Obituaries
Shirley Jean Bryson
Shirley Jean Bryson, 85, of Bellevue, MI, passed away peacefully after a brief battle with cancer on September 23, 2024. She was born on October 10, 1938, in Eaton Rapids, MI, the cherished daughter of Ralph Edward and Lucille Marie (Goodnoe) Smith. Raised in Eaton Rapids, Shirley attended a one-room schoolhouse on Barnes and Onondaga Road before graduating from Eaton Rapids High School, class of 1956.
Shirley began her working life as a cashier at Desmore Grocery in Mason, where she met the love of her life, Stanley Bryson. After they married, Shirley dedicated herself to raising their children and creating a loving home. She was an active member of the Brookfield Lodge 352 Order of the Eastern Star, contributing her time and energy to this cherished service organization.
Shirley had a deep love for travel, reading, gardening, and watching the birds that visited her yard. She and Stanley also shared a passion for antiques, traveling across local and surrounding states to buy, restore, and sell treasures. Shirley had many antique booths in different shops over the years in the Lake Odessa Mall, Mason Mall, and on Main Street in Eaton Rapids, where her passion and love shone bright.
Shirley was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Stanley; her parents, Ralph and Lucille; her brothers, Richard and Edward Smith; and her sister, Carol Dunn. She leaves behind a loving family: her children, Susan (Jeff) Houghton, Diana (Steve) Hyatt, and Larry Bryson; grandchildren, Ben (Melissa) Hyatt, Jeff (Katie) Whitaker, Shiria (Rachael) Kane, Stacey (Gary) Meyers, Rebecca (Frank) Psurny, Erica (Dell) Porter, Amber Bryson, and Taylor Bryson; 10 great-grandchildren; her sister, Phyllis Whidden; lifelong friend and recent caregiver, Priscilla Law; as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at noon at Skinner Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids chapel, with visitation beginning at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Brookfield Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star. To share memories or leave online condolences, please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
Larry Lee Milligan
Larry Lee Milligan of Grand Ledge, passed away peacefully in his home on September 10, 2024, at the age of 89. Larry was born on April 24, 1935, to Clyde V. and V. Elaine (Spillette) Milligan. He married Charleen Torrey on August 14, 1954, and raised a family of 7 children.
Larry served in the Navy National Guard from 1954 – 1961. Foreman for Diamond Reo in the 60’s. In the 70’s he started LL Milligan Excavation where he assisted in the building of Troy Hills (Ledge Meadows) Golf Course along with various excavation projects. He transitioned to LL Milligan Logging the mid-70’s until the mid-80’s working on the addition of 9-holes for Ledge Meadows Golf Course to complete their 18-hole course. He said there was always something special about playing in the dirt. He had an eye for grade and built numerous driveways and septic systems, but he truly enjoyed digging ponds. His last pond was dug in the fall of 2020 at the age of 84 for his grandson Nicholas. He also enjoyed fishing, Drummond Island, western movies, polka, and people. He would often take an hour’s detour just to stop in to visit with someone. This was also true with ice cream.
Larry is survived by his children: L. Lee Milligan Jr., Lynda Milligan, Lon (Ruth) Milligan, Loren Milligan, Les Milligan, LaRae (Robert) Dorman, LouAnn (Michael) Flitton; many grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by his parents Clyde and V Elaine, wife Charleen A of 64 years, brother William (Phyllis) Milligan, nephew, Joseph Milligan, and granddaughter Brooke E. Humphrey.
Thank you to everyone who stopped by for a visit, sent cards and well wishes to make Dad’s day a bit brighter. A special thank you to the McLaren Hospice Nurses and HHA (Katrina Palmer) for all your help during this journey.
A celebration of life will be held 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at the Believers Christian Church, 10837 W Grand River Hwy., Grand Ledge, MI 48837 with a luncheon directly following at the American Legion Hall, Grand Ledge. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in loving memory of Larry Milligan to McLaren Hospice, 6250 S. Cedar St., Suite 17. Lansing, MI 48911. The family has entrusted arrangements to Mills Funeral Home, Peters & Murray Chapel, Grand Ledge. For online condolences please visit www.millsfuneral.com .
Wanda Jean Allen
Wanda Jean Allen, age 83, of Charlotte, formerly of Corunna, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Sunday, September 29, 2024, at Hospice House of Mid-Michigan. She was born July 2, 1941, in Marion, Virginia, the daughter of John Vilace Austin and Fanny Lou (Peake) Austin. She spent the first part of her growing up years in Virginia and attended Sugar Grove High School before she moved to Owosso, Michigan, where she completed her senior year and graduated from Owosso High School. On July 11, 1959, she married John J. Allen in Owosso, Michigan. Wanda worked the majority of her career for the Shiawassee Intermediate School Office and retired after 30 years of faithful service. Family was of the utmost importance to Wanda and she cherished spending time together. She always looked forward to attending her grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s school and sporting events. Wanda’s faith was very important to her and she faithfully attended Calvary Baptist Church in Charlotte.
Wanda is survived by her husband of 65 years, John J.; daughter Cindy (Jon) Hosek; grandchildren, Alaina Williams, Emily (Tim Arrington) Hosek, Zachary Hosek, and Noah Hosek; great-grandchildren, Mason, Keegan, and Ensley O’Connor; siblings, Brenda (Mac) Smith-McMurren of Washington, Betty Straley of Virginia, Linda (Bill) Heath of Virginia; and numerous nieces, nephews and many her dear friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; grandparents; nephews, Michael Allen, Robert Allen III; and nieces, Susan Allen Speers, Terra Schultz; grandson-in-law, Liam O’Connor; and her sister Etta Dean.
In keeping with Wanda’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held on Monday, October 7, 2024, at 11 a.m. at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home with Pastor Timothy Potter officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will take place at Maple Hill Cemetery.
Those desiring may make contributions in Wanda’s memory to her great grandchildren’s college fund in care of Cindy Hosek.
To view Wanda’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com.
Raymond Hickey
Raymond Hickey, age 89, passed away on September 22, 2024, in his home after a courageous fight with lung cancer.
Born August 7, 1935, to Joe and Inez (Nesbet) Hickey at their Nashville home, Raymond worked on the family farm until graduating in 1954 from Nashville High School where he participated in FFA, basketball, and football.
After graduating, he married Jean Bartholomew and continued to work at Randall Lumber Company. Shortly after, he bought his first milk route, hauling can milk and then on to bulk milk. He bought his farm and eventually became a full-time dairy farmer.
In 1980 he married Nola Jane (Wilcox-Rice) and together they enjoyed any times in their cabin in Roscommon where they enjoyed garage saling, quad riding, and going to the casino. He loved the great north. They also enjoyed traveling to Mexico with friends a few times.
Raymond is survived by his children, Deb (Jerry) Kemp, Don (Karen) Hickey, and Sue (David) Fassett-Musser, his stepchildren, Dan (Shennon) Rice and Cindy (Bruce) Carpenter, his sisters, Kay Bernash, Lois Barton, and Pat (Maynard) McClelland, his brother Bernie (Ruth) Hickey, as well as 14 grandchildren, 38 great grandchildren, and four great great grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 42 years, Nola Jane, his sister JoAnne, his brothers-in-law, Jim and Jack, and his stepson, Jay Rice.
Memorial contributions can be made in Raymond’s honor to St Jude.
There will be a funeral service at Daniels Funeral Home in Nashville on Saturday, September 28, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. with the family receiving visitors one hour prior to the service from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. There will be a luncheon following the funeral service and interment will take place at 2:30 p.m. at Lakeview Cemetery in Nashville, MI.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Daniels Funeral Home – Nashville, conveniently located at 9200 E M79 Hwy, Nashville, MI. For more information, please visit our website at www.danielsfuneralhome.net.
Harriet Laurabelle Eitniear
Harriet Laurabelle Eitniear, a strong, creative, adventurous, and loving woman, died September 18, 2024 at the age of 88. Harriet was born August 27, 1936 to Herman and Dorothy (Dickerson) Durbin Sr., one of eight children of the couple. She married her first husband, James Sinclair, in 1955 and together they had three daughters. James passed away at the age of 34, and Harriet fell in love for the second time to Roy (Harold) Eitniear, a former school mate, widower and father of three daughters himself. As the two married and blended their families, they shared their ability to love and accept everyone, enjoying many adventures together. Harriet loved all her girls, and she loved to sew. She made barbie doll clothes when the girls were young and made many of the girls’ clothes including flannel pajamas at Christmas. When the grandchildren started coming along, the flannel pajamas at Christmas tradition continued for everyone! Harriet loved quilting and made many beautiful quilts for her family and friends. Harriet always persevered and was there for her family during tough times, sharing her compassion and spunk when it was needed most.
Harriet and Harold went on many adventures together across the U.S. and even bicycled around England. She began running in her 40’s and ran in several races. Harriet also enjoyed white water rafting, canoeing (including canoe races with Roy) camping with family (two weeks every summer, rain or shine – mostly rain), bowling, and Detroit Tigers baseball, spur of the moment ice cream runs with the grandkids and quiet things like reading, quilting, crafting, flower gardening, and decorating cakes.
Harriet is survived by her children, Cathy (Michael) Larson, Laurie Savage, Sally (Mark) Coleman, Terri (Gary) Ross, Robin (Michael) McCain, and Kim Artibee; grandchildren, Jennifer Crane, Lisa Volz, Keith Ross, Deja Chavez, Staci Lowe, Jason Artibee, Matthew McCain, Joeph McCain, Rachel Hayes, Ann Larson, Rebecca Coleman, Tyler Larson, and Bailey Coleman; 12 great-grandchildren; sister, Dorothy (Jerry) Tegethoff; sisters-in-law, Patricia Nicol and Diana Boyce. She was predeceased by her first husband, James Sinclair; second husband, Roy (Harold) Eitniear; sons-in-law, Theo Savage and Richard Artibee; her parents; and siblings, Barbara Matthews, Beverly Beals, Jean Neubert, Herman Durbin Jr., Aletha Beals, and Kathryn Tegetoff.
Friends are encouraged to support Harriet’s family by attending services or sharing memories (especially pictures of the quilts she had made) on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, October 3, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. Visitation will be held just prior to the service from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. The funeral will be webcast so you may watch it from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device that has internet access. Go to www.prayfuneral.com, click on Harriet’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 Sycamore Creek Food Pantry. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.