Obituaries
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.
Michael W. Stahl
Michael W. Stahl of Eaton Rapids passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, April 8, 2018 at the age of 64. He was born May 2, 1953 to Fred and Alma (Woodward) Stahl in Eaton Rapids. Mike was the current owner/ operator of Stahl & Sons Inc. in Eaton Rapids. For the past 15 years he was also a heating and cooling instructor for Lansing Community College. Mike was very active in the Charlotte community, where he was a past member of the St. John’s Episcopal Church. He was also active in the Charlotte Boy Scouts for more than 40 years and currently the Scout Master of Troop 46. Mike was known for putting on the Chicken BBQs at the Charlotte Frontier Days. He enjoyed gathering maple syrup and was the third generation of the Stahl family to do so. During Christmas time he and his wife, Alana would dress up as Santa and Mrs. Claus and visit the residents of the VFW National Home for Children. Mike was also very active in volunteering for the Eaton Rapids Area Historical Society, where he worked hard to maintain the grounds and facilities at the Miller Farm. Mike was beloved by many and will be missed dearly by all who remember him.
Preceding him in death were his parents and grandson, Aiden McLendon.
Surviving are his wife, Alana Stahl; children, Robert (Lori) Stahl, Wendy Stahl, Amanda McLendon, Christopher Sand, Adam Sheets; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren with one on the way; brother, Mark (Debbie) Stahl; sister, Lynda (Vincent) Goeman as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Friday, April 13, 2018 at Skinner Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids Chapel.
For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the Eaton Rapids Area Historical Society in Michael’s name. To share memories and condolences, please visit SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
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.