Obituaries
Evelyn Myrtle Koning
Evelyn Myrtle Koning died of natural causes on September 27, 2025 at Hope Landing Assisted Living in Charlotte, Michigan, within a week of her 96th birthday.
Evelyn was born on October 3, 1929 to Wendell W. and Olive E. (Bennett) DeMeritt, on the farm of Edward O. F. DeMeritt near Morenci, Michigan. She was raised through the depression years by her parents, and by Aunt Lillian Porter of Morenci while her parents worked in Florida. She attended a range of schools including Sand Creek High School and Adrian High School, where she graduated in 1947 as class valedictorian. She married her high-school sweetheart, Robert P. Sears on August 29, 1948. Evelyn delivered daughter N. Kathleen in 1950, but Robert was tragically killed in a trucking accident later that year.
Evelyn went into nurses training, where she met David R. Koning, a patient in the Adrian hospital. David and Evelyn were married on September 20, 1952. Evelyn delivered son Ross E. in 1953, daughter M. Christine in 1955, and son Paul D. in 1957. The family moved to Charlotte, Michigan in 1958. Evelyn enjoyed sewing, cooking, gardening, canning, freezing, decorating, hosting parties, and sold World Book Encyclopedias, as she raised her four children into middle-school age. She then entered Lansing Community College and Michigan State University to earn her Bachelor’s degree and teaching certificate (1970), and her Master’s degree in Reading (1972). She started teaching at Charlotte Junior High School in 1971 and retired from Galewood Elementary School in 1991.
Evelyn joined her first church as a youth and encouraged her parents to join. She and both husbands were church members. All of her children were baptized and became members of Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church in Charlotte. Family life always included the church. Evelyn was a Sunday School teacher and Superintendent. She was a Cub Scout den mother and a Campfire Girls leader. She had a beautiful singing voice and provided many solo performances. Evelyn was an active member of the Order of Eastern Star, served a term as Worthy Matron, and was its Chaplain for many years.
Living to the age of 95, she was preceded in death by her forebears; husbands; brother, William W. DeMeritt; and two sons-in-law. She is survived by her four children, 11 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren. A celebration of life for Evelyn will be held at 210 East Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church in Charlotte on November 16, 2025 at 1:30 p.m.; in lieu of flowers, memorial donations are welcome at the church. Her family will inter the cremains of David and Evelyn Koning at Oak Grove Cemetery in Morenci, Michigan on November 17, 2025.
Norma Tracy Bauer
Norma Tracy Bauer, 80, of Grand Blanc and formerly Lansing passed away October 4, 2025. Funeral services will be Saturday, November 8, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. at The Fledge, 1300 Eureka St. Lansing, MI. 48912.
Bonnie Jo (Hathaway) Young
Bonnie Jo (Hathaway) Young, age 80, of Denver, Colorado and formerly of Potterville, Michigan, passed away on September 18, 2025. Bonnie will be interred next to her husband, Jim Young, at Ft. Logan National Cemetery in Denver, Colorado.
Patricia Mae Burley
Patricia “Pat” Mae Burley (Winters), of Eaton Rapids, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 6, 2025, at the age of 86.
Pat was born on November 7, 1938, in Lansing, MI, the daughter of William and Bonnie Winters. She was raised in Holt and graduated from Holt High School with the Class of 1956.
Throughout her life, Pat worked in a variety of roles, including at the Meijer Bakery, as a beloved “lunch lady” for Eaton Rapids Public Schools, and as a skilled seamstress at Baryames Cleaners and Lansing Uniform.
Pat was an active and vibrant member of her community. She was involved with the Eaton Rapids Boosters Club, the Eaton Rapids Women’s Chorus, and the Red Hat Society. In her spare time, she enjoyed cooking, baking, crocheting, knitting, taking care of the animals and birds behind her house, and passionately cheering on Michigan State University sports — a devotion so strong that at times, her family joked about which she loved more: them or MSU.
Above all, Pat was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. Her family was the heart of her life, and she consistently put their needs above her own. Her selflessness and warmth touched everyone around her, and her homemade cookies will be dearly missed by all who had the joy of tasting them.
Pat is survived by her loving husband of 68 years, Eldon Burley; her children, Mike (Candice) Burley, Mark (Carolyn) Burley, Lori (Patrick) Mayabb, and Lisa (David) Felice; her grandchildren, Alisa (Bennett) and David Hammond, and Jennifer (Burley) and Donald Matthews; and her great-grandson, Oliver Hammond.
She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Bonnie Winters, and her sister, Rosemary.
In accordance with Pat’s wishes, no formal services will be held. The family would like to thank the staff at Eaton County Health and Rehabilitation Services (ECHRS) for their love and care that they showed Pat during her stay.
Memories and condolences may be shared at www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
Jean Ann Keilholtz
Jean Ann Keilholtz, a quiet, supportive wife, mother, and grandmother, died September 27, 2025. Jean, 70, of Vermontville was born October 31, 1954 in Lansing, Michigan, to Frederick and Lorraine (Phifer) Leik. Jean a graduate of Harry Hill High School moved to the Vermontville area in the 1990s. Jean loved camping, and one of her favorite places was the Soo Locks in the Upper Peninsula, watching the ships go through the Locks. She also enjoyed fishing in Canada at Rice Lake. Jean’s love of horses showed when she broke her own horse Teddy, a paint-pinto. After breaking Teddy, she went on many trail rides, including riding the Battlefield of Gettysburg.
Jean was very supportive of her family and enjoyed being with her grandchildren. You would often see her attending the sporting events of every grandchild. She was also very supportive of her son while he showed horses in 4-H.
Jean is survived by her husband of 46 years, Robert; son, Scott (Shenna) Keilholtz; and grandchildren, Robert and Karminey. She was preceded in death by her parents.
Friends are encouraged to support Jean’s family by sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Edward Lee Steele
Edward Lee Steele, 70, of Charlotte passed away on September 24, 2025. Funeral Services will be planned for a future date.
Terry M Yesh
Terry M Yesh, aka Ter-bear, age 78, passed away peacefully at The Oaks in Battle Creek, Michigan, on September 23, 2025. He was born to Maurice and Mozelle (Poore) Yesh on June 26, 1947, in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He married the love of his life, Jacqueline Elaine Eaton, in April of 1969, and they had 56 wonderful years together before his passing. He was a Vietnam Army Veteran, and his division was the “Hell on Wheels” bomb demolition division. He worked as a machine journeyman repairman with many additional skillsets that he used throughout his life, such as being a drill press and lathe operator, and a building maintenance man. Terry had a plethora of interests and was a man that never liked to sit still, unless it was for hunting. He loved to hunt anything he could deer, turkeys, squirrels, and more. He never got to hunt a bear, though it was on his list. He enjoyed fishing with his wife, skydiving, scuba diving, dune buggying, tinkering with cars, working with EMS, and having quality time with his friends and family.
Terry is preceded in death by his parents, Maurice and Mozelle Yesh.
He leaves behind to remember him with love: his wife, Jackie Yesh; his children, Todd Yesh of Detroit, Gordon (Kathy) Yesh of Augusta, Kimberly (Michael) Hubbard of Galesburg; his grandchildren, Jenelle (Amy) Yesh of Grand Rapids, Keith Yesh of Bellevue, Emily Yesh of Hastings, Morganne Smith of Richland, Liam (Lauryn) Hubbard of Kalamazoo, Megan (Thomas) Hubbard of Battle Creek; his brother, Michael (Janice) Lake of Buchanan; and his sister, Pamela (Larry) Miller of Charlotte.
Calling hours were held Monday, September 29, 2025, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Kempf Family Event Center in Bellevue, Michigan. Terry will be laid to rest privately at the Kalamo Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made out to The Oaks of Battle Creek.
The Kempf Family Funeral Home is honored to care for the Yesh family in their time of need.
Roberta Boyce
Roberta “Bobbie” Boyce was born on July 14, 1952. Surrounded by her family, she passed away with grace on September 25, 2025.
Survived by her beautiful sister, Karen (Phil), and her most significant accomplishments, her children, Ryan Boyce (Theresa) and Kelli Boyce Jones (Nik). Her grandchildren, Airic (Stephanie), CJ, Mason, Alyssa, Caden, Nicolaus, Gavin, Lula, and Evan. Her first great-grandchild, Ava Boyce, was welcomed this year. Her bonus children and their families, whom she loved as her own; Steve, Brad, Heidi, and Jamie; her nieces, Tasha and Apryl; and her nephews, Brandon and Travis.
Bobbie always had a way of making everyone feel special. In her early years, Bobbie taught microwave cooking classes, coached soccer, enjoyed catering, and always had food at her table for anyone willing to sit and eat. She shared love, laughter, and a business for many decades with her late husband, Howard “Howdy” Boyce, with whom she no doubt had a special place in her heart. Bobbie had a tremendously successful career in mortgages and loved connecting with people. Bobbie lived an amazingly independent, colorful, fun-filled life. She spent the last six years at ECHRS where she definitely made her mark and stood out in the crowd. She led the residents and staff on fun adventures, filled with laughter and many competitive card games. She was also able to enjoy living with her best friend of 40 years, Roxanne Baker, at ECHRS. Bobbie especially enjoyed spending time with her family, relaxing at the lake, and never missed an opportunity to soak up the sun. Her love for cooking was infectious to all, and this joy was passed down to her children, as well as her many recipes. If you met Bobbie, you were guaranteed to walk away with not only a smile but a fun story to go along with it.
Bobbie was preceded in death by her parents, Leona Smith (Tom) and Robert Kamp (Eadie), and her sister Nancy.
Her family will hold a private celebration of life at a later date.
Donations can be made in lieu of flowers to Eaton Community Palliative Care 2675 S. Cochran Road, Charlotte, MI 48813.
To view Bobbie’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com
The family is being served by the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home.
Harold P. Messenger
Harold P. Messenger, 88, of Bellevue, Michigan passed away on Tuesday, September 23, 2025 at the Oak’s Legacy in Battle Creek, Michigan.
He was born on June 3, 1937 to Lynn and Mary (Swayzee) Messenger in Battle Creek, Michigan.
Harold married C. Diane Gasser on December 26, 1955 at Bellevue United Methodist Church, sadly she passed away on November 20, 2021. He graduated from Bellevue High School in 1955.
Harold enlisted into the United States Army on July 11, 1956 in Detroit, Michigan and was honorably discharged at Ft. Bliss, Texas on July 10, 1958 attaining the rank of SP4.
He was a lifelong farmer at heart, but he also worked for 27 years as a Mechanical Supervisor at Kellogg Cereal Co., in Battle Creek, retiring in 1995. He was a life-time member of Bellevue United Methodist Church and also a member of the Kellogg 25 Year Club. Harold enjoyed square dancing with his friends in the local area. He loved old cars, especially Buick’s and he belonged to the Maple City Buick Club. Woodworking, building and fixing anything mechanical were hobbies that will be missed by all who knew him. Harold enjoyed reading, especially car and woodworking magazines. He loved working with his hands, and many appreciated his hard work and knowledge on fixing things.
Harold is survived by his loving children, David Messenger of Bellevue, Michigan, Linda (Norman) Franks of Bellevue, Michigan and Donna (Kim) Smith of Battle Creek, Michigan; nine grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; his siblings, Lois Siple of Vermontville, Michigan, Joann (Jim) Pierce of Kalamazoo, Michigan, and Laura Mahoney of Tillsonburg, Ontario, Canada.
He was preceded in death by his wife, C. Diane Messenger; his parents; and his grandson, David Messenger.
A private Celebration of Life for Harold will be held at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Good Samaritan Fund or the Bellevue Fire Department.
Arrangements were entrusted to Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services. Please visit www.kempffuneralhome.com to view the online obituary, to sign the online guest book or to leave the family condolences.
Donna Jean Townsend
Donna Jean Townsend of Charlotte, passed away September 16, 2025, at the age of 90. Donna was born in Albion, Michigan on June 7, 1935, the daughter of Francis and Frances (Shaw) Dack. She was retired from Meijer Bakery and also worked as a Custodian for the VFW National Home for Children.
Donna is survived by her children, Diane Slusser of Eaton Rapids, Sherry (Richard) Amsdill of Onondaga, Debora Rounds of Eaton Rapids; grandchildren, Alyson (Michael) Fitzpatrick of Eaton Rapids, Rikki Lynn Amsdill of Jackson, Sally (Jesse) Brown of Springport, Jennifer Rounds of Charlotte, David Slusser of Eaton Rapids; 7 great grandchildren; siblings, Phil (Mary) Dack, Doug (Janet) Dack, David Dack, Don (Georgia) Dack, Barbara Corser, Bev (Elidge) Abbott. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Kenneth Dack; sister, Nancy Dack.
A Memorial Service will be held at a later date. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in loving memory of Donna Jean Townsend. To leave condolences for the family, visit our website www.millsfuneral.com.