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Dorothy Irene Betz
Dorothy Irene Betz, age 78 of Springport, died Thursday, August 23, 2001 in Eaton Rapids. Dorothy was born May 22, 1923 in Calhoun County, Michigan, the daughter of Adrian A. and Amelia Belle (Cowles) Seger. She was a member of the Eaton Rapids First Baptist Church. Mrs. Betz was preceded in death by her son Neil Owen Betz.
Surviving are her husband of 58 years, Neil E.; daughter, Cathy Lee (Darrell) Conley of Concord; 4 sons, Hugh Michael (Karen) Betz of Rapid City, Eric Dean (Beth) Betz of Clintonville, WI, James Russell (Eilene) Betz of Springport, Dale Alan (Tammy) Betz of Springport; daughter-in-law, Gayle Betz of Eaton Rapids; 28 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; 3 brothers, Don (Barbara) Seger of KY, Jack (Ann) Seger of Eaton Rapids, Jay (Loretta) Seger of Laingsburg; 2 sisters, Emogene (Ron) Keeler of Hickory Corners, Carolyn (Jerome) Rahrig of Coldwater and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Monday, August 27, 2001, at the Springport Baptist Church with Rev. Dr. Terry Lytle of the Drive-In Ministries and Rev. Phillip Fitch of the Springport Baptist Church officiating. Interment followed at Fairview Cemetery, Tompkins Twp. Arrangements were made by the Shelly-Odell Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids. Those desiring may make contributions to the Drive-In Ministries, P.O. Box 12345, St. Petersburg, FL 33733, in memory of Dorothy Betz.
David L. Blackmer
David Lee Blackmer, age 83 of Eaton Rapids, died Saturday, September 8, 2001 at his residence. He was born February 22, 1918 in Sunfield, one of eight children born to William H. and Onia C. (Wescott) Blackmer. Mr. Blackmer served as a staff sergeant during World War II in the 45th infantry division, and was awarded the Bronze Star, Sharp Shooter, and the Expert Rifle medals. Upon returning home he continued his love for farming and family, while working as a machine repair millwright for Lansing Stamping and later the Dana Corp. He was preceded in death by 2 sons, D. Alan and Randall; his parents and all his brothers and sisters.
Surviving are his wife of 45 years, Maxine; 7 children, Rick (Linda) Wilbur of Eaton Rapids, Lynn (Julie) Moss of California, Brad (Jan) Wilbur of Albion, Paull (Vicki) Wilbur of Tennessee, Patricia (Terry) Wing of Mason, Scott (Alyce) Blackmer of Eaton Rapids and Gloria (Robert) Shelton of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; 30 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, September 12th at 11:00 a.m. from the Skinner Funeral Home in Eaton Rapids with Pastor Steve Aiken and Pastor Fred Earles officiating. Burial with full military honors, provided by the American Legion Harold Teeter Post #15 of Eaton Rapids, will follow at the Chapel Hill Memory Gardens in Lansing. Visitation will be Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Wava D. Blanchard
Wava D. Blanchard, age 94 of Ossian, IN and formerly of Eaton Rapids, died Sunday, April 22, 2001 in Ossian, IN. Wava was born September 4, 1906 in Noble County, Indiana. She was the 5th child of 6 born to parents Arthur William and Dilla Virokra (Locker) Blanchard. Wava graduated from High School in Rome City, IN and from Western Michigan University, Class of 1930. She taught first grade in Eaton Rapids Public Schools starting in 1945 and retired in 1972. Wava was a member of the Eaton Rapids First United Methodist Church and the U&I Club.
Surviving are her niece, Rita Mitchell of Ossian, IN and nephew, John (Joan) Mitchell of Mobile, AL.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 27, 2001, 11:00 a.m. at the Shelly-Odell Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids with Pastor Tom Evans officiating. Interment will follow at Orange Cemetery, Brimfield, IN. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 6-8 p.m. at the Funeral Home. Those desiring may make contributions to the First United Methodist Church Chancel Choir in memory of Wava D. Blanchard.
Ruth Hamlin Blackenburg
Ruth Hamlin Blankenburg, age 82 of Kissimmee, Florida, died Tuesday, February 20, 2001. Ruth was born in Eaton Rapids, August 6, 1918 to Fena and Howard Hamlin. Ruth was a Homemaker. Some of her many interests included gardening, arts and crafts, sewing and card playing – favoring bridge. Prior to moving to Florida in 1977, Ruth had worked at Davidson’s Woolen Mill and the National Bank of Eaton Rapids. She was a loving and devoted wife and mother. Ruth was preceded in death by Maynard “Stub” Blankenburg, her husband of 57 years, and her sister Marina Borgesen.
She is survived by her sister Margaret Phillips of Bradenton, FL, son, Don (Sally) Blankenburg of Lansing, and several nieces and nephews.
There will be no Funeral Services. Ruth chose to donate her body to The State Anatomical Board of Florida. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Osceola County Counsel on Aging, Meals on Wheels at 1099 Shady Lane, Kissimmee, FL 34744.
Esther L. Blodgett
Esther Louise Blodgett, 84, of Charlotte, Michigan, died Wednesday, January 24, 2001. Mrs. Blodgett was born July 14, 1916, in Alma, Michigan, the daughter of Joseph and Leaffy (Cummins) Secord. She was a L.P.N. at Hayes Green Beach Memorial Hospital, member of the South Cochran Church of God and A.A.R.P.
She is survived by son David (Sharon) Secord of St. Louis, Michigan, seven grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, sister Harriett Gaumer of Cadillac, Michigan, sisters-in-law Alice Blodgett of Charlotte and Bernice Wheeler of. She was preceded in death by her husband Kenneth Blodgett in 2000, brothers Francis Secord and William Secord, sisters Mildred Schuette, Edna Babcock, and Eula Hileman.
Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, January 27, 2001 at South Cochran Church of God with Rev. Tim Secord, Nick Mizer, Rev. Hugh Burger and Rev. Rich Mitterling officiating.
Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery in Alma, Michigan. Visitation will be Friday 7-9 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte, Michigan.
If desired memorial contributions may be made to the South Cochran Church of God.
Jerome D. Boardman
Jerome “Jerry” Dennis Boardman, 55, of Charlotte, died Wednesday, June 13, 2001.
Mr. Boardman was born Jan. 2, 1946, in Detroit, the son of Jerome Vincent and Evelyn Agnes (Reid) Boardman. He was an inspiration to many of those he was in contact with by the way he approached his illness. Some said Jerry “has taught us all how to die”. He concentrated on living each day in the best possible way and with the thought that what really matters are relationships with family and friends. He was the director of Special Education. He also held a private pilot’s license.
He is survived by his wife, Nancy (Balint); daughter, Kristin; son, Jeremy; sister Gail and her husband Larry Goldman; four nieces, two nephews and two grandnephews.
Funeral services were held June 16 at the Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church, Charlotte, with Rev. George Fleming officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to Dr. Diane McDonald’s Clinic Trials Office Fund, c/o Sparrow Health System, or the Hospice House of Mid-Michigan. Arrangements were by Pray Funeral Home, Inc., Charlotte.
Kent Lee Boatman
Kent Lee Boatman, age 38 of Eaton Rapids, died Friday, October 5, 2001. He was born March 9, 1963 in Eaton Rapids the son of Floyd Wendell and Mildred Ruth (Marquardt) Boatman. Kent had been employed as a System Analyst for the Michigan Accident Fund. He enjoyed pool, winning several trophies at different tournaments; listening to music; motorcycles and computer games. Preceding him in death were his parents, Wendell and Mildred Boatman.
Surviving are 3 siblings, Marie (John) Holcomb of Eaton Rapids, Larry (Susan) Boatman of Clarkston, MI and Roxanne Boatman of Eaton Rapids; 5 nieces and nephews, Melissa and JoLynn Holcomb, Keith and Derek Boatman and Sean Boatman; several Aunts, Uncles & Cousins.
Funeral services will be Friday, October 12, at 3:00 p.m. from the Skinner Funeral Home in Eaton Rapids. For those desiring, a memorial contribution may be made to a charity of one’s choice, in memory of Kent L. Boatman.
John L. Bodell
John Lionel Bodell, 76, of Charlotte, formerly of Olivet, died Thursday, Jan. 18, 2001. Mr. Bodell was born Feb. 25, 1924 in Eaton Rapids, the son of Roy and Florence (Alwood) Bodell. He served with the U.S. Navy during the Korean War and World War II, and survived the attack on Pearly Harbor. He worked for May Ward Coupling.
Surviving are his daughters, Charlene Kay (Albert) Perkins of Charlotte, and Clara Jane Goetschy of Laingsburg; four grandchildren, Candy Gore and Cindy Admire, both of Charlotte, Angela Bailey of Eaton Rapids and Scarlett Doyle of Laingsburg; eight great-grandchildren, Meagan, Jennifer, Richelle, Dalton, Desrea, April, Seth and Jake; brother, Clyde Bodell of Charlotte; sisters, Norma Jones, Verle Barnard, Bonnie Springs and Janette Klaiss, all of Charlotte, Athol Wood and Marilyn Peters, both of Eaton Rapids, and Marlene Coffin of Ithaca.
He was preceded in death by a son, Thomas Roy Bodell; and brothers, Leonard Bodell and Thomas Bodell.
Funeral services were held Jan. 20 at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte, with Ralph Courtright presenting the eulogy and Charles Jenson officiating.
Arrangements by Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Elizabeth Bodo
Elizabeth “Betty” Bodo, 66, of Nashville, died Friday, May 25, 2001.
She was born May 6, 1935 in Vermontville, the daughter of Gaylord and Nell (Hummel) Harvey. She worked for Eaton County Action Center and Capital Area Community Center in Lansing. She attended Charlotte Assembly of God, and enjoyed bingo, bowling, fishing and horses.
She is survived by daughters, Tina Gable and Laura Harvey, both of Charlotte, and Nell Ann Harvey of Potterville; sons, Robert Bodo of Nashville and Shannon Bodo of Charlotte; 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; her mother; sisters, Ilene Collier and Donna (Ray) Olmstead, both of Nashville, Opal (Wes) Gillons of Hastings; brothers, Robert Harvey of Nashville and Joe (Jennie) Harvey of Vermontville.
Memorial services will be held June 3, 2001 at American Legion Post #42, 1000 W. Lawrence Avenue, Charlotte, with Rev. Mark Woodbury and Chuck Jenson officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to Mid- Michigan Hospice House. Arrangements were by Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Thela Ann (DeLong) Boehmer
Thela Ann (DeLong) Boehmer, 72, of Bellevue, died Monday, March 12, 2001, in the house in which she was born on May 18, 1928, to Clyde and Elsie (Mueller) DeLong of Bellevue.
Mrs. Boehmer was preceded in death by her brother Charles, who died in service to our country, and a sister, Edna (DeLong) King. She married Earl W. Boehmer on July 25, 1953. Earl and Thela have five children; Mary Ann (John) Gehrig of Olivet, Robert L. (fiancé Mary) of Bellevue, Earl M. (Kristin) of Olivet, James M. (Spring) of Bellevue and Mark J. (Debora) of Olivet and 18 grandchildren.
Her entire life was devoted to loving and caring for her family. After graduating for Olivet High School in 1945, Thela began her working career at Olivet Bank as a teller. She was later employed by Olivet College, first as a bookkeeper, and then moving into the Financial Aid Office. Thela began working for Olivet Community Schools as the Director of Business, retiring after 14 years of service. During retirement, Thela enjoyed helping her son, Earl Boehmer CPA prepare taxes. She was deeply involved in 4-H as a sewing leader and as co-administrative leader of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Charlotte always willing to contribute time and efforts when called upon. She volunteered as a Read To Succeed mentor at Fern Persons Elementary School, Olivet.
Mass of the Christian Burial was held at 11 a.m. Friday, March 16, 2001 at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Charlotte with Rev. Fr. Denis R. Spitzley officiating. Interment will be in the Kalamo Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Mary Bartolocci Scholarship Fund or Eaton Community Hospice.
Arrangements by Burkhead-Green Funeral Home, Charlotte.
