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Helen Ruby Hovis
Helen Ruby Hovis of Eaton Rapids, age 98, passed away in New Hampshire, August 8, 2009. Helen was born February 10, 1911 in Detroit, MI, the daughter of J. Manley and Imah Helen (Odell) Card. She graduated from Eaton Rapids High School in 1930. Helen graduated from Eastman School of Music with High Honors and later returned to MSU to complete a degree in Music Education and Fine Arts Major. She taught in Eaton Rapids Schools from 1934-1936, then married Robert Luther Hovis and raised four daughters. Helen and her husband bought a farm in Eaton Rapids where they raised turkeys. She was head of the school board at the country school where her daughters attended. Helen was very active at the First United Methodist Church as Choir Director for the children’s and the adult choir. When her children were younger, she taught piano and voice lesions. She taught in Waverly and Grand Ledge Schools before completing her 25 years career in Eaton Rapids as an art teacher. Helen taught in Eaton Rapids Schools form 1934-1936. Since her retirement, she has directed choirs in Holt, Milford, New Hampshire and California. Helen started researching her genealogy and was very proud of the fact that she received a grand champion ribbon in Florida for her work.
Helen is survived by her 4 daughter, Terrelene Anne Hovis of Bay City, Jackelene Helen Howe of Eaton Rapids, Gerrelene Sue “Ginger” Poppler of Lansing, Lindelene Lou Thomas of New Hampshire; 13 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Robert Luther Hovis; and her brother, Harry Odell Card.
Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. Friday, August 14, 2009 at the First United Methodist Church, 600 S. Main St., Eaton Rapids, MI with Pastor Daniel Hofmann and daughter Ginger Poppler officiating. Visitation will be Thursday 6-8 p.m. at the Shelly-Odell Funeral Home, 518 S. Main St. Eaton Rapids.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made for a Music Scholarship to a student of Eaton Rapids High School in memory of Helen. www.shellyodell.com.
Barton Howe
Barton E. Howe, 82, of Charlotte, died Thursday, May 7, 2009. He was born July 29, 1926 in Allegan, Mich. the son of Chester and Beulah (Rice) Howe.
Many will remember Bart as a local electrician and as Chief of Police for the Charlotte Police Department for 37 years until his retirement. He was a member of American Legion Post 42 and the V.F.W. Post 2406 both of Charlotte. Bart was also active in the local Masonic Lodge #120 Free & Accepted Masons as a 32nd Degree and Bart was also a trustee for a number of years with Eaton County Soldiers and Sailors Commission.
He enjoyed many things in his spare time. Fishing with his granddaughters and traveling the countryside with Lillian on his Goldwing Motorcycle were some of his favorites.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Chester and Beulah Howe and brother, Garland and is survived by his wife, Lillian; son, Neil of Grass Lake, Mich.; daughter, Annette (Jim) Florence of Johnson City, Tenn.; four granddaughters; brothers, Garland Howe, Lewis Howe, Eldon Howe and Menzo Howe.
Funeral services were held Monday, May 11, 2009 at Pray Funeral Home with Dr. James Florence officiating. Interment was at Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte.
If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Eaton Community Hospice House. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.rpayfuneral.com.
George Howe
George F. Howe, 84, of Eaton Rapids, died Thursday, May 7, 2009. George was born Jan. 12, 1925 in Eaton County, the son of Arthur and Hazel (Day) Howe. He was with the U.S. Postal Service in Charlotte and East Lansing, retiring with 20 years of service in 1985. He was a member of the Peace Lutheran Church, a life member and twice Past Commander of the VFW Post 2406 in Charlotte, Past Eighth District Commander, Past Commander of the Eaton Barry Council as well as V.F.W. Chaplain, Past President of the Charlotte Orioles Booster Club, and Past President of Dad’s Post 286. George was the first “Santa Claus” on Santa Claus Day at the V.F.W. National Home in Eaton Rapids, and was the Lansing Area Federal Employee of the Year in 1973. He served in the United States Navy for three years during WWII in Iran and the Pacific Theatre. He was a warded a medal from Russia for his service in Iran. He touched many lives through his work with Eaton County Soldiers, Sailors and Relief Commission where he was a Board Member.
He is survived by his wife, MaryJane (Wolf) Howe whom he married Sept. 16, 1989; daughter, Marsha (Ted) Whipple of Charlotte; son, Tom (Sandy) Howe of Dunedin, Fla.; daughter, Lori (Rick) Olson of Olivet; step-sons, Jack (Susan) Backofen of Eaton Rapids and Marty (Sue) Backofen of Eaton Rapids; step-daughters, Jodi Backofen of Eaton Rapids and Sally Backofen of Eaton Rapids; grandchildren, Randy (Kim) Howe, Amanda Olson, Lindsey Olson, Andy Backofen, Jessica Backofen, Jason Backofen and Alicia (Dale) Hills and four great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Mary Alice Dunn.
Funeral services were held Saturday, May 9, 2009 at Peace Lutheran Church in Charlotte with Pastor Sarah Friesen-Carper officiating. Interment was in Ft. Custer National Cemetery in Augusta on Monday, May 11. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Peace Lutheran Church in Charlotte. Arrangements were made by Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.prayfuneral.com.
Russell L. Huber
Russell Huber, Mason, joined his beloved wife, Katie, in Heaven on April 21, 2009, at the age of 92.
He was a kind and gentle man who loved his family.
He was born in Lansing on Dec. 12, 1916, and was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Mae; and brothers, Robert and Junior “Doc”.
He is survived by his son, James (Rosalie “Ree”); daughter, Mary Curtis; grandchildren, Charles (Julie) Curtis, Shannon (Jennifer) Curtis, Rochelle (Stuart) Cullum and Allyson (Jerrud) Parker; great grandchildren, Tori and Schuyler Curtis, Lily Parker, Jackson and Harrison Cullum, Olivia and Jack Curtis; sister, Margaret Lewis; and many dear nieces and nephews.
He spent his entire life as a farmer in Lansing, Holt, and for fifty years, at the farm in Mason.
He helped with the Okemos 4-H Club and with the Ingham County Fair.
He loved to laugh and sing and was always a thoughtful, loving and caring man.
In his last years, even when he had a difficult time remembering, he would still make those around him smile and laugh with his whistling, singing and funny phrases.
He touched the lives of all of us. He was a man with a big heart.
He had humorous little nicknames for his family and friends and repeated many crazy phrases in English and German.
He and Katie loved to go camping in their fifth-wheeler traveling around the U.S. and especially, to Florida.
The family would like to thank the personnel at the Ingham County Medical Care Facility for all their loving care to Russell Huber. Services were held April 25, 2009 at First United Methodist Church of Mason. Those desiring may make contributions to First United Methodist Church of Mason or the Ingham County Medical Care Facility, 3860 Dobie Road, Okemos, MI 48864, in memory of Russell Huber.
The family is being served by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, Mason. Online condolences may be sent to www.mem.com.
James Ellsworth Hummel
James Ellsworth Hummel, 81, of Charlotte, MI died Wednesday December 30, 2009. Mr. Hummel was born November 1, 1928 in Paw Paw, MI the son of James and Grace (Machan) Hummel.
He is survived by his wife, Ardyth (McDonald) Hummel, their children, Steven (Jennifer) Hummel of Florida, Sandra (Scott) Hodges of Eaton Rapids; 3 grandchildren, Jessica, Jordan and Alyssa.
Private family services will be held. If desired memorial contributions may be made to the Eaton Community Hospice. Arrangements by Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.prayfuneral.com.
Julene Humphrey
Julene Kay Humphrey, 66, of Charlotte, died Friday, July 3, 2009. She was born June 3, 1943 in Charlotte, the daughter of Dudley and Feleniece (Wood) Miller.
She is survived by her husband, Clarence Humphrey, and their children: Pennie (Doug) Lake, Julia (Troy) Copenhaver, Clarence (Betty) Humphrey, Lorinda Gidner, and her other son, Bill (Julee) Emenhiser. She also has 12 grandchildren: Melissa, Martyn and Christy Lake; Troy II and Victoria Copenhaver; Dalton, Lamour, Maggie, and Marshall Humphrey; Craig Gidner; Gina and Dave Wilkes; and Erin and Sean Barker. She has three great grandchildren that also survive her. Her siblings include: Karlene Spencer, Leora (Mike) Doty, Cindy (Bill) Russell, Dudley (Jody) Miller and sister-in-law, Sharon (Lewis) Young.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Murl Miller; granddaughters, Angel Kay Humphrey, and Christina Lake; and mother and father-in-law, Arthur Humphrey and Cora Melton.
Julene was involved in 4-H for most of her life. She was a prolific reader and loved to sew quilts and enjoyed camping with family. She was an avid Coca Cola memorabilia collector. She took pride in the accomplishments of others and that is why she has so many people who call her “Mom” as she was always there to help out.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, July 7 at Pray Funeral Home with Pastors Marc Livingston and Jim Guzek officiating.
If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Eaton community Hospice. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.prayfuneral.com.
Virginia Mae Hurd
Virginia Mae Hurd, age 64, of Roscommon, formerly of Eaton Rapids, died Sunday, December 6, 2009 at her home. Virginia was born June 18, 1945 in Detroit, the daughter of Harold and Emily (Marks) Strank. She married Robert E. Hurd in Eaton Rapids where she was a resident until moving to Roscommon 6 ˝ years ago.
Virginia is survived by her husband, Robert; 3 children, Wesley (Gabriel) Hurd of Ohio, Heather Tice and Dennis (significant other, Heather Pepperanick) Hurd all of Eaton Rapids; 9 grandchildren, Jamie, Zachary, Joshua, Kylie, Trent, Alex, Victoria, Rachael and Cody; brother, Fred Strank and sister, Patricia Strank both of Eaton Rapids. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Kenneth Strank.
A memorial service will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, December 12 with dinner to follow at VFW Post #5680, 1914 Lake Street, St. Helen, where she was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary. Arrangements by Walsh Funeral Home, Roscommon, (989) 275-3600.
William Huss
William Huss, 77, of Charlotte, died Friday, Sept. 4, 2009. Mr. Huss was born June 23, 1932 in Laporte, Ind., the son of Charles and Victoria (Jones) Huss.
Mr. Huss was a member of the Vermontville Lions Club and involved in Boy Scouts. He enjoyed playing cards, fishing hunting, doing wood crafts, camping and mushrooming. Mr. Huss was most proud of his family and enjoyed spending time with them and friends.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Delores; daughter, Terry Sloan of Vermontville; Sheryl (Dave) Walker of Phoenix, Ariz.; sons, William (Sally) Huss of Potterville and Tony (Sherry) Huss of Nashville; seven grandchildren, Shannon Godlewski, Trish (Brandon) Garvey, Troy (Mandy) Sloan, Angela Huss, Kristy Huss, Alicia Huss and Amanda Huss; three great grandchildren; sisters, Betty Smith, Luella Faulkner and Marjorie Shaw; and brothers, Charles Huss and Vernon (Kathleen) Bollinger.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009 at Pray Funeral Home with Pastor Bobby Casey officiating.
If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the family. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.prayfuneral.com.
Charles Luther Irvin
Charles Luther Irvin, 85, of Eaton Rapids, formerly of Haslett, died Friday, July 17, 2009. Charles was born in Lansing, Nov. 15, 1923, the son of Oakley Reams and Coy Merle (nee James) Irvin. Charles was predeceased by a daughter, Marie Kinsey, sister, Gentry Harvey, and by his parents.
He is survived by his wife, Emma Lorraine (nee Carr); two daughters, Kathleen L. (Douglas) Franz and Julie Ann (Paul) Willard; four sons, James (Carol) Irvin, Richard (Linda) Irvin, Thomas (Becky) Irvin, and Paul (Judy) Irvin; son-in-law, Kenneth Kinsey; 15 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren; two brothers, Horrace J. (Marilyn) Irvin and Herbert R. (Joyce) Irvin. Charles was a veteran of WWII serving with the Navy Corp. He loved to hunt, fish, and tinker with anything mechanical, and he loved baseball. Charles was a mechanic with the State of Michigan Department of Natural Recourses. Funeral services were held at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, 1730 E. Grand River Ave., East Lansing, on Wednesday, July 22, 2009 with the Rev. Wesley B. Emerson officiating. Burial and Military Honors followed at Eastlawn Memorial Gardens, Okemos.
Those desiring, may make a contribution in memory of Charles to the American Cancer Society, 3100 West Rd., Bldg. B. Suite 110, East Lansing, MI 48823. The family is being served by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, East Lansing.
