Obituaries
Treva E. Drake
Treva Elnore Drake, 97, of Charlotte, died peacefully on Friday, April 6, 2018 in Charlotte. Treva was born February 28, 1921, the firstborn of 13 children born to Charles and Laura Wood. She grew up in Clare County, Mich. before marrying Prentice Albert Drake in 1939 and starting their family. Treva worked more than 20 years as a cook at Central Michigan College (now CMU) and loved time spent with her family fishing. In later years, she enjoyed visiting her cottage on Chippewa Lake, where she would crochet special items for her grandchildren, and for charity, including Helping Hands and Ronald McDonald House. Above all, Treva loved her family.
Treva is survived by her daughter, JoAnn (Ed) Dehnert; son, Prentice “Bud” (Gail) Drake, Jr.; eight grandchildren; several step-grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren and great great-grandchildren.
She is predeceased by her husband, Prentice Albert Drake, Sr.; daughter, Janet Carrick; and all 12 of her siblings.
Funeral services were held Thursday, April 12, 2018 at Pray Funeral Home, with Pastor John Bailey officiating. Private interment will take place in Sibley Cemetery, near Riverdale, Mich. Memorial contributions may be made to Eaton Community Palliative Care. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Treva on her Tribute Page at PrayFuneral.com.
Toni R. Mann
Toni Renea Mann passed away in her home on April 10, 2018 after a courageous five-year battle with cancer, surrounded by her loving family and friends. Toni was born February 28, 1957 to Robert and Roseanna (Finch) Mann in Eaton Rapids. She graduated from Charlotte High School in 1976. Toni Retired from GM after 21 years, member local #652 then #602 at the Lansing Delta Plant.
Toni lived her awesome 61 years enjoying many things; first and foremost, her family, and family gatherings. Her nieces and nephews and their children were treated like they were her own. She loved them very much. Toni loved roller skating at the old Adams Rink in Charlotte, playing poker at family parties, bon fires, hanging at the Old Alpine, and Zauners Bar, fishing, bowling and watching NASCAR and the Food Network. Toni was also a faithful “Young and the Restless” fan, and she loved her Spartans. Go Green! She loved flowers and was looking forward to mushrooming this spring. She had a love for all animals.
Left behind to miss her are her dogs Tucker, Max, and cats, Mr. Whiskers, Binx and George.
She is survived by her Brother, Rex (Shelly) Mann of Olivet, her faithful friend and partner in crime, Tracey Brown of Sunfield, and her lifelong friend, Kathy Smith of Charlotte. Her many nieces and nephews loved her dearly, Jason (Amanda) Mann of Wisconsin, Jen (Brent) Knoll of Olivet, Sarah (Earl) Mann of Charlotte, Justin Mann of Marshall, Ryan Mann of Arizona, and Cody Mann of Hastings; her great-nieces and nephews Liliana, Cameron, Ethan, Lorelei, Gracie, Jayden, Navaeh, Camden and Connor.
She was predeceased by both parents, Roseanna (1990) and Bob (2015); and her brother, Rodney Mann (2017).
The family wishes to thank the many people who called or stopped to visit Toni during these last weeks. We also give a special thanks to Tracey for caring for her and making it possible for Toni to be home where she wanted to be. She knew she was loved by all of us very much. We were so blessed to have her as part of our lives.
Those wishing can make donations to Sunfield Area Sponsors of Programs for Youth, Scholarship Fund (AKA, SPYs) or Hospice and Palliative Care Compassus of Lansing.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, April 16, 2018, at the Sunfield United Brethren Church, 8436 Grand Ledge Hwy. Sunfield, MI.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 17, also at the Church, with Pastor Chuck Jensen officiating. Interment will be in the Sunfield Cemetery.
Please visit a special tribute page at RosierFuneralHome.com, set up in memory of Toni R. Mann, to light a candle, or leave a condolence. The family has entrusted the arrangements to the Independent Family Owned Funeral Home in Sunfield: Rosier Funeral Home.
Robert E. Wood
Robert Eugene Wood was born July 16, 1944 to James and Donna Wood of Charlotte. He passed away on April 5, 2018. He served 3 ½ years in the United States Marine Corp, and was a loyal employee of General Motors for 36 years. Robert enjoyed being an active Boy Scout leader with his three sons in troop #654. On March 14, 1969 he married the love of his life, Sandra Dickinson of Potterville. He will be remembered fondly by fellow Marines, Orioles, poker and cribbage players and his dialysis family.
Robert is survived by his wife, Sandra; their four children, Jason (Angie), Justin (Jennifer), Jameson Wood, and Amanda (Nick) Pocalujka; eight grandchildren, Brandy, Hilary, Abigail, Shelby (Coty), Kody, Hope, Ella and Camille; five great-grandchildren, Billy, Megyn, Brynlee, Ezra and Braelyn; six siblings, Norm (Jackie) Wood, Nancy Adams, Wilmont (Deborah) Wood, Sarah Nichols, Edgar Wood, and John (Nicky) Wood; and mother-in-law Lila Dickinson.
He was predeceased by parents, Jim and Donna Wood; father-in-law, Howard Dickinson; niece, Mary Nichols; and brothers-in-law, Chuck Adams and Harold Nichols.
A memorial service was held Monday, April 9, 2018 at Pray Funeral Home.
If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the “Mary Nichols Fund”-For the Good of Others. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Robert E. Wood on his tribute page at PrayFuneral.com.
Sui K. Shepherd
Sui Kabuki Shepherd, 84, of Charlotte, passed away Saturday, April 7, 2018, at her home. She was born August 15, 1933, in Kagashimi-Ken, Japan, the daughter of Toda and Hichiro (Watanabe) Kabuki. Sui married the love of her life, Thomas L. Shepherd on February, 20, 1954, in Japan. In October of 1957 the family moved to Michigan. Sui enjoyed playing Bingo, trips to the casino, and gardening. She adored her family and loved spending time together.
Sui is survived by her children, Linda (Mark) Royston, Robert (Debra) Shepherd, Larry Shepherd, Susan Shepherd; seven grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and husband, Thomas in 2006.
A memorial service was held Thursday, April 12, 2018, at Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home in Charlotte. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Interment took place at Fort Custer National Cemetery.
Those desiring may make contributions in Sui’s memory to the American Cancer Society.
To view Sui’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family, please visit burkhead-greenfuneralhome.com.
Wilmena R. Carpenter
Wilmena “Billie” Ruth Carpenter of Charlotte passed away on Monday, April 2, 2018 at the age of 80. Billie was born on August 9, 1937, the daughter of William and Eve (Brown) Lyons in Tacoma, Wash. She was raised, in part, by her grandmother, Edna Brown and attended Auburn Adventist Academy in Auburn, Wash., and attended Pacific Union College. She moved to Royal Oak, Mich. in 1960, then to Clawson, Mich. and eventually to West Branch in the late 1960s. While in West Branch she sold books, worked for a pallet company, drove a school bus and worked as a treasurer for the West Branch Seventh Day Adventist Church. Billie moved to Downers Grove, Ill. for a few years to serve as an infant formula representative before returning to Michigan. She has spent the last 13 years in Charlotte, where she is a member of the Charlotte Seventh Day Adventist Church. Billie loved to travel, she loved people, but most importantly she loved her family. In 2000 Billie set off on an amazing journey to walk Route 66 from Santa Monica, Calif. to Chicago, Ill. to raise funds and gain awareness for birth defects. She completed her journey in about five months traveling an average of 20 miles a day.
Billie is preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Ray E. Gardner Jr.; second husband, Herbert Riemann; grandson, Zane Gardner; stepson, Mike Carpenter; stepfather, Raphael Nichols; and son-in-law, Jon Kallioinen.
Surviving are her husband of 13 years, Bruce Carpenter; children, Cindy (Dennis) Kempl, Dean Gardner, Todd (Lynette) Gardner, Julie (Mike) Matyasic; stepchildren, Nancy (Cory) Sheppler, Cathy Kallioinen, Cris Carpenter; grandchildren, Scott Gooch, April Simpson, Wyatt Gardner, Logan Gardner, Sierra Gardner, Savahanna Matyasic, Jeremy Mortenson, Mike Mortenson, Nathan Heinrich, Mandy (Duane) Evans, Mindy (Jonathan) Durner, Tristan Sheppler, Molly Sheppler; great grandchildren, Alexis Simpson, Hunter Simpson, Ashton Rutledge, Brayden Durner, Liam Evans and Gage Evans.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 7, 2018 at the Charlotte Seventh Day Adventist Church.
To share memories or condolences please visit SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.