Obituaries
Robert J. Briggs
Robert John Briggs, 66, of Charlotte, passed away Thursday, February 15, 2018 at his home. He was born November 17, 1951 in Lansing the son of Benjamin F. and Ruby Briggs. Bob graduated from Charlotte High School in 1969. On October 26, 1987 Bob married Jennifer Beebe in Las Vegas, N.V. He worked 30 years at the Charlotte Post Office, where he served as a window clerk. Bob and Jen loved taking regular trips to the casino together. You could often see them walking together throughout Charlotte. He enjoyed bird watching, camping, golf, and all sports. Bob was a huge New England Patriots fan. He was usually never too busy to stop and watch the game.
Bob is survived by his wife of 30 years, Jennifer; sons, Randy (Melissa Wieting) Holton of Charlotte, Matthew J. (Heather M.) Briggs of Newago; grandchildren: Tyler Holton, Tahya Briggs, Avy Briggs; brother, Jerry (Joann) Briggs of Sunfield; sister, Phyllis Carr of Albion.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
A memorial visitation was held February 19, 2018 at Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home in Charlotte.
Those desiring may make contributions in Bob’s memory to the American Cancer Society.
To view Bob’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family, please visit burkhead-greenfuneralhome.com.
Jacqueline M. Nichols
Jacqueline Marie Nichols, 88, of Charleston, W.V., formerly of Charlotte, passed away, March 6, 2018, surrounded by her family.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Leo C. Nichols.
She was employed by Owens-Illinois Glass Plant in Charleston and was transferred and retired from Owens-Illinois Glass Plant in Charlotte. She attended North Charleston Apostolic Church.
Surviving is her son, Tom Cobb and wife, Peggy, of Anamosa, Iowa; daughter, Patti Ross and husband Jeffrey of Florence, Ky.; sisters, Eloise Gay Barker and Janice E. Kinder; and husband, Robert (with who she made her home) all of Charleston; grandchildren, Justin Ross and wife, Stacy, Lisa Ziehr and husband, Chris, Travis Ross and wife Samantha (Sam), Tammie Klaiber and husband Chris.
Funeral service will be at 1 p.m., Saturday, March 10, at North Charleston Apostolic Church. Friends may call from noon until service time at the church.
Cunningham-Parker-Johnson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Graveside service and burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte on Monday, March 12, 2018 at 1 p.m. Arrangements in Michigan provided by Pray Funeral Home.
Donald G. Ells
Donald Gary Ells, 81, of Charlotte, passed away at home on March 5, 2018, surrounded by his family. Don was born June 15, 1936, in Charlotte, one of five children born to William and Aletha (Root) Ells. He married Katherine Ditchfield on September 15, 1962 and they enjoyed 55 years of marriage.
Don’s brothers, Mickey (Joyce) Ells and Bill (Sharon) Ells have gone before him to be with the Lord. Don will forever be remembered by his brother, Ted (Ann) Ells and loving sister, Marilyn (Carroll) Briggs; his beloved children, Donny Joe, Allen (Colleen) Ells, Linda (Scott) McDiarmid, Michael (Carmen) Ells, and Sandy (Robert) Wehr. Don will also be missed by all of his treasured grandchildren, Deanna, Tanya, Victoria, Mark (Stephanie) Wehr, Matt (Timara) Wehr, Nichoal (Trevor) Kirkendall, Sarah McDiarmid, Amanda Ells, Ashley (Shawn) Smith, and great-grandchildren, Sadie Kirkendall, Ericka Smith, and Conner Wehr, a great-granddaughter on the way, and countless other friends and family whom were blessed to know him.
Don loved his farm. He was often seen riding his quad around the farm perimeter daily and enjoyed watching deer and turkey cross over the farm from one woods line to the other. He loved mushrooming, visiting with family and friends on the porch while watching the birds and traffic go by. He also enjoyed playing Michigan Rummy with his children and grandchildren, going to the casino, motorcycle, and hunting. Don never missed his grandchildren’s many sporting events. He was an active member of the Eagles Club in Charlotte and he will be missed by all his friends at the Club. He was also a member of the Moose Club and going to auctions. Don was known to find four-leaf clovers, even on a wagon loading hay. His bible holds hundreds of four-leaf clovers. Don worked 36 years at General Motors in machine repair and served 9 years in the Michigan Army National Guard Charlotte Charlie Battery 1st of the 119th FA.
A celebration of life was held Thursday, March 8, 2018 at Pray Funeral Home, with Pastor Charles Jenson officiating. Don will be laid to rest in West Carmel Cemetery alongside Ells ancestors dating back to 1852.
If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Fraternal Order of the Eagles Arie #3552 in Charlotte. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Don on his tribute page at PrayFuneral.com.
Samuel Vosovic
Samuel “Cyclops” Vosovic, 64, of Lowell, passed away Sunday, March 4, 2018.
He is survived by his parents, Sava and Dolores Vosovic; brother, Michael (Mary) Vosovic; twin brother, Daniel (Sharon) Vosovic; step-daughters; grandchildren; and several beloved nieces and nephews, who also loved Sam dearly.
In 1976, Sam lost his eye in a serious accident, in which he could have died. The 42 years since that accident have been a great gift to all those who knew him. Though he was bitter at first about the loss of his eye, he experienced a life-changing moment as he exited the hospital elevator one day on the wrong floor. He walked out into the children’s burn unit, and it forever changed him. Sam went out of his way to befriend those around him, overcoming judgment about his appearance. He was compassionate and would never hesitate to help those around him. Sam’s great love for his Harley Knucklehead was well-known. He was a great friend to many, and will be incredibly missed.
A memorial service will be held at a later date in the summer. Memorial contributions may be made to Metro Health Hospital Foundation, Cancer Center, 5900 Byron Center Ave. SW, Wyoming, MI 49519.
Beverly A. Smith
Beverly Ann Smith, 82, of Charlotte, died on March 5 of 2018. She was born July 20, 1935 in Harrison, Mich. to Paul and Laura Catron. She graduated from Charlotte High School class of 1953. Bev worked for Fowler’s Chevy-Olds for 26 years as office manager, and then stayed on with the family handling their affairs for an additional 10 years. Afterward she worked in the accounting office for the Charlotte Wal-Mart for 15 years. In between all of that she sold Avon products for 25 years.
Bev belonged to the local chapter of American Business Women’s Association, and was the business woman of the year twice, and was awarded business woman of the decade once. Bev was a member of the Hayes-Green Beach auxiliary for 15 years, and volunteered in the gift shop at the hospital. She especially liked the used book sales.
Bev leaves behind her daughter, Lynn Ann (Mark) Zimmerman; son, Ray Smith; three grandchildren, Andrew (Sarah) Zimmerman of Omaha, Neb., Melissa (Jonathan) Timm of Tecumseh, Mich., and William (Candice Lonzer) Zimmerman of Adrian; and three great-grandchildren. Bev also leaves two surviving sisters, Ann (Robert) O’Brien, and Mary Krotcsky; as well as two step-sisters, Beva Lee Smith of Grand Ledge, and Jean Berryhill of Charlotte; two special cousins, Judy Hamp of Lansing, and Sylvia Speer of Traverse City.
Bev is preceded in death by her sister, Ruth (Dean) Carey.
Special thanks to friends and neighbors, Vanda Warren, and Bob and Pam Curtis. A big thank you to special friends, Pat Misler and family, and Betty Rosenbrook and family.
“Love you guys.” –Bev
Donations may be made directly to the family.