Obituaries
Joan Barbara (Cornelius) Fosket – a loving mother, wife, sister and friend – passed away peacefully, with family at her side on October 12, 2020. Joan, age 88, was born February 4, 1932, to William and Beulah Cornelius in Lansing, Michigan. She was raised primarily in Charlotte and graduated from Charlotte High School in 1950, where she ran around with her twin sister, Janet, and their friends, Annie and Poohie, known as the HAGs (Haven’t Any Glamor). Shortly after graduating from high school, she married the love of her life, Vernon, on January 20, 1951. Married for 69 years, they resided in Potterville where they raised their five children, and together ran their business, Vern Fosket Carpet Company.
Joan is remembered as a kind, tender-hearted woman with many memorable attributes. Considered the matriarch of her family she not only helped her husband run their business, but was an incredible homemaker. She gardened, canned vegetables and fruits and was known for her incredible home cooked meals. Joan also had a love of sweets; there was not a time that she would pass up on a sweet treat to enjoy, especially a hot fudge sundae from McDonald’s (with extra fudge, of course). Her children remember that she was a wonderful mother and recall that she even made most of their own clothes that they had growing up, as well as her uncanny sense of humor and her love to play April Fool’s pranks on her children each year.
Along with her sense of humor Joan instilled a sense of love and respect in her children to carry with them in their life. Her family always came first and she made sure they knew that growing up. She taught them to have kind hearts and especially taught them a tender side to animals, as Joan was an avid animal lover. She loved their ponies, Airedale terriers – especially her Maude – and cats, and would even bring in strays to live, including a chipmunk named Charlie.
Joan’s love and memory will be carried on in her surviving five children: her two sons, Dennis (Mary Angela) Fosket, and David (Danna) Fosket; along with her three daughters, Victoria Fosket, Laurel (Mark) Williamson, and Sharon (Dino Kalush) Kozachik. She is also survived by many grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Vernon Fosket, and her siblings, Bill Cornelius, Mary Ackley, Jack Cornelius and her twin sister, Janet Forte.
In keeping with her wishes, Joan will be cremated and a private graveside ceremony for immediate family will take place at a later date at Benton Township Cemetery.
Those desiring may make contributions in Joan’s honor to Sensations Memory Care, 511 E. Shepherd Street, Charlotte, MI 48813. To view Joan’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit burkhead-green-kilgo.com.
The family is being served by the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Ann K. Simpson
Ann K. Simpson of Eaton Rapids passed away October 8, 2020 at the age of 78. Ann was born in Lansing, Michigan on June 1, 1942, the daughter of Jonas and Eivor (Ericson) Arnell. She worked at Lansing General for 20 years as well as Charlotte and Eaton Rapids hospitals as a Medical Transcriptionist. Ann enjoyed reading and was an active member at the Eaton Rapids Senior Center.
Ann is survived by her husband of 58 years, Norman; daughter, Cheryl (Jeff) Donley of Potterville; step-children, Ronnie Simpson of St. Johns, Connie Rohrer of Lansing and Randy Rohrer of Washington; grandchildren, Kristina, Stasi and Matthew Donley; great grandchild, Damon Wonch; four step-grandchildren; three step-great grandchildren; sister, KarinMcClellan; as well as serval nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her step daughter-in-law, Sue Simpson.
Cremation has taken place and there are no services planned at this time. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 22478, Oklahoma City OK 73123 or donor’s choice. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids. To share online condolences or memories please visit, millsfuneral.com.
Helen J. Glaspie
Helen June Glaspie of Eaton Rapids went to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, October 9, 2020 at the age of 76. Born June 19, 1944 to Herbert and Helen (Johnson) Garred in Jackson, Michigan, Helen was a faithful member of Grace Baptist Church in Eaton Rapids for many years. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother who will be dearly missed by all who remember her. Preceding her in death were her brother, Bud (Mary) Garred, and her parents.
Surviving are her husband, Philip Glaspie; son, Dan (Amanda) Glaspie; grandchildren, Austin O’Hearon, Logan O’Hearon, Ashley Glaspie, Elizabeth Glaspie; sisters, Beverly (Merton) Heintz, Patricia (Howard) Smith; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held on Thursday, October 15, 2020 at Skinner Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids Chapel. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to Grace Baptist Church in Helen’s name. To share memories and condolences please visit SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
Debbie A. Coffelt
Debbie Ann (Newsome) Coffelt of Eaton Rapids passed away as the result of a car accident on October 11, 2020 at the age of 60. Debbie was born in Eaton Rapids on August 8, 1960, the daughter of Estill and Thelma (Bryant) Newsome. She was a 1979 graduate of Eaton Rapids High School, worked for FASCO in quality control for many years, and enjoyed watching old westerns on the television. Her greatest joy was spending time with her grandchildren.
Debbie is survived by her mother, Thelma Newsome of Springport; daughters, Reatha (Matthew) Gates of Eaton Rapids, Tabitha (Ryan Clark) Rockafellow of Eaton Rapids; son, Derek (Terina) Rockafellow of Missouri; grandchildren, Tesla, Allison, Mattison, Reanna and Justin Gates, Aisha Furgala; siblings, Linda (Dean) Mikkelson of Kansas, Cindy Hansen of Springport, Darrell (Catherine) Newsome of Springport, Gloria Newsome of Eaton Rapids, Crystal (Corey) Church of Springport. She was preceded in death by her father and sister, Barbara Newsome.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Friday October 16, 2020 at the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids with interment following in Munger Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the family. Please visit our website to place online condolences, millsfuneral.com.
Roy E. Nevins
Roy Elmer Nevins, a caring and loving father, grandfather, brother and friend, died Wednesday, October 7, 2020. Roy, 85, of Charlotte was born November 22, 1934, in Lansing, MI, the son of Robert and Illa (Frever) Nevins. He graduated from Charlotte High school in 1953. Roy was a proud member of the Charlotte Marching Band where he was the drum major. On September 23, 1956, Roy married Ella McClintock and together started their legacy together until her passing. They collected and decorated their home with glass dolls and glassware. In 1957 Roy joined the United States Army, he served as the head cook and later would transfer to the National Guard. After his time in the service Roy worked as a Shipping Clerk at Mayward Inc, where he worked 36 years. Roy would then work part time at Pray Funeral Home. He was a man known for being a spiffy dresser. Roy had his wild ties and colorful suits. He liked order, everything has a certain place and it had to kept in that certain place. From his time in the Army as a cook Roy enjoyed cooking. He cooked for the mother-daughter banquets at the church, cherry cheese cakes for his daughter’s birthday and even winning a cooking contest with his Faygo Punch. Roy and his wife Ella Beth were longtime members of the First Baptist Church of Charlotte where they were Kindergarten Sunday School Teachers. Roy’s hobbies included walking around town, going to local garage sales and thrift stores, gardening, feeding and watching the birds, traveling and most importantly spending time with his family. He was a man who was a good friend to anyone he met and was always willing to lend a hand to those in need.
Roy is survived by his daughter, Michele Clark; grandchildren, Jonathon, Victoria, Brittany; brother, Gerald Fetterman; many nieces and nephews; close friends, Sue Farlin, Dale Land and many others. He was predeceased by his wife, Ella; brothers, Ray, Robert, and Rex Nevins; and his parents.
Funeral services are Tuesday, October 13, 2020 at 1 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Sue Farlin officiating. Visitation is Monday, October 12, 2020 from 2 – 4 p.m. and 6 – 8 p.m. Mask and distancing guidelines will be practiced. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Roy’s granddaughters. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Roy on his tribute page at PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.