Obituaries
Valerie Peck
Valerie Jean (Miller) Peck, 63, of Charlotte, MI, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, August 28, 2022. Valerie was born September 29, 1958, in Charlotte, the daughter of Dennis and Phyllis (Garnsey) Miller. She attended Olivet High School where she met the love of her life Harold Peck Jr. In 1978 Valerie and Harold got married, and together they raised two daughters. Valerie worked as a baker and cook most of her life. She was known for her cake decorating abilities. Valerie also enjoyed playing bingo, doing jigsaw puzzles, trips to the casino, bird watching, camping, playing board games, and spending time with her family.
Valerie is survived by her loving husband of 44 years, Harold; daughters, Jessica (Jason) Garvie, and Jennifer (Chris) Broskey; grandchildren, Emily, and Andrew Broskey, Allison, and Aaron Garvie; mother, Phyllis Miller; siblings, Victoria (Ernest) Miller, Ronald Miller, Steven Miller, Linda (Wayne) Miller, and Jane Beck; and numerous extended family members and close friends. She was predeceased by her father, Dennis Miller; niece, Charity Garvie; nephews, Dennis Miller, and Nathan Miller.
Friends are encouraged to support Valerie’s family by sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. The family is planning a Celebration of Life for Valerie for a later date. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Eaton County Humane Society. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
John Clarence Evans Jr.
John Clarence Evans, Jr., age 65, passed away due to leukemia on September 4, 2021, surrounded by his family at his home in Eaton Rapids. He was born on November 21, 1955, in Lincoln, Nebraska to parents John Clarence Evans, Sr. and Sarah Marjorie (Cain) Evans.
He married Lavonna in 1985 and they shared 36 years together. He adored Lavonna and was the world’s best dad to his girls, Lynnsilee and Elise. His granddaughter, Nadia was the twinkle in his eye. He graduated from Harry Hill High School in 1973 and completed a degree in computer sciences at LCC. John started his career at Mobile TV in Lansing, MI, and then transitioned to Spartan Electronics in Jackson for over 20 years. He studied to become a Master CNE (one of only eight in the nation receiving this designation). He dedicated the rest of his career with Michigan State University as a Systems Administrator.
John was a very punny guy and his laugh was contagious to all around him. He was a wonderful friend to many. He shared a love for dad jokes, Astronomy, MSU, the Timeless series, good food, and his church, Thrive Church (formerly Eaton Rapids Wesleyan Church).
John is survived by his wife, Lavonna Lee (Craig) Evans; his daughters, Lavonna Lynnsilee (Adrian) Alvera and Elise Evans; granddaughter Nadia Alvera; sisters, Sharon (Darren) Frye and Ruth (John) Slate; and many in-laws, nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and great aunts, Ruth Manion and Pearl Runyan, who were very dear to him.
The family would like to thank the caregivers on 5 West (Sparrow’s oncology floor), his MSU colleagues, Thrive Church, and extended family for all of their love and support for John.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Sparrow Herbert-Herman Cancer Center, 1140 East Michigan Ave., Lansing, MI 48912.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.grlansing.com for the Evans family. The family was served by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes.
A visitation was held last year on September 10, 2021, at Gorsline Runciman, 1730 East Grand River Ave., East Lansing, MI followed by a graveside service at Evergreen Cemetery, 1709 East Mt. Hope Ave., Lansing, MI. A celebration of John’s life was held last year on Grandparents Day, September 12, 2021, at the MSU Horticultural Gardens (attendees were invited to wear their MSU attire and share a private dad joke or pun with the family).
Note from the family: It has been brought to our attention that there are some community members who are still not aware of John’s passing. Please accept our sincere apologies for neglecting to share the obituary in our local paper at that time. Though it has been nearly a year, our loss still feels recent, and an empty place resides in our hearts.
Nihl Charles Storey
Nihl Charles Storey of Jackson, MI passed away on Monday, August 1, 2022, at the age of 87. Nihl was born on October 4, 1934, in Jackson, MI the son of Nihl and Virginia (Wilcox) Storey. He was raised in Eaton Rapids where he excelled in sports and was named to his senior year (1953) Honorable Mention All-State Football Team. Nihl proudly served in the United States Navy from 1954 to 1957 where he was honorably discharged as an Aviation Electronics Technician. He moved to California where he continued his education at Santa Rosa Junior College and San Jose City College. Nihl worked for IBM while in California and upon moving back to Michigan he owned and operated numerous businesses including, Storey’s Sports Land, Storey’s Tree and Chimney Services, Storey’s Cart and Fix, Storey’s Pre-Cast and Storey Stone Company. Nihl was a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association, the American Legion, The Moose Lodge and the Free Masons. He enjoyed flying and built three of his own planes, building model aircrafts, reading, golfing, bowling and leather crafting.
Nihl is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Joan Dempsey; and brother, James Storey.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Diane Storey; children, Debra (Brad) Ommodt, Pamela (Mike) Rooney, Nihl (Lana) Storey II, Teri May; grandchildren, Corrie (Brandon) Whitsell, Travis Ommodt, Dillon (Meghan) Ommodt, Christopher Rooney, Meghan (Thomas) Weller, Nihl Storey III, Jared (Kristen) Storey, Wyatt Storey, Roy Storey, Justin May, Jeremy May; great grandchildren, Jailyn Storey, Ryan, Erica, Adam Whitsell, Bernard, Maeve Weller, Ava Ommodt and numerous extended family and friends.
Per his wishes, he has been cremated and the family will hold a private going home celebration of his life at a later date. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to Jackson County Animal Shelter in memory of Nihl. To share memories or leave condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
Marie Ilene DeFord
Marie Ilene DeFord of Eaton Rapids, MI and formerly of Lansing, MI passed away peacefully in her sleep on August 21, 2022, at the age of 88. Marie was born on September 21, 1933, in Lansing Michigan the daughter of William and Jessie (Evans) Gross. She was raised in Lansing where she graduated from Lansing Sexton High School class of 1951. Marie was the owner of Building Care Services out of Lansing where she did commercial cleaning for many large companies. She also worked briefly in real estate. Marie was a long-time member of Unity Church where she was involved in the Teddy Bear Project and a founding member of the Lighthouse Coalition with her late friend Theresa Hobbins. She loved gardening, painting ceramics, animals of all kinds and was an avid garage sale aficionado. Marie was known as “everyone’s mom” and was extremely generous, always looking for the perfect gift for a family member or friend.
Marie is preceded in death by her parents and seven siblings.
She is survived by her sons, Dane (Grace) DeFord, Jon (Shelly) DeFord; grandchildren, Derek (Melissa) DeFord, Monica (Adam) Shirey, Branden (Nicole) Cooper, Sonia Ybarra, Courtney (Blake) Weirauch, Christina Lopez, Steve Lopez, Jessica Lopez, Cortney Slusser, Kayla Slusser; 21 great grandchildren, three great great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service was held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 26, 2022, at Skinner Funeral Homes, Eaton Rapids Chapel with visitation starting at 10:00 a.m. A luncheon immediately followed the service at Tompkins Township Hall in Rives Junction, MI. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the Ingham County Humane Society in memory of Marie. To share memories or leave condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
Becky (Rebecca) Sue Jones LaRose
Becky (Rebecca) Sue Jones LaRose, chef extraordinaire, lover of all things Halloween, Janis Joplin and classic rock, and tattoos, passed from this life on Thursday, August 18, 2022.
She was born April 26, 1981, the oldest of three siblings with parents Terry Jones and Wendy (Ten Eyck) Jones Allison; her brother, Daniel Jones, who passed away in 2012, and Benjamin Jones who she was a second mother to when he arrived. She was also the big Sissy to her much-loved twin sisters, Hannah and Olivia Jones, with her father and Susie (Loeffler) Jones. Her father, Terry Jones, predeceased Becky so she had loving arms to enter and her brother Dan to torture again! Listen for the rumbling!
Becky leaves behind three beautiful children: Mathias Stoecker, 21, of Charlotte, MI; Marah Jones, 17, of Lansing; and Malek LaRose, 14, of Mt. Morrice, MI. She married Brandon LaRose in 2009 and although they separated as a couple, they remained dear friends until the very end. She also leaves behind her parents, Wendy and Richard Allison, Jr., and Susie Jones, all of Lansing, MI, and her grandparents, Richard and Marjorie Gulliver of Eaton Rapids, now Grand Ledge. Also surviving are many loving aunties, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews along with countless friends, and her beloved puppy, Chunk, who loved her unconditionally. To Becky, everyone she loved was family and family was everything to her. Her heart was gigantic.
She was a force of nature, that girl, a real spitfire. She was a true and loyal friend for life. She loved her babies fiercely and was a true Mama Bear. Becky was a true master of mischief, and was an awesome gift giver, tucking away an idea that is long forgotten by the person until a wonderful, funny gift appears. She was born in the wrong decade because she had a true hippy heart. She loved movie quotes and there wasn’t one you could catch her on, she was so good at it. She was a true character in orange crocs! There wasn’t one thing that she could not figure out and do. She was an amazing woman and will be so greatly missed by all who knew her and loved her.
A memorial service will be held at Skinner Funeral Home in Eaton Rapids, MI, on September 24, 2022, at 1:00 p.m., with visitation an hour before. If you happen to have orange in your closet, please feel free to wear it! Tie dye welcome as always.
The family asks that you consider a donation to Glass House (Mid-Michigan Recovery Services) of Lansing, or the Greater Lansing Food Bank, which supplies food for the Glass House, in lieu of flowers.
“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference”