Obituaries
Jill Michelle Webb
Jill Michelle (Van Daele) Webb sadly passed away in the morning of Wednesday, January 8, 2025. Jill, the daughter of Albert and Clarissa Van Daele was born on July 26, 1948, growing up in Arizona and graduating from Battle Creek Central with the class of 1967.
With the help of her mother, Jill met Billie Joe Webb and the two married on August 3, 1968. Together Bill and Jill, with the help of their fathers, built the home where they raised their boys and established the “Pork and Bean Farm.” In their early years, Jill and Bill enjoyed square dancing, playing cards, and bowling with friends. Jill was mostly a homemaker, feeding her family well with breakfast after milking the cows and tending to the pigs. She did spend time working at Archway, Galloup Pipe and Supply, Snyders, as a Home Interiors consultant, babysitting her grandchildren, and eventually retiring from Edward Jones. Jill enjoyed gardening both vegetables and flowers, supplying the family with canned goods, storing potatoes for the winter, and creating delicious desserts (especially during the holidays). Everyone looked forward to her peanut butter Texas sheet cake at the Webb family gatherings or other special occasions. One of her greatest joys was cooking breakfast for the Webb boys on the opening day of deer season.
Jill is survived by her four boys: Doug (Anjanette) Webb, Tracy (Lisa) Webb, Steve (Jodi Poyer) Webb, and Nathan (Kateri) Webb. She is also survived by her 13 grandchildren: Ryan (Amber) Coats, Branden (Eva) Webb, Ethan (Mattison) Webb, Blake Webb, Victor Harris, Clinton Harris, Zach (Megan) Webb, Whitney (Ryan) Lowe, Lucy Webb, Carson (Jace) Heinze, Alex Webb, Wyatt (Brittanie) Webb, and Chloe Webb and 9 great-grandchildren: Lane, Odin, Abel, Weston, Camden, Wrenly, Lakelynn, Emerson, and baby Webb due in June. Jill is also survived by her sister June (Dave) Jones and brother/sister-in-law Gary and Judy Webb, best friend of over 50 years Carla (Tom) Flemming, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Jill was predeceased by her husband of 48 years Billie Joe Webb; her parents Albert and Clarissa Van Daele; Bill’s parents Lester and Mattie Webb; sisters and brothers-in-law Betty and Kermit Denton, Joyce and Mike Randall, and Wanda Gilbert; and good friend Mike Brighton.
The family would like to thank the staff at Stoneridge, as well as Hospice of Lansing nurses for their support and loving care for Jill over the past year and appreciating her “Spicy” attitude.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Huntington’s Disease Society of America at https://hdsa.org/ or envelopes are available at the funeral home.
A memorial service will be held on Monday, January 20, 2025 at 12:00 p.m., with Pastor Deano Lamphere and Keith Corts speaking, at Daniels Funeral Home – Nashville, conveniently located at 9200 E M79 Hwy, Nashville, MI.
The family will receive visitors from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Monday, January 20, 2025 for the hour prior to the memorial service.
Family and friends are invited to remain at the funeral home following the memorial service for a time of food and fellowship in celebration of Jill’s life.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Daniels Funeral Home – Nashville, conveniently located at 9200 E M79 Hwy, Nashville, MI. For more information, please visit our website at www.danielsfuneralhome.net.
Betty Lou Hooghouse
Betty Lou Hooghouse, an outgoing, loving, and smart, mother, sister, and friend, died on Friday, January 10, 2025. Betty, 85, of Charlotte, was born on August 26, 1939, in Hastings, MI. the daughter of Harry and Rachel (Smith) Beard. On August 28, 1959, Betty married Earl “Butch” Hooghouse and together they started their family. With having 3 boys, Betty was very good at taking jokes and was always down for a good laugh. Her working career started out at the Eaton County Medical Care Facility where she worked for several years. She later worked at EATRAN where she retired in the mid 80’s as a Dispatcher. Hobbies that she enjoyed included knitting, she made her children’s clothing, she also enjoyed pottery, doing puzzles, crossword puzzles, and most importantly playing B!NGO. Above all her family brought her the most enjoyment in life.
Betty is survived by her sons, Lewis, Gary, and Terry Hooghouse; grandson, Terry Lewis Hooghouse; sister, Janet (Jim) Jarman; and her beloved cat, Smokey. She was predeceased by her husband of 61 years, Butch; siblings, Barb Sitzman, Kate Painter, and Phil Beard; and her parents.
Friends are encouraged to support Betty’s family by sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Duane Allen Whaley
Duane Allen Whaley, 72, of Charlotte, MI, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 9, 2025. Born on May 17, 1952, in Michigan City, Indiana, he was the beloved son of Lyle and Beulah (Shepherd) Whaley.
Duane’s early years were spent in Michigan City, Ithaca, and Comstock Park, MI, where he graduated with the Class of 1970. He dedicated 41 years of his life to Meijer Warehouse, retiring as a respected forklift driver.
An avid sport shooting enthusiast, Duane had a passion for trapshooting and cowboy action shooting, serving as an instructor for both. He was a proud, longtime member of the Chief Okemos Gun Club, where he also held the position of President for two years. Duane cherished the great outdoors, enjoying hunting and fishing whenever he could.
Blessed with remarkable talent and skill, Duane had a knack for fixing just about anything. He was an accomplished woodworker who built his own home with his wife, Sharon, a testament to his craftsmanship and dedication.
Duane is survived by his devoted wife of 38 years, Sharon (Chaddock) Whaley; his loving children, Marcus (Kelley) Whaley and Dawn (Timothy) Hayes; his cherished grandchildren, Hunter Hayes, Vincent Hayes, and Michael Whaley; and his great-granddaughter, Leona Whaley. He is also survived by his brothers, Richard (Diane) Whaley and Douglas (Vicky) Whaley, along with many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.
In honor of Duane’s memory, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. To share memories or leave condolences, please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
Daniel E. Gearhart
Daniel E. Gearhart, age 64, of Charlotte, MI died January 11, 2025 at his home. He was born November 6, 1960 in Charlotte, the son of Harvey and Shirley Gearhart. He was raised in Charlotte and attended Charlotte High School, graduating in 1979. He married Kelly Eldred on October 23, 1982.
Dan was a family man who had a love for the outdoors. He enjoyed bee keeping, camping in the mountains of Wyoming, and hunting, especially with his grandkids. He was a proud grandpa of five. He was present for every milestone and in the stands at every sporting event possible. His strength and love for his family was immense. His passing leaves a hole in our hearts, but we have a million memories that we will all hold close to our hearts.
Daniel is survived by his wife, Kelly; son, Michael Gearhart; daughters, Sarah Dahlem and Kristi Bullard; and grandkids, Abby, Caleb, Jasmine, Carson and Kaitlyn. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harvey and Shirley Gearhart.
A Celebration of Life will be held on June 14, 2025 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. with a bonfire to follow at the home of his daughter, Kristi, 4245 Maple Grove Road, Hastings.
William Frederick Foster
William Frederick Foster, December 12, 1941 – January 1, 2025. God, in his almighty wisdom, called William (Bill) Frederick Foster, to his heavenly home on January 1, 2025. Husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather passed away quietly after a long-fought battle with cancer at the age of 83. His wife Joan, sons James and Philip and their children were at his side throughout his final days.
Bill was born on December 12, 1941, in Lansing, Michigan, the son of Earl L. and Elizabeth C. (Kloepfer) Foster. He attended Bretton Woods, a Delta Township grade school, C.W. Otto Middle School, J.W. Sexton High School and Lansing Community College.
Bill was a part-time mechanic at Stevens Garage in Delta Mills in his early years and in 1965 started working for REO Motor Car Company. After 10 years of working there, the then, Diamond Reo Truck bankrupted. By the fall of 1975, together with a group of ex-Reo personnel, Bill started to build trucks as a subsidiary of Form Rite in Charlotte, Michigan. A little over a year later, Bill, together with three (3) others, approached a group of Charlotte businessmen to back a small business loan to build Spartan Motors’ first plant building in Charlotte, Michigan. Bill would continue to build Spartan Motors through years of hard work, passion for the industry and perseverance serving as Vice-President and member of the Board of Directors for over 30 years.
Bill married Joan Westmoreland on June 17, 1967, at Emanual First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lansing, MI. Together they had two sons while living in Delta Township where Bill served on the Delta Township Fire Department. He held many ranks up to and including Assistant Chief before retiring from active fire service after 27 years. In 1982, the family moved to Grand Ledge, where he lived for the remainder of his life.
Bill was passionate about firetrucks, fire safety vehicles and training firefighters and mechanics within the fire industry. However, he was also passionate about his family and his personal relationships with everyone he met. He loved spending time with his family and friends at their cottage in Sault Ste. Marie, watching iron ore freighters. He loved traveling and would always find a fantastic place to get wonderful food from coast to coast. If he knew you were going on a trip, he might even suggest a restaurant to visit while you were gone and tell you exactly how to get there.
He was also passionate about sharing his knowledge with anyone interested in the fire industry. Even after 60 years, until he would be hospitalized for a blood clot in the fall of 2023, he could be found driving a fire truck chassis to a fire show, sitting on the bumper telling stories while greeting his friends and customers while updating them on the newest Spartan Motors products.
Bill is survived by his wife of 57 years, Joan, their two sons James (Tammy) and Philip (Deborah), grandchildren Brooke (Rory), Joshua, Benjamin (fiancée Grace), Rebecca, Peter, Christopher, and Lynn, and great-granddaughter, Adelaide.
Christian funeral were held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at Emanuel First Evangelical Lutheran Church. Interment will be in Delta Center Cemetery. His family received friends at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel from 2:00-4:00 p.m. and 6:00-8:00 p.m., Monday, January 6, 2025, and also at the church 1-hour prior to the funeral service on Tuesday. Memorial contributions may be made to Emanuel First Ev. Lutheran Church Restoration Fund.