Obituaries
Leonard F. Barnhill, Jr.
Leonard Frank Barnhill Jr., of Rives Junction, passed away December 9, 2021, at the age of 83. Leonard was born in Muskegon, Michigan on May 22, 1938, the son of Leonard and Rose (Hutta) Barnhill. He served with the U.S. Army for two years in Germany, stationed at the Berlin Wall. Upon returning home, he worked as a painter for General Motors for 30 years before retiring in 1991. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, decorative woodworking, and his flowers. Leonard was a member of St. Peter Catholic Church for 56 years and served as an usher for numerous years. He loved to tell jokes and laughed well with a beautiful twinkle in his eye.
Leonard is survived by his wife, Mary Barnhill; sons, Leonard Barnhill and Thomas Barnhill, both of Rives Junction; daughter, Roseann Barnhill of Washington; grandchildren, Cody Barnhill of Leslie, Allisen (RJ) Wells of Holt; great grandchildren, Aubrey and JR Wells; brothers, Larry Barnhill of Baldwin and Robert (Barbara) Barnhill of Louisiana. He was preceded in death by his parents and granddaughter, Emilie Barnhill.
Memorial services will take place at a later date at St. Peter Catholic Church. Those desiring may make memorial contributions to the church. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. To leave online condolences for the family, please visit our website, www.millsfuneral.com.
Gary L. McCune
Gary Lee McCune age 73 of Charlotte, Michigan passed away on December 5, 2021. He was an assembly worker at General Motors. Arrangements are being handled by Pray Funeral home.
Heather M. Contreras
Heather Marie Contreras, age 38 from Charlotte, Michigan passed away on December 3, 2021. She was a homemaker. Memorial service will be held on Wednesday, December 15, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home.
Melissa L. Bliesener
Melisa Lynn Bliesener, age 49, from Charlotte passed away on December 6, 2021. Melisa worked as a server. Arrangements are being handled by Pray Funeral Home.
Norma J. Howser
Norma Jane (Amos) Howser, First Lady of Wickwire House, died December 4, 2021. Norma, 85, of Charlotte, was born September 14, 1936 in Olean, Missouri, to Clinton and Eula (Martin) Amos. Norma’s mother died shortly after her birth so she was raised by her aunt Freda Lane in Olean, Missouri. Norma completed high school in 1954 in Eldon, Missouri. She attended William Woods College in Fulton, Missouri, where she received an Associate Degree. Norma then enrolled at the University of Missouri in Columbia. She married Earl L. Howser on February 2, 1957 and transferred to Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri, formerly an all-black institution until it was integrated via the Supreme Court in Brown vs. Topeka. Norma worked at Jacobsons Department store in Jackson for 18 years managing the suits, coat, and fur department. She also enjoyed volunteering; she volunteered for 15 years at the Courthouse Square and for 10 years at the Clothing Center. Norma collected birdhouses and had a collection of 95. She was a member of the Antiques Club in Charlotte for 20 years, was a fair and animal exhibitor, and part of the Princes at American Royal for 18 states.
Norma is survived by her husband of 64 years, Earl; children, Christopher Lee of Traverse City, Steven Daniel of Jackson, and Julie Ann of Charlotte; grandchildren, Ryan Howser of Jackson, Nathan Kimmer of Charlotte, Michael Howser of Traverse City, and Addison Kimmer of Charlotte; and great-grandchildren, Zander, Avery, and Ryleigh Howser of Jackson. She was predeceased by her parents.
Friends and family are encouraged to support Norma’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her tribute page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation is Wednesday, December 22, 2021 from noon – 2 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home. Memorial Service will be held Wednesday, December 22, 2021 at 2 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home. The funeral will be webcast so you may watch it from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device that has internet access. Go to www.prayfuneral.com, click on Norma’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). Memorial contributions are suggested to Courthouse Square Association or Eaton County Humane Society. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home.