Obituaries
Thomas Lee Uridge
Thomas Lee Uridge of Dimondale and Florida, former VP Ingham Medical Center. Passed away unexpectedly August 29, 2024, at the age of 83. Tom was born on August 13, 1941, at Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the son of Laurence and Ida (Galley) Uridge. He grew up on Otilla Street, attending Elger Grade School K-2. Tom then moved to Kalamazoo around 1948 and attended Hillcrest School, grades 3-6. He got a Cushman Eagle Motorcycle, which he absolutely loved, and had a paper route delivering newspapers during 7th – 9th grade while attending South Junior High. Tom graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School in 1959.
He went to work at A&P while attending Western Michigan University. In 1961, he joined the United States Marine Corps and served both active and reserves for six years, while also attending Western Michigan. Tom graduated in 1964 with a bachelor’s in science. He then married and had two children, Leeann and Brian. After marriage, Tom worked as a process server and sold life insurance until he started working for the State of Michigan as a youth counselor for three years. He then worked at Clark Equipment in Battle Creek in Personnel, eventually transferring to Jackson Clark Equipment in Personnel and as a Safety Officer.
In 1972, he took a job as Director of Personnel at Ingham Regional Medical Center, eventually becoming one of the Vice Presidents. While working full-time at Ingham Regional Medical Center he attended and graduated from Cooley Law School with his Juris Doctorate. That degree and expertise became paramount in his position. He was a walking union while there due to his open-door policy where you could say anything without fear of reprisal. He was compassionate, feisty, gregarious, caring, charismatic, funny, and quirky with a great sense of humor. You always knew Tom was around by his hearty infectious laugh. He was also a very pointed communicator which made him ideal for his job. There was a serious and playful side to him. You always knew which face he had on! Tom was well respected because of his personality and that open-door policy. There was never a formal union during his 25-year tenure, and he was very proud of the employee relations environment he developed. He was a strong proponent of confidentiality and employee privacy and created and maintained an environment free of harassment. Tom retired in 1994 but continued working additional years at the request of the CEO.
He is survived by his children, Leeann Uridge, Brian Uridge (Sandy), granddaughter, Alex Uridge; sister Nancy Jennings; sister-in-law, Marge Uridge; and the love of his life and partner in crime Nancy Rens-Uridge. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Laurence and Ida Uridge; brothers, Laurence “Bud” Uridge, Bruce Uridge, Robert “Bobby” James Uridge and an Infant brother; sister, Diane Bartoo, brothers-in-law, Jim Bartoo, and Howard Jennings; and sister-in-law, Susan Uridge.
A private memorial service will be held for family, and a celebration of life service at a later date. For those desiring memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation Army of Lansing, 525 N. Pennsylvania Ave, Lansing MI 48912 or City Rescue Mission of Lansing, 2216 S. Cedar St, Lansing MI 48910. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. To leave condolences for the family, visit our website www.millsfuneral.com.
Doris Thornton
Doris (Young) Thornton, age 93, of Charlotte, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 2, 2024, at home surrounded by those she loved. She was born October 6, 1930, at the family home in Sunfield, Michigan the daughter of Devilo and Letha (Guy) McDiarmid. Doris was a devoted Christian and member of the Assemblies of God her entire life. Her Bible reading was very important to her. She had read through the Bible seven times. In her spare-time she enjoyed playing cards, BINGO, horse racing, and watching the Detroit Tigers. Family was always the most important part of her life. She cherished each and every one of them in a special way.
Doris is survived by her children: Edward Young of Charlotte, Sandra (Bob) VanSplintern of Charlotte, Tommy Young of Charlotte, Ted Young of Charlotte, Larry Young of Charlotte; grandchildren: Sherrie (Shad) Golding, Jim Young, Chad (Tracey) VanSplintern, Aaron (Erin) VanSplintern, Stacey Young, Amy (Brian) Miller; numerous great-grandchildren; several great-great-grandchildren; sister, Linda (David) Sunken and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Carl Young; second husband, Walter Thornton; and 11 siblings.
The family received friends during a time of visitation and sharing on Thursday, September 5, 2024, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home. A private burial will take place at Maple Hill Cemetery.
Those desiring may make contributions in Doris’s memory to the charity of their choosing.
To view Doris’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com.
James Lewis Young
James (Jim) Lewis Young of Charlotte was reunited with his daughter Dana, on her second year of passing, Friday, August 30, 2024.
James (Jim) was born December 30, 1941, in Lansing to his parents Floyd and Leone (Pierce) Young. He graduated from Easten High School, then worked for Sparrow Hospital before being drafted into the Army during Vietnam, where he was trained as military corpsman. He married the love of his life Elaine (Hagerman) on April 3, 1965, and they lived near Fort Knox, KY during his time in the military. They moved home to Lansing to start a family, and he began a career with General Motors (GM) to which he retired after 30 years of service. During this time, Jim and Elaine welcomed their loving daughter Dana first in 1968, then two years, two months and two days later, they welcomed their loving son Mark in 1970.
Jim was loved for his intelligence, quick sense of humor, his mechanical ability to fix anything, and his devotion to family. He loved just being home, and fishing. He often kept a packed duffle bag on hand for his adventures north to Dana’s paradise, also known as the “the cottage”, in Ocqueoc, Michigan. He loved spending time there with Dana, her husband Dan, family, friends, or just simply by himself fishing the Ocqueoc River.
He was a loving, wonderful husband, father and grandpa! Leading us all by example to show what it means to be devoted to family; he was proud to see his children and grandchildren living their lives this way! He would always make us laugh and was happy to see that his granddaughters inherited the same quick wit from him. He showed us all what real love is! He will forever be remembered, loved and missed!
He was preceded in death by his parents Floyd and Leone, his brother Bill (Pat) Young, and his daughter Dana.
Jim is survived by his wife of 59 years Elaine, Son Mark (Amy), Granddaughters Olivia (Alex) and Elizabeth (Sebastian). His brother David (Anne), Sister Sue, and sister-in-law Daylene Sadler, many nieces, nephews, and friends. He is also survived by his wonderful son-in-law Dan Clay and the incredible Clay Family; Thank you Dan for your continued help and support!
A graveside service was held on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at 2 p.m. at West Carmel Cemetery.
Those desiring may make contributions in Jim’s memory to the charity of their choosing.
To view Jim’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.
Shannon Denise Saurbek
Shannon Denise (Miller) Saurbek, age 57, of Charlotte, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Sunday, September 1, 2024, in Lansing, Michigan. She was born in Lansing on April 17, 1967, to Jack and Sharon Miller. Shannon attended Charlotte Public Schools and graduated from High School with the class of ’86. She married Mark Saurbek on October 10, 1998, in Vermontville. Shannon worked for over 15 years at Serenity Acres as a nurse aid caring for the elderly.
Shannon loved her family and cared deeply for them. Time spent at camping every summer at Double R Ranch was always an enjoyable and much anticipated time of year. We as a family cherish our memories of going tubing, kayaking, and then ending the day sitting around a bonfire together. She maintained a beautiful flower garden every year and enjoyed feeding and watching the birds. We will miss her deeply, and although we know that life will go on, it won’t be the same without her.
Those surviving her are; her husband of 27 years, Mark; her children, Phillip (Danielle) Bowerman, Keith (Chrissy) Bowerman, Eric Saurbek, Heather (John) Wenzel; grandchildren, Hunter Bowerman, Madison Bowerman, Paisley Bowerman, Zach McGruther, Ella Saurbek, Ryan Saurbek, Blaze Capen, Tatum Capen, Oliver Wenzel; siblings, Randy Miller, Shane (Winnie) Miller, Darcy Powell; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Sharon Emery Powell; father, Jack Miller; stepfather, Robert Powell; and brother, Jeff Miller.
In keeping with Shannon’s wishes, cremation has taken place and there will be a celebration of life at a later date.
Those desiring may make contributions in Shannon’s memory to Capital Area Humane Society, 7095 W. Grand River Ave, Lansing, MI 48906.
To view Shannon’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.
Florence Ann Lee
Florence Ann Lee, 82, of Holt, a strong-willed women and devoted mother and grandmother, died Saturday, August 31, 2024, in Lansing. Florence was born February 11, 1942, in Detroit, the daughter of Gerald and Georgia (Selman) Monteith. She worked nearly 20 years at Peckham in Charlotte and sold Avon and Watkins on and off throughout the years. Florence was a collector of jewelry, especially watches, and loved sipping coffee while watching her gameshows and talk shows. She enjoyed birdwatching and was especially fond of cardinals and hummingbirds, and she loved her country music. She and her husband, Orval, often enjoyed cruising the countryside together, back before GPS when they would simply drive for hours to get a cup of coffee or visit friends and family. Florence loved getting together for picnics and holidays. She was a loving friend to many. Florence will be forever remembered as an outgoing people person who devoted her life to her family and friends. She remained “full of life” right to the very end.
Florence is survived by her daughters, Jodi (Rex) VanGuilder and Sue Ann Lee; grandchildren, Matt Mclean, James Lee, Megan Lee, and Bryson Lee; great-grandchildren, Madison Mclean and Docota Portvliet; great-great-granddaughters, Mariana and Elena Garrett; beloved niece, Deborah Montieth; sister-in-law, Joyce Bogart-Lee; several great-nieces and great-nephews; many friends; and grand-dogs and cat, Myah, Loner, and Po Kitty. She was predeceased by her son, Jay Lee in 2021; brother, Gerald Joseph Monteith II; niece, Mary Ann Montieth; former husband and forever friend, Orval Howard Lee in 2001; and her dog, Buster.
Friends are encouraged to support Florence’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. A Celebration of Life is being planned for a later date. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the family in care of Jodi VanGuilder. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.