Obituaries
Linda Jo Scott
With deepest sorrow, we regretfully share the passing of Linda Jo Scott (Samuels), Friday, November 20, 2020. Linda was born in Chicago, Ill. on December 3, 1939. She lived in Chicago through high school, received her bachelor’s degree from Yankton College S.D., in 1961, and earned her master’s degree, and PHD in literature from Emory University, Ga. in 1964.
Linda Jo was a lover of the arts and education. She studied and taught literature, poetry, and writing most of her life. She taught English in a prison, taught language in foreign countries, and dedicated her life to helping others learn. She travelled the world, extensively in Europe and parts of Asia, and even lived in France and South Korea. She was fluent in French, wrote hundreds of poems and published many articles.
Linda Jo was a member of the Battle Creek Symphony Orchestra for 31 years as second violin. She taught at Olivet College in Olivet Mich. for 20 years, before retiring in 1998. Countless students reflect that she was their favorite teacher and that she touched and changed their lives. She played countless weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, funerals, and more as a strolling violinist, often for just a meal.
She is survived by her sons John Randall Banks, Bellevue, Mich., Alan Banks, his wife Dana, and their children Carter, Rylie, and Emery, Akron, Ohio; her sister Marjorie Buchbinder, Miami Fla.; and brother, Thomas Samuels, Enterprise Ala. Her sweetheart, Andrew Francis Vincent Leat, preceded her in death in 2015. They traveled the world and the states in their 13 years together.
As we remember mom’s life and all the lives she touched, we are thankful that she was ours in flesh and blood, but everyone’s in spirit and friendship. She was kind and caring, warm and inviting, thoughtful yet uncomplicated. Fond memories, poetry, writings and art are what we will always have to remember mom.
We ask that gifts be dedicated to the Battle Creek Symphony Orchestra in Battle Creek Michigan.
Richard R. Cobb
Richard Raymond Cobb, 91, of Vermontville, died peacefully on Monday, November 23, 2020 at his home. Richard was born February 21, 1929, at home in Eaton County. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and proudly served during WWII. Upon his return, he married Bertha Faye Wilson on August 22, 1949 and the two started their family. Richard worked 25 years at Diamond Reo in Lansing until its closure in 1975. He then started his own business, Cobb Well Drilling, which he owned and operated over 30 years in the Charlotte area. Throughout his lifetime, Richard also operated his own small farm in Vermontville. In his spare time he loved watching NASCAR and playing three-card poker at the casino. Above all, Richard loved his family.
Richard is survived by his wife of 71 years, Bertha Cobb; son, Richard L. (Belinda Harwood) Cobb; six grandchildren, Shelly (Brent) Rehm, Darren (Monelle) Cobb, Jared (Nicki) Osborne, Christie (Chad) Lutz, Richard (Evelyn) Osborne, and Andrea Cobb; 12 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; sisters, Margee Sudberry and Virginia Peters; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his daughter, Janice Cobb; son, David Cobb; brother, Lyle Cobb; and brothers-in-law, Jack Sudbury and John Peters.
Private family services will be held. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Richard on his tribute page at PrayFuneral.com.
The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
David W. Smith
David Winslow Smith, of Onondaga, passed away November 21, 2020 at the age of 85, after a brief fight with complications from COVID-19. David was born in Saginaw, Mich. on January 3, 1935, the son of Winslow and Helen (Loebs) Smith. He greatly enjoyed shooting from high school on. He was a boy scout and also in the National Guard. David enjoyed fixing things, houses, cars, motorcycles. He worked as a Corrections Officer at Southern Michigan Prison in Jackson for 27 years, retiring in 1991. He was on the Three Weapon Team (Rifle, Shotgun and Pistol) at the prison. There are many trophies and prizes he won at different shoots. After retirement he joined the Rose City Harmonica Club. He played harmonica, was the treasurer for about 15 years, and he moved the equipment for the club for many years. Onondaga Community Church was his home church for about 45 years. He was active at the Swiss Steak Suppers and supporting the church any way he could.
David is survived by his wife of 65 years, Gail; children, Bonnie Myers of Warren, Paul (Deb) Smith of Pinconning, Linda (Earl) Ammon of Georgia, and Leslie (Chris) Zenker of Onondaga; grandchildren, Susan (Tony) Watkins, Amanda (Jonathan) Crandell, C.J. Zenker, Aleca (Patrick) Chenault, and Josh Zenker; three great grandchildren; two siblings, Mark (Anne) Smith, and Joy Zissler; and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held in the spring. For those desiring, memorial contributions can be made to the Onondaga Community Church Building Fund, P. O. Box 97, Onondaga, MI 49264, or Hillsdale College, 33 E. College St., Hillsdale, MI 49242, in memory of David. The family has entrusted arrangements to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. Online condolences and memories may be shared at millsfuneral.com.
Diana Jo Barendregt
Diana Jo Barendregt, age 87 of Springport, after a brief illness complicated by pneumonia was called home to be with her Lord on Wednesday November 18, 2020. Diana was born in Liberty, Ind. in 1933 and graduated from Garth High School in Georgetown, Ky. in 1951. After school she found her way to Washington D.C. where she met and married the love of her life, William in 1952. Diana and Bill made their home in Springport where she remained after Bill’s passing in 2015. In 1971 Diana graduated with her nursing degree and worked in the Albion Hospital system until her retirement in 1995. She continued to be the neighborhood nurse for anyone in need and loved serving others. Bill and Diana loved yard sales and Diana was an avid gardener. In the spring, summer and fall she could be found among her vegetables and many flowers most any given day. During college basketball season Diana loved to watch and cheer on the Michigan State Spartans and the Kentucky Wildcats, unless the score was close and it was near the end of the game, then she would usually turn the channel because the pressure of the game was overwhelming. She also was a huge fan of the Kentucky Derby and would follow the names of the horses and all their history and make a favorite pick to win each year. Diana will be greatly missed by her family, friends and her special kitty, Hunter.
Diana was preceded in death by William, her beloved husband of 63 years; her parents Mary and Joseph Gulley, grandparents Lydia and Asa Griffin, aunts, uncles and various other extended family. She leaves behind Debbie (Gordon) Webb of Springport, William Kevin Barendregt of Colo., and Victoria (Rick) Pierson also of Springport. Bill and Diana had three grandchildren, Desiree (Kenneth) Burcaw of Ga., Kiley (Michael) Harner of Ariz. and Dylan (Nikole) Peyton of Paw Paw, Mich. They were blessed to have nine great-grandchildren Kenny, Alana and Hope Burcaw; Shane Harner and Alaythia, Naomi, Rylee, Zoe and Devan Peyton. Diana also leaves one brother John Gulley of Jonesville, Mich. and nephews Tim (Heather) Gulley of Springport, and Phillip Gulley of Las Vegas, Nev.
A celebration of Diana’s life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Paralyzed Veterans of America, National Processing Center, PO Box 758589, Topeka KS, 66675-8589 or Cascades Humane Society, 1515 Carmen Drive, Jackson, MI 49202. Arrangements entrusted to Vickers Springport Funeral Home: VickersFuneralHomes.com.
Terry Smith
Terry Smith of Olivet, formerly of Eaton Rapids, passed away November 21, 2020 at the age of 76. Terry was born in Eaton Rapids on February 8, 1944, the son of George and Roberta (Barker) Smith. He enlisted with the US Coastguard as a radar technician during the Vietnam War, finishing out his military career with the reserves. Terry was a deputy and detective with the Eaton County Sherriff Department and part of the Mounted Posse for many years. He was a member of the Michigan Bass Chapter in Eaton Rapids and a former member of the Olivet Lions Club serving as president. Terry owned and operated the Smith Insurance Agency in Eaton Rapids for 25 years and coached youth softball. His hobbies included hunting, fishing, camping, mushroom hunting and playing poker with his children and grandchildren.
Terry is survived by his wife, Cindy Smith; sons, Jeffery (Kathi) Smith of Olivet, Timothy (Becky) Smith of Olivet, Jarrod Smith of Olivet; daughter, Stacia (Paul) Smith-Temple of Bellevue; 12 grandchildren; 25 great grandchildren; brother, Greg (Mistell) Smith of Ind. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Larry Smith.
Graveside services were Wednesday, November 25, 2020 at Rosehill Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made in Terry’s memory to the Wounded Warrior Project, 230 W. Monroe St. Chicago, IL 60606. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. Please visit our website to place online condolences at millsfuneral.com.