Obituaries
Clare Austin Ash, Jr.
Clare Austin Ash, Jr. (98) peacefully passed away on November 27, 2023, at 5:45 p.m. with his boys at his side.
Clare was born June 12, 1925, in Lansing, Michigan to Clare Ash and Thelma (Root) Ash. He grew up on the family farm in Chester attending country school and then Charlotte High School graduating with the class of 1943. After high school he attended Michigan Agricultural College (MSU) in the 2-year agricultural short course program.
On January 1, 1946 he married the love of his life, Shirley Tellas, and they began a life together, raising three sons, Dennis, Mark and Steve. Clare was destined to become a farmer and it was his passion. Together with his family, he built a large farming operation that continued until his retirement in 1994.
Clare served on many boards and was active in local Farm Bureau, FHA, MABC, 4-H, and Masonic Lodge in his younger days. After retirement he began restoring antique farm tractors. He was not color specific as he had John Deere, Minneapolis Moline, Oliver, Silver King, Massey Harris, and Farmall in his collection.
He made many friends and contacts in the agricultural business whether it be in the cattle, hog or seed business. He was not only a seed corn dealer for Pioneer, Funks and Golden Harvest, the family also grew Foundation, Certified and Breeder classifications of Red Kidney Bean and Barley seed from the crops grown and processed on their farm. Clare was also instrumental in selling calves through video sales at Michigan Livestock Exchange, something new in that day.
In addition to his love of farming, he had a strong love of family. He and Shirley were married until her passing in 2016 and worked side by side in the farming operations. Their sons also were involved in the farm and all three followed in Clare’s footsteps attending Michigan State University in the agriculture programs.
Clare is survived by his brother, Roger; sons Dennis (Danette), Mark (Judy), and Steve (Judy); and grandchildren, Mike, Austin, Adrienne, Matt, JoAnne, Joe, Steve Jr. and Christopher; along with 14 great-grandchildren. Preceding him in death are his wife, Shirley; his parents, Clare and Thelma; sister-in-law, Mary; and granddaughter, Kristen.
Friends are encouraged to support Clare’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation will be held on Monday, December 4, 2023, from 3-5:00 p.m. and 7-9:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. Funeral Services will be on Tuesday, December 5, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Pray Funeral Home with Laura Cooper officiating. Interment will take place at Gresham Cemetery. 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 Clare’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 Gresham United Methodist Church. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Lois Bartholomew
Lois Elaine Bartholomew died November 26, 2023. A funeral service is scheduled for Saturday, December 3, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte
Charlene L. Sutherland
Charlene L. Sutherland, age 83, of Charlotte, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 15, 2023, in Lansing. She was born March 10, 1940, in Bay City, Michigan, the daughter of Harold and Leona (Labrenz) Dahn. She graduated from Bay City Central High School with the Class of 1958. She went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in education from Western Michigan University. Charlene was a teacher in the truest sense of the word. She taught high school Spanish and geography for many years and also taught piano the majority of her life. Charlene loved music and played the organ at church and was always ready to sit down at the piano. She was a lifelong Lutheran and member of First Lutheran Church.
Charlene is survived by her children: Brian (Laura) Sutherland of Grand Rapids, Leslie Gifford of Lansing; grandchildren, Alexander, Amelia, Mary; and sister-in-law, Linda Dahn.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Bill; son-in-law, Scott Gifford; and brothers, Lyle and Kenny.
Funeral services was held on Monday, November 20, 2023, at First Lutheran Church with Pastor Sean Esterline officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.
Those desiring may make contributions in Charlene’s memory to First Lutheran Church, 550 E. Shepherd St., Charlotte, MI 48813.
To view Charlene’s obituary online please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com.
The family is being served by the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home.
Cecil Harold Osenbaugh
Cecil Harold Osenbaugh, a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend, died on Wednesday, November 15, 2023. Cecil, 91, of Charlotte was born on July 13, 1932, in Toledo, OH. The son of Zenith and Iva (Woodbury) Osenbaugh, he was the seventh child out of 16. He proudly served in the Army during the Korean War. On April 23, 1960 he married his sweetheart, Judith Kay Pratt, and together they spent the next 60 years creating lasting memories until her passing in 2020. Prior to having children Cecil worked in road construction. Once the kids were born, he began working in Skills Trade with General Motors until his retirement. He was also a farmer, Cecil loved farming and being able to help his friends and fellow farmers in need. Cecil and Judith enjoyed traveling, every summer they would take a family trip all over the country. They traveled through 39 different states. Two of the most notable trips were a month-long trip to Alaska, and their 25th anniversary trip to Hawaii. He will be remembered for being a family man that devoted his life to his wife and children.
Cecil is survived by his children, Judy Elaine (Edward Jr) Trailer, Robert Wayne (Robin) Osenbaugh, Frank Sherman (Tammy) Osenbaugh, Harry LaVille (Janette) Osenbaugh, Cecil Harold Osenbaugh Jr.; 22 grandchildren; 26 great-grand-children; one great-great-grandchild; brother, John Snyder; and several extended family members. He was predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Judith Kay; his parents; and 14 siblings.
Friends are encouraged to support Cecil’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation was Tuesday, November 21, 2023, at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. A Funeral service followed at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Charles Jenson officiating, and there was a luncheon following the service at the Kalamo Township Hall. 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 Cecil’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 American Heart Association. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Rodney Lee Rodgers
Rodney Lee Rodgers, 84, of Gwinn passed away peacefully in his sleep on October 26, 2023, in Washington, Missouri while visiting his son.
Rodney was born on September 9, 1939, in Lansing to Rodney C. and Virginia (Raidle) Rodgers. He was raised in Charlotte Michigan and graduated from Charlotte High School class of 1958.
On July 3, 1959, he married Anita (Hyde) Rodgers and they enjoyed 62 years together. They raised their family in Magnolia, Illinois where he worked at BF Goodrich. In 1996 they moved to Gwinn where they spent their summers and wintered in Florida.
Rodney was a very talented individual. He was a trained mechanic, pilot and a skilled carpenter, plumber and electrician. He built three of the homes they lived in and helped his sons and various others with theirs.
He was a gifted athlete holding five high school track records upon graduation and was a member of two undefeated football teams in 1956 & 1957. He was inducted into the Charlotte High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2022. His love for track led him to become an assistant coach at his sons’ high school and Eureka College in Illinois. He ran in 15 marathons including four Boston Marathons and participated in two Ironman Triathlons.
Rodney was an avid cyclist for over 50 years accumulated more than 300,000 miles. He cycled the perimeter of the lower 48 states and many, many other lengthy trips. He continued riding his bike right up to his passing. He even rode 82 miles on his 82nd birthday two years ago.
He loved the outdoors, traveling and gardening. He sailed the Great Loop and has been to the Minnesota Boundary Waters over 25 times, taking his sons, grandchildren, siblings and cousins.
Even with all he has done, his greatest accomplishment was the love of family and everyone he met. He had the gift of making you feel like you were the most important person when he greeted you. He truly loved spending time with family and friends.
Surviving are his four sons: Steve (Lynn) Rodgers of Gwinn, MI, Brian (Karen) Rodgers of Georgetown, TX, Jeff Rodgers of Washington, MO and Scott Rodgers of Frederick, MI; seven grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren; siblings: Bob (Phyllis) Rodgers, Ann (Rob) Martell, Carol (Ron) Turkus and Joy (Joe) Batten along with many nieces and nephews.
He was preceeded in death by his wife Anita on October 26, 2021, along with his parents, a sister Becky Vaught, daughter-in-law Sharon Rodgers and granddaughter Tiffany Wright.
A memorial will be held on Monday, December 4, 2023, at the Charlotte Senior Center at 1:00 p.m. There will be a luncheon to follow where family will greet relatives and friends. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Road to Hope for Becky’s House (named after Rodney’s sister), 1863 Liberty Avenue, Vermilion, OH 44089 or ECD Global Alliance, PO Box 775, DeRidder, LA 70634 in honor of Rodney’s brother, Bob Rodgers.