Obituaries
Anna Mae Isbell
Anna Mae Isbell of New Baltimore, MI and formerly of Eaton Rapids, MI went to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, September 25, 2023, at the age of 90. Ann was born on February 4, 1933, in Chaffee, MO, the daughter of James and Edna (Robbins) Jones.
At the age of twelve, Ann relocated to Eaton Rapids, where she lived at the VFW National Home alongside her younger siblings. She attended Eaton Rapids High School and proudly graduated with the class of 1950. During her school years, she crossed paths with William “Bud” Isbell, and their relationship blossomed, culminating in their marriage on September 15, 1951.
Ann’s professional career began with the VFW Home as a switchboard operator and later for the State of Michigan where she worked in the income tax department. She was a devoted University of Michigan fan, rarely missing a U of M football game or any other sporting event that was televised. Beyond her passions for camping, traveling, gardening, crafting, playing cards, and square dancing, Ann will forever be cherished for her radiant smile and unwavering love for her family. Her grandchildren were so important to her and held a special place in her heart.
Ann is preceded in death by her husband, William “Bud” Isbell Sr.; son, William “Bill” Isbell, Jr.; and siblings, Wanda (Evans) Ryan, Norma (Ottie) Evans, Carl Jones, Earl (Marie) Jones, Glenda (Carl) Good, Doris (Jim) Ward, Bobby Jones.
Surviving are her children, Demetra Jan Isbell, Susan (Michael) Misteravich, James Brent Isbell; eight grandchildren, three great-grandchildren; brothers, Jim (Barb) Jones, Bill (Maria) Jones; sister, Marilyn (Carlton) Hunt; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, October 2, 2023, at Skinner Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids Chapel with visitation starting at 11:00 a.m. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice of Michigan at http://www.hom.org/donate in memory of Ann. To share memories or leave online condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
Thomas Michael Johnson
Thomas Michael Johnson of Benton Harbor, formerly of Eaton Rapids, passed away peacefully with his loved ones by his side on September 20, 2023, at the age of 49. He was born in Lansing on June 5, 1974, the son of John and Diane (Long) Johnson. Tom was very dedicated and proud of his work as an Investigator for the Department of Corrections, Absconder Recovery Unit; he even earned the nickname “Turtle” from his co-workers and was named Corrections/ARU Officer of the Year in 2018. He enjoyed coaching his boys’ baseball teams when they were younger and spending time with family and friends. He was an avid U of M football fan, and you could often find him on the golf course as soon as the weather allowed.
Tom is survived by his loving wife, Rebekah Johnson of Benton Harbor; children, Jachob Johnson of Kalamazoo, Tyler Johnson of Portage; parents, John and Diane Johnson of Eaton Rapids; siblings, Randy Johnson of Georgia, Rick Johnson of Lansing, Tamara (Derrick) Jones of Mecosta, Timothy Johnson of Concord, Theodore Johnson of Dimondale, and his dog, Larry.
Memorial services will be held at Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids on Sunday, October 8, 2023, at 3:00 p.m. with visitation one hour prior to the service from 2-3 p.m. A Celebration of Life will follow memorial services from 5-7 p.m. at The Stables at Oak Ridge Farms, 12921 Kimler Rd., Eaton Rapids. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to Colontown.org in loving memory of Tom Johnson. To leave online condolences for the family, visit our website www.millsfuneral.com.
William F. McGuirt & Barbara Jean McGuirt
William F. McGuirt, 87 and Barbara Jean (Price-Cahill) McGuirt, 84, passed away on Saturday, September 23, 2023. William was born October 10, 1935, to William L. and Eron B. (Chism) McGuirt in Blytheville, Arkansas. Barbara was born September 2, 1939, to Mark Albert and Loepha Elnora Alberta (Fulton) Price in Lansing, Michigan. William worked for 30 years before retiring at The Fisher Body Plant in Lansing, Michigan. Barbara worked at Oldsmobile in her earlier years and later she retired from The Eaton Stamping Company in Eaton Rapids, MI. After his retirement, William started one of the very first video stores in Eaton Rapids. After her retirement, Barbara owned and operated a consignment shop in Eaton Rapids, of which she was extremely proud. Barbara’s most important role in life was being a mother and that is what she lived for. William loved being on the move and never slowed down, even at the ripe old age of 87.
William and Barbara were preceded in death by their parents; sister of Barbara, Joanne Brodberg; brother-in-law, Ray Richardson; and niece Debra (Abbott) Pazkowski. William and Barbara are survived by, William’s sister, Betty L. Richardson and Barbara’s brother, Jack E. (Cheryl) Cahill; their children: Vickie L (Guy) Carris of Washington, Indiana, William Lee McGuirt of Hudson, North Carolina, Tracy Joe (Brenda) McGuirt of Hudson, North Carolina and Micheal R. McGuirt of Grand Ledge; Michigan and many nieces and nephews. They have nine grandchildren, Clayton, Trisha, Shaye, Tyler, Jade, Jordan, Morgan, Christy and Garrett and many great-grandchildren of all ages.
Following William and Barbara’s wishes no formal services are planned. A private burial will take place at Rosehill Cemetery in Eaton Rapids, Michigan. The Family was gently cared for by The Skinner Funeral Home in Eaton Rapids, Michigan.
Virginia James
Virginia “Gini” James, 82, of Elkhart, formerly of Warsaw, passed away on Saturday, September 23, 2023 at her residence.
Gini was born on January 2, 1941, in Alexander City, Alabama the daughter of the late Noah and Suevie (Balintine) Slaughter. She was united in marriage to Harold E. James on July 22, 1961, in Charlotte, MI who preceded her in death April 22, 2002.
Gini was a loving wife and enjoyed assisting her husband Harold with his Safe-Way Door Business. She participated in ballet and was a ballet instructor. She had a great love of children, enjoyed gardening and her passion was in research of genealogy. Gini was a former member of the Tippecanoe Lake Country Club, Warsaw Gardening Club, and the Red Hat Society. She cherished her faith.
Gini is survived by her daughter, Julie (Mark) Bishopp of Leesburg; grandchildren, Krystal Roberts of Elkhart, Bobby and Kyle James of Wabash, Collin and Carlye Bishopp of Leesburg; great-grandchildren, Donovan Roberts of Elkhart and Trey Ponsler of Leesburg. She is also survived by her brothers, Clarence Slaughter of Saranac, MI Jim “James” Slaughter of Iron Rivier, MI, and Pat Slaughter of Iron River, MI; sister, Ann Catchick of Vero Beach, FL; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents and husband Harold, she was preceded in passing by a son, Bob James.
Funeral services in celebration of Gini’s life will begin at 12:00 Noon on Saturday, September 30, 2023, in McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapels, 2290 Provident Ct., Warsaw, IN with Chaplain Lois Tamayo officiating. Visitation two hours prior to the service from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon in the funeral chapel. Burial in Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw.
The family kindly request memorial donations to: Animal Welfare League, 1048 S. 325 E., Pierceton, IN 46562. To sign the guestbook or send a condolence to the family please visit www.mchattonsadlerfuneralchapels.com.
Mary Lehman
Mrs. Mary Lehman, age 78 of Nashville, MI was called home to Heaven peacefully on September 22, 2023 at Corewell Health Pennock Hospital in Hastings, MI.
Mary was born in Vermontville, MI, on September 29, 1944, the daughter of the late Marlys and Lowell Halliwill.
She was raised in the Vermontville area and attended local schools graduating from Vermontville High School in 1963.
Shortly after completing her education, she married Mr. Loren Lehman on November 14, 1964, in Vermontville where the couple made their home together and raised their family. Along with her husband, they enjoyed a night out dancing, camping, and bluegill fishing at their campsite on Thornapple Lake. Mary was dedicated to the care of her family and enjoyed traveling with Loren supporting his passion for racing, which took the couple all over the United States. Mary and Loren enjoyed spending their summers camping and fishing for walleye on Saginaw Bay. After a day on the water, Mary enjoyed taking some time to play at the local casino.
Mary had a God-given talent for caring for people. She began her career at Eaton County Medical Facility in Charlotte where she spent three years as a caregiver to the elderly. After her children were born, her focus shifted to caring for her new family. Her nurturing spirit eventually led her to begin watching several local children while their parents were away at work. As the children grew and gained their independence, Mary shifted her focus to assisting several older people in the community, which allowed them to remain in their homes instead of being placed in nursing homes.
Her family was always her first priority! She cherished every opportunity to support her children and grandchildren, attending all of their extracurricular events.
Mary is survived by her beloved husband of 58 years, Loren; children Gina (Gary) Reid, Helena (David) Miller, Greg (Jacky) Halliwill; her siblings, Leroy (Karen) Halliwill, Ed Halliwill, Raymond (Betty) Halliwill, Jim (Maggie) Halliwill, and David (Stephanie) Halliwill; brother-in-law Walt (Michelle) Lehman; eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by siblings, Lindy Pullen, Ernie Halliwill, Kenny Halliwill and Bob Halliwill.
Funeral service were held on Thursday, September 28, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. at The Daniels Funeral Home‑Nashville, conveniently located at 9200 E M‑79 Hwy, Nashville, MI.
Memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, a charity that Mary donated to for many years.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Daniels Funeral Home – Nashville. For further details please visit our website at www.danielsfuneralhome.net.