Obituaries
John Oscar Saurer
John Oscar Saurer, 88 of Venice, Florida, passed away into eternal life surrounded by his beloved family, on May 19, 2024 after a brief illness. He was a Christian and lifetime member of the Presbyterian Church. His faith sustained him until the end.
John was born on December 8, 1935 in Pleasant Lake, IN to Reuben and Marjorie (Matson) Saurer.
John was raised in Charlotte, MI and in 1952 he met his future wife, Beth Kays, working at a summer camp at Duck Lake, MI. He graduated from Charlotte High School in 1954 and attended Western Michigan University. He and Beth were married in December 1956, and he graduated in 1958 with a degree in Business Administration. John enjoyed a successful career in Sales & Marketing and his various jobs took him from Austin, TX to Albion, MI. It was in Albion that John and Beth raised their family, and he began a career at Albion Malleable in the Management Training Program. He also worked in Production Control, Sales and became Manager of Component Supply. He resigned from Albion Malleable and joined the J.W. Hallock Agency, later known as Galtaco Inc., working in material handling and sales of castings for motor vehicles. John retired in 1990 and began spending winter seasons in Florida. He and his wife became full-time Florida residents in 2002, where he enjoyed bird watching, fishing, golfing, nature, family time, all pets, and the love of his dog, Muffin.
He is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 67 years Beth (Kays) Saurer; daughter Cylinda (Haskins) and husband Tim of Englewood, FL; son Craig Saurer and wife Sue of Rotonda, FL; daughter Christie (de Nicola) and husband Tony of Englewood, FL. Precious grandchildren Taylor Haskins and partner Jason Sharer of Greenville, MI; Spencer Haskins and wife Mellissa of Keaau, HI; Michael Saurer and wife Lindsay of Lincolnshire, IL; Leslie (Saurer) Smith and husband Drew of Port Charlotte, FL; Kaley (de Nicola) Study and husband Alex of Bradenton, FL; Ted de Nicola and wife Catherine of Wyckoff, NJ; and CJ de Nicola and wife Jaclyn of Hoboken, NJ.
John is also survived by his most recent family blessings, his great-grandchildren: Korah and Ellianna Haskins; Grayson Saurer; Bennett, Adelaide and Roman Study; and Hazel de Nicola. He is also survived by his brother Richard Saurer and wife Judy of Salt Lake City, UT; brother Robert Saurer and wife Paula of Henderson, NC; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will occur this summer for family only.
Kendrick Keith Hayward
Kendrick “Kenn” Keith Hayward of Eaton Rapids, MI passed away on May 18, 2024, at the age of 85. Kenn was born on July 27, 1938, in Michigan, one of the 12 children of Marenus and Frances (Cucksey) Hayward. He met his wife, Sue Hunt, while stationed with the US Air Force on the Royal Air Force Alconbury base in Cambridgeshire, England, where he worked as a switchboard operator, and Sue worked as a civilian switchboard operator. They married on January 1, 1960, at the Eaton Rapids Church of the Nazarene, and together lived in Eaton Rapids for their entire married lives. Kenn spent many years working as a die sinker at Lindell and Melling drop forges in Lansing and was a landlord to many tenants at several properties that he and Sue purchased over the years. Along with Sue, Kenn was the owner and operator of the Basket Case antique shop in downtown Eaton Rapids for 25 years and enjoyed going to area auctions and yard sales to look for treasures that he could fix up and sell. He especially loved tinkering with old clocks, radios, and toys, many of which he kept at home to enjoy. He also loved fixing up bicycles. Kenn loved traveling and especially enjoyed his trips to England and annual motorhome camping trips in destinations with water. He enjoyed birdwatching and would keep a pair of binoculars handy while on vacation so he could see the birds and other wildlife closely in order to identify them. More than anything, Kenn was a devoted husband, father and grandfather who cherished his family and the time he spent with them. He greatly appreciated his extended family, as well, and rarely missed a family reunion.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Sue Hayward; daughter, Michelle “Shelly” Hayward; his parents, and 10 siblings. Surviving are his sons, Wayne (Tracy) Hayward, Darren Hayward; daughter, Yvette Hayward; eight grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.
A graveside service was held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 25, 2024, at Rosehill Cemetery in Eaton Rapids. The family received family and friends at Skinner Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids chapel on Friday, May 24, 2024, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. To share memories or leave online condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
Saundra Lou Stevens
Saundra “Sandy” Lou Stevens, 85, of Olivet, passed away on May 16, 2024, at the McLaren
Hospital in Lansing, MI.
She was born on November 22, 1938, to Leslie and Genevieve (Waidelich) Holt in Marshall, MI.
Sandy married Lynn C. Stevens on March 29, 1985, in Olivet.
She worked as a machine operator for Eatons of Marshall for 30 years until she retired.
Sandy and Lynn owned and operated the Olivet Optic News. She drove a school bus for Olivet.In her 20’s she raced at Butler Motor Speedway in the Powder Puff division. She loved to scrapbook, write poems and short stories, build puzzles and play bingo. She liked to spend timein her flower beds and play games with her family when they got together. Sandy’s favorite thing was to whoop her kids at the card game called Hand and Foot. Sandy was a proud member of the Michigan FlyWheelers Museum in South Haven Michigan. Volunteering for Farm History days and working in the gift shop during the annual tractor show was one of her most favorite things to do. She loved keeping the family history and retelling the tales of her beloved father and his adventures in life.
Saundra is survived by her loving husband of 39 years Lynn C. Stevens; children, Kim (Leon) Bartlett of Pennfield, Mike Peters of Marshall. Leslie (Dale) Dailey, Jennifer Cantrell and Cori Ashley all from Olivet; grandchildren, Denise, Erin, Shaun, Samantha, Stefanie, Michael, Steven, Chris, Sara, Josh, Alexis, Ben, Morgan and Bailey; plus eight great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her son, Terry Peters and her parents.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, May 28, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Kempf Family Funeral & Cremation Services, Marshall, Michigan.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at the Kempf Family Funeral Home Marshall, Marshall, Michigan with Pastor Brandon Crawford officiating.
The burial will take place in the Lee Center Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the American Heart Association or American Cancer Society. To view the obituary and sign the online guestbook, or leave the family condolences please visit: https://www.kempffuneralhome.com.
Frederick Julian Davis
Frederick Julian Davis of Parma, passed away May 18, 2024, at the age of 85. Fred was born in Lansing, Michigan, on February 3, 1939, the son of Ford and Helen (Mangles) Davis. He retired from General Motors after 38 years as a Carpenter. Fred played baseball and softball his whole life, he even held an Olympic Gold Medal as a pitcher for 75 years and older. He had many hobbies, he really enjoyed woodworking. Fred made furniture for his home as well as making it and donating it to be auctioned and sold for charity. He enjoyed traveling, for the past 19 years he and his wife would spend a few months out of the year in St. Croix. Fred and Dawn built their dream home in 1991, 40 acres in Parma, also known as “Paradise”. He loved spending time outside, tending to his yard, splitting wood and hunting. Fred will be remembered for his generosity, sense of humor and quick wit.
Fred is survived by his loving wife of 36 years, Dawn Davis of Parma; children, Scott Davis of Florida, Kim (Frank) Read of Florida, Todd (Pam) Davis of Lansing, Susan (Chris) VanderMoere of Dimondale; grandchildren, Bill, Fred, Nick, Rhyse, Trenten, Chris, Brittany, JT, Ian, Aidan; 9 great grandchildren; sister, Dorothy Martin. He was preceded in death by his parents; stepdaughter, Shelley; grandson, Charlie; two brothers and two sisters.
A Funeral Service was held at the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids on Thursday, May 23, 2024. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Ele’s Place of Lansing in loving memory of Frederick Davis. To leave condolences for the family, please visit our website www.millsfuneral.com.
Eugene Stanley Nettleman
Eugene Stanley Nettleman of Bronson, passed away May 18, 2024, at the age of 75. Eugene was born in Eaton Rapids, Michigan, on November 17, 1948, the son of Stanley and Louella (Canfield) Nettleman. He graduated from Bronson High School in 1967. Eugene was a Veteran of the US Navy. He proudly served his country in the Vietnam War. He worked for Oldsmobile for a short period after the Navy. Eugene enjoyed fishing and following MSU sports with his son, Jeff. He was a sharp, witty man, even when he was not feeling well. You could always count on a laugh from Eugene.
Eugene is survived by his children, Jeff (Carrie Baumgardner) Nettleman of Davison; sisters, Carolyn McIntosh, Kathy (Steve) Weigt, Debbie (Michael) Church; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Stanley and Louella; son, Timothy Nettleman; sisters, Mary English, Myrna Nettleman, Verna Nettleman, Wanda Nettleman.
At this time, no services are planned. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to Kairos Dwelling Home, 2945 Gull Road, Kalamazoo MI 49048. To leave condolences for the family, visit our website www.millsfuneral.com.