Obituaries
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