Obituaries
James D. Bucher, II
James Donald Bucher, II, age 65, of Eaton Rapids passed away on Saturday, June 27, 2020. Jim was born on March 14, 1955 in Holt, the son of James and Sara (Eckhart) Bucher. He was raised in Eaton Rapids where he attended high school. Upon graduation, he attended Michigan State University, Golden Gate University and Columbia College where he earned a bachelor’s degree. Jim proudly served in the United States Navy from 1977 to 1983. He worked in the oil and gas industries as a land leasing agent for many companies over his lifetime. Jim was a history enthusiast and had a wealth of knowledge in 20th and 21st century music. He also loved to work outside, maintaining and beautifying his property on the Grand River outside of Eaton Rapids.
Jim is survived by his wife, Patricia Decker; step-daughter, Amy (Rick) Moore; step-son, Anthony (Regan) Forsmark; grandchildren, Malory Leonetti, Christopher Benjamin, Lauren Benjamin, Delany Forsmark, Everly Forsmark; sister, Susan (Gregory) Finley; nephew, Macklin Finley and niece, Madeleine Finley. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Jim’s remains will be buried in Summit Hill Cemetery in Pocahontas, Iowa. Memorial contributions may be made to The Wounded Warrior Project in memory on Jim. To share memories or leave condolences, visit skinnerfuneralhomes.com.
Susan D. Knight
Susan Darlene Knight, age 72, of Eaton Rapids — who was a devoted and loving mother, grandmother, sister and daughter — passed into glory on May 30, 2020 at McLaren Hospital in Lansing. She was the daughter of Robert and Violet (Crandell) Thompson.
Susan was the first grandchild born into the large family of Homer and Valeria Crandell (her maternal grandparents). She loved all of her cousins and was always proud and interested in all of their accomplishments. Susan was a great source of information regarding the family and the family history, and she enjoyed passing the information on to her family members. She graduated from Charlotte High School in 1966. Susan married Donald D. Knight in 1968. She was a special transportation bus driver for Charlotte Public Schools and later drove bus for Potterville Public Schools. Susan had many other jobs working with the public, where she enjoyed interacting with people and helping anyone she could. She was well known for her loving and giving heart. Susan loved being involved in 4-H and her horses. She enjoyed sewing, cross stitching and produced some lovely projects with her talents. Susan was a particularly good cook and liked spreading her love through her food. The biggest loves of her life were her grandchildren. She devoted much of her life showing them how much she loved them. Susan also was proud of her collections of cowboy and American Indian memorabilia and displaying it in her home.
Susan is survived by her mother, Violet McCrimmon; daughters Daysha Knight of Lansing and Mary Margaret Medler of Charlotte; grandchildren, Jeffrey Perkins and Tavius and Darion Artis, all of Lansing; siblings, Duane (Kathy) Thompson of Charlotte, Karen (Keith) Tropp of Potterville, Ranee Wickwire (Chuck Carey) of Charlotte and Carla (Don) Nighbert of Olivet; and many nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her husband of 49 years, her father Bob Thompson and her step-father Floyd McCrimmon.
No services are planned at this time. Memorial contributions may be made to the Eaton County Agricultural Society. Arrangements were entrusted to Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. Online condolences may be placed at millsfuneral.com.
Michael E. Parish
Michael Eugene Parish, age 73, passed away June 4, 2020. Weary of reading obituaries noting someone’s courageous battle with death, Mike wanted it known that he died as a result of being stubborn, refusing to follow doctors’ orders and raising hell for more than seven decades. Born September 6, 1946, Mike was the oldest of five and led his siblings with a reckless love of life. He proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. With a seemingly endless supply of energy, Mike’s work ethic was unmatched.
Mike is survived by his love, Patti Parish; children Brian, Cassi, Mike Jr., Stacie, Shannon; brothers Jim and Jack, sisters Sandi (Butch) and Elaine (Dave); along with several grand and great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Jack Sr.; mother, Mary Lee; daughter, Kelly; and nephew, Trent.
Services were held Monday, June 8, 2020 at the home of Micky and Pete in Bellevue. Interment was at Center Eaton Cemetery.
If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Charlotte Relay For Life or the Wounded Warriors Project. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Mike on his tribute page at prayfuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Joyce M. Smith
Joyce Marie (Edington) Smith, age 90, of Potterville — a devoted wife, mother and grandmother — died peacefully on Saturday, June 13, 2020. Joyce was born on October 19, 1929 in Lansing, the daughter of Walter J. and Vernie E. (Conrad) Edington. She graduated from Potterville High School in 1947. On April 21, 1947 she married Carl Smith Jr. and spent the next 55 years creating their legacy together. Joyce stayed at home to raise their eight children. She was an extremely hard-working woman who farmed, milked cows and could often be found lying on the ground under the farm equipment fixing something. Joyce worked outside the home at one point at Baryames Cleaners in Lansing. After the youngest, Jerry, was born, Joyce started driving school bus for Potterville Public School, until she retired after 22 years. Joyce spent her entire life devoted to her husband and family. When she wasn’t working around the farm or driving bus, Joyce enjoyed babysitting her grandchildren, mowing the lawn, attending Eastern Star meetings and collecting mallard ducks. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family.
Joyce is survived by her children, Anne (Al) Aseltine, David (Grace) Smith, Brian Smith, Jill (Phil) Roehl, Judy (Larry) Zakora, Gary (Karen) Smith, Debbie (Earl) Blasen, and Jerry (Nikki) Smith; 22 grandchildren; 43 great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren with another on the way; and brother, Clyde (Carol) Edington of Melbourne, Fla. She was predeceased by her husband, Carl Jr.; her parents; grandson, Richard Hill Jr.; and great-grandson, Seth Zakora.
Due to current quarantine and sheltering guidelines, the family is going to have a private graveside service at Benton Township cemetery. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Diabetes Foundation. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Joyce on her tribute page at prayfuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Crystal A. Sumerix
Crystal Ann (Marsh) Sumerix — July 21, 1953 to June 12, 2020 — passed peacefully after a year-long battle with cancer. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Joyce (Caswell) Marsh.
Crystal grew up in Charlotte, graduating from Charlotte High School in 1971. Most recently, Crystal lived and worked in Grand Rapids before moving to Holt in 2019. Crystal was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, enjoyed crafts, gardening (she was a lover of all things that grow), and dearly loved her three grandchildren. She is survived by her children; Adrianne Surian (TJ Balderman), Whitney (Eric) Wasser, and Luke Sumerix; her grandchildren, Raya and Roman Surian and Emily Sumerix; her brother Steve (Deb) Marsh and sister Karla McCandless; as well as many nieces and nephews. A memorial service is expected be held at a later date at the Holt Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints.