Obituaries
Alys Eilene 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 January 8, 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 degree in business, belonged to Sigma Tau Chi Honorary Business Fraternity and played saxophone in the band. Moving to East Lansing 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, Girl Scout leader, and a reading mentor at Northwestern Elementary. She returned to work for the State of Michigan where she worked for the Department of Corrections until her retirement in 1986. A lifelong learner and traveler, she attended 33 Elderhostels and traveled with friends through Europe, Russia, and all 50 US States. She became a Christian clown, belonging to Circus Clown Alley #155 and loved to make children smile, participating in parades, circuses, and the fair. She was an active member of First United Methodist Church in groups, missions, bible studies, and United Methodist Women for 60 years. She volunteered in the community at the hospital gift shop though the Auxiliary, at the Lansing Art Gallery, at blood drives, and delivered Meals on Wheels. She had many creative hobbies and was an avid MSU sports fan. She loved to play cards with friends at the Senior Center. Her example of participation and leadership in her church and community lives on in her family.
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.
Services will be held at a later time. 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.
Gary Allen Shelton
Gary Allen Shelton of Eaton Rapids, MI and formerly of Holopaw, Florida passed away on Monday, September 26, 2022, at the age of 82. Gary was born on October 20, 1939, in Jackson, MI the son of Hugh Shelton and Mildred Hands. He was a graduate of Lansing Everett High School class of 1957. Gary moved to Florida in 1967 where he owned and operated Big G’s 441 A in St. Cloud and Holopaw Restaurant in Holopaw, FL. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed spending his time hunting and fishing. He was a member of the Kissimmee Mounted Police and the Foresters. Gary also enjoyed playing cards, rodeos and racing at the Onondaga Dragway where he won numerous races in his younger years.
He is preceded in death by his father and stepmother, Hugh and Rose Shelton; mother and stepfather, Mildred (Wayne) Lewis; stepson, Terry Quint; and brother, William Shelton.
Surviving are his wife of 35 years, Sharon (Whitham) Shelton; son, Russell (Kim) Shelton; daughter, Kathy Parramore; stepchildren, Gretchen Greer, Troy (Wedon) Quint; grandchildren: Brittney (Gerald) LaTour, Ethan Shelton, Austin Tapp, Trinity Tapp, Sabrina Killmon, Shannon (Bill) Spahn; great grandchildren: Lake, Sutton, Bryston, Josie, Charlie, Emi, Fritz, Baby Killmon; brother, Donald (Margie) Shelton; sisters, Carolyn Brewer, Dorine VanDerhiede, Kathy (Bill) Mathis; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 4, 2022, at Skinner Funeral Home in Eaton Rapids. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday, October 3, 2022, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. and one hour prior to services on Tuesday. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to Habitat for Humanity in memory of Gary. To share memories or leave condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
Michael James Brininstool
Michael James Brininstool passed away unexpectedly at the age of 53 on Thursday, September 15, 2022. Michael, the son of Teresa and Howard Hector, was born on March 6, 1969. As a natural born welder and fabricator, he successfully ran his own fabricating business for several years. Mike was an outgoing, caring person who loved to make others smile and laugh. He spent his free time attending and watching the Detroit Lions play alongside his brothers and nephews. Fishing and hunting were a strong passion of Mike’s, but nothing compared to his love for his dog, Buddy, with whom he enjoyed long walks and trips to the river. He loved all kids and enjoyed joking and spending time with them. Mike was a first-time grandpa and could be found showing off pictures of his grandson.
Mike is survived by his children, Michael John of Springport and Jenna of Glenside, PA.; grandson, Elliott; parents, Teresa and Howard Hector of Eaton Rapids; brothers: Gary (Chelle) Brininstool of Lennon, Jesse (Heidi) Brininstool of Eaton Rapids, Howard Hector of Eaton Rapids, Chadwick (Melissa) Hector of Eaton Rapids, John Hector of Wellston, Aaron Brininstool of Iowa, Troy (Debbie) Rowlee of Eaton Rapids; sisters, Cheryl Hector of Eaton Rapids and Angela Mills of Mt. Pleasant; several nieces and nephews, and special family friends, the Kikendalls.
Mike was preceeded in death by his brother, James Brininstool.
Memorial Services will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 8th at the Onondaga Sportsmans Club on Gale Road. The family would like to invite anyone who knew Mike to attend and to share memories.
William George Cataline
William George Cataline, age 88 of Lebanon, Kentucky, and formerly of Eaton Rapids, MI, passed away on Tuesday, September 20, 2022, at Springfield Nursing and Rehab. Bill was born in Lansing, Michigan on December 2, 1933, and throughout his life, lived in Michigan, Colorado, Arizona, and Kentucky. He was a member of the East Tawas Presbyterian Church. After 30 years with General Motors, he retired in 1994. It was at this time that he and his wife Marilyn started traveling throughout the United States, visiting fifty capitals along the way.
Bill was preceded in death by his mother, Sarah Cataline; father, Leslie Cataline; stepfather, Harry Tracy; and a brother, Ron.
Surviving him are his wife, Marilyn Cataline; three children: Jeffrey, Julie, and Jon; brothers, Jim and Dick; a sister, Sharen; seven of nine grandchildren; thirteen great grandchildren and nieces and nephews.
Bill participated in sports in Eaton Rapids, Michigan and was active in Youth Football Programs in the Lansing, Michigan area. He loved traveling, biking, carpentry and building, and enjoying his grandchildren. He served his country with the U.S. Army.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 15, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. at Skinner Funeral Home, 315 S. River Street, Eaton Rapids, Michigan 48827. Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. until the time of services. A luncheon will be held at 3:00 p.m., also at Skinner Funeral Home. Interment will be held at Rosehill Cemetery at a later date. To share memories or leave condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
Martha Powelson
Martha Louise Powelson, the kind of lady that was a friend forever, died September 22, 2022, at the age of 75. Martha was born in Eaton County on July 10, 1947, to George and Louise (Wright) Day. Martha graduated from Charlotte High School in 1965, and soon after went to work for the State of Michigan, where she worked in various departments until her retirement from the Treasury Department 13 years ago. A quiet and shy sort of person, Martha was also very thoughtful and kind, a true friend to those she knew. She enjoyed refinishing furniture in her she-shed, collecting elephants and teacups.
Martha is survived by her husband, Kenneth; grandson, Conner Powelson; sisters, Lorraine (Carl) Burton and Jennifer (Ed) Dunton; brothers, Patrick (Beverly) Day and George (Rose) Day; and many nieces and nephews including her beloved local nephews, Pat Day and Liam Day. She was predeceased by her daughter, Nicole Geahan.
Friends are encouraged to support Martha’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Memorial services were Friday, September 30, 11:00 a.m. at Pray Funeral Home with Deacon Tom Fogle 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 Martha’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 a charity of your choice. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.