Obituaries
Oscar Wood
Oscar “Pete” Wood, 87, passed comfortably in his home in Charlotte, Mich. on August 23, 2021, with family. He was born July 24, 1934, in Eaton Rapids, Mich. to Carl and Gladys (Norris) Wood. He joined the Marine Corps after graduating high school. After his time as a marine, he met his sweetheart, Ruth Collin. They married in 1960. He retired from GM/UAW 652 after 31 years. With Ruth, they fostered 85 children. He was an avid bowler and he and Ruth enjoyed traveling and spending quality time with family and friends.
Pete was predeceased by his parents; wife, Ruth Wood; and siblings, Carl Wood Jr., Betty Dilday, Dorothy Carpenter, Lawrence Wood, Sharon McManus, and Jerry Wood. He is survived by his children, David (Tina) Pepera, Kevin (Nancy) Pepera, Julie (Ernie) Kunkel, and Jeffrey (Melinda) Wood; grandchildren, Chase Pepera, Tyler Pepera, Shannon Pena, Chris Day, Chelsea Post, Lexie Shumaker, Devon Wood, Bailey Wood, Marissa Wood, Jason Baker, Amanda Munson, Krystal Day, Amber Banaszak, Brooke Russell, Katie Levering; and several great-grandchildren. Pete is also survived by sister-in-law, Shirley Wood.
Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Pete on his tribute page at PrayFuneral.com. Visitation will be Sunday, August 29, 2021, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte. The funeral will be Monday, August 30, 2021, at 11 a.m. with Pastor Charles Jenson officiating. The funeral will be webcast so you may watch it from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device that has internet access. Go to PrayFuneral.com, click on Pete’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 Hospice of Lansing or Eaton Community Palliative Care. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Thomas E. Orr
Thomas Eugene Orr, of Eaton Rapids, passed away at home surrounded by his loving family, August 17, 2021, at the age of 55. Tom was born in Jackson, Mich., July 18, 1966, the son of Edmund and Irene (Fitzgerald) Orr. He graduated from Everett High School in 1984 and served with the US Marine Corps. Tom worked for the Board of Water and Light for the past 35 years where he finished his career as a supervisor in the Steam Department. He was an avid Harley rider, owning three of his own, loved working on them, enjoyed listening to rock and roll music and hunting.
Thomas is survived by his wife, Roxy Orr; son, Cody Orr of Eaton Rapids; grandson, Blake Orr of Eaton Rapids; sister, Becky Olson of Traverse City. He was preceded in death by his parents.
No services are planned at this time. Memorial contributions may be made to the VFW National Home for Children, 3573 S. Waverly Rd. Eaton Rapids, MI 48827. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel. To leave online condolences please visit their website at millsfuneral.com.
Thomas Hernandez III
Tomas Hernandez III, of Crossville, Ala. and formerly of Eaton Rapids, Mich. passed away unexpectedly on August 11, 2021, at the age of 59. Tom was born on September 18, 1961, in Raymondville, Texas to Tomas C. Hernandez, Jr. and Porfiria (Ganzaba) Hernandez. He attended Everett High School and went on to work as a rough framer and carpenter. Tom was an avid NASCAR and WWE Wrestling fan and enjoyed fishing, cooking and grilling out. Above all he was a loving husband, father and grandfather who loved his family and the time he spent with them.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Tomas C. Hernandez, Jr. and Porfiria (Ganzaba) Hernandez; brother, Juan Hernandez and brother-in-law, Andrew Perkins.
Surviving is his wife of 33 years, Melinda (Main) Hernandez; children, Tomas (Stephanie) Hernandez IV, Christopher Hernandez, Sierra (Aaron) Hernandez, Joseph (Bobbi) Thomas; sisters, Margarita (Arthur) Lilly, Anna Hernandez, Jane Lilly; brother, Cristobal Hernandez; numerous grandchildren, bonus children, Kirk (Savannah) Sherman, Molly (Toby) Brothers and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, September 2, 2021 at Skinner Funeral Homes, Eaton Rapids Chapel. The family will receive friends starting at 10:00 a.m. and host a luncheon immediately following the service. For those desiring memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice in memory of Tom. To share memories or leave condolences please visit skinnerfuneralhomes.com.
Jaycen A. Glynn
Jaycen Allen Glynn, 27, from Lansing, Mich., went to be with Papa Warner and Grandpa Glynn on August 19, 2021; doing what he loved most. Jaycen was born March 16, 1994 to Daniel Glynn and Shalon Warner.
Many things could be said about Jay. He was stubborn, endearing, kind and loving. His smile was infectious and would light up a room, taking away any darkness. His love of food, motorcycles, being on the water, and drive for adventure was only outshined by his love for his daughter, Bristol.
As a young child Jay began tinkering and building, from helping his dad work on cars, to building forts in the back yard. His thirst for an adrenaline rush started at a young age. His perseverance drove him to pursue many things in life.
A hard worker, Jaycen built his own fabrication company, JAG Customz, and he was an employee at RAM Construction. In true Glynn fashion he never could stop working. The many trips up north to relax would always be spent tinkering and working. The knowledge he had went beyond any book, whether it was fixing a car or boat, putting in flooring, or working on stereos. Jaycen could do it all, no matter the task at hand; anything was fixable, and nothing stood in his way.
Jaycen Glynn was and will always be the diamond in the rough. While he put on a sarcastic mean front, he was undeniably caring and loving. It only took one time for someone to meet Jay, for him to touch their heart. His heart was pure gold, but he would not hesitate to tell someone to “get over it.” There is no limit to what he would do for the ones he loved. Whether it was the middle of the night, or broad daylight, if you needed anything, he was there to help you with a smile on his face.
Jaycen leaves behind his parents, Daniel Glynn and Shalon Warner; cherished daughter, Bristol Place; his other half, Alyssa Gray; siblings, Jessica Warner Glynn and Joshua Glynn; and many more family members and friends.
A service for Jaycen will be held on Saturday, August 28, 2021 beginning at 11 a.m. at Vickers Leslie Funeral Home, 109 N. Church Street (PO Box 503), Leslie, MI 49251; (517) 878-6600. The family will be accepting visitors one hour prior to the service on Saturday, and were held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday August 27, 2021. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Jaycen’s family to help cover final expenses.
Rev. Loris A. Allen
Rev. Loris A. (Disler) Allen, of Eaton Rapids, Mich. was called to her heavenly home on August 21, 2021, at the age of 96. Loris was born on December 7, 1924, in Potterville, Mich. the daughter of Guy and Blanche (Burnham) Disler. She married Gailen P. Allen of Lansing, Mich. on August 20, 1949, and together they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1999 along with their sons. Loris has been a resident of Eaton Rapids for most of her life and joined the Spiritual Episcopal Church in Lansing on April 18, 1954, along with her husband Gailen. She became an ordained minister on October 1, 1982.
Loris is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Gailen Allen; brothers, George Disler, Irving Disler; sisters, Glendora Elston, Lillian Lawrence; and sister-in-law, Bernice Disler.
She is survived by her sons, Jimmie Allen of Eaton Rapids, Gary (Ilene) Allen of Bradenton, Fla., John Allen of Charlotte, Mich.; grandchildren, Jeremy (Autum) Allen, Amanda (Jeremiah) Wright, Kyle Allen; special family friend, Kristina Hendrickson-Sherman and Randy Sherman of Texas; ten great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, special friends, Rodger Parker, Roy and Gretchen Kunkel, all the organization of the Spiritual Episcopal Church, I love you all, keep your white light glowing and keep smiling.
A memorial service was held Thursday, August 26, 2021 at Skinner Funeral Home in Eaton Rapids. For those desiring memorial contributions may be made to Maplewood Adult Foster Care in memory of Loris. To share memories or leave condolences please visit SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.