Obituaries
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.
Larry Lee Masters
Larry Lee Masters, age 70, of Charlotte passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 9, 2023, at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing. He was born August 16, 1952, at Hayes Green Beach Hospital in Charlotte, the son of Robert and Doris (Lynd) Masters. Larry graduated from Olivet High School with the class of 1970. On June 26, 1971, he married the love of his life, Kathleen Sue Rockwell. Larry adored his wife and family and cherished spending time together with them. He was a soft-spoken man. He had a huge heart and was always generous with whatever he had. Since he was a child, Larry had an affinity for muscle cars. Larry also enjoyed weightlifting in his younger years. He worked for Oldsmobile in Lansing for 30 years before retiring in 2000.
Larry is survived by his wife of 51 years, Kathleen; children: Patricia (Douglas) Cain of Daytona, Florida, Laura (Paul) Brown of Howell, Eric Masters of Charlotte; and granddaughter, Kristin (Tyler Crumrine) Hydon.
He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Shirley Rinckey, and David Masters; and numerous aunts and uncles.
In keeping with Larry’s wishes cremation has taken place and a graveside service will be held at Bosworth Cemetery at a later date.
Those desiring may make contributions in Larry’s memory to the Eaton County Humane Society, 129 N. Main St., Olivet, MI 49076.
To view Larry’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com.
The family is being served by the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home.
Delores Emma Carleton
Delores “Nork” Emma Carleton, age 87, passed away in her home peacefully on Tuesday, March 7, 2023.
She was born on November 1, 1935, on her family farm in Convis Township to Frank and Emma (Jones) Masters. In her younger years, she spent a lot of time with her mother and father on the farm. She was the youngest of seven children, having one sister and five brothers. Delores went to the country school until 8th grade and later graduated from Olivet High School in 1954. She then later found the love of her life, Ken Carleton and they were married on August 8, 1955. After high school, she worked at IGA grocery store until 1956. She later worked at State Farm for 13 years as a lead key punch operator. In between she became a stay-at-home mom until her kids were all in school. She then worked at Olivet Community Schools for 22 years and retired in 1999. Delores was such a smart, hardworking, passionate wife, mother, and grandmother.
Delores bowled on the Moose League with her husband, Ken, every other Saturday night and later bowled with her daughters on the Women’s League. She enjoyed gardening, reading, dancing, playing piano, putting puzzles together, drawing, playing card games, and being with her kids and grandkids. She also had much love for her animals.
Her beautiful life will forever be cherished in the lives of her children, Ken “Randy” (Dawn) Carleton of Olivet, Karen (Trevor Greenman) Lewallen of Tekonsha, and Kevin (Heidi) Carleton of Shelbyville, Indiana; six grandchildren Christie, Erin, Nicholas, Haley, Blake, and Baylee; and six great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Kenneth, and daughter Karla Carleton.
Funeral services were held on Monday, March 13, 2023, at Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services, 723 US Hwy 27 N, Marshall, Michigan 49068 with Pastor Jack Brown officiating. Burial took place at Bosworth Cemetery in Olivet, Michigan.
Memorials are suggested to the Calhoun County Human Society, 165 Union St. S., Battle Creek, Michigan 49014.
Please visit https://www.kempffuneralhome.com to view the online obituary, sign the online guest book or to leave the family condolences.