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Bessie LaCross
Bessie E. LaCross, 80, of Lansing, passed away March 4 in Lansing.
Bessie was a secretary at Beekman Center for many years, member of Delta Mills United Methodist Church and active with the Women's Society. She enjoyed painting in canvas and ceramics. Bessie always put others first and will be dearly missed.
She was predeceased by her husband, Norman, and grandson, Matthew Woodruff.
Survivors include her sons, Gary (Carol) of Charlotte, Ronald (Sally) of Grand Ledge and David (Carol) of Lyons; daughter, Susan (Russell) Woodruff of Fort Wayne, Ind.; 10 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; sisters, Laurene (Ty) Stine and Ann (Jim) Samman; brother, Bernard (Audrey) Ommen and her special K-9 friend, Zach.
Services were held March 7 at the Peters & Murray Funeral Home, Grand Ledge, with Pastor Keith Laidler of the Delta Mills United Methodist Church officiating.
Contributions may be made to the National Leukemia Society or Delta Mills United Methodist Church.
Bernard LaDuke
Bernard "Bernie" LaDuke, 83, of Potterville, passed away suddenly on Aug. 4, 2007. He was born July 7, 1924, in Pinconning, Michigan and lived most of his life in the Lansing/Potterville area, graduating from Central High School in 1942.
Bernie worked for Oldsmobile for over 30 years, much of that time in the Exhibit and Display department, retiring in 1980. He was a life member of VFW 701 and a UAW 652 retiree. He loved his job, and enjoyed all the friends he accumulated over the years, but most of all, Bernie loved his family. He was a devoted husband and a loving father. With a long and healthy retirement, he indulged his love of woodworking, hunting, fishing, reading and riding his tractor. He was always happiest when at home, the place he liked best. He was a devoted son, husband, father, brother and uncle who loved his friends, life, and never met a stranger he didn't like. He will be missed.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Cecil and Emil; and his sister and brother, Elaine and Gerald.
He leaves his beloved wife of 60 years, Alice (Billye); daughter, Donna; and son Bernard, Jr. (Sadie); three granddaughters; four great-grandchildren; two sisters, Lila Snow and Dorothy Trippler; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family.
A memorial service for Bernie at Chapel In The Pines, 101 W. Jolly Road, Lansing was held on Aug. 10, 2007 to help celebrate his life and recall the memories of those who loved him.
In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to the charity of your choice or plant a tree in his memory.
Leon LaFave
Leon Gary John LaFave, 71, of Fowler, formerly of Potterville and Bay City, died at home Saturday, Oct. 13 surrounded by family, after a long illness. The youngest son of Edmund and Flossie (Julian) LaFave, Leon was born on May 26, 1936 in Bay City. He graduated from Visitation High School, Bay City in 1954, after which he enlisted and served in the U. S. Army (1954-1956).
Leon was passionately committed to the community of Potterville. He served on the Potterville City Council for 15 years and was mayor for 15 years. He orchestrated the first major renovation of the city's park and the installation of the tunnel under M-100 so that Potterville children could safely walk to school. Leon worked for Northern Concrete & Pipe for 42 years before retiring in 1998 as superintendent of its Lansing plant.
Detroit Tigers baseball was one of Leon's passions; He rarely missed a radio broadcast or televised game. He cherished the baseball signed and given to him by Ernie Harwell during his visit to Comerica Park for his 65th birthday. Leon was a proud father and doting grandfather. His children and "grandbabies" were the true joys of his life.
Leon was preceded in death by brother, Ernest LaFave; sister-in-law, Cathrine McIllaney Martinez; sister, Evelyn Hubbard; brother-in-law, Emmet McIllaney; niece, Carol DeWyse Greathouse and nephew, Jody Hubbard.
Leon is survived, and will be greatly missed, by his wife of 49 years and the love of his life, Dolores (McIllaney) LaFave; son, Scott (Cindy) LaFave of Lansing; daughters, Denise LaFave Smith (Dr. George Smith), Carrie (Commander Dan) Gahagan of Woodbridge, Va. and Shawn (Brett) Smith of Fowler; grandchildren: Jake and Matt LaFave, Heather LaFave Nostrant, Holly Smith, Danielle Dahlgren, Christine, Anna, and Michelle Gahagan, Brette Elizabeth, Brayden, Brenden, and Emma Grace Smith, Tristen (Cory) Berkhausen, Cortney (Abe) Van Etten; great-grandchildren: Austin and Dalton Smith, Curyn and Carter Nostrant, Hannah and Keegan Western and Madison and Callie Berkhausen. Leon is also survived by his brother, Jerry (Rusty) LaFave; sisters, Barbara (Ron) Gulczinski and Ceil (Gene) DeWyse; sister-in-law, Dorothy LaFave; brother-in-law Richard (Cathrein) McIllaney; sister-in-law, Mary Joles; foster son, Rick Bergau and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Funeral services were held Oct. 16 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Charlotte, with Fr. Denis R. Spitzley officiating. Interment was in Deepdale Memorial Gardens located in Lansing.
If desired memorial contributions may be made to Great Lakes Hospice. Arrangements by Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Helen R. Laird
Helen R. Laird, 85, of Charlotte, died May 22, 2007 at the Eaton Community Hospice House.
Mrs. Laird was born Oct. 28, 1921 in Madison County, Ark., the daughter of John and Cora (Berney) Sikes.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Floyd Laird in 2004; brothers, Arnold, Carl, Bill, Lonzo, Mack, Jim and sister, Hazel.
She is survived by her son, Gary (Pam) Laird of Overland Park, Kan.; daughter, Marjean (Charles) Chapman of Charlotte; grandchildren, Todd (fiancé, Ginny Scott) Chapman, Renee Chapman, Aaron (Kathy) Blosser and Kristen Lair; great grandson, Drew Chapman; sisters, Margie Smittle and Marie York.
Services were held May 24 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte, with Pastor Darryl Johnston officiating. Interment will be in Bohannan Cemetery in Huntsville, Ark.
Contributions may be made to Eaton Community Hospice. Arrangements by Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Goerge Albert Lambert
George Albert Lambert, age 83 of Eaton Rapids, died Tuesday, July 10, 2007 at his residence following a terminal illness. He was born August 15, 1923 in Eaton Rapids the son of Henry and Evelyn (Parks) Lambert. George served in the Army during WWII and retired from Fisher Body in Lansing after 42 years of service. He was a member of the U.A.W. Local #602 and a member of the American Legion Post #15. George was an avid fisherman and bowled on many different leagues in Eaton Rapids.
Preceding him in death were 3 sisters, Rose Marie, Maxine and Lucille and a brother, Roland. Surviving are his wife of 53 years, Beverly; 4 children, Stanley Lambert of Bellevue, David (Patricia) Lambert of Nashville, Kathy (William) Oakley Sr. of Onondaga and Brenda Richardson of Eaton Rapids; 18 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren; brother, Robert (Rena) Gillett of Eaton Rapids and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Saturday, July 14, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. from the Skinner Funeral Home in Eaton Rapids with burial following at Rosehill Cemetery.
Ruth Landes
Ruth Jeanette Landes, 94, of Charlotte, peacefully went to be with her Savior, Jesus, on Friday, July 13, 2007. Mrs. Landes was born Sept. 24, 1912 in Bellevue, the daughter of Lloyd and Hattie (Stanton) Moore.
Ruth set a calm and loving example trying to make life better for others. She was most proud of her family's achievements including her older sister's founding of Camp Francis. She cared for many foster children and was actively involved at West Carmel Church. She also belonged to MSU Extension-Family Community Education Services and was named State Home Maker of the Year in 1986. She was a 4-H leader for many years. She served on the West Carmel Church Board and helped out with various clubs and fund raising projects for her community including Cancer Fundraiser.
She was preceded in death by her husband Orley after 60 years of marriage and four siblings.
She is survived by her daughters, Jeanette "Jan" (Rick) Anderson, Julie (Ray) Lutz and Beverly (Kim) Flintoft of Munith; nine grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchild and cousin, Norman (Nyla) Stanton; many nieces, nephews, and friends
Funeral services were held July 17, 2007 at Pray Funeral Home with Reverend Darwin Kuhl officiating. Interment was in West Carmel Cemetery. If desired, family wishes are memorial contributions may be made to West Carmel Church or Eaton Community Hospice.
Arrangements by Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Mary Lou Larkins
Mary Lou Larkins, age 71 of Eaton Rapids died Friday, March 2, 2007 at the Banner Baywood Heart Hospital in Mesa, Arizona. She was born July 20, 1935 in Benton Harbor the daughter of Lewis and Hazel (Peterson) Raypholtz. Mary Lou graduated from Benton Harbor High School and Lansing Business University. She married Ronald Larkins in 1959 and moved to Eaton Rapids to raise their family. Mary Lou retired from the State of Michigan after 33 years of service. She enjoyed traveling, her church, family and friends. She was a former member of the Eaton Rapids Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, member of the First Congregational Church and the TOPS Club #433. Preceding her in death were her father, James Ryder and mother, Hazel Escher.
Surviving are her husband Ron Larkins; 2 sons, Gordon (Amy) Larkins of DeWitt and Gregory (Tammy) Larkins of Spring Arbor; 4 grandchildren, Samantha, Jarrett, Gabrielle and Sarah; 2 brothers, James (Ruth) Ryder and Lewis (Gail) Ryder; several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be Friday, March 9, 2007 at 1:00 p.m. from the Skinner Funeral Home in Eaton Rapids with the Rev. Dr. Jesse James and Pastor Lily James officiating. Burial will follow in the Oakwood Cemetery in Hamlin Township. Family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. For those desiring memorial contributions may be made to the First Congregational Church in memory of Mary Lou Larkins.
Cpt. (R) Rev. Merton Wilson Leak
Merton Wilson Leak of Webberville, MI, formerly of Lansing, has been greeted by those who passed before him and Jesus, his friend.
Wilson and his wife of 61 years Lois Leak (deceased July 20, 2007), have 5 amazing children, Ruth Heuer (Rob Jones), Millie (Roger) Fortin, and Denise (SGT Gary (Iraq)) Oller, Larry H. Leak (deceased) and Tony L. Leak (deceased). He also had 13 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild, and many nieces and nephews. Wilson was a 6 year WWII South Pacific Army Veteran with the 639 Quarter Master, plus 20 years in the Michigan National Guard with the 119th Field Artillery, a retired State of Michigan employee, and a member of the following: Capitol City Lodge, Pride of Ingham Rebekahs Loge, Grand Lodge, Grand River Valley Encampment #31, Grand Encampment Past Grand Patriarch, VFW Sheridan Post #5065 Life Member, Captain C.U.T.T. for the Lansing Police Department, R.S.V.P., NUIA, Spiritual Episcopal Church, and the Circle of Light Church.
Memorial services will be held on Monday, November 26th at 2:00 p.m. at the Dansville United Methodist Church, 1317 Mason Street, Dansville to celebrate his passage into a new life. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions and condolences may be made to Hospice or Circle of Light Church, P.O. Box 285, Webberville, MI 48892.
Charles Leatherbery
Charles Merwin Leatherbery, age 73, of Charlotte, passed away June 7, 2007 after a short illness. Charlie was born Aug. 10, 1933 in Aurelius Twp., Ingham County, the son of Charles Clesson and Bernadine E. (Peck) Leatherbery and was a life-long resident of Eaton County.
He had been employed at the former Aluminum Extrusions/Hoover Group and later at Spartan Reclamation, both in Charlotte. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and held memberships in the Charlotte American Legion Post 42 and the V.F.W. Post 2406 both in Charlotte. He enjoyed Wildlife Photography, his early morning "cruises," Breakfast at Sharon's and Willie's, running errands for the Amish, helping at the Charlotte Fire Department, Hanging at Henry's Farrier Shop, attending Draft Horse Shows in Michigan and Indiana and enjoyed being Anyone's/Everyone's Any Time Taxi.
Surviving are, his dear friend, Evonne Kettner; four children, Peggy (Tom) Waldron of Carson City, Tim (Lonnie) Leatherbery of Ft. Leonardwood, MO, Laurie (Robert) Christmas of St. Leo, FL and Jane (Mike) Bowens of Amherst, OH; five grandchildren, William Leatherbery of Ft. Myer, VA, Heather Bowens of Amherst, OH, Shannon & Kyle Christmas of St. Leo, FL and Tyler Leatherbery of Ft. Leonardwood, MO; sister, Sharon (Rodger) Garnant of Eaton Rapids; brother, Lyle Leatherbery of Delta Township; and extended family, Dana Montford of Charlotte, Diana (Marc) Petersen of Dorr, MI, Joshua Petersen and DuRay Petersen of Dorr.
At Charlie's request, cremation has taken place. There will be no visitation. A graveside memorial service with Military Honors will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 21 at the Perry Cemetery in Brookfield Township, Eaton County. Memorial contributions may go to the Charlotte Volunteer Fire Department. Arrangements by Burkhead-Green Funeral Home, Charlotte.
