Obituaries
Ruth Finner
Ruth Elizabeth Finner of Eaton Rapids, the best mom ever, passed away on August 31, 2021, at the age of 84, with her family by her side. Ruth Elizabeth Finner (Willis) was born in Carleton Place Ontario on January 5, 1937, to Harry and Gladys Willis (Clemens). Ruth moved from Canada to Eaton Rapids in 1962 with her husband and children. She retired from the State of Michigan and enjoyed traveling, camping, and reading.
Ruth is survived by her son, Larry Finner (Carol); daughter, Susan Ball (Lynn); sisters, Sandra Totten of Owen Sound Ontario and Barb McKay (Norm) of Meaford Ontario. She was a grandmother to Andrea Ball, Jennifer Gibbs (Eric), Joshua Finner (Felicia), and great-grandmother to Parker, Carter, Caiden, Morgan, Kira and Rayn. She was preceded in death by her husband, John; brothers, Jerry, David, Barry; daughter-in-law, Carol.
Private services will be held with her family in Canada at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Capital Area Humane Society. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. Please visit our website to place online condolences, millsfuneral.com.
Kathy S. Wilson
Kathy Sue Wilson, of Eaton Rapids, passed away August 27, 2021, at the age of 67. Kathy was born in Lansing, Mich., May 17, 1954, the daughter of Cecil and Geraldine (Stepp) Sutberry. She worked for American Sunroof for over 30 years before retiring. Kathy enjoyed taking care of her flower and vegetable gardens, reading, baking having spirited political debates and spoiling her grandson.
Kathy is survived by her husband, Jeff Wilson; daughter, Angie Ehl of Eaton Rapids; grandson, Tre Ehl of Eaton Rapids; brother, Larry (Mary) Sutberry of Haslett; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Barry Sutberry.
Memorial services were held on Thursday September 2, 2021, at the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. To leave online condolences for the family, please visit our website, millsfuneral.com.
Stuart Leslie DeLand
Stuart Leslie DeLand passed away on Monday, August 24, 2021, in Grand Rapids, Mich. He was born in Battle Creek, Mich. on May 9, 1940, to John and Gladys DeLand. On October 12, 1963 he married Elizabeth “Liz” Oberlin and together they raised four children.
He retired from General Motors in 1994, enjoying retirement by wintering in Sebring, Florida. He trained quarter horses and thoroughbreds for over 50 years, being named the top racehorse trainer in Michigan for the year 1985, an honor he was most proud of. He enjoyed spending his free time fishing and cooking his famous fish dinners for his family.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Gladys, who was 101 when she passed on January 31, 2021; daughter, Kathy (Jacobs) Moon in 2010; and brother, John DeLand in 2007.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Liz; daughter, Karen (DeLand) Bancroft of Olivet; sons: Kevin Jacobs of Battle Creek, Korrey (Michelle) DeLand of Pasadena, MD; siblings: Charlotte Byam, Sharon DeLand, from Bellevue, and Stan DeLand from Jackson; grandchildren: Tracy (Moon) Harmeyer of Wilmington, NC, Sonny (Ashlee) DeLand of Olivet, Korrielinn DeLand of Olivet, Taylor (Evan) DeLand Carlson of Charlotte, Elizabeth, Thomas, Rachel and Rebekah Greilick of Olivet, Micheal (Mika) Lycos of Springport, and 14 great-grandchildren.
A celebration of life will be held on September 18, 2021 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at Powers Farm, 1240 Powers Hwy., Charlotte, Michigan 48813. Family and friends are welcome to come.
Carol Atkins
Carol Atkins, a fun-loving and supportive daughter, sister, friend, and teacher died on Wednesday, August 18, 2021, after a five-year battle with cancer. Carol, 63, of Pattersonville, N.Y., was born on September 5, 1957, in Charlotte, Mich. She was the daughter of Warren and Julie (Schafer) Atkins. After graduating from Charlotte High School Carol earned her undergraduate degree from Central Michigan and then a master’s degree from the State University of New York at Cortland.
Carol devoted her life to teaching and coaching. She began her career in Schenectady Catholic Schools. She continued in Scotia Glenville Central Schools teaching at both the middle school and at the elementary level. Coaching was a passion for Carol, and while at Scotia Glenville Carol coached softball and volleyball for many years. Carol retired in 2016. Carol was active in the Scotia Glenville Teachers’ Association and the New York Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, where Carol was a past president of the Capital Zone. In recent years Carol was also active in her support of Camp Bravehearts, an oncology camp for women. Carol was an avid tennis player. She also enjoyed traveling with family and friends, participating in book and movie clubs, working in her flower garden, listening to music, and most importantly, spending time with family and friends.
Carol is survived by her father, Warren (Ronni) Atkins; siblings, Beverly (Will) Spencer, Gary Atkins, Steve (Carol) Atkins, Jamie ((Angie) Atkins, Tina Atkins; nieces and nephews Gary Atkins,Jr., Annjanette (David) Warren, Jordan Shook, Zackery (Kendra) Shook, Taylor Shook, Conor (Emma) Atkins, Kendyll Atkins; great-nieces and -nephew, Anslee Atkins, Lillianna Shook, and Harper Shook; and her four-legged companion, Nellie. Carol was predeceased by her mother, Julie Atkins, in 2018.
Memories of Carol may be shared on her tribute page at prayfuneral.com. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 28, 2021, at 2 p.m. in the Pray Funeral Home Gardens in Charlotte with Pastor Charles Jenson officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the service and beginning at 12 noon. The funeral will be webcast and can be viewed from any device with internet access by going to prayfuneral.com. Click on Carol’s tribute, and then click on photos and videos. A memorial service is also being planned for Carol at a later date in New York. The family has suggested that memorial contributions be made to Camp Bravehearts, 9 Cambridge Road, Albany, New York 12203 or Braveheartscamp.org. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Jerry L. Cords
Jerry Lee Cords, a caring, genuine, hardworking and loyal, father, grandfather, brother and friend, died August 25, 2021. Jerry, 79, was born August 24, 1942, in Charlotte, Mich. to Loyd and Florence (Boyd) Cords. He was a graduate of Olivet High School. On September 23, 1961, Jerry married the love of his life Marilyn Serrels and together started their legacy. Working hard was no fear for Jerry, he worked very hard to provide for his family. He worked alongside his father, brother, and in later years his sons for LJT Well Drilling, and as a cash crop farmer and the owner of FML Inc. Jerry was very proud to be able to pass his work ethic down to his children who followed in his footsteps with working on the family farm and well drilling business. When Jerry was not farming or working, he enjoyed hunting, especially hunting trips out west, fishing, horse pulling, going to local tractor pulls, and taking trips around the country in his motorhome. Jerry had the honor of receiving the Honorary Member FFA chapter award for his volunteer work with the FFA over the years. Above all his proudest accomplishments was his family, and his successful farming operations that he created.
Jerry is survived by his sons, Loyd (Angie) Cords, John (Sherry) Cords, Seth (Jill) Cords; grandchildren, Jennifer, Cody (Samantha), Blaine and Allison Cords; great-grandchildren, Jake and Delilah Crowner; siblings, Terry (Emma) Cords, Connie (Jim) Hiatt. Jerry was predeceased by his wife of 30 years, Marilyn; granddaughter, Paige Cords; grandson, JC Cords; brother, Lonnie Cords; and his parents.
Friends are encouraged to support Jerry’s family at visitation and funeral services. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, August 31, 2021, at 11 a.m. at the family farm in Charlotte with Pastor Scott Brood officiating. Visitation is Monday, August 30, 2021, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. in the Pray Funeral Home Gardens. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to The Paige Cords Memorial Fund to benefit local 4-H and FFA projects. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Jerry on his tribute page at PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.