Obituaries
L. Harley Krauss, Jr.
L. Harley Krauss, Jr., age 77, of Olivet, passed away on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, peacefully at his home. He never recovered from a traumatic brain injury sustained in late August of this year. He was born on May 5, 1946, in Lansing, Michigan to Leland H. Krauss, Sr. and Jessie (Allan) Krauss. His early school years were in Lansing. In the late 1950’s his family moved to the Olivet area. He played four years of varsity football at Olivet High School. He met Linda Sours in high school. They were married in 1964. Harley worked for 23 ½ years for the Olivet Schools as a bus driver and custodian. Later he had his own electrical and snow plowing business. He could build or fix just about anything. He built most of their log home in the woods outside of Olivet. Harley loved the outdoors, probably influenced by his grandpa, Harley Krauss who lived in Gaylord. Weekends in the winter meant lots of rabbit hunting behind registered “Krauss” beagles. They loved hunting behind the dogs and were not concerned about shooting rabbits. Just hearing the beagles tune up and getting outdoors is what really mattered. Fall meant getting ready for deer hunting, although Harley often remarked that “he would rather be bear hunting,” He loved the after-the-hunt pole barn breakfasts and deer camp at the cabin. He was a competition black powder rifle shooter and long bow shooter. Above all Harley loved his family and was overjoyed to become a grandfather.
The family wishes to thank Oaklawn Medical Group Olivet, healthcare staff with Residential Hospice, Marshall Ambulance, EMT’s from Charlotte, Sparrow Hospital, and all the friends and neighbors who were so thoughtful.
Harley is survived by his wife of 59 years, Linda; his son, David; grandchildren, Levi, Ty, Olivia, Amanda; great-granddaughter, Lou; and great-grandson, Ethan.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, James; son, Douglas “Munchie,” stepmother, Dorothy; and daughter-in-law, Marcia.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, November 18, 2023, at 10 a.m. at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home. The family received friends on Friday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will take place at Bosworth Cemetery.
Those desiring may make contributions in Harley’s honor to the Bellevue Conservation Club, 8484 Greenfield Hwy., Bellevue, MI 49021.
To view Harley’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com.
Orville Edward Erickson
Orville Edward Erickson, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family on November 10, 2023, after a courageous battle with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. Orv lived in Douglas, Michigan, formerly in Potterville, Michigan. Orv was born on January 26, 1948, in Fargo, North Dakota, to Elder and Alice Erickson. He grew up on a farm in Kindred, North Dakota, and attended Kindred Public Schools, where he was active in band, German Band, choir, Boy Scouts, school plays, and the National Honor Society.
Orv graduated from North Dakota State University with a degree in Economics. He was a proud member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity and took great pride in being a Bison. After college, Orv enlisted in the US Army and served in the 82nd Airborne where he earned the Army Accommodation Medal. He was honored to serve his country.
In May of 1973, Orv met his bride, Lynne Bielik, in Saugatuck, Michigan. He proposed on their third date, and they were married six months later on November 24, 1973, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Allegan, Michigan. Orv and Lynne were blessed with three children: Shawn Erickson of Holt, Michigan, Nic (Alejandra) Erickson of Nashville, Tennessee, Ashley Erickson of Holland, Michigan, and one grandson, Alec Erickson.
Orv was very generous with his time giving back to the community. He was a loving Christian man who would help anyone at any time. He served as President of the Potterville/Benton Township Fire Department for 20 years, was Scoutmaster of Potterville Troop 654, a member of the Potterville Lions Club, and worked on numerous community projects. Orv also volunteered for several projects at Potterville Public Schools, serving as one of the “timing crew” at track meets and working with the Odyssey of the Mind Program with Lynne. Orv was a faithful member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, where he served and worshipped our Lord for over 40 years. He was a member of the church choir, served on the church council and numerous committees. Orv and Lynne served as a presenting couple for Lutheran Marriage Encounter for decades.
In addition to his involvement in Potterville, Orv worked at the Grand Ledge Food Bank and Blessings in a Backpack.
Orv retired from the State of Michigan, Department of Treasury, where he was a Department Manager.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Lynne; their children, Shawn, Nic, Ale and Ashley; and grandson Alec; his brother, James (Judy) Erickson of Fargo, North Dakota; his sister, Janice Blake of Spokane, Washington; brother and sisters-in-law, Joseph and Deb Bielik of Cadillac, Michigan, and Charlie and Kathy Bielik of Fennville, Michigan; plus many nieces and nephews and special friends, Dennis and Jan Martinich, and their children. In addition to his parents, Orv is predeceased by parents-in-law, Joseph and Barbara Bielik; brother-in-law, Rudy Blake; and great niece, Avery Betts.
Friends may meet with the family at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 517 South Clinton, Grand Ledge, Michigan, on Saturday, November 18, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., with the Celebration of Life beginning at 11:00 a.m., Pastor Chuck Foerster and retired Pastor Richard McKenzie co-officiating. Military Honors will follow the service. A luncheon will follow. Cremation has taken place and the burial with take place later.
Donations may be made in Orv’s honor to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, The Grand Ledge Food Bank, Cure PSP, or Immanuel Lutheran Church, Grand Ledge.
Our family would like to thank Andrea, Deanna and Julie from Hospice of Holland and our Home Health Caregivers, Brandy and Chelsea, who took such wonderful loving care of Orv during the final days of his journey. They not only took care of him, but our entire family. They are extraordinary women.
Sean Michael Lawrence Day
Sean Michael Lawrence Day, 35, of Bellevue, Michigan, passed away on Saturday, November 11, 2023, at home.
He was born on March 5, 1988, to Michael and Tammie (Mills) Day in Marshall, Michigan.
Sean was a graduate of Bellevue High School. When Sean was a teenager, he started working at a local llama farm caring for the animals. When Sean was 16, he began working at area restaurants. Sean was always willing to help others even at work and this trait. led to his promotion as general manager for many of the restaurants. He was a long-time member of First Baptist Church in Bellevue. He enjoyed reading, especially his bible and religious books. He was an avid fan of Nascar. Sean was the social one of the family, from an early age he loved to talk and joke with family and friends. He was active in theater and the band during high school. After high school he continued his interest in the band and was involved in Post band in Battle Creek. Sean took classes to be a certified storm chaser and would keep his family up to date and informed.
Sean is survived by his loving parents Michael and Tammie of Bellevue, Michigan; his brothers, Michael T. R. Day of Bellevue, Michigan and Andrew (Ashley Crawford) M.S. Day of Corunna, Michigan; his sisters, Aundria L. M. Day of Bellevue, Michigan and Tosha (Nik) Estermyer of Belleville, Michigan; his aunts, Diana (Joe) Bailey of Bushnell, Florida, Dawn (Don) Leugers of Celina, Ohio, Helen (Julius Kortvely) Jones of Bellevue, Michigan and Patricia Day of Bellevue, Michigan and his uncle, Tom Day of Marshall, Michigan. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews including Elia Day and Rowan Day whom he loved dearly and his cousin Annmarie (Tony) Saukas. He was preceded in death by his uncle, Richard Day.
Visitation was held on Thursday, November 16, 2023, at Kempf Family Funeral & Cremation Services, 205 N. Elizabeth St., Bellevue, Michigan.
Funeral services were held on Friday, November 17, 2023, at the Bellevue First Baptist Church with Reverend Donald Francis, officiating. A visitation began at 10:00 a.m. prior to the funeral service at the church.
The burial is at Riverside Cemetery in Bellevue.
Memorials are suggested to the family.
Please visit https://www.kempffuneralhome.com to view the online obituary, to sign the online guest book or to leave the family condolences.
Pamela June Williams
Pamela June Williams, of Potterville, MI, passed away peacefully in Lansing, MI surrounded by her two sons.
Pamela was born in Mecosta, MI on December 29, 1954. She graduated from Potterville High School. In her leisure time, Pamela enjoyed the hobbies she loved, including crocheting and reading.
Pamela was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Williams, whom she loved dearly. She is survived by her sons James (Amanda) Williams and Robert Williams; grandson Sean Williams; and six siblings, Bruce, Al, Sandy, Bonnie, Doreen and Cora.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Daniels Funeral Home-Nashville, conveniently located at 9200 East M79 Highway, Nashville, MI. For further details, please visit our website at www.danielsfuneralhome.net.
Daniel Michael Stango
Daniel Michael Stango, 95, of Fort Wayne, IN, a beloved family member, an active sportsman, and contributor to his community, passed away on Saturday, October 28, 2023 at his home. Dan was born February 9, 1928, to Italian parents, Leonard and Jettie (Verniero) Stango in Newark, NJ.
After graduating from Harrison High School in New Jersey, Dan enlisted in the United States Army in 1946. In 1951, Dan attended Panzer College of Physical Education and Hygiene in East Orange, New Jersey where he received his B.S. in Physical Education. He then received a certificate in Elementary Education from Newark State Teachers’ College. His passion was to become a teacher.
After college, Dan began working for the American Red Cross in 1953 as a Service to Military Families representative and Assistant Regional Manager, Midwestern Area. He moved to Charlotte where he met his future wife, Anna Marie Colizzi. They were married September 11, 1965, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Charlotte, MI. With Dan’s increasing level of responsibilities with his career, he and Anne moved to St. Louis, MO, where their son, Lenny, was born. They later moved to Monroeville, PA, and eventually Ft. Wayne, IN, all while Dan was employed with the American Red Cross. He held several positions, including health and safety services, taught first aid classes, provided aid during disasters, was second in command in Pittsburgh, and retired as CEO of Blood Services in Ft. Wayne, IN, in 1991 with 38 years of service.
Dan was an avid reader and extremely active throughout his life. He enjoyed running, golf, played, coached and officiated soccer, played tennis, enjoyed dancing, watching sports, and spending time with family and friends.
He created many memories during his travels to Italy and spring break trips with Lenny to Club Med, Cancun, and the Bahamas. Cooking and going out to eat were also sources of enjoyment.
Dan was a member of St. Charles Catholic Church in Ft. Wayne, where he was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He gave back through volunteering in the local soup kitchen. He loved telling jokes and always had plans for his future lottery winnings.
He is survived by his son, Lenny Stango, of Ft. Wayne, brother, Vic Stango, of Las Vegas, NV, brother- and sister-in-law John and Joy Colizzi, sister-in-law Elaine Colizzi, nephews Danny Stango, Tony Colizzi, Greg (Jeannine) Colizzi, nieces Corrine Stango (Gary) Degrazio, Nikki Colizzi, Kristina (Robert) Windom, Monique Colizzi, Neysa Colizzi, Angel Colizzi (Rich) McCrumb.
He was predeceased by his parents, his in-laws Pietro and Caterina Colizzi, his wife Anna Marie Colizzi Stango (1990), brother-in-law Sam Colizzi (2016), sister-in-law Marlene Colizzi (2018), sister-in-law Nadine Stango (2021), brother-in-law Don Colizzi (2023), and nephew Michael Stango (2011).
Friends are encouraged to support Dan’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 25 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Charlotte, MI with Rev. Father Dwight Ezop officiating. Interment will be at Maple Hill Cemetery. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the American Red Cross. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.