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Samuel Bannister
Samuel Bannister, formerly of the Veteran of Foreign Wars National Home located in Eaton Rapids, Michigan, passed away at the age of 61 on March 15, 2008 in Clarksville, Indiana. He was laid to rest in Milltown, Indiana.
He is survived by his wife Cathy, 4 daughters, Jenny, Julie, Johnetta and Janet; all of Louisville, KY. Also surviving are 3 brothers, Lloyd and Kenneth Bannister of Louisville, KY and Frederick Bannister of Eaton Rapids, Michigan.
Mildred Barkley
Mildred Jane Barkley, 94, of Bellevue, died March 19, 2008 at Mercy Pavilion. She was born June 12, 1913, the daughter of Ruben and Martha (Bieskie) Hindes in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Mildred worked at Jacobson's for several years. She was a member of O.E.S. #471 in Bedford then became a member of Bellevue United Methodist Church. She enjoyed working crossword puzzles and camping at Thornapple River for several years.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert K. Barkley in 2003; her parents and brother, Samuel J. Hindes in 1988.
She is survived by daughters, Deborah Morgan of Dowling and Marilyn (Doran) Quigg of PA; grandchildren, Robert (Martha) Morgan of Bellevue, Cyndi K. Barlond of Bellevue, Dawn (Doug) Targgart of IN, Melanie (Robert) Hall of PA, Karen (Edward) Todd of PA and several great-grandchildren.
Services took place Saturday, March 22, 2008 at Shaw Funeral Home, Pastor Leon Rayburn officiating. Interment, Hicks Cemetery.
Memorials may go to the American Diabetes Association.
The family is being served by Shaw Funeral Home, Lehman Chapel, Bellevue.
Burdena Barlond
Burdena Barlond, 87, formerly of Onondaga, passed away Sunday, May 25, 2008. Mrs. Barlond was born May 7, 1921 in Menifee County, KY, the daughter of Olney and Mae (Smith) Fugate.
She retired from GM Parts Plant in Lansing after 28 years. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Zephyr Hills, FL, where she was baptized. Burdena also enjoyed team bowling, flower gardening and nature.
She was preceded in death by her sisters, Dora Fugate and Lillian McMenamy.
She is survived by her children, Everett (Jill) Barlond of Rives Junction, Shirley McKellar of Lansing and Karen Barlond of Lansing; brother, James (Rachel) Fugate; sisters, Pauline Hall and Juanita "Toony" Howell.
Services were held Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at Pray Funeral Home. Interment was at East Lawn Memory Gardens, Okemos.
Arrangements by Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Anna D. Basing
Anna D. Basing, age 88, returned to the side of her loving husband of 65 years after a brief illness on November 6th. She was born July 21st, 1920 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the fourth of five children by Harry Ashley Tracy and Mary Agnes Reilly. Upon her father’s retirement from the United States Navy in the early 1930s they moved to his family home in Eaton Rapids where she graduated from high school in 1939. After a brief interlude she became aware of the presence of another young man of her high school class, albeit in a different circle, who was not only a neighbor but a close friend of her younger brother. In the months following she determined his qualities and appearance warranted an encounter which she arranged and soon blossomed into a relationship culminating in her marriage to Claud Basing at his post in Little Rock Arkansas in mid-1942.
During and following the war years Anna was employed at Horner Woolen Mills in Eaton Rapids, Michigan and upon her husband’s return from the European theatre and graduation from college in 1951 commenced a family life which became and remained her reason for being. She was the quintessential “greatest generation” post war mother whose life was consumed by husband, children, family and friends and her fierce devotion to all never wavered. Her “Irish” dominated her personality, whether it is in charm, wit, temper or in spoken word it was always plain who she was and what she felt and thought. Anne never failed to make an impression with her presence, word and appearance. Upon her husband’s retirement in 1983 she actively cherished the many remaining years with her mate, home, children and grandchildren.
Predeceased by her beloved husband Claud in June of this year, she is survived by her son Tracy (Cindy) of Plymouth, Michigan, daughter Claudia Graving (Michael) of East Lansing, grandsons Ted and Alex Basing, sister Margaret Ralph of Hatfield, PA, brother Harry A. Tracy of Eaton Rapids and several nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to thank Homecare Alternatives and Bickford Assisted Living for their many kindnesses, services and condolences in recent months. Donations in her name may be made to the Eaton Rapids Community Hospital Auxiliary.
Funeral Services will be Wednesday, November 12th at 11:00 a.m. at the Skinner Funeral Home in Eaton Rapids with burial following in Rosehill Cemetery in Eaton Rapids. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday from 2:00-4:00 and 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Claude Basing
Claude A. Basing, 88, Eaton Rapids, departed June 2, 2008 after a brief illness. He was born April 5, 1920 in Fowlerville, the last of five sons by Oscar and Vera Basing. The family moved to Eaton Rapids in the early 1930s where he graduated from high school in 1939.
Claude joined the United States Army in February 1942 and following basic training was assigned to Camp Robinson, Arkansas where he was joined by and soon married to his pre-war sweetheart in August of that year. He was promoted sergeant, and later graduated from Officer Candidate School, departing the United States in 1943 as a commissioned officer in the Medical Corps where he served in the North African and Italian campaigns prior to entering southern France in August of 1944. War's end found him a First Lieutenant in Bavaria, Germany from where he returned home to his wife and family in early 1946.
Claude entered General Motors Institute in 1947, graduating as an industrial engineer in 1951 whereupon he entered into a 33-year career in manufacturing management with Oldsmobile Division, GMC in Lansing. His first decade was spent in Plant #2 Forging and Differential Operations, after which he moved to Plant #3 Axle and Press Plants, and later to the Bumper Planting Plants, before retiring in 1983 as Plant Superintendent for Press Metal and Plastics at Plant #1.
Throughout his work life he contributed to his community through both social and public service, joining the Masonic Lodge in the late 1940s, active in the Junior Chamber of Commerce and Lions Clubs prior to serving 10 years as city councilman and mayor throughout the 1960s.
His last 25 years were devoted to his wife, family and friends and unbroken interest in local government and the progress of the city he lived in. He was indeed a member of the "Greatest Generation."
Surviving are his loving wife of 65 years, Ann; son, Tracy (Cynthia) Basing of Plymouth; daughter, Claudia (Michael) Graving of East Lansing; two grandsons, Ted and Alex Basing; friend and later brother-in-law Harry Tracy Jr. of Eaton Rapids; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were Friday, June 6, 2008 from the Skinner Funeral Home in Eaton Rapids, with burial following in Rosehill Cemetery in Eaton Rapids.
Chester Beardslee
Chester "Chet" Carl Beardslee, 77, of Onekama, MI, passed away Thursday, March 13, 2008 at West Shore Medical Center in Manistee, MI. He was born Aug. 15, 1930 in Dimondale, the son of Carl and Iris (Twitchell) Beardslee.
Memorial services will be conducted at 3 p.m. on Sunday, June 29 at the Kalamo Church in Kalamo, MI, with Pastor Bryce Feighner officiating. Interment will take place in the Hillside Cemetery in Kalamo, MI.
Memorial contributions may be made to the family.
The Terwilliger Funeral Home in Kaleva, MI, is in charge of arrangements.
Wayne Beardslee
Wayne E. Beardslee, 94, of Charlotte, died Sunday, Nov. 9, 2008. Mr. Beardslee was born March 3, 1914 in Eaton County, the son of Louie and Gladys (Culver) Beardslee.
Mr. Beardslee was an engineer for Colfax Manufacturing. Wayne was a member of the Brookfield Eaton United Methodist Church and the Brookfield Masonic Lodge. He enjoyed gardening, fishing, flying model airplanes, western style square dancing and spending time at the cottage.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Katherine in 2006 and daughters, Ellen and Louise.
He is survived by daughter, Margaret (LeRoy) Crabtree of Goshen, IN; son, Louie Beardslee of South Bend, IN; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren and brother, Kenneth Beardslee of Albion, MI; sister-in-law, Bessie Nelson.
Funeral services were held Friday, Nov. 14, 2008 at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte with Rev. Fred Stayton officiating. Interment was at Rose Hill Cemetery in Eaton Rapids.
If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Brookfield Eaton United Methodist Church or Eaton Community Hospice House.
Arrangements by Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Betty Rae Beck
Betty Rae (King) Beck age 84 of Sioux City, Iowa, formerly of Charlotte passed away Saturday, December 20, 2008 at her daughter’s home in Sioux City, Iowa. Betty was born in Cable, Illinois to Martin and Eva Idella (Lindsley) Owen on August 28, 1924.
Betty had been a resident of Eaton County the majority of her life, living in Charlotte, Eaton Rapids and Olivet. She graduated from Olivet High School. Betty and Harold “Budd” King were married on February 13, 1943, in Eaton Rapids. After Budd’s death in 1975, she met and married Evison J. Beck on January 31, 1985. Evison passed away in 1997. Betty enjoyed knitting, crocheting, ceramic painting, canning, spending time in her garden, cooking, baking and crafts. She really loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. She always put her family first. Her main goal in life was to take care of others. Betty was a homemaker, factory worker, home health aide, worked as a cook in the Charlotte school district and retired from the Deli Department at Carter’s IGA.
Betty is survived by her children in order of age: daughters, Linda and husband Doug Klont of Dimondale; Lona and husband John Houston of Sioux City, Iowa; son, Ted and wife Sue King of Olivet; daughter, Loretta (Ezzie) King of Independence, Missouri and son, James King and friend, Cindy of Olivet; 18 grandchildren; five step-grandchildren; 39 great grandchildren; five step-great grandchildren; brother, George and wife Alice Owen of Irons and sister-in-law, Elsie Owen of Lansing. Numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives survive Betty. She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands; three brothers; eight sisters; two grandchildren; two great grandchildren and special friend Alex McMillan.
Funeral services were held Saturday, Dec. 27, 2008 at the Burkhead-Green Funeral Home, Charlotte with Rev. Courtney Suntken and Rev. Jason Harris officiating. Burial in the Kalamo Hillside Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Hospice of Siouxland, 4300 Hamilton Blvd., Sioux City, Iowa 51104.
Steven Beckwith
Steven "Jeff" Beckwith, 31, of Charlotte, died Friday, May 1, 2008. Mr. Beckwith was born Sept. 10, 1976, the son of Charles Beckwith and Katherine (Johnson) Beckwith.
Mr. Beckwith was a mechanic for Spartan Motors. He was a man of faith who was involved with his church and church activities. Mr. Beckwith loved his family and was very proud of his children.
He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, William Johnson and Charles Beckwith.
He is survived by his wife of five years, Stacy; sons, Jordan, John and Jeremiah; his parents; sister, Lisa Beckwith; grandmothers, Tina Johnson and Rex Beckwith.
Memorial Services were held Tuesday, May 6, 2008 at the Crossroads Church, Charlotte with Reverend Michael Arnold officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Eaton Community Hospice House, Life Today Ministries or the Ingham Regional Visiting Nurses.
Arrangements by Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
