Obituaries
Roxanne Louise Gaedert
Roxanne Louise Gaedert, a sweet, caring woman who enjoyed making everyone around her laugh, died peacefully with her family by her side on Friday, February 16. She was born March 29, 1949 in Charlotte to Dale and Dolores (Johnson) Cloar. Roxanne married an adventurous, witty man, John R. Gaedert, in April 1973, and together they loved to travel, entertain others, and enjoy their family. With a wonderful, off the top of her head sort of wit, Roxanne always got everyone around her smiling and laughing at the silliest things. Family was the center of her world, she loved taking care of her husband, children, and grandchildren, but also entertaining and hosting special events like 4th of July celebrations for their entire neighborhood. Knowing how hard loss was on families, Roxanne was always compassionate to others during these difficult times and made special efforts to cook and bring them meals.
Roxanne wouldn’t want anyone to whine about missing her, just enjoy a glass of wine and enjoy good memories of her. She is survived by her children, Brinda (Gary) Ridenour, Cindy Gaedert-Gearhart (Tal Gearhart), and Johnny Gaedert; grandchildren, Gary (Shelby) Ridenour Jr., Carter Wing, Jersey Gaedert, Dawson Wing, Che Woods, and CJ Brown; two great-grandchildren, Tucker and Sage Ridenour; and sister, Annette Bruce; and nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by the love of her life, John Gaedert in 2012; stepdaughter, Rebecca; and brother-in-law, Mike Bruce.
Friends are encouraged to support Roxanne’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation is Sunday, March 3, 2-5:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. Memorial Services are Monday, March 4, 11:00 AM at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Pastor John Bailey officiating. 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 Roxanne’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 Eaton Community Palliative Care. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Janet Marie Brown
Janet Marie Brown, a woman of faith who overcame so much over her lifetime, died on Friday, February 16, 2024. Janet, 83, of Charlotte, was born on June 23, 1940, in Ferndale, MI. the daughter of Clyde and Bertha (Bass) Ford. In the 8th grade Janet met Larry Brown Jr. and on November 14, 1959, she married her childhood sweetheart. They moved from Royal Oak to Gladwin where they lived for 30-plus years, where she worked for 26 years as an Office Administrator for the Gladwin Community Schools. Following the death of her husband in 2007 Janet moved to Charlotte. Janet devoted her life to volunteering around her community. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Charlotte, where she was involved in Wrapped-in-Love-Quilters and they made quilts for the local pregnancy center and local senior living centers. The biggest joy in her life was her granddaughters. They referred to her as “Nama” and she loved to be in the front row at all of their events. The family loved spending their summers at the family condo in Suttons Bay. Hobbies that Janet enjoyed were sewing, quilting, baking her amazing apple pies, shopping, an occasional trip to the casino, and watching The Young and the Restless. Janet hoped that her job once she gets to heaven was something that involved working with children or animals. She was selfless and had a heart of gold.
Janet is survived by her daughter, Kelly Friar; granddaughters. Emily and Ashley Friar; sister-in-law, Rolland Ford; brother-in-law, Larry Sauers; and several nieces, and nephews. She was predeceased by her loving husband, Larry; son, Kirk Brown; sister, Linda Sauers; and brother, Keith Ford; and her parents.
Friends are encouraged to support Janet’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation was Thursday, February 22, 2024, at the First Baptist Church in Charlotte. A funeral was held on February 22, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church with Pastor Pete Kroll officiating. With an internment to take place at 3:30 p.m. at Highland Cemetery in Gladwin, MI. The funeral was webcast so you may watch it from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device that has internet access. Go to www.prayfuneral.com, click on Janet’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 St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Ronald Lee Potter
Ronald Lee Potter, 75, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, formerly of Ann Arbor, Michigan, stepped into Heaven to be with his Savior and Lord on February 11, 2024. Ron’s life was guided by his faith and propelled by an intense curiosity about the world, a love and empathy for others, and an unwavering sense of humor. Ron was born in Battle Creek, Michigan, on March 26, 1948, the son of Charles Lee Potter and Elsie Geraldine (Babcock) Potter. He grew up in Bellevue, Michigan and attended Bellevue Community Schools. In his senior year of high school, he went on a blind date with Jill Van Dyke from the neighboring farm community of Olivet. They continued dating and married on July 19, 1969, in Charlotte, Michigan. Ron enrolled at Central Michigan University in a joint program with the University of Michigan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in 1971. Ron pursued a fascinating career which took him to various parts of the U.S. and around the world. He nurtured many lifelong friendships along the way. During the 1970s, Ron built a foundation in project management on large engineering and construction projects. In the 1980s, he founded a firm specializing in project management software. He later served as chief executive officer at a software development firm. Meeting many groundbreaking consultants during the first two phases of his career sparked Ron’s desire to shift into the consulting business. Beginning in the 1990s until his retirement in 2019, Ron focused on executive teams, executive leadership, and corporate culture, through his company: Team Leadership Culture, LLC (teamleadershipculture.com). In 2004, Ron and his friend Wayne Hastings cowrote the book Trust Me: Developing a Leadership Style People Will Follow. It centered around leadership principles based on the Beatitudes. Above his devotion to U of M football and his passion for golf, Ron’s faith was the abiding factor in his life. Ron taught adult Sunday School classes, led small groups, sang in church choirs and served in church leadership positions in various churches. His highest honor was sharing his faith. In 2019, Ron and Jill celebrated their fiftieth anniversary with a family gathering on Mackinac Island. Ron is survived by his wife, Jill; his daughters, Amy (Andrew) Hetletvedt and Lindsay (Scott) Gustafson; four grandchildren: Judah Gustafson, Ella Gustafson, Charles Hetletvedt and Greta Hetletvedt; two sisters: Dena (James) Miller and Nancy (Jimmie) Hughes; one brother, C. Edwin Potter; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral services were held on Friday, February 16, 2024, at Calvary Church in Grand Rapids, with Rev. Paul Arnold officiating. A private burial was held at Riverside Cemetery, in Bellevue, Michigan. In lieu of flowers, Ron requested donations to InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (give.intervarsity.org) or the Jerusalem Project at Calvary Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan (calvarygr.org/next-steps/giving/). Condolences may be sent online at www.mkdfuneralhome.com.
Keith Austin Tropp
Keith Austin Tropp of Potterville, passed away February 14, 2024, at the age of 72. Keith was born on March 25, 1951, in Tucson, Arizona, the son of Linton and Donna Jean (Baird) Tropp. He worked for the MEA and MESSA as a Computer Tech for over 30 years, he traveled all over the state of Michigan assisting with computer repair and setup. Keith was part of the Eaton County Sheriff’s Posse and a Treasurer for the Eaton County Fair Board. He had a special place in his heart for Disney memorabilia and was an avid collector of all things Disney and Elvis.
Keith is survived by his wife, Karen of Potterville; children, Scott Tropp of Potterville, Suzee Tropp of Mason; grandchildren, Sarah, Kennedy, Austin, Sawyer, Jordan; great grandchildren, Rowan, Archer, Emerson; brother-in-law, Duane (Kathy) Thompson of Charlotte, sister-in-law, Carla (Donald) Nighbert of Olivet. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Linton “Wally” Tropp, Justin “Judd” Tropp.
A graveside service will be held at a later date. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, in loving memory of Keith Austin Tropp. To leave condolences for the family, visit our website www.millsfuneral.com.
Martha June Metzger
Martha June Metzger, 100, of Orlando Florida, and formerly of Silver Lake walked into arms of Jesus on February 13, 2024. Martha was born August 16, 1923, to F. Glenn and Allene (Phillips) McGraw. She graduated from Sidney High School in 1940.
During WWII she worked at the G.E. Super Charger Plant in Fort Wayne. On March 3, 1945 she was united in marriage to Harold D. Metzger. He preceded her in death in 1995.
Martha was the mother of three daughters, Patricia (Frank) Keller of Orlando, Fla., Connie (Terry) Rouse of Silver Lake, IN, and Cheryl (Robert) Hill of Orlando, FL. She is also survived by seven grandchildren Jay Harting, Dan Hill, Chris Hill, Erika Hill, Brad Dempsey, Mike Dempsey and Chad Keller, seven great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.
Funeral services in celebration of Martha’s life were held at McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapels, 2290 Provident St., Warsaw on Thursday, February 22, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Kent Harting officiating.
Burial will be next to her husband at Hillcrest Cemetery, Pierceton.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Silver Lake Lions Club, 108 N. Harrison St., Silver Lake, IN 46982.
To sign the guestbook or send a condolence to the family please visit www.mchattonsadlerfuneralchapels.com.