Obituaries
Jan Larry Morey
Jan Larry Morey, 83, of Charlotte, a man of the outdoors and deep love for his family, died peacefully with his family by his side on Sunday, September 1, 2024. Jan was born January 17, 1941, in Lansing, the son of Harold Carl and Lois Louise (Richmond) Morey. He attended Lansing Sexton High School before briefly working in heating and cooling followed by over 10 years at GM. He married the love of his life, Nancy Carol Brasseur on February 19, 1966, and the two soon started their family. Jan’s passion for the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing, led him to create his own company, Quality Spinners Manufacturing. He created his own lures and mass produced them, starting in the late 1980s until 2019. Many will remember Jan’s sense of humor. He was a friend to many, and a family man to the end. He loved camping and travelling, especially to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
Jan is survived by his wife of 58 years, Nancy Morey; their children, Eric Morey and Susan (Aaron) Day; grandchildren, Tyler Chalender, Savanah Chalender, Liz (Michael) Haller, and Tyler Day; brother, Phil (Janice) Morey; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents.
Friends are encouraged to support Jan’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation was from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Friday, September 6, 2024, at Pray Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Charlotte with Rev. Fr. Dwight Ezop officiating. Interment will take place in Chapel Hill Cemetery in Lansing. 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 Jan’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 Elara Caring Hospice. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Cindy Lou French, a woman who from birth dealt with a lot of disadvantages but she found joy in the simple things, died on Tuesday, August 27, 2024. Cindy, 63, of St. Johns, was born on October 10, 1960, in Charlotte, the daughter of Carl and Margaret (Lightner) French. She enjoyed Christmas each year especially testing her father with how to secure the tree so she did not shake the decorations off. Cindy also enjoyed spending time outside, enjoying a Pepsi, trips to the park, and getting ice cream with her mom. Above all her family is thankful for the care that the Bradford home in St. Johns gave to their sister over the last 40 years.
Cindy is survived by her siblings, Carla Frazier, Jackie French, and Steven French; two nieces; six nephews; aunt, Geneva Butler; and many extended family members. She was predeceased by her parents.
Friends are encouraged to support Cindy’s family by sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Funeral services were Saturday, August 31, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. Interment followed at Woodlawn Cemetery in Vermontville. 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 Cindy’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 Bradford House in St. Johns. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Judy Sharrell Barr
Judy Sharrell Barr, 83, of Olivet, MI, died peacefully on Friday, August 30, 2024 in Charlotte. Judy was born April 17, 1941 in Charlotte, the daughter of LeRoy and Donis (Bowser) Barnett. She graduated from Charlotte High School in 1959 before starting her family. Judy worked 12 years as Clerk in the Eaton County Circuit Court before her retirement. Judy married Dale E. Barr on June 16, 1979 in Olivet, and the two moved north to Harrison, MI, in 1988, where Dale took the position as High School principal and Judy worked as a Teacher’s Aide. Throughout the years, Judy loved to crochet and to travel. She and Dale rarely missed their grandchildren’s school or sporting events. She was proud of her Native American Cherokee heritage. In 2007, Dale and Judy bought a place in Florida, and they enjoyed nearly 20 years of warm winters and making new and long-lasting friendships with their North Ft. Myers neighbors.
Judy is survived by her husband of 45 years, Dale Barr; their children, Trenton (Cheryl) Smith, Kermit Smith, Deborah Barr, and Dale (Debra) Barr, Jr.; eight grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; brother, Dennis (Susan) Barnett; son-in-law, Jack Stults; daughter-in-law, Angel Whitman; nieces, nephews and extended family; sister-in-law, Sandy Barnett; close friends, Ron and Barb LeSeney, Chuck and Charlene Cilibraise, and Pat Foreman; many Florida friends; and her dog, Sophie. She was predeceased by her parents; brother, Gary Barnett; daughter, Kim Stults; and son, Bret Barr.
Friends are encouraged to support Judy’s family by sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation was from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. Funeral Services were at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 4, 2024 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Rev. Mike Fales officiating. Interment followed at Bosworth Cemetery in Olivet. 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 Judy’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 Barr/Vandyke Principal Leadership Award or Creative Living One Adult Foster Care. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Darrell Lynn Dixon
Gerald Lynn Norris was born on December 22, 1946. He was then adopted by Kenneth and Phyllis (Pierce) Dixon on June 22, 1947, then named Darrell Lynn Dixon. Darrell passed on August 31, 2024, at the age of 77.
Darrell was a John Deere Two Cycle Club and Lansing Motorcycle Club member. He loved working on anything with a motor for family and friends. He was a quiet man but a humble friend. He was known to many as “Dummy”, and only known by that to some.
Darrell is survived by his wife Trini (Vogelheim) Dixon, son James Dixon, granddaughter Raegan, as well as many nieces, nephew, Godson, cousin, aunt and uncles.
Visitation was held on Thursday, September 5, 2024, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Mills Funeral Home, Peters & Murray Chapel, Grand Ledge. Funeral services were held Friday at 11:00 a.m. with interment to follow at Meadowbrook Cemetery, Mulliken with Military Honors. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Family c/o Trini Dixon or Lansing Motorcycle Club, PO Box 15153 Lansing, MI 48901, in memory of Darrell “Dummy” Dixon.
Charles Owen Klaiss
Charles Owen “Charlie” Klaiss, our fearless leader, age 85, of Charlotte, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 27, 2024. He was born March 7, 1939, in Charlotte the son of Donald Owen and Ila Leona (Shumaker) Klaiss. Charlie was a man of many talents and the life of the party. He was always ready with a joke to lighten up any situation. Charlie started his career working as an electrician with his father and later started his own stage lighting business traveling throughout the world setting up concert lighting. He worked as Loretta Lynn’s production manager for many years and loved working together with her phenomenal team. Charlie especially loved the USO tours overseas. In his younger years, Charlie, loved the cowboy lifestyle. He rode bulls, roped, owned and trained horses, and could crack a bull whip like no other. Charlie was an active member of the Charlotte Fire Department his entire life and an ardent supporter of the Christmas Kiddies program. Charlie enjoyed life to the fullest and will always be remembered as a loving and devoted father and grandfather.
Charlie is survived by his children, Lee Harvey of Inverness, Florida, Brian Sheldon of Winder, Georgia, Kelly Wadsworth of Charlotte; three grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and brother, Neil Klaiss.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Joyce Elaine Klaiss; grandson, Adam Sheldon; and sister-in-law, Leila Klaiss.
A celebration of Charlie’s life was held on Friday, August 30, 2024, at 12 p.m. at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Friday prior to the service.
Those desiring may make contributions in Charlie’s memory to the Charlotte Volunteer Fire Department, 111 E. Lawrence Ave., Charlotte, MI 48813.
To view Charlie’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com.