Obituaries
Charles Milbourn
Charles Milbourn of Eaton Rapids, passed away February 14, 2022, at the age of 75. Charles was born December 26, 1946, the son of Herbert and Rena (Wright) Milbourn. He graduated from Eaton Rapids High School and immediately enlisted into the US Army. Charles served during the Vietnam War as a heavy equipment operator, building roads and frequently got shot at while working on the job. He then went on to work for General Motors where he worked and retired in 1999 with 30 years of service. Charles enjoyed golfing with his buddies at Bonnieview Golf Course and also, traveling to other golf courses, watching football, and riding his Harley motorcycle. He was a very talented, self-taught woodworker making many pieces of furniture for family and friends. Charles’ lawn was an art of perfection, and his sense of humor was infectious. He had many gifts, but his gift of loving his family, was by far, the best and the most heartfelt. He will be missed greatly.
Charles is survived by his wife, Terry; children, Susan Myers of Lansing, Thomas (Michelle) Milbourn of Eaton Rapids, Geoffrey Hudson of Grand Rapids, Terry Kaczor of Charlotte, Sean (Cori) Milbourn of Lansing, Nicole (Joseph) Decker of Munith; grandchildren, Amanda, Emily (Bryan), Jennifer, Travis, Maddie, Randi, Kevin (Katie), Dominic, Damian, Evan; 1 great grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents; grandson, James; siblings, Pauline Conarton and Herbert Milbourn.
Memorial visitation for friends and family will be held at the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids on Saturday February 19, 2022, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association. To place online condolences for the family, please visit our website at www.millsfuneral.com.
Alice M. Lampert
Alice Marie Lampert was born on November 8, 1924 and passed away on February 6, 2022. Arrangements are being handled by Pray Funeral Home.
Monika Sivyer
Monika Elisabeth Secker Sivyer, age 78, of Vermontville, died peacefully on Saturday, February 5, 2022, in Lansing. Monika was born August 5, 1943, in Bad Kreuznach, Germany, the daughter of Richard and Helene (Hees) Secker. She finished two years of college before falling in love with a young American soldier stationed in Germany during the Vietnam War. Dewain Sivyer and Monika Secker were married on October 6, 1962, in Frei-Laubersheim, Germany, and settled in Michigan in 1964. They enjoyed 55 years of marriage, including many adventures traveling and raising their four children. Monika and Dewain loved fishing in Nicholson Bay, Lake Windermere, Ontario, Canada. She loved gardening, knitting and scrap booking. She was an accomplished bowler, bowling in Portland, Charlotte and Lansing. She will be forever known as a devoted mom and grandmother. She loved her kids and grandchildren more than anything.
Monika is preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Dewain. She is survived by her children, Susan (Edward) Daood, James (Linda) Sivyer, Richard (Martha) Sivyer, Cynthia (Brad) Huff; her grandchildren Alexander, Cody, Anne, Brianna, Amber, Hannah, and Jacob and her beloved great grandchildren; Jocelyn, Ava, Brayden, Chloe, Lacey, and Ellie. The family wishes to thank Monika’s friends in the Amish Community who befriended her, especially Lavon and Darrel Chupp, who she loved as her own grandchildren.
Friends and family are encouraged to support Monika’s family sharing memories on her tribute page at www.prayfuneral.com. In lieu of flowers, the family asks you donate to your favorite charity who may need it most. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home.
Thomas Salik
Thomas “Tom” Bernard Salik, a family man, died peacefully surrounded by his family on Tuesday, February 8, 2022. Tom, 87, of Charlotte, was born September 14, 1934, in Hastings, MI, the son of Benjamin and Bertha (Kondratic) Salik. He graduated from Hastings High School and later enlisted in the United States Army, proudly serving his Country. On August 4, 1979, Tom married the love of his life, Donna Mae Hall, and together they raised their blended family. Tom retired from BOC Automotive where he worked for 30 years. His hobbies included bowling, golfing, snowmobiling, hunting, camping, watching U of M Sports and most importantly family get-togethers. Tom was very active at the St. Mary Catholic Church in Charlotte, he volunteered for many events and also with the St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry. Tom also volunteered his time at The Center formerly the Senior Center. Above all, Tom, over his lifetime was proud of his marriage to Donna and the many memories they created.
Tom is survived by his wife of 42 years, Donna; children, Kevin Salik, Wendy (Mark) Anderson, Ed (Linda) Hall, Mary (Patrick) Schneider, Rebecca (Edward) Magoon; daughter-in-law, Helen Hall; 16 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; and many extended family members. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Barbara Flower; grandson, Tyler Flower; son, Thomas Hall; granddaughter, Kristina Hall-Grams; parents; and 15 siblings.
Friends and family are encouraged to support Tom’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her tribute page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation is Saturday, February 12, 2022, from 10-11:00 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church in Charlotte. The funeral will be held following at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Fr. Dwight Ezop officiating. If desired the family suggests memorial contributions to The St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry or The Center. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home.
Marilyn D. MacKenzie
Marilyn Dee MacKenzie, 83, an easy-going and yet very stubborn woman, died peacefully with her family by her side on February 3, 2022, at her home in Vermontville, MI. Born in Central Lake, MI on October 24, 1938, to Zemira and Esther (Harter) Zimmerman, Marilyn graduated from Hastings High School in 1956, and later that year married her sweetheart, Donald MacKenzie on Halloween. They lived in Hastings, and later moved to Vermontville where they raised their three children with lots of love and lessons on the importance of family and hard work.
Marilyn was very sharp and enjoyed working at Michigan National Bank as a teller, and became Branch Manager at Independent Bank. She was also treasurer at their church in Hastings and later the South Cochran Church of God in Charlotte. Some of the things she was very good at and enjoyed over the years, include crocheting, bowling, gardening and canning the fruits of her labor, making amazing homemade pickles, hunting deer and bear, fishing, and family camping trips. Family meant the world to Marilyn, and she especially enjoyed time spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren playing games and just spending time together.
Marilyn is survived by her husband of 65 years, Donald; son, Steven MacKenzie; daughter, Valerie (Thomas) Palmer; grandchildren, Nicole (Richard) Rivera, Curtis Palmer, Darcy MacKenzie (Jason Nesky), Erin (Joe) Elliston, Derek MacKenzie, and Dena (Christoph) Holzmann; 8 great-grandchildren, Audrey, Ethan, Morgan, Cameron, Avery, Cayden, Dylan, and Joanna; and several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her son, Brian; sister, Margaret; and her parents.
Friends and family are encouraged to support Marilyn’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her tribute page at www.prayfuneral.com. A Celebration of Life is being planned for a later date. Memorial contributions are suggested to the South Cochran Church of God. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home.