Obituaries
Bernard D. Rhines
It is with great honor and extreme sadness to announce the passing of Bernard “Bud” Dale Rhines, age 80, of Twin Lake, Mich. on March 19, 2022. He was born July 6, 1941 in Eaton Rapids, Michigan to parents Bernard J. Rhines and Fern (Carpenter) Rhines. He lost his father at the young age of 13 and his mother at the age of 29, which had a huge impact on his life. Bud was also preceded in death by his sister Jackie Adams, along with his beloved Grandmother Margaret “Granny” (Hill) Rhines.
Bud was the second of seven children and leaves behind brothers Roger Rhines (Maryann) and Thomas Rhines (Stephanie); and sisters Ranae Hillard, Roxanne Rhines, and Patricia Commons.
Bud is survived by his four children: Bernard J. “B.J.” Rhines II (Marie), Erin Bierly (Jeff), Lance Rhines (Lee), and Kellie Lazusky (Mike); six grandchildren: Roger, Bernard D. II “Buddy”, Joshua, Tara, Brittany, and Dylan; sixteen great-grandchildren: Kylie, Thomas, Edward, Hunter, Graison, Dallas, Madalynn, Maci, Clover, Faith, Jaxx, Teegan, Brantley, Mark, Mazzi, and Linnea.
Bud graduated from Charlotte High School in 1959. After high school he attended Albion College where he jokingly said he majored in pinochle. Soon after starting college, he was strongly advised to volunteer his draft, and he enlisted in the Army from 1960-1962, stationed in Wheeler, Indiana. They put him to work as a clerk typist since he was the only serviceman who knew how to type. Bud was tested and chosen to attend West Point, which he declined. His discharge was delayed by several months due to pre-war unrest. Shortly after his military service ended, he went to work for the State of Michigan where he met his future wife, Bettylou Bandfield. They had four children together. Intrigued by the advent of the computer, he soon went to work for Michigan State University on their first computer system and was featured on the front page of the Lansing State Journal in 1963. Bud always envisioned owning his own business, and that dream came true in 1973 when he opened Datacenter Corporation in Muskegon, Michigan, a concierge computerized accounting/payroll company. He was a lifelong learner and remembered historical facts and figures that astounded those around him. His above average intellect served him well in the world of computers, as he was able to envision computers as the way of the future, and he taught himself computer programming and database creation from scratch. He created patents and drawings that will be analyzed posthumously.
At age 9, Bud started his first business processing maple syrup, which was featured in the Charlotte newspaper. His Mom invested in it by purchasing tree taps, buckets, and bottles, and he went to work collecting maple syrup. He employed, without payment, his siblings and cousins to assist with the harvest. He sold it door-to-door to neighbors and family members.
Bud had a great love of nature and the great outdoors, enjoying the feeling of freedom it provided. He spent as much time as possible on his boat and fishing, determined to teach his siblings, children, and grandchildren how to fish and water ski. He loved fishing with his Granny, although she refused to fish with anything but a cane pole, which amused him because it still yielded a mess o’ fish! He traveled countless miles off-road in his cherished dune buggy, making campfires, finding natural drinking springs, and sharing stories of old. His Uncle Nick taught him to hunt, and he spent many opening days of pheasant hunting on their Eaton Rapids family farm. In 1976 for the Bicentennial Celebration, the City of Roosevelt Park invited Bud and his family to drive his yellow dune buggy in the parade while decked out in Americana clothing.
Bud was an avid sports fan and loved the Detroit Tigers, and would recount a play-by-play of Game 7 in the 1968 World Series with anyone who would listen. The AM radio was always tuned to baseball. He was proud to say he personally met his idol, Ernie Harwell.
Mostly though, Bud will be best remembered for his witty personality, hilarious storytelling, sense of humor, infectious laugh, and endearing eccentricities. He was one of a kind, that is for sure.
Lawrence Niceswander
Lawrence “Larry” Niceswander of Eaton Rapids, passed away March 14, 2022, at the age of 78. Larry was born in Homer, MI, June 23, 1943, the son of Virgil and Nancy (Lucas) Niceswander. He enjoyed his maintenance work at Richmond, where he would stay until his retirement in 2004. He found great enjoyment in fishing the many different lakes in the area.
Larry is survived by his wife, Marjorie “Marge” Niceswander; children, Dean Niceswander of Lansing, Wade (April) Niceswander of MO; grandchildren, Keith, Hannah, Hali, Hunter, James and Arisa Niceswander; great grandchildren, Emma Bailey, Gavin Bailey, Elliet Niceswander; siblings, Donald and Earl Niceswander, Deloris Hurtado, Barb (Lupe) Gonzalez; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Virgil and Nancy; brothers, Ernest, Wayne, and Virgil Niceswander; sisters, Vera Brockman and Delta Allard.
No services are planned at this time. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home in Eaton Rapids. Please visit our website to leave online condolences for the family, www.millsfuneral.com.
Sandra Hammond
Sandra Sue Hammond, age 80, of Springport, Michigan, was born on April 29, 1941, and passed away on March 14, 2022. A memorial service honoring Sandra’s life will be held on Saturday, March 19, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at the Eaton Rapids United Methodist Church located at 600 South Main Street in Eaton Rapids, Michigan. The visitation was held Friday evening, March 18, from 5-7 p.m. at Vickers Springport Funeral Home, 121 Pearl Street in Springport, and one hour prior to the service at the church. Arrangements entrusted to Vickers Springport Funeral Home, P.O. Box 235, Springport, MI 49284. 517-857-4848.
Chad Osborne
Chad “Ozzy” Alan Osborne, the best funcle (the fun uncle) and everybody’s friend, of Potterville died March 10, 2022. Chad, 48, was born March 17, 1973, in Lansing, MI to Charles and Karen (Pfister) Osborne. Chad was captain of his high school basketball and football teams at Potterville High School where he was a top 10 student, class of 1991. After high school, Chad served four years in the Navy on the USS Connelly in the engine room, and he was stationed in Norfolk, Virginia. During his time in the Navy, he docked at Guantanamo Bay and also in Finland, Denmark, Djibouti and Egypt, among many other destinations. He was a journeyman plumber for Mark Woodman Plumbing. Spending time with his family and taking care of them was very important to Chad, you could often find him at the bowling alley with his nieces and nephews as it was one of his favorite things to do. He loved to play golf and relearned it after he suffered a stroke 3 years ago. Chad overcame so much in his life, having the tenacity and perseverance to overcome his stroke. He was extremely proud of that as well as his sobriety, and in January he celebrated 11 years. As an avid Spartan fan, you could hear him yelling “Go Green!” and he loved March Madness.
Chad is survived by his parents, Charles and Karen (Pfister) Osborne; siblings, Erika (Ralph) Reagan and Sara (Nic) Fowler; grandfather, James Pfister and his wife, Dorothy; grandmother, Mary Jean Osborne; nieces and nephews, Audrey, Mason, Max and Nora Reagan and Melanie, Keira and Shane Fowler; aunts and uncles, and many cousins. He was predeceased by grandfather Richard A. Osborne, grandmother Margaret Pfister and aunt, Debbie Pfister.
Friends and family are encouraged to support Chad’s family by sharing memories on his tribute page at www.prayfuneral.com There will be a Celebration of Life service at a later date this summer. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte, MI.
Bernard Ommen
Bernard (Bud) Wayne Ommen passed away peacefully at the age of 88 with his children by his side on March 11, 2022. Bud was born November 24, 1933, in Lansing, Michigan to Bernard (Ben) Ommen and Esther (Sommers) Ommen. He spent his childhood in Lansing, attending Lansing Schools until he moved to Vermontville where he graduated from Vermontville Rural Agricultural School in 1952. While still in school, he started working under the direction of his father for the Lansing Public School District, Buildings and Grounds Department. Throughout his tenure, Bud worked his way up to supervisor of the department sitting at the same desk and in the same chair as his dad, retiring in 1986.
After moving to Vermontville, Bud met the love of his life, Audrey Mae Lightner. On October 9, 1954, they were married and it was the beginning of a true love story that lasted for 64 years. Upon returning from their honeymoon Bud received his draft papers, and he spent the next two years serving in the United States Army. Audrey joined him in Germany while he was stationed there.
Bud will be remembered as an ever-smiling, kind, gentle, easy-going man who enjoyed family, friends, the outdoors and watching his granddaughters show horses. Spending time with his family, traditional camping trips to Interlochen, horses, snowmobiling with friends, and anything with an engine were among his favorite things.
His service to the community included being a firefighter with the Vermontville Fire Department and serving on the Vermontville Fire and Ambulance Board. He also served on the Vermontville Township Board of Review, Cemetery Board and was a member of the First Congregational Church of Vermontville. After retiring he spent many hours transporting members of the Amish community. He gained many friendships and enjoyed time spent with his Amish friends.
He will be lovingly remembered by his children, Karen (Steve) Newman, Scott (Cathy) Ommen; grandchildren, Alaina (Trent) Graham, Brielle Ommen, Kaitlin (Dylan) Haan, Kelsie Newman (Tyler Thering); great granddaughters, Eva Graham, Rylie Graham, Audrey Haan, and a fourth great-granddaughter coming soon; sister, Ann Samann; many nieces, nephews, and extended family members. He is also survived by his constant companion dog, Lexie. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Audrey; sisters and brothers-in-law, Bessie (Norman) LaCross, Laurene (Tyrus) Stine and brother-in-law Jim Samann.
Friends are encouraged to support Bud’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Funeral Service was held at the First Congregational Church of Vermontville on March 16, 2022 at 11 a.m. with Pastor Andy Trowbridge officiating. Interment will take place in Woodlawn Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to Maple Valley Memorial Scholarship Fund or Eaton Community Palliative Care. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.