Obituaries
Judith Kay Tink
Judith “Judy” Kay Tink of St. Johns, formerly of Eaton Rapids, passed away surrounded by her family, March 19, 2023, at the age of 80. Judy was born in Kalamazoo, MI, January 30, 1943, the daughter of Harland and Barbara (Weber) Kelley. She retired from the Michigan Health and Hospital Association in 2008 with 25 years of service. Judy enjoyed crocheting, knitting, playing bingo, gardening, canning, and working on puzzles. She volunteered at Heart and Hands, was a member of the First United Methodist Church and involved with the Stephen’s Ministries.
Judy is survived by her children, Lisa Ulman, Steve (Sue) Tink, Laura (Ross) Phillips, Scott (Julie) Tink; 10 Grandchildren, nine great grandchildren; sister, Merry Lou Scalzo. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Daniel Tink; son, Samuel Tink; sisters, Dixie Drewett, Beverly Coulon.
Funeral services were Thursday, March 23, 2023, at the First United Methodist Church, Eaton Rapids. Memorial contributions may be made to the Michigan Special Olympics or Heart and Hands. To leave condolences for the family, please visit our website, www.millsfuneral.com.
Martin Arthur Husby
Martin Arthur Husby of Potterville, passed away March 17, 2023, at the age of 66. Marty was born in Lansing, September 15, 1956, the son of Charles and Helen (Hawley) Husby. He was a 1974 graduate of Eaton Rapids High School. Marty worked for Hal Clark Tailors in Lansing and was “Mr. Marty” the water safety instructor for Eaton Rapids, Charlotte and Holt Schools, proudly instructing thousands of his little fishies. He enjoyed watching and learning things from the Discovery Channel, bird watching, and gardening. Marty was most of all a family man that shared his laughs, hugs, tears and love with his large family. He will be greatly missed by all of them along with his pets and friends.
Marty is survived by his wife, Nila Husby; children, Heidi (Matt) Kirchen of Charlotte, Laurah (Kate and Chris) Calligan of Warren, Charles Husby of Lansing, Trisha (R. Adam) Lentz of Potterville, Jessica (Tim) David of Bath, Adam (Hannah) Husby of Grand Rapids; grandchildren, Courtney, Tanner, Montgomery, Zander, Dylan, Camdyn, Arthur, Christopher, Daniel, Isaac, Wyatt, Ella and Sawyer; sisters, Christine Hays, Amy Richter; brother, Thomas (Patricia) Husby; numerous nieces and nephews; his dogs, Little Girl Sprout, Ruby “Ru”; his cats, Vallie, Oscar and Chuckie. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law, Gordon Hays.
Memorial services will be 11 a.m., Tuesday, March 28, 2023, at the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel with visitation one hour prior to the service. Memorial contributions may be made to the family to help with funeral expenses. To leave condolences for the family please visit our website, www.millsfuneral.com.
Donald Leroy Bowerman
Donald Leroy Bowerman, age 66, of Vermontville, Michigan, passed away on March 7, 2023, at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing.
Don was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan on May 8, 1956. He graduated from Harry Hill High School in Lansing and attended Lansing Community College. He served his country in the United States Navy for four years. He was united in marriage with Laura (Berry) Bowerman on July 12, 1996. Don retired in 2016, having worked in construction and later as a building maintenance technician in Lansing.
Don is survived by his loving wife Laura; his three sons, Eric (Andrea), Paul and Greg Bowerman; four grandchildren: Cloe, Zoey, Aleric and Jansen Bowerman; one great-grandchild, Raven Bowerman; his mother, Frances Patterson; and his brother Steven Bowerman.
In his retirement, Don enjoyed spending time with his beloved dogs, riding his beautiful Harley Davidson Night Train, and playing pool in various leagues.
His cremains will be placed in the columbarium at Oakridge Cemetery in Marshall. Arrangements were entrusted to Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services, 723 US Hwy 27 N, Marshall, MI 49068. Please visit https://www.kempffuneralhome.com to view the online obituary, sign the guest book, and leave messages for the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given in Don’s name to the Eaton County Humane Society, P.O. Box 233, Olivet, MI 49076. For assistance with memorials, please visit the funeral home. Memorial donations may also be made on line at https://eatoncountyhumanesociety.org/donate/.
Shalon Lee Kilbourn
Shalon Lee Kilbourn, 37, of St. Johns died unexpectedly on Monday, March 13, 2023. Shalon was born on March 16, 1985, in Lansing, MI, the daughter of Robert Kilbourn and Kerrie (McNary) Fajnor. Her pride and joy were her boys, Micah and Lucas. They enjoyed crafts, anything around the water, and the quality time they had. Shalon enjoyed making others laughs, she was keen for her jokes. Above all Shalon will be missed for the love that she showed to her family.
Shalon is survived by her parents, Robert Kilbourn, and Kerrie Fajnor; sons, Micah and Lucas; boyfriend, Greg Bizupic; siblings, Teresa (Eric) Oswald, Cindy Kilbourn, Leisha Striplin, and Craig Kilbourn. She was predeceased by her brothers, Brian and Shane Kilbourn.
Friends are encouraged to support Shalon’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, March 20, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home with Pastor Andy Shaver officiating. Visitation will be held just prior from 1-2:00 p.m. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
James Allen Hathaway
James “Jim” Allen Hathaway, a man with an endless passion for helping his family and friends, went to be with the Lord March 10, 2023. Jim, 72, of Charlotte was born September 15, 1950, in Chester, Illinois to Harry Hathaway and Cindy (Farmer) Hathaway. He experienced a difficult childhood when his parents died when he was very young, and Jim had to move in with his older siblings. Jim married Norma (Jeannie) Miller on July 12, 1974, and the two enjoyed 37 years of marriage together. Jim retired as a welder from Planet Corp. and maintained employment as a painter, working with his grandson Nick Harp for many years. Nick would remark that he could work circles around the younger workers.
Jim had a passion for many things. He was always helping fix cars, whether they were his or a family member’s. He was known as the “family fix it person,” always available to solve a problem. When called to help fix something or figure out a problem he usually responded, “Give me a minute I’ll be right there.” It didn’t matter whether it was a family member, friend, or stranger, he was willing to help. His spare time was spent hunting or going to local car shows. Probably his favorite pastime was watching WWE Wrestling with his great-grandchildren. He would do almost anything for those great-grandchildren including being their “taxi” to and from school or other events. His family remembers Jim as an adventurous spirit who ziplined for the first time at age 65, and in spite of his fear of water, went sailing on the East Coast. There were also great family memories when he joined his large family on a trip to Orlando with his kids and grandkids.
Jim is survived by his daughters, Tina (Brian) Bateman, and Tammy Sharrock; sons, Timothy (Trina) Imes and Stanley Chaffee; eight grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Norma Jean (Miller) Hathaway; sisters, Mabel Buford, Beverly Little, and Helen Cadwallader, Dean (AJ) Hoffman, Erma Sellars, Rosemary Harden, and Shirley Little; brother Raymond Hathaway, and his parents.
Friends are encouraged to support Jim’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation was 10:00 a.m. to Noon Friday, March 17th, at Pray Funeral Home. Funeral services followed at Noon on Friday, March 17 at Pray Funeral Home Charlotte with Rev Terry LaDuke 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 James tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). In keeping with Jim’s helpful nature desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Helping Hands. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.