Obituaries
Joyce O. Webb
Joyce Opal Webb, age 86, of Potterville, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 11, 2021, at Thornapple Manor in Hastings. She was born May 6, 1935, in Howell, the daughter of Joseph and Helen (Poole) Anderson. Joyce was raised in Michigan’s upper peninsula in the town of Curtis. She was proud of her home town. At a young age she worked at The Eat Shop in Curtis and it was there that she met a handsome young man by the name of Donald Rex Webb. On November 1, 1952, they married in Manistique, Michigan. From a young age Joyce had an affinity for horses that would turn into a life long passion. In her spare-time she enjoyed quilting, crocheting, and cross stitching. She had a tremendous sense of humor and could light up a room with just her presence. Joyce loved to dance and had an abundant amount of energy. But first and foremost, she adored her children and grandchildren.
Joyce is survived by her husband of 69 years, Donald; children: Donald Webb of Northville, Sandy (Wayne) Simpson of Charlotte, Sheryl (Jeff) Towe of Charlotte, Cindy Albrecht of Dimondale, Daryl Webb of Potterville, Randy (Helen) Webb of Manistee; 14 grandchildren; numerous great grandchildren; several great great-grandchildren; siblings: Jim (Norena) Anderson of Curtis, Judy Anderson of Manistee; Jack Anderson of Lansing, Steve Anderson of Perry; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings: Tom Anderson, Patricia Smith, Charlie Anderson; parents-in-law, Jesse and Louise Webb; and sister-in-law, Vi Webb Shope.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, August 18, 2021, at 2 P.M. at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home with Laura Cooper officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
Those desiring, may make contributions in Joyce’s memory to the Beekman Therapeutic Riding Center. Please make checks payable to LEAF and mail to Lansing LEAF 2901 Wabash Road, Lansing, MI 48910.
To view Joyce’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com
Bret A. Barr
Bret Alan Barr, 55, formerly of Charlotte, passed away in North Charleston, South Carolina on June 18, 2021 from brain cancer.
Bret is survived by his soulmate, Angel Church Whitman, and her son Alex; father, Dale (Judy) Barr; mother, Betty Kundrat; sister, Deborah; brother, Dale (Debra) Barr, Jr.; step-brothers, Kermit Smith, Trent (Cheryl) Smith; aunt, Nancy (Bob) Walters; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister, Kimberly (Jack) Stults.
Cremation has taken place. Graveside services will be Saturday, August 21, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at Bosworth Cemetery, 6737 Stine Road, Olivet. Following the service, lunch will be served at the Walton Township Hall adjacent to the cemetery.
Dale A. Ryckman
Dale A. Ryckman of Eaton Rapids passed away after a short illness, August 8, 2021, at the age of 66. Dale was born in Lansing, May 21, 1955, the son of Don and Carol Rohrer. He worked as a tradesman in the auto industry for several years. He was a very talented woodworker, loved children, spending time in the yard growing his favorite flowers, Petunias, decorating for Christmas and took very good care of his family.
Dale is survived by his parents; fiancé, Janice Kruzel of Eaton Rapids; daughters, Karen Ryckman, Elysha Kruzel both of Eaton Rapids; brothers, Tim (Michelle) Ryckman, Don (Char) Ryckman, Roger Ryckman; numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his step-father, Rex Rohrer; sister-in-law, Lisa Ryckman.
Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Monday, August 15, 2021, at the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel with interment following in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. Please visit our website, millsfuneral.com to place online condolences.
Lorelyn Adams
Lorelyn (Lori) Zimmerman Adams of Mt. Victory, Ky. passed away on July 22, 2021 after a short bout with cancer.
Lori was born in Eaton Rapids, the daughter of Luman and Catherine Zimmerman on November 7, 1947. She spent a large portion of her life living on Kemler Road in Eaton Rapids, graduating from Eaton Rapids High School. After she graduated, she spent some time traveling, including spending time with her sister, Elaine, and her family in Greece, and then went to Japan for a short time before coming back to Eaton Rapids.
Lori had at least one horse through most of her life. She loved horses and dogs. Red and Lori raised, trained and showed Arabian horses for over 35 years from Redlor Stables on Kemler Road. When they decided it was time to retire, they moved to Mt. Victory, Kentucky. Red started and became pastor of a church in Mt. Victory and Lori worked with the youth of the church and eventually also became a pastor and worked with Red in the church.
Lori was friends with pretty much everyone she met. Anyone that knew her loved being around her and enjoyed the spirit she brought to any gathering. She loved to travel. She loved the beach best, but she had fun and made friends no matter where she went.
There are no words to say how much Lori will be missed – by family and friends. She made an impact on anyone who knew her, no matter how short or long the acquaintance was.
Lori is survived by her husband of 50 years, Red (Clarence) Adams; stepson, Ronald (Janice); grandchildren, Melissa and Nicole Adams; great-granddaughters, Remi and Haley Adams; brother-in-law, Stanley Krawczyk; nieces, Diane (Craig) Galloway and Kathleen Hendrickson; great-niece, Deanna (John) Cornell; great-nephew, Robert (Amanda) Young; great great-nephews, Ethan and Conrad Young; and great great-niece, Aoife Young. She also leaves behind her beloved Casey, a dog she rescued many years ago.
Lori is preceded in death by her parents, Luman and Catherine Zimmerman; sister, Elaine Krawczyk; and nephew, Stanley L. Krawczyk. Also many horses and dogs that were her “children.”
Lori was cremated and there was a small memorial with friends and family at her home. She didn’t want a funeral or flowers. Instead, she wanted donations in her name to the Pulaski, Kentucky Animal Shelter.
T. Jean Houghton
T. Jean Houghton of Eaton Rapids, formerly of Mt. Pleasant, died on August 9, 2021 at the age of 97. Jean was born on March 6, 1924, in North Star Township to Ross and Nora (Baker) Sparks. She graduated from Ithaca High School in 1942. Jean met and married John “Jack” Houghton Jr. and began her teaching career in a rural school in Gratiot County in 1943. She retired in 1981 as the principal of Mecosta Elementary a part of Chippewa Hills Schools in Remus, Mich. Jean and Jack spent over 20 years of their retirement volunteering with Christian Missions. Memorable times were spent at an Indian School in Arizona, a boys school in Honduras, with RIVICS in Florida and the Carolinas and several other places. Since 1976, both were active members of the Gideon Ministry, together in Clare and Isabella Counties, Jean later with the Charlotte-Eaton Camp. When Jack passed away in 2007, Jean moved to Eaton Rapids to be near her daughter and became a member of the First United Methodist Church. John 11:25 is a testament of her faith. “I am the resurrection and the life, those who believe in me even though they die will live again.”
Jean is survived by her daughter, Nora Jean (Forrest) Wellman of Eaton Rapids; son, John Don (Michele) Houghton of Hudsonville; five grandchildren, Jerry (Cheri) Middlesworth, Wendy (Mark) Tozer, Jacob (Janelle) Dent, John (Leah) Houghton IV and Kealy Houghton; eight great grandchildren; five great-great grandchildren; sister, Merna Wolfe; sisters-in-law, Elaine Wood, Donna Houghton and Joan Sparks. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack; daughters, Mary Middlesworth and Janet Slyvester.
Funeral services were held Thursday, August 12, 2021, at the First United Methodist Church, 600 S. Main St. in Eaton Rapids and 2 p.m. Sunday, August 15 at the Clark Funeral Chapel, 114 S. Bradley St., Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858. Memorial contributions may be made to Gideons International.