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Curtis Lee VanDenberg, Sr.
Curtis Lee VanDenBerg, Sr. Eaton Rapids, age 62, died from a heart attack on the airplane while returning from Italy. Curt was born May 26, 1945 in Grand Rapids, MI, the son of Charles Jay and Jennie (Veenstra) VanDenBerg. He was a graduate of Kentwood High School, class of 1963, and attended Michigan State University. Curtis was a 1st Lieutenant with the Michigan State Police, retiring in 1993. He was a very active musician and vocalist in the Eaton Rapids First United Methodist Church Chalice “Praise Bank”, Choir, Bell Choir, Orchestra, and 4-Tell Quartet. He had many hobbies, was an avid photographer and enjoyed resorting old cars. Curt developed and operated the Michigan State Police Vehicle Dynamics Program, and was president of Independent Testing & Consulting, Inc. He was a member of the Eaton Rapids Planning Commission and numerous other committees. Preceded in death by his daughter, Cathie VanDenBerg, in 1981, and brother, Art VanDenBerg in 2005.
Curtis is survived by his wife of 26 years, Linda (Shelly) VanDenBerg of Eaton Rapids; son, Curtis VanDenBerg, Jr. of East Lansing; 2 grandchildren, Whitney and Casey VanDenBerg; brother, Charles “Chuck” (Donna) VanDenBerg and Jack (Pat) VanDenBerg, all of Grand Rapids; sister-in-law, Cindy VanDenBerg of Rockford; mother-in-law, Doris Shelly; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Monday, October 8, 2007 at the First United Methodist Church, Eaton Rapids. Interment followed at Rosehill Cemetery, Eaton Rapids. Memorial contributions may be made to either the Eaton Rapids First United Methodist Church or Haslett High School Choir Boosters in memory of Curtis VanDenBerg, Sr.
Raymond Van Lake
Raymond Van Lake, 85, of Potterville, died Monday, Dec. 31, 2007. Mr. Van Lake was born Aug. 8, 1922 in Charlotte, the son of Phillip and Irma Van Lake.
He enjoyed anything to do with the out of doors and there were many hunting, ice fishing and camping trips to Gene's Pond in the UP. Mushroom hunting and snowmobiling were also things he greatly enjoyed. He served in the United States Marine Corps during WWII, worked at Motor Wheel for 20 years and retired from MSU after 24 years in the physical plant.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Marilynn in August 2002; sons, Robert and Jon; and sisters, Alice Reynolds and Cecelia Coyne.
He is survived by his sons, Tom (Phyllis) Van Lake of Eagle and Ron (Paulette) Van Lake of Bannister; daughter in laws, Catherine Van Lake of Potterville and Linda Van Lake of Lansing; 17 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Jan. 4, 2008 at Pray Funeral Home with Pastor Rebecca Morrison officiating.
If desired memorial contributions may be made to Potterville/Benton Township Fire Department or Potterville United Methodist Church.
Arrangements by Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Julie A. Van Skike
On Aug. 19, 2007, Julie Ann (Barnes) Van Skike, passed away surrounded by family following a courageous battle with ovarian cancer.
Julie was born on May 23, 1966, in Lansing and graduated from Holt High School, class of 1984. She married Nathan Van Skike on Dec. 12, 1989, and had one daughter, Erika. They settled in Charlotte, and enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Not only was Julie proud to be a mother and homemaker, she also was an avid collector of Star Wars, Star Trek, and TheWizard of Oz memorabilia.
Julie is survived by her husband Nathan, their daughter Erika; father, Robert J. Barnes and Uncle Ray; step-father, Kim Willett; sister and brother-in-law, Sheryl (Barnes) and Peter Kanelos. Julie was preceded in death by her mother, Mary Willett. Julie will be forever missed by her family and friends.
A memorial service was held on Saturday, Aug. 25, 2007 at 3 p.m. at the Crossroads United Brethren in Christ Church of Charlotte, Michigan. Burkhead Green Funeral home is serving the family.
Ronald H. Veltman
Ronald H. Veltman of Eaton Rapids, age 79 passed away September 2, 2007. He was born March 21, 1928 in Muskegon, MI. He grew up on a farm in Big Rapids with seven brothers and sisters.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mary; three children, Jackie (Pat) Trimmer, Tom Veltman, Joanne Cleeves; four grandchildren: Justin Cleeves, Kelly (Tom) DeLind, Jennifer Trimmer and Bob Trimmer; brothers, Robert Veltman and Gordon Shepard and sister, Pearl Shepard. Ronald was preceded in death by his parents; father, Harry Veltman, mother LaMonie Shepard and step-father Bruce Shepard; sisters, Marjorie, Mary Alice and Martha, and brothers, Edgar and George. Ronald retired from Motor Wheel after 35 years of service in 1981.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, September 5 at 1:00 p.m. from the Skinner Funeral Home in Eaton Rapids. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Eaton Rapids Senior Center or the Eaton Community Hospice.
George Walker
George Franklyn Walker, 62, of Charlotte, died Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2007, at the Hospice House of Mid-Michigan in Lansing after a short courageous battle with cancer. George was born Sept. 27, 1944, in Charlotte, the son of Burt and Cleo (Imes) Walker and was a lifelong resident of the Charlotte area. He was a retired General Motors Supervisor at the Body Plant in Lansing. He was a builder, a house and landscape designer and a consummate handyman. He was a member of the First Congregational Church of Charlotte, was an avid traveler and loved the outdoors. When younger, he like hunting and later in life like catch & release fishing.
George was loved and survived by his wife of 42 years, Doris (Rolfe) Walker; three daughters, Shawndee (Finley) Bolenbaugh of DeWitt, Shantel (Dennis) Cook of Rockford, and Shena (Curt) Winslow of Lurkspur, Calif.; two granddaughters, Kara Bolenbaugh and Rachel Cook; his mother, Cleo Walker of Charlotte; sister, Judy Kelly of Charlotte; brother, Denny (Cindy) Walker of Hastings, and his two beloved dogs, Babe and Snoopy.
He was preceded in death by his father. He was a loving husband, dedicated father and grandfather and will be missed by all who knew him.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 6, 2007, at the Burkhead-Green Funeral Home, Charlotte, with Rev. Philip Hobson officiating. Interment will be in the Union Cemetery in Oneida Township. Visitation will be held Aug. 4 from 5-7 p.m. and Aug. 5 from 5-8 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may go to the American Cancer Society or First Congregational Church in Charlotte. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.
Naomi Ruth Williams Ward
Naomi Ruth Williams Ward, 103, of Camarillo Calif. died Jan. 19, 2007. Naomi was born Jan. 5 1904 in Eaton County and lived in Eaton Rapids until 1996.
At that time she sold her house on Main Street and moved to California to live with her daughter and son-in-law, Geneva and Harold Ferguson. She resided with them for 10 and a half years, spending three and a half months in a care facility just before her death. Naomi enjoyed the California sunshine and was always interested in world affairs and family affairs. She kept in touch with all her family Almost every summer, Naomi would fly to Gresham, Ore. to visit her daughter, Jeanette. Her last flight was at the age of 101.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Lester Ward, to whom she was married for 69 years; son, Neil Ellis Ward; and brothers, Laban, Leo and Clifton Williams.
Naomi is survived by her daughters and son, Jeanette Cheatham of Gresham, Ore., Geneva Ferguson of Camarillo, Calif. and Kenneth Ward of Lexington, SC. She was grandma to 14 grandchildren, great grandma to 18 and great-great grandma to four.
Naomi will be cremated and her ashes will be buried in Eaton Rapids. A private memorial service will be held at a later date.
Arrangements by Conejo Mountain Funeral Home and Memorial Park, Camarillo, Calif.
Michael Way
Michael D. Way "Bear," 53, of Clarksville, died Thursday morning, Aug. 9, 2007 at St. Mary's Hospital in Grand Rapids. Mike was born Sept. 16, 1953 in Lansing, a son of Paul E. and Rose L. (Nosotti) Way.
He was a 1972 graduate of Grand Ledge High School, a retired G. M. employee and a member of the Woodland Eagles.
Surviving are his son, Michael (Jami) Way of Middleville; daughter, Mandy (Nicholas) Dahms of Nashville; step-daughter, Deb (Gary) Zandstra of Rockford; five grandchildren, Brody, Kadin, Karlie, Sara and Cody; sister, Rhoda Lee (John) Greenhoe of Grand Ledge; brothers, Dennis Way of Clarksville and Harry Way of Mulliken; the mother of his children, Casey Way; loving companion, Jann Pantera; niece, nephews, uncle and aunts.
Services were held Aug. 14 at Barker-Leik Funeral Home, Mulliken, with Denise Smith officiating. Interment was in Meadowbrook Cemetery. Pallbearers were Dennis Way, Jamie Eye (Chief), Gary Zandstra, Matthew Paul, Churck Pantera and Evan Way.
Memorial contributions may be made to Saint Mary's Doran Foundation, 200 Jefferson SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.
Wayne Webb
Wayne Noah Webb, 81, of Charlotte, died July 29, 2007 at Dimondale Center Memorial. Wayne was born March 19, 1926 in Charlotte, the son of Wayne O. and Margaret Pearl (Gaskill) Webb. He graduated from Charlotte High School in 1945. He married Betty (Winters) Webb on June 30, 1984, was retired from Michigan National Bank and was a member of South Cochran Church of God.
Wayne is survived by his wife Betty; former wife, Phyllis (Pifer); son, Roger Webb; daughter, Angie Merryfield; stepson, Thomas Winters; three stepdaughters, Betty M. Brown, Peggy (David) Gardner, Carla (Mike) Fell; three grandsons; two stepgranddaughters; seven stepgrandsons; one great-granddaughter; one great-grandson and two sisters, Mary Jane (Lloyd) Barclay and Bonnie (Gordon) Hughett.
He was preceded in death by parents, Wayne O and Margaret Pearl Webb and stepgrandson, Daniel Fell.
Services will be held Saturday, Sept. 8, 2007 at South Cochran Church of God with Pastor Perry Purcell officiating. Interment will be in Maple Hill Cemetery.
If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the South Cochran Church of God.
Charlotte Wehr
Charlotte Ruth Wehr, 90, of Charlotte, died April 1, 2007. Mrs. Wehr was born Dec. 21, 1916 in Detroit, the daughter of Edward and Clare (Mester) Reinhardt.
Charlotte was employed at Walter French Junior High School until her retirement from the Lansing Public School system in 1974. She will always be remembered as a wonderful person who truly loved life.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Francis Hannah in 1970 and brother, Alvin Reinhardt in 2005.
She is survived by her husband, Rolland Wehr; daughter, Barbara Scears of Bath; son, John (Kathy) Hannah of Lansing; stepson, Larry (Carolyn) Wehr of Alaska, stepdaughter, Carol Jean (John) Ackerman of Texas; nine grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Thursday, April 5 at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte with Pastor Todd Bruning officiating. Interment was at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Lansing.
Arrangements by Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
