Obituaries
Maurice “Skip” Dowding
It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that Maurice “Skip” Dowding, the founder of Dowding Industries, passed away November 13, 2021, surrounded by family. He was 89 years young. Skip was born in Albion, Michigan on March 25, 1932 to Vern and Freda (Mohler) Dowding. He was the second of their five children. Skip graduated from Olivet High School in 1950. Due to his love of airplanes, he began flying in 1947 at age 15, before he even received his driver’s license. Three years after high school Skip joined the Army where he served two years in Alaska, at Big Delta Arctic Test Center as a communication specialist.
Skip fell in love with Alaska and didn’t want to leave! When his service ended in 1955, he decided to remain in Alaska where he worked for the City of Fairbanks. After his return he was employed by Olivet Machine Tool Engineering Company as a tool & die maker. He worked at several other small tool shops in the area before deciding he wanted to embark upon the journey of starting his own business. Skip had the idea, if he started his own company, he would have endless amounts of free time to spend hunting and fishing. Little did he know that his love for work would replace those activities! Skip started Dowding Tool Products in 1965; a small tool and die shop out of a local garage, then he moved to the Narrow Lake facility. His entrepreneurial spirit is what drove him to keep pursuing new inventions, that he hoped would better the world. He grew to have numerous manufacturing locations in Albion, Devereaux, Marshall, Springport, Battle Creek, Hiawatha (Iowa) and Dunn (North Carolina). In 1997 Skip consolidated the Michigan facilities into one plant in Eaton Rapids, Michigan. The business would continue to grow to include a campus of three production facilities and employ over 200 team members.
Skip’s love of flying was recognized both far and wide, as he logged over 14,000 hours traveling all over the United States. He absolutely loved to be in the clouds! He especially cherished his time spent flying and exploring the vast Alaskan wilderness with his younger brother, Roger who was a Bush Pilot. Skip was well-known for his mercy flights that helped numerous people be transferred to the necessary medical facilities, such as Mayo Clinic & Cleveland Clinic. He treasured his ability to share his love of flying by being a flight instructor where he was able to pass on his vast knowledge and experience while teaching hundreds of people how to fly. He maintained his pilots license and instructors rating up until the day he passed.
In 1956 Skip met the love of his life, Karen Norris, his sister’s best friend. They were joined in marriage on April 19, 1958. Skip and Karen built an incredible life and family! They traveled all over the world and lived life to the fullest. Their unconditional love and commitment to each other is a relationship goal for all of us to model. They were blessed with three children and were married for almost 64 wonderful years.
Skip was also known for his unwavering faith in God. He assisted numerous churches in the area to grow and flourish. Skip was known for his kind and generous heart. He was an eternal encourager and always saw the good in people. As so many heartfelt stories of his acts of kindness are flooding into the family. We realize even more, what a special soul he had. Skip lived a life of honoring God; in all ways and treated people with love and respect. His passion was to support various missions in their quest to spread Gods word.
The family has lost their cornerstone, the community has lost a visionary, and the world has lost an astounding man. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with Skip have lost a dear friend and an inspiring mentor. Skip leaves behind a company that he dearly loved and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Dowding Industries. He left this world a better place. He was forever an entrepreneur and actively worked doing what he loved. In the last few years, he was working on developing a wheelchair that would help people stand, he was working on this project until the very end. Dowding Industries has a mantra that came directly from Skip, “we build people, not just parts”, which was based on his faith and love of God. That’s what he did for 56 years of business; he truly believed it, and more importantly he lived it every day of his life! Dowding’s tag line “Making an Impact, Leaving a Legacy.” is a true reflection of his time here on earth. We will honor his memory by dedicating ourselves to continuing the work he loved so much.
Skip was preceded in death by his parents, Vern and Freda Dowding, son, Mark Dowding, brothers, Roger and David Dowding. He is survived by his loving wife, Karen, his siblings Sam Dowding and Janice (Mitch) Johnson, daughters, Chris (Jeff) Metts and Mary Lu Dowding (Greg) Harris and Grandchildren Jamie (Monte) Collins, Shasta Delong, Johnny (Cassie) Knaggs, Victoria Wilson (Lex Osumenya) Ekaterina Harris, and Liam Dowding. He is also survived by great-grandchildren: Jaycob, Christian and Noah DeLong, Brock Bigger, Makena and Charlotte Collins, Amari Osumenya and Kamdyn Knaggs.
We are planning a celebration of Skip’s extraordinary life that will be held Tuesday, November 30, 2021 at Eagle Eye Golf Club, 15500 Chandler Rd., Bath Twp, Michigan. A service is planned for 2:00 pm and an Open House will follow from 3-6:00 pm. Charities that are closest to Skip’s heart are the following: Mission Educ-Arte, Cancun, MX and Soaring Unlimited Women’s Health and Birthing Center, Cap Haitien, Haiti. Donations can be made at the open house or mailed to Pray Funeral Home.
Daryl R. Eaton
Daryl Ross Eaton born October 2, 1962 in Eaton Rapids, Michigan to Carol Eaton and passed away from complications of Covid-19 on November 20, 2021. Daryl graduated from Eaton Rapids in 1982. He went on to work in manufacturing for Carefree in Charlotte and General Motors. Daryl was a big fan of Star Trek and Star Wars and enjoyed collecting. He was an avid movie goer and a master puzzle builder. Daryl was a very stubborn man who could be ruthless at family card games of Phase 10. Which would sometimes end in tears for some of his nieces! Every spring, he loved to go mushroom hunting in search of morel mushrooms with his family. For Sunday dinners at his mom’s house, Daryl was very meticulous about making the perfect homemade noodles for beef and noodles. He was looking forward to being a grandpa this year and will be dearly missed by his family. Daryl’s family will be able to take comfort in the fact that he was able to give the gift of life to another family and a piece of him will continue to live on.
He is preceded in death by his mother, stepfather, Paul Anderson and niece, Amanda (Hill) Gatica.
He is survived by his children, Darian (Alyssa Worden) Eaton, Delanie Eaton; his newborn grandbabies, Caspian Alexander Eaton, and Amber Jean Eaton; brother Eric (Susan) Eaton; sister, Belinda (Kevin) Hill; the mother of his children, Deb Becerra; nephew Justin Eaton, nieces, Ashley Gruesbeck, Cindy Beck, Brittney Hill as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, December 3, 2021 at Skinner Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids Chapel. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. For those desiring memorial contributions may be made to the family in care of Darian. To share memories or leave condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com
John E. Griggs
John Griggs of Albion, Mi (formerly of Eaton Rapids) passed peacefully on November 18th, 2021, after a five-year battle with cancer. He was 74 at the time of his passing. John was born on May 12th, 1947, in Brooklyn, Mi. He was the son of Richard and Dorothy (Hart) Griggs. John attended Eaton Rapids Public Schools and was drafted into the US Army in 1968 where he fought in the Vietnam War. Following his military service, he worked for General Motors for 30 years. After retiring from GM, he went on to serve on the maintenance crew at Duck Lake Country Club for 15 years. John loved his family, golf and especially all his friends at the “club”. He cherished time with his family, grandchildren, and wintering a few years in Florida.
John is survived by his wife Suzy (Trimble) Griggs of 51 years; children Jeff (Samantha) Griggs (Georgia), Mike (Kristie) Griggs (Florida); sister Sherry (Denny) Avery; sister in-laws Nancy Trimble and Nancy Griggs; grandchildren Megan, Kara, Jack, and Luke Griggs. He will be missed by his nieces Nicki, Meredith, Elizabeth, Leanne, Stacey, Melissa, and nephews Brian, Jason, David. His unfailing love of family and country along with his sense of humor will be missed by all.
A graveside service and memorial golf outing will be scheduled in the summer of 2022. In lieu of flowers a memorial contribution can be made to Duck Lake Country Club (in honor of John Griggs). Checks can be sent to Duck Lake Country Club at 2827 Country Club Way, Albion, Mi 49224. To share memories or condolences please visit the Skinner Funeral Home website at SkinnerFuneralhomes.com.
Donald H. Faulkner
Donald Hugh Faulkner of Eaton Rapids, MI passed away on November 21, 2021, from congestive heart failure. Don was born February 21, 1945, in Charlotte, MI. The son of Lynn and Anna Mae (Thornton) Faulkner. He was raised in Eaton Rapids where he graduated from Eaton Rapids High School class of 1963.
In his early years he loved his “hot cars” owning a 1964 442 convertible and then a 1967 Chevelle that he said was purple but was really maroon. He tried to impress a young, quiet, and shy girl named Jeannine Cady. winning her over they were married in 1967. Together they raised their children Aaron and Michelle.
Don worked at Foote and Custers and Wohlerts before going to Fisher Body where he worked for 32 years. After retiring in 1999 Don was able to do more of what he enjoyed. He loved to bake bread and do things outdoors, farming for a family friend, taking great pride in his yard, growing a giant garden, and cutting wood to keep the house toasty and warm in the winter – Summer clothes recommended.
Don leaves behind his loving wife of 54 years Jeannine, his kids Aaron and Michelle (Thomas) Hector and his grandkids Ashlea and Brendon who affectionately called him “Grumpa.”
Per Don’s wishes there will not be a service. A gathering of friends and family will be held at a later date. To share memories or leave condolences please visit: www.skinnerfuneralhomes.com
Marten N. Garn
Marten Neil Garn, judge by trade, and pastor, youth leader, and farmer by desire, of Charlotte, MI entered his Heavenly Father’s Kingdom November 16, 2021. Marty, age 61, was born in Charlotte, MI on January 16, 1960 to Richard Wayne and Mary June Garn.
Marty was a notorious prankster with an incredible sense of humor; he had a knack for witty puns and the ability to lift the spirits of all those around him. He was a history buff who loved to share his knowledge with others, and was an exceptional writer both in hobby and legal practice. Marty loved working on his beefalo farm and spending time outdoors when he wasn’t working for the court. His mechanical abilities and craftsmanship served him not just on the farm, but with numerous remodeling projects around his home and church. He enjoyed many lasting friendships and treasured each relationship, old and new. Marty valued God and family above all else, and lived each day as an example for all to follow. His faith and daily life were rooted in scripture and while he ministered in so many ways, his gift of song was truly inspiring. As a youth pastor, he introduced countless teens to Christ, and facilitated numerous trips across the country, creating lifelong memories and friendships both for the kids and the communities they visited. He believed in life experiences, and opened his home to exchange students from several countries over the years. His passion and commitment to Christ left an impression on everyone he met, and his impact continues to be felt around the country and around the world.
Marty is survived by his wife, Leslie; five children, Cherie (Jeffrey) Williams, Stephanie (Christopher) Loving, Matthew (Lindsay) Garn, Hannah (Ryan) Budnik, and Miles (Annie) Garn; five grandchildren, London, Avery, and Paxton Williams, and Hudson and Adaley Loving; his sisters, Melissa (Douglas) Walton and Madora (Steve) Graffeo; his mother, Mary June Garn; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, Matthew Garn, brother-in-law, Douglas Walton, and his father, Richard Garn.
Visitation will be held at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte on Saturday, November 20 from 4-6pm, and at the Charlotte Performing Arts Center on Sunday, November 21 from 2-3pm followed by his Funeral service from 3-4:30pm. Dinner will follow. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home. Friends and family may share memories of Marty on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com