Obituaries
Jean Ann Keilholtz
Jean Ann Keilholtz, a quiet, supportive wife, mother, and grandmother, died September 27, 2025. Jean, 70, of Vermontville was born October 31, 1954 in Lansing, Michigan, to Frederick and Lorraine (Phifer) Leik. Jean a graduate of Harry Hill High School moved to the Vermontville area in the 1990s. Jean loved camping, and one of her favorite places was the Soo Locks in the Upper Peninsula, watching the ships go through the Locks. She also enjoyed fishing in Canada at Rice Lake. Jean’s love of horses showed when she broke her own horse Teddy, a paint-pinto. After breaking Teddy, she went on many trail rides, including riding the Battlefield of Gettysburg.
Jean was very supportive of her family and enjoyed being with her grandchildren. You would often see her attending the sporting events of every grandchild. She was also very supportive of her son while he showed horses in 4-H.
Jean is survived by her husband of 46 years, Robert; son, Scott (Shenna) Keilholtz; and grandchildren, Robert and Karminey. She was preceded in death by her parents.
Friends are encouraged to support Jean’s family by sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Edward Lee Steele
Edward Lee Steele, 70, of Charlotte passed away on September 24, 2025. Funeral Services will be planned for a future date.
Terry M Yesh
Terry M Yesh, aka Ter-bear, age 78, passed away peacefully at The Oaks in Battle Creek, Michigan, on September 23, 2025. He was born to Maurice and Mozelle (Poore) Yesh on June 26, 1947, in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He married the love of his life, Jacqueline Elaine Eaton, in April of 1969, and they had 56 wonderful years together before his passing. He was a Vietnam Army Veteran, and his division was the “Hell on Wheels” bomb demolition division. He worked as a machine journeyman repairman with many additional skillsets that he used throughout his life, such as being a drill press and lathe operator, and a building maintenance man. Terry had a plethora of interests and was a man that never liked to sit still, unless it was for hunting. He loved to hunt anything he could deer, turkeys, squirrels, and more. He never got to hunt a bear, though it was on his list. He enjoyed fishing with his wife, skydiving, scuba diving, dune buggying, tinkering with cars, working with EMS, and having quality time with his friends and family.
Terry is preceded in death by his parents, Maurice and Mozelle Yesh.
He leaves behind to remember him with love: his wife, Jackie Yesh; his children, Todd Yesh of Detroit, Gordon (Kathy) Yesh of Augusta, Kimberly (Michael) Hubbard of Galesburg; his grandchildren, Jenelle (Amy) Yesh of Grand Rapids, Keith Yesh of Bellevue, Emily Yesh of Hastings, Morganne Smith of Richland, Liam (Lauryn) Hubbard of Kalamazoo, Megan (Thomas) Hubbard of Battle Creek; his brother, Michael (Janice) Lake of Buchanan; and his sister, Pamela (Larry) Miller of Charlotte.
Calling hours were held Monday, September 29, 2025, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Kempf Family Event Center in Bellevue, Michigan. Terry will be laid to rest privately at the Kalamo Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made out to The Oaks of Battle Creek.
The Kempf Family Funeral Home is honored to care for the Yesh family in their time of need.
Roberta Boyce
Roberta “Bobbie” Boyce was born on July 14, 1952. Surrounded by her family, she passed away with grace on September 25, 2025.
Survived by her beautiful sister, Karen (Phil), and her most significant accomplishments, her children, Ryan Boyce (Theresa) and Kelli Boyce Jones (Nik). Her grandchildren, Airic (Stephanie), CJ, Mason, Alyssa, Caden, Nicolaus, Gavin, Lula, and Evan. Her first great-grandchild, Ava Boyce, was welcomed this year. Her bonus children and their families, whom she loved as her own; Steve, Brad, Heidi, and Jamie; her nieces, Tasha and Apryl; and her nephews, Brandon and Travis.
Bobbie always had a way of making everyone feel special. In her early years, Bobbie taught microwave cooking classes, coached soccer, enjoyed catering, and always had food at her table for anyone willing to sit and eat. She shared love, laughter, and a business for many decades with her late husband, Howard “Howdy” Boyce, with whom she no doubt had a special place in her heart. Bobbie had a tremendously successful career in mortgages and loved connecting with people. Bobbie lived an amazingly independent, colorful, fun-filled life. She spent the last six years at ECHRS where she definitely made her mark and stood out in the crowd. She led the residents and staff on fun adventures, filled with laughter and many competitive card games. She was also able to enjoy living with her best friend of 40 years, Roxanne Baker, at ECHRS. Bobbie especially enjoyed spending time with her family, relaxing at the lake, and never missed an opportunity to soak up the sun. Her love for cooking was infectious to all, and this joy was passed down to her children, as well as her many recipes. If you met Bobbie, you were guaranteed to walk away with not only a smile but a fun story to go along with it.
Bobbie was preceded in death by her parents, Leona Smith (Tom) and Robert Kamp (Eadie), and her sister Nancy.
Her family will hold a private celebration of life at a later date.
Donations can be made in lieu of flowers to Eaton Community Palliative Care 2675 S. Cochran Road, Charlotte, MI 48813.
To view Bobbie’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com
The family is being served by the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home.
Harold P. Messenger
Harold P. Messenger, 88, of Bellevue, Michigan passed away on Tuesday, September 23, 2025 at the Oak’s Legacy in Battle Creek, Michigan.
He was born on June 3, 1937 to Lynn and Mary (Swayzee) Messenger in Battle Creek, Michigan.
Harold married C. Diane Gasser on December 26, 1955 at Bellevue United Methodist Church, sadly she passed away on November 20, 2021. He graduated from Bellevue High School in 1955.
Harold enlisted into the United States Army on July 11, 1956 in Detroit, Michigan and was honorably discharged at Ft. Bliss, Texas on July 10, 1958 attaining the rank of SP4.
He was a lifelong farmer at heart, but he also worked for 27 years as a Mechanical Supervisor at Kellogg Cereal Co., in Battle Creek, retiring in 1995. He was a life-time member of Bellevue United Methodist Church and also a member of the Kellogg 25 Year Club. Harold enjoyed square dancing with his friends in the local area. He loved old cars, especially Buick’s and he belonged to the Maple City Buick Club. Woodworking, building and fixing anything mechanical were hobbies that will be missed by all who knew him. Harold enjoyed reading, especially car and woodworking magazines. He loved working with his hands, and many appreciated his hard work and knowledge on fixing things.
Harold is survived by his loving children, David Messenger of Bellevue, Michigan, Linda (Norman) Franks of Bellevue, Michigan and Donna (Kim) Smith of Battle Creek, Michigan; nine grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; his siblings, Lois Siple of Vermontville, Michigan, Joann (Jim) Pierce of Kalamazoo, Michigan, and Laura Mahoney of Tillsonburg, Ontario, Canada.
He was preceded in death by his wife, C. Diane Messenger; his parents; and his grandson, David Messenger.
A private Celebration of Life for Harold will be held at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Good Samaritan Fund or the Bellevue Fire Department.
Arrangements were entrusted to Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services. Please visit www.kempffuneralhome.com to view the online obituary, to sign the online guest book or to leave the family condolences.
Donna Jean Townsend
Donna Jean Townsend of Charlotte, passed away September 16, 2025, at the age of 90. Donna was born in Albion, Michigan on June 7, 1935, the daughter of Francis and Frances (Shaw) Dack. She was retired from Meijer Bakery and also worked as a Custodian for the VFW National Home for Children.
Donna is survived by her children, Diane Slusser of Eaton Rapids, Sherry (Richard) Amsdill of Onondaga, Debora Rounds of Eaton Rapids; grandchildren, Alyson (Michael) Fitzpatrick of Eaton Rapids, Rikki Lynn Amsdill of Jackson, Sally (Jesse) Brown of Springport, Jennifer Rounds of Charlotte, David Slusser of Eaton Rapids; 7 great grandchildren; siblings, Phil (Mary) Dack, Doug (Janet) Dack, David Dack, Don (Georgia) Dack, Barbara Corser, Bev (Elidge) Abbott. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Kenneth Dack; sister, Nancy Dack.
A Memorial Service will be held at a later date. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in loving memory of Donna Jean Townsend. To leave condolences for the family, visit our website www.millsfuneral.com.
Barbara Joyce Pell
Barbara Joyce Pell of Eaton Rapids, passed away September 24, 2025, at the age of 85. Barbara was born in Eaton Rapids, Michigan on January 11, 1940, the daughter of Wallace and Mildred (Smith) Rogers. She married her high school sweetheart, Jim Pell, on August 2, 1958. Barbara was an active member at the First United Methodist Church of Eaton Rapids where she taught Sunday School and actively participated with the United Methodist Women. She worked in publishing for the VFW Home and was a Cub Scout leader. She had many hobbies that she enjoyed in her free time, genealogy and flower gardening were among her favorites.
Barbara is survived by her loving husband of 67 years, Jim Pell of Eaton Rapids; son, Steven (Elizabeth) Pell of Eaton Rapids; grandchildren, Cameron (Samantha) Pell, Trent (Kristen) Pell; four great grandchildren, Skylar, Jonnie, Parker, James. She was preceded in death by her parents; stepmother, Neva Rogers; son, Jeffrey Dwayne Pell.
At this time, no services are planned. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. For those desiring, a memorial contribution may be made to the Donor’s Choice of Charity in loving memory of Barbara Joyce Pell. To leave condolences for the family, visit our website www.millsfuneral.com.
Joy Lee Lancaster
Joy Lee Lancaster, age 81, passed away peacefully at her home on Monday, September 22, 2025, while surrounded by her family. She will be deeply missed by her husband of 61 years, Carl Lancaster; daughter, Stephanie Lancaster-LaVoie; son, Steven (Lara) Lancaster; grandchildren Aubrey, Addison, Julia, Avery, Owen, and Helena; and many extended relatives and friends.
Joy graduated from Charlotte High School in the class of 1962.
Per her wishes, cremation has taken place. No services are scheduled at this time. In memory of Joy and in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Corewell Health Foundation West Michigan – Hospice. The family welcomes memories and messages at www.cookcaresgrandville.com in Joy’s online guestbook.
Danny Lee Nichols
Danny Lee Nichols, 63, of Mulliken, died on September 2, 2025. He was born on September 28, 1961 in Coldwater, Michigan, to James and Dianna (Musselman) Nichols. Danny was a lifelong lover of animals and a hard, if not stubborn, worker. He was a kind, shy person, and a loving father and grandfather who, above all else, loved to be beside his family. Their best memories of him were on his farm in Jonesville, where he would often jump in the pen with his sheep—his favorite, the Shetland ram Beowulf—or his buffalo, Amos, who he raised and would chase around and play with. He was America’s, and maybe the world’s, best saw filer, and worked as a bandsaw filer at Buskirk’s in Freeport. He spent his life in love with his work in the lumber business, and he made sure that mills all over Michigan had saws with well-sharpened teeth.
Danny loved fishing and hunting, whittling, being with his family, and taking gentle care of his menagerie of dogs and farm animals for all his life.
Danny is survived by his children, Travis, Leslie, Ross, Nathan, and Nola Nichols; grandchildren, Braxton and Ruby Smith, and Dante and Cyrus Nichols; and his big brother Jimmy Nichols. He predeceased his parents, and will be remembered always as the soft-spoken man with his tender heart.
Friends are encouraged to support Danny’s family by or sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Marilyn Anne Orrison
Marilyn Anne Orrison, a woman who loved being able to give to others, died surrounded by her loving family on Tuesday, September 23, 2025. Marilyn, 83, of Potterville, was born on June 24, 1942, in Lansing, the daughter of Curtis and Myrtle (Brenner) Bartlett. She proudly worked as a Manager for Shepard Shoes in Lansing. On June 30, 1979, Marilyn married David Orrison and together they spent the next 39 years creating their legacy until his passing in 2018. She proudly worked alongside David running the office for David J. Orrison Inc. Traveling the world was a big part of her life, she and David took in many trips over the years. Marilyn was a proud Master Gardner and loved working in her flower gardens. Other hobbies that she enjoyed included bird watching, doing family genealogy, going to garage sales, reading, watching tv shows like Gilmore Girls, Father Brown, and Vera. Most importantly she loved attending all her grandchildren’s events. Above all her family brought her the most enjoyment in life.
Marilyn is survived by her children, Melissa Smith, Michelle (Steve) Hollon, Jennifer (Juan) Mena, and Jason Smith; grandchildren, Benjamin (Karri) Orrison, Adam (Emily) Mena, Elisabeth (Shaun) Berlin, William Bossler, Robert (Hannah) Orrison, Juan (Brieyana) Mena, and Bonifacio Mena; great-grandchildren, Emmalee, Zoey, Henry, Mason, Malachi, and Atticus. She was predeceased by her husband, David; and her parents.
Friends are encouraged to support Marilyn’s family by sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to MSU Extension Master Gardner Program. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.