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Janice Marie Williams


Janice Marie Williams, age 66 of Bellevue, peacefully left this earth and went to be with her Lord on Friday, October 13, 2023. She was born on April 30, 1957, in Jackson, Michigan, the daughter of Ronald and Bonnie (Roby) Johnson. Janice graduated Charlotte High School with the class of ’75. She went on to obtain her Bachelor of Science Degree from Indiana Wesleyan University. As a registered nurse, Janice worked for several years at Hayes Green Beach Hospital. In 1982, Janice married the love of her life, Donald Williams.

Janice always had a heart for others and loved helping wherever she could. As a farm wife, she helped Donald on the farm and at the Eaton County Fair as a volunteer 4-H leader. For 19 years, Janice helped with the children’s ministry at Calvary Baptist Church. She loved cooking and baking for her family and taking care of them. One of her favorite pastimes was wool felting. Paramount in Janice’s life, though, was her love for her family and her Savior. She will be deeply missed by her children, grandchildren, and her siblings.

Those surviving her are her children; Hannah Ymker of Bellevue, Martha Williams of Bellevue, Alecia (Wesley) Storms of Centreville, Daniel Williams of Bellevue, and Janika Williams of Mackinac Island; four grandchildren, Samuel Ymker, Hunter Ymker, Isabella Storms, Esther Storms; siblings, Rich (Sue) Johnson, JoNesta (Dale) Thompson, Mike (Deb Eddy) Johnson; longtime friends, Vicky Wright and Darlene Zeliff; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband Donald in 2013, and her parents Ronald and Bonnie Johnson.

The family received friends for a time of visitation at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home on Wednesday, October 18, 2023. The funeral service was held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 19, 2023, at the funeral home. Interment followed at the Kalamo Hillside Cemetery.

Those desiring may make contributions in memory of Janice to her family to help with final expenses.
To view Janice’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family, please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com.

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Bryon L. Janousek


Bryon L. Janousek, age 57, lost his battle with cancer on October 13, 202. Bryon was co-owner of Ace Auto Repair, LLC for 20+ years with Dan Flory.

He is survived by his wife, Tracy; daughter Tracii Jo; and two grandsons that had a special place in his heart, Opie and Jaxson; his mom, Jeanne Graeber; sister, Jodi (Gary) Gould; brother, Shawn (Kolena) Janousek; his in-laws, Larry (Betty) Russell and Dennis (Colleen) TenEyck; brothers-in-law, Troy (Eileen) TenEyck and Eric (Jennifer) TenEyck; sister-in-law, Mandy TenEyck; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Bryon was preceded in death by his dad, Terry Janousek and stepdad, Donald Graeber.

A Memorial Service will be held at his home on October 28, 2023, from 1:00-6:00 p.m., with a short service by Pastor Joe Benedict at 2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Gilmore Car Museum in his memory at www.gilmorecarmuseum.org/support/donate or to the family, to be saved for his grandsons, at Highpoint Community Bank.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Daniels Funeral Home-Nashville, conveniently located at 9200 East M79 Highway, Nashville, MI. For further details please visit our website at www.danielsfuneralhome.net.

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Jerry Ray Cairl


Jerry Ray Cairl of Eaton Rapids, passed away on October 16, 2023, at the age of 84. Jerry was born on June 30, 1939, in Wyman, MI to parents Alice (Jennings) Cairl and Walter Cleveland Cairl. He was raised with several siblings, Patricia, Joe, Mike, Tom, and Verona until moving to Perrinton, MI. He graduated from Fulton Middleton in 1958 and soon after married Linda Kay (Duttenhaver) Cairl. They had several children together and moved to the Lansing area where they were both employed. He is preceded in death by wife Linda (Duttenhaver) Cairl and children, Tracy, Randy, Steven, and Alan.

He worked a short period of time in an oil foundry, followed by Pepsi Cola and then finally to his career job of 30 years, at M & M Distributing as a route salesman and warehouse manager.

He married Shirley Jean (Heckard) in 1970 and welcomed her five children to his existing family of three.
They raised their children in Eaton Rapids and then moved to their retirement homestead in Barryton, MI, where he was a member of the Roadrunner Men’s Club and Barryton Methodist Church. They later returned to Eaton Rapids to be closer to family and gain fellowship with others in their prior community.

Jerry loved all things outdoors. He loved to fish, hunt, and watch his garden grow. He enjoyed nurturing the wildlife- feeding birds, deer and even turkey. He was generous with his time, his advice, and beloved stories. He was above all humorous, quick-witted, and kept everyone laughing in life!

He is preceded in death by those mentioned previously and his wife, Shirley (Heckard) Cairl; parents, Alice (Jennings) Cairl and Walter Cairl; and brother, Joe Cairl.

Jerry is survived by his children, Jerilyn (Dan) O’Leary of Alger, Adam (Terri) Cairl of Williamston, Rochelle (Kevin) Caslavka of Holt, Renee’ Sutfin of TN, Stacy (Barb) Sutfin of East Tawas, Roxanne (Charles Ward) Lord of Holt, Steven (Alicia) Sutfin of Dansville; grandchildren, Logan (Andrea Scott) Lyon, Stephanie (Adam) Pikulski, Brandy Bragg, Jessica (James Martin) Lyon, Erin (Austin) Norton, Alison (Taryn) Laverdiere, Michael Lord, Joshua (Jacie Pitchford) Cairl, Jacob (Kylie) Cairl, Shelby (Zac) Pittman, Brittney Daly, Seth Caslavka, Dana Caslavka, James Gibson, and Tyler Sutfin; great grandchildren, Landon Lyon, Isla Lyon, Ruby Lyon, Leyna Lyon, Hudson Pikulski, Killian Loveall, Nora Loveall, Brecken Martin, Lynnlee Norton, Otto Norton, Dori Norton, Dilyn Laverdiere, Ivy Laverdiere, Wells Cairl; siblings, Patricia Zammeron, Mike (Connie) Cairl, Tom (Peg) Cairl, Verona (Keith) Nyquist.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. October 25, 2023, at the First United Methodist Church, 600 S. Main St., Eaton Rapids, with Pastor Marty DeBow officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. To leave condolences for the family, visit our website www.millsfuneral.com.

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Aaron Spicer Babbitt


Aaron Spicer Babbitt of Eaton Rapids, MI, peacefully departed to join his heavenly father on Saturday, October 14, 2023, at the age of 35 after a two year battle with esophageal cancer. Aaron was born on December 28, 1987, in Hancock, MI, to parents Dan Babbitt and Lisa Price-Babbitt. He grew up in Eaton Rapids and was a proud member of the class of 2006.

Aaron was a true outdoors enthusiast, finding joy in hunting, fishing, and target shooting. He was a former member of the Grand Rapids Junior Pacers, competing on a national level in wheelchair basketball. Aaron also engaged in adaptive sports programs through Michigan State University. He is a graduate of Michigan Technical Institute and took great pride in his studies as a Pharmaceutical Technician.

Beyond his professional pursuits, Aaron dedicated his time to volunteering and advocating for Suicide Awareness and Prevention, as well as supporting the American Cancer Society. He was a cherished brother, son, uncle, grandson, and friend, who deeply loved his family and cherished every moment spent with them.
Aaron is preceded in death by his mother, Lisa Price-Babbitt; grandfather, Tom Price; grandfather, Jim McLaughlin; uncle, Rod McLaughlin; and cousin, Ryan Savage.

He is survived by his loving parents, Dan and Shari Babbitt; and his devoted grandparents, Bill and Judy Babbitt, Leona McLaughlin, and Donna Price. Aaron’s memory lives on through his sisters, Kristen (Tev Bergeron) Dembowske, Alexis (Andrew) Holmes, Sheila (Jake Stickler) Babbitt; as well as his nephews, Nolan and Corbin Dembowske, who he loved and adored to no end. He also leaves behind girlfriend, Becky Weston; and special friends, John Steward and Jason Boatman; along with numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

A funeral service to celebrate Aaron’s life was held on Thursday, October 19, 2023, at the First United Methodist Church in Eaton Rapids. For those who wish to make memorial contributions, donations may be directed to the Craig Cartwright Memorial Fund or the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in memory of Aaron and his passion for helping others. To share your memories or leave online condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.

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Linton Ray Davidson


Linton Ray Davidson of Eaton Rapids, loving husband, father, and grandfather, passed away October 12, 2023, at the age of 88. Linton was born in Eaton Rapids on February 25, 1935, the son of John and Helen (Fernsler) Davidson. Linton was known by everyone he knew for his kindness and sense of humor. To know him was to love him.

Linton graduated from Eaton Rapids High School in 1953 and then went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in business from Hillsdale College in 1957. After college, he served in the U.S. Army as a radio operator stationed in France. He returned to Eaton Rapids in 1960, where he eventually became the third-generation owner of his family’s business, Davidson’s Woolen Mills. The Woolen Mills became Davidson’s Old Mill Yarn after a devastating fire in 1969, and Linton’s wife, kids and grandkids worked alongside him over the following decades. A pillar of the community, Linton served as President of the Eaton Rapids School Board and was involved in many local organizations, such as the Eaton Rapids Downtown Development Authority, the Explorer Scouts, the Eaton Rapids bowling league, and the Eaton Rapids Kiwanis (Special Olympics and 4th of July BBQ), of which he was a member for 53 years. He was also an amateur historian and provided many exhibits with the Eaton Rapids Area Historical Society.

Linton is survived by the love of his life to whom he was married for 62 years, Arlene (Coats) Davidson; children, Eric (Julie) Davidson of Florida, Heather (Marty) Williamson of Eaton Rapids, and Todd (Renae) Davidson of Eaton Rapids; grandchildren, Leanne Slaughter, Jordan (Victor Hill) Sabolish, Nicolas Davidson, Victoria Davidson, Brittany (Zach) DeWindt, and Andrew Davidson; great-grandchildren, Arlo Slaughter, Oliver Hill, and Christian DeWindt; brother, James (Janet) Davidson; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, John F. Davidson.

Linton’s family expresses their gratitude to Island City Assisted Living in Eaton Rapids for their thoughtful and loving care. In honor of Linton, you can start your own Sunday night family popcorn tradition, starting at 6:36 sharp. (Unless you need more time, in which case 6:37 is acceptable).

A private graveside 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 Eaton Rapids Education Foundation or the Alzheimer’s Association in loving memory of Linton Ray Davidson. To leave condolences for the family, visit our website www.millsfuneral.com.

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