Obituaries
Donald G. Walters
Donald G. Walters, age 91, died January 6, 2024. Donald was born April 7, 1932, the son of Guy and Jane (Wilson) Walters. He graduated from Grand Ledge High School in 1950. After a term in the U.S. Army, he returned to Eaton County where he was a mechanic and farmer. Donald was married to Eleanor (Bush) Walters for 30 years. They raised nine children and hosted 27 foster children. He had numerous grandchildren. He was preceded death by his parents, his wife, and three of his children. No services are planned at this time.
Jane Ann Aldrich
Jane Ann (Carmoney) Aldrich entered the gates of heaven one day before her 93rd birthday peacefully with her loving family by her side. Imagine the birthday celebration with her Lord and Savior and her two daughters.
Jane was born in the family home in Potterville, MI, on January 18, 1931, a daughter of the late Claira Belle and LaVerne Carmoney.
She was raised in the Lansing area and attended local schools graduating from Bath High School in 1949.
On February 4, 1949, she married Mr. Gerald Aldrich. The couple had three children and made their home together in the Vermontville area.
Jane was a farmer at heart. She loved working the family farm, whether milking cows, tending the beef herd, feeding the pigs, raising chickens, making maple syrup or bailing hay. Jane’s passion for working the land was unmistakable. During the summer months, Jane would meticulously tend her garden, yielding produce which she would can for her family, and sell at the Lansing City Market. Jane maintained an active dairy operation until 1973, when the focus was moved to crop farming and raising beef cattle. Jane’s love of her family farm led her to get her private pilot’s license and her own airplane; because what better way to survey the farm than from the air! It was only recently that Jane was forced to “slow down” just a bit, at the age of 90 she was still raking hay, using the International 1066!
Jane’s working career was not limited to farming, in 1961 she became a tool & die maker at AE in Charlotte where she worked faithfully for over ten years. Jane was an excellent cook, who used her talents catering weddings, funerals, and working as the cook at the Eaton County Jail for 26 years. Jane’s dedication to the Vermontville Methodist Church was seen in coordinating, cooking, and serving the Barbeque Chicken Dinner at the Vermontville Syrup Festival. Although Jane never really stopped working, she did “formally” retire at the age of 84. Jane continued to serve as a committee member in the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service office in Eaton County.
Left to carry on her legacy are her son, Jerald Aldrich; granddaughter, Lesley (Brock) DeGroot; great-granddaughter Gabrielle DeGroot and great grandson Wyatt DeGroot; and grandson Mark Porritt.
Jane is survived by her siblings: Joyce, Susan, Raymond, Dennis, Ted, John, Rick, David, Tim, Connie and Mike; and several nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her daughters: Jill Lynn in 1964 and Janet Lorraine in 1994. Passing on before her as well are her siblings: Bob, Tommy, Nancy, Ron, Penny, and Barbara Dell.
Visitation was held on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, from 11 a.m.‑12:00 p.m. with funeral and luncheon following at Daniels Funeral Home‑Nashville. Interment to follow at the Woodlawn Cemetery.
Memorial donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the charity of one’s choice.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Daniels Funeral Home in Hastings, MI. For further details please visit our website at www.danielsfuneralhome.net.
Carol Ann Pelfrey
Carol Ann Pelfrey, age 82, of Charlotte, passed away peacefully into the loving arms of her Savior on Wednesday, January 24, 2024. She was born February 2, 1941, in Detroit, the daughter of Clayton and Josephine (Labuda) Ostrander. Carol graduated from Cass Tech High School in Detroit. On October 7, 1960, she married Roy C. Pelfrey at the Gilead Baptist Church in Detroit by Reverand Long. Carol’s faith was extremely important to her throughout her entire life. They were long time members of Inter-City Baptist Church in Allen Park. In her spare time she enjoyed baking and decorating exquisite cakes and sewing. She will be deeply missed by her precious family.
Carol is survived by her husband of 63 years, Roy; daughters, Linda (Dana) Myers of Canton, Lisa (David) Carter of Charlotte; grandchildren, Emily, Matthew, Andrew, Madison, and Brandon.
She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Edward Ostrander.
In keeping with Carol’s wishes cremation has taken place and no services are being held.
To view Carol’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.
Ruth Ann Todd
Ruth Ann Todd, a woman that impacted so many lives, died on Saturday, January 20, 2024. Ruth, 79, of Charlotte, was born on February 7, 1944, in Lansing, the daughter of Robert and Helen (Frith) Todd. Even with her impairments her parents made sure that she lived a normal life. Ruth traveled with her parents around the country. She was also very knowledgeable when it came to trivia; she loved watching Jeopardy, game shows, word searches and crossword puzzles. Ruth had the ability to make strong connections with anyone she crossed paths with. She always made sure to tell you that she loved you. Ruth was very strong in spirit, she enjoyed attending church at the Charlotte Church of Christ, and most recently cherished times when Chaplains would visit her. Above all her biggest passion was her family.
Ruth is survived by her brother, Richard (Louise) Todd; nephews, Rick (Cindy) Todd, Rodney (Robyn) Todd, and Mark (Alisha) Todd; niece, Teresa (Roderick) Reidsma; six great-nephews and nieces; and countless lifelong friends. She was predeceased by her parents.
Friends are encouraged to support Ruth’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation is Saturday, January 27, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. until 12 Noon, with a funeral service to follow at 12:00 p.m. 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 Ruth’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 Crosswalk Teen Center. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
James Ross Kinnaird
James Ross Kinnaird passed away on January 11, 2024 at home in Eaton Rapids, MI following a long battle with cancer and heart disease. Jim was born on December 5, 1951, in Danville, KY to Mildred Martin McCain Kinnaird and Barrington West Kinnaird. He grew up in Waynesboro, VA. As a teenager, he attended Darlington School in Rome, GA where his grandfather, James Ross McCain, served as the founding headmaster from 1905 to 1915. Jim, who bore his grandfather’s name, strove always to honor his grandfather – a man who loved education, the Lord, and service.
Jim earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from Emory and Henry College and his master’s degree in labor relations from Michigan State University. He entered the U.S. Navy in 1976 where he served as a paymaster and in the supply corps. Following separation from the Navy, he continued to work in the Naval Reserves, retiring after 20 years with the rank of Commander.
Jim was employed as a Personnel Analyst for the City of Lansing in the Human Resources Department. Living on the Grand River at the time, and his office being situated near the river, Jim took pleasure in occasionally paddling a canoe to work where he would casually enter the workplace with a dripping paddle over his shoulder.
Jim loved water and being near it. His “happy place” was his family’s cottage in Virginia where he enjoyed swimming and boating. Three of the homes he owned during his lifetime had water frontage, and in his many travels, he always sought out bodies of water where he could take a boat trip.
Jim enjoyed both domestic and foreign travel. He visited 27 different countries and was excited about each one. A planned trip to Greece and Crete was canceled due to his final illness, but he undoubtedly made a quick detour there before heading to his Heavenly destination. He trekked the Camino de Santiago – the oldest pilgrimage route across Europe to Santiago de Compostela in Spain – three times.
Jim served others quietly and unobtrusively. He participated in building the first two Habitat for Humanity homes in the Lansing area. He was a 5-gallon blood donor to the American Red Cross and volunteered with them as a responder for national emergencies. He joined the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 701 and served on their color guard recognizing and honoring military veterans who had passed on.
Jim joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints while in the US Navy. He was taught the gospel by shipmates on the USS Eisenhower where the roar of launching and returning aircraft on the flight deck often interrupted Sunday services. He had a deep faith in his Savior Jesus Christ and served faithfully in different Church responsibilities. He married his sweetheart Lisa for time and eternity in the Washington, DC Temple of the Church and they enjoyed 41 years of married life on Earth together.
Jim will be dearly missed by his wife, Elisabeth (Lisa) Gottlieb-Kinnaird; his siblings, Barrington (Barry) West Kinnaird, Jr. (Jude), Mary Scott Kinnaird Miller (Bob) and Elizabeth (Bett) Isabel Kinnaird Verbeek (Tony); nephews and nieces; special cousin, Marvine Howe; and special friend, Eric Moore.
A memorial service is planned for later in the year. Jim will be buried in Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, MI. If you wish to honor Jim, please consider a donation to the Volunteers of America or the American Pilgrims on the Camino.
The family is being served by Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte, MI.