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Leon Johnson
Leon Johnson, age 52, died Wednesday, September 26, 2001 in Lansing. Leon was born September 28, 1948 in Halo, KY, the son of Johnathan and Margaret (Johnson) Johnson. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving in Vietnam from 1968 to 1969 and was the recipient of 2 Purple Hearts and the Commendation Medal, among many others. Leon was a Past Commander of the Eaton Rapids VFW Post #1283 and active in the American Legion. Mr. Johnson was employed with Michigan Packaging Co. in Eaton Rapids and Mason for over 30 years. He was preceded in death by his brother, Ronald Johnson in 1961 and his brother-in-law, Franklin “Burr” Boggs in 1997.
Surviving are hid wife of 19 years, Nancy M. (Crocker); 4 daughters, Raquel (Andy) Hicks of Lansing, Tanya Johnson, Kimberly Wyskowski, Jessica Stevens all of Eaton Rapids; 3 sons, Lyle (Lisa) Wyskowski of Holt, Ben (Rhonda) Wyskowski, Tracy Leon Johnson both of Eaton Rapids; 6 grandchildren, Hugh “Bono” Washington, Ryan Cain “Dabber” Heathcock, Kyle Benjamin “Buda” Wyskowski, Austin Jay Walter “Stretch” Wyskowski, Savannah Jade “Banna” Davis, expecting Baby Johnson; 4 brothers, James (Elsie) Johnson of Eaton Rapids; Joel (Dorothy) Johnson of Leslie, John (Diane) Johnson of Eaton Rapids, Curt Johnson of Florida; 2 sisters, Fay Boggs, Nell (Glenn) Miller both of Eaton Rapids; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, September 29, 2001 at the Shelly-Odell Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids, with Elder Estill Hamilton of the Little Vineyard Baptist Church officiating. Interment followed at Oakwood Cemetery, Eaton Rapids with Military Honors by the Eaton Rapids VFW Post #1283. Those desiring may make contributions to Gift of Life in memory of Leon Johnson.
Patsie L. Johnson
Patsie L. Lewis-Johnson, age 75 of Safford, Arizona and formerly of Eaton Rapids and Lansing, died Sunday, February 11, 2001 in Ft. Thomas, Arizona. She was born August 30, 1925 in Grand Ledge, the daughter of Raymond and Ethel (Wright) Lewis. Mrs. Johnson was a graduate of Charlotte High School, class of 1944, and had attended the nursing program at St. Lawrence. She began working with the visiting nurses association, then worked as plant nurse for Atlas Drop Forge in Lansing, and later worked as a surgical nurse for the Eaton Rapids Community Hospital. Her last 20 years of nursing was done at two nursing home, Thornapple of Hastings, and Mountain View of Safford, Arizona, where she and her husband of 43 years lived. Preceding her in death are a son, Henry Lawrence “Bud” Johnson and 2 brothers, Tom and Richard Lewis.
Surviving are her husband, James Reginal “Reggie” Johnson; 7 children, James William “Bill” (Dawn) of Eaton Rapids, Jane Elizabeth (Jerry) Lane of Naperville, Ill., Carolyn Dianne Manns of Lansing, Robert S. (Carole) Johnson of Saudi Arabia, Darlene D. (Dave) Neithamer of Woodland, Gina J. (Dave) Harwood of Ionia, Michelle R. (Mike) Spence of Powatan, Virginia; 19 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; 2 brothers, Bob and John. Patsie will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
Memorial services will be Saturday, February 24th, at 2 p.m. from the Skinner Funeral Home in Eaton Rapids. Family will receive friends 1 hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Cards of sympathy may be sent to 5836 Durwell Dr. Lansing, MI 48911, in care of the Johnson family. For those desiring, a memorial contribution may be made to the Salvation Army at 525 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Lansing in memory of Patsie L. Johnson.
Kenneth G. Jones
Kenneth Glen Jones, 84, of Charlotte, died Tuesday, June 5, 2001 in Charlotte.
Mr. Jones was born March 22, 1917, in Lee Township, Calhoun County, the son of Cap Mitchell and Lydia Marian (Jackson) Jones. He was a member of the Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church in Charlotte. Mr. Jones was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army, a life member of the VFW Charlotte Post #2406 and American Legion Post #42, and a member of the Charlotte Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs. He was a retired postmaster in Charlotte for 16 years and a member of the Postmasters Association.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Charlotte; daughter, Kay Jones of Virginia; two grandsons, Herbert and Kenneth Jankowsky of Sterling Heights; and several nieces and nephews.
Mr. Jones was preceded in death by siblings, Harold Asa, Carleton, Sylvia, Earl, Lydia “May,” Mildred, Carroll and Donald.
A memorial service was held June 8 at the Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church, Charlotte, with Rev. George Fleming officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church or the Hayes Green Beach, Hospital. Arrangements were by Shelly-Odell Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids.
Thelma D. Jones
Thelma D. Jones, age 92 of Eaton Rapids, died Wednesday, February 28, 2001 in Orleans, MI. Thelma was born August 31, 1908 in Birchwood, WI, the daughter of George A. and Julia (Knudson) Walter. Mrs. Jones taught school for 46 years and the last 29 years were in Eaton Rapids (first grade). She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Eaton Rapids and the Esther Circle, Eaton Rapids Teachers Association, Eaton County Retired Teachers Association, AAUW, the U & I Club, OES #241 and the Eaton Rapids Hospital Auxiliary. She was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin, in 1970.
Surviving are her stepdaughter, Adele Miller of Howard City; stepson, John (Dorothy) Jones of Sheridan; 4 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren; and her niece, Margaret E. Christ.
A memorial service graveside service will be held on Saturday, May 26, 2001 at 11 a.m. at the Ferris Center Cemetery, Vestaburg. Those desiring may make contributions to the First United Methodist Church Building Fund in memory of Thelma Jones.
William R. Joppie
William Russell Joppie, 58, of Vermontville, died Friday, Aug. 17, 2001 at his residence, surrounded by his family and friends.
Mr. Joppie was born Feb. 23, 1943 in Charlotte, the son of Russell and Janice (Hadden) Joppie. He worked as a supervisor for General Motors for 34 years, and will be greatly missed by his family and friends. He was a member of Eagles Aerie #3552 and the Seney Social Club.
He is survived by wife, Lee; sons, Tim of Nashville and Steve of Vermontville; daughter, Marcy (Chad) Gross of Vermontville; his father, Russell Joppie of Charlotte; grandchildren, Strom and Savannah, Matt and Donny, Hutch and Hadley, Cortney, Corbin, Jacob, Amanda, and Matthew; step-son, Allan (Patricia) Gardner of Nashville; stepdaughter, Denice (Rod) Scramlin of Nashville; brothers, Ron (Diane) Joppie of Charlotte, Rick (Diane) Joppie of San Antonio, Texas, and Randy (Judy) Joppie of Rockford.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Judy in 1992, his mother, brother Jerry, and his second wife, Joyce.
Funeral services were held Aug. 21 at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte, with R. Raymond Rossell officiating. Interment was at Needmore Cemetery, Charlotte.
Memorial contributions may be made to Castleton, Maple Grove, Nashville Ambulance or Eaton Community Hospice. Arrangements were by Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Vera I. Keefer
Vera I. Keefer, 91, of Charlotte died Jan. 19, 2001 at the Eaton County Medical Care Facility in Charlotte.
Miss Keefer was born July 10, 1909 in Roxand Township, a daughter of Robert Glen and Lura (Dickinson) Keefer. She was a member of South Cochran Church of God.
Surviving are three sisters Ial Fuller of Brighton, Vena Wren of Georgia, and Bethel (Robert) Baker of Arizona; and, numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by two brothers Lyle and Scott, and one sister Ruie Smith.
Services were held Jan. 22 at the Barker-Leik Funeral Home, Mulliken, with Rev. Hugh J. Burger officiating. Interment was in Meadowbrook Cemetery, Mulliken.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Eaton County Medical Care Facility or the South Cochran Church of God, Charlotte.
Margaret E. (Williams) Keeler
Margaret E. (Williams) Keeler, age 81 of Eaton Rapids, died Sunday, October 7, 2001 in Charlotte. Margaret was born December 16, 1919 in Rives Twp., the daughter of Clinton A. And Florence Ethel (Friend) Watson. She enjoyed knitting, cooking, bird watching and sewing, including Pa’s costumes for muzzle loading. Margaret was preceded in death by her first husband, Joseph Williams; her second husband, Roy “Pa” Keeler; son, Joseph Williams, Jr.; and a sister.
She was the best mom in the world to surviving daughters and son, Linda Caudill of Eaton Rapids, Carol (Melvin) Dryer of Arizona, Gary (Luann) Williams of Eaton Rapids. Also surviving are 2 step-daughters, B. Jean (Richard) Brown of Eaton Rapids, Jo (Bruce) Gage of Albion; step-son, Bob (Dorie) Keeler of Eaton Rapids; 17 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-granddaughter; 6 brothers0in-law, Arthur (Pauline) Keeler, Howard Keeler, Ron (Jean) Keeler, Chuck (Louise) Keeler, Dr. Van (Aino) Keeler, Bob (Erlene) Keeler; sister-in-law, Ellen Keeler; several nieces and nephews including care givers Connie Mulder and Carolyn Shumaker.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, October 10, 2001, 1:00 p.m. at the Shelly-Odell Funeral home, Eaton Rapids. Interment will follow at Perry Cemetery, Brookfield Twp. The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. at the Funeral Home. Those desiring may make contributions to either the American Cancer Society or the American Red Cross New York Fund in memory of Margaret E. Keeler.
Dorothy I. Kelley
Dorothy Irene Kelley, 73, of Charlotte died January 13, 2001.
Mrs. Kelley was born Oct. 31, 1927, in Potterville, the daughter of Henry and Nila (Allen) Horn. She was a homemaker who enjoyed making Raggedy-Ann dolls and attending craft shows. She married Lester Kelley June 26, 1948.
She is survived by her husband, Lester; three daughters, Yvonne (Harry) Foster of Sunfield, Ann (Gary) McCune of Charlotte and Doreen Kelley of Grand Ledge; three sons Steve (Frances) of Mt. Pleasant, Duane and his friend, Donna, and Terry, both of Charlotte; 14 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Services were Jan. 16 at the Pray Funeral Home with Rev. Vernon Matanick officiating. Interment was in the Gresham Cemetery.
Ellis “Ken” Kendall
Ellis “Ken” Kendall, formerly of Eaton Rapids, MI and Shrewsbury, MA, died June 16, 2001 at the age of 81 in North Ft. Myers, FL. He was born August 5, 1919, in Aurelius, MI, the son of William and Gayle Kendall. He was a Navy veteran, member of Whittall Masonic Lodge, Artemas Ward Chapter #220 O.E.S. and Germania Social Club of MA and Araba Shrine Temple, Ft. Myers.
Surviving are his wife of 45 years, Rose; children, Ellis Kendall of Florida, Ozina Frederick of North Ft. Myers, Lori Kendall-Taylor, Patricia Dehnam, Donna McLain and Robert D. Kendall of Massachusetts; several grandchildren; brothers, Verle of Traverse City and James (Myrt) of Eaton Rapids; and sister, Lena Gambell of Charlotte. Preceding him in death are his parents and sister, Marguerite Slentz.
Funeral services have been conducted in FL. Memorials may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, 12502 N. Pine Dr., Tampa, FL 33612.
