Obituaries
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.
David J. Hamilton
David J. “Stub” Hamilton, 85, of Charlotte, went home to Heaven May 17, 2018. Dave was born December 25, 1932, in Charlotte, the son of David M. and Eveline (Bursley) Hamilton. He was a lifelong resident of Charlotte. Dave grew up as the son of the Charlotte blacksmith. Dave and his brother Jim spent many summers on Mackinaw Island with their father, while he shod the horses on the island. He served his country in the United States Army from 1955-1957. Upon his return from the Army he married Sylvia Robinson on April 12, 1958. Dave worked at AE Hoover for 36 years and farmed his entire life. He loved his horses. You would often find him working the fields or giving his grandchildren and their friends hayrides. He enjoyed participating in and watching horse pulls. Dave was a 4-H leader when his kids were young. He was incredibly proud and loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Dave is survived by his wife of 60 years, Sylvia; four children, Janet (Dennis) Croff of Charlotte, John Hamilton of Charlotte, Brenda (Larry) Hall of Charlotte, Paul Hamilton of Charlotte; grandchildren, Chad (Melissa) Croff, Nick (Jennifer) Croff, Dustin (Sara) Hall, Brandon (Stephanie Frank) Hall, Ryan (Hope Hatter) Hall, Jonathon “Tom” Hamilton; great-grandchildren, Evelyn Croff, Elli Croff, Easton Croff, Jemma Croff, Shane Croff, Canaan Hall; sister-in-law, Carolyn Hamilton; brother-in-law, Robert (Lilah) Robinson, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Ernest “Jim” Hamilton; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Clifford and Gurnarda Robinson; sister-in-law, Dorothy (Trulen) Harris.
Funeral services were held on Monday, May 21, 2018, at Peace Lutheran Church in Charlotte, with Pastor David Keller officiating. Interment followed at West Carmel Cemetery.
Those desiring may make contributions in Dave’s honor to Peace Lutheran Church, 830 N. Cochran Ave., Charlotte, MI 48813.
To view Dave’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit burkhead-greenfuneralhome.com.
Elaine M. Doxsie
Elaine M. Doxsie, 82, of Atlanta, passed away peacefully on January 10, 2018, at Tendercare Alpena surrounded by her family.
On October 4, 1935, Elaine was born in Eagle, Mich. to the late Edward and Ethel (Hewson) Kransz. She married Donovan Doxsie, and worked on their family farm for 30 years. She moved to Mulliken, Mich. and later to Charlotte. Donovan preceded her in death on February 25, 2006. Elaine was a musician and enjoyed playing her accordion. She also enjoyed being a bus driver for 10 years. Elaine was a wonderful mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who will be greatly missed and loved by many.
She is survived by two daughters, Cynthia (Mark) Beegle of Atlanta, Mich., and Patricia (Chris) Voight of Bellevue; seven grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren, and one sister, Elizabeth (Donny) Pung of St. Johns.
Elaine was preceded in death by her son Richard; five great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Earl and Robert Kransz.
A graveside service will be held at Sunfield Cemetery on Tuesday, June 5, 2018, at 1 p.m., with Rev. Greg Nitchman officiating.
Online condolences may be made at karpushuntercares.com.
Robert Dane
Robert “Carroll” Dane, a deeply devoted husband, father and grandfather, died peacefully on May 18, 2018 in Charlotte. Carroll, 87, of Charlotte, was born on April 19, 1931, in Lansing, the son of Harold and Ruth Dane. He graduated from Charlotte High School in 1949 before enlisting in the U.S. Army. He married the love of his life, Patricia Gould, on June 29, 1952, in Charlotte, and the two enjoyed 65 years of true love and partnership before Pat’s death in 2017. Carroll provided a wonderful life for his family, working 34 years as a cost estimator for A.E. Hoover in Charlotte. Many will remember Carroll as a well-dressed, soft spoken gentleman. He enjoyed time on the golf course at the Charlotte Country Club, and playing cards and watching sports. Above all, Carroll loved his family.
Carroll is survived by his daughters, Terry (Rod) McGilvra, Denise (Robert) McConnell, Kim (Neal) Wilmore, Robin (Karl) Dykstra-Mehlig; son, Brian (Kimberly) Dane, daughter-in-law, Carol Dane; 19 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; sister, Barbara (Harvey) Gray.
He was preceded in death by sons, Mark and Robert Dane; brother, Raymond; grandson, Gregory Dane; and his wife of 65 years, Patricia Bernice Dane.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 25, 2018 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. Visitation was from 10 to 11 a.m. on Friday, just prior to the service. Interment took place in Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte. If desired, the family suggests memorial donations to the National Kidney Foundation.
The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home. Family and friends are encouraged to share remembrances and condolences online in Carroll’s tribute page at prayfuneral.com.