Obituaries
David Eugene Lilly
David Eugene Lilly, 75, of Charlotte, passed away on Monday, July 24, 2023, in Lansing. David was born October 14, 1947, in Hinton, WV, the son of the late Ernest Rusell and Elsie Fay (Evans) Lilly. David joined the U.S. Army immediately after high school in 1966. He was stationed in South Korea. After completing his military service, he returned to West Virginia for a short time before moving to Potterville, MI. He began working at Owens-Illinois factory in Charlotte in 1968. He worked there for 37 years, retiring as Shift Supervisor in 2005. David married Joyce Ann Welsh on April 7, 1987, and the two happily combined their families. David was a huge Spartan fan, avidly following both MSU basketball and football teams. He loved country music and he could often be found enjoying old Western movies.
David is survived by his wife, Joyce Lilly; children, Eric (Angie) Lilly, Brian (Christine) Lilly, Gina (Lawrence) McWilliams, Tim Welsh, Scott (fiancé Drema Emerson) Thomas, and Nick (Casey) Thomas; nine grandchildren; brother, Gary (Marrilyn) Lilly of Haslett; sisters, Joyce Louise Stricker of Camphill, PA, Brenda (Don) Lilly of Winchester, VA, and Anna Lee (Kevin) Breese of Harrison, MI; and his close friend, Ron Crook of Charlotte. David was predeceased by his parents; sister, Carolyn Susie Lilly; and brothers, Alvin Lilly and Roger Lilly.
Friends are encouraged to support David’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Funeral services were held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, July 28, 2023, at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Pastor Chuck Jenson officiating. Visitation was one hour prior to the funeral. Interment took place in Benton Township Cemetery. 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 David’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 Sparrow Herbert-Herman Cancer Center. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Frederick Biskie
Frederick Biskie, a hall of famer and late-blooming professional athlete, died July 24, 2023, at his home with his family by his side. Frederick Walter Biskie was born on May 30, 1937, in Buffalo, New York, to parents Leonard and Winifred (Sias) Biskie. After living in Jolliette, IL, then coming to Michigan and living in Dearborn, Parma, and Hudson, Fred moved to Charlotte, MI to take a teaching job. While teaching at Charlotte High School, Fred met another teacher in the building, Sara Lu (Haddon), and they were the talk of the school when they began dating and married just six months later. Fred taught for 31 years as a business educator. Fred and his wife, Sara, have been married for 55 years. They have enjoyed teaching, raising a family, camping, fishing in Canada, visiting their children and grandchildren, traveling, and in recent years, spending winters in Sebring, FL.
Fred passionately pursued his hobbies. Introduced to rabbit raising by his father, Fred raised and showed American Checkered Giant rabbits for decades. He was inducted into the American Checkered Giant Rabbit Club Hall of Fame and was an ambassador for the hobby of rabbit raising. Case in point, for years, he was captain of a local bowling team called “Biskie’s Bucks” (buck is the term for a male rabbit) and his teams had an American Checked Giant rabbit emblazoned on their bowling shirts.
Not many can say that their time as a professional athlete began in their eighth decade of life. But when Fred joined the Sebring, FL Shuffleboard Club and Battle Creek, MI Shuffleboard Club, his winters on the Florida shuffleboard courts paid off and he “accidentally” became a pro in Michigan after scoring too many points in the ProAm tournaments. He continued to compete in shuffleboard until the summer of ’23. Some of his children enjoy claiming that they have the genes of a pro athlete.
Fred was introduced to the teachings of Jesus at a young age, when he committed himself to Jesus’ way. He imperfectly strove to live out his faith through the rest of his life, assured that God’s grace would cover his deficiencies. He was an active member of First Baptist Church in Charlotte, MI, and a participating member of Gideon’s International. His faith in God was very important to Fred, he could be found reading scripture each morning, and he tried to live out its teachings in practical ways. If you don’t have a lived-out-trust in Jesus, he encourages you to read the Gospel of John and reflect on the claims of Jesus.
Fred is survived by his wife, Sara (Haddon) Biskie; daughter, Beth (Chris) Smith; sons, Scott, Steve, and Dave Biskie; grandchildren, Taylor, Shae and Drew Biskie, Connor Brooke and Clay Smith, Ransom and Rhys Biskie; sister-in-law, Linda Walter; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, June North and Carolyn Cooper; and grandson, Christopher Smith.
Friends are encouraged to support Fred’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation is Sunday, July 30, 4-6:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. Funeral services are Monday, July 31, 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Charlotte with Pastor Pete Kroll 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 Fred’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 First Baptist Church in Charlotte, MI, Gideons International, or Youth Haven Ranch. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Terry Lee Ranshaw Sr.
Terry Lee Ranshaw Sr. (77) of Charlotte, Michigan, passed away on July 14, 2023. He was the son of LaRoy Ranshaw and wife Millie, of Charlotte, both of whom are deceased.
Terry was proud to be the Chief of Police in Sunfield, MI. His death has now ended a lifetime of passion and dedication to the police force where he learned to be an airplane and helicopter pilot. His memory will live on in a memorial dedication to be displayed at the National Law Enforcement Museum in Washington, DC.
He is survived by his sons, Terry Lee Ranshaw Jr. and David Wayne Ranshaw of Charlotte, Michigan. He is also survived by one brother, Rick Michalski with wife Audrey Michalski of Detroit, and one sister, Vicky Williams with husband Randy of Grand Ledge. There are several grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and stepsiblings.
There will be a celebration of life held on August 5, 2023, at 3 p.m. at 7121 Granger Highway, Charlotte, Michigan. All are welcome. There will be live music and food for all. He will be buried next to his sister at Needmore Cemetery, Charlotte, Michigan.
Please no flowers, instead make a donation to the Needmore Church in Charlotte, MI.
To view Terry’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.
Joyce Marie Webber
Joyce Marie Webber, a kind and compassionate mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, died on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, at the Eaton Community Palliative Care surrounded by her loving family. Joyce, 81, was born on December 21, 1941, in Alton, IL, the daughter of Russell and Francis (Hampson) Admire. At an early age Joyce started her family. She was a homemaker and raised her five children on her own. Once her children were grown, she went back to school to obtain her high school diploma. After that she began working as a Housekeeper for Sparrow Hospital, HGB, and most recently at the Eaton County Medical Care Facility. Joyce was always able to keep a tidy house even with her five children. Many will cherish the yearly homemade birthday card that they received from Joyce. In her younger years she enjoyed reading and playing computer games. In recent years Joyce loved shopping at Goodwill trying to score a trendy purse to add to her collection. Joyce, through everything that she faced in life, always followed the Lord and the path that he laid for her. Above all, Joyce loved the Lord Jesus Christ and her family more than anything. She was a big lover of Elvis and took pride in her unique way of gift giving on every holiday and birthday.
Joyce is survived by her children, Tammi Kenney, Terri Lynn Zdanovich, and Ted Webb II; grandchildren, Tony Archer, Sarah (Eric Watson) Swank, Tawny (Vabian Ford) Webb, Hannah Zdanovich, and Josh Webb; great-grandchildren, Hayley, Bella, Little Eric, Jayden, Teagan, Nirvanah, and Kamden; and sister, Carole. She was predeceased by her husband, Richard Webber; daughters, Teresa Walker, and Tracy Rutherford; son-in-law, Chuck Kenney; brothers, Bill Admire, Gordon Admire, Jerry Admire, and Joe Admire.
Friends are encouraged to support Joyce’s family by sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. A Celebration of Life for Joyce is being planned for a later date. Her family would like to extend a thank you to Eaton County Health and Rehabilitation Services and Eaton Community Palliative Care for the care provided to their mother. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Eaton County Health and Rehabilitation Services. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Jerry E. Goodrich
Jerry E. Goodrich, age 91, of Charlotte, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, July 21, 2023. He was born April 25, 1932, in Benton Township the son of Fay and Lucille (Kaplinger) Goodrich. He graduated from Charlotte High School with the Class of 1950. He married Sue Ann Hale on May 1, 1950, in South Bend, Indiana. Jerry was a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He loved animals and enjoyed working on the farm. Jerry was a master electrician and had a passion for his work. He could fix absolutely anything and was always willing and ready to help anyone in need. In later years Jerry enjoyed doing carpentry work with his family.
Jerry is survived by his wife of 73 years, Sue; children, Rodney Lee (Patricia Ann) Goodrich of Charlotte, Jerri-Lyn Upright of Charlotte, Cindy Lou (Ron Whitcomb) Goodrich of Bellevue; 13 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren and great great-grandchildren; and several special nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; daughters, Gail Lord, Kristi Ann Rastall; and sister, Phyllis (Leland) Wendell.
A memorial service was held on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, at 11 a.m. at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home.
Those desiring may make contributions in Jerry’s memory to the Gresham United Methodist Church, the American Cancer Society, or the charity of their choice.
To view Jerry’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com