Obituaries
Beverly A. Bogner
Beverly Ann Bogner, a welcoming lady who became “everybody’s mother,” of Charlotte died May 14, 2018 at the age of 94. She was born August 2, 1923 in Hastings to high school chemistry teacher Frederick Jones and his wife, Gertrude (Waters) Jones, who was a teacher at the Dowd School. Bev served during World War II in the Navy Waves as a storekeeper, and after her return, she married John R. Bogner on August 31, 1947. Bev was a supporter of local teachers, active member of the Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church, and she was also a member of the League of Women Voters, and the Camp Fire Board for many years. She was an award winning EATRAN bus driver, retiring in 1988.
As a young girl, Bev helped build the family home by “driving in every second nail,” and helping her father construct a stone fireplace. Family was everything to Bev, she lived vicariously through her daughters and their accomplishments. She loved camping, canoeing, swimming, boating, and life on the lake being in the family cottage. Bev loved traveling as well, including a special trip to England to trace family history. Her family will always remember her laugh, known as the “Jones Girls Laugh,” that she and her sisters all shared and sounded the same.
Beverly is survived by her loving daughters, Ann Waters, Catherine Bogner, Sara LaForge, and Jane Bogner Ventsias; granddaughters, Laurel, Heather, and Alexandra; grandson, Nick; and 2 great-grandchildren. Beverly was preceded in death by her husband, John in 1994; and sisters, Irene (Francis) Hamilton and Willo (Joseph) Cooper.
Friends are encouraged to support Beverly’s family at memorial services at Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church in Charlotte on Friday, May 18, 11 a.m., with Rev. Gary Wales officiating.
If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Camp Frances Educational and Recreational Center. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Beverly on her Tribute Page at PrayFuneral.com.
Catherine B. Carroll
Catherine B. Carroll, 74, of Vermontville, passed away Friday, May 11, 2018, at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, surrounded by her family. She was born February 6, 1944, in Sheridan, Mich., the daughter of Donald and Aletha Husted. On June 26, 1961, she married JW Carroll in Belding at the family home. Cathy loved people. If you ever visited her home you may have come as a friend but you always left as family. Cathy loved to work outdoors and could often be found planting or weeding flowers beds. Cathy was an amazing cook and baker. Everyone always looked forward to sitting down at her table for a wonderful home-cooked meal. Cathy loved her job as a bus driver for Charlotte transportation. She made many lifelong friendships throughout her 24 years of dedicated service.
Cathy is survived by her loving husband of 56 years, JW; children, Annette (Terry) Frith, Jeremy (Erin) Carroll, Josh Carroll, Becky (Ed) Bruce; 10 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; brother, Donald (Faith) Husted; and sister, Ruth Ann.
She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Jim Carroll; daughter, Diane Sue Carroll; and grandson, Jacob Carroll.
A memorial service was held on Tuesday, May 15, 2018, at Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home, with Pastor Shane Bryant officiating. Burial will take place at Evergreen Township Cemetery in Sheridan at a later date.
Those desiring may make contributions in Cathy’s memory to Charlotte Assembly of God or the charity of their choice.
To view Catherine’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family, please visit burkhead-greenfuneralhome.com.
Wilson Ashley
Wilson “Spark” Ashley, 68, of Nashville passed away Saturday, January 6, 2018 while wintering in Florida.
A memorial service will he held at The Daniels Funeral Home in Nashville at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 20, with Shirley Zobian officiating. The family will receive visitors one hour prior to the memorial service, beginning at 1 p.m.
There will be a time of luncheon and fellowship immediately following the memorial service at the Nashville VFW Post #8260.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Daniels Funeral Home in Nashville. For further details please visit danielsfuneralhome.net.
Sylvia Williams
Sylvia Williams, 86, of Vermontville, passed away peacefully Wednesday, May 2, 2018 at her home with her family at her side. Sylvia was born in Lake Odessa on September 22, 1931, the daughter of the late Howard D. and Mable (Armour) Poff.
She was raised in the Lake Odessa area and attended local schools graduating from Lake Odessa High School in 1949. She continued her education at Western Michigan University where she received her Bachelors Degree in Education.
In 1953, she was married to Mr. Lafayette Williams in Lake Odessa. They began their lives together in the Hudsonville area for a short time, before moving to the Vermontville area where they raised their family together. Lafayette and Sylvia enjoyed traveling to Northern Michigan as well as other parts of the United States in their motor home.
Slyvia began her teaching career in the Hudsonville school systems where she taught Home Economics. During the mid 1960s the family moved to Vermontville where she taught at Fuller Street School until 1985 when she retired from teaching. After leaving education, Slyvia began working as the Register of Deeds for Eaton County, which she continued until her retirement in 1995.
She loved her home, and enjoyed sewing, cooking, working in her gardens and doing crossword puzzles. She especially enjoyed spending time with her friends; twice per week Sylvia and her group of friends would exercise and swim at the Charlotte High School swimming pool. Though the years, she has remained an active member of the Greater Federation of Women’s Club in Vermontville. She always looked forward to the many adventures the group would take during the year.
Sylvia is survived by her two daughters, Betsy Parish, and Jane Owen; a son, Paul (Debbie) Williams; two sisters, Mary Firth, Margaret (Pat) Maurer; and six grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her infant son; her beloved husband; and her sister, Virginia Trumble,
Funeral services were held at The Daniels Funeral Home on Saturday, May 5 2018, with Pastor Karen Kinney officiating. Interment took place following the luncheon at Freemire Cemetery in Sunfield Township
Memorial contributions can be made to the Maple Valley Scholarship Fund or the Lake Odessa Historical Society.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Daniels Funeral Home in Nashville. For further details, please visit our website at danielsfuneralhome.net.
Karen S. Sullivan
Karen S. Sullivan, 76, of Gaylord, formerly of Lansing, passed away Friday, May 4, 2018, at Munson Hospice House in Traverse City. She was born February 23, 1942, in Charlotte, the daughter of Harold and Esther (Zanger) Sloan. She graduated from Charlotte High School with the class of 1960. Karen was a devoted mother and grandmother. She always looked forward to Sunday family dinners. Karen enjoyed spending time outdoors. She loved wildlife and could often be found enjoying the seasons with family, along with camping, fishing and hunting. Karen enjoyed all things Northern Michigan. Whether it was just taking a drive down country roads or sitting beside one of its many lakes or streams, she loved it all.
Karen is survived by her two sons: Brian (Lori) Sullivan of Olivet, Steve (Winde) Sullivan of Gaylord; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; brother, Mark Sloan of Wisconsin; sister-in-law, Sharon Sloan of Olivet.
She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, David Sloan.
Funeral services were held on Thursday, May 10, 2018, at Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home in Charlotte. Interment took place at Lee Center Cemetery in Olivet.
Those desiring may make contributions in Karen’s honor to Steve Sullivan to be used to purchase wildlife feed for Munson Hospice House. Steve will personally deliver feed.
To view Karen’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family, please visit burkhead-greenfuneralhome.com.