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Marilyn Monroe-Hart

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Funeral Services:

Marilyn Monroe-Hart, 81, of Charlotte, a woman of keen intellect, creativity and spirit, died unexpectedly at her home on Sunday, January 23, 2022. Marilyn was born June 8, 1940, in Lansing, the daughter of James Henry and Florence Irene (Kirkwood) Mahan. As a young girl in grade school in Olivet, she met her life-long friend, soulmate and future husband, Bruce, on the 4th of July. They remained best friends throughout high school, participating together in many activities. The love story of Marilyn and Bruce would pause for several decades as they took different paths through most of their adult lives.
Marilyn attended the University of Michigan as a dual major in English and Music. She played lead roles in Oklahoma, Carousel, and Fiddler on the Roof. Offstage she enjoyed the music of Bread, The Eagles, and Frank Sinatra. She eventually earned master’s Degrees in both English Literature and Special Education. Marilyn went on to become a very intelligent, highly educated, accomplished teacher in the Chicago area. She taught high school advanced placement English Literature and Drama for over 30 years, coached the speech team, and was on the English faculty of Lake Forest College. Marilyn treasured her years in education, and was known for combining her sense of humor, discipline, and innovative pedagogy to shape the minds of thousands of students. She was a voracious reader and life-long student of literature and writing. She was also a very musically inclined vocalist and played the piano, oboe, and saxophone. Marilyn took voice lessons in Lansing as a child and soloed in countless weddings and special events throughout her life. She lived an extremely organized, well-planned life, and was trusted by many to coordinate details and communicate to perfection. Marilyn was easy to befriend as she openly shared her thoughts, opinions and interests with all who crossed her path, not to mention her striking beauty and meticulous grooming.
Marilyn loved her parents, caring for them throughout their lives. She was proud of her Irish heritage and lived a life of independence and responsibility. Perhaps her darkest hour was enduring the tragic death of her beloved daughter, Michelle. Marilyn would never fully recover from the overwhelming grief. Her Faith in Jesus Christ sustained her and led her to fulfill the rest of her life purpose with vigor and tenacity.
Bruce and Marilyn, despite decades living separate lives, both returned home to Charlotte within a few years of each other. They were married January 1, 2000, and lived a life of love, Christian Faith, and community service. They were members of Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church in Charlotte and volunteered for many local groups and helped countless people in many capacities. In their spare time, Bruce and Marilyn both enjoyed being staunch U of M fans. Marilyn was active as a GFWC-Charlotte member and past president and chair of Libraries 2000, an initiative within GFWC to provide resources and technology to local schools. She held district and state committee membership in GFWC.  She was a coordinator and volunteer for Mobile Meals Inc. of Charlotte, volunteered with the Hayes Green Beach Gift Basket, and achieved many professional and community accolades throughout her life.
Marilyn was predeceased by her husband, Bruce Burleson Hart in 2018; daughter, Michelle Monroe; her parents; brother, Richard Gene in 1942; an infant sister in 1944; and her beloved “Uncle Dale.” She is survived by her brother, Dr. James (Barbara) Mahan of Maple City, MI; her nieces and nephews; several cousins; and many close and loving friends.
Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Marilyn on her tribute page at www.prayfuneral.com. A graveside Memorial Gathering will take place in April. Details to follow. Memorial contributions are suggested to GFWC Chorus, GFWC Helping Hands, and the Charlotte Community Library. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home.

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Eugene H. Fancher

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Funeral Services:

Eugene “Gene” Harley Fancher, 80, of Charlotte, died Sunday, January 30, 2022, in Charlotte. Gene was born August 26, 1941, in Grand Rapids, the son of Aubrey Morries and Marvella Eleanor (Hood) Fancher. He went to work on the line at Oldsmobile in 1969 and retired after 30 years in 1999. Gene served in many capacities at Oldsmobile over the years, including playing Euchre with many of his coworkers. He married Rita Fancher on October 31, 1997, and enjoyed 18 years of marriage. In retirement, Gene worked alongside his daughter, Debbie, at Wendy’s for 9 years while also serving as a crossing guard for Ionia Public Schools. Gene loved motorcycles and new cars, always looking out for his next ride. He was an avid fisherman in his early years, and absolutely loved everything Elvis Presley. Gene made several pilgrimages to Memphis to visit Graceland. In his last years, he listened to old Elvis music and watched his movies on rerun. Above all, Gene loved time spent with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, especially Christmas breakfast.
Gene is survived by his daughters, Marlena (Chris) Arras and Debbie (Eric) Troll; son, Brian (Erica) Fancher; grandchildren, Danielle (Shelby) Smith, Ashtin (Travis) O’Dell, Jared (Kelsey) Arras, Grant (Jill Manning) Arras, Chelsea (Ronnie) Raymond, Baily Fancher, Casey Fancer, and Katelynn Troll; and 5 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Rita Fancher in 2015, and his parents.
Friends and family are encouraged to support Gene’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his tribute page at www.prayfuneral.com. Funeral Services were held on Wednesday, February 2, 2022, at Pray Funeral Home with Pastor Chuck Jenson officiating. Visitation was held just prior to the service. A private interment service will take place at Easton Township Cemetery. 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 Gene’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). Memorial contributions are suggested to Sparrow Hospice. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home.

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Raul B. Luna

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Raul B. Luna was born in Crystal City, Texas, on October 28, 1934. He was the eldest son of Manuel and Julia Barragan Luna. After moving to Michigan, Raul began his working career at the Grand Ledge Clay Factory and then worked at Oldsmobile for 32 years as a paint repairman. He was a proud member of UAW Local 652.
Raul had a great work ethic and taught his family the value of work, even taking them to work in the fields around Charlotte on their summer vacation. He was also a great carpenter who took care of numerous apartments he owned in Charlotte.
Raul was a winter Texan, spending the winter in San Benito and his summers at his Chippewa Lake home in Michigan. While at his home in Chippewa Lake, he loved fishing on his pontoon. He was born with a guitar in his hands and especially loved playing Mexican music. He played statewide in bands with friends and family over the years and at his church, where he was a deacon, and also enjoyed playing on weekends with his cousins and friends. He enjoyed playing baseball and hunting in his younger years and was an avid Detroit Tigers fan. And enjoyed his cowboy movies. His grandchildren cherished every moment they got to spend with grandpa, or “great papa.” He will forever be remembered as a man with a great sense of humor and he will always be loved and missed by his family and friends.
Raul went to be with the Lord at the age of 87. Raul, of San Benito, Texas, passed away at his home on January 26, 2022. He is survived by his wife, Mercedes Cruz Luna; his five children and their spouses, Virginia (Randy) Day, Arthur (Lou Anne) Luna, Linda (Dean) Bongiovanni, Julia (Paul) Tucker, Teresa Luna, and son-in-law, Don Andrews; grandchildren, Donald Lee Andrews, Jeremy Andrews, Jennie Reichert, Arthur Luna Jr., Michael Luna, Christina Koetsier, Eric Luna, Elijah Luna, Aundrea Bongiovanni, Joshua Lambka, and Chantel Jones; 24 great-grandchildren; and nine great-great-grandchildren; brother Manuel (Benigna) Luna, Mario (Irma) Luna; and sisters, Maria Rice, Yolanda Zavala, and Modesta (Wes) Whitworth. Raul was predeceased by his parents; daughter, Natalia Andrews; great-grandson Austin Reichert; brothers, Refugio and Roberto Luna; sister Dolores Zagun; and second wife Estela.
Funeral services are Friday, February 4, 2022 at noon at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Pastor Charles Jenson officiating. Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 3, 2022 from 4-7:00 PM and Friday, February 4, 2022 from 11:00 AM – noon. 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 Raul’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). Family and friends are encouraged to share remembrances and condolences online in Raul’s Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte, MI.

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Bryan A. Zanola

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Bryan Anthony Zanola, age 31 from Olivet passed away on January 26, 2022. Bryan was a line worker with General Motors. Arrangements are being handled by Pray Funeral Home.

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Marie E. Gee

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Marie Ellen Gee, age 96, from Charlotte, passed away on January 29, 2022. She worked as a Claims processor Auto Owners Insurance. Service date: to be announced and service location: Deepdale Memorial Park. Arrangements being handled by Pray Funeral Home.

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Wesley J. Colling

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Wesley Jay Colling, age 64 from Charlotte formerly of Bay City passed away on January 31, 2022. Wesley worked in Automotive Body Repair at General Motors. Arrangements are being handled by Pray Funeral Home.

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James M. Horn, Sr.

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Funeral Services:

James M. Horn Sr., age 69, of Charlotte, passed away Thursday, January 26, 2022, at Sparrow Eaton Hospital. He was born April 18, 1952, in Warfield, Kentucky, the son of Milton and Myrtle (Maynard) Horn. Jim loved his entire family but was especially fond of his grandchildren. He was a jack of all trades and could do almost anything he set his mind to. He enjoyed working in his garden and spending time fishing on the many lakes and waterways of Michigan. Jim also had an affinity for Harley Davidson motorcycles and worked as a mechanic fixing them up.
Jim is survived by his children: Samantha (Jason) Croy of Charlotte, James Jr. (Amy) Horn of Western, Nebraska, Bettie (Donald) Szybicki of Beatrice, Nebraska; grandchildren: Brenden, Kaleb, Nicole, Elizabeth, Caiman, Jakob, Naomi, Tylar; and sister, Debi Gaudreau.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Kathy; and sisters, Bonnie and Peggy.
In keeping with Jim’s wishes, cremation has taken place and no services will be held.
Those desiring, may make contributions in Jim’s memory to the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org
To view Jim’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com
The family is being served by the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home.

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Carole Boulton

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In Loving Memory of Beloved Wife, Sister, Mother and Grandmother
Carole was born December 13, 1943, in Detroit Michigan to Arthur W and Ethel Carstens. On January 27, 2022 Carole passed away peacefully at Age 78 years, 1 month, 14 days after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s.
Carole was predeceased by her Father and Mother Arthur and Ethel Carstens and Granddaughter Kate Elizabeth Boulton.
Carole is survived by Husband John B Boulton, Sister Kay Janet Carstens, Children son Matthew (Tammy), daughter Elizabeth (Jamie Peters), son Michael (Laura), daughter Sarah-Sally, daughter Lisa, son Jonathan (India), son Christopher, daughter Hannah, son Rane, daughter Maggie, son Joshua and Grandchildren Madison, Drew, Emma, Jane, Jack, Sarah, Thomas, Austin, Aiden, Henry and Chase
As children Carole and her older sister Kay Janet Carstens excelled in school at Flint and Eaton Rapids Michigan and both attended Michigan State University. Carole participated in 4H with her Brown Swiss Cow named Brownie whom she adored and won Grand Champion Ribbons with at the Eaton Rapids County 4H Fair. Carole expressed many times to family and friends her pride for having won awards but sadly and quite amusingly it is only after her death we have learned from her best childhood friend Jane Sprague she could not share keepsakes from this memory because her cow had eaten the ribbons.
While attending Michigan State University Carole met and married husband John Berry Boulton at St. Dunstan’s Chapel in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. After the ceremony, the newlyweds moved to Lawrence, Kansas in 1964 where her husband John became a Music Professor at The University of Kansas. Over the next 20 years Carole and John’s non-traditional family grew through domestic and international adoptions with a total of 11 children.
Carole was admired for her ability to raise, nurture and instill good character and values in her children. Carole cherished classical music and was a music student and teacher for most of her life. At the age of 50, after years of playing flute she took on the challenge of learning cello which she mastered and enjoyed playing in various chamber ensembles and in the Topeka Symphony. She was an avid supporter of many arts programs locally and throughout the State of Kansas.
Carole loved nature and enjoyed gardening and proudly displayed flower arrangements and prepared meals from her own gardens. She also enjoyed outdoor activities such as hiking, canoeing, kayaking, skiing, camping and included the whole family in her outdoor adventures. Carole filled her home with books and music and her children’s closets with secondhand clothes from Animal Crackers her new and used clothing store in Lawrence for 20+ years.
Carole and her husband John have been long-time members of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Lawrence. UUCL Congregation members have shared stories of Carole’s compassionate, nurturing and generous ways with our family, and we appreciate their sentiments. She was gracious and her receptions after UUCL Sunday concerts were often the highlight as she was a wonderful cook and baker. Carole was also an active participant with Master Food Volunteers of Lawrence for years.
Alzheimer’s disease stole memories and abilities and we have been saying goodbye to our wife, mother, and grandmother we loved slowly for years, and with her passing we can now say our final farewell. Carole had limitless energy and limitless love for her family, friends and pets, and we will cherish the memories that she has given us all. She will be forever missed.
A memorial bench and tree will be dedicated in memory of Carole Diana Boulton at a Celebration of Life ceremony at the Lawrence, Kansas Rotary Arboretum at 3:00 p.m. Sunday April 24, 2022.

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Thelma J. Newsome

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Funeral Services:

Thelma Jean (Bryant) Newsome of Springport formerly of Eaton Rapids, passed away January 31, 2022, at the age of 82. Thelma was born in Martin, KY, June 11, 1939, one of 13 children, born to Benjamin Harrison “Chick” and Betty (Little) Bryant. In her younger years, she cleaned houses and babysat for her brother’s children. She later went on to work for Houston Farms and Heifetz Pickle Factory. She married the love of her life, Estill, who was also the most handsome man in Floyd Co., KY. She enjoyed her flowers, reading the newspaper, going out to eat, researching genealogy, visiting relatives back home in KY, shopping and “cemetery hopping.”
Thelma is survived by her children, Linda (Dean) Mikkelson, Cindy Hansen, Darrell (Catherine) Newsome, Gloria Newsome, Crystal (Corey) Church; grandchildren, Reatha (Matthew) Gates, Derek (Terina) Rockafellow, Tabitha (Ryan Clark) Rockafellow, Traci (Justice Boire) Newsome, Jeffrey (Beth) Newsome, Jared (Stephanie) Hansen, Hadley (Derrick) Weller; great grandchildren, Tesla, Allison, Mattison, Reanna, and Justin Gates, Aisha Furgala, Lorelie Newsome, Zayden Lindahl; numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Estill Newsome; daughters, Debbie Coffelt and Barbara Newsome; 12 brothers and sisters.
Funeral services will be 11 am Saturday February 5, 2022, at the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids with visitation taking place on Friday from 6-8 pm and Saturday one hour prior to the service. Interment will take place in Munger Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the donor’s choice of charity. To leave online condolences for the family, please visit our website, www.millsfuneral.com.

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Angela Michelle Pickett

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Angela Michelle Pickett, of Charlotte, known to all as Angie, slipped from earth to her heavenly home on January 23, 2022, at the age of 44. Angie was the much-loved daughter of Penny (Van Skike) Pickett and Garth David (deceased) and Mike Pickett.
Born October 30, 1977, Angie lived a full life: Special Olympics (ten different sports), work (21 years at Subway) and adventure (bus tours and vacations). She graduated from Charlotte High School in 1997, and from The Learning Center in 2003. Angie also participated in the Adult Handicap Program for 28 years.
Angie loved her family, the color purple, her teammates, her cats, and her American Girl dolls. She traveled to Chicago, New York, Minnesota, and on the internet to purchase 29 dolls which she lovingly cared for—they were her “girls.” Angie never met a stranger. She had a beautiful smile that she shared freely, leaving handprints on the hearts of friends of all ages. To know Angie was to love Angie.
Angie is survived by her mother, Penny; close aunt and uncle, Brynda Filkins of Charlotte and Nathan Van Skike of Vermontville; many other special aunts, uncles and cousins; honorary brother, Martin Fabrik; her father, Mike Pickett and his daughter, Chelsea; grandmother, Patricia Van Skike. She was predeceased by Garth David, aunt, Gretchen Van Skike-Campbell, boyfriend, Mike Malerba, and grandfather, Bryan Van Skike.
Visitation with the family will be held at Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home, 206 W. Lawrence Avenue, Charlotte, on Thursday, February 3, 2022, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. A memorial service for Angie will be held at the First Baptist Church, 1110 S. Cochran Avenue, Charlotte, on Friday, February 4, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. A luncheon will follow at the church. Memorial gifts, if desired, may be made to the Charlotte Community Library in Angie’s name. Angie was a beautiful soul, given by God, who made the world brighter just by being here.

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