Obituaries
William M. Otto
William M. Otto, 63, passed away on Thursday, October 18, at his home in Spring, Texas. He was born December 28, 1954 in Battle Creek, Mich., the son of Charles A. and Marjorie (Beckner) Otto. He lived in Bellevue and graduated from Bellevue High School in 1973, where he played sports and was a Lions Club exchange student to Monaco. He moved to Houston, Texas in 1974. On March 15, 1986 he married Kristine Brunsvold. Bill combined college and working for NASA related contractors, traveling to Europe and Asia. In 2005 he went to work for GE Oil and Gas Company as a scheduler, retiring in 2016. Sports remained an interest throughout his life. He was a Houston Astros and Texans fan. Golf consumed hours and hours of his free time. He also liked to fish. Fishing trips to a fly-in lake in Canada with his dad, brothers, and friends were his favorite thing to do. He and his wife loved to visit New Orleans and attend family gatherings. Bill never met a stranger.
He was preceded in death by his father; and is survived by his beloved wife, Kristine; mother, Marjorie Otto of Battle Creek; brothers, Stan (Joyce) Otto of Otsego and Jeff (Janice) Otto of Battle Creek; sisters-in-law Rose (Travis) Dunn and Lisa (Tom) Staiger all of Moorhead, Minn.; as well as several nieces and nephews.
In accordance with his wishes, cremation has taken place and no services are scheduled. Memorial contributions may be made to the Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research, 415 Crossways Park Drive, Suite D, Woodbury, NY 11797 or Lustgarten.org.
Robert C. Sobleskey
Robert Clayton Sobleskey, 82, of Charlotte, died October 28, 2018. Robert was born in Petoskey to Walter and Nancy Sobleskey on January 21, 1936. Robert was one of 16 children. On December 27, 1975 Robert married Charlotte Marie Sudman and together they created their legacy. Together they raised their blended family, eight children from his first marriage to Priscilla Madeline Bennett, and the eight children from Charlotte. Robert worked as a press operator at General Motors, retiring in 1997. He was a very humble, generous, honest, hard worker who was always there to take care of his family. Robert was a provider through and through. With the large family, Robert loved family gatherings; he was known as being a crafty euchre player, being able to throw a good shoe in horseshoes, and for always offering you a Miller Light. Robert had a strong love for the outdoors, he loved hunting, fishing and in his early years, playing co-ed softball. Music was another key in Robert’s life, he loved yodeling and enjoying polka music. Above all, Robert loved his family, even the numerous stray cats he took in over the years, giving him the nickname of Cat Man Do.
Robert is survived by wife, Charlotte Marie (Sudman) Sobleskey; children, Robert (June) Sobleskey, William (Carol) Sobleskey, David Sobleskey, Carla (Mark) Sundberg, Steven (Jane) Sobleskey, Mike (Huguette) Sobleskey, Barb (Brian) Thorne, Scott (Rachel) Sobleskey, Kari (Matt) Wagster, Joretta (Brent) Johnson, Michelle (Chuck) Franklin, Carol (Jim) Quantrell, Cheryl (Dan) Schell, and Tunya (Mark) Copple; several grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren and great great-grandchildren; siblings, Laurie Pearsall, Norma Pott, Ronnie Sobleskey, Martin “Sonny” Sobleskey, Kenneth “Buck” Sobleskey, and Gerald Sobleskey; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Walter Sobleskey Jr, Lawrence Sobleskey, Millie Waffle, Dick Sobleskey, Betty Daniels, Eddie Sobleskey, Arthur Sobleskey, Alice Ballinsky, and Mary Duff; first wife, Priscilla Madeline Bennett.
Funeral Mass was held Thursday, November 1, 2018 at 1:30 p.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church, with Fr. Dwight Ezop officiating.
If desired, the family suggests donations to The Eaton County Humane Society.
Please share memories of Robert Sobeskey on his tribute page at PrayFuneral.com.
Robert F. Saylor
Robert Franklin Saylor, 82, passed away at his home on October 23, 2018. He and his wife Linda were residents of Harrison, Michigan. Robert was an Army veteran (1955-57) and long-time resident of Potterville, Michigan. He retired from the City of Potterville Department of Public Works in 1996.
Robert was born November 18, 1936, the son of the late Leo and Florence Saylor of Potterville.
He is survived by three children from his first marriage to Betty (Gardner) Saylor, Robert (Noreen), Wendy (Richard) Tabor, and Todd (Connie); 14 grandchildren, Andrew and Derek Saylor, Erin and Kyle Tabor, and Brian (Michelle), Eric, Corrie, Benjamin, Garrison, Clarissa, Bryce, Grant, Annalise, and Sylvia Joy Saylor; and two great-grandchildren, Cecelia and Emma Saylor. Robert is also survived by four brothers, Richard (Eva), Roger (Deborah), Ross, and Jim (Allison) and two sisters Bertha (Dar) Maas and Janice Kinney.
Per Robert and Linda’s wishes, there will be no funeral service.
Please direct remembrances to the American Cancer Society or to the charity of your choice in memory of Robert.
Theresa M. Mitchell
Theresa Marie Mitchell, 60, of Charlotte, passed away Wednesday, October 31, 2018, in Lansing. She was born September 6, 1958, in Lansing, the daughter of Ronald W. and Sandra D. (Ridenour) Davis. On June 19, 1983, she married Bryan A. Mitchell at Christ Lutheran Church in Lansing. Theresa was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She cherished her family and was especially fond of her beautiful grandchildren. Theresa’s favorite pastime was painting. She created many magnificent outdoor scenes but was especially fond of lighthouses. Theresa was also a talented seamstress. With tremendous attention to detail she sewed her own wedding dress.
Theresa is survived by her loving husband of 35 years, Bryan; children, Laura (Jim) Hicks of Benton Harbor, Chris Mitchell of Eaton Rapids; grandchildren, Liam Hicks, Grace Hicks; mother, Sandra D. Davis; siblings, Charmaine (Charles) LeVeque of Lansing, Ronald (Rose) Davis Jr. of Mancelona, Charles Davis of Virginia, Gerard (Rosanne) Davis of Concord, Stephen (Robin) Davis of Laingsburg, Joel (Julie) Davis of Owosso, Mary (Craig) Thompson of Lansing, Catherine (Ron) O’Keefe of Alabama, James (April) Davis of Saranac, Maureen (Gary) Brooks of Charlotte, Rebecca (David) Bernier of Lansing; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her father, Ronald W. Davis Sr., and niece, Jacqueline Lewis.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, November 5, 2018, at 11 a.m. at Charlotte Assembly of God. The family will receive friends on Sunday, November 4, 2018, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church.
Those desiring, may make contributions in Theresa’s honor to the American Cancer Society, donate3.cancer.org.
To view Theresa’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit burkhead-greenfuneralhome.com.
Nancy L. Kays
Nancy Lavonne Cooper Kays, of Hendersonville N.C., passed away on Sunday, October 28, 2018 at Mission Hospital in Asheville, N.C., following surgical complications. She was born in Charlotte on March 6, 1942 to Clarence and Arlene Cooper, who predeceased her.
She is survived by husband of 56 years, Paul Kays. Also surviving are daughter, Kara (David) O’Neil, and granddaughter, Emma O’Neil of Harbor Springs; son, Stephen Kays of Mooresville, N.C.; grandsons, Michael and Connor Kays of Holly Hill, S.C.; sister, Roxanne Graham of Jacksonville, Fla.; and brother, Michael (Penny) Cooper of Charlotte.
Nancy was employed as an X-ray technician for several years, but her primary focus was always being a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She was an avid golfer for many years and loved the games of bridge, mah jongg and canasta.
A memorial service is planned for 2 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 2 at Jackson Funeral Services, located at 1101 Spartanburg Highway in Hendersonville. A graveside service is planned for 2 p.m. on Tuesday, November 6, 2018 at Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Purity Ring Family Theatre, 1525 Roy Road, Petoskey, MI.