Obituaries
Edna Marie Schumacher
Edna Marie (Snider) Schumacher, an avid reader and very knowledgeable, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and sister, died on Friday, August 16, 2024, in Hale, MI. Edna, 85, of Charlotte was born on January 17, 1939, in Salem, West Virginia, the daughter of Arnold and Mabel (Swiger) Snider. Being one of 13 children, her older brother challenged her that if she did well in school, he would help her with college. Edna excelled in school and was the Reader High School Salutatorian which earned her a scholarship to Marshall University. She later earned her master’s from Western Michigan University. On September 26, 1962, she married William “Lee” Schumacher, and together they started a family and created many lasting memories.
Edna was a lifelong member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Charlotte. She was the school librarian for Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic School from 1993-2003 after being a high school librarian for the public schools for 35 years. Most of her career was spent at Olivet High School, where she also taught English; the students nicknamed her “Mrs. Kotter.” Edna and Lee spent their summers on Long Lake in Hale, MI at the family cabin. Once she retired, they moved to the family cabin on Long Lake. Other hobbies that she enjoyed included thrifting, garage sales, watching history shows, Johnny Carson Late Night TV, traveling around the US, bird watching, cooking, and most importantly having visitors and spending time with her family.
Edna is survived by her husband, Lee; children John Schumacher, Tama (Fred Wieting IV) Boucher, and Shyla Tailor; grandchildren, Jessica (Greg) Adamczyk, Julie (Jason) Baker, Rhiana Tailor and India Tailor; great-grandchildren, Cole, Emma, Jameson, Carson; siblings, Mary Snider, Trixie J. Robinson, and Shirley Thorne; and several extended family members. She was predeceased by her parents, and several siblings.
Friends are encouraged to support Edna’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Funeral services were Friday, August 23, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church in Charlotte with Rev. Fr. Dwight Ezop officiating. Visitation was held just prior to the service at the church from 10-11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at 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 Edna’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 Charlotte Community Library. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Robert Ronald West
Robert Ronald West, age: 75, from Charlotte, Michigan passed away on August 15, 2024. A service was held on Tuesday, August 20, 2024. Arrangements by Pray Funeral Home, Inc.
Rozena Kathleen Tennant
Rozena “Rose” Kathleen Tennant, a proud mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and sister, died just shy of her 80th birthday on Saturday, July 13, 2024. Rose, 79, of Eaton Rapids, was born on July 29, 1944, in Stockbridge the daughter of Harry and Helen (Lutz) Hoffman. In 1971 Rose married Ernest David Tennant and together they created many lasting memories until his passing in 2022. Others knew Rose for her hospitality, she loved cooking and baking and giving her treats to others around the neighborhood. Rose turned back to her German Heritage every Christmas and made the best German Christmas cookies. She kept a very neat and tidy home extending to her flowerbeds, as there were never weeds to be found. Family meant the world to Rose. As a family there were the trips around the country, camping trips, supporting her boys with scouts, and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Rose is survived by her son, Troy Tennant; stepson, Kyle (LeAnn) Tennant; grandchildren, Alexis (Russell) Pliley, Ryan (Maisie) Tennant, Stephan Tennant, and Connor Tennant; five great-grandchildren; brother, Clifford (Christine) Hoffman; and dear friend, Sally Boehlke. She was predeceased by her husband of 50 years, Ernest; son, Tim Tennant; sister, Mary Kill; and her parents.
Friends are encouraged to support Rozena’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation was Saturday, July 20, 2024, 10-11:00 a.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with a funeral service following at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Todd McLane officiating. 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 Rose’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smartphone). If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Oaklawn Hospice or the Faith Assembly of God. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Shirley Gennevieve Gilbert
Shirley Gennevieve Gilbert, age 94, of Dimondale, Michigan, passed away on August 9, 2024, in Lansing, Michigan. Shirley was born on February 21, 1930, the daughter of Merle and Flossie Eitniear, who have preceded her in death. She graduated from Dimondale High School and the Lansing Community College LPN Nursing Program. She loved caring for others as an LPN throughout the 1960s. Shirley married Henry Gilbert, and they enjoyed over 40 years of marriage before his passing in 1994. She was an active volunteer for RSVP – Retired and Senior Volunteer Program with AmeriCorps. Shirley loved to knit and crochet and has donated well over 300 scarves and dishcloths.
Along with her parents and husband, Shirley is preceded in death by her brothers: Robert, Wayne, Jake, and Ted, and her infant sister, Janelee. She is survived by her children, Sue Osborn (Tom Denman) and George (Frances) Gilbert; grandchildren: Chad (Brittany) Osborn, Nathan Osborn, Stacy Davis, and Kelly (Jim) Skaryd; and seven great-grandchildren. Shirley is also survived by her sister, Ann (Wayne) Vahs, and special friends, Cindy and Jackie.
A special thank you to her great-grandson, Matthew Osborn, for helping with her care for three years in addition to the many “granny nights” we shared.
Per Shirley’s wishes, no services are planned at this time. Arrangements entrusted to Vickers Leslie Funeral Home, 109 N. Church Street/PO Box 503, Leslie, MI 49251. 517-878-6600.
Darrell Glenn Wertz
Darrell “Darry” Glenn Wertz, 87, of Charlotte, a natural-born people person and story teller, died on Tuesday, August 6, 2024 in Charlotte. Darry was born February 8, 1937, the son of Duane and Martha (Welch) Wertz. He graduated from Charlotte High School before honorably serving in the U.S. Navy. Upon his return, he worked briefly at Oldsmobile before launching a lifelong adventure as an entrepreneur. Throughout the years, Darry owned local businesses including DJ’s Party Store in Charlotte, the D&D Village Bar in Bellevue and the Roadrunner Bar in Vermontville. He worked over 60 years in the family business, D.E. Wertz John Deere in Charlotte and Devereaux, MI.
Many will remember Darry for his need for speed. He was a State Champion snowmobile racer in the 1970s, and an avid motorcycle racer. He travelled the state with his turbocharged motorcycle, putting to shame other racing bikes and breaking a few bones in the process. In later years, he enjoyed time up North at the family cabin in Crystal Valley with his son, Van, where they enjoyed countless Jeep rides through the sand dunes. He was a lifetime member of the Eagles Club, and a friend to many.
Darry is survived by his wife of 42 years, Dolores “Dee” Wertz; son, Van (Mary) Wertz; daughter-in-law, Julie Wertz; four grandchildren, Trevor (Tracey) Wertz, Zane (Lynn) Wertz, Spencer (Sarah) Wertz, and Dalton Wertz; four great-grandchildren, Jaelan Wertz, Brody Wertz, Silas Wertz, and Hazen Wertz; sister, Angie Earl; sister-in-law, Linda Wertz; and several nieces and nephews and extended family. He was predeceased by his sons, Shane Wertz and Wade Wertz; grandson, Kory Wertz; stepsons, Ronald and Richard Bartlett; siblings, Donny Wertz, Dennis Wertz, and Marcia Dewey; and brother-in-law, Fred Earl.
Friends are encouraged to support Darry’s family by sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. A memorial gathering will be held at noon on Saturday, October 5, 2024, at Darry’s Party Barn. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Eaton Community Palliative Care. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.