Obituaries
James Elliott Manchester
James Elliott Manchester of Mason, passed away May 15, 2022, at the age of 86. James was born in Lansing, MI, July 22, 1935, the son of Rodney and Frances (Schmidt) Manchester. He worked for Michigan Bell for over 30 years and served as Chief Union Stewart for 25 years before his retirement. James was a dedicated Mason serving as the Past Worthy Patron of Holt Chapter #510 O.E.S. twice in 1984 and 1987, the Past Worthy Patron of Mason Chapter #150 O.E.S. twice in 2006 and 2012, the Grand Representative of Prince Edward Island in Michigan 2011-2014, the Past Worshipful Master of Holt Lodge #572 F&AM, and the Past Worshipful Master of Mason Lodge #70 F&AM. He traveled to every state, enjoyed woodcarving, gardening, was a passionate fisherman and hunter. James was a member of the Eaton Rapids First United Methodist Church, Robbins United Methodist Church, men’s bible study group, and the Grand Ledge Woodcarver’s Association. His favorite saying was, “treat others the way you would like to be treated.” James is survived by his daughters, Pamela (Tom) Bowlin of NM, Shirley (Scott) Croy of Eaton Rapids; son, David (Joan) Manchester of Eaton Rapids; six grandchildren; five great grandchildren; sisters, Lois Verhelle, Beulah Miller; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and wife, Mollie Manchester. Memorial services will be 1 pm Sunday June 5, 2022, at the Masonic Temple in Mason. Memorial contributions may be made to the Mason Order of the Eastern Stars Chapter #150 and the Mason Masonic Lodge #70. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. To leave condolences for the family, please visit our website, www.millsfuneral.com.
Nancy Kathleen Murray
Nancy Kathleen Murray, loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-aunt, and friend of Holland, MI passed away on Sunday, May 8, 2022, at the age of 70. Nancy was born on October 25, 1951, in Bay City, MI, the daughter of Donald E. Murray and Blodwin F. Griffith. She was a 1969 graduate of Holt High School and later when on to graduate Summa cum laude from the University of Michigan with a Masters in Library Science. Nancy served as the Director of the Eaton Rapids Public Library for a decade and retired in 2012. She was passionate about education, reading, gardening, cooking, giving of her time through volunteering, and loved to try new recipes and feed others in large quantity to share with family and friends. She was a member of the First United Methodist Women’s Group, cooked for the Senior Meal, Tulip Time meals for the tour buses, SON (Serving Our Neighbors), United Methodist Women’s Bazaar, and served as one of the crew at Community Kitchen with the First United Methodist Church, Holland, MI. Nancy is preceded in death by her parents, Donald E. Murray and Blodwin F. Griffith, and older sister, Lorraine Brown. She is survived her stepmother, Diane Murray, children, Meganne Duchesne (Craig Russell), Ginger Glade (David McHugh), and Karen Bowerman (Larry Furguson), grandchildren, Jordan Stovall, Alyssa Glade, great-grandson, Gabriel Stovall; sibling, Susan Weber, many nieces, nephews, and her sweet Scottish terrier, Stetson. A memorial for Nancy is being held at a later date. The family is being served by Lakeshore Memorial Services. To leave condolence, share memories, and more information, please visit www.lakeshorememorial.com. For those desiring memorial contributions, may be made to the First United Methodist Church or the Herrick District Library of Holland, MI in memory of Nancy.
Carol Landes
Carol Landes, born on February 11, 1941, passed away on May 14, 2022. Graveside Service was held on Tuesday, May 17, 2022, at Woodlawn Cemetery, Vermontville
Martin Jackson
Martin Junior Jackson, age 95, of Charlotte, passed away at home surrounded by those he loved on May 12, 2022. He was born to Martin and Mabel (Walker) Jackson on July 2, 1926, in Port Huron, Michigan. He graduated from Port Huron High School with the class of ’45. Martin married Sara Miller on April 26, 1947. They recently celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary; a milestone reached by very, very few!
After graduating from High School, Martin joined the United States Army and proudly served his country for six years. During World War II, he sailed east. His tour of duty took him from North Africa and on to Italy and Germany. From there he went to the European theater and served in Korea and Japan. In later years, Martin and Sara traveled the world and retraced many of the paths that he had taken during his time of duty. Martin enjoyed various hobbies. He loved woodworking and was very good at it. He also had a passion for old cars and was a member of the Crank and Throttle Model A Club. Martin’s love for old cars led him to purchase a few for himself. He then restored several completely, even reupholstering the seats single handedly! Martin purchased Char Lanes in 1982 and was still the proud owner right up until his passing. He was an active life member of VFW Post 2406 where he served with the honor guard. Most of all, he loved his family and will be deeply missed.
Those surviving him are his wife, Sara; children, Phillip Jackson of Charlotte, Phyllis (Jay) Burcham of California, Gary Jackson of Mason, David Jackson of Charlotte, and Sue-Ann Johnson of Eaton Rapids; special family friend, Judy Lynn; 11 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild; brother, Kenneth Jackson of Indiana; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Delores, and his brother Charles.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, May 18, 2022, at 1 p.m. at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home. The family received friends for a time of visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial took place at Fort Custer National Cemetery at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 19, 2022.
To view Martin’s obituary online or to leave condolences for the family, please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com.
Keith Hayes
Keith Alvin Hayes, 64, of Springfield, passed away on May 9, 2022, at the Springfield, MI.
He was born on November 8, 1957, to Charles and Virginia (LaForge) Hayes in Dearborn, MI. Keith attended school at Bellevue High School. Keith worked as a Machine Operator for Gallagher Uniform for many years. He raised a lot of muck enjoying the fruits of life and relationships in his younger years, having his fair share of muscle cars. He loved to sit and relax while listening to classic country music. Keith was a kind and generous man, always doing thing for other people. He was very skilled when it came to repairing small engines. He would fix a lot of lawn mowers and other equipment for people, rarely making a profit doing so, he just enjoyed helping. Keith was the best neighbor that anyone could ask for. His generosity did not stop at people, he was also known to feed and take care of the neighborhood cats that would roam the streets in his neighborhood. He suffered many abrasions in doing so. Keith made the absolute best spaghetti, and sloppy joes. He will be greatly missed for his generosity, loyalty, and integrity.
Keith is survived by two Daughters, Andrea Crosslan, Candice Kohler of Battle Creek, MI; Four Brothers, Philip (Catherine) Hayes of Battle Creek, MI, Rex (Sunday) Hayes of Battle Creek, MI, Gerald (Sue) Hayes of Bellevue, MI, Raymond (Cindy) Hayes of Independence, KY; Two Sons, Christopher Kholer of Battle Creek, MI, Charles Kholer of Battle Creek, MI; Friend, Colleen Hayes of Battle Creek, MI.
He was preceded in death by his Father, Charles Edward Hayes, Mother, Virginia Hayes, Brothers, Charles Hayes, Frank Hayes, David Hayes, and Robert Hayes, and his sister, Nancy Orr
A Memorial service will be held on Sunday, May 22nd from 12:00pm to 2:00pm at Elks Lodge, 1200 Harmonia Rd., Battle Creek, MI 49037.
Interment will take place in the Riverside Cemetery, Bellevue, MI
Memorials can be made to the Humane Society of South Central Michigan. Online condolences can be given at http://www.kempffuneralhome.com.