. A proud lifelong educator, Sherie dedicated 38 years to the Eaton Rapids Public Schools, where her commitment to her students was recognized with a letter of special tribute in teaching from State Representative Angela Witwer. She started as an Ed Tech and eventually landed her dream position as the Librarian.
Beyond her professional contributions, Sherie nurtured a deep connection to the great outdoors. Her youthful aspiration to become a park ranger led her to a transformative experience working on a Colorado dude ranch. Her love for animals shone through her 50 years of raising horses and sheep in addition to countless chickens, dogs and cats.
Sherie’s zest for life was evident in her many hobbies. She enjoyed singing, playing volleyball, was a skilled gardener, a fan of Star Wars, and she also expressed her playful spirit through her favorite song, “The Macarena”. Sherie of course loved books and reading. One of her favorite genres was adult literature.
Sherie was a member of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Lansing since 1971 and was a lay reader, chalice bearer, vestry member, and choir member during her time there. The church was a huge part of her life, and she considered most members to be part of her family.
As a spiritual director for two decades, Sherie offered guidance without expecting anything in return, a testament to her generosity and desire to uplift those around her. Her legacy of kindness lives on through her beloved daughter, Jennifer Wahlquist Coolidge, and grandchildren, Matthew, Thomas, Jonathan, and Sean Coolidge, who will continue to honor her memory by embodying her kind and generous spirit. Sherie was preceded in death by her husband, Robert “Bob” Wahlquist; parents, Edward and Violet Hughes; sister, Susan Hughes.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to one of the follow charities in loving memory of Cheryl Ann Wahlquist, Natural Resources Defense Council, Saint Michael’s Episcopal Church Lansing Outreach Fund, Episcopal Relief & Development, Capital Area Humane Society and/or Elara Caring Hospice Care. To leave condolences for the family, visit our website www.millsfuneral.com.
Penny Marie Crim
Penny Marie Crim of Bellevue, passed away on October 5, 2024, at the age of 59. Penny was born in Battle Creek, Michigan on December 1, 1964, the daughter of Rex and Ivas (Manning) Endsley. Penny was a graduate of Tahquamenon Area Schools with the class of 1984. On December 13, 1986, she married the love of her life, Paul Edward Crim at the Olivet Congregational Church. Penny enjoyed reading books, putting puzzles together, being outside, baking and listening to music, especially George Strait.
She is survived by her husband, Paul Crim; sister, Iris Hebensreit of Olivet; brothers, Eric (Janice) Endsley of Newberry, Max Endsley of Bellevue; good friend Leah Hoig of Kalamazoo as well as many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. Penny was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Sue Rintamaki; brother, Jack Endsley; godchild, Andrea Hoig.
A memorial service will take place on October 19, 2024, from 1-4 at 9325 Reynolds Rd., Bellevue, MI 49201. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to Bellevue First Responders in loving memory of Penny Marie Crim. To leave condolences for the family, visit our website www.millsfuneral.com.