http://www.thebattlecreekshopper.com BATTLE CREEK SHOPPER NEWS Thursday, June 27, 2024 15
John Robert
Conkell, a highly
respected master
electrician and
outdoors enthusiast
with a remarkable
career spanning
50 years, passed
away peacefully in
Marshall, Michigan,
on May 31, 2024,
after a brief but
courageous fight
with cancer, at the
age of 71. He was born in 1953.
Born with an innate talent for electrical work,
John dedicated his life to his craft. His exper-
tise and commitment to excellence earned him
a sterling reputation in the community and
IBEW Local 445, where he became the go-to
professional for countless households and
businesses. John’s skill and dedication not only
illuminated homes, offices, hospitals, factories
and schools throughout Southwest Michigan,
but also brightened the lives of those who had
the privilege of working with him.
In 2022, John found companionship and was
married to his wife, Deborah Poe.
John is survived by his siblings, Tom Conkell
and Mary Anne (Conkell) Valenti; his two chil-
dren, James Conkell and Deni (Conkell) Mazzei;and his grandson, Axel. John is additionally
survived by stepchildren, Brandon Williams,
Austin Poe and Hope Young; as well as four
step-grandchildren, Brayden and Aubery
Williams, Zy’Ariahna, and Michael DJ Young.
John will be remembered not only for his
professional achievements but for his unwaver-
ing kindness and generosity. His love for the
outdoors, hunting, fishing, and conservation
was unparalleled and was reflected by his
dedication to organizations such as Ducks
Unlimited, National Wild Turkey Federation,
Whitetails Unlimited, Rocky Mountain Elk
Foundation, and Pheasants Forever.
A memorial service will be held in the coming
months, with more details to be shared as they
become available. Instead of flowers, the fam-
ily requests that donations be made in John’s
name to Ducks Unlimited.
May he rest in peace, forever remembered
and deeply missed.
The family has been served by Kempf Family
Funeral and Cremation Services of Marshall.
To view the obituary and sign the online guest-
book, or leave the
family condolences
please visit: https://
http://www.kempffuneral-
home.com.BATTLE
Obituaries CREEK
Matis D.
Armstrong, 47,
formerly of Battle
Creek, Michigan,
passed away
unexpectedly on
May 1, 2024.
He gradu-
ated from Battle
Creek Central
High School in
1994, Wright
Beauty Academy
before moving
to Decatur in 2007, and Le Cordon Bleu
Culinary of Culinary Arts in Atlanta in
2016.
Matis was born May 5, 1976, in
Battle Creek, MI, to Darrow and Mona
Armstrong. He was surrounded by a lov-
ing family, including his father, Darrow
Armstrong of Grand Rapids, brother
Tramaine (Kristen) Armstrong of Battle
Creek, and a host of nieces, nephews,
aunts, uncles, cousins, and dear friend
Kennedy Campbell, who provided him with
unwavering support throughout his life.
He was preceded in death by his moth-
er, Mona Kendrick Armstrong.
Professionally, Matis was a customer-
centric, team-oriented professional with
a solid history in full-service restaurant
operations in fast-paced environments. He
was trained in food and adult beverage
services and had a strong background in
high-volume dining, inventory, and cash
handling. He was dedicated to provid-
ing a pleasurable dining experience and
addressed customer concerns to ensure
100 percent satisfaction. He had an entre-
preneurial mind and desired to be a res-
taurant manager.
Matis found great joy in his hobbies,
which included playing golf and pool,
baking, crocheting, fishing, and being a
part of the Barbershop Quartet. These
activities were not just pastimes for him
but a reflection of his vibrant and zestful
approach to life.
The Memorial Service will be held on
June 29, 2024, from 2-6 p.m. in the pavil-
ion across from the river at Bailey Park.Lauri
Carpenter
Huber, 46, of
Sneads Ferry,
North Carolina,
passed away
peacefully in her
sleep on Tuesday
April 9, 2024,
after a yearlong
illness.
Lauri was born
on March 15,
1978, to Richard
and Patricia Carpenter in Battle Creek,
Mich. After Lauri graduated from Pennfield
High School in 1996 she went on to study
psychology at West Virginia University
on a volleyball scholarship. In later years,
Lauri also went on to achieve an associate
and bachelor’s degree in nursing.
Lauri was full of fire, energy, and deter-
mination. She put her whole self into
everything that she did, including sports,
work, and family. Lauri had her first child
in 2001. She married John Huber in 2005.
They had two children together. After their
separation, Lauri made it her mission to
get back to pursuing her dream of work-
ing as a nurse. For the last two years she
worked as a pediatric in-home nurse for
families in the Jacksonville, N.C., area.
Lauri was passionate about her work andloved the families and children she worked
with as if they were her own.
Lauri is survived by her parents, Richard
and Pat Carpenter of Battle Creek, Mich.;
her sister, Katie Carpenter of Marshall
Michigan; her three children, Carrie
Dean, of Morgantown, WV, Jonathan and
Emma Huber, of Snead’s Ferry, NC; aunt
and uncle Thomas and Jill Carpenter
of Marshall, MI; aunt Susan Purchase,
of Battle Creek, MI; ex-husband, John
Huber, of Snead’s Ferry, NC; special
friend Eric Christian of Jacksonville, NC;
cousins, Brian Lindauer, Beth Hilliard,
Stacey Jones, Brett Richardson, Nathan
Carpenter, Matthew Carpenter; and so
many friends.
Lauri was preceded in death by her
grandparents, Coy and Rosalie Trisket,
Howard and LaVerne Carpenter; aunt and
uncle Sherry and Bernard Richardson;
and special friend Ryan Case.
Friends will be received 11 a.m. to
noon on Saturday, July 6, 2024, at North
Avenue Church of God, where a memorial
service will be held at noon Saturday, July
6, 2024.
Memorial contributions may be made to
Starr Commonwealth or The Bottomless
Toy Chest.
Personal messages for the family may
be placed at http://www.farleyestesdowdle.com.Loren
Frederick
Clemence, 78,
of Battle Creek,
Mich., passed
away Wednesday,
June 12, 2024,
at Bronson Battle
Creek Hospital.
He was born
July 18, 1945,
in Kalamazoo,
Mich., the son of
Victor Frederick
and Mildred Evelyn (Beers) Clemence.
Loren graduated from Climax-Scotts
High School, class of 1963. He received
his bachelor’s degree from Michigan State
University in 1967. He married Elaine
Burtnett on December 9, 1967, in Battle
Creek, Mich. Loren served in the U.S.
Army during the Vietnam Conflict and was
honorably discharged in 1971.
Loren was a member of 20th Street
Church of Christ. He worked for Clark
Equipment until their closing, Post Cereal,
and several area dairy farms. He loved
his grandchildren and spending time with
his family. Farming was his passion and
he farmed full time from 1984-1992. Loren
will truly be missed by all who knew and
loved him.
He is survived by his wife, Elaine
Clemence; son, Todd (Karina) Clemence;
daughter, Heather (John) Dover; grand-
children, Kile and Kamila; brother,
Larry (Cheryl) Clemence; sister, Evelyn
Bradfield; and nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his par-
ents, Victor and Mildred Clemence.
A memorial visitation will be held
Saturday, June 29, 2024, from 10-11 a.m.
at 20th Street Church of Christ, with a
memorial service to immediately follow at
11 a.m. Burial will be held Friday, July 12,
2024, at 10 a.m. at Fort Custer National
Cemetery in Augusta, Mich.
Memorial tributes may be made to 20th
Street Church of Christ.
Arrangements by Bachman Hebble
Funeral Service. (269) 965-5145/www.
bachmanhebble.comBose C. Dorsey, 83, of Rogersville, AL,
passed away Saturday, June 15, 2024,
surrounded by his children.
A funeral service will be held at 10:
a.m. Monday, July 1, at Fort Custer
National Cemetery in Augusta, Mich. Floyd
Carmichael will be delivering the eulogy.
Bose was born in Tennessee to Bertha
E. Dorsey and Bose Clark Dorsey. He will
be remembered as a father, grandfather
and great-grandfather.
Bose was preceded in death by his wife,
Reva D. Dorsey.
He is survived by his brother, Jacob
Dorsey; daughters, Teresa Clawson and
Patricia Greene; grandchildren, Samantha
Clawson, Justin Caudill and Aaron Caudill;
and four great-grandchildren.