Obituaries
Gerald Dean Brock
Gerald Dean “Gary” Brock, of Eaton Rapids, passed away November 16, 2020 at the age of 79. Gary was born in Jackson, Mich., March 6, 1941, the son of Clyde Larson and Francis Naegele. He worked as a factory worker with Hoover Universal for 25 years, then went on to work for Hotsy Power Washing in Eaton Rapids and Stahl Heating and Cooling. Gary enjoyed playing the guitar, golfing and riding horses. He was a member of the Jean Bradford Kline Senior Center and frequently played in a band called the “Good Old Boys.”
Gary is survived by his son, Rick (Carrie) Brock of Charlotte; grandchildren, Jeremy, Diana, Erica and Levi Brock, all of Charlotte; brothers, Brian, Chester and Jon Larson; sister-in-law, Helene Larson; several nieces and nephews; his friend and caregiver, Jeanne Creyts. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Carol; brothers, David Larson, Wayne Brock; sister-in-law, Sandra Brock; and niece, Tracy Cuatt.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, November 21, 2020 at the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel, 518 S. Main St., Eaton Rapids. Visitation will take place on Friday from 6 – 8 p.m. and Saturday one hour prior to the service. Memorial contributions may be made to the Jean Bradford Kline Senior Center. To place online condolences please visit the Mills Funeral Home website at MillsFuneral.com.
Inez Bernice Premo
Inez Bernice Premo of East Lansing, passed away November 17, 2020 at the age of 94. Inez was born in Detroit, November 24, 1925, the daughter of John and Farrel (Graves) Furfaro. She worked for Dodge trucks during WWII as one of the original Rosie the Riveters and later went on to beauty school where she earned her beautician’s license and worked out of her home. Inez was a member of the Lutheran Church and the Red Hat Society. She loved people and loved life. Her hobbies included playing bridge, crafting, and watching old movies so that she could go down memory lane watching her favorite old actors and actresses.
Inez is survived by her daughter, Lynn (Gary) Mitchell; grandchildren, Annetta (Marc) Cooper, Dawn (Christopher) Copeland, Nathan (Stella) Premo; daughter-in-law, Adrienne (Tom) Logsdon; seven great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Elmer Premo; son, Thomas Premo; sisters, Catherine Morgan, Jane Wagner and Gloria Bown.
Memorial services will be held at a later date at Columbia Road. Baptist Church. Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Columbia Road. Baptist Church. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. Please visit their website to place online condolences at MillsFuneral.com.
Krista Lee Vercruysse
Krista Lee Vercruysse, of Eaton Rapids, Mich. passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, November 11, 2020 at the age of 57. Krista was born on January 11, 1963 in Lansing, Michigan the daughter of Phillip and Joan (May) Vercruysse. She spent her childhood between Lansing and Houghton Lake. She attended school at Lansing Everett and graduated from Houghton Lake class of 1981. Upon graduation she went to College at Miami of Ohio where she received her Bachelors in Teaching. Krista worked as a daycare provider in Eaton Rapids for many years and also worked as a substitute teacher for numerous school districts over the years. She changed the lives of everyone she met. Krista was a giving and loving woman who had a passion for teaching and gardening.
She is preceded in death by her parents and daughter, Susie.
She will be greatly missed by her daughter, Amber Hensley; son, Richard Hensley; boyfriend and companion for over 20 years, Mitchell Towns; grandchildren, Nick, Easton, Lucas, Rebecca, Bree, and Andrew; sisters, Kelly (Dan) Corl and Kari Hummel; one brother Patrick; “adopted grandchildren,” Angelina, Alicia, Chuckie, Kim and Chad; very close friends, Chelle and Gary, Peter and Ingrid, Michelle and John, Connie, her Houghton Lake family and many friends.
Sentiments of a granddaughter:
“Grandma Krista was like an angel, down to earth
She cooked, she cleaned and was well over worked.
The smell of cigarettes on her clothes made anyone feel at home,
You couldn’t help but feel special by the love that she shown.
Her food was amazing and she made a lot of it,
Losing her is hard and I’m not telling you to ‘tough through it’.
She loved her family and her music too
It wasn’t anything like country or blues.
Kid Rock was her favorite and so were the Spartans.
Her kids meant a lot to her and that was for certain,
She was a big part of our lives and no one can replace her.
Even though she might be gone we will have her memory forever.”
A memorial service will be held in the summer of 2021. To share memories or condolences please visit SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
Rev. Stephen Klink
On Thursday, November 12, 2020 at the age of 71, Steve passed from this life into Glory and has met his redeemer and Savior face to face. Born November 17, 1948 in Eaton Rapids the son of Robert and Anna (Howery) Klink, he was raised in rural Eaton Rapids where he attended Eaton Rapids Public Schools. Steve enlisted in the United State Marines just prior to graduation, after basic training he was stationed in Viet Nam during the war. Following his discharge Steve had several occupations but found his calling in the ministry. He ministered to several hundreds of people in his lifetime including the members of his church, The Eaton Rapids Community Christian Church. He was a lover of animals especially exotic birds and Percheron horses. Steve was a great orator and gifted writer who published a life experience article entitled “Sunglasses” in Chicken Soup for the Veteran’s Soul. He also performed in theatrical plays with his good friend George Brown, one of which was the “Madrigals.”Steve was a talented singer and guitarist, and a man of God who truly loved his church family. He was quick witted and was often noted for saying, “Now write this down in the dust on your dash.” A man of the people, Steve will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Surviving are his wife, Joy; six children, Kristy (Nick) Cimino, Steve (Pam) Klink, Amanda (Matt) Miller, Bill (Liz) Hoople, Lesley (Jeff) Sherwood, Paul (Kristie) Hoople; 17 grandchildren,;four great grandchildren; ten brothers and sisters; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held on Monday, November 16, 2020 at the Skinner Funeral Home in Eaton Rapids. Burial followed at the Fowler Cemetery in rural Eaton Rapids with full military honors. The family suggests in lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to McLaren Hospice or to a charity of one’s choice in loving memory of Stephen Klink. For online condolences or to share a memory please go to SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
Robert C. Brown
Robert Clyde Brown, 86 of Charlotte, a guy who always said, “I’ll do it myself” and his family affectionately calls “a stubborn ole bastard” died November 8, 2020. He was headstrong with a soft heart, willing to take on tasks for others as well as accomplishing his list. He loved hunting and fishing and three-wheeling with his Kellogg buddies. Bob was a homebody. He was proud of his property, including the barns that he built, his house and his land. He enjoyed his building and refinishing of farm equipment and many other projects. He enjoyed his years at Kellogg as a machine operator. Bob was so proud of his family, and loved to share memories of his sons’ antics.
Bob is survived by his wife, Susan Myers; and his step-children, Keven Myers and August Mellios; ten grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; one brother, Dean (Sheila) Brown of Olivet. He was preceded in death by his parents; sons, Steve Brown, Stan Brown, Donn Brown; grandson, Chad Brown; and brother, Larry Brown.
Funeral services are Saturday, November 14, 2020, 11 a.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with celebrant Joseph E. Pray officiating, and interment to follow at Perry Cemetery. Visitation is prior to the service from 10 to 11 a.m. on Saturday. Mask, group capacity, and distancing guidelines will be practiced. The funeral will be webcast so you may watch it from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device that has internet access. Go to prayfuneral.com, click on Bob’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). Just prior to the beginning of the service, a link will appear on this page to watch the webcast.
If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Charlotte Food Pantry. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Robert on his tribute page at PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.