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Eleanor Lois Allen
Eleanor Lois Allen, of Sunfield, passed away peacefully Friday, Jan. 26, 2007. Eleanor was born June 23, 1924 on the family farm in Sebewa Township, Ionia County to Harold (Harry) A. and Mattie (Bailiff) Meyers. Mrs. Allen was under the loving care of her family at the Hospice House of Mid-Michigan in Lansing.
Eleanor attended Sebewa Center School and was a graduate of Sunfield High School, Class of 1942. During these high school years she had to help on the family farm with chores as well as housework because her mother had died in 1939. She recalled that her father forbid her to learn to milk and take care of the dairy herd, because if he didn’t her brothers would try to get her to do these chores while they went to town! But she really thought he wanted he in the house so there would be a good hot meal ready. Actually her education was very important to her father and after graduation she worked at the Lansing Reo plant where she was an inspector on the "Bomb" Line. In 1945 she married Delbert (Bud) Vergeson and they were the owners of several gas stations in Lansing. One of the gas stations was a Marathon Station at 332 Shepard St. and a second was a Gulf Station in partnership with his brother-in-law, Harold Meyers at Hillsdale and Butler Streets. Eleanor would recall how she would clean spark plugs and do other small repairs while Bud would use the whole garage area to disassemble and automotive transmission, repair it and reassemble the whole thing in one day. Later they owned a Texaco Station in Portland until his death in 1969.
Eleanor also worked for many years at the J & J Variety Store in Portland. In 1976, she married Al Allen, retiring to Harrison, Michigan where they both enjoyed traveling (she had visited 49 states), fishing, entertaining their children and grand children, as well as many friends, neighbors and other relatives. It is at this time at the age of 52 that she took up the game of golf and enjoyed many happy hours on the links and watching the "Pros" on television. Although she loved northern Michigan, Al's sudden death in 1987 caused Eleanor to return to Portland and several years later to her childhood hometown of Sunfield. It was at this time that she transferred her membership from the American Legion Auxiliary Harrison Post 404 to the Portland Unit 129. She loved reunions, get-togethers, church, luncheons, putting together jigsaw puzzles with the help from what she called her "puzzling friends," knitting and crocheting. She made many Afghans and Lap Robes for family, friends, and new babies and donating them to various charitable and veteran organizations and hospitals. She was also a member of the Sunfield Red Hat Society, Sunfield Senior Citizens and other local organizations.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands, Delbert (Bud) Vergeson and Almerian (Al) Allen; brother and sister-in-law, Howard and Leona Meyers; a nephew, Darrell Meyers; and also a niece, Patricia Meyers.
She is survived by her brothers, Harold (Maxine) Meyers of Charlotte, Wesley (Lucille) Meyers of Sunfield and sister Ardell (Richard) Ward of Lake City and Harlingen, Texas. Also surviving are step-children, Deborah (Randal) Tooker, Jim (Sandy) Allen of Holt, Margaret Hill of Grand Ledge, Mary Abernathy of Jamestown, Ken., Sandra (Mike) Robinson of Rutherfordton, N.C. and Barbara (Mike) Lundy of Lakeside, Ariz. as well as many nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Jan. 31 at the Rosier Funeral Home, Mapes-Fisher Chapel, Sunfield, with Reverend Jeffrey J. Schrock officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Eaton County Meals on Wheels or the Sebewa Center United Methodist Church. Donation envelopes will be available at the funeral home, or mail to: C/O RFH P.O. Box 36 Sunfield, MI 48890.
The family is being served by the Independent Family Owned Funeral Home in Sunfield: Rosier Funeral Home.
Donna Anderson
Donna M. Anderson, 62, of Charlotte, died Dec. 12, 2007. Mrs. Anderson was born Dec. 12, 1945 in Abltion, Michigan, the daughter of Gerard and Mildred (Sebolt) VanDriessche.
Mrs. Anderson was an LPN at Sparrow Hospital. She enjoyed playing cards and reading. The thing that she loved the most was spending time with her family and especially her grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; granddaughter, Kayla Anderson and father-in-law, Curley Anderson.
She is survived by her husband, Larry; sons, Jeff, (Jodi) Anderson of Alaska, Todd (Melissa) Anderson of Colorado, Chad (Ali) Anderson of Charlotte and Troy (Angie) Anderson of Charlotte; daughters, Lanae Anderson of Charlotte and Joni Anderson of Charlotte; grandchildren, Skyler and Hana Anderson, Kayla and Amber Elders, Sierra and Haily Kuehn, Peyton, Brooke, Treven, Ellee and Adisen Anderson, Blake and Brecken Anderson, and Hayden and Gage Anderson; sister, Nancy Baumgardner of North Carolina; several aunts and uncles,; sister-in-law, Yvonne (Dennis) Moore and father and mother-in-law, Maxine (Pete) Callahan of Charlotte; brother-in-law, Eddie Anderson of Charlotte; brother-in-law and Chuck (Judy) Anderson of St. Johns.
Funeral services were held Dec. 17, 2007 at Pray Funeral Home with Charles Jensen officiating. Interment will be at Hunt Cemetery, Duck Lake, MI.
Arrangements by Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
John Anderson
John Edward Anderson, age 39, of Eaton Rapids, formerly of Lincoln Park, passed away Wednesday, April 11, 2007 in Eaton Rapids. John was born December 8, 1967 in Monroe. He was a U.S. Army veteran, serving as an EMT, and formerly employed with Ford Motor Co. in Wayne. John was active in the Eaton County SIREN Shelter and enjoyed playing Santa Claus for the children. He and his wife (soul mate) enjoyed hunting, skiing and working side-by-side in everything they did. John played softball for Abies, and Marla was in the stands for every game. They loved doing everything together as a “duo.”
He was preceded in death by his mother, Pamela Jo Anderson in 2004 and mother-in-law, Helen Hebert in 2006. He was a wonderful husband and be4st friend to his wife, Marla; a loving father to 5 children, Brandon and Dylan Anderson, both of OH, Rachelle Hayward of OK, formerly of Eaton Rapids, Devin Gauna and Carmen Gauna, both of Eaton Rapids; father, Charles E. Anderson of Hanover-Horton; sister, Beverly Anderson of Rives Junction; grandparent, Virginia Baker of FL; father-in-law, John Hebert of Lansing; and several aunts and uncles.
Memorial services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Monday, April 16, 2007 at the Shelly-Odell Funeral Home with the family receiving friends one hour prior to the service.
He was greatly loved and will be eternally missed.
Ruth Anderson
Ruth Jordan Anderson, 96, of Delray Beach, Fla., died Saturday, March 3, 2007. Mrs. Anderson was born Oct. 6, 1910 in Big Rapids, the daughter of Fred and Luella (Sprague) Jordan, who were both of Eaton County pioneer families.
She was married to Ray Anderson for many years. They made their home in Vermontville where they were both active in community affairs. In 1971 the Andersons moved to make their permanent home in Boynton Beach, Fla. In 1989 she purchased an apartment in Abbey Delray, a life care community, where she retired until her death.
She was a member of Jonathon Dickinson Chapter of the D.A.R. and the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 65, both of Delray Beach. She was a member of the Auxiliary of Bethesda Memorial Hospital of Boynton Beach, having contributed over 3,000 hours as a volunteer worker. She was a life member of the Eastern Star Chapter #342 and the Historical Society, both of Vermontville. She was proud of her membership in the society of Flagon & Trenchers where eligibility for membership in the society requires having an ancestor who was a Colonial Tavern Keeper before the year of 1776.
She is survived by friend Audrey Hartenburg and her family, including Julie Tews, Gretchen Pretty, Rachel Myers and Kurt Hartenburg; and friend Robert L. Beystrum of Kalamazoo.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, April 23 at First Congregational Church of Vermontville, with Rev. Rich Mitterling officiating. Interment will be at Woodlawn Cemetery in Vermontville. Visitation will be 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 22 at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Arrangements by Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Keith Arnold
Keith H. Arnold, of Lansing, born in Dimondale Aug. 31, 1924 passed away on June 8 in Lansing at the age of 82.
Mr. Arnold was a veteran of the US Army and served during W.W.II. He had been a resident of the Lansing area for over 65 years. Mr. Arnold worked as a truck driver for Associated Truck Lines and loved fishing, hunting and boating. He also enjoyed working with wood and creating things. Above all, he loved spending time with his family camping and at the cottage on Thornapple Lake.
Mr. Arnold was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Arietta (King) Arnold; and brother-in-law, Robert Green.
He will be dearly missed by his loving wife of 61 years, Grace (Slee); daughters, Shirley (Curt) Reed of Haslett and Sharon (Edward) Vanous of Lansing; sons, Keith (Connie) Arnold of Charlotte, Dale (Darla) Arnold and Barry Arnold, all of Lansing; grandchildren, Shane, Keith, Dale, Jr., Andrea, Cody, Kelley, Kyle, Nicholas and Brianna Arnold and Charles and Curtis Reed and Kelli Vanous; brother, Billy (Luella) Arnold; and sister, Dorothy Green.
Funeral services were held June 12 at Gorsline-Runciman Funeral Homes, Lansing with the Rev. Stephen Ezop officiating. Interment will follow in Delta Center Cemetery.
Those desiring may send a contribution to Heartland Hospice, 865 S. Cedar, Mason, MI 48854 in honor of Mr. Arnold.
Maynard E. Aungst
Maynard E. Aungst, of Grand Ledge, born in Lansing Feb. 4, 1940, passed away Dec. 21 at the age of 67.
Maynard was a retired employee of General Motors with 30 years of service. He enjoyed gardening, spending time outside and riding around in his golf cart.
He is survived by sons, David R. (Kelli) of Sunfield and Michael E. (Bridget) of Wacousta; grandchildren, David II, Zachary and Elizabeth; brother, Roger (Margo) of Grand Ledge; nieces, Marcy (Aaron) Baker and Marnee (Tim) McClung and special friend, Marge Evarian of Lansing.
Services were held Dec. 27, 2007 at the Peters & Murray Funeral Home, Grand Ledge. Interment followed at Sunfield Cemetery.
Contributions may be made to the Breslin Cancer Center or Eaton Community Hospice.
Bertha Josephine Baker
Bertha Josephine Baker, 78, of Eaton Rapids, died Wednesday, May 9, 2007 in Lansing. Bertha was born April 19, 1929 in Lansing, the daughter of Andrew Brian and Lura Jeanette (Jones) Scott.
She was preceded in death by two children, Max and Ricky.
Surviving are, her husband of 58 years, Max Jr. Baker of Eaton Rapids; daughter, Sally Baker of Eaton Rapids; son, Bob (Karen) Baker of Eaton Rapids; seven grandchildren, Jenny, Robbie, Andy, Jamie, Brad and Chad Baker and Joey Reichstetter; nine great-grandchildren, Xavier, Dylan and Brooke Walker, R.J. and Madison Baker, Elijah Sutton, Tony, Trysta and Ashleigh Reichstetter; one brother, Fred (Mary) Scott of Lewiston and one sister, Sally Chaplain of Grayling.
There will be no services for Mrs. Baker.
Arrangements by the Shelly-Odell Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids.
Roger Baker
Roger Vance Baker, 90, of Charlotte, died Tuesday, March 20, 2007. Vance was born March 29, 1916 in Chester Twp. at the farm home of his parents, David and Grace (Rogers) Baker and was a lifelong Eaton County resident.
He grew up on the farm and attended the former Smith Country School, then graduated from Charlotte High School in 1934. He married Neva (Lamie) in 1935. He worked at various jobs before starting to work for the former Leo I. Baker (no relation). He worked there until about 1942 when he started his own Baker Construction Co., which he and Neva together worked at for nearly 40 years. She was the bookkeeper and occasionally helped him on the job along with their son, Ronald Vance, who survives with his wife, Jean Ann. Vance had been a member of the Lawrence Ave. United Methodist Church since 1945, was a 60 year member of the Charlotte Lodge #120 F. & A. M., a member of the Knights Templar #37 and had served on the Charlotte Fire Department for 14 years.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Neva in 2003; brothers, Merton, David Pearl and Leo J. Baker; and sisters, Marguerite and Marian.
Also surviving are his granddaughter, Carol (Jack) Wright of Bloomfield Hills; grandson, Douglas Vance (Karen) Baker of Caledonia; great-grandchildren, Erik, Charlotte and Keith Wright and Sierra Marie and Bradley Vance Baker; step-grandchildren, Scott (Laura) Reinsmith and Robin Reinsmith; and five step-great-grandchildren, Ashley and Jacob Reinsmith, Christine and Benjamin Clare and Emily Smith.
Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. March 24 at the Burkhead-Green Funeral Home, Charlotte with Rev. Kendall Lewis and Rev. Karen Wheat officiating. Interment was in the Gresham Cemetery. Memorial contributions may go to the Lawrence Ave. United Methodist Church or Hayes Green Beach Hospital. Envelopes available at the funeral home.
Leone Baldwin
Leone Baldwin, age 90, life resident of Onondaga died June 28, 2007 at the Eaton Community Hospice in Charlotte.
Born Nov. 16, 1916 in Onondaga Township the daughter of Charles and Florence (Andress) Clark. Mrs. Baldwin worked alongside her husband Ralph on the family Centennial farm. She was a member of the Onondaga Community Church, Eaton County Farm Bureau and the Order of the Eastern Star formerly of Onondaga. She enjoyed bird watching and her cats and was a doting grandmother.
Preceding her in death was her husband in 1995, Ralph Baldwin.
Surviving are her daughters, Carol Buxton of Onondaga and Patricia Connell of Ft. Wayne, Ind.; grandchildren, Kara Sue Buxton of Leslie, Darcy (Ernie) Thilo of Onondaga, Jeffery Edward (Trasey) Buxton of Poquoson, Va., Brent Lee Connell of Ft. Wayne, Ind., Tedd Timothy (Stephanie) Connell of Carmel, Ind., and Beth Lynn (Roland) Mader of Maricopa, Ariz.; seven great-grandchildren; and special friend Rose Casler of Onondaga.
Services were held July 2 at the Skinner Funeral Home in Eaton Rapids with Rev. William Muller officiating. Burial followed in the Onondaga Cemetery. Pallbearers were Herb Poleski, Warren Nobel, Bud Smith, Neil Sanford, Howard Haven and Robert Collins.
