Obituaries
Barbara Jean Sleeper
Barbara Jean Sleeper, age 82, of Vermontville, MI, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, June 4, 2025.
Barbara was born on April 11, 1943, in Lansing, MI, to Robert and Patricia Shassberger. She graduated from Lansing Eastern High School in 1961 and went on to earn her teaching degree from Michigan State University in 1965. She later received her Master’s degree in Special Education from Western Michigan University. On September 12, 1964, she married the love of her life, LeRoy Sleeper. They shared 50 wonderful years together before LeRoy’s passing in 2014.
Barbara was saved in 1972, a moment that shaped the rest of her life. She had a heart for serving others and a deep love for her family, her faith, and her community.
She began her working life at the D&C 5-and-dime store and later worked at Lansing General Hospital caring for employees’ children alongside her best friend Cheryl. Her greatest professional joy, however, came from her years as a Home Economics teacher at Maple Valley Schools, where she lovingly taught generations of students, including several of her own children. Of all her years in education, these were among her most cherished. Barbara had a special bond with her students and stayed in touch with many of them throughout her life.
After earning her Master’s degree, Barbara went on to teach at Portland Middle School, where she continued her work in special education. She retired from Portland, holding fond memories of the strong connections she formed with students and families there as well. Her dedication and compassion left a lasting impression on everyone she taught.
Barbara was talented and creative, she learned to sew at a young age and even made her own wedding gown. She loved cooking and sharing recipes, and her kitchen was always a warm and welcoming place. She had a deep appreciation for nature, especially watching birds, and she delighted in keeping family and friends informed of every springtime milestone from the first robin sighting to the blooming of wildflowers. She loved reading, gardening, and most of all, spending time with her children and grandchildren. Her faith was her foundation, and she often reflected on the promise of eternal life, once writing: “Death is not the end, something better is waiting for us.”
She was a devoted wife, a loving mother, and a proud grandmother. Barbara is survived by her six children: Jeff (Kelly) children: Ava and Max; Brian, children: Anna, Gordie; Joshua (Christy) children: Alaina, Caleb, and Tyler; Leah (Dennis) child: Kalel; Bethany (Lonnie) children: Charlotte and Faith; and Michael.
Her legacy of love, faith, and kindness will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew her. If desired donations may be left to the family.
Barbara Jean Fulton
Barbara Jean Fulton was born February 4, 1951 to Robert and Evelo Fulton in Charlotte, Michigan and passed peacefully from this world on June 6, 2025. This is how most obituaries begin, but as Barbara has requested, this one will not be a listing of things she did or places she lived or attended school. This, at her request and wholly in true celebration of her life, is a collaborative effort and focuses on the values, principles, beliefs, and ideals that formed her character, reflected her passion and created her legacy.
From the very beginning, she was loving and loyal, devoted to her extended family and friends. She was curious and interested in learning from every interaction with people, nature, academia, and all aspects of problem-solving. She was courageous and adventurous, and a collector; of people, animals, rocks, and ideas. Most of all, she was a creative thinker and educator, innovator and collaborator. Barbara used her experience, compassion, and endless energy to bring ideas to fruition. She imagined and believed in possibilities and the people who could and would implement them.
Barbara embodied living a life with purpose and abundance. Her efforts in bringing AL!VE into being at a time when most were focused on economic downturn, was a triumph of belief in the healing power of generosity. As Director of Eaton Community Health, she reinvigorated the collaboration among social service agencies and focused on the “upstream” solutions to healthcare problems. The phrase “healthy communities” in measuring the impact of programming owes much to Barbara’s involvement.
Anyone, family, friend, or stranger who met Barbara found that she was not one for “small talk”, but instead asked questions designed to find commonality and, even better, a shared passion for a hobby, a cause, course of study or other pursuit. She had an extraordinary gift for reminding us that moments matter, that shared laughter, simple gestures, and meaningful experiences are where life’s deepest joys are found. A nurturer in the truest sense, she taught by example that generosity and connection come from sharing time, attention, belief, and love.
Barbara was an ultimate event planner. Her parties, whether for family, friends, community, business or a club always had a theme (and usually wine!) Whatever the purpose, people had a wonderful experience, in large part because Barbara focused on the enjoyment of those attending. In addition to events she planned, Barbara showed up for her family and friends, She attended games, concerts, graduations and other events for her siblings, nieces, nephews and on down to the next generations. No one was a greater cheerleader than Aunt Barbara.
She leaves behind a legacy of creativity, imagination, collaboration, dedication and generosity of spirit. Barbara was a shining example of a life beautifully lived. Barbara is survived by her beloved husband, Richard Butman, with whom she shared so many adventures, interests and experiences; her siblings, Christi (Tom) Dutcher, Kathie (Chuck) Cook and Mike (Janice) Fulton; her cousins, Wes Fredenburg and Sarah Collick; her nieces and nephews, Jennifer (Doug) Reed, Becky (Bob) Elkins, Matt (Jessica Hix) Cook, Rob (Shannan) Cook, Ben (Chelsea) Fulton, Emily (Aki) Zecic and Andrew (Alyssa) Fulton; as well as many great-nieces and great-nephews and great-great-nieces and nephews, many more extended family members and a host of friends and collaborators.
Friends are encouraged to support Barbara’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation is from 2:00 – 4:00 and 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 22, 2025 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. A Memorial Service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 23, 2025 at First Congregational Church of Charlotte. Interment will take place in Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte. The funeral will be webcast so you may watch it from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device that has internet access. Go to www.prayfuneral.com, click on Barbara’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). Memorial contributions may be made to Eaton Community Health (ECH), the Charlotte Generosity Fund or the Forest Garden Project. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Theresa Lynn Arras
Theresa Lynn Arras, February 2, 1965 – June 7, 2025, passed away unexpectedly at her home after a short battle with cancer. Theresa is survived by her husband, JR Green; mother, Simone Arras; daughters, Callie Arras and Asia (Cory) Arras, grandson, Steven Beebe, granddaughter, Onyx Beebe; grandsons ,Zander Watts and Eli Watts; granddaughter, Layla Myers; brother, Chris (Marlena) Arras; sisters, Laura (Kenny) Coat, Jeannette (Jason) Clemens; brother, James (Ashley) Arras; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, Thomas Arras.
Theresa went to Eaton Rapids Public Schools and as a young child and teenager was in 4H and showed dogs. She loved her fur kids and rescued many animals throughout her life. Theresa loved to garden, her knowledge of flowers and plants was unmatched. She loved posting her beautiful gardens online for everyone to enjoy. Theresa was very creative and could turn trash into treasure with a little love and paint. She was a talented painter, a trait she inherited from her mother. Theresa loved to fish and spent many days and nights fishing on Narrow Lake. She also loved to go to Firekeepers casino with her husband JR. Theresa was tough and spent many years working construction alongside her husband but her main love in life was being at home taking care of her family and spending time with her husband, granddaughter, and fur kids. Theresa’s funny, sarcastic, and outspoken ways will be missed by all who knew her. There will be no celebration of life at this time.
Frank Pratt
Frank Pratt, of Eaton Rapids, passed away surrounded by his family, June 6, 2025, at the age of 93. Frank was born in Pinetop, Kentucky, on February 2, 1932, the son of Byrd and Edna E. (Slone) Pratt. He married Lillie Mae Amburgey on August 14, 1951, in Pinetop, Kentucky. For 20 years he worked at General Motors retiring in 1990. He proudly served with the United States Army as a Sergent First Class and was honorably discharged in 1960. Frank was a member of UAW Local 652. He loved to go deer and coon hunting and at one time, had over 20 bee hives. Most of all he loved spending time with his family.
Frank is survived by his children, Bobbie Pratt of Lansing, Dean (Pamela) Pratt of Eaton Rapids, Donna Pratt of Eaton Rapids; grandchildren, David (Amanda) Pratt of Grand Rapids, Jennifer (Jeff Whipple) Pratt of Eaton Rapids, Stacy Pratt of IL, Stephanie (Tony) Cullimore; great grandchildren, Isaac, Luke, Cole, Noah, Laural, Eloise and Mikayla; brother, Stewart (Theresa) Pratt; sisters, Sarah Bee (John) Weihmiller and Erma Dean Sloan. He was preceded in death by his parents; Wife, Lillie Mae Pratt; son, Ricky Pratt; brother and sister, Coushel, Keysel, Ruby, Orvil, Letty, and Martha.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel, 518 S. Main St., Eaton Rapids, with Pastor John Wright officiating. Interment will follow in Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation was Wednesday from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. and Thursday one hour prior to the funeral. Those desiring may make memorial contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association, 25200 Telegraph Rd., Ste. 100, Southfield, MI 48033. Please visit our website to place online condolences or to sign the guest book, www.millsfuneral.com.
Sherry Gould
Sherry Gould, age 74, of Nashville, passed away Saturday, May 31, 2025, while surrounded by her family in her home. Sherry was born in Hastings on March 29, 1951, the daughter of the late Ernest and Mildred “Petie” (Hinckley) Latta.
She was raised in Nashville and attended Maple Valley School. She married Wayne Gould, her high school sweetheart and the love of her life, on March 18, 1972. Wayne was serving in the Navy when they married, so their first year was spent living in California. They moved back to Nashville in 1973, where they made their home and raised their children together. Sherry was a member of the Nashville Baptist Church and served in the PFC Ladies Group for many years.
Sherry enjoyed making cards and sending them to members of the church and Nashville community. Even as she was battling cancer, she continued her ministry of making homemade cards and sending them out.
Sherry worked for Maple Valley Schools for over 20 years as a Teacher’s Aide and Paraprofessional.
Wayne and Sherry enjoyed their retirement years traveling with friends, spending time in Holland at their boat, and continuing their yearly Pentwater family tradition.
Sherry is survived by her husband, Wayne; her three children, Leslie (Kyle) Booher, Emilie (Steve) Wohlscheid, and Lee (Jessica) Gould; her sister, Mary Rose; half-brothers, Ernie (Carri) Latta, Chet Latta, and Alvin Shook; and half-sister, Linda Dorothy. Sherry also leaves behind eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Mildred “Petie” Latta; her father, Ernest Latta; her sister, Susie Gutchess; and her brother, John Latta.
Funeral services were held at the Nashville Baptist Church on June 5, 2025, with Pastor Eric Lamphere officiating. Interment took place immediately following the funeral service at Wilcox Cemetery in Nashville.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Nashville Baptist Church or Gideon’s International.
Funeral services have been entrusted to The Daniels Funeral Home-Nashville, conveniently located at 9200 E. M79 Hwy., Nashville, MI. For further details please visit our website at www.danielsfuneralhome.net.