Obituaries
Joyce K. Haga
Joyce Kay Haga, 81 passed away on Aug 6, 2020. She was born April 16, 1939 to Clifton A. and Mildred R. (Pervorse) Grosnickle in Lansing, MI. She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers; and her grandson, Corban Ferris. She is survived by her son, Don (Jane) Haga; daughter, Michelle Ferris; and two grandchildren, Jesse and Jacob Haga and loving friend Ronald Smith (Smitty)..
Over the years, Joyce’s hobbies included gardening, crocheting, playing cards, jigsaw puzzles, and crosswords. She also really enjoyed cooking meals for her family and baking. Joyce was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Charlotte, and also Women of the Moose, where she participated in many volunteer activities over the years.
A memorial service will be held at Sunfield Cemetery located east of Sunfield Road on St Joseph Hwy. on Thursday, August 27, 2020 at 6 p.m.
Memorial donations may be made to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), or to the Fraternal Order of Eagles – Charlotte, Mich.
Lillian E. Wilkinson
Lillian Edna Wilkinson, of Springport, passed away on Tuesday, August 4, 2020 at the age of 84. Lillian was born on September 16, 1935 the seventh of nine children born to Richard and Etta Mae Hicks. She moved around a lot as a child but has called Springport home since 1958. Lillian always enjoyed gardening, restoring old antiques and watching old westerns and soap operas. She worked for a short period at River Rising in Eaton Rapids but spent most of her life dedicated to her family, raising her four children and would never miss a grandchild’s sporting or school event.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, William Wilkinson; daughter, Teresa Wilkinson; sisters, Mildred, Jean and Mary; and brothers, Frank, Bud, Ernie, Wayne and Joe.
Lillian is survived by her sons, Rick (Camille) Wilkinson, Rusty (Cindy) Wilkinson, Randy (Connie) Wilkinson; grandchildren, Kristen Wilkinson, Andrew (Cliffany) Wilkinson, Danny Wilkinson, Jessica Wilkinson, Jason Wilkinson, Ashlee Wilkinson, Nicole (Michael) Ryan, Jennifer (Tony) Lewis, Bret Hudson, Blake Hudson; great grandchildren, Jaden, Mia, Chase, Bryce, Taylor, Connor, Christian, Olivia, Lola, Ella, Hayley, Hannah, Tyler, Travis, Kaydee, Allie; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held from 5 – 8 p.m. Friday, August 7, at Skinner Funeral Home in Eaton Rapids with a private graveside service being held Saturday. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the American Caner Society in memory of Lillian. To share memories or leave condolences please visit skinnerfunneralhomes.com.
Michael W. Knickerbocker
Michael Wayne Knickerbocker, age 48, of Eaton Rapids passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, July 29, 2020. Mike was born on June 4, 1972 the son of Daniel Knickerbocker and Rosanna Kay. He attended Eaton Rapids High School graduating class of 1990. Mike was a carpenter by trade and owned and operated Everlast Carpentry and Contracting. He enjoyed watching Fox news and keeping up on current events, especially conspiracy theories. Mike was an avid golfer, pool player and played in a league at Onondaga Tavern. He enjoyed cabin camping, bonfires, spending time at the O.T. and was a true patriot, he loved his country and the American flag. Above all he was a dedicated father, brother, son and companion who cherished his children.
Mike is survived by his parents, Dan Knickerbocker, Rosanna Kay; girlfriend, Nicole Bancroft; children, Amanda (Clemente) Barron, Michael Knickerbocker, Jakob Knickerbocker, Chloe Knickerbocker, Vincent Knickerbocker, grandchildren Brayden and Morella Barron and special brothers and sisters of his children Tyler and Lacey Reichert, Kyler Smith, Justine Torrey, and Emily and Luke Collins; brother, Dan Knickerbocker; nieces Nicole Knickerbocker, Emily Knickerbocker and numerous extended family and friends.
He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Elden and Shirley Knickerbocker, Clarence and Lucille Eddy; uncles, Ted Knickerbocker, Garry Eddy and aunts, Peggy Knickerbocker and Kathy Meoak.
Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Friday, August 7, 2020 at Skinner Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids Chapel. There will be a family and friends memorial picnic Saturday ,August 15th beginning at 2 p.m. at Dan Knickerbocker’s (Mike’s childhood home) 5861 Ferris Road, Eaton Rapids, MI where Mike grew up and lived for many years.
For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to (https://www.gofundme.com/f/2398zmh0ao?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&fbclid=IwAR3WpvwEq7oNIYS_2rAeRbB1MM1EDhjM_mOsu86ftwP5t3UPTUi3isJSrbU) in memory of Mike. To share memories or leave condolences please visit SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
Thomas Johnson
Thomas (Tom) Johnson passed away July 19, 2020 at McLaren Hospital in Lansing. Tom was born December 2, 1941 in Gladwin, Mich. to Roy and Marian Johnson. Tom graduated from Gladwin High School in 1960, then the family moved to Eaton Rapids. Tom joined the family in Eaton Rapids after attending Ferris State College for two years.
Tom was a bookkeeper at Gibson Ford, Sessions Ford, Guy Ford and Candy Ford in Eaton Rapids. He later worked at Eaton Stamping, was a bookkeeper at Duck Lake Country Club, and a bartender for many years at Abies. There was no doubt that Tom loved the City of Eaton Rapids and its people. Over the years, Tom enjoyed going to his cabin in Harrison and stopping at Soaring Eagle in Mount Pleasant. Tom aslo enjoyed playing Keno at both Abies and Darb’s.
Tom is preceded in death by his parents, and brothers Bob and Jim.
Surviving siblings are sisters, Randi Colestock of Charlotte, Cheryl (Kent) Moss of Bushnell, Fla., Penny Johnson of Dimondale, and Sue (Tom) Wilson of Las Vegas, Nev. Also surviving are 13 nieces and nephews that all adored their “Uncle Tom.”
A graveside memorial will be announced at a later date for those wishing to pay respects to Tom.
Patricia House
Patricia (Holton) House, age 85, of Eaton Rapids, Michigan, was called home to heaven peacefully on July 29, 2020. Patricia was born the daughter of Manford and Doris Holton on April 18, 1935 in Sault Saint Marie, Michigan. She was an amazing mother and loved spending time with her family. Patricia loved Jesus and spent many hours with the Lord in prayer, reading the Bible, attending mass, and reciting the Rosary. She was always willing to help others and her generosity and caring nature endeared her to all that knew her.
Patricia is preceded in death by her parents, Manford and Doris Holton; husband of 50 years, Ulysses House; and brother, Ronald Holton. Left to cherish her memory until reunited are her children: Kathy (Steve) Dwight, Nancy (Gerry) Gill, Matt (Dianna) House, David (Kathy) House, and Nora (Paul) Dwight; 17 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren.
A funeral mass honoring Patricia’s life was held on Saturday, August 1, 2020 at the Bunkerhill Campus of The Catholic Community of Sts. James, Cornelius, and Cyprian, with Fr. George Puthenpeedika officiating. Visitation began one hour prior to the service and a Rosary was held prior to the service. She was laid to rest in the Sts. Cornelius and Cyprian Catholic Cemetery after the service. Honored to serve as pallbearers are Kevin Dwight, Trevor Carr, Jake Carr, Steve Lawrence, Derek Lawrence, and James Lawrence. Arrangements entrusted to Vickers Leslie Funeral Home, Leslie.