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Ruth Christian
Ruth Elizabeth (Baas) Christian, died Jan. 10, 2005. Diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer in August, Ruth faced her disease and death with grace, dignity and a sense of humor while savoring every last moment with her family and friends.
Ruth was born to Richard and Gladys Baas on a farm in Eaton County on Oct. 31, 1919. While growing up, she developed a lifelong love for literature and poetry. Ruth went on to obtain an elementary education degree at Western Michigan University Prior to accepting a teaching position in a one-room school with eight grades near Charlotte. She later worked in public relations for the MSU Extension Service and maintained friendships and memories over the years.
Ruth married the love of her life, Richard, 55 years ago in East Lansing on Aug. 19, 1949. The couple lived in Ann Arbor for five years and then, in 1956, moved to Ionia. A mother and homemaker, Ruth was also very active in the Ionia County Memorial Hospital Guild, the First United Methodist Church and other civic activities. She enjoyed reading, travel, golf, bridge and going to Lake Michigan, and was always seeking to spend time with her friends and family.
In addition to her husband, Ruth is survived by her children, Susan Christian of Philadelphia, Pa., Pastor David (Gerri) Christian of Door, Barry (Nora Callow) Christian of Grand Rapids, and Brian (Susan) Christian of St. Joseph; grandchildren, Anna Rose, Abigail, Elizabeth, Sophie, David, William and Maya; brother, Russell (Pat) Baas; nieces and nephews and many friends.
Memorial services were held Jan. 13 at First United Methodist Church in Ionia, with Rev. Marty Culver officiating. Burial will occur at a later date in Woodland Township Cemetery in Barry County.
Memorial contributions may be made to Visiting Nurse Foundation, 1401 Cedar NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 or the Ionia Area Hospice, 117 N. Depot, Ionia, MI 48846. Arrangements were by Lake Funeral Home, Ionia.
Edith Carol Clark
Edith C. Clark, age 84, of Eaton Rapids, died Wednesday, September 7, 2005 at a Lansing hospital. Edith was born December 7, 1920 in Mason, the daughter of Joseph and Marie Hart. Mrs. Clark was a retired employee of General Motors in Lansing. She was a Mason High School graduate, class of 1939, and a member of the Robbins United Methodist Church. Mrs. Clark was an avid golfer, she enjoyed gardening and her retreats up to the lake. Preceding her in death was a brother, Allen Hart.
Surviving are her husband of 66 years, Richard Clark; 4 children, Douglas (Dawne) Clark of Cadillac, Carol (Larry) Badura of Washburn, WI, Rick (Claudia) Clark of Levering, MI, and Janet (Randy Clark-Verus of Eaton Rapids; 9 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Monday, September 12th from the Skinner Funeral Home in Eaton Rapids with burial following in the Bunker Cemetery. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the Kidney Foundation in memory of Edith Clark.
Marilyn Ann Clark
Marilyn Ann Clark, age 69, of Eaton Rapids, passed away Wednesday, July 13, 2005 in Eaton Rapids. Marilyn was born June 9, 1936 in Traverse City, the daughter of Robert and Loraine (Moore) Murphy. She was the former Director of Nurses at Jarvis Acres and a Registered Nurse at the Eaton County Medical Care Facility. Marilyn was a member of the First congregational Church in Eaton Rapids, past president of the Eaton Rapids Senior Center and volunteered with Tri-Co (working with horses) in Charlotte.
Marilyn was preceded in death by 1 sister, Wanda and 2 brothers, Dick Murphy and Jim Murphy. She is survived by her husband of 48 years, K. Dean Clark of Eaton Rapids; 2 daughters, Karen Clark of Eaton Rapids and Mary Jo (Clint) Austin of Lansing; 1 granddaughter, Susan Ann Foote; mother, Loraine Murphy; 1 brother, Leon Murphy; sister-in-law, Louise Murphy, all of Traverse City.
Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 19, 2005 at the First Congregational Church of Eaton Rapids with Dr. Rev. Jesse James officiating. Those desiring may make memorial contributions to either the First Congregational Church or Eaton Rapids Senior Center in memory of Marilyn Clark. Arrangements were by the Shelly-Odell Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids.
Mark J. Claypool
Mark Jay Claypool, born Sept. 26, 2003, passed away Sept. 24, 2005.
He was born a citizen of the Philippines and because of the foundation called “For the Children International Medical Mission,” he was brought to the home of the Claypool’s on April 26, 2005. He is the son of Roger and Renee Claypool and the brother of Ryan Claypool, age 6.
Surviving also are grandparents, Roger and Norma Claypool, Roger and Bonnie Dingman; great grandma, Jean Withey; Aunt Barb, Uncle Rod, Aunt Trudy, Uncle Allen and many cousins. Special thanks to Mama Lita, Aunt Kathy Davis and Uncle Gary Davis from the family for offering them the opportunity to love both of these children.
Memorial services were held Sept. 28 at South Baptist Church in Lansing.
Memorial contributions may be made to the mission responsible for helping bring Ryan and Mark to the Claypool’s, called “For the Children International Medical Mission,” or to Children’s Hospital of Michigan. Arrangements were by Daniels Funeral Home, Nashville.
Madalene M. Clemens
Madalene Marie Clemens, 84, of Charlotte, died Sept. 4, 2005.
Mrs. Clemens was born Sept. 25, 1920 in Charlotte, the daughter of Clara and Ben Williams.
She is survived by her two daughters, Jayne (Robert) Watkins of Okemos and Sherry Russell of Cincinnati, Ohio; four grandchildren and one great grandchild; and one sister, Marian Williams of Charlotte.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Dale Clemens, in 1993.
Mrs. Clemens was a loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother, who will be missed greatly. She was a member of Lawrence Avenue United Methodist church and Deborah Circle. After attending business college, Mrs. Clemens worked for Michigan National Bank for more than 30 years, retiring as vice president of personnel. She was a past worthy matron of the Order of Eastern Star from 1965 to 1966. She was a volunteer for Hayes Green Beach Hospital, a member of the HGB Auxiliary, and the Golden Key Club. She was also an honorary member of the Charlotte Country Club. Mrs. Clemens was also a former Campfire Girls leader and enjoyed many other activities such as bowling, golf, bridge, knitting and reading. Most of all, she loved being with her family.
Funeral services were held Sept. 7 at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte. Interment was at Gresham Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church or Hayes Green Beach Hospital. Arrangements were by Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Gaylord J. Clone
On August 17, 2005 Gaylord Clone slipped the surly bonds of Earth, reached out his hand and touched the face of God. He was born on Christmas day, 1932, in Parma Township, MI. He was raised in Parma and Albion, graduating from Albion High School in 1951. He attended Albion College before entering the U.S. Army in 1952. He served in the Medical Corps, in Korea. He worked most of his life as an insurance adjuster third party administrator, retiring in 1994 from the ASU Group in Okemos. Following his marriage to Eunice Stanley of Onondaga in 1957, they lived in Jackson, MI; Vista, CA; Manhattan and Great Bend, KS, returning to Eaton Rapids in 1980.
Gaylord is survived by his wife, Eunice; four children, Kevin Clone of Ponca City, OK, Kirk Clone of Eaton Rapids, Kathryn Clone of MT, and Kara (Jim) Barnhart of Eaton Rapids; sister, Twila Frank of Albion; eight grandchildren, Kenny, Kyle (Shaminy) and Kris Clone of Great Bend, KS; Jon and Jesse Stoken, Kurtis Clone, Kellie Parish, and Kirsten Barnhart, all of Eaton Rapids; three great granddaughters, Jayda and Madysen Clone and Kylee Stoken; three great grandsons, Kerry Clone and Damien and Domynick Clone, all of Great Bend, KS and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a grandson, Kerry Scott Clone; parents, Thera and Jesse Clone; two brothers, Kenneth and Wayne Clone; sister, Ilah Clone and daughter-in-law, Jodi Clone.
Funeral services were held Monday, August 22 from the Skinner Funeral Home in Eaton Rapids. Memorial contributions may be made to the Kenneth F. Clone Memorial Scholarship Fund in care of the Eaton Rapids Athletic Boosters.
Richard L. Closson
Richard L. Closson, 59, of Olivet, died Monday, July 11, 2005 at his residence after an extended illness.
Mr. Closson was born Aug. 2, 1945 in Coldwater, the son of Edward and Elizabeth (Yeakey) Closson and had been an Olivet resident since 1987. He was a retired employee of Olivet College.
Surviving are his wife of 33 years, Charlotte (Crapp) Closson; two sons, Matthew Closson of Olivet and Mark (Mary) Closson of Auburn, Ind.; 10 sisters and three brothers.
Funeral services were held July 14 at Burkhead-Green Funeral Home, Charlotte, with Pastor John Bailey and Steve Byrens officiating. Interment was at Leek Cemetery, Alaieden Twp., Ingham County.
Memorial contributions may be made to Ingham Medical Home Health Care and Hospice or the American Cancer Society.
Donald S. “Jack” Coats, Sr.
Donald S. “Jack” Coats, Sr., age 80, of Eaton Rapids, died Saturday, February 19, 2005 at a Holt Nursing Home. He was born September 3, 1924 at Narrow Lake, Michigan, the son of Chester and Kathryn (Burkwalt) Coats. Jack was an Army Veteran of World War II and was a retired Truck Driver for Fleet Carrier in Pontiac. Jack was a life member of the Brookfield F. & A.M. Lodge #439 and the O.E.S. #352, a member of the Teamsters Union Local #614 of Pontiac and a Life Member of the D.A.V. and V.F.W. Preceding him in death was his wife, Irene; grandson, Daniel Coats Jr.; parents; brother, Floyd Coats and sister Lilly Ryan.
Surviving are 3 children, Don Coats, Dan (Cheryl Hector) Coats and Diane Wait, all of Eaton Rapids; grandson, Nick (Crystal Turner) Wait of Eaton Rapids; granddaughter, Lisa (Steve) Brown of Ypsilanti; 2 great grandsons, Bradly Wait and Doug Britton, Jr.; sister, Leona (Bob) Prudon of Mason; brothers, C. Kenneth (Joyce) Coats of Narrow Lake and Robert Coats of Eaton Rapids; several nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be Thursday, February 24th at 11:00 a.m. from the Skinner Funeral Home in Eaton Rapids with burial of cremains following at the Clarence Center Cemetery at Duck Lake. The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to service time. For those desiring memorial contributions may be made to the Eaton Community Hospice at 2675 S. Cochran Rd., Charlotte, MI 48813 in memory of Jack Coats.
Lawrence E. Cody
Lawrence E. Cody, 68, of Charlotte, formerly of Grand Ledge, died Thursday, March 17, 2005 at his residence.
Larry was born Dec. 14, 1936 in Grand Ledge, the son of Edward and Ursal (Wilcox) Cody. He was a 1955 graduated of Grand Ledge High School, served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1956 to 1958 and was employed in the printing industry for 36 years. Larry was a member of Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church in Charlotte, where he worked on the church sponsored blood drives. He was a Mobile Meals volunteer and an avid supporter of Grand Ledge High School sports.
Surviving are his wife, Sandra (Granger) Cody, to whom he was married on Jan. 14, 1956; his parents, Edward and Ursal Cody of Grand Ledge; sisters, Marian Kinnison of Grand Ledge and twin sister Lorrene Cody of Charlotte; brothers, Jerry (Sherril) Cody of Portland and Joseph Cody of Grand Ledge; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Phillis and Gene Montgomery of Charlotte, Sue and Gary Pruden of Charlotte and Carol and Charlie McGlaughlin of Whitehall; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a brother, James Cody, in 2001.
Cremation has taken place. Memorial services were held March 22 at Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church, Charlotte, with Rev. Karen Wheat officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church or Eaton Community Hospice. Arrangements were by Burkhead-Green Funeral Home, Charlotte.
