Obituaries
Darryl Lee Hale
Darryl Lee Hale, age 76, of Charlotte, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, July 5, 2023. He was born December 14, 1946, in Charlotte, son of Donald and Edith (Wonser) Hale. Darryl graduated from Charlotte High School with the class of 1965. He proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He owned and operated Hale Electric for many years. Darryl enjoyed his work and loved interacting with all of his many customers. Darryl loved his country and was a member of the VFW Post 2406 in Charlotte. He was a tremendous storyteller, and his grandchildren will always cherish his special bedtime stories. In his spare-time, he loved spending time outdoors, hunting on the Thompson farm, fishing, and just staying busy.
Darryl is survived by his wife, Sue Lyons; daughter, Robin (Matt) Murphy of Belmont; stepdaughter, Shantel (Jim) LoFiego of South Lyon; grandchildren, Lauren Murphy, Leah Murphy, Colton Armstrong, Gracen Armstrong, Bailey LoFiego, Katie LoFiego; sister-in-law, Karla Hale; nehpews, Dean (Cathy) Hale, Dan Hale; and numerous special friends that he considered family.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Laurie; daughter, Holli Hale; brothers, Dennis Hale and Zip (David) Hale.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, July 15, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home. A memorial service will follow at 11 a.m. officiated by Pastor John Bailey.
Contributions can be made in Darryl’s memory to the VFW Post 2406, 695 Lansing Road, Charlotte, MI 48813.
To view Darryl’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit: www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com.
Steven Sung Min Ballou
Steven Sung Min Ballou, age 37, of Grand Ledge, passed away in the loving care of his family on July 5, 2023, as a result of a ruptured brain aneurysm. He was born October 2, 1985, in Taejeon, South Korea. Steve is the son of Blair and Martha (Young) Ballou and brother of Nick Sung Ho Ballou. He is survived by his parents, brother and sister-in-law Nick and Carley Ballou, devoted friend and co-conspirator Libby Klaiss (Tony Delreal), Honorary Grandfather Neil Klaiss, Aunt Barbara Collins, Uncle Jim Young (Margaret), Uncle Bob Young (Sandra), Aunt Michelle Ballou, Uncle Blaise Ballou, and many favorite cousins. He was preceded in death by his Uncle Rick Collins, and Grandparents Peg and Rhea Young and Ruth and Sullivan Ballou.
People who were influential in Steve’s life included many professionals who supported his development and health when others didn’t, including Dr. Ron Jacubiak, Dr. John Schuster, Dr. Hugh Culton, Dr. Jill England, Dr. Lauren Brown, Dr. Linda Chermak, Dr. Dan Derksen, Erin Dunbar, Adreena Nersesian, Cindy Edgerton, Shelly Stratz, and Justin Caughey. Educators who were instrumental in his development of skills were Ruthie Kamminga, Kathy Burt, Jan Baum, Mary Dama, Janet Shannon, and Karen Bergeron. He will be missed by his friends, Ann Roiter, Danny Ferris, Lee Weirich, Dawn, Chuck, and Charlie Vanneste, Elizabeth, Joe, and Audrey Siler, the Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club and staff at the Cracker Barrel, and the many people he met in the communities of Grand Ledge and Charlotte.
Steve made great strides in life when people met him on his level, encouraged his interactions, and appreciated his sense of humor. After he left school, he had the opportunity to experience the community at his own pace and met many people through his engagement in local activities. Highlights of his weeks included breakfast at the Cracker Barrel, working at the Charlotte Farmers Market, music therapy with Erin at the MSU Community Music School, Monday morning movies at the Sun Theater, haircuts by Val Adams, exploring the community, and interacting with anyone who was willing to chat.
Steve’s favorite activities were sleeping in, eating, beach vacations, “road trips” with the family, extended family events, adventures with Libby, Disney World, roller coasters, music, and outings with his cousins. He was a great traveler and enjoyed reading road signs and mile markers along the way. He loved all types of music, reading, rhyming and language, numbers, singing, and the MSU Spartan Marching Band. He enjoyed learning with computer programs and electronics, sharing random funny facts with friends and family.
Over the years, Steve had many wonderful support people who helped him navigate and explore the community, including Nick Gleason, John Christensen, Mikel Kellogg, Dawn and Chuck Vanneste, Jackelyn Iorio, Erin Bobola, and many MSU students.
Many thanks to the nurses and staff of the Sparrow Neuro ICU and Sparrow LTACH, Dr. Galyna Clouse and Kathleen Naber, RN, of Sparrow Palliative Care, and the staff of Elara Caring Hospice, who put every effort into Steve and our family’s care. Many thanks to the neighbors, friends, and relatives who supported us through Steve’s illness.
In honor of Steve, a Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 15, 2023, at Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home, Charlotte, Michigan, with visitation beginning at 1 p.m. and the Celebration at 2:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, those desiring may consider contributions in Steve’s memory to the MSU Music Therapy Program at the Community Music School or the charity of their choice.
“To be nobody but yourself in a world that is doing its best, night and day, to make you everyone else – is to fight the hardest battle anyone can fight…” E.E.Cummings
To view Steve’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com.
Carl Keith Miller
Carl Keith Miller, age 87, of Olivet, passed away Monday, July 10, 2023, at his home. He was born January 24, 1936, in Utica, Michigan, the son of George and Paula (Hafner) Miller. After high school he attended trade school for four years where he studied carpentry. On July 2, 1960, he married the love of his life, Joyce Webster. Together they proudly raised their family. Carl loved to work and was a skilled craftsman. When he wasn’t working, he enjoyed just being together with his precious family.
Carl is survived by his wife of 63 years, Joyce; son, Keith (Cheryl) Miller of Grand Rapids; daughters, Lynn (Stephen) Etson of Bellevue, Debra (Gregory) Etson of Olivet; grandchildren, Erica Etson, Abigail Sefcik, Calvin Carl Etson; sister, Anna (Don) Ouelette of Essex, Ontario, Canada; and sister-in-law, Alice Miller.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, David Miller, Glenn Miller; and Godchild, Christine Fleming.
In keeping with Carl’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at a later date.
To view Carl’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.
Jeffrey Allan Hellrung
Jeffery Allan Hellrung, age 43, of Potterville, passed away Sunday, July 9, 2023. He was born March 5, 1980, in Lansing, the son of Kenneth and Alice (Conner) Hellrung. Jeff graduated from Lansing Everett High School. Jeff cherished his family and especially adored his son, Jeffery. He was known for his honesty, easy going personality, and willingness to help absolutely anyone who was in need. Jeff was the proud owner of a 2015 Dodge Challenger which he enjoyed driving and showing off to others. He also enjoyed shooting at the range with his father. Jeff worked for Kirchhoff Automotive in Lansing.
Jeff is survived by his son, Jeffery Hellrung II of Potterville; girlfriend, Jessica Dunn; parents, Ken and Alice Hellrung of Potterville; brother, Steve (Nichole Hall) Hellrung of Mason; sister, Michelle Hellrung of Potterville; and nephew, Jacob Anderson.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Kenneth Hellrung II.
In keeping with Jeff’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at a later date.
Those desiring may make contributions in Jeff’s honor to the family to help with final expenses.
To view Jeff’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.
Darrell C. Kositzke
Darrell C. Kositzke, 65, passed away Friday, June 17, 2023, in a truck driving accident on I-69 N in Gaston, Indiana. He was born June 1, 1958, in Escanaba, Mich., and was the son of Charles Jeska and Flora (Nelson) Kositzke. Darrell served in the Navy then moved to Bellevue in 1994. Darrell, nicknamed “Teddy Bear,” was described as a loving, funny, kind, gentle giant by those who knew him and he was best friends with Jesus. Darrell is survived by his daughter, Rachel Herman of Fountain Hills, Ariz., and son, Jacob Kositzke of Nashville, Mich.; seven grandchildren; and his four siblings. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles J. Kositzke and Flora L. Kositzke. A memorial service will be held for Darrell on Sunday, July 23, 2023.