Obituaries
Jeffrey S. Shellenbarger
Jeffrey Scott Shellenbarger, of Charlotte, passed away November 23, 2021, at the age of 55. Jeff was born in Grand Rapids, December 27, 1966, the son of Robert Zalsman and Doris Craver. He worked for several years with Alro Steele before retiring early due to an auto accident. Jeff’s hobbies included hunting, fishing, and camping. He was a member and a past president of the Eaton Rapids Conservation Club, a member of the NRA and the First Baptist Church in Charlotte. Jeff was a kidney transplant recipient and didn’t let that stop him from giving back and volunteering as a hunter safety coordinator, hunter safety instructor, and an Upwards basketball coach and ref at the church.
Jeff is survived by his mother and adopted father, Doris Middleton and Donald Shellenbarger; wife, Carrie Shellenbarger; daughter, Lakota (Zach) Coker of Charlotte; step-son, Timothy Badgley; grandchild, Piper; step-grandchildren, Seth, Sylas, Elli, Sasha; siblings, Jason Shellenbarger, Jody Anderson, Shannon Mixon. He was preceded in death by his birth father, Robert Zalsman.
Memorial services will take place at 11 a.m. on December 5, 2021, at the Eaton Rapids Conservation Club, 4483 Freeman Road, Eaton Rapids, MI 48827. Memorial contributions may be made to the Kidney Foundation. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel. To leave online condolences for the family, please visit our website, www.millsfuneral.com.
Tad Mead
Tad Mead, 26, of Buchannan, Mich. (formerly of Nashville, Mich.), passed away unexpectedly Monday, November 15, 2021. Tad was born in Hastings, MI on July 21, 1995, son of April Blakely and Lance Mead.
He was raised in the Nashville area and attended Maple Valley schools graduating from Maple Valley High School in 2014. Tad was an excellent football player and excelled during his high school career. His passion for the game led him to Olivet College where collegiate football career began. While attending Olivet, Tad was enrolled in the Actuarial program. After leaving college, Tad’s football career continued with the Battle Creek Assassins, and the Albion Warriors.
Tad relocated to the Buchannan area where he was employed at the Four Winds Casino where he worked as a Surveillance Operator. Tad was responsible for overseeing the safety of the Casino and maintaining the integrity of the games. His coworkers quickly became his “extended” family and he will be deeply missed by them all.
In his spare time, Tad enjoyed playing online video games with his best friends Cody & Ryan and golfing. One golfing adventure led he and a friend to play a round on the family PGA course in Benton Harbor, MI. where they received a complimentary round through friend.
Tad is also survived by his parents April (Jason) Engle, and Lance Mead, two sisters, Shannon, (Hunter Work) Mead Jaylene Engle, brother, Paulie Engle, grandparents Don (Lynn) Blakely, Maryann Mead twin nieces Lilian & Izabella Work, and several beloved Aunts, Uncles and Cousins. He was preceded in death by his grandfather Allan Mead, and nephew Oliver Work
The family will receive visitors 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, November 21st at Daniels Funeral Home in Nashville, MI. A Memorial Service will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, November 23rd at Nashville Church of the Nazarene in Nashville, MI with Pastor Jeff Hodges officiating.
Memorial contributions can be made to the family of Tad Mead. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Daniels Funeral Home in Nashville, MI. For further details please visit our website at www.danielsfuneralhome.net.
C. Diane Messenger
C. Diane Messenger, 84, of Bellevue died on Saturday, November 20, 2021, at The Oaks of NorthPointe Woods.
Diane was born on July 9, 1937, in Battle Creek to Fritz and Atha (Eldred) Gasser. She graduated from Bellevue High School in 1955. On December 26, 1956, she married Harold P. Messenger at the Bellevue United Methodist Church.
Diane was a home maker and stayed at home to help her husband on the family farm and raise her children. She is a member of the Bellevue United Methodist Church and The 20th Century Club. Diane was a 4-H Leader in Eaton County for many years. She was an avid seamstress and would enjoy making clothes for her family. Diane was also known for her cooking and would always make sure she had the recipe to share with anyone at the potluck. She loved to do crossword puzzles, jig saw puzzles, and word search. Diane loved being in the car club and enjoyed traveling to Hershey, Pennsylvania for over 30 years and she enjoyed square dancing.
She is survived by her husband Harold; three children Linda (Norman) Franks, David Messenger and Donna (Kim) Smith; nine grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and a brother Gary (Nancy) Gasser. She was preceded in death by her parents; two sister Marion Tirrell and Joyce Beiser; and a grandson David Messenger.
A private family service will take place at a later date. Memorial contributions are to the Bellevue Good Samaritan, 205 N. Main Street, Bellevue, MI 49021 or to the Bellevue United Methodist Church, 122 W. Capital Ave., Bellevue, MI 49021. Assistance with memorials is available at the Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services. Leave a personal message for the family and sign the online guestbook https://www.kempffuneralhome.com. Arrangements are entrusted to the Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services 203 N Elizabeth Street Bellevue MI 49021.
Michael P. McKeon
Michael Patrick McKeon age 65 from Bellevue, passed away on November 21, 2021. He worked as a Construction Superintendent Clark Construction. Arrangements are being handled by Pray Funeral Home, Inc.
Layla K. Sands
Layla Kaye Sands age 15, from Bellevue passed away on November 17, 2021. She was a High School student. Arrangements are being handled by Pray Funeral Home, Inc.