Obituaries
Martha Jean Moss
Martha Jean Moss, a gracious and loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, died on Thursday, February 8, 2024. Jean, 89, of Charlotte, was born on April 7, 1934, in Philippi, West Virginia, the daughter of Mary and Charlie Manning. She graduated from Phillip Barbour High School. On June 7, 1954, she married Howard Ronald Moss Sr. and together they created many great memories until his passing in 2013. Jean was a dedicated Homemaker, and while the children attended school, she managed the school cafeteria. She was a devoted Baptist. Jean was a lifetime member of the Charlotte Eagles Aux. 3552, and an Auxiliary member of the American Legion in Philippi, W.V. Hobbies that she enjoyed were gardening, reading, doing word search puzzles, and watching old western movies. In her younger years, back home in W.V. she enjoyed dancing in the dance halls with her cousins. Above all her proudest accomplishment in life was the family that she created and her marriage to Howard.
Jean is survived by her children, Deborah Moss, Ron (Jane) Moss, Jeanne (Butch) Hussey, and Keith (Sandra) Moss; grandchildren, Nick Moss, Chad Dallaire, Dar Dallaire, Megan (Matt Fisher) Andres, Mallory (Mike) Crowner, Brooke (Chad) Jacobs, Kati (Buck Andrews) Moss, Casey Hussey, Cody (Mandy) Hussey, Lindsey (Isaac) Weeks, Robert (Ashlee) Moss, Brandon (Jenn) Colegrove, and Josh (Mae) Moss; dear friend, Phyllis Christie; and numerous extended family members. She was predeceased by her husband, Howard; siblings, Charles Reed, and Peggy Manning; and her parents.
Friends are encouraged to support Jean’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation was Thursday, February 15, 2024, from 2-4:00 p.m. and 6-8:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home. A memorial service was held on Friday, February 16, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home with Pastor Charles Jenson 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 Jean’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 American Diabetes Association. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Richard Coleman Avery
Richard “Dick” Coleman Avery, 75, of Bellevue, Michigan, passed away Sunday, February 11, 2024, at home with his family nearby. He was born March 12, 1948, in Detroit, Michigan, to W.K. and Margaret (Fraser) Avery. Dick married his high school sweetheart, Ruth Martens, on December 21, 1968.
He worked for Grand Trunk/Canadian National Railroad for almost 40 years as a truck driver/heavy machine operator. He credited his successful marriage to working long hours on derailments and snow removal, having no time for fights. Over the years, he enjoyed fast cars, volunteering at the Bellevue Rescue Squad as an EMT, crewing for the Kandi II hot air balloon (only on the ground – he would not ride in it), working in his yard, volunteering at the Leila Arboretum, and driving his restored 1949 Ford Truck. For many years, Dick also enjoyed going to the local restaurant to “stir the pot,” but it was well known that if anyone needed help, he was always willing to lend a hand.
He is survived by his wife, Ruth; son, Darren (Katy) Avery; daughter, Amanda (Paul) Hubinsky; grandchildren, Gwendolyn, Josephine, and Coleman Avery; and his special cat, Smokey, who sat with him and watched TV.
A visitation was held at Kempf’s of Bellevue, 205 N. Elizabeth Street, Bellevue, MI 49021 on Friday, February 16, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, February 17 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. A memorial service began at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Dale Williams officiating. Immediately following, Dick will be escorted in his restored 1949 Ford Truck to the graveside service at Riverside Cemetery, 201 N. Main Street, Bellevue, MI 49021.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Bellevue Fire Department, 115 East Jackson St., Bellevue, MI 49021; Centrica Care Navigators (Hospice), 7100 Stadium Drive Kalamazoo, MI 49009 or at https://centricacare.org/giving/; or Kalamo United Methodist Church, 1475 South Ionia Rd., Vermontville, MI 49096.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services, 2838 Capital Ave. SW., Battle Creek, MI 49015. Please visit https://www.kempffuneralhome.com to view the online obituary, to sign the online guest book or to leave the family condolences.
Michelle Whitman
Michelle Trowbridge Whitman passed away peacefully at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, MI surrounded by her family on Friday, February 9, 2024.
Michelle was born on October 21, 1966, to Lou and Emma (Degner) Trowbridge in Eaton Rapids, MI.
Michelle attended Maple Valley Schools and graduated from Maple Valley High School in 1984. She was on the Maple Syrup court in 1983 and was employed by IGT for 20 years, where she worked as a sales representative.
Family was very important to Michelle. She loved spending time with her nieces and nephews and working at her parent’s bookstore. She loved camping and spending time at her family’s lakefront property at Saubee Lake. Michelle also loved going on scavenger hunts with her friends, which was a yearly event. She enjoyed helping her family collect sap for Maple Syrup and cheering on MSU. Michelle was outgoing and had a smile that lit up the room. She was loved by all.
Michelle will be deeply missed by her life partner of 18 years, Steven Whitehead; Parents, Lou and Emma Trowbridge; brother, Michael (Debra) Trowbridge; Nephew Brody and Niece, Madison; stepsons, TJ McArthur and Alex Whitman.
Visitation will be Monday, February 19 at Sunfield United Brethren Church, 8436 Grand Ledge Highway (M43), Sunfield, MI. from 6-8 p.m. Funeral Services will be Tuesday, February 20 at 11 a.m. at the same location, with a luncheon to follow.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Sunfield SPYS. Funeral Arrangements entrusted to Rosier Funeral Home of Sunfield, MI. 48890
Norris Ralph Stark
Norris “Cy” Ralph Stark, 90 of Charlotte, an extraordinary tractor mechanic and farmer, died February 12, 2024 at home with his family by his side. He was born October 16, 1933 in Battle Creek, the son of Norris and Dorothy (Hoag) Stark, attended Central High School in Battle Creek his freshman and sophomore years, and then Olivet High School his Junior and Senior Years, playing basketball and earning many awards. The biggest award ever, though, was meeting his future wife at a basketball game just after he graduated from high school. Since he had already graduated and she was still in high school, their courtship took several years, often with distance being an obstacle in their relationship, but in the end they married on New Year’s Day 1956.
Instead of attending college, Cy decided to become a farmer. With his dad, he purchased his first farm on 5 Point Highway in 1956 which included an old farmhouse, and while it needed lots of repairs, Cy and Shirley did so together and filled the home with love as they raised their four sons. Cy was a full-time farmer until 1968, when he was hired by D.E. Wertz as a tractor mechanic by day, and continued farming at night. He was great with all types of tractors, but specialized in the more modern models. A mechanic’s mechanic, Cy was never too busy to answer a question on how to fix something or help someone out. He never relied on modern technology, he would trouble shoot simply by listening to the tractor and its symptoms. After 22 years at Wertz, he also worked at J.R. Fueslein Inc. for five years, and Filmore’s Implement for three years.
Cy is survived by his sons, Richard (LeAnn) Stark, Bob (Lisa) Stark, John (Connie) Stark, and Thomas (Linda) Stark; ten grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; and sister, ZoeAnn Baxter. He was predeceased by his wife, Shirley; and one great-grandson.
Friends are encouraged to support Cy’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation was Wednesday, February 14, 5-8:00 p.m. Funeral services were Thursday, February 15, 11:00 a.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Pastor Josh Burt 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 Cy’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 Elara Caring Hospice or Grace Community Church in Nashville. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Linda Dianne Groleau
Linda Dianne (Cooper) Groleau, a beloved and dedicated wife, mother, and friend, died peacefully with her husband Bill by her side, on Friday, February 9, 2024, in Charlotte. Linda was born July 6, 1943, at the family home in Vermontville, the daughter of Hugh and Almary (Root) Cooper. She grew up in the farmhouse on the corner of Stine and Kinsel for 19 years. As a child, Linda contributed to the family work, particularly in helping to catch the chickens so her brother, Bill, could do the dirty work in preparing them for meals. She attended Millerburg Country School from Kindergarten through 6th grade, where she often helped care for the younger students. She went on to Charlotte High School and graduated in the class of 1961. During her high school years, she stayed busy on the family farm, thus was too busy for sports, but she did excel at baton twirling, even winning awards.
Linda’s first job was in the front office of the pickle factory in Eaton Rapids, MI. Her big career break came on February 5, 1962, when Charlotte High School business teacher John Smith, then the Chairman of the Board of Eaton Federal Savings and Loan, recommended Linda to the bank president, Huey Stall. She went to work at the bank starting for $1.25/hour but worked her way up the ladder to Secretary/Treasurer (a modern day CFO), before her retirement on December 30, 2006 after 44 years of service. It took four and a half employees to fill Linda’s shoes when she left the bank. Many of her coworkers affectionately referred to her as “boss,” “guidance counselor,” “marriage counselor,” but most importantly, “friend.”
Linda met her husband, Bill Groleau when her brother, Bill, set her up on a blind date on April 11th, 1970. They hit if off immediately and were married just six months later on October 24, 1970, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Charlotte, where they would remain lifetime members. Bill recounts their marriage as in saying, “Wedded bliss it’s not always been, what it has been is a slice of heaven.”
Linda is survived by her husband, Bill Groleau; son, Michael Groleau; daughter, Kara Groleau; brother, Bill (Martha) Cooper; and many nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Dick (Lila) Cooper and Bob (Bev) Cooper; sister, Nancy (Roger) McDonald; and her parents, Hugh and Mary Cooper.
Friends are encouraged to support Linda’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation was on Monday, February 12, 2024, with a Rosary held at 7:30 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home. The Funeral Mass was celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Charlotte with Rev. Fr. Dwight Ezop officiating. Interment will take place in Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte. 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 Linda’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. Mary Catholic School. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.