Obituaries
Sharon E. VanVleet
Sharon Eileen VanVleet, age 79, of Bellevue, Mich., died on March 15, 2021. She was a homemaker.
Becky L. Slawson
Becky L. Slawson, 59, of Bowling Green, Mo., passed away at Barnes Hospital- St. Louis on March 12, 2021. She was born on October 30, 1961 in Charlotte, Mich. to Dewayne and Margaret (Bud) Casper. Becky attended the local schools along with her siblings. Becky and Stephen both worked at Central Missouri Correction Center in Jefferson City, which is where the couple met. They were later married on April 27, 1996 in Jefferson City in the Governor’s Mansion. To this union were born Jacob and Sarah. The family moved to Bowling Green in 1997, and Becky and Stephen both started jobs at Bowling Green Prison. Becky worked for St. Charles Community College and was a GED teacher for over 20 years at Bowling Green Prison. While she was working full-time and raising two children, she was able to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Kaplan University. Becky was able to help many people over the years to continue their education. She was a member of Cornerstone Christian Church. Becky loved spending time with her husband, children and extended family. They loved to fish and often went to Mark Twain Lake. She will be sadly missed and long remembered by all those who knew and loved her.
Becky is survived by her beloved husband of 24 years, Stephen Slawson of Bowling Green; two children, Jacob Michael Slawson of San Diego (Stationed with the U.S. Navy), and Sarah Slawson of Bowling Green; siblings, Mike Casper, Melody White and Randy Casper; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Karen Castanada.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Memorials of the donor’s choice may be sent in care of McCoy-Blossom Funeral Homes & Crematory, 701 N. Business 61, Bowling Green, MO 63334. Family and friends may sign the online guest book at mccoyblossomfh.com.
Marian L. Damon
Marian L. (VanSyckle) Damon, 87, of Bellevue, Mich., passed away on Wednesday, March 10, 2021 at home surrounded by her most loving family.
She was born on June 28, 1933 in Tekonsha, Mich. to Harold and Velma (Green) VanSyckle. As a young girl, Marian loved cheerleading, working in Fruin’s Drug Store at the soda fountain, the Ice Cream Plant in Pennfield behind M-66 Bowling Alley and the old pickle factory in Eaton Rapids. On May 24, 1951 Marian graduated from Bellevue High School, and an hour later, married the love of her life Robert D. Damon Sr. They were lifelong residents of Bellevue where they raised their family.
Marian was the best homemaker to her family, always juggling the family schedule, taking care of their home, making family meals, desserts and ensuring every holiday occasion was special. She loved her family more than anything and especially her grandchildren. She enjoyed the challenge of a crossword puzzle, making the best birthday and wedding cakes, including the individualized creative decorating for every family member. Marian also loved her gardening in both the vegetable and flower gardens. She spent hours making personalized fresh flower arrangements and potted flowers for friends and family. In their early retirement, Bob and Marian worked with their son at Marshall Gardens where she enjoyed designing and creating arrangements and working in the greenhouse. Marian was a longtime member of Bellevue United Methodist Church.
She is survived by her children, Duane (God rest his soul)(LuAnn) Damon whose child and grandchildren are Dustin (Jessica, Lauren and Carter) of Marshall, Daniel (Peggy) Damon whose children and grandchildren are Michael (Abbi, Elliana and Hadley) of Ft. Wayne, Indiana and Thomas (Nicole) of Battle Creek; Vickie (Doug) Pennington (God rest their souls) whose son and granddaughter is Douglas (Michelle, Willow) of Bellevue, Debra (Ricky) Gardner whose children and grandchildren are Lindsey Butters (Douglas West and Braxton Butters) and Kilee Gardner (Melinda) of Bellevue; and Pam (Tom) Shilling whose daughter and grandchildren are Amber Shilling Schmitz (Emma, Alley and Bailey) of Bellevue. Marian enjoyed their seven grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.
Marian is also survived by her brother, Harold VanSyckle Jr. of Pinconning, Mich. and a special cousin, Jeannie Creyts of Eaton Rapids. Sadly, her husband of 54 years, Robert D Damon preceded her in death on April 1, 2005; as well as her brothers Roland VanSyckle, Roger VanSyckle and her sisters Shirley Seeley, Alberta Willis and Gladys Atkins and a special Uncle and Aunt Royal and Annie Kykendahl of Eaton Rapids, Mich.
Marian was lovingly and thoughtfully cared for in her home by her RN, Chrissy Eakins of Grace Hospice of Kalamazoo.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Bellevue Memorial Scholarship Foundation, 201 West Street, Bellevue, MI 49021 or Grace Hospice of Kalamazoo, 2725 Airview Blvd. #101, Portage, MI 49002.
Graveside services for Marian were held on Monday, March 15, 2021 at Riverside Cemetery in Bellevue, Michigan.
Arrangements were entrusted to Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services, Bellevue. Please visit kempffuneralhome.com to view the online obituary, to sign the online guestbook or to leave the family condolences.
Edward R. Goostrey
Edward Robert Goostrey, age 91, of Olivet, Mich., passed away on March 10, 2021, at his home surrounded by his loving family. Ed was born on January 6, 1930, in Battle Creek, Mich., to Howard and Ida (Nowland) Goostrey. He graduated from Battle Creek High School with the class of 1948. Ed married Betty Lou Dahlem on August 11, 1973, at the Olivet Congregational Church.
Ed was a man of many talents and spent many years dairy farming, which he truly enjoyed. After retiring from the farm, he kept busy driving truck. Ed also worked for several years as the maintenance man at Emily Andrus Home in Battle Creek. Ed was a family man in the fullest sense of the word. He loved his family above all else. His many grandchildren and great-grandchildren meant the world to him.
Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of almost 48 years, Betty Lou Goostrey; children, Lynn Goostrey of Hastings, Karen (Randy McConnell) Morehouse of Charlotte, Ronald (Laura) Goostrey of Charlotte, Lori (James) Audie of Huntsville, Ala., Doug Hammond of Detroit; daughters-in-law, Karen Hammond-Schriner, Nancy Wilson, Sandra Hammond; brother, Charles (Louise) Goostrey of Kalamazoo; 16 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; children, Steven Hammond, Dawn Hammond, and Gayle Hammond; sisters, Evelyn White and Betty Lewis; brothers, Louis and Jack Goostrey.
In keeping with Ed’s wishes, cremation has taken place and no services will be held at this time.
Those desiring may make contributions in Ed’s honor to: Oaklawn Hospice, 13444 Preston Drive, Marshall, MI, 49068. The family wishes to thank Oaklawn Hospice for the wonderful and loving care they provided Ed in the days prior to his passing.
The family is being served by the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Nancy Shipman
Nancy Shipman, 69, of Charlotte, a woman who was here to help everyone, died March 13, 2021. Nancy was born August 20, 1951 in Pontiac, Mich., to Lloyd and Hyacinth “Wanda” Whitaker. Nancy “enjoyed the party” when gathering with friends and family. She was someone that really cared, and who loved her grandkids very much. She loved crocheting afghans and doing crossword puzzles. Nancy was a manager at Burger King on the closing shift, she also worked at 21st Century Plastics in Potterville, and retired as a baker at Walmart. While employed at Walmart she received Employee of the Month recognition.
Nancy is survived by her husband Duane; sons Duane Scott and Annie Shipman and Kelly Lynn Shipman of Charlotte, and William Keith and Mariah Shipman of Potterville, and daughter Lesa Ann and Dennis Shipman of Sault Ste. Marie; six grandchildren, Elizabeth, Gage, Kyra, Max, Quinton, Cody, and Gracelyn; sisters Claire Herr and Eddrie Anderson, Helen Lang and brother Andy Whitaker; and mother-in-law Lucille Shipman of Tawas. She was predeceased by her parents, brother Randall, and sister Sharon.
Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Nancy on her tribute page at PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.