Obituaries
Francene A. Davidson
Francene Ann Davidson, of Eaton Rapids, passed away December 20, 2020 at the age of 81. Fran was born in Springport, Mich. on July 14, 1939, the daughter of Francis and Rena (Webber) Canull. She worked for State Farm Insurance in the claims department for 39 years before retiring. Fran was a member of the First Congregational Church in Eaton Rapids, the Eaton Rapids Medical Auxiliary and the Red Hat Society. She volunteered at the Owls Perch Gift Shop, enjoyed crocheting afghans, bowling, going on trips to the casino, playing Yahtzee with her husband, Bill and making cheese balls for her friends and her favorite bankers.
Fran is survived by her husband William Davidson; daughters, Darcy O’Boyle of Brighton, Debra Livermore of Leslie; grandchildren, Lindsay Bristol of Brighton, Nicholas (Rebecca) Norris of Jackson, Joshua Norris of Jackson; great grandchildren, Kylie Lewis, T.J. Bush, Peyton Bush, Trenton Bush all of Brighton, Layla Norris, Wyatt Norris of Westland, Kora Norris of Jackson; sisters, Sandra (Darrell) Arnold, Terry Poe, Cathy Mead, Patti (Bill) Christoful, Beverly (Ken) Bentley; brother, Ronnie (Karen) Canull. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Fred, Dale, Roger and Donald Canull.
Memorial services will be held at a later date. Those desiring may make memorial contributions to the Eaton Rapids Medical Center Foundation. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel. To place online condolences please visit their website, millsfuneral.com.
Elaine S. Mock
Elaine Susan Mock, of Eaton Rapids, Mich. passed away unexpectedly on December 21, 2020 at the age of 66. Elaine was born in Eaton Rapids, on June 11, 1954 the daughter of Irven and Shari (Owen) Gemalsky. She graduated from Eaton Rapids High School class of 1972 and went on to receive her Bachelor’s of Special Education from Western Michigan University. Elaine worked in the education profession, but spent the majority of her life dedicated to her husband, children and grandchildren. She enjoyed knitting, gardening and spending winters at their home in Holiday, Florida. Elaine loved her shopping trips and weekend getaways with her “sisters”. Above all Elaine was a dedicated mother who never missed a basketball game or horse show and most recently, a chance to spend time with, and spoil her grandchildren.
She is survived by her husband of 41 years, James Mock; son, Jonathan (Amber) Mock; daughter, Meghann (Jeremy) Barnett; grandchildren, Riley, Emmet and Reese Barnett, Anya, Aria and Mila Mock; mother, Shari (Bob) Clough; and niece, Kasey Gemalsky.
Elaine is preceded in death by her father and brother, Edwin Gemalsky.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, December 30, 2020 at Skinner Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids Chapel. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday from 3 to 7 p.m. and one hour prior to the service on Wednesday. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the Capital Area Humane Society in memory of Elaine. To share memories or leave condolences please visit SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
Filomena Kepler
Kilomena Kepler, age 92, of Charlotte, formerly of Bari, Italy, a salesperson, passed away on December 13, 2020.
Stephen Fitzpatrick
Stephen Fitzpatrick, 74 of Charlotte, a man who proudly kept his lawn looking like a golf course, passed away peacefully at home with his family by his side on December 11, 2020. Stephen was born July 21, 1946 in Concord, Mich. to Joseph and Perile (Sloan) Fitzpatrick, one of nine children. In June of 1965 he married Mary Lou Carr and they embarked on many adventures together, raising a family and living life to its fullest. Over the years, Stephen did many things to support his family, including many years at Osborne Buick, starting as a mechanic, working into sales, and then finally as the general manager. He later drove truck, and in his retirement found other jobs to always keep himself busy. Although he was a stubborn man, his family shares many fond memories of how his stubbornness worked for him to keep going, even when he was home bound.
Stephen enjoyed doing lots of activities with his grandpuppy, JoJo. Together they would mow the lawn (taking extreme care to make it look amazing and like a golf course), and in the winter they would plow the driveway and the neighbors as well using his Kubota. Stephen also took great pride in cleaning and dusting his car daily. When he was able to, he loved fishing for Bluegill on Duck Lake.
Stephen is survived by his wife, of 55 years, Mary Lou; children, Jennye (Gary) Whitford, Jeff (Tiffany Graham) Fitzpatrick; grandson, Brogain; and eight brothers and sisters. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Perile Fitzpatrick.
Friends are encouraged to support Stephen’s family. The family received visitors on Thursday, December 17, 2020 at the Pray Funeral Home, followed by a graveside service at Bosworth Cemetery. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions in lieu of flowers to Eaton Community Palliative Care. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Stephen on his tribute page at PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Nancy Lou Pruden
Nancy Lou Pruden, 84 years, of West Unity, passed away Thursday, December 10, 2020, at SKLD-Bryan Center, Bryan, Ohio. Nancy was born August 22, 1936, in Grand Rapids, Mich., the daughter of the late William and Marion (Manning) Wrench. She was a 1954 graduate of Dimondale High School, Dimondale, Mich. She married Robert Hale Pruden on July 27, 1956, in Dimondale, and he preceded her in death on April 17, 1974. Nancy was a devoted homemaker, caring for the needs of her family. She was a member of the West Unity United Methodist Church as well as a former member of the Three Arts Club. Nancy enjoyed all her cats, taking daily walks around West Unity, visiting with everybody she met along the way, gardening, sewing and most of all spending time with her family.
Surviving are her five children, Tim Pruden of Marshall, Tom (Kim) Pruden of Charlotte, Tony (JoDee) Pruden of Charlotte, Jeff Pruden of Charlotte, and Tammy (Brent) Hulbert of Bryan, Ohio; ten grandchildren, Mike (Brandi) Pruden, Tiffany (Brian) Matson, Andy (Holly) Pruden, Matthew (Jennifer) Pruden, Joshua (Ashley) Pruden, Greg (Courtney) Pruden, Natasha (Kollin Woolace) Merschdorf, Miranda (Lucas Leonard) Merschdorf, Cody (Morgan) Hulbert, Cory Hulbert; 14 great-grandchildren, Ivan, Ashley, Erik, Haley, Lola, Landon, Piper, Brooke, Brynn, Jackson, Killian, Skylar, Kolbie and Nolan; one brother, Bob Wrench of Hesperia, Mich.; one sister-in-law, Barb Wrench of Howard City, Mich. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Robert Pruden; one brother, Bill Wrench and one daughter-in-law, Kathy Pruden.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be no public visitation or services at this time. Memorial service for Nancy Pruden will be held at a later date, when it is safe to gather and celebrate her life. Arrangements are under the care of Oberlin-Turnbull Funeral Home, 202 North Liberty Street, West Unity, Ohio 43570.
Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider memorial contributions be made to the Williams County Humane Society, 9464 County Road 13, Bryan, Ohio, 43506.
Condolences may be sent to the family or the online guest book may be signed at oberlinturnbull.com