Obituaries
William Ward Burleson
William Ward Burleson of Eaton Rapids, MI passed away with his family by his side on Wednesday, November 9, 2022, at the age of 66. Bill was born on January 13, 1956, in Mason, MI to Clyde and Patty (Hart) Burleson.
Bill grew up in Eaton Rapids as well as Mason, graduating from Mason High School in the class of 1974. In his youth, he played 4-H softball with friends and family. He enjoyed snowmobiling, fishing, and working on cars. Although his family and friends knew of his love of space and the stars, most were surprised to learn that he took flying lessons too. From the age of two, he rode alongside his grandfather on the tractor, and spent many years thereafter farming on the family farm in Mason. Bill worked for the Ingham County Road Commission during summers before hiring into General Motors in 1976. He worked in repair at Fisher Body, then later at the Lansing Delta Assembly, and was a member of the UAW Local 602. After 44 years of service, he retired in March of 2020 and met regularly with the UAW 602 retiree group for lunch.
Bill married Roberta Bosworth on May 25, 1986, and together, with both their families, they commenced work on their dream house located on a peaceful piece of property overlooking the river in Eaton Rapids. It was a labor of love that Bill would continue to work on his whole life. He could often be found sitting on the porch admiring the sunset and wildlife with a glass of iced tea and his faithful yellow lab Aggie by his side.
Bill was a licensed general contractor, working on many projects for friends and family. He also had a fireworks certification, creating many spectacular fireworks shows for family gatherings. Bill enjoyed reading about history, especially Michigan history, and researching genealogy. Bill also spent many wonderful vacations in the Upper Peninsula with family, often in the Marquette area.
Bill was a well-loved person by everyone who met him, whether they knew him for a few minutes or all their lives. His passing will leave a void in the hearts of many, but also thankfulness for all the wonderful memories. He was preceded in death by his father, Clyde and his wife, Robin. Surviving are his lab Aggie; daughter, Mary Burleson; mother, Patty Burleson; sister, Susan (Steve) Pifer; sister, Julie (Rick) Rice; brother, Tim (Lana) Burleson; nephew, Reggie (Melissa) Rice; nieces, Patty (Chuck) Hubbard, Bobbie (Clint) Mayes, Billie Rice, Anne (Travis) VanKirk, Elizabeth (Ian) Wilson, Amanda (Don) Pifer, and Elaine (Tyler) Bandy; several great nieces and nephews, a great-great niece, cousins, and many family friends.
The family wishes to thank the doctors, nurses and staff of Henry Ford Jackson Hospital for their excellent care of Bill. A memorial service will take place in May at Bill’s beloved home, and he will be laid to rest in Meadowbrook Cemetery in Mulliken with his wife. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the Eaton Rapids Conservation Club in memory of William Ward Burleson.To share memories or leave condolences, please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHome.com.
Bernard Hartley
Bernard Hartley of Eaton Rapids, MI passed away on Wednesday, November 9, 2022, at the age of 86. Bernie was the forth born of six children to Ernest and Dorothy (DeMitchell) Hartley on July 5, 1936, in Bay City, MI.
Bernie was born into a very talented musical family. The Hartley Family Band was formed in 1949 and played throughout lower mid-Michigan until 1955. Bernie could get that fiddle smokin’ playing “The Orange Blossom Special” while the audience cheered him on! At their peak, they had several radio and TV shows and were voted Michigan’s favorite band! This love of music lasted his whole life. He joined several bands and orchestras over the years and proudly started the Eaton Rapids Senior Center Jam Session, where he was MC for over 20 years.
Bernie met the love of his life, Patricia Diamond in 1953, at the A & W Restaurant in Bay City, where Pat worked as a car hop. They were married on February 3, 1955.
Bernie started working at Farm Bureau in 1956 and attended MSU (’57-’59) full-time. He was hired by Oldsmobile in the early 1960’s; management saw his potential, he was put into a skilled trades apprenticeship, Experimental Sheet-Metal. Bernie gave many guitar lessons to co-workers during his lunch breaks and several of them planned yearly fishing trips to Minnesota. Before retiring, Oldsmobile sent him to Northwestern Elementary School in their Community Service program. He taught music, organized a coat/shoe drive, and a camping trip held at the school for kids who had never experienced camping. In the early 1990’s, he was presented with the “Downhome Hero Award.” Years after retirement, he occasionally ran into some of those kids, all grown up, but they recognized him as their music teacher. Through his time at GM, Bernie was sent to California, Louisiana, and England, to put on Cadam presentations before his retirement in the early 1990’s.
Bernie and Pat raised three children, Mary, Patti and Bernie II in Lansing. He was the best dad ever! His children always knew how much they were wanted and loved; he would do anything for them. In 1978, they moved to Eaton Rapids, and got a Collie they named Lance. Bernie was excited about building his dream home, an earth-sheltered house that he designed. He was so proud of his house that he and Pat built together. Bernie and Pat went on many trips and cruises during their marriage. Their favorite trip was to Alaska, with Pat’s sister/brother-in law, Dudy and Jake. Bernie had so many hobbies/interests, Karate, dancing, swimming, music, reading, traveling, playing bingo and going to the casino. Their love affair lasted sixty-seven years until Pat’s passing in April 2022. Bernie and Pat had a wonderful life together. When Pat died in the spring, the spark in his blue eyes was gone. He missed his girl so much. Life was never the same for him as much as his kids hoped and prayed for a better outcome. His passing has left a tremendous void in their lives and their hearts. Their kids were deeply blessed to have them as their parents and to love them all these years.
Bernie was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Pat of 67 years; siblings, Duane, Danny, Ernest and Bruce; infant daughter, Kimberly; daughter Patti Vogel; and grandson, Jeffrey Hancock. He is survived by his sister, Judy Alexander; daughter, Mary Hancock; son, Bernie Hartley II (Michelle); grandchildren , Julee Hanna (Chris), Natalie Vogel, Nick Vogel, Jesse Hartley; and great-grandchildren, Olivia Hancock, Ryan Hanna and Alex Hanna.
A memorial service will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 19, 2022, with a visitation one hour prior to the service at Skinner Funeral Home in Eaton Rapids, with a luncheon on site to follow. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the Eaton Rapids Senior Center in memory of Bernard Hartley. To share memories or leave condolences, please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHome.com. Special thanks to Jon and Liz at Skinner Funeral Home for handling all the details for us to make the celebration of Bernie’s life so special!
Lawrence Julson
Lawrence D. Julson, “Larry” to his friends, died unexpectedly November 8, 2022. Larry, 55, of Charlotte was born March 22, 1967 in Lansing to Francis and Laurel Julson. Larry was a skilled heavy equipment operator for over 30 years. For the past several years he has worked for and with his friend, Will Pitylak, owner of Apex Septic and Excavating, Inc. Larry enjoyed working on all things mechanical, starting as a young child when it was too cold to work in the barn, Larry would bring in his bike or motorcycle to the basement, tear them down, just to rebuild them. Larry had a passion for his RC cars, his garage looked like a NASCAR garage, everything neat and in its place. Larry was in the process of building his own track and bleachers to share his love and passion for his toys.
Larry enjoyed many things in life, the Silver Lake sand dunes, motorcycles, snowmobiling, boating, building things for his kids when they were small from a halfpipe to a tree fort. Larry enjoyed the outdoors, from hunting when he was younger to mowing the lawn, making sure the “lines” were just right in his lawn, as long as he was outside he was happy.
Larry is survived by his daughter, Samantha Julson (Trent); son, Lawrence Dean Julson Jr. (Alison); his mother, Laurel Julson; siblings, Ron (Missy) Julson, Jodie (Jim) Julson-Delp, and Ken (Rob) Julson-Romelhart; and many nieces and nephews. Larry was predeceased by his father, Francis Julson; and grandparents, Malbert and Henriatta Julson and Lawrence and Grace Larson.
Friends are encouraged to support Larry’s family by attending a memorial service or sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Memorial services are November 19, 2022, from 12:00-2:00 p.m. at 4093 Thornton Highway, Charlotte, MI 48813. If desired in lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Samantha Julson to assist with Larry’s funeral expenses (check can be sent to Pray Funeral Home to be given to Samantha). The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Donna Marlow
Donna Ree Marlow, age 86, of Charlotte passed away peacefully at her home Monday, November 14, 2022, surrounded by those she loved. She was born May 4, 1936, in St. Petersburg, Pennsylvania the daughter of Clifford and Eleanor (Murray) Burrell. Donna had a passion for singing ever since she was a young girl. Her talent blossomed as she grew. Eventually earning her a scholarship to college to become an operatic singer. After college she gave up her dreams of becoming a professional opera singer and devoted herself wholeheartedly to being a wife and mother. She would often grace those around her with her magnificent voice and talent. Donna enjoyed her many gardens and had a love for flowers. Her favorite bird was the cardinal and she loved watching them around her home. Donna and Dick were avid campers and enjoyed many trips north with their family. Holidays were an important time for Donna. Her decorating skills were second to none and she put her heart and soul in everything she did.
Donna is survived by her husband of 48 years, Richard; children: Kimberly (Randy) Kaminski of Charlotte, Lisa (Don) Trierweiler of Lansing, Rhonda Henderson of Summerville, SC, Clinton (Ronda) Bowser of Pleasant Lake; daughter-in-law, Barb Bowser of Charlotte; brother, Clifford Burrell of Conyers, Georgia; grandchildren: Joey, Jami, Nichole, Journie, Lindsey, Amanda, Patricia, T.J., Ryan; and 17 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents and son, David Bowser.
In keeping with Donna’s wishes, cremation has taken place and no services will be held.
Those desiring may make contributions in Donna’s memory to ProMedica Hospice 865 S. Cedar St., Mason, MI 48854.
To view Donna’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.
Jacqueline Yvonne Odiorne
Jacqueline Yvonne Odiorne of Eaton Rapids, MI passed away Thursday, November 10, 2022, at the age of 88. Jackie was born on September 19, 1934, in Dallas, Texas the daughter of Richard and Hazel (Hulse) Robinson. She was raised in Texas where she graduated from Forest Avenue High School class of 1952. She married David Odiorne in October of 1954 and together they moved to Eaton Rapids where they raised their family. Jackie worked in the insurance industry for 51 years, starting in Lansing and then moving to the Charles Richmond Agency in Jackson where she worked as an underwriter, retiring in 2007. She loved the time she spent at Kibby Creek Campground in Ludington, MI where she spent nearly every weekend, from spring to early fall, for over 40 years. Jackie was also an avid reader and enjoyed crossword puzzles and word searches.
She was preceded in death by her husband, David Odiorne; brother-in-law, Milo Odiorne and her parents.
Surviving are her daughters, Cherie (Scott) Switzer, Sue (Dave) Warfield; grandchildren, Richard (Beth Lawrence) Switzer, Nicole (Russell) Lawrence, Nathaniel Switzer, Jamie (Dejan Dubroja) Warfield, Justin Warfield; great-grandchildren, Lyle and Rebecca Lawrence, Mila Dubroja, Kameron and Cody Warfield; brother, Richard (RosaLee) Robinson, Jr.; sister-in-law, Betty Odiorne; and numerous extended family and friends.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, November 16, 2022, at Skinner Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids Chapel. Considering Jackie’s extreme generosity, the family suggests a memorial contribution go to one of the numerous charities she contributed to, St. Jude’s, Boys Town, Alzheimer’s Association, Parkinson Foundation, National Lymphedema Network or American Cancer Society. To share memories or leave online condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.