Obituaries
Susan L. Courtnage
Dr. Susan Louise Courtnage, age 71, of Eaton Rapids passed away unexpectedly on May 6, 2021 after a brief illness. Born November 26, 1949 in Binghamton, NY to Dr. William H. and Marjorie L. (Hunter) Courtnage . Sue attended Carmi High School in Carmi, IL., After high school she attended the University of Illinois where she received her undergraduate, and then fulfilled her medical doctorate degree from the University of Illinois Champaign and Chicago. She became board certified in Internal Medicine in 1977. Dr. Courtnage opened her medical practice in Eaton Rapids, providing compassionate care for her patients and advocacy services for those with disabilities. She served Eaton Rapids and the surrounding community for her entire professional career until her retirement in 2019.
At a young age, Susan had a curious mind and developed a love for learning. During her school years she channeled this into music playing piano and the trumpet and art (painting). She loved the out of doors and achieved the First-Class Girl Scout award at a young age. She continued her scouting involvement with her sons in the Boy Scouts of America organization as a leader and a supportive volunteer.
Susan was an enthusiastic traveler, exploring all aspects of the food and culture of each destination whether in the U.S. or internationally. She was a tourist in her own state educating herself on Michigan native flowers and the beautiful state parks. Every roadside attraction or museum captured her interest and was a learning opportunity for her. Susan was also an avid card player, always armed with a deck of cards and prepared for a friendly, but competitive game.
She was interested in investing and became a founding member of the Golden Girls LLC Investment Club which she was the longest standing member and currently was serving as President and the Education Chairperson. Beyond retirement Susan continued learning by taking educational courses in the medical field, law, architecture, art, botany and many other areas. She was an active member of the Eaton Rapids Art Guild. Her many friends knew her as caring, independent, and always having a smile.
Susan was preceded in death by her parents and infant son Scott. Left to grieve her passing are her two sons, Brian Stipanuk of Holt, MI and Christopher (Jesica) Stipanuk of Indianapolis, IN; grandchildren, Ethan, Ezra and Elias McNamara. Sisters, Margaret (Jeff) Burrell of Kansas City, MO; Christine Courtnage of Austin, TX; Gale Sipe of Irving, TX and Patricia (Todd) Sampsel of Wimberely, TX; nieces, nephews and many friends.
For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to Eaton Rapids Women’s Shelter, ASPCA or Heifer International.
For online condolences please go to www.skinnerfuneralhome.com.
Carolyn L. Ballard
Carolyn Louise Ballard of Holland, formerly of Hamlin Twp., passed away May 10, 2021 at the age of 91. Carolyn was born in Dearborn, MI, May 27, 1929, the daughter of Walter and Flora (Roser) Kautz. She was a teacher, was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Eaton Rapids since 1954 and a member of the Square Dance Club. Carolyn was a farmer’s wife who worked very hard and was extremely proud of the 4 children she and her husband Jim raised. She loved to cook, sew, travel and winter in Texas and Florida. Spending time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren gave her great joy.
Carolyn is survived by her husband of 69 years, Jim; children, Ronald (Karen) Ballard of NC, Cathryn (Phillip) Bowen of Grand Rapids, David (Joanna) Ballard of Hamlin Twp, Bruce (Julie) Ballard of Holland; grandchildren, LaRona (Robert) Jones, Patrick (Aleaha) Bowen, Drew (Lisa) Bowen, Laura (Jaime Koopman) Steffens, Jeff (Melissa) Ballard, Meri (Kristi Kruppa) Ballard, Abbey Ballard, Brandon Ballard; 13 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents.
A Celebration of Life will be 2 p.m. Saturday, May 15, 2021 at the First United Methodist Church, 600 S. Main St., Eaton Rapids with visitation taking place one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow in Rosehill Cemetery. A second Celebration of Life will take place outdoors at Tunnel Park, 66 N. Lakeshore Ave, Holland, MI 49424 on June 27, 2021 from 1-4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the church, the hospice of donor’s choice, or the Freedom Village Scholarship Fund, 145 Columbia Ave., Holland, MI 49423. To place online condolences, please visit www.millsfuneral.com.
Douglas E. Koivu
Douglas E. Koivu, 77, passed away on Friday, May 7, 2021 in Lansing. He was born in Detroit on December 3, 1943 to the late William and Patricia (McGill) Koivu. Doug was a proud veteran of the US Army. After working much of his life in food services, in retirement Doug worked for Advanced Autoparts in Holt, delivering autoparts. The greatest joy of his life was spending time with his family including many grandchildren’s sporting events, although hunting, fishing, and the Thursday night man cave gathering were close seconds.
He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Kristine Koivu; son, Aaron (Sheng) Koivu; daughters, Angie (Darren) Green and Michelle (Ben) Northrup; grandchildren, Jack and Julian Koivu, Anthony Freeman, Cody, Christie, and Zach Green, and Trenton Northrup; great-grandson, J.R. Freeman; brothers, Norman Koivu and William (Barbara) Koivu; sister, Lynne (Roger) Smith; extended family Gail (Dennis) Southward, Burt (Mary) Bentley, and Bonnie (Harv) Schroeder; and numerous treasured nieces and nephews.
According to his wishes, no services will be held.
In honor of Doug, memorial contributions may be made to the American Red Cross, an organization to which he donated his time for many years.
Jack W. Holbrook
Jack Wallace Holbrook, of Eaton Rapids, passed away on Thursday, November 19, 2020 at the age of 82. Born July 9, 1938 to Gerald W. and Myrtle (Slayton) Holbrook in Eaton Rapids, Mich. Jack honorably served in the US Army during the Korean War. After being honorably discharged, he became a pilot, owned his own airplane and did aerial photography for ASCS. Jack also purchased land, built his own house from the ground up with his loving wife, Gerry, and raised both animals and agriculture on his farm. He specialized in dairy farming for many years and later focused more on produce. His farm had all kinds of animals including Bison, where he had up to 21 at one time. Jack taught stain glass classes for adult education in Eaton Rapids for two years, and he was a 4-H Leader. He was the owner/ operator of Jack & Sons Garden Produce that started on the corner of Spicerville Highway and Royston Road, and more recently on the corner of M-99 and Columbia Road. This produce stand allowed him to showcase his produce, cheeses and his specialty homemade ice cream. Jack was a jack-of-all-trades and the guy that many would go to for help because he was very knowledgeable and wouldn’t turn anyone away. Most of all, Jack loved his family and the time he was able to spend with them all. He enjoyed watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and passing along his knowledge to all of them. Jack was a beloved man who will be dearly missed by all who remember him. Preceding him in death were his parents; sister, Judy Dowding; grandchildren, Gerald Holbrook II, Nicole Holbrook; great-grandchildren, Hunter Abbott, Hunter Holbrook and Cyrus Lea.
Surviving are his wife, Gerry Holbrook; their children, Connie Holbrook, Gerald Holbrook, Bart (Brenda) Holbrook, Stacy Holbrook; 13 grandchildren, Roberta (Scott) Bean, Nichelle Andrews, Autumn (Chris) Holbrook, Kendra (Chris) Holbrook, Matthew (Ashley) Kreis, Jack Holbrook, Dustin (Michelle) Holbrook, Mika Holbrook, William (Julie) Briggs, Leora (Chris) Lea, Megan Briggs, Donald (Naomi) Abbott, Johnathan Briggs; 24 great-grandchildren; sisters, Virginia McCarrick, JoAnne Holbrook, June (Buddy) Riley; brother-in-law Don Dowding; numerous nieces and nephews as well as many extended family and friends.
A graveside service with military honors will be held at 11 a.m. on May 28, 2021 at Oakwood Cemetery in Hamlin Township. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be to the family to help defer costs, in care of Stacy Holbrook. To share memories and condolences, please visit SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
Sharon L. Satterlee
Sharon Lee Satterlee, of Eaton Rapids, Mich. passed away on Sunday, May 2, 2021 at the age of 82. Sharon was born on December 4, 1938 in Onondaga Township, the eighth of nine children born to Ermen and Ruth (Stevens) Satterlee. She attended Eaton Rapids Public Schools and graduated class of 1956. Sharon went to work for the State of Michigan in the Vital Records Department, retiring after 42 year of service, at the age of 60. She enjoyed trips to Firekeepers with the Eaton Area Senior Center in Charlotte, and was an avid bowler, bowling at Char Lanes in Charlotte.
Sharon is preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Curtis, Harlan, L.C., Larry, Keith and Kenneth Satterlee; and sisters-in-law, Sherley Satterlee, Betty Satterlee, Sharon Satterlee, Norma Satterlee; and brother-in-law, Charley Lea.
Surviving are her sister, Shirley Lea; brother, Brent Satterlee; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A graveside service took place on Wednesday, May 5, 2021 at Onondaga Cemetery. The family received friends at Skinner Funeral Homes. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to A.S.C.P.A. in memory of Sharon. To share memories or leave condolences please visit SkinnerFuneralHomes.com