Obituaries
Richard Wesley Krebs
The world lost a light when Richard “Dick” Wesley Krebs took the last step of his earthly journey on January 6, 2023 at the age of 98. Richard was born the first of four sons to Cecil and Anna (Nelson) Krebs on June 8, 1924. Growing up on the family farm near Woodbury, Michigan, he began his farming career plowing behind a team of horses, the orneriest he would remind listeners, as his younger brothers always got the tamer pair. This childhood experience likely explains his attachment to tractors. He used many but swore by Allis Chalmers. These years were formative for Richard. For the remainder of his life, he could recite the name and use of about every piece of old farming equipment and usually had a story to go along with it.
Richard answered his country’s call during WWII. He served in the Army in the Philippines. After his honorable discharge, Richard returned home and attended Cleveland Bible College. It was there that he met Mary Helen Winn. Richard disregarded advice to reconsider his attachment to Mary Helen due to her weak heart. It was the best gamble that a non-gambling man ever made. They were wed on June 3, 1949, raised five children together, and enjoyed 61 joyful years of life together.
Richard and Mary Helen moved their family to Charlotte, Michigan in 1964 to run the Eaton County Farm until its closure. Thereafter, Richard took up a career in real estate until his retirement. For the rest of his life, drives around the county with Richard were accompanied by observations of “Sold that house, that one too—twice!”. He also served as a volunteer fireman for Charlotte for eleven years. He was a faithful man of God and was always active in his local church.
Mary Helen passed away after a lengthy illness in 2010. Two years later, Richard married Shirley (Elkins) Betts of Eaton Rapids. They enjoyed time with family, friends and neighbors, traveling, especially their trips to Shipshewana, and just being together.
All who crossed paths with Richard could not help but be struck by his eternally sunny disposition and infectious laugh. He was truly a man who had never met a stranger. Friends and family will remember his mischievous smile that often preceded a practical joke or friendly teasing. We also remember him as a model of devotion, as daily, he faithfully attended to Mary Helen at the Eaton County Medical Care Facility. There, he was always ready to offer a helping hand and friendly ear to the facility’s other residents. Even in Richard’s last days, after becoming the patient himself, he brought a smile to those he worked with and to those who worked with him.
Richard is survived by his wife, Shirley Betts-Krebs, and four of his children with Mary Helen: Barbara (Ted) Scofield of Livingston, Montana; Nancy (Dan) Pick of Cedar City, Utah; Amy (Garth) Banks of Indianapolis, Indiana; and Becky (Frank) Balluff of Charlotte, Michigan. He was a cherished Grandfather to fourteen grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild. He also greatly enjoyed his relationships with Shirley’s three children, Bob, Betsee, and Mark and their extended families.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, Ross, Irving, and Gaylord, his wife Mary Helen, son, Ron and daughter-in-law, Darlene, and grandson, Rich Krebs.
Godspeed, Richard. You are so loved and so missed.
A celebration of life service is planned for a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Richard’s memory can be made to Eaton County Healing and Rehabilitation Services in Charlotte, or the Charlotte Volunteer Fire Department.
To view Richard’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com
The family is in the care of Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home in Charlotte, Michigan.
Ray Lawrence
Ray Lawrence of Charlotte, Michigan, departed his life on earth on January 10, 2023, surrounded by his loved ones. His life on earth began November 18, 1934, in Miami, Florida. Ray and his three siblings were born to parents who moved frequently, living in thirteen different cities during his childhood. He attended college in Arkansas and dedicated his life to the ministry. His commitment to youth developed in college and continued as he moved west to Arizona with his former wife, Betty. Ray was instrumental in establishing the Little League program in Kingman, Arizona before moving to Charlotte, Michigan. Many of you will remember Ray’s involvement in youth sports having seen him referee basketball, baseball, and football games in mid-Michigan. Ray took great joy in working and maintaining a small farm. You probably saw Ray work the garden stand on M-50 over the years. Ray loved this farm and the interaction it brought with the people in the Charlotte community. He loved his life to the fullest and brought much joy to his children and family.
Ray is survived by his wife, Martha (Sederlund); his seven children, Susan (Jay) Chan of Kingman, AZ, Sharon Lawrence of Loveland, CO, Stephen (Danna) Lawrence of Phoenix, AZ, Scott Lawrence of Kingman, AZ, Sheila (Greg) Morley of Spokane, WA, Liz (Peter) Simons of Gilbert, AZ, and Brian (Sunita) Rowe of Gilbert, AZ. Ray was blessed with nineteen grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren who were a big part of his life.
Ray was preceded in death by his three siblings, one sister- in-law, and one brother-in-law.
Special thanks to Sparrow Medical and Hospice for their amazing care and compassion over the years, and many thanks to the friends and neighbors who helped support us over the years.
A memorial service will be in Ray’s honor will be held at a later date.
To view Ray’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com.
The family is being served by the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home.
Janice May Milbourn
Janice May (Horton) Milbourn of Eaton Rapids, passed away January 5, 2023, at the age of 78. Jan was born in Flint, MI, May 12, 1944, the daughter of Donald and Rebecca (Mead) Horton. She retired from the Holt School District as an administrator in charge of attendance and discipline, retiring her hat in 2000 after 30 years. Jan attended the First United Methodist Church and was a member of the United Methodist Women. She loved crafting, her flower garden, golfing, reading and absolutely loved being with her entire family. Jan was a very kind and giving lady that treated people, especially her family with great love and respect. She will be sorely missed by so many.
Jan is survived by her daughters, Michelle (Troy) Tucker of Holt, Kimberly (Monte) Gleason of AL, Kelly (Todd Bradley) Ballor of Eaton Rapids, Traci (Brian) Gearhart of Eaton Rapids; son, Mark (Holly) Milbourn of Holt; grandchildren, Jessica (Larry), Rebecca (Robert), Samantha (Nick), Chelsea (Cody), Alexandria, Emeleigh (Kelso), Zackary (Chrissy), Matthew, Cooper and Carson; great grandchildren, ReShelle, Raymin , Madison, Mackenzie, Robbie, Larry, Dominic, Aalayah, Georgie Kate, Riley Jo, Macki Nicole, Casey, and baby Ross; brother, Bruce (Mary Eva) Horton of MO. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Herbert Milbourn; brother, Keith Horton and her dog, Sophia Sue.
Funeral services were at 1 p.m. Sunday, January 8, 2023, at the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to the VFW National Home for Children, Make a Wish Foundation or the Wounded Warrior Project. To leave condolences for the family please visit our website, www.millsfuneral.com.
Jan McRee
Jan McRee of Eaton Rapids, entered life eternal peacefully on December 19, 2022, at the age of 91 in Eaton Rapids where she was a resident for the last 65 years. She was the loving wife of Edward B. McRee who preceded her in death. They were married for 64 years. Born Janice Bryant on September 30, 1931, in Liberal, Kansas. Jan was raised in Blackwell, Oklahoma, and graduated from Blackwell High School in 1949, where her mother was also her High School Music Teacher, and her choir director at their local Methodist Church. Jan attended Oklahoma City University (OCU) where she received a bachelor’s degree in Music and received numerous honors for both piano and vocal music. She was the president of her local sorority chapter of Gamma Phi Beta and she remained devoted to her High School, OCU, and her sorority until her death. Jan was a prominent figure within the Eaton Rapids Community serving as a private piano and vocal teacher, a choir director at the First United Methodist Church for over fifty years, the director of the Eaton Rapids Women’s Chorus for over twenty years and a local music teacher within the Eaton Rapids School system. She was the co-owner of the interior decorating business, “Partner’s Interiors” of Eaton Rapids and provided a weekly column in the Eaton Rapids “Flashes” called “Assets in our Community” which provided opportunities for students of all ages to “Strut Their Stuff.” She always sought to find the best in people and was enormously devoted to the goodness in people. Jan loved music, art and touched numerous lives through her teaching, Christian witness, and devotion to the Eaton Rapids Community. She was enormously proud of the trees planted along Main Street in Eaton Rapids which through her leadership were funded by the ER Women’s Chorus along with the Baldwin grand piano given to the Eaton Rapids High School. On the Wednesday preceding her death, she was observed singing all the words to all of the Christmas songs at the Island City Assisted Living Center’s weekly sing along. A wonderful ending to a life that for her, was always a beautiful song. Jan was a devoted Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, and friend who made lasting impressions upon her family and will be sorely missed.
Jan is also preceded in death by her parents, Harold Leroy and Maude Leah (Duffy) Bryant; brother, John Barth Bryant, and her son, Kent Edward McRee. She is survived by her two sons, Scott McRee of East Lansing, and Chad (Julie) McRee of Aledo, Texas; grandchildren, Micaela Elizabeth (Jake) McRee Massacci of Aledo, Texas, Meaghan Leah (Jacob) McRee Talley of Kernersville, NC; great grandchildren, Ava Massacci and AJ Massacci also of Aledo, Texas and Emmalynn Anne Talley of Kernersville, North Carolina.
Funeral services will be held in honor of Jan at the First United Methodist Church of Eaton Rapids Michigan on January 28, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. with interment following in Rosehill Cemetery, to be buried next to her loving husband, Ed and her son, Kent. Visitation will take place at the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel Friday from 6-8 p.m. and at the church Saturday from 10-11 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 600 S. Main St., Eaton Rapids, MI 48827. To leave condolences for the family please visit our website, www.millsfuneral.com.
Debra Sue Forist
Debra Sue Forist, age 54, of Eaton Rapids, MI passed away tragically on Thursday, December 29, 2022, as the result of an automobile accident. Debra was born on March 19, 1968, in Eaton Rapids, MI the daughter of Charles (Rosetta) McCarrick and Marjorie (William) Hartel (Burns). She was raised in Eaton Rapids where she attended school and was currently employed as a Health Unit Coordinator for Sparrow Hospital. Debra loved traveling and taking family vacations. Some of her favorite places to visit were Las Vegas and Tennessee. She was extremely compassionate to others and served as a caregiver and great friend to her uncle, Dave for the past 20 years. Her greatest joy in life was her family and she cherished the time she spent watching her children and grandchildren compete in their sporting events. Debra was an avid shopper and enjoyed buying abandoned storage units where she turned her hobby into a successful side business, selling her items on Facebook Marketplace. Debra had a great love for owls, dancing, music and especially enjoyed Michael Kors and Snoop Dogg.
Debra is survived by her children, Joe (Kyla) McCarrick, Jessica (Justin) Gardner, Brittaney (Rob Bancroft) Treve, Brandon (Brianna) Forist; grandchildren, Landin and Maverick McCarrick, Talan and Willow Gardner, Jada Esman; brother, Greg (Emily) McCarrick; sisters, Julie (Ken) Locke, Kathy (Dan) Curtis, Georgia (Steven) Keller, Crystal (Eric) Woodman; stepfather, William Hartel; stepmother, Rosetta McCarrick; uncle, Dave Burns and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Funeral services were held on Thursday, January 5, 2023, at Skinner Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids chapel. The family received friends at the funeral home on Wednesday, and one hour prior to the service on Thursday. For those desiring memorial contributions may be made to the family of Debra Forist. To share memories or leave online condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.