Obituaries
Betty L. Whitmore
Betty Lou Whitmore, 92, a kind and caring family matriarch of Charlotte, died peacefully on April 25, 2018. Betty was born July 1, 1925 in Parma Township to Orval and Bertha (Wise) Graham, one of 12 children. In 1948 she married Bernard Whitmore, and together they raised five children, with good old-fashioned homemade meals (a favorite was Betty’s famous chicken dinners), mouth-watering desserts, and lots of love to go around. Betty was a lover of music, and she also enjoyed doing puzzles, playing cards including euchre and rummy, and needle work. She very much loved time spent outdoors, whether it was farming, gardening, fishing, or just a leisurely stroll to enjoy the beauty around her.
Betty previously worked at Wilcox Gay, Michigan Magnetics, the Piston Ring in Hastings, and Kellogg’s. She was known as a sassy, stubborn lady, with a great sense of humor and loads of creativity. She was a volunteer grandparent for the foster grandparent program, just another way for her to share all the love she had to give.
Betty is survived by her loving family, including five children, Orval (Robin) Whitmore, Christine (Doug) Polhamus, Teresa (Dale) Horn, Loretta (Gordy) Shepard, and Kim (Barbara) Whitmore; 14 grandchildren, Robert, BJ, Christopher, Keith, Michael (Kara), Kevin, Corey (Emily), Marci (Rich), Brent (Holly), Eric, Clint (Christine), Chad, Christel, Jason (Jessica); 22 great-grandchildren; and three great great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Bernard in 1989; granddaughter, Jennifer; her parents; and 11 siblings.
Friends are encouraged to support Betty’s family at visitation and funeral services. Funeral services are Monday, April 30, 2018, at 2 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte, with Pastor Janine McGill officiating. Visitation is Sunday, April 29, from 3 to 6 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home.
If desired, Betty had suggested donations to the American Cancer Society.
Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Betty on her tribute page at PrayFuneral.com.
Marjorie L. Stewart
Marjorie Louise (Evers) Stewart went to be with Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Friday, April 13, 2018 in Winter Haven, Fla. Marj was born April 19, 1945 in Howell, to the late Hans and Sarah Jane (Singleton) Evers. She graduated in 1963 from Hartland High School in Michigan.
Marj married Keith Stewart Jr. January 22, 1966 and four children were born from that union. They made their home in Olivet, where she was a homemaker and baker at Cornwell’s Turkeyville for years.
Marj was a very generous and loving person who loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She also enjoyed gardening, sewing, crafting, canning, baking pies and feeding birds and squirrels. To know her was to love her.
Marj leaves to cherish her loving memory her devoted husband, Keith H. Stewart Jr.; her four children, April (James) Kiplinger, Michele Kiplinger, Scott (Lisa) Stewart and Jeffrey (Michelle) Stewart; her grandchildren, Emilea (Will) Church, Erika Kiplinger, Colleen Kiplinger, Katie Stewart, Jaysen Kiplinger, Kayla Stewart, Carley Stewart, Bailey Stewart, Mason Stewart, Tyler Kiplinger and Tydan Stewart; siblings, Sue Truhn, Richard (Barbara) Evers, Jim (Joan) Evers, Edward (Jeanne) Evers, Rita Evers and Phillip (Laura) Evers. She also had several nieces, nephews and friends she adored.
Marj was also preceded in death by her sister, Marie; and brothers, Peter and Donald.
There will be a memorial service held for Marj Friday, May 4, 2018, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the American Legion in Charlotte, located at 1000 W. Lawrence Highway.
Jane A. Papranec
Jane Amanda (Roberts) Papranec, a faithful, devoted and loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and sister, of Charlotte, died Wednesday, April 11, 2018, surrounded by her family. Jane was born June 2, 1934, in Detroit to David and Sadie (Schlotta) Roberts. Sadie passed away when Jane was a young girl. Her father David later married Ceil Docter. Jane earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Marygrove College in Detroit. On June 20, 1959, Jane married her sweetheart, Joseph Papranec, and together they created their legacy. She worked as an administrative secretary at St. Mary Catholic Church in Charlotte. Jane also volunteered for Mobile Meals, but most importantly she was a very dedicated mother.
Her husband Joseph passed away in 1972 leaving her to raise 10 children on her own. Jane leaned on her strong faith in the Lord to overcome the struggles. She was known for lending a listening ear to assist others, being a mother to everyone, and for being a very modest woman. Jane enjoyed traveling, playing bingo, trying new restaurants, reading, and attending her children and grandchildren’s events. She also loved cheering for the Detroit sport teams and Notre Dame. Jane enjoyed playing Keno. Her love for Keno came on her 72nd birthday when she won $72. Above all, Jane adored her family.
Jane is survived by her children, John Papranec, James Papranec, Julie (Kurt) Crandell, Mary (Joe) Keeley, Kathleen (David) Lightner, Carolyn (Chad) Walker, Elizabeth (Steve) Walker, Lisa (Joe) Cerven, and Joseph (Keri Jo) Papranec; 15 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren; and brother, David Roberts.
She was predeceased by her husband, Joseph Papranec; son, Peter Papranec; parents, David and Sadie Roberts, and Ceil Roberts; siblings, Bette Kidder and Claude Roberts; brother in-law, Paul Papranec; and mother and father in-law, Amalia and Josef Papranec.
Funeral services were held Friday, April 20, 2018, at 11 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church in Charlotte, with Rev. Fr. Dwight Ezop officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to St. Vincent DePaul of St. Mary of Charlotte or Eaton Community Palliative Care.
Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Jane on her tribute page at PrayFuneral.com.
Robert E. King
Robert Eugene King, 85, lifelong resident of Charlotte, passed away April 17, 2018 in Lansing. He graduated from Charlotte High School; he was president of the Charlotte FFA and received the FFA Star Farmer of Michigan, played football and was a Golden Gloves boxer. After graduation, he entered general livestock farming full time, then in 1953 reduced the farm to a cash crop operation, and started employment with AEC (Hoover Group) that lasted 33 years. Robert was drafted in the U.S. Army in 1955, served two years in the 3rd Armored Division. He continued farming and then later worked for and retired from East Jordan Iron Works in Sunfield. He enjoyed building model airplanes when he was younger and worked on genealogy in his later years.
Survivors include his daughters, Shannon (Lee) Hoover and Kim (Michael) Birsen; granddaughters, Alexandria Birsen and Samantha Birsen (Brandon Dykstra); three brothers, Ivan King Jr., Vincent (Shirley), and Thomas (Sharon), many nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents, H. Ivan and Winifred (Sanford) King and brother Richard.
In honoring Robert’s request, no services will be held and cremation has taken place.
For those wishing, memorial contributions may be given to Eaton Community Palliative Care, 2675 S. Cochran Road, Charlotte, MI 48813 in memory of Robert King.
The family is being served by the Peters & Murray Funeral Home in Grand Ledge. Online condolences may be made at petersandmurrayfuneralhome.com.
Larry A. Gomoll
Larry Anthony Gomoll, a free-spirited, loving father, grandfather, son, brother and loyal friend, died unexpectedly on Sunday, April 15, 2018 at his home. Larry, 55, of Charlotte was born September 6, 1962 in Detroit, the son of James and Angeline (Merlo) Gomoll. He attended Everett High School in Lansing, where he was a diver on the swim team. Following graduation in 1980, he started his family and a multi-faceted self-employed sales career. Larry’s hyper-active lifestyle saw him starting a bedding company, selling cars, and marina sales. He shared his many talents with his close friends and family, creating countless extravagant memories up north at the cabin, travelling together in the Corolla. No matter what curveballs came his way, Larry made a wonderful life for his family, especially spoiling his grandchildren.
Larry leaves behind his loving girlfriend, Spring Sheldon; parents, Jim Gomoll and Angie Orzel; three children, Karry (Willie) DeBerry, Chelsea (David) Carpenter, and Mindy Quimby; seven grandchildren, Malaki, Breann, Kaiden, Leiloni, David Jr., Kaizen, and Jannah; two sisters, Loriann Gomoll and Angela Orzel; nieces Holly and Danyell; nephews Adam and Jordon; and former wife and forever friend, Kay Quimby.
Friends are encouraged to support Larry’s family by attending visitation on Friday, April 20, 2018 from noon to 2 p.m., followed by the funeral services at 2 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte, with Pastor Darrell Clements officiating. Interment will take place at Maple Grove Cemetery in Mason.
If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the family in the care of Karry DeBerry.
Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Larry on his tribute page at PrayFuneral.com.