Obituaries
Michael W. Lyon
Michael Wayne Lyon, of Eaton Rapids, passed away June 3, 2021, at the age of 56. Michael was born in Eaton Rapids, October 25, 1964, the son of Jerry and Janice Lyon. He was a 1983 graduate of Eaton Rapids High School. Michael was a member of the Michigan Milk Production Association, the Dairy Herd Improvement Association and Farm Bureau. He devoted his life to his dairy farm working from graduation till the day the Lord called him home. Michael won many awards for being the top production herd in Eaton and Barry County.
Michael is survived by his parents; brothers, Eric Lyon of Springfield, Mo., David Lyon of Mason, Russell (Shelley) Lyon of Mason; his beloved dogs Harley and Willey.
Funeral services took place on Wednesday, June 9, 2021, at the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel. Those desiring may make memorial contributions to the Wildside Rehabilitation and Education Center, 8601 Houston Rd., Eaton Rapids, MI 48827 or to the donor’s choice of charity. To place online condolences, please visit millsfuneral.com.
Robert Dale Milbourn
Robert “Bob” Dale Milbourn, age 84, of Republic, Missouri, formerly of Michigan, died May 30, 2021. The family is in the care of Meadors Funeral Home (meadorsfuneralhome.com).
Murray Marsh
Murray “Mule” Marsh died saving puppies from a burning building. Well, maybe not. We all know how much he loved telling stories. Saying goodbye to a man like Murray is hard because he was larger than life. He was a presence in more ways than one. Physically, you couldn’t miss him. His shoulders alone cleared the way in many crowds. Many of you may have seen more of him than you wished to at the dinner table but as he would say “if you don’t like it, don’t look.” His style was one of a kind. Yes, he was a physical legend, but his personality shone even brighter. Murray was an honest, kindhearted, hardworking, generous man who was also a little stubborn sometimes – okay, all the time. He was someone you trusted that you could call on when you needed a lift or a laugh. His humor was unbridled, and he often told jokes at your expense and we loved it. He’d often steal your milk when you weren’t looking or shift the car into neutral from the passenger seat just to see the look on your face when you noticed what he’d done.
He was a wonderful son, husband, father, grandfather, and a devoted friend. He was a retired welder for General Motors, an Army veteran, a township official, a champion weightlifter, and a very proud farmer. He was a simple man. He travelled the world but always found home to be his favorite place. He took great pride in caring for the people and land around him and he was never without a four-legged buddy by his side. He taught us so much about life and when we look to the future without him, we will find ourselves asking, “what would Murray do?”
With Murray you knew exactly where you stood because he did not waste his time. When he loved you, he really loved you, and you knew it. Murray leaves behind countless individuals whose lives will not be the same without him, including his wife of nearly 60 years, Betty; his daughters, Terri (Dean) Hanton, Jerri (Jeff) Blust, and Kelli (Col. Mike) Shreves; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and his brother, Morris (Joan) Marsh; and many very close friends. He was predeceased by his parents, Garry and Jackie Marsh. We will miss him every day but will remember him whenever we smell the scent of fresh-mowed grass or enjoy some butter pecan ice cream.
Join us in honoring the life of Murray “Mule” Marsh on Sunday, June 13, 2021, at 2 p.m. at 8495 Bridge Highway, Dimondale. For your comfort, please bring your own chairs. “Murray casual” dress is required. A sweatshirt with cut off sleeves is optional. The funeral will be webcast so you may watch it from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device that has internet access. Go to www.prayfuneral.com, click on Murray’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Kathleen L. Vance
Kathleen “Kathy” Lynn Vance, loud, full of laughter, loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away on Friday, May 28, 2021. Kathy, 56, of Dimondale, was born August 14, 1964, in Hastings, Mich., the daughter of William and Patsy (McMillen) Semrau. She began working for the Charlotte Public Schools as a bus driver and later took on the role as the transportation supervisor. Kathy has touched the lives of so many people throughout her 27 years at Charlotte Public Schools. She was passionate and bossy, however she wasn’t just a boss, she was a friend. Kathy will be remembered for her ability to connect with anyone that she crossed paths with. Later in life Kathy married Richard Vance, and together the couple took on a love for motorcycles. Kathy wanted to become that “biker chick.” The couple joined the Capital Harley Owners Group “HOG,” and created a large circle of friends. Her hobbies include camping (or should we say glamping), being in the sun, collecting knick knacks, candles – well anything that smelled good, and she also loved bling and sparkles. Above all Kathy’s biggest passion in her life was her family. Her family will always cherish her love of Christmas and the items that she gifted, and also her love for the family Christmas tree.
Kathy is survived by her husband, Richard; children, Tucker (Michelle) Fuller, Dalton (Karin) Fuller; parents, William and Patsy Semrau; siblings, Brenda (Michael) Mauk, Jack (Samantha) Semrau; stepchildren, Christi (Don) Grinnell, Jason (Trisha) Vance; grandchildren, Benjamin, Hunter, Madelyn, Christine, Trason; and countless close friends. She was predeceased by her grandparents.
Friends are encouraged to support Kathy’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her tribute page at prayfuneral.com. Visitation is Saturday, June 5, 2021, from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Charlotte High School football field, followed by funeral services at 11 a.m., with her Uncle Michael “Mick” McMillian officiating. Mask, group capacity, and distancing guidelines will be practiced. 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 Kathy’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 the family to assist with ongoing medical expenses for her husband Richard, checks payable to Dalton Fuller. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Troy Bass
Troy Bass, 51, of Vermontville, died on Friday, April 23, 2021 in Bellevue Township from injuries sustained in an auto accident.
Troy was born on May 18, 1969 in Battle Creek to Larry A. and Loralie A. (Cronk) Bass. He graduated from Bellevue High School in 1987. He married Michele Ameling and together they had a daughter, Sara. On May 23, 2001, he married Cindy S. Rugg-Beers and they raised a blended family of three children together for nearly 20 years.
Troy worked at several different auto manufacturing plants in the Lansing area. He recently retired from Loc Performance. Troy was a member of Bellevue Conservation Club and National Rifle Association. Troy and Cindy enjoyed traveling and going on vacations, and their favorite was a cruise they took in 2019. He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting, fishing, and an avid Michigan State University fan. Troy also enjoyed camping, and spent many summers camping with his friends at Lake of Dreams campground in Merrill. Troy had passion for hunting and outdoors which he enjoyed sharing with others, teaching hunter safety for many years.
He is survived by his wife Cindy; children Sara (Jake) Esselink, Clayton (Kayla) Beers and Rachelle Beers; his father and step-mother Larry and Diane Bass; grandchildren, Julia, Chase, Adalyn, Bentley and Kyler; siblings Danny (Kelly) Bass and Michelle (John) Bush; nieces and nephews, Kenneth Bass, Joshua Bass, Hailey French, Brynlee Bass. He was preceded in death by his mother, Loralie Hunter on April 23, 2021 and step-father Ross Hunter on April 10, 2021.
Visitation will take place from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Friday, June 18, 2021 at the Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services, 205 N. Elizabeth Street, Bellevue, MI 49021, with funeral service taking place at 1 p.m. Interment will follow at Bellevue Riverside Cemetery. Memorial contributions are requested to the family to help with Cindy’s medical expenses (payable to Clayton Beers). Memorial contributions may be mailed to the Kempf Funeral Home, P.O. Box 519, Marshall, MI 49068 for delivery to the charity. Leave a personal message for the family and sign the online guestbook at https://www.kempffuneralhome.com.