Obituaries
Susan Jane Yates
On May 13, 2024, with her family at her side, Susan Jane Yates died peacefully at the South Williamstown farmstead of her partner, Sherwood Guernsey, with whom she joyfully shared her final years.
Born on June 27, 1952, Susan was the oldest of four sisters raised in Charlotte, Michigan. She spent her childhood corralling her sisters and working in her family’s hardware store. Whether sewing custom dresses or assisting in the Yates Hardware machine shop, her childhood responsibilities set her on a lifelong path as a consummate problem solver. After graduating as high school valedictorian, she enrolled at Michigan State University with a plan to become a medical technician. She soon realized she was making better grades than the pre-med students in her classes and switched majors to Human Medicine. She graduated with high honors and continued on to medical school at MSU, followed by an OB/GYN residency at the University of Iowa.
Susan arrived in Williamstown in 1981, joining Williamstown Medical Associates as their first woman physician. She took pride in every aspect of her work: caring for patients, performing surgery, delivering thousands of babies at the North Adams Regional Hospital (and later Berkshire Medical Center), and ensuring access to reproductive healthcare in the region. In 1992, she became president of the medical staff at NARH and in 1995 began her long tenure as a hospital trustee. Later in her career, Susan went on trips to Haiti to provide care and medical training in rural areas. She served on the board of both Haiti Plunge and the Louison House in North Adams.
When not working, Susan enjoyed being outdoors. She telemarked down Tuckerman Ravine, skied out West with her colleague Chuck O’Neill, ventured out on one waterski on Gun Lake, journeyed on long bike trips with her sister Judy, rode horses on the Great Divide, canoed and ran in the Josh Billings Run Aground, and exercised every morning with a group of women including her dear friend Ruth Harrison. Wherever she lived, she kept up a robust garden with squash, flowers, and, of course, rhubarb for her famously delicious pies.
She was active in the First Congregational Church, singing in the choir and serving in several leadership roles. She was a founding member and President of the Williamstown Meetinghouse Preservation Fund, Inc., a non-profit whose goal is to raise funds to preserve the historic Church building and Meetinghouse.
She will be remembered for her unflagging positivity, work ethic, caring, and generosity. She was a doer who never stopped doing good for her beloved community.
She leaves behind her sisters Judy and Kathryn; her three children, Chris, David, and Libbie; daughters-in-law, Gina and Molly; grandsons, Marcelo, Joaquin, and Amos; four nephews and a niece; along with many others who were family to her, including Andrew Liang, Cynthia, Pieter, Brian, and Lucia Mulder, and their children, and Sherwood Guernsey and his children, Margo, Kate, and Matt, and their children.
She was predeceased by her sister Cynthia, husband Martien Mulder, a son, Jesse, and a grandson, Tobi.
Services will be held at the First Congregational Church, 906 Main Street, Williamstown, at 10:30 a.m. on June 15, 2024 with a reception to follow at 402 Hancock Road, Williamstown. The family suggests contributions be made to Louison House, the Berkshire Immigrant Center, or the Williamstown Meetinghouse Preservation Fund for which checks should be payable to WMPF and mailed to Box 53, Williamstown, MA 01267.
Gail Christensen Bresky
Gail Christensen Bresky of Eaton Rapids, passed away May 19, 2024, at the age of 71. Gail was born in Eaton Rapids, Michigan, on January 12, 1953, the daughter of John and Joan (Ashley) Chambers. She worked as a Registered Nurse for 30 years in the Neonatal and Pediatric ICU. Gail enjoyed cross stitch, watching movies, baking and antiquing. She was a big MSU Spartans fan, Gail loved tailgating and socializing with friends and family.
Gail is survived by her children, Kyle Locke, John Bresky, Adam Bresky, Samantha Ellsworth; grandchildren, Amanda Reeve, Jordan (Morgan) Piper, Phoebe Trayer, Paige Trayer; great grandchildren, Taylor, Brooklyn, Londyn, Nora; nieces and nephews, Rebecca (Steve) Chambers, Rebecca Gonzalez, Gerald Chambers; brother, Scott (Samantha) Chambers. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Wade Zenker; brother, Burke Chambers.
Memorial Services were held at the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society in loving memory of Gail Christensen Bresky. To leave condolences for the family, visit our website www.millsfuneral.com.
Deborah Ann Laverty
Deborah Ann Laverty of Eaton Rapids, peacefully passed away at home on May 18, 2024, at the age of 66. Debbie was born on July 17, 1957, in Rushville, Indiana, the daughter of DeWayne and Pauline (Siefert) Nighbert. She was a homemaker and took impeccable care of her home. Debbie was very creative. She was always working on a project in her home to make it more beautiful. Debbie also enjoyed working outside in her yard. She did all the yardwork at her home and loved sprucing up her flower beds. Debbie had a special place in her heart for animals, she always had dogs and they brought her so much joy.
She is survived by her husband, Guy Laverty of Eaton Rapids; two brothers, one sister and several very special nieces and nephews. Debbie was preceded in death by her parents.
A private memorial service will be held at a later date. For those desiring memorial contributions may be made to the Capital Area Humane Society in loving memory of Deborah Ann Laverty. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. To leave condolences for the family, visit our website www.millsfuneral.com.
Carol Ann Quantrell
Carol Ann Quantrell, a woman with the biggest heart who would always go out of her way to help others, died on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Carol, 64, of Charlotte, was born on February 1, 1960 in Petoskey the daughter of Les and Charlotte Ferrett. She was later adopted by Arthur and Luella Saeger. Upon graduating from Millington High School, Carol began working as a Nurse’s Aide at the Eaton County Medical Care Facility and later Hayes Green Beach Hospital. On November 9, 1985, she married James “Jim” Quantrell, the couple would spend the next 38 years creating lasting memories. Most recently Carol worked at Walmart until her health worsened and she had to retire. Hobbies that Carol enjoyed included shopping, jigsaw puzzles, and family trips to Millington, MI. Family meant the world to Carol, she and Jim bowled with each other for several years, she also enjoyed running the chainsaw while helping cut wood, and coaching her son’s little league baseball team. Above all, once her grandchildren were born, they stole her heart, Emily and Jonathan meant the world to her.
Carol is survived by her husband, Jim; son, Justin (Alexis) Quantrell; grandchildren, Emily, and Jonathan; siblings, Jim Saeger, Dick Saeger, Linda Dues, Brenda Frahm, Cindy Morey, Michelle Franklin, Holly Odette, Bill Sobleskey, Steve Sobleskey, Rob Sobleskey, Carla Sundberg, David Sobleskey, Scott Sobleskey, and their spouses; father-in-law, Jack Quantrell; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family members. She was predeceased by her biological mother, Charlotte Sobleskey; step-father, Robert Sobleskey; biological father, Les Ferrett; adoptive parents, Art and Luella Seagar; sister, Tunya Copple; and mother-in-law, Beverly Quantrell.
Friends are encouraged to support Carol’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation is Friday, May 31, 2024, from 6-8:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 1, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home, with Pastor Duane Royston officiating. 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 Carol’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Jeffrey David Reitz
Jeffrey David Reitz, of Eaton Rapids, MI, passed away on Monday, May 20, 2024, at the age of 62. Born on December 7, 1961, in Eaton Rapids, he was the beloved son of David Reitz and Nickie (Householder) Reitz Koos. Jeff attended Eaton Rapids Public School and Everett High School. He dedicated his career to varies types of maintenance work and landscaping throughout his career, retiring in 2020.
Jeff was a car and boat racing enthusiast, often attending races at Spartan Speedway and Mid-Michigan Motorplex. He cherished the outdoors, finding joy in kayaking, canoeing, and riding bicycles and quads.
He is survived by his mother, Nickie Koos; his children, Ryan (Diamond) Reitz, Michael (Jessica) Reitz, Krystin (Josh) Moore, Rachel Reitz, Angel Reitz, and Brandon Reitz; his grandchildren, Daisy, Linsey, Jacob, Wyatt, McKenna, Caiden, Stella, Josh, Brayden, Aubrey; his great-grandchildren, Blake, Kayden, Grayson, Nichole, and Ella Rose; and his sisters, Lesley (Edward) Murray, Cori (Denis) Pido, and Heather (Albert) Lopez. He is also remembered by several nieces and nephews. Jeff was preceded in death by his father, David Reitz; his stepfather, Charles Koos; his sister, Sue Reitz; and his infant daughter, Ashley Jo.
A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 30, 2024, at Skinner Funeral Home in Eaton Rapids, with visitation beginning at noon. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choosing, in memory of Jeff Reitz. To share memories or leave online condolences, please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.