Obituaries
Merle Leroy Rochester
Merle Leroy Rochester of Eaton Rapids, passed away December 15, 2023, at the age of 86. Merle was born in Eaton Rapids, MI on August 11, 1937, the son of Arlo and Alice (Paquette) Rochester. He proudly served with the US Army for two years while stationed in Germany.
Merle worked for General Motors for 30 years and not a day more, before retiring in 1986. He was also a lifetime farmer taking over his family farm. Merle enjoyed bowling and chasing around grandkids whenever he got the chance.
Merle is survived by his wife, Daisy Rochester of Eaton Rapids; children, Kathi (Barry) Hardin of Haslett, Jeffrey (Carol) Rochester of Eaton Rapids, Larry (Lori) Chesebro of Muskegon, Charles Rochester of Eaton Rapids, Gary (Lindsey) Chesebro of Stanwood, Christine (Todd) Garrison of Eaton Rapids; 14 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Marilynn Ward; second wife, Linda Potter; grandson, Jeffrey Rochester Jr; siblings, Robert Rochester, Eloise Bainbridge, Loreen Bertram, Wilson Rochester.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, December 20, 2023, at the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel. Interment followed in Oakwood Cemetery. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741 in loving memory of Merle Leroy Rochester. To leave condolences for the family, visit our website www.millsfuneral.com.
Marjorie Ann Niceswander
Marjorie Ann Niceswander of Eaton Rapids, passed away December 7, 2023, at the age of 76. She was born in Mason, Michigan on June 28, 1947, the daughter of Charles Norman and Mary Ellen (Dexter) McMann. Marjorie enjoyed the simple life and liked to keep to herself. Some of her hobbies included reading, playing games on her Kindle and growing cherry tomatoes in her garden. Marjorie was also a good cook, she had a special recipe for homemade tortillas that her family especially enjoyed.
Marjorie is survived by her children, Dean Niceswander of Lansing, Wade (April) Niceswander of Missouri; grandchildren, Keith, Hannah (Dustin), Hali (Nicole), Hunter (Allison), James and Arisa; great grandchildren, Emma, Gavyn, Enslea, Aidon, Charlie and Elliet; siblings, Chuck (Deb) Wells, Nancy (Bob) Botke, Mary (Chester) Anderson, Eileen (Steve) Delaney; sister-in-law, Michelle Smith. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence Niceswander in 2022; parents, Charles and Mary; siblings, Betty Lou Elliott, Mark Smith, Dan Molter and Mike McMann.
A memorial will be held at a later date. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society in loving memory of Marjorie Ann Niceswander. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. To leave condolences for the family, visit our website www.millsfuneral.com.
Gerald Lynn Oberlin
Gerald Lynn Oberlin, age 69, of Rives Junction, Michigan, passed away peacefully on December 3, 2023, with his loving family by his side at Henry Ford Hospital Jackson. Gerald was born on June 26, 1954, in Eaton Rapids, Michigan, the son of Warren and Marilyn Oberlin who have preceded him in death. He was a jack of all trades and worked in welding, roofing, and as an auto mechanic. Gerald married his loving wife, Kim, and they shared 39 years of marriage before her passing in 2022. He loved anything outdoors and tinkering with anything with an engine. He merged those passions into his “other wife,” Black Magic, his beloved Dune Buggy, and they spent many hours riding the Michigan sand dunes. He also loved mud bogging, bracket racing, drag racing, and lawn mower racing with Outlaw Raceway. When he felt like slowing down, he enjoyed the quiet of hunting and fishing, watching action movies, and singing his favorite songs (just not very well). In his younger years, he played softball for local teams. Gerald loved to make people laugh and although he enjoyed hearing or telling a good joke, practical jokes were his favorite, and no one was safe from his hijinks. He was an unofficial employee of the Springport C-Store where he held the counter down while chatting and joking with everyone. Gerald was generous and would give you the shirt off his back, even if it was missing the sleeves, and was willing to drop everything to help a friend. Although he was not a hugger, you knew he loved you through his actions. He loved his family, enjoyed family get-togethers, and will be remembered as being a loving husband and great father and grandfather.
Along with his parents and wife, Gerald is preceded in death by his mother and father-in-law, Sam and Phyllis Gillett, and brother-in-law, Denny (Sandy) Gillett. He is survived by his sons: Jerry (Jessica) Oberlin, Jamie (Sarah) Oberlin, and Patrick (Brandi Fiser) Oberlin; bonus children, Scottie Catt and Lacy Osborn; grandchildren: Breanna (Chris), Brian, Dewey, RiRi, and Wyatt; bonus grandchildren: Dakota, Jayden, and Millie; and great-grandchildren, Baylee and Rylee. Gerald is also survived by his siblings: Terry Porter, Vickie Hamp, Sandy (TJ) Baker, Sharon (Richard) Calkins, Larry (Debbie) Oberlin, and Karen (Steve) Gordon; best friend of 57 years, Stan (Barrie) Latoski; special friends: Natasha (Jason) Haring, Sarah (David) Lightner, and Stan “Bud” Latoski; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Services celebrating Gerald’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 16, 2023, at Springport Bible Church located at 240 Mechanic Street in Springport, Michigan, with Pastor Matt Rhode officiating. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. prior to the service and a graveside service will follow at the Springport Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association, 2111 University Park Drive, Suite 200, Okemos, MI 48864, or online at act.alz.org. Arrangements entrusted to Vickers Springport Funeral Home, 121 Pearl Street/PO Box 235, Springport, MI 49284. 517-857-4848.
Herman H. Schuette, Jr.
Herman H. (Bud) Schuette, Jr., age 94, passed away peacefully on November 19, 2023 at The Gables at Boutwells Landing in Oak Park Heights, MN.
Bud was born on May 14, 1929 in Wallace, Michigan. He worked on the family farm throughout high school and when he graduated, enlisted in the Navy. When Bud was discharged from the Navy and returned home, he met and fell in love with his future wife, Barbara Fort. In 1955, Bud was offered a job with the United States Postal Service, so they moved to St. Paul, MN. They purchased a home in Oakdale, MN and lived there for 50 years. Bud retired from the Postal Service after 32 years and went to work, part-time, for Hermanson’s Dental as delivery driver.
After Bud was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease in 2016, he moved to Boutwells Landing and resided there for seven years. Bud was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 46 years, Barbara Ann (Fort), in 2003; his parents, Herman and Edith; and his siblings and their spouses, Joyce (Jack) and Warren (Pearl). Bud was the last survivor of his family of origin.
Bud is survived by his loving daughter, Ruthie (Brad); son Donald (Diane); nine loving grandchildren: Jenie, Jane, Dan, Anna, Sarah, Becky, Ashly, Maddy and D.J.; and 16 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Heartfelt thanks to the staff on the second floor of the Gables at Boutwells Landing for the loving care that they gave to Bud (Grandpa) over the years. They are truly an amazing team working in a blessed place. The gifts from the St. Croix Hospice staff will never be forgotten. Their presence as Dad’s health declined was such a blessing and the family is grateful.
A Celebration of Life and burial for Bud and Barb will be held at a later date in the Mellon Township Cemetery in Wallace, Michigan.
Memorials may be sent to “The Gables at Boutwells Landing” or “St. Croix Hospice” in Bud’s name.
Henry Francis Tripplet
Henry Francis Tripplet, 83 of Charlotte, MI, a good ole country boy that grew up in North Carolina and never met a stranger, died December 6, 2023, in Florida. Henry was born March 22, 1940, in Hickory, North Carolina to Bertha (Swanson) Whisnant and attended Beecher High School. Henry was a kind, generous, and helpful guy with a great sense of humor and he loved to pick on people. Many people in Charlotte will remember him for the many activities he participated in at the Senior Center, always working on projects and portraying many different characters in the shows there over the years. Henry was never one to sit still for long. He participated in many activities at his church, Crossroads United Brethren, was active with the Eaton County Fair, and he loved to cut wood, selling it by the cord, and do woodworking projects. A very humble guy, Henry never liked to talk about himself, and also never had an unkind word about another person.
Henry worked 30 years at Fisher Body. He was married for 42 years to his first wife, Linda, and they had five children together. After her death, Henry married Ramona Chase in 2004 and they enjoyed their golden years together, including many local community activities and travelling.
Henry is survived by his wife, Ramona; children, Tina (Dave) Farrow, Henry (Cindy) Tripplet, Michael (Bethany) Tripplet, and Tresa (Steve) Manning; and Bethany (Theodore) Wilson; 15 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren.
Friends are encouraged to support Henry’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation is Saturday, December 16, 4-7:00 p.m., and Sunday, December 17, 12 noon – 2:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. Funeral services are Sunday, December 17 at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Ricky Hull officiating. Please join the family immediately following the service at Eaton Area Senior Center for lunch. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Crossroads United Brethren Church or Eaton Area Senior Center. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.