Obituaries
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.
Yvonne S. Stults
Yvonne Sue Stults, a soft spoken, family-oriented woman who always had an answer, died July 27, 2021. Yvonne, 67, was born August 1, 1953, in Charlotte to Lyle and Shirley (Bursley) Royston. She enjoyed reading, especially books about royalty. She was a collector, collecting stamps and coins, and birthday cards, she saved them all. She enjoyed going to garage sales in search of antiques, doing word-puzzles, tap dancing, roller-skating, going to church with her parents and grandparents, spending time with her family and friends, and going to car shows with Gary. She also was a big fan of the Kentucky Derby and horse racing. She was a 4-H leader where she taught ceramics for Spaulding 4-H Club. She worked as an injection molder for Dare Products, Inc., and enjoyed their home in Bellevue. Her parents said she was the perfect daughter. She was always on time and very organized. When Yvonne found out she was sick, she started writing an instruction book for the rest of the family on how to . . . just about everything. Her grandchildren meant everything to her, it was all about the grandkids.
Yvonne is survived by her loving parents, Lyle and Shirley Royston; children, Jerry Bracy, Laura (Russ) Crosslan, Jeff (Carla) Stults, Vicki Stasi; grandchildren, Brooke (Tyler) Sheppard, Kerstin (Chris) Smith, Olivia Rushmore, Gauge Linn, R.J. Crosslan, Jakob Crosslan, Scott (Jessica) Stults and Jenna (Blake) Shay; great-grandchildren, Jaylinn, Colton and Paisley Smith, Chyenne, Scott Jr., and Madison Stults; and nephew, Shelby Royston.
Yvonne was predeceased by death by her husband, Gary Lee Stults; grandparents, Leo (Freda) Royston, Helen Matter, Melvin Bursley; great-grandparents, George (Elsie) Reed; brother, Melvin Lyle Royston; and son-in-law, Dominic Stasi.
Yvonne’s funeral services were held on Saturday, July 31, 2021, at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Pastor Randy Royston officiating. Graveside services followed at Bosworth Cemetery. After the Graveside services the family invited guests to join them for a luncheon at the Church of Christ in Charlotte where they held a Celebration of Life honoring both Gary Lee and Yvonne Sue Stults. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Eaton Community Palliative Care. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Yvonne on her tribute page at PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.