Obituaries
Rebecca Pauline Brunton
Rebecca (Becky) Pauline Brunton, age 81, of Eaton Rapids, Michigan was born February 21, 1942 in Three Rivers, Michigan, the eighth child of Dale LeRoy and Vera Gladys (Sprague) Thompson. She entered into the presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, April 27, 2023. She married Robert Payne Brunton on July 27, 1963. Becky was preceded in death by her parents and also brothers and sisters Wilbur (Bill) Dale 1920-1937, Robert (Bob) LeRoy 1921-2004, Sylvia Beryl Jenkins 1923-1999, Bonita (Bonnie) Jenkins 1926-2010, Bruce Arthur 1928-1992, Berwyn Recus 1930-2002, and Beatrice Marilyn Quade 1932-2022. She is survived by her husband Robert (Bob) Brunton, to whom she was married for 59 years, and 19 of her 24 nieces and nephews.
She graduated from high school in Beloit, Wisconsin in 1959. She attended Taylor University in Upland, Indiana transferring to Michigan State University in 1963, where she received a bachelor’s degree in Music Education. She taught in the Eaton Rapids and Lansing public school systems and then joined the music faculty of the Michigan School for the Blind where she taught piano, voice, and led the school’s orchestra and chorus. In 1979, she and her husband began a national music ministry. During their 35 years of ministry, they recorded 13 albums, produced a songbook of their own compositions, and presented concerts in all but 5 of the contiguous 48 states and traveled over 1.7 million road miles. Retiring in December of 2014, she continued to use her talents in the music program of her home church.
In 1946, Becky’s dad was transferred with his company, Fairbanks Morse Inc. to Beloit, Wisconsin, where she grew up involved in the music programs of People’s Church. She also played violin and viola in the Beloit High School Orchestra and the Beloit Civic Symphony. Her public music career began at the age of three when she sang Silent Night as a solo for a Christmas program at her church. She started piano lessons with her mother at age 4 ½ and continued until enrolling at Taylor University in Upland, Indiana in 1959. During high school, she became active in the Beloit Youth for Christ program and that led to an invitation to join the touring musical group called The Spurrlows in 1962. It was during this tour that she met Bob. They were married on July 27, 1963. Bob and Becky felt “called” to begin a national music ministry and on April 1, 1979, they began presenting musical concerts, touring throughout the United States and beyond its borders.
A memorial service will be at South Church, 5250 Cornerstone Dr. Lansing, MI on May 13, 2023, at 11 a.m. with visitation in the Commons, beginning at 9 a.m. for family and 10 a.m. for everyone. Contributions in memory of Becky Brunton may be made to South Church, 5250 Cornerstone Dr. Lansing, MI 48917 or Heart to Heart Hospice, 2260 E. Saginaw St. East Lansing, MI 48823. The family is being served by Gorsline Runciman Ball-Dunn Chapel.
Cameron Alexander Ashley
Cameron Alexander Ashley, a kind hearted son, brother, grandson, and friend, died unexpectedly on Sunday, April 30, 2023. Cameron 31, of Bellevue, was born February 5, 1992, in Battle Creek the son of Wendall Ashley and Lisa Shilling. He graduated from Charlotte High School in the class of 2010, and after attended trade school. Cameron worked as a welder which he enjoyed. Many who knew Cameron will remember the smile that he always had, his kind heart, and being fearless. He was a member of the Shorthorn Association, where he won Beef Expo as well as a Grand Champion Showman. One of his biggest passions in life were his cattle and the time he spent showing them. The competitiveness did not stop there, Cameron was also an avid Archer. He shot competitive skeet, trap, 3D archery, and target. Lastly, he enjoyed racing dirt bikes. Above all everyone will remember Cameron for his loving heart and always being there for those in need.
Cameron is survived by his mother, Lisa (Jim) Shilling; father, Wendall (Amy) Ashley IV; siblings, Crystal (Joseph Simonetti) Ashley, Eric (Chelsey) Shilling, and Amanda (Anthony) Giraldi; grandparents, Wendall and Andrea Ashley, Elbert and Bessie Keehne; nieces and nephew, Paisley, Elizabeth, Penelope, Vivianne, and Lennox; and numerous aunts and uncles. He was predeceased by his grandmother, Sandra Ashley.
Friends are encouraged to support Cameron’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. A Celebration of Life for Cameron will be held at Kardel Hall on Saturday, May 6, 2023 from 4-7:00 p.m. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to The Epilepsy Foundation. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Charles Lewis Filbert
Charles Lewis “Chuck” Filbert, of Charlotte, MI, a man with a great sense of humor who could laugh at most anything, died Thursday, October 27, 2022, at the age of 86. He was born July 17, 1936, in Forman, North Dakota, the son of John and Edna Filbert. Chuck’s family moved to Michigan when he was only nine months old. In 1955, Chuck graduated from Charlotte High School. He served his country in the U.S. Army and was proud to be a veteran. On July 13, 1958, he married the love of his life, Glenda Stadel.
For many years, Chuck was a dairy farmer and contractor. He built and remodeled houses in the Charlotte area for many years. Chuck was a person who could fix most anything. If anything broke, his mantra was, “I’ll take care of it,” and he did. He and Glenda always did things together, they were inseparable. They enjoyed many things together, including riding motorcycles through the countryside, making trips as far as Sandusky and Traverse City. Glenda fondly remembers their fishing trips in the Canadian wilderness with friends. Chuck and Glenda were snowbirds to Florida and due to health problems had recently been living full-time in Zephyrhills.
Chuck is survived by his wife of 64 years, Glenda; brother-in-law, Dick Stadel; sister, Donna Tellas; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by their three sons, Tim, Mark and Chris; his parents, John and Edna; and two sisters, Dorothy and Evelyn.
Memorial services for Chuck will be conducted at the Center Eaton Community Center, 2173 Narrow Lake Rd., Charlotte, Michigan, on Thursday, May 18, at 11:00 a.m., with visitation just prior from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Friends are encouraged to support Chuck’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the American Heart Association or the American Diabetes Association. His family is being served by Pray Funeral Home of Charlotte.
Jeanette Jean Boyer
Jeannette Jean (Morales) Boyer was born on January 19, 1946 in Charlotte, Michigan to Luterio and Bessie (Harmon) Morales. She grew up in Charlotte, where she met her husband, Joe. In 1973, they moved their family to Sunfield, Michigan. Over the years, Jean worked at Fisher Body, welcomed daycare children into her home and decorated cakes, both for work and at home. The most important thing in Jean’s life was her family. She loved spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Jean was a fan of 50s-60s and country music. She enjoyed her Shirley Temple movies and at Christmas time, she would settle in for a Hallmark movie at night. She also spent countless hours in the kitchen over the years, cooking and baking in restaurants as well as for her family.
Jean is survived by her children: Jorum Boyer Jr., Phillip (Debora) Boyer, Jeannette (Dean (deceased)) Spitzley, Kenneth Boyer, Charles (Ann) Boyer, Jessica (Justin) Garvie, and loving daughter-in-law, Chris (Luterio (deceased)) Boyer. She is also survived by her 19 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, five brothers and one sister, as well as a large extended family.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Joe; son, Luterio; granddaughter, Elizabeth; son-in-law, Dean; and brothers, Rodney and Phillip.
Jean was very loved and will be missed very much.
Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 12 Noon on Thursday, May 11, 2023, at the Sunfield United Brethren Church, with a luncheon to follow at 12 Noon.
For those wishing, contributions may be made to the Kidney Foundation (kidney.org).
Please visit a web page designed especially for Jeannette, to light a candle or leave a condolence at www.RosierFuneralHome.com. The family is being served by the Independent Family-Owned Funeral Home in Sunfield: Rosier Burial & Cremation Services.
Stanley Carl Palmer
Stanley Carl Palmer, age 94, of Eaton Rapids, Michigan passed away on April 20, 2023, with Yvonne, his loving wife of 60 years, by his side. Stan was born on August 22, 1928, in Los Angeles, California. He was one of nine children, born to Charles and Armenta (Kennedy) Palmer. He married the love of his life, Yvonne (Moore) Palmer in 1963 and together they lived in Pasadena, Texas where Stan served 27 years in the Merchant Marines. In the early 1970’s, Stan and Yvonne lived in Onondaga, Charlotte, Higgins Lake, and settled in Eaton Rapids, where they lived for over 20 years. Stan worked at Owens-Illinois for 26 years, where he retired in 1991. Stan loved deep sea fishing, ice fishing, snowmobiling, visiting family in California, trips to the casino, and accompanying Yvonne on her bowling tournaments.
Stan is preceded in death by his parents and seven siblings. He is survivied by his wife, Yvonne; daughter, Deborah Palmer; son, Stanley (Roma) Palmer; granddaughter, Martina Palmer; brother, Clifford (Sara) Palmer; and special friends, Mr. and Mrs. Robert (Plug) Whitaker, Mr. and Mrs. Dwayne Mayball, Mr. and Mrs. Jan Skrip and Lowell Hogle.
Per Stan’s wishes, no service will be held. He is in the care of Skinner Funeral Home in Eaton Rapids, Michigan. You may visit his tribute page to leave memories and condolences.
Mary Irene Ash
Mary Irene Ash, 90, of Charlotte, MI a kind-hearted farm wife, died peacefully April 20, 2023. Born November 19, 1932, in Charlotte to Nelson and Arlene (Newth) Simpson, Mary was the first in her family to graduate from high school. After high school (graduating on Friday and starting work on Monday) she worked for Bell Telephone. Growing up on a farm, she loved to drive the tractor and after seven years she left the telephone company to help run the farm. Mary met her future husband on a blind date, and they courted for three years before they were married in 1954. A proud wife and mother, Mary enjoyed her family and taught them to be kind to others, just as her parents had taught her. Her faith was the center of all things she did in life, always showing others her love for her Lord and Savior.
Mary is survived by her husband of 69 years, Roger; daughters, Anne (Norm) Harris, Anita (Gene) Swayer; grandchildren, Kevin Smith and Rachel Smith. She was predeceased by her sister, Kay Leonard and her parents.
Friends are encouraged to support Mary’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation was Tuesday, April 25 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. Funeral services were held Wednesday, April 26, at Pray Funeral Home with Pastor Josh Landers of Hillside Community Church Crown Point Indiana officiating. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Hospice House of Mid-Michigan. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Louis DeFabio, Jr.
Louis DeFabio, Jr., age 97, of Riverview, Michigan and formerly of Southgate and Olivet, Michigan, passed away Sunday, April 9, 2023.
Louis was born July 6, 1925, to Luigi and Autilia DeFabio. Louis served with the U.S. Marine Corp and is a WWII Veteran. He retired from PennWalt Chemical Plant after 25 years of service. Louis was a jack of all trades. He could fix anything and tackled many carpentry jobs along with having a big green thumb when it came to growing a garden. His specialty was growing tomatoes, sending many bushels of produce home with family and friends after weekend visits.
Louie was the beloved husband of 59 years to the late Patricia DeFabio. He was the loving father of Penny (Michael) Gibbons of Riverview, Louis (Paula) DeFabio III of Charlotte, Shirley (Larry) Frederick of Ellenton, FL, and John DeFabio of Belleville. He was the dearest grandfather of Patricia (Adam) Rollason, Kristen Kurzeja and Becky (Cory) DeFabio-Hewitt, and sweet great-grandfather of Matthew Kurzeja, Alexia Kurzeja, Kaiden Elsey, Kenley Hewitt, and Brittanie Hewitt. Preceding him in death were his parents, wife, and seven siblings.
Cremation has taken place. A family memorial gathering will be held later this summer. The family is under the care of Molnar Funeral Home – Brownstown Chapel, Brownstown, Michigan.
Joyce Eileen Williams
Joyce Eileen Williams, age 87, of Charlotte, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, April 15, 2023, at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing. She was born September 12, 1935, in Hebron, Ohio, the daughter of Ernest and Marie (Snider) Bowers. Joyce graduated from Hebron High School with the class of 1953. On October 11, 1959, in Hebron, Ohio, she married Griffith Leland “Lee” Williams. This began a treasured 62-year marriage. Joyce loved people and always had an open door. She adored her many lifelong friends and was very good at staying in touch with them. She still had a close bond with her many friends from her school years. Family meant everything to Joyce. She cherished her daughters and was especially fond of her grandchildren. She always looked forward to Christmas when the family would all be together.
Joyce is survived by her daughters, Gina (Duane) Hanrahan of Indianapolis, IN, Julie (Wayne) Nash of Delaware, OH, Nancy (Bob) Loth of Pewaukee, WI; grandchildren, Chris (Annie) Hanrahan, Stephen Hanrahan, Geoff (Kaila) Hanrahan, Ben Nash, Chris Nash, Allison Loth, Megan Loth, Corinne Loth; and brother, Billy (Ruby) Bowers.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Lee; three brothers, and two sisters.
Funeral services were held on Thursday, April 20, 2023, at 11 a.m. at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will take place at Poplar Forks Cemetery in Gratiot, Ohio.
Those desiring may make contributions in Joyce’s memory to the Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church, 210 E. Lawrence Ave., Charlotte, MI 48813.
To view Joyce’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com.
John Raymond Kreischer
John Raymond Kreischer on January 28, 2023, at 12:21 p.m., our father, John Raymond Kreischer of Eaton Rapids, Michigan passed away.
John was born in Homer, Michigan on February 5, 1940. He was the second son born to James Paul Kreischer and Lorene Opal (Snodderly) Kreischer. He grew up on the family farm new Narrow Lake and attended school in Eaton Rapids. It was there, at the age of 14, he met his sweetheart, Mabel Ellen Kinyon. They married in 1958 and had 56 years together until Mabel passed away in 2014.
John enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1957 where he began his 20-year military career. His many jobs were in the transportation department including semi-truck driver in Thailand during the Vietnam war, school bus driver and bussing coordinator for military children on English coaches, director of the base motor pool, movie projectionist. His favorite assignment was in California on Travis AFB, when he was a chauffeur for Marie von Trapp!
During John’s years of service, the family moved several times, and were able to experience and visit many amazing sites.
John retired from the USAF in 1977 and moved his family home to Mabel’s family farm in Eaton Rapids. This was not a total retirement. John began work as a poultry caretaker for the USDA Poultry Research facility at Michigan State University. He was employed there for 20 years.
John was preceded in death by his loving wife Mabel Ellen (Kinyon) Kreischer; his parents, James Paul Kreischer and Lorene Opal (Snodderly) Kreischer; his brothers, Robert Kreischer and Leonard Kreischer; his sister, Linda (Kreischer) Cook.
He is survived by his eldest brother, Milo (Inez) Kreischer; his three children, Carol Sue (Kreischer) Pope, Barbara (Kreischer) Johns, and Brian Kreischer.
John had three beloved grandchildren: Bradley Richard Johns, Janeen Carneshia Johns, and Joseph Charles Johns. He also had four great-grandchildren: Marley Mae, Lennox Ophelia, Naomi Rose, and Damien DeShay.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Rachel Wilcox for being Dad’s compassionate caretaker for over a year prior to his passing.
A memorial luncheon is being planned for May 13, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at the VFW Post in Springport, Michigan.
For those desiring, in lieu of flowers the family suggests a donation in memory of John R. Kreischer may be made to the VFW Adams-Rocky Post 6056, 230 Mechanic Street, Springport, MI 49284.
Dianne Marie Morris
Dianne Marie Morris, of Eaton Rapids, MI went to be with the Lord and her family on Thursday, April 13, 2023, at the age of 76. Dianne was born on Dec. 21, 1946, in Jackson, MI. to Frederick and Mildred (Towns) Jackson. She graduated from Springport High School in 1965. Dianne met her husband Jack at a Griffith Church Christmas caroling activity in 1964. They were married on June 19, 1966, at the Griffith Methodist Church in Eaton Rapids, MI and had three children. Dianne was devoted to her family and gracious to everyone she met. She always had a smile. She especially enjoyed her grandchildren and flower gardening.
Dianne is preceded in death by her son Gregory; her parents; and three siblings, Donna Kolodica, Dennis Jackson and Sharon Pettit.
Surviving is her husband, Jack; daughters, Michele Marti and Melanie Nykamp; grandchildren, Bailey Marti, Jack Marti, Ava Nykamp and Elyse Nykamp.
A memorial will be held at a later date in accordance with her wishes. Memorial contributions can be made in her name to Eaton Community Palliative Care at 2675 S. Cochran Rd., Charlotte, MI 48813. To share memories or leave online condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.