Obituaries
Pauline May
Pauline May, age 80, of Nacogdoches, Texas passed away peacefully surrounded by her family at her daughter’s home in Charlotte, Michigan, on May 21, 2022. Pauline was born to Herbert and Dilia (Phipps) Goins on April 12, 1942, in Salem, Indiana. She spent her growing up years and attended school in Rogersville, Tennessee. On August 25, 1960, she married the love of her life, William May, in Lansing, Michigan. They had enjoyed almost 52 years of together when William passed away in 2012.
Pauline was a family lady. She loved her children, sisters, and brothers, but she especially adored her grandchildren. The family would like to give special recognition to Bobby Ecker, Pauline’s step-grandson, for the special care he gave to his grandmother in her final months. Even though she only attended school through the 8th grade, she did not let that stop her in living a full life. In later years Pauline went back to college and took the necessary courses and became a licensed minister. She officiated at the weddings of several family members and friends. Pauline also had a real heart for the less fortunate ones in life. She involved herself in prison ministry; ministering to the spiritual needs of incarcerated women. One of Pauline’s many passions was Elvis. She loved Elvis’s music and collecting Elvis memorabilia. She will be deeply missed by those who were fortunate to know her.
Those surviving her are her children, Dale May from Missouri, Tony May from Texas, Penny (Ken Ecker) from Charlotte, Michigan; step-children, Glen, Danny, and Linda; eight grandchildren, two great grandchildren; sisters, Shirley and Jenny; special friend, Jackie Elam; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, William; her sisters, Mary and Edith; her brothers, Ray, Will, Herbert Jr., and Jerry.
Following Pauline’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at a later date.
Those desiring may make contributions in Pauline’s honor to Sparrow Hospice, 1322 E. Michigan Ave., Suite 204, Lansing, MI 48912.
To view Pauline’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, Charlotte, Michigan.
Sharon Miller Young
Sharon Jeanne (Royston) Miller Young, 78, of Charlotte, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 14, 2022. Sharon was born May 3, 1944, in Charlotte, Michigan, the youngest child of Lester and Leeta (Parr) Royston. Sharon married Murl Miller on June 17, 1961, and together they raised 5 kids, Murl, Brian, Sue, Ken and Mistelle. She spent many years providing childcare to countless kids, many calling her grandma Sharon. She later became an Avon lady to many, until she had a stroke in 2010. She married her second husband Lewis Young in 2006.
Sharon was preceded in death by her parents, Lester and Leeta; siblings, Anna Mae, Ernam, Vernon, Gordon, and Elaine; her husband, Murl; and daughter, Sue Ann.
She is survived by her children, Murl Jr. (Kris Ann), Brian, Ken (Marcia), and Mistelle (Kelly); grandchildren, Clint (Bethany), Justin (Nikki), Nicholas (Leila), Geoff, Hunter, Nicole and Ryan; eight great grandchildren; her second husband, Lewis Young; honorary granddaughters, Amanda and Emily; special friend, Sherian (Ralph) Patterson; many nieces and nephews, sisters and brothers-in-law. The family would like to thank Lewis and Lisa Fox for caring for mom over the last 12 years and ECHAR’s staff for providing care the last eight months.
Friends are encouraged to support Sharon’s family by sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Funeral Service was held on Friday, May 20, 2022, at Pray Funeral Home with Pastor Randy Royston officiating. Interment took place in Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the March of Dimes. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Alfred Hill
Alfred V. Hill, age 97, of Charlotte, passed away into the arms of his Savior on Thursday, May 19, 2022. He was born September 15, 1924, in Lansing, the son of John and Edith (Ebel) Hill. Al graduated from Potterville High School in 1943. Soon after graduating he was drafted into the United States Navy and proudly served his country in WWII. After WWII Al also served in Korea as a Seabee. He was active in attending his Seabee reunions throughout the years. Family was of the utmost importance to Al and he enjoyed spending their summers up on Beaver Island. Al also enjoyed pheasant hunting in the fall, flying his Cessna 180, and his many traveling adventures.
Al is survived by his daughter, Gail Sleeman of Charlotte; step-children: Gail Kenyon, Michael (Maryellen) Cherry, Laural Cherry, Sheryl Forsyth; granddaughter, Chelsea (Andrew) Koenigsknecht; great grandson, Dylan Koenigsknecht; step-grandchildren: Lindsay (Keith) Moore, Stacey (Sean) McKellip; step-great-grandchildren: Paige, Broc, Dylan, Piper, Dillon; two nieces; several cousins; and numerous friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wives: Lorene, Frances, Loretta; son, Eric Hill; sister, Jean Dean; and nephew, Robert Dean.
The family would like to thank the staff at Hope Landing in Charlotte for their loving care and kindness shown to Al.
Funeral services were held on Monday, May 23, 2022, at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home with Pastor Pete Kroll officiating. Burial took place at Evergreen Cemetery in Lansing.
Those desiring may make contributions in Al’s memory to Hope Landing or their local VFW Post.
To view Al’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com.
Jack D. Frizzell
Jack D. Frizzell, of Springport, Michigan, went to be with the Lord in the comfort of his home on May 24, 2022, just one day short of his 79th birthday. Services honoring Jack’s life were held on May 27, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at Grace Free Will Baptist Church, with Military Honors at 2:00 p.m. at Tompkins Cemetery in Tompkins Township. Arrangements entrusted to Vickers Springport Funeral Home, 121 Pearl Street/P.O. Box 235, Springport, MI 49284. 517-857-4848.2022, at Woodlawn Cemetery, Vermontville.
Jason Leo Griggs
Jason Leo Griggs of Eaton Rapids, MI passed away unexpectedly on Monday, May 23, 2022, at the age of 48. Jason was born on May 28, 1973, in Eaton Rapids, MI the son of Robert and Nancy (Carr) Griggs. He graduated from Eaton Rapids High School in 1992. Jason worked for Triton Industries in Lansing for the past 10 years where he worked in the manufacturing of Manitou Pontoon boats. He was a hard worker and took pride in every boat that he worked on that came down the line. Jason loved the outdoors, spending time fishing and snowmobiling were some of his favorite activities. He was also an avid sports fan and a diehard U of M enthusiast.
Jason is preceded in death by his father, Bob Griggs, grandparents, Richard and Dorothy Griggs and Neola Bosworth and his uncles, John Griggs and Steve Fitzpatrick.
Surviving is his mother, Nancy Griggs; sister, LeeAnn (Jack) Mesler; special friends, Gerald and Amber Stowell and numerous aunts, cousins and friends.
A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 28, 2022, at Rosehill Cemetery in Eaton Rapids. The family will host a luncheon immediately following the graveside service at Skinner Funeral Home in Eaton Rapids. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the Eaton County Humane Society or to a charity of your choice in memory of Jason. To share memories or leave condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com
Lisa C. Brown
Lisa C. Brown, age 56, of Olivet passed away on May 14, 2022, in Lansing, Michigan.
Lisa was born in Norwich, Connecticut on October 12, 1965, to Sam and Sandy Petty. She studied CCMA at the University of Connecticut, class of 2001. Lisa was employed by the City of Norwich as an Assessment Clerk for 20 years and retired from there in 2003. She relocated to Michigan where she met the love of her life, Tim Brown.
Lisa and Tim were married November 6, 2004, in Norwich and on returning to Olivet, Michigan she began her 18 years of service at the City of Charlotte as an Accounting Clerk and advanced to Deputy City Treasurer. She was also employed part time at Team One Chevrolet Buick GMC as a Front Desk Receptionist until her illness.
Lisa is survived by her husband, Tim, and her mother, Sandy Petty, two stepchildren and their families: Meghan Brown and her children Maddox and Madeline of Oklahoma City, and Sean (Emily) Brown and their children Liam and Logan. Her mother and father-in-law, Skip and Sandy Brown of Eaton Rapids, two brothers-in-law, Skip (Denise) Brown and Tom (Melissa) Brown both of Eaton Rapids and several nieces and nephews. Her father, Sam, preceded her in death.
At Lisa’s request there will be no service. A Celebration of Life will be at held at a later date.
Francis Elwood Squires
Francis Elwood Squires of Falmouth, MI and formerly of Eaton Rapids, MI passed away on Sunday, May 15, 2022, at the age of 93. Francis was born on November 16, 1928, in Eaton Rapids, MI the son of Anzelo and Marie (Blatt) Squires. He was raised in Eaton Rapids, graduating class of 1947. Francis proudly served in the US Army on the Russian Front in Germany during the Korean War. He married Clara Louella Stanton in December of 1952. Francis went to work for Oldsmobile on the yard squad in 1953 and retired in 1983. He was a Scout leader in Nashville, MI, an Assistant Scout leader in Fowlerville, Mi and a member of the Marion VFW Post and past Post Commander. Francis loved the outdoors and enjoyed hunting, fishing and gardening.
He is preceded in death by his parents, wife, Clara and sisters, Phyllis Strang and Verona “Midge” Fletcher.
Surviving are his sons, Bruce Squires, Ronald (Claire) Squires; five grandchildren, eight great grandchildren; sister, Ruthanne Diepenbrock and numerous extended family and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 21, 2022, at Skinner Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids Chapel. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service and host a luncheon immediately following the burial at Rosehill Cemetery. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the VFW Post 6056 in memory of Francis. To share memories or leave condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com
James Elliott Manchester
James Elliott Manchester of Mason, passed away May 15, 2022, at the age of 86. James was born in Lansing, MI, July 22, 1935, the son of Rodney and Frances (Schmidt) Manchester. He worked for Michigan Bell for over 30 years and served as Chief Union Stewart for 25 years before his retirement. James was a dedicated Mason serving as the Past Worthy Patron of Holt Chapter #510 O.E.S. twice in 1984 and 1987, the Past Worthy Patron of Mason Chapter #150 O.E.S. twice in 2006 and 2012, the Grand Representative of Prince Edward Island in Michigan 2011-2014, the Past Worshipful Master of Holt Lodge #572 F&AM, and the Past Worshipful Master of Mason Lodge #70 F&AM. He traveled to every state, enjoyed woodcarving, gardening, was a passionate fisherman and hunter. James was a member of the Eaton Rapids First United Methodist Church, Robbins United Methodist Church, men’s bible study group, and the Grand Ledge Woodcarver’s Association. His favorite saying was, “treat others the way you would like to be treated.” James is survived by his daughters, Pamela (Tom) Bowlin of NM, Shirley (Scott) Croy of Eaton Rapids; son, David (Joan) Manchester of Eaton Rapids; six grandchildren; five great grandchildren; sisters, Lois Verhelle, Beulah Miller; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and wife, Mollie Manchester. Memorial services will be 1 pm Sunday June 5, 2022, at the Masonic Temple in Mason. Memorial contributions may be made to the Mason Order of the Eastern Stars Chapter #150 and the Mason Masonic Lodge #70. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. To leave condolences for the family, please visit our website, www.millsfuneral.com.
Nancy Kathleen Murray
Nancy Kathleen Murray, loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-aunt, and friend of Holland, MI passed away on Sunday, May 8, 2022, at the age of 70. Nancy was born on October 25, 1951, in Bay City, MI, the daughter of Donald E. Murray and Blodwin F. Griffith. She was a 1969 graduate of Holt High School and later when on to graduate Summa cum laude from the University of Michigan with a Masters in Library Science. Nancy served as the Director of the Eaton Rapids Public Library for a decade and retired in 2012. She was passionate about education, reading, gardening, cooking, giving of her time through volunteering, and loved to try new recipes and feed others in large quantity to share with family and friends. She was a member of the First United Methodist Women’s Group, cooked for the Senior Meal, Tulip Time meals for the tour buses, SON (Serving Our Neighbors), United Methodist Women’s Bazaar, and served as one of the crew at Community Kitchen with the First United Methodist Church, Holland, MI. Nancy is preceded in death by her parents, Donald E. Murray and Blodwin F. Griffith, and older sister, Lorraine Brown. She is survived her stepmother, Diane Murray, children, Meganne Duchesne (Craig Russell), Ginger Glade (David McHugh), and Karen Bowerman (Larry Furguson), grandchildren, Jordan Stovall, Alyssa Glade, great-grandson, Gabriel Stovall; sibling, Susan Weber, many nieces, nephews, and her sweet Scottish terrier, Stetson. A memorial for Nancy is being held at a later date. The family is being served by Lakeshore Memorial Services. To leave condolence, share memories, and more information, please visit www.lakeshorememorial.com. For those desiring memorial contributions, may be made to the First United Methodist Church or the Herrick District Library of Holland, MI in memory of Nancy.
Carol Landes
Carol Landes, born on February 11, 1941, passed away on May 14, 2022. Graveside Service was held on Tuesday, May 17, 2022, at Woodlawn Cemetery, Vermontville