Obituaries
Terrill N. Thompson
Terrill Nolan Thompson passed away on October 25, 2021, at the age of 59. He was born on December 26, 1961, in Lansing, MI. He attended Eaton Rapids Public Schools. He enjoyed creating jewelry and operated The Gold Rush in Frandor Mall, Lansing, MI. He was always willing to help others. He was adept at and especially enjoyed repairing cars.
Terrill was preceded in death by his parents, William Howard and Orrilla Alethea (Wilson) Thompson, and one niece. He is survived by his siblings Nadine Thompson of Haslett, MI, Howard Thompson (Trang) of Poinciana, FL, Shasta Burzynski (Lenard) of Sault Ste. Marie, MI, and Maja Fields (Sam) of Kerrville, TX. He enjoyed his nieces, nephews, their children, and many friends.
Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 am, November 13, 2021, at the Comfort Inn, 525 N Canal Street, Lansing, MI.
William F. Mowrer Jr.
William F. Mowrer Jr., age 86, of Bellevue, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 27, 2021. He was born on December 11, 1934, the son of the late William Mowrer and Lucille (Capozella) Mowrer. He was a graduate of St. Joe’s High School, class of 1952. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1953. He proudly served his country for twenty-years, attaining the rank of Master Sergeant. He served during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. After returning from the Air Force, he became a police officer in Bellevue, MI. He retired from the city of Bellevue in 1996, after thirteen years of service. He loved to attend car shows and was awarded with many plaques and trophies for his Corvette. He loved to cook for his family and was well known for his famous spaghetti sauce. He was a wonderful family man and loved spoiling his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
He was united in marriage with Mary E. (Pritchett) Mowrer on March 17, 1962, who survives him. He leaves to cherish his memory two children from his first marriage, Bill (Amy) Mowrer III. and Valeri (Todd) Yates; three children from his second marriage, Kirt Mowrer, Melani Clemons, Tracy (Ronald) Weber; eight grandchildren, Jimmy, Mallory, Ashlee, Krystle, Kenny, Sara, Cassie, and Jaelyn; thirteen great-grandchildren; siblings, Nancy Ross, Anita (Mike) Cummings, Jimmy (Lucy) Mowrer; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by sister, Mary Lou Fish and brother, Robert Mowrer.
Cremation has taken place and a private graveside service will take place at Ft. Custer National Cemetery. A public memorial gathering will be held at 4 p.m. on Monday, November 8, 2021, at Bellevue First Baptist Church, 122 S. Main St, Bellevue, MI 49021. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to a V.F.W. post of the donor’s choice . Arrangements were entrusted to Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services, Bellevue. Please visit https://www.kempffuneralhome.com to view the online obituary, sign the guest book, and leave messages for the family.
Bernard A. Doxtader
Bernard Allen Doxtader, 66 of Olivet and formerly Charlotte, died October 13, 2021. Bernard was a very caring and generous person, known for giving what little he had to help others in need. Born in Marshall, MI on February 28, 1955, to Floyd and Dorothy (Ripley) Doxtader, Bernie grew up in a large family and learned about sharing and caring for others from an early age. With an infectious kind of laugh and big bear hugs for his family, they hold those memories dear as they remember their brother. Some of the activities he enjoyed include bowling at CharLanes, dancing (he loved to dance at the Courthouse Square concerts), playing “Santa” at the Eagles in Charlotte and around town in Olivet, and fishing on the island in Eaton Rapids. On June 20, 1998, Bernard married Joanne Irene Reefman, and they enjoyed 23 years together. Bernard touched many lives with his kindness, and in his job delivering The County Journal newspaper around Charlotte, Vermontville, and Nashville. Bernard also worked at the Eaton Place restaurant for 15 years as a dishwasher. He was extremely proud of his work, and his bowling trophies and Special Olympics medals.
Bernard is survived by his siblings, Sandra Brown, Diana McConnell, Geraldine Doxtader, Josephine Carnell, Gordon Doxtader, and Katherine Doxtader; half-siblings, Donna Doxtader, Rachael Nichols, Sada Thorp, Tammi Rothchild, and Kenny Groux; and many beloved nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents; brother, Stanley Doxtader; brothers-in-law, Albert Carnell Jr. and Roger Miller; and sister-n-law, Martha Doxtader
Friends and family are encouraged to support Bernard’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his tribute page at www.prayfuneral.com. Memorial Service will be Wednesday, November 10, 11:00 AM at West Carmel Congregational Church. Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Albion, Michigan. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Christmas Kiddies in Charlotte. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home.
William J. Bradford
William James Bradford of Eaton Rapids, MI passed away on Sunday, October 31, 2021, at the age of 84. Bill was born on October 30, 1937, in Eaton Rapids, MI the son of Walter and Clara (Kellogg) Bradford. He was raised in Olivet where he graduated high school class of 1956. Bill worked as a meat department manager for numerous grocers and retired from Carl’s in Dimondale in 1995. He also served as the vice president for Mahogany Farms in Williamston. Bill’s great passion in life was music, he played in numerous bands throughout his life, most recently “The Good Ole Boys” which performed at the Jean Bradford Kline Senior Center and played monthly at Island City Assisted Living. Bill loved to travel with his wife Marlene and together they visited all 50 states. Some of their most memorable trips were there 19-day motorcoach tour of Alaska and their road trip across Hwy. 2 to Washington where they made several stops to visits casinos and see the sites along the way.
Bill is preceded in death by his parents, infant son, Scott E. Bradford; siblings, Lyle Bradford, Kyle Bradford, Walter Bradford, Alden Bradford, Jean Kline, Winona Davis and Geneva Bradford.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Marlene Bradford; children, William Bradford, Jr., Gregory (Brenda) Bradford, Lorelei (Robert) Stahl; grandchildren, William T. Bradford, Nicholas Bradford, Andrew Bradford, Anthony Stahl, Benjamin Stahl, Christopher Dahlem, Lance Dahlem; 12 great grandchildren; brother, John (Vicki) Bradford and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, November 6, 2021, at Skinner Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids chapel. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. and one hour prior to the service on Saturday. For those desiring memorial contributions may be made to Eaton Community Palliative Care or the Sparrow Foundation in memory of Bill. To share memories or leave condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com
John F. Oatley Jr.
John F. Oatley Jr. of Eaton Rapids, slipped into the arms of Jesus on October 28, 2021. He was born March 8, 1956, on his parent’s 1st anniversary. A very loving, caring Christian man who was always there for anyone who needed help. He graduated from Harry Hill High School in Lansing and joined the Marine Corp. John loved this country and was a proud Marine. He married Sonja Higbie in 1981 and was a great father to her two daughters. They just celebrated their 40th anniversary. Famous for his skills on the outdoor grill, he and Sonja had many BBQ’s for family and friends. He loved antiquing and adding to his many collections. In love with the 50’s, they had a diner built onto their kitchen and had it decorated beautifully with an art deco soda fountain he bought from a New Jersey drug store. His hobbies were slot car racing and was a member of the CCRL Racing Club, flying model planes and helicopters. John had many friends and was always laughing and having a great time whenever he was with them.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Helene Katrine Oatley and his daughter, Shannon McManus Sharp. Surviving is his loving wife, Sonja; father, John Oatley Sr. of Holt; daughter, Melissa “Missy” (Jimmy) Scott of Eaton Rapids; grandchildren, Travis (Melissa) Burgess of NY, Jessie (Steve) Foley of Eaton Rapids, Faith Sharp of Monroe, LA, Brendan Sharp of Eaton Rapids; great grandchildren, Mick, Silas, Axel, and little Maggie Mae Foley who is due any day now, all from Eaton Rapids, Henry and Walt Burgess of NY; sister, Brenda (Tom) Cuatt of Springport and brothers, David Oatley of Mason, Brian (Karen) Oatley of Eaton Rapids, Dean (Carleen) Oatley of AL; many nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life will take place in the spring with military honors. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Family, Shelly-Odell Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to the Church of the Nazarene. To leave online condolences for the family please visit our website, www.millsfuneral.com.