Obituaries
Barbara J. Wright
Barbara J. Wright, 88, of Charlotte, passed away July 28, 2018. She was born on June 20, 1930 to Howard O. and Jessie M (Perry) Boyd in Vermontville. She was an only child, so she was delighted to have the instant addition of siblings to her life when she married Dewayne Wright. She took her job as a homemaker and mother very seriously, and was very proud of her husband, children, and grandchildren. She loved conversations, whether at coffee time with her McDonald’s friends, or her fellow genealogical society members; she loved to talk. She enjoyed sewing, knitting, crafts and traveling all over the country. Barbara would say she never met a person she didn’t like. She enjoyed her time searching with the Vermontville Historical Society and Eaton County Genealogical Society with efforts to preserve the stories and items collected.
Barb is survived by her children, Linda (Mike) Kenyon, Debra (Dave) Ressler, Cindy Rochester, Denise (Randy) Kendra; grandchildren, Sarah, Eli, Ross, Zachary, Kirby, Patrick, Lexi; eight great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Bonnie (Linton) Wright-Warner, Alice Edwards, Patty Butler; brothers-in-law, Larry (Patti) Wright, Raymond (Flossie) Grant. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dewayne; son-in-law, Rick Rochester; grandson, J. Patrick; and her parents.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, August 1, 2018 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte, with Rev. Andy Shaver officiating. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to charity of your choice. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories and condolences on Barbara’s tribute page at www.PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Cindy L. Norris-Wheeler
Cindy Leigh Norris-Wheeler, 61, of Charlotte, passed away August 7, 2018. She was born on November 20, 1956, to Duane “Duke” A. Norris and Betty L. (Riley) Underhill in Charlotte. Her love for all animals, the outdoors and wildlife filled her life and brought her much joy. She loved horses; riding, breeding and racing. Racing horses was one of her passions, and earned her many accomplishments throughout the state. She was a longtime member of the UAW and worked for 27 years at General Motors.
Cindy is survived by her step-children, Randy (Kelly) Wheeler, Brett Wheeler; grandson, Gage Wheeler; nieces, Stacy (Wayne Gordon) Penix, Samantha Norris, Brittany Norris; and five great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Randy; and her parents.
Friends are encouraged to support Cindy’s family at visitation and funeral services on Monday, August 13, 2018 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte, with Pastor Charles Jenson officiating. Funeral Services are at 3:30 PM, with visitation held from 2-3:30 PM just prior to the service. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to The College of Veterinary Medicine Memorial at Michigan State University. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories and condolences on Cindy’s tribute page at www.PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Florence H. Goodwin Grant
Florence H. “Flossie” Goodwin Grant, 90, of Charlotte, died Saturday, August 4, 2018 at her residence. Flossie was born October 3, 1927 in Pitman, New Jersey, the daughter of the late Howard Earl Kiger and the late Sarah (Gaunt) Kiger Shaw.
Flossie graduated from Bridgeton High School and was married, for 58 years, to Martin D. “Marty” Goodwin, Sr. who predeceased her in 2004.
Flossie worked as a bank bookkeeper, and at Anchor Hocking Glass before moving, with her husband and family, to Michigan. In Michigan, she worked at Eaton Federal Bank then at Hayes Green Beach Hospital where she retired 20 years later.
Flossie and Marty were members of the Holiday Rambler Club and loved camping at Strawberry Lake, which was her favorite spot. Flossie also loved snowmobiling at Houghton Lake during the Tip-Up-Town Festival, collecting blue Fenton and Wheaton glass, crocheting, creating hand-made quilts, going to yard sales and “refunding”. In 2006, Flossie married Raymond Grant and they resided in Charlotte until her death.
Flossie is survived by her husband, Raymond Grant and her loving family: daughter, Peggy (David) Woodbeck; grandchildren, Bryan (Susan) Woodbeck, Gretchen Anderson Goodwin, Martin D. (Threasa) Goodwin III; nephew, John (Roseann) Murray; niece, Janice (JJ) Furtek; six great grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren. Also surviving are stepsons, Paul Grant, Don (Marcia) Grant, Rob (Wendy) Grant; stepdaughter, Pam (Nelson) Appelman; nine step-grandchildren; 10 step-great grandchildren.
Flossie was preceded in death by her first husband, Martin D. Goodwin, Sr.; son, Martin D. Goodwin, Jr.; sister, Mabel C. Murray, who was her best, lifetime friend; brother-in-law, Christopher “Ray” Murray; granddaughter, Candance Ann Woodbeck; great-granddaughter, Laura E. Woodbeck; brothers, Walter and Carl Kiger; and, stepson Randy Grant.
Relatives and friends were invited to attend the funeral service at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte, Thursday, August 9.
If desired, the family suggests any memorial contributions to Hospice of Lansing and/or Chester Gospel Church. Friends and families are encouraged to share memories on her tribute page at www.PrayFuneral.com.
Janet A. Barrette
Janet Ann Barrette of Holt passed away June 10, 2018 at the age of 81. She was born in Vermontville on July 24, 1936, to John and Daisy Hokanson. Jan worked as a nurse for many years at Lansing General Hospital. She transitioned to private healthcare in the Mason area after retiring from full time nursing.
Jan enjoyed cooking, travel, and spending time with family and friends. She loved to be involved in the community and thrived when helping others. Her contributions include working with the RSVP organization as a volunteer at Capital Region International Airport. She also volunteered at McLaren Orthopedic Hospital. Another one of her passions was working in the community garden at St. Michael’s church which is an outreach for many people in the neighborhood.
Jan is survived by her children, Kevin (Drenda) Schultz of Shattuck, OK; Kristi (Dan) O’Donnell of Keswick, VA; Karen (Gary) Wilkes of Eaton Rapids, MI; 8 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and brother, John Hokanson of Charlotte, Michigan.
She is preceded in death by her parents; son, Kary Schultz of Mason, and four siblings.
A Celebration of Life memorial service will be held at 5 p.m. on Saturday, August 25, 2018 at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, located at 6500 Amwood Drive in Lansing, with Reverend Nikki Seger officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made by those desiring to St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, in Jan’s memory, for the continuing support of the community garden, or to McLaren Hospice and Homecare Foundation.
The family was cared for by Riley Funeral Home, www.rileyfuneralhome.com.
James W. Rawson
James William Rawson Jr., 61, of Eaton Rapids, passed away Monday, August 6, 2018 surrounded by his loving family. James was born on October 18, 1956 in Grant, Michigan, the son of James and Betty (Hathoway) Rawson Sr. He grew up in Casnovia where he worked on the local orchards and was a graduate of Kent City High School class of 1975. James worked for Meijer Warehouse as a high-low loader from 1975 until his retirement in 2016. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, singing karaoke and working on cars. His greatest joy was spending time with his family especially his grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his father, James Rawson Sr. and brother-in-law, Doug Haskell.
Surviving are his wife of 16 years, Vivian Rawson; sons, James Lee (Melissa) Rawson, Casey (Carisa) Rawson, Dexter Rawson; grandchildren, Matthew, Megan, Zachary, Steven, Brianna, Jude, Jase, Vaidabel; sisters, Debbie (Mike) Lustey, Coni Haskell; brothers, Duane (Lori) Rawson, Calvin (Delia) Rawson; first wife, Donna Grow and numerous nieces nephews and extended family and friends.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. For those desiring memorial contributions may be made to the Rawson Family in care of Vivian Rawson. To share memories or condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.