View Announcements by Category:
Anniversaries  |  Birthdays  |  Births  |  Engagements  |  Obituaries  |  Weddings  


Robert J. Clarke

-

Funeral Services:

Robert James Clarke of Eaton Rapids, MI passed away on Monday, November 29, 2021, at the age of 76. Bob was born on May 13, 1945, in Jackson, MI the son of James and Dorothy (Towns) Clarke. He was raised in Eaton Rapids where he graduated in 1963. He went on to attend Michigan State University where he studied engineering and agriculture. Bob eventually returned to Eaton Rapids where he worked with his father on the same family farm he runs today with his sons. He was very active in the community, serving as an Eaton County Commissioner and a founding member of Island City Academy and board member. One of Bob’s passions in life was music; he was a member of Steiner Chorale since the 1990s where he sang tenor, and the Third Person, a bluegrass gospel group that sang at numerous church functions. Bob also enjoyed woodworking and building guitars. He was a member of Ss. Cornelius and Cyprian Catholic Church and attended the First Congregational Church in Eaton Rapids. Bob was well known in his community and could make friends or strike up a conversation in any social setting.
He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Denise Clarke; siblings, Carl Clarke, and Carol Janousek; and daughter-in-law, Lillian Clarke.
Bob is survived by his wife, Jo Ann Clarke; children, Theresa (Christian Kelleher) Clarke, John Clarke, Geoffrey (Amy) Clarke, Leigh (Max) Sprauer, Joseph (Ruth E.) Clarke, Alex (Erin) Clarke; step-children, Thomas (Michelle) Hector, Andrew (Sarah) Hector, Rebecca (James) Kruth; grandchildren, Antranig Clarke, Elliott Clarke, Lauren Sprauer, Rachel Sprauer, Theodore Sprauer, Frederick Pringle, Lon Pringle, Blythe Clarke, Darius Clarke, Ashlea Hector, Brendon Hector, Katherine Hector, Joshua Hector, Jacob Hector, Violet Hector; father-in-law, Harold Simmons; brothers-in-law, Kenneth Janousek and Jim Lukey; sisters-in-law, Becky Clarke and Janis (Doug) Brining; and numerous extended family and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 4, 2021, at Skinner Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids Chapel with visitation starting at 10:00 a.m. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Friday evening from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. with a Rosary service at 7:30 p.m. For those desiring memorial contributions may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in memory of Bob. To share memories or leave condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com

Read More

Garna J. Burgess

-

Funeral Services:

Garna Jean Burgess of Eaton Rapids, Michigan passed away on Friday, November 26, 2021 at the age of 91. Garna was born on October 11, 1930 in Eaton Rapids, the daughter of Alfred and Iva (Holbrook) Cusson. She was raised in Eaton Rapids where she graduated with the class of 1949. Garna was active at the Wesleyan Church in Eaton Rapids and worked part time as a florist and baking cakes for numerous birthdays and weddings. She loved art and enjoyed painting, drawing, and working with chalk. Garna spent several winters in Lakeland, Florida with her sister, Shirley.
She is preceded in death by her husband, David Burgess; sisters, Shirley Rogers and Coleen Cussin; and her parents.
Surviving are her children, Cindy (Mike) Harkenss, Mindy (Calvin) Dunn, Mark (Val) Burgess, Randy (Cheryl) Burgess, Nathan (Jacqui) Burgess; 10 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and numerous extended family.
A celebration of Garna’s life will be held in the summer of 2022. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the Sparrow Foundation Hospice Services in memory of Garna. To share memories or leave condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.

Read More

Jeffrey S. Shellenbarger

-

Funeral Services:

Jeffrey Scott Shellenbarger, of Charlotte, passed away November 23, 2021, at the age of 55. Jeff was born in Grand Rapids, December 27, 1966, the son of Robert Zalsman and Doris Craver. He worked for several years with Alro Steele before retiring early due to an auto accident. Jeff’s hobbies included hunting, fishing, and camping. He was a member and a past president of the Eaton Rapids Conservation Club, a member of the NRA and the First Baptist Church in Charlotte. Jeff was a kidney transplant recipient and didn’t let that stop him from giving back and volunteering as a hunter safety coordinator, hunter safety instructor, and an Upwards basketball coach and ref at the church.
Jeff is survived by his mother and adopted father, Doris Middleton and Donald Shellenbarger; wife, Carrie Shellenbarger; daughter, Lakota (Zach) Coker of Charlotte; step-son, Timothy Badgley; grandchild, Piper; step-grandchildren, Seth, Sylas, Elli, Sasha; siblings, Jason Shellenbarger, Jody Anderson, Shannon Mixon. He was preceded in death by his birth father, Robert Zalsman.
Memorial services will take place at 11 a.m. on December 5, 2021, at the Eaton Rapids Conservation Club, 4483 Freeman Road, Eaton Rapids, MI 48827. Memorial contributions may be made to the Kidney Foundation. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel. To leave online condolences for the family, please visit our website, www.millsfuneral.com.

Read More

Tad Mead

-

Funeral Services:

Tad Mead, 26, of Buchannan, Mich. (formerly of Nashville, Mich.), passed away unexpectedly Monday, November 15, 2021. Tad was born in Hastings, MI on July 21, 1995, son of April Blakely and Lance Mead.
He was raised in the Nashville area and attended Maple Valley schools graduating from Maple Valley High School in 2014. Tad was an excellent football player and excelled during his high school career.  His passion for the game led him to Olivet College where collegiate football career began.  While attending Olivet, Tad was enrolled in the Actuarial program.  After leaving college, Tad’s football career continued with the Battle Creek Assassins, and the Albion Warriors.
Tad relocated to the Buchannan area where he was employed at the Four Winds Casino where he worked as a Surveillance Operator.  Tad was responsible for overseeing the safety of the Casino and maintaining the integrity of the games.  His coworkers quickly became his “extended” family and he will be deeply missed by them all.
In his spare time, Tad enjoyed playing online video games with his best friends Cody & Ryan and golfing.  One golfing adventure led he and a friend to play a round on the family PGA course in Benton Harbor, MI. where they received a complimentary round through friend.
Tad is  also survived by his parents April (Jason) Engle, and Lance Mead, two sisters, Shannon, (Hunter Work) Mead Jaylene Engle, brother, Paulie Engle, grandparents Don (Lynn) Blakely, Maryann Mead twin nieces Lilian & Izabella Work, and several beloved Aunts, Uncles and Cousins. He was preceded in death by his grandfather Allan Mead, and nephew Oliver Work
The family will receive visitors 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, November 21st at Daniels Funeral Home in Nashville, MI. A Memorial Service will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, November 23rd at Nashville Church of the Nazarene in Nashville, MI with Pastor Jeff Hodges officiating.
Memorial contributions can be made to the family of Tad Mead. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Daniels Funeral Home in Nashville, MI.  For further details please visit our website at www.danielsfuneralhome.net.

Read More

C. Diane Messenger

-

Funeral Services:

C. Diane Messenger, 84, of Bellevue died on Saturday, November 20, 2021, at The Oaks of NorthPointe Woods.
Diane was born on July 9, 1937, in Battle Creek to Fritz and Atha (Eldred) Gasser. She graduated from Bellevue High School in 1955. On December 26, 1956, she married Harold P. Messenger at the Bellevue United Methodist Church.
Diane was a home maker and stayed at home to help her husband on the family farm and raise her children. She is a member of the Bellevue United Methodist Church and The 20th Century Club. Diane was a 4-H Leader in Eaton County for many years. She was an avid seamstress and would enjoy making clothes for her family. Diane was also known for her cooking and would always make sure she had the recipe to share with anyone at the potluck.  She loved to do crossword puzzles, jig saw puzzles, and word search. Diane loved being in the car club and enjoyed traveling to Hershey, Pennsylvania for over 30 years and she enjoyed square dancing.
She is survived by her husband Harold; three children Linda (Norman) Franks, David Messenger and Donna (Kim) Smith; nine grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and a brother Gary (Nancy) Gasser. She was preceded in death by her parents; two sister Marion Tirrell and Joyce Beiser; and a grandson David Messenger.
A private family service will take place at a later date. Memorial contributions are to the Bellevue Good Samaritan, 205 N. Main Street, Bellevue, MI 49021 or to the Bellevue United Methodist Church, 122 W. Capital Ave., Bellevue, MI 49021. Assistance with memorials is available at the Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services. Leave a personal message for the family and sign the online guestbook https://www.kempffuneralhome.com. Arrangements are entrusted to the Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services 203 N Elizabeth Street Bellevue MI 49021.

Read More

Michael P. McKeon

-

Funeral Services:

Michael Patrick McKeon age 65 from Bellevue, passed away on November 21, 2021. He worked as a Construction Superintendent Clark Construction. Arrangements are being handled by Pray Funeral Home, Inc.

Read More

Layla K. Sands

-

Funeral Services:

Layla Kaye Sands age 15, from Bellevue passed away on November 17, 2021. She was a High School student. Arrangements are being handled by Pray Funeral Home, Inc.

Read More

Scott R. Nichols

-

Funeral Services:

Scott Richard Nichols, 68, from Charlotte, Mich. Passed away on November 18, 2021. He was a tradesman at General Motors. Funeral was held on November 24, 2021 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte, Mich.

Read More

Marianne L. Brown

-

Funeral Services:

Marianne Louise Brown, 50, from Charlotte passed away on November 20, 2021. Marianne was a deli worker at Meijer’s. Private services will be held at a later date. Arrangements by Pray Funeral Home.

Read More

Sarah R. McDermid

-

Funeral Services:

Sarah “Sally” Racheal (Olmstead) McDermid passed away surrounded by loved ones in the comfort of her home on November 17, 2021. Sally was born on November 11, 1934, to parents J. C. and Lucie (Hamilton) Olmstead in Bellevue.
After graduating from Bellevue High School in 1953, Sally married her high school sweetheart David McDermid at Baseline United Methodist Church on August 22, 1953. Sally had many occupations over the years. She served as a waitress in area restaurants, was employed at Gates Grocery Store, drove bus for Bellevue Community Schools, was a paraprofessional at Bellevue Elementary and worked at Regional Medical Laboratory before retiring.
Sally loved the Lord and her church family. She was heavily involved with the Bellevue Alumni Association, band and athletic boosters supporting her children’s activities. She was always an avid reader, had a beautiful singing voice and enjoyed bowling, golf and traveling. For many years Sally enjoyed camping, especially with friends and family at Tri Lake Trails and Arbutus Lake. She was a fantastic cook and baker, known for her dinner rolls and loved to spoil her family with fresh homemade cinnamon rolls every Christmas morning.
Sally was preceded in death by her husband; brother, Everett Olmstead; sisters, Elizabeth Simon, Edna Spaulding, and Helen Jenkins. She is survived by her son, Jerold (Ann) McDermid of Angola, IN; daughter Susan (Terry) Swanger of Bellevue, MI; grandchildren, Megan (Kory) Young, Allison McDermid, David Swanger, Steven Swanger; great grandsons, Peyton Swanger and Bradley Young; and sisters, Ilene (Urban) McDonald, Alice (Michael) Palatas, and Sue (Paul) Wing.
Calling will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday, November 27, 2021, at Baseline United Methodist Church, 9617 Baseline Road, Battle Creek, MI 49017, with a memorial service to follow at 12 p.m. Private interment will take place at a later date in Hicks Cemetery of Battle Creek, MI. Memorial contributions are requested to Oaklawn Hospice Services, 13444 Preston Drive, Marshall, MI 49068 or https://oaklawnhospital.org/services/hospice/pages/make-a-memorial-donation-to-hospice/, Bellevue Volunteer Fire Department,115 E. Jackson St, Bellevue, MI 49021, or Baseline United Methodist Church, 9617 Baseline Road, Battle Creek, MI 49017. Arrangements have been entrusted to Kempf Family Funeral Homes, 205 N. Elizabeth Street, Bellevue, MI 49021. Please visit https://www.kempffuneralhome.com to view the online obituary, sign the guest book, or leave messages for the family.

Read More