Obituaries
Joseph C. Morey
Joseph “Joe” Cox Morey, of Bellevue passed away at home on Sunday, February 28, 2021, surrounded by his loving family. Joe lived a full life, reaching the age of 92 years. He was born December 3, 1928, in Lansing, Mich., the son of Joseph and Goldia (Cox) Morey. On September 17, 1960, Joe married Mary Williams Clark at the First Congregational Church of Charlotte. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this past year!
Joe proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Korean conflict. He spent 41 years working for General Motors, retiring as a skilled trades electrician. Joe loved cars! He was an avid car collector through the years and currently owned a 1927 Model T, of which he was very fond. While Joe enjoyed many things in life, his family was truly paramount. He loved and adored each one, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and will be deeply missed by them all.
Joe is survived by his wife, Mary; son, Don (Jan) Morey of Charlotte; daughter-in-law, Joni Morey of Middleville; grandchildren, Lydia (John) Haney of Charlotte, Dinah (Adam) Weststrate of Grand Ledge, Joanna (Justin Marsh) Morey of Charlotte, Kari (Dustin) VonItter of Middleville, and Joe W. (Kimberly) Morey of Middleville; and 13 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his son, William Joseph Morey of Hastings, Mich. in 2018.
Contributions may be made in Joe’s memory to the Disabled Veterans of America at dav.org.
Following Joe’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at a later date.
The family is being served by the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home of Charlotte.
Mary A. Robinson
Mary Alice Robinson, 65, of Charlotte, died Friday, February 26, 2021 in Lansing. Mary was born April 18, 1955 in Louisville, Ky., the daughter of Joseph and Catherine Evelyn (Fegan) Thornberry. She married Sydney Lynn Robinson on May 28, 1971 and were happily married until Sydney’s untimely death in 1989. Mary dedicated much of her life to their son, John. Later, she earned her diploma and her license to practice as a medical assistant. She devoted 20 years to the Eaton County Medical Care Facility before retirement. Mary enjoyed crafting, painting ceramics, and time spent outdoors in her garden. Many will remember her love of butterflies, and, above all, her devotion to her family.
Mary is survived by her son, John Patrick Thornberry and his significant other, Patty Schafer; grandson, John Patrick Thornberry, Jr.; granddaughter, Ashlee Nichole Thornberry; six great-grandchildren; sister, Janice (Don) Keehn; and niece, Angela Keehn. She was predeceased by her husband, Sydney Lynn Robinson; brother, John Dwayne Thornberry; and nephew, Donald Duane Keehn.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, March 3, 2021 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Pastor Charles Jenson officiating. The funeral was webcast so you may watch it from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device that has internet access. Go to PrayFuneral.com, click on Mary’s tribute, then click on photos and videos from your computer (or media from your smart phone). If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Eaton Area Humane Society. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Mary on her tribute page at PrayFuneral.com.
The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
James A. Field, Jr.
James Alfred Field, Jr., 84, a tinsmith by trade and tinkerer by hobby, died peacefully March 2, 2021 at his home in Potterville. Born September 18, 1936 to James and Beryle (Page) Field Sr., James grew up learning about the importance of family, working hard, and being a good neighbor and friend. He graduated from Potterville High School in 1956, then enlisted in the Army and served in Germany where he met his future wife, Hildegard. They were married in 1959 and spent many wonderful years together, raising their family and enjoying life to the fullest.
During his career as a tinsmith, James started at Diamond REO, and later helped establish Spartan Motors in Charlotte. Over the years, James worked on some very notable projects, including rebuilding the Wright barn in Potterville, masonry work on the Charlotte Junior High School pool, building a dune buggy for his family from scrap parts of cars, and most notably to his family, tinkering to create helpful conveniences for his wife to help around the house. James and his father also built a family cottage on Silver Lake, where the family spent every weekend for many years.
A great friend and neighbor, James enjoyed building pig roasters for Fred Spears and giving them interesting names…ranging from Petunia’s Delight to Kermit’s Last Love. There were many local pig roasts prepared on Jim’s creations. James was a kind man, if you were in need, he would always find a way to help. He was an early adopter of the “pay it forward” philosophy. James also enjoyed Friday night bowling leagues, loved to golf, and time spent woodworking to make furniture for their home, as well as working on their cars in his garage.
James is survived by his children, Edward (Sheila) Field, and Pam (Bill) Haviland; grandchildren, Edward Field Jr., and Jennifer (Will) Haviland-King; great-grandchildren, Carter James Field and “Little Bean” who is on the way; siblings, John (Robin) Field, Judy (Wayne) Calnan; sister-in-law Judy Field; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife, Hildegard in 2005; brother, Jack Field in 2021; father, James Field Sr. in 1980; and mother, Beryle (Page) Field in 1958.
Friends are encouraged to support James’s family at visitation and funeral services, or by sharing memories on his tribute page at PrayFuneral.com. Funeral Mass was celebrated on Friday, March 5, 2021, at 11 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church in Charlotte with Father Dwight Ezop officiating. The funeral was webcast so you may watch it from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device that has internet access. Go to PrayFuneral.com, click on Jim’s tribute, then click on photos and videos from your computer (or media from your smart phone). If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Eaton Community Palliative Care.
The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Willa D. Tidwell
Willa Dean (Hammond) Tidwell, of Eaton Rapids, passed away March 2, 2021 at the age of 71. Willa was born in Concord, Mich. on April 16, 1949, the daughter of Willard Hammond and Mary (Music) Perkins. She worked for the State of Michigan for 20 years before retiring in 2017. Willa enjoyed gardening and having coffee on the back deck. She loved her dogs, especially her golden retriever, Buddy.
Willa is survived by her son, Jamie (Shannon Milliman) Tidwell; daughter, Robin Tidwell; grandson, James Tidwell; siblings, Doxie (Jim) Drinkwater, William (Peggy) Hammond, Geneva Tyrnow and Kris (Johnny) Walker; several nieces, nephews and cousins; sister-in-law, Kathy Hammond. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Jimmie Dee Tidwell and brother, Jerry Hammond.
A visitation was held on Friday, March 5, 2021 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel, 518 South Main Street, Eaton Rapids. Private burial was planned for Oakwood Cemetery. Those desiring can make memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society, 1775 Abbey Road, East Lansing, MI 48823. To place online condolences or to sign the guest register, please visit MillsFuneral.com.
Judy A. Gray
Judy Ann (Ellsworth) Gray, of Eaton Rapids, passed away on March 2, 2021, at the age of 61. Judy was born in Eaton Rapids on September 23, 1959, the daughter of Dale and Suzanne (Botsford) Ellsworth.
Judy had many titles throughout her life: Mom, wife, Grandma Juju, Aunt Juju, dear friend, in-home daycare provider, college graduate, analyst with the Michigan Department of Corrections, and cancer warrior. Although she ultimately lost the battle to pancreatic cancer and related illnesses after three and a half years, she went out still fighting, loving, caring for, and protecting the ones she loved.
Judy had a heart of gold and a joyful, playful, generous spirit, with a smile that would light up your heart. She definitely got mileage out of her life – moving from Michigan to Florida and back again, raising her two children in her hometown, near her extended family. She shared many travel adventures with them, going the extra mile whenever possible – even when it ended up just being a drive around the same block a few times. She never missed the annual Ellsworth camping trip – even in this last year, which she enjoyed immensely with her grandson in a “living room truck” (aka RV). She hosted fun parties at her home for any reason imaginable, and almost always defaulted to yes for anyone who asked. This past year has been hard on everyone, but Judy was especially disappointed to miss out on hosting those great parties, going out to dinner with her brothers and sisters, wine tasting with cousins and friends, visits with friends, outings with her grandson, husband, and kids, and so much more that was put on hold.
Judy is survived by her husband, Mark Gray of Eaton Rapids; children, Michelle Chambers of Lansing and Michael Chambers of Eaton Rapids; grandchild, Kaleb Chambers; mother, Suzanne Ellsworth; siblings, Janice (Mark) O’Donnell, James (Theresa) Ellsworth, Joseph (Linda) Ellsworth, John (Debbie) Ellsworth, Jeffrey Ellsworth and Jill Ellsworth. She was preceded in death by her father, Dale; niece, Holli Tyler; and nephew, Justin Ellsworth.
A private graveside service will be held. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Ele’s Place – Capitol Region, 1145 West Oakland Avenue, Lansing, MI 48915. To place online condolences or to sign the guest register, please visit MillsFuneral.com.