Obituaries
Kevin L. Drummond
Kevin Lee Drummond, 57, of St. Clair, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on Thursday November 5, 2020. He was born February 28, 1963 in Jackson to Lendora (Lynn) Berry and Robert Drummond. Kevin grew up in Eaton Rapids and graduated in 1981 from Eaton Rapids High School. He married Kelly Drummond on June 4, 1988 and they enjoyed 32 years of close friendship, love, and adventure. Kevin graduated from Western Michigan University in 1986 with a degree in accounting. He worked as a CPA before attending John Marshall Law School in Chicago, Ill. After graduating and passing the bar, he worked for the Securities and Exchange Commission for several years. Kevin and his young family then moved back to Michigan where Kevin worked for Michigan Packaging Company until 1997, when he purchased Butler Plastics Co. in Marine City. He was a dedicated owner, and treated every coworker and employee as family. He was invested in his community and cared deeply for his employees and friends. His sense of humor and quick wit will be deeply missed by them all. Kevin is survived by his wife, Kelly Drummond (Blashill), his mother, Lynn (Bill) Berry, his brother Mark (Brenda) Drummond, and his three children Sarah (Michael) Hubbard, Andrew Drummond, and Scott Drummond. He was preceded in death by his father Robert Drummond. Kevin was a dedicated son, husband, uncle, and father, and was very proud of the family he had. He was excited to become a grandfather for the first time in the spring of 2021. A memorial to celebrate his life will be scheduled at Young Funeral Home in St. Clair. The date will be announced in spring of 2021. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Blue Water Hospice in Marysville in Kevin’s name. To leave the family a message of comfort please visit: colonialchapel.com.
Marsha Waymire
The world lost an amazing wife, mother, sister, teacher and bon vivant as Marsha Waymire of Charlotte passed on unexpectedly, at home on October 28, 2020.
Marsha lived for her family – her husband David, daughter Emma and her dogs, currently Luca and Nico – as well as her hundreds of first-grade students at Washington Elementary School in Charlotte over the last 20 years, and her many friends who relied on her to bring a smile, laugh and good times whenever she was near.
Born on May 11, 1955 in Flint, Mich. to Carroll Leo Lantz and Virginia Alice Markley Lantz, Marsha was raised in the Civic Park area of Flint before her family, including her brother Mike and sisters Sue and Kim, moved to Flushing where she graduated from high school.
It will surprise no one who knew her that Marsha passed on a chance to attend college and instead moved to Mesick with friends to find her own path. She took many jobs to make ends meet, including working in a cherry cannery and small auto parts factory.
Returning to Flint, she worked 89 days at the former Saginaw Steering Gear factory before leaving once she saw a 30-year path of well-paid drudgery ahead of her. She moved into retail positions before finding a niche in dental office management.
Marsha met David Waymire, then a Flint Journal reporter, in a downtown Flint bar and married him in 1981. When David’s job took him from Flint to Lansing, Marsha landed a position at Delta Dental in Okemos. She quickly moved into management at Delta. It was at this time that she developed her long attachment to flamingos, in any form, shape and size, from yard decorations to paintings to pool floats.
Emma was born in 1988. Once she entered elementary school, Marsha left Delta to focus on raising her little girl, her most treasured asset. A few years later, Marsha decided to pursue her longtime interest in teaching, graduating from Olivet College with her bachelor’s degree in education. In 2003, she became a first-grade teacher at Washington Elementary School, where Emma had attended.
For nearly 20 years, she shaped the lives of hundreds of first grade students at Washington and became an integral part of the school. Along the way, she received a master’s degree in elementary education from Western Michigan University.
Marsha was a vital part of Emma’s life as a soccer mom, equestrian follower, cheerleader at cross country and track events, and more. She and David travelled widely, from California to New York, Oregon and Colorado, as well as Miami, Paris, Tokyo, Belize and more. In March 2018, they helped Emma hold the wedding of her dreams, marrying Jarrett Clark in Costa Rica. With Emma and Jarrett living in Colorado, Denver became a second home for Marsha and David.
Over the years, Marsha and David hosted memorable parties at their Lansing home and then in their country abode between Potterville and Charlotte. A wine aficionado, exemplary mixologist, poolside tanner, gardener, extraordinary quilter, dedicated but mediocre skier and superb storyteller – often by exaggerating small everyday events into comedic episodes – Marsha breathed life, laughter and love into events large and small.
She retired from teaching this year and was planning new interesting paths to follow when she died peacefully in her sleep. She is survived by David; Emma and Jarrett; her dogs Luca and Nico; her granddog Henry; her grandhorse Cayman; her brother Mike and sisters Sue Bradley and Kim Lamphere; many brothers- and sisters-in-law and nephews and nieces; and the many students whose lives she touched.
A celebration of her remarkable achievements and love of life was held on Tuedsay, November 3 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. Interment followed at Maple Hill Cemetery, Charlotte.
David and Emma hope to establish an endowment fund in Marsha’s name to cover the cost of student school supplies that Washington Elementary teachers usually pay for out of their own pockets. More details will be available when the family hosts a major celebration of this amazing woman’s life once the COVID-19 pandemic subsides.
Russell M. Densmore
Russell Merle Densmore was born on July 17, 1932 and he took the checker flag on October 29, 2020. If you knew Russ you knew he loved and lived racing. As a young man he would race at Jackson Speedway. It was in his blood, so much that he decided to build his own Michigan Ideal Speedway. He worked 40 years at Michigan International Speedway (Fire Rescue). Russ was a volunteer firefighter/first responder, he also spent time in law enforcement and built a propane business, Thermogas of Springport, Mich.
Russ is survived by his wife Pat, having just passed 44 years together. Also surviving are his twin daughters, Joan Densmore (Dutch), June (Rick) Stevens; step-sons, Dave (Kim) Eddy, Steve (Joie) Eddy; grandchildren, Nicky, Richard, Chris, Jenny, Ethan, Abbey, Kim and Donna; several great-grandchildren; sister, Donna (Leon) Hinderer; several nieces and nephews and their spouses. Russ was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Mildred (Dunn) Densmore; daughter, Dianne Chunko; great-grandsons, Dylan and Colton Aukerman; brothers, Ed (Gwen) and Dale (Betty) Densmore; and sisters, Goldie (Earl) Garrison, AnnaBelle (Norris) Reynolds and Helen (Harry) Barton.
Funeral services for Russell were held on Wednesday, November 4, 2020 at Vickers Springport Funeral Home in Springport with Reverent Bill Tripp officiating. Burial followed the service at Springport Cemetery. Honored pallbearers were Steve Eddy, Dave Eddy, Ron Densmore, Richard Yahnka, Ethan Eddy and Shawn McCall, and honorary pallbearers were Curt Ainsworth, Terry Hiither and Rustie Hiither. Arrangements entrusted to Vickers Springport Funeral Home, 121 Pearl Street P.O. Box 235, Springport, MI 49284, (517)857-4848.
Donald L. Thompson, Sr.
Donald Lee Thompson, Sr., of Vermontville, died on Sunday, November 1, 2020. Donald, 85, was born October 5, 1935, in Lansing, Mich., the son of Palmer and Martha (Everingham) Thompson. On December 4, 1954, Donald married his sweetheart, Rose Marie Hummel and together spent the next 55 years. He worked 32 years as a welder for Fisher Body until his retirement in 1983. Donald was an avid outdoorsman.
Donald is survived by his children, Alicia (Gareth) Tyler of Olivet, Trese (Rick) Paisley of Bellevue, Rose “Rea” Kirby of Vermontville, Sue (Kenneth) Cowell of Vermontville, Donald “Bud” (Ursula) Thompson, Jr. of Vermontville; many grandchildren; special companion, Deb Rogers of Battle Creek; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his loving wife, Rose Marie; and grandson, Donald Thompson III.
Funeral services were held on Friday, November 6, 2020 at 2 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte, with Pastor Charles Jenson officiating. Visitation was held for two hours prior to the service, with mask, group capacity, and distancing guidelines practiced.
If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to The Maple Valley Scholarship Fund. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Donald on his tribute page at PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Donna J. Tirrell
Donna Jeanne (Lovell) Tirrell was born on April 25, 1934 in Lake Odessa, Mich. to Gordon and Margarette Lovell, and died at age 86 on October 30, 2020 at home with Don at her side. Donna Jeanne graduated from Vermontville High School in 1952 and went on to Lansing Business Institute. After graduation, she went to work at Oldsmobile as an executive secretary until she married Don on November 7, 1954, when she became a farm wife. Over the years, she raised three children and kept their home in order while Don worked the fields. Donna Jeanne was involved in Church Circle at Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church and for several years was the wedding reception planner, meeting with the brides to help plan their receptions. She was involved with I-Go-You-Go club, Farm Bureau, worked at Smith’s Men’s Wear, volunteered at Hayes Green Beach Hospital and was the Carmel Township treasurer for 12 years. She and Don enjoyed spending time at Indian River, Mich., and enjoyed sitting on the dock watching the boats. They enjoyed spending a few weeks in the winter at Ft. Walton Beach, Florida. Donna Jeanne was also known to make cookies for the neighborhood kids who played ball in her yard.
Donna Jeanne is survived by her husband of 65 years, Don; children, Vickie (Greg) Shaver of Charlotte, Bill Tirrell of Roscommon, and Tom (Deanna) Tirrell of Tulsa, Okla. Also surviving are 7 grandchildren, Jamie (Travis) Reed of LaGrange Park, IL, Dan (Jill) Shaver of Charlotte, Chad (Stacy) Weldon of Grand Ledge, Megghan (Niki) Ravan of Hastings, Don (Caitlin) Tirrell of Eaton Rapids, Alex (Sarah) Tirrell of Tulsa, Okla. and Maggie Tirrell of Overland Park, Kans.; 10 great-grandchildren along with cousins, nieces and nephews; and special friends Pat and Bub Briggs. She was preceded in death by her brother, Kendall in May of 2020.
Funeral services were on Wednesday, November 4, 2020 at the family farm in Charlotte with Pastor Jack Conklin officiating.
If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Eaton Community Palliative Care or Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Donna on her Tribute Page at prayfuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.