Obituaries
Ronald Lee Place
Ronald Lee Place, 79, passed away peacefully on April 13, 2024. He was born in Eaton Rapids on December 3, 1944, to Howard and Twila (Greenslade) Place.
Ron graduated from Olivet High School in 1963. At OHS, he lettered in football, basketball, and track and met his wife-to-be, Laura Westgate. He earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Olivet College in 1973, where he also participated on the football team as a tight end and kicker. He began his coaching and teaching career at Climax Scotts in 1973 as a JV football coach and an elementary physical education teacher. Soon after, in 1974, he began coaching and teaching at Bellevue Middle School and High School as a physical education teacher, assistant football coach, freshmen basketball coach, and assistant track coach. He went on to coach football, as an offensive line coach, for several years at Olivet College. He also coached freshmen football and girls track at Pennfield High School in the mid-1980’s. Most of his lifelong efforts went into the track program at Bellevue where he coached for a total of 26 years and where the track is named in his honor. He taught physical education, health, and government at Bellevue High School until his retirement in 2002.
In retirement, Ron loved cars and enjoyed working on his 1976 Chevy El Camino, which he liked to take to various car shows around southern Michigan. He also loved being with his family and spending time with his grandchildren.
Ron is survived by his wife, Laura (Westgate) Place; two sons and their wives, Tracy (Nena) Place and Troy (Nicole) Place; five grandchildren, Cody Place, Amara Place, Colton Place, Jasper Vera, and Jessie Vera; one great grandson, Torin Place; two brothers, Bob Place and Daryl (Shirley) Place; and one sister, Sheila (Richard) Heisler.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Zelmadene and Norma Jean; and his brothers Herrold, Phillip, Merlyn, and Kevin.
At this time cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held on Monday, April 22, 2024 from 6-8 p.m. at Baxter Funeral & Cremation Service in Battle Creek.
In lieu of flowers, Ron wished that memorial contributions would be made to the Fire Department of Pennfield Charter Township. Arrangements provided by the Baxter Funeral & Cremation Service.
Thomas Irving Hansen
Thomas Irving Hansen of Eaton Rapids, passed away April 10, 2024, at the age of 91. Thomas was born in Douglass Township, Michigan on November 9, 1932, the son of Irving and Sada (Little) Hansen. He graduated from Eastern High School in 1951 and Michigan State University in 1958. Thomas was a proud Navy veteran who served during the Korean War. He and his wife were members of the First United Methodist Church in Eaton Rapids. Thomas retired from teaching in 1990. He was a dedicated teacher for Laingsburg, Fremont and Lansing Schools. Thomas enjoyed farming, gardening, reading, storytelling, European travel and Civil War re-enactments.
He is survived by his children, Julia (Scott) Barningham, Eric (April) Hansen; grandchildren, Jenna (Shane) Schnepp, Mathew (Savahna) Hansen, Kaitlynn Hansen, Caleb Hansen, Bradley Barningham; great grandchildren, Cooper Echevarria, Laurelin Hansen, Adelaide Hansen. Thomas was preceded in death by his parents; wife Judith Hansen in 2020; sisters, Marilyn Finnis and Alice Dausey.
Memorial Services will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Eaton Rapids on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. with visitation one hour prior. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 600 S. Main St, Eaton Rapids MI 48827, in loving memory of Thomas Irving Hansen. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. To leave condolences for the family, visit our website www.millsfuneral.com.
Randy Ward Johnson
Randy Ward Johnson, 69, of Eaton Rapids, MI, peacefully passed away on Sunday, April 7, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. Born on February 27, 1955, in Jackson, MI, Randy was the son of Tom and Jacqueline (Bos) Johnson. He spent his formative years in Jackson, graduating from Jackson High School in 1973. Randy embarked on a 25-year career as a corrections officer at Jackson Prison before retiring.
In retirement, Randy pursued his passion for antiques, immersing himself in buying and selling goods for the past 25 years. He had a fervent enthusiasm for Mopar Classic Cars, enjoyed building model cars, indulged in garage sales, and was a devoted fan of WWE wrestling.
Randy is preceded in death by his parents, Tom and Jacqueline, and his brother, Terry Johnson. He is survived by his beloved wife of 37 years, Judy Johnson; his children, Randy (Cindy) Johnson, Melissa Breese, Ben (Denae Baker) Johnson, and Elizabeth Bivins; his brother, Gerry (Linda) Johnson; a special friend, Rayette Ruoff; and numerous grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
A celebration of Randy’s life will be held in the summer of 2024. For those who wish to honor his memory, memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association. To share memories or offer condolences online, please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com
Mary Lou Hill
Mary Lou Hill, age 89, of Eaton Rapids, MI, passed away on April 5, 2024, in Tavares, FL. She was born in Eaton Rapids, MI on May 24, 1934, to Daniel P. And Mary E. Shinaver. She was preceded in death by four brothers and seven sisters and her husband, Dexter R. Hill, Sr. She is survived by her children, Dexter R. Hill, Jr., David (Debbie) Hill, Harvey Hill, Lori (Tommy) Rhodabeck, Patti (Robert) O’Neil, several grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Mary Lou went on to become a successful business owner, running LuLu’s Garden Restaurant in Eaton Rapids from 1974-1994. A celebration of life gathering will be planned in Mary Lou’s honor. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Joyce Arleene (McIntyre) Middaugh
Joyce Arleene (McIntyre) Middaugh, age 86, peacefully passed away, surrounded by her loving family in Lansing, MI, April 7, 2024. She was born May 14, 1937, in Mulliken, Michigan to Harley and Geraldine McIntyre.
On a beautiful summer day, July 16, 1955, Joyce married her soulmate Marion E. Middaugh, with whom she embarked on a life-long journey of companionship and devotion. Together, they raised a family, creating a home filled with laughter, delicious meals, and unconditional love.
As a passionate gardener, Joyce found solace and joy in the beauty of nature, tending to her plants with the same care she extended to all aspects of her life. She delighted in the blooms and harvests that were the fruits of her labor. As an enthusiastic sports fan she was always cheering on her favorite MSU Spartans. Joyce was sure each family member was given one of her handmade quilts, either knitted, crocheted, or embroidered, and each is a cherished heirloom.
Above all else, Joyce is celebrated as a perfect mother, not just in name but in every action and sacrifice. She instilled love and kindness in her children: Julia Middaugh-McArthur, Michael Middaugh, and James E. (Rena) Middaugh. Her grandchildren: Tina Cole-Day, Rebecca Lobdell, Lisa (John) Warner, Michael Middaugh II (Katie Baum), Sheri (Jeff) Ide, Sheli Knott, Jaclyn (Tyler) Ripley, Janet (Matthew) Kruse, and James R. (Mikayla) Middaugh, knew her as a source of endless encouragement and wisdom. She was a treasured matriarch to 23 great-grandchildren and 14 great-great-grandchildren. She is now reunited with her parents and her dear husband, Marion, who preceded her in death.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 13, 2024 at the Mills Funeral Home, Peters & Murray Chapel, Grand Ledge with visitation starting at 10:00 a.m. A graveside service will follow at the Delta Center Cemetery. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the Leukemia Research Foundation, in memory of Joyce Middaugh.