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Colleen Elaine Ott


Colleen Elaine Ott of Eaton Rapids, passed away June 25, 2023, at the age of 71. Colleen was born in Jackson, MI on October 10, 1951, to Richard and Marnette (Bigg) Kilburn. Colleen enjoyed collecting antiques and Fenton Glass. She was a generous person who got great pleasure out of giving to others even if that meant going without. She was known to give the coat or sweater off her back to people in need. But more than anything, she enjoyed spending time with her grandbaby. Colleen was very involved in church activities and found peace and comfort in her church family, and in her relationship with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Colleen is survived by her daughter, Kathryn (Tanja) Rupert of Ontario, Canada; one grandson, Tryn John Douglas Rupert of Ontario, Canada; step-siblings, Sue Young of Charlotte, Lois Franklin of Charlotte, Bruce Hanes of Charlotte, Kenneth Hanes of Charlotte; special friends, Bev and Denny Beutler of Charlotte; and several step nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, Charles Ott; parents, Richard and Marnette (Bigg) Kilburn and stepmother, Dorine Kilburn.
Memorial Services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 5, 2023, with visitation a half hour prior to the service from 10:30-11:00. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the Capital Area Humane Society in loving memory of Colleen Elaine Ott. Arrangements were entrusted to Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. To leave condolences for the family, please visit our website, www.millsfuneral.com.

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Rodney Allen Sebrell


Rodney “Rod” Allen Sebrell, a determined, loving, and reliable father, grandfather, son, and brother, died on Monday, June 26, 2023. Rod 69, of Charlotte, was born November 22, 1953, the son of Lloyd and Patricia (Freese) Sebrell. After graduating from Maple Valley High School Rod enlisted in the Army where he proudly served as a Fuel Truck Driver in Germany. His passion for truck driving led him to a career in driving truck. Rod was known for his penmanship and his ability to keep a neat and tidy trucking log. Rod’s friends at The Eaton Place will miss their daily visitor. He ate breakfast just about every morning there for many years. Rod was a tall, thin man but he sure loved his food, attending family gatherings. He was also known for his green thumb and ability to tend a garden; he helped his mother each year with hers. Above all, Rod enjoyed being around people whether it was at The Eaton Place, or at other functions around town.
Rod is survived by his daughter, Scarlet Eggleston; grandchildren, Zoe Hood, Ava Hood, and RJ Hawkins; mother, Patricia; siblings, Randy (Donna) Sebrell, and Carla (William) Myers; dear friend, Bryon Wells. He was predeceased by his father, Lloyd; and brother, Craig Sebrell.
Friends are encouraged to support Rod’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation is Saturday, July 1, 2023, from Noon until 2:00 p.m. A funeral service will follow beginning at 2:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home with Pastor John Bailey officiating. The funeral will be webcast so you may watch it from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device that has internet access. Go to www.prayfuneral.com, click on Rod’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to VFW Post 2046 or the American Legion 42. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.

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Michael Higgins


Michael “Mikey” Higgins, 72, of Bellevue, passed away on Saturday, June 24, 2023, at home surrounded by his loving family.
He was born on June 25, 1950, to Billie and Doris (Everett) Higgins in Battle Creek. Michael worked as a Clerk for Canadian National Railroad in Battle Creek, retiring in 2010.
Michael was a 1968 graduate of Bellevue High School. On November 22, 1969, he married Marilyn Burkart in Bellevue.
Michael was a long-time member of the Battle Creek Eagles, the PNA Club in Battle Creek and the Barry County 4-H. He enjoyed bowling at M-66 Lanes, golfing mainly at Marywood Golf Course with the Bellevue league, watching TV especially Gunsmoke, hunting, fishing, camping, snowmobiling, playing cards and going to the casino. He especially loved attending his grandchildren’s sporting and school events.
Michael is survived by his loving spouse of 53 years Marilyn; his children, Scot (Sarah) Higgins of Bellevue and Jennifer (Dennis) Dingman of Bellevue; his grandchildren, James (Shannon) Angus, Cole (Sierra) Madry, Ryan Madry, Joseph Madry, Gabrielle Higgins and Everett Dingman; his great grandson, Sawyer Angus and his sister Barbara (Don) Chase.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, July 8, 2023, from 2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at Bellevue First Baptist Church, 122 S. Main St. Bellevue, Michigan 49021 with the memorial service to follow at 4:00 p.m. at the church with Pastor Don Francis officiating. Burial will take place at Bell Cemetery at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Bellevue Fire Department or the Baseline 4-H Club-Bellevue.
Arrangements were entrusted to Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services 205 N. Elizabeth St., Bellevue, Michigan 49021. Please visit https://www.kempffuneralhome.com to view the online obituary, to sign the online guest book or to leave the family condolences.

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Todd Leroy Marriott


Todd Leroy Marriott of Eaton Rapids, passed away June 24, 2023, at the age of 60. Todd was born February 15, 1963, in Battle Creek, MI to Donald and Joanne (Dean) Marriott. He graduated from Eaton Rapids High School with the Class of 1981. For over 36 years, Todd proudly put his heart and soul into his work at the VFW National Home in Eaton Rapids, where he impacted the lives of countless children and families.
Todd was known for being a man of integrity. He was caring, compassionate, and humble. He lived a selfless life of service in and out of work – always a phone call away if you needed help. Todd had a gentle, easy-going nature about him. He was a friendly “people person” to his core – being the first to say hi and engage in a quick conversation with someone at the gas station or grocery store. With a heart of gold and a fun-loving spirit, he was easy to adore. And deeply adored he was, by so many.
An avid outdoorsman, Todd spent many hours in the woods or on the water. Whether hunting or fishing, he found joy and peace being outside in the presence of those near and dear to him. He had a deep appreciation for nature, where he loved to spend time on the shores of Lake Michigan, search for mushrooms, watch birds from his window, and – time and time again – pull off to the side of the road to move a turtle to safety.
Todd loved his family immensely and had many dedicated roles. He was especially proud to be called husband, father, and papa. To be his wife, children, or grandchildren meant that you felt like the luckiest person alive. He cherished spending time with his three young granddaughters, who brought a special twinkle to his eye. One of the best things about Todd, though, is that whether related or not – he made us all feel like family.
Todd Marriott was truly larger-than-life. He will be greatly missed, but because of the way that he lived and the lives that he touched, his legacy will undoubtedly live on. He gave his family, friends, community – this world – 60 beautiful years. And for that we are forever grateful.
Todd is survived by his wife of 37 years whom he adored, Patti Marriott; children, Matthew (Amanda) Marriott of Eaton Rapids, Meghan Marriott of Minneapolis, MN; siblings: Julie (Patrick) Marriott Carey, Jeff (Sean) Marriott, Donna Marriott; grandchildren: Joanna, Ruthie and Evalyn Marriott; nieces and nephews: Amanda Morelock, Valery Halsey, Michael Carey, Anthony Hernandez and Brandy Benson. He was preceded in death by his parents; and niece, Emmalee Morelock.
Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 1, 2023, at The First United Methodist Church of Eaton Rapids with visitation one hour prior to the service. A luncheon will immediately follow the service. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the Don and Joanne Marriott Scholarship Fund or the Michigan Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in loving memory of Todd Leroy Marriott. Arrangements were entrusted to Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. To leave condolences for the family, please visit our website, www.millsfuneral.com.

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Winifred Jean Bearup


Winifred Jean Bearup (nee Crooks) passed away on January 27, 2023 in Charlotte. She was born August 28, 1920 in Allison, Colorado and grew up in Telluride and during the Depression, in Durango, the daughter of native Coloradan Edna Biggs Crooks and Frederick Crooks, a Scottish immigrant who came to the U.S. at the age 17 in search of foundry work with the mines.
Jean graduated from Durango High School in 1938 and worked at a pharmacy for the following year to save money for nursing school. She entered the Denver Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in 1939 and graduated as a registered nurse in 1942, signing up for military service the month before graduation. While waiting for the Army’s orders as to when and where to report, she worked as a floor nurse at Durango Mercy Hospital for six months before reporting for duty in January 1943.
She was commissioned as an Army Second Lieutenant at Fort Carson, Colorado where she immediately was assigned to the base hospital caring for soldiers injured during maneuvers. She served in this capacity for eight months before signing up for overseas duty and was transferred to Fort Jackson, South Carolina in September 1943. Here, too, she was assigned to the base hospital caring for injured and ill soldiers. During this time, her overseas unit formed, the 165th General Hospital. She and her unit, composed of 30 doctors, 50 nurses and 220 enlisted men, departed New York Harbor aboard the British troopship HMS Scythia in early September for a twelve-day crossing to Cherbourg, France which had been liberated by Allied forces only six weeks earlier. During her Atlantic Crossing, German submarines were twice detected, causing evasive action.
Jean’s unit was the first to arrive directly in France, all previous Army units having first arrived in the British Isles. The 165th promptly erected a tent hospital 25 miles south of Cherbourg. Within a week, Jean’s hospital was receiving heavy casualties from Operation Market Garden, the battles for Brest and Aachen, the sieges of German-held areas in Brittany and, ultimately, the Battle of the Hürtgen Forest and the Battle of the Bulge. Jean was assigned as the sole nurse for a 40-cot post-operative tent ward, saying she never once had an empty bed for her first six months with the 165th. The heaviest single event casualties arriving at her hospital were the survivors of the sinking of the SS Leopoldville troopship in the English Channel on Christmas Eve 1944 which resulted in over eight hundred lives lost. Jean worked two days without rest caring for many of the one thousand survivors. Ironically, her future husband, one of the uninjured survivors of the torpedo attack on the convoy, gathered the soldiers under his command to re-group on a hillside only a few miles from her tent hospital.
With the war in the European Theater now beyond the German border, Jean’s unit was moved eastward to Verdun in March 1945, at which time she was promoted to First Lieutenant. When V-E Day was declared in early May, the 165th was decommissioned and Jean boarded a troop train for Marseilles for re-staging and re-training as part of a new hospital unit being formed to go to the Pacific Theater. It was there that she met Captain Stuart Bearup and, after a four-month courtship, they were married on October 16, 1945 in Fontvielle, France by the 66th Division Chaplain. The couple had a five-day honeymoon on the French Riviera. The Army sent Stuart back to the States while Jean was reassigned to the 81st General Hospital back in Verdun. While there, the Army decided to return Jean back to the States as well in late December 1945.
The newlyweds first made their home in Lansing while Stuart completed his degree at MSU and then moved to Charlotte where he became a partner in the Charlotte Insurance Agency. After the war, Jean brought three children into the world and by the mid 1950’s she was hired as a floor nurse at Hayes Green Beach Hospital where she served for 22 years before being appointed Director of Nursing, a post in which she served eight years before retiring. Jean and her husband travelled extensively both before and after their retirements, including returning to the French chateau where they were married thirty years earlier. They went to Europe several times as well as Africa, took cruises in the Caribbean and visited several points around the United States, including many return trips to her beloved Colorado. Jean was also an active partner in her husband’s numerous trips and conferences as part of Rotary International. She was for many years active in the General Federation of Women’s Club-Charlotte, the church choir of the Lawrence Avenue Methodist Church and in her nineties spent a day each week on the campus of Michigan State University mentoring International graduate students at Friendship House MSU. Her most prized activities throughout her life were as Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother. Throughout her long life, she was quietly proud of her service to her country during World War II.
Even at 102, Jean was able to live in her own home in Charlotte until October when she was admitted to the Eaton County Health & Rehabilitation Services facility. Although declining and ill, during her four months there she was a delight to the caregivers and made a special point to value and thank each one individually every day.
Jean was preceded in death by her husband of sixty years, Stuart; her parents, Frederick and Edna; and her brothers, Russell and William. She is survived by her children, Pat (Gary) Webber (St. Cloud, Minnesota); George (Pat) Bearup (Traverse City); and Richard (Judy) Bearup (Charlotte); as well as her precious grandchildren Stuart, Grant, Brooke, Jay, Kate, Jessica and Ted. She had eight great grandchildren, Owen, Archer, Willa, Sutton, Winifred, Benjamin, Abbigayle and Zackery.
She is also survived by Lawrence & Carol Fields (Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina) who were like a son and daughter to her; and Charles Schaefer (Charlotte) who was also like a son; and by her beloved nieces, Colette Ferran (Los Angeles) and Carol Bearup (Surprise, Arizona); and nephew, Duncan Crooks (Canton, Ohio).
A memorial service celebrating Jean’s life will be held Thursday, June 29 at 2:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Maple Hill Cemetery. For those wishing to share a memory or words of tribute to Jean, they can do so on the website at www.PrayFuneral.com. For those wishing to consider, donations in Jean’s memory may be made to Friendship House MSU, Maple Hill Cemetery, Lawrence Avenue Methodist Church or Sparrow Eaton Hospital.

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