Obituaries
Daniel E. Gearhart
Daniel E. Gearhart, age 64, of Charlotte, MI died January 11, 2025 at his home. He was born November 6, 1960 in Charlotte, the son of Harvey and Shirley Gearhart. He was raised in Charlotte and attended Charlotte High School, graduating in 1979. He married Kelly Eldred on October 23, 1982.
Dan was a family man who had a love for the outdoors. He enjoyed bee keeping, camping in the mountains of Wyoming, and hunting, especially with his grandkids. He was a proud grandpa of five. He was present for every milestone and in the stands at every sporting event possible. His strength and love for his family was immense. His passing leaves a hole in our hearts, but we have a million memories that we will all hold close to our hearts.
Daniel is survived by his wife, Kelly; son, Michael Gearhart; daughters, Sarah Dahlem and Kristi Bullard; and grandkids, Abby, Caleb, Jasmine, Carson and Kaitlyn. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harvey and Shirley Gearhart.
A Celebration of Life will be held on June 14, 2025 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. with a bonfire to follow at the home of his daughter, Kristi, 4245 Maple Grove Road, Hastings.
William Frederick Foster
William Frederick Foster, December 12, 1941 – January 1, 2025. God, in his almighty wisdom, called William (Bill) Frederick Foster, to his heavenly home on January 1, 2025. Husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather passed away quietly after a long-fought battle with cancer at the age of 83. His wife Joan, sons James and Philip and their children were at his side throughout his final days.
Bill was born on December 12, 1941, in Lansing, Michigan, the son of Earl L. and Elizabeth C. (Kloepfer) Foster. He attended Bretton Woods, a Delta Township grade school, C.W. Otto Middle School, J.W. Sexton High School and Lansing Community College.
Bill was a part-time mechanic at Stevens Garage in Delta Mills in his early years and in 1965 started working for REO Motor Car Company. After 10 years of working there, the then, Diamond Reo Truck bankrupted. By the fall of 1975, together with a group of ex-Reo personnel, Bill started to build trucks as a subsidiary of Form Rite in Charlotte, Michigan. A little over a year later, Bill, together with three (3) others, approached a group of Charlotte businessmen to back a small business loan to build Spartan Motors’ first plant building in Charlotte, Michigan. Bill would continue to build Spartan Motors through years of hard work, passion for the industry and perseverance serving as Vice-President and member of the Board of Directors for over 30 years.
Bill married Joan Westmoreland on June 17, 1967, at Emanual First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lansing, MI. Together they had two sons while living in Delta Township where Bill served on the Delta Township Fire Department. He held many ranks up to and including Assistant Chief before retiring from active fire service after 27 years. In 1982, the family moved to Grand Ledge, where he lived for the remainder of his life.
Bill was passionate about firetrucks, fire safety vehicles and training firefighters and mechanics within the fire industry. However, he was also passionate about his family and his personal relationships with everyone he met. He loved spending time with his family and friends at their cottage in Sault Ste. Marie, watching iron ore freighters. He loved traveling and would always find a fantastic place to get wonderful food from coast to coast. If he knew you were going on a trip, he might even suggest a restaurant to visit while you were gone and tell you exactly how to get there.
He was also passionate about sharing his knowledge with anyone interested in the fire industry. Even after 60 years, until he would be hospitalized for a blood clot in the fall of 2023, he could be found driving a fire truck chassis to a fire show, sitting on the bumper telling stories while greeting his friends and customers while updating them on the newest Spartan Motors products.
Bill is survived by his wife of 57 years, Joan, their two sons James (Tammy) and Philip (Deborah), grandchildren Brooke (Rory), Joshua, Benjamin (fiancée Grace), Rebecca, Peter, Christopher, and Lynn, and great-granddaughter, Adelaide.
Christian funeral were held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at Emanuel First Evangelical Lutheran Church. Interment will be in Delta Center Cemetery. His family received friends at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel from 2:00-4:00 p.m. and 6:00-8:00 p.m., Monday, January 6, 2025, and also at the church 1-hour prior to the funeral service on Tuesday. Memorial contributions may be made to Emanuel First Ev. Lutheran Church Restoration Fund.
Ellis J. Sanders
Ellis J. Sanders was born in Eaton Rapids on November 9, 1932, and was the eldest son of John and Berthal Sanders. Surrounded by his loving family, he left this world to be reunited with his beloved wife Eva on January 13, 2025.
Ellis was a proud US Army veteran having served during the Korean War and earned the rank of Sergeant in the Army Corps of Engineers. While on leave, Ellis and Eva tied the knot on March 19, 1953, and were happily married for 68 years. Their marriage served as a shining example for everyone who knew them. Ellis worked at GM as a supervisor and retired in 1986. Friends and co-workers from GM will remember the annual pig roasts at their cottage in Walhalla, where there were good times, good food and lots of beer. After retirement, Ellis teamed up with his brother Norm to provide landscaping and lawn maintenance services to the community and helped with home remodeling and repair projects to those who needed a hand.
In his spare time, Ellis loved golfing with his buddies, meeting friends for coffee to solve the world’s problems and looked forward to deer hunting. A true sportsman and firearms expert, he bagged his last deer at the young age of 91. He would jump at the chance to travel to be with family or friends and cherished those special times at Tallman and Loon Lakes, trips to California, Florida, Arizona and around the globe. He was a prolific storyteller and was happy to share his knowledge and experiences. His family and friends will hold close to their hearts his words of wisdom.
Ellis is survived by his children, Steve (Ann) Sanders, Rick (Jackie) Sanders, Julie (Jim) Hannon. Ellis was very proud of his grandchildren; Allison (Josh) Hummel, Jessica (Erik) Smith, Kelsey (Aaron) Look, Zach (Kasidy) Hannon, Stephanie (Jimmy) Wood, Grant Sanders (Haley Standage) and Gabrielle (Tyler) Witte. These grandchildren gave him 11 wonderful great-grandchildren; Owen & Blake Smith, Eva and Sutton Hannon, Chloe and Dakota Look, Holden and Parker Hummel, and James, Brooklyn and Logan Wood. He is also survived by his brother Norm and sister Evelynn (Doug) Stall, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and many dear friends.
A celebration of life is being planned for later this spring.
Patsy Ann Hayhoe
Patsy Ann Hayhoe, of Eaton Rapids, MI, after a long and courageous battle against early-onset Alzheimer’s passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at the age of 71. Patsy was born on October 16, 1953, in Charlotte, the beloved daughter of Harold and Barbara (Purdy) Gillett.
She grew up in Kinneville, just outside Eaton Rapids, and was a proud graduate of Eaton Rapids High School, Class of 1971. Patsy dedicated 39 years of her career to the State of Michigan, working for the Secretary of State’s office before retiring in 2016.
A woman of faith, Patsy was an active member of Mt. Hope Church in Lansing for many years. She had a passion for travel, with a special love for Walt Disney World, which she visited many times, San Diego, CA and for Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, particularly Detour Village where she loved to spend time with her family at her beloved in-laws, Don and Dorene Hayhoe’s Cottage.
Patsy was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Barbara Gillett; her sisters, Darlene Romano and Sue Heaton; her granddaughter, Hannah Harris; her nephew, David Barres; and her father-in-law, Donavan Hayhoe.
She is lovingly remembered by her husband of 44 years, Doug Hayhoe; her children, Donavan (Clair) Hayhoe and Heather Harris; her cherished grandchildren, Kayla, Shyla, Tim, Victoria, and Corin; her siblings, Harold Gillett, Nina Barres, Marian Ward, and Robbin Gillett; mother-in-law, Dorene Hayhoe as well as numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.
At this time, no services are planned. To share memories or leave condolences, please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
Carol Ann Williams
Carol Ann Williams, 82, of Eaton Rapids, MI, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, January 1, 2025. She was born on August 2, 1942, in Corunna, MI, to Howard and Isabelle (Foster) Slaght. Carol spent her early years in Indian River, MI, before settling in Eaton Rapids, where she graduated with the class of 1960.
Carol dedicated more than 20 years to Eaton Rapids Public Schools, retiring as the secretary for the intermediate school. In her retirement, she remained deeply engaged with her community. She served as treasurer of the Eaton Rapids Historical Society, was an active member of the First United Methodist Church, BPW, Junior Women’s Club, and participated in a weekly golf league at Bonnie View Golf Course. Carol found joy in her monthly bridge gatherings and dedicated many years as a valued volunteer for the Eaton Rapids Township Elections. She cherished her coffee gatherings with high school friends, traveling with her beloved husband, Keith, and supporting her grandchildren, nieces, and nephews at their sporting events.
Carol was preceded in death by her parents, her stepfather Floyd Ferris, and her sister Joyce Comer. She leaves behind her husband, Keith Williams; daughter Shawn Morgan; son Tony (Nicole) Williams; grandchildren Michael Morgan, Rachel Morgan, Keith Morgan, Hunter Williams, and Garrett Williams; sister Jacki Worden; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Chuck and Phyllis Williams; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and friends.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. The family welcomed visitors on Monday, January 6, from 2:00–4:00 p.m. and 6:00–8:00 p.m., as well as one hour prior to the service on Tuesday.
Memorial contributions in Carol’s honor may be made to the Eaton Rapids Historical Society. To share memories or express condolences, please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.