Obituaries
Mary T. (Teresa) Barnes
Mary (known as Teresa to family) T. Barnes left her earthly home to be with her Lord on Sunday, January 24, 2021 at the age of 84. Mary was born on October 21, 1936 in Jackson County, Mich. She was the daughter of Vincent C. and Kitty A. (Fillmore) Duffey. Mary was a resident of Springport, Mich., however, she passed away peacefully in Mecosta County, Mich. at the home of her daughter, Connie, while under hospice care.
Mary attended St. Johns School in Jackson, but dropped out to secure income to help her family. She returned to school and fulfilled her dream of graduating and received her diploma in 1972. She later attended college to become a food service manager. She accomplished this while raising her family and tending to their needs. Mary was a loving wife and mother. She raised five children of her own and, for several years, assisted with raising her husband’s three children from a previous marriage. During this time, one could only describe her household as full and active. There was always love to be shared in the home she made.
While a food service manager, Mary developed a passion for working with the residents at the nursing homes where she was employed over a span of 40 years. She told stories about the antics of her residents for years after she retired from food service. There was always a joyful tone in her voice when she spoke of those days. She also developed many friendships with employees she supervised. She was always there to help them when they struggled.
Mary was preceded in death by her husband Gerald (Bud) Lee Barnes, her parents Vincent and Kitty Duffey, an infant brother Almon, her sister Betty Campbell and her brother Louis Duffey. She is survived by sister, Julie Fouty of Jackson; son David L. Barnes of Springport; and daughters Terry (Gary) Isham of Charlotte, Sandra (David) Norton of Evart, Connie Freeman of Paris and Susan (Lonnie) Ervin of Lakeview. Mary has ten grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, two great–great-grandsons, and many nieces and nephews.
A remembrance gathering will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions in Mary’s name may be made to Mecosta County Office on Aging and/or Elara Hospice, also of Mecosta County.
The family is being served by the Clark Family Funeral Chapel & Cremation Service at 114 South Bradley Street, Mount Pleasant, MI 48858; clarkfuneralchapel.com.
Ruth E. Perry
Ruth Ellen Perry, of Eaton Rapids, Mich. passed away on Wednesday, February 17, 2021 at the age of 93. Ruth was born on January 9, 1928 in Lansing, Mich. the daughter of Hugh and Ruby (Eiman) Austin. She was raised in Lansing and attended Lansing Eastern High School. Ruth worked for General Motors in the 1950’s where she met her husband, John Perry, Sr. marrying in 1960. Together they moved to Eaton Rapids, where she spent her time taking care of her family and raising her three children. Ruth was an active member of the Eaton Rapids Community Christian Church and the T.O.P.S. Club in Eaton Rapids and Charlotte.
She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, John Perry, Sr.; daughter, Suellen Whaley; granddaughter Maria Voorhees; brothers, Paul Austin, Art Austin, Bill Austin; and sisters, Sharon Redman and Marian Cornell.
Surviving are her sons, John Perry, Jr., Matthew (Renee) Perry; son-in-law, James Whaley, Sr.; grandchildren, James Whaley, Jr., Juli (Glenn) King, Aaron Perry, Sarah (Jesse) Ziebarth, Caryn Gillam, Lisa Carrier; sister Eleanor Winter; and numerous great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, February 22 at Skinner Funeral Homes, Eaton Rapids Chapel. The family will receive friends on Sunday, February 21 from 2 to 5 p.m. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to Eaton Rapids Community Christian Church in memory of Ruth. To share memories or leave condolences, please visit SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
Donna K. Bailey
Donna Kay Bailey, 75, a woman of great love and devotion to her family, died peacefully on Wednesday, February 17, 2021, surrounded by her family at home in Dimondale. Donna was born August 29, 1945, in Palestine, Ill., the daughter of Phillip and Frieda (Hansen) Dale. In her youth, her family moved to El Dorado, Kansas, where she eventually met the love of her life, Garry Bailey. Garry and Donna married on June 9, 1964, and soon after moved to Michigan to raise their family. Throughout the years, Donna’s career followed several different paths. She was an LPN at Lansing General and worked in private nursing, served as a telephone operator in downtown Lansing, and most recently worked at I-94 Vehicle Auction, where she was known by coworkers and customers as “Momma D.” Above all, the highlight of her 75 years was raising five children, and loving her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her children and friends will always remember her energy and spirit as a youthful mother, and will forever miss her sassy affection and loving smirk.
Donna is survived by her husband of 56 years, Garry Bailey; sons, Rick (Brenda) Bailey and Allen Mizer; daughters, Cheryl Bailey-Holmes, Sherry (Dave) Bauman, and Shirley (Phil) Wallace; grandchildren, Kortney and Chance Mizer, Jesse Reist, Kayelee Cavender, Taylor Holmes, Christopher and Nicole Bauman, Tara Stevens, and Emily Brown; seven great-grandsons; one great-granddaughter; and brothers, Terry (Anna) Dale, Jim Reel, Dale Emmerson and Ron Emmerson. Awaiting her in Heaven are her great-granddaughter, Grace Renee; her parents; and her siblings.
Friends are encouraged to support Donna’s family. A family gathering will take place with a time of remembrance and celebration. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Sparrow Hospice. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Donna on her tribute page at PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
William T. Lundeen
William T. “Bill” Lundeen, age 80, of Clare, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, February 2, 2021 at Midland Hospital. On April 16, 1940, Bill was born one of five children to Theodore and Dorothy (Allen) Lundeen in Charlotte, Mich. He was united in marriage to Cecelia Osborne on December 11, 1959 in their hometown of Charlotte, and have celebrated over sixty-one years of marriage together. Bill graduated from Charlotte High School in 1958, where he played on the golf team and played trumpet in the band. He was employed at Lansing Oldsmobile in skilled trades fixture repair for 30 years, retiring in 1991. He then dabbled in real estate for a few years. In 2004, Bill and Cec moved north from Charlotte to their retirement home on Shamrock Lake in Clare, Mich. Those who knew Bill well, knew he was an avid outdoorsman, passionate about his trout fishing and hunting, especially bowhunting, including using his traditional long bow and cedar arrows. Even at the youthful age of 80, he continued to enjoy participating in the Lundeen’s annual trout fishing and bow hunting camps. Bill and Cec also loved playing golf, and he was still an active, longstanding league member at Snow Snake. He enjoyed working puzzles, ice fishing, hunting for morels, watching MSU sports, playing cards, woodworking and fishing on their pontoon boat. He loved spending time with his family. Bill’s zest for life, sense of humor, loving nature and warm smile were always magnified in the presence of his grandkids and great-grand daughter, with whom he had special bonds. He will be deeply missed.
Bill is survived by his wife, Cecelia Lundeen of Clare, and their sons, Ron (Cheryl) Lundeen of Manton, Mich. and Jeff Lundeen of Central Lake, Mich. Other survivors include his grandchildren, Mark Lundeen of Holland, Mich. and Courtney Lundeen of Holland, Mich.; his great-granddaughter, Lucy Lundeen of Holland, Mich.; and his siblings, Florence (Robert) Donley and Jim (Alice) Lundeen, both of Charlotte. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Theodore and Dorothy Lundeen, and his siblings Linda Fisher and Dick Lundeen.
In keeping with Bill’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A celebration of Bill’s life will take place in the near future when gathering restrictions lighten. In the meantime, friends may leave online condolences and memories of Bill on his tribute page at Stephenson-wyman.com.
Ronnie L. Bryant
Ronnie Lee Bryant, 71, of Charlotte, died suddenly on Saturday, February 6, 2021 after complications from an ongoing medical condition. He was born on January 22, 1950 in Melvin, Kentucky to Homer Bryant and Imogene (Emma Jean) Mullins.
He has made his home in the Potterville and Charlotte, Mich. area for the last 30 years. Prior to that, he spent time in the Eaton Rapids and Olivet, Mich. areas. He worked for the last many years doing grounds and facilities cleaning and maintenance for the City of Potterville Parks & Recreation Department.
Ronnie enjoyed cruising around in one of his fleet of vehicles, or riding on his moped, visiting his many friends and family. He was a man who liked to drink a little drink, smoke a little smoke and oftentimes crack a good joke. He was stubborn and hard-headed, but loved dearly by most everyone he met. He had a smile that could light up a room and gave the biggest bear hugs that you thought might crack your ribs. He will be deeply missed and never forgotten.
He is survived by his children, Terry (Martha) Bryant, Dawn (Danny) Dionne, Jennifer (Ron) Brouse, James Bryant, Carry Bryant and Bobby (Monique) Bryant; grandchildren, Steven Bryant, Michael Bryant, JaiDee (Adam) Zinger, Chelsea Snear, Evan Brouse, Lucas Brouse, Faith Bryant, Austin Asher-Burt, Skylyn Bryant, Bruce Madry, Kamy Madry, Kayla Bryant, Aubryona Newborn, Logan Bryant and Leigh Bryant; great-grandchildren, Eli, Amelia, Camden, Evelyn and Carson; sister, Betty Payne; step-brothers, Martin, Chuck, Rick & Bill French; nieces, Lisa Gibson, Laura (Richard) Harris, Nicole Bryant, Tracy (Dave) Moore, Danielle Killey, Andrea (Derek) Harris, Corey Payne; nephew, Christopher Bryant; aunt, Thelma Newsome; special friend, Susan Pennington; and many cousins and friends. He was predeceased by his parents; infant brother, James Bryant; brother, Jerry Wayne Bryant; son, Dale Bryant; and grandsons, Joshua Bryant and Jordan Winter.
A memorial service for family and friends will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, February 20, 2021 at Lee Township Hall, 23045 21 Mile Road, Olivet, Michigan.