Obituaries
Karry Lee Clemens
Karry Lee Clemons of Eaton Rapids, passed away September 1, 2022, at the age of 65. Karry was born in Eaton Rapids, August 14, 1957, the son of Chauncey and Margaret (DeWitt) Clemons. He proudly served with the US Army and worked as a Corrections Officer, retiring after 15 years. Karry enjoyed reading, watching old westerns, and cooking. Cooking was his specialty, priding himself for cooking as a chef for President Bill Clinton. His cooking skills also led him to cater both of his daughter’s weddings. His pride and joy were his grandchildren. He loved spending time with them, spoiling them and loving them as the best grandpa.
Karry is survived by his four children: Cheyenne Thomas, Courtney Deschepper, Chase Clemons, Shane Clemons, all of Eaton Rapids; grandchildren: Anakin, Mikael, Colton, Caden, Christian, Cashton, Kiyara, Tiyana, Kayson, Trayte, Travis, Kenny, Stella and Stollan; one great grandchild; brothers: Doug (Carol) Clemons, David, Todd, Mark and Stacey Clemons. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Debra and brother, Larry Clemons.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. Donations may be made to the Shriners Children’s Hospital. To leave condolences for the family, please visit our website, millsfuneral.com.
Maudie Marie (Zeitz) McManus
Maudie Marie (Zeitz) McManus
Maudie Marie (Zeitz) McManus of Eaton Rapids, passed away peacefully on July 23, 2022, at the age of 95. Born in Onondaga, Michigan on August 11, 1926, she was raised by her two parents, Carl and Florence, along with her six brothers and five sisters. She married her childhood sweetheart, Alden, and moved to their farm in Eaton Rapids, where she resided for over 79 years, and raised her daughter and son. Maudie was a vibrant woman and she always had something to say. She was an avid bowler, competing for over 50 years in a league and attending state bowling tournaments. She loved to cook, grow a garden, and she especially loved to can peaches. Maudie loved cards and she enjoyed teaching others, when visited by her grandchildren or great -grandchildren she excelled at beating them – even when they teamed up to “cheat” to try and win the game. Maudie loved hosting holidays and reunions and enjoyed being the center of attention when everyone came to visit.
Maudie was preceded in death by her husband, Alden and her daughter, Marge Ambs of Berrien Springs, Mich. She is survived by her son, Jerry McManus and his wife Peggy; five grandchildren: Amy Yoder (Florida), Tim Ambs (Michigan), Michelle Smith (Michigan), Heather Vick (South Carolina), and Craig McManus (Michigan); ten great-grandchildren and two great great-grandchildren; and her sister, Bessie Rey of Lansing, Mich.
A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 17, 2022, at Perry Cemetery. To share memories and condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
Charlotte Maxine Duffey
Charlotte Maxine Duffey of Eaton Rapids, passed away on Friday, September 2, 2022, at the age of 86. Born March 6, 1936, to Fred and Mildred (Yeargin) Ashley in Greenfield, Tennessee. Charlotte graduated from Eaton Rapids High School in 1954 and later from Michigan State University with a teaching certificate. In 1955 she married Paul Duffey and celebrated over 59 years together. Charlotte retired from the State of Michigan Department of Transportation where she had been a recruiter of engineers. She was a talented artist who also enjoyed sewing clothing, quilts, and did all kinds of crafts. She loved gardening, hosting family and friend gatherings. Charlotte was a great storyteller and loving mother and grandmother that will be dearly missed by all who remember her. Preceding her in death were her husband, Paul Duffey; daughter, Erin Duffey; brother, Don (Marcy) Ashley; twin sisters, Julia (Larry) Butler, Joan (John) Chambers; sisters: Mary Sue (Bryce) Hill, Janie Kathryn Ashley; as well as her parents.
Surviving are her children: Robin (William) Haggard, Sean Duffey, Colleen (George) Shoup, Ana Vieira; grandchildren: Sarah (Josh) Cardenas, Jason (Stacy) Haggard, Megan Shoup (Kevin Baldwin), Molly (Rex) VanPelt, Shannon Duffey; foster grandsons: Joseph, Daniel and Isaac Fayia; three great-grandchildren and eight foster great-grandchildren; as well as many nieces and nephews.
A funeral service was held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 8, 2022, at Skinner Funeral Home Eaton Rapids Chapel. The family received friends for visitation on Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. For those desiring, memorials can be given to Eaton Rapids Senior Center in Charlotte’s name. To share memories and condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
Patsy Parsons
Patsy Lou Parsons, age 75, of Charlotte, passed away Sunday, August 28, 2022, at Oaklawn Hospital in Marshall. She was born June 7, 1947, in Farmersville, Texas the daughter of Bryant and Vida Lou (George) Hill. Patsy was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She always put the needs of others ahead of her own. Patsy enjoyed camping, gardening, dancing, and listening to music. She had a soft spot in her heart for all animals but was especially fond of her many dogs. In recent years she enjoyed doing diamond art at her home. Patsy enjoyed spending time with her many friends and volunteering at the Eaton Area Senior Center.
Patsy is survived by her children: Louise (Robert) Reid of Belleville, Tammy (Stewart) Parker of Glendale, AZ, Dale Behnke of Olivet, Randy Parsons of Holt; eight grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and two great great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Dennis Hill.
In keeping with Patsy’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at a later date.
Those desiring may make contributions in Patsy’s memory to the Eaton County Humane Society 129 N. Main St., Olivet, MI 49076.
To view Patsy’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.
David Hutchens Powers
David Hutchens Powers, age 76, of Charlotte passed away on Monday, August 29, 2022, in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Dave was born on April 25, 1946, at Hayes Green Beach Hospital in Charlotte to William and Gertrude (Hutchens) Powers. He graduated from Charlotte High School with the class of ’64. After graduation, Dave joined the United States Armed Forces where he proudly served his country in the Marine Corp from ’67 – ’69. Dave married the love of his life, Christyne Satka, on December 29, 1984.
Dave lived life to the fullest! It is hard to sum up in a few words the existence of a man who had such a zest for life and who lived large. In his working life, he was regional manager for Badger Mutual Insurance Company for over 25 years. Dave was very active in the community. He served on the Charlotte City Council. He spent several years as a volunteer firefighter with the Charlotte Fire Department. Dave also served on the board of directors at Eaton Community Palliative Care and was currently the treasurer. In his retirement years family, friends, and his dogs were paramount. He loved beating Nicole when they played cribbage together. He spent countless hours talking baseball with Ali. Spending time on the golf course with his nephews was always time well spent. Sailing his C Scow on Duck Lake, ballooning with Dave and Linda, and trips to northern Wisconsin were just some of the ways Dave spent his summer hours. Dave had many friends and thoroughly enjoyed hanging out with them. You would often find him swapping stories at Evelyn Bay Coffee in the mornings and then over at Riedy’s Tavern in the evenings cheering on MSU, his favorite sports team. Most of all, Dave will be remembered for his utmost love and devotion to Chrissy, his daughters, and his grandchildren.
Those left behind with torn hearts are his wife of 37 years, Chrissy; his daughters, Nicole (Dewayne Manon) Powers of Wisconsin, Alexis Anderson of Colorado; grandchildren, Brecken Anderson and Jace Anderson; brother, John (Peggie) Powers of Illinois; mother-in-law, Isabelle Carlton of Wisconsin; brother-in-law, Mark (Debbie) Satka of Wisconsin; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Those preceding him in death were his parents, William and Gertrude Powers; sister, Linda Smith; and brother-in-law, Dave Smith.
Following Dave’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a celebration of his life will be held on Veteran’s Day, November 11, 2022, location yet to be determined.
Those desiring may make contributions in Dave’s memory to Eaton Community Palliative Care, 2675 S. Cochran Ave, Charlotte, MI 48813. The family is being served by the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home.