Obituaries
Michael Allen Raby
Michael Allen Raby, 60, of Eaton Rapids, Michigan, entered into the arms of his Lord and Savior on Monday, October 21, 2024. Born on September 20, 1964, in Eaton Rapids, Michael grew up in the community he loved and graduated with the class of 1983. He worked in traveling janitorial services, cleaning retail stores throughout Michigan, and held roles as a prep cook at Don’s Truckstop in Dimondale and most recently at Dowding Industries.
Michael had a heart for helping others, always ready to lend a hand to anyone in need, no matter the time of day. His generosity and selflessness were evident in his volunteer work with Eaton Community Palliative Care, where he contributed his time to tasks such as mowing lawns, grocery shopping, and ensuring supplies were available. His dedication to serving others earned him the honor of Volunteer of the Year. Michael loved to stay active, but his greatest joy came from spending time with his family and friends. Whenever an opportunity presented itself, he would travel with his mother to hospice conferences and to hospital gift shop shows. Before his eyesight declined, he was like the song “on the road again”.
He was preceded in death by his father, Carl Kyser; father figure, Bud Schmidt; sisters, Renee Kyser and Elonda (Don) Watts; grandparents, Clarence and Marion Trombley; and his aunt and uncles, Carolyn and Bill Spiker, and Bill Gaunt.
Michael is survived by his mother and father figure, Margaret Kyser-Pike and Jim Pike; siblings, Mark Wilcox, Alan Schmidt, Paul (Linda) Schmidt, Charley Schmidt, Cheryl (Dave) Emerson; nieces and nephews, Alexa (Ben) Colestock, Alana (Tim) Ferris, Alissa Allen, Garrett (Amy) Schmidt, Shawna Schmidt, Grant Schmidt, Reid (Jenna) Schmidt, Micalyn (Ethan) Wilcox, Travis Wilcox; aunts and uncles, Kathryn (Joe) Pore, Loretta Gaunt, Mary Ann (Will) Miller, Vonnie (Bruce) Murdock; his dear friend, Missy Minaya; as well as many great-nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 27, 2024, at Skinner Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids Chapel. The family will receive visitors at the funeral home on Saturday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. and one hour prior to the service on Sunday. Interment will follow at Rosehill Cemetery, with a meal to be served at the funeral home afterward. The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff at Eaton Community Palliative Care for their unwavering love and support throughout the years.
In honor of Michael’s memory, memorial contributions may be made to Eaton Community Palliative Care. To share memories or leave condolences, please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
Frances Rose Kirkpatrick
Frances Rose Kirkpatrick of Lansing formerly of Eaton Rapids, passed away October 12, 2024, at the age of 98. Frances was born in Macomb, IL on April 27, 1926, the daughter of the late Louis and Rose (Twomey) Arnold. She married her high school sweetheart, Robert Kirkpatrick in December 1947. They came to Michigan and eventually settled down in Eaton Rapids in 1960. Frances worked for the Eaton Rapids Public Schools system for many years, primarily as a bookkeeper, and retired in 1986. Her commitment to her faith was unwavering. Frances was the longest standing member of St. Peter Catholic Church. Her love of music and her faith combined beautifully as she played the organ and sang in the church choir. In addition, she served as a member of the altar society.
Frances is survived by her children, David (Sharon) Kirkpatrick, Dr. Leslie (Donald) Reynolds, Kerry (Bruce) Linder, Julie Kirkpatrick; daughter-in-law, Bernice Kirkpatrick; grandchildren, Michael Reynolds, Paul (Sarah) Reynolds, Christina (Jeffrey) Breunsbach, Jessica (Robert) White, David (Brittany) Linder, Daniel (Samantha) Linder, Jules (Martyna) Febre, Alex Febre, Kevin (Cheri) Kirkpatrick, Robert (Karen) Kirkpatrick; great grandchildren, Drew, Lexi, Wyatt, Rosie, Anna, Caeleigh and Lydia Kirkpatrick, Caleb and Elliot Breunsbach, Kaiden Reynolds, Rio Febre, Eleanore and Theodore White, Ezra, Evalynne and Marseille Linder; four great-great grandchildren as well as several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Kirkpatrick; parents, Louis and Rose Arnold; son Richard Kirkpatrick; siblings, Leonard Arnold, Elaine Swanson, Monita Voellinger, Bernice Root, Joan Stadler.
A Funeral Mass was held at St. Peter Catholic Church on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. with visitation one hour prior. Visitation took place at the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel Friday evening from 6-8:00 p.m. with a Rosary being prayed at 7:30 p.m. Interment took place in Rosehill Cemetery. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to St. Peter Catholic Church, 515 E. Knight St., Eaton Rapids, MI 48827 or Hospice of Lansing, 3186 Pine Tree Road Ste. 1, Lansing, MI 48911 in loving memory of Frances Rose Kirkpatrick. To leave condolences for the family, visit our website www.millsfuneral.com.
Donald Ray Galloway
Donald Ray Galloway of Eaton Rapids, passed away surrounded by his loved ones on October 22, 2024, at the age of 85. Don was born in Lansing, Michigan on March 26, 1939, the son of Raymond and Lois (Johnson) Galloway. He retired from General Motors and was a member of Hamlin Township Fire Department for 20 years. Don was an Eagle Scout and a member of Eaton Rapids Conservation Club. He also owned his own motorcycle shop, Doc’s Sick Cycle Shop from 1971-2007. He loved racing motorcycles. Over the years he dabbled in hill, enduro, ice and flat track racing. Some of Don’s other hobbies were hunting and fishing. He and his wife moved to Houghton Lake for a few years and enjoyed lake life. Don made sure he went out and fished at least every Wednesday so he could enjoy his Walleye. He was a very generous and giving man. Don was passionate about Safety Town and Heart and Hands in Eaton Rapids. He and Janet donated countless hours to helping others in the community.
Don is survived by his wife of 65 years, Janet Galloway; children, Kris Ann Elizabeth (Murl) Miller, Scott David (Patricia Cinz-Galloway) Galloway; 12 grandchildren, 32 great grandchildren and seven great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Lois Galloway; son, Michael Galloway; sister Jacqueline Anderson.
Private family services 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 Hamlin Township Fire Department. To leave condolences for the family, visit our website www.millsfuneral.com.
Nathan G. Potter
It is with both sorrow and celebration that we commemorate the life of Nathan G. Potter, a man whose courage and resilience were matched only by his loyalty and dedication. Nate was born on July 30, 1975, in Medford, Oregon, and later made his home in Georgetown Township, Michigan for 24 years. Nate’s life was a testament to the love of Jesus Christ, which was his guiding light and the cornerstone of his existence. His faith was echoed in the words of the Apostle Paul: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7)
Nate stood as a beacon of strength and dedication in his professional role as a Safety Director in the construction and manufacturing industries. His commitment to creating a culture of safety and continuous improvement was unwavering over his 13+ years in the role. His dedication was not confined to his career. He cherished his family deeply, showing steadfast loyalty to his beloved wife, Jenny, whom he married on June 6, 1997. His enduring love extended to his children and his extended family, consistently placing their needs above his own.
When not occupied with his work or family, Nate found joy in camping, shooting, cooking on the grill or smoker and gun-building; hobbies that reflected his adventurous spirit and skillful hands. Yet, above all, he was known for his willingness to help others. Whether it was car repairs or offering a listening ear, he was always there, a resilient rock in the storm.
Nate is survived by his wife, Jenny Potter; his mother, LuAnn Klont, brother Nicholas England (Jillian), sister Nicole Johnson (Todd), step-brother Greg Klont (Audrey), his children, Kenneth Potter (Marcos), Haleigh Massey (Justin), and Ashley Schimizzi (Nicole), father and mother-in-law John and Judy Wiggins, sister-in-law Jessica Reeves (Zach); many loving nieces and nephews, and his favorite fur buddy, Leo. He was preceded in death by his stepfathers Bob England and Rodney Klont.
Nathan G. Potter was a man who lived his life fully, loved deeply, and always gave of himself to others. His legacy of love, courage, and dedication will continue to resonate in the hearts of all who knew him. We invite you to share your memories of Nate and upload photos to his memorial page at www.MichiganCremation.com to celebrate his life. His story is not just in the past but lives on in each of us.
Visitation with the family was from 10-11 a.m. on Thursday, October 17, 2024, at Georgetown Christian Fellowship, 3668 Port Sheldon Street, Hudsonville, where memorial services were held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday. A luncheon will follow the ceremony.
Memorial contributions may be sent to All Things Possible Ministry at victormarx.com, or to Jenison Pink Out at jenisonpinkout.org.
Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Grand Rapids, 616-452-3006.
Dorthea May Tallman
On October 11, 2024, our Lord and Savior called a truly wonderful soul home. Dorthea May Tallman, or Mrs. T to her many students, 87, of Charlotte, MI, passed away peacefully, joining her beloved husband, John, who predeceased her after 55 years of marriage, and her son Scott, who left this world at a young age. While her passing leaves a space in our hearts, we are filled with gratitude and joy as we remember a life well-lived, bursting with laughter, love, wisdom, and if you knew her, a stubborn attitude that knew no bounds.
Dotty is survived by her children, Jeff (Kellie) Tallman and Jayne (Duane) DeMuth; grandchildren, Adam (Marysa) Fisher, Victoria DeMuth, and Gabriella DeMuth; great-grandchildren, Melody and Maverick Fisher; as well as her beloved nieces and nephews, Rick (Lee) Epler, Erika (Forrest) James, Mike (Angie) Epler, and Debbie Epler. She is preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Robert; nephews Robert and Paul; and many dogs who she also considered family.
Dorthea was born on February 28, 1937, to Virgil and Ida Epler, in Alma, Michigan, where she also attended college. Mrs. T quickly found her passion for teaching special education and never looked back. She spent nearly 50 years in the classroom, inspiring thousands of students within the Charlotte Public School System. She also spent many years teaching within the Eaton County Correctional Facility, helping children get their life back on track. Her students will remember her caring nature, quick wit, and dedication to their educational success. After her years of teaching, she ran into students wherever she went, even meeting one who was an Elvis impersonator at a show in Branson, Missouri.
Beyond the classroom, Dorthea was known for her ability to complete a word search book faster than Amazon Prime could deliver the next one, her love of animals of all variety, and her ability to cut the grass with paper sheers. She was known best however, for her love of friends and family, whom she cherished beyond words. For this author, she’ll be best remembered for her title of Grandmother, a role she was better at than anything else, and he considers himself beyond blessed for the role she played in his life.
A celebration of her life was held on Thursday, October 17, 11:00 a.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Rev. Fr. Dwight Ezop officiating. Visitation was Wednesday, October 16, 6-8:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home. All were welcome to come as they are, with stories, memories, and willingness to complete a word search in her honor. Instead of flowers, Mrs. T’s family requested that you consider donating to the Capital Area Humane Society, a cause close to her heart. The family would also like to extend a profound thank you to the care team at Hathaway Hills of Greenville, for their excellent care and support of Dotty over the last several months.
The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte, MI. Friends and family are also welcome to share memories of Dorthea on her tribute page at www.PrayFuneral.com.
Though Dorthea has moved on to her next great adventure, her vibrant spirit and unwavering kindness will continue to inspire those she leaves behind. We find peace in knowing that she’s finally reunited with her husband and son for an eternity. Rest easy Mom and Grandma and thank you for making our world a lot brighter.