Obituaries
Patricia J. Butler
Patricia Joann Butler, of Eaton Rapids, Mich., passed away on Wednesday, October 13, 2021, at the age of 85. Patricia was born on March 20, 1936, in Charlotte, Mich., the eighth of nine children born to Don and Veda (Larabee) Wright. She was raised on her family farm in Chester, Mich. and graduated from Charlotte High School class of 1954. Patricia married Max Butler on August 26, 1956, and together had two daughters which they raised in Eaton Rapids. She enjoyed sewing, quilting, crocheting, baking, candy making and was known for her famous homemade caramel corn.
Patricia is preceded in death by her parents, husband, Charles “Max” Butler and seven siblings.
She is survived by her daughters, Kelly Butler, Kim (James) Workman; grandchildren, Brandon (Erin) Butler, Michelle (Ryan) McMaster, Amanda Workman; great-grandchildren, Jordan, Corbin, Charlotte, Brandon Jr.; brother, Larry (Patty) Wright and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. To share memories or leave condolences please visit SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
Heather K. O’Grady
Heather Kaye (Johnson) O’Grady of Eaton Rapids, MI passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, October 17, 2021 at the age of 48. Heather was born on June 19, 1973 in Lansing, MI the daughter of Richard and Shar (Bearman) Johnson. She was raised in Lansing where she graduated from Waverly High School class of 1991. Heather went on to receive her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Wilmington College in Delaware. She spent several years in Jeffersonton, VA where she did some work in web design, but spent most of her time raising her children. Heather was the social director of her neighborhood and organized many of the holiday parties. She was a social butterfly, a positive light, and a friend to all. Her outgoing and bubbly personality made it easy for her to make friends wherever she went and she lit up whatever room she was in. Heather moved to Eaton Rapids in 2016 and has worked for The Accident Fund in Lansing as a worker’s comp agent since then. She loved to do impersonations and had a vast knowledge of old commercial tunes. To know Heather was to love her and she will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Heather is preceded in death by her grandparents, Walter and Grethel Bearman, Ethel Erickson and Benjamin Johnson.
Surviving are her children, Caroline O’Grady, Patrick O’Grady; parents, Dick and Shar Johnson; brother, Greg (Theresa) Johnson; nieces and nephews, XiaoRui, Mitchell, Nicholas, Miranda, Gavin; father of her children, Patrick O’Grady; special friend “Jimmy”, and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family and friends.
A celebration of Heather’s life will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Friday, October 22, 2021 at Skinner Funeral Home in Eaton Rapids. The family will receive friends starting at 11:00 A.M. and host a luncheon immediately following the service. For those desiring memorial contributions may be made in care of, Patrick O’Grady to help set up College Accounts for Caroline and Patrick O’Grady. To share memories or leave condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com
Linda L. Caudill
Linda Lou Caudill of Eaton Rapids, MI passed away on Tuesday, October 19, 2021 at the age of 77. Linda was born on November 11, 1943 in Eaton Rapids, MI the daughter of Joseph and Margaret (Watson) Williams. She was a lifelong resident of Eaton Rapids and part of the class of 1963. Linda was extremely hardworking, raising her five children and working as a house cleaning for many families throughout greater Eaton Rapids. She loved to read her bible, watcher her “programs” and play with her pets, especially her cat, Chubby. Linda adored her family and especially loved her time she spent with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
She is survived by her daughters, Velvet Caudill, Melissa Caudill, Stacy Lambert; son, Russell (Joy) Caudill; grandchildren, Sara (Dustin) Bartel, Patrick (Shelby) Eichholtz, Kristin Eichholtz, Donald Eichholtz, Lance Adkinson, Zakkery Caudill, Khrissandra Caudill, Karliona (Pierson) Davis; great grandchildren, Alexander Bartel, Joslyn Bartel, Grace Eichholtz, Terrance Hackworth, Caleb Schrum, Liam Eichholtz, Brantley Eichholtz, Annabella Caudill, Zephaniah Caudill, Zacchaeus Caudill, Angelina Caudill, Jack Davis; brother, Gary (LuAnn) Williams and numerous nieces, nephews extended family and friends.
Linda is preceded in death by her parents, son, Okie Caudill, Jr.; brother, Joseph Williams; sister, Carol Dryer and father of her children, Okie Caudill, Sr.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, October 23, 2021 at Skinner Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids Chapel. The family will receive friends at the funeral home starting at 11:00 A.M. For those desiring memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association in memory of Linda. To share memories or leave condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com
Shari Anne Clough
Shari Anne Clough of Eaton Rapids, MI passed away on Monday, October 18, 2021 at the age of 88. Shari was born on September 6, 1933 in Eaton Rapids, MI the daughter of Harold and Marion (Hine) Owen. She was raised in Eaton Rapids where she graduated class of 1951. Shari worked as a legal secretary, and also as a secretary for Eaton Stamping where she retired. She was very involved with Heart and Hands of Eaton Rapids and the First United Methodist Church where she sang in the choir, volunteered with funeral luncheons and helped in the office. Shari also enjoyed music, quilting, and was an avid reader. Shari was a genuine and hardworking wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother; a servant to her Lord, Jesus Christ, a rock to her family; and her kind and gentle presence will be deeply missed by everyone who loved and cared for her.
She is preceded in death by her parents, first husband, Irven Gemalsky; children, Elaine Mock, Edwin Gemalsky, Nancy Fleck; brother, William Owen and sister-in-law, Charlene Owen.
Surviving are her husband, Robert Clough; daughter, Sue (Jeff) Grunewald; son, David (Jodi) Clough; son-in-laws, Jim Mock, Terry Fleck; former daughter-in-law, Becky (Mark) Johnson; grandchildren, Jonathan (Amber) Mock, Meghann (Jeremy) Barnett, Kasey (Sean Sprouse) Gemalsky, Nicholas Grunewald, Jacob Grunewald; great grandchildren, Riley, Emmet and Reese Barnett, Anya, Aria and Mila Mock, Sean Sprouse, Jr., sister, Sharon (Richard) Williams; brothers, Thomas Owen, David (Billie) Owen; sister-in-law, Carol Owen and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at noon on Monday, October 25, 2021 at Skinner Funeral Home in Eaton Rapids with visitation starting at 10:00 A.M. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to Heart and Hands or the First United Methodist Church in memory of Shari. To share memories or leave condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com
Jeffery D. Palmer
Jeffery Duane Palmer, of Eaton Rapids, passed away October 15, 2021, at the age of 57. Jeff was born in Eaton Rapids, October 10, 1964, the son of Duane and Dorothy (Wilson) Palmer. He was a 1984 graduate of Eaton Rapids High School. He worked for Michigan Packaging and more recently, Ryder Logistics. Jeff was a dairy farmer, and a jack of all trades. If it was broken, he would fix it his way and his way was right and he loved to play with his Legos. The nieces and nephews will miss their “Uncle Dude” greatly.
Jeff is survived by his wife, Mary Elizabeth (Beth) Palmer; children, Mary Ashtin Palmer of Eaton Rapids, Dorian Palmer of Eaton Rapids; siblings, Julie Palmer, Jim (Serena) Palmer, Wendy (Kyle) McNamara, step siblings, Dian (Brad) Brummett, Mark (Missy) Hisler; grand-dog, Savage. He was preceded in death by his parents and stepfather, Howard Hisler; stepbrothers, Steve, and Howie Hisler.
Memorial services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, October 23, 2021, at Thrive Church, 6044 S. Clinton Trail, Eaton Rapids, MI 48827. Memorial contributions may be made to the family to help with expenses. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel. To leave online condolences for the family please visit millsfuneral.com.