http://www.thebattlecreekshopper.com BATTLE CREEK SHOPPER NEWS Wednesday, June 6, 2024 15
Don Hayes,
beloved hus-
band, father,
granddad,
brother and
coach, passed
away on January
28, 2024,
in Richland,
Michigan. He
was born on
July 15, 1947,
in Morganville,
Georgia, to
Charlie and Mary Hayes.
Don dedicated 30 years of his life to
working at the Kellogg Company in their
warehouse division. He was known for his
exceptional work ethic and commitment to
his job. Don also served as Grain Millers
Local #3 Union representative and steward in
the warehouse for many years.
Prior to his career at Kellogg, Don served
in the United States Air Force, alongside his
twin brother, Jon. They enlisted together in
1965 rather than be drafted. Throughout their
military service, they were stationed side by
side. During the Vietnam War, Don volun-
teered to go to Vietnam so that Jon would
not have to face the danger alone. Both
brothers fought bravely at Bien Hoa Air Force
Base during the TET Offensive in 1968.
Don’s dedication to his country earned him
the National Defense Service Medal and the
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. Don
served his fellow veterans by volunteering on
the Thursday Honor Guard Squad at Fort
Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, MI.
Outside of work and his military ser-
vice, Don had a passion for coaching
various sports and playing tennis and golf.
He coached floor hockey, soccer, tennis,
pickleball,and numerous men’s softball teams
while his children were growing up. In fact,
one of his proudest accomplishments came
in 1985 when his team, “Besco,” won both
the Men’s Class C State Championship in
Monroe, MI, and the 5 State Regional Men’s
Class C Division Softball Championship.
Don was a huge University of Michigan
Wolverines fan his entire life. He was
so excited to be able to see his belovedWolverines win the National Championship
this past season.
Later in life, Don discovered a new love
for pickleball. He played men’s doubles and
mixed doubles competitions for many years
and even participated in the National Senior
Pickleball games held in Birmingham, AL in
2 0 1 7.
Don was also an avid walker who took
daily walks exceeding 5 miles. He used his
Fitbit or Apple watch to keep track of his
steps, often reaching 10,000 or more each
day. Even while battling cancer, Don’s deter-
mination and love for walking never wavered.
Don leaves behind a loving family and
cherished friends. He is survived by his wife,
Lynn; his daughter, Kristi (Kim) Bailey of
Grand Rapids; his son Josh (Patti) Hayes
of Orlando, Florida; his grandchildren, Alex
Pitt and Rian Hayes; his twin brother, Jon
(Sandy) Hayes; his brothers JT (Diana)
Hayes and Jerry Hayes; his stepchildren,
Tammy (Joe) Maletta, Donna Yezic, Karen
Ford, Albert (Keisha) Vickery Jr.; as well as
numerous nieces and nephews, step-grand-
children and great-grandchildren; former
wives Nancy Hayes of Grand Rapids and
DoNita Hayes of Kalamazoo.
Don was preceded in death by his parents,
his son Matthew; brothers Charles (Sonny),
Carl, Tom, Eddy; sisters Frances, Mary Ruth,
JoAnn, Willie Sue, Faye, Sheila and Dorothy.
Don Hayes will be deeply missed by all
who knew him. His dedication to his work,
love for coaching, and unwavering resilience
serve as a testament to the kind-hearted
person he was.
A graveside service will be held on June
13, 2024, at 3 p.m. at Fort Custer National
Cemetery in Agusta, Michigan, to honor his
memory. Immediately following the service,
a luncheon will be held at VFW Post 5976 in
Agusta Michigan. Please dress casually and
wear your University of Michigan gear.
Donations may be made to Vietnam
Veterans, Fort Custer National Honor Guard
or Bronson Battle Creek Cancer care.
http://www.henryfuneralhome.orgCharlotte Anne
Flickema, 89,
passed away
September 16,
2023, in Deland,
Florida, after moving
there from being a
long-term resident
of Battle Creek,
Michigan in 2018
to be to closer her
children and grand-
children.
Charlotte was
born June 5, 1934,
in Muskegon, Michigan, to Cornelius and Florence
Madendorp. She was raised by her grandparents
Ferdinand, and Mollie Dobberstein after her par-
ents died when she was 5 years old.
After graduating from Muskegon High School
in 1952, she married Wayne Flickema, from
Muskegon on October 24, 1952. They moved to
work in Washington, D.C., both to work with the
newly formed National Security Agency. This was
Charlotte’s favorite job. She learned Russian and
was trained as a cryptanalyst, encrypting mes-
sages that could be fatal for the United States.
She was always ready to share stories about her
time working with the NSA.
Charlotte and Wayne moved back to Michigan
in the early 1960s and began raising a family. In
mid-1970, Charlotte earned an accounting and
business degree from Kellogg Community College.
She then worked with the Air Force at the Federal
Center in Battle Creek, cataloging military parts
and equipment, until she retired in 1989.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her
sister, Joan Madendorp; her grandparents; and
granddaughter Abigail Hoard.
Charlotte is survived by her daughter, Laura
(Kalon) Hoard of Deland, Florida; son, Drew
(Kathy) Flickema of Daytona Beach, Florida; grand-
children Aaron, Maura in Jacksonville, Florida, and
Ember in Noah, Oregon.
Charlotte enjoyed singing in her church choir,
playing (winning) games with her friends and fam-
ily, and going out for dinner at the Chinese Buffet.
Charlotte liked getting and collecting her fortunes
from their cookies. She and Wayne were fortunate
to be able to travel to many places and experi-
ence different opportunities, such as cruising on
the Queen Elizabeth II and flying on the Concord.
Charlotte is best known for her love of NASCAR.
She would never miss a televised race with a
refreshing Coke. Charlotte loved Michigan, and
always said that there was no better state.
A memorial service will be held Friday, June
14, at 11 a.m. at Westlake Presbyterian Church
in Battle Creek, which she was a member of for
almost 60 years. Her ashes will then be buried
with Wayne’s remains at Fort Custer National
Cemetery that afternoon at 3 p.m.Maxine F. Brust,
67, of Climax
passed away
peacefully at
her home, with
her family at her
side, on Thursday
morning, May
30, 2024. She
was born in
Battle Creek on
August 2, 1956,
the daughter of
John and Neoma
(Malone) Rudd.
Maxine loved her dogs, cookouts and
spending time with her family.
Maxine married Jon Charles Brust in Battle
Creek on July 13, 2001; he sadly preceded
her in death on November 21, 2011. She
was also preceded in death by her parents;
and siblings Linda, Teon, Bernard, Kevin and
Clayton.
Maxine is survived by her children, Brandie
Watson, Jolene Watson, Donald (Becky)
Watson II and L.J. (Tina) Brust; 14 grand-
children; 30 great-grandchildren; her siblings
William Malone, Russell Abbott, Carlene
Potter and Willa Wilkey; and her best friend,
Teresa Summer.
Funeral services were held Wednesday,
June 5, 2024, at Farley Estes Dowdle
Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Battle
Creek. The services was recorded and
may be viewed at https://vimeo.com/
event/4345332. Interment followed at Fort
Custer National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be direct-
ed to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Personal messages for the family and
favorite memories of Maxine may be placed
at http://www.farleyestesdowdle.com.BATTLE
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