Obituaries
Florence Powers
Florence E. Powers, age 102, of Brookfield Township, passed away Tuesday, June 15, 2021. Florence was born March 19, 1919, at the family farm in Lee Township, the daughter of Harley F. and Bessie E. (Oxby) King. As a child attending country school, she would ride her pony, Colonel, to school each day. She went on to graduate from Olivet High School. On January 7, 1939, she married Robert “Bob” Powers. Together Florence and Bob raised their family on their farm on Powers Highway. She was a farm wife in the truest sense of the word. Florence would milk, feed calves, run tractor, and keep her household running like a top. She hated to see things go to waste and would freeze or can anything she could. She was a magnificent cook and enjoyed fixing meals for her entire family or anyone who would stop by. Florence served as the Brookfield Township Treasure until age 90. She was an active and devoted member of the Brookfield United Methodist Church. Florence was always ready and willing to help the church with all of their activities. You could always find her at the monthly pancake breakfast bustling around helping wherever she was able.
Florence is survived by her son, Larry (Cindi) Powers; grandchildren: Doug (Tammy McKay) Roiter, Dan (Ann) Roiter, Annette (Doug McKillop) Andrews, Derek (Chasity) Powers, Vaughn (Lindy) Powers; eight great-grandchildren; and one great great-grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Robert; son, Gary; and daughter, Sharon (Earl) Roiter.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 19, 2021 at 10 a.m. at Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home, with Rev. Irene Vittoz officiating. The family received friends on Friday, June 18, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will take place at Lee Center Cemetery.
Those desiring, may make contributions in Florence’s honor to the Brookfield United Methodist Church.
To view Florence’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com.
Michael J. Malinoski
Michael James Malinoski, age 46, died on May 27, 2021. He was a resident of Lansing, Mich. He was a wood worker. Funeral services were held on Monday, June 7, 2021. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home.
Gary L. May
Gary Lee May, age 74, of Charlotte, passed away Monday, June 7, 2021. He was born July 6, 1946, at the family farm outside of Eaton Rapids, the son of Dale E. and Marjorie E. (Hill) May. Gary went on to graduate from Charlotte High School in 1964. On September 25, 1965, Gary married Carol Jean Barrus at the Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church in Charlotte. Gary loved his family with a deep devotion and was especially fond of his grandchildren. He was very mechanical and could make or fix anything. He worked at Spartan Motors for several years where he worked as a trainer/mechanic. In his spare time he enjoyed hunting.
Gary is survived by his wife of 55 years, Carol; children: Richard (Jenifer) May of Eaton Rapids, David (Zinda) May of Cal., Lorie (Mark) Eaton of Dimondale; six grandchildren; siblings, Les (Cindy) May of Lansing; Dennis (Marsha) May of Charlotte; and Bill May of Lansing.
He was preceded in death by his parents; grandson, Carson Eaton; and sister, Darlene Bush.
The family received friends on Friday, June 11, 2021, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home.
Those desiring, may make contributions in Gary’s honor to the American Cancer Society at donate3.cancer.org.
To view Gary’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit Burkhead-Green-Kilgo.com.
Dennis C. Hale
Dennis C. Hale, 77, of Charlotte, passed away on Saturday, June 5, 2021 in Lansing. Dennis was born April 14, 1944, in Charlotte, the son of Donald T. and Edith Louise (Wonser) Hale. He graduated from Charlotte High School in 1963 before starting his career in Tool and Die. He worked for 25 years at AE Hoover in Charlotte until its closure, then for Eaton Stamping in Eaton Rapids, and finally at Eaton Corp in Marshall, which also closed and marked his retirement. In the years following, he worked with Max Simpson manufacturing tractor pulling parts. He was a member of the Charlotte Motorcycle Club and every Sunday participated in motorcycle hill climbing, all over the state, where he won many trophies. Dennis was a member of the Masons, the Eaton County Buck Club, and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and tractors. He loved taking trips on the motorcycle out West and to the Blue Ridge Mountains, camping along the way. He also loved TV Westerns, one of his favorites being Gunsmoke. Above all, Dennis loved his family. He married Karla Seeley on Valentine’s Day 1963, and the two raised two sons. They always made time for special family outings and created countless happy memories along the way.
Dennis is survived by his wife Karla; sons, Dean Hale and Dan Hale; grandchildren, Rebecca (Mike) Skinner and Dalton Hale; and brother Darryl (Sue) Hale. He was predeceased by his parents and brother, David Hale.
Friends are encouraged to support Dennis’ family by attending services or sharing memories on Dennis’ tribute page at prayfuneral.com. Funeral services were held on Wednesday, June 9, 2021, at Pray Funeral Home Gardens in Charlotte. In memory of Dennis, the family suggests that you do something special with your family. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
James L. Greenman
James Levi Greenman, age 78, of Olivet, passed away Sunday, March 8, 2020, at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing with his family by his side. He was born April 2, 1941, in Kalamazoo the son of Leslie and Dorothy (Roberts) Greenman. Jim graduated from Vicksburg High School in 1959. He then studied agriculture at Michigan State University. On September 7, 1969, Jim married Noreene Stearns in Galesburg, Mich. Jim worked many different jobs throughout his life, but his heart was always on the farm. He had a love for horses, and he was especially fond of his draft horses. You could often find him winning or near the top of many different plowing competitions. Jim was a social man who thoroughly enjoyed visiting with others. He would often hand out $2 bills or silver dollars to someone just to strike up a conversation. Jim also enjoyed reading books about the old west. From ranching, the pioneers, to the history of the American frontier, Jim enjoyed them all. He enjoyed watching college basketball but supporting his grandchildren in their school sporting events and 4-H was of an utmost importance.
Jim is survived by his wife of 50 years, Noreene; daughter, Rachael (Tony) Eye of Charlotte; son, Chad Greenman of Olivet; grandchildren, Levi Greenman, Morgan Ann Greenman, Madison Eye, Abigail Eye, Ryder Greenman; sister, Jeanette Ridgley of Three Rivers.
He was preceded in death by his parents and parents-in-law, Frank and Margaret Stearns.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 19, 2021, at 2 p.m. at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
Those desiring, may make contributions in Jim’s honor to the Michigan Draft Horse Breeders Association.
To view Jim’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit burkhead-green-kilgo.com.