14 Thursday, July 25, 2024 BATTLE CREEK SHOPPER NEWS http://www.thebattlecreekshopper.com
Frances Elaine
(Johnson) Beat,
95, passed away
peacefully on
July 20, 2024,
in Marshall,
Michigan. Born
on February 4,
1929, in Fayette,
Ohio, Frances
was the cher-
ished daughter of
Harvey and Ula
Belle (Blakeman)
Johnson.
Frances was a devout born again (John
3:3) Christian who lived her faith daily,
serving her Savior, Jesus Christ, and
her community with a gentle and selfless
spirit. She attended Zone Elementary
and Fayette High School in Ohio, later
pursuing studies in Music and Art at
Mary Manse Woman’s College, University
of Toledo, and Bowling Green State
University in Ohio.
In her professional life, Frances was pri-
marily a dedicated homemaker, enriching
the lives of her family with love and devo-
tion. She also contributed to the workforce
in various retail positions and civil service
roles for the U.S. government, achieving
million-dollar sales status with Avon.
Her commitment to her faith and fam-
ily was evident in every aspect of her life.
Frances was also deeply involved in her
community and enjoyed a wide range
of hobbies. She was passionate about
animals. She cared for dogs, cats, sheep,
goats, chickens and ducks. An avid reader,
gardener, she also loved scenic travels,
campground activities and was an enthu-
siastic volunteer. She was always starting
conversations with complete strangers in
public and giving advice about Jesus and
Christian living. Frances’ talents extended
to singing, playing the piano, horseback
riding, cooking, and painting beautiful
portraits and landscapes. She sold home-
grown fruits and vegetables in her neigh-
borhood as a child and entertained other
children with a home movie projector, and
a beloved Girl Scout leader, known for her
intelligence, humor and wit.
Frances was preceded in death by her
parents, Harvey and Ula Belle Johnson;
brothers Calvin C. Johnson and Harvey
G. Johnson; and sisters Betty C. Shartzer
and Breta C. Pendell. She was married to
Richard James Beat for 37 years and he
also preceded her in death.
She is survived by her son, Mark James
Beat, who was by her side, holding her
hands and praying as she peacefully went
to heaven to be with her Savior, The Lord
Jesus Christ.
Frances’ life and legacy will be remem-
bered and cherished by all who knew her,
as a beacon of love, faith and kindness.
She reminds us all that the most impor-
tant part of our lives is knowing that we
all need to repent of sin and believe in
Jesus for our eternal life as Jesus tells us
in John 14:6: “... I am the way, the truth,
and the life. No one comes to the Father
except through Me.”
Arrangements entrusted to Baxter
Funeral & Cremation Service, 269-788-Michelle
Burton-Knapp,
42, of Galesburg,
died on July 14,- Shelly was
born May 30, 1982,
in Battle Creek.
She was pre-
ceded in death by
her father, James
Burton; and grand-
parents Leonard
and Maxine Evans,
and Fred and
Mickey Burton.
Surviving are her husband, Corey Knapp;
daughter Maisey Knapp; mother Val Burton;
brother Matt (Emily) Burton; aunts and uncles
Jackie (Lee) Gremore, Janet (Kipp) Katz,
Brenda (Mick) Iden and Christine Beaver; and
several cousins, nieces and nephews.
Cremation has taken place. A Life Story
Celebration, where food, drinks and stories
were shared, was held Monday, July 22, from
1-4 p.m. at Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes,
6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo, (269) 375-- A service began at 4 p.m.
Celebrate Shelly’s life online by sharing your
favorite stories and photos on her dedicated
web page at BetzlerLifeStory.com. Through
your memories, Maisey will grow to know her
mother and how wonderful she is to all who
know her.
Memorial contributions may be made to
Humane Society of South Central Michigan.
Chris Allen
Frey, 59, of
Battle Creek,
Mich., passed
away peacefully
on Sunday, July
21, 2024, at his
home with his
family by his side.
He was born
February 14,
1965, in Battle
Creek, Mich., the
son of John and
Bonnie (Skulyen) Frey.
Chris married Tracy Marsh on February
23, 2016. He enjoyed visiting Tracy’s family
in Port Huron and was very instrumental
in his in-laws’ care. Chris retired from
Denso after 20 dedicated years of service.
He loved to travel to Vegas and enjoyed
playing slot machines. Chris was knownby many names: “Wheeler,” “Heavy” and
“Bubba,” to just name a few. He was a true
family man and had the biggest heart. He
will be missed by all who knew and loved
him.
He is survived by his wife, Tracy
Frey; daughter, Brittany; granddaughter,
Hannah; siblings John and Nancy; a spe-
cial niece and nephew, Lori and James;
and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his par-
ents, John and Bonnie, and his sister,
Deb.
A memorial visitation will be held Friday,
July 26, 2024, from 5-7 p.m. at Bachman
Hebble Funeral Service.
Memorial tributes may be made to the
National Pancreas Foundation.
Arrangements by Bachman Hebble
Funeral Service. (269) 965-5145. http://www.
bachmanhebble.comTerry Jay Parker, 87, formerly of Battle
Creek, passed away peacefully at his
home in Lake Wales, Florida, on Monday,
July 1, 2024. He was born in Battle Creek
on July 17, 1936, the son of Karlton and
Alice (Tulgestke) Parker, and graduated
from Battle Creek Central High School
with the Class of 1954.
Terry retired from Bill Knapp’s in 1994,
after more than 43 years. He enjoyed
camping at Tri-Lakes Trails and spending
time with his family, especially his grand-
children.
Terry married the “love of his life,” Phyllis
L. Jones, on July 24, 1954; she survives.
He is also survived by his children, William
J. (Linsey) Parker of Lake Wales, Florida,
and Ricky J. (Robin) Parker of Lake
Wales, Florida; his grandchildren, Brian,Emily, Nathan and Tim Parker; great-
grandchildren Max, Maddie, Annabelle,
Brian Jr., Benjamin; and a brother, Larry
P. Cull.
Terry was preceded in death by his par-
ents; a brother, Monty Parker; and a great-
grandchild, Aislin.
A private family service has been held.
In lieu of flowers, memorials me made to
the Angelcheeks Foundation, C/O Battle
Creek Community Foundation, ATTN:
Angelcheeks Foundation Fund, 32 W.
Michigan Ave., Suite 1, Battle Creek, MI
49017.
Arrangements by Farley Estes Dowdle
Funeral Cremation Preneed Care, Battle
Creek. Personal messages for the family
may be placed at http://www.farleyestesdowdle.
com.Maxine E.
Wynegar, 102,
of Battle Creek,
Michigan, died
July 17, 2024.
Maxine was
born December
20, 1921, in
Plumville,
Pennsylvania,
the daughter of
James and Floy
(Zimmerman)
Elliott. She
grew up in Battle Creek from the age
of 8. Maxine was employed at Eaton
Corporation as a kitchen supervisor.
Maxine was preceded in death by two
husbands, Robert M. Lake and Glenn G.
Wynegar.
Surviving are her daughter, Charlene
Potter of Battle Creek; five grandchildren,
Crystal Jacobs, Robert Potter, Quent
Potter, Melodie Potter-Zimmerman and
Douglas Potter, Jr.; 13 great-grandchildren;
7.5 great-great-grandchildren; and several
nieces, nephews cousins and their fami-
lies.
In addition to her husbands, Maxine was
also preceded in death by her siblings,
James Elliott, Violet Shield, Donald Elliott,
Sparky Elliott, Ruth Bosrock, Dorothy
Henry and Gerald Elliott.
Maxine was an awesome cook and
enjoyed entertaining and having family
dinners. She was an avid dancer, enjoyed
riding motorcycles, snowmobiling and
camping all over the country. She was a
great caretaker of her family.
A service to celebrate Maxine’s life was
held at 2 p.m., Monday, July 22, 2024,
in the chapel at Floral Lawn Memorial
Gardens.
Memorial contributions may be made to
Centrica Care Navigators Hospice.
Arrangements by Farley Estes Dowdle
Funeral Home & Cremation Care.
Personal messages for the family may be
placed at http://www.farleyestesdowdle.com.BATTLE