Obituaries
Audrey Ommen
It is with great sadness that the family of Audrey Ommen announces her passing on Sunday, October 21, 2018 at the age of 84. Mrs. Ommen was born June 16, 1934 in Walton Township, Mich., the daughter of Janet (MacDonald) Lightner-Haff and Harry Lightner.
Audrey was awarded the Arion Music Foundation Medal and Pin for Outstanding Musicians, celebrating her musical ability, her outstanding scholastic record, and her extra-curricular activities during her time at Vermontville Rural Agricultural School. She was an active member of the Congregational Church in Vermontville and held the position of Choir Director for many years, as well as being a member of the Ladies Christian Association (L.C.A.). During her tenure at Michigan Magnetics (1965 to 1999) she was named the Corporate Treasurer, the first woman to hold the distinction in the history of the firm. Audrey was an emeritus member of the Lakewood Area Choral Society, a local performing choir with whom she toured the country. With the Choral Society she had the opportunity to perform in Chicago, New York, and Washington D.C., among other locations.
Audrey will be lovingly remembered by her husband, Bernard Ommen (m. 1954); her children, Karen (Steve) Newman and Scott (Cathy) Ommen; her grandchildren, Alaina (Trent) Graham, Brielle Ommen, Kaitlin (Dylan) Haan, and Kelsie Newman; and her great-granddaughters, Eva and Rylie Graham.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Harry Lightner and Janet Lightner-Haff; her sisters, Margaret French and Linda White; and brothers, James Lightner and Gary Lightner.
Services were held Thursday, October 25, 2018 at the First Congregational Church of Vermontville, with Pastor David Poole officiating. Internment was at Woodlawn Cemetery in Vermontville.
If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Great Lakes Home Health Services or to the First Congregational Church of Vermontville.
Further information is available at prayfuneral.com.
Harriet A. Miller
Harriet A. Miller passed away peacefully on October 17, 2018, at age 95, having lived independently until age 94. She was born in Lansing on August 19, 1923 to Glenn and Mary Bell (Balmer) Miller. Harriet worked at Recordio, Wilcox-Gay and Owens-Illinois.
In the last year of her life, Harriet made her home at Eaton County Health & Rehabilitation Services, where she received such excellent, kind and attentive care. The tireless nurses and caregivers are truly heroes. Harriet felt safe, cared for, and comfortable, for which the family is forever grateful.
She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Alfred W. Miller Sr., Leroy D. Miller, and Betty Miller; nephews, Darrell Miller and Robin Miller; nieces, Candy Riley and Anna Heinze.
Harriet is survived by nephews, Alfred Miller Jr. (Sandra), Larry Miller (Pam), Terry Miller (Jorene); and nieces, Lynn Jensen (Chuck), Pam Wendorf, and Diana Bosworth. Harriet adored her many great- and great great-nieces and nephews, all of whom she prayed for daily.
A family memorial service will be held at a later date.
Those desiring, may make contributions in Harriet’s honor to the South Cochran Church of God, 2470 S. Cochran Road, Charlotte, MI 48813.
The family is being served by Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home.
Rhea R. Ferrier
Rhea Rae Ferrier, 81, of Taylor, Mich. went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on October 15, 2018. She passed away at home surrounded by her loving family.
She was born to Alfred and Naomi Raven on October 24, 1936 in Webster City, Iowa. She was a graduate of Creston High School in Grand Rapids, Central Michigan University with a B.A. in education, and from Moody Bible Institute with a M.S.
She was married to James Ferrier on January 4, 1958. They resided in Charlotte, and Nashville before moving to Taylor. Rhea was actively involved in her church and community. Throughout her lifetime she was a high school English teacher, Sunday School teacher, women’s chaplain at Eaton County jail, taught home Bible studies, involved in Child Evangelism Fellowship, participated in several missions trips, facilitator for Life Skills International, and supported many children through Compassion International. She and her husband also welcomed five of the “Lost Boys” from South Sudan into their home.
Rhea loved reading, painting, speaking, writing and traveling. Her family was her “pride and joy.”
She is survived by her husband, James; and five children, Andy (Lea) Ferrier, Rane (Larry) Popa, Shan (Sarah) Ferrier, Jordan (Vicki) Ferrier, Tim (Susie) Ferrier. She is also survived by 27 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren, and predeceased by one granddaughter.
A memorial service will be held to honor her life at 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 27, 2018 at West Windsor United Brethren Church, located at 7275 Windsor Highway in Dimondale.
Janette M. Howard
Janette Mae Howard of Charlotte, a woman devoted to her family and friend to many, died October 18, 2018 at the age of 84. Janette was born in Jonesville, Mich. on February 25, 1934 to Homer and Valerie (Wagner) Crandell. Family was always the center of Janette’s life. She was one of eight siblings growing up, which provided a wealth of adventures. Later she fell in love and married Wayne Gilbert Howard and together they raised four children. Janette thoroughly enjoyed being a wife, mother, and grandmother, traveling, working at the family business, Howard Construction, and just being together as a family. Zoey, her daily four-legged walking partner, meant the world to Janette. Friends could always be found in her weekly routine throughout her lifetime. Janette believed in unconditional love of others and was deeply treasured by many in return.
Janette is survived by her daughters, Maria (Gary) Seybert, Nancy (Rodney) Mott, Sherrie (Steve) Hewitt; son, Terry Howard; grandchildren, Brandy Mott, Shannon Marshall, Mykl Howard, Tara Howard, Ryon Mott, Kellie Mott, Jason Mott, Josh Hewitt, and Tonja Hewitt; and siblings, Frank Crandell, Raymond Crandell, Violet McCrimon, and Doris Wight.
She was predeceased by her husband, Wayne Gilbert Howard in 2006; son in-law, Rodney Mott; brothers, Darrell Crandell, Billy Crandell, Jerry Crandell; her parents and her beloved dog, Zoey.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, October 24, 2018, at Pray Funeral Home, with Pastor Charles Jenson officiating.
If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Charlotte VFW Post 2406.
Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Janette on her Tribute Page at PrayFuneral.com.
Kathy N. Hain
Kathy Noah Hain, 74, of Rochester, Mich. died August 31, 2018. She was born in Jackson, Mich. on September 12, 1943. She was the daughter of Elliott “E.J.” Noah and Helen Parks Noah. She graduated from Charlotte High School in 1961 and from Central Michigan University in 1965, where she was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority.
Kathy married Tony Hain December 17, 1967 and they raised their children, Kristen and Scott, in Flushing, and then Rochester. Kathy was a realtor for 17 years with Weir, Manuel, Snyder and Reinke. She was a member of the Meadowbrook Women’s Club and the Meadowbrook Theatre Guild. She was a founder of the Women’s Fund, which is part of the Rochester Community Fund. She enjoyed reading and discussing novels, cooking and entertaining in style, home decorating, European travel, fashion and gardening.
Kathy is survived by her husband, Tony; her daughter, Kristen and her husband, Ken McPherson; her son, Scot and his wife, Amy; and her adored grandchildren, Jacob, Maggie, Henry, and Helen McPherson, and Kate and Sam Hain. She is also survived by her sister, Leila Noah Klaiss and her husband, Neil; and many nieces and nephews, including Melissa Klaiss Martino and Libby Klaiss.
She was predeceased by her parents and granddaughter, Hannah Hain.
Funeral services were held September 6, 2018 at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Rochester.