Obituaries
Lorelyn Adams
Lorelyn (Lori) Zimmerman Adams of Mt. Victory, Ky. passed away on July 22, 2021 after a short bout with cancer.
Lori was born in Eaton Rapids, the daughter of Luman and Catherine Zimmerman on November 7, 1947. She spent a large portion of her life living on Kemler Road in Eaton Rapids, graduating from Eaton Rapids High School. After she graduated, she spent some time traveling, including spending time with her sister, Elaine, and her family in Greece, and then went to Japan for a short time before coming back to Eaton Rapids.
Lori had at least one horse through most of her life. She loved horses and dogs. Red and Lori raised, trained and showed Arabian horses for over 35 years from Redlor Stables on Kemler Road. When they decided it was time to retire, they moved to Mt. Victory, Kentucky. Red started and became pastor of a church in Mt. Victory and Lori worked with the youth of the church and eventually also became a pastor and worked with Red in the church.
Lori was friends with pretty much everyone she met. Anyone that knew her loved being around her and enjoyed the spirit she brought to any gathering. She loved to travel. She loved the beach best, but she had fun and made friends no matter where she went.
There are no words to say how much Lori will be missed – by family and friends. She made an impact on anyone who knew her, no matter how short or long the acquaintance was.
Lori is survived by her husband of 50 years, Red (Clarence) Adams; stepson, Ronald (Janice); grandchildren, Melissa and Nicole Adams; great-granddaughters, Remi and Haley Adams; brother-in-law, Stanley Krawczyk; nieces, Diane (Craig) Galloway and Kathleen Hendrickson; great-niece, Deanna (John) Cornell; great-nephew, Robert (Amanda) Young; great great-nephews, Ethan and Conrad Young; and great great-niece, Aoife Young. She also leaves behind her beloved Casey, a dog she rescued many years ago.
Lori is preceded in death by her parents, Luman and Catherine Zimmerman; sister, Elaine Krawczyk; and nephew, Stanley L. Krawczyk. Also many horses and dogs that were her “children.”
Lori was cremated and there was a small memorial with friends and family at her home. She didn’t want a funeral or flowers. Instead, she wanted donations in her name to the Pulaski, Kentucky Animal Shelter.
T. Jean Houghton
T. Jean Houghton of Eaton Rapids, formerly of Mt. Pleasant, died on August 9, 2021 at the age of 97. Jean was born on March 6, 1924, in North Star Township to Ross and Nora (Baker) Sparks. She graduated from Ithaca High School in 1942. Jean met and married John “Jack” Houghton Jr. and began her teaching career in a rural school in Gratiot County in 1943. She retired in 1981 as the principal of Mecosta Elementary a part of Chippewa Hills Schools in Remus, Mich. Jean and Jack spent over 20 years of their retirement volunteering with Christian Missions. Memorable times were spent at an Indian School in Arizona, a boys school in Honduras, with RIVICS in Florida and the Carolinas and several other places. Since 1976, both were active members of the Gideon Ministry, together in Clare and Isabella Counties, Jean later with the Charlotte-Eaton Camp. When Jack passed away in 2007, Jean moved to Eaton Rapids to be near her daughter and became a member of the First United Methodist Church. John 11:25 is a testament of her faith. “I am the resurrection and the life, those who believe in me even though they die will live again.”
Jean is survived by her daughter, Nora Jean (Forrest) Wellman of Eaton Rapids; son, John Don (Michele) Houghton of Hudsonville; five grandchildren, Jerry (Cheri) Middlesworth, Wendy (Mark) Tozer, Jacob (Janelle) Dent, John (Leah) Houghton IV and Kealy Houghton; eight great grandchildren; five great-great grandchildren; sister, Merna Wolfe; sisters-in-law, Elaine Wood, Donna Houghton and Joan Sparks. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack; daughters, Mary Middlesworth and Janet Slyvester.
Funeral services were held Thursday, August 12, 2021, at the First United Methodist Church, 600 S. Main St. in Eaton Rapids and 2 p.m. Sunday, August 15 at the Clark Funeral Chapel, 114 S. Bradley St., Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858. Memorial contributions may be made to Gideons International.
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.