Obituaries
Thelma DeGroot
Thelma O’Dessie DeGroot, 94, of Bellevue died on Monday, October 25, 2021, at her daughter’s home following a long life lived.
Dessie was born on November 9, 1926, in Laurelville, Ohio to Tinsel and Ruth (Truex) McDonald. She graduated from Battle Creek Central High School in 1946. On May 18, 1946, she married Nelson DeGroot in Battle Creek. He preceded her in death on November 24, 2011.
Dessie was a homemaker stayed home to raise her family. Before her children were born, she worked as office manager of the Dudley Insurance Company in Battle Creek. She was a member of the Bellevue United Methodist Church, Farm Bureau, Michigan Women for Highway Safety, and a 4-H in Eaton County for many years. Dessie was an avid reader and enjoyed traveling with her husband Nelson and seeing every state but, Delaware because Nelson would not pay the $.50 toll to cross the bridge. They also enjoyed traveling to Europe. She and Nelson were founding members of the Whirl-a-way’s Square-Dancing Club. Dessie also enjoyed spending the winters in Texas for over 40 years.
She is survived by her children, LuAnn Damon, Ronald (Susan) DeGroot and Roy (Marsha) DeGroot; grandchildren, Amanda DeGroot-Bonneville, Benjamin DeGroot, Lance (Tanya) DeGroot, Dustin (Jessica) Damon, and Lesley (James) Loren; several much oved great-grandchildren; a brother Harold (Geneva) McDonald. She is preceded in death by her parents; husband; Son-in-Law Duane Damon; brother Urban McDonald; and Cousin Jane Nickerson.
Visitation took place from 10-11am on Friday, October 29, 2021, at the Bellevue United Methodist Church, 122 West Capitol Avenue Bellevue MI 49021 with a funeral service taking place at 11am. Interment will follow at Bellevue Riverside Cemetery. Memorial contributions are requested to the Bellevue Library. Assistance with memorials is available at the Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services, 723 US Hwy 27 N, Marshall MI 49068. Leave a personal message for the family and sign the online guestbook at https://www.kempffuneralhome.com
Troy J. Canfield
Troy James Canfield, age 51, of Charlotte, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, October 21, 2021. He was born August 29, 1970, the son of George Canfield and Leona Charlene Canfield. Troy grew up in Charlotte and had a passion for football. He loved rock and roll music and could often be found listening to his favorite tunes. Troy also loved his numerous Jeeps throughout the years. Family was important to Troy, and he always had a special place in his heart for children.
Troy is survived by his parents: George (Jaime) Canfield, Leona Charlene Canfield; son, Daimean (Brooke) Canfield; siblings: John (Diane) Boughton, Scott (Amanda) Canfield, Michelle Mobbs; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his stepfather, William R. Widhalm and uncle, Malcolm Risner.
In keeping with Troy’s wishes cremation has taken place and a memorial service is being planned for a later date.
Those desiring, may make contributions in Troy’s memory to the food bank or homeless shelter of their choice.
To view Troy’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com
The family is being served by the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home of Charlotte.
Goshen-Wilbur Allen
Goshen-Wilbur “Bill” J. Allen, 95, passed away, Sunday, October 24, at Greencroft Healthcare.
He was born May 13, 1926, in Mishawaka. He is survived by his grandson, Nicholas Eaves of Lansing, Michigan. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lucille (Carpenter) and Joseph Garrett; his wife, Dorothy; and stepchildren, Kenneth Eaves and Sharon Wynne. Bill graduated from Greene Township High School in 1944 and enlisted immediately in the US Navy, serving for two years. He worked as an industrial engineer in Skokie, Illinois for 20 years and then as a realtor for ReMax in Illinois and Michigan. Cremation will take place at Yoder-Culp Crematory and burial will follow in Eaton Rapids, Michigan. Online condolences may be shared at www.yoderculpfuneralhome.com.
Lorena Jecks
Lorena Jecks of Eaton Rapids passed away October 25, 2021, at the age of 87. Lorena was born in Salyersville, KY, June 12, 1934, the daughter of Elliott and Gertrude (Whitaker) Risner. She and her husband, Edward, built a successful construction business in Eaton Rapids. Lorena enjoyed taking care of her family, cooking for holiday gatherings, attending church, spoiling her dog, Simba and watching the Detroit Pistons.
Lorena is survived by her children, Steven Jecks of Eaton Rapids, James Jecks of Eaton Rapids, Daniel Jecks of Brighton, Sandra (Edgar) Martinez of Ft. Wayne, Joseph (Laura) Jecks of Shelby Twp; 10 grandchildren; six great grandchildren; brother, E. Mark Risner; sisters, Jewelene Anderson and Mae Locke. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughters, Linda Strang and Carolyn Suckow; siblings, Irene Whittman, Alden Risner, Chalmer Risner, Elsie Love, Joyce Byron and Esther Risner.
Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, October 29, 2021, at the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel with visitation taking place from 1:00-2:00 p.m. Her final resting place will be in Rosehill Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the donor’s choice of charity. To leave online condolences for the family, please visit our website, www.millsfuneral.com.
Diannia L. Gibbs
Diannia Lynn Gibbs of Eaton Rapids, MI passed on Friday, October 22, 2021, at the age of 63. Diannia was born on March 17, 1958, in Eaton Rapids, the daughter of William Jones and Patricia Rule. Diannia graduated from Eaton Rapids High School class of 1976 and went on to receive an associate degree from Davenport College in Business Administration. She worked for the Mason Secretary of State where she retired in 2016. Diannia loved to camp, spending 12 summers at Tyler Creek Campground and the last few at Ionia Lakeside Resort. She was an extremely talented seamstress, making numerous dresses for proms, weddings, and recitals, and was more recently involved with restoring and refurbishing old furniture. Diannia loved animals and enjoyed cooking, baking, and collecting Coca-Cola memorabilia. Above all, Diannia was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend; she adored her family and especially cherished her time with her grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Patricia Rule and William Jones and her sister, Denise Kay Jones.
Surviving are her husband, Bill Gibbs; daughters, Angelia (Brad) Good, Billie Jo (Joe) Krutsch, Annette (Aaron) Copeland; son, Chase Gibbs; grandchildren, Kayla (Bill) Lawrence, Jordan (Sydney) Hernandez, Livia Good, Ashlyn Krutsch, Braelyn Krutsch; great grandchildren, Kiara, Harper, Avery, Taylor, Dennis; sisters, Peggy (John) Vallie, Pam Baker, Tina (Steve) Cary, and numerous nieces and nephews, and life-long friends.
A memorial service will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Thursday, November 4, 2021, at Skinner Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids Chapel. The family will receive friends at the funeral home starting at noon. To share memories or leave online condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com