Obituaries
Kerry Simons
Kerry “Top Gun” Simons, 66, of Grand Ledge, died July 20, 2018 at home surrounded by his family. He was born March 9, 1952 in Lansing, the son of Donald and Laura Simons. He was raised in Grand Ledge and attended Grand Ledge High School, relocating to Maine after graduation.
He married Gretchen Graham on December 10, 1982 in Massachusetts. He and Gretchen started their family in Maine and decided to move home to Grand Ledge when the children were young. Kerry had a successful career as a realtor, first with Key Realty, and concluding his career with ReMAX Home Professionals. He earned the nickname “Top Gun” at the beginning of his real estate career, and earned many awards in the greater-Lansing area.
Kerry is survived by Melissa Graham, Zachary (Mercedes) Simons, Casey (Sandy) Simons, Sean (Stephanie) Dush, and Amy (Antwan) Randolph; and 18 grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Gretchen Simons in 2015, and both of his parents.
A celebration of life will be planned, per Kerry’s wishes, in the near future.
Ronald L. Shepler
Ronald “Ron” Laverne Shepler, an independent and very devoted farmer, died Sunday, July 29, 2018 at his family farm surrounded by his family. Ron, age 85, was born February 6, 1933 in Lansing, to Harry and Pauline (Root) Shepler. He was a graduate of Lansing Eastern High School. After graduating high school, he went to serve in the United States Marine Corps. On August 2, 1952, Ron married his sweetheart, Norma Wilhelm and they spent the next 65 years creating their legacy together. Despite growing up a city kid in Lansing, Ron knew that he wanted to be a farmer at the age of 5. He was a very successful and devoted dairy and cash crop farmer. Ron managed 100 head of dairy cattle, naming and remembering each and every one. Following a long day of work on the farm, Ron was welcomed with a homecooked meal by Norma.
Ron was a man who could create an experience with the simplest of things around the farm. His children and grandchildren cherish the time that they spent on the farm with dad and grandpa. He loved wintering in Florida, swimming, and walking two miles a day. Traveling was one of Ron’s favorite hobbies, he and Norma traveled all across the country…they would pack up the fifth wheel and go. Ron’s sense of direction was top notch, he did all of this traveling without using a map. His grandchildren cherish the numerous adventures that they spent each year with grandpa and grandma. Ron was the type of person that when he spoke you listened. He always told people to “Accomplish what you want, because you only have one shot at life.”
Ron is survived by his loving wife, Norma; children, Julie (Bruce) Telfer, Betty (Darryl) Shook, and Bill Shepler; grandchildren, Amy Williams, Carla Vastine, John Shook, Dennis Shook, and Kimberly Hubbs; five great-grandchildren; and sister, Bonnie (Forrest) Hatch.
Ron was predeceased by grandchildren, Staff Sgt. Garett Swift and Charlotte Shook; brother, Roger Shepler, and his parents.
Friends are encouraged to support Ron’s family at visitation and funeral services. Funeral services are Saturday, August 4, 2018, at 11 a.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. Visitation was Friday, August 3, 2018, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m.
Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Ron on his Tribute Page at PrayFuneral.com.
Athol M. Wood
On the evening of July 26, 2018 Athol May (Bodell) Wood was comforted by her family at her home in Eaton Rapids at the time of her passing. Athol was 95 years old. She was born in Charlotte on January 1, 1923, the second child of Roy and Florence (Alwood) Bodell. Athol worked as a drywall finisher for many years. She enjoyed crocheting, reading, mowing the yard and cooking/ baking for her family. Athol was a strong, warm and loving person.
Athol is preceded in death by her husband, Lewis Burr Wood; sisters, Norma Jones, Verle Barnard and Bonnie Springs; brothers, Donald Sheets, John Bodell, Thomas Bodell, Leonard Bodell, Robert Bodell; grandchildren, Greg Stoken, Chad Stoken, Heather Wood, Nicole Stoken and Dana Harrison.
Athol is survived by her children, Sandra (Allen) Coklin, Burr (Linda) Wood, Daniel (Connie) Wood, Leon (Mary) Wood, Robin (Mary) Wood, Bruce (Marsha) Wood, Rebecca (Bruce) Zogda, Loren (Amy) Wood, Renee (Kevin) Kole, Eric (Gwen) Wood; 25 grandchildren, 49 great-grandchildren, 13 great great-grandchildren; siblings, Marilyn Peters, Clyde Bodell, Marlene Coffin and Janet Klaiss.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, August 1, 2018 at Skinner Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids Chapel.
For those desiring memorial contributions may be made to Great Lakes Caring Hospice in memory of Athol.
To share memories and condolences, please visit SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
Mark S. Wehr
Mark Steven Wehr, 68, of Charlotte, passed away Thursday, July 26, 2018, following a lengthy illness. Mark was born March 24, 1950, in Lansing, the second child and only son of Maxon and Dorothy (Wildeman) Wehr. He graduated from Charlotte High School and was a past member of First Lutheran Church of Charlotte. Mark was a Veteran of the Vietnam War, having enlisted in the US Army right out of high school. He lived in Florida for several years before returning to Michigan, where he worked for the US Post Office and Wehr’s Shoes. In his spare time, Mark enjoyed working on cars and watching football.
Mark is survived by his parents, Max and Dorothy Wehr of Charlotte; sisters, Judith (Phil) Hooper, Kay (Darwin) Mahar, Mary Jo (Brian) Huver, Polly (Paul) Burns; three nieces; three nephews; and four great nieces and nephews.
A memorial service was held on Friday, August 3, 2018 at the First Lutheran Church of Charlotte. Interment took place at Maple Hill Cemetery following a luncheon at church.
Those desiring may make contributions in Mark’s honor to Disabled American Veterans or Wounded Warrior Project.
The family is being served by the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Ruth M. Schulz
Ruth M. Schulz, 97, of Charlotte, previously of Berrien Springs, passed away Thursday, July 26, 2018, at Eaton County Healing and Recovery Center, where she was so caringly assisted following a short illness.
Ruth was born Dec. 26, 1920 to William H. and Elizabeth Doroh. She attended Arden School and St. Joseph High School. She married Lothar Schulz and, together with brothers- and sisters-in-law, worked their farm most of their married life.
She is survived by her daughter, Connie (Al) Wolf of Charlotte; two grandchildren, Grant (Lyn) Wolf of South Bend, Ind., and Dani (Brett) Linsley of Charlotte; great-grandson, Drew Linsley of Charlotte; and nieces and nephews.
Ruth was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; her sister, Elizabeth Waggoner; her brother, Paul Doroh; and special friend, Jake Emhoff.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2018 at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Baroda, with Rev. Nan Dehnke officiating. Burial will be in Spring Run Cemetery in St. Joseph.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the church.
Allred Funeral Home, Berrien Springs, is entrusted with arrangements, and messages for the family may be left online at allredfuneralhome.com.