Obituaries
Harold D. Kelley
Harold D. Kelley, 85, of Bellevue, died on Wednesday, September 8, 2021, at Bronson Hospital Battle Creek.
Harold was born March 12, 1936, in Dayton Tennessee to Beathered B. and Christine (Hunter) Kelley. He graduated from Battle Creek Central High School in 1955. He would go on and graduate from Northwestern University. On May 26, 1956, he married Florence A. Kinnie, in Battle Creek. She preceded him in death in 1993.
Harold owned and operated Kelley Orthopedics in Battle Creek for 40 years. He sold the business in 2000. Harold loved his work and taking care of the people. He enjoyed hunting, camping, and traveling abroad. Harold loved spending time with his family and caring for others.
He is survived by two sons, Toney Kelley and Timothy Kelley; a brother Al Kelley; and a special friend Karen Zoss. He was preceded in death by parents; wife; three sisters and a brother.
A graveside service took place at 10 a.m. on Friday, September 10, 2021, at Bellevue Riverside Cemetery. Memorial contributions are requested to one’s choice. Assistance with memorials is available at the Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services. Leave a personal message for the family and sign the online guestbook at kempffuneralhome.com.
David J. Gehringer
David James Gehringer, of Mason, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, September 4, 2021 at the age of 67. Born July 30, 1954, to Christopher and Evelyn (Scullin) Gehringer in Detroit, Mich. Dave graduated from Howell High School class of ’72 where he earned the rank of Eagle Scout as a Sophomore. He then received his associate degree from Ferris State University and went on to pursue his bachelors and masters degrees from Western Michigan University. He worked in hospital and nursing home administration his entire life. Dave started as the Director of Rehabilitation Services for Michigan Capital Healthcare, Lansing. He went on to work in the Respiratory Therapy Department at Community Hospital, Watervliet before moving to Hayes Green Beach Hospital, Charlotte where he was the Director of Specialty Clinics and EMS, Respiratory Director and Cardiac/ Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program Director until 1989. Dave then went on to work for Lansing General Hospital and later Ingham Regional Medical Center as the Director of Transitional Care Program, Director of Respiratory/ Cardiology Services and Pulmonary Clinic, Acute Medical Rehabilitation Director and Respiratory Services Director all from 1989 through 2000. Following that he was the CEO from 2000 to 2007 at Select Specialty Hospital, Battle Creek, the Executive Director for Waltonwood at Cherryhill, Canton in 2007 and President and later CEO of Interdependence Home Care, Lansing from 2008 to 2009. Dave worked as Administrator for Capital Area Health and Rehabilitation Center, Lansing and Tendercare Health Centers of Kalamazoo and Albion from 2009 to 2012. In 2012 he became the Administrator of Ovid Healthcare Center until his retirement in 2014.
Dave was a devout Catholic and active member of St. Peter Catholic Church in Eaton Rapids for 40 years where he was also a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 6534 and a member of St. James Catholic Church in Mason for 20 years. Dave was also an Adoration Chapel Adorer at Immaculate Heart of Mary for 23 years. In 1999 he was blessed to be able to go and see Saint Pope John Paul II with his son in St. Louis. Dave devoted much of his life to prayer and reading the Bible as well as other spiritual books. He volunteered countless hours at his churches, St. Vincent De Paul, Mother Teresa House, Meals on Wheels, and to any family and friends in need. He took pride in being the President of Cedarwoods Condominium Association, a position he took shortly after moving in and held for the past two years.
Dave was passionate about gardening and very proud of his yard work and beautiful flowers. He was part of a monthly poker game with a core group of friends that had been meeting for the past 43 years where he earned the name “Mystery Hand.” Most of all he loved spending time with his family, and he adored his grandchildren. He was a very holy man whose love for Jesus, Mary and the Lord was displayed through his service to everyone. His life and his legacy will live on through his family and those who were blessed to call him a friend. Dave’s personality, smile and laugh will forever be remembered, and he will be dearly missed by all who knew him. Preceding him in death were his parents; father-in-law, Edwin Crandall and brother-in-law, Neil Crandall.
Surviving are his wife, Donna Gehringer; sons, Eric (Becky) Gehringer, Steve (Jessica) Gehringer, Greg (Amy) Gehringer; step-children, Jason Underwood, Angie (Justin Couturier) Curtin, Jeremy Barker; grandchildren, Kana, Austin, Kaylie, Cullen, Garrett, Addison, Kohey, Liam, Ethan, Emma; brothers, Dan (Sharon) Gehringer, Dennis (Laurie) Gehringer; mother-in-law, Nancy (Tim) DeCorte; brothers-in-law, Larry Crandall, Steve (Carrie) Crandall; sister-in-law, Jean Crandall as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.
A Memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, September 14, 2021, at St. Peter Catholic Church with Fr. George Puthenpeedika as Celebrant. Family will receive friends on Monday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. for visitation with a rosary service starting at 7:30 p.m. at Skinner Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids Chapel. Visitation will continue one hour prior to Mass at the church on Tuesday. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to St. Vincent De Paul in Eaton Rapids or, Mother Teresa House in Lansing or, St. Peter Catholic Church in Eaton Rapids or, St. James Catholic Church in Mason in Dave’s name. To share memories and condolences please visit SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
Richard L. Lyons
Richard Lee Lyons, of Eaton Rapids, Mich. passed away on Monday, September 6, 2021, at the age of 90. Dick was born on January 18, 1931, in Chicago, Ill., the only son of Lyle and Roberta (Sanford) Lyons. He was raised in Eaton Rapids where he graduated class of 1949. Dick went on to study at Michigan State University before being drafted into the United States Army where he was stationed in Lakenheath, UK during the Korean War. Dick returned home and married Marilyn Roberts on September 29, 1962, and together had three children. He went to work for the Eaton Rapids Post Office as a mail carrier and retired in 1993. Dick was well known for his quick wit, great sense of humor and his excellent writing ability. He enjoyed his morning coffee group that met at Miller’s Restaurant and later at McDonalds. Dick was also a talented gardener which earned him the nickname of “Tomato Man.” He was a talented athlete in his younger years and an avid sports fan of the Detroit Tigers and Michigan State Spartans.
Dick is survived by his wife, Marilyn Lyons; daughters, Kimberly Lyons, Jennifer Lyons; son, Christopher Lyons and beloved cat, Molly.
A memorial gathering was held on Thursday, September 9, 2021 at Skinner Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids Chapel. In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society, Springport Middle School or to Trinity Acres Rescue. To share memories or leave condolences please visit SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
Dora P. Place
Dora Phyllis Place, of Eaton Rapids, Mich., passed away on Tuesday, September 7, 2021, at the age of 78. Dora was born on September 12, 1942, in Leslie, Mich. the daughter of Richard and Alma (Bower) Nowlin. She was a graduate of Leslie High School class of 1960. Dora worked as a Certified Nurses Aide for the Eaton Rapids Hospital, Dimondale Nursing Care Facility and as an in-home care provider, she also spent a period working for Eaton Stamping in Eaton Rapids. Dora was a current member of Grace Baptist Church in Eaton Rapids.
Dora is preceded in death by her first husband, Herrold Place; second husband, Jim Campbell; son, Jeff Place; brother, Dale Nowlin; sister, Sharon Bugbee and her parents.
She is survived by her daughter, Dawn Place; son, Steve (Ronda Welshans); sister, Donna (Bob) Mohr and numerous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, September 21, 2021, at Grace Baptist Church in Eaton Rapids with a luncheon immediately following the service. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to Grace Baptist Church or to Pawsibilities in memory of Dora. To share memories or leave condolences please visit SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
Dennis S. Hayes
Dennis Scott Hayes, of Eaton Rapids, Mich., passed away unexpectedly on August 24, 2021, at the age of 63. Dennis was born on May 14, 1958, in Hastings, Mich. the son of Edward and Charlotte (Mannie) Hayes. He was raised in Eaton Rapids where he graduated class of 1975 and continued to reside there for most of his life.
Dennis is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Michael Hayes.
He is survived by his brother, Pat (Nadeen) Hayes; nieces, Chantel (Neal) Money, Sarah (Hector) Trujillo and Paxton Lund-Hayes.
A memorial celebration will be held from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Friday, September 17, 2021, at Howe Park Pavilion #1 with food and refreshments provided. To share memories or leave condolences please visit SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.