Obituaries
James A. Clemons
James Albert Clemons, 82, of Bellevue, passed away Friday, February 15, 2019. He was born April 14, 1936 in Battle Creek, the son of LeRoy and Marjorie (Berry) Clemons. Jim worked as a farmer his whole life and for Kellogg Co. for 30 years before his retirement. He married Duretha Myers on October 8, 1954 in Battle Creek. Jim was a member of the Kellogg 25-year Club, Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie #299, and attended Pleasantview Family Church. He enjoyed golfing and bowling and was involved in many leagues. Jim loved spending his winters in Mercedes, Texas. His greatest joy was spending time with his family.
He is survived by his wife of 64 ½ years, Duretha; daughters, Valerie (Chuck) Tuttle, Valeta (Doug) Norris, and Vickie Mingus; sisters, Marilyn Gordon and Sharon (Al) Ballard; brother-in-law, Cork Berry; longtime friend, Bill Schroder; seven grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and special cousins from Jackson.
He was preceded in death by his parents; infant daughter, Connie Clemons; son, Gordon Clemons; son-in-law, Denny Mingus; and sister, Carolyn Berry.
Funeral services have already been held. Burial took place at Assyria Cemetery in Barry County.
Memorial tributes may be made to Pleasantview Family Church. Arrangements were made by the Bachman Hebble Funeral Service.
Perry M. Walters
Perry Michael Walters, 60, an avid fisherman both in the water and on the ice, died February 12, 2019. Perry was involved with both Cub and Boy Scouts. Perry was born in Charlotte on October 31, 1958 to Ned and Beverly (Payton) Walters. Perry worked in Georgia for over 20 years. A Georgia drawl made Perry recognizable from his Michigan family and friends. In order to care for his father who was in poor health, Perry returned home to Michigan. For the last seven years Perry has been employed at Peckham Industries. Fishing was Perry’s main interest. He loved spending time with a fishing pole in his hands and country music on the radio.
Perry is survived by his loving family; sister, Cheryl L. Pressler; and brother, Danny D. Walters.
Perry was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Lynn Walters.
A Celebration of Life service was held Thursday, February 21, 2019 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte, with Pastor Charles Jenson officiating. Interment in Maple Hill Cemetery followed the service.
Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Perry on his tribute page at PrayFuneral.com.
Charles Downham
Charles Downham, 72, formerly of Charlotte, passed away January 18, 2019 in Spring Hills, Fla. He had been the former owner of the Eaton Place Restaurant and Carriage Cleaners. He was born September 23, 1946 in Chicago, Ill. to Opal (Cochran) Downham and Robert R. Downham. He then was raised in South Bend, Ind. and graduated from James Whitcomb Riley High School. He married Mary Willis in 1973. One child, a daughter, was born of that marriage. The marriage ended in divorce. Charles moved to Tampa, Fla. 20 years ago and returned to Michigan at times to visit his daughter, Lauren and her son. Charles had a great love for fishing and hunting, and he loved the animals. In his younger years, he did competition dancing on roller skates and was on his high school swim team. He had been a member of the U.S. Marine Corps.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and his daughter, Lauren M. Shuler.
He is survived by his ex-wife, Mary Willis Mogg of Olivet; grandson, Matthew Shuler; brother, Robert R. Downham; and nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Cremation has taken place and a private burial will be held at a later time.
Bryan Howlett
Bryan Richard James Howlett, born in Great Yarmouth, England on January 16, 1934, met his Savior Jesus on February 12, 2019 at home surrounded by family.
He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 25 years, Barbara (Doty); five stepchildren, Frank Badgley, Brenda (Cor) Toncray, Jeffrey (Judy) Badgley, Monte (Susie) Ferris, and Stanford (Tina) Ferris; two sisters, Avril Smith and Shirley Hurren, both of England; and many grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and dear dog, Muffi.
He was predeceased by his parents, James and Ellen Howlett; sister, Brenda Senior; and dog, Dusti Rose.
Bryan was an exceptional man, one worthy of four names. As a 5 year-old boy, he was evacuated during WWII and frequently told stories of meeting American soldiers preparing for D-Day. Later in life, he was an Engineer by trade, which began with an Apprenticeship with Vickers-Armstrong Aircraft Company when he was 17 years old. His passion of aviation led him to the Royal Air Force, where he served as an officer in the 50s in the Far East. After his service to queen and country, he returned to engineering, demonstrating his competency in not only aviation, but also designing bridges, buildings and automobiles. His vocation was not his only passion; he was a model husband who loved to travel and spend time with his wife dancing and antiquing. She became known on local airwaves as “The Penguin Lady” as he would call from overseas to request songs devoted to her, the trans-Atlantic romance capturing the attention of media outlets. He was an awesome stepfather, consummate gentleman and had many interests and talents. He was a competitive ballroom dancer, loved gardening and also his little girl, Muffi.
Bryan was so much to so many, and he will be greatly missed until the day we are reunited in Heaven.
There will be a memorial planned in the spring, donations can be made in memorium to Compassus Hospice & Palliative Care, 801 S. Waverly, Ste. 200, Lansing, MI 48917.
Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids.
Please visit millsfuneral.com to leave online condolences.
James E. Miller
James Edward Miller, a high school teacher affectionately known as “Old Man Miller,” died following an injury from a recent fall. James, 89, of Olivet was born February 21, 1929 at his family’s farm in Olivet, and died February 10, 2019. The son of Claude and Jessie (Dodd) Miller, James became known as the go-to-guy for family and friends, because he could build or fix anything. He earned his bachelor’s degree from MSU and then his master’s degree in teaching from Western Michigan University. Mr. Miller taught auto mechanics, machine shop, and drafting for 40 years at Battle Creek Lakeview High School, and he also taught at Kellogg Community College, as well as directing the evening adult high school completion at Battle Creek Lakeview for 23 years. He loved his students, and especially enjoyed when he could “scare them straight,” and his students had numerous stories about him they loved to share, both real and embellished. During his tenure at Lakeview, he was named teacher of the year and received a commendation from the Governor of the State of Michigan.
James loved fishing with his family, and even though he had a pond on his farm, he only fished there with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He and his wife, Cleone, fished for 25 years at Lake O’Sullivan in Northern Ontario, and he also enjoyed catching brook trout in the Upper Manistee River area, family fishing trips were some of their favorite times together. They also enjoyed driving around the country for Egg Art shows, and James was very talented with creating animated egg art, including Christmas displays, R2D2 from Star Wars, and an amazing space ship. In keeping with his abilities to do anything, he finished out the interior on their new home in 1994 on the original family farm. Other things James enjoyed included his 1972 M.G., which he drove to school and had it rebuilt years ago, and target shooting as well as loading his own ammunition.
James is survived by his wife of 64 years, Cleone; daughter, Susan Ashley; son, Timothy (Annette) Miller; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, as well as all of his siblings.
Funeral services were held Friday, February 15, 2019, at 10 a.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte, with Pastor Randy Royston officiating.
If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Battle Creek Food Bank.
Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of James on his tribute page at PrayFuneral.com.