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William Cheney
William D. Cheney, M.D., 90, of Okemos, formerly of Indian Rocks Beach, Fla., died Nov. 8, 2008. He was born Aug. 23, 1918 in Tekonsha, Mich.
William was a graduate of Charlotte High School class of 1936. He then went on to Michigan State College now MSU and obtained a B.S. in applied science in 1940. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a medical degree in 1943. He served his internship at the University of Wisconsin and his radiology residency at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, Ann Arbor. William also served as a clinical instructor at Wayne State University, Detroit.
He was in the R.O.T.C. at MSC and served as captain in the Army Medical Corps during World War II.
William was a member of Wayne County Medical Society, Ingham County Medical Society Secretary, Michigan Radiological Society President, Radiological Society of North America, American Roentgen Ray Society, Emeritus Fellow American College of Radiology councilor for Michigan, Society of Nuclear Medicine and the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine.
William worked in the department of radiology at Sparrow Hospital for 33 years. He was chairman for 17 years and retired in 1983. He was also an Associate Clinical Professor of Radiology at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. William served as president of the Rotary Club of Lansing, district 636, R.I. Governor and Capital Area United Way.
He was a deacon, elder, trustee of the First Presbyterian Church of Lansing and a current member of the Presbyterian Church of Okemos. William was an affiliate member of Christ Presbyterian Church, Largo, Florida.
William was preceded in death by brothers, Dr. Edward A. Cheney and Gail R. Cheney; and sister, Marian E. Herman.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Eleanor; daughters, Karen L. (Ronald) McPhail of Carluke, Scotland, UK, Marilyn K. (John) Eisz of Calabasas, CA and Laura A. (Steve) Gladwin of Marana, AZ; their spouses and children; sons, Roger D. (Chris) of Lansing and Scott E. (Colleen) of Saginaw; their spouses and children; 14 grandchildren; and brother, Gordon Cheney of Charlotte.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. The family is being served by the Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, 1730 E. Grand River Ave., East Lansing.
Lera Clark
Lera Caroline Clark, 92, of Alma, formerly of Mason, passed away Friday, Oct. 10, 2008 in Alma. Lera was born Dec. 15, 1915 in Mason.
She was a member of Robbins United Methodist Church, and retired from the Michigan Conference U.C.C. in 1979 after 21 years of service. Lera was also a volunteer member of the Vannie Cook Cancer Center in McAllen, Texas.
Preceded in death by her son, Allen; daughter, Janyce Griffes; and brother, Harvey Seeley, Lera is survived by her husband of 72 years, Donald; two sons, Harvey (Mary Armstrong) Clark of Charlotte, Ward (Brenda) Clark of Mason; daughter-in-law, Margie (Loren) Noddins of Mason; son-in-law, Royal (Jan) Griffes of Ludington; 10 grandchildren, Kelli Bush, Kerri (Brian) Sartin, Karla Spoor, Debbie Griffes, Valerie (Rod) Fisher, Laurie (Chuck) Reed, Larry (Larissa Gleason) Clark, James (Rosalie) Clark, Nathan (Shannon) Clark, and Tricia (Joe) Tort; two step-grandchildren, Jean (Gary) Campbell, Jeffrey (Amanda) Groll; 18 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; one brother, Charles (Edna) Seeley of Lansing; and one sister, Elizabeth (Wilfrid) Robinson of Livonia.
Memorial services were held Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2008 at the Robbins United Methodist Church, Eaton Rapids. Arrangements are by the Shelly-Odell Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids.
Those desiring may make memorial contributions to either the Kidney Foundation or American Cancer Society in memory of Lera Clark.
Freddie “Big Fred” Clarke
Freddie “Big Fred” Clarke, age 48, of Eaton Rapids, died Tuesday, March 11, 2008 at his residence. He was born May 31, 2959 in Eaton Rapids the son of Freddie and Arleen (Steele) Clarke Sr. Fred was a former employee of the Michigan Packaging Co. with over 20 years of service. He was the National Chairman of the Board of Loyal Riders M.C. Preceding him in death was his father Freddie Clarke Sr. in 1980.
Surviving are his mother, Arleen; 3 sisters, Ruth Ann (Ray) Noble of Eaton Rapids, Cathy (Bob) Cantine of Springport and Peggy Lightner of Eaton Rapids; 5 nieces and nephews; many great nieces and nephews; aunts, uncles, and cousins; and his Loyal Riders, brothers and sisters.
Funeral services were Friday, March 14, 2008 from the Skinner Funeral Home in Eaton Rapids. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial gifts be made to the family in care of Arlene Clarke.
Judy Class
Judy Class, 63, of Charlotte, died July 24, 2008 in Charlotte. Judy was born on Feb. 3, 1945, in Charlotte, the daughter of Paul and Helen Class.
She graduated from Charlotte High School and Lansing Business University. She was active in her home community, having participated in "Future Charlotte" as well as "Can Do." She served a term on the Charlotte City Council, where she chaired both the City Manager Executive Search Process as well as the City Charter Revision Committee. She was a member of the Regional Planning Commission Study Group, the Eaton County Substance Advisory Group, and the Women in Municipal Government.
In 1976, Judy organized and led Michigan's participation in the National Bicentennial celebration by putting together a commemorative wagon train that participated in a pilgrimage to Valley Forge. Michigan was proud to have the largest contingent of wagons and outriders in the event than any other state. On July 4, 1976, all of the official lead wagons from throughout the country formed a classic wagon train circle at Valley Forge. Michigan's wagon was singled out for the honor of receiving President Ford for ceremonial signings. Judy greeted the president on behalf of the state of Michigan. The 1976 Bicentennial was lauded by the Michigan Director of Tourism as "...the largest and most successful Bicentennial event in Michigan. In 1987, Judy was recruited by Michigan's Sesquicentennial Committee to form another successful 10-day wagon train event that traveled in a circle throughout mid-Michigan."
Judy was the founder of the Michigan Horse Council and the Michigan Rails to Trails Conservancy. Judy retired from the Michigan Legislature in 1992 and in 1995 helped to organize the first staffed office for the Eaton County United Way. As executive director, she saw the annual fundraising campaign grow from $62,000 to $417,000. During her service at ECUW, she won over 30 regional and national awards for her work. She left the United Way in 2003.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer (Class) and Jonathan Rutledge and by her granddaughter, Marissa Kay.
No memorial service will be held. Those wishing to honor Judy and her services to our community are encouraged to do so by making a contribution to SIREN/Eaton Shelter.
Arrangements by Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Robert Clements
Robert G. Clements, 97, of Charlotte, died Monday, Jan. 7, 2008 at his residence. Mr. Clements was born May 22, 1910 in Carmel Township of Eaton County, the son of John W. and Glycine (Stratton) Clements and was a lifelong Eaton County resident.
He had attended the Millerburg Country School, was a 1928 Graduate of Charlotte High School and graduated with his B.S. Degree in 1932 from Michigan State College (now M. S. U.). He received a Life Teaching Certificate. He had worked in farming, later at Oldsmobile in Lansing and at Wertz Implement Co. in Charlotte from where he retired.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Bernice (Wonser) Clements in 1998 and by brothers, Paul and Irvin Clements.
Surviving are two daughters, Marilyn Bernice (Clarence) Shriver of Grand Ledge and Anna Jane Grooms of Swartz Creek; eight grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Jan. 11, 2008 at the Burkhead-Green Funeral Home, Charlotte with Rev. Rich Mitterling and Rev. Perry Purcell officiating. Interment was in the Maple Hill Cemetery, Charlotte.
Memorial contributions may go to the American Cancer Society or Eaton Community Hospice. Envelopes available at the Funeral Home.
Roy Cochran
We are saddened to announce the passing of Mr. Roy T. Cochran, 69, of Charlotte. Roy was born in Johnson County, Arkansas and lived in the mid-Michigan area for the past 47 years.
Roy worked for many years in the forging industry at Jackson Drop Forge, Federal Forge and later started his own company, Cochran Corporation in Springport, MI. His passions in his later years were "tinkering" with his antique Sports Car Collection, gardening, joking and teasing with everyone he knew or met. Roy's proudest accomplishment was his family. He had many friends and family, and all who knew him will remember his smiling face, quick wit and never ending supply of love and friendship.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Davine; father, Early Cochran; children, Terry Besey, Sherry Burditt, Roy Cochran Jr., Andy Cochran; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; five sisters, two brothers and many other family members and friends.
Services were held Thursday, May 29, 2008 at Pray Funeral Home with Pastor James Keats officiating. Interment was in Tompkins Center Cemetery.
If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Arrangements by Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Phyllis I. Cockroft
Phyllis I. Cockroft, of Springport, passed away at home under the loving care of her family on Friday, May 23, 2008 at the age of 76. She was born October 20, 1931 to Eugene and Lucy Baum.
Surviving is her husband of 52 years, Delbert, two sons, Donald (Veronica) Cockroft of Springport, Ronald (Kim) Cockroft of Albion, two daughters, Deloris (Jody) Hawkins of Springport, and Peggy (Jim) Ross of Grass Lake, 13 grandchildren, with one grandson, Jason Hawkins serving in Iraq, seven great grandchildren, two sisters, Nancy (Bob) Zenz and Patricia (David) Dack, German sister, Wybke and many nieces and nephews. Phyllis worked at the Albion Bowling Alley, Divco in Devereaux, and was a homemaker as well. She served for 53 years in the 4-H services and was a member of the Devereaux Grange.
Funeral services will be held at the J.C. Adams Funeral Home, Springport Chapel, on Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Jack Fugate officiating. Interment will follow at Campbell Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Jackson County 4-H Foundation, Great Lakes Hospice or to the Springport Area Foundation for Education. J.C. Adams Funeral Home, Springport Chapel, (517) 857-2633.
William P. “Bill” Cole
William P. “Bill” Cole, age 71, of Eaton Rapids died Saturday June 7, 2008 in Lansing. He was born June 28, 1936 in Lansing the son of Fred W. and Mary E. (Thompson) Cole. Bill was a Professional Painter who had worked for Capital City Paint Co. later the Silver Lead Paint Co. and had retired as a painter for the Ingham Medical Center in Lansing. Bill was a member of St. Peter Catholic Church in Eaton Rapids. He had an extreme love for the outdoors, snowmobiling, hunting and fishing and this love was exceeded only by his love for his many good friends. Bill was a loving, understanding and cherished husband, father, papa and friend and will be greatly missed by all. Preceding him in death was a sister, Pat and his parents.
Surviving are his wife of 24 years, Norma; 2 children, Shannon of Dimondale and Fred of Eaton Rapids; 4 stepchildren, Kim (Mark) Faggion, Lori Kirkland, Tami Byer and Scott Kirkland; 6 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren and numerous friends.
Mass of the Christian Burial will be Wednesday, June 11th at 11:00 a.m. from St. Peter Catholic Church in Eaton Rapids. Family will receive friends at the Skinner Funeral Home in Eaton Rapids on Tuesday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. with a Rosary being prayed at 7:00 p.m. For those desiring memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association or the St. Peter Catholic Church Building Fund. For online condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHome.com.
Shirley Colestock
Shirley Colestock, 70, of Eaton Rapids, died Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2008. Ms. Colestock was born Nov. 7, 1937 in Michigan Center, the daughter of Floyd and Birdie (Brandt) Rulison.
Ms. Colestock worked for the State of Michigan in the Civil Service division. She knitted hat and mittens for the needy, liked to play Bingo, puzzles, bowling and was especially fond of her cat.
She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Betty McGilvra, Helen Rulison and her brother, Carl Rulison.
She is survived by her daughters, Dr. Denise Colestock of Eaton Rapids, Linda Colestock of Plattsmouth, NE, Shelley Scarborough of Eaton Rapids; grandchildren, Kennin Colestock (Jessica) of Plattsmouth, NE, Cory Colestock (Ashley) of Pleasant Lake, MI, Brandon Jeffreys of Leavenworth KS, Amber Jeffreys (Russell) of Leavenworth KS, Anna Scarborough of Eaton Rapids and Rebecca Colestock of Eaton Rapids; six great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews and brother, Don (Phyllis) Rulison.
Graveside memorial services will be 9 a.m. Saturday, May 10, 2008 at Maple Hill Cemetery with Reverend Perry Purcell officiating.
If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Eaton Community Hospice House or Eaton Rapids Senior Citizens Hall.
Arrangements by Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
