http://www.thebattlecreekshopper.com BATTLE CREEK SHOPPER NEWS Thursday, September 12, 2024 15
On
Wednesday,
Aug. 7, 2024,
Barbara Joan
(Belcher-
Dayton)
Crofoot, a
beloved wife,
mother, grand-
mother, sister
and friend,
passed away in Battle Creek, Mich.
She was 82. Barb, as she was best
known, was the eldest of seven chil-
dren, born Dec. 9, 1941, in Battle
Creek, Mich., to Karl and Marjorie
(Wolf) Belcher.
She attended Battle Creek Public
Schools and married Kraig Dayton
in 1959. Together, they raised
three sons, Kim, Thomas and
Terry. They enjoyed camping in the
“meatloaf” (a VW van), rock hunt-
ing and driftwood harvesting in the
U.P. and cruising up and down the
Kalamazoo River in the airboat.
Kraig passed away in 2007.
Barb worked at Kellogg’s for a
short time, cleaned houses and
businesses for many years, provid-
ed lunches for many neighborhood
children and loved gardening with
her faithful black Lab, Turkey, whom
she considered her fourth son. She
also loved cooking, painting, sewing
and crafting for family and numer-
ous friends, but her true passion
was being a devoted mother to her
boys, who will say that she put up
with many an escapade as young
children and teens.
She met Dennis Arthur Crofoot
in 1993. After a six-month court-
ship, Barbara proposed to Dennis.
They married in 1994, and had 30
wonderful and adventurous years
together. The City Kickers, as they
were known, started teaching line
dancing/karaoke at local clubs in
Battle Creek. Barb loved to sing
and had a very sultry voice. They
were avid motorcycle riders known
for the pink trike they drove around
town and in local parades. They
enjoyed hosting friend and fam-
ily gatherings, plus playing cards,
board and dice games. Some of
her favorite games were Seven,
Manipulation, Dirty Marbles and
Farkle.
Barb and Dennis moved to
Arizona in 2001, and continued
to be an outgoing couple, mak-
ing many friends, and enjoying the
retired life. But they missed family
so much, and made the decision to
move back in 2016. She enjoyed the
remainder of her life with her friends
and family, including several memo-
rable “sister trips” around Michigan.
Eating, shopping, giggling and
especially the laughter are remem-
bered most. She had a very hearty
and boisterous laugh.
Barb was preceded in death by
her parents, and stepson Dennis
Crofoot Jr.
She is survived by her husband,
Dennis; sons Kim Dayton, Battle
Creek, Mich., Thomas Dayton,
Honolulu, Hawaii, and Terry
(Marcia) Dayton, Battle Creek,
Mich.; stepson Robert Crofoot,
Richland, Mich.; four grandchildren,
Samantha (Rick) Ashworth, Battle
Creek, Mich., Denise (Brandon)
Knight, Collierville Tenn., Andrew
(Samantha) Dayton, Pinckney,
Mich., and Lacee (Stephen) Smith,
Windsor, Colo.; adopted grandson
Jonathan Hester; step-grandchil-
dren Nicole (Jason) Ashly, Darriel
(Jess) Alsobrooks, Greg (Amber)
Alsobrooks; six great-grandchildren;
eight step-great-grandchildren;
sisters Brenda (Steve) Crane,
Betty (Robert) Locke, Carol (Larry)
Martin, Patty (Jim) O’Neill) Maryann
Perry; brother James (Gwen)
Belcher; and numerous nieces and
nephews.
Barbara attended Ceresco
Baptist Church and was a devout
Christian, whose life reflected her
love of Christ. She was charming,
approachable, and made one feel
like a best friend. She always had
beverages and snacks at the ready
for anyone who stopped in for a
chat. After family time, she told her
boys as they left, “God loves you
and so do I.”
Barbara chose to donate her
body to science as a last act of her
unselfishness, which she demon-
strated throughout her entire life.
We are all so fortunate and blessed
to have known and loved Barbara.
A celebration of of life will be held
at a later time.Eric Dittmer
passed away
unexpectedly
in his sleep
at the age of
64 on Aug.
29, 2024,
in Ceresco,
Mich. He was
born July
21, 1960, in
Battle Creek, Mich., and was a man
known for his humor, kindness and
devotion to his family.
Eric was a graduate of Pennfield
High School, after which he
attended Olivet College to study
insurance, and Kellogg Community
College for public safety. Eric’s pro-
fessional career included Security
National Bank, Hastings Mutual
Insurance Company, Emmett
Township Police Department, and
Springfield Department of Public
Safety.
An avid collector of John Deere
and farm memorabilia, Eric enjoyed
trips to Ludington during the sum-
mer. His son, Chase, was the light
of his life, championing him in all
that he did. Eric spent many yearscoaching Chase in floor hockey and
rocket football. Eric’s stepdaughter,
Haelee, held a very special place
in his heart, and he was affection-
ately known as the “candy man” by
Haelee’s daughters, never missing
an opportunity to drop off a basket
of treats.
Eric is survived by his parents,
Karen and Dale Dittmer of Battle
Creek, Mich.; his son, Chase
Dittmer of Las Vegas, Nev.; his
stepdaughter, Haelee (Adam) Hicks
of Ceresco, Mich.; brothers Bret
(Jennifer) Dittmer of Eaton Rapids,
and Kurt (Marylynne) Dittmer of
Battle Creek, Mich.; and his nieces
and nephews, Alyssa (Devin),
Allison (Joel), and Hansen.
A Celebration of Eric’s Life was
held at Battle Creek Friends Church
on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024.
In lieu of flowers, donations can
be made to Battle Creek Friends
Church.
Arrangements by Farley Estes
Dowdle Funeral Cremation Preneed
Care. Personal messages for the
family and favorite memories of Eric
may be placed at http://www.farleyestes-
dowdle.com.Barbara
J. Graham,
93, of Battle
Creek, passed
away Friday,
August 30,
2024, at Rose
Arbor Hospice.
She was born
December
8, 1930, in
Orlando, Florida, the daughter of
Donald D. and Marion A. (Courtney)
Andrew.
Barbara was a 1949 graduate
of St. James Catholic School in
Orlando, Florida. On January 21,
1951, she married Ralph E. Graham
in Washington, D.C., who was serv-
ing in the Air Force. She worked
for the Department of the Air Force
while living in Washington, D.C.,
then she and her husband moved to
Chicago, Anchorage and England,
eventually settling in Battle Creek in
1967.
She was an active member of
St. Philip Catholic Church, work-
ing at the church thrift store and
cleaning the church for severalyears. Barbara enjoyed gardening,
crocheting and reading, and spent
many years taking care of children,
many who considered her a grand-
mother.
Barbara was preceded in death by
her husband in 1982; their daugh-
ter, Deborah J. Graham, in 1983;
a special friend and companion,
Horace Avery; and her parents.
She is survived by her sister,
Virginia Chapman; several nieces
and nephews; and many dear
friends.
Barbara never met a stranger. Her
friendly personality was her gift to
all who knew her.
The Funeral Mass was celebrated
at 11 a.m. Thursday, September 5,
2024, at St. Philip Catholic Church,
with interment following at Fort
Custer National Cemetery.
Arrangements by Richard A.
Henry Funeral Home and Cremation
Services,
http://www.henry-
funeralhome.
org.