Obituaries
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.
Cheryl L. Moss
Cheryl Lee (Johnson) Moss, age 76, passed away Wednesday, November 11, 2020 in Bushnell, Fla. Cheryl previously lived in Eaton Rapids and Springport, Mich. She was born June 4, 1944 in Gladwin, Mich. to Roy and Marian (Lange) Johnson. The family moved to Eaton Rapids in 1960. Cheryl graduated from Eaton Rapids High School in 1962 and married Kent Moss in 1963.
Cheryl had several jobs throughout her life. In Eaton Rapids she worked at Holcott Bakery, Eaton Stamping, and Sessions Ford. In Springport, Cheryl worked at Hoag Book Bindery, was a cafeteria assistant for Springport School System, and was the treasurer of the Springport Sports Boosters. She worked at Meijer in Jackson for 13 years as a security advisor and retired in 2005.
Undoubtedly, Cheryl’s favorite job was raising her three children with Kent and helping out on the family hog farm.
In 2005, Cheryl and Kent moved to Bushnell, Fla. and she was employed for one and one half years at WalMart and volunteered at a local hospice home.
Cheryl so enjoyed riding her bike, walking and working jigsaw puzzles. She also enjoyed traveling in their motor home and attending NASCAR races in Homestead and Daytona Beach each year.
Cheryl was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Bob, Jim, and Tom Johnson; in-laws, Victor and Marjory Moss; sister-in-law, Karen Johnson; brother-in-law, Kenneth Dack; and step father, Fred Van Der Bos.
She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Ronald “Kent” Moss; daughter, Cathy (Alan) Wood of Mason; two sons, Ronald Roy Moss of Springport, and Steven Moss of Toledo, Ohio. Cheryl is also survived by three sisters, Randi Colestock of Charlotte, Penny Johnson of Dimondale, and Sue (Tom) Wilson of Las Vegas, Nev.; sister-in-law, Kaye Dack of Hickory Corners; and aunt, Janet Strohkirch of Gladwin. She is also survived by nieces, Becky (Tim) Swix of Remus, Dr. Jessica Wilson-Chan of Tampa, Fla., Heather (Eric) Mergener of Eaton Rapids, and Misty Horton of Springport; nephews, Jeff Horton of Charlotte, Tim Horton of Jackson, Kevin (Sandy) Dack of Battle Creek, Kenny (Debra) Dack of Augusta, Alex (Trish) Carris of Port Orchard, Wa., Bob (Laura) Wilson of Cape Coral, Fla., Jared (Jessica) Wilson of Las Vegas, Nev., and Adam (Noelle) Wilson of Colorado Springs, Colo.
Arrangements are being handled by Beyers Funeral Home and Crematory-Purcell Chapel of Bushnell, Fla. A memorial service will be held graveside at Griffith Cemetery in Springport in the spring of 2021.
Carol E. Ottney
Carol Ellen (Tooker) Ottney, of Eaton Rapids, passed away at the age of 85 on November 20, 2020. Carol was born in Eaton Rapids on May 5, 1935 to Earl & Helen (Whipp) Tooker. She graduated Eaton Rapids High School class of 1954. She worked at Eaton Stamping, WR Thomas, and Family Fare in the deli department for 16 years.
She is survived by her children Brenda (Tracy) McGuirt of Hudson, N.C., Bruce Ottney of Eaton Rapids, Kimberly Dillion of Eaton Rapids; grandchildren Amanda Bartlett of Eaton Rapids, Samantha (Daryl) Joehlin of Charlotte, Ryan (Michelle) McMaster of Eaton Rapids; great grandchildren Troy Beem, Hunter Beem (Maya Hadley), Maxwell Lee, Addison Joehlin, and Corbin McMaster. Brother Dale (Judy) Tooker of Montrose, Colo. Carol was preceded in death by her parents, brother Gerald Tooker & sister in law Sharon Tooker, and ex-husband Frank Ottney. She loved her family and all the time she got to spend with them
Thank you to Heartland Hospice. No services will be held. To share memories or leave condolences please visit SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
Mary Jean Ross
Mary Jean Ross, age 76, of Charlotte, passed away peacefully Monday, November 9, 2020. She was born August 14, 1944, in Lansing the daughter of John and Wilma (Cornell) Hutchens. Mary had a heart of gold and was always concerned about the needs of others. She appreciated the little things in life and looked on the bright side in every situation. Mary was a devoted Christian that found comfort in reading the scriptures. In her spare time Mary enjoyed crocheting and watching television. Mary adored her family and loved spending time together.
She is survived by her children: Connie (Jeff) Cuccia of Colo., Michelle Shipman of Charlotte, David (Tammy) Ross of Charlotte, Amy Rodriguez of Charlotte; nine grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; siblings: Susan Wilson of Ludington, Jon Hutchens of Fremont, Donald (Melissa) Hutchens of Middleville; and ex-husband, Gary Ross of Arizona.
Mary was preceded in death by her father, John Hutchens; mother, Wilma Hutchens; step-father, Howard Saums; sister, Judith Bulemore; and step-sisters: Lois Smith and Joan Brown.
Funeral services were held on Friday, November 20, at 11 a.m. at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home with Pastor Charles Jenson officiating. The family received friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Interment took place at Maple Hill Cemetery.
Those desiring, may make contributions in Mary’s honor to the family.
To view Mary’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit Burkhead-Green-Kilgo.com.