Obituaries
Gareth “Gary” Gordon Richardson
Gareth “Gary” Gordon Richardson of Eaton Rapids, MI passed away on October 2, 2022, at the age of 81. Gary was born on August 28, 1941, in Lansing, MI the son of Gordon and Lyn-Nette (Cranson) Richardson. He was a graduate of Eaton Rapids High School class of 1959. Gary worked for General Motors as a supervisor in experimental engineering retiring after 39 years. Gary loved to ride his Harley Davidson Motorcycles and was an avid hunter and reader. In retirement, he and his wife, Paige enjoyed making numerous trips out west. Above all Gary was a dedicated husband, father and grandfather who adored his grandchildren and the time he spent with them.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Paige (Hasty) Richardson; sons, Nick (Julie) Richardson, Patrick (Malissa) Richardson, Gregg (Meredith Ayers) Richardson; grandchildren, Samantha Richardson, Gregg Richardson, Connor Richardson, Brendan Richardson, Chloe Ayers; great grandchild, Bensyn Seume; brothers, Bruce Richardson, Mitch (Judy) Richardson; sister, Carolyn Richardson; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Gary will be laid to rest at a private graveside service at Plains Cemetery. The family will host a memorial reception and luncheon on Saturday, October 22, 2022, at Skinner Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids Chapel starting at noon. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice House of Mid-Michigan or a charity of your choice in memory of Gary. To share memories or leave condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
Kathleen Hendrickson
Kathleen Sue Hendrickson of Eaton Rapids, MI passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, September 29, 2022, at the age of 69. Kathy was born on November 8, 1952, in Newport, Rhode Island, the daughter of Stanley and Elaine (Zimmerman) Krawczyk. She moved with her family often as a child, eventually graduating from high school in Los Angeles, CA. Kathy started working in nursing homes at the age of 16, first as a Nurse’s Aide, then a Licensed Practical Nurse and eventually received her degree as a Registered Nurse. She worked as the Director of Nursing and then as a Nursing Consultant for several nursing homes. Kathy loved collecting antiques and enjoyed the treasure hunt of a local yard sale. She loved her reality shows, especially the Real Housewives franchise. She got her sister, Diane hooked on the Below Deck series and the two of them always discussed the show the day after they were shown. She loved her family and enjoyed the time she spent with her grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her husband, David Hendrickson; mother, Elaine Krawczyk; daughter, Stacy Hildner; son, Sean VanKranenburg; brother, Stanley Krawczyk; and aunt, Lorelyn Adams.
Surviving is her father, Stanley Krawczyk; sister, Diane (Craig) Galloway; grandchildren, Derek (Kayla) Krawczyk, Ariella VanKranenburg; great-grandchildren, Derrick and Wren Krawczyk; stepsiblings, Linda Brockway, Kevin Woodley, Diane Woodley; niece, Deanna (John) Cornell; nephew, Robert (Amanda) Young; and numerous other nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Kathy was someone who was very set in her ways (she really hated modern technology). She had a great smile and was a loving and caring person who will be missed more than words can say.
A private memorial service will be held at a later date. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation. To share memories or leave condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
Duane Blanche
Duane Julian Blanche, an extremely hard-working father, grandfather, and friend, died on Thursday, September 29, 2022. Duane, 88, of Charlotte was born September 22, 1934, in Muskegon, MI, the son of Walter and Beatrice (Slater) Blanche. On November 14, 1953, Duane married Margaret Hubbel and they moved to Lansing and started their family. He worked at General Motors for 32 years retiring as a fixture repairman. Duane enlisted in the United States Army serving for six years. His biggest passion in life was farming, he farmed over 300 acres. When he didn’t have a farm of his own, he would help out fellow farmers. On August 11, 1978, Duane married Janice Martin and together they created lasting memories until her passing in 2010. He was a man that was always busy following his retirement he and Janice started an adult foster care home in Vermontville. Duane also was a truck driver. When he wasn’t working, he enjoyed square dancing, bowling, gambling, camping, traveling, collecting coins, singing and most importantly restoring old tractors. Duane over the years restored around 20 tractors.
Duane is survived by his children, George (Robin) Blanche, Mark (Carleen) Blanche, and Diane Cox; grandchildren, Melinda (Kilee) Sandin-Gardner, Macie (Patrick) Garner, Courtney (Aaron) Bradley, Elizabeth (Jeremy) Smith, and Andrew Blanche; and five great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by wife, Janice Blanche, brother, Fred Blanche; sister, Olive Blanche; and his parents.
Friends are encouraged to support Duane’s family by sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Eaton Community Health and Rehabilitation Services Activities Fund or the Eaton Community Palliative Care. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Francis Hook
Francis “Frank” Dale Hook, a jack of all trades, died Wednesday, October 5, 2022. Frank 88, of Charlotte, was born September 19, 1934, in Baltimore Township, MI, the son of John and Evalyn (Ormsbe) Hook. After graduating from Hastings High School Frank enlisted in the United States Army and proudly served his country. On June 18, 1959, Frank married the love of his life Doris Carter. They spent the next 39 years creating lasting memories until her passing in 1998. He worked as a general laborer for Post Cereal, retiring after 30 years. Frank was a man who enjoyed tinkering on things, from working on cars, lawnmowers, and building wire trees. He also enjoyed collecting coins, replicas of cars, reading and watching westerns, doing word searches and his trips to Cadillac to go mushroom hunting. Above all Frank will be remembered as a man who was always there to support anyone in need.
Frank is survived by his daughter, Debra (Rick) French; grandchildren, Greg (Crystal) Phillips, Jennifer (Miles) Warren, and Cameron Sebrell; three great-grandchildren; sister, Eva Peake; sister-in-law, Glenda Carter; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his loving wife, Doris; son, Russell Hook; siblings, Morris Hook, Dorothy Stratter, Ruth Roush, and Forrest Hook; parents; and brother-in-law, Raymond Carter.
Friends are encouraged to support Frank’s family by sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. A private family graveside service will take place at Ft. Custer National Cemetery at a later date. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Dementia Society of America. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Kay MacKenzie
Short in stature, but with a personality larger than life, Kay Lorain MacKenzie, 75, of Vermontville, left the pain of her earthly body and entered the arms of her Lord on October 2, 2022. Kay was born on November 11, 1946, in Rosebush, Michigan to Gerald and Gladys (House) Huber, the oldest of six children. The daughter of a preacher, Kay went to many different schools and traveled around Michigan with her family, graduating from Hastings High School in 1964. She met her future husband, Keith MacKenzie, in high school, and they were married exactly one year to the day after graduation. They started their family in 1968, and in 1972 became the 4K’s, Keith, Kay, Kristine, and Kirk. Kay and Keith leave a big hole in the hearts of the family, as they each received cancer diagnosis in the summer of 2021, and Keith died just six months ago in April.
With a great sense of humor and a love for pranks, Kay enjoyed keeping people guessing on what was coming next. Before a trip bear hunting, Kay and her kids painted her husband’s toenails while he was sleeping, and he didn’t know until he took off his boots and socks at bear camp and his brother commented on how pretty his toes were. She knew her son-in-law hated bugs, so she would buy little plastic bugs to put in his gifts, but this was just an example of the very special relationship they enjoyed, poking and prodding each other. He once gave her a toe tag for her birthday, and she thought that was the funniest gift and was so proud that she carried it in her wallet right next to her birth certificate. Kay was a unique and special person who enjoyed finding the humor in everything she did.
A very sentimental person, Kay loved all the gifts she received, and could share a memory about every special thing she had, and there were many that always had to stay on display so she could see them and remember. She also loved buying special gifts for her friends and family, always knowing what each person collected and keeping an eye out for gifts that showed how much she cared. One of her favorite things was going to resale shops and garage sales and finding snowmen, cardinals, anything MSU, Coca Cola memorabilia, and the list goes on and on because she remembered the things that every loved friend and family member collected.
Some of the special accomplishments that Kay was proud of included the many deer, rabbits, turkey, squirrel, and even black bear that she shot. She also enjoyed fishing, camping, and bowling on a women’s league for many years. In her church, she served as treasurer for many years, was a Sunday School teacher (which started when she was still in high school), led children’s church activities, helped organize luncheons at the church, and she received an award for her work with the WCG (Women of the Church of God) statewide newsletter. Kay had a special place in her heart for children, each with their own special nickname, each knowing their importance and how much they were loved by Kay and loved by the Lord.
Kay is survived by her daughter, Kristine (Daniel) Sowles; son, Kirk MacKenzie; grandchildren, Carson (Amanda Webster) Ames, Jennelle Mackenzie Petras, Megan (Sam) Jordan, and Amanda (Mark) Wallis; bonus granddaughter, Macy (Devon) Wood; great-grandchildren, Logan Ames, Mackenzie Petras, and Myah Wallis; bonus great-grandson, Mason (Woody) Wood; brothers, Jay Huber, John Huber, and Rick Churchill; sisters, Loretta (Jim) Holm, Valera (Mike) Lewis, and Lori (Mike) Rogers; brothers and sisters-in-law, Don MacKenzie, Doug (Judy) MacKenzie, Den (Bonnie) MacKenzie, and Denice (Joe) Morgan; and many very loved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Keith MacKenzie in April of 2022; sister, Evelyn Huber; infant brother, Jack Huber, sister-in-law, Marilyn MacKenzie; parents; and step-mother, Marilyn Roach.
Friends and family are invited to celebrate a life well lived by attending visitation and funeral services. Visitation was Thursday, October, 6 from 2-4:00 p.m. and 6-8:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte, MI. Funeral Services were Friday, October 7, at 4:00 p.m. at the South Cochran Church of God in Charlotte with Pastor Michael Rysko officiating. The funeral was webcast on her tribute page at www.PrayFuneral.com, click on Kay’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone), and there will be a link for webcasting on this page. The family suggests memorial contributions to South Cochran Church of God. Everyone is invited to share memories of Kay on her tribute page at www.PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home.