Obituaries
Katherine A. Bosworth
Katherine Ann Bosworth, a kind, caring and compassionate wife, mother, and grandmother, died peacefully at home on Sunday, July 22, 2018, surrounded by family. Katherine, 82, of Charlotte, was born June 13, 1936, in Lansing, the daughter of George and Ruby (Ferguson) Stephenson. Following high school graduation, she married Ned Bosworth on August 20, 1955 in Charlotte. Katherine worked at Michigan Bell from 1954-1959 before going to Montgomery Wards in the 1960s. Later, she sold Avon and worked at McDonalds in Charlotte. Katherine was a kind-hearted people-person and devoted her life to helping others. She volunteered countless hours at the Eaton County Health and Rehabilitation Services as a greeter and activities volunteer. She was a member of the Red Hatters Extension Club, as well as a member of the Eaton Area Senior Center, with Ned. Katherine enjoyed celebrating birthdays with her family, she loved riding around their family property, but most importantly, she loved the bible and attending church. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy. Katherine loved spending time with them. She loved her pets and treating them as part of the family. Ned and Katherine celebrated their 50th anniversary with a trip to Branson, Mo. to see Danny O’Donnell, they also made trips to Mt. Rushmore, Savannah, Ga., Washington D.C. and Niagara Falls. Above all, Katherine loved her family.
Katherine is survived by her husband, Ned; sons, Kremen (Sue) Bosworth of Charlotte and Doug (Karen) Bosworth of Eaton Rapids; daughter, Beth (Larry) West of Charlotte; grandchildren, Ben (Karen) Bosworth, Sam Bosworth, Brienna Bosworth, Craig Bosworth, Josh West, and Kyle West.
Katherine is predeceased by her sisters, Barb Cook and Norma Willbur.
Funeral services were held on Thursday, July 26, 2018 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte, with Ray Miller and John Willbur officiating. Interment took place in Kalamo Hillside Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Eaton County Health and Rehabilitation Services Activity Department.
Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Katherine on her tribute page at PrayFuneral.com.
Richard L. Otto
Richard “Dick” Lee Otto, 83, of Delton, passed away Saturday, July 14, 2018 surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Bellevue on March 5, 1935, the son of Charles “Sid” and Doris (Augustine) Otto. Dick graduated from Bellevue High School in 1953. After graduation, he proudly served in the United States Army’s 82nd Airborne Division from 1954 to 1956. Upon returning from the service, he met Jean Rizor. They were married June 1, 1958 and together had four children. They recently celebrated their 60th Anniversary. Dick was employed with Michigan Bell Telephone Company, retiring after 25 years. He owned and operated a 60-room hotel for six years while he was employed with Michigan Bell. He also owned and operated a storage building business for 21 years.
Dick was a very active member of the Bellevue Community, where he lived for 68 years. He and a friend founded the Bellevue Rescue Squad and remained a member of the Squad and served on the Board for 10 years. He served as a board member for 19 years of his 27-year membership in the Communications Workers of America. He was recognized by the Red Cross as one of only five instructors in Michigan certified to provide training for Basic First Aid through CPR and childbirth. He served as the City Police Commissioner for seven-and-a-half years. Dick was a member of the American Legion for 34 years, ELKS B.P.O.E. for five years, the Lions Club for 35 years (Board Member for six years), the Eagles for 19 years, and the Bellevue Conservation Club for 55 years.
When Dick wasn’t serving his community he enjoyed hunting and camping in Bellevue and northern Michigan, being on the great lakes with their boat in South Haven and at their cottage on Wall Lake where he now resides in the summers. Dick spent his winters in Florida at the Polynesian Village where he had many special friends. More than anything he loved spending time with his family.
Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife, Jean; children, Karen (Mike) Lennon, Connie (Bob) Wagner, Brenda (Ron) Koziol, Rick Otto (Robin Ingram); 10 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren with two more on the way; siblings, Bernard Otto, Marylou Vogt; sister-in-law, Marge Otto; sisters-in-law, Sue (Bruce) McClelland, Roni Rizor; brother-in-law, Gary (Carla) Rizor.
He was preceded in death by his parents Sid and Doris Otto and brother, Charles Otto; sister-in-law, Joyce Otto; and brother-in-law, Gordon Vogt.
A memorial service was held at Bellevue United Methodist Church on Friday, July 20, 2018, with Pastor Peggy Baker officiating. Interment followed at Riverside Cemetery in Bellevue.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Bellevue Fire Department or Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan. Friends may share a memory or send condolences at kempffh.com.
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.