Obituaries
Wilma Jean Bayles
Wilma Jean Bayles, 87, of Dimondale, died Saturday, March 8, 2025. She was born April 5, 1937. Private family services will be held at Dimondale Cemetery. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Debra Suzanne Turner
Debra Suzanne Turner of Eaton Rapids passed away March 6, 2025, at the age of 74. Debra was born in Charlotte, MI on January 24, 1951, the daughter of Freeman and Luella (Root) Robinson. She was a graduate from Charlotte High School class of 1969. Debra was a secretary with the Eaton Rapids High School, retiring after 22 years of service. She loved playing all types of cards and enjoyed sewing and crocheting. Family was the center most important thing in her life. She loved spending time with them, especially her grandchildren.
Debra is survived by her daughters, Michele (Randy) Denman of Holt, Paige (Daniel) Emmons of Holt and step-daughter, Shantel (James) LoFiego of South Lyon; grandchildren, Emma Denman, Bailey LoFiego, Katie LoFiego, Foster Emmons; sister, Ginny Stuart of Holt; and her companion of 11 years, Stephen Shelden Sr. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Rexford Turner; brother, Timothy Robinson.
Graveside services will be held at Dimondale Cemetery, Tuesday, March 18, 2025, beginning at 12:00 p.m. Visitation will be held Monday, March 17, 2025, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116-7023, or Gift of Life, 3861 Research Park Dr., Ann Arbor, MI 48108. To leave condolences for the family please visit our website, www.millsfuneral.com.
Jacqueline Ann Williams-Kasten
Jacqueline “Jackie” Ann Williams-Kasten, age 90, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 9, 2025. She was born on November 7, 1934, in Eaton Rapids, MI, to Donald and Mildred (Ruehle) Davison. A proud graduate of Eaton Rapids High School, Class of 1952, Jackie dedicated her life to hard work, family, and faith.
Throughout her career, Jackie worked at Eaton Stamping, the National Bank of Eaton Rapids, and served as Brookfield Township Clerk and Supervisor, all while managing a farm, a true testament to her dedication and work ethic. She was a devoted member of the Charlotte Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, where she made many dear friends and strengthened her faith.
Jackie had a deep love for the outdoors, spending countless hours farming, hunting, fishing, and gardening. She also had a passion for cooking and baking, winning the Eaton Rapids Bicentennial cake competition with her cherished hickory nut cake. An avid animal lover, Jackie especially adored horses. One of her proudest accomplishments was winning the AQHA World Championship Show in Oklahoma City in 1987, where she took first place with her yearling filly.
Jackie will be remembered for her unwavering love, generosity, and the joy she brought to those around her. Her hardworking spirit and deep appreciation for nature made her truly one of a kind.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Lyle Williams; her second husband, William Kasten; and her parents. She leaves behind a loving family: her children, Shari (Mike) Bambrick, Julie (Bruce) Brantley, and Thomas (Jamie) Williams; grandchildren, Sarah (Kevin) Lienhart, Matthew (Erica) Fowler, Nikki (Mark) Karazim, Thomas Bambrick, Jesse (Beth) Bambrick, and Eric (Kaylee) Brantley; great-grandchildren, Lydia and Lily Lienhart, Gabriella and Brooklyn Fowler, Abigail and Vaida Karazim, and Kendall and Blaine Brantley; sister, Joan Hyatt; brother, James (Jan) Squires; and many extended family members and dear friends.
A funeral service was held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 14, 2025, at Skinner Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids Chapel. The family received friends on Thursday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and one hour prior to the service on Friday.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Charlotte Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses or Eaton Rapids Public Schools c/o Sheryl Lightner for the Hunting and Fishing Class.
To share memories or leave condolences, please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
Myrna Lucille Smith
Myrna Lucille (Wolever) Smith, age 81, of Bellevue, Michigan died February 25, 2025 at her home.
Born in Hastings on March 20, 1943, Myrna is the daughter of George and Florice (Brooks) Wolever. She was raised in Vermontville and attended Maple Valley Schools, graduating in 1961. She married Jerry Lee Smith, Sr., on November 3, 1961 in Potterville and they were married for 63 years. Together they raised four wonderful children.
Myrna retired from Owens-Illinois in Charlotte. She enjoyed bowling and playing bingo. She was a beautiful homemaker and will be fondly remembered as a loving mother and grandmother.
Myrna is survived by her husband, Jerry Smith; children, Connie (Lannie) Ross, Larry (Linda) Smith, Jerry (Loretta) Smith, Jr., and Laurie (Calvin) Lindsay; grandchildren, Travis Ross, Trevor Ross, Betsy Larder, Bobbie Pojeta, Jason Pojeta, Chris Byerly, Ryan Smith, Ronnie Smith, Emma Morales, Renee Lindsay, and Andrew Lindsay; 19 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. Also surviving are her brother, Sherman (Wanetta) Wolever; and sisters- and brothers-in-law, Elsie Wolever, Jo and Glen Sinclair, Karen and Keith McCullum, Fred and Donna Wright, and Pat Dickinson.
Preceding Myrna in death are her parents, Florice and George Wolever; parents-in-law, Ron and Betty Wright; brother, Lloyd Wolever; sisters, Zelpha Spidel and Lora Babcock; sister-in-law, Linda Dickinson; and brother-in-law, Ronnie Wright.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Interment will take place in Gresham Cemetery.
The family extends a special thanks to Jodi Ward for her excellent care of “Grams.” She will be dearly missed.
Michael McDonald
Mr. Michael McDonald, age 78 of, Nashville, MI passed away on January 31, 2025, at Clearstream Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Hastings, MI.
Michael was born in Charlotte, MI, on October 09, 1946, a son of the late Carol and Clifton McDonald.
He was raised in Vermontville, MI and attended Vermontville, Maple Valley schools. On October 11, 1963, Michael joined the United States Army, serving faithfully for three years before being honorably discharged in 1966. Upon returning home, Mike then began working at EW Bliss Company in Hastings, MI. Later becoming a journeymen machinist and retiring after 35 plus years with the company.
Mike enjoyed working and was a valuable member of the Nashville business community. In 1971, he opened a local tavern known as McDonalds Tavern later becoming “Outboard Inn”. Each day, Michael would work his 10-hour shift at Bliss, then would work the bar, and spend his evenings serving local patrons. If that wasn’t enough, he owned & operated a barber shop serving as the town’s barber for many years.
Mike loved the Maple Valley community and believed in supporting local business. He never required a lot to make him happy: if he had his pickup truck, a hamburger and beer he was content! Over the years he and his family became very involved in several local events and supported many local sports teams.
One of his true passions was supporting the Muscular Dystrophy Foundation, and several other children’s charities. Mike received his auctioneers license and used that talent to raise money for these organizations.
He was married to Joyce (Miller) McDonald on November 11, 1971, in Indiana. Mike and Joyce made their home in the Nashville area where they raised their family together. In his spare time, Mike enjoyed spending time outdoors and enjoying the company of his dogs Smokey and Carmel. Mike also enjoyed traveling and experiencing new food and drinks.
Michael is survived by his beloved wife Joyce; his children Darren McDonald, (Crystal), Kevin (Beverly) Rost, Stephenie (Bill) Currier, Robert Rost; siblings Bob McDonald, Duane (Sandy) McDonald; six grandchildren; and six great grandchildren.
There will be a celebration of life on Friday, March 14, 2025, from 4-8 p.m. at the Nashville VFW Post 8260 with full military honors at 5 p.m. provided by the United States Army, and the American Legion Post 45 from Hastings, MI.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Daniels Funeral Home in Nashville, MI. Conveniently located at 9200 E. M-79 Highway. For further details please visit our website at www.danielsfuneralhome.net.