Obituaries
Douglas Parr
Douglas E. Parr, age 70, of Bandera, Texas, and formerly of Bellevue, Michigan entered our Lord’s Kingdom on October 6, 2022, after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born April 22, 1952, in Charlotte, Michigan to Richard E. and Dorothy E. (Pratt) Parr.
Doug graduated from Bellevue High School, class of 1970. He had many talents in areas such as small engine repair, heavy equipment operation, draft horse logging, woodworking, carpentry and farming. In 1978, Doug along with his former spouse, Joan E. Powers, purchased a farm in Bellevue where they raised their two sons. He also worked as a licensed residential builder during his nearly 30 years of farming. He was passionate about hunting, horseback riding, calf roping and volunteering his time coaching baseball, football and soccer in the Bellevue Community Schools.
Doug filled his retirement days in Texas enjoying a closer walk with his Savior Jesus Christ, volunteering for Meals on Wheels and spending time with friends playing guitar, singing and dancing to country music.
Doug is survived by two sons, Mitchell Douglas (Jenn) Parr of Dallas, Texas, and Scott David Parr of Buenos Aires, Argentina; sister, Connie (Gary) Neff; brothers, Michael (Sue) Parr and Jeffrey (Nancy) Parr; sister-in-law, Bonnie (Gordon) Parr and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Gordon F. Parr; and nephew, Dustin J. Parr.
A Celebration of Doug’s Life will be held in Bandera, Texas.
Barbara Greene
Barbara Ann Greene, 83, of Fort Smith, AR, (formerly of Spring Lake, MI). died Sunday, October 9, 2022. Barbara was born June 27, 1939, in Muskegon, MI, the daughter of Leonard and Florence (Palmer) Bolles. She grew up on a farm and from an early age learned the responsibility of taking care of her own horse. Barbara graduated from Eaton Rapids High School in 1957. On February 17, 1973, she married the love of her life, Marty Greene. She was a bookkeeper running payroll and benefits for the Coopersville Public Schools until her retirement. Barbara was referred to by many as the “Cookie Lady,” she loved baking cookies and would bake dozens to take to church functions. Also, she was a talented seamstress and wallpaper installer; Barbara helped many families and friends over the years with putting wallpaper in their homes. Over her lifetime she dedicated many hours to serving different organizations, St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Spring Lake, the Home and School Association serving as the Executive Secretary, and 12 years on the Spring Lake Library Board. Above all she got the most enjoyment spending time with her family.
Barbara is survived by her son, David (Amy) Greene; grandchildren, Elizabeth Greene, and Gabriel Greene; sister, Mary Gargett. She was predeceased by her husband of 46 years, Marty; brother, Darwin Bolles; and her parents.
Friends are encouraged to support Barbara’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation was Friday, October 14, 2022, from 12 noon – 2:00 p.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church in Charlotte. A Funeral Mass followed at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Fr. Dwight Ezop officiating. The funeral was webcast so you may watch it from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device that has internet access. Go to www.prayfuneral.com, click on Barbara’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 Christ the King Church in Ft. Smith, AR. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
James Martin McBride
James Martin McBride of Eaton Rapids, passed away at the age of 84. James graduated from MSU with a BS in social work and an MBA. He married his wife, Donna Davis Johnson on February 14, 1969, and shortly moved to Eaton Rapids in 1969, where they became active members of the community. James was Mayor of Eaton Rapids during the Bicentennial.
James leaves behind his wife, Donna, of 53 years; son, Scott, and his wife Karen, and their three daughters, Megan, Kayla, and Haley of Canton, MI; stepdaughter, Brenda Harvey and her three daughters, Hannah, Halle, and Hattie of MA; and many friends in the community. He was preceded in death by his father, James Roy McBride; mother, Elsie Lucille Martin, and her husband Douglas Merritt; and sister, Janie.
We would like to thank the nurses and staff of Eaton Rapids Hospital and McLaren Home Care, and his neighbor Bill Bruce for all his care and hard work.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Friday, October 14, 2022, at the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids, with a visitation one hour prior. Interment will take place at Rosehill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the National Rifle Association, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030 or the Disabled American Veterans, PO Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. To leave online condolences for the family please visit our website, www.millsfuneral.com.
Alys Eilene (Wisner) Hoover
Alys Eilene (Wisner) Hoover went to be with the Lord she loved on September 21, 2022, at the age of 95. She was born at home on her family farm on January 9, 1927, to Joseph Cecil Wisner and Bertha Eva (Gibney) Wisner. The family moved during her childhood to Fremont, Indiana; Montgomery, Michigan, then Eden, Ohio where she graduated from high school. She graduated College from Western Michigan University with an Associate’s degree in Business, belonged to Alpha Beta Epsilon and Sigma Tau Chi Honorary Business Fraternity and played saxophone in the band. Moving to the Lansing area in the 1950’s, she worked for MSU for the State Soil Conservation Committee. She married Clarence R. Hoover in 1956. She was a stay-at-home mom to Debra until she reached high school, volunteering as a Camp Fire Girls leader, and Girl Scout leader. They moved to Eaton Rapids in 60’s, where she lived an active full life. She returned to work for the State of Michigan where she worked for the Department of Corrections until her retirement in 1986. Two months after retirement, Alys lost her husband. The death of her husband was a turning point in her life, and she decided to dedicate her life to serving the community, church, and travel. Alys volunteered for Red Cross Blood Drive, Eaton Rapids Medical Center Gift Shop for 27 years, at the Lansing Art Gallery, Boarshead Theater, Eaton County Jail, Eaton Rapids Middle School ‘Reality Store’, tutored Northwestern Elementary first grade readers, local and statewide Special Olympics, Meals on Wheels, and Eaton Rapids Planning Commission. Additionally, she volunteered at her church, First United Methodist Church of Eaton Rapids, visiting shut ins, teaching PreK Sunday school, working in the nursey, rummage sales, and funeral dinners. Alys joined a Christian Mime Clown group and from then on, she was known as Ally Oops the clown for 22 years. As a clown she enjoyed volunteering at the Hanneford, and Barnum & Bailey circuses, birthday parties, parades, and meet-and-greets. She was an active member of many community organizations such as Michigan Business and Professional Woman, Red Hatters, State Employees Retirement Association, Eaton County Family Community Education, Eaton Rapids Medical Center Hospital Auxiliary, Eaton Rapids Senior Center, Circus Clown Alley #155, Eaton Rapids Methodist Church, Local United Methodist Woman (Secretary and President), and Lansing District United Methodist Woman (14 years). Alys was lifelong learner taking additional classes at Lansing Community College and Michigan State University throughout her life. She enjoyed attending Elderhostels (33) and traveled with friends through Europe, Russia, Canada, and all 50 United States. She was a strong supporter of the Arts, attending several Wharton Center performances annually. As part of her “many random acts of kindness mission,” she took many friends and family to art inspired events such as plays, musicals, ballet, and many other events like this. She deeply cherished time spent with friends and family, keeping up with everyone’s life events.
Alys was preceded in death by her parents; husband in 1986; sisters, Mary Louise Richards, and Jean Todd in 2015; granddaughter, Emily Salisbury; stepson, Rex Hoover of DeWitt. She is survived by her daughter, Debra (Mark) Salisbury of Eaton Rapids; stepdaughter, Carolyn (Billy) Crego; eight grandchildren; and 12 great grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 22, 2022, at the First United Methodist Church in Eaton Rapids. Donations may be made to Eaton Rapids Medical Center, Eaton Rapids Senior Center, Helping Hands, or a charity of your choice. 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.
Allan J. Clarke
Allan J. Clarke of Eaton Rapids, MI passed away on Sunday, October 9, 2022, at the age of 88. Allan was born on May 26, 1934, in Eaton Rapids, MI the oldest of seven children born to Laurence and Velma (Harsey) Clarke. He was raised in Eaton Rapids where he graduated high school class of 1952. Allan was drafted into the military in 1956 and proudly served in the United States Army where he was stationed in Germany after WWII. He worked for Diamond Reo for a short period before taking a job with General Motors where he retired as a semi truck driver after 42 years. He loved camping and made several trips with his family throughout Michigan and across the United States. Allan was always a hard worker and enjoyed helping his son, Jim on the farm where he would deliver product to the local elevator.
Allan is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Marcia Clarke; and siblings, Dean Clarke, Don Clarke and Marie Florian.
Surviving are his sons, Robert (Linda) Clarke, James (Tamra) Clarke; daughter, Christie (Mike) Cooley; 12 grandchildren; several great grandchildren; brothers, Gary (Ruth) Clarke, Morris Clarke, Maynard Clarke; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 17, 2022, at Rosehill Cemetery in Eaton Rapids, MI. For those desiring memorial contributions may be made to Eaton County Meals on Wheels in memory of Allan. To share memories or leave condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHome.com.