Obituaries
Lois Marie Sensat
Lois Marie Sensat of Charlotte, a handywoman that could fix many things around the house, died June 5, 2023, at the age of 68. Lois was born August 31, 1954, in Lansing to Irvin and Joyce (Parks) Covell. She liked to stay busy, so was always doing things like crocheting, gardening, playing on the computer (especially Solitaire), taking road trips, watching her favorite TV shows, and finding the flaws in movies. She worked at GM for 30 years before she retired in 2007. Independent, head-strong, and funny are some of the words her family used to describe her.
Lois is survived by her children, Ricky (Corie) Parker, Donna Aeder, and Jennifer (Matthew) Hilton; nine grandchildren, Courtney, Sean, Aryan, Bazyli, Ѐamonn, Brittany, Dakota, Ryen, and Kaylee; three great-grandchildren, Annabelle, Eli, and Bryer; and her sister, Mary Jo Covell. She was preceded in death by her parents.
Friends are encouraged to support Lois’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation was Thursday, June 8, 2023, 4-6:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with funeral services following at 6:00 p.m. 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 Lois’ tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). If desired, memorial contributions are suggested to the family to help with final expenses. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Nancy Gloria Mayhew
Nancy Gloria Mayhew, 89, of Charlotte, died peacefully on Sunday, June 4, 2023, in Charlotte. Nancy was born October 17, 1933, in St. Clair Shores, MI, the daughter of Sicilian-born Giuseppe and Pietrina Galatioto. She graduated from St. Clair Shores High School before going to work in Detroit for Ma Bell Telephone Company. She soon met the love of her life, Donald Lee Mayhew, upon his return from service in the Korean Conflict. Nancy and Don married on August 6, 1955, in St. Clair Shores and raised two daughters. They soon moved to Charlotte, where Nancy went to work as a receptionist in the original Hayes Green Beach Hospital and a few years as a teacher’s assistant at West Windsor school. She then worked several years as an ad designer for the Charlotte Shopping Guide, before settling into her final career as a Para Pro with the Charlotte Public Schools. She worked at both Galewood and Parkview before her retirement. She and Don enjoyed travel in retirement and were lifetime members of the Eaton Area Senior Center. They took many memorable trips, including one to Hawaii. They enjoyed summers on Duck Lake and winters at Anna Maria Island, FL. Nancy especially loved time spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who often visited in at the lake and in Florida.
Nancy is survived by her daughters, Pamela Wiener and Julie (Larry) Kramer; seven grandchildren, Sam (Ali) Wiener, Traci (Evan) Jones, Molly (Jake) Miller, Jake (Katie) Kramer, Becky (Zach) Gilliland, Ben (Laurel Burgam) Wiener, and Nick (Sydney) Wiener; ten great-grandchildren, Miles, Blake, Judah, Delaney, Madeline, Andrew, Keira, Emilia, August, and Ethan; brother, Joe (Karen) Gale; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband of 55 years, Donald Mayhew in 2010; and her siblings and siblings-in-law, Sam and Marie Galatioto, Concetta and Kenny Kendall, Felix and Yvonne Gale, Sebastian Galatioto, Josephine and Sabby Portuesi, and Delores and Joe Bezel.
Friends are encouraged to support Nancy’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation was from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., followed by the funeral service at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 8, 2023, at Pray Funeral Home with Laura Cooper celebrating. Interment will take place in Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte. 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 Nancy’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 Area Senior Center or Eaton Community Palliative Care. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Paul A. Dills
Paul A. Dills, 93, longtime resident of Eaton County passed peacefully on Friday June 2, 2023.
He was born June 24, 1929, in Pigeon, MI to Ernie Dills and Agnes Bauer. He was married to his wife Lois Dills for 68 years. They resided on the family farm in Benton Township for most of their years together until her death in 2018.
As well as farming, Paul started Paul’s Gun Shop in the basement of their home in the 1960’s and Farmers Machine Shop together with his father and Dills Excavating with his sons for many years.
He served on the board of the one-room Doane School with other neighbors. And he also served on the Benton Township Fire Board for sixteen years.
Paul was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Lois; his sister, Gayla; and his sister Marilyn.
He is survived by sons, Ned (Kimberly) Dills, Ted Dills; and daughter Nancy (Paul) Hicks; five grandchildren; several great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life visitation will be held on Saturday, June 17, 2023, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Mills Funeral Home, 301 E. Jefferson St., Grand Ledge, MI 48837.
If desired, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to The National Rifle Association or to ProMedica Hospice. Online condolences can be shared at www.millsfuneral.com.
Hershel Copeland
On May 21, 2023, we lost a great man. Hershel Copeland was born on January 30, 1951, in Martin, KY to Walter and Avene (Mullins) Copeland.
Left behind to mourn him are his loving wife of 40 years, Connie; sons, Scott, Mike (Missy), Joe (Dawn), Jesse (Cathy), and Cody; grandchildren: Isabelle, Dylan, Tom, Mike, Lindsey Beaulieu, Tristian Roc, Shylo, Austin, Riley, Zoey and Ava; and great-granddaughter, Lakelynn Roc. He is also survived by his brothers and sisters, Danny (Sharon), Fred (April), Vivian, Vechel (Jim), Vicki; and sister-in-law, Sue. Hershel was preceded in death by his parents; son, Donnie; brother, Dwayne; and sister, Violet.
He left us far too soon, but we all feel incredibly grateful and blessed to have had him for as long as we did. He loved his wife, sons, and grandchildren with everything he had and then some, and we all knew it. We love you Daddy, Dad, Grandpa and Papa.
Mark Dwayne Dawson
Mark Dwayne Dawson of Eaton Rapids, MI passed away on June 2, 2023. Graveside service was held at 2:30 p.m. Friday, June 9 at Forest Lawn Dimondale. Arrangements are being handled by Pray Funeral Home.