Obituaries
Darlene Kaye Umbarger
Darlene Kaye Umbarger, aged 88, passed away on March 20, 2024, at Sheffield Bay in Bay City, Michigan. She was born on May 15, 1935, in Eaton Rapids, Michigan, the daughter of Francis Davis and Iva Willougby. On November 6, 1952, Darlene married the love of her life, Delton Umbarger. Together, they shared many years of cherished moments until his passing in 2015.
Throughout her life, Darlene found joy in simple pleasures. She loved spending time with family, taking road trips with her loved ones, ceramics, ice cream, Elvis, and country western music. Darlene cherished her time with her loved ones and getting to visit her great and great-great grandchildren and great grandnieces. Darlene’s life was blessed and has created lasting memories for her friends and family.
Darlene and Delton moved to Beaverton, MI following her retirement from Felpausch’s in Eaton Rapids, Michigan, where she worked as a meat wrapper. Additionally, she spent many years as a Tupperware saleswoman. Despite life’s challenges, and many changes from growing up during the depression to the invention of cell phones to the loss of her husband, Darlene remained resilient. In 1973, she achieved a significant milestone of finishing her high school education by obtaining her GED and in the 90s she helped teach her grandchildren to use computers.
She is survived by her brother, Richard (Jill) Davis of Pentwater, MI; sister-in-law, Judy Davis, of Florida; children, Debra Watson of Hastings, MI, Peggy Pirhonen of Florida, and Dennis (Debra) Umbarger of Tennessee; grandchildren, Jennifer (Bryan) Moloney of Tennessee, Jeremy (Dana) Pirhonen of Virginia, Christine (Donnie) Chambers, Heather Sawdy of Harbor Springs, and Jamey Sawdy of Grand Rapids and granddog : Tina Louise; great grandchildren, Austin (Nicole) Stranahan of Mississippi, Brayton and Carson Moloney of Tennessee, Maddie and Rylee Chamber of Tennessee, and Dela and Caiden Pirhonen of Virginia; and great-great grandchildren, Gerrard and Scipio Stranahan in Mississippi; along with many nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 62 years, Delton Umbarger; her daughter, Joni; parents, Francis and Iva; and brothers, Gary and LeRoy.
A memorial service was held on Monday, March 25, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. at Sheffield Bay Chapel, 4471 Sheffield Place, Bay City, MI. Burial took place on Monday, March 25, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Gilmore Township Cemetery in Farewell, MI. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Transition Hospice, the Clare County VFW, and Gladwin American Legion Post 171. Arrangements are in the care of Hall-Kokotovich Funeral Home, www.hallkokotovichfuneralhome.com.
Alida Marie Starkweather
Alida Marie Starkweather, age 93, of Charlotte peacefully slipped away in the early morning hours of Thursday, March 28, 2024, surrounded by her family. She was born April 6, 1930, in Benton Township, the daughter of Adiel and Marie (DeSander) VanDorpe. Alida graduated from Charlotte High School with the class of 1948. Not long after graduation she married Bob E. Starkweather on September 3, 1949. Together they spent 61 wonderful years together until Bob passed away in 2010. Alida and Bob spent 23 years in Charlotte before they decided to move to Cheyenne, Wyoming. She and Bob loved their time spent in Wyoming and the western way of life. In 1989 they returned to Charlotte and settled in at their new home on Battle Creek Road. Alida loved feeding birds and was especially fond of cardinals. She enjoyed playing cards with her friends at the Eaton Area Senior Center, watching MSU sports, rodeos, traveling to the casino, and the fellowship and fun of her fellow Red Hat Ladies.
Alida is survived by her children: Bob Jr. (Sally) Starkweather, Sue Ann (Ron) Olmstead, Wendy Sue (Wayne) Carpenter; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Bob; siblings, Frand (Betty) VanDorpe, Julius VanDorpe, Jerry (Corky) VanDorpe, Raymond (Margaret) VanDorpe, Ruby (Gasper) DeBryne, and Rosemary (Louis) Howe.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, April 1, 2024, at 11 a.m. at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home with Laura Cooper officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will take place at Maple Hill Cemetery.
Those desiring may make contributions in Alida’s memory to the Eaton Area Senior Center, 804 S. Cochran Ave., Charlotte, MI 48813 or Eaton Community Palliative Care, 2675 S. Cochran Road, Charlotte, MI 48813.
To view Alida’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com.
Edwin Montie Anderson
Edwin Montie Anderson, age 67, from Charlotte passed away on March 20, 2024. Arrangements are being handled by Pray Funeral Home.
Frederick Harold Earl
Frederick Harold Earl, age 85, of Charlotte, passed away Thursday, March 21, 2024. He was born August 13, 1938, in Charlotte, the son of Harold and Ruth (Mann) Earl. He graduated from Charlotte High School in 1956. Soon after graduating, he enlisted in the United States Navy where he honorably served his country. On December 29, 1957, Fred married Angie Lee Wertz, at the First Congregational Church in Charlotte. Fred was a proud member of the American Legion and was active at Post 318 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. He was an avid outdoorsman and sports fan. A few of Fred’s favorite pastimes were hunting, fishing, and playing golf. Fred loved the MSU Spartans and enjoyed watching them whenever possible. He retired from GM in Lansing after many years of service.
Fred is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Angie; sons, Mark (Julie) Earl of Dimondale, Tom Earl of Charlotte; grandchildren, Angie Bruce, Alicia (Landan) Bruce, Tatum (Jason) Cary, Taylor Earl, Madison (Cam) Earl; great-grandchildren, Alyvia Bruce, Jason C. Lee, Daxon Earl Dowker, Buck Cary; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Kim Bruce; and siblings, Carolyn Piersma, Pat (Sam) Spagnoulo.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, April 7, 2024, at 1 p.m. at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home with Laura Cooper officiating. The family will receive friends on Saturday, April 6, 2024, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the funeral home and one hour prior to the service on Sunday.
Those desiring may make contributions in Fred’s memory to Eaton Community Palliative Care, 2675 S. Cochran Road, Charlotte, MI 48813.
To view Fred’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com.
Clare Nell Miller
Clare Nell Miller of Eaton Rapids, passed away peacefully with her loved ones by her side on March 24, 2024, at the age of 81. Nell was born in Halo, Kentucky on June 24, 1942, the daughter of Johnathan and Margaret (Johnson) Johnson. She married the love of her life on August 5, 1961, and they spent 63 amazing years together. Nell retired from FASCO in Eaton Rapids. She always enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. Nell loved to cook. She spent lots of time in the kitchen creating some great meals.
Nell is survived by her loving husband, Glenn Miller of Eaton Rapids; children, Suzanne Miller of Bath, Rodney (Beth) Miller of Charlotte, Ronald Miller of Eaton Rapids, Brenda Kuhn of Charlevoix; daughter-in-law, Anne Miller; grandchildren, Glenn Miller, Kyle Miller, Parker Miller, Abigail (Blake) Morrow, Douglas Miller; great-grandchildren, Haley, Lyla, Nolan; brother, John (Diane) Johnson of Eaton Rapids and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Glenn Miller; brothers, Leon Johnson, Curt Johnson, James Johnson, Joel Johnson; sister, Fay Boggs.
The family would like to extend their gratitude to nieces, Genny, Sandy and Billie Jo, who traveled from Kentucky to take care of Nell during her final days.
Funeral Services were held at the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids on Friday, March 29, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. Visitation was Thursday from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. as well as one hour prior to the service. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in loving memory of Clare Nell Miller. To leave condolences for the family, visit our website www.millsfuneral.com.