Obituaries
Connie Lou Owen
Connie Lou Owen, 75, of Charlotte, formerly of Olivet, passed away on Monday, June 5, 2017 at Sensations Memory Care in Charlotte. Connie was born November 4, 1941 in Charlotte, the daughter of Russell M. and Donnis L. (Gifford) Owen and was a lifelong area resident. She was a retired caregiver and babysitter for people in their own homes. She enjoyed listening to music, going for rides and loved all animals, especially cats.
Surviving are her brother, Marvin (Burdeena) Owen of Charlotte; sister, Nancy Lambert of Scottsdale, Ariz.; four nieces and one nephew.
She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Sally Jensen; and brothers-in-law, Wes Lambert and Robert Jensen.
Per Connie’s wishes, cremation has taken place. No services will be held. Private inurnment will take place in the Olivet Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may go to Sensations Memory Care of Charlotte or to the Tri-County Office on Aging.
Arrangements were made by Burkhead-Green Funeral Home of Charlotte. Online condolences may be made at burkhead-greenfuneralhome.com.
Flora Mae Miller (Hart)
Flora Mae Miller, 69, of Vermontville, passed away June 1, 2017 at her home. She was born December 16, 1947 in Beloit, Wisc., the daughter of Clarence and Marcella (Purdy) Hart. Flora married the love of her life, Richard John Miller Jr., August 8, 1981 at The Rose Garden in Lansing.
After moving to Michigan, Flora pursued an Art Degree at LCC. Later she became an Assistant Art Professor at LCC. She also sold real estate for Westdale Better Homes and Garden until her auto accident in 1991. Flora loved her family, spending time with her children, and grandchildren. She enjoyed summer camping trips, fishing, gardening and loved to Polka Dance around the house with anyone she could get to dance with her. She loved to bird watch, her favorite birds being hummingbirds. Her favorite flowers were red roses.
She is survived by her husband, Richard John Miller Jr. of Vermontville; their daughter, JoElla (Michael) Zimmerman of Portland; her son, Anthony (Thomas “T.J” Thias) Morris of Lansing; daughter, MarCella Morris of Eaton Rapids; step-children, Salinda and Chris Miller; 12 grandchildren, Emily, Trevor, Ava, Owen, Kevin, Brian, Tyler, and Nathan (JoElla and Michael’s), Katie Jo, Christopher (Tracey), Alexa, Shiyanna (MarCella’s); six great-grandchildren, Destiney, Richard, Austin, Keagan, Isaiah, and Jayce; sister, Patricia Alice Henning of Beloit; and three nephews, Mark (Kris) Winchester, Charles (Jessi) Winchester, and Clarence “Trinity” (Diane) Winchester, all of Beloit.
She loved her dear granddogs, Daisy Mae, Annie, Maggie Mae, Roxy, Oak, Tila, LuLu, Squirt, Pearl, Sadie, and Army.
She was preceded in death by her brother, Dennis Hart; mother-in-law, Arlene O. Miller; and her caregiver for the past 26 years, Judy Harmon. A special thank you to her long time caregiver and special friend Joyce Ginder.
Funeral services were held Monday, June 5, 2017 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte.
If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Kidney Foundation.
Memories of Flora can be shared with her family on her tribute page at PrayFuneral.com.
Phyllis Toncray (O'Mara)
Phyllis O’Mara Toncray of Eaton Rapids and Duck Lake passed away on February 1, 2017 in Florida at the age of 91. She was born in Eaton Rapids to Leo O’Mara and Pauline Woods O’Mara on August 21, 1925. Phyllis was a 1943 graduate of Eaton Rapids High School and also attended Albion College. In 1943 Phyllis married Richard Horner Toncray. They remained married for 68 years until Richard’s passing in 2012.
Phyllis was her family’s “energizer bunny.” She enjoyed waterskiing, all types of fishing, golf, boating with her husband along the Florida coast, playing games, traveling, reading, cruising, creating personalized greeting cards and posters, and participating in numerous civic and social organizations. She was a huge fan of anything Disney, and she enjoyed many vacations and day trips to Walt Disney World with all of her family. Phyllis was a member of Duck Lake Country Club for 60 years. She was active in the women’s association and she was also a multi-time women’s club champion. In her later years she continued participating with her friends for lunch, card games, and socializing at “the club.”
Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Mike O’Mara; sister-in-law, Sandy; and beloved daughter, Terry Toncray Becker.
She is survived by her son, Richard E. Toncray (Pamela); son-in-law, Charles T. Becker; grandchildren Richard Robert Toncray (Lisa), Lissa Toncray Marsolek (Chad), Brian Becker (Amber), Erica Becker; great-grandchildren, Richard Ryan Toncray, Alaina Toncray, Cole Marsolek, Kinsey Marsolek, Kenna Marsolek, Hayden Becker, Anna Becker, Audrey Becker, Elise Reaves; and niece, Lauri O’Mara Morris Lahr.
Phyllis was a wonderful mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend. She was loved and she will be dearly missed by all.
The family of Phyllis cordially invites you to join in celebrating her life on June 17 at 2 p.m. at Duck Lake Country Club in Albion. We request you bring your fondest memories and stories of Phyllis. Anyone wishing to make a donation can do so to the American Cancer Society or the First United Methodist Church of Eaton Rapids.
Terry Becker (Toncray)
Terry Toncray Becker of Merritt Island, Fla. and Duck Lake passed away on December 18, 2016 in Florida. She was born in Eaton Rapids to Richard Horner Toncray and Phyllis O’Mara Toncray on February 23, 1947. Terry was a 1965 graduate of St. Mary’s Hall, Faribault, Minn. She attended Albion College and later received a B.A. degree from Florida International University. In 1967 Terry married Charles Thomas Becker.
Terry was a joy to her family and many friends from around the country, always unfailingly thoughtful and kind. She loved keeping in touch with her many beloved schoolmates from both Eaton Rapids and Shattuck-St. Mary’s School. She enjoyed playing golf with friends at Duck Lake Country Club where she was a 10 time Club Champion and she remained a member for most of her adult life. She was also active in a Panhellenic group in Melbourne, Fla.
Above all she was a loving mother, grandmother and companion. She had a very special relationship with her granddaughter, Elise who has blossomed and thrived in good part because of Terry.
Terry was preceded in death by her father, Richard Horner Toncray; brother-in-law, Philip Becker; sister-in-law, Kathleen Becker; and her grandparents, Richard G. Toncray, Norma Horner Toncray, Leo O’Mara and Pauline O’Mara.
She is survived by her husband, Charles T. Becker; son, Brian C. Becker (Amber); daughters, Lauri O’Mara Morris Lahr and Erica L. Becker. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Elise Reaves, Hayden Becker, Anna Becker, Audrey Becker; and her brother, Richard E. Toncray. Her mother Phyllis Toncray survived Terry, but passed away on February 1, 2017.
A memorial reception for all of her family and friends will be held on June 17, 2017 at 2 p.m. at Duck Lake Country Club in Albion. In lieu of flowers anyone wishing to make a donation can do so to The American Cancer Society.
Dorothy Mae Shaffer
Dorothy Mae Shaffer, 94, of Vermontville, passed away on Tuesday, March 28, 2017 at her home. Dorothy was born on November 7, 1922, in Willis, Mich., the daughter of William and Emily Raymond. Dorothy graduated from Belleville High School. Her family moved to Nashville in 1941, where she met and married Raymond Shaffer on September 13, 1941. Dorothy and Raymond farmed for several years outside of Nashville. In 1965 they moved to Vermontville, where she worked for Michigan National Bank. Dorothy enjoyed China painting, her flowers, and playing cards with her special friends.
Dorothy is survived by her daughter, Sue Ann (Dan) Smith of Bellevue; granddaughter, Carleen (Paul) French of Wausen, Ohio; grandsons, Lentz (Jenny) Becraft of Mattawan, Greg (Missy) Smith of Stockbridge, and Rob Smith (Lisa) of Battle Creek; great-granddaughters, Jacey Wood, Lauren Foltz, and Alexis Smith; great-grandsons, Christopher and Dylan Becraft; step-great-granddaughters, Randi, Brooklyn, and Brianna Baldridge and Jessie French; and step-great-grandson, Cody French.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Raymond; her parents; twin sisters, Eva Marie and Neva Irene Raymond; and brother, Harold Raymond.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 1, 2017 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte, with Pastor John Bailey officiating. Visitation was held from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday, March 31, 2017 at the funeral home. Interment will take place at Woodlawn Cemetery in Vermontville.
If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Capital Area Humane Society or St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Dorothy on her tribute page at PrayFuneral.com.