Obituaries
Yvonne Evelyn VanDenDriessche
Yvonne Evelyn VanDenDriessche of Eaton Rapids, passed away unexpectedly at home July 26, 2024, at the age of 85. Yvonne was born in Battle Creek, MI, June 6, 1939, the daughter of Robert and Ruth (Johnson) Mayberry. Her parents owned and operated the R and R Snack Bar in Battle Creek, which is where Yvonne started working in the restaurant business before ending up at Bob Evans for over 20 years. Yvonne loved to bake and work on puzzles. Her favorites were Soduko, crossword puzzles and her card table always had a challenging puzzle on it. She was very proud of the fact that when her daughters were young, she went back to school to graduate and earn her diploma. After her husband Joseph’s death in 2012, she remained close with his family which she made her own.
Yvonne is survived by her daughters, Amy (Mike) Chandler of Harlem, GA, Anne (Alan) Grayson of Southfield, MI, Cheryl (Jim) Barch of Crystal Lake, IL, Carrie James of Eaton Rapids, MI; sons, Michael (Alice) Walker of McMillan, MI, Mike Higgs of Twin Lakes, MI;16 grandchildren; special grandchildren, Camiel and Carter; 16 great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband of 36 years, Joseph; son, Danny Adams; grandson, Danny Higgs; brother, Robert Mayberry.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel, with visitation the hour before the service. Burial took place in Oakwood Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made the American Lung Association, 26555 Evergreen Rd Suite 540, Southfield, MI 48076. To leave condolences for the family please visit our website, www.millsfuneral.com.
Van J. Bush
Van J. Bush, 72, of Au Gres, MI, formerly of Eaton Rapids, MI, passed away on Monday, July 22, 2024, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born on March 28, 1952, in Eaton Rapids, MI, Van was the son of Don and Doreen (VanDeusen) Bush.
Van grew up in Eaton Rapids, graduating from high school in the class of 1970. He attended Michigan State University, where he earned a degree in Agriculture. After graduation, Van started a career with General Motors, dedicating his expertise to the skilled trades until his retirement in 2004.
In retirement, Van moved to Au Gres, where he fully embraced his love for the outdoors. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and taking care of his lawn and garden. An avid outdoorsman, Van made numerous trips to northern Michigan and Canada for camping, hiking, and canoeing. He was also passionate about racing and sports, particularly MSU football. In his younger years, he was actively involved with the pit crews at Spartan Speedway and Onondaga Speedway for sprint car races.
Van was a dedicated community member, participating in the Future Farmers of America, the Boy Scouts, and coaching in the Eaton Rapids Youth Football program. Known for his outgoing and social nature, Van could strike up a conversation with anyone. He had a deep love for cars and motorcycles, owning several Corvette models over the years.
Van is preceded in death by his parents and his son, Brad Bush. He is survived by his loving wife, Cathy Bush; children, Luke (Karin) Bush, Alana (Brian) Krull, and Gieselle (Scott) Staub; grandchildren, Ethan, Jake, and Hayden Bush, Donovan and Riley Krull, Owen, Ainsley, and Aubrey Staub; sister, Ranae (John) Phillips; brother, Doug (Lois) Bush; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, July 29, 2024, at Skinner Funeral Home in Eaton Rapids, with visitation beginning at 9:00 AM. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Future Farmers of America (FFA) in memory of Van. To share memories or leave online condolences, please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
Denise Lynn McConnell
Denise Lynn McConnell, 51, of Charlotte, a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away on Thursday, July 18, 2024, in Lansing. Denise was born January 3, 1973, in Charlotte, the daughter of James Augustus and Patricia Ann (Fuller) DuBois. She graduated from Charlotte High School in 1992 and married her life-long love, Dale Patrick McConnell on August 28, 1998. Dale and Denise raised 5 children together, and several grand-dogs and grand-cat. Denise loved to host cookouts for her family and friends, and enjoyed her time baking and preparing meals. She was a passionate and vocal fan of sports, especially her boy, Patrick Mahomes of the KC Chiefs and the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. She also enjoyed Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune. She worked most recently at Lynn Products for 5 years. All who knew Denise will miss her sassy but friendly nature, her ability to genuinely tell it like it is, and her love for family.
Denise is survived by her husband of nearly 26 years, Dale McConnell; daughter, Mayme (Keng) Lee; sons, Joseph (Sara) Rodriguez, Austin (Abby) Rodriguez, and Erik (Kaitlyn) McConnell; grandchildren, Brody, Harper, Owen, Sophia, Myles, Cole, Braylon, Evelynn, Delilah and Alec; and her sister, Cynthia Keith. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Kelly Ann McConnell and her parents.
Friends are encouraged to support Denise’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Funeral services were held at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at Pray Funeral Home with Pastor Charles Jenson officiating. Visitation was from 5:00 – 6:30 p.m., just prior to the service. 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 Denise’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 St. Jude Children’s Hospital. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Lucia R. Menk
Lucia R. Menk of Wesley Chapel, Florida (formerly Charlotte, Michigan), age 83, passed away on Sunday, July 14, 2024. Lucia was born December 13, 1940, in Lawa-an, Samar, Philippines the daughter of Fernando and Francisca Ramasasa Padua. In 1968 she moved to the United States and became a naturalized citizen in 1971. Her hobbies included sewing and gardening.
Surviving is her husband, Albert C Menk Jr.; son, Eric C. Menk; daughter, Michele F. (Menk) Kim; and grandchildren, Alexa Menk, Sebastian Menk and Grace Kim. Lucia was preceded in death by her parents and twin sons.
A private graveside service will be held at her final resting place, Gates Mills North Cemetery.
Phyllis Ann Watson
Phyllis Ann (Sheldon) Watson, age 74, of Springport passed away in her home under the loving care of her family and hospice on Wednesday July 17, 2024. She was born in Marshall, MI on November 13, 1949, one of 12 children born to Albert and Jessie (Clark) Sheldon. She is the last surviving of that family as her parents and all her siblings have preceded her in death. She is also preceded in death by her infant son, Ted Allen Wireman.
Phyllis was an incredibly fun, loving, selfless, strong woman who always put other’s needs before her own and she was always working, doing something. She cherished her family, especially her kids and grandkids and was an amazing cook; her family treasures memories of the incredible homemade, from scratch dishes she made over the years. She was always ready and willing to feed anyone who came around. Christmas was Phyllis’s favorite holiday. She used it as an opportunity to shower everyone with gifts that mirrored her love and her home was the gathering spot for Christmas Eve with many memories made, especially of her homemade Christmas cookies. Even though she was a collector of things, she kept those things well organized. She loved coloring and throughout her whole life, she adored her weiner dogs, having so many to love throughout the years. Phyllis was also a woman who lovingly spoke her mind and the people around her respected and loved her for it. Trips to Paw Paw to visit her “people” was always a highlight for Phyllis as well. What can you say about a person in a few words who was just so amazing? She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
Phyllis leaves to cherish her memory, her husband, Keith whom she was united in marriage to on April 6, 2001 in Toledo, Ohio; her children: Doug (Cassie) Wireman, Scott (Natacia) Wireman, Kristie (Ryan) Hisler; grandchildren: Josh Bowles, Lindsey Wireman, Samantha Wireman, Kelsie Wireman, Dylan Wireman, Austin Wireman, Autumn Wireman, David Becker, Kaydence Becker, Nathan (Aurora) Powers, Nicolas Powers, Jase McNair; great-grandchildren: Lily, Cooper, Oliver, Ella, Max, Adonis, special niece and best friend, Ann Wireman, first husband and father of her children, Robert Wireman and so many extended family and friends.
Phyllis’s family celebrated her life on Friday, July 26, 2024, with visitation from 11 a.m. until the time of her service at 1 p.m. at J. Kevin Tidd Funeral Home, 811 Finley Dr., Albion, MI. She will be laid to rest in Rice Creek Cemetery following.
To leave online messages of condolence, please visit www.kevintiddfuneralhome.com