Obituaries
Maxine J. Zenker
Maxine J. Zenker of Eaton Rapids, passed away on Saturday, July 23, 2022, at the age of 94. Born May 27, 1928, to Fred and Lorena (Cane) Stierley in Eaton Rapids, Michigan. Maxine was a graduate of Eaton Rapids High School class of ’46 and went on to attend Lansing Beauty School. She later opened her own Beauty Shop in Eaton Rapids where she operated her business. For years she was a part of the Extensions Club in Eaton Rapids. Maxine was quite artistic and enjoyed painting. She loved gardening and spending time outside doing yardwork. Maxine was a good cook and hosted many family holiday gatherings and Sunday dinners. She was loved by many and will be missed dearly by all who remember her. Preceding her in death were her husband of 61 years, Vaughn Zenker as well as her parents.
Surviving are her two children, Steve (Shey) Zenker, Jill (Tom) Paine; grandchildren, Nicki Zenker, Kiersten Paine, Andrew (Felisha) Paine; great grandson, Emerson Zenker Paine and one great granddaughter on the way.
A private graveside service will be held for Maxine. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Eaton Community Palliative Care in Maxine’s name. To share memories and condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
Jose Sanchez Cantu III
Jose Sanchez Cantu, III of Eaton Rapids, MI went to be with his Lord and Savior on July 13, 2022, at the age of 52. Joe was born on January 28, 1970, in Lansing, MI the son of Jose Cantu and Evelyn Rials. Joe lived in Florida for a short period of his youth but was mostly raised in Lansing. He worked as a brick layer for L & M Masonry and as a mechanic for Williams Farm Machinery. Joe enjoyed fishing and was an avid U of M athletics fan. He loved tinkering in his garage and fixing up old cars and welding miniature tractor and car replicas from scratch. Joe had a huge heart for animals and especially loved his boxer dogs, Sonny and Sugar.
He is preceded in death by his parents and Reané Rials and April Rials.
Joe is survived by his wife, Cheri Cantu; sons, Jose Cantu IV, Jesus Cantu; nieces, Starla Colter, Robbie Jo Malcolm, Maranda (Tyler) Bashore; mother and father-in-law, Gary and Ruth Clarke, and sister-in-law, Suzi Clarke.
A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 30, 2022 at First Baptist Church in Eaton Rapids. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the family of Jose Cantu to help with final expenses or to the Eaton County Humane Society in memory of Joe. To share memories or leave condolences please visit www.skinnerfuneralhomes.com.
Ivan Lee Bunker
Ivan Lee Bunker of Mason, formerly of Eaton Rapids, passed away July 16, 2022, at the age of 76. Ivan was born in Eaton Rapids, September 19, 1945, the son of Oscar and Clorah (Brininstool) Bunker. He attended Everett High School, class of 1965. Ivan briefly worked for Howard Johnson’s and also worked at MSU as a custodian for 42 years before retiring. His hobbies included fishing, hunting, watching the Tigers and all MSU Spartan Sports. The family would like to thank Tim and Mindy Hertzfeld, Brenda Fletcher and special co-worker, Robin for the loving care and attention they showed to Ivan.
Ivan is survived by his sisters, Carol (George) Hertzfeld, Darla Tody; brother, Ruhl Bunker; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Estina Disbrow, Lillian Darnell, Florence Lauck and brothers, Elmer Flaugher. Daniel (Betty) Bunker.
Funeral services were held Thursday, July 21, 2022, at the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids with interment following in Greenwood Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Shriners. To leave online condolences for the family please visit our website, www.millsfuneral.com.
Kay Janet Carstens
Kay Janet Carstens, 81, of Maynard, Massachusetts, passed away in the home of her niece, Elizabeth Peters, her husband, Jamie Peters, and their son, Thomas Peters in Lecompton, Kansas, in the early morning of July 15, 2022. She passed peacefully with family and her cat, Sissy, by her side. Kay was a beloved daughter, sister, aunt, and great aunt. She was born June 27, 1941, in Detroit, Michigan, to Arthur W. and Ethel Carstens. With courage, Kay fought a tough battle with Alzheimer’s and other medical issues most recently.
Kay is predeceased by her younger sister, Carole Diana Boulton; father and mother, Arthur and Ethel Carstens; and great niece, Kate Elizabeth Boulton.
Kay is survived by her brother-in-law, John Berry Boulton; nieces: Elizabeth (Jamie Peters), Sarah-Sally, Lisa, Hannah, Maggie; nephews: Mathew (Tammy), Michael (Laura), Jonathan (India), Christopher, Rane, Joshua; and great nieces and nephews: Madison, Drew, Emma, Jane, Jack, Sarah, Thomas, Austin, Aiden, Henry, and Chase.
As children, Kay and Carole excelled in school at Flint and Eaton Rapids, Michigan schools, and both attended Michigan State University, where Kay graduated with bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Kay first spent time in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado working as an editor before moving east to Massachusetts to follow her interest in publishing. She enjoyed many years as a writer and editor. Kay enjoyed and took pride in her work with the New England Journal of Medicine at the Mass Medical Society. She also free-lanced as a writer for many travel publications. Her medical interests led her to teach courses in medical terminology at Bunker Hill Community College.
Kay adored her baby sister, Carole, and much like her younger sister, opened up her heart to the big, adopted family of nieces and nephews her sister Carole and husband John grew. Christmas holidays were Kay’s absolute favorite, and she joined her sister’s family at most every holiday season. She adored gift giving and receiving, and her smile brightened the room on Christmas mornings. Kay loved her sister Carole’s cooking and was always caught sampling long before mealtime but always with a smile and a thank you. If Kay was not in view while visiting friends and family, she could be found cozied up in bed or on a big chair fireside with a good book and a snack, as she was an avid reader. Besides her love of books, she was an outdoorswoman to the core. She kayaked, hiked, cross-country skied, and gardened her way through life.
Kay was fully embraced by the vibrant community of women that became her East Coast family. She was always ready to enjoy an adventure or discuss a book with her book club, Bookwomyn, that she belonged to for over 30 years. She had too many friends to mention by name but spoke of each often and with great fondness. Kay loved when friends accompanied her on her hikes, skiing, and kayak trips down the river or to the lakeside. She was always generous with her time and treasures, participated in AIDS walks, helped sustain animal shelters near and far, and contributed joyfully to the local food pantries.
She was loved and welcomed wherever she went. As we bid farewell to Kay, many will remember her independent solid nature, strengths, and limitless love for her family, friends, animals, and books. We will cherish the memories that she has given us all. She will be forever missed.
A celebration of life will be held later and hosted by best friend Lois Tetreault in Maynard, Massachusetts.
A Little Free Library will be placed in her honor. In lieu of flowers and in honor of the warm-hearted woman Kay was, please contribute to Open Table Food Pantry in Maynard, Massachusetts, or Baypath Humane Society in Hopkinton, Massachusets.
Idella Mae Krawczyk
Idella Mae Krawczyk of Eaton Rapids, MI passed away on July 12, 2022 at the age of 89. Idella was born on May 17, 1933 in Lehr, North Dakota, the youngest of 13 children born to John and Emelia (Becker) Miller. She moved to Michigan and married Theodore Krawczyk in 1958. Idella was very proud of the fact that she went back to school and graduated with her GED from Eaton Rapids at the age of 68. She worked as a waitress all her life, working for the Keg Bar and Rivers Edge in Eaton Rapids and at restaurants in Ft. Myers while she and Ted were wintering in Florida. Idella also enjoyed playing bingo, taking trips to the casino and was a talented, self-taught pianist.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Theodore Krawczyk; son, Charles A. Robart and 12 siblings.
Surviving are her children, Linda (Mike) Cunningham, Larry Krawczyk, Rose Marie Gleason; 10 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, one great great grandchild and numerous nieces and nephews.
A private graveside service will be held at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens in Dimondale. The family will host a memorial reception at Robin’s Nest Restaurant, 6053 S. Clinton Trail, Eaton Rapids, MI 48827, on Monday, July 25, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. To share memories or leave condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
Carl Joseph Belfiori II
Carl Joseph Belfiori II, passed away peacefully July 12, 2022 at Sparrow Hospital. Born to Joseph “Bebop” and Helen “Noni” (Palmer) Belfiori on February 13, 1955, he was 67 years old. From a large Italian family raised on the east side of Detroit, Carl was a veteran of the United States Army and a retired corrections officer for the State of Michigan. After making Eaton Rapids his home for over 30 years, he was actively involved with the Knights of Columbus, enjoyed card playing and trivia, his weekly golf league and spending time with his friends over beers watching Spartan football.
Carl is survived by his sister, Maria (Paul) Clos, and brother, Michael (Shellie) Belfiori; nephews, Dolan, Ian, Paulie, Brandon, Carl, Ben, Jeffrey; nieces, Evey, Helen, Amy, Cherie, Chelsea, “Little” Ev; and many cousins.
Predeceased by both his parents, brother Joseph, sisters Evey, Gina, Louise, Valerie, and many cousins, aunts and uncles.
Everyone will miss Carl’s smile, laugh and his genuine personality. He will be missed by many friends and family in Michigan. A memorial service with military honors will be held at Rosehill Cemetary on West St. in Eaton Rapids on Saturday, July 23, 2022 at 11 a.m. with a picnic immediately following at the G.A.R Island Park downtown. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Fraternal Order of Police or the VFW. To share memories and condolences, please visit Skinnerfuneralhome.com.
Dawn Annette (Livingston) Collier
Dawn Collier, 64, passed away on Saturday, May 21, 2022 in Alabama. She was born in Charlotte, Michigan on October 23, 1957 to Richard and Betty (Stevens) Livingston. Dawn graduated from Bellevue High School in 1976. She did upholstering for many years. She liked drawing, gardening and making goodies for family and friends. Her mother Betty and father Richard; brother Timothy; and her grandparents precede her in death. She is survived by her husband, Jim Collier; her stepchildren Angie, Mike, and Diana; sisters, April Garcia, Wanda (Steve) Lahr, and Janet (Roland) Parker; and brothers, Olin (Alice) Gleason, Melvin (Beth) Gleason and Robert Livingston. Lots of grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Service was provided by Pine Rest Funeral Home in Foley, Alabama
Thomas J. Ellison
Thomas J. Ellison, 71, of Vermontville passed on July 18, 2022. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home.
Lonnie Wolfe
Lonnie James Wolfe, 82, of Charlotte, died Friday, July 15, 2022. Lonnie was born December 18, 1939, in Lansing, the son of Forrest and Fern (Hawk) Wolfe. On November 21, 1959, Lonnie married the love of his life, Grace Miller, and they would spend the next 62 years creating their legacy. He was a devout Christian and was a member of the Crossroads United Brethren Church in Charlotte. Lonnie worked for 35 plus years with Gra-Bell Truck Lines, logging over one million miles on the road, traveling through most states except for Hawaii and Alaska. Following his retirement, Lonnie could be found just about each morning at AL!VE doing his morning workout and grabbing coffee after with the Brew Crew. His hobbies included farming in his early years, woodworking, playing Liverpool Rummy with his family, tending to his rose bush, and helping those in need. Above all his proudest accomplishment in his life was his marriage to Grace and their family.
Lonnie is survived by his wife, Grace; children, Jodie Wolfe, Mark (Jan) Wolfe, Lee (Dee) Wolfe; grandchildren, Autumn Martin, Michael (Nicole Maldonado) Martin, Jonathan Wolfe, Heather (Wyatt) Burleson, Caleb (Mike Melichar) Wolfe; great-grandchildren, Sophie, Hannah, and Catalina Michelle; siblings, Betty Merriott, Janet (Pete) Sherman, Linda (Joe) Shihady; sisters-in-law, Cheryl Miller, and Becky (Joe) Hinton; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family members. He was predeceased by his parents, and his brothers, Dannie Wolfe and Dennis Wolfe.
Friends are encouraged to support Lonnie’s family by sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Funeral services were held Wednesday, July 20, 2022, at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. 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 Lonnie’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 AL!VE, Charlotte Helping Hands or the Eaton Community Palliative Care. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Jacqueline Myrtle Hume
Jacqueline Myrtle Hume of Eaton Rapids, passed away peacefully, July 16, 2022, at the age of 94. Jackie was born in Detroit, MI, October 24, 1927, the daughter of Reginald and Irene (Robinson) Scott. She transported special needs children to school and was a school bus driver. Her hobbies included painting, crocheting, square dancing, traveling and making pies.
Jackie is survived by her sons, David (Julie) Hume and Robert Hume; daughter-in-law, Carol Hume; grandchildren, Matthew Hume, Steven (Kelly) Hume, Paul (Angela) Hume, Kristy (Kyle) Grinold and Cutter Hume; great grandchildren, Lena, Grant, Kiley, and Jonah; and a niece and nephew. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Hume; son, Malcolm Hume; sister, Marilyn Kasper.
Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m., July 30, 2022, at the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. Memorial contributions may be made to the Jean Bradford Kline Senior Center, 201 Grand St, Eaton Rapids, MI 48827. To leave online condolences for the family, please visit our website, www.millsfuneral.com.