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Betty Lee (Stafford) Jardot, age 91, passed away Friday, April 10, 2020 at her home in Gowen, Mich. She was under hospice care for the last few months. It was her wish to be cremated, and a small family gathering will be held at a later time.

She was born in Vicksburg on December 15, 1928. On November 6, 1948 she married Bernard Jardot. They were married almost 61 years until his death on May 19, 2009. In the late 1950s, the family moved to Columbia City, Ind. Betty was well known in the area for her interior decorating and painting and worked for both private individuals and contractors. She was active in the Boy Scouts and saw both her sons receive the Eagle Scout Award. Both she and her husband were very active in the Lions club and both held many offices. In 1967, her husband received a position on the staff at Michigan State University as a 4-H youth agent, and the family moved to Caro, Mich. She was very active with the 4-H groups and accompanied her husband on many 4-H trips. They were both very active in Lions and went on many international trips, including Rome, London and China as well as Hawaii. Saturdays during football season she sat in the stands and was a proud mother, having both her sons in the Michigan State University Marching Band at the same time. In 1979-80, they moved to Gowen when her husband was transferred. She was an active member in the Rebekah Lodge and held many offices including district president and Noble Grand. She enjoyed reading and gardening, and looked forward to when her grandchildren visited, especially when they were small, helping to plant and water the garden and asking if it was time to pick the garden.

She is survived by her son, Bernard Jr. “Mike” (Donna) Jardot of Kenton, Ohio; daughter, Judy Jardot of Gowen; grandson, David (Heather) Jardot of Hilliard, Ohio; granddaughter, Michelle (the late Scott) Kunkel and great-granddaughter, Katrina Kunkel of Whitehouse, Texas; a beloved sister, Alma Weber of Lansing; brother, Bob Stafford of Kalamazoo; brother-in-law, Don Jardot of Charlotte; and several nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death, in addition to her parents and her husband, was a son Dick. In lieu of flowers, memorials made be made to the charity of your choice. Hurst Funeral Home in Greenville is coordinating arrangements, and memories and messages of condolence may be shared at hurstfh.com.

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Sandra Kay Parish, age 67, an outspoken friend to many, passed away on April 9, 2020 at her residence in Charlotte. Born in Charlotte on September 10, 1952 to Glen and Bertie (Corbin) Burt, she remained in the area with her family and graduated from Charlotte in 1970. On March 27 of 1982 she married the love of her life, Dean Parish. Sandra worked at Hayes Green Beach Hospital and later for Spartan Motors in data entry until 1997. Sandra was a “caregiver,” willing to help everybody she could. She was never afraid to speak her mind or use her sense of humor to tease a smile from those around her.

Many may remember Sandra as the mom who helped develop and watch over Charlotte’s first skate park, built in the parking lot of one of the local churches. She would be there keeping track of the kids and selling snacks to help raise funds to maintain the park’s equipment. This later led to the development of the community skate park in Charlotte.

Sandra would want to be remembered as a huge supporter of her children and their friends — attending numerous games and concerts over the many years. You would see her in the stands or behind the counter of the athletic boosters selling popcorn and hotdogs to raise funds to support band or the sports teams. She was always one of the “not-so-quiet” workers there supporting “the kids.”

Her skill as a baker was celebrated all year long, as she would bake thousands of treats over the years. Her families’ favorites were her Holiday cookies. They were a special treat. One of her proudest moments was baking hundreds of cookies to sell to support RISE Recovery Community — a post treatment program to ensure the success of participants transitioning back into society after rehabilitation.

Above all else, family and friends will remember Sandy as a strong woman with a big heart.

She always opened her door to immediate family, distant family, “adopted family” and anyone who needed a safe place to go. She was truly “mom” to many.

Sandra is survived by her husband, Dean; three sons, Wesley (Karrie) Burt, Dean (Angela) Parish Jr, Nate Parish; daughter, Annie (Corey) Clarke; four brothers, Allen Burt, Jim Burt, Fred Burt, Doug Burt; three sisters, Judy (Don) Thornhill, Lois Kettner, Margaret (Ed) Johnson; grandkids, William Burt, Gavin Batey and Nate Batey. She was preceded in death by brothers, Larry Burt, Gary Burt, and Jerry Burt; sister, Marlene Davids; and her parents.

Due to current quarantine and sheltering guidelines, a celebration of life for Sandra will take place later. The family will send out information at a later time. In the meantime, go to prayfuneral.com and click on Sandra’s tribute page to share remembrances and condolences with the family. If desired, the family suggests memorial to RISE Recovery Community and Sparrow Hospice. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.

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Mary June Standley, age 75, of Brighton, formerly of Eaton Rapids and Marshall, passed away on April 7, 2020. Mary was born on October 13, 1944 in Marshall, the daughter of Donald and Agnes (Creps) Heath. She attended Marshall public school and graduated the class of 1962. Mary moved to Eaton Rapids, where she raised her two girls, worked and retired from the Eaton Rapids Hospital in 1984. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church and enjoyed years of volunteering at Eaton Community Palliative Care in Charlotte. Mary and Ron were huge MSU fans and held season tickets for basketball and hockey for over 30 years. After the love of her life’s passing, she moved to Brighton where she lived with her daughter and grandchildren for the past 17 years.

Mary is survived by her daughters, Kris Hill, Kelly Parks; grandchildren, Travis Hill, Emily Hill, Nicole Kapff: and great-grandson Logan Kapff. A special mention to her doctor/ friend of many years, Dr. Carol Beals, and her special niece Sandy Drumm.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Ron Standley; sister Peggy Drumm and brother-in-law Richard Drumm.

A memorial celebration will be held in the late summer of 2020. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to Eaton Community Palliative Care in Charlotte. To share condolences, visit skinnerfuneralhomes.com.

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James Passick, age 85, of Eaton Rapids passed away April 13, 2020. James was born in Albion on March 21, 1935, the son of John and Francis (Rogers) Passick. He proudly served with the U.S. Army during the Korean War from 1952-1958. During his service with the U.S. Army, he was awarded the National Service Medal, a Sharp-Shooter Medal and of all things, a medal for Good Conduct. After returning from the war, he went on to work for Lindel Drop Forge, where he would retire in 1986 after over 35 years. James was a member of the Eagles Club Post 3552 and the American Legion Post 42. He loved spending time outside, going on his annual fishing trip to Canada with his sons and friends, dancing, making wine, cooking, and he loved his solitude. Most of all, James enjoyed a good argument with a few choice words.

James is survived by his children, Theresa Passick Clark of Eaton Rapids, Nolan (Tiffany) Passick of Berrien Springs, Luke (Kelly McCormick) Passick of Lake George; grandchildren, Jennifer (Brandon) Ramsey of Kentwood, Chas Passick of Lake George, Tiffany Passick of Farwell, Casey Smith of Texas, Bodie (Sarah) Mills of St. Joseph, Gabrielle (Andrew) Mills of Eaton Rapids, Ryder Q. Passick of Berrien Springs; numerous great grandchildren; and brother, Kenneth Passick of SC. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife and the love of his life, Shirley Passick; daughter, Michelle Mills; infant son, Matthew Passick; and grandson, Nathan Passick.

Private graveside services will take place in Rosehill Cemetery. Those desiring may make memorial contributions to the American Legion Post 42 in Charlotte. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. Visit millsfuneral.com to place online condolences.

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Lillian Mae Peterson, age 87, of Eaton Rapids died on Wednesday, April 1, 2020. She worked as a seamstress. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte.

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Darlene Marie Pierce, age 78, of Charlotte died on March 30, 2020. She worked as an insurance claims processor. A full obituary will be published at a later date, when service date and time have been determined.

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Funeral Services:

Richard E. Spitzer, age 91, of Vermontville passed away Sunday, April 5, 2020, at his home with his family by his side. He was born April 23, 1928, in Charlotte, the son of Edwin and Helen (Blair) Spitzer. Dick graduated from Nashville High School with the class of 1946. Soon after graduating, Dick and his parents bought an 80-acre piece of property in Gulliver, Mich. This place has brought the family much joy throughout the years. Whether it was for deer season or just a family get away, Dick loved being together with family. On January 21, 1950, he married Margaret Joan Shapley in Angola, Ind. Together, they enjoyed wintering in Florida and spending time at their cabin in the Upper Peninsula. Dick also liked working in his garden. Dick retired after 36 faithful years of service as a supervisor for General Motors in Lansing.
He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Margaret; daughter, Cindy (Allan) Harvath of Charlotte; son, Richard (Teresa) Spitzer of Charlotte, nine grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren.
Dick was preceded in death by his parents.
A private family graveside service was held on Wednesday, April 8, 2020, at Kalamo Hillside Cemetery with Pastor Charles Jenson officiating. A public celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Those desiring, may make contributions in Dick’s honor to West Carmel Congregational Church. To view Dick’s obituary online, or to leave a condolence for the family, visit burkhead-greenfuneral.com.

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Mrs. Barbara Linsley, age 85, of Kalamo passed away Thursday, April 2, 2020, at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing. Barb was born in Kalamo on January 13, 1935, the daughter of the late Elston and Ethel (Palmer) Smurr. She was raised in the Kalamo area, attending North Kalamo School and Charlotte High School. On June 16, 1951, she married Mr. Bernard Linsley, who farmed in Kalamo. The couple made their home together in the Kalamo area, where they raised their family and established their farm. They shared their home with several foster children. Barb’s family, the Smurrs, also farmed in the Kalamo area, and her two sisters married Bernie’s two brothers.
Barb was a perfect lady and took great pride in the care of her family and her home. She raised her family at Nashville Baptist Church, where one of her true joys was singing in the choir each Sunday and occasionally singing solos. She enjoyed reading her Bible, novels and history books.
Barb loved working around their home and farm, enjoying horses, gardening and teaching her grandchildren how to fish. For a short period of time, she sold real estate. Along with her husband, Barb enjoyed renovating houses and, through the years, completed over 33 house renovations in the area. They spent their entire married life in the very first home they restored.
“Work hard, then play hard” was a creed that Barb and Bernie shared during their nearly 69 years of marriage. They traveled extensively across the United States as well as Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. In later years, the couple purchased homes in Florida that became their winter escape for over 30 years. They also enjoyed spending time at family property in Kalkaska and a cabin on Thornapple Lake.
Barbara is survived by her beloved husband Bernie; two sons, Glen (Donna) Linsley and Ed (Linda) Linsley; two sisters, Gloria Linsley and Mary (Jerry) Linsley; her brother Douglas (Patricia) Smurr; nine grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her brother-in-law Don Linsley.
Graveside services were held privately for the family at Hillside Cemetery in Kalamo on Wednesday, April 8, with Pastor Lester DeGroot officiating. A memorial service celebrating Barb’s life and beautiful Christian faith will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Nashville Baptist Church.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Daniels Funeral Home in Nashville. For further details, visit the website at danielsfuneralhome.net.

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Funeral Services:

Edward (Ted) R. Lynch — a fun-loving, caring and inspirational Cockney lad from South London — died peacefully on Sunday, April 5, 2020, at Sensations Memory Care with his wife, Nancy, by his side and his son, Tony, present on a video call. Ted fought a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Ted was born on January 31, 1946, in South London where he grew up. Ted was a lifelong supporter of Millwall Football Club (soccer to you Yanks). Life was not easy in South London after the war, and Ted learned what he called his “siege mentality.” While growing up, Ted loved getting into mischief with his brothers and cousins and had many stories to tell of those days. He cared deeply about people but didn’t tolerate wankers. He didn’t pretend to be anything else than what he was. Ted could talk (and did he ever love to talk!) to everyone and anyone. Everyone who met him felt comfortable.
After leaving school, Ted went to work in the London film industry with his dad as a scenic painter and grip. He worked on many films including “Star Wars,” “James Bond” and “Indiana Jones.” He had so many stories from those days; for example, the trees in Yoda’s swamp were full of beer cans. He met many big stars but treated them like any other people, and they liked coming to the carpentry shop on set to talk to him and the other guys.
After moving to the United States in 1987, Ted lived in East Lansing with his second wife and became a fixture in Mid-Michigan soccer during the 1990’s — coaching club, high school, ODP and even becoming the state director of coaching in 1996.
Most everyone loved being around Ted, and if they didn’t, they certainly remembered him! His naturally colorful language shocked and bemused, and his humor, smile, mischievous winks and positive spirit made players and friends feel invincible.
Ted went to work at the VFW National Home for Children in Eaton Rapids in 2002. While working there, he inspired innumerable kids and parents with his sunshine personality, wit and love of life. He never talked down to the kids, and they loved him for it. He always told them that you can’t control some situations, but you can control how you react to them. Ted became involved in the Eaton County 4-H program and came to love working with the swine program. He often said that, before he became a 4-H leader, the closest he came to a pig was a bacon sandwich. He was very impressed with 4-H and how everyone in the county came together at fair time to make everything run smoothly.
Ted loved the American people; always commenting on how nice they are. He became a United States citizen in 2004 and led activities at the National Home encouraging patriotism and community service. He loved taking the teens on trips to Washington, D.C. and to visit veterans at VA hospitals. He often said that America saved the world in WWII and that we gave Britain the baked bean.
Ted met his third wife, Nancy Bowers, at the National Home, and the two of them married in 2013. They purchased a home in Vermontville and a deciding factor in buying the house was that it was close to MOO-ville. The girls there knew when they saw Ted to make a chocolate-dipped waffle cone with Almond Joy ice cream.
Ted loved making people laugh, working, playing with children, traveling to London and Mexico, the Mexican people, Millwall Football and most of all his wife and family. His passing leaves a void in hundreds of people’s lives. He never lost his personality in spite of the dementia. Even though he was only at Sensations for two months, he made a giant impression on the staff and did his best to make them laugh. Ted would want us to remember to always have fun, have a laugh and always treat each other well. Always expect the ball and D.G.C.
Ted is survived by his wife, Nancy Bowers; sons: Tony (Naomi) Lynch, Danny Lynch; grandchildren: Harry, Billy, Alice, Lacey; his mother, Mary; four sisters; and loads of nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be announced at a later date. Donations can be made in Ted’s name to Sensations Memory Care or Eaton County 4-H.

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Sheila Terese Elizabeth Accivatti — beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend — passed away Tuesday, March 31, 2020, after a long illness. She was 71 years old.
Sheila was born Dec. 25, 1948, to Tosca Lidia Marie Barsi Sathoff and her husband. Sheila’s younger brother, Kirk, arrived several years later, and they grew up together in Sterling, Ill. Sheila attended Newman Central Catholic High School, graduating in 1967.
Sheila’s mother, Tosca, married Owen Hagen in December 1969, and he became a loving father to Sheila and Kirk in every meaningful way. Through Tosca and Owen’s union, Sheila gained three siblings: Michael, Nancy and Jodi.
After high school, she studied nursing at St. Anthony Hospital School of Nursing in Rockford, Ill. During that time, she met her first husband, David LaLumia, whom she married in November 1972. Together they had two daughters, Cara and Julia, and they divorced after 11 years of marriage. Sheila cared for her daughters as a single parent for a number of years and did so with aplomb. On Nov. 9, 1985, two families again became one when she married James Accivatti and became a mother figure to daughters Theresa and Kathryn.
Sheila and Jim had a love that was always sincere and usually playful, through both tough and easier times over more than 35 years. They showed by example how to nurture a relationship through life’s ups and downs with affection and good humor. Sheila loved her family near and far. She was known to make unannounced trips to Sterling to surprise her mother, at least once during a blizzard aided by brother-in-law Bud LeFevre. She made untold sacrifices for her children, and her grandchildren were her joy and her reward.
Sheila was a woman of words. She was a lifelong writer with a deep appreciation for the craft. She was the storyteller of her family, weaving together loose ends from lives left behind in Italy, a mid-century coming-of-age in Illinois, and growing a new life with permanent roots in Michigan. Each letter, birthday card and lunchbox note she wrote was a small piece of art — always thoughtfully and lovingly composed. She also was a gifted crocheter, who made many beautiful baby blankets and afghans that her family will treasure for years to come.
Sheila was preceded in death by her brother, Kirk Sathoff, and her parents, Owen and Tosca Hagen. She is survived by her husband, Jim Accivatti, of Charlotte; daughters Cara (Jason) Barnes of Richland, Mich.; Julia LaLumia of Lansing; Theresa Accivatti of West Bloomfield; and Kate (Jeff) Schamanek of Rochester; former husband David (Julie, Luke, Nathan, Zachary) LaLumia of Eagle; grandchildren Zachary, Melissa, Jessica, Allisyn, Jackson, Theodore, Ava and Eleanora; and siblings Mike Hagen of Southport, NC, and Nancy (Ron) Jensen, Jodi LeFevre, and Bud (Lisa) LeFevre, all of Sterling, as well as many loved nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held later this year to celebrate Sheila’s life. In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 15829, Arlington VA 22215. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Sheila on her tribute page at prayfuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.