Obituaries
Stuart Leslie DeLand
Stuart Leslie DeLand passed away on Monday, August 24, 2021, in Grand Rapids, Mich. He was born in Battle Creek, Mich. on May 9, 1940, to John and Gladys DeLand. On October 12, 1963 he married Elizabeth “Liz” Oberlin and together they raised four children.
He retired from General Motors in 1994, enjoying retirement by wintering in Sebring, Florida. He trained quarter horses and thoroughbreds for over 50 years, being named the top racehorse trainer in Michigan for the year 1985, an honor he was most proud of. He enjoyed spending his free time fishing and cooking his famous fish dinners for his family.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Gladys, who was 101 when she passed on January 31, 2021; daughter, Kathy (Jacobs) Moon in 2010; and brother, John DeLand in 2007.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Liz; daughter, Karen (DeLand) Bancroft of Olivet; sons: Kevin Jacobs of Battle Creek, Korrey (Michelle) DeLand of Pasadena, MD; siblings: Charlotte Byam, Sharon DeLand, from Bellevue, and Stan DeLand from Jackson; grandchildren: Tracy (Moon) Harmeyer of Wilmington, NC, Sonny (Ashlee) DeLand of Olivet, Korrielinn DeLand of Olivet, Taylor (Evan) DeLand Carlson of Charlotte, Elizabeth, Thomas, Rachel and Rebekah Greilick of Olivet, Micheal (Mika) Lycos of Springport, and 14 great-grandchildren.
A celebration of life will be held on September 18, 2021 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at Powers Farm, 1240 Powers Hwy., Charlotte, Michigan 48813. Family and friends are welcome to come.
Carol Atkins
Carol Atkins, a fun-loving and supportive daughter, sister, friend, and teacher died on Wednesday, August 18, 2021, after a five-year battle with cancer. Carol, 63, of Pattersonville, N.Y., was born on September 5, 1957, in Charlotte, Mich. She was the daughter of Warren and Julie (Schafer) Atkins. After graduating from Charlotte High School Carol earned her undergraduate degree from Central Michigan and then a master’s degree from the State University of New York at Cortland.
Carol devoted her life to teaching and coaching. She began her career in Schenectady Catholic Schools. She continued in Scotia Glenville Central Schools teaching at both the middle school and at the elementary level. Coaching was a passion for Carol, and while at Scotia Glenville Carol coached softball and volleyball for many years. Carol retired in 2016. Carol was active in the Scotia Glenville Teachers’ Association and the New York Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, where Carol was a past president of the Capital Zone. In recent years Carol was also active in her support of Camp Bravehearts, an oncology camp for women. Carol was an avid tennis player. She also enjoyed traveling with family and friends, participating in book and movie clubs, working in her flower garden, listening to music, and most importantly, spending time with family and friends.
Carol is survived by her father, Warren (Ronni) Atkins; siblings, Beverly (Will) Spencer, Gary Atkins, Steve (Carol) Atkins, Jamie ((Angie) Atkins, Tina Atkins; nieces and nephews Gary Atkins,Jr., Annjanette (David) Warren, Jordan Shook, Zackery (Kendra) Shook, Taylor Shook, Conor (Emma) Atkins, Kendyll Atkins; great-nieces and -nephew, Anslee Atkins, Lillianna Shook, and Harper Shook; and her four-legged companion, Nellie. Carol was predeceased by her mother, Julie Atkins, in 2018.
Memories of Carol may be shared on her tribute page at prayfuneral.com. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 28, 2021, at 2 p.m. in the Pray Funeral Home Gardens in Charlotte with Pastor Charles Jenson officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the service and beginning at 12 noon. The funeral will be webcast and can be viewed from any device with internet access by going to prayfuneral.com. Click on Carol’s tribute, and then click on photos and videos. A memorial service is also being planned for Carol at a later date in New York. The family has suggested that memorial contributions be made to Camp Bravehearts, 9 Cambridge Road, Albany, New York 12203 or Braveheartscamp.org. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Jerry L. Cords
Jerry Lee Cords, a caring, genuine, hardworking and loyal, father, grandfather, brother and friend, died August 25, 2021. Jerry, 79, was born August 24, 1942, in Charlotte, Mich. to Loyd and Florence (Boyd) Cords. He was a graduate of Olivet High School. On September 23, 1961, Jerry married the love of his life Marilyn Serrels and together started their legacy. Working hard was no fear for Jerry, he worked very hard to provide for his family. He worked alongside his father, brother, and in later years his sons for LJT Well Drilling, and as a cash crop farmer and the owner of FML Inc. Jerry was very proud to be able to pass his work ethic down to his children who followed in his footsteps with working on the family farm and well drilling business. When Jerry was not farming or working, he enjoyed hunting, especially hunting trips out west, fishing, horse pulling, going to local tractor pulls, and taking trips around the country in his motorhome. Jerry had the honor of receiving the Honorary Member FFA chapter award for his volunteer work with the FFA over the years. Above all his proudest accomplishments was his family, and his successful farming operations that he created.
Jerry is survived by his sons, Loyd (Angie) Cords, John (Sherry) Cords, Seth (Jill) Cords; grandchildren, Jennifer, Cody (Samantha), Blaine and Allison Cords; great-grandchildren, Jake and Delilah Crowner; siblings, Terry (Emma) Cords, Connie (Jim) Hiatt. Jerry was predeceased by his wife of 30 years, Marilyn; granddaughter, Paige Cords; grandson, JC Cords; brother, Lonnie Cords; and his parents.
Friends are encouraged to support Jerry’s family at visitation and funeral services. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, August 31, 2021, at 11 a.m. at the family farm in Charlotte with Pastor Scott Brood officiating. Visitation is Monday, August 30, 2021, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. in the Pray Funeral Home Gardens. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to The Paige Cords Memorial Fund to benefit local 4-H and FFA projects. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Jerry on his tribute page at PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Oscar Wood
Oscar “Pete” Wood, 87, passed comfortably in his home in Charlotte, Mich. on August 23, 2021, with family. He was born July 24, 1934, in Eaton Rapids, Mich. to Carl and Gladys (Norris) Wood. He joined the Marine Corps after graduating high school. After his time as a marine, he met his sweetheart, Ruth Collin. They married in 1960. He retired from GM/UAW 652 after 31 years. With Ruth, they fostered 85 children. He was an avid bowler and he and Ruth enjoyed traveling and spending quality time with family and friends.
Pete was predeceased by his parents; wife, Ruth Wood; and siblings, Carl Wood Jr., Betty Dilday, Dorothy Carpenter, Lawrence Wood, Sharon McManus, and Jerry Wood. He is survived by his children, David (Tina) Pepera, Kevin (Nancy) Pepera, Julie (Ernie) Kunkel, and Jeffrey (Melinda) Wood; grandchildren, Chase Pepera, Tyler Pepera, Shannon Pena, Chris Day, Chelsea Post, Lexie Shumaker, Devon Wood, Bailey Wood, Marissa Wood, Jason Baker, Amanda Munson, Krystal Day, Amber Banaszak, Brooke Russell, Katie Levering; and several great-grandchildren. Pete is also survived by sister-in-law, Shirley Wood.
Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Pete on his tribute page at PrayFuneral.com. Visitation will be Sunday, August 29, 2021, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte. The funeral will be Monday, August 30, 2021, at 11 a.m. with Pastor Charles Jenson officiating. The funeral will be webcast so you may watch it from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device that has internet access. Go to PrayFuneral.com, click on Pete’s tribute, then click on photos and videos from your computer (or media from your smart phone). If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Hospice of Lansing or Eaton Community Palliative Care. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Thomas E. Orr
Thomas Eugene Orr, of Eaton Rapids, passed away at home surrounded by his loving family, August 17, 2021, at the age of 55. Tom was born in Jackson, Mich., July 18, 1966, the son of Edmund and Irene (Fitzgerald) Orr. He graduated from Everett High School in 1984 and served with the US Marine Corps. Tom worked for the Board of Water and Light for the past 35 years where he finished his career as a supervisor in the Steam Department. He was an avid Harley rider, owning three of his own, loved working on them, enjoyed listening to rock and roll music and hunting.
Thomas is survived by his wife, Roxy Orr; son, Cody Orr of Eaton Rapids; grandson, Blake Orr of Eaton Rapids; sister, Becky Olson of Traverse City. He was preceded in death by his parents.
No services are planned at this time. Memorial contributions may be made to the VFW National Home for Children, 3573 S. Waverly Rd. Eaton Rapids, MI 48827. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel. To leave online condolences please visit their website at millsfuneral.com.