02-24-2018 Tri-City Area Obituaries

EDDIE C. STEPHENS

Eddie’s life began March 14, 1953 in St. Joseph, Michigan. He was a lifetime area resident working as a Master Electrician for Local 153. Eddie enjoyed filling his free time shooting pool, playing his guitar, riding motorcycles and enjoying his friends. He especially loved going to his place in Baldwin, Michigan to hang out and enjoy the peacefulness.

Eddie’s greatest joy was his family which includes his wife, Tawnia Stephens; two children Bryant Stephens and Riley Stephens; a step-son Cory Collins; three grandchildren Dylan, Lilly, and Lilah; his mom Glenna Stephens; two sisters Sheila Rodriguez and Stacey (Jim) Kliemann; and three nephews Josh, Noah, and Jacob. Eddie died Thursday, May 17, at University of Michigan Medical Center after a short illness. His dad Charles Stephens precedes Eddied in death. Eddie’s family gathered with friends for visitation Wednesday, May 23, at Hutchins Funeral Home in Watervliet. Memorials may be made in Eddie’s name to BACA (Bikers Against Child Abuse). You are invited to share a message of comfort with Eddie’s family at hutchinsfuneral.com.

WALTER EZRA PRUIETT

Walter Ezra Pruiett, 66, of Raleigh, North Carolina (affectionately known as Wally) passed away on May 9, 2018 after a fierce battle with cancer.

Originally from Coloma, Michigan, Wally joined the U.S. Marine Corp in the early 70s where he was transferred to the North Carolina coast. During his 40 years here, he worked for the Town of Morehead, then finding his true calling in Public Service as an EMS and fire fighter for several stations along the Carolina Coast. During his 20 plus years he worked in Broad Creek, Cape Carteret, Swansboro, Western Carteret, Richlands and many more. He was one of the first twelve (the Dirty Dozen) to receive his F 1, 2 and 3 in the County. He held the rank of Chief, Captain and Lieutenant and ran EMS for B&G and Cape Carteret. He retired from Emerald Isle in 2005, where he enjoyed his hobbies of being a beach bum and visiting family and friends. Wally Gator was a one of a kind person and never met a stranger. He is loved and will be missed by many. He is survived by his wife, Tammy Pruiett; daughters, Cassie, Melissa and Crystal (husband Jon); beloved grandchildren, Kaylup, Lydia and Jadynn; siblings, Terry Lentz, Bobby Titus (wife Wendy) and Tina (husband William) Macgirvin and many nieces, cousins and life-long friends. He went home to be with his parents, Thomas Ezra Pruiett and Regina Neva Gagliano and brothers, Thomas Pierre and Johnny Michael. A memorial service with reception was held Monday, May 21 at Beacon Baptist Church, 2110 Trawick Road, Raleigh, North Carolina.

Death Notices

Glen Arnold Wilkens, 89, died Apr. 12, 2018. Calvin Funeral Home, Hartford Gretna O. (Blankenship) Sansom, 87, of Coloma died May 15, 2018 at Royalton Manor, St. Joseph. Florin Funeral Service Joan H. Knott, 90, of Coloma died May 15, 2018 at home. Duffield & Pastrick Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Coloma June J. Stefani, 87, of Coloma died May 15, 2018 at the Willows. Starks & Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Services, St. Joseph Carol J. Litaker, 72, of Bainbridge Township died May 18, 2018 at Lakeland Medical Center, St. Joseph. Davidson Chapel – Florin Funeral Service, Coloma John M. Hinton, 74, of St. Joseph died May 19, 2018 at Woodland Terrace in Lake Township. Davidson Chapel – Florin Funeral Service, Coloma