Obituaries
Phyllis Jean Jarvis
Phyllis Jean Jarvis, 79, a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and community support, died peacefully surrounded by her family at home on Friday, May 3, 2024. Phyllis was born December 14, 1944, the daughter of Rolland Lee and Mildred Inez (Pratt) Baker. She grew up in Vermontville and was honored to be the Maple Syrup Queen one year. She graduated from Maple Valley High School in 1962 and soon after married Duane Allen Jarvis on June 5, 1964. Phyllis devoted her life to her family, raising three children and volunteering for Hayes Green Beach Hospital for 18 years. She worked in the kitchen at the Masonic Temple, serving food during events and service club meetings. Phyllis and her mother took special occasion cake baking classes, and for years professionally made beautifully sculpted wedding cakes.
Phyllis loved sports. She kept stats on all teams, both professional and collegiate. Her family loved talking sports predictions with her. She loved time spent outdoors, especially gardening her extensive flowerbeds behind their house on Henry Street. Phyllis enjoyed a very close relationship with her grandchildren and could often be seen with a grandson in tow, whether it be volunteering at the hospital, bowling, or anywhere about town. Her family will remember Phyllis as quiet, but the voice of the family.
Phyllis is survived by her husband of nearly 60 years, Duane Jarvis; daughters, Diana (Lenard) Hudson and Heather (Robert) Hopkins; son, Allen (Wendy) Jarvis; grandchildren, Tyler Hopkins, Austin Hopkins, Kaleb Jarvis (Caitlyn Ellis), Paris Hudson, and Kaitlyn Jarvis; and a great-grandchild on the way. She was predeceased by her parents and her brother, Roger Baker.
Friends are encouraged to support Phyllis’ family at visitation and funeral services. Funeral services were held on May 9, 2024 at Pray Funeral Home with Pastor Charles Jenson officiating. Visitation was on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at Pray Funeral Home, and one hour prior to the service. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Larry Mynhier
Larry Mynhier, known to many folks as S.C. passed away on May 2, 2024, in Eaton Rapids, Michigan. He was scheduling a fishing trip somewhere, sometime soon with his fishing pals.
He was born August 17, 1949, in Angola, IN, to the late Harold “Stub” Mynhier and Joan (Jo-ann Phillips) Mynhier. He grew up with a big brother, the late Jerry Mynhier, a younger brother, the late Eric Mynhier and a younger sister, Jane Dilts (Bruce). He graduated from Prairie Heights High School, attended Glen Oaks Community College in its founding year and received a bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University. He received his life degree from the University of Vietnam.
Larry married Janice (Fuhrer) Mynhier in 1975. Together, they had two loving daughters, Mandy Marie Mynhier-Lake (Gordon) and Carrie Mynhier (Tom Milham). After their divorce, Janice and Larry did not remain friends.
For the past 39 years, Larry cherished his relationship and marriage with Kathie Vaught. Larry loved going out with his bride to check out new or just different restaurants. He is survived by daughters by love, Stacey Vaught (Jim Macauly) and Shana (Jeff) Holden.
Larry was affectionately known to some of his grandkids as Grandpa Truck. He enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s extracurricular events, including soccer games, theater performances and dance recitals and birthdays.
Larry is survived by seven grandchildren in birth order, Claire, Grayden, Morgan, Porter, Lorelei, Spencer, Emmett. He has a large extended family.
He was full of laughter and wit, though some laughter came from raw jokes and a little of the wit was gentle. During his 74 years of life, he used many unique phrases from his boyhood time on his grandparents (Claude and Delsie) farm. He was raised in the second home on the farm with Stub and Joan.
Larry loved fishing! He would go fishing every time there was someone to go with. If his friends were not available, the family (Kathie, Stacey and Shana) were drafted for a fishing trip. He loved to fish with his friend, John Wood and will probably see him soon (whether it is a hot place or not). Larry also did a lot of deer hunting as he loved the taste of venison-no trophies, you can’t eat the antlers.
His career in state government was always in an area to assist people, collect their unpaid wages or to operate the weatherization program. He always loved the work but did not enjoy some of the people he worked with. He took an early retirement at 52 years of age.
His second career was representing Santa Claus, getting everyone to visit and tell Santa what they wanted for Christmas. Larry did this for 18 years enjoying the thousands of children, but some of the parents and grandmothers were put on the naughty list. HO! HO! HO!
Later in life as he matured, he started making sawdust in his pole barn. He enjoyed making things for his family like birdhouses, Christmas ornaments, trees of life and more.
While the boat was docked on Larry’s life, he will remain in your thoughts (maybe some of you lucky ones will have a picture of him). We will think of him every time we see someone in a boat, fishing or experience ooh ooh that smell, and every year when you see the man in the red suit. HO! HO! HO!
No flowers, NO funeral, he wanted to be cremated (in preparation just in case he goes where it’s hot). Maybe a memorial sometime, maybe not. Take a kid fishing.
This obituary was drafted by Larry, one of his final wishes was to share his own life story.
Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. To leave condolences for the family, please visit our website www.millsfuneral.com.
Stella Burnette Montgomery
Stella Burnette Montgomery, 89, a woman of devout Faith and dedication to family, died peacefully at home with Jeff and Karen by her side on Thursday, April 25, 2024. Stella was born July 30, 1934, in Detroit, the daughter of Amos Jasper and Martha Ellen (Walker) Morgan. Stella married the love of her life, John Angus Montgomery on November 15, 1952, and the two happily raised two sons. Stella served 27 years as secretary to the Board of Education in Charlotte. Throughout the years, John and Stella enjoyed annual summer family camping trips, golfing, a memorable trip along Route 66 to California, and wintering in Orlando, FL. They were both devout Baptists, and Stella was an active bible student, Sunday school teacher for over 20 years, and instrumental in the Leader of Life Group. She volunteered in missionary work for 10 winters in Florida, and throughout her life gave away countless Bibles. Stella will be remembered as a true servant of the Lord, and loving wife, mother and grandmother, and friend.
Stella is survived by her son, Jeffrey (Karen) Montgomery of Charlotte; grandchildren, Jordan Montgomery, BreAnna (Justin) Bray, and Johnathan (Juli) Montgomery; 3 great-grandchildren, Asher, Maggie, and Lydia; sister, Joan Morgan; and her nieces, nephews, and extended family. She was predeceased by her husband, John Montgomery; son, Robert Montgomery; sister, Emma Gilbreath; brother, Ronald Morgan; and her parents.
Friends are encouraged to support Stella’s family by sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 29, 2024, at First Baptist Church of Charlotte with Pastor Peter Kroll officiating. Interment will take place in Bosworth Cemetery in Olivet. 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 Stella’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 the First Baptist Church of Charlotte. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Melvin Duane Lilly
Melvin Duane Lilly, 77, of Charlotte, Michigan, passed away peacefully April 20, 2024, surrounded by family. He was born on June 19, 1946, in Lansing, the son of Harry and G. Esther (Warner) Lilly. Duane graduated from Charlotte High School with the Class of 1964. While in high school, he was actively involved in FFA where he served as the reporter, and in his senior year, the chapter’s Vice President.
At a young age, he held down two jobs, working at Barker Building of Mulliken during the day and General Motors in the evening. Duane was a lifelong farmer and a 38-year General Motors Machinist at Fisher Body Lansing. His real passion was farming, but he loved everything about nature, hunting, looking for mushrooms, and even cutting wood. When he wasn’t outside you would find him in the barn tinkering on a project, manufacturing a part, or making repairs on fellow farmers’ equipment.
Duane was known for having a soft spot for the farm kittens, creating nicknames for family members, and socializing with anyone who happened to stop by. On any given day, you might find him out on a crop tour around the neighborhood driving well below the speed limit or at an auction looking for a bargain. He enjoyed finding deals whether it be at an auction, local garage sale, or out pawn shopping with his sons-in-law looking for any kind of bargain. While most would have classified his special roadside finds as junk, he was reluctant to get rid of items that could be used for a future project. Duane was sentimental, hard-working, willing to help others at the drop of a hat, and truly valued relationships with friends and family.
Duane is survived by his wife of 36 years, Susan (Roth); “The Kids”, Chanda (Lilly) and Todd Aves, Lorinda and Jim Frederick, Russell and Erika Bierschbach; grandchildren, Chloe, Claire, Megan Sue, Virginia Kate, James Brian, Christian, Julia, Chloe; brother, Doug Lilly; and his nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Darwin; infant sister, and nephew, Rob.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home with Pastor Charles Jenson officiating. The family received friends on Tuesday at the funeral home. Burial will take place at West Carmel Cemetery.
Those desiring may make contributions in Duane’s memory to Eaton Community Palliative Care 2675 S. Cochran Road, Charlotte, MI 48813.
To view Duane’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com
Martin Rachilla
Martin (Mart) Rachilla, 80, of Charlotte, went to be with his Lord on December 12, 2023.
Mart was a naturally talented man, there was nothing he could not fix or create. From bringing junk cars back to original glory, to carving a masterpiece out of a hunk of wood. His carvings amazed, even master carvers, and won many awards for their realistic details.
Mart was an avid hunter and fisherman, and let none of his catch go to waste, making jewelry and creating art out of ‘throwaway’ pieces of bone, teeth, and hide.
He recently started racing lawn tractors on weekends, and had just perfected his racer to winning status.
Mart will be greatly missed.
Mart is survived by his wife, Sharon; Sons: Marty (Jill) Rachilla, Brinton (Dawn) Rachilla; Stepchildren: Rick Ells, Valerie Ells, and Tara (Jim) Geller. Along with 10 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren.
Memorial service will be held on May 11 at Chester Gospel church at 2 p.m., Pastor Dennis Weeks presiding.