Obituaries
Charles Steve White
Charles Steve “Sonny” White, 84, of Portland, a beloved husband, father, and “papa” to the grandchildren, died peacefully on Friday, December 8, 2023. Charles was born October 13, 1939, in Hazard, KY, the son of Steve and Juanita (Patrick) White. As a boy, his grandfather nicknamed him “Sonny,” a name he proudly used throughout his life. He grew up among the Kentucky coal camps and was a proud descendant of a Scottish family that made their way to America aboard the Mayflower. Although Sonny moved north at a young age, he remained proud of his family heritage and upbringing throughout his life. As a young man, he settled in Michigan, where he married and started his family. He worked as a Millwright at Fisher Body until his retirement in 1996. Sonny enjoyed a lifelong passion for automobiles, especially his corvettes. He married Sharon Ann Norton and the two enjoyed 37 years of love and adventure, traveling throughout the country and all over the world, including the Far East, Australia and Europe. In his spare time, Charlie enjoyed time in the outdoors, tending to his garden and attending Detroit Tigers games. He loved to play pool and continued to enjoy watching others play when he no longer could actively participate. Above all, he loved and cherished time spent with his family and friends.
Charlie is survived by his wife of 37 years, Sharon Norton-White; his forever friend and mother of their children, Rosalie White; children, Billy (Donetta) White, Sonny (Susan) White, Crystal White, and Ruth (Brian Porter) Henry; grandchildren, Tausha (Eric) Stiver, Nichole (Joe Bowles) White, Jeff (Fawn Larder) White, Megan Burden, Chuck (Stephanie) Moss, Zebulin (Jennifer) White, and Cody White; 14 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; sister, Anna Belle Emenheiser; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Steve White and Juanita Fraley; sisters, Doris June Wells and Barbara Sue Trowbridge; brothers, Curtis Eugene Fraley and Theodore Wayne Fraley; and son, Steven White.
Friends are encouraged to support Charles’ family by attending services or sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. A Memorial Gathering will take place on January 6, 2024, from 1:00 – 6:00 p.m. at the Charlotte Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie #3552, 116 Lansing St., Charlotte, MI 48813. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Charlene Mae Love
Charlene Mae Love left this earth and entered heaven on Monday, December 4, 2023, at the Eaton County Health and Rehab. Charlene 89, of Charlotte, was born on October 9, 1934, in Charlotte, the daughter of Cecil and Donna (Davis) Deuel. She was a graduate of Charlotte High School class of 1952. On February 24, 1957, she married Verland Love and they created lasting memories until his passing in 1996. Charlene was very proud of the Centennial farm house that she and Verland renovated and called home. Shortly following his death, Charlene sold the house and moved into town. In her younger years she worked at Michigan Bell Telephone as a Phone Operator, later as a Secretary at First Baptist Church, and she finished her working career as a Para-Professional for Charlotte Public Schools. Charlene was a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church in Charlotte, where she took part in several bible studies, and other church activities that she was deeply proud of. Other hobbies that she enjoyed were gardening, doing crossword puzzles, reading, cheering on the Detroit Tigers and Michigan State Spartans, and most importantly spending time with her grandchildren.
Charlene is survived by her children, Laura (Chris) Thomas, Kent Love, Kirke (Debbie) Love; grandchildren, Stephen (Kailey) Thomas, Nathanael Thomas, Micah (Maria) Thomas, Courtney (Kristian) Gaedtke, and Andrea Love; 1 great-grandchild, Atlas Thomas; brother, Larry (Karen) Deuel; sister-in-law, Sharon Deuel; several nieces, nephews, and lifelong church friends. She was predeceased by her husband, Verland; siblings, Lynn Deuel, and Karen Sanders; and her parents.
Friends are encouraged to support Charlene’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Funeral Services were held on Thursday, December 7, 2023, at Pray Funeral Home with son-in-law, Rev. Christopher Thomas officiating. 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 Charlene’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 Eaton County Health and Rehabilitation Services. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Edna Marie Sprague
Edna Marie (Erickson) Sprague, 92, of Charlotte, died peacefully on Friday, December 1, 2023. Edna was born March 30, 1931, in Milesville, SD, the daughter of Herman Carl and Iva Jane (Garlock) Erickson. She married Glen Burdette Sprague on September 26, 1954, at the Lutheran Church in Phillip, South Dakota. To this union were born three children, Linda, Jackie, and Kelly. She loved being a mother to them. In her early years, Edna worked at various cafes and restaurants in South Dakota and Iowa. Later in life she worked at the Litchfield School District cafeteria in Arizona. She and Glen moved their family to Arizona in 1968. She proudly earned her GED on May 21, 1970. She became a grandmother in 1975, eventually having ten grandchildren who brought her great joy. She babysat neighborhood children and grandchildren beginning in 1979 while their parents worked and eventually opened her home daycare in 1985. In 1989 she and Glen moved to the family farm in Iowa after Glen’s dad passed away. After Glen passed away in 2000, she stayed in the farmhouse for a few more years until the upkeep of the land became too much for her and she moved into an apartment in nearby Frederika, IA.
In the spring of 2005, she moved to Charlotte where she spent much of her time volunteering in service to others. Edna started volunteering at Hayes Green Beach Hospital in October of 2005 and continued for 16 years. From 2005 to 2020, she completed 103 lap afghans that she crocheted and donated to care centers. She also made and embroidered baby quilts for her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She was a devoted Lutheran, mainly active at St. John Lutheran Church Circle in Iowa where each year she made numerous quilts to donate to the Children’s Cancer camp in Florida and Peace Lutheran in Charlotte. She also enjoyed baking, especially bread, cinnamon rolls, cookies and pies. She was especially known for making cookie filled Christmas wreaths made of cinnamon rolls that she gave to her children’s teachers, family and friends during the holidays. She loved her flowers (both inside and out) always making sure she had a hummingbird plant for the hummingbirds, along with her vegetable garden. She was always either tending them or canning and was once featured in the local newspaper with her enormous vegetables. Many will remember her for always looking for ways to help others.
Edna is survived by her daughters, Linda (Jim) Wall, Jacqueline “Jackie” (Gary) Crowe; son, Kelly (Sally) Sprague; grandchildren, Lesa (Gary) Wischmeyer, Jessica (Glen) Dever, Steven (Kendra) Andrews, Kimberly (Eric) Olsen, Scott (Shelly) Crowe, Elijah (Shannon Blanco) Sprague, Zac Sprague, Sarah (Robert) Goodwin, and Alixander Sprague; great-grandchildren, David, Alexis, and Nathan Wischmeyer, Jonathon Andrews, Sarah (Walter) Moore, Liz Kokaly, Katherine Dever, Michael Blanchard, Bailee Andrews, Adam Olsen, Auden Blanco, Elaina Warren Goodwin, Brayden Goodwin, and Brooklyn Goodwin; great-great-granddaughters, Aylah and Maya Moore; sister, Lydia Rowe; and numerous nieces and nephews and extended family. She was predeceased by her husband, Glen Sprague; grandson, Brian Andrews; great-grandchildren, Andrew Wischmeyer and Anastasia Wischmeyer; sister, Lillian Carlson; and brothers, Harvey Erickson, Eddie Erickson, Donald Erickson, Henry Stengel, and Robert Stengel.
Friends are encouraged to support Edna’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation will be from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. on Monday, December 11 at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte, MI. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 12, 2023, at Pray Funeral Home with Pastor Neil Brady 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 Edna’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). If lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to a charity dedicated to the treatment of Macular Degeneration. 1-888-MACULAR (1.888.622.8527). The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Gary David Peterson
Gary David Peterson of Tompkins Center, MI passed away peacefully at home on December 1, 2023, at the age of 81. Gary was born in Charlotte, MI, August 18, 1942, the son of Benjamin and Freda (Rebhan) Peterson. He was a 1959 graduate of Springport High School. Gary took first place in his county for the Dekalb Junior Two Acre Corn Growing Contest. He proudly served in the United States Army National Guard, based in Munich, Germany, where he operated the cargo trucks, Jeeps, and five-ton tractor trucks. Gary once told his family he got a ticket for going five miles over the speed limit on base, needless to say, he never did that again. He married the love of his life, Charlotte Hall in 1966. Gary worked for Nelson Tree Service for many years. He liked to hunt, fish, play the lottery and play his deuces wild tabletop game.
Gary is survived by his children, Sandi (Tim) Newman, Debbie (Jeff) Lonsbery, William Peterson; seven grandchildren; five great grandchildren; sister, Norma Binkowski and two nephews. He was preceded in death by, his parents and wife Charlotte Peterson in 2018.
Graveside services will be held at a later date. In memory of Gary, play a few dollars on the lottery. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. To leave condolences for the family, please visit our website www.millsfuneral.com.
Dominga Perez Castaneda
Dominga Perez Castaneda, age 93, of Charlotte, passed away peacefully at her home with her son by her side on Tuesday, December 5, 2023. She was born March 30, 1930, in Texas, the daughter of Juan Carlos and Francis (Gonzales) Perez. Dominga spent her younger years in Texas before moving to Michigan in the 1960’s. She adored her family and cherished each and every one of them. Spending time together with them brought her heart much joy. Dominga loved playing BINGO, traveling to the casinos, especially Las Vegas. She will be dearly missed by her family and many friends.
Dominga is survived by her children, Rosa Cook of Florida, Francis Corral of Chicago, IL, John Castaneda of Mulliken, Charles Castaneda of Charlotte; 14 grandchildren; and several great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Carlos in 1989; daughter, Bertha Quijas; siblings, Mary Belmares, Ray Perez, Joe Perez, and Ralph Perez.
In keeping with Dominga’s wishes, cremation has taken place and no services will be held.
Those desiring may make contributions in Dominga’s memory to Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, www.lls.org.
To view Dominga’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.