http://www.thebattlecreekshopper.com BATTLE CREEK SHOPPER NEWS Thursday, August 1, 2024 39
Michelle Marie Edwards,
46, of Bellevue, went to be with
her Lord on July 24, 2024, at
Bronson Battle Creek, Battle
Creek, Mich. She was born
May 14, 1978, to Thomas M.
and Jane M. (Osman) Edwards
in Marshall, Mich. She gradu-
ated from Bellevue High School
in 1996.
She was a member of Faith
Assembly of God in Olivet.
Michelle was involved in baton
twirling when she was younger,
competing with her teammates
in national and local competitions, while also
performing in parades in different communi-
ties around Michigan. She enjoyed making
latch hook rugs, walking around Bellevue
visiting friends, going to sporting events at
the high school, and playing dominos on the
weekends with her friends. She was a big
Dale Earnhardt fan. Michelle really enjoyed
hanging out with her friends.
Michelle is survived by her parents; brother
Steven (Keri Cole) Edwards of Battle Creek;
special niece Madison Cole; and special
friend Nancee Ludwick.Visitation was held Monday,
July 29, 2024, 4-7 p.m., at
Faith Assembly of God, 9800
S. Cochran Road, Olivet, MI- Funeral services were
held Tuesday, July 30, 2024, 11
a.m., at Faith Assembly of God,
Olivet, Michigan, with Pastor
Todd Mclane officiating.
Burial took place in Riverside
Cemetery in Bellevue.
Memorials are suggested to
the Hydrocephalus Association,
https://www.hydroassoc.org/;
or Colon Cancer Research
Prevention Fund, https://colorectalcancer.org/.
Arrangements have been entrusted
to Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation
Services. Please visit https://www.kempf-
funeralhome.com to view the online obituary,
sign the online guestbook or leave the family
condolences.
Cheryl Joy Hicks, 80, of
Battle Creek/Marshall, passed
away peacefully at the Oaks
of Battle Creek on Friday, July
26, 2024. She was born March
28, 1944, in Battle Creek, to
Eileen (Foster) and Richard
S. Johnston (deceased Aug,
1945). Cheryl was then raised
and adopted by Robert W.
Ulrich and grew up in Marshall
as one of nine children.
She is survived by her sisters
Rickie (Bob) Myers, Pamela
(Bruce) MacDonald, Kathy
(Randy) Davis; and brothers Tim Ulrich and
Jim Ulrich.
After marriage, Cheryl lived much of her
life on St. Mary’s Lake, where she had many
friends and spent a great deal of her time
being creative, and most of all, as a gifted
and talented artist. She enjoyed driving
school buses for Lakeview Schools and was
also a former president for the
Battle Creek Art Society. Cheryl
loved painting and entering her
artwork in the Painted Chair
Affair for many years.
One of her greatest joys, later
in life, was connecting with her
biological son, Jeffery Haan,
and his family and finding out
that she had two beautiful
granddaughters, Eva and Aria.
Cheryl was preceded in
death by her parents; sisters
Kay and Darlene; brother Bob
Jr.; and husbands Robert
Dempsey and Stanley Hicks, both of Battle
Creek.
There will be no services at this time and
she will be buried at Floral Lawn Memorial
Gardens in Battle Creek, MI.
Arrangements entrusted to the Baxter
Funeral & Cremation Service. 269-788-9800.
http://www.baxterfuneral.comMary L. Rohrer, 99, crossed
over into the Lord’s hands on
July 18, 2024.
She was the daughter of
Leslie G. and Ethel Wonch,
born on November 26, 1924, in
Lansing, Michigan.
After graduation from Lansing
Eastern High School, she
married her high school sweet-
heart, Jack R. Clark. He was in
the Navy and they made their
first home in Oklahoma, mov-
ing back to Okemos, Michigan,
after his service. They had
three children together. Their marriage
ended in divorce in 1962.
Mary married Lewis M. Rohrer in 1964 in
Okemos and they moved to Battle Creek,
Michigan, living happily there for 36 years
until his death in 2000. They took many
trips to almost every state and saw most
of Europe; their favorite being fishing trips
to Canada. They owned and operated Lew
Rohrer Party Store in the Columbia Plaza for
years.
Surviving to cherish her memory are her
sons, Thomas R. (Peggy Rose) Clark, and
children Laura (Jeff) Burton, Kay (Levi)Hazen and Samantha Hillis;
Michael (Paige) Rohrer, and
their children, Andrea (Al), Joel
(Brandy) Rohrer, Abbey (Ben)
Leonard; and her daughter,
Barbara Rohrer Mackaluso,
and her children, Craig A. Irons
and Carrie (Jason) Irons Bula;
stepson Doug (Joyce) Rohrer
(deceased) and their children,
Ron Simpson, Randy, Connie,
Dougie and Carol Rohrer, Eric
Rohrer; great-grandchildren
Doug Jr., Curtis, Rebecca,
Trent, Claire, Jonathan, Emery,
Katie, Becca, Levi Jr., Kaylee, Bradley,
Charlotte, Daniel, Brin, Thomas, Michael,
Haven, Max, Arden, Wyatt, Trevor, Mel and
Allyssa; great-great-grandson Oliver; many
nieces and nephews; and extended family.
Cremation has taken place and a celebra-
tion of life will be held September 15, 2024.
More info. to follow.
She was preceded in death by her parents;
her brother Ned at 5 years old, whom she
mourned all her life; her brother Ted Wonch;
her stepson, Doug Rohrer, and daughter-
in-law Joyce Rohrer; first husband, Jack R.
Clark; and her husband, Lewis M. Rohrer.Eugene L. Rittenhouse, 83,
of Bronson, MI, and Tucson,
AZ, passed away at home,
with his family by his side, on
June 30, 2024. He was born in
Defiance, OH, the son of LeRoy
and Ruth Rittenhouse. He mar-
ried Sandra Woods of Rockford,
MI. They have shared 59 years
of love and adventures in life,
raising three children and living
in many different states.
Gene spent his early educa-
tion in Defiance, OH. He gradu-
ated from Bronson Community
Schools in 1959 and Western Michigan
University with a B.A. in Industrial Arts &
Education in 1966. He spent 38 years work-
ing for the Department of Veteran Affairs in
Blind Rehabilitation until he retired in 2002.
He worked at centers in Hines, IL, West
Haven, CT, Battle Creek, MI, and Tucson, AZ.
As a result of his leadership, veterans were
able to become more independent. He was
an outstanding supervisor, who mentored a
number of team members; some eventually
becoming his boss. Gene had a passion for
lending a helping hand and making a differ-
ence. He was very active in his community
volunteering for the local Lions Club, Boy
Scouts and Toys for Tots.
Gene was a lifelong friend to many and a
genuinely great person. He would welcome
you as though you had been a part of his
family for years, always with a friendly smile
and a “hey, how you doing” greeting. He was
always up for a good party with family and
friends. Gene loved vacations with his wife
and kids, camping in the outdoors, seeing
local sites and visiting family and friends.
One thing was true: Every
year he came back home
to Matteson Lake to enjoy
pontoon rides, campfires and
summers in Michigan with fam-
ily. Gene captured many great
memories through photos.
Gene liked auctions, garage
sales and a good deal. He
enjoyed collecting antiques, old
tools, bells, keys, and unique
items. He was a talented wood-
turner on a lathe of cats, bowls
and pens. Gene enjoyed being
a part of Desert Woodcrafters
and Southern Arizona Woodturners
Association. He was also a talented jewelry
maker, particularly wire wrapped pendants
made out of wood and stone.
He is survived by his wife, Sandra
Rittenhouse; daughter Kimberly (Chris)
Sargent; daughter Sherry (Edward) Weber;
grandchildren Micheal (Heather) Rittenhouse,
Kaila (Jacob) Snyder, Alyssa (Glenn) Schuck,
Gabriel Smurr and Logan Smurr; great-
grandchildren Collin, Tyler, Allyson, Mason,
Hunter and Everett; along with lots of loving
family and special friends around the country.
Gene was preceded in death by his
parents, LeRoy and Ruth Rittenhouse’
son Thomas Rittenhouse; brother Larry
Rittenhouse; and great-granddaughter
Nattaly Brown.
A private memorial will be held at a later
date.
In memory of Gene, the family asks that
you please volunteer your time or services to
give back to your community, do random acts
of kindness, help your neighbor, plant a tree,
gather with friends, or enjoy a sunset.OBITUARY POLICY
The Battle Creek Shopper News accepts obituaries from licensed
funeral homes or crematories. If they did not provide obituary
services, the family spokesperson (who will be required to fill
out an affidavit of publication) may submit the obit via email to
[email protected]. Include your name and phone
number, as well as the name and number of the funeral home, so
we can verify the death. Submission and pre-payment deadline is
noon Monday before the Thursday of publication.
For more information, call (269) 965-3955.Marshall “Marty” Clayton
Yorks, 82, of Battle Creek,
Michigan, passed away
Sunday, July 21, 2024, at
Laurels of Bedford. He was
born December 5, 1941, the
son of Gerald Yorks and Erma
D. (Stites) Yorks.
Marty served his country in
the United States Air Force
and received an honorable
discharge. He retired from
Walmart in Escanaba, MI,
after 23 years of dedicated
work. Marty was a sports
fanatic, his favorite team being the Green
Bay Packers. He was an avid outdoorsman,
enjoyed cook-outs, a collector of guns,
many of which got handed down from his
father, and spending time with his family,especially his grandchildren.
Marty is survived by his
children, Wanda (Fred)
Besenhoffer, Juanita (Jac)
Anderson, Pamela Svoboda,
Richard Schwark, Clayton
Yorks; 14 grandchildren; five
great-grandchildren; brothers
Bob and Stan Yorks; and many
nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by
his parents; wife Gail (Randall)
Yorks; siblings Bill Yorks and
Sonja Yorks.
At this time, cremation has
taken place and a celebration of life service
will be planned for a later date.
Arrangements by Baxter Funeral &
Cremation Service. 269-788-9800. http://www.
baxterfuneral.com