Obituaries
Bonnie J. Tebo
Bonnie Jean Tebo, age 88, of Charlotte, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 2, 2022, at Dimondale Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. She was born January 7, 1934, in Jackson, Michigan, the daughter of George and Gladys (Estell) Wells. On June 20, 1954, she married Mark Tebo at the Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church. Everyone who knew Bonnie knew of her passion for music. She shared her talents with several area churches, where she led and sang in the choir. Later in life she enjoyed singing karaoke and with the Sweet Adeline’s. Bonnie was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who cherished every member of her family.
Bonnie is survived by her husband of 67 years, Mark; daughters: Debra Kingdon of Brooksville, Florida, Karen (Rick) Pelletier of Orlando; 7 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents and grandson, Stephen Jones.
A graveside service was held on Thursday, February 10, 2022, at 1 p.m. at Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte.
Those desiring, may make contributions in Bonnie’s memory to the Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church.
To view Bonnie’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com
Rod McLaughlin
Rodney J. McLaughlin passed away Saturday, February 12, 2022, at the age of 71. Rod was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan to Leona and Jim McLaughlin on March 22, 1950. He moved from Otsego to Eaton Rapids with his parents in 1955.
Rod attended Eaton Rapids Public Schools and graduated with the Class of 1968. He was an avid golfer, holding the record on the golf team at Eaton Rapids High School for many years. He also participated in amateur tournaments collecting numerous trophies, including the Duck Lake Country Club Championship. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Michigan State University, and was an avid Spartan fan and supporter all his life. GO GREEN!
Rod briefly lived and worked in Florida, and then spent several years in the foothills of Sedalia, Colorado. He was a “mountain man” living in his cabin – one of the cabin walls was the actual stone mountainside…where the water was so pure he could drink right from the stream. He was a deep appreciator of nature and was “in his element” and always had a desire to return. He moved back to Eaton Rapids to help with the family business and then later became the owner/publisher of the Flashes Shopper’s Guide & News until its sale in 2014. He served on the Board of the Eaton Rapids Chamber of Commerce and remained a member for many years. He enjoyed camping, hiking, fishing and golfing.
Rod is survived by his best friend and loving life partner Lynn Tinkham and her 4 children: Tom (Dani) Faust; Matt (Tawni) Faust; Kurt (Denise) Faust; Rebecca (Ryan) Perry and was “Grandpa Rock” to their 8 grandchildren. Also surviving are his mother, Leona McLaughlin; sisters: Marcia McLaughlin; Michele (Lee) Gillett, Kathleen (Ron) Savage; Shari (Dan) Babbitt; many nieces and nephews, several great nieces and nephews, as well as aunts, uncles and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his father, Jim McLaughlin.
A family celebration will take place at a later date. Donations can be made to the Craig Cartwright Memorial Fund, or to MSU in memory of Rod McLaughlin. Arrangements by Skinner Funeral Home, to share memories or leave condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
“High aloft in the cool mountain air, where peace is the rule only eagles dare.” -Rod
Charles Milbourn
Charles Milbourn of Eaton Rapids, passed away February 14, 2022, at the age of 75. Charles was born December 26, 1946, the son of Herbert and Rena (Wright) Milbourn. He graduated from Eaton Rapids High School and immediately enlisted into the US Army. Charles served during the Vietnam War as a heavy equipment operator, building roads and frequently got shot at while working on the job. He then went on to work for General Motors where he worked and retired in 1999 with 30 years of service. Charles enjoyed golfing with his buddies at Bonnieview Golf Course and also, traveling to other golf courses, watching football, and riding his Harley motorcycle. He was a very talented, self-taught woodworker making many pieces of furniture for family and friends. Charles’ lawn was an art of perfection, and his sense of humor was infectious. He had many gifts, but his gift of loving his family, was by far, the best and the most heartfelt. He will be missed greatly.
Charles is survived by his wife, Terry; children, Susan Myers of Lansing, Thomas (Michelle) Milbourn of Eaton Rapids, Geoffrey Hudson of Grand Rapids, Terry Kaczor of Charlotte, Sean (Cori) Milbourn of Lansing, Nicole (Joseph) Decker of Munith; grandchildren, Amanda, Emily (Bryan), Jennifer, Travis, Maddie, Randi, Kevin (Katie), Dominic, Damian, Evan; 1 great grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents; grandson, James; siblings, Pauline Conarton and Herbert Milbourn.
Memorial visitation for friends and family will be held at the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids on Saturday February 19, 2022, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association. To place online condolences for the family, please visit our website at www.millsfuneral.com.
Alice M. Lampert
Alice Marie Lampert was born on November 8, 1924 and passed away on February 6, 2022. Arrangements are being handled by Pray Funeral Home.
Monika Sivyer
Monika Elisabeth Secker Sivyer, age 78, of Vermontville, died peacefully on Saturday, February 5, 2022, in Lansing. Monika was born August 5, 1943, in Bad Kreuznach, Germany, the daughter of Richard and Helene (Hees) Secker. She finished two years of college before falling in love with a young American soldier stationed in Germany during the Vietnam War. Dewain Sivyer and Monika Secker were married on October 6, 1962, in Frei-Laubersheim, Germany, and settled in Michigan in 1964. They enjoyed 55 years of marriage, including many adventures traveling and raising their four children. Monika and Dewain loved fishing in Nicholson Bay, Lake Windermere, Ontario, Canada. She loved gardening, knitting and scrap booking. She was an accomplished bowler, bowling in Portland, Charlotte and Lansing. She will be forever known as a devoted mom and grandmother. She loved her kids and grandchildren more than anything.
Monika is preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Dewain. She is survived by her children, Susan (Edward) Daood, James (Linda) Sivyer, Richard (Martha) Sivyer, Cynthia (Brad) Huff; her grandchildren Alexander, Cody, Anne, Brianna, Amber, Hannah, and Jacob and her beloved great grandchildren; Jocelyn, Ava, Brayden, Chloe, Lacey, and Ellie. The family wishes to thank Monika’s friends in the Amish Community who befriended her, especially Lavon and Darrel Chupp, who she loved as her own grandchildren.
Friends and family are encouraged to support Monika’s family sharing memories on her tribute page at www.prayfuneral.com. In lieu of flowers, the family asks you donate to your favorite charity who may need it most. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home.