Obituaries
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.
Thomas F. Potter
Thomas Floyd Potter, a man who will always be remembered as a farmer and a prankster, passed away on October 9, 2021. Thomas, 77, was born on September 28, 1944, on a farm in Roxand Township to Floyd John and Alice Clark (Mead) Potter. Thomas graduated from Sunfield High School in 1962. In his youth, Thomas was active in FFA and Boy Scouts. After graduation he worked for OI, Fowlers Farm Store, Barker Fowler Electric, River Electric, and Robinson Farms. Even while working other jobs, he still was a farmer working his own farmland until the 1980s. After that he rented it out and still worked the land. Thomas resided in the same house all his life. Thomas had a great love for anything western related. In his heart he was a cowboy from the past. He enjoyed the history of ghost towns, westerns, especially those with John Wayne and Clint Eastwood, and Hopalong Cassidy chaps. Thomas really enjoyed road trips. One of his favorite trips was to Dodge City, Kansas (cowboy heaven). All trips always included stops at a museum, he loved history. He also had a huge love for cats. He was known as the cat whisperer. Most of all Thomas loved babies. Baby animals, grandbabies, he loved them all. Thomas was a man you could count on to help you, he didn’t know the meaning of the word “no.” He was so proud of his children and his grandchildren and his family was his world.
Thomas is survived by his loving family, his wife of 44 years, Celinda (Eaton); daughter, Lisa (Scott) Patterson; sons, James (Tina) Potter, John Potter, and Eddie Potter; granddaughters, Elena Potter, Clare Potter, Avery Kirkbride; special nieces, Mary Palucki, and Tracy Spears; brothers and sisters-in-law, Vanessa Eaton, Danny (Cindy) Eaton, Sherry (Joe) Merrill, Marie Palucki, and Frank Spears; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Thomas was predeceased by a stillborn brother who was not named; his parents, Floyd and Alice; and his brother-in-law, Terry Eaton.
Funeral services were held Friday, October 15, 2021, at 2 p.m., at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Laura Cooper officiating. Visitation was Friday, October 15, 2021, from noon to 2 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home. The funeral service was webcast so you may watch it from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device that has internet access. Go to prayfuneral.com, click on Thomas’ tribute, then click on photos and videos from your computer (or media from your smart phone). If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Future Farmers of America. Family and friends are encouraged to share remembrances and condolences online in Thomas’ tribute page at prayfuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte, MI.
Helen D. Almy
Helen Daisy Almy, born on 13th of November, 1924 in Greenville, MI, walked into the arms of her Lord on the 9th of October, 2021 at the age of 96. She was proceeded in death by her husband, Bobbie E. Almy and their daughter Carol Lorraine. She is survived by her daughters Lois Ann Almy, Cherry J. (Roger) Hosteter; her Grandchildren Audrey Kay (Scott) Brayton, Marc A. (Wendy) Sinclair, Ryan M. Hosteter, Alexandria K. Almy, Katrina (Randy) Turned, & Amy L. (Wade) Baumgardner; 12 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandson and many nieces, nephews, extended family & friends. She loved her family, and her family loved her.
Among Helen’s many hobbies was fishing, gardening, canning, travel, & knitting. She was involved in many charities, giving her time & money in times of need.
A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 16, 2021 at Cook Memorial Chapel (East Building), 4235 Prairie St. SW Grandville, MI 49418. In memory of Helen and in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to your charity of choice in her name. The family welcomes memories & messages in their guest book online at www.cookcaresgrandville.com.
Michael K. Hebenstreit
Michael Keith Hebenstreit, age 63, of Olivet, passed away Wednesday, October 13, 2021. He was born February 15, 1958, in Charlotte, the son of Clarence Hebenstreit and Martha (Pierce) Cortright. Mike graduated from Olivet High School with the class of 1976. On March 1, 1975, he married the love of his life Iris Kay Endsley at her parents’ home in Bellevue. The most important thing in Mike’s life was his family. He loved each and everyone of them with a deep devotion and cherished every moment they were able to spend together. He had a huge heart and would often leave little love notes around the house for Iris to find. Mike loved riding his Harley Davidson every chance he got. He also enjoyed traveling with his family, looking for the next great find at flea markets, and playing on his John Deere tractor with Milo.
Mike is survived by his wife of 46 years, Iris; children: Joseph (Mary) Hebenstreit, Jenny (Chad) Heisler, Sindi (Kenny Wallace) Lashley, Tony Hebenstreit; 14 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; siblings: Butch (Becky) Hebenstreit, Peggy (Roger) Canterbury, Phillip (Deanna) Hebenstreit; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; step-father, Mayn Cortright; brother, Sam Hebenstreit; and sister, Sally Moscoso.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, October 20, 2021, at 12 p.m. at the Olivet Congregational Church with Pastor Jack Brown officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.
Those desiring, may make contributions in Mike’s honor to the Olivet College Women’s Board.
To view Mike’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com
The family is being served by the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home.
Barbara L. Baldwin
Barbara Lillian Gorodenski Orman Baldwin of Charlotte, a lady who may have been small in stature but had a feisty spirit, died October 6, 2021, at the age of 88. Barbara was born February 11, 1933, in McKean, PA to Nickola and Valeria (Cucera) Gorodenski. While growing up, her family enjoyed music and she and her sister Eva would sing harmony to entertain themselves and their family. A graduate of Vermontville High School in 1951, she went on to work as a private secretary and worked for over 50 years, with 25 years at John Bean in Lansing, and then 25 years at Dart Container in Mason. With her giving nature, Barbara enjoyed volunteering at Hayes Green Beach Hospital in Charlotte as a “Gray Lady” for many years, and she was a volunteer chaplain at the VFW as well.
Barbara enjoyed trips to the casino, writing poetry, doing handy work, and collecting bird figurines. “In order to have a friend, you had to be a friend,” as Barbara often said, and she made sure her friends and family knew they were loved and appreciated. She never complained and worked very hard to support her family not just working during the day as a secretary, but also working nights as a waitress after her first husband, Vernon Orman, died in 1961. Barbara was also very particular, she liked things done a certain way and wasn’t shy about telling you to be sure things were done the way she knew as the right way.
Barbara is survived by her son, Michael (Maureen) Orman; granddaughters, Julie (Todd) Fox and Kayli (LeRoy) Hummel; great-grandchildren, Olivia and Emily Fox, Alexis and Kelsey Hummel, Nick (Sydney) Hummel, and Carley (Geoff) Cesaretti; five great-great-grandchildren; and brother, Joe (Elaine) Gorodenski. She was predeceased by her first husband, Vernon Lee “Mike” Orman in 1961, 2nd husband, Bruce Baldwin; and special friend of 31 years, Art Osterwald.
Friends and family are encouraged to support Barbara’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her tribute page at www.prayfuneral.com. Funeral Services were held on Monday, October 11, 2021, 2 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte, with the family receiving visitors from 12-2 p.m. prior to the service on Monday. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Capital Area Humane Society. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home.