Obituaries
Pamela Jo Kamm
Pamela Jo Kamm, age 69, of Eaton Rapids, passed away on Sunday, December 22, 2019, at the Dimondale Nursing Center, where she had been residing for the past three years. She was born May 6, 1950, in Eaton Rapids, the daughter of Howard and Bonnie (Marker) Cotter. Pam was an Everett High School graduate, class of 1969. She enjoyed playing piano and accordion and loved anything to do with horses. She was an active member of the Eaton Rapids Senior Center with their many functions. She was preceded in death by her mother Bonnie.
Surviving are her father, Howard, of Eaton Rapids; brother, Bruce (Pat) Cotter of Eaton Rapids; two sisters, Pat (Tim) Gordon of Charlotte and Penny (Norm) Klein of Russellville, Ark.; and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, January 18, 2020, at 11 a.m. at the Capital City Baptist Church, 5100 Willoughby Rd., Holt MI 48842 with Dr. Daryl Franzel presiding. The family suggests memorial gifts be made to the Capital City Baptist Church in memory of Pam Kamm. To share memories or leave condolences, visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
Elizabeth Ann (Bette) Metts
Elizabeth Ann (Bette) Metts of Eaton Rapids, passed away December 27, 2019, peacefully in her sleep surrounded by her family at the age of 94. Bette was born in Grand Rapids on September 15, 1925, the daughter of James and Pauline (Odette) Doran. Bette lived in the Lansing area for most of her life. She was married to Dale E. Metts, who was a teacher and administrator in the Lansing School District.
She will be missed by her eight children and their families: Tim (Connie) Metts, Dale (Sharon) Metts, Jeff (Chris) Metts, Tom (Rexine) Metts, John (Beth) Metts, Jerry (Paula) Metts, Mary (Tim) Fox and Beth (Phil) Spreitzer; 63 grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and sister, Pauline (Ed) McGlade.
Bette was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Dale; grandchildren, Dale Metts III and Molly Metts; brothers, James Doran and John Doran; and sister, Verna Belle Rogers.
Bette was an active member of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in East Lansing, St. John’s Student Parish in East Lansing, St. Casimir’s Church in Lansing and St. Peter Catholic Church in Eaton Rapids.
While raising her family, Bette sewed hand-made Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls for her grandchildren and, after a few years, decided to start a small doll-making business which blossomed into a budding enterprise known as The Jolly Dolly Co. Bette made countless dolls for children in all sizes and colors. With her earnings, she purchased a 1973 Volkswagen van, which she and dad used for many family excursions until it was handed down to her son, Tom.
After raising her eight children, Bette sought to finish her education and received her nursing degree from Lansing Community College in 1975 and began working at St. Lawrence Hospital in Lansing until she retired. She also pursued her longtime passion for law enforcement and took several classes in criminal justice and qualified as a distinguished expert with a pistol.
Bette’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren will miss her love and warm hugs.
The Metts family would like to thank Sheryl James and the Aviary staff at Island City Assisted Living as well as Elara Caring Hospice.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held on December 30, 2019, at St. Peter Catholic Church in Eaton Rapids. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Right to Life of Michigan. Online condolences may be placed at www.millsfuneral.com.
William Douglas Galvin
William Douglas Galvin, of Eaton Rapids, passed away on Thursday, December 26, 2019, at the age of 92. Doug was born on October 4, 1927, in Eaton Rapids, the son of Samuel and Lilly (Snow) Galvin. He attended school in Eaton Rapids before leaving to work on the family farm. Doug proudly served in the United States Navy aboard the USS New Jersey during World War II. Upon returning home, he went to work for General Motors, where he retired after 30 years. Doug enjoyed his retirement on Spider Lake in Traverse City, where he enjoyed hunting, fishing and hosting his family, especially his grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Janet (Jardot) Galvin; siblings, Erwin, Lawrence, Nadene, Pauline, Ivan; and daughter-in-law, Sheila Strang.
Surviving are his wife, Marjorie Galvin; son, Mike Galvin; stepchildren, Karen DeYoung, Patti (Scott) Compton, Steve (Jo) DeYoung; grandchildren, Shawntell Galvin, Samuel (Sara) Galvin; great grandchildren, Amelia and Lincoln Galvin; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be held at Fort Custer National Cemetery in May of 2020. To share memories or condolences, visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
Sheila Marie Clark
Sheila Marie Clark, of Leslie, and formerly of Eaton Rapids, passed away on Sunday, December 29, 2019, at the age of 66. Sheila was born on February 23, 1953, in Eaton Rapids, the daughter of William and Bonnie Holwig. She was a graduate of Eaton Rapids High School and went on to work for the federal government in Washington D.C. before returning home to work for the State of Michigan in the Bureau of Automotive Regulations, where she retired in 2009. Sheila loved animals, especially cats, and was fondly referred to as the “cat lady” by her friends. She was talented at knitting, cross stitching and needle pointing and would often make baby blankets for many family and friends. Sheila was a regular at the monthly State of Michigan retiree lunches, where she enjoyed the company of her former coworkers.
She was preceded in death by parents and brother, Tim Holwig.
Sheila is survived by her husband of 33 years, John Clark; sisters-in-law, Connie (Rick) Maynard, Jeanine Christman and numerous cousins and extended family and friends.
A memorial gathering was scheduled to be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Friday, January 3, 2020, at Skinner Funeral Homes, Eaton Rapids Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Capital Area Humane Society in memory of Sheila. To share memories or condolences, visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
Carson Andrew Eaton
Carson Andrew Eaton, age 11, of Eaton Rapids, passed away on December 13, 2019, after a courageous and hard-fought battle with pediatric brain cancer. Carson was born on October 25, 2008, in Lansing, the son of Mark and Lorie (May) Eaton. He attended Eaton Rapids Public Schools, where he was currently in the fifth grade. Carson was a happy kid who loved to play practical jokes and could always make you laugh. He enjoyed spending time with his friends, playing soccer, basketball and his favorite video game, Fortnite. Carson also loved turtles, especially his pet turtle Waddles. Above all, he was a loving son, grandson, brother and friend who will be dearly missed by all who cherish his memory.
Carson is survived by his parents, Mark and Lorie; twin-brother, Brennan Eaton; half-brother, Austin Eaton; sister, Sienna Eaton; grandparents, Terry and Janie Eaton, Carol and Gary May; aunts and uncles, David and Zinda May, Rick and Jenifer May; great aunts, Judy Craft, Delores Craft and cousins, Cameron May, Teah May and Emily May. He was preceded in death by great aunt Debbie Kay Eaton and beloved dog Rusty.
A Celebration of Carson’s Life will be held January 11, 2020, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Recreational Outreach Center (ROC) at 1706 W. Dansville Rd. in Mason. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the Carson A. Eaton Memorial Scholarship Fund. To share memories or condolences, visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.