Obituaries
Joe Thomas Darrow
Joe Thomas Darrow, 63, of Eaton Rapids, passed away peacefully on June 20, 2025, surrounded by family after a long and courageous battle with Primary Progressive Aphasia. Joe was born on September 6, 1961, in Mason, Michigan to Thomas and Lois Darrow.
After graduating from Mason High School, Joe began his career in cable and later transitioned into telecommunications. He possessed a vast knowledge of the business and a remarkable talent for problem-solving, so much so that whenever an issue came up, the go-to response was always, “Ask Joe.”
A passionate outdoorsman since childhood, Joe found great joy in hunting, golfing, and disc golfing. More than anything, he cherished the time spent with his children and grandchildren. He loved his family deeply and made it his mission to keep them laughing with his quick wit and legendary pranks. Joe’s sense of humor, contagious laughter, and joy for life left a lasting impression on everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. He will be profoundly missed. Joe was one of a kind, unforgettable, irreplaceable, and loved beyond words.
He is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Jill Diane Darrow; his children, Tyler Joseph Darrow and Carly Diane (Kyle) Hardy; his parents, Thomas and Lois Darrow; his sisters, Pam (Doug) Darrow Sieb and Kim Darrow Sutliff; and his beloved grandchildren, Fiona Lucille and Easton James.
A Celebration of Life honoring Joe will be held on Sunday, September 28, at the Michigan Wildlife Conservancy, Bengel Wildlife Center, 6380 Drumheller Road, Bath Township, MI. A brief memorial service will begin at 11:00 a.m., followed by food, fellowship, and shared memories from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be made to The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD). Your generous gift will bring help and hope to all who are affected by FTD. Donations in memory of Joe may be made online at www.theaftd.org
Alberta Louise Bailey
Alberta “Bert” Louise Bailey, a remarkable woman who passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at the age of 92, left behind a legacy of love, resilience, and a passion for horses. Born on March 27, 1933, in Lynchburg, Ohio, Bert was the daughter of Quiton and Helen (Spurlock) Caplinger.
Bert’s life took her to Eaton Rapids, Michigan, where she attended school and later embarked on a journey of raising her three daughters as a single mother. Throughout her career, she held diverse jobs, including roles at the Vic & Billie’s Party Store, Lansing Country Club, American Bank & Trust, General Motors, and as a bus driver for Springport Public Schools. However, her true calling lay in her love for horses.
Bert’s dedication to horses was unwavering. She spent countless hours raising, training, and breeding Arabian horses, eventually transitioning to training and racing Thoroughbreds. Her passion for racing led her on thrilling adventures across the country, taking her to iconic destinations like Chicago, Miami, California, Tennessee, and Kentucky.
Outside of her professional life, Bert enjoyed gardening, crocheting, and connecting with others. Known as a social butterfly and “one of a kind,” she brought warmth and energy to every room. She was also a former member of Griffith United Methodist Church.
Bert is survived by her daughters, Robbie Bailey, Sandy (Roger) Bailey Bristol, and Suzette Randall; her grandchildren, Jimi (Wendy) Fall, Nicole Bristol, Toni Pitcher, and Brandi Lee; and her great-granddaughter, Mya Bough. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands, Robert Faurot & Clifford Bailey; and her daughter, Suzanne Kaczor.
A celebration of Bert’s life will be held at Falsetta’s Casa Nova, located at 138 S. Waverly Rd., Lansing, MI on Saturday, July 12, 2025, from noon to 2:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation to the Capitol Area Humane Society in her name.
To share memories or offer condolences, please visit: www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com
William Andrew Lindsey II
William “Bill” or “Willie” Andrew Lindsey II, 55, of Olivet, Michigan, a very gifted mechanic with a big heart, passed away on June 21, 2025 surrounded by the love of his family. Born on March 1, 1970, in Alma, Michigan, Bill was the eldest of three children born to Gordon James Lindsey and Mary Anna (Macha) Lindsey. From a young age, he loved playing outside, taking things apart just to see how they worked, and helping his dad with their many projects. He learned so much from watching and assisting his dad.
As he grew, Bill discovered the things that brought him the most joy-working on and building trucks and cars, lifting weights, cranking up loud music, and making the people around him laugh. Bill and his family created a space that felt like home to so many-especially the kids who spent countless hours in the yard wrenching on their cars and making memories. His big laugh, infectious smile, and even bigger heart left an impression on everyone he met.
Bill spent many years working on local dairy farms in the Ithaca/Middleton area before finding his place at Bader and Sons, now Hutsons Inc. where he became an irreplaceable service technician. Known for his uncanny ability to diagnose a problem just by listening to an engine, his mechanical gifts were accompanied by his kindness and the pristine detail he brought to his work.
He made his home in Alma, Michigan, where he proudly raised his two older children, born in 1999 Morgan Rae Lindsey, and in 2003 Jacob William Lindsey. Later in life, by what he called an unexpected event, Bill met his “love of my life,” Dawn Marie Lupini. The two settled and made their forever home in Olivet, Michigan, where they are raising their daughter, born in 2016, Vanessa Rosetta Lindsey.
In Olivet, Bill had the space to enjoy what he loved to do, work in his shop, clean and detail his cars, trucks, or many toys and took great pride in keeping his property immaculately maintained. He loved order, beauty, and precision-whether it was his lawn, his vehicles, or his hair.
Bill put his family first and was a shining example of what it means to be a loyal friend, devoted partner, proud and present father, hard worker, loving son and brother. He understood the art of forgiveness, responsibility and courage. His brief illness was due to a genetic disorder within his heart that came on swift and unexpected.
Bill will be deeply missed and forever remembered by those who knew and loved him, including his wife, Dawn; daughters, Vanessa and Morgan; son, Jacob; mother, Mary Lindsey; brother, Gordon James Lindsey, and sister, Holly Anna Lindsey-Meyers (David); brother-in-law, Darin Lupini (Melissa). He is also survived by his beloved nieces and nephews: Avery, Hazel, Raelyn, Michelle (Nick), Andrew, Matthew and Anna, along with his great nephews and niece; Mother and fathers-in-law Pam (Gordon) Harder and Dean (Laura) Lupini; many loyal and loving aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and coworkers. Bill was preceded in death by his father, Gordon Lindsey.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date, with location to be determined. A sincere thank you to all those who have sent their support, condolences, love and prayers.
Friends are encouraged to support the Lindsey’s family by attending services or sharing memories on Bill’s Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Vanessa Lindsey College Fund in the care of Dawn Lindsey. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Darin Eric Sargent
Darin Eric Sargent born on October 2, 1968, died peacefully at home on June 15, 2025, at the age of 56. He was preceded in death by his mother, Arlene; daughter, Allison; and father, Ken. Darin is survived by his partner, Lynn; son, Zach; sisters, Shelly and Larry, Tina and Mike, Kaye and Steve, and Tammy and Terrie; brothers, Kevin Wiser and Vern. Best bud Randi the cat, and friend Sharri. A Celebration of Life ceremony will be held on Saturday, July 12, 2025 from 3-5 p.m. at the Vermontville Community Center, 108 North Main Street.
Robert John Hamm, Sr.
Ronald John Hamm, Sr., 90, of Marshall, Michigan passed away on Friday, June 20, 2025 at Marshall Comfort Care.
He was born on October 26, 1934 to Raymond and Mabel (Reavis) Hamm in Detroit, Michigan.
On October 23, 1954, Ron married Dolores Elaine Carpenter in Romeo, Michigan. He grew up on the family farm in Romeo, Michigan, but was given a choice to stay and run the family farm or follow his Dad to Olivet and start the family business, which he did, in 1955.
Ron started working in the family business, Air-Way Manufacturing, in 1955. Ron started in the drafting department and then ran the shipping department before eventually becoming the CEO and Chairman of the Board. He grew up playing poker with his family and enjoyed it so much that later in life he started a Poker Club with friends. Ron was a good athlete and played most sports, including baseball, basketball and bowling with the Air-Way teams. He also had fun at racquetball, skeet shooting and golf. He played football for the Romeo High School Bulldogs, continually followed them, and also enjoyed the Detroit Lions and Michigan State University teams. Ron loved to complete jig saw, Sudoku and word search puzzles, most of all he was an avid coin collector along with his father. Going to The Air-Way Lodge up on the South Branch of the AuSable River in Roscommon was his favorite place to be as it brought him great comfort and peace. Ron and Dolores loved to travel and took many trips throughout the United States. They loved Alaskan cruises and Hawaii, and they even traveled to Australia. He adored his family above all else, taking his children and grandchildren on fishing trips to Canada or just having everyone around at The Lodge. Ron was a longtime member of Christ Lutheran Church in Marshall.
Ronald is survived by his loving spouse of 70 years, Dolores Elaine; his children, Ronald John (Julie) Hamm, Jr. of Marshall, Michigan and Susan (Shawn) Marie Woods of Battle Creek, Michigan; his grandchildren, Kenny (Jenny) Stewart, Chad (Lindsay) Stewart, RJ Hamm III, Kyle (Katlin) Hamm, Luke (Jen) Pratt, Joshua Pratt; his great grandchildren, Keighly (Danny) Alley, Jimmy (Shay le) Stewart, Jacob (Taylor) Stewart, Meredith Stewart, Griffin Stewart, Libby JoAnn Hamm, Samara Tollette, Ti’Anna Tollette, Gracie Pratt, Jaxon Pratt and his great great grandchildren, Stetson Stewart and Coy Stewart. He is also survived by his son-in-law, Charles Taylor.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter Elaine Marie Taylor; his siblings, Lawrence “Larry” Hamm, Laurie Ann Place and Gerald Hamm.
Funeral services were held on Thursday, June 26, 2025 at Kempf Family Funeral & Cremation Services, 723 US Hwy 27 N. Marshall, Michigan 49068. Rev. David Moran, Pastor Christ Lutheran Church in Marshall, officiating.
Memorials are suggested to Christ Lutheran Church (440 West Dr. N, Marshall, MI 49068) and or Elara Caring Hospice Foundation (4664 Campus Dr, Suite 101A, Kalamazoo, MI 49008).
Please visit www.kempffuneralhome.com to view the online obituary, to sign the online guest book or to leave the family condolences.