Obituaries
Anita Russell
Anita Jayne Russell, age 85, of Olivet, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 20, 2022. She was born August 20, 1937, in Marshall, the daughter of Jake and Effie (Guyton) Shreve. On September 30, 1955, she married Joseph Lee Russell. Anita was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. In her younger years when money was scarce, she would often take her children for a picnic at a local roadside park. Anita also enjoyed sewing. She made doll clothes, clothing for her children, and patched many pair of jeans until it was patches upon patches. Anita and Joe enjoyed attending grange parties and square-dancing together. She canned and preserved foods for her family of seven up into her 70’s and prepared bountiful meals every Christmas, Thanksgiving, and for many family reunions. Anita enjoyed reading the FoxFire series of books throughout the years and her extended family was known for their wild game dishes. She had a sense of humor and will be remembered for her feisty personality.
Anita is survived by her children: Jan (Matthew Taylor) Russell of Olivet, Joe (Angela) Russell II of Olivet, John Russell of Olivet, and Joni (Will) White of Charlotte; grandchildren: Daniel (Angela Porter) Corralez, Justin Corralez, Joshua (Kelly) Russell, Jordan (Casey) Russell, Zach (Ashley) Russell; seven great-grandchildren: Audrey, Amelia, and Jay Lee Russell, Kaius Russell and Keion Adams, Oliver and Calvin Russell.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband of 63 years, Joseph; daughter, Judy Langridge; four sisters; and three brothers.
In keeping with Anita’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a graveside service at Bosworth Cemetery will be held at a later date.
Those desiring may make contributions in Anita’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org.
To view Anita’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.
George Theunick
George Aloysius Theunick, known as “Fisherman George” by his family and friends, passed from this life on Saturday, December 24, 2022. George was born in Cheboygan, Michigan on January 27, 1953, and started his career as a mason for Marco Masonry when he moved to the Lansing area. He had a hand in building many of the landmark buildings in the Lansing area and would proudly point out “his work” and tell a bit of history about each one as he drove around the area with family.
George married Deborah Brown on November 11, 1978, in Marion, Michigan. George and Deb considered their home near Duck Lake to be a little bit of heaven, with woods and the lake close by. His favorite place to be was by the water, which included a beach, wading a river, and walking a bank. His favorite pastime was fishing, casting a line, reeling it in, all the while creating an abundance of fish stories. He and Deb would spend days fishing and sometimes Deb could keep up as they waded a stream or fished the shore of Platte River Bay.
George and Deb loved going on adventures, canoeing and camping resulting in many “adventure” stories. George’s last big adventure was crossing into Wisconsin on the S.S. Badger. Although fishing was George’s passion, he just loved the outdoors. He enjoyed tending the garden and being out in the woods hunting and trapping, too.
George had an artistic bent, as well, demonstrated in his love of drawing and painting. Recently he brought his own kiln home and made fused glass creations. These included pictures, jewelry, and one of his favorites, a large platter decorated with, what else, a fish!
George loved his family and friends: euchre with his buddies on Fridays and then with his Duck Lake Party Store gang every morning. His granddaughters, Adalyn, Clara, and Lily captivated his heart though, he adored them.
George is survived by his wife, Deborah; his daughter, Elizabeth (Daniel) Fulgham; granddaughters, Lily, Adalyn, and Clara; sister, Irene (Ken) Oliphant; and niece, Jessica. He was predeceased by his father, James Theunick; grandma, Irene Frechen; and aunt and uncle, Betty and Dave Crowner.
Friends are encouraged to support George’s family at visitation and funeral services. Funeral services were Friday, December 30 at 11:00 a.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Greg Rinehart 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 George’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 Parkinson’s Foundation. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Shelley Lueck
Shelley Lueck, age 55, of Lansing, passed away at her home on Saturday, December 24, 2022.
Shelley loved to ride horses and barrel raced when she was younger. She enjoyed listening to music, going to church, and spending time with her family.
Surviving Shelley is her mother and stepfather, Jeanne and Dave Kalczynski; daughter, Chelsey Piercefield; grandson, Clayton Conrad; sister, Kimm (Mike) Friar; brothers, Cory Kalczynski and Jason (Melissa) Kalczynski; many aunts and uncles; and several nieces and nephews.
Shelley was preceded in death by her father, Bill Lueck and her grandparents, George and Blanche Slee and Keith and Doris Hunter.
A celebration of Shelley’s life is being planned for a later date.
For those wanting to make a memorial donation in Shelley’s memory the family suggests you direct them to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
To leave an online condolence or share a favorite memory of Shelley, please go to www.SimpsonFamilyFuneralHomes.com.
Dora Jean Cupp
Dora Jean Cupp of Eaton Rapids, MI passed away on Thursday, December 22, 2022, at the age of 84. Jean was born on May 17, 1938, in Wyandotte, MI the daughter of Robert and Hazel (Edwards) Meyer. She was raised in Wyandotte where she graduated from high school class of 1956. Jean met her future husband Edmund at a church camp, and they were married in 1958. Together they had three sons and raised them on the family farm in Eaton Rapids where she spent her time looking over the children and taking care of the home. Jean was very active in her church choir and participated in the traveling choir group, first with the First Baptist Church of Eaton Rapids and later the First Baptist Church of Charlotte. Jean also enjoyed reading and family camping trips to Grayling, MI.
Jean is preceded in death by her parents and husband, Edmund Cupp in 2021.
Surviving are her children, Kevin Cupp, Keith (Paula) Cupp, Don (LeAnn) Cupp; grandchildren, Carissa (Kyle) Reece, Justin Cupp, Ross Cupp, Kevin (Cassie) Cupp II, Caitlin (Christopher) Lea, Theodore (Sarah) Doukakos, Anthony (Jody) Doukakos; great grandchildren, Halle Mitchell, Quin Reece, Tucker Cupp, Haelyn Cupp, Ariya Taylor, Logan Lea; brothers, Dan (Bev) Meyer, Dave (Ann) Meyer; sisters, Joan (Clyde) Harris, Carol Meyer and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 28, 2022, at Skinner Funeral Home in Eaton Rapids. Burial was held at Brickyard Cemetery and the family will hold a luncheon immediately following at the funeral home. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the Capitol Area Humane Society or the Eaton County Animal Shelter in memory of Jean. The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff at Island City Assisted Living for their excellent care over the past several months. To share memories or leave online condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
Margaret Ann Creighton
Margaret Ann Creighton of Charlotte, passed away peacefully at her home the evening of December 25, 2022, at the age of 81. Margaret was born in Eaton Rapids, October 3, 1941, the daughter of Albert and Mary (Vandemortel) Verhelle. She was a 1959 graduate of Eaton Rapids High School. After graduation she took a job at the State of Michigan in different capacities. When she started her family, she found it important to leave her career to raise her boys. Maggie had a passion for her flower gardens, being outdoors doing yard work and landscaping her lawn. She had a knack for interior decorating, loved to travel to Shipshewana, crochet, and go to all the local garage sales. Maggie will forever be remembered for her rambunctious and lovable spirit. Her unique and natural approach to interacting with people always left them having a brighter day.
Maggie is survived by her husband, Roger Creighton; children, Nick (Laura) Custance of Charlotte, Thad Lewis of Onondaga, Scott Creighton of FL. She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Robert and Richard Verhelle.
Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Friday, December 30, 2022, at the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. Interment followed in Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation was Friday one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association. To leave condolences for the family please visit our website, www.millsfuneral.com.