Obituaries
Gerald Lynn Oberlin
Gerald Lynn Oberlin, age 69, of Rives Junction, Michigan, passed away peacefully on December 3, 2023, with his loving family by his side at Henry Ford Hospital Jackson. Gerald was born on June 26, 1954, in Eaton Rapids, Michigan, the son of Warren and Marilyn Oberlin who have preceded him in death. He was a jack of all trades and worked in welding, roofing, and as an auto mechanic. Gerald married his loving wife, Kim, and they shared 39 years of marriage before her passing in 2022. He loved anything outdoors and tinkering with anything with an engine. He merged those passions into his “other wife,” Black Magic, his beloved Dune Buggy, and they spent many hours riding the Michigan sand dunes. He also loved mud bogging, bracket racing, drag racing, and lawn mower racing with Outlaw Raceway. When he felt like slowing down, he enjoyed the quiet of hunting and fishing, watching action movies, and singing his favorite songs (just not very well). In his younger years, he played softball for local teams. Gerald loved to make people laugh and although he enjoyed hearing or telling a good joke, practical jokes were his favorite, and no one was safe from his hijinks. He was an unofficial employee of the Springport C-Store where he held the counter down while chatting and joking with everyone. Gerald was generous and would give you the shirt off his back, even if it was missing the sleeves, and was willing to drop everything to help a friend. Although he was not a hugger, you knew he loved you through his actions. He loved his family, enjoyed family get-togethers, and will be remembered as being a loving husband and great father and grandfather.
Along with his parents and wife, Gerald is preceded in death by his mother and father-in-law, Sam and Phyllis Gillett, and brother-in-law, Denny (Sandy) Gillett. He is survived by his sons: Jerry (Jessica) Oberlin, Jamie (Sarah) Oberlin, and Patrick (Brandi Fiser) Oberlin; bonus children, Scottie Catt and Lacy Osborn; grandchildren: Breanna (Chris), Brian, Dewey, RiRi, and Wyatt; bonus grandchildren: Dakota, Jayden, and Millie; and great-grandchildren, Baylee and Rylee. Gerald is also survived by his siblings: Terry Porter, Vickie Hamp, Sandy (TJ) Baker, Sharon (Richard) Calkins, Larry (Debbie) Oberlin, and Karen (Steve) Gordon; best friend of 57 years, Stan (Barrie) Latoski; special friends: Natasha (Jason) Haring, Sarah (David) Lightner, and Stan “Bud” Latoski; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Services celebrating Gerald’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 16, 2023, at Springport Bible Church located at 240 Mechanic Street in Springport, Michigan, with Pastor Matt Rhode officiating. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. prior to the service and a graveside service will follow at the Springport Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association, 2111 University Park Drive, Suite 200, Okemos, MI 48864, or online at act.alz.org. Arrangements entrusted to Vickers Springport Funeral Home, 121 Pearl Street/PO Box 235, Springport, MI 49284. 517-857-4848.
Herman H. Schuette, Jr.
Herman H. (Bud) Schuette, Jr., age 94, passed away peacefully on November 19, 2023 at The Gables at Boutwells Landing in Oak Park Heights, MN.
Bud was born on May 14, 1929 in Wallace, Michigan. He worked on the family farm throughout high school and when he graduated, enlisted in the Navy. When Bud was discharged from the Navy and returned home, he met and fell in love with his future wife, Barbara Fort. In 1955, Bud was offered a job with the United States Postal Service, so they moved to St. Paul, MN. They purchased a home in Oakdale, MN and lived there for 50 years. Bud retired from the Postal Service after 32 years and went to work, part-time, for Hermanson’s Dental as delivery driver.
After Bud was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease in 2016, he moved to Boutwells Landing and resided there for seven years. Bud was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 46 years, Barbara Ann (Fort), in 2003; his parents, Herman and Edith; and his siblings and their spouses, Joyce (Jack) and Warren (Pearl). Bud was the last survivor of his family of origin.
Bud is survived by his loving daughter, Ruthie (Brad); son Donald (Diane); nine loving grandchildren: Jenie, Jane, Dan, Anna, Sarah, Becky, Ashly, Maddy and D.J.; and 16 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Heartfelt thanks to the staff on the second floor of the Gables at Boutwells Landing for the loving care that they gave to Bud (Grandpa) over the years. They are truly an amazing team working in a blessed place. The gifts from the St. Croix Hospice staff will never be forgotten. Their presence as Dad’s health declined was such a blessing and the family is grateful.
A Celebration of Life and burial for Bud and Barb will be held at a later date in the Mellon Township Cemetery in Wallace, Michigan.
Memorials may be sent to “The Gables at Boutwells Landing” or “St. Croix Hospice” in Bud’s name.
Henry Francis Tripplet
Henry Francis Tripplet, 83 of Charlotte, MI, a good ole country boy that grew up in North Carolina and never met a stranger, died December 6, 2023, in Florida. Henry was born March 22, 1940, in Hickory, North Carolina to Bertha (Swanson) Whisnant and attended Beecher High School. Henry was a kind, generous, and helpful guy with a great sense of humor and he loved to pick on people. Many people in Charlotte will remember him for the many activities he participated in at the Senior Center, always working on projects and portraying many different characters in the shows there over the years. Henry was never one to sit still for long. He participated in many activities at his church, Crossroads United Brethren, was active with the Eaton County Fair, and he loved to cut wood, selling it by the cord, and do woodworking projects. A very humble guy, Henry never liked to talk about himself, and also never had an unkind word about another person.
Henry worked 30 years at Fisher Body. He was married for 42 years to his first wife, Linda, and they had five children together. After her death, Henry married Ramona Chase in 2004 and they enjoyed their golden years together, including many local community activities and travelling.
Henry is survived by his wife, Ramona; children, Tina (Dave) Farrow, Henry (Cindy) Tripplet, Michael (Bethany) Tripplet, and Tresa (Steve) Manning; and Bethany (Theodore) Wilson; 15 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren.
Friends are encouraged to support Henry’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation is Saturday, December 16, 4-7:00 p.m., and Sunday, December 17, 12 noon – 2:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. Funeral services are Sunday, December 17 at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Ricky Hull officiating. Please join the family immediately following the service at Eaton Area Senior Center for lunch. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Crossroads United Brethren Church or Eaton Area Senior Center. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
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.