Obituaries
Timothy W. Olson
Rev. Timothy W. Olson, 51, of Eaton Rapids, passed away Wednesday, May 30, 2018, as a result of an automobile accident. He was born November 5, 1966, in Antigo, Wisc., the son of Peter L. and Valerie M. (Lichman) Olson. Tim graduated from Antigo High School in 1984. He then went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Concordia University in Wisconsin. In 1994 he received his Masters of Divinity from Concordia Seminary in Fort Wayne, Ind. On October 22, 1994, Tim married the love of his life, Deborah “Chris” Hackett in Indiana. Tim’s first assignment was in St. Helen, Mich. at Hope Lutheran Church, where he had the privilege of serving for 5 years. In 1999, Tim, was called by the First Lutheran Church of Charlotte. Tim loved the Charlotte community and cherished the opportunity he had to serve them. He was a devoted husband and father. Tim loved his family with a deep devotion and enjoyed every moment they spent together. He was also an active member of the Charlotte Rotary Club and served as the Chaplain at Hayes-Green-Beach Memorial Hospital.
Tim is survived by his wife of 23 years, Chris; children, Rebekah (Adam Boston) Olson, Rachel Olson, James Olson; mother, Valerie Olson; siblings, Tom (Maria) Olson, Andy (Peggy) Olson, Mark Olson, Dan (Katie) Olson, Laura (Jerry) Houdek, Theresa (John) Schmidt, Sally Glazer, Patty Olson, Pete (Pam) Olson; parents-in-law, Earl and Kathy Hackett; brothers-in-law, Jim Hackett, Bryan (Amy) Hackett; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father, Peter Olson; and sister, Linda Olson.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, June 5, 2018 at First Lutheran Church in Charlotte, with Rev. David Maier officiating. Interment followed at Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte.
Those desiring may make contributions in Tim’s honor to the First Lutheran Church, 550 E. Shepherd St., Charlotte, MI 48813.
To view Tim’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family, please visit burkhead-greenfuneralhome.com.
Marjorie L. Woolstenhulme
Marjorie Louise Mobbs Woolstenhulme, 92, was called home by her loving Heavenly Father, Wednesday, May 30, 2018. Midge, as she was known by her family and friends, passed away peacefully at Sensations Memory Care of natural causes. She was born August 14, 1925 in Exeter, N.H. to Karl and Gladys Mobbs. She proudly served her country in the United States Navy where she met and married Lynn J. Woolstenhulme October of 1952. Through the many years of her husband’s military transfers and deployments, Midge never lost her love for adventure, sense of humor, or her New Hampshire accent.
Midge had many jobs, but her two favorites were, town librarian in Bakersfield, Vt. and working as a hospice volunteer. She loved to sew, garden and visiting with people. She actively served in various capacities for her church, always putting the needs of others before herself.
Midge is preceded in death by her by husband of 56 years, and one daughter, Janise Witkowski (Thomas) of Tooele, Utah.
She is survived by two sisters, Doris Kleinheitz (Herman) of Kentucky, Edith Belanger (Edward) of New Hampshire; daughters, Yvonne King (Gary) of Charlotte, Karen Morales (David) of Gresham, Ore., Sandra Woolstenhulme of Grand Ledge; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. All of whom she loved deeply.
Midge spent the last two years living at Sensations Memory Care in Charlotte. Our family would like to thank all the staff from Sensations and Great Lakes Caring Hospice for the wonderful compassionate care they shared with our mum making sure she was most comfortable in her final days.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 9, 2018, at 11 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, located at 200 N. Bostwick Street in Charlotte. Visitation was held on June 8, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service Saturday at the church. Interment will take place at Benton Township Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Great Lakes Caring Hospice or Eaton Community Palliative Care.
To view Midge’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family, please visit burkhead-greenfuneralhome.com.
Candy S. Riley
Candy Sue Miller Riley, 49, of Shelbyville, Ky., passed away Saturday, May 26, 2018. She was employed by Pegasus Transportation.
She is preceded in death by husband, Joseph Riley.
Survivors include: daughters, Crystal Shannon (Steven) and Ashley Riley; son, Trevor Riley, all of Shelbyville, Ky.; grandchildren, Brandon, Logan, Blake and Madison Shannon, Scarlett and Joseph Montfort and Carolyn Riley; parents, Larry and Pam Miller, of Charlotte; sister, Rhonda Shopper, of Charlotte.
A funeral service was held Thursday, May 31, 2018 at Shannon Funeral Home, with Tina Theiler officiating. Burial followed in Defoe Cemetery.
Duane L. Cook
Duane Leslie Cook of Charlotte, a friendly, easy-going man that was loyal, selfless, and honest, died May 29, 2018. Duane, 80, was born February 12, 1938 in Vermontville to Willis and Marie (Boyles) Cook. Duane was an outdoorsman, and loved to hunt deer, pheasant, duck, and turkey. He coached little league baseball and softball for many years, and was a long-time volunteer at Camp Michawana in Hastings. Duane enjoyed playing ping-pong during his breaks at work, and he was an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching all the Michigan based teams from Detroit, MSU, and UofM. Duane retired from General Motors, after working for 48 years at the parts plant. He was very proud of his service to our country in the Army from 1961 to 1963.
Duane’s friends and family will miss his happy demeanor and great sense of humor. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Bobby (Ransburg) Cook; sons, Stephen M. and Michael W. Cook; daughter, Faith (Joel) Truax; three grandchildren, Angel Polhamus, Daniel Cook, and Brianna Truax; one great-grandchild, Dane Martin; brother, Darwin (Liz) Cook; sisters-in-law, Pat and Alene; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and siblings, DeVere (Barbara) Cook, Dale Cook, and Dorr (Bobby) Cook; and sister-in-law, Nancy.
Friends are encouraged to support Duane’s family at visitation and funeral services. Funeral services are Saturday, June 9, at 11 a.m. at Nashville Baptist Church, with Rev. Lester DeGroot officiating. Visitation is Friday, June 8, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte.
If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Camp Michawana in Hastings.
Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Duane on his tribute page at PrayFuneral.com.
Edward Ells
Edward “Ted” Ells, a deeply devoted and loving father and grandfather, passed away peacefully on May 24, 2018, in Charlotte, at the age of 86. Ted was born April 27, 1932, the son of William and Aletha (Root) Ells. He graduated from Charlotte High School in 1950 with a letter in every sport. Soon after, he enlisted in the Army National Guard and served nine years. Ted married the love of his life, Ann Ruth McMillen on November 14, 1953 and the two enjoyed 43 years together before her death on January 22, 1996. He worked for General Motors for 32 years, never missing a day of work. He retired in 1997 and continued an active lifestyle as a member of the Charlotte Moose Club, the American Legion, and the Charlotte Fraternal order of Eagles #3552. He enjoyed showing off his Eagle membership card with an expiration date in the year 3042. Ted enjoyed Tuesday breakfast with his cousins, and started many adult softball fast pitch leagues as pitcher. He enjoyed his daily routines, stubbornly sticking to them throughout the years. Many will remember Ted as a very generous friend to many, with a prankster sense of humor and always making others smile. He treated everyone he knew as family, and knew someone everywhere he went. Above all, Ted loved his children and grandchildren.
Ted is survived by hais daughters, Ann (Scott) Britton of Charlotte; Rebecca (Gary) Bala of Mulliken; Tina Ells (Dale) of Olivet, Debbra Jones (Mark) of Arizona; son, Ed (Tiffany) of Colorado; 13 grandchildren, Bob, Tresa, Levi, Casie, Jason, Blake, Karli, Devin, Paige, Morgan, Lindsay, Olivia, and Logan; 15 great-grandchildren; loving sister, Marilyn (Carroll) Briggs of Charlotte; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Aletha; sister, Elaine; brothers, Maynard (Mickey), Willard (Bill), Donald; and his wife of 43 years, Anna.
Funeral services were Tuesday, May 29, 2018 at Pray Funeral Home, with Pastor Charles Jenson officiating. Interment took place in Maple Hill Cemetery.
If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to McLaren Hospice of Lansing.
Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Ted on his Tribute Page at PrayFuneral.com.