Obituaries
Hal Gordon Zenker
Hal Gordon Zenker of Eaton Rapids, passed away February 3, 2024, at the age of 67. He was born in Eaton Rapids, Michigan on November 9, 1956, the son of Basil and Ella (Tompkins) Zenker. Hal proudly served with the Army National Guard for 16 years on the Sharpshooter Team. He devoted 22 years to his son Justin, caring for him until his passing in 2022. Hal had many hobbies: hunting, fishing, cooking, photography, traveling, working in the garden and planting flowers. He had a 1969 Mercury Cougar that he enjoyed working on as well.
Hal is survived by his loving wife, Joyce; children, Brandon (Katie) Zenker of Illinois, Mike Norton of Hastings, Dustin (Heather) Schlichter of Eaton Rapids; grandchildren, Aidan Zenker, Tyler Norton, Preston Schlichter, Blake Schlichter; in-laws, Dale (Jain) Brecht, Paulette Vance, Kathy Brecht; siblings, Lyle (Debbie) Zenker, Greg Zenker, Beth Moser. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Justin Zenker; brothers; Wade Zenker, and William Carother.
Funeral Services were held at the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids on Thursday, February 8 at 12:00 p.m. with visitation one hour prior as well as the night before. Interment followed the funeral service in Clarence Township Cemetery. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the National Kidney Foundation, 30 East 33rd St., New York, NY 10016. To leave condolences for the family, visit our website www.millsfuneral.com.
Robert Floyd Burns
Robert Floyd Burns, 95, of Dowling, Michigan, passed away on January 24, 2024 at Corwell Pennock Hospital after a brief illness.
Bob was born on April 13, 1928 to Robert S. and Avis L. (Wolfersberger) Burns of Bellevue, Michigan. After graduating from Bellevue High in 1946, he served an 18-month enlistment in the US Army, stationed in Germany. Upon his return he attended Western Michigan College in Kalamazoo studying Commercial Art before marrying the love of his life, Patricia June Six, daughter of Donald C. and Betty K. (Siler) Six. Bob worked multiple jobs to support his family but was most proud of his 30 years at Post Cereals, where he retired as a shift production supervisor, and the nearly 28 years in the US Army Reserve, where he attained the rank of Sergeant Major (E9).
While Bob’s family life was of utmost importance to him, he integrated many of his personal interests into supporting his four boys’ youth activities utilizing his calligraphy skills for Cub/Boy Scout honors and badges, managing little-league softball teams, and coaching bowling teams.
During their “empty-nester” years, both Bob and Pat enjoyed motorcycling and touring around the U.S. and Canada in addition to attending several national BMW rallies around the nation. He was a long-time member of the American Motorcycling Association, BMW Motorcycle Club of Battle Creek (for which he designed logos and flyers) and was the “Resident Celebrity” for BMW Motorcycles of Grand Rapids Dealer where he received a 700,000-mileage badge from corporate BMW Motorrad USA. As an avid bowler, Bob participated in many local leagues (high game 299), regional tournaments and a pro-am tournament where he teamed up with Buzz Fazio, a top pro bowler of his era.
Preceded in death by his wife, Patricia; and son Phillip (Rancho Santa Margarita, CA), he is survived by his brother, Richard (Cleveland, TN); three sons: Robert (Judith Capper) Cocoa Beach, FL, David (Jerrie Smith) Glendale, AZ and Thomas (Natasha Euribe) of Deerfield Beach, FL; and several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews and nieces.
One of Bob’s favorite sayings was, “My wife raised five boys…our four children and me!”
A “Celebration of Life” service will be scheduled in the spring, officiated by Pastor Steve Olmstead at Pleasantview Family Church, 2601 Lacey Rd., Dowling, MI 49050, where Bob and his wife attended for many years.
Charlotte Ann Wight
Charlotte Ann Wight, age 86, of Bellevue, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of Monday, February 5, 2024. She was born August 5, 1937, the daughter of James and Charlotte (Carlson) Hegwood in Garden City, Michigan.
She married Burrell A. Wight on September 12, 1959. Soon after their marriage they moved to Bellevue. Charlotte enjoyed traveling, all sorts of crafts, quilting, and especially cherished time spent with her family. Her presence will be missed but her love and memory will live on.
She is survived by her children, Michael (Anne) Wight, Brenda (Joel) Young, Sharon (Craig) Curtis, Annette (Andrew) Jones; 11 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Charlotte was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Burrell, and two brothers, Jim and Bruce.
Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at a later date.
To view Charlotte’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com.
The family is being served by the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home.
Janet Irene Carpenter
Janet Irene Carpenter, 87 of Charlotte, a quiet woman best known for her fresh baked bread, passed away on February 3, 2024. Janet was born December 16, 1936 in Charlotte, Michigan, to Maurice and Theda (Loveland) Devenbaugh. Janet was the oldest of her siblings, and she is the last of the Carpenter family generation. She worked with her mother Theda as a nurse’s aide in the maternity ward at St. Lawrence Hospital.
Janet was best known for her bread baking. She loved to bake bread and had used the same recipe since 1955. Her favorite was cocoa and toast, so when she served her bread, it was often accompanied by cocoa. Christmas gifts from Janet often were her homemade bread. Along with her homemade bread, her grandkids fondly remember the many different kinds of fresh baked cookies in her “green Tupperware container.” That was the first place they always went when arriving at her home.
Janet also loved to go to flea markets, yard sales, and on fishing trips with her her husband and friends, the Roystons and the McCrimmons. Even after double knee surgery, she never slowed down.
Janet was always proud of the fact that she raised three “well-maintained boys.” She was proud of her grandchildren and always looked forward to them coming over to visit. While the grandkids visited, she loved to do crafting projects with them.
Janet is survived by her son, Darryl (Deb) Carpenter; grandchildren, Matt Carpenter, Samantha Carpenter, Heather Ramsay, Dustin Carpenter, Derek Carpenter, Tina Brumm, Karen Granger, April Carpenter, Staci Mason, Jessica Roberts, Auzzie Jo Miller, and Angela Wandell; great-grandchildren, Trent, Treshawn, Jenna, Ashley, Zane, Harley, Devin, Cami, Haidyn, Holdyn, Caycee, Haylee, Donavan, Tabitha, Ricki, Braydon, Kaydance, Bradley, Giovonna, Wayne, Kayli, Reid, Teagan, Lainy, Ava, Mark, Adele, Thane, and Laith; 10 great-great-grandchildren; sisters, Norma Jean Sharp, June McIntire, Jolene McCullough, and Kolene Dubendorf; brothers, Jerry Devenbaugh and Joel Devenbaugh; and daughter-in-law, Marty Carpenter. She was preceded in death by her husband Bruce (Mick) Carpenter of 60 years in 2011, sons Brad and Steve Carpenter, brother Gary Devenbaugh, 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 Wednesday, February 7, 2024, at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. Funeral services were Thursday, February 8, 2024, at 11 a.m. with Pastor Duane Royston officiating. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Elara Hospice or Eaton Community Palliative Care. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
George W. Whitaker
George W. Whitaker was born on February 19, 1938 in McGuffey, Ohio to Ollie and Clarinda (Williams) Whitaker. George was one of nine children in his family. George passed away on October 6, 2023 in Harlingen, Texas.
George attended elementary school in Springport, Michigan and then attended high school at Eaton Rapids High School in Eaton Rapids, Michigan.
George was married to Donis Ilene Iauch on June 27, 1959 at the Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church in Charlotte, Michigan. Their first child, Julie Irene Whitaker, was born in 1960; Tamara Ilene Whitaker was born in 1963; and Eric George Whitaker was born in 1968. All three children were born at Hayes-Green-Beach Hospital in Charlotte. George and Donis’ first house was partially built by George and Donis’ father, Harold Iauch, at 2152 S. Cochran, Charlotte. They happily lived in this house and brought up their family here. After Donis’ mother, Mildred Iauch, passed away in 1986, George and Donis bought and redecorated her house and loved living there until 1994. At that time, they became permanent residents at River Bend Resort in Brownsville, Texas so that they could be closer to their children and grandchildren in Houston, Texas.
George’s first job was at Lawrence Bakery in Lansing, Michigan. He then worked for a foundation contractor in Lansing. After that, George worked for Fisher Body in Lansing, Michigan until he was laid off. He was then hired at Lindell Drop Forge in Lansing where he worked for 30 years before retiring.
George was an accomplished woodworker and made many pieces of furniture and other items for his family and friends. He loved gardening and had big gardens when he lived in Michigan and always had nice lawns with pretty flowers at their homes.
Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery, Charlotte in the summer of 2024, date to be determined.
George is survived by wife, Donis; children: Julie, Tammy, and Eric; grandchildren; and one great grandchild, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.