Obituaries
Cheryl Ann Wahlquist
Cheryl Ann Wahlquist of Eaton Rapids, a cherished educator, devoted family matriarch, and spirited soul, passed away peacefully on October 7, 2024, at the age of 79. Sherie was born on December 6, 1944, in Chicago, IL, the daughter of the late Edward and Violet (Christensen) Hughes.
Sherie’s bright spirit and generous nature touched the lives of all who knew her. A proud lifelong educator, Sherie dedicated 38 years to the Eaton Rapids Public Schools, where her commitment to her students was recognized with a letter of special tribute in teaching from State Representative Angela Witwer. She started as an Ed Tech and eventually landed her dream position as the Librarian.
Beyond her professional contributions, Sherie nurtured a deep connection to the great outdoors. Her youthful aspiration to become a park ranger led her to a transformative experience working on a Colorado dude ranch. Her love for animals shone through her 50 years of raising horses and sheep in addition to countless chickens, dogs and cats.
Sherie’s zest for life was evident in her many hobbies. She enjoyed singing, playing volleyball, was a skilled gardener, a fan of Star Wars, and she also expressed her playful spirit through her favorite song, “The Macarena”. Sherie of course loved books and reading. One of her favorite genres was adult literature.
Sherie was a member of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Lansing since 1971 and was a lay reader, chalice bearer, vestry member, and choir member during her time there. The church was a huge part of her life, and she considered most members to be part of her family.
As a spiritual director for two decades, Sherie offered guidance without expecting anything in return, a testament to her generosity and desire to uplift those around her. Her legacy of kindness lives on through her beloved daughter, Jennifer Wahlquist Coolidge, and grandchildren, Matthew, Thomas, Jonathan, and Sean Coolidge, who will continue to honor her memory by embodying her kind and generous spirit. Sherie was preceded in death by her husband, Robert “Bob” Wahlquist; parents, Edward and Violet Hughes; sister, Susan Hughes.
A memorial 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 one of the follow charities in loving memory of Cheryl Ann Wahlquist, Natural Resources Defense Council, Saint Michael’s Episcopal Church Lansing Outreach Fund, Episcopal Relief & Development, Capital Area Humane Society and/or Elara Caring Hospice Care. To leave condolences for the family, visit our website www.millsfuneral.com.
Penny Marie Crim
Penny Marie Crim of Bellevue, passed away on October 5, 2024, at the age of 59. Penny was born in Battle Creek, Michigan on December 1, 1964, the daughter of Rex and Ivas (Manning) Endsley. Penny was a graduate of Tahquamenon Area Schools with the class of 1984. On December 13, 1986, she married the love of her life, Paul Edward Crim at the Olivet Congregational Church. Penny enjoyed reading books, putting puzzles together, being outside, baking and listening to music, especially George Strait.
She is survived by her husband, Paul Crim; sister, Iris Hebensreit of Olivet; brothers, Eric (Janice) Endsley of Newberry, Max Endsley of Bellevue; good friend Leah Hoig of Kalamazoo as well as many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. Penny was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Sue Rintamaki; brother, Jack Endsley; godchild, Andrea Hoig.
A memorial service will take place on October 19, 2024, from 1-4 at 9325 Reynolds Rd., Bellevue, MI 49201. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to Bellevue First Responders in loving memory of Penny Marie Crim. To leave condolences for the family, visit our website www.millsfuneral.com.
Larry Dennis Clark
Larry Dennis Clark who had a kind heart and a hard worker, died October 4, 2024. Larry, 78, of Eaton Rapids, Michigan was born November 14, 1945, in Brazil, Indiana to Everett and Wilma (Bullerdick) Clark. After graduation from Charlotte High School, Larry worked for General Motors for forty-two years. Larry loved to garden where he grew huge heirloom tomatoes and peppers which he gave away. Larry loved spending time with his grandchildren and mowing his yard.
Larry is survived by his son, Jeff (Gretchen) Clark; daughter, Sheri Clark; grandchildren, Brittany (Jeremy) Willadson, Jasmine (James) Clark, John Parsons, Codie (Dakata) Zakora and Taylor Stults; great-grandchildren, Makayla, Madalynn, Abigail, Jaylinn, Ronan, Everlyn, Colson; step-children, Cheryl (Tim) Miller, Michael Wright, and Joel Wright; grandchildren, TJ (Amy) Davis, Uriah Cole Cervantes, Cody (Mary) Cervantes, and Michelle Powers; great-grandchildren, Tyler James Davids, Rose Antonina Davids, Autumn Taressa Cervantes, Wyatt Cole Cervantes, Olivia Grace Hancock, Waylan Timothy Cervantes, Alaina Maize Cervantes, Emberly Blue Cervantes, Arwyn Rosemary Cervantes, Bodee Tiger Cervantes; great-great-grandchild, Estelle Victoria Wilson and sister, Judy Moncrief. He was predeceased by his parents and sister, Betty Priest.
Friends are encouraged to support Larry’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation was Thursday, October 10, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home. Funeral services were Friday, October 11, 11:00 a.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Elder Jeff Teachout officiating. If desired, the family suggests memorial donations to The Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses of Charlotte, MI. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Philip Henry Byington
Philip Henry Byington, Age 98, of Vermontville, passed away October 1, 2024, in his home.
Philip was born December 1, 1925, in Herculaneum, MO to Oliver and Flora (Blair) Byington.
He moved to Michigan in 1943 where he soon met the love of his life, Peggy Buck. In 1946 he joined the Army Air Corp, getting stationed at Elmendorf Air Base in Anchorage, Alaska. Peggy joined him there and they were joined in holy matrimony on September 30, 1947. They celebrated 70 years together before she passed December 20, 2017.
Philip was preceded in death by his wife Peggy Mardelle (Buck) Byington, his parents, eight siblings, grandsons Alex and Derek, and great grandchildren LJ, Lilley, and Jonathan.
He is survived by his children Sandra (Dennis) Mick, Gwen Jo (Mark) Anderson, Jeff (Barb) Byington, Jennifer (Jurrell) Hibdon, Cliff (Karen) Byington, and Penny Byington (Allen Hapeman), his sister Alice (Barry) Carty, three sister in laws and brother in law Jon (Connie) Buck, as well as 17 grandchildren, 44 great grandchildren, and seven great great grandchildren.
Philip will be interred privately at Fort Custer National Cemetery alongside his wife Peggy.
There will be a Celebration of Life service for Philip at Vermontville Bible Church, located at 250 N. Main St., Vermontville, MI, on Wednesday, October 23, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. with a luncheon to follow. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Daniels Funeral Home – Nashville, conveniently located at 9200 E. M79 Hwy., Nashville, MI. For more information, please visit our website at www.danielsfuneralhome.net.
Sheila Ann Rugg
Sheila Ann Rugg, 88 of Charlotte, Michigan went to be with her beloved Lord and Savior on Friday, October 4, 2024. Sheila was born in Lansing, Michigan on October 27, 1935, to George and Maxine Henderson.
Family was truly the corner of Sheila’s life. She loved taking road trips with her grandkids, often getting lost, calling these trips, “Going on an adventure”. Sheila was skilled at making people smile with her campy sense of humor. Even in her later years when she became homebound, she still found ways to brighten people’s days. Maybe you were one of the lucky ones to receive a singing phone call. Sheila was an avid reader and had a lifelong passion for learning. Sheila truly loved the Lord and shared that love by serving the lost and lonely in her community.
Sheila is preceded in death by her husband, Fredrick D. Rugg Jr. She is survived by her 4 children, Shanna Moran, Stacy Badger (Guy Badger), Mary Christensen (David Cantu), and Christy Long (Fred Long). She is preceded in death by her son, Daniel Rugg.
She is survived by her dear lifelong friend Mary Jo Scott. Sheila is survived by 20 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Sheila is also survived by two friends Will Burton and Dustin Marriner.
A memorial service was held on Monday, October 7, 2024, in Charlotte. Her family will lay her to rest at Woodlawn Cemetery in Vermontville at a future date.