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Funeral Services:

Francis H. Lordson, 80 of Vermontville and formerly of Pickford, Mich., died peacefully at the Battle Creek Veterans Affairs Medical Center on Tuesday, September 22, 2020.
Francis was born October 2, 1939 in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan the son of Alfred and Agnes Lordson. Francis was employed as a laborer in the Laborer’s Union Local 998/499 from 1960-1998.  He was drafted into the U.S. Army and proudly served his country in the 37th Field Artillery Unit from 1962 to 1965.
Francis was preceded in death by his wife, Joy on October 27, 2005.  Surviving are his daughter, Andrea H. Perry of LaGrange, Ind.; grandchildren, Raeleen Hapeman of Battle Creek, Eric Hapeman of Vermontville and Robert Hapeman of Ypsilanti.  In addition to his wife, Francis was also preceded in death by his parents; his brother Norman Lordson, his sister and her husband, Mae and Clifford Anderson, his brother-in-law, Max Waun and many other family members and friends.
Per Francis’ wishes his cremated remains will be interred at Donaldson Cemetery, Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. with military honors.
Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Research.  Arrangements are by Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Battle Creek.  Personal messages for the family may be placed at farleyestesdowdle.com.

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Funeral Services:

Our loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, Ray Hackworth, went to be with his heavenly father on September 26, 2020. Ray was born December 26, 1934 to Johnnie and Effie (Williams) Hackworth in Kentucky.
Ray loved his family, friends and church family. He served his country in the U.S. Army from 1958-1959 in the Signal Corp. After returning from the service he worked as an electrician for 30 years at General Motors until his retirement in 1985. While working at General Motors Ray also owned and operated a grocery store and laundry mat in Potterville. He never had just one job. After his GM retirement he became a financial advisor for Waddell-Reed, a Real Estate agent, and managed several rental properties until 2019.
Ray also enjoyed maintaining their beautiful property surrounding their residence which included a large pond and garden where many family gatherings and celebrations were held. Ray liked planting and watching sunflowers grow taller than him, riding his tractor and four-wheeler and following the stock market. In the winter, he and Joan spent time at their Florida seasonal home where he loved the warmth of the sun
Ray was married for 61 years to his wife Joan (Collins). Ray and Joan were blessed with five loving children; Beverly (Ed) Lira, Cheri (Jeff) Elston, Annette Robinson, Dana Converse and Eric Hackworth; three grandsons, Nathan Robinson, and Joel and Jared Converse; Seven granddaughters, Ashley (Matt) Carpp, Elizabeth (Brian) Colopy, Faye (Jacob) VanSickle, Jana Converse, Rachael (Rob) Dulebon, Madison and Makayla Lira; two great grandsons, and five great granddaughters. Ray is also survived by his sister Sharon (Aaron) Collins and brother Bob (Dee) Hackworth, many in-laws, nieces and nephews.
Ray always wanted everyone in his family to succeed and was always there to provide his words of wisdom and advice. We will miss him dearly but know he is surrounded by his loving parents, friends and Heavenly Father. We are comforted knowing that we will be together again.
The Hackworth family will be receiving guests during visitation Monday 6 – 8 p.m. at the Pray Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Tuesday September 29, at 10 a.m. in the Pray Funeral Home Gardens with John Coakley officiating. In recognition of the Executive Orders for the State of Michigan Mask and Social Distancing guidelines will be practiced both indoors and outdoors.
The funeral service will be webcast so you may watch it from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device that has internet access. Go to prayfuneral.com, click on Ray’s tribute, and then click on Photos & Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). Just prior to the beginning of the service, a link will appear on this page to watch the webcast.
If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Ray on his tribute page at prayfuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.

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Funeral Services:

Sandra ‘Sandy’ Louise McDonald, 78 of Charlotte, a woman who will be remembered for her positive attitude and warm smile, passed away on March 20, 2020 in Lansing. She was born September 15, 1941 to Wendell and Dorothy (Coplin) Anderson in Charlotte. She attended Charlotte High School, graduating 1959 and earned an Associate’s Degree in Nursing from Lansing Community College. On June 26, 1966 she married Scott McDonald.
Sandy worked aas a Licensed Practical Nurse at Sparrow Hospital and Eaton Rapids Hospital for a few years. Following her nursing career, she went to work for Eaton Intermediate School District as a Para-Professional until her retirement. Her family will always remember Sandy as a person who influenced the lives of many young people in a positive way. Sandy enjoyed scrapbooking, creating wonderful stories using the family pictures. She also was actively pursuing her family genealogy, creating a wonderful keepsake family tree. She was active in the community as a Past Worthy Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star, Maple City Chapter 218. Above all else, Sandy was most proud of her children and the way they turned out to be wonderful adults.
Sandy is survived by her husband, Scott; their children, Steven (Maria) McDonald of Virginia, Stanley (Nicky) McDonald of Kalamazoo, and Sheila (Kevin) Meyle of Kalamazoo; six grandchildren, Carolyn McDonald, Matthew McDonald, Rebecca McDonald, Ryan McDonald, Logan Meyle, Kyla Meyle; sister Elaine Hansen of Indiana; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brother, Wendell H. Anderson, Jr.
The family would like to thank the staff at Regency Lansing West and Mother Teresa House in Lansing for their wonderful care.
The McDonald family will be hosting a Graveside Service at Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte on Friday, October 9, 2020 at 12 noon.
If desired, the family has suggested memorial contributions to the American Diabetes Association, or a charity of your choice. Friends who are not able to visit are encouraged to support Sandy’s family through calls, letters, and through Sandy’s tribute page at PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home.

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Funeral Services:

Vanessa J. Filkins

We said goodbye to our beloved, eldest daughter, Vanessa Jean Filkins, who died on September 20, 2020 in Austin, TX. She was the daughter of David and Brynda Filkins of Charlotte, MI. Vanessa was 40 years old, and had bravely battled metastatic breast cancer for three years. She died at home under hospice care. Vanessa loved living in Austin and was surrounded with love and care by her two younger sisters and a large group of supportive friends and adopted “siblings.”
She was delivered by a midwife in Philadelphia, PA, grew up in Cazenovia, NY, and Colorado Springs, CO, homeschooled through her entire education, and lived in Austin, TX for the last 20 years. She began her working career as a nanny and household manager for families with triplets. Later, she worked as a paralegal for a law firm, and subsequently as a project manager for a healthcare IT security firm. She always embraced a challenge.
Vanessa loved beauty of all kinds—art, dance, nature, music—and was quick to be ready for an adventure. She loved the outdoors, travel, hiking and mountain sunrises. She volunteered her time and poured much love into children in orphanages in Guatemala and Honduras. She was a leader and facilitator in the Not Back to School Camp in Oregon for many years.
Vanessa is survived by her parents; her sisters, Melissa Filkins and Allison Hagen; her grandmother, Patricia Van Skike; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. Her grandfather, Bryan Van Skike, died four days after her and her paternal grandparents, Don and Jean Filkins passed away many years ago. Her full obituary can be read at EverLoved.com. Vanessa will be forever loved and dearly missed.

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Funeral Services:

Bryan J. Van Skike

Our family mourns the death of Bryan Junior Van Skike, who died on September 24, 2020, in Sturgis, Michigan. He was 92 years old. Bryan was born at home in Holliday, Missouri. on October 25, 1927,delivered by the doctor who arrived in a horse and buggy. His parents were Reva Smith Van Skike and Harry Bryan Van Skike. Bryan’s childhood and youth were spent in Missouri, during the depression, where he worked hard at various jobs, and was surrounded by the love of a caring grandmother, Nellie Smith. Bryan was a graduate of Paris, Missouri High School, and later of the Iowa Institute of Telegraphy. In 1948, he married Nehemiah Allie Holst (known as Nickie) and they moved to Michigan for work. Bryan and Nickie were married for 26 years. His working career was filled with a variety of jobs, but in all of them he was a diligent, faithful employee. In Charlotte, he was best known for his service at the Post Office as the friendly clerk at the window for 24 years. He also worked as a telegrapher and station agent for the Grand Trunk Railroad, a city policeman, a school bus driver and the owner of Van’s Window Washing service. He loved American history and world geography. He was an avid reader. Bryan was a past Vice-President of and volunteered with Helping Hands Food Pantry here in Charlotte. He organized the Holiday Food Basket for many years. Additionally, he cared about and served Native Americans at Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. Bryan facilitated groups of grieving children at Ele’s Place in Lansing. For many years, he was the leader of the men’s prayer breakfast at Big Boy restaurant. He was a faithful member of the Eaton Rapids Wesleyan Church, The Charlotte Free Methodist Church, and First Baptist Church of Charlotte. He raised his children in faith, discipline, and love. After the death of his wife, Nickie, in 1974, he married Patricia J. Clemens, the widowed wife of his friend, Richard. They have been married for 46 years, and Pat survives. Even though his last years were marked by the slow decline of dementia, he still recognized and loved his wife and children. Besides his wife, Pat, he is survived by Nickie’s children: Brynda (David) Filkins, Penny (Garth, deceased) Pickett, Nathan (Kathy) Van Skike, all of Charlotte; and Pat’s children, whom he considered his own: Linda (Larry) Hahn, Mary (Don) Houser, Katie Clemens, all of Sturgis, Michigan. His only brother, Jackie B. (Peg) Van Skike, of Iowa, also survives. Bryan was pre-deceased by his first wife, Nickie, and by sons, Monte Bryan Van Skike, and Brian Kills Crow Van Skike, daughter, Gretchen Nickie Van Skike-Campbell, and granddaughter, Vanessa Filkins. He has 13 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was known as Grandpa to many others under his and Pat’s care. A memorial service for Bryan will be held on Saturday, October 10, 2020 at 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, 1210 S. Cochran Ave., Charlotte. Visitation with the family will be one hour before the service. For those who cannot attend in person, the memorial service will be livestreamed on Facebook on the First Baptist Church, Charlotte, MI Facebook page. The family is being served by Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home. Bryan will be interred at Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte. Bryan would be happy if you would do a kind deed in his name or contribute to Helping Hands Food Pantry, 621 Jefferson St., Charlotte, MI 48813 in his memory. Bryan’s room was ready, prepared by God. We all rejoice because he is home in Heaven!

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Funeral Services:

Carmen Campos Vasquez of Huandacareo, Michoacan, Mexico passed away on September 26, 2020 at her home in Mexico at the age of 96. Preceding her in death are her son, Leo Vasquez and husband, Henry Vasquez.
Carmen was a member of St. Peter Catholic Church in Eaton Rapids. She lived in the United States for 42 years, 20 of which were spent in Eaton Rapids. Carmen worked for Fasco DC Motors and upon her retirement she moved back to Mexico where she lived the rest of her life.
Surviving are her adult children, Maria (Terry) Dolan of August, Mich., Hilda (Jorge) Guiza of Mexico, Dawn Vasquez of Lansing, Gary (Irma) Vasquez of Cypress, Calif., Geneva (George Mock) Vasquez of Eaton Rapids, Linda (Paul) Vincent of Lansing, James (Rachel) Vasquez of Jackson; along with 19 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.
A catholic mass was celebrated on Sunday, September 27, 2020 in Huandacareo, Michoacan, Mexico.

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Funeral Services:

Jane L. Custer, age 92, of Alma, formerly of Six Lakes, passed away Monday, September 28, 2020 at Masonic Pathways in Alma. She was born January 30, 1928 in Eaton Rapids, Michigan the daughter of Wallace and Coral (Lindley) Swank. She was a 1945 graduate of Eaton Rapids High School and received her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Western Michigan University. She would later earn a master’s degree in nursing.
Jane worked as a nurse with Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, Eaton Rapids Community Hospital, Kelsey Hospital and retired from the Mid-Michigan Health Department in 1990 after 40 years in nursing. She won a Michigan Medical Award for designing snaps on the arm of hospital gowns.
Jane was a member of the Amble United Methodist Church and Masonic Pathways, Doig Chapel. She served at the choir director for many years at Masonic Pathways. Jane was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star.
Jane enjoyed knitting, crocheting, and doing needle point. She won numerous awards at county and state fairs for her knitting.
Jane is survived by her children, Keith (Kathy) Custer of Blanchard, Kenrick Custer of Linwood, Washington, Kevin (Ginny) Custer of Sterling, Colorado, Kathleen (Richard) Bowersox of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Kirk Custer of Cypress, Texas; nine grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Charles in 2011, two brothers, John and James Swank.
Per Jane’s wishes cremation has taken place with memorial services to be held at a later date. Interment will be held in Hillside Cemetery, Entrican.
Those desiring, may make memorial contributions to Amble United Methodist Church, Masonic Pathways or Heartland Hospice.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Lux-Moody-Wolfel Funeral Home, Alma. To view Jane’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for family, please visit
luxfuneralhomes.com.

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Funeral Services:

Peggy Jean Gonser of Lansing, formerly of Eaton Rapids, passed away September 21, 2020 at the age of 79. Peggy was born in Lansing, August 10, 1941, the daughter of William and Bonnie (Barron) Massey. She enjoyed scrapbooking, making cards, sewing, quilting, traveling, genealogy and going to church functions. Peggy volunteered at the St. Lawrence Surgical Unit for many years, was the past president of the Mercy League and worked at MSU for 25 years. She was a former member of the First United Methodist Church in Eaton Rapids and a current member of the First United Methodist Church in Lansing, and a member of the Red Hat Society Scarlet Ladies.
Peggy is survived by her daughters, Cindy (Jon) Filley of Charlotte, Amy (Gary) Teague of Stockbridge; grandchildren, Bryan (Rachael Ayers) Filley, Heather (Jeff) Rolfe, Brandy Filley, Jessica (Frank) LaConte, Corinne Filley, Kyle Robbins, Garrett (Morgan) Teague; 13 great grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Beverly Frank, Flora Gilbert; several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Clarington Gonser Jr. in 1996; daughter, Debbie Gonser; brother, Charles Massey.
Funeral services will be held at 11 am Saturday, September 26, 2020 at the Mills Funeral Home Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. Interment will follow in Rosehill Cemetery. Visitation will take place on Friday from 2pm – 4pm and Saturday one hour prior to the service. Those desiring may make memorial contributions to the Cumberland Closet or the First United Methodist Church food pantry, both in care of the First United Methodist Church, 3827 Delta River Drive, Lansing, MI 48906. Please visit our website to place online condolences, www.millsfuneral.com.

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Funeral Services:

Allen Steele, of Eaton Rapids, passed away September 18, 2020 at the age of 69. Allen was born in Eaton Rapids, June 6, 1951, the son of William and Mary Squeek (Bollman) Steele. He loved being outdoors, hunting and fishing. Allen liked to participate in many groups and organizations but never joined, was a regular at the Wednesday night Eaton Rapids cruise-in, was an excellent cook and enjoyed traveling to the upper peninsula, especially the Mackinaw Bridge area. The greatest joys in his life were that of his family and they will miss him greatly.
Allen is survived by his mother; wife of 46 years, Linda Steele; children, Teresa Laudenslager of Eaton Rapids, Wayne (Kristin) Parsons of Bellevue, Tina (Brian) Barrett of Eaton Rapids, Valerie (Tim) Pancost of Charlotte, Todd (Nicole) Steele of Lansing, Allen J. (Missy Sumerix) Steele of Eaton Rapids, Kimberly (Scott) Felice of Eaton Rapids; 17 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren; sister, Vickie Strader of Eaton Rapids; brothers, Cyril (Julie) Steele, William (Betty) Steele and Gordon Steele, all of Eaton Rapids. He was preceded in death by his father; sister, Versavene Steele and son-in-law, Eric Laudenslager.
A Celebration of Life took place on Wednesday, September 23, 2020 at the Eaton Rapids Conservation Club. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the family. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home in Eaton Rapids. Please visit their website to place online condolences, millsfuneral.com.

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Funeral Services:

Christine Kay Holgate, of Marquette, passed away in the UP Health Systems-Hospital in Marquette, September 20, 2020 at the age of 68. Christine was born in Big Rapids, Mich., February 26, 1952, the daughter of Vern and Lulia (Dowell) Holgate and came to Marquette as a young child.
She is survived by her sister, Marcia Holgate of Charlotte and niece Mrs. Kellery (Patrick) Francek of Farmington, Minn. in addition to other nieces and nephews. Christine was preceded in death by her parents and brother Gerry Holgate.
Private graveside services were held Thursday, September 24, 2020 at Rosehill Cemetery with Pastor Marty DeBow officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 7272 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75231. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. Please visit our website to place online condolences, millsfuneral.com.