Obituaries
John A. Evanson
John A. Evanson, age 63, of Brownton, Minnesota, formerly of Mason, Michigan, passed away on Tuesday, February 21, 2023, at his home. Memorial Service was held Saturday, March 4, 2023, at Dobratz-Hantge Funeral Chapel in Hutchinson, Minnesota with Pastor Allen Gislason officiating. Interment will follow at a later date in Oak Grove Cemetery in Brownton.
John Allen Evanson was the devoted father of Anna and Nic, the center and loves of his life. He was a dedicated and enthusiastic teacher and coach. Two of his sixth graders were rewarded in Washington DC for their creative history projects and his wrestling team celebrated their success by shaving John’s head!
John was compassionate, sweet, and fun-loving, with a hearty laugh and a zest for living. He loved his family and friends and was a passionate advocate for others, often expressed in his political beliefs. John was forced to retire early and relocate to live with his mother in Minnesota. His medical condition required dialysis treatments three times a week and he was blessed with excellent care at the Fresenius Medical Center in Hutchinson. Thanks to all their wonderful staff!
Relocation also meant that John would reconnect with many of his college rugby teammates and friends from his years at Mankato State University (now known as University of Minnesota, Mankato). Their friendship sustained and supported him through his medical challenges. Thanks to each and every one of you!
Olive and Robert feel blessed to have had the past six years with John. The brothers would spend the day together, often searching for unique ethnic restauranteurs where they could laugh and talk together. John was a loving son, a challenging cribbage player, a creative woodworker and stain glass artist, an adventurous cook, as well as Olive’s computer guru and encyclopedic resource of information (historical, scientific, and trivial!). John, you will be missed! May you rest in peace.
John is survived by his daughter, Anna; son, Nic (Emma); three grandchildren, Sara, Everett, and Alice; mother, Olive Evanson; brother, Robert (Sheila); three nieces and nephews, James, Tara, and Ross; and many loving aunts, uncles, and cousins.
John is preceded in death by his father, Everett Evanson; and grandparents.
Our thanks to the Brownton Rescue Squad for their excellent care, to the Dobratz-Hantge Funeral Chapel, and to the wonderful persons who have sent their condolence.
Online obituaries and guest book available at www.hantge.com.
Boyd M. Crannell
Boyd M. Crannell, age 83, formerly of Charlotte, Michigan passed away March 2, 2023. Visitation is Sunday, March 12 from 3-6 p.m. at Henry’s Funeral Home, Battle Creek, Mich. Military honors at Ft. Custer in Augusta, Mich. on Monday, March 13 at 1:30 p.m. Further details may be found online at www.henryfuneralhome.org.
James (Bud) Martin Haley
A good man died this week.
James (Bud) Martin Haley of Eaton Rapids, passed away peacefully at the age of 101, March 8, 2023. Bud was born in Detroit, MI, January 10, 1922, the son of John and Emily (Stewart) Haley. He was an Army Veteran during WWII, earning three Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart. Bud was a hunter, a laborer, a merchant, a soldier, a skilled tradesman, a card player, a square dancer, a shoe repair man and a million other things. Most of all, he was a family man, a good neighbor, and a real friend to those who knew him well. The family would like to thank the staff at Island City Assisted Living for the love and care that they showed to Bud for the past ten and a half years.
Bud is survived by his son, Jerry (Kristine) Haley of Charlotte; daughter-in-law, Nancy Haley of Springport; grandchildren, Kevin (Kelly) Haley, Karen (Brian) Lantz, Fonda Byer, James Haley, Tony Haley, James Terry and Stephen Terry; several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; brothers, John Haley Jr., Michael Haley; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Betty Haley; son, Richard Haley; brothers, Bill Haley and Louis Haley; sisters, Doris Gordon, Eleanor Spotts, JoAnne Justvig and Josephine Roberts.
Funeral services with military honors will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 14, 2023, at the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel with interment following in Rosehill Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. and Tuesday, one hour prior to the service. Memorial contributions may be made to the VFW National Home for Children. To leave condolences for the family, please visit our website, www.millsfuneral.com.
Kevin Duane DeFrates
Kevin Duane DeFrates of Ionia, age 71, passed away on February 28, 2023. Service will be on Saturday, March 4, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Pray Funeral Home.
Wanona E. Hathcox
Wanona E. Hathcox, age 94, of Peoria, Arizona passed away on Saturday, February 18, 2023. She was born in Charlotte, Michigan on January 15, 1929 to the late Myrl and Effie (Shumaker) Dillon of Olivet/Charlotte and Grayling, Michigan.
Buriel took place at National Memorial Cemetery in Phoenix, Arizona.
Catherine M. S. Giampolo
Catherine M. S. Giampolo, passed away after a long battle with Alzheimer’s on February 21, 2023, at the age of 86. Catherine was born on August 18, 1936, in New York. She loved to travel, watch sunsets and care for animals. Catherine’s hobbies included crafting, stitching and beading.
Catherine is survived by her son, Cooper Earl; grandchildren: Joshua Earl, Samantha (Mira) Connelly, and Patrick Sjolander; great grandson, Braeden Earl; and daughter-in-law, Marie Kelly. She was preceded in death by her parents, Dorothy Todd and David Morris; husband, Benjamin Surrick; daughter, Cathie Sjolander; and brother John Morris.
No services are planned at this time. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the ASPCA by going to their website: https://www.aspca.org in loving memory of Catherine. The family is being served by the Mills Funeral Home, Peters & Murray Chapel, Grand Ledge.
Cyril Mack Steele
Cyril Mack Steele of Eaton Rapids, MI passed away on Tuesday, February 21, 2023, at the age of 78. Cyril was born on July 19, 1944 in Eaton Rapids, MI the son of William J. and Mary (Bollman) Steele. He proudly served in the United States Army during the Korean War. Cyril worked as the manager for the Checker Gas Station in Eaton Rapids, at Lightner Industries in Leslie, Springport Steel and Comprehensive Logistics.
Cyril is preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Tina Steele; and brothers, Gordon Steele, and Allen Steele.
He is survived by his wife of 22 years, Julie (Gutierrez) Steele; sons, Nathan Steele, Thomas (Veronica) Steele; grandchildren, Versavene, Jordan, T.J.; sister, Vickie Strader; brother, Bill (Betty) Steele; and numerous great grand-children, nieces, and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 21, 2023, at the Eaton Rapids Conservation Club. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the Eaton County Humane Society in memory of Cyril. To share memories or leave online condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
Aaron Lee Hollingsworth
Aaron Lee Hollingsworth of Eaton Rapids, MI passed away on Thursday, February 23, 2023, at the age of 29. Aaron was born on May 24, 1993, in Lansing, MI the son of Bud Hollingsworth and Kimberly (Kussro) Hollingsworth. He was raised in Eaton Rapids where he graduated class of 2012. Aaron attended LCC where he received training to become a certified nurse’s aide and worked in that field throughout the area. He later went to work in manufacturing and worked for Linn Products in Charlotte, TRMI and was currently employed with TAC Manufacturing in Jackson, MI. Aaron was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting and fishing. He loved taking long road trips, working on cars and writing and performing his own music, which he went by the stage name of “Crazy Eyes.”
Aaron is preceded in death by his mother and father. Surviving is his wife, Kayelin Hollingsworth; daughters, Ryleeh Hollingsworth, Harper Hollingsworth; step-daughter, Levaeh; brother, William (Kymberlee) Kussro; sister, Rebecca Kussro; grandma, Leola Kussro; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Matt and Linda Meehleder; nieces, Mckayla and Chelsea; and several aunts, uncles and extended family and friends.
No services are planned at this time. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the family in care of, Kayelin Hollingsworth. To share memories or leave online condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
Rodney Bird Rogers
Rodney Bird Rogers of Eaton Rapids, MI passed away on Sunday, February 26, 2023, at the age of 66 after a courageous battle with cancer. Rodney was born on February 5, 1957, in Lansing, MI the son of James and Ordelia (Fisher) Rogers. He was raised in Eaton Rapids where he graduated from high school class of 1975. Rodney went to work for General Motors in 1977 and worked there until his retirement in 2008. He also spent the last few years as the manager of maintenance at the Eaton Rapids Carwash. Rodney was a diehard U of M and Detroit Tigers fan. He enjoyed playing cards, golfing, bowling and spending time outdoors, working in his yard, or tending to his garden.
He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Jimmie Rogers and sisters-in-law, Stella Schray, Lucinda Krepps, and Gerelene Keeder.
Surviving is his wife, Christine Rogers; children, Christy (Joshua) Toole, Valerie Rogers, Amanda Rogers, Levi Rogers; grandchildren, Desmond Cook, Jaden, Sterling, Trent, and Destiny Hyde, Dakota Heinlein, Hailee Hipsher, Eliana Toole; sister, Trudy (Merrill) Shelden; brother-in-law, Bob (Chris) Goodenough; sister-in-law, Patricia (David) Lambert; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 11, 2023, at Skinner Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids chapel. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday, March 10, 2023, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the family in care of Christine Rogers. To share memories or leave online condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
Donald Dean Janecke
Donald Dean Janecke of Eaton Rapids, age 85, passed away, peacefully by family, Sunday, February 26, 2023. He entered the U.S. Navy in September of 1955 and was honorably discharged in September of 1961. Upon discharge he worked for Diamond Reo then continued on with the City of Lansing until retirement. After retirement, he helped his in-laws W. John (Thelma) Hilliard with the family farm. Don and his wife built the current home where he later developed the land and the many cherished memories and time with his kids and grandchildren. His favorite things to do was literally anything that the six grandchildren were doing, mainly cutting wood, fishing and swimming. In the later years watching the grandchildren hunting the family property and riding dirt bikes. He was a lifetime member of the Michigan United Conservation Clubs and the National Rifle Association.
He is survived and cherished by his wife of 61 years, Elizabeth; two daughters, Vicki Carpenter (James Hunt) and Lisa Janecke; his brother, Robert Janecke; sisters, Sue Janecke, Linda (Barry) Crites and Patricia (Raymond) Bodell; brothers-in-law, Keith Swathwood and Kenneth (Them) Hilliard; sister-in-law Phyllis (Philip) Brooks; his loving grandchildren: Ted Carpenter (April), Taylor Carpenter, Victoria Carpenter (Garland Cook), Brian Hunt, Brittany Hunt, Shelly Janecke, Mark Janecke and Bradly Janecke; his great-grandchildren: Raeanna (Tanner), Joshua (Alysha) and Payton; his great great-grandchildren: Lily, Bensen, Baby C, and Quinn; godchildren: Daniel Swathwood, Annette Daniels and James Janecke; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Loraine Janecke; his brothers, John Janecke and Paul Janecke; his sisters, Betty Swathwood and Nancy Janecke; sister-in-law, Linda Janecke.
The family would like to express their extreme gratitude and thanks to McLaren Hospice for their compassionate care, especially nurses Kimberly and Katrina.
Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers can be made to the Calvary Lutheran Church (10500 Plains Road, Eaton Rapids, MI 48827).
Visitation will be on Monday, March 6, 2023, from 6-8 p.m. Funeral service will be Tuesday, March 7, 2023 at 11 a.m. at Skinner Funeral Home (315 S. River Street, Eaton Rapids, MI 48827). To share memories or leave condolences please visit www.skinnerfuneralhomes.com.