Obituaries
Patrick Stephan Smith
Patrick “Pat” Stephan Smith, 66, of Charlotte, passed away on May 21, 2025 at his home. He was born on October 20, 1958 to Roger E. and Etta M. (Johnson) Smith in Charlotte, MI.
Pat was a hard worker, he worked as a sign man, and he was a truck driver for 20 years. He was always working on something, whether it was a truck engine or welding/fabricating something. Pat was very organized, and he tried to take good care of himself, he worked out and he ate healthy. He was a really good brother, and he loved his Momma and Dad and his animals.
Pat is survived by his mother Etta, brother and sisters, Roger (Lorie) Smith, Janet Riffe, Cheryl (Alan) Vercher, Betty (Trevor) Dillon, Teresa (William) Howe; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father, Roger E. Smith; long time fiancé, Wanda “Lee” Webb; and brother-in-law, George Thomas Riffe II.
Visitation was held Wednesday, May 28, 2025, 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m. at Bellevue Christian Church, 734 W. Capital Ave., Bellevue, MI 49021 the funeral started at 1:00 p.m. at the church with Pastor Danesh Manik officiating.
Burial will take place in Gresham Cemetery in Charlotte.
Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society-Fight Pancreatic Cancer. Arrangements have been entrusted to Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services. Please visit https://www.kempffuneralhome.com to view the online obituary, to sign the online guestbook, to share memories and pictures with the family.
Thomas Ray Garrison
Thomas Ray Garrison, born on April 15, 1945, in Lansing, Michigan, passed away unexpectedly while fishing on June 8, 2025, in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. He was a dedicated family man, adored by his loved ones, and well-known for his meticulous nature, always ensuring that everything was in its proper place. Throughout his life, Tom expressed a profound love for his family and friends and was always striving to ensure everyone was well cared for.
Tom was a proud member of the Charlotte Masonic Lodge #120 and the Potterville Masonic Lodge #367, engaging in his community and upholding the values of brotherhood and charity. His interests took him outdoors where he enjoyed fishing, caring for his quarter horses, and spending quality time with family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Joyce Garrison; his beloved wife, Joyce Garrison; his daughters, Kelly Wells and Kerry Kyes; and his brothers, Chuck Garrison and Jeff Garrison.
Tom is survived by his children, Scott (Suzi) Kyes of DeWitt, Tonya Keith of North Carolina, Jeff (Darcie) Kyes of Baraga, Chris (Lynn) Garrison of Eaton Rapids, and Elizabeth (Jon) Feise of Elsie; 12 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; son-in-law, Donald Wells of Utica; brother, Jim Garrison of Charlotte; and numerous nieces, nephews, and countless friends.
Despite his passing, Thomas’s legacy of love and diligence will continue to resonate with all who knew him.
Visitation will be held at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home located at 206 W. Lawrence Ave, Charlotte, MI 48813 on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and again from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A private family burial will take place.
Those desiring may make contributions in Tom’s memory to the Potterville Masonic Lodge #367 4925 Royston Road, Potterville, MI 48876.
To view Tom’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com
Bonita Louise DeLong
Bonita “Bonnie” Louise DeLong of Eaton Rapids, peacefully passed away June 13, 2025, at the age of 83. Bonnie was a graduate of Waterford High School and married to the love of her life. Bonnie and Don were married for 63 years. She worked as a florist for Alice’s Greenhouse in Eaton Rapids and Leslie Floral in Leslie. She spent her time as a Girl Scout leader, athletic booster member, seamstress, and cab driver to her three children. She loved to fish, camp, knit, crochet, play cards, and travel. Her wonderful neighbors were more like family. Bonnie and Don wintered at Sleepy Hollow Park in Zephyrhills, FL for over 20 years, sparking friendships along the way.
Bonnie is survived by her children, Jeffrey (Barb) DeLong of Eaton Rapids, Laura (Scott) Church of Rossford, OH, Michael (Laura) DeLong of Eaton Rapids; grandchildren, Amanda (Rob) Dubois, Heather (Brandon Williams) DeLong, Ainslie (Allen) Mathews, Brittany (Christopher) McKinnon, Dustin (Stephanie) Dean, Sierra (Chris Segura) Church, Cody (Mable Henrick) Church, Joshua (Georggia) DeLong, Kyle (Chelsie) DeLong; 21 great-grandchildren; brother, Larry Johnson; and step-father, Bob (Jean) Johnson. She was preceded in death by her mother, Evelyn Johnson; father, Harold (Deloris) Fuchs; husband, Donald DeLong Jr.; brother, Ronald (Pat) Fuchs.
Memorial services will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Eaton Rapids Sports Boosters, 800 State St., Eaton Rapids, MI 48827 or Wildside Rehabilitation and Education Center, 8601 Houston Rd., Eaton Rapids, MI 48827, or online at www.wildsidemi.wordpress.com. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel. To leave online condolences for the family please visit our website, www.millsfuneral.com.
Jerrold Raymond DeMuth
Jerrold “Jerry” Raymond DeMuth was a kind, yet stubborn man with a huge heart. He died May 29, 2025 at the age of 76. Jerry was born in and lived his entire life in Charlotte, MI, the son of Carl and Barbara (Nisse) DeMuth. He attended Potterville Schools until the 12th grade, he graduated from Charlotte in 1967. After high school he started working at Oldsmobile, where he worked for 32 ½ years before his retirement in June of 2000. After retirement Jerry and his wife Linda enjoyed wintering in Arizona. Cars were a passion of his, he was the proud original owner of a ’71 Chevelle, and a ’41 Chevy Coupe, he loved going to car shows and was a member of the National Street Rod Association, and a life member of the National Rifle Association. He was very handy, could fix anything, and was great at welding and making art from horseshoes. Jerry also loved hunting, he was very proud of his 11-point buck, going to flea markets and swap meets, gardening, and collecting Chevy automotive related things.
Jerry was very proud of his family and will be dearly missed by his wife, children, and grandchildren. He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Linda DeMuth; children, Duane (Jayne) DeMuth, Brenda (Ronald Wagner) Bassett, Robin (Chuck) Smith, and Jill (Jim) Sorensen; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; sister, Lynda (David) Dawson; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; and his brother, Jim DeMuth.
Friends are encouraged to support the DeMuth family by attending services or sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation was Monday, June 2, 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. Funeral services were Tuesday, June 3, 1:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home with Pastor John Bailey officiating. 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 Jerry’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 St. Jude Children’s Hospital. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Katelyn Mae Aapala
Katelyn Mae (Clark) Aapala, passed away peacefully at her home in Charlotte on June 9, 2025, at the age of 42. Born on January 19, 1983, in Lansing to Randolph and Lisa (Hoberg) Clark, Katelyn dedicated her life to her family, career, and her steadfast commitment to serving others.
Katelyn graduated from Charlotte High School with the class of 2000 and went on to earn her Associate’s Degree from Lansing Community College. For over 15 years, she was a vital part of Richard’s Appliance, where she served as a sales clerk. Her dedication and commitment to her work were evident through her interactions with customers; all were treated as her “favorite customer,” showcasing her personality as a true “people person.” Katelyn took great pride in ensuring that each customer felt valued and cared for.
Her love for family was unmatched. Katelyn cherished every moment spent with her husband Aaron and their children, Clark and Sophia. She was a devoted supporter at all of her children’s sporting events, reveling in their achievements and milestones. Yearly trips to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula were a tradition for Katelyn, where she found joy in exploring the beauty of nature. Another of Katelyn’s loves was her dogs. She will be deeply missed by her family, who will carry her memory forward in their hearts.
Katelyn is survived by her loving husband, Aaron; her devoted children, Clark and Sophia; her father-in-law, Richard Aapala; her sister, Meagan Clark; and her brother, Jacob and April Clark.
Katelyn was preceded in death by her father, Randolph Clark; her mother, Lisa Clark; and her mother-in-law, Gail Aapala.
Those desiring to make contributions in Katelyn’s memory may do so by donating to Elle’s Place, 1145 W. Oakland Ave, Lansing, MI 48915 to help support grieving and bereaved children and teens.
A celebration of Katelyn’s life will be held at a later date.
The family is being served by the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home.