Obituaries
Virginia James
Virginia “Gini” James, 82, of Elkhart, formerly of Warsaw, passed away on Saturday, September 23, 2023 at her residence.
Gini was born on January 2, 1941, in Alexander City, Alabama the daughter of the late Noah and Suevie (Balintine) Slaughter. She was united in marriage to Harold E. James on July 22, 1961, in Charlotte, MI who preceded her in death April 22, 2002.
Gini was a loving wife and enjoyed assisting her husband Harold with his Safe-Way Door Business. She participated in ballet and was a ballet instructor. She had a great love of children, enjoyed gardening and her passion was in research of genealogy. Gini was a former member of the Tippecanoe Lake Country Club, Warsaw Gardening Club, and the Red Hat Society. She cherished her faith.
Gini is survived by her daughter, Julie (Mark) Bishopp of Leesburg; grandchildren, Krystal Roberts of Elkhart, Bobby and Kyle James of Wabash, Collin and Carlye Bishopp of Leesburg; great-grandchildren, Donovan Roberts of Elkhart and Trey Ponsler of Leesburg. She is also survived by her brothers, Clarence Slaughter of Saranac, MI Jim “James” Slaughter of Iron Rivier, MI, and Pat Slaughter of Iron River, MI; sister, Ann Catchick of Vero Beach, FL; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents and husband Harold, she was preceded in passing by a son, Bob James.
Funeral services in celebration of Gini’s life will begin at 12:00 Noon on Saturday, September 30, 2023, in McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapels, 2290 Provident Ct., Warsaw, IN with Chaplain Lois Tamayo officiating. Visitation two hours prior to the service from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon in the funeral chapel. Burial in Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw.
The family kindly request memorial donations to: Animal Welfare League, 1048 S. 325 E., Pierceton, IN 46562. To sign the guestbook or send a condolence to the family please visit www.mchattonsadlerfuneralchapels.com.
Mary Lehman
Mrs. Mary Lehman, age 78 of Nashville, MI was called home to Heaven peacefully on September 22, 2023 at Corewell Health Pennock Hospital in Hastings, MI.
Mary was born in Vermontville, MI, on September 29, 1944, the daughter of the late Marlys and Lowell Halliwill.
She was raised in the Vermontville area and attended local schools graduating from Vermontville High School in 1963.
Shortly after completing her education, she married Mr. Loren Lehman on November 14, 1964, in Vermontville where the couple made their home together and raised their family. Along with her husband, they enjoyed a night out dancing, camping, and bluegill fishing at their campsite on Thornapple Lake. Mary was dedicated to the care of her family and enjoyed traveling with Loren supporting his passion for racing, which took the couple all over the United States. Mary and Loren enjoyed spending their summers camping and fishing for walleye on Saginaw Bay. After a day on the water, Mary enjoyed taking some time to play at the local casino.
Mary had a God-given talent for caring for people. She began her career at Eaton County Medical Facility in Charlotte where she spent three years as a caregiver to the elderly. After her children were born, her focus shifted to caring for her new family. Her nurturing spirit eventually led her to begin watching several local children while their parents were away at work. As the children grew and gained their independence, Mary shifted her focus to assisting several older people in the community, which allowed them to remain in their homes instead of being placed in nursing homes.
Her family was always her first priority! She cherished every opportunity to support her children and grandchildren, attending all of their extracurricular events.
Mary is survived by her beloved husband of 58 years, Loren; children Gina (Gary) Reid, Helena (David) Miller, Greg (Jacky) Halliwill; her siblings, Leroy (Karen) Halliwill, Ed Halliwill, Raymond (Betty) Halliwill, Jim (Maggie) Halliwill, and David (Stephanie) Halliwill; brother-in-law Walt (Michelle) Lehman; eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by siblings, Lindy Pullen, Ernie Halliwill, Kenny Halliwill and Bob Halliwill.
Funeral service were held on Thursday, September 28, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. at The Daniels Funeral Home‑Nashville, conveniently located at 9200 E M‑79 Hwy, Nashville, MI.
Memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, a charity that Mary donated to for many years.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Daniels Funeral Home – Nashville. For further details please visit our website at www.danielsfuneralhome.net.
Tammy Jo White
Tammy Jo White, the most cherished and courageous mother, wife, and daughter, passed away peacefully in her home on September 23, 2023. Tammy, 44, of Charlotte was born January 10, 1979, in Charlotte, the daughter of David Allen and Joan Kay (Stults) Harris. She graduated from Potterville High School in 1997 before going to work first with the Shopping Guide newspaper, and then her family business, Harris Brothers Excavating. Tammy married the love of her life, Rocky Scott White, on September 16, 2000, and the two soon started their family. She took an interest in the medical field and received training from Ross Medical School to be a medical assistant. Dr. Barry Zink soon hired her into his family practice where she remained in that same office for nearly 15 years, developing a close family-like relationship with all of her many coworkers at Family Care Specialists. Tammy first battled cancer in her 20s and was an integral part of a local breast cancer survivor group founded at the hospital. When her cancer returned, she maintained her strong work ethic and would do anything for family and friends, regardless of how she felt that day. Family was Tammy’s top priority, including her beloved dogs. She loved camping, weekend grill-outs and campfires, trips to Virginia to visit close friends, and season tickets to go as a family to watch the Kalamazoo Wings. Tammy will be dearly missed by her co-workers, her friends, dogs, and, most of all, her family.
Tammy is survived by her husband of 23 years, Rocky White; daughters, Kamryn (Lane) Glover and Peyton White; mother, Joan Harris; brothers, Allen (Kelley) Harris and Peter (Laura) Harris; several nieces and nephews; many beloved extended family and friends; and her dog, Piper. She was predeceased by her father, David Harris, in 2022.
Friends are encouraged to support Tammy’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation will be from 2:00 – 4:00 and 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Monday, October 2, 2023, at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte. The Funeral Mass will be at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 3, 2023, at St. Mary Catholic Church with Reverend Father Dwight Ezop officiating. Interment will take place at Benton Township Cemetery. The funeral will be webcast so you may watch it from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device that has internet access. Go to www.prayfuneral.com, click on Tammy’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Relay for Life. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Nancy L. Bonner
Nancy L. (Leiby) Bonner, age 94, of Charlotte, passed away peacefully into the arms of her Savior in the early morning hours of Sunday, September 17, 2023. She was born August 7, 1929, in Lansing, the daughter of Austin and Kathryn (Brandel) Bonner. Nancy graduated from Lansing Eastern High School with the class of 1947. While in high school Nancy was a Tennis champion for Eastern and enjoyed ice skating. Later in life she loved playing BINGO, dancing to her favorite music, trips to the casino, and watching the Detroit Tigers. Nancy was a meticulous housekeeper, tremendous baker, and was known for her famous molasses cookies. She was a devote Catholic who loved her Lord and Savior.
Nancy is survived by her children, Don (Stacy) Leiby of Charlotte, Mark (Rebecca) Leiby of Grand Ledge, Theresa (Keith) Windes of Tennessee, Robert (Jeri) Leiby of Vermontville, Missy Peterson of Arizona, Jackie Leiby of Norton Shores, Tammy (Mark) Mitchell of Eaton Rapids; 16 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Bob (Velma) Bonner; sister, Mary; niece, Deb; and son-in-law, Chris Peterson.
The family would like to thank the staff at Sensations Memory Care for the exceptionally loving care that their mother received.
Funeral services were held on Thursday, September 21, 2023, at Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home with Rev. Fr. Dwight Ezop officiating. Burial will take place at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Lansing.
Those desiring may make contributions in Nancy’s memory to Sensations Memory Care, 511 E. Shepherd St., Charlotte, MI 48813
To view Nancy’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com.
Lois Arlene Strickland
Lois Arlene Strickland, a woman who cared about everyone and never said a foul words, died on Wednesday, September 13, 2023, in Magnolia, TX. Lois 89, formerly of Charlotte, was born on November 1, 1933, in Charlotte, MI. the daughter of Ted and Lavina (Stratton) Bugbee. In 1957 Lois married the love of her life Gene Strickland and together they created many last memoires until his passing in 1991. As a child Lois worked hard on the family farm in the barns with her father. At the age of 18 she began working for Wilcox-Gay, at the Alpine as a waiter, however most of her working life she worked as a Millwright at Aluminum Extrusions in Charlotte. Following the death of her husband Lois moved to Carrizozo, New Mexico, to live with her daughter, then Albuquerque, and most recently Magnolia, TX. Many will remember Lois for being the bingo queen, she would play up to 80 cards and traveled around the country to play. Also, the craftsmanship she put into to her crocheted afghans, tablecloths and other homemade items. Above all her biggest passion in life was her family and the joy that they brought to her life.
Lois is survived by her children, Anita (Lorenzo) Sambrano, and Dick Strickland; four grandchildren, Diane Sambrano, Elizabeth Beaulac, Cerelia Turner, and Antonio Sambrano; 11 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; and brother, Dorr Bugbee. She was predeceased by her husband, Gene; and her parents.
Friends are encouraged to support Lois’s family by sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. A graveside service was held on Wednesday, September 20, 2023, at Gresham Cemetery in Charlotte, with Pastor Charles Jenson officiating. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to a favorite charity of your choice. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.