Obituaries
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.