Obituaries
Caren J. Miller
Caren Joyce Miller, of Holt, passed away June 22, 2021 at the age of 46. Caren was born in Lansing, Mich., January 30, 1975, the daughter of Paul and Cheryl (Vlaz) Miller. She graduated from Eaton Rapids High School in 1994. Caren made bookmarks and sewed using plastic canvases. Some of her favorite pasttimes were talking on the phone to her mother, listening to Christian music and audio books and playing various games, including UNO, Skip-Bo, Yahtzee and Lego’s.
Caren is survived by her mother, Cheryl Miller of Holt; daughters, Sarah Levasseur of Holt and Irene Levasseur of Charlotte; brother, Paul (Liana) Miller of Ohio; grandmother, Shirley Vlaz; aunts and uncles, Kay (Chris) Stahl, Dane (Linda) Vlaz, Grace (Lonnie) Wolfe, Becky (Joe) Hinton; special friends, Lana Bumgart and Annette Evans; and her cats, Rascal, Rosie and Smokey. She was preceded in death by her father, Paul Miller; grandparents, Dane and Betty Vlaz, Fred Miller and Laura (Ryan) Serage; sister, Christy Miller.
Memorial services will be 12 p.m. on Saturday, July 10, 2021 at the Eaton Rapids Assembly of God Church, with visitation taking place one hour prior to the service. Memorial contributions may be made to the ALS Foundation. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. To place online condolences, please visit millsfuneral.com.
Betty L. Polhamus
Betty Louise Polhamus, age 90, of Lansing, formerly of Charlotte, passed away peacefully at home with her family by her side on Wednesday, June 23, 2021. She was born September 16, 1930, in Lansing the daughter of James and Mary (Salter) Polhamus. Betty graduated from Charlotte High School in 1948. She went on to attend Lansing Community College where she earned her nursing degree. Betty was a true caregiver and loved her work as a nurse for over 30 years at Hayes Green Beech Hospital. It was there that she was known for her quote “you’re not the only pebble on the beach.” She was very active with the Eaton County Genealogical Society and enjoyed the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Redwings, and all MSU Spartan Sports. She was a devoted Christian and faithfully served Him throughout her life.
Betty is survived by her children, Mark VerStrate Tampa, Fla., Susan Polhamus of Lansing; grandchildren, Magan (Jason) Eikenberry, Heather (Alex) Denslow-Hue, Alaina Kreger, Katie (Brad) Reed, Jordan (Brittany Gray) Smith, Ian VerStrate; five great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; siblings, John (Ruth) Polhamus, James Polhamus, Mary Heath, Jay (Marsha) Homan; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings: Robert (Martha) Polhamus, Eugene Polhamus, Arlene (Earl) Frith, Esther (Charles Clark) Homan, Theresa Homan, Thomas Homan; nieces and nephews: Joel Homan, Julie Clark, David Polhamus, Jimmy Polhamus, and Robert Polhamus Jr.
The family received friends on Friday, June 25, 2021, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home. A private family service took place at the funeral home. Burial took place at Millerburg Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Betty’s honor to Sparrow Hospice.
To view Betty’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit burkhead-green-kilgo.com.
Isabelle R. M. Turner
Isabelle Rose Marie Turner, daughter of Stephen Turner II and Nicole Dugan, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 20, 2021. Isabelle was born May 5, 2021 in Lansing. Isabelle is survived by her mother, Nicole Dugan; father, Stephen Turner II; older brother, Xavier Turner; grandparents, Katie Valdez, Russell (Brenda) Dugan, Cindy Jo Villanueva, Stephen Turner; great-grandparents, Cindy Bedker, Gary (Tracy) Valdez, Judith Turner, Lori Robertson; great-great-grandparents, Millie Handley, Betty Bennett, Roberta Dugan; uncles, Dillon Valdez, Ahmani Knox, Russell Dugan Jr., Camden Dugan, Justin Turner, Konrad Hester, Zachary Turner; aunts, Tonia Hoeflinger, Heather Gingrich, Tristin Turner, Rachel Turner, Logan Turner, Ava Turner; and numerous cousins, great-aunts and uncles. Isabelle is predeceased by great-grandparents, Patricia Villanueva-Dimond, Luiz Villanueva, Stephen Turner; great-great-grandparents, Charlene Reed, Jess Bennett; cousin, Azariah Stec, and great-aunt, Liberty Fraizer;
A funeral service was held at 3 p.m. on Friday, June 25, 2021 at Pray Funeral Home. Visitation was from 1 to 3 p.m on Friday, June 25, 2021 at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte, MI. Memorial contributions may be made to the family to assist with expenses, payable to Stephen Turner and Nicole Dugan . Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Isabelle on her tribute page at prayfuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home.
Terry Klont
Terry “Yogi” Klont, a wonderful husband, father, and friend, died peacefully on Friday, June 18, 2021, from complications of Parkinson’s Disease and Dementia, surrounded by his family. Terry, 60, was born August 20, 1960, in Charlotte, Mich., the son of Pete and Judith (Bailey) Klont. He graduated from Charlotte High School in 1978. On October 8, 1988 Terry married Sondra McCormick. Terry worked at General Motors as a Journeyman Tool and Die Maker. He retired from there with more than 30 years of employment. Terry was active in the Charlotte Junior Orioles, girls high school golf, and teaching Special Olympics golf. He was also a past member of the Sons of the American Legion. He owned Klonts Kustom Klubs, where he made golf clubs, and Klonts Kustom Kooking, which he operated with his brother Jeff.
Since his retirement he and Sondra and family enjoyed many years at their lake house. He was very proud of all of his grandchildren. He was known as the life of the party and always had a joke to tell. Besides his family, Terry’s second love was golf. For 26 years he organized the Yogi Invitational golf outing.
Terry is survived by his wife, Sondra; sons, Gene (Selena) Bennett, Todd Klont, Steve (Lisa) Klont, Scott (Anne) Belanger; daughter, Jenny (Brian) Bingaman; grandchildren, Landon, Bailey, Kiley, McKale, Smith, and Brynne; brothers, Jeff (Debbie) and Pete (Lauri); niece, Kelsey; nephews, Jacob and Karson; father-in-law, Gene McCormick; and Aunt, Marion Jones. He was predeceased by his parents, Uncle Rod Klont, and mother-in-law Virginia McCormick.
Friends are encouraged to support Terry’s family by sharing memories on his tribute page at prayfuneral.com. At Terry’s request, there will be no service or visitation. Cremation has taken place. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Michigan Parkinson Foundation or Charlotte Athletic Boosters. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Scott E. Toney
Scott Edward Toney, also known as Slickster and Scotty T, age 41, of Bellevue, Mich. passed away unexpectedly on June 17, 2021, in Jackson, Mich. Scott was born on October 18, 1979, in Battle Creek, MI to parents Carl T. and Sharon K. (Peck) Toney.
During his childhood, Scott participated in Boy Scouts, 4-H, and enjoyed sports of all kinds which carried on throughout his entire life. His pitching was a force to be reckoned with at every level of baseball and softball he played.
Scott was a stay-at-home dad as well as an incredible homemaker and loved playing outside with his children, wife, and fur babies. He enjoyed the outdoors, everything from fishing to yard work to riding and driving recreational vehicles with his cousins and neighborhood friends. He also loved kayaking down the river with his family and friends, even by himself at times to enjoy God’s beauty. Scott coached his daughter’s softball and basketball teams (with his wife, Zimmy, and Lacy) from the time they started playing until the high school coaches took over. He enjoyed taking them to as many tournaments as he could. He was also very involved in each of his girls’ dance careers at Dance Dynamics, where they followed throughout the years, in their Aunt Melinda’s footsteps. Scott took great pride in the upkeep of his property including trails for the family and pets to enjoy whether by foot or on wheels. His favorite holiday has always been the 4th of July which he spent at Lyon Lake with his friends and family. He loved the Detroit Red Wings and Michigan State Spartans. Scott also enjoyed riding in the wind and had the shot of a sniper while enjoying target practice throughout the years. We know he was a believer and met at the gates of Heaven by all those who left before him.
Scott is survived by wife, Mandy L. (Arrington) Toney whom he loving referred to as “Mandalicious;” his three daughters, McKenna “My Angel/Kenna Kaye,” McKayla “My Princess/Kayla Rie” and MacKenzie “My Monkey/Kenzer;” parents, Carl and Sharon Toney of Marshall, Mich.; sister, Melinda Holbrook (Adam); nephew, Addison Holbrook; niece, Ashlynn Holbrook; many bonus children, Thomas Mason, Jayna Morris, Madison McClain, Harley Pritchard, Rylie Powell, Karley King, Kourtney King, Karter King and many others throughout the years; brothers for life, Tony Travis (Jessica), and Joe Dow (Tiffany); special friends for life, Brianna Novak (Jeff), Jason Clemmens (Jeanette), Jason Huggett (Lisa) and Chris Hazen (Melissa Eich); many aunts, uncles and cousins in the Toney, Peck, Arrington, McKiddie and Byrens families.
Scott was preceded in death by grandparents, Ceibert and Kathleen Toney, L.D. and Irene Peck, and Grandpa Johnny MacK Arrington; uncles, Beauford Toney and Michael Toney.
Visitation was held at Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services in Marshall, Mich. on Thursday, June 24, 2021, with Pastor Matt Rohde of Springport Bible Church officiating. Cremation followed.
For those desiring to contribute to Scott’s memory, an Educational Fund is being set up for McKenna, McKayla and MacKenzie. Please make contributions payable to Mandy Toney, as a trust is being set up at Marshall Credit Union as soon as possible. You may also leave a personal message for the family and sign the online guestbook at kempffuneralhome.com.