Obituaries
Lyle Lanson Lincoln
Lyle Lanson Lincoln, 60, of Springport, Michigan passed away December 3, 2022. Services for Lyle were held Wednesday, December 7, 2022 and was laid to rest at Springport Cemetery directly following the service. Arrangements entrusted to Vickers Springport Funeral Home, P.O. Box 235, Springport, Michigan 49284, 517-857-4848.
Norman Joseph Simpson
Norman Joseph Simpson of Eaton Rapids, passed away Tuesday, December 6, 2022, at the age of 88. He was born in Bath, MI on September 14, 1934, the son of Raymond and Josephine (Trayer) Simpson. Norm worked for the State of Michigan as a groundsman for several years before retiring. He was a member of the Capital City Old Car Club. His hobbies included fishing, hunting, and the car club.
Norm is survived by his daughter, Cherly (Jeff) Donley of Potterville, Ronnie (Debra) Simpson of Ovid, Connie Rohrer of Lansing and Randy Rohrer of WA; grandchildren, Kristina, Stasi, Matthew, Jeremy, Jennifer, and Rebecca; five great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Ann; siblings, Barbara Marier, Ray Simpson, Dale Simpson, Cecil Simpson; daughter-in-law, Sue Simpson.
A family memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN. 38105. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. To leave condolences or memories for the family, please visit, www.millsfuneral.com.
Sheila May Gilpin
Sheila May Gilpin passed away Monday, November 28, 2022, at the age of 84. She was born in Hastings, Michigan on December 22, 1937, the youngest of five children to Max and Leila (Wolfe) Gooch. She was a spunky child growing up, never afraid to catch wild animals, run barefoot through the neighborhood or jump off chicken coops. She, along with her sisters and brother, grew up in a loving and caring home. During her childhood, she and her family moved from Charlotte to Eaton Rapids, graduating from Eaton Rapids High School in 1956. After graduating, she met James (Jim) Gilpin and fell in love. She and Jim were married on February 15, 1958. They welcomed two children; a daughter, Toni and a son, Troy. In 1980, they completed the build on their very own home and moved in. Throughout the last 42 years, Sheila and Jim landscaped, tended, and cared for their seven-acre paradise. She loved her gardens, saving every sapling she ever came across. She was an avid rock hunter, adventurous traveler, and antique queen. She enjoyed painting and teaching others how. She was a rebel of sorts, even becoming one of the first women in the area to ride her very own motorcycle. Her nickname was “Yama-hama-mama.” She retired from the Eaton Rapids bus garage after 22 years. After her retirement, she devoted her time to her passions: gardening, decorating, and most importantly, her family. She spent as much time as she could with her four grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren and one great great-grandson. Their “GG” held a special connection to each and every one of them. She was always there teaching them and encouraging them to blaze their own path through life. Her motto was, “Keep it simple- just like me.”
Sheila is survived by her husband of 64 years, James Gilpin; children, Toni Matthews of Eaton Rapids, Troy Gilpin of Eaton Rapids; grandchildren: Jessica Seguin of Eaton Rapids, Meagan (Randy) McLouth of Eaton Rapids, Nikolas Matthews of Eaton Rapids, Kelsey (Brandon) Matthews-Trosper of Eaton Rapids; ten great-grandchildren; one great great-grandson; sisters, Mickey Schnepp of Lansing, Kay Love of Eaton Rapids; several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents; sister, Joyce Elston; brother, Larry Gooch.
A memorial service will be held 1 p.m. Thursday, December 22, 2022, at the Mills Funeral Home in Eaton Rapids. Visitation will take place one hour prior. Memorial contributions can be made to the Wildside Rehabilitation & Education Center, 8601 Houston Rd., Eaton Rapids, MI 48827. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel. To leave condolences for the family, please visit our website, millsfuneral.com.
Richard Allen Dunning
Richard “Rick” Allen Dunning of Eaton Rapids, passed away on Sunday, December 4, 2022, at the age of 77. He was born in Charlotte, MI, on June 29, 1945, the son of Fred and Maxine (Rogers) Steward. Rick graduated from Leslie High School. He worked for General Motors until he retired at the age of 48. Rick was a member of the Onondaga Sportsman Club.
While known as a quiet and humble man, Rick had a surprisingly mischievous side. His hobbies included playing practical jokes, losing his drone in the woods, making friends with Phil the pheasant, disagreeing with his friends at the sportsman club, scaring kids at Halloween, and starting but never finishing projects.
Rick is survived by the mother of his children, Gerri Brooks; daughters, Lee (Gregory) Prost of Troy, MI and Nikki (Ronald) Miller of Fort Wayne, IN; grandchildren, Mason (Claire) Miller, Allison Prost, Cassidy Miller, Robert Prost, and Julia Miller; great grandchildren, Zion Miller and Holland Miller; sisters, Sue Foster, Lori (Marty) Seling, Lynn Kita, and Marcy (Richard) Mentink. He is preceded in death by his parents.
Services will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions can be made to Kate’s Kart, 10376 Leo Rd., Fort Wayne, IN 46825. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. To leave condolences for the family, please visit our website, millsfuneral.com.
Gary Clarke
Gary Lee Clarke of Springport, MI passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, November 27, 2022, at the age of 80. Gary was born on March 12, 1942, in Brookfield Township the fourth of seven children born to Laurence and Velma (Harshey) Clarke. He was raised in Eaton Rapids where he attended school. Gary went to work for Cords Well Drilling right out of school and then to Williams Farm Machinery, Eaton Stamping, he worked for General Motors for 16 years, started Gary’s Small Engine Service in 1981 and currently owned and operated the Bargain Shack in Springport. Gary had a great love for his Lord Jesus Christ and faithfully attended the First Baptist Church in Eaton Rapids for the past 21 years. He enjoyed hunting and was an avid fisherman. Gary loved riding his gator on his property and made numerous trails where he could watch the wildlife around him.
He is preceded in death by his parents, siblings, Allan (Marsha) Clarke, Dean (Linda) Clarke, Don (Joyce) Clarke, Marie (Carl) Florian and son-in-law, Jose Cantu III.
Surviving is his wife, Ruth (Wheeler) Clarke; daughters, Cheri Cantu, Suzi Clarke; grandchildren, Jose “Joey” Cantu, Jesus “Jesse” Cantu; brothers, Maynard (Kathy) Clarke, Maurice (Gloria Fleming) Clarke and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 1, 2022, at the First Baptist Church in Eaton Rapids. The family will received friends at Skinner Funeral Home in Eaton Rapids on Wednesday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and one hour prior to the service on Thursday. For those desiring memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church in memory of Gary. To share memories or leave online condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.