Obituaries
Raymond E. Potter
Raymond Edward Potter, 89, of Charlotte, died peacefully Thursday, August 2, 2018 in Hastings. Ray was born September 6, 1928 near Charlotte, the son of Carl H. and Edith Mae (Xanders) Potter. He attended Potterville Schools before going right to work on the farm with Harold Cole. Throughout his life he enjoyed farming, and eventually purchased his own farm. He also worked at Aluminum Extrusion until their plant closure in 1988. Ray then worked five years at Hastings Manufacturing, retiring in 1994. Ray loved his time outdoors on the farm, riding John Deere tractors, and taking care of his lawn. Indoors, he played on a bowling league, and was an avid pool and euchre player. Ray and Joan were active members of Chester Gospel Church and practiced their Faith throughout their daily lives. Above all, Ray loved his family.
Ray is survived by his wife, Joan Potter; two sons, Reginald (Virginia) Potter and Steve (June) Potter; two daughters, Susan (John) Boyles and Kathy Potter; two step-daughters, Eloise (Dale) Berry and Joyce (Larry) Wait; step-son, Roy (Sharon) Letson; 12 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and several step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren. He is predeceased by his parents; first wife, Mavis Royston; second wife, Elsie Baas; son, Samuel Potter; great-grandson, Dillon Boone; brothers, Royce Potter, Milton Potter, Merlin Potter, and Max Potter; and sisters, Mildred Verhelle and Margaret Verhelle.
Friends are encouraged to support Ray’s family at visitation and funeral services. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 13, 2018 at Pray Funeral Home with Rev. Marc Livingston officiating. Visitation will be from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 12, 2018 at the funeral home, and one hour prior to the service on Monday. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Great Lakes Hospice. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Raymond on his tribute page at www.PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Raymond E. Potter
Raymond Edward Potter, 89, of Charlotte, died peacefully Thursday, August 2, 2018 in Hastings. Ray was born September 6, 1928 near Charlotte, the son of Carl H. and Edith Mae (Xanders) Potter. He attended Potterville Schools before going right to work on the farm with Harold Cole. Throughout his life he enjoyed farming, and eventually purchased his own farm. He also worked at Aluminum Extrusion until their plant closure in 1988. Ray then worked five years at Hastings Manufacturing, retiring in 1994. Ray loved his time outdoors on the farm, riding John Deere tractors, and taking care of his lawn. Indoors, he played on a bowling league, and was an avid pool and euchre player. Ray and Joan were active members of Chester Gospel Church and practiced their Faith throughout their daily lives. Above all, Ray loved his family.
Ray is survived by his wife, Joan Potter; two sons, Reginald (Virginia) Potter and Steve (June) Potter; two daughters, Susan (John) Boyles and Kathy Potter; two step-daughters, Eloise (Dale) Berry and Joyce (Larry) Wait; step-son, Roy (Sharon) Letson; 12 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and several step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren. He is predeceased by his parents; first wife, Mavis Royston; second wife, Elsie Baas; son, Samuel Potter; great-grandson, Dillon Boone; brothers, Royce Potter, Milton Potter, Merlin Potter, and Max Potter; and sisters, Mildred Verhelle and Margaret Verhelle.
Friends are encouraged to support Ray’s family at visitation and funeral services. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 13, 2018 at Pray Funeral Home with Rev. Marc Livingston officiating. Visitation will be from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 12, 2018 at the funeral home, and one hour prior to the service on Monday. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Great Lakes Hospice. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Raymond on his tribute page at www.PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Mary J. Durham
Mary Jane (Teubert) Durham, 80 of Charlotte, was born in Allen Twp., Hillsdale County, Michigan on July 5, 1938. She entered the presence of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on August 2, 2018 at 5:30 p.m. Mary was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer on May 1, 2018. She was the sole survivor of her family, outliving her four siblings.
Mary was predeceased by her mother, Lillian (Hamilton) Teubert; father, Edward Teubert Sr.; brother, Edward Teubert Jr.; sisters, Harriet Teubert, Charlotte (Teubert) Barnes, and younger brother, Larry Teubert Sr. She is survived by her husband, Alan Durham; son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Billie Jo Durham; daughter, Cathy Reed; grandchildren, Cody and Lauren Durham, Chad Durham, Korin Steen, Kayla Dysard, Martina and Corey Biddinger, Mary Reed; and nine great-grandchildren.
Mary was a nurse in Battle Creek from 1957 to 1962. She fostered 25 children in Hillsdale County and Eaton County and was awarded foster parent of the year in Eaton County. She volunteered as a nurse for Eaton Community Palliative Care for eight years. In 2008 she was awarded volunteer of the year for excellent caregiver. She loved her family, children, grandchildren and foster children. Each one was special to her. She took particular pride of her home and grounds.
There will not be any memorial services, per her request. She wanted us all to remember her as she was. Anyone wishing to donate may give memorial funds to McLaren Hospice of Lansing, or Allen United Methodist Church of Allen, Michigan 49227. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Mary on her tribute page at www.PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home.
Barbara J. Wright
Barbara J. Wright, 88, of Charlotte, passed away July 28, 2018. She was born on June 20, 1930 to Howard O. and Jessie M (Perry) Boyd in Vermontville. She was an only child, so she was delighted to have the instant addition of siblings to her life when she married Dewayne Wright. She took her job as a homemaker and mother very seriously, and was very proud of her husband, children, and grandchildren. She loved conversations, whether at coffee time with her McDonald’s friends, or her fellow genealogical society members; she loved to talk. She enjoyed sewing, knitting, crafts and traveling all over the country. Barbara would say she never met a person she didn’t like. She enjoyed her time searching with the Vermontville Historical Society and Eaton County Genealogical Society with efforts to preserve the stories and items collected.
Barb is survived by her children, Linda (Mike) Kenyon, Debra (Dave) Ressler, Cindy Rochester, Denise (Randy) Kendra; grandchildren, Sarah, Eli, Ross, Zachary, Kirby, Patrick, Lexi; eight great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Bonnie (Linton) Wright-Warner, Alice Edwards, Patty Butler; brothers-in-law, Larry (Patti) Wright, Raymond (Flossie) Grant. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dewayne; son-in-law, Rick Rochester; grandson, J. Patrick; and her parents.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, August 1, 2018 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte, with Rev. Andy Shaver officiating. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to charity of your choice. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories and condolences on Barbara’s tribute page at www.PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Cindy L. Norris-Wheeler
Cindy Leigh Norris-Wheeler, 61, of Charlotte, passed away August 7, 2018. She was born on November 20, 1956, to Duane “Duke” A. Norris and Betty L. (Riley) Underhill in Charlotte. Her love for all animals, the outdoors and wildlife filled her life and brought her much joy. She loved horses; riding, breeding and racing. Racing horses was one of her passions, and earned her many accomplishments throughout the state. She was a longtime member of the UAW and worked for 27 years at General Motors.
Cindy is survived by her step-children, Randy (Kelly) Wheeler, Brett Wheeler; grandson, Gage Wheeler; nieces, Stacy (Wayne Gordon) Penix, Samantha Norris, Brittany Norris; and five great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Randy; and her parents.
Friends are encouraged to support Cindy’s family at visitation and funeral services on Monday, August 13, 2018 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte, with Pastor Charles Jenson officiating. Funeral Services are at 3:30 PM, with visitation held from 2-3:30 PM just prior to the service. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to The College of Veterinary Medicine Memorial at Michigan State University. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories and condolences on Cindy’s tribute page at www.PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.