Obituaries
John Leo Dean
John Leo Dean, 78, of Charlotte, died peacefully with his sons by his side on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, in Charlotte. John was born November 16, 1945, in Philadelphia, PA, the son of Leo and Betty Dean. At an early age, the family moved to Charlotte, MI, where he graduated in the CHS Class of 1964 before enlisting in the U.S. Army Reserves in 1965. John worked a few odd jobs before settling into his life-long career as a heavy equipment operator for the City of Charlotte Department of Public Works. He enjoyed his time working at the city and retired in 2003. He loved riding his Honda motorcycle, often with a group of other bike enthusiast. He rode until he no longer could. John also loved Poker night with his “Poker Boys,” and spending time with his grandchildren. He will be remembered as an upstanding, trustworthy, hardworking man.
John is survived by his sons, Shawn (Mindy) Dean and Brian (Heide) Dean; grandchildren, Korey Berg, Kyle (Bonnie) Berg, Dawson Dean, and Josie (Adam) Alcala; great-grandchildren, Alanzo, Elias and Jayden Alcala; former spouses, Kathy Trungrin, Joyce Davidson, Karen Kator, and Linda Rushing; and his nieces, nephews and extended family. He was predeceased by his sister, Roseanne Dean; and his parents.
Friends are encouraged to support John’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation was on Friday, March 1, 2024, at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 2, 2024, at Pray Funeral Home with Pastor Charles Jenson officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to Eaton Community Palliative Care. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Merlin Elmer Moon
Merlin Elmer Moon, age 96, of Olivet, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 25, 2024. He was born June 30, 1927, in Olivet, the son of Clarence and Arlie (Weeks) Moon. Merlin attended Olivet School when he was a boy. He was raised on the farm and it was there he developed a tremendous work ethic that he would carry with him the remainder of his life. In 1953, he married Patricia Ross. Together they raised four children on the family dairy on Cochran Road. Merlin was proud of his herd of registered Holstein cows and won numerous awards throughout the years. In the late 1960’s he owned and operated Moon Bulldozing for several years. One day he decided he was going to move out west and found himself in Denver, Colorado and later Phoenix, Arizona. He then moved to Florida and worked for Bergeron Land Development and Mycon Corporation before retiring. Upon his retirement he returned to Olivet to farm with his son, Mark, on the Moon family farm. Merlin was a true farmer at heart and farmed well into his 90’s. He enjoyed spending winters in Florida and happy hour with his many friends.
Merlin was preceded in death by his parents; son, Mark; grandchildren, Alicia Busick, Joslin Moon, Broc Howard; great grandson, Ean Davis; and siblings, Alton Moon, Kenny Moon, and Dorothy (Had) Mellor.
He is survived by his children, Julie (Michael) Runyan of Lighthouse Point, Florida, Marcia (Patrick) Frost of Olivet, Renee (Paul) Moon of Battle Creek; nephew, Tom (Kathy) Moon; grandchildren, Brad (Ashley) Runyan, Mykl (Stefanie) Howard, Tara Howard, Dustin (Megan) Moon, Eric (Amanda) Davis, Kenton Moon, Soyer Moon; 14 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 2, 2024, at 12 p.m. at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home with Laura Cooper officiating. The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the funeral home just prior to the service. A private burial will take place at Bosworth Cemetery.
Those desiring may make contributions in Merlin’s memory to the Olivet Fire Department, 117 East Street, Olivet, MI 49076.
To view Merlin’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com.
Roger William Wickerham
Roger William Wickerham, 70, of Charlotte, MI, passed away from a short illness of lung cancer on February 20, 2024. Born in St. Johns, Michigan, on April 14, 1953, to Alferd and Bonnie (Westmoreland) Wickerham, Roger’s warmth and jovial spirit brought light and laughter into the lives of all who knew him.
Roger dedicated 29 years of service as an accountant for the Michigan Department of Transportation. Roger’s commitment to public service extended into his role as the Supervisor of Benton Charter Township, where he worked tirelessly to improve the lives of residents.
In 2002, Roger retired, yet he remained active and engaged in the lives of his loved ones and the community. His wife, Barbara Wickerham, shared in the joys and adventures of life together.
Roger’s legacy lives on through his children, Amanda (Josh Allen) Wickerham, Roxanne (Lucas) Merrick, and Gustav (Melissa) Ramirez. His grandchildren, Corina (Alex), Emma, Caitlyn, Cecelia, Samara, Carter, Bentley, and Roman, were the apples of his eye. He reveled in their achievements and milestones, and his stories and laughter will echo in their hearts forever.
He is survived by his sister, Susan Blizzard; sisters-in-law Sharon (Richard) Catey, Carolyn Drown, Kristine Hernden, and Constance Teddy; and his special friend/brother, William Dewitt. Roger’s life was enriched by the company of his numerous nieces and nephews, whose lives he touched with his humor and friendship.
Roger was preceded in death by his parents, Alferd and Bonnie Wickerham, and brothers-in-law Bruce Blizzard, James Drown, Jack Hernden, and Kevin Teddy.
An avid player of cards and games, Roger found joy in the simple pleasures of life. He was a regular on the bowling alleys, volleyball courts, and tennis courts, where his friendly competitiveness and sportsmanship were always on display.
Roger’s friendly demeanor made him a beloved figure in his community, and his absence will be deeply felt by those who were fortunate enough to cross paths with him.
A visitation took place Sunday, February 25, 2024 at Mills Funeral Home, Peters & Murray Chapel, 301 E. Jefferson St, Grand Ledge. A Funeral Service was held Monday, February 26, 2024, 11:00 a.m. at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, 517 S. Clinton St, Grand Ledge, MI 48837 with a visitation one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in loving memory of Roger to the American Cancer Society or the Benton Township Fire Department in Potterville. For online condolences please visit www.millsfuneral.com.
For online streaming of the service please visit this link https://youtube.com/live/eG_GV3ULXc8.
John P. Kuch
John P. Kuch, 85, of Hickory Corners, died February 14, 2024. John was born September 21, 1938 in Ann Arbor and was raised by John and Josephine Kuch. He graduated from Kalamazoo College and worked as an insurance adjuster in the local area for many years before his retirement.
John, along with his wife Martha, traveled to the Evart Music Festival every summer where they performed and presented workshops. He liked sailing, planes and was an avid model railroader. John enjoyed building railroad layouts in his basement.
John married the former Martha Walters. She sadly preceded him in death in 2022. John is survived by his two sons, James “Jaime” (Deborah) Kuch and Matt (Belinda) Kuch; grandchildren, David Kuch, Justin and Jessica McGinty, Paul and Samantha Smith, Quinn and Alyson Kuch-D’Ascenzo, Lorraine Kuch and Celia Kuch and a great-granddaughter, Hanna McGinty.
A memorial service to celebrate John’s life will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 2, 2024 at Gull Lake United Methodist Church, with a luncheon to follow. A private interment will be held at Prairie Home Cemetery in Richland at a later date. Those wishing to make memorial donations are asked to consider Gull Lake United Methodist Church. Arrangements by the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Richland Chapel. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.
Leroy Jackson
Leroy Jackson, 77, of Winthrop Harbor, IL passed away peacefully on February 22, 2024, at Grande Prairie Care and Rehabilitation Center surrounded by his loving family.
Leroy was born on August 28, 1946, in Michigan, the son of the late Herbert and Marian (Tomlinson) Jackson. He was educated in the schools of Michigan where he graduated from Eaton Rapids High School in 1964. Leroy married Karen Rickett on April 6, 1979, in Waukegan, Illinois. He was a member of the United States Navy for 20 years working as a Navy Electronics Technician. He loved growing up on the farm, working/providing for his family, and coin collecting. Most of all he loved spending time with his wife/family, especially with his grandchildren.
Survivors include his children, Scott (Christopher Remy) Rickett of IL, Gina (Patrick) Cross of IL, Kathleen (Armando) Castillo of WI; brothers, Wayne (Karen) Jackson, Dean (Marsha) Jackson; sister, Linda (Glen) Meyer; also included are his seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Leroy was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Marian; wife, Karen; daughter, Amanda; brother, David and his sisters, Ilene, Thelma Joan.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.