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Marion Sevener
Marion (George) Sevener, 98, of Charlotte died April 28, 1999.
Mrs. Sevener was born July 11, 1900 in Superior, Wis., the daughter of Lottie and Herman George. She graduated from Dewey High School in Superior in 1918. She and herm other joined the Seventh-day Adventist Church while she was in high school. After graduating, she attended Emanuel Missionary College (now Andrews University) in Berrien Springs, where she met Lester Goldwin Sevener. They were married in 1923. After Lester graduated from EMC, the couple moved to Holly, where he served as the dean of boys at Adelphian Academy and taught for a time. His younger brother, Clinton, later persuaded him to pursue a career in medicine. As a result of this decision, the couple moved back to Berrien Springs where Marion worked at various office jobs while Lester finished his premedical courses.
Upon completion of Lester’s studies, Marion and Lester moved to Loma Linda, Calif., where he attended medical school at Loma Linda University and Marion worked to help support them. After his graduation in 1933 Dr. and Mrs. Sevener moved to Charlotte where he started a successful medical practice with his brother, Clinton.
In 1937, the couple was blessed with the arrival of a son, Keith and later by a daughter, Janice. Marion was a dedicated wife and loving mother to her two children. Notwithstanding the many responsibilities of raising a family, she always found time to serve the Lord through her musical talents. She was consistently in demand as a piano player for the Seventh-day Adventist Church she faithfully attended. Later, when the church was given an organ and needed an organist, she taught herself how to play and served as the church’s organist for many years. In addition, she taught piano lessons to several youngsters, including some of her grandchildren. She was blessed with the gift of music from a very young age, as evidenced by this excerpt from an article contained in a 1980 Superior newspaper: “One of the largest audiences to attend a musical event given in Superior was presented last night at the First Presbyterian Church, East End, to greet the big chorus of 80 voices and orchestra of 20 instruments that gave the celebrated cantata “Bleshazzar”, under the direction of Col. H.A. George (Marion’s father). The rendition as a whole is one of the most difficult that has been put on at the head of the lakes and director, soloists and members of the chorus and orchestra received the highest of praise for their work last night…A storm of applause came from the audience after little Miss Marion George and Miss Snyder had finished their duet. The sweet voice of Miss Marion could be distinctly heard in every corner of the big auditorium.”
In addition to classical and gospel music, she enjoyed sewing, bird watching, and reading. She was an avid reader of her Bible.
After Lester’s untimely death of leukemia in August 1973, she continued for many years to live in their home on Stoddard St. in Charlotte. In the last decade of her life, she lived in various nursing homes in the Charlotte area in order to be close to her children and grandchildren.
She is survived by one daughter, Janice Green; one son, Keith; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Visitation is Monday, May 3 from 7-9 p.m. at the Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Services are Tuesday, May 4 at 1 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Gym Fund at the Charlotte Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Elizabeth J. Shaull
Elizabeth J. Shaull, age 79, of Onondaga died Wednesday, March 31, 1999 at a Lansing nursing home. She was born November 21, 1919 in Perry, Michigan. She was an active member of the Wacousta Order of the Eastern Star Chapter #133 and enjoyed camping and crafts. She married Lawrence Shaull on May 15, 1938. Preceding her in death are two children, Deana Kay and Lewis Clare; grandson, Gary Brown; and great-granddaughter, Jessica Baker.
Surviving are her husband of 60 years, Lawrence; 6 children, Judy Ann (Ray Howe) Lopez of Holt, Dawn (Don) Breault of Freeland, Chester (Janet) Shaull of Onondaga, Jo-Ellen (Dave) Cobin of Indian River, Harriett (Daniel) Armstead of Lansing and Lawrence M. Jerry (Roxanne) Shaull of Holt; 21 grandchildren, Caron (Mike) Farmer of Lansing, Connie (Randy) Farmer of Lansing, Carol (Bill) Westoby of Reese, Donna (Ron) Rulapaugh of Pinconning, Linda (Adam) Edwards of Reese, Rex Brown of Colorado, Lloyd Baker of Ashville, NC, Mary Baker of Lansing, Brenda (Edward) Adams of Manistique, Doug (Laurie) Breault of Freeland, Tammi Breault of Freeland, Abbot Shaull of Onondaga, Lynn (Karrie) Shaull of Charlotte, John Shaull of Onondaga, Cathy (John) Pountney of Grand Rapids, Kirk Thomas of Kalamazoo, Jamie (Gordon) Rhodes of Lansing, Jennifer (Dan) Welch of Lansing, Theodore (Linda) Shaull of Lansing, Danielle and Jay Shaull of Holt; 32 great-grandchildren, Joshua, Jacob, Heather Wheatley, Jason Farmer, Ryan and Tiffanie Farmer, Angela Westoby, Cassie and Kelly Rulapaugh, Rex, Anthony and Aaron Edwards, Ashley and Nicole Brown, Crystal, Stephanie, Leonard, Shaniqua and Leasia Baker, Nichole and Lindsey Adams, Crystal, Danielle and Meagan Breault, Sebrina and Bethann Shaull, Kyle and Jack Pountney, Chris, Henry and Timothy Rhodes and Chelsea Welch; 2 great-great-grandchildren, Arianna and Kyle Wheatley.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, April 3, 1999 from the Skinner Funeral Home in Eaton Rapids with the Rev. Derek DeToni-Hill of the Leslie United Methodist Church officiating. Graveside services followed in the Onondaga Cemetery in Onondaga. Eastern Star services were conducted Friday evening by the Wacousta O.E.S. Chapter #133. Casket bearers were grandsons, Kirk Thomas, Theodore Shaull, Abbott Shaull, Lynn Shaull, John Shaull, Dan Welch and Gordon Rhodes. For those desiring, a memorial contribution may be made to the Wacousta Order of the Eastern Star Chapter #133 Scholarship Fund in memory of Elizabeth J. Shaull.
Herbert Shaw
Herbert (Hubert) (Bill) Shaw, 75, of Vermontville, died Oct. 23, 1999.
Mr. Shaw was born Jan. 28, 1924 in Locke Twp., the son of James Huburt and Sarah Azula (Selfridge) Shaw. He was a truck driver for Howard Sober and C. & J., a World War II veteran, former coach of Grand Ledge Pony/Colt Baseball League, and in later years Maple Valley Baseball, and enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s sporting events and school activities.
Surviving are his wife, Arlene (Smith); daughters, Diane (Neal) Gee of Gould City, Sandra (Mike) Byrd of Lake; sons, Douglas (Sue) Shaw of Eaton Rapids, and Richard (Barb) Shaw of Hastings; 11 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; sisters, Frances Gray of Laingsburg, Betty (James) Hayes of Shaftsburg; and stepmother, Beulah Monninger of Sarasota, Fla.
Memorial services were held Oct. 26 at Nashville Baptist with Pastor Lester DeGroot and Pastor Don Roscoe officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to Maple Valley Athletic Association.
Arrangements by Pray Funeral Home, Inc.
David Shepard
David R. Shepard, 45, of Pennfield Township, died Jan. 26, 1999 at his home.
Mr. Shepard was born Sept. 1, 1953 in Battle Creek, the son of C. Royce and Dotty L. (Bush) Shepard. He graduated from Bellevue High School in 1972. He operated Shepard Lawn Services for five years and also worked as a zone manager for the Battle Creek Shopper News. He enjoyed fishing, mushrooming, and antique collecting, operating his John Deere tractor, gardening, flower growing and attending his children’s athletic events.
He is survived by his parents; three daughters, Brandy Lynn of Canton, Ohio and Halsey Lynn and Krystal Flint, both at home; three sons, David of Battle Creek and Jesse and Jacob, both at home; his grandmother, Lucille Shepard of Bellevue; four brothers, Robyn of Bellevue, and Steven, Joseph Lee, and Ronald, all of Battle Creek; and long time companion, Katherine (Rugg) Flint.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Terry Heidrich in 1989, and his grandfather, Bernard Shepard in 1992.
Services were Jan. 29 at the Shaw Funeral Home, Lehman Chapel, Bellevue.
Memorial contributions may be made to Trout Unlimited.
Wendee Sue Shepherd
Wendee Sue Shepherd, age 42, of Lansing formerly of Eaton Rapids died suddenly Friday, January 29, 1999 at a Lansing hospital. She was born August 7, 1956 in Lansing the daughter of Laurence and Billie (Weed) Jackson. Wendee was raised in Eaton Rapids and had graduated from the Eaton Rapids High School Class of 1974. She was preceded in death by her mother Billie in 1990.
Surviving are her husband of 15 years, Gordon; 3 sons, Adam, Chris and Daniel all at home; father, Larry Jackson of Eaton Rapids; 2 brothers, Brad (Lucy) Jackson of Eaton Rapids, and Mark Jackson of Eaton Rapids; several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, February 2nd at 1 p.m. from the Skinner Funeral Home in Eaton Rapids with the Rev. Richard Latham of the Pennway Church of God, Lansing, officiating. Interment will follow in the Rosehill Cemetery in Eaton Rapids. For those desiring a memorial contribution may be made to a College Trust Fund for Wendee’s 3 sons or to the Autism Society of Greater Lansing in memory of Wendee Sue Shepherd.
Edward Southward
Edward I. Southward, 66, of Eureka, passed away Nov. 30, 1999. He was born in Brookfield Twp. on July 7, 1933 the son of Earl and Marita (Wright) Southward and lived in Charlotte until 1993 before moving to Eureka. He retired from M.N.R. Engineering in 1995, was a veteran of the U.S. Army, a member of Waverly 39er’s and Capitol City Seniors men’s bowling leagues.
He married Dorothy Joyce Hodge in St. Johns on July 25, 1993 and she survives him.
Also surviving are five step-children, Elizabeth (Doug) Huntley of St. Johns, Tim E. (Moni) Gorman of Clare, Edward C. (Karen) Gorman, Jr., of Grand Rapids, Patrick (Ellen) Gorman of St. Johns and Ruthie (Terry) Goddard of Georgia; seven grandchildren; one brother, Wayne (Jane) Southward of Olivet and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; one granddaughter; two brothers and three sisters.
Funeral services were held Dec. 4 at the Osgood Funeral Home, burial at Eureka Cemetery with Rev. Steve Weinberger officiating. Memorials may be made to Hospice for Clinton County or Eureka House.
The family was served by the Osgood Funeral Home.
Myrtle Sparks
Myrtle Irene (Laverty) Sparks, 82, of Frankfort, Ind., died July 5, 1999 at the Clinton House in Frankfort, Ind., where she had been a resident for several years.
Mrs. Sparks was born July 28, 1916 in Potterville, the daughter of Clyde and LaDane (VanAnde) Laverty. She had attended the Potterville Methodist Church. She was a graduate of Potterville High School and did one year of post graduate work in Charlotte. She married Russell Sparks Nov. 6, 1937 in Auburn, Ind. She had lived in Frankfort for 53 years, and also Three Rivers. She was retired as the Center Township Trustee, a position she held for 20 years. She was previously associated with her husband in the Sparks TV and Appliance store, Frankfort. She was a member of Zonta BPW, Eastern Star and the Women of the Moose, all in Frankfort.
She is survived by her husband, Russell; three daughters, Janice Reno, Suzanne Rice, and Laurel Sparks, all of Frankfort; four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by two sisters, Irma Newman and Ruth Saums; and one brother, Edgar Wheaton Laverty.
Services were July 8 at the Goodwin Funeral Home, Frankfort, with the Rev. Charles Burgen officiating. Interment was in the Greenlawn Memorial Park, Frankfort.
