Obituaries
Earl “John” McCafferty
Earl John McCafferty funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 5, 2021, at 1 p.m. with visitation from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. prior to services at the Pray Funeral Home Gardens.
Gordon E. Bottomley
Gordon Ellis Bottomley, age 78, died on May 16, 2021. He was a resident of Sunfield, Mich. He worked as a welder for Douglas Steel.
Mable R. Benneyhof
Mable Ruth Benneyhof, age 91, died on May 13, 2021. She was a resident of Charlotte and a homemaker. Funeral services were held on Monday, May 17, 2021 at Pray Funeral Home. A graveside service was held the same day at Maple Hill Cemetery, Charlotte, Mich.
Joel Zachrich
Joel Zachrich, 68, a resident of Eaton Rapids, Michigan died on Sunday, May 2 at his residence and in the company of his dear friend Deb Snider. He was a prior resident of Defiance, Ohio, Dearborn Heights, Michigan and Lakewood, Colorado.
Joel was born August 3, 1952 in Defiance, Ohio to Charles and Mary (Hill) Zachrich. He grew up fishing, hunting and exploring nature in Northwest Ohio. He graduated from Crestwood High school in Dearborn Heights, Michigan in 1970. That same year he took his first flying lesson as a graduation present.
Joel continued to fly, adding licenses and time to his aviation career. His career as a pilot began at the Defiance Ohio County airport doing charters and air taxi flights. He did flying stints in Plymouth, Michigan, Birmingham, AL, Albuquerque, NM, Phoenix, AZ and Las Vegas, NV. All of these stops enabled him to make the progression to turbine engine and, finally jet aircraft. After this period, Joel started flying 747’s internationally. He visited every continent, but Antarctica. Joel had reached his goal in life. His career, family and life goals had been achieved.
In 2015, Joel retired from his corporate flying job. Joel moved to Eaton Rapids, Michigan to hunt, fish and teach soaring. Joel was determined to become involved in his newly adopted residence in Eaton County, Michigan. Though retired, he was active in the local organizations of AARP, CERT, Eaton County Republican Party and with the Eaton County Sheriff Office.
Surviving are his children Robert Zachrich and Sarah Zachrich of Lakewood, Colorado; his brother Charles (Connie) Zachrich II of Castle Rock, CO, and sister, Deborah Z. (Roger) Gunderson of Fort Collins, CO.
Preceding him in death were his father; Charles Zachrich, mother; Mary Zachrich, brother: Michael and Greg Zachrich.
He loved his dog Trapper, who survives him and is now a companion to Deb Snider, a very close friend of Joel’s, who extended kindness in making his last year of life better. The family also appreciates the efforts of the Sparrow Herman Herbert Cancer Center and the Eaton Rapids Medical Center.
An informal memorial gathering will be held at the Eaton Rapids Conservation Club, 4483 Freeman Road, Eaton Rapids, MI, 48827 on Sunday, June 27 from Noon to 4:00 p.m. A lunch will be served at 1:00 p.m. Attendees are asked to bring photos, JZ memories/stories and any interesting items to share. Further information may be seen at the Skinner Funeral Home website. Joel requests any donations may be made to the Eaton Rapids Conservation Club, PO Box 163, Eaton Rapids, MI 48827 in his name.
Aletha M. Beals
Aletha Marguerite Beals of Charlotte, a soft soul who loved her family dearly, passed away on May 21, 2021 in Lansing, Mich. She was born on March 7, 1938 to Herman and Dorothy (Dickerson) Durbin in Lansing, Mich. She grew up and graduated from High School in Potterville. On July 8, 1957, she married Stanley Beals and together they raised four children.
Aletha was a soft soul who was one of the most non-judgmental people you may ever meet. Even though she was one who preferred quiet settings as opposed to big crowds, she loved having her large family gather at her home for holidays and other occasions. Her family enjoyed her talents as a cook. Some of their favorites were her blueberry pies, rhubarb crunch, homemade donuts, and her many wonderful Christmas treats. She also loved to crochet numerous items for her children and grandchildren including blankets and doll clothes. Over the years she even surprised family and friends with her ability to play the organ and the banjo! She loved spending time with her husband, Stanley. The two of them were often fishing partners in both local and distant fishing spots.
Aletha is survived by her two sons, Anthony (Serenia) Beals, Larry (Laurie) Beals; daughter, Lisa Phillips; and her sisters, Harriett (Roy) Eitner, Kate (Charles) Tegethoff, and Dorothy (Jerry) Tegethoff. She was preceded in death by her husband, Stanley Otis Beals; and her son, Ron Beals.
A Celebration of Aletha’s life will take place at the Masonic Temple in Charlotte on Sunday, June 13, at 12 noon. Friends and family are also encouraged to share memories of Aletha on her tribute page at PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.