Obituaries
Duane L. Cook
Duane Leslie Cook of Charlotte, a friendly, easy-going man that was loyal, selfless, and honest, died May 29, 2018. Duane, 80, was born February 12, 1938 in Vermontville to Willis and Marie (Boyles) Cook. Duane was an outdoorsman, and loved to hunt deer, pheasant, duck, and turkey. He coached little league baseball and softball for many years, and was a long-time volunteer at Camp Michawana in Hastings. Duane enjoyed playing ping-pong during his breaks at work, and he was an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching all the Michigan based teams from Detroit, MSU, and UofM. Duane retired from General Motors, after working for 48 years at the parts plant. He was very proud of his service to our country in the Army from 1961 to 1963.
Duane’s friends and family will miss his happy demeanor and great sense of humor. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Bobby (Ransburg) Cook; sons, Stephen M. and Michael W. Cook; daughter, Faith (Joel) Truax; three grandchildren, Angel Polhamus, Daniel Cook, and Brianna Truax; one great-grandchild, Dane Martin; brother, Darwin (Liz) Cook; sisters-in-law, Pat and Alene; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and siblings, DeVere (Barbara) Cook, Dale Cook, and Dorr (Bobby) Cook; and sister-in-law, Nancy.
Friends are encouraged to support Duane’s family at visitation and funeral services. Funeral services are Saturday, June 9, at 11 a.m. at Nashville Baptist Church, with Rev. Lester DeGroot officiating. Visitation is Friday, June 8, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte.
If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Camp Michawana in Hastings.
Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Duane on his tribute page at PrayFuneral.com.
Edward Ells
Edward “Ted” Ells, a deeply devoted and loving father and grandfather, passed away peacefully on May 24, 2018, in Charlotte, at the age of 86. Ted was born April 27, 1932, the son of William and Aletha (Root) Ells. He graduated from Charlotte High School in 1950 with a letter in every sport. Soon after, he enlisted in the Army National Guard and served nine years. Ted married the love of his life, Ann Ruth McMillen on November 14, 1953 and the two enjoyed 43 years together before her death on January 22, 1996. He worked for General Motors for 32 years, never missing a day of work. He retired in 1997 and continued an active lifestyle as a member of the Charlotte Moose Club, the American Legion, and the Charlotte Fraternal order of Eagles #3552. He enjoyed showing off his Eagle membership card with an expiration date in the year 3042. Ted enjoyed Tuesday breakfast with his cousins, and started many adult softball fast pitch leagues as pitcher. He enjoyed his daily routines, stubbornly sticking to them throughout the years. Many will remember Ted as a very generous friend to many, with a prankster sense of humor and always making others smile. He treated everyone he knew as family, and knew someone everywhere he went. Above all, Ted loved his children and grandchildren.
Ted is survived by hais daughters, Ann (Scott) Britton of Charlotte; Rebecca (Gary) Bala of Mulliken; Tina Ells (Dale) of Olivet, Debbra Jones (Mark) of Arizona; son, Ed (Tiffany) of Colorado; 13 grandchildren, Bob, Tresa, Levi, Casie, Jason, Blake, Karli, Devin, Paige, Morgan, Lindsay, Olivia, and Logan; 15 great-grandchildren; loving sister, Marilyn (Carroll) Briggs of Charlotte; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Aletha; sister, Elaine; brothers, Maynard (Mickey), Willard (Bill), Donald; and his wife of 43 years, Anna.
Funeral services were Tuesday, May 29, 2018 at Pray Funeral Home, with Pastor Charles Jenson officiating. Interment took place in Maple Hill Cemetery.
If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to McLaren Hospice of Lansing.
Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Ted on his Tribute Page at PrayFuneral.com.
Barbara Ann Williams, 82, of Charlotte, died peacefully on Saturday, May 26, 2018. Barbara was born May 23, 1936 in Milwaukee, Wisc., the daughter of Charles and Mercedes (Kirkpatrick) Bernhardt and Ernest R. Kluge, who have predeceased her. Barbara was a graduate of J.W. Sexton High School, class of 1954 and a longtime member of Central United Methodist Church in Lansing, and Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church in Charlotte. In 1988, Barbara retired from the City of Lansing, personnel department, after 28 years of service, and went to work for WalMart in Charlotte for several years. She was an ardent and active member of the Lansing Community; including Cub Scout leader, GLAHA hockey mom; member of The United Way of Lansing, Lansing Civic Players, Lansing Women’s Club, American Society of Safety Engineers, Lansing Safety Council, Ladies Auxiliary of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Jug and Mug Ski Club of Lansing, and the Eaton Area Senior Center.
Barbara always loved music and was always a member of the choir in the church she belonged to. She studied with Dr. David Machtel, Sr. of Lansing and the Armand School of Theatrical Art in Detroit. She was the guest soloist with the Saginaw Symphony Orchestra, and sang with the “Rocketaires.” A soprano, Barbara also shared her talent by soloing at weddings and many other community functions. In addition to her love of music, she enjoyed bowling, dancing, bingo, and, of course, her animals.
Surviving are her son, Randy (Gail) Williams of Charlotte; grandchildren, Charlie and Ethan Williams and Shelby Wilson; and special cousins and friends. All knew they were very much loved. She lived one day at a time, counted her blessings, and had a strong faith in God.
Friends and family gathered on Wednesday, May 30, at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. Interment took place in Maple Hill Cemetery.
If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to any charity of choice.
Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Barbara on her tribute page at PrayFuneral.com.
Dale I. Faulkner
Dale Ira Faulkner of Charlotte passed away surrounded by his loving family and close friends, on May 18, 2018 at the age of 71. He was born in Eaton Rapids, May 21, 1946, the son of Lynn and Anne (Thornton) Faulkner. He worked for General Motors for 40 years, retiring in 2005 as a maintenance supervisor. Dale was a member of Pheasants Forever and the National Elk Foundation. He and his wife, Barbara, loved to travel up north to their cottage in Barryton. Dale enjoyed watching the Detroit Tigers, attending auto shows, and traveling to Oshkosh for air shows.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara Faulkner; children, Scott (Amy) Faulkner of Charlotte, Sheri (Tony) Jaglowski of Charlotte; Barb’s children, Lori Dotts of Grass Lake, Lisa (John) Kozitzki of Virginia, Stephen (Ahnika) Dotts of Charlotte; beloved Sheltie, Lizzy; grandchildren, Alyssa (Brent) Bos, Kelsey Meyer, McKenna Kozitzki, Silver Dotts, Stevie Dotts, Abigail Dotts, Zoë Dotts-Brown, Avery Dotts-Brown; great-grandchildren, Natalie and Charlotte Bos; brother, Don (Jeannine) Faulkner; brothers-in-law, Dave Moss, Ken Burch; several nieces and nephews and many close friends.
Dale was preceded in death by his parents and his sisters, Diane Moss and Dawne Burch.
A Celebration of Life will be at noon on Saturday, May 26, 2018 at the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel, located at 518 S. Main Street in Eaton Rapids. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.
Those desiring may make memorial contributions to the American Heart Association, 2469 Woodlake Circle, Ste. 100, Okemos, MI 48864 or the Capital Area Humane Society, 7095 W. Grand River Ave., Lansing, MI 48906.
Please visit millsfuneral.com to place online condolences or to sign the guest book.
Heidi R. Hackett-Ripley
Heidi Renee Hackett-Ripley, a selfless, caring mother and friend, died unexpectedly on Sunday, May 20, 2018, at her home in Potterville at the age of 54. Friends and family remember Heidi as a spunky lady with a great sense of humor and creative do-it-yourself spirit. She put her heart and soul into everything she did whether it was figuring out how to make the perfect cookies or dessert, making the best little ladybug stone, or working in the yard. Heidi would spend hours researching various do-it-yourself projects and then dedicate herself to completing the tasks at hand. She often placed the needs of family and friends ahead of her own. Her interests outside the home were eclectic, including popular music, being a fan of NASCAR, and cheering on her children in whatever they were doing.
Above all, she was proud of her family, taking care of Kris, Olivia and Jack. She was often on the road, following her children to all their competitions and events, no matter whether it was around the corner or across the state.
Heidi is survived by her husband, Kris Ripley; daughter, Olivia Hackett; son, Jack Ripley; mother, Cindy Ivcovich; brothers, Scott (Deanna) Hackett, and Sam (Kathleen) Hackett; and many friends.
She was predeceased by her father, Gary Hackett.
Friends are encouraged to support Heidi’s family at visitation and memorial services. Memorial services were held Thursday, May 24, 2018 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte, with Pastor Richard Mitterling celebrant.
Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Heidi on her tribute page at PrayFuneral.com.