Obituaries
Jacqueline Harns-Higbie
Jacqueline Miller Harns- Higbie, age 90, of Eaton Rapids, passed away on Sunday, February 16, 2020. Jackie was born on May 29, 1929, in Eaton Rapids, the daughter of Eber and Lois (Ashley) Miller. Although she spent most of her life as a homemaker, raising her five children, she also spent time working at Gulliver’s and Bentleys in Eaton Rapids. Jackie was always there to help her family and friends and would often babysit for many of her nieces and nephews. She would never forget a birthday, holiday, anniversary or special event and would always have a card in the mail. Jackie was a devout Christian who would regularly read her Bible and was very active at the Wesleyan Church and later at the Nazarene Church, both in Eaton Rapids.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Vergil Harns; late husband, Robert Higbie; grandson, Scott Kinney; sisters, Margaret Vincent, Gladys Dowding, Ella Brininstool, Madeline Coffey and brother, Robert Miller.
Surviving are her children, Evelyn (Larry) Kinney, Jan (Larry) Orr, Mary (Tom) Kleinert, David (Esther) Harns, Roger (Sara) Harns; step-children, Sonja (John Jr.) Oatley, Claudia (Dwight) Payne, Nanette Doxsie, Theresa Treadwell, Sherrel Crawley, 28 grandchildren, 53 great grandchildren, 8 great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 22, 2020, at 2 p.m. at the Eaton Rapids Church of the Nazarene, with visitation starting at 1 p.m. The family was scheduled to receive friends at Skinner Funeral Home in Eaton Rapids on the evening of Friday, February 21, 2020, from 5 to 8 p.m. For those desiring to make memorial contributions, they may be made to the Eaton Rapids Church of the Nazarene. To share memories or leave condolences, visit skinnerfuneralhomes.com.
Kenneth W. Foster
Kenneth Wayne Foster, age 69, of Charlotte passed away Tuesday, February 11, 2020, at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing. He was born June 26, 1950, in Independence, Kan., the son of Wayne and Barbara (Howell) Foster.
Ken graduated from Maple Valley High School with the class of 1968. On May 21, 1971, he married Marsha Jean Collier in Charlotte. Ken loved his family and was especially fond of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a passionate wood worker and enjoyed creating many treasured keepsakes. Ken also enjoyed the outdoors. Whether he was cutting wood or riding his quad, the outdoors was where he wanted to be. Ken retired, after 30 years of service, from GM in Lansing.
Ken is survived by his wife of 48 years, Marsha; daughter, Dawn Foster of Charlotte; grandchildren; Adam (Mackenzie) Foster of Charlotte, Matt (Brooke) Berry of Charlotte, Kevin Berry of Charlotte, Dustin (Amanda) Foster of Charlotte, Nicole Foster of Delton; ten great-grandchildren; siblings, Troy (Sharon) Foster of South Dakota, Linda (Doug) Lewis of Scotts and Barbara (Jeff) Byington of Vermontville.
He was preceded in death by his parents and daughter, Amy Foster.
In keeping with Ken’s wishes, cremation has taken place, and no services are scheduled at this time. Those desiring may make contributions in Ken’s honor to Michigan Industrial Technology Education Society (MITES), www.mites.cc. The family is being served by the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home.
Jay Gowell
Jay Gowell, age 73, of Charlotte passed away on February 3, 2020, surrounded by his loving family. Jay was born on July 19, 1946, in Shelby, Mich., to the late Calvin and Beatrice Gowell.
He grew up locally, graduating from Shelby High School, and was awarded the president’s scholarship at Western Michigan University. Upon earning his bachelor’s degree in mathematics education and a minor in physical education, he began his teaching and coaching career at Fruitport School District. Later, he taught and coached for Evart High School, which is where he met fellow teacher and love of his life, Cindy. The two were wed in 1977, settling in Charlotte. He continued to teach math and coach both track and football at Charlotte High School.
Jay and Cindy began building their family in 1983 and were blessed with four children. Jay retired in 2001 due to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. His life was saved by a lung transplant in 2003. After the transplant, Jay returned to coaching football and track and discovered his love of coaching cross-country. Jay valued the time he spent with his family, his friends and the athletes he coached.
Jay is survived by his wife, Cindy Gowell; sons, Jeffrey Gowell (Marcie), Noah Gowell; daughter, Stephanie Gowell; brother, Roger Gowell (Sheila); sister, Marie Gowell; brother-in-law, Bob Meyer; and best friend, Tom Sneckenberg (Dawn). Jay was preceded in death by his son, Michael Gowell and his sister, Nancy Meyer.
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, March 7, 2020, at Charlotte High School in the gymnasium lobby from 1-3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to a scholarship in Jay’s memory. It will be an annual scholarship to graduating Charlotte athletes from the football, track and cross-country teams. Donations can be deposited at any MSUFCU location or by checks made out to “Coach Jay Gowell Memorial Scholarship” and mailed to the family. To sign his guest register or to leave online condolences, visit www.shikanyfuneralhome.com.
Kathryn M. Tappen
Kathryn “Kitty” Margaret Tappen, age 93, of Charlotte died peacefully on Sunday, February 9, 2020, in Lansing. Kitty was born October 8, 1926, in Moorestown, Mich., the daughter of Alza Albertus Bert and Jane (Turner) Brandon. Kitty married Milan Eugene Tappen on April 7, 1945, in Lansing, during his service in the U.S. Navy. The two built a house together in which to raise their children. She was a devoted wife and soulmate to Milan for 70 years. Kitty’s joy in life was family, especially time spent together at holidays and special occasions and at the trailer on Chippewa Lake. Early on in family life, Milan and Kitty traveled often with their “tiny home,” enjoying camping with their children. She enjoyed getting outdoors to garden or for walks. She was skilled at knitting, crochet, cross stitch and sewing, leaving many treasures behind for her daughter and grandchildren. Many will remember her sense of humor and love of laughter and her constant willingness to help others.
Kitty is survived by her daughter, Carol Tappen; daughter-in-law, Mary Frances Tappen; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Kitty is predeceased by her husband of 70 years, Milan “Mike” Eugene Tappen; sons, Michael Glenn Tappen and Duane John Tappen, grandson, Michael Glenn Tappen, Jr; sisters, Mable Fox, Lillian Coon, Nora Braden; brothers, Albert Brandon, John Brandon, Glenn Brandon, Roger Brandon, Robert Brandon; her parents; sister-in-law Ardith Cnota and Mitch Cnota.
Funeral services were scheduled for Friday, February 14, 2020, at 1 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Pastor Charles Jenson officiating. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Eaton Community Palliative Care. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Kitty on her tribute page at www.prayfuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte.
Maurine E. Clark
Maurine Ethel Clark, age 86, of Charlotte passed away peacefully February 2, 2020, at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing. She was born October 22, 1933, in San Antonio, Texas, the daughter of Elmer and Zola (Caulkins) Steger.
Maurine graduated in 1952 from Robert E. Lee High School in Jacksonville, Fla. She was a fiercely devoted mother and grandmother. She always saw to it that her family was well taken care of, even if it required her working two jobs. Maurine cherished her children and grandchildren and always looked forward to spending time together with them. When she wasn’t hard at work, she enjoyed dancing and bowling with friends. Maurine retired after many years of faithful service as the private secretary for the Honorable Judge Dennis Alvarez of Hillsborough County, Fla.
Maurine is survived by her children; Mark (Kathryn) Davis of Tampa, Fla., Bruce (Coetta) Davis of Charlotte, Cherie Ells of Charlotte; grandchildren, Jeremy (Lauren) Stults, Toni Davis, Traci (Brandon) Smith, Tyler Davis, Jason Ells; ten great grandchildren; and brothers, Jerry Steger and J. Elby (Barbara) Steger.
She was preceded in death by her parents; twin sister, Laurine Stevens; sisters, Annette Bachelor and Estelline McCain; and brother, John E. Steger.
A memorial service was held on February 7, 2020, at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home. Those desiring may make contributions in Maurine’s honor to the family. To view Maurine’s obituary online, or to leave a condolence for the family, visit www.burkhead-greenfuneralhome.com.