Obituaries
Sharon O. Southwell
Sharon Olive Southwell, of The Villages in Fla., formerly of Eaton Rapids, passed away peacefully on April 7, 2021, at the age of 82. Sharon was born in Eaton Rapids, September 25, 1938, the daughter of Oliver and Olive (Baker) Goodrich. She lived most of her life in Eaton Rapids and was a 1956 graduate of Eaton Rapids High School. Sharon married David in 1959 and they were inseparable until his passing in 2015. She moved to The Villages in 2019, where she enjoyed warm memories of the time spent with David and their Florida friends. Sharon retired from General Motors in 1999 as a purchasing specialist. She was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church in Eaton Rapids, BPW, and the Red Hat Society. The family wishes to thank her loving caregivers, and especially the staff of Cornerstone Hospice & Palliative Care at The Villages.
Sharon was preceded in death by her parents; husband, David; sister, Shirley Nicholas. She is survived by sons, Gregory (Sandy) and Geoffrey (Josephine). Sharon also leaves behind her six grandchildren, Ryan (Jenelle), Kirsten, Samantha (Chris) Bassil, Robert and Andrew; one great-grandchild, Henry, and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, August 22, 2021, at the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids, with visitation taking place one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association https://www.alz.org/join_the_cause_donate.asp in loving memory of Sharon. To leave online condolences, please visit millsfuneral.com.
Steve Jones
Steve Jones, born October 15, 1976, was laid to rest August 3, 2021.
Steve is survived by his amazing son, Stephen and beloved, Grace.
“Though his smile is gone forever, and his hand I cannot touch, I still have many memories of the one I loved so much. Your memory is my keepsake, with which I will never part. God has you in His keeping, I have you in my heart. Sadly missed, but not forgotten.”
Bill Kelly
Bill Milton Kelly passed away peacefully at his home in Eaton Township on Thursday, August 5, 2021 after a long and valiant battle with ALS. He was born September 23, 1941 in South Bend, Indiana to Clifford Emerson Kelly and Cleo Fern (Walters) Kelly. He was 79 years old.
After graduating from Washington Clay High School in South Bend, he joined the U.S. Navy. His lifetime adventure of seeing the world began upon the newly commissioned USS Long Beach, the world’s first nuclear powered surface combatant. Upon completion of his full-time Naval commitment, he continued serving his country as a member of the U.S. Naval Reserves.
The motto “To Serve and Protect” became his duty as he began his law enforcement career. He started with the Portage, Mich. Police Department, then moved on to Kalamazoo Township Police, and in 1968 became Chief of Police for the City of Galesburg, Mich. In 1969 he began serving with the Eaton County Sheriff Department in Charlotte, Mich. where he finished out his law enforcement career.
As a local business owner of K & K Accounting, The Computer Shop, the Movie Market, and others he contributed to the longevity and productivity of his community making many friends along the way. He was an advocate for privately helping others in their journey to success and giving encouragement along the way.
Bill was a life-long learner who loved to read. His reading took him on many great adventures over the years. He himself has authored several books in which he shares his life stories, experiences, and insights. He believed we could all learn something from everyone we meet, and he learned much from the people he met as he traveled the world.
Joy was found in every curve of the road as he cruised along in his classic Corvette convertible or on his vintage BMW motorcycles. Boating along the emerald waters of the Gulf Coast provided opportunities for him to reflect upon life and his earlier days spent at sea. Scuba diving wasn’t just for work, it brought quiet solitude in new and ever-changing environment. Flying brought him freedom as he took to the sky on many unforgettable journeys with family and friends.
In 1973 Bill married Rocksan Lee (Wolcott) McGill in Charlotte, Mich. and together they had four children; Lanette, Duane, Belinda, and Kimberly.
He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Rocksan Kelly; daughters, Lanette Kay McGill-Cater (Jon), and Kimberly Ann Kelly-Baxley (James); grandchildren, Autumn Lynn Jones-Allen (Jeremy), Duane Lee McGill Jr., Kellie Leigh Jones-Bartlett (Shane), Eric Thomas McGill (Morene), Evan Gregory Jones (Traci), Megan Kaylee Baxley-Sweeten (Taylor), Dane Kelly McGill, Chase Michael McGill, Whitney Taylor McGill; great-grandchildren, Hunter Gregory Jones, Wilson Shane Bartlett, Zoey Claire Baxley, Julia Morene McGill, Sabastain Alexander Bartlett, Katherine Elizabeth Allen, Zalina Rose Baxley, Miles Gregory Jones, Sadie Elizabeth Sweeten, Oscar Thomas McGill, Delaney Rae Jones, Floyd Preston Sweeten; siblings, Patrick Michael Kelly (Denise) and Barbara Kathleen Kelly-Penney (John); and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Clifford and Cleo Kelly; his brothers, Larry Dean Kelly and Charles Leroy Kelly; daughter, Belinda Kay Kelly; son, Duane Lee McGill; and great-granddaughters, Brooklyn Kay Bartlett and Olivia Lillian Bartlett.
We would be remiss if we did not acknowledge his dear friend, Glenn Leonard, who added so much more to his life as they shared many wonderful adventures together. We also express our heartfelt gratitude to Kathy Stover who has sacrificed so much as she has faithfully cared for Bill through his long battle. He lived a full life made richer by the many friends and family members that he loved.
A committal service of burial at sea will take place at a later date by the United States Navy.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the ALS Association at www.als.org.
Friends are encouraged to support Bill’s family by sharing memories on his tribute page at www.prayfuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Teresa Nighbert
Teresa Renee Nighbert, born December 27, 1967, passed away on Sunday, August
8, 2021, after years of battling illnesses.
Ever since Teresa was young she had a love for animals. She was always scouting horse auctions, rescuing and keeping a houseful. Over the years she had a woodchuck, pigs, skunk, snakes, prairie dog, horses, goats, donkey, birds, cats, the list goes on… She was their safe place, and they were her comfort.
If you knew Teresa, you knew she wasn’t one to be messed with. She would surely put you right in your place if you did. Her humor and contagious smile, however, would have you coming back for more. Her devout feistiness and stubbornness served her well throughout her life. She was a model of strong will and sheer determination right up until the end of her journey here on earth.
She took extreme pride in her children, Aleena (James) Kendrick, Marley (Josiah) Saxe, and eight grandchildren. She leaves behind her father, Jack Parish, and several brothers and sisters. She is preceded in death by her mother, Vicki Carey.
A service is planned for Saturday, August 21, 2021, at noon at the Eaton County Fairgrounds Mini-Park.
A service is planned for Saturday, August 21, 2021, at Noon at the Eaton County Fairgrounds Mini-Park.
Everyone who remembers her is asked to celebrate Teresa’s life in their own way. Raising a glass of their favorite drink in her memory would be quite appropriate. Instead of flowers, consider doing an unexpected and unsolicited act of kindness for an animal or person in need in her name.
To view Teresa’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home of Charlotte.
Instead of flowers, consider doing an unexpected and unsolicited act of kindness for an animal or person in need in her name.
To view Teresa’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com.
Raymond L. Foote
Raymond L. Foote, 90, of Sierra Vista, Arizona passed away on July 6, 2021 at his home surrounded by his loved ones.
Raymond was born in Delton, Michigan to Dale K. and Irene Foote. He attended school in Vermontville, Mich. while working on the family farm where he was raised. At age 18 he began working at the Oldsmobile Automobile Factory in Lansing, Mich. (1948-1950). Not long after he served the United States Army during the Korean War, where he was stationed in Japan for two years (1950-1952). Upon his return, Raymond reinstated himself within the automobile industry working for Oldsmobile and Howard Sobers of Lansing, Mich. hauling new cars (1952-1964). Shortly after, Raymond found his niche working as an owner operator long haul truck driver hauling trucks and refrigerated freight until the age of 69, then on to hauling locally for another 10 years before retiring.
Raymond enjoyed his retirement largely at home enjoying his wife, children, grandchildren, and many friends. He enjoyed family time tinkering in the garage with his sons and grandchildren, working on trucks, talking about vehicles, his experiences, history, oftentimes being quite humorous with his unique way with words. We will be missing a fun loving man who enjoyed watching cowboy shows (he was a cowboy at heart). He loved the old movies on TCM. Ray was a member of the American Legion and V.F.W. He helped and supported his family regardless of the task, even at the age of 90. Good luck stopping the 90-year-old man on a mission! He was always the life of the party, the energy in the room, an unmatched presence, a true patriarch. His love and support will be missed dearly.
Raymond was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Barbara Hess, Pat Sayles and her husband Kendall; brothers, Dale Foote Jr. and his wife Lorraine, and Edwin Foote.
Raymond is survived by his wife of 64 years, Mary Marlowe Foote; three sons: Jeffrey Foote and his wife Dolores of Hereford, Ariz.; Bradley Foote of San Pedro, Calif.; Darryl Foote and his wife Jane of Sierra Vista, Ariz.; four grandchildren: Darrick Foote, Shauna Foote, Dustin Foote of Sierra Vista; Marisa Tessenshon and her husband Shaun and two great grandchildren, Zeke and Samara Tessenshon of Phoenix, Ariz.; sister, Phyllis Trumble and her husband Leo (Tink) of Vermontville, Mich.; sisters-in-law: Alice Foote of Nashville, Mich.; Doris Benton and her husband Pete of Vermontville, Mich.; and Judy Pentecost of Lansing, Mich.; plus many beloved nieces and nephews.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Jenson Mortuary. At Raymond’s request there will not be funeral services provided. Celebrate his life as you choose.