Obituaries
Amy M. Dankenbring
Amy Marie (Foster) Dankenbring, 47, of Charlotte, passed away April 8, 2018 following a long battle with brain cancer.
Amy earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and an associate’s degree in applied science. She graduated from Maple Valley High School in 1989. She worked at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing for 15 years.
Amy is survived by her husband, Robert Dankenbring; children, Adam Foster, Dustin Foster, and Nicole Foster; five grandchildren; one sibling, Dawn Foster; and parents, Kenneth and Marsha Foster.
Virginia I. Zimmerman
Virginia Irene Zimmerman passed away on January 25, 2018 at Henry Ford Allegiance Health Hospital. Virginia is survived by her daughters, Frances Richards and Patricia Conner, both of Jackson; and sons, William (Barb) of Pleasant Lake and Joseph (Becky) of Chathom; sisters-in-law, Dorothy Ritter of Charlotte, Lucille Eldred of Leslie, and Betty Zimmerman of Onondaga; nine grandchildren; four step-grandchildren, many great and great great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold; son, Roger, and siblings, Edna Paine, Bethel Stewart, Alberta Conant, and Carl Paine.
Virginia was born the fourth of five children to George and Estelle (Barns) Paine in Charlotte on March 23, 1918. She graduated from Charlotte High School in 1935 and married her high school sweetheart, Harold W. Zimmerman, in 1936. Together they enjoyed 63 years of marriage. She was a past member of the Rose City Chapter of the ABWA and was a very active in the 4H club as a leader. She worked at JC Penney and then at MESC, where she retired in 1981. Virginia loved to sew and quilt, making a quilt for each of her kids and many of her grandchildren. She was an excellent and innovative cook and baker. She was noted for her pies, even teaching family members the special techniques required.
The family would like to thank her grandson, Steve, who generously spent nights with her at the hospital. Services celebrating Virginia’s long life will be held on Saturday, May 5, 2018, at 1 p.m. at the Vickers Leslie Funeral Home, 109 N. Church Street in Leslie, with Dr. Charles Dillman officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be directed to Cascades Humane Society, 1515 Carmen Drive, Jackson, MI 49202, N. Jackson Lions Club, In Care of Lautzenheiser, PO Box 6581, Jackson, MI 49204, or a charity of your choice.
Arrangements were entrusted to the Vickers Leslie Funeral Home.
Margaret Butler
Margaret (Marie) Butler, 51, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer, on Saturday, April 14, 2018. She was born December 21, 1966 in Charlotte.
Marie loved her family first and spending time with them. Marie was a very talented crafter and quilter. She also loved to spend time in her garden, camping in the summer with family and friends, going to a local speedway for her husband’s races on weekends. Marie found a love for Texas after making it her home for five years, making lifelong friends and memories.
Marie leaves to cherish her memory, her husband and high school sweetheart, Jim Butler; their three children, Rachel Butler, Taylor Butler and Blaine Butler; her two grandchildren, Jessie and Jaxton; her sister, Aimee Martens; her brothers, Mark (and Marnia) Martens and Tim Martens; her mother, Sue Burchfield (Martens); her step-mother, Carol Martens; step-sisters, Stacie Barstow and Shalon Dailey; and her lifelong friend, Lynn Sevitts Hicks.
Marie rejoins her father, Norm Martens and brother, Kirk Martens.
The family will have a celebration of Marie’s life on Saturday, April 21, 2018 at 2 p.m. Visitation will be at 1 p.m. at New Hope Community Church, located at 436 W. Harris Street, of Charlotte, with pastor Randy Royston officiating.
The family would like to extend their deepest appreciation and many thanks to Sparrow Hospice of Lansing.
Memorial donations may be made to the family in memory of Marie.
Rhonda Schoudt
Rhonda Schoudt, 54, born January 14, 1964, passed away March 14, 2018. She was born in Los Angeles, Calif., the daughter of the late Wayne and Geraldine Schoudt.
Surviving is a brother, Darrel, and a son, Eric.
She will be sadly missed by those who know her, especially those at the Charlotte Fellowship Hall. Her morning greeting was always, “Oh happy day.”
A memorial service will be held in Charlotte at New Hope Community Church, located at 436 Harris Street at 1 p.m. on April 28, 2018.
Gerald D. Baker
Gerald “Jerry” Douglas Baker, 76, a proud veteran and hard worker, of Potterville, died April 10, 2018. He was born February 20, 1942 in Charlotte to Don W. and Margaret (James) Miller. Jerry worked at Minor Walton Bean Company before enlisting in the Army and serving in Vietnam. He was known as a Buck Sergeant because he was older than others that enlisted. Jerry had a pet monkey during the war that was great at finding venomous snakes, and he was awarded two Bronze Stars during his time in Vietnam. He loved this country and was proud that he was able to serve his country.
Jerry was brave, generous, and the “Rock” of the family. He enjoyed mowing, so much so that he volunteered to mow Lake Alliance. His love for mowing came from his work with The City of Lansing where he worked in the Parks and Recreation Department prior to his retirement. Jerry also enjoyed fishing (especially at Tippy Dam and Cedar Lake), going to the casino, road trips, yard sales, and looked forward to playing cards with his poker and cribbage family every day.
Jerry is survived by his five children, Bill (Patti) Hoffman, Reda (Ron) Hoffman, Steve (Teresa) Hoffman, Scott (Deb) Baker, Brad (Darlene) Baker; grandchildren, Jessica, Matt, Wesley, Nathan, Michael, Steven, Christopher, Josh, Cameron, Chelsea, Andrew, Savanah, Jessie, Tyler, and Leonard; 17 great-grandchildren; siblings, Ron (Iwana) Miller, Donna (Mark) Ransom, Cindy Miller, Cathy (Mark) Jacobs, Don (Carol) Miller and Jim Baker; his chocolate lab, Patty; and several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his wife, Patricia; daughters, Angela Baker and Cindy Hoffman; and grandson, Ronald Hoffman.
Friends of Jerry are encouraged to show their support for his family at visitation on Sunday, April 15, 2018, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held Monday, April 16, 2018 at 11 a.m. at Pray Funeral Home, with Rev. Koepke officiating.
If desired the family suggests memorial contributions be in Jerry’s honor to the US Department of Veterans Affairs.
Friends and family are also encouraged to share memories of Jerry on his tribute page at PrayFuneral.com.