Obituaries
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.
Lyle Sheldon Royston
Lyle Sheldon Royston, a proud veteran of the Korean War, passed away February 15, 2024. He was born in Lansing, Michigan, on August 27, 1930, the son of Leo and Freda (Sawdy) Royston. He grew up in East Lansing, attending Quantrell Elementary School and later Charlotte High School until 11th grade before he entered the Army Forces. On March 16, 1948, Lyle entered the United States Army. He trained in vehicle mechanic school. Lyle served with the 578th MAM Company while stationed in Guam and transferred to Korea. He served with the 515th ordnance MAM Company. He attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Lyle was honorably discharged from the service on March 18, 1952, from Battle Creek, Michigan. He then worked for Fisher Body Company until his retirement in 1988. Hobbies that Lyle enjoyed included doing crossword puzzles, cheering on the Detroit Lions, spending time on the lake taking pontoon rides with Shirley, fishing, and taking the grandkids tubing.
Lyle is survived by his wife, Shirley (Bursley) Royston. They got married on October 25, 1952. They met at a very young age while at church. Lyle and Shirley had two children, Yvonne and Melvin. He is also survived by three grandchildren, Shelby Royston, Jerry Bracy, and Laura Crosslan; nine great-grandchildren, Breanne Paton, Brooke (Tyler) Sheppard, Kerstin (Chris) Smith, Olivia (Nathan Hussey) Rushmore, RJ and Jakob Crosslan, Gauge Linn, Abby, and Waylon; six great-great-grandchildren, Jaylinn, Colton, Paisley, and Braylee Smith, Lainey Sheppard, and Emersyn Paton. He was proceeded in death by his children, Yvonne (Gary) Stults, and Melvin Royston; siblings, Leah, Fern, Donald, Rex, and Loren; and his parents.
Friends are encouraged to support Lyle’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation was Monday, February 19, 2024, at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte. Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Pastor Randy Royston officiating. 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 Lyle’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 VFW National Home in Eaton Rapids. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Nancy Jane Minich
Nancy Jane Minich, formerly Nancy Jane Dexter, passed away peacefully on January 1, 2024, at the age of 78, at her home in Northville, MI. Nancy was born November 18, 1945 in Bellevue, MI to Mary Hamilton Dexter and William Manville Dexter, where she grew up with her three siblings. She graduated from Bellevue High School in 1963 and continued her education at Olivet College and Central Michigan University, earning her teaching degree in 1967. Nancy taught at several schools in the Pinconning School District and later settled in Concord, MI. There she pursued further education earning her LPN and RN degrees and worked as a nurse at the Foote Hospital emergency room in Jackson, as a nursing educator at Hillsdale Community College, and retired from the State of Michigan as a nurse at the Jackson Correctional Facility.
Outside of work Nancy found joy in travelling around the United States, spending time with family, reading, taking nature walks, and volunteering at the library and community free store. She was known for her irreverent sense of humor and willingness to help neighbors and friends.
Nancy is survived by her husband of 54 years, Gary Minich of Northville; children, Timothy (Stephanie) Minich of Northville and Kristin (James) Jensen of Golden, CO; grandchildren, Henrik and Adelaide Jensen; brother, John Dexter; sister, Alexandra (Dexter) Smith; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her sister, Mary Ellen (Dexter) Rugg; mother, Mary; father, Manville; and stepfather, Clarence Price.
A celebration of Nancy’s life will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 11, 2024 at the Bellevue Methodist Church in Bellevue, Michigan, with refreshments provided. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Bellevue Township Library in Nancy’s honor.