Obituaries
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.
John and Nancy Gutierrez
John (Pepe) Gutierrez and Nancy Ruth (Zeitz) Gutierrez, of Charlotte, a very loving and devoted couple, tragically left this earthly world behind to be in Heaven together forever on July 29, 2018. John was born April 29, 1949 to Jose and Antonia (Cantu) Gutierrez in McAllen, Texas. Nancy was born October 29, 1948 to Jim and Edith (Klink) Zeitz in Eaton Rapids. John and Nancy were inseparable since they were married 50 years ago, an example to the community of a wonderful marriage. They spent their free time traveling to watch their children and grandchildren participate in all the activities they loved doing.
John joined the Army out of high school, and later became a State Trooper with the Michigan State Police. After his retirement, he worked as a Public Safety Officer at Capital Region International Airport and later Baker College. He was an adjunct professor for 30 years at Lansing Community College Criminal Justice Program for law enforcement. John enjoyed cooking for family, as well as hunting with his son and grandson. John was a fun loving, animated storyteller who loved people.
Nancy, known for her quiet strength and subtle sass, loved gardening and spending time with family. She was a nurse at Hayes Green Beach Hospital in Charlotte, and later left to work as a rural postal carrier for the U.S. Post Office until her retirement. Nancy was always ready to listen with an open heart. Nancy was very proud to be a mother and grandmother, and loved sharing stories with her children and grandchildren.
John and Nancy are survived by their children, Lisa (Sean) Carroll, Brock (Holly) Gutierrez, and Erin (Tony) Harbor; grandchildren, Rourke, Cormac, and Catriana Carroll, Izabelle and Bode Gutierrez, and Jelani, Thaine, and Tamaeus Harbor; brothers and sisters Julie Steele, Steve (Brenda) Gutierrez, Lupe Shakespeare, Jesse Gutierrez, Audrey Martini, Hank (Carol) Zeitz, and Peggy (Gregg) McCann; and Nancy’s parents, Jim and Edith Zeitz.
They were predeceased by John’s parents, Jose and Antonia Gutierrez.
Friends are encouraged to support the Gutierrez family at visitation and funeral services. Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, August 4, 10 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church in Charlotte, with Rev. Fr. Dwight Ezop officiating. Visitation was held Friday, Aug. 3, from 3 to 6 p.m.
If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Fallen Trooper Memorial c/o Michigan State Police Troopers.
Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of John and Nancy on their Tribute Page at PrayFuneral.com or their Facebook Page at JohnNancy Gutierrez.