Obituaries
Bonny Louise Powers
Bonny Louise Powers, 68, of Eaton Rapids, MI, passed away on Tuesday, February 18, 2025. She was born on September 22, 1956, in Eaton Rapids, the daughter of Robert and Joyce (Burlison) Bodell.
A proud graduate of Eaton Rapids High School’s Class of 1975, Bonny went on to build a career in construction as a skilled drywall finisher for over 40 years. Gifted with remarkable craftsmanship, she found joy in woodworking, crafting, and home remodeling. No project was too big or too challenging, she even built a deck for her home, meticulously handcrafting the balusters for its railing.
Above all, Bonny cherished her family. She especially loved the holidays, going all out for Christmas with an abundance of beautifully wrapped gifts, each adorned with her handmade bows. She found happiness in attending craft shows, shopping, and caring for her beloved pets, particularly her dogs.
Bonny was preceded in death by her son, Jason Krokker; her parents; her brother, Robert Bodell; and her sister, Krystal Simpson.
She is survived by her loving husband of 22 years, Ted Powers; her children, Savannah (Brandon) Prince and Matt (Heather) Briggs; her cherished grandchildren, Tristan, Tahya, Avy, Ayden, Bryce, Jaxon, Riley, and Maddox; her sister, Debra (Dan) Loughan; her brother-in-law, Roy Simpson; and her beloved dog, Bella, and cat, Rascal, along with many extended family members and dear friends.
A memorial visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. In honor of Bonny’s memory, contributions may be made to the Lupus Research Alliance.
To share memories or leave condolences, please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
Phyliss Jean Eaton
Phyliss Jean Eaton, 89 years old, passed away on February 16, 2025. Born in Chicago, Illinois to Philipp and Marie (Edegaard) Krebs on July 28, 1935. The second of four siblings, Lois (Compton), Sue (Jamieson), and Richard Krebs. She was married to Harold Eaton for some 55 plus years till his passing and together they raised two children together, Terry and Debbie. They had one grandson, Mark, and four great grandchildren, Austin, Sienna and twins, Brennen and Carson.
She and Harold enjoyed square dancing, and she would sew up matching outfits for that. They made multiple trips to Hawaii, and anywhere it was warm. Phyliss desperately loved her family and especially hosting an Easter dinner with any and all available family, along with an egg hunt for the dozen or so children there. In their later years, she and Harold operated a woodworking business that was respected by the various crafters and teachers they supplied.
Phyliss is survived by her son, Terry and Janie (Craft) Eaton, grandson, Mark and Lorie (Mays) Eaton; sister, Sue and brother, Richard, the great grandchildren along with numerous nieces and nephews.
There will be a celebration of life along with a luncheon at the First Congregational Church, 300 S. Main St., Eaton Rapids, on Tuesday, February 25, at 12:00 p.m.
Dean Hamilton Mills
Dean Hamilton Mills, 84, of Eaton Rapids, MI, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 7, 2025. Born on November 6, 1940, to Blanchard and Mary (Tenney) Mills, Dean was a lifelong resident of Eaton Rapids. He graduated from Eaton Rapids High School in 1958 before attending Michigan State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in education.
Dean began his career as an English teacher at Marion Public Schools before transitioning to the Michigan Department of Corrections, where he worked until his retirement in the early 1990s. However, his true passion was serving his community. For 40 years, Dean dedicated himself as a volunteer firefighter, Auxiliary Police, EMT, and later a paramedic. His commitment to emergency services played a vital role in the establishment of the new Emergency Room at Eaton Rapids Medical Center.
Beyond his service, Dean was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed deer hunting and sport shooting as a member of the Three Fires flintlock shooting club. A 6th-degree black belt, he also shared his love of martial arts by teaching karate in his community. A devoted sports fan, he cheered faithfully for the Michigan State Spartans, Detroit Lions, and Detroit Tigers.
Dean is survived by his loving wife of 38 years, Cindy Hogan; his children, Diane Peltier, Kim (Brad) Butler, Laura Mills, Lynn (Wayne) Sleeman, Jim Mills, Susan Myers, and Tom Milbourn; 15 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; his brother, Jon (Vicky) Mills; and many extended family members and dear friends.
A service to honor Dean’s life was held at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at Skinner Funeral Home in Eaton Rapids. The family received friends on Tuesday from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and again one hour prior to the service on Wednesday.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Eaton Rapids Medical Center Foundation in Dean’s memory.
To share memories or offer condolences, please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
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 Ellis’ life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 22, 2025 at the First United Methodist Church located at 600 S. Main Street in Eaton Rapids, with Pastor Melany Chalker officiating. The family will begin receiving friends and loved ones at 10:00 a.m. prior to the service. Arrangements entrusted to Vickers Leslie Funeral Home, 109 N. Church Street/PO Box 503, Leslie, MI 49251.517-878-6600.
Memorial contributions may be made to Eaton Rapids Public Schools, in memo please put “hunting and fishing class” and American Legion in Charlotte, MI. The family is serviced by Vickers Funeral Home-Leslie.
Ruth Ann Halsey
Ruth Ann Halsey of Eaton Rapids, passed away February 6, 2025, at the age of 74. Ruth was born in Lansing, Michigan on April 1, 1950, daughter of the late Walter and Virginia (Martin) Byington. She married Calvin Halsey on July 7, 1972, and together they shared one son. Ruth worked as a professional clown for many years as well as working for Lockwood Elementary in Eaton Rapids. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Eaton Rapids and worked for their daycare, Small Blessings. Ruth enjoyed crafts, needlework and crocheting.
She is survived by her husband, Calvin Halsey Sr.; son, Calvin (Jennifer) Halsey Jr.; grandchildren, Masen, Annette and Amelia Halsey; brothers, Ken (Julie) Byington, Gerald (Kelly) Byington; sisters, Karen Lopez, Katherine (Rick) Keelan, Mary Ellen (Jack) Shue. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents and brother-in-law, Tom Lopez.
A private graveside service will be held. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Eaton Rapids in loving memory of Ruth Ann Halsey. To leave condolences for the family, visit our website www.millsfuneral.com.