Obituaries
Constance Prather
Constance “Connie” Prather, a woman known for her love for a cup of coffee and her sweet tooth, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, April 12, 2022, at the Mid-Michigan Hospice House surrounded by her family. Connie, 87, of Potterville, was born October 13, 1934, in Lansing, MI, the daughter of Gray and Evelyn (Thurston) Smith Sr. She graduated from Dimondale High School, and continued meeting with her classmates for lunch later in life. On June 25, 1955, Connie married the love of her life, Harold Prather Jr. and together created their legacy of 57 years until his passing in 2012. She and Harold enjoyed square dancing all around Mid-Michigan. Connie worked multiple jobs throughout her lifetime, she worked as a homemaker while her children were growing up, later she worked with Auto Owners, and most recently LARA with the State of Michigan. Connie was so proud that she was able to work into her 80s. Family meant the world to Connie, she was blessed to be able to live in a home that her husband built for the family. She also was very supportive of her grandchildren and attended all of their activities. Connie had a love for sports, she could be found rooting on the Detroit Tigers, Lions, and Pistons, as well as the Michigan State Spartans. Above all Connie devoted her life to the Lord, she most recently attended the Sycamore Creek Church Potterville Campus.
Connie is survived by her children, Doug (Mary) Prather, Diane (Rick) Smith; seven grandchildren, DJ (Courtney) Prather, Matthew Prather, Danny Prather, Jeremy Prather, Mandy (Matt) Caterino, Chloe Smith, Collin Smith; eight great-grandchildren, Jazmine, Sophia, Lucas, Quinn, Lynnleigh; 1 great-great-granddaughter, Za’Lyah; sister, Suzanne (Bruce) Willard; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Harold; brother, Gray Smith Jr.; and her parents, Gray and Evelyn Smith.
Friends are encouraged to support Connie’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation is Wednesday, April 20, 2022, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at The Sycamore Creek Church Potterville Campus. The funeral will be held following the visitation at 1:00 p.m. with Kathy Dobie officiating. The funeral will be webcast so you may watch it from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device that has internet access. Go to www.prayfuneral.com, click on Connie’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 The Sycamore Creek Church Potterville Campus. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Patricia Hartley
Patricia Anne Hartley passed away peacefully at the age of 87 on April 7, 2022, at Sparrow Hospice House in Lansing, MI, after losing her battle with Dementia. She was the seventh born out of nine children to William and Mary Diamond (Hough) on February 23, 1935, in Burgettstown, PA. The family moved to Michigan in 1947, when Pat was 12. She graduated from Handy High School – Bay City, MI in 1953, and began working at a magnesium plant. She also worked as a carhop at the A & W Restaurant, where she met her future husband, Bernie Hartley, the love of her life! They married on February 3, 1955, in Bay City. When Bernie got a job at Oldsmobile, they moved to Lansing. Together they raised three children, Mary, Patti and Bernie II. In 1978, they moved to Eaton Rapids, where they built their dream home. They renewed their vows in 2005, with a big wedding and celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary on a Carribbean cruise with their whole family!
Pat was an amazing wife and mother who was so caring and loving. Her family meant everything to her. She was a homemaker first and foremost and an excellent cook that didn’t require a recipe. Many meals she prepared are still talked about today! As her kids grew up, became parents themselves, they realized looking back what a great mother they had been blessed with. In her later life, with the kids out of the house, Pat decided to get a job and hired in at the McDonalds in town, working with the other “seasoned” ladies on the breakfast shift. Those ladies “got the job done” and provided good food to the ER community. Pat enjoyed her time there and even continued working after Bernie retired. She made some wonderful friendships that lasted after she retired.
Pat enjoyed singing at the ER Senior Center during their monthly open-mike jam sessions, where she and Bernie sang many duets together. She also loved to dance, especially to her son’s band, Hidden Agenda, when they played at local establishments. The band dedicated many songs to her with her favorite being “Mustang Sally.” Such wonderful memories! Her hobbies included traveling, crossword puzzles, playing bingo and going to the casino. Pat and Bernie could be seen every Fourth of July, on the “Rocking Chair Deserters” float playing their music with the gang as they passed the crowds.
Pat was preceded in death by her parents; siblings Albert, Kate, Del, Bill and May; infant daughter Kimberly, daughter Patti Vogel and grandson Jeffrey Hancock. She is survived by her loving husband of 67 years, Bernie; siblings Dudy, Shirley and Grace; daughter Mary Hancock, son Bernie Hartley II (Michelle), son in law Todd Vogel (Barb), grand/great grandchildren Julee (Chris), Natalie, Nicholas, Jesse, Olivia, Ryan, Alex and several nieces and nephews.
No words can truly express the deep sorrow felt by her family with her passing. She was and always will be the mainstay of our family. Thank you so much to family and friends for your love and support during this difficult time. Special thanks to Jon at Skinner Funeral Home for making an uncomfortable situation much easier to handle and for all the extras you are doing to make the celebration of Pat’s life so very special!
A memorial service will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 16, 2022, with a visitation one hour prior to service, at Skinner Funeral Home in Eaton Rapids. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the Eaton Rapids Senior Center in memory of Patricia Hartley. To share memories or leave condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
Daniel Geiger
Daniel Andrew Geiger, age 66, of Lansing, MI passed unexpectedly March 27, 2022, in Lansing. Dan was born June 27, 1955, in Lansing, to Jerome Edward and Myrna Louise (Leffel) Geiger. He married the love of his life, Vicki Sue (Copeland) Geiger in August of 1980 and had 42 wonderful years together. Dan worked for General Motors for 37 years retiring in 2016. He liked to work on cars; painting them was his specialty. He loved his granddaughters, his sons and his dog, Gizmo.
Daniel is survived by his wife, Vicki Sue (Copeland) Geiger; sons, Anthony Daniel (Candace) Geiger and Garret Andrew (Sarah) Geiger; granddaughters, Alexandra Avene Geiger and Lindsey Louise Geiger; brother, Lawrence Geiger; sisters, Nancy Ann Wood and Rosemary Jones; brother-in-law, Norman Graham. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Katherine Graham and Amy Geiger; special grandmother Hazel Angel.
A private family service will take place at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Capital Area Humane Society, www.cahs-lansing.org. Online condolences may be made at www.millsfuneral.com. The family is being served by the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel, 518 S. Main Street, Eaton Rapids, MI 48827.
Gerald Gill
Gerald Allen Gill of Eaton Rapids, MI passed away on Wednesday, April 6, 2022, at the age of 67. Gerry was born on June 28, 1954, in Wayne, Michigan the son of Parnell and Jenny (Brown) Gill. He was raised in Wayne where he graduated from Wayne-Westland Community High School class of 1972. Gerry went to work for General Motors in Livonia before transferring to Lansing where he retired in 2006. He married Nancy House on October 30, 1992, and together they moved to Eaton Rapids in 1996. Gerry was passionate about golf and played in the Tuesday Golf League at Bonnie View Golf Course and on the Thursday Men’s League, traveling and playing numerous courses throughout the area. He was a talented woodworker and a friend to all who knew him. Gerry enjoyed family camping trips to northern Michigan and spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents, stepfather, Ammon Lewis, mother, Jenny Lewis and siblings, Glenn Gill (Brenda Gill), James Lewis (Marlene Lewis), Billy Lewis and Tommy Martinez.
Gerry is survived by his wife, Nancy Gill; sons, Don Allen (Kelly) Gill, Steve Lawrence, James Lawrence, Derek (Cara) Lawrence; grandchildren, Kennedy Gill, Landon Gill, Deklan Lawrence, Keegan Lawrence, Natalie Lawrence, Naomi Lawrence, Jackson Lawrence, Lillith Lawrence, Ellarie Lawrence; siblings, Larry (Sandy) Martinez, Chris (Holly) Gill, Cheryl (Garry) McGuire, Donna (Mike) Patterson and numerous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held later this summer at the family house. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society in memory of Gerry. To share memories or leave condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com
Cynthia Hosack
Cynthia (Cindy) Ann Hosack, age 63, of Eaton Rapids, Michigan, is finally at rest after passing away in the comfort of her home on March 28, 2022. A celebration of Cindy’s life will be held at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to Vickers Springport Funeral Home, 121 Pearl Street/P.O. Box 235, Springport, MI 49284. 517-857-4848.