16 Thursday, September 12, 2024 BATTLE CREEK SHOPPER NEWS http://www.thebattlecreekshopper.com
Do you have
your
in a row?
Wills • Trusts • Probate • Powers of Attorney
Housley Peters Law Office
(269) 248-6500 - Marshall, MIJane W.
Church, 76,
died Sept.
1, 2024, in
Reflections
Memory
Care in Battle
Creek.
Jane was
born March
13, 1948,
in Battle Creek, the daughter of
Nathaniel Watkin, Jr. and C. Jean
Watkin (Straub). She graduated
from Lakeview High School in 1966
and Michigan State University in
1971 with a degree in elementary
education. She taught for five years
in the Battle Creek Public Schools.
Her real passion in education
came many years later when she
began teaching adult education in
the Lakeview Public Schools. After
completing her master’s at Michigan
State, she became the program
director, which was very fulfilling for
her.
She married David F. Church in
Battle Creek in 1972. He survives.Jane was a very active golfer
and card player at the Battle Creek
Country Club, where she once
served as president of the Ladies’
Organization. She was also a mem-
ber of the Battle Creek Women’s
Social Club and a former member
of the board of the Junior League of
Battle Creek.
She is survived by a daughter,
Emily (Christopher) Figenshau of
Jackson Hole, Wyo.; a son, John, of
Littleton, Colo.; two grandchildren,
Jimi and Winnie; a sister, Maggie
Campbell of Battle Creek; and a
brother, Nathaniel Watkin III of Boca
Raton, Fla.
Cremation has taken place,
and a private burial will occur.
A casual reception at the Battle
Creek Country Club was held on
Wednesday, Sept. 11, to celebrate
her life.
Arrangements are by Farley Estes
Dowdle Funeral Cremation Preneed
Care, Battle Creek. Personal mes-
sages for the family and favorite
memories of Jane may be placed at
http://www.farleyestesdowdle.com.Michael
Richard
Conley
passed away
peacefully
on Aug. 30,
2024, sur-
rounded by his
loving family.
He was born
Nov. 9, 1946,
in Marshall, Mich., to Robert and
Lorna Conley. Although legally born
on Nov. 9, 1946, his mother always
remembered his arrival as Nov. 12,
1946, a testament to the cherished
memories she held.
Michael’s spirited nature was evi-
dent from a young age, as he often
gave the nuns at St. Mary’s Catholic
School a run for their money. He
attended Marshall High School
class of 1964, though his academic
journey was briefly interrupted when
he joined the Navy prior to gradua-
tion. His service to his country was
a source of great pride and a foun-
dation for the rest of his life.
After leaving the Navy, Michael
married Christine Lutzke. Together,
they welcomed a daughter, Stacy
Marie Conley (Rick Sardella). His
family grew when Michael met
and married Beth Margaret Vore,
with whom he had four beautiful
daughters of which he raised on
his own and lovingly addressed as
“You People!”: Jennifer Elizabeth
Conley (David Kellogg), Michelle
Renee Kinne (Matthew), Kathleen
Margaret O’Dell, and Abigail Lucille
Judy (Scott, the 2x State Champion
Wrestler from Homer).
Michael was preceded in death
by his parents, Robert and Lorna
Conley; his siblings Shawn Conley
and Dennis Conley; and his best
friend and cousin, our Uncle Cousin
Larry Bishop.
He is survived by his siblings
Sandy (Allan DeCastaker), Pat
Conley, Jim Conley (Chris Conley),
Kevin Conley, Carole Huggett (Rick
Huggett), Angie Weatherly (John
Sullivan), and Duncan Conley (Lisa
Conley). He also leaves behind
many beloved grandchildren (12),
Devn, Damyn, Lorna, Chelsea,
Cary, Chloe, Jake, Noah, Hudson,
Nora, Bennett and Jack, great-
grandchildren (13); nieces and
nephews and honorary children, all
of whom held a special place in his
heart.
Michael’s legacy lives on through
his beloved children and their fami-
lies, who remember him as a devot-
ed father and a loving grandfather.
His vibrant personality, unyielding
spirit and dedication to his family
left an indelible mark on all who
knew him.
Michael’s life was one of service,
love and resilience. He will be deep-
ly missed by his family and friends,
and his memory will continue to
inspire those who knew him.
Memorial services took place
Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at 1 p.m.
at Kempf Family Funeral and
Cremation Services, 723 US Hwy.
27 N., Marshall, MI.
For memorial donations, please
consider helping with funeral
expenses. Checks can be made
out to Kempf Family Funeral and
Cremation Services.Lynn G.
“Duke”
Dingman,
85, of Battle
Creek, Mich.,
passed away
Monday, Aug.
26, 2024, at
Brookdale of
Battle Creek.
He was born
Aug. 25, 1939, the son of Earl L.
and Letha R. (Johnson) Dingman.
Lynn graduated with the Class of
1957 from Marshall High School.
Following high school, he joined
the United States Navy in 1958 and
served a four-year term. He further
pursued his education at Western
Michigan University, completing his
bachelor’s degree, and then Wayne
State University for his master’s.
Lynn met Ellen True while study-
ing at Western and the two married
and spent the remaining 54 years
together until her passing in 2019.
During their marriage, Lynn and
Ellen had one son together, Ronald
L. Dingman, who preceded them in
death in 2015.
Lynn worked for the United StatesArmy as a Logistics Management
Specialist for 30-plus years until his
retirement.
Lynn loved to read, enjoyed giving
to and visiting the library, gardening,
photography, listening to country
music, attending family reunions,
was an avid animal lover and joke-
teller.
Lynn is survived by his sister
Sue (John) Dadow; sister Becky
Dingman; brother Dennis (Susan)
Dingman; brother-in-law Rick Judd;
daughter-in-law Tracie Hawke-
Dingman; grandson Jaris Dingman;
step-grandsons Justin Hawke,
Joshua Hawke; and great-grand-
daughter Ava Dingman.
He was preceded in death by his
parents; wife; son; sister Connie
Judd; and brother-in-law Ron
Carlson.
To honor Lynn’s request, crema-
tion has taken place and no servic-
es will be held. Interment will take
place at Union Cemetery in Berrien
Center, Mich.
Arrangements by Baxter Funeral &
Cremation Service; 269-788-9800/
http://www.baxterfuneral.com.