18 Thursday, October 31, 2024 BATTLE CREEK SHOPPER NEWS http://www.thebattlecreekshopper.com
Mary C.
Lewis, 82, of
Portage, former-
ly of Augusta,
passed away
Wednesday
afternoon,
October 23,
- Mary
was born in
Battle Creek on
October 1, 1942, the daughter of Helen
Ardell (Reames) Godde.
On June 6, 1964, she married Robert
Edward Lewis, who survives her. Bob
and Mary were active campers and were
members of the Flakey Flyers camping
group. They especially enjoyed going to
Ponchos Pond in Ludington. Their last
big trip was to Nova Scotia in 2018. The
family has many memories of camping
together. Mary was an avid reader and
puzzler, and she enjoyed baking. She
was also a gardener. She was an active
member of Augusta Fellowship, where
she sang in the choir, participated in
Bible studies, and led many children’s
activities, like AWANA and vacation Bible
school. Mary loved children. She was a
role model to many but none so much
as to her own children, grandchildren
and great-grandchildren.
Besides her husband of 60 years,
Mary is survived by her children,
Karen (Timothy) Bowers, Mark (Vicki)
Lewis, Mayra (Sam Matties) Schmidt;
grandchildren, Amanda (Cole) Nuyen,
Heather (Ryan) Burlingham, Nina Lewis,
Paul (Nicole) Lewis, Alexis (Jason)
Smith, Madison (Bryan) Beard; great-
grandchildren, Eli, Payton, Felicity, Zoe,
McKinley, Steely, Landon and Avery,
with great-grandbaby Smith expected
soon; brother, Thomas (Janet) Godde;
sister, Jean (Steven) Ough; nieces and
nephews; and many friends.
Mary was preceded in death by her
mother; and infant son, Timothy; her
mother- and father-in-law, Mabel and
Harold Lewis; a brother- and sister-in-
law, Harold and Nancy Lewis Jr.
A Celebration of Life will be held
Saturday, November 9, 2024, at 11 a.m.
at Augusta Fellowship, 103 Webster,
Augusta. Mary will be laid to rest at Ft.
Custer National Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be given
to Augusta Fellowship Church, in c/o the
funeral home, Joldersma and Klein, 917
S. Burdick St., Kalamazoo, MI 49001;
269-343-2628.
Carolyn Jean
(Reese) Oliver
of Battle Creek,
Mich., passed
away peace-
fully on Friday,
September
27, 2024, at
the Laurels
of Galesburg.
She was born
October 6, 1949, in Battle Creek, Mich.,
the beloved daughter of Fred and
Willester Reese.
Carolyn graduated from Battle Creek
Central High School in 1968, and
pursued her passion for nursing by
enrolling in Kellogg Community College,
where she earned her LPN degree and
certification in medication administra-
tion.
She dedicated over 30 years of ser-
vice to the Veterans Administration
Hospital and supplemented her career
with part-time nursing through various
agencies. In addition to her work at
the VA, Carolyn also served part-time
at Bronson Hospital and worked in the
YMCA’s women’s fitness center. Carolyn
united with First Salem Missionary
Baptist Church at an early age and later
served as the church’s secretary for
many years, demonstrating her commit-
ment to her faith and her church com-
munity. She took great pride in her role
and deeply enjoyed her service there.
Carolyn had a generous and caring
spirit, always eager to lend a helping
hand. She worked as the secretary and
bookkeeper alongside her mother at
Fred’s Auto Trim Shop, a family busi-
ness. She had a special bond with her
sister, Peggy, and the two were insepa-
rable, sharing countless shopping trips
and treasured memories together.
Carolyn is survived by her son,
Vincent Reese Fields, whom she adored
and cherished above all else.
She was preceded in death by her
parents, Fred and Willester Reese, and
brothers Hertis Williams and Robert
Williams.
She is survived by her sister, Peggy
(Rev. Wilbur) Mosley, and her brother,
Tim (Victoria) Reese, both of Battle
Creek Mich.; her sister-in-law Betty
Williams of Battle Creek, Mich.; and
her devoted niece, Shereese (Duane)
Carlisle of Mountain View, Calif., who
was always there for Aunt Carolyn and
Vincent, along with Carolyn’s nephew
Damon Evans. Carolyn also leaves
behind many loving aunts, uncles,
cousins, nieces, nephews and friends,
including her special Aunt Verba
McNichols and her cousins the “Hayes
sisters,” who were like sisters to her.
Perhaps you sent a lovely card, or sat
quietly in a chair.
Perhaps you sent a flower piece. If so,
we saw it there.
Perhaps you said the kindest words
that any friend could say.
Perhaps you were not there at all, just
thought of us that day.
Whatever you did to console our
hearts,
We thank you so much, whatever the
part.
-- The Family of Carolyn J. Oliver
Shirley A.
Prough, 83, of
Battle Creek,
passed away
Friday, Oct.
18, 2024, at
Bronson Battle
Creek.
A graveside
service took
place Thursday,
Oct. 24, 2024, at Burr Oak Cemetery
in Athens. The family is being served
by Lighthouse Funeral & Cremation in
Union City.
Shirley was born Sept. 23, 1941,
to James and Winifred (Hamacher)
Collins in Battle Creek, Mich. She mar-
ried Norman C. Baker in 1957, but the
marriage ended in divorce. Shirley later
married Leonard V. Prough in 1967. He
preceded her in death on Feb. 19, 1999.
She worked for many years at
Marshall Brass then Keyes-Davis in
Battle Creek, where she was currently
working. Shirley enjoyed shopping,
puzzles, collecting cow figurines, bingo,
and arts and crafts.
Surviving are her children,
Norman Baker (Kris Poole) of
Springfield, Tammy (Dean) Holzhausen
of Middleville, Brian Baker of Saginaw,
Leonard L. Prough of Battle Creek,
Susie (Dan) Linnan of Mendon; her
siblings Thomas Collins of Marshall
and Sandra Wilson of Ocala, Fla.; many
grandchildren and great-grandchildren;
and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband, she was
preceded in death by her parents; sis-
ters Wilma “Billie” Berkimer, Murriel
“Skeet” Delaney; and her great-grand-
daughter Chyanne Lind.
Memorial contributions may be made
to the American Diabetes Association,
P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116-
7023.
Douglas
“Doug” Rogers,
74, of Battle
Creek, Mich.,
passed away
Thursday, Oct.
24, 2024.
Doug was pre-
ceded in death
by his parents,
Glen and Eleanor
Rogers (Hull); brothers Robert, Thomas
and Jack; sisters Donna and Marjorie;
and granddaughter Ashlee.
He is survived by his loving wife,
Denise; son Rick (Tim) Rogers; daugh-
ter Cheri Williams; grandchildren Ryan
and Elena Williams; sisters Janet and
Beth Ann; brothers Chuck and Craig;
and multiple nieces and nephews.
Doug worked in industrial machine
repair and tool and die at several
machine shops in the Jackson and
Battle Creek areas. He was proud to
serve his country in the U.S. Navy. He
was an accomplished woodworker and
home improvement specialist, flipping
several houses. Doug was known to be
a loyal Detroit sports fan, especially the
Lions. He practically owned stock in
Natural Light beer throughout the years.
He will be missed and loved by family
and friends.
There are no services planned for Doug
at this time. However, a Celebration
of Life will be shared with family and
friends as details are solidified.
Arrangements by Baxter Funeral
& Cremation Service. 269-788-
9800; www.baxterfuneral.com
