Obituaries
Virginia May “Ginny” Strahan
Virginia May “Ginny” Strahan, age 95, of Eaton Rapids, MI went to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, October 19, 2022. Virginia was born on October 1, 1927, in Hamlin Township, Michigan, the daughter of Clarence and Frances (Harshey) Hall. She was raised in Eaton Rapids where she graduated from high school class of 1945. Virginia was a hard-working woman throughout her life and instilled that work ethic into her children. She worked as a bookkeeper for Ed Cords Well Drilling, the VFW Children’s Home, the Eaton Rapids City Clerk’s Office, Island City Credit Union and for Mills and Andy’s Restaurants in Charlotte, often working multiple jobs while raising six kids. She was a talented artist and loved painting and would paint the black and white and sepia photos for a photo shop in Charlotte. Ginny was a kindhearted soul who had a genuine love for children, when her kids were young, the neighborhood children always knew they could stop by Ginny’s for homemade cookies. She also enjoyed gardening, tending to her flowers and watching the birds.
Virginia is preceded in death by her parents; sons, Patrick and Mikel Cords; and her former husband and father of her children, Edwin Cords.
Surviving are her children: Sandra (Gary) Halsey, Kathy Taylor, Colynn (Scott) Kellogg, Edwin Cords, Jr.; daughter-in-law, Janet Cords; grandchildren: Heather (Mark) White, Russell (Dee) Halsey, James Taylor, Jeffrey (Laura) Taylor, Rebecca (Brad) Williams, Jennifer (Scott) Truman, Ian (Brandi) Cords, Brittney (Nate) Clark, Samantha Cords, Mike (Emily) Gault, Matthew (Autumn) Gault; many great-grandchildren, one great great-grandchild; brothers, Edward (Doris) Hall, Bruce Hall, Neil Hall and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff at Island City Assisted Living and Elara Caring Hospice for their outstanding care over the past weeks and months.
A celebration of life was held on Wednesday, October 26, 2022, at Skinner Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids chapel. Virginia was laid to rest next to her sons in Rosehill Cemetery in Eaton Rapids. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the VFW National Home in memory of Virginia. To share memories or leave condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
Kathy Fillingham-Canfield-Dye
Kathy Ann Fillingham-Canfield-Dye of Eaton Rapids went to be in the arms of our Savior on October 17, 2022, at the age of 71. She was born in Lansing, MI, on December 1, 1950, the daughter of Claude William II and Judith (Roen) Fillingham. Kathy graduated from Eaton Rapids High School in 1968. She was a cheerleader and homecoming queen. Kathy was a part of the ‘Fillingham 4 dancers’ with her sisters. She married the love her life, Cliff, in 1984. Kathy retired from Eaton Stamping. She enjoyed bowling and golfing.
Kathy is survived by her husband, Cliff Dye; sons, Gary (Sheri) Canfield, Corey Canfield, Chad (Heather) Dye; daughters, Jana (Wayne) Cole and Dawn Canfield; 12 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; siblings, Ronald Fillingham, Claude Fillingham III, Brenda Hampton-Smith, Debra (Larry) Harrison, Pamela Lopez. She is preceded in death by her parents; grandsons, James and Chase; brother-in-law, Cary Dye, and Dennis Sleep.
Memorial services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, October 22, 2022, at the Thrive Church, 6044 S. Clinton Trail, Eaton Rapids, MI, 48827. Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. To leave condolences for the family, please visit our website, millsfuneral.com.
Sue-Ann Kay Warner
Sue-Ann Kay Warner, 55, went to be with her Lord after a brief illness with cancer on September 28, 2022. She was born on October 27, 1966, to parents Lawrence and Ellinor Warner and lived her life in Eaton Rapids, Michigan, graduating in 1984. She worked for John Henry Co. in Lansing, then the State of Michigan.
Sue is survived by her daughters, Shawn Marie Warner and Teri-Lynn Mae Warner; mother, Ellinor Warner; brother, Lawrence (Juanita) Warner; niece, Nichole (Jeremy) Hartman and their children, Owen and Audrey; and nephew, Lawrence Warner, III. She was predeceased by her father, Lawrence Warner, Sr.
Susie enjoyed many hobbies and loved spending time with her dog, Tesa and horse, Beauty, winning ribbons and being Reigning Frontier Days Queen. She also enjoyed coin collecting, competitive computer games, reading, and especially spending time with her girls, Shawn and Teri. She was always fun and positive and would do anything to see a smile on everyone’s face. She walked in the light of God and her light will shine in the hearts of those who loved her.
Katie Gulliver Clark
Katie Gulliver Clark, 49, passed away peacefully, Thursday, October 13, 2022, after a lengthy neurological degenerative illness. Katie’s family received friends Friday, October 21, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Brooklyn Presbyterian Church (160 N. Main St., Brooklyn, Mich.). Service followed on Friday, October 21, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Tammy Rekob officiating.
Katie was born on May 18, 1973, in Jackson, Michigan to Ted and Betty (Steward) Gulliver. She will be remembered for her sweet personality and beautiful welcoming smile. Katie was born and raised in Clarklake, Michigan, graduating from Columbia Central High School and Western Michigan University with a bachelor’s degree in education and where she was a member of Alpha Omega Pi Sorority. During her high school years, she was a member of the tennis team, performed in musicals, chosen by the faculty as DAR Good Citizen and voted by her peers, Homecoming Queen. As a person whose spouse worked for the United States State Department, she lived in many countries – Belgium, Ecuador, and Namibia as well as state-side. Katie was a snowbird for the past twelve years, traveling from Clarklake to Palmetto, Florida. At the Winterset Senior Park, Katie had many extended grandparents. She was one of the fortunate people that made friends easily with her warmth and wit and maintained friendships, both past and present, throughout her life. Although her disease continued to limit her, she enjoyed keeping socially active, and found joy in writing cards and letters. She loved the Clarklake life, wonderful friends and neighbors throughout the years. She took what she was dealt and did her best as a strong soul must do. She worked hard to make things as easy as possible for others, making her parents very proud. Katie will be missed greatly by all who knew and loved her.
Katie is survived by her parents, Ted and Betty; grandmother, Nina Gulliver of Eaton Rapids; aunts and uncles, Marie (RC) Wallace of Palmetto, Florida, Gary (Debbie) Gulliver of Eaton Rapids; Christina (Keith) Pople of Tennessee, and Charna (Bob) Welch of Eaton Rapids; and her close-knit family. She is preceded in death by her sister, Annie Reed; grandfather, Hank Steward; grandmother, Marion Steward and grandfather, Chuck Gulliver.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to National Ataxia Foundation, P.O. Box 27986, Golden Valley, MN 55427, the Columbia Central School Foundation or the Brooklyn Presbyterian Church. Please leave a message of comfort for Katie’s family or sign her guestbook at www.EinederFuneralHomes.com.
Timothy Peterson
Timothy B. Peterson “Tim” was born on January 1, 1960, he passed away on October 12, 2022. A Memorial Service will be held on October 25, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte..