Obituaries
Julia A. Townsend
Julia A. Townsend, born October 27, 1926 in South Bend, Ind., of Bellevue, Mich. died peacefully at home on March 25, 2021, surrounded by her children.
Julia and her husband, Harold, came to Bellevue in 1945 where they enjoyed lifelong friends and built and operated the Main Street Cafe. They later moved their business to Charlotte, and operated the Charlotte Cafe and later the Townsend’s Restaurant & Lounge.
Julia bought her Harley Davidson motorcycle at 18 and was the first female member of the Kalamazoo Bike Club. Julia loved her family, biking, reading, mushroom hunting, the beach, gambling, and traveling, which she did a lot with Harold after retiring from the restaurant business. Their love and kindness and sense of fun drew many kids in the community to them for guidance. She was hard working, smart, and had incredible wit. She was a devoted wife and friend to many, including her children and grandchildren, and first pick for a euchre partner right until the end.
Survivors include her five children and their spouses, Michael Townsend (Carol) of Towanda, Ill., Patricia Townsend of Bellevue, Mich., Barbara Burkett (David) of Bellevue, Mich., Mary White (Mark) of Bellevue, Mich., and Martha Limauro (Michael) of Charlotte, Mich.; grandchildren, Steven Townsend (Lynnsey), Samantha Fritzen (Tyler), Garry Burkett (Joanne), Rebecca Crum (Brian), Kristina Hine (Denver), Courtney Levigne (Joe), Robert Limauro, Jacob Bloomhuff (Taylor), Chloe Byington (Brent), and Lucas T. Limauro; and 12 great-grandchildren, Carley, Presley, Owen, Bryce, Logan, Julia, Sophia, Hudson, Finley, Aisley, Giavanna and Bronson.
Julia A. Townsend, loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and aunt will be missed. Private family funeral to be held at a later date.
Memorial donations may be made to the Bellevue Fire Department, 115 East Jackson Street, Bellevue, MI 49021.
Gilbert Cockroft
Concord-Pulaski Memorial American Legion Post #81 Past Commander Gilbert Cockroft, age 87 of Springport, Michigan, completed his work here on Earth on April 1, 2021. Services were held on Thursday, April 8, 2021 at Vickers Springport Funeral Home and was laid to rest with military honors at Riverside Cemetery in Albion. Arrangements by Vickers Springport Funeral Home.
Herman B. Elston
Herman Bert Elston, of Lansing, passed away April 5, 2021 at the age of 70. Herman was born in Eaton Rapids, Mich. on October 11, 1950, the son of Robert and Hilda (Getter) Elston. He loved the outdoors and in his younger years he enjoyed hunting with his beagles, raised chickens and goats.
Herman is survived by his fiancé, Christine Burgess; children, Andrew Elston, Chad Elston, Alicia Elston, and Tina Slaght; nine grandchildren; sisters, Brenda Elston, Linda Brininstool, and Janice Place; numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Douglas Elston Sr., Jerry Wayne, and Bruce Elston.
There are no services planned at this time. The family has entrusted arrangements to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel, Eaton Rapids. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to American Heart Association at heart.org/en/get-involved/ways-to-give, in memory of Herman. To place online condolences or memories please visit millsfuneral.com.
Lucy L. Matson
Lucy Lenore Matson, age 77, of Nashville, Mich. passed away on Wednesday, March 31, 2021 in Lansing. The daughter of Edward and Doris (Bennett) Southworth, she was born on August 9, 1943 in Charlotte, Mich. Surviving are her oldest brother and “her rock”, Neil; grandchild, Kacey and her daughter Savannah; daughter, Autumn and her children and their children; several nieces and nephews; as well as special friend and companion for almost nine years, Richard Olcott and their special four-legged friend, Ruby.
A memorial gathering for close friends and family will be held at her home in Nashville. The date has not yet been determined but will be announced via family and her Facebook account. Honoring her wishes, cremation has taken place.
To sign Lucy’s online guestbook or read her complete obituary, please visit NeptuneSociety.com.
Jannette E. Hayes
Jannette Elaine Hayes, of Eaton Rapids, Mich. passed away on Sunday, April 4, 2021 at the age of 86. Jannette was born on February 23, 1935 in Onondaga, Mich. the daughter of Milo and Ellen Marie (Hively) Beale. She was raised in Leslie where she graduated class of 1953. Jannette married Kenneth Hayes on August 17, 1957 and together they moved to Eaton Rapids where they raised their family. She worked and retired from Ackley Peters Haubert Insurance as an office manager. Jannette was a member of the First Congregational Church in Eaton Rapids as well as the Red Hat Society of Eaton Rapids. She enjoyed watching golf, especially Tiger Woods, bowling on the Monday night league at Rapids Bowl and trips to the family cabin in Crystal, Mich. She was an avid traveler and made numerous trips with her friends and family throughout the United States and abroad. Above all, Jannette cherished her family and loved the time she spent with them.
Jannette is survived by her son, Stephen (Mary Ann) Hayes; sister-in-law, Josephine Beale of Cedar City, Utah; grandchildren, Tim (Mary) Cortright, Kenneth (Laura) Hayes, Jamie (Mitch) Bolley, Jordan (Angie) Cortright; and great-grandchildren, Kaley, Madelyn, Tessa, Drew, Chloe, Christopher, Nathan, Nicholas, Audrey, Bo and Brayden. She is preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Hayes; daughter, Ellen (Cortright) Mascho; son-in-law, Lonny Mascho; brother, Donald Beale; and sister, Phyllis.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 13, 2021 at Skinner Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids Chapel. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday from 5 to 8 p.m. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the First Congregational Church in Eaton Rapids. To share memories or leave condolences please visit SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.