Obituaries
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.
Dale R. Briggs
Fish are once again safe in the Midwest. An avid, life-long fisherman, Dale Roger Briggs, known to many as “Spike,” passed away on May 20, 2018, at the age of 87 after a long battle with pulmonary fibrosis. Born in Vermontville in 1930 to Dewey and Ruth (Shetenhelm) Briggs, Dale graduated from Vermontville High School before joining the U.S. Army in 1948. He completed four years of military service, including serving as a communications expert in Germany during the Korean War. All his life, he was a proud veteran of the American Legion. Upon completing his military service, he married his high school sweetheart, Bettyann Cole. They had four children, all of whom he taught to fish as well as to play push rummy and euchre.
He worked at Aluminum Extrusions for numerous years, and later became one of the first computer programmers, beginning work in Information Technology before there was such a thing, working for the Michigan Department of Education. Throughout his long life, Dale never lost touch with his roots, his friends, and his poker-playing buddies in Vermontville. He loved to hunt and fish, and thought nothing of sitting on a bucket on a frozen lake for hours at a time, never growing impatient when the fish didn’t bite. Every fall found him deer hunting around Vermontville, and he regularly visited his son, Mike in Montana for hunting expeditions.
He was much loved and is survived by his daughter, Kathi Eggers (Karl); sons, Jeffrey (Mary Jo), John (Wendy), and Mike (Carla); grandchildren, Kristin (Steven), Jesse (Sarah), Hayley, Clay (Kristyn), Keenan, Bethany, Tiffany (Todd), Jake, Eric (Jasmin), Kyle (Rhianna), and Marty; and nine great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his daughter-in-law, Rose Briggs; and his former wife and dear friend, Eileen Briggs.
As he requested, there will be no funeral services.
Donations may be made in Dale’s name to: Maple Valley Memorial Scholarship Fund; at barrycf.org/funds/maple-valley-memorial-scholarship-foundation-fund/Maple Valley Memorial Scholarship Fund, Maple Valley Schools, 11090 Nashville Highway, Vermontville, MI 49096 or Heartland Hospice of Mason at heartlandhospice.com or mail to 865 S. Cedar St, Mason, MI 48854.
Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Dale on his tribute page at PrayFuneral.com.
Virginia M. Wight
Virginia May Wight, 83, of Bellevue, formerly of Haines, Alaska, passed away peacefully Saturday, May 19, 2018 surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Eaton County on May 6, 1935, the daughter of Paul M. and Nora I. (Wood) Wight. Virginia attended the Grand Rapids School of Bible & Music and Butterworth Hospital School of Nursing. She was employed with Community Hospital of Battle Creek as a nurse. Virginia moved to Haines, where she ran a clinic for 13 years. There she was awarded “Woman of the Year” in 1978. While residing in Alaska, Virginia traveled the state hunting moose, fishing and received her pilot’s license. This was her absolute favorite place to live. Virginia moved back to Battle Creek where she continued her employment with Community Hospital as a House Supervisor Floor Nurse. After the merger she worked at Westbrook Hospital and here she retired in 2000 as an OB Nurse. Virginia led a very full and eventful life. She spent time in Africa on a mission trip. She played with the Brass Band of Battle Creek and even accompanied them to England. She played baritone, flute, piano and the organ. Music was a huge part of her life. On top of all of her accomplishments, she also drove school bus, worked with the Girl Scout troops, loved watching figure skating, enjoyed watching MSU and the Detroit Tigers, cake decorating and even made her siblings wedding cakes, and was a Sunday school teacher.
Virginia is survived by her siblings, Dolores (Paul) Ford of Hammond, Wisc., Phyllis Watman of Battle Creek, Dale (Lois) Wight of Bellevue, Peggy (DeWayne) Jones of Dowling, Paul (Marie) Wight of Bellevue, and Sally Lee of Battle Creek; and sister-in-law, Charlotte of Bellevue.
She was preceded in death by her brothers, Reuben and Burrell Wight.
A visitation was held at Pleasantview Family Church in Dowling, Mich. on Friday, May 25, 2018, from 10 to 11 a.m. A memorial service immediately followed at 11 a.m., with Pastor Steve Olmstead officiating. Interment was held at Riverside Cemetery in Bellevue.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Pleasantview Family Church or charity of one’s choice.
Friends may send condolences or share a memory at kempffuneralhome.com.