Obituaries
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.
Charles “Chuck” Edward Lea
Charles “Chuck” Edward Lea was born on August 2, 1950 and passed away peacefully with family by his side, on August 30, 2021. He was a proud member of the Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe, originating in the state of Washington. Chuck was the beloved husband to Debbie for 52 years, but their relationship began blossoming many years ago, at the young age of 15. He is survived by his children, Travis (Lisa) Lea and Stacey (Mike) Mroczkowski; grandchildren, Brenna, Trenton and Evelyn; as well as his siblings, Don Zauner Lea and Kathleen McCoy; and nieces and nephews, Justin McCoy and Megan West, among many others. Chuck is preceded in death by his parents, Donald E. Lea and Mary Jane Smith; mother- and father-in-law, Jack and Joan Hine; sister-in-law, Jill Braden Lea and brother-in-law, Douglas McCoy.
Chuck was the co-owner of Bird Watcher’s Marketplace that opened on Plainfield Avenue in 1995, which quickly expanded into online sales in the early days of the internet. Grand Rapids Business Journal once wrote an article on Chuck’s Marketplace and the technology he used. He was passionate about selling the right products to his customers. He had an incredible sales pitch that worked on just about anyone, as he was a natural born salesman, not to mention his infectious smile and kind personality that went along with it. Chuck loved all things nature, birds, home and garden shows and anything outdoorsy. He enjoyed camping and being involved with the cub scouts, gardening, dad jokes, and cat rescuing and adopting through Crash’s Landing. Chuck served on the Board of Lake Bella Vista Association was a Planning Commissioner for Cannon Township. His son-in-law, Mike taught him a lot about technology and he learned to become very tech savvy throughout his later years of life.
Chuck will be remembered for his positive and cheerful outlook on life. He had a sense of humor that will never be forgotten, and his support and love for his family was unmatched. He will be missed by so many.
Visitation was held on Friday, September 3 one hour prior to the Funeral Service at 3 p.m. at Pederson Funeral Home, 127 N. Monroe Street NE, Rockford, Michigan 49341. Chuck will be laid to rest at Cannon Township Cemetery following the Funeral Service. Memorial contributions may be made to Crash’s Landing in memory of Chuck; for more information please visit http://crashslanding.org.
Robert Scott Dumire
Robert Scott Dumire, “Bobb,” 53, of Potterville, Mich., passed away suddenly on August 10, 2021. Bob was born in Charlotte, Mich., on June 18, 1968, and was raised a proud Mountaineer in Morgantown, W. Va., graduating from University High School in 1986. Bob started his dream job of serving his country in the U.S. Army from 1990-1998 and was a proud veteran of Operation Desert Storm. He enjoyed watching WWE wrestling, WVU football and basketball and was an active member of the American Legion Post 42, the Fraternal Order of Eagles-3552 and the VFW Post 2406. Bob also loved getting together with family to reminisce, laugh and always wanted to learn about his family’s history. Family was always very important to him and most of all, he loved his children dearly.
Bob is survived by his two children, Austin Dumire and Brooke Dumire; granddaughter, Angelina Dumire; parents, Robert and Dorothy Dumire; siblings, Eric Dumire, Amy Betts and David Dumire; niece, Caitlyn Betts; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins that will miss him greatly.
He is preceded in death by grandparents, Carl and Nina Sisler, Odis “Bill” and Katherine “Kitty” Dumire; aunt, Margie (Roby) Dumire; and uncle, Melvin Kellogg.
Funeral service were held Monday, August 23 at Baxter Funeral Services in Battle Creek, Mich., with Bob being laid to rest at Fort Custer National Cemetery.