Obituaries
Jerry W. Bristol
Jerry Wayne Bristol, 79, of Vermontville, passed away Thursday, December 16, 2021. He was born April 15, 1942, in Eaton Rapids the son of Bethel and Margaret Bristol. On November 22, 1972, he married the love of his life, Joyce Elaine Wells at the West Carmel Congregational Church. Jerry was a true family man. He adored each and every member of his family and did his best to see to it that they were well cared for. He enjoyed golfing, bowling, fishing, and riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Jerry faithfully served his country in the United States Marine Corps. Jerry was an active member of the Nashville Baptist Church.
Jerry is survived by his wife of 49 years, Joyce; daughter, Jenny (Ken) Stewart of Cowley, Wyoming; grandchildren: Keighly (Danny) Alley of Lodge Grass, Montana, Jimmy (ShayLe) Stewart of Cody, Wyoming, Jacob (Taylor) Stewart of Laramie, Wyoming, Tosha Parish, Sarah Berryhill, Nicole Parish, John Henry Parish; great grandchildren: Stetson Stewart, Lamont, Sydnee, Samyah, Louise, and Henry; son-in-law, John Dale Parish; sister, Mary Jo Hayes; brother, Roger (Sandy) Bristol; and his dog, Skeeter. He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Julie Parish; and brothers: Danny Bristol and Ted Bristol.
In keeping with Jerry’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a memorial will be held at the Nashville Baptist Church in the near future. Those desiring, may make contributions in Jerry’s memory to the Nashville Baptist Church. To view Jerry’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com.
Pansy I. Fancher
Pansy Irene Fancher, age 103 from Eaton rapids, Michigan passed away on December 19, 2021. She was a homemaker. Arrangements are being handled by Pray Funeral Home.
Anne T. Cantine
Anne Towns Cantine of Eaton Rapids, passed peacefully December 19, 2021, at Eaton Community Palliative Care (Hospice). She was born November 10, 1928, to Russell Knapp and Kittie May (Caruss) Winslow in Lansing. She was raised on her Grandparents farm on Kingsland Hwy and raised her family just down the hill. She was proud to say she lived there all of her life. She graduated from Eaton Rapids High School Class of 1946. Anne married her first husband, Clare E Towns in 1948. He passed in 1986. She retired from Eaton Rapids Public Schools in 1993 after 28 years. Anne enjoyed her vegetable garden and fruit trees, canning everything. She was creative and shared that creativity through her pheasant feather hats, pinecone wreaths, cooking, baking, cake decorating and entertaining. She traveled extensively attending horse shows, pony pulls, and family visits. Anne was also incredibly caring, and from an early age she cared for many family and then friends as they aged. It was 38 years ago she began working with a volunteer group which became Eaton Community Palliative Care (Hospice). Recently receiving a fitting tribute, by the United Way for Lifetime Achievement Award for Volunteerism. She also volunteered with the school, church, ERHS Alumni Association and Senior Center among others.
In 1991 she married David E. Cantine who passed in 2011. They continued traveling, visiting family, attending organ rallies, and wintered in Palmetto, Florida. Together they held several barn sales benefiting Eaton Community Palliative Care before creating what is now known as the Anne Towns Cantine Hospice Thrift Store.
She is survived by her children, Mitchell Towns and Ava Towns both of Eaton Rapids. Bob (Cathy) Cantine, Springport, Nancy (Tim) Propst, North Carolina, Daughter-in-law, Simon Towns, Georgia. Grandchildren, Chad Towns, Arkansas, Kittie Anne (Brad) Palmer, Georgia, Gregory (Hope) Clark, Mason, Timothy Clark, Florida, Alexander Clark, New York, Doug (Jen) Wilson, Maine, Don (Penny) Wilson, Maine, Aaron Cone, Georgia and Amber Hensley, Eaton Rapids, Sister-in-law, Norine Winslow, Eaton Rapids. Several nieces and nephews, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. Her dear friends, Margaret Kyser Pike, Charlotte, Lucy Stimer, Eaton Rapids and Jim and Judy Rocco, Florida. She was also preceded in death by her parents, son, Michael Towns, infant son, Richard Towns, and brother, R. Dale Winslow and daughter-in-law, Krista Vercruysse.
Funeral Services will be handled by the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel, Thursday, December 23, 2021. Visitation will be 2-3 p.m. with a service at 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to Eaton Community Palliative Care either online at: echospice.org or by calling 517-543-5310. Online condolences may be sent to www.millsfuneral.com.
Douglas E. Rabidoux
Douglas Edward Rabidoux of Dimondale, passed away after a long and courageous fight with cancer, December 16, 2021, at the age of 57. Doug was born in Freemont, OH., March 14, 1964, the son of Dolphis and Jean (Lovette) Rabidoux. He was a friendly, kind, and outgoing man. Doug would strike up a conversation with people he had met just once and would carry on as if they had known each other for ever. He absolutely loved attending auction sales, which is where he met many people. Doug enjoyed camping with his wife, riding his Harley motorcycle, and was an avid MSU fan.
Doug is survived by his parents; wife, Jill Rabidoux; children, Jasmin (Josh) Fish of Lansing, Darius Courtney Riddle) Rabidoux of Lansing; grandchildren, Brock, Felicity, Claudia, and Darien, who is on the way; siblings, Dolphis Rabidoux III, David (Tracy) Rabidoux, Dean Rabidoux, Julia (Bryan) Bloom, Jill (Carl) Bienz.
Funeral services will be 2 pm Tuesday December 21, 2021, at the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Those desiring may make memorial contributions to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. To place online condolences please visit our website, www.millsfuneral.com.
Alyce M. Blackmer
Alyce Marie Blackmer of Eaton Rapids, passed away with her loving family by her side, December 17, 2021, at the age of 60. Alyce was born in Lansing, January 11, 1961, the daughter of Lyle and Marion (Fuller) Lawrence. She worked as an executive secretary at the Seventh Day Adventist Church for several years and was also a member. Alyce loved to read, knit, crochet and camp with her husband. She was a loving daughter, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, and sister. Alyce gave immense support and was a right-hand man to her husband, Scott, working side by side with him at the Hamlin Fire Department and was lovingly known as “Chief A.”
Alyce is survived by her father, Lyle (Donna) Lawrence of Eaton Rapids, mother, Marion Newmon of AR; husband, Scott Blackmer; son, Scott Alan (Rachael) Blackmer of Eaton Rapids; daughters, Alyna (Jason) Stone of TN, Alyssa (Michael) Castanon of Eaton Rapids; grandchildren, Scott James and Abigail Blackmer, Ryker Stone; brothers, William (Bill) (Kayla) Lawrence, Robert (Bob) (Tammy) Lawrence; sister, Kathleen (Kathy) Lawrence; numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her grandparents.
Visitation was held Wednesday December 22, 2021, at the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. Private funeral services will be held. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Strong Tower Radio, 7669 S. 45 Rd. Cadillac, MI 49601. To leave online condolences for the family, please visit our website, www.millsfuneral.com.