Obituaries
Aletha M. Beals
Aletha Marguerite Beals of Charlotte, a soft soul who loved her family dearly, passed away on May 21, 2021 in Lansing, Mich. She was born on March 7, 1938 to Herman and Dorothy (Dickerson) Durbin in Lansing, Mich. She grew up and graduated from High School in Potterville. On July 8, 1957, she married Stanley Beals and together they raised four children.
Aletha was a soft soul who was one of the most non-judgmental people you may ever meet. Even though she was one who preferred quiet settings as opposed to big crowds, she loved having her large family gather at her home for holidays and other occasions. Her family enjoyed her talents as a cook. Some of their favorites were her blueberry pies, rhubarb crunch, homemade donuts, and her many wonderful Christmas treats. She also loved to crochet numerous items for her children and grandchildren including blankets and doll clothes. Over the years she even surprised family and friends with her ability to play the organ and the banjo! She loved spending time with her husband, Stanley. The two of them were often fishing partners in both local and distant fishing spots.
Aletha is survived by her two sons, Anthony (Serenia) Beals, Larry (Laurie) Beals; daughter, Lisa Phillips; and her sisters, Harriett (Roy) Eitner, Kate (Charles) Tegethoff, and Dorothy (Jerry) Tegethoff. She was preceded in death by her husband, Stanley Otis Beals; and her son, Ron Beals.
A Celebration of Aletha’s life will take place at the Masonic Temple in Charlotte on Sunday, June 13, at 12 noon. Friends and family are also encouraged to share memories of Aletha on her tribute page at PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Ronnie D. Binning Sr.
Ronnie Dean Binning Sr., age 77, of Lansing, formerly of Potterville, passed away Friday, November 13, 2020, at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing. He was born June 13, 1943, in Alton, Ill. the son of Everett and Verna (Snider) Binning. On April 4, 1963, Ronnie married the love of his life, Shirley Jean Holtorf in Woodriver, Ill.
Ronnie retried after 30 years of service from Owens Illinois in Charlotte, where he worked as a gage-shop mechanic. Ronnie had a witty sense of humor, loved to talk and everyone called him Grandpa. He would often say “If you lost your sense of humor, you lost it all!” Ronnie enjoyed collecting coins, playing cards, completing crossword puzzles, and raising chickens. He had a big heart and was always willing to lend a helping hand. Family meant everything to Ronnie. He cherished his wife and children but he had a special place in his heart for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Ronnie is survived by his wife of 57 years, Shirley; children, Kristine (Mark Boeckmann) Kelso of Lansing, Ronnie Dean Binning Jr. of LaVergne, Tenn., Dawn Binning of Lansing; grandchildren: Ryan (Kelly), Bethany, Benjamin (Heather), Tyler (Iceley), Allison (Austin), Keyanna (Dominque), Morgan; great-grandchildren, Aiden, Braeden, Vincent, Sophia; sister, Connie (John) Clark of Cottage Hills, Ill.; three sisters-in-law; two brothers-in-law; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Richard, Gerald, and Clem (Barb) Binning.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 5, 2021, at 11 a.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 Ronnie’s honor to the charity of their choosing.
To view Ronnie’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit burkhead-green-kilgo.com.
Jo Jean Parks
Jo Jean Parks, age 67, of Olivet, passed away on Wednesday, May 19, 2021 at Rachel’s AFC in Holt, Mich.Jo Jean was born in Battle Creek to Lester and Grace (Morehouse) Parks on March 23, 1954.
Jo Jean was loved unconditionally by her family and reciprocated that same love back to them. She was a funny person and loved to clown around. Wherever you would find Jo Jean, you could be sure that you would find her having fun!
She will be lovingly missed by her sisters, Jennifer Miller of Olivet, Judy (Gary) Owens of Leesburg, Fla.; niece, Teri (Jim) Trudeau and their daughter Lyndsey of Olivet; nephews, Gary Brown and Brett Reinke. She will also be missed by Rachel Abede, of Holt, who lovingly cared for Jo Jean for the last several years. Those desiring, may make contributions online in Jo Jean’s memory to Feeding America at feedingamerica.org.
Cremation has taken place and no services will be held.
To view Jo Jean’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family, please visit Burkhead-Green-Kilgo.com.
The family is being served by the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home, Charlotte, MI.
Connie S. Shaw
Connie Sue (Mominee) Shaw, age 67, of Manistique, passed away at her home on May 24, 2021 with her family at her side. She was born in Lansing, Mich., on March 30, 1954, the daughter of Michael James Mominee and Dreama Lee (McQueen) Mominee. She attended school in Eaton Rapids, Mich. graduating with the class of 1972.
Connie spent the greater part of her life in Eaton Rapids and worked as a customer service representative in the insurance business. She moved to Manistique in 2013. She attended the First Baptist Church in Manistique. She loved coaching softball and baseball, and was a big fan of the Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Cubs and MSU Spartans. What she treasured most was spending time with family, especially her kids and grandkids.
She is survived by her mother Dreama Mominee of Manistique; her sons, Tim (Mary) Noble of Manistique, and Troy (Katy) Noble of Phoenix, Ariz.; daughters, Tricia Noble of Manistique, and Megan Shaw of Eaton Rapids, Mich.; her sister Kerri (Derek Smith) Mominee of Warren, Mich.; and 11 grandchildren, Connor, Alex, Joe, Cecilia, Will, Dreama, Amelia, Trevor, Gracelyn, Georgia, and Ava. She is also survived by many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her father, Michael “Jim” Mominee, and grandchildren Ryan, Lucia, and Maria.
Visitation will be held at Fausett Family Funeral Homes in Manistique on Tuesday, June 1, 2021, from 2 to 5:00 p.m. with memorial services held at 5 p.m. with the Reverend Dr. Jay Martin officiating. Burial will take place at Lakeview Cemetery on Wednesday, June 2, 2021, at 10:00 a.m.
Memorial contributions in Connie’s name can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, the Manistique Area Little League at P.O. Box 263, Manistique, MI 49854 or the Manistique Hockey Association at P.O. Box 75, Manistique, MI 49854.
Fausett Family Funeral Homes of Manistique is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be posted on their website at fausettfh.com.
Joseph M. McNamara
Joseph Martin McNamara, age 69, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 19, 2021 in Petoskey Mich. He was born on June 30, 1951 in Eaton Rapids, Mich., the sixth of 17 children of Martin and Evelyn (Lancour) McNamara. As a child with many siblings, Joe kept busy with family chores, backyard games of baseball, hikes to Haskell’s Hill, ice skating on the nearby rivers, swamps and rinks, ending many summer days in long games of neighborhood hide and seek. Joe was an active member of the Boy Scouts of America. He graduated from Eaton Rapids High School in 1969, during the Vietnam War era. Joe immediately entered the US Air Force reaching the rank of Sgt E-4, Station Clerk. He served in Europe and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Air Force Good Conduct Medal. Return to civilian life was not easy for Joe and he spent much of his adult life in adult foster homes where he made many lasting friendships. He enjoyed being out of doors hiking, kayaking with family and riding his bicycle. Joe loved spending time with his family, especially playing cards at the dining room table with his mother. He enjoyed family trips to Beaver Island and many outings with his sister Peg and frequent visits with brothers Gary and Pat.
Joseph was preceded in death by his parents Martin and Evelyn; sister and husband Rhea and Mike Seeley; brothers Lawrence and Vincent; brother and wife Patrick and Carol. He is survived by brothers Gary (Julie), Mitch (Helen), Robert (Tom), Christopher (Nancy), Theodore (Nancy), Steven (Brigid); sisters Lynn (Herb) Blue, Nanette (Gerry) Holden, Kathleen (Mike Green), Peg Wilcox (Julie Nathe), Mary and Susan (Floyd) Baker; sisters-in-law Sue (Lawrence) and JoAnn (Vincent); numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation was held at Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids on Monday, May 24, followed by a memorial service, then burial at Rose Hill Cemetery in Eaton Rapids. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the St Vincent DePaul, Eaton Rapids Chapter. To leave online condolences, please visit MillsFuneral.com.