Obituaries
Coy Kirk Morton, Jr.
Coy Kirk Morton, Jr., 92, of Charlotte, a hardworking man of integrity and love for his family, died peacefully on Sunday, December 4, 2022, in Lansing. Coy was born December 1, 1930, in Lansing, the son of Coy Kirk and Nettie Pearl (Mick) Morton. He graduated from Everett H.S. in 1950, where he loved playing football, before enlisting in the National Guard during the , Korean Conflict. Coy married his lifelong love, Norma Jean Young on November 5, 1955, and the two settled into family life. He worked over 30 years as an Operating Engineer, setting steel with a crane for various companies throughout the years. He was a proud member of Operating Engineers Union Local 324 in Lansing. Coy and Jean moved to their farm in Eaton Township in 1965, where they raised cattle, most recently Longhorns. Coy loved life on the farm. He was also a founding member of the Eaton County Sherriff’s mounted posse and enjoyed parades throughout the county and the relationships he developed along the way. Throughout his life, Coy was a deeply devoted Republican. He served on the executive committee of the Eaton County Republicans and was Volunteer of the Year as well as a recipient of the Frank M. Fitzgerald Lifetime Achievement Award. He was a proud Spartan Fan, attending MSU football games for years. Above all, Coy lived a life devoted to his family.
Coy is survived by his wife of 67 years, Jean Morton; three sons, Brian (Tracy) Morton, Bradley (Teresa) Morton and Brent (Kelly) Morton; 11 grandchildren, Christopher (Carissa) Morton, Rachelle Miller, Douglas (Sarah) Flanagan, William (Crystal) Ashley, Adam (Ciara) Ashley, Renae Morton, Shawna Morton, Kay Morton, Kaeden Maynard, Carly Morton, and Audrey Morton; and 11 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his infant granddaughter, Cara Ann Morton; and sister, Linda Garrett.
Friends are encouraged to support Coy’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 10, 2022, at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Pastor Garry Fisher officiating. Visitation will be from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Friday, December 9, 2022, at Pray Funeral Home and on Saturday, December 10, 2022 from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. just prior to the service. Interment will take place at Center Eaton Cemetery. 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 Coy’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Center Eaton Historical Committee. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Beverly Jean Kesson
Beverly Jean Kesson passed away November 30, 2022. Born March 14, 1938, she was a long-time resident of Windsor Township, Dimondale, Michigan.
Beverly graduated in the top ten in her class of 1956 in Dimondale. She married and had four children. After the divorce, she went to work at The Ledges Shopping Guide. In 1980 she went to work for the US Post Office, where she made some valuable and life-long friends. She retired in 1999 and began traveling across the United States, Alaska, and Hawaii. With Aunt Wilda and a small group of travel companions, they traveled for over ten years. She loved to travel. Over the last 15 years she also met up with high school friends once a month for a luncheon at different establishments. She always looked forward to that.
Beverly was a wonderful mother, grandmother, and a true friend to those who knew her. Caring and giving; if in need, she would give indeed. She always stated she had a wonderful life! She will be missed by us who love her.
She is preceded in death by her son, Craig A. Kesson; parents, Russ and Mary Decess; and brothers, Junior (Russ) and Richard Decess.
Surviving are her children, Kerry Kesson, Laurie (Gary) Spiekhout, and Tommy (Dana) Kesson; siblings Peggy Henderson, Monte (Mona) Decess and Scott Decess; nine grandchildren: Aaron, Amy, April, Erica, Karisa, Katrina, and Jared, and Jolene and Amanda of Texas; thirteen great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family members.
To share memories with the family, join us on December 18, 2022, from 2-5 p.m. at Tony M’s banquet room, 3420 South Creyts Road, Lansing, MI 48917.
Diane Elaine Sedlar
Diane Elaine Sedlar, age 58, of Olivet, Michigan, passed away at home surrounded by her family on Sunday, December 4, 2022. Diane was born on July 11, 1964, to Nelson and Janice (Houseman) Gates in Fort Benning, Georgia. She graduated from Owosso High School with the class of ’82. On April 8, 1989, Diane married David Sedlar in Owosso.
Diane was an outdoors gal! She loved the summertime when as a family they would enjoy camping and boating together. When winter rolled around and the snow began to fall, Diane had a blast snowmobiling. She was always ready for a game of cards in the evening. Diane adored her family and lived for them. She will be deeply missed by all.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, David; sons, Brandon Sedlar of Battle Creek, MI, Jamie (Marsha) Sedlar of Taylor, MI, Jason (Steven) Sedlar, Charlotte, North Carolina; grandchildren, T.J. Cousino, Jaylin Sedlar, Maddix Sedlar; great grandchild, Marissa Cousino; brother, Tom Gates of Owosso, MI; sister, Nicole (Casey) Clifford; nieces, Kimberly Gates, Kya Clifford; and many cousins in Sabina, Ohio.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Mark Gates; and parents-in-law, Martin and Irene Sedlar.
Funeral services were held on Friday, December 9, 2022, at 11 a.m. at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home with Brian Roberts officiating. Burial will take place at Bosworth Cemetery.
Those desiring may make contributions in Diane’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., FL 17, Chicago, IL 60601.
To view Diane’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com.
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.