Obituaries
Doris J. Stevenson
Doris Jean Stevenson of Eaton Rapids, passed away on September 9, 2020, at the age of 85. Doris was born in Cambria, Mich. on December 29, 1934, the daughter of Claud and Inez Betzer. Doris and her twin brother, Orris, were salutatorian and valedictorian of their graduating class at Reading High School. Doris married the love of her life, Douglas, on April 22, 1956, and they celebrated their 60th anniversary just before he passed away in 2016.
Doris enjoyed many hobbies, including traveling, golfing, scrapbooking, genealogy, and attending plays and musicals. She was also talented at baking (she made the best sugar cookies), sewing, and playing the organ. Before retiring, Doris worked at Air Lift and Old Mill Furniture.
Doris is survived by her sons, Brian (Terri) Stevenson of Eaton Rapids and Brady (Ann) Stevenson of Lansing; grandchildren, Kyle (Brooke) Stevenson of Eaton Rapids, Lindsay (Calach) Peters of Eaton Rapids, Kate (Brendan) Nordstrom of Texas and Ben Stevenson of Minn.; great granddaughters, Emma and Hailey Stevenson. Doris was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and siblings, Olen, Orris, Elsie, and Kern.
Graveside services were held in Evergreen Cemetery in Ransom, Mich. at 11 am on Friday, September 11, 2020. Those desiring may make memorial contributions to Griffith United Methodist Church, 9537 S. Clinton Trail or the Eaton Rapids Medical Center Foundation, 1500 S. Main St., Eaton Rapids. 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.
Richard A. England
Richard “Dick” Arthur England, of Eaton Rapids, passed away unexpectedly at his home on August 26, 2020 at the age of 86. Dick was born in McGuffey, Ohio, July 3, 1934, the son of Ray and Ruby (Conley) England. He enlisted and proudly served with the Army National Guard as an Arial photographer. For 34 years he worked for General Motors as a Material Handling Superintendent, retiring in 1987. Dick enjoyed watching the Animal Planet shows on the television, fishing in Canada and was a talented woodworker. Dick had an infectious love for his family and they will miss him greatly. His family was the focal point of his life and he felt truly blessed to be able to spend so much time with them. Even though his birthday was July 3rd, his family made his day special by celebrating with him during the parade in Eaton Rapids on the 4th every year. Dick had a great love of gardening along with his late wife, Beverly. Together they tended to their vegetable and flower gardens and shared them with friends, family and neighbors. With great care, support and love from his family, Dick was able to enjoy life in his own home up until his passing.
Dick is survived by his children, Debra England of Charlotte, Richard (Debra) England of Elsie, T. Michael (Darlene) Swan of Eaton Rapids, Timothy (Laurie) Swan of Charlotte, Michael (Jatana Cripe) Swan of Eaton Rapids; grandchildren, Rachel (Scott) McCune, Jerry England, Joshua England, Ricky (Misty) England, Melissa (Donny) Bever, Teresa (Jamie) Bartley, Mischelle Prill, Tony Swan, Katie Swan, Stacee (Justin) Robison, Dillon (Harley) Swan; 20 great grandchildren; 8 great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Beverly England; grandson, Trevor Swan; great grandchildren, Victoria Tanner and Hayden Bartley; brothers, Danny and Merle England.
Memorial services will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Jean Bradford Kline Senior Center or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in Dick’s memory. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. Please visit our website to place online condolences, millsfuneral.com.
Marvin R. Ruff
Marvin “Marv” Reinhold Ruff, 95 of Charlotte, a guy who loved breakfast and social time at “Wee Willies” restaurant, died September 2, 2020. Marvin was the son of Reinhold F. and Bertha (Scherbenske) Ruff, born near Lehr, North Dakota on February 4, 1925. He lived with his parents on a farm north of Lehr and attended a Logan County School. They moved into town in 1933, where Marv helped his father in the Standard Oil bulk business and service station. Several years later, he was named the youngest Standard Oil Bulk Agent in the history of Standard Oil of Indiana, which covered thirteen states.
On October 15, 1950, Marv married Viola “Vi” Strehle in Medina, N.D. They moved to Michigan where Marvin worked in the trucking industry. In 1984 he retired after 28 years as an automotive transport operator for Howard Sober, Inc. Marv and Vi enjoyed spending several winters in Florida in their fifth wheel camper. They also made several trips to North Dakota during the summer months. Marv enjoyed horse racing, motorcycles, gambling, and a nice shot of whiskey.
Marv was preceded in death by his wife, Vi, in 2011; as well as his sister, Marlys Nickisch; and his parents. He is survived by his children, Desiree and Weston Ruff; granddaughter, Miranda (Chad Stalker) Bishop; and great-granddaughter, Myla Jane Stalker.
Friends are encouraged to support Marv’s family at visitation and funeral services. Mask and distancing guidelines will be practiced. Services are Tuesday, September 8, 2020 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte, with visitation from 12 noon to 1 p.m. and the funeral service at 1 p.m. with Pastor Charles Jenson officiating. The funeral service 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 Marvin’s tribute, and then click on photos & 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 the American Cancer Society. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Marvin on his Tribute Page at PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Lorrane J. Clark
Lorrane Jean Clark, of Eaton Rapids, passed away August 30, 2020 at the age of 79. Lorrane was born in Eaton Rapids, April 27, 1941, the daughter of Lloyd and Marguerite (Gay) Dawley. She was a stay at home mom caring for her four children. Lorrane enjoyed knitting, crocheting, sewing, cooking and gardening.
She is survived by her daughter, Angela (Mark) Parker of Lansing; sons, Roy (Laura) Clark of Olivet, Joseph Clark of Eaton Rapids; eight grandchildren; sisters, Sandra Scott, Sandy Orr, Beverly Bouts all of Eaton Rapids. Lorrane was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Nathan Clark; son, Tim Clark; sister, Janet Kent; brother, Richard Dawley.
Memorial services and visitation will be held on Saturday, September 26, 2020 from 1 – 5 p.m. at Faith Assembly of God Church, 9800 S. Cochran Rd., Olivet, MI 49076. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. Please visit our website to place online condolences, millsfuneral.com.
Donna Wall
Donna Wall, age 84, passed away at home on August 12, 2020. Born in Albion, Mich on December 14, 1935, she was the oldest child of Walter and Thurza (Gordon) Harden. She grew up on a farm and drove tractors at a young age. On February 11, 1956, she married Jim Wall. A devoted wife and mother, Donna shared with her family her love of fishing, camping, and spending time outdoors working in her flower and vegetable gardens. She spent free time feeding and watching birds, traveling, playing cards, and completing jigsaw puzzles. In addition to caring for her four children, she managed several rental properties and for over 40 years she sold Avon in the area as a way to visit friends.
Donna was predeceased by her husband of 59 years, James (Jim) Gary Wall, Sr., her parents and her younger brother, John Harden, of Albion. She is survived by her four children, James (Barbara) Wall, Jr. of Haslett, Clifford (Kathryn) Wall of Raleigh, NC, Steven (Angelika) Wall of Bay Point, CA and Deborah Wall of Eaton Rapids; grandchildren, Rebecca, Sarah, Hannah, Alex, Rachel and Michael; older half-brother, David Harden.
No services are planned at this time. Memorial contributions may be made in Donna’s memory to Eaton Community Palliative Care, 2675 S. Cochran Rd., Charlotte, MI 48813. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. To share condolences or memories please visit: millsfuneral.com.