Obituaries
Charles Summers
Charles Marvin Summers of Charlotte, Michigan went home to be with his Lord and Savior on August 18, 2022. His big smile and laugh lit up the whole room. He loved being around people, he never met a stranger.
Charles was born on November 12, 1937, in Charlotte Michigan to Paul and Virginia (Gussey) Summers. He graduated from Charlotte High School in 1957. Charles was happily married to his Beautiful Bride Esther Becker (Summers) for 57 years. Mom passed away in 2015. Charles retired from Oldsmobile, General Motors after 28 years as a Machine Repairman.
Charles lived life big. He was an extrovert and was always chatting and looking out for others: as an example, he was a big supporter of Toys for Tots every year. Charles was an avid Detroit Lions fan (he never gave up on them going to a super bowl), as well as a race fan for many different types of racing, however his heart was devoted to the Indy Car (open Wheel) racing. Dad and Mom traveled to Indianapolis every year taking us kids to the time trials until Mom got sick with Alzheimer’s and just couldn’t make the trip any longer. We still got together and watched it on TV. Family and friends would gather to watch the Indianapolis 500 at Dad and Mom’s. Dad would cook steaks, hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill for everyone to enjoy while watching the race. Dad’s favorite song was Jim Nabor’s “Back Home again in Indiana.” That would always bring a tear or two to Dad’s eyes. He also enjoyed going down to MIS to watch the NASCAR races as well as going to Eldora (in Rossberg, Ohio) to watch the King’s Royal race.
Charles is survived by his three children: Paul Summers, Kristi (Scott) Dean and Traci (John) Shell and Kimberly Wyskowski (deceased). His grandchildren: Jaynea (Dennis) Bushee, Justina (Dominic) Summers, Leila (Nick) Hollister, Lacey (Mark) Dean, Justin (Kortnie) Shell, Jessica (Derek) Couch, Courtney (Casey) Kleinfelt and Harvey Wyskowski. Great grandchildren: Alex Bushee, Brynlee Shell, Kinzlee Shell, Isaiah and Luke, Taylor Wyskowski, and Braylon Kleinfelt.
We want to thank Independence Village “Storypoint” for taking such great care of our father.
A Detroit Lions themed graveside celebration will take place on Friday, September 23, 2022, 2:00 p.m. at Maple Hill Cemetery. Pastor Michael Rysko will officiate the celebration with God’s word and song.
If desired friends may make a memorial contribution to the Corso Care (Hospice).
Harry Joseph Tracy
Harry Joseph Tracy of Eaton Rapids passed away peacefully on August 25, 2022. He was born October 18, 1922, to Harry and Mary (Riley) Tracy in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He considered himself as a lifelong resident of Eaton Rapids and graduated in the Class of 1941. He married his life-time love, Sarah Velma Leach, on July 24, 1943, in Brainerd, MN just before shipping off to war. Harry enlisted in the Army December 1942 and was sent to Ft. Custer, MI, moved on to Minnesota, then on to the Western Pacific until his Honorable Discharge from the United States Army Air Corps in January 1946. Harry was the Underwriter Manager of the Michigan State Accident Fund until his retirement in 1985. He loved music…he previously sang in the First Congregational Church Choir, as well as listened and danced to the music from the 1940’s. He loved traveling (especially all over Michigan), camping, boating, touring in his antique cars, working in the yard, and cared deeply for his adopted hometown of Eaton Rapids, but most of all…he loved his family and friends.
He was preceded in passing by his parents, Harry and Mary Tracy; wife, Sarah Velma; brother, Ed Tracy; sisters and brothers-in-law, Mary (Andy) Bruestle, Anne (Claude) Basing and Margaret (Marvin) Barrett; stepson, Ronald L. Cataline; daughters-in-law, Ethelda M. and Shirley I. Cataline; grandsons, Baby Ronnie Cataline, Eric D. Pierce, Jamie R. Cataline, A.D. Thelen-Pinamonti; and his niece, Barbara (James) McLaughlin.
He is survived by his daughter, Sharen Jo (Larry), stepsons, James A. Cataline, William G. (Marilyn) Cataline, and Richard D. Cataline; grandchildren, Jason (Amy) and Kaleb Pierce. He has an additional 13 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren, and 52 great-great grandchildren. Nieces, Eileen (Joseph) Jungel, Virginia (Joseph) DiGilio, Margaret (Frank) Chapman and Claudia (Michael) Graving; nephew, Tracy (Cynthia) Basing and all of their families; and his longtime special friend and her family, Patricia Conard (aka Grandma Duck).
Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 2, 2022, at Skinner Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids Chapel. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the Springport VFW Post 6053, the Eaton Rapids Medical Center Foundation, the Jean Bradford Kline Senior Center or the First United Methodist Church of Eaton Rapids. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Island City Assisted Living, Elara Caring Hospice, the Eaton Rapids Medical Center and especially to Patricia Conard for the outstanding care he received over the years. To share memories or condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com
Sally Crouter
Our dear mother, Sally Ann Crouter (Trumble) of Vermontville, MI, passed away on August 18, 2022 at the age of 80 in Romeo, Michigan. Born September 4, 1941, she is survived by brothers, Larry (Carolyn) Trumble and Leo (Phyllis) Trumble; daughter, Ann (Nate) Boggs; sons, Alan (Laura) Petz and Andrew Crouter; grandchildren, Maddy and Zoey Petz; and many beloved nieces and nephews. Sally had many friends, loved socializing with them and, more importantly, caring for them whenever possible. Many might remember Sally as the 1958 Maple Syrup Festival Queen.
Friends are encouraged to support Sally’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. A Celebration of Life followed visitation in the Pray Gardens on Wednesday, August 24, 2022 with interment following at Vermontville Woodlawn Cemetery. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Floyd Lee Cole
Floyd Lee Cole of Lake Placid, Florida, passed away suddenly on August 13, 2022 with his wife by his side at Fort Myers Hospital.
Floyd was born September 18, 1936 in Lansing, Michigan to Russell and Agnes Cole. Moving at an early age to Sunfield, Michigan, he attended Sunfield High School and gained many honors in various sports.
Lee was a veteran of the United States Navy, serving in the 1950’s on Aircraft Carrier USS Antietam (CVS-36), and later transferred to the Navy Reserves. Lee loved life, children and dogs, playing cards, and bowling. He enjoyed college football and lots of camping trips to the U.P., and deer hunting at Rose Lake with friends and family. Lee was so proud of his time with Special Olympics and his bowling team kids.
Lee retired from General Motors as a millwright in 1990. He moved to Florida and married Diane Beattie from Ontario, Canada. They traveled most of the US, eastern Canada, and the Maritime Provinces, as well as three trips to Alaska and a cruise through the Panama Canal in 2020, just before the COVID pandemic began.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Russell and Agnes Cole; brother, Raymond; sister, Jean; brother-in-law, Keith; niece, Paula; nephews, Matt and Mike; and step-granddaughter, Kirsten from Canada.
Lee is survived by his loving wife, Diane; two sons, Stacey of Punta Gorda, Florida, and Randy of Lake Odessa, Michigan; daughter, Charity (Josh) Edgar of Dimondale, Michigan; grandsons, Cameron and Wyatt; granddaughters, Isabel, Abigail and Alaina; four stepsons, Frank Wabindato, Jason Wabindato (Rebecca), Stephen (Jayleen), and Andrew (Lois); stepdaughter, Corrie Flear; and step grandchildren: Taylor, Shiann, Madison, Allyssa, and Jason Jr. (JJ) of Potterville, and Logan (Courtney), Carley, and Tate of Canada.
Lee’s wishes were to be buried at sea, where he will leave from the Jacksonville, Florida Navy base. He will be buried with a full military burial. The family will hold a Celebration of Life at a later date in Michigan.
Brian Hicks
Brian Richard Hicks of Charlotte passed away August 28, 2022, at the age of 62. He was born in Lansing on October 30, 1959, the son of Oral and Thelma (Parks) Hicks. Brian graduated from Eaton Rapids High School, class of 1978. He worked as a landscaper for several years. Brian was an easy-going man who enjoyed being outdoors, biking, and road trips to Mackinaw. His 1979 Camaro was his pride and joy.
Brian is survived by his mother, Thelma of Dimondale; the mother of his son, Debbie Hicks of Eaton Rapids; son, Eric (Katie) Hicks of Lansing; brothers, Brent (Deb) Hicks of Charlotte, Leon (Judy) Hicks of Eaton Rapids, Daniel (Raquel) Hicks of Portage, David (Kathryn) Hicks of East Lansing; sisters, Brenda Parish of Lansing, Mary (Robert) Aguirre of Ft. Wayne, Debbie Hicks of Lansing, Karen (Kenton) Rawlinson of Holt, and Sharon Hicks of Lansing; grandchildren, John Hicks, Jaydin Hicks, Jaxson Hicks, and Brooke Mangold; several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his father, Oral, and stepfather, Richard.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Friday, September 2, 2022, at the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. Visitation was held at 10 a.m. Interment was at 2 p.m. at the Dewitt Cemetery. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel. Donations may be made to the Mills Funeral Home in care of Brian’s family. To leave condolences for the family, please visit our website, millsfuneral.com