Obituaries
Janice Barnett
Janice Barnett, age 84, of Bellevue, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Wednesday, November 18, 2020. She was born November 12, 1936, in Gladwin, the daughter of John and Jenny Morrison. She married Don Barnett Sr. on July 12, 1958. Jan adored her grandchildren. She was a devoted Christian and faithful member of Faith Assembly of God. Her church family was very important to her. Jan also enjoyed time spent fishing and being outdoors at Tri-Lakes Campground in Marshall with her family.
She is survived by her children: Patricia (John) Moore of Battle Creek, Billy Sam (Gerald Allred) Bowen Jr. of Olivet, Diana Lee Braden of Bellevue, Debra Ann Parks of Bellevue, Donnie Lee Barnett Jr. of Marshall, Gary Douglas Barnett of Battle Creek, Dawn Marie (Jerry) Stone of Battle Creek, Darla Jean (Brad) Tennent of Kentucky; 14 grandchildren; 31 great grandchildren; six great great grandchildren; brother, Roger (Pat) Morrison of Saginaw; sister, Claudia Smith of Northern Michigan.
Jan was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Don Barnett; sons-in-law: Bill Braden and Frank Cummings; grandson, Johnny Cummings; and ten siblings.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, November 23, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. at Faith Assembly of God, 9800 S. Cochran Road, Olivet, MI 49076 with Pastor Todd McLane officiating. The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m at the church. Burial will follow at Rice Creek Cemetery.
Those desiring may make contributions in Jan’s memory to Faith Assembly of God, 9800 S. Cochran Rd., Olivet, MI 49076.
To view Jan’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com.
The family is being served by the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home, Charlotte, Michigan.
Brian Whitcomb
Brian Whitcomb, 42, of Bellevue died on Sunday, November 15, 2020 at his home following a long illness.
Brian was born on April 3, 1978 in Battle Creek to Randy and Debbie (Clift) Whitcomb.
He graduated from Bellevue High School in 1996.
Brian was a carpenter foreman for Schweitzer Company in Battle Creek for several years. Prior to that he worked for Grand River Construction in Hudsonville. He was a member of the Battle Creek Eagles Aerie 299, the PNA Club in Battle Creek. When he was younger, he was active in the 4-H Rodeo, he took part in team penning/roping, and breaking horses to ride for himself and others for many years following his years in 4-H. Brian participated for many years at Michigan State University Cowboy Christmas Rodeo. He enjoyed gatherings with family and friends and enjoyed cooking a big food spread for everyone to enjoy. Brian enjoyed hunting, fishing, trapping, target shooting, and helping others. He enjoyed spending time with his family especially time with his nephews.
He is survived by his parents, Randy and Debbie Whitcomb; two siblings, Garett (Char) Whitcomb and Amy (Phil) Rigelman; five nephews; several aunts, uncles, many cousins; and lifelong friend Monique Colizzi. He was preceded in death by his grandparents George and Shirley Whitcomb, and Clyde and Letha Clift; aunt Lisa Clift; uncle George Whitcomb; aunt Sue Whitcomb; cousin Janet Whitcomb.
Due to COVID-19 a memorial service will take place at a later date. Memorial contributions are requested to Oaklawn Hospice, 13444 Preston Drive, Marshall Mich. 49068 or Eaton County 4-H, 551 Courthouse Drive #1, Charlotte, Mich. 48813. Memorial contributions may be mailed to the Kempf Funeral Home, P.O. Box 519, Marshall Mich. 49068 for delivery to the charity. Leave a personal message for the family and sign the online guestbook at KempfFuneralHome.com.
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.