Obituaries
Harold Earnest McDonald
Harold Earnest “Spanky” McDonald, a dependable and supportive person to all he met, died Monday, November 16, at his residence at the age of 88. Harold was born September 14, 1932 in Lansing, the son of Roscoe and Bessie (Rogers) McDonald. Harold, or “Spanky” as his grandfather called him, was a self-proclaimed “wild child” with an ambitious streak as he was growing up. As a youth in Lansing he delivered papers for both the Lansing State Journal and the Detroit Free Press. He became well known around the neighborhood and it wasn’t unusual for him to be invited to breakfast at one of the neighbors’ homes (after he had eaten breakfast at his own home).
Harold also loved visiting the farm of his grandparents where he would often follow his cousin’s lead…pulling the goat’s whiskers, terrorizing the chickens, pulling each other around in a toy wagon and riding an old “doodle bug” around the countryside. One of his favorite stories is the day he and classmates climbed up on the schoolhouse roof to fix the school bell rope. They pulled the ladder up and stayed up there the rest of the day. However, the teacher came to his house to inform his parents, and that “earned him a whippin.”
As he grew older his attention turned to tractors and cars. He often recalled his first car as a green ’36 Chevy with no shift, no brakes, no gas, and no glass. Spanky entered the U.S Army in 1950 and served in Korea where he was one of the survivors of the Iron Triangle. Upon returning from service overseas he escorted dignitaries around Ft. Custer and helped indoctrinate new troops.
Harold met his wife, Vera, while hanging out at the gas station of Vera’s father, Harold Brown. Spanky and Vera were married in 1953 in Muir, Mich. at her grandparents’ farm. Together they raised two sons, Harold Jr. and Steven. They moved to a farm outside of Charlotte where Harold developed his love of farming and tractors. His ambition led him to several other jobs at the same time which included his work at Aluminum Extrusions (AE) in Charlotte where he a was one of the longest-term employees. He also began work as a minister, helping to establish the RLDS church in Charlotte, where he served as treasurer for many years, and at the same time owned and managed several rental apartments. After AE closed, Harold and Vera moved to Leslie where they ran a motel. In 2002 they returned to Charlotte. During all that time Harold’s favorite hobby was “bookkeeping.” He reveled in keeping track of numbers and accounts.
Harold is survived by his wife Vera; his two sons, Harold Jr., and Steven; four grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; five great-great grandchildren; and his sister, Hazel Whitford Bowen Smith. He was predeceased by his parents; his sister, Clara Belle; brother, Leon; and two great-grandchildren.
Visitation and funeral services were held on Friday, November 20, at 1 p.m. at Real Life Church in Charlotte with Pastor Martin Garn officiating.
Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Harold on his tribute page at PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home.
Beverly J. Newcomer
Beverly J. (Kelley) Newcomer, 83, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, November 10, 2020. She was born on February 7, 1937 in Lansing, Michigan. Beverly was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She enjoyed reading, cooking, baking, gardening, sewing, crocheting, and traveling to see her children and grandchildren. She also enjoyed doing projects around the house with her husband George; from building a fire pit to adding a new addition. Beverly was an active member at Calvary Baptist Church as a Ladies Ministry Committee member and enjoyed being in the nursery loving on the babies. She was known for her hugs at church—and there would be a line next to her pew to receive them. She also volunteered as a room mother in the Charlotte Public Schools for all six of her children.
Preceding her in death was her beloved husband, George E. Newcomer; her three brothers, James, Phillip, and Frank Kelley; and her sister Norma Jean Kelley (Hagerman). She is survived by her son, Kelly (Chong Im Kim) Newcomer of Savanah, Ga.; daughters, Pamela (Agaifea) Uini of Tahrump, Nev., Linda (Ronald) Haigh of Bellevue, Diane (Ronald) Kreps of Bellevue, Teri (Eric) Jensen of Traverse City, and Patricia (Ramon Rivera III) Newcomer-Rivera of Charlotte; grandchildren, David (Melissa) Newcomer, Christopher Uini, Joshua Uini, Jessica (Julian) Branscombe, Paul (Hiro Ko) Haigh, Crystal (Dale) Dowding, Laura Haigh, Leanne (Seth) Ojala, Heather Kreps, Jared Jensen, Jesse (Taylor) Rivera, Kyle Rivera (engaged to Emily Kemp), Adrianne Rivera; seven great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews who knew her as “Aunt Betsy.”
Friends are encouraged to support Beverly’s family. Funeral services are Saturday, November 21, at 12:30 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church in Charlotte with Pastor Mark Booth officiating. Visitation is scheduled for Saturday, November 21 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church. Mask, group capacity, and social distancing guidelines will be observed. Please be considerate of others during this time.
If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Calvary Baptist Church of Charlotte and Eaton Community Palliative Care. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Beverly on her tribute page at PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
William Duane Eaton
William Duane Eaton, age 63, of Charlotte, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Monday, November 16, 2020. He was born March 29, 1957, in Lansing, the son of Harley and Lillian (Schulze) Eaton. Bill graduated from Maple Valley High School with the class of 1975. He was an avid hunter and enjoyed spending time outdoors. Bill proudly served his country in the United States Army. He was an active member of the VFW Post 2406 in Charlotte and the American Legion Post 42 in Charlotte. Bill cherished his family but was especially fond of his grandchildren. He retired from the Lansing Post Office after many years of service.
Bill is survived by his children: William (Katie) Eaton of Lansing, Tara Eaton of Charlotte, Tasha (Steven) Marietta of Eaton Rapids, LaTrisha (Adam) Voorhees of Springport, Daysha (Anthony) Eaton of Charlotte; 12 grandchildren; mother, Lillian Eaton; siblings: Randy (Debbie) Eaton of Va., Clifford Eaton of Ky., Debra (David) Parshall of Ind., and Laura (Perry) Plyler of Hasting.
He was preceded in death by his father, Harley Eaton and brother, Wallace Eaton.
In keeping with Bill’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at a later date.
Those desiring, may make contributions in Bill’s memory to the family.
To view Bill’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit Burkhead-Green-Kilgo.com.
The family is being served by the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home.
Ronnie Dean Binning Sr.
Ronnie Dean Binning Sr., age 77, of Lansing, formerly of Potterville, passed away Friday, November 13, 2020, at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing. He was born June 13, 1943, in Alton, Ill. the son of Everett and Verna (Snider) Binning. On April 4, 1963, Ronnie married the love of his life, Shirley Jean Holtorf in Woodriver, Ill.
Ronnie retried after 30 years of service from Owens- Illinois in Charlotte, where he worked as a gage-shop mechanic. Ronnie had a witty sense of humor, loved to talk and everyone called him Grandpa. He would often say, “If you lost your sense of humor, you lost it all!” Ronnie enjoyed collecting coins, playing cards, completing crossword puzzles, and raising chickens. He had a big heart and was always willing to lend a helping hand. Family meant everything to Ronnie. He cherished his wife and children but he had a special place in his heart for his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Ronnie is survived by his wife of 57 years, Shirley; children: Kristine (Mark Boeckmann) Kelso of Lansing, Ronnie Dean Binning Jr. of LaVergne, Tenn., Dawn Binning of Lansing; grandchildren: Ryan (Kelly), Bethany, Benjamin (Heather), Tyler (Iceley), Allison (Austin), Keyanna (Dominque), Morgan; great-grandchildren: Aiden, Braeden, Vincent, Sophia; sister, Connie (John) Clark of Cottage Hills, Ill.; three sisters-in-law; two brothers-in-law; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Richard, Gerald, and Clem (Barb) Binning.
A memorial service will be held in the spring at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home in Charlotte.
Those desiring, may make contributions in Ronnie’s honor to the charity of their choosing. To view Ronnie’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit Burkhead-Green-Kilgo.com.
Doris Andrews
Mrs. Doris Andrews, age 66, of Charlotte passed away Sunday, November 8, 2020 at Eaton County Health and Rehabilitation Services in Charlotte, Michigan.
Doris was born in Charlotte on November 9, 1953, the daughter of the late Isaac and Helen Bursley.
She was raised in the Charlotte area, attended local schools and graduated from Charlotte High School in 1971.
Doris was the widow of Mr. Mark Andrews. The couple were married in 1983, and made their home together in the Nashville area while they raised their family together. After the loss of her husband in 1997, Doris relocated to the Charlotte area, to be closer to her sister Barbara.
Doris spent the majority of her working career as a custodian, who specialized in the care of government buildings in the Lansing area. Doris retired in 2017 after 21 years of faithful service.
Doris had a beautiful gift of “giving.” No matter what stage of life Doris was in, she enjoyed giving not only of herself but tangible gifts as well. In her later years she enjoyed making crafts and art, which she would give to fellow residents to brighten their rooms and their day. She also enjoyed listening to “classic” country music and watching old westerns on television.
Doris is survived by her sons, Christopher (Tiffany) Andrews and Patrick Andrews; her two sisters, Barbara Bursley and Dorothy Palmer; one brother, Ike (Terrie) Bursley; and two grandchildren, Laura and Bryan Andrews.
She was preceded in death by her husband Mark, and her sister, Mary Gamble.
Graveside services were held at the Wilcox Cemetery in Nashville, Michigan on Friday, November 13, 2020 with Pastor Karen Kinney officiating.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Eaton County Rehabilitation Center – Activities Department.
The family is in the care of The Daniels Funeral Home in Nashville, Michigan.