Obituaries
Earl Hooghouse
Earl “Butch” Cornelius Hooghouse, 81 of Charlotte, loving husband and father, died June 3, 2021. He was born in Charlotte, Michigan on May 16, 1940, the son of Lewis and Mary Irene (Maurer) Hooghouse. Butch graduated from Charlotte High School in 1952, and worked at many different places until his retirement in 1999. Some of the employers include Diamond REO, Cook Heating, Eaton County caring for the Physical Plants and Grounds, and he retired from Ingham County where he worked building maintenance, properties, and purchasing.
Earl is survived by his wife, Betty; children, Lewis Hooghouse of Bellevue, Gary Hooghouse of Charlotte, and Terry Hooghouse of Charlotte; and one grandson, Terry Lewis Hooghouse of Charlotte.
Friends are encouraged to support Butch’s family by sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.PrayFuneral.com. A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, July 25, 1:00 PM at the American Legion in Charlotte. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Mary Peckham
Mary Louise (Canaan) Peckham got her wings on June 7, 2021 at the age of 79, after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s, under the care of Elara Caring Hospice and her family.
Mary was born July 3, 1941 to James B. Canaan and Margaret J. (Leggett) Canaan. She graduated from Northville High School before settling in Springport Michigan in the late 1960s, where she held various manufacturing positions and was a parttime bartender in Parma Michigan. She loved to sing karaoke, shoot pool, socialize with friends, listen to music, take walks, and read good books.
She was preceded in death by her parents, James B. Canaan and Margaret J. Canaan; brother, Richard (Dutch) Canaan; and daughter, Marria Jo Keehn. Mary is survived by her children: Victoria (Bryan) Hamblin of Springport Michigan, Melinda (Kevin) Carr of Lansing Michigan, James (Lisa) Peckham of Albion Michigan, Brian (Kim) Peckham of Frisco Texas; three others she called her own, Vaughn (Megan) Lynch, Todd McDaniels, Mark (Mindy) Junker; her niece Lori; 18 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; and many friends who were just the same as family to her.
A memorial gathering for Mary is scheduled for June 18, 2021 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Vickers Springport Funeral Home, 121 Church Street, P.O. Box 235, Springport MI 49284 (517)857-4848. Internment will take place following the gathering at Floral Lawn Memorial Guardians at 1490 East Michigan Avenue, Battle Creek Michigan. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimer’s Research Association either online at (alzra.org) or by mail at 31408 Harper Avenue, Suite 235, St. Clair Shores, Michigan 48082.
Shirley Robbins
Shirley Ilene Robbins of Eaton Rapids passed away June 13, 2021 at the age of 73. Shirley was born in Grand Ledge, August 26, 1947, the daughter of Chester and Marian (Shaw) Kelly. She was a 1967 graduate of Portland High School. Shirley worked for Meijer in the meat department for over 40 years before retiring and was a member and board member at the Eaton Rapids Conservation Club. She loved to travel, go on cruises, knit, crochet, make crafts of all kinds and looked forward to the “family shoot out.”
Shirley is survived by her sisters, Doris Selden of Lansing, Bonnie Huhn of Portland; brothers, Glen Kelly, William Martin of Florida; 11 nieces and nephews; 24 great nieces and nephews; 19 great-great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Richard Robbins; nephews, Brian and Donald Selden; niece Dawn Selden.
Memorial services will be 2 p.m. Saturday, July 10, 2021, at the West Lansing Church of Christ, 5505 W. St. Joe Hwy., Lansing, MI 48917. Those desiring may make memorial contributions to the Conservation Club or to the Church. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. Please visit our website to place online condolences, www.millsfuneral.com.
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.