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Willard F. Myers
Willard F. Myers, age 88, died Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2010 at his residence.
Willard was born June 21, 1922 in Brookfield Township, Eaton County, the son of LeRoy and Ora Belle (Potts) Myers and had lived and farmed in the Brookfield, Olivet and Nashville areas all his life. He had worked at the John Bean Co. for 27 years until they closed their Lansing Plant. He was a member of the Olivet and Nashville Lions Clubs and was a past president of the Nashville Lions. He was involved in stock and modified tractor pulling for many years and was a past president of the Central Michigan Tractor Pullers. He names his modified tractor “The Budget Breaker”, having pulled all over Michigan and Canada.
Willard was an accomplished fiddler and founded the Nashville Strings 16 years ago. He also enjoyed teaching others to play the fiddle. He was inducted into the Michigan Fiddlers Hall of Fame in 2006 in Hillsdale and had also been inducted into the Prairieville Farmers Hall of Fame.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Bessie Irene (Colbridge) Myers to whom he was married on Nov. 16, 1946 at the First Congregational Church in Charlotte by Rev. Russell McConnell. Also surviving are: two sons, David (Elizabeth) Myers of Grand Ledge and Ralph (Sue) Myers of Hastings; 4 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, August 20, 2010 at the Nashville Baptist Church with Rev. Lester DeGroot officiating. Interment will be in the Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the Burkhead-Green Funeral Home in Charlotte. Memorial contributions may go to the Barry Community Hospice or the Nashville Baptist Church.
www.burkhead-greenfuneralhome.com.
Bessie Nelson
Bessie Nelson, age 93, of Eaton Rapids, Michigan passed away Saturday, March 6, 2010. Mrs. Nelson was born December 6, 1916 in Brookfield Township, the daughter of Harvey and Edith (Whittum) Gildart. Bessie was a helpful and supportive “farm wife” with her husband Victor. They loved to travel when they were able. Their most memorable trips were to Europe for agricultural farm tours and an Alaskan cruise. Bessie served her community for many years as a hospital volunteer, known as the “Gray Ladies” at Hayes Green Beach Memorial Hospital. She loved reading and worked crossword puzzles every day. She was strong willed and determined throughout her life.
She is survived by 2 sisters-in-law, Evelyn Nelson and Dora Nelson, her brother-in-law Clyde Ray and several nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Victor in 1994 and her sister Katherine Beardslee.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 9,2010 at 2:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home, with Rev. Irene Vittoz officiating. Interment will follow in Perry Cemetery. If desired, the family has suggested memorial contributions to the Brookfield-Eaton United Methodist Church, or the Eaton Community Hospice.
Roger “Chip” Neufer II
Roger “Chip” Neufer II of Lansing, formerly of Eaton Rapids, age 45, passed away in Lansing, Saturday, May 8, 2010. He was born in Eaton Rapids, July 21, 1964, the son of Roger and Louise (Husted) Neufer. Chip was a custodian at the Eaton Rapids Schools from 1981-1991. He loved horses. Chip was the owner and trainer of harness racing horses.
He is survived by his life partner, Mark Mattocks of Lansing; mother, Louise of Eaton Raids; sisters, Robin (Mark) Boyd of Dimondale, Lou Ann (Max) Sagraves of Onondaga, Ronda (Mike Johnson) Tyler of Charlotte; many nieces and nephews; and his dogs, Tacoma and Scooter. Chip was preceded in death by his father, Roger in 2009.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at the Shelly-Odell Funeral Home, 518 S. Main St. Eaton Rapids with Pastor Scott Boles officiating. Interment will be at Springport Cemetery.
Velma Newman
After 80, years, Jesus called his beloved Velma Newman home to be with him on Sunday, August 22, 2010 from her daughter’s home. Born Velma Edith Orton, in Detroit, she recently returned to Michigan after a 25-year absence. During that time, she resided in Costa Rica - while servicing with the Peace Corps, as well as Texas and Bradenton, Florida. Velma also traveled in Central and South America as well as Europe as a professional tailor, she created beautiful, functional clothing and household items for her customers and family. In addition, she was an avid flower gardener and many enjoyed viewing her carefully maintained yard. As she emulated the Proverbs 21 woman, she worked diligently and generously extended her hand to the poor and needy. “She tried and succeeded”.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Percy and Aurelia (Ferrero) Orton and son, Gordon Saal. She is survived by her children: Susan (Mark) Potter, Nancy (Steven) Shaver and (Dyann) Saal of Charlotte; Kathy (Tom) Carrigan of Vermontville, Valeria Newman of Lansing and David and sister, Merry (Arlton) Sellhorn of Palmetto, Florida.
Wilma L. Newman
Wilma L. (Wolf) Newman, 84, of Delton, Mich., formerly of Olivet, died Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at Borgess Hospital, Kalamazoo. She was born May 23, 1925 in Blue Island, Ill., the daughter of Frederick and Wilhemina (Ebert) Wolf. She had been a Delton resident for four years, moving from Olivet. She had been a cafeteria employee at the Hayes-Green Beach Hospital in Charlotte and later in the Olivet Community School System. She was a member of the Eaton-Brookfield United Methodist Church and the Charlotte V.F.W. Post #2406 Woman’s Auxiliary.
Surviving are: four sons, Jeff (Freida) Newman of Delton, John (Cynde) Newman of DeWitt, Joel Newman of Olivet and Jim Newman of Carson City; 11 grandchildren, Jeff III, Alicia, Brett, Eric, Shanda, Joel II, Amorena, Ashley, Seth, Connie and Jim; nine great grandchildren, Graham, Mason, Jordan, Shelby, Kenton, Audrey, Alonie, Zhaine and Jolene; one great-great grandchild, Kailynn and her sister, Viola LeFevre of Eaton Rapids.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Arnold J. Newman on Dec. 14, 1994 and by four brothers and a sister.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 23, 2010 at the Burkhead-Green Funeral Home, Charlotte with Rev. Charlene Minger and Rev. David Hill officiating.
Interment will be in the Springport Cemetery. Memorial contributions may go to the Eaton-Brookfield United Methodist Church or the Eaton Community Hospice.
Ernie Ray Newsome
Ernie Ray Newsome, 60, of Rogersville, Tennessee formerly of Eaton Rapids, MI lost his battle against cancer January 31, 2010. He retired from the Michigan Packaging Company in Mason, MI as a truck driver. He had a passion for music, singing playing guitar and the standup base. His summertime was filled with blue grass festivals and attending car shows with his ’41 Plymouth. Ernie also loved his K-9 companion Sassy.
Ernie is survived by his wife Billie Joy, brother, Ronnie (Judy) Thacker, sisters, Brenda (Harrold) Snyder, Sue (Paul) Johnson, and Sheila Allen, sons, Phil (Kristina) Newsome and Greg (Carrie) Newsome, daughters, Cheryl Dahl, Christine Thomas, Belinda (Randy) Miller, and Rickie (Jason) Bremer, 16 grandchildren, and 12 great grandchildren. Ernie is preceded in death by his mother, Betty Ruth Thacker and father, Phil Newsome and daughter, Darlene Thomas.
Arrangements pending by: Nelson-Frazier Funeral Home, Martin, KY. In lieu of flowers please make memorial contributions for the family to Phil Newsome, 8855 Petrieville Hwy, Eaton Rapids, MI 48827. Ernie has touched many hearts and will be missed dearly by his family and friends.
Judith Ann Nichols
Judith Ann Nichols, 67, of Eaton Rapids, passed away on Thursday, June 24, 2010 at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, She was born July 15, 1942 in Michigan City, Indiana to Clarence and June (Sherrill) Smith. In 1962 she married Thomas W. Nichols; he survives. Judith was a secretary for the Eaton Rapids school systems and also worked at the Ferris Party Store in Eaton Rapids. She lived up north on Tubbs Lake; returning to Eaton Rapids a year ago. She was a practical joker. She was a mother and a grandmother. Judith was an avid sports fan who enjoyed all sports, especially the ones her grandchildren played. She supported the Athletic Boosters in Eaton Rapids. She was preceded in death by her parents.
She is survived by her 2 daughters, Kim (Karl) Grant of Dimondale, Pam (Dave) Shafer of Springport; son, Tony (Julie) Nichols of Grand Blanc; 2 sisters, Ginny (Jerry) Schultz of Albion, Cheryl (Roger) Saylor of Holt; brother, Dick (Jean) Smith of Homer; grandchildren, T.J., Katelyn, Brooke, Taylor, drew and Lexi; great grandchild, Arianna.
A memorial service was held on June 28, 2010 at the Presbyterian Church in Homer, MI. Reverend Tim Marvil officiated. Memorial donations may be made to Eaton County Hospice. www.kevintiddfuneralhome.com.
Leo J. Norton
Leo James Norton, 88, passed away Friday, November 12, 2010. He was born in Nashville, Mich., June 22, 1922, the son of Reuben and Martha (Wyble) Norton. Leo was employed by the City of Olivet and served in the United States Army during WWII. Leo married Hazel (Rowden) Norton on April 13, 1946 and resided in Olivet. In their later yeas, they moved to the Upper Peninsula and then back to Charlotte.
Leo loved spending time visiting with family, friends and neighbors and playing cards. He loved his children, grandchildren and family very much.
He is survived by his daughter, Addriett (James) Balgoyen of Charlotte; son, Gregory (Susan) Norton of Charlotte; daughter-in-law, Julie Norton of Bellevue; three grandchildren: Christopher (Masami) Norton of Guam, Jason Norton of Bellevue and Kelly (Jamie) Norton of Olivet; four great grandchildren:; sister, Iva LaPoint, of Olivet; and brothers, Neil Norton of Georgia, Vern Norton of Bellevue and Bob Norton of Battle Creek; two step-brothers, Roland and Terry Axtel; and several nieces and nephews.
Leo was preceded in death by his parents and his loving wife, Hazel (Rowden) Norton and beloved son, Kendric Norton; his sisters, Dorothy (Norton) Fall of California and Sarah (Norton) Umbarger, of Eaton Rapids.
The family will have a memorial gathering at Addriett’s home in Charlotte from 2 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 27. Pastor March Livingston will officiate a memorial service at 2:30 p.m.
If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the Capitol Area Humane Society or the Eaton County Medical Care Facility Activity Fund. Arrangements were made by Pray Funeral Home.
Nancy Nowlin
Nancy Nowlin, 73, of Vermontville, died Thursday, March 4, 2010. Mrs. Nowlin was born Jan. 28, 1937 in Jackson, the daughter of Howard and Agnes (McGuire) Buell.
Mrs. Nowlin was a retired install and repair technician who worked for Michigan Bell Telephone. She was a member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, Women of the Moose No. 2298 and the Fraternal Order of Eagles all in Charlotte. Mrs. Nowlin was the state champion of Michigan in playing pool. She enjoyed playing pool, softball and camping with their fifth wheel with the Wagon Train Club.
She was preceded in death by her daughters, Susan Elkins; Karen Gunn and Kim Nowlin.
She is survived by her husband of 22 yeas, William Nowlin; sons, Steve (Joyce) Hill; Orley Hill and Scott Nowlin; eight grandchildren; one great grandchild and brother, George (Karen) Buell.
Funeral services were held Tuesday March 9, 2010 at Pray Funeral Home with Reverend Charles Jensen officiating.
If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Eaton Community Hospice House.
