Obituaries
Jerry L. Franklin
Jerry Lynn Franklin, kind, generous, sweet and always smiling, died March 23, 2021 at the age of 79. Jerry, of Dimondale, was born March 20, 1942 in Lansing to Garald C. and Beatrice (Carver) Franklin. Jerry loved to be part of the fun with his family. Camping, square dancing, cross-country skiing, belly dancing, hunting, and snowmobiling were a few of the activities shared. He was a member of the Chief Okemos Shooting Club. Jerry and his family enjoyed time together at their cottage on Houghton Lake, and wintered in Gulf Shores, Alabama. He knew everyone, and he was loved by everyone. If you knew him well, you knew that he loved Jif Peanut Butter on everything.
Jerry is survived by his wife, Connie; children, Bryon (Brenda) Franklin, Pamela (Timothy) Sibley, Melony Ann Fronckel; grandchildren, Stephanie, Timmy, Jessica, Christopher, Travis, Paige, Roxanna and Ryan, Jacob, Ashley; eight great-grandchildren; siblings, Eileen Fritts, Patricia (Robert) Green, Rex Franklin; sister-in-law, Kathy Franklin. He was predeceased by his first wife, Judy; brothers, Dewight (Sally) and Ronald Franklin; parents, brother-in-law, Bud Fritts; and sisters-in-law, Evelyn Franklin, and Kandy Franklin.
Friends are encouraged to support Jerry’s family by sharing memories on his tribute page at PrayFuneral.com. A private family memorial service will be held at a later date. Special thanks to Fred and Dixie Robins, Carl and Debbie Collins, and the Dimondale Community for their support to the family. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or to The Eaton County Humane Society. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Maxine Crafton
Maxine (McDaniel) Crafton of Eaton Rapids passed away March 28, 2021 at the age of 93. She was born in Fredonia, Kansas on February 29, 1928, the daughter of Oscar and Della (Mallonee) McDaniel. Maxine was a member of Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church and The Jean Bradford Kline Senior Center. She enjoyed baking, any type of needlework, vegetable gardening, playing games, including Bunco and occasionally Fire Keepers Casino.
Maxine is survived by her children, Darlene, Donald (Susan Ohmer), Ronald, Kenneth (Benita), and Mark (Beth) Crafton; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren and sister, Marie Francka. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, John B. Crafton; brother, Nathan McDaniel and granddaughter, Christina Crafton.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 3, 2021 at Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church, 10500 Plains Rd., Eaton Rapids, with Pastor Mark Eckert officiating. Interment will follow in Rosehill Cemetery. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to donor’s choice of charity in memory of Maxine Crafton. Online condolences and memories may be shared at millsfuneral.com.
Jack G. Jesse
Jack Glen Jesse, 74, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, after a five-year battle with metastatic prostate cancer on March 30, 2021. Jack leaves behind numerous friends and family members who loved him dearly.
He was born on July 3, 1946. Jack grew up to be a valued educator, receiving his BA and MS degrees from Michigan State University and his PhD in Counseling Psychology from Columbia Pacific University. He taught at four different mid-Michigan colleges, including Lansing Community College, Michigan State University, Great Lakes Bible College, and Sienna Heights University in the Graduate Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program. Jack was also a Clinical Social Worker in Charlotte, and Director of his own private practice, Ingham Behavioral Health and Healing (formerly Miracles Unlimited) in Lansing.
Jack was baptized as a young man and his relationship with Jesus Christ led him into a life of service. His family, friends, clients, and students benefitted from his servant’s heart, his endless energy, and his positive attitude, which was contagious. Jack was a forgiving man who always encouraged those he met. No matter their past, Jack always saw the best in people and valued them.
Jack had a multitude of interests. He loved animals, gardening, art, music, and he had a particular passion for writing and creating. He loved his family dearly and he wanted them to know that God and family were always his most important priorities, despite all his other accomplishments.
Jack is survived by his wife of 28 years, Elizabeth; children, Jaremy (Maureen), Heidi, Andrew (Kami), Cody, Chase; stepchildren, James (Krista), Heather, Michael (Lisa), Andrew (Erin), nine beautiful grandchildren; brother and sister-in-law, James and Jeanette Jesse; as well as nieces and nephews and many dear in-laws and friends.
Jack was preceded in death by his father and mother, James and Pauline (VanEvery) Jesse.
Jack will be cremated, and a private family service held at a later date. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to a homeless shelter of your choice in memory of Jack. To share memories or leave condolences please visit SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
Joyce Y. Dunn Schmidt
Joyce Yvonne Dunn Schmidt went home to Jesus on March 30, 2020 at the age of 83.
Joyce was born to Nora Louise and George Dunn on April 11, 1937 in Dermott, Ark. She met William Thomas Schmidt on a blind date in Memphis, Tenn. and immediately knew Tom was “the one.” Tom and Joyce were married for 59 years and had three children: David, Deborah, and Pamela. In addition to being a loving wife and mother, Joyce graduated from the Methodist Hospital School of Nursing in Memphis, Tennessee and was a Registered Nurse. She spent her professional career caring for people and was proud of her work. Throughout her entire life Joyce held an unwavering faith in God and in the spirit of her name, Joyce shared the joy of the Lord with all those who knew her. Joyce was a member of Church of the Nazarene in Eaton Rapids. She served her church in numerous other capacities by teaching Sunday school and being the director of Women’s ministry. Growing up, Joyce was an athlete and an amazing basketball player. Her hobbies included sewing quilts and caring for her house cactus plants. Joyce most enjoyed spending time with her husband and family.
Joyce joins her daughter Deborah Arnold and her parents George and Louise Dunn in Heaven. Joyce is survived by her husband, William Thomas Schmidt; son, David (wife Liz) Schmidt of Memphis, Tennessee and her daughter Pamela (husband Tony) McDaniel of Eaton Rapids. Joyce had twelve grandkids and five great-grand kids who were her pride and joy.
Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. on Friday, April 2, 2021 at the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel, located at 518 S. Main St. in Eaton Rapids, with Pastor Harold Demott officiating. Interment will follow in Rosehill Cemetery. Visitation was held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to The Church of the Nazarene, 2225 S Michigan Rd., Eaton Rapids, MI 48827, in memory of Joyce. To place online condolences or memories please visit millsfuneral.com.
Tyrell A. Kennedy
Tyrell Arthur Kennedy of Eaton Rapids passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, March 24, 2021 at the age of 38. Ty was born on March 3, 1983 in Lansing, the second son of Rhonda (Balzer) Kennedy and Todd Kennedy. He was raised in Eaton Rapids where he attended school and excelled in sports, playing varsity basketball and baseball for three years and graduating with the class of 2002. After high school Ty attended Ferris State University before joining the Army National Guard, his service included two separate tours to Iraq. He worked for Spartan Motors in Charlotte and most recently worked for Titleist in San Diego, Calif. Ty was passionate about golf and played numerous courses throughout Michigan, California, Arizona and Nevada. He was a loyal friend, brother, and son and would do anything for the people he cared about.
Ty is survived by his mother, Rhonda Kennedy of Eaton Rapids; brother, Thad (Jamie) Kennedy of Eaton Rapids; nieces, Hailey and Sophia Kennedy; aunts and uncles, Andy and Cindy Smith, Diane and Al Cooper, Stephanie and Jerry Platte and Ty, Kim, Karla and Kathy Kennedy and numerous cousins and friends.
A private family service was held on Thursday, April 1. To share memories or leave condolences please visit SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.