Obituaries
Eva Palmer
Eva J. Palmer, age 87, entered peacefully into the arms of her Lord, July 24, 2022, at her home. She was born March 13, 1935 in Beaverton, Michigan to Rev. George & Grace (Tolles) Huber. On January 12, 1957 Eva married Philip Palmer in Mt. Haley Church of God. Eva was a faithful to the Lord as well as a wife, mother, and grandmother.
Mom served many churches over the years as a Pastor’s wife in Colon, MI, Charlotte, MI, Ocala, FL, Cape Coral, FL, and Burlington, MI. Mom taught Sunday School, played piano, and then the organ for many years in the church. Mom also served before her marriage with her parents who were pastors in several churches.
Mom worked as a Lab tech at the Midland Hospital, clerk at State Farm Insurance in Marshall, MI, billing clerk at Community Hospital in Battle Creek, MI, and receptionist/administrative secretary at Eaton County Care Facility.
She is survived by a daughter Rebecca (Rev. Douglas) Douglas of La Fayette, GA; a son Thomas (Valerie) Palmer of Charlotte, MI; grandchildren Nicole (Richard) Rivera; Curtis Palmer of Charlotte, MI; Gretchen (Ballard) Wood of Columbia City, IN; Charin (Mike) Hanlon of Wilmington, NC; Nathan (Jessica) Douglas of Ona, WV; and Thomas Douglas of Ft. Wayne, IN; great-grandchildren Audrey, Ethan, and Morgan Rivera; Chasity (Dallas) Puckett, Micah (Becca) Wood; Kaylee and Grace Hanlon; Luke and Joey Douglas; and four great-great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Grace Huber; brothers, Gerald, Orville, Rex and Ron Huber; sisters, Merlene Wixom, Alice Krotzer; and her husband of 64 years, Philip B. Palmer.
A Memorial Service for Rev. Philip B. and Eva J. Palmer will be held August 27, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at the South Cochran Church of God, 2470 S. Cochran Rd., Charlotte, MI 48813. If you have a story to share, please email to douglas303@earthlink.net by August 24, 2022. Stories received will be shared at the Memorial Service.
Donations may be made in their honor to a charity of your choice.
The family is being served by the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home.
Maxine J. Zenker
Maxine J. Zenker of Eaton Rapids, passed away on Saturday, July 23, 2022, at the age of 94. Born May 27, 1928, to Fred and Lorena (Cane) Stierley in Eaton Rapids, Michigan. Maxine was a graduate of Eaton Rapids High School class of ’46 and went on to attend Lansing Beauty School. She later opened her own Beauty Shop in Eaton Rapids where she operated her business. For years she was a part of the Extensions Club in Eaton Rapids. Maxine was quite artistic and enjoyed painting. She loved gardening and spending time outside doing yardwork. Maxine was a good cook and hosted many family holiday gatherings and Sunday dinners. She was loved by many and will be missed dearly by all who remember her. Preceding her in death were her husband of 61 years, Vaughn Zenker as well as her parents.
Surviving are her two children, Steve (Shey) Zenker, Jill (Tom) Paine; grandchildren, Nicki Zenker, Kiersten Paine, Andrew (Felisha) Paine; great grandson, Emerson Zenker Paine and one great granddaughter on the way.
A private graveside service will be held for Maxine. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Eaton Community Palliative Care in Maxine’s name. To share memories and condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
Jose Sanchez Cantu III
Jose Sanchez Cantu, III of Eaton Rapids, MI went to be with his Lord and Savior on July 13, 2022, at the age of 52. Joe was born on January 28, 1970, in Lansing, MI the son of Jose Cantu and Evelyn Rials. Joe lived in Florida for a short period of his youth but was mostly raised in Lansing. He worked as a brick layer for L & M Masonry and as a mechanic for Williams Farm Machinery. Joe enjoyed fishing and was an avid U of M athletics fan. He loved tinkering in his garage and fixing up old cars and welding miniature tractor and car replicas from scratch. Joe had a huge heart for animals and especially loved his boxer dogs, Sonny and Sugar.
He is preceded in death by his parents and Reané Rials and April Rials.
Joe is survived by his wife, Cheri Cantu; sons, Jose Cantu IV, Jesus Cantu; nieces, Starla Colter, Robbie Jo Malcolm, Maranda (Tyler) Bashore; mother and father-in-law, Gary and Ruth Clarke, and sister-in-law, Suzi Clarke.
A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 30, 2022 at First Baptist Church in Eaton Rapids. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the family of Jose Cantu to help with final expenses or to the Eaton County Humane Society in memory of Joe. To share memories or leave condolences please visit www.skinnerfuneralhomes.com.
Ivan Lee Bunker
Ivan Lee Bunker of Mason, formerly of Eaton Rapids, passed away July 16, 2022, at the age of 76. Ivan was born in Eaton Rapids, September 19, 1945, the son of Oscar and Clorah (Brininstool) Bunker. He attended Everett High School, class of 1965. Ivan briefly worked for Howard Johnson’s and also worked at MSU as a custodian for 42 years before retiring. His hobbies included fishing, hunting, watching the Tigers and all MSU Spartan Sports. The family would like to thank Tim and Mindy Hertzfeld, Brenda Fletcher and special co-worker, Robin for the loving care and attention they showed to Ivan.
Ivan is survived by his sisters, Carol (George) Hertzfeld, Darla Tody; brother, Ruhl Bunker; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Estina Disbrow, Lillian Darnell, Florence Lauck and brothers, Elmer Flaugher. Daniel (Betty) Bunker.
Funeral services were held Thursday, July 21, 2022, at the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids with interment following in Greenwood Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Shriners. To leave online condolences for the family please visit our website, www.millsfuneral.com.
Kay Janet Carstens
Kay Janet Carstens, 81, of Maynard, Massachusetts, passed away in the home of her niece, Elizabeth Peters, her husband, Jamie Peters, and their son, Thomas Peters in Lecompton, Kansas, in the early morning of July 15, 2022. She passed peacefully with family and her cat, Sissy, by her side. Kay was a beloved daughter, sister, aunt, and great aunt. She was born June 27, 1941, in Detroit, Michigan, to Arthur W. and Ethel Carstens. With courage, Kay fought a tough battle with Alzheimer’s and other medical issues most recently.
Kay is predeceased by her younger sister, Carole Diana Boulton; father and mother, Arthur and Ethel Carstens; and great niece, Kate Elizabeth Boulton.
Kay is survived by her brother-in-law, John Berry Boulton; nieces: Elizabeth (Jamie Peters), Sarah-Sally, Lisa, Hannah, Maggie; nephews: Mathew (Tammy), Michael (Laura), Jonathan (India), Christopher, Rane, Joshua; and great nieces and nephews: Madison, Drew, Emma, Jane, Jack, Sarah, Thomas, Austin, Aiden, Henry, and Chase.
As children, Kay and Carole excelled in school at Flint and Eaton Rapids, Michigan schools, and both attended Michigan State University, where Kay graduated with bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Kay first spent time in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado working as an editor before moving east to Massachusetts to follow her interest in publishing. She enjoyed many years as a writer and editor. Kay enjoyed and took pride in her work with the New England Journal of Medicine at the Mass Medical Society. She also free-lanced as a writer for many travel publications. Her medical interests led her to teach courses in medical terminology at Bunker Hill Community College.
Kay adored her baby sister, Carole, and much like her younger sister, opened up her heart to the big, adopted family of nieces and nephews her sister Carole and husband John grew. Christmas holidays were Kay’s absolute favorite, and she joined her sister’s family at most every holiday season. She adored gift giving and receiving, and her smile brightened the room on Christmas mornings. Kay loved her sister Carole’s cooking and was always caught sampling long before mealtime but always with a smile and a thank you. If Kay was not in view while visiting friends and family, she could be found cozied up in bed or on a big chair fireside with a good book and a snack, as she was an avid reader. Besides her love of books, she was an outdoorswoman to the core. She kayaked, hiked, cross-country skied, and gardened her way through life.
Kay was fully embraced by the vibrant community of women that became her East Coast family. She was always ready to enjoy an adventure or discuss a book with her book club, Bookwomyn, that she belonged to for over 30 years. She had too many friends to mention by name but spoke of each often and with great fondness. Kay loved when friends accompanied her on her hikes, skiing, and kayak trips down the river or to the lakeside. She was always generous with her time and treasures, participated in AIDS walks, helped sustain animal shelters near and far, and contributed joyfully to the local food pantries.
She was loved and welcomed wherever she went. As we bid farewell to Kay, many will remember her independent solid nature, strengths, and limitless love for her family, friends, animals, and books. We will cherish the memories that she has given us all. She will be forever missed.
A celebration of life will be held later and hosted by best friend Lois Tetreault in Maynard, Massachusetts.
A Little Free Library will be placed in her honor. In lieu of flowers and in honor of the warm-hearted woman Kay was, please contribute to Open Table Food Pantry in Maynard, Massachusetts, or Baypath Humane Society in Hopkinton, Massachusets.