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Michael George Tyrnow “Big Mike”
Michael George “Big Mike” Tyrnow of Eaton Rapids, age 41 of Eaton Rapids died Wednesday, December 30, 2009 at the Ingham Regional Medical Center in Lansing following terminal illness with cancer. Born April 28, 1968 in Lansing, Michigan, the son of Nicholas and Carol (Hitt) Tyrnow. Mike was an entrepreneur by nature and was very talented with mechanics and computers. He formerly worked as a driver for a towing company up north. His interests were in motorcycles, computers, and helping friends and family. Preceding him in death were his parents.
He is survived by his wife of 20 years, Geneva (Hammond) Tyrnow of Eaton Rapids; daughter Nichole of Charlotte and son, Michael and daughter, Katelin both of Eaton Rapids; grandson, Tristyn Smith of Charlotte; sister Carrie Secore of White Cloud and brother Michael George Tyrnow of Detroit; several nieces and nephews.
Memorial services were January 4, 2010 from the Skinner Funeral Home in Eaton Rapids.
Bernard Ulrich
Bernard “Bernie” Leo Ulrich, 80, loving husband, father and grandfather passed away on March 27, 2009. He was born on May 30, 1928 in Fowler, Mich., the son of Bernard and Antoinette (Droste) Ulrich. He married Betty J. Shoemaker on Nov. 28, 1959.
Bernie was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
He was a Korean War veteran and a past commander of the American Legion Post 42 of Charlotte. Bernie retired from Consumers Power after 39 and a half years of service.
He enjoyed singing in the church choir and was a former member of a Lansing Barber Shop Quartet. Above all else, Bernie enjoyed spending time with his family traveling.
He liked to spend time at his cottage on Deer Lake, fishing and hunting deer. He spent his winters fishing in Ruskin, Fla. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters, Marian Pohl and Dolores Orweller; brothers-in-law, Leon Schafer and Nelson Shoemaker. He is survived by his loving wife, Betty; daughters, Tamara (Marcus) Hartman and Cynthia (John) Coon; grandchildren, Benjamin, Laura, Amanda Hartman and Nicholas, Brooke and Zachary Coon. Also surviving are his sisters, Burlene Schafer, Margaret (Eugene) Thelen; brother-in-law, Norbert Pohl; sister-in-law, Naomi Cowan and many nieces and nephews.
Throughout his life, “Gentle Ben” was patient, generous and will be remembered by all who know him for his kindness, sense of humor and strong faith. Funeral services were held Monday, March 30, 2009 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Charlotte, with Rev. Father Denis Spitzley officiating. Interment was in Maple Hill Cemetery, Charlotte. If desired, contributions may be made to Eaton Community Hospice House. Arrangements by Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.prayfuneral.com.
Howard R. Umbarger
Howard R. Umbarger of Eaton Rapids, age 87, passed away in Eaton Rapids, August 11, 2009. Howard was born in Aurelius Center December 29, 1921, the son of James A. and Flossie M. (Rochester) Umbarger. He married his wife of 63 years, Ruth, on May 4, 1946. Howard enlisted in the service during WWII where he earned the Combat Infantry Badge, Good Conduct Medal, the Presidential Unit Citation Medal, 3 Bronze Star Medals, and the Prisoner of War Medal. He served in the European African Middle Eastern Campaign and received a 3 Oak Leaf Cluster Medal, the World War II Victory Medal and a Unit Citation. He was a combat veteran. Howard retired from the Eaton County Road Commission in 1986, after 45 years of service. He was a life member of the Eaton Rapids Masonic Lodge #63, Ex-prisoners of War and the VFW of Eaton Rapids.
Howard is survived by his wife, Ruth (Mock); daughters, Sue Ellen Thurston of Travers City, Sally Elaine (Douglas) Knorr of Traverse City; sons, Keith (Carol) Umbarger of Holt, Kerry Umbarger of Eaton Rapids; grandchildren, Benjamin (Danielle) Knorr, Joshua (Syndi) Knorr, Isaac (Meghan) Knorr, Katie Knorr, Aaron Knorr, Adam Umbarger, Colin Umbarger; great grandchildren, Daisie Knorr, Caleb Knorr; sister-in-law, Sarah Umbarger of Charlotte; brothers Maurice (June) Umbarger of Charlotte, Delton (Darlene) of Beaverton; sister, Margaret Livingston of Eaton Rapids; brother-in-law, Bruce Dowding of Olivet. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Maynard Umbarger, Kenneth Umbarger, and infant brother; sisters, Hazel Clough and Charlene Dowding.
Funeral services were held Friday, August 14, 2009 at the Shelly-Odell Funeral Home, 518 S. Main St. Eaton Rapids. Pastor Joshua Knorr officiated. Memorial contributions may be made to the Eaton Rapids Historical Society. www.shelly-odell.com.
Sarah M. Umbarger
Sarah M. Umbarger of Charlotte, formerly of Eaton Rapids, age 84, passed away at her home, September 26, 2009. Sarah was born November 12, 1924 in Nashville, MI, the daughter of Rueben and Martha (Wyble) Norton. She was a lifelong resident of Eaton Rapids. Sarah worked in the Auto Industry as a Press Operator. She enjoyed cooking, baking and cleaning.
She is survived by her daughters, Sandy Southward of Charlotte, Penny (David) Louth of Lansing; son Jeffery (Kaye) Umbarger of Rainbow Lake; daughter-in-law, Margaret “Maggie” Harris of TN; 7 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren; 4 brothers, Leo Norton of Charlotte, Robert Norton of Battle Creek, Niel Norton of Georgia, Vern Norton of Bellevue; sister Iva LaPoint of Olivet; 2 half brothers, Roland Axtell of Toledo, Terry Axtell of Traverse City. Sarah was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Kenneth Umbarger; son, Darwin Umbarger; sister, Dorothy Falls.
Visitation will be held Tuesday form 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at the Shelly-Odell Funeral Home, 518 S. Main St. Eaton Rapids, MI 48827. Private family services will be held at a later date. Interment will be at the Brickyard Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Brickyard Cemetery. www.shellyodell.com.
Pauline Vahs
Pauline A. Vahs, 83, of Bellevue, died Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2009 at the Eaton Community Hospice House in Charlotte.
Mrs. Vahs was born Oct. 28, 1925 in Paw Paw, Mich., the daughter of Carl and Mona (Palmer) Proctor and had been a Bellevue area resident for 67 years coming from Paw Paw.
She had been a member of the local Extension Group, enjoyed knitting and crocheting and like watching the Lawrence Welk Show.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Paul Vahs in 2007 and a half brother, Donald Cassada.
Surviving are three children, Burdeena (Marvin) Owen of Charlotte, Philip (Doreen) Vahs of Bellevue and Vivian (Roger) Holdcraft of Olivet; six grandchildren and several great grandchildren.
Cremation has taken place. There will be no visitation. Private family graveside services will be held in the Riverside Cemetery, Bellevue.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Eaton community Hospice, 2675 S. Cochran Road, Charlotte, MI 48813.
Arrangements by Burkhead-Green Funeral Home of Charlotte.
Donald VanAuken
Donald E. VanAuken, Sr., 90, of Vermontville, passed away Tuesday, June 9, 2009 peacefully at his Vermontville home. Donald was born in Nashville, Mich. on Aug. 29, 1918, the son of the late Brian and Severa (Swift) VanAuken.
He was raised in the Barry County area and attended local schools. He was the husband of Aleta (Penfold) VanAuken. The couple was married in 1939 at the same house that Donald was born. They made their home together in the Maple Grove area for the early part of their marriage, then purchased the family farm on Cloverdale Road, where they raised their family together. In 1944, Donald joined the U.S. Navy and earned the rank of E3 before being Honorably Discharged in 1946. While serving, Donald was decorated with the Victory Medal WWII and the Asiatic Pacific Medal.
Donald worked as a supervisor at Union Steam Pump for over 40 years until he retired in 1981. Donald enjoyed working with wood and being outside. He loved to spend time in his garden and show people his plants. He also enjoyed fishing - his favorite sport was wherever the fish were biting. Over the years, he and his family enjoyed trips to Canada and Florida where Donald could pursue his passion for fishing. Along with his beloved wife Aleta, the couple wintered in Florida.
He was preceded in death by his son, Donald VanAuken Jr., and his brothers, Rex and Ralph VanAuken.
Surviving are his beloved wife, Aleta; daughter, Tina M. (Dennis) Miracle; two sons, Thomas (Teresha) VanAuken and Terry L. VanAuken.
Funeral services were held at The Vermontville Bible Church Friday, June 12 with Pastor Daniel Smith officiating.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Vermontville Bible Church.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Daniels Funeral Home in Nashville. For more information, visit www.danielsfuneralhome.net.
Shirley Walker VanAuker
Shirley Walker VanAuker, 82, passed away Oct. 29, 2009 in a Thousand Oak, Calif. hospital after a four month illness.
She was born in Eaton County April 15, 1927. She attended the Charlotte Schools.
Shirley met and married John VanAuker Sept. 25, 1949 as he was in Charlotte an an electrical engineer at Wilcox Gay developing televisions.
they lived in Wyandotte, and Livonia, then Thousand Oak, Calif. for many years.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Leona and Earl Walker; daughter, Elaine Schlack-Meyers; son-in-law, Tom Schlack and niece, Trina Walker.
Surviving are her husband, John; children, Bert (Barb), John (Laura), Sylvia (Kurt) Johansen, Heidi Brooks; son-in-law, Nick Myers; one step-daughter; 10 grandchildren; three step-grandchildren, and two great grandchildren and several step-great grandchildren; sisters, Joyce Johnson, Donna (Richard) Johnson; brother, Larry (Roxie) Walker and many nieces and nephews.
Gregory VanGelder II
Gregory VanGelder II, 18, of Mulliken, was gifted to his loved ones on Jan. 31, 1991. Lost, but not forever on Jan. 31, 2009.
Gregory VanGelder II was a warm and loving son, brother, uncle and friend. In his spare time he enjoyed restoring classic vehicles. His pride and joy was a 1959 Chevy Apache he and his father restored.
Gregory took pride in his family and friends and spent as much time with them as possible. He especially loved playing with his nephews Aiden Byerly-Roose and Gabriel Paradine. Gregory's favorite thing to do with his nephews was to let them play with the microwave. Aiden and Gabriel loved their uncle very much. He was very protective of his sisters, Megan and Kayle Roose and his younger brother, Camaeron VanGelder. Before his death he had planned on enlisting in the National Guard and was excited about serving his country.
He was preceded in death by his aunt and god mother, Janis VanGelder and grandmother, Margaret VanGelder.
Surviving are his mother, Vicki (Larry Pifer) VanGelder of Mulliken; father, Gregory (Becky) VanGelder of Charlotte; sisters, Megan Roose and Kayle Roose of Charlotte; brother, Cameron VanGelder of Mulliken; grandparents, Janice Clark of Lansing, Gilbert and Suzanne DeVlieger of Arizona and Jacob VanGelder of Charlotte and close friends, Brad Stark and Isaac Maldonado.
There will be no visitation. A memorial service was held Thursday, Feb. 5, 2009 at the Burkhead-Green Funeral Home, Charlotte with Pastor Steve Byrens officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations may go to the family.
Jeanette VanLoton
Jeanette VanLoton, 89, of Potterville, died Monday, Oct. 5, 2009. Mrs. VanLoton was born Dec. 15, 1919 in Potterville, the daughter of Claude and Jessie (Merrill) Fhaner.
She served as the Potterville City Clerk for 32 years before her retirement and loved to bowl.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Lewis Howard VanLoton in 1953; daughter, Doreen Kay Page and brother, Fletcher Fhaner.
She is survived by her son, Lynn VanLoton of Potterville and brother, Robert (Maxine) Fhaner.
Funeral services were held Thursday, Oct. 8, 2009 at Pray Funeral Home with Pastor Rebecca Morrison officiating. Interment was at Benton Township Cemetery in Potterville.
If desired, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice.
Arrangements by Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.prayfuneral.com.
