Obituaries
Virgie P. Fancher
Virgie Paulette Fancher, 67, of Charlotte, a selfless and generous wife and mother, passed away on July 13, 2018 in Charlotte. She was born on December 6, 1950 to Orville and June (Thompson) Hollister in Battle Creek. She graduated in 1969 from Olivet High School. On October 3, 1970 she married Delbert Fancher and together they raised three daughters.
Paulette worked as an injection molder for 21st Century Plastics after her children were grown. She retired in 2014. In her spare time, Paulette loved to go shopping, sew and knit. Many times she was able to make cute gifts such as her version of Care Bears and Pound Puppies for her children at Christmas time. Her family will always cherish Paulette’s great sense of humor, which was demonstrated during time spent with her family and friends. Paulette was always ready to pull together a gathering of family whether it was for birthdays, holidays, or any other excuse to get together. Her grandchildren will fondly remember the times they spent at Paulette’s house and the special treats they would share. She never missed her grandchildren’s sporting events, plays, etc.
Paulette is survived by her husband, Delbert; her three daughters, Angela (Elwin) Fulkerson, Annette (Scott Hubartt) Fancher, and Amber (John) Gibson; brother, Orville (Eileen) Hollister; sister, Judith (Gary) Jenkins; brother, Charles (Shannon) Hollister; two grandsons, Sterling Fancher and Zakary Fulkerson; two granddaughters, Breanna Fulkerson and Sophia Gibson.
She was preceded in death by her brother, Robert Hollister; her father, Orville Marvin Hollister; and her mother, June Ellene Thompson.
Memorial services were held Thursday, July 19 at Pray Funeral Home, with Rev. Rich Mitterling officiating. Interment followed in Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta.
If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Eaton County Health Rehabilitation Services.
Family and friends are encouraged to share remembrances and condolences online in Paulette‘s tribute page at prayfuneral.com.
Sidney F. Murphy
Sidney Fredrick Murphy, 84, of Olivet, passed away on July 15, 2018. He was born September 14, 1933, in Calhoun County, the son of Joseph C. and Freda E. (Heisler) Murphy. Sid graduated from Olivet High School with the Class of 1952. Soon after graduation, on September 21, 1952, he married Patricia Mae Henry. Sid was a proud farmer and owner of Irish Hill Farms in Olivet. He bought his first 80-acre farm in 1957 and expanded his operation to more than 1,100 acres. He was passionate about cattle and enjoyed all aspects of feeding them through to finish. Sid was a member of the Michigan Cattlemen’s Association and active in Eaton County 4-H. Both Sid and Pat were recently inducted into the Michigan Farmers Hall of Fame.
Sid is survived by his children, Brian Murphy, Brenda (Peter) Blauwiekel and Denise Murphy; grandchildren, Jessica (Joshua) Darrow, Beth (Chad) Gruden and Joseph (Elizabeth) Blauwiekel; great-grandchildren, Emma Darrow, Avery Darrow, Adalee Gruden and Chandler Gruden; brother, Leon Murphy; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Francis Weeks; brother, Lawerence (Charlene) Murphy; grandson, Jeremy Murphy; and sister-in-law, Sharon Murphy.
A memorial visitation will be held on Saturday, July 21, 2018, from 2 to 5 p.m. at Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home in Charlotte.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Cancer Society or the Alzheimer’s Association.
To view Sid’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family, please visit burkhead-greenfuneralhome.com.
Carene J. Hale
Carene Jane (Rowden) Hale, a devoted mother, grandmother, and sister, died Monday, July 16, 2018. Carene, 75, was born April 11, 1943, in Charlotte to Lawrence and Catherine (Coman) Rowden. She was a Charlotte High School class of 1960 graduate and later went on to receive her Associates degree in Laboratory Technology. After going out on a blind date, Carene met Melvin Hale and on November 2, 1962 the couple started their legacy together. She was very devoted to her work; she worked at Walmart in Charlotte, retiring in 2012. Carene was meant to be a mother, the world stopped when it came to her children and grandchildren. You could never leave her house hungry, she was known for her mac and cheese, homemade bread and also her hot chocolate that she would make from scratch. When Carene’s daughters were younger, she sewed their clothing. Her other hobbies included reading, antiquing, making jam, traveling around the US, and spending time with her grandchildren.
Carene is survived by her loving children, Lawrence Hale, Brenda Hale-Taylor, and Tammy (Pete) Bryner; grandchildren, Charles Joseph Bryner, David Allen Bryner, Eric Scott Hale, and Chance Harley Taylor; great-grandchildren, Emma, Oliver, and Lewis; siblings, Barbara (Jerry) Griffin, Patricia (James) Thurston, and Diane (James) Reynolds.
Carene was preceded in death by her husband Melvin, and her parents.
Funeral services were held Friday, July 20, 2018 at 2 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte, with Pastor Charles Jenson officiating.
If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Eaton Community Palliative Care.
Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Carene on her tribute page at PrayFuneral.com.
Richard J. Carrigan
Richard J. Carrigan, 92, of Nashville, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Sunday, July 15, 2018 at his home. Richard was born in Sturgis, Mich. on August 4, 1925, the son of the late Andrew and Marie (Wildren) Carrigan. He was raised in the Charlotte area and attended local schools. During his junior year of high school Richard was drafted into the United States Army to defend our country in WII. Richard fought in five major battles, including D-Day on the coastline of Normandy where his unit was the third wave to hit Omaha Beach, and the Battle of the Bulge. He was the husband of Mildred Francis (Skinner) Carrigan. Richard and Mildred were married on December 24, 1946 in Charlotte. They began their lives together in the Charlotte area, then in 1963, they purchased their family farm in Nashville where they farmed together and raised their children. Richard loved being with his family and together they enjoyed traveling to Northern Michigan to camp and hunt. Richard spent the majority of his working career as a paint formulator at Aluminum Extrusions in Charlotte before he retired in 1987. Dick loved to be outdoors hunting with his traditional archery equipment. His passion for archery was not limited to simply shooting bows and arrows, Richard was also an accomplish bow maker, crafting his own bows and arrows. He enjoyed making things out of wood, often creating birdhouses, benches, cabinets and gifts for his children and grandchildren. In his younger years, Richard was a star football player and avid boxer. He personally trained both of his boys, which led to his son’s achieving several state championships in the Golden Gloves tournaments.
Richard is survived by his beloved wife of 72 years, Mildred; two sons, Daniel Carrigan, and David (Christie) Carrigan; his two daughters, Jeanne Powell, Lorna (Tom) Brooke; grandchildren, Jared, Sean, Angel, Shilo, Joshua, Tommy, Skyler, Douglas, and Alexandra; great-grandchildren, China, Stone, Arizona, Austin, Cede, Bailey, Cody, Truit, Eden, Keenan, and Treyton; great great-grandchildren, Braelyn, Ellinor, Karter, Noah, and Quincy; and niece, Dawn (Brian) Gibbs.
Funeral services were held at Nashville Baptist Church at 4 p.m. on Friday, July 20, 2018, with Pastor Jared Carrigan and Pastor Deano Lamphere officiating. Interment with full military honors took place following the funeral luncheon at Wilcox Cemetery in Nashville.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Daniels Funeral Home in Nashville. For further details please visit danielsfuneralhome.net.
Sherman C. Kelley
Sherman Ceyland Kelley, of Charlotte, a family man of integrity, passed away on July 13, 2018 in Charlotte, at the age of 84. He was born on January 26, 1934 to Ceyland and Edla (Sherman) Kelley in Charlotte. Sherm attended Charlotte High School, graduating in 1952. On January 9, 1954 he married Marcelyn Baker in Charlotte. Following high school he joined the U.S. Army, where he became an instructor for soldiers during basic training, preparing them for the Korean War.
Sherman worked for General Motors for over 30 years, retiring in 1987 as a plant superintendent. His coworkers remember Sherm as a likeable, gentle person who could be tough when needed. It was through his fair treatment for all that he earned the respect of his co-workers. For a number of years he was active on the General Motors Supervisors Council, at one time serving as its chairman.
Sherm loved spending time with his family. As a loyal UofM fan in a divided household he often traded barbs with his son and granddaughters over MSU sports. He was also a loyal fan of the Detroit Tigers. He loved traveling with his family throughout the United States. Marcelyn remarked that they had traveled to 49 of the United States. Their favorite ones were Hawaii and Alaska. Sherm and Marcelyn were active through their church participating in numerous work camp mission trips over the years. Above all, Sherm was most proud of his family, his children and grandchildren.
Sherman is survived by his wife, Marcelyn; daughter, Kimberly (Randy) Howe; son, Kris (Jan) Kelley; two granddaughters, Melissa (Sivad) Howard, Skye Kelley; two grandsons, Jason Whetstone, Chandler Kelley; two great-grandchildren, Ashton Whetstone and Londyn Howard; and sister, Darlene (Dwight) Pierce.
He was preceded in death by father, Ceyland Earl Kelley; mother, Edla Marie Kelley; and brother, Darwin Earl Kelley.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, July18, 2018 at Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church in Charlotte, with Rev. Gary Wales officiating.
If desired, the family suggests memorials to Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church or Heartland Hospice of Michigan.
Family and friends are encouraged to share remembrances and condolences online in Sherman’s tribute page at prayfuneral.com.