Obituaries
Dora Jean Cupp
Dora Jean Cupp of Eaton Rapids, MI passed away on Thursday, December 22, 2022, at the age of 84. Jean was born on May 17, 1938, in Wyandotte, MI the daughter of Robert and Hazel (Edwards) Meyer. She was raised in Wyandotte where she graduated from high school class of 1956. Jean met her future husband Edmund at a church camp, and they were married in 1958. Together they had three sons and raised them on the family farm in Eaton Rapids where she spent her time looking over the children and taking care of the home. Jean was very active in her church choir and participated in the traveling choir group, first with the First Baptist Church of Eaton Rapids and later the First Baptist Church of Charlotte. Jean also enjoyed reading and family camping trips to Grayling, MI.
Jean is preceded in death by her parents and husband, Edmund Cupp in 2021.
Surviving are her children, Kevin Cupp, Keith (Paula) Cupp, Don (LeAnn) Cupp; grandchildren, Carissa (Kyle) Reece, Justin Cupp, Ross Cupp, Kevin (Cassie) Cupp II, Caitlin (Christopher) Lea, Theodore (Sarah) Doukakos, Anthony (Jody) Doukakos; great grandchildren, Halle Mitchell, Quin Reece, Tucker Cupp, Haelyn Cupp, Ariya Taylor, Logan Lea; brothers, Dan (Bev) Meyer, Dave (Ann) Meyer; sisters, Joan (Clyde) Harris, Carol Meyer and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 28, 2022, at Skinner Funeral Home in Eaton Rapids. Burial was held at Brickyard Cemetery and the family will hold a luncheon immediately following at the funeral home. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the Capitol Area Humane Society or the Eaton County Animal Shelter in memory of Jean. The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff at Island City Assisted Living for their excellent care over the past several months. To share memories or leave online condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
Margaret Ann Creighton
Margaret Ann Creighton of Charlotte, passed away peacefully at her home the evening of December 25, 2022, at the age of 81. Margaret was born in Eaton Rapids, October 3, 1941, the daughter of Albert and Mary (Vandemortel) Verhelle. She was a 1959 graduate of Eaton Rapids High School. After graduation she took a job at the State of Michigan in different capacities. When she started her family, she found it important to leave her career to raise her boys. Maggie had a passion for her flower gardens, being outdoors doing yard work and landscaping her lawn. She had a knack for interior decorating, loved to travel to Shipshewana, crochet, and go to all the local garage sales. Maggie will forever be remembered for her rambunctious and lovable spirit. Her unique and natural approach to interacting with people always left them having a brighter day.
Maggie is survived by her husband, Roger Creighton; children, Nick (Laura) Custance of Charlotte, Thad Lewis of Onondaga, Scott Creighton of FL. She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Robert and Richard Verhelle.
Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Friday, December 30, 2022, at the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. Interment followed in Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation was Friday one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association. To leave condolences for the family please visit our website, www.millsfuneral.com.
Phyllis Marie Scott Burnett
Phyllis Marie (Johnson) Scott Burnett of Lansing, passed away December 26, 2022, at the age of 70. Phyllis was born in Springfield, OH, October 12, 1952, the daughter of Estill and Lora (Thacker) Johnson. She was a lifetime member of VFW Post 6132, member of the American Legion, Ladies Auxiliary and the 40 et 8 Voiture 946. Phyllis had many hobbies that included, knitting, dancing, karaoke, lotto, bingo, NASCAR, playing Monopoly, UNO and Right-Left-Center. She was the queen of shopping and loved to party but the most important thing to her was spending time with her family.
Phyllis is survived by her soulmate, Richard Connick of Lansing; children, JoAnna (Dennis) Rouse, Frederick Scott Jr., Sarah (Enrique) Benavides, all of Pt. Huron; grandchildren, Shadilea (Gabriel), Eric, Juan, Andrew (Amanda), Austin, Justice, Drix and Miguel; nine great grandchildren; sisters, Ellen (Phil) Beam, Judy (Clinton) Slone; brother, Zak (Diana) Johnson. She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Loretta (Ken) Miller, Lora Slone, Jack Johnson, Estill Johnson Jr., JoAnna Johnson and Cleovis Johnson.
Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Thursday, December 29, 2022, at the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. Interment followed in Munger Cemetery. Those desiring may make memorial contributions to the VFW Post 6132, 3104 W. St. Joseph Hwy, Lansing, MI 48917. To leave condolences for the family, please visit our website, www.millsfuneral.com.
Loretta DeWalt
Loretta Jean DeWalt, “Jean” to her many friends, died December 15, 2022. Jean, 87, of Charlotte, was born on April 9, 1935, in Marion, Indiana to Charles H. and Vera I. (Rhoades) Ballard. Jean loved to laugh and did so often. She had a warm and friendly smile; was generous and caring; accepting of anyone; and had a fun sense of humor. She filled her days to the brim with friends, reading, sewing, word searches, cooking, and time with family. One of her favorite places to travel to was to her daughter’s home in North Carolina. She was a wonderful hostess and opened her home up often. Her deck with the wonderful views of nature allowed her to watch her hummingbirds and to care for and enjoy her flowers. In addition to being a wonderful mom and grandma, she was employed with Eaton County Courthouse Circuit Court for 25 years. Prior to that, she was the secretary at Lawrence Avenue Methodist Church where she also enjoyed singing in the choir. Jean volunteered often for various groups. She enjoyed the Job’s Daughters with both of her daughters and granddaughters; Charlotte HS Band, Jaycee’s Auxillary; LAUMC-Sunday School and Vacation Bible School; and for our elections as a poll-worker. Her cherished daughters brought her more family to love and she was a centerpiece in each of their lives.
Jean is survived by her daughter, Ronda (Brian) Decker; grandchildren, Michael (Brandi) Pruden, Alexis (Patrick) Cooper, Tiffany (Brian) Matson, Andy (Holly) Pruden, Sydney (Jennifer) Larrimore-Decker, Shelby (Maria) Winkler-Decker; 12 great-grandchildren; 2 siblings, Barbara Buxton, Patricia Ballard; and son-in-law, Timothy Pruden. She was predeceased by her husband, Ivan DeWalt; daughter, Kathy Pruden; her parents; and her brother-in-law, John Buxton.
Friends are encouraged to support Jean’s family by sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Funeral services were held Monday, December 19 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Rev. Karen Wheat officiating. The funeral was webcast so you may watch it from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device that has internet access. Go to www.prayfuneral.com, click on Jean’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Charlotte Christmas Kiddies, The American Heart Association, or Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Eugene Emery
Eugene Roy Emery of Vermontville, a man that loved entertaining with his silly dad jokes, died unexpectedly December 17, 2022. Eugene, 67, was born April 20, 1955, in Charlotte to Thomas and Geraldine (Grundstrom) Emery. A graduate of Charlotte High School, Eugene also attended some college courses and worked different jobs at Carefree Windows, Spartan Motors, and he owned and operated Emery’s Adult Foster care with his wife, Linda. In his spare-time he enjoyed tinkering with slot cars, CB radios, playing on his computer, and singing Karaoke. Volunteering much of his time to making his community better, Eugene was always giving back and showing others how much he cared, whether it was through his Lions Club membership in Vermontville, working at Eaton Community Palliative Care, or activities at his church, Chester Gospel Church. A devoted family man, he loved his children and grandchildren with all his heart. After his wife passed in 2004, he worked extra hard to make sure his family knew how much he cared and how much they were loved.
Eugene is survived by his children, Lorraine (Steven Larrabee) Emery, Janette (Ryan) Maki, and Matthew (Zania) Emery, grandchildren, Alexandra Emery, Joshua and Katherine Maki, and Dalton and Weston Emery; significant other, Kay Boston-Wyszynski; siblings, Thomas Emery, Carmen Harris, Kathi Dominguez; in-laws, Scott Marshall, Laurie Marshall, and Nancy Emery; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Linda; brother, Jim Emery; sister, Charlene Vaughn; his parents; and father-in-law and karaoke partner, Richard Marshall; sister-in-law, Barbara Emery.
Friends are encouraged to support Eugene’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation was Thursday, December 22, 2022 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. Funeral services were Friday, December 23, 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Dennis Weeks officiating. The funeral was webcast so you may watch it from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device that has internet access. Go to www.prayfuneral.com, click on Eugene’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Eaton Community Palliative Care. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.