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Tracy Beardslee
Tracy Lee Beardslee, 48, lost his life suddenly July 7, 2009 in the mountainside of Roundup Montana where he has lived for the last eight years on land he bought and the home he built with his own two hands.
Tracy enjoyed working on his land. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing and was a joker and loved his family, was known as a “Real Cowboy.” Tracy worked most of his life in carpentry and construction after graduating high school. In the late 1980s he joined the Michigan National Guard and a few years later he received an honorable discharge and was a disabled veteran.
Tracy was born Dec. 3, 1960 to Niles and Marilyn Beardslee and he grew up on a farm in the Vermontville area and attended Maple Valley Schools and was a 1978 graduate.
Tracy is survived by his three children, Sara-Beth Beardslee; his sons Josh (Jessica) Beardslee and Jason Beardslee of Michigan; brothers, Steven Beardslee of Michigan and Tomas (Sharon) Beardslee of Arizona; sister Sandra (Dies) Griffith of Illinois and parents Niles and Marilyn Beardslee of Arizona. Also surviving are Beth Martinez, mother of his children and dear friend and many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. Tracy leaves behind an unborn grandchild from his daughter Sarah-Beth.
Tracy was laid to rest in a private ceremony on his property in Roundup, Montana on July 13, 2009 as his family fulfilled his wishes.
Katie Behnke
Born Catherine Rachael Anna Rhodes on Dec. 2, 1926 in Newell, W.Va., Katie, as she preferred to be called in her later years, was the youngest of six children. Katie had a full, healthy and blessed life. Katie was called by the Lord suddenly in Dallas on the evening of Jan. 12, 2009. She was 82 years old.
Her parents, George and Florence (Arnold) met at the famed Laughlin China Co. where they worked. Her mother died when Katie was only five, and at the age of eight during the Great Depression, she was sent to a foster home until she was 16. During WWII, Katie was part of the Women's Land Army that worked the Victory Farms. She was also a "Rosie the Riveter" working at a Hoover plant in Ohio that produced munitions during the war.
Katie attended Moody Bible College in Chicago, Ill., to pursue her dreams of becoming a missionary. Then in Fairmont, W.Va., she attended Grace Tabernacle Christian College. Katie was very active in the church and sang in a quartet on the radio on Sundays. There she met John Richard Garlow, son of John Dewey and Dorothy Mae (Moran), and fell in love. They married in 1947 and had six children before moving to Charlotte in 1963.
As in W.Va., Katie continued to work full-time, was active in her church and was a devoted mother. She was well known for her baking - especially her pies and incredible, apple dumplings. In 1972 she moved to Gladstone in the scenic Upper Peninsula of Michigan and married her beloved William Hugh Behnke. Avid gardeners, Katie and Bill worked hard and enjoyed ice fishing and hunting together.
After Bill's death, Katie moved to Texas to "retire" and to be near two of her children. Retirement didn't suit her, so she moved back north to Ohio to live in the same little town she had as a foster child. Finally, moving back to Texas in 2005, Katie enjoyed retirement living at The Pegasus Villas in Dallas.
Katie was preceded in death by husbands, John and William; her eldest daughter, Rachael and step daughter, Jackie.
She is survived by her children, David Lee Garlow of Charlotte, Timothy Allen Garlow of Lexington, N.C., John Richard Garlow II of Dallas, Texas, Mary Beth Hartline of North Richland Hills, Texas, Joseph Paul Garlow of Fowlerville, and her step children, Judy Behnke-MacInness, Jeri Behnke-Elliston and William Behnke II, all of Charlotte; plus 22 much-loved grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
A memorial service was scheduled to be Saturday. Jan. 17, 2009, Smithfield United Methodist Church, 6701 Smithfield Road, North Richland Hills, Texas 76180. Katie will lay to rest at Fernwood Cemetery, in Gladstone, Mich.
Martha Ann Bellows
Martha Ann Bellows of Eaton Rapids, age 80, passed away in Lansing, August 9, 2009. She was born in Lansing, November 3, 1928, the daughter of Fern L. (Stark) Sawdy and Jacob W. Thompson. Martha lived in Eaton Rapids all of her adult life. She married George H. Bellows on June 20, 1947 in Okemos. She was employed for many years by the Eaton Rapids Medical Clinic, where she worked in the billing department. Martha was an expert quilter, which earned her many blue ribbons throughout the state. She was a seamstress, gardener and homemaker. Martha canned and preserved her garden vegetables and fruits for years. Martha, George and their children spent many summers at Horsehead Lake in Mecosta swimming, boating, skiing and fishing. She loved to fish.
Martha is survived by her husband George; son, Allan A. Bellows of Eaton Rapids; daughters, Susan M. Bellows of Charlotte, Deborah L. (James) Charles of Eaton Rapids; 5 grandchildren, Chad (Donna) Bellows, Laura (Caleb) Phelps, Jessica (Robert) Harbitz, Abigail Buchin and Jennie Charles; 3 great grandchildren, Addison Bellows, Owen Bellows and Stephanie Colosky. She was preceded in death by her parents; grandson, Patrick Bellows; brothers, Jacob Thompson and Howard Thompson.
Funeral services will be 11 am, Thursday, August 13, 2009, at the Shell-Odell Funeral Home, 518 S. Main St., Eaton Rapids, with Pastor Randy Royston officiating. Visitation will be held Wednesday 6-8 pm at the funeral home. Interment will be in Rosehill Cemetery. www.shellyodell.com.
Rodney George Benjamin
Rodney George Benjamin died April 24, 2009 at his home in Lake City at the age of 71. He was born April 1, 1938 in Eaton Rapids to Ezra and Pauline (Pierce) Benjamin.
He was a former owner of Benjamin & Sons Salvage in Lansing until 1987.
He moved to Lake City and worked in forestry until retirement.
Rodney had a passion for hunting, loved NASCAR and trail riding.
He is survived by a son, Rodney James (Terri) Benjamin of Eaton Rapids; daughters, Cheryl (Roosevelt) Wilson of Lake City, and Cathy Gomez of Charlotte; a special friend, Clara Helsel of Lake City; four brothers, five sisters; 14 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren, and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his mother, father and two sisters.
There is not a service being held. Arrangements made by the Young Funeral Home, in Lake City.
Dorothy M. Bennett
Dorothy M. Bennett of Lansing, age 80 died Tuesday, October 6, 2009. Born November 13, 1928 in Onondaga Township, the daughter of Herman and Abbie (Strang) Lambert. Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Charles in 2005.
She is survived by her 3 children, Edward (Anne) of Lansing, James (Kelly) of Eaton Rapids and Christine (Manny) Medeiros of Lansing; 3 grandchildren; brother, Kenneth (Francis) Lambert of Grand Rapids and several nieces & nephews & cousins.
Funeral services were held October 10, 2009 from the Skinner Funeral Home in Eaton Rapids. Burial followed in the Brickyard Cemetery. For online condolences go to www.skinnerFuneralHome.com.
Robert Bennett
Robert L. Bennett, 79, of Winter Haven, Fla. passed away Monday, May 25, 2009 at Good Shepherd Hospice in Auberndale due to heart failure. He was born in Bellevue, Mich. on Feb. 21, 1930. He was the owner/operator of Bennett Oil.
Robert was preceded in death by a grandchild and a great grandchild.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Aileen Granfors Bennett; children, Susan (Gregg) Heisler of Moscow, Mich., Patricia Spotts of Olivet, David (Julie) Bennett of Charlotte and Richard Bennett of Torrance, Calif.; sister, Judy (Karl) Wirt of Edwardsville, Ind.; nine grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
A Memorial Service will be held Friday, June 19 at 11 a.m. at Burkhead-Green Funeral Home in Charlotte. Memorial contributions can be made to the March of Dimes.
Carolyn Berry
Carolyn S. Berry, 68, of Bellevue, died Feb. 9, 2009 at Battle Creek Health System. She was born Nov. 12, 1940, the daughter of Roy and Marge (Berry) Clemons in Battle Creek.
She graduated from Bellevue High School in 1958. Carolyn worked as a school bus driver for Bellevue Public Schools from 1971 until her retirement in 2004. Carolyn was a member of Baseline United Methodist Church of which she was a true leader in the church. She also belonged to the 20th Century Club.
She loved to dance and play cars. Carolyn will be remembered by her strength.
She was preceded in death by her parents, infant daughter, Dawn Marie Berry and daughter, Debbie Sue Berry.
Carolyn married her high school sweetheart Corlis (Cork) Berry on July 31, 2959 at Bellevue United Methodist Church; he survives. She is also survived by her daughter, Julie (Mike) Phillips of Georgetown, Ky.; grandchildren, Brad and Rachael Phillips of Georgetown, Ky., Spc. 4 Todd Phillips who is serving in Afghanistan; brother, Jim (Duretha) Clemons of Bellevue; sisters, Marilyn (Jim) Gordon of Highlands Ranch, Colo., and Sharon (Al) Ballard of Bellevue.
Funeral services took place Thursday, Feb. 12 at Bellevue United Methodist Church with Pastor Virginia Heller officiating. Interment at Bell Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to Baseline United Methodist Church. The family is being served by Shaw Funeral Home, Lehman Chapel. www.shawfuneralhome.com.
Rev. Robert Emory Betts
Rev. Robert Emory Betts of Eaton Rapids, age 84, was called home to be with his Lord and Savior on August 8, 2009. He was born to Charles and Emily Betts on June 23, 1925 in Detroit and spent most of his childhood in the city of Detroit. After the passing of both his parents, Bob moved in with his sister and her husband, Virginia and James Seidell, where he attended East Grand Rapids High School. As a young man, he joined the Navy and served his country for 3 years. During WWII, most of his time was spent in England. Upon his return, Bob attended Michigan Tech. University with the focus of a career in forestry, however, after his first year there, he was introduced to his best friend’s cousin, Shirley Elkins of Rockford and they were soon married. They moved to Seattle, WA, where the Lord made Himself real and Bob felt the call to become a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The young couple returned to Michigan where Bob attended Owosso Bible College. Upon graduation in 1952, their first assignment was a small mission church in Sault Ste. Marie, Canada, for the Pilgrim Holiness Church. From there they preached and served the Lord in the Evangelical United Brethren and United Methodist Pastorates throughout Michigan for 40 years. Bob retired in 1988 and continued to serve the Lord filling short-term assignments. He was a Chaplain for Hospice, and he officiated over countless weddings and funerals.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Shirley (Elkins); children, Robert Betts II of New Smyrnya Beach, FL, Bettse Betts of Savannah, GA, Mark (Tracy) Betts of Eaton Rapids; 8 grandchildren; 2 great grandchildren. Bob was preceded in death by his parents.
Memorial services will be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at the First United Methodist Church, 600 S. Main St., Eaton Rapids, with Pastor Daniel Hofmann officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm at the Shelly-Odell Funeral Home 518 S. Main St., Eaton Rapids. Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church, or the Hospice of your choice.
“Pastor Bob” served His Lord faithfully and will be sorely missed but remembered with love by family and friends. www.shellyodell.com.
Virginia Betts
Virginia M. Betts, 85, of Sandy Pines, formerly of Charlotte, passed away Friday, Aug. 28, 2009. Virginia was a social worker. Funeral services were held Monday, Aug. 31 at Pray Funeral Home.
Kenneth “Kenny” Bills Sr.
Kenneth “Kenny” Bills Sr. of Onondaga, passed away on Friday, August 21, 2009 at St. Joe Mercy Hospital. Kenny was born in Jackson, Michigan, on August 26, 1934 to Audley and Alice (Small) Bills. He is survived by Joleen, his wife of 27 years. Kenny owned and operated Four Seasons Sports Center since 1968. He was highly involved in racing at Springport and Spartan Speedway as a sponsor for many years. Many of those years were spent with his racing buddy Kenny “13, Old Man” Buchner. He enjoyed garage sales, collecting Avon, bowling, playing poker and gambling at the casinos. He especially looked forward to hunting and fishing with his best bud, Mason “Doc” Samson. Kenny is already dearly missed. The family would like to extend appreciation to his special care givers; granddaughter Angela Lawrence and friend Stu Szczepanski. Kenny is preceded in death by his son, Ken Bills, Jr., brother, Bob of Litchfield, and sister, Wanda Karney of Jonesville.
He is survived by children; Mary Bills, N. Hollywood, CA, Wanda (Virgil) Stiles, Mason, Donna (Doug) Patrick, Bath, step-children; Darla (Tom) Erickson, Jackson, Richard (Janet) Lawrence, Jackson, Tracy (Ethel) Lawrence, Springport, Jeff (Teresa) Brown, Springport, Tony (Janell) Brown, Springport, siblings; Charles (Marcia), Jackson, Duane, Litchfield, Leona Katz, Coldwater, Audrey Lattas, Hillsdale, Dollie Teller, Litchfield, step-siblings; Jim (Mary) DePew, Jackson, George (Shirley) DePew, Tekonsha, Ima Lee (Doug) Warden, Riga, Shirley (Richard) Harrison, Litchfield, Alice (Richard) Luther, Coloma, and numerous grand & great grandchildren and nephews and nieces, special family; Lora, Brittany, Cody and Savannah England, who also helped with his care while he was still at home.
Memorial Services will be held on Sunday, September 20, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. with visitation beginning at 1:00 p.m. at the Springport VFW, 230 Mechanic St. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Kenny’s name may be directed to Victory Junction, 4500 Adam’s Way, Randleman, NC 27317. www.victoryjunction.org. Arrangements entrusted to: J.C. Adams Funeral Home, Springport Chapel. (517) 857-2633.
