Obituaries
Rustie Hiither
Rustie Hiither of Eaton Rapids passed away unexpectedly, August 5, 2021 at the age of 67. Rustie was born in Eaton Rapids, October 28, 1953, the son of Joseph and Marilyn (Denton) Hiither. He retired from General Motors in 2008 where he worked as a machine repairman. Rustie was also a divemaster, a firefighter with Hamlin Township, and held the position of treasurer for the Hamlin Township Firefighters Association. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, loved to ride his Harley motorcycle and spend time with his grandchildren. Rustie had the biggest heart, helping so many of his family and friends with projects. It was helpful that he was a jack of all trades and was the original, “fix it up guy.” He will be missed by many and leaves behind beautiful memories.
Rustie is survived by his wife, Sherry Hiither; children, Ty (Jodi) Justice of California, Joshua Hiither of Eaton Rapids; step-children, Steven (Kandis) Kubiak of Howell, Gregory Kubiak of Portland, Daniel Kubiak of Pinkney, Jonathan (Jessica) Kubiak of Hubbardston; grandson, Ryan Justice; step-grandchildren, Lillian, Nathan and Madeline Kubiak; sisters, Teresa Chapman, Jackie (Brad) Coontz, Kelly (Rod) Paksi; numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Dennis Hiither; sister, Peggy Hiither.
Memorial services will be held at the Hamlin Township Firehall on August 14, 2021, at 11 a.m. with visitation the hour prior to the service. Memorial contributions may be made to the Hamlin Township Firefighters Association. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel. To leave online condolences for the family, please visit our website, www.millsfuneral.com.
Harold Green
Harold “Reuben” Green of Eaton Rapids passed away August 8, 2021, at the age of 78. Reuben was born in Portland, Mich., February 16, 1943, the son of Harold and Mary (Walker) Green. He graduated from Portland High School. Reuben retired from Lindell Drop Forge and then worked as a property manager with Riverview Village Apartments for 10 years. Reuben served on the Eaton Rapids Planning Commission, was a volunteer fireman with the City of Eaton Rapids for 10 years and was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Springport. He loved kayaking, riding off road with his jeep, morning coffee at McDonald’s and spending summers at Rocky’s Campground. The family would like to thank McLaren Hospice for their compassion and caring.
Reuben is survived by his father, Harold Green of Florida; wife, JoAnn Green; son, Troy (Sandy) Green of Illinois; grandchildren, Lisa (Shawn) McMillian of Tennessee, Alex, Brad and Ryan Green of Illinois, Chelsea Green of Eaton Rapids; great grandchildren, Brooklyn and Molly of Tennessee, sisters, Carol (Tom) Werner of Indiana and Evelyn (Kim) Livingston of Lake Odessa; brother-in-law, Lynn Brown of Florida.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Green; son, Aaron Green; sister, Sharon Brown.
Private services will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to McLaren Hospice. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel. Please visit our website to place online condolences, www.millsfuneral.com.
Joan I. Hill Smith
Joan Iona (Poff) Hill Smith of rural Bellevue, Mich. passed away on July 30, 2021. Mrs. Smith was born July 29, 1932 in Maple Grove Township to Dale and Mildred (Miller) Poff.
She graduated from Hastings High School in 1951 and went to work at Hastings Manufacturing for one and one-half years before going to work at Rich Manufacturing, later Federal Mogul, in Battle Creek. She worked in the payroll department and as receptionist, telephone operator, and personnel secretary until the company closed.
Her first marriage to David E. Capps ended in divorce. She married Martin E. Smith, Sr. on June 22, 1962. She is survived by an adopted son, Randall B. Smith (Miriam) of Battle Creek; stepdaughter, Janet M. Booth (Edwin) of Gentry, Ariz.; half-sister, Dallas June Green of Elkhart, Ind.; niece, Pamela Kaser (Brad) of Elkhart, Mich.; and nephew, Mitchell Alan Hill of Middleville, Mich. She also had 13 step-grandchildren, 16 step-great-grandchildren, and one step-great-great-grandchild.
Preceding her in death was her mother, Mildred B. Hill; stepfather, Fred L. Hill; husband, Martin E. Smith, Sr.; half-brother, Gary Alan Hill; infant daughter, Vicki Rae; stepson, Martin E. Smith, Jr.; and stepson, Thomas B. Smith.
She was a long time member of First Baptist Church in Bellevue, Mich. She enjoyed the out-of-doors, dogs, writing letters, sewing, jigsaw puzzles, and especially one gray tiger cat, Smokey Joe, who has been her faithful companion for the last eight years.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hastings Animal Control. A memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 7, 2021, at First Baptist Church, 122 South Main Street, Bellevue, Mich. Memories and condolences may be left for the family at henryfuneralhome.org.
Yvonne S. Stults
Yvonne Sue Stults, a soft spoken, family-oriented woman who always had an answer, died July 27, 2021. Yvonne, 67, was born August 1, 1953, in Charlotte to Lyle and Shirley (Bursley) Royston. She enjoyed reading, especially books about royalty. She was a collector, collecting stamps and coins, and birthday cards, she saved them all. She enjoyed going to garage sales in search of antiques, doing word-puzzles, tap dancing, roller-skating, going to church with her parents and grandparents, spending time with her family and friends, and going to car shows with Gary. She also was a big fan of the Kentucky Derby and horse racing. She was a 4-H leader where she taught ceramics for Spaulding 4-H Club. She worked as an injection molder for Dare Products, Inc., and enjoyed their home in Bellevue. Her parents said she was the perfect daughter. She was always on time and very organized. When Yvonne found out she was sick, she started writing an instruction book for the rest of the family on how to . . . just about everything. Her grandchildren meant everything to her, it was all about the grandkids.
Yvonne is survived by her loving parents, Lyle and Shirley Royston; children, Jerry Bracy, Laura (Russ) Crosslan, Jeff (Carla) Stults, Vicki Stasi; grandchildren, Brooke (Tyler) Sheppard, Kerstin (Chris) Smith, Olivia Rushmore, Gauge Linn, R.J. Crosslan, Jakob Crosslan, Scott (Jessica) Stults and Jenna (Blake) Shay; great-grandchildren, Jaylinn, Colton and Paisley Smith, Chyenne, Scott Jr., and Madison Stults; and nephew, Shelby Royston.
Yvonne was predeceased by death by her husband, Gary Lee Stults; grandparents, Leo (Freda) Royston, Helen Matter, Melvin Bursley; great-grandparents, George (Elsie) Reed; brother, Melvin Lyle Royston; and son-in-law, Dominic Stasi.
Yvonne’s funeral services were held on Saturday, July 31, 2021, at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Pastor Randy Royston officiating. Graveside services followed at Bosworth Cemetery. After the Graveside services the family invited guests to join them for a luncheon at the Church of Christ in Charlotte where they held a Celebration of Life honoring both Gary Lee and Yvonne Sue Stults. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Eaton Community Palliative Care. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Yvonne on her tribute page at PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Gail L. Allen
Gail Lynn Allen, 67, of Charlotte, peacefully went to heaven on July 30, 2021, surrounded by her family after an 18-month battle with cancer. Gail was born in Mich. on May 10, 1954, to Ira and Loretta (Schilling) Pifer. She graduated from Maple Valley High School in 1972. Gail spent her life devoted to her husband David and twins Jacob and Justin; she never stopped doing for her immediate family. She was beloved throughout the town of Olivet, as a very active member of the sports booster program. Her home was always warm and welcoming to all the friends her boys brought home. Gail had a very active social life in the Rio Grande Valley, where she and her husband David spent twelve winters. She influenced so many people from Texas to Canada, with many stops along the way. She had an extremely special relationship with her great nieces and nephews; Layla, Brittney, and Nate were always a part of her life. She was one of the toughest people you will ever meet. The legacy she built will be carried through all of time. Every time one of her crocheted blankets is wrapped around shoulders, every time we wrap each other in a warm embrace, every time we feel cozy and at home, we will feel her love. One of her family mantras has always been, “Leave this place better than you found it.” In no life lived has this ever been more exemplified. Gail definitely left everything and everyone better than she found us. Gail is survived by her husband, David; sons, Jacob (Kate) Little of Charlotte and Justin (Becky) Little of Olivet; grandchildren, Kirsten, Courtney, Noah, and Jaxson; brother, Randy (Denise); and sisters, Cindy and Sandy (Wayne); nieces and nephews, Cheri, Robby, Stephanie, TJ, Steve, Bonita, and Jimmy.
A celebration of her life will take place on Saturday, September 25, 2021, at the family farm on Brookfield Road, Charlotte, Mich. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.