Obituaries
Roger L. Rockafellow
Roger “Rocky” Lee Rockafellow, age 68, of Potterville went home to be with the Lord on June 4, 2020, after a lengthy illness. Roger was born on October 4, 1951 in Hastings, to J.C. and Wilma Rockafellow, who have preceded him in death. Roger retired from working as a sheriff’s deputy at the Eaton County Sheriff Department. In addition, he worked for 14 years as the security coordinator at the Binder Park Zoo in Battle Creek. He loved riding his motorcycle and was a member of the Goldwing Touring Association. He was an active member of Grace Bible Church. He enjoyed playing his guitar and spending time perfecting his golf swing.
Along with his parents, Roger was preceded in death by his brother, Michael Rockafellow. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Gloria; son, Jared; brother, Steven (Stacy) Rockafellow; sister, Jane (Leo) Swaenepoel; and sister-in-law, Bonnie Rockafellow.
Roger’s family will be honoring his life at a memorial service to be held at a later date. He will be laid to rest at Benton Township Cemetery in Potterville. Contributions to honor Roger’s life can be directed to Grace Bible Church, 1000 S. Canal Road, Lansing MI 48917 or to Sparrow Hospice Services, 1210 W. Saginaw St., Lansing MI 48915. Arrangements were entrusted to Vickers Leslie Funeral Home in Leslie.
Helen M. Burgess
Helen Marie Burgess, age 80, of Eaton Rapids passed away on June 7, 2020. As she transitioned from this world to heaven, she looked forward to being greeted by God and reuniting with her true love and husband of 28 years, Claude Wonderful Burgess.
Helen was born on December 21, 1939 to Clair and Mary Jane (Jugovich) Farr. On November 23, 1968, she married the love of her life, Claude W. Burgess, who passed away in January 1996. Helen was a pioneer of her time, being one of the first women to become a general foreman at Oldsmobile, where she worked until her retirement in January of 1988. She enjoyed boating, fishing, camping, reading and listening to county music. Helen loved taking long road trips with family and an occasional trip to the casino.
Along with her husband, Helen was preceded in death by her daughter, Cindy Lou (1989); brother, Dale Farr; and sister, Doris Wheeler. Surviving are two daughters, Patricia (Bob) Herrick and Debbie (Jerry) Vandre; brothers, Wayne Farr and Bob Farr; and several nieces and nephews.
Per Helen’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. on August 29, 2020. The location will be announced once it’s confirmed. Memorial contributions can be directed to a hospice provider of your choice. Arrangements were entrusted to Vickers Leslie Funeral Home in Leslie.
Melvin C. Bartholomew
Melvin Carl Bartholomew, age 86, of Charlotte — a compassionate man with a great sense of humor — died June 8, 2020. Born to Lester and Florence (Lee) Bartholomew on January 29, 1934, Melvin grew up learning about family values and was the glue that held his family together. A car buff and collector of much, Melvin enjoyed his Model A and Packard. He also enjoyed fishing, especially with his great-grandkids, and golf with a unique style that was all his own. A very patriotic man, Melvin was proud of his time in the Navy during the Korean War, and continued to love healthy discussions about politics and the constitution with a true love of his country. He was a member of the American Legion Post 42 in Charlotte and Post 225 in Lansing.
A great family man and story teller, Melvin’s stories will be missed greatly by his family. He leaves behind his wife of 61 years, Lois; daughters, Jill (Jim) Wright and Lori (Steve) Orler; three grandchildren, Jamie (Gerry) Bristor, Kelsey Wright, Maddie Orler; two great-grandchildren, Kohen and Ezra Bristor; and siblings, Ruth Smith, Martha Austin and Harry Bartholomew. He was predeceased by his parents; brothers, Clifford, Larry and Claude; and sister, Donna Hobert.
Funeral services will be held in the Pray Funeral Home garden on Saturday, June 13, 2020 at 1 p.m., with visitation prior to the service from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Due to current COVID-19 guidelines, it is requested that all guests wear a mask. Webcasting of the service will take place so you may watch it from any computer, smartphone or mobile device that has internet access. Go to prayfuneral.com, click on Melvin’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.
Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Melvin on his online tribute page. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church, where Melvin and Lois were long-time members.
Richard I. Brummette
Richard I. Brummette, a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, passed away on Thursday, June 4, 2020, at the age of 78. Richard was born on March 6, 1942 in Lansing, Mich., to Earl and Kressa Brummette.
He served four years in the Army and 38 years in the National Guard as an Aircraft Armament Maintenance Technician. He was federally recognized as Chief Warrant Office ’04 in the Michigan National Guard.
Richard was a man who loved the great outdoors and his family. He knew how to fix anything and generously helped so many with his skills. He was an avid hunter and loved to share this and fishing with his boys.
Richard was preceded in death by his father, Earl; mother, Kressa; first wife, Suzanne (Lutz) and sister, Joy Hicks.
Surviving are his wife, Janet (McCloud); sons, Rick (Cindy), Randal (Esther) and Robert; daughter, Ranae Roberts (Tim); step-children, Billi (Brock), Fred (Julie) and Jennifer (Vladimir); grandchildren, Maksim Kuskovski, Trent (Santrece), Dezirae, Michaela (Ryan) Roberts, Rachelle (Aaron) Sinnard, Shayna (Matt), Rosalyn, Rollin and Rourke Brummette; four great-grandchildren; brothers, Doug (Jonie), Eddie (Marlene); and sisters, Barb Bodell, Bev Geiser and Shirley Crosslan (Richard).
A funeral service was held on Tuesday, June 9, 2020 at Sunfield United Brethern Church, with Pastor Randy Carpenter officiating. Donations may be sent to your local hospice. Online condolences may be shared at petersandmurrayfuneralhome.com.
Kathleen J. Graham
Kathleen Joyce Graham of Eaton Rapids passed away on Monday, April 27, 2020 at the age of 87. Kathy was raised in Eaton Rapids, the daughter of Arlo and Eva (Kruger) Towns. She graduated from Eaton Rapids High School with the Class of 1950. She worked numerous jobs for many companies over the years, including Boices Bazzar/Candy Shop, Knapps, Consumers Energy, the Eaton Rapids Chamber of Commerce, and Eaton Federal Savings Bank. Kathy was very involved in the community, volunteering with the Eaton Rapids Medical Center Auxiliary, the Eaton Rapids Fire Department, and she worked elections for several years at local polling centers. She was a long-time member of the First Congregational Church, the Red Hat Society and the Moose Lodge of Lansing. Kathy enjoyed spending time with her family, especially having them for dinner on Halloween evening and passing out candy together. She loved square dancing and enjoyed sewing. She leaves 74 years of penned diaries that she began writing at age 13 and consistently wrote until last year.
She is preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Keith Towns, Clair Towns, Jerry McConnell; and best friend, Mary Montie.
Surviving Kathy are her husband of 67 years, Verlon Graham; daughters, Patti Nyquist, Karen Reynolds, Lori Duling; sons, Eric (Marie) Graham, Matthew Graham; grandchildren, Corey (Amber) Davis, Kerry (Jacob) Colestock, Jennifer (Dan) VanWasshenova, Ashleigh Reynolds, Amber (Jason) Ruttan, Zach Duling, Nathan Graham, Alissa Graham, Brandon Field, Katrina (Jimmy) Thomas, Brooklyn Graham, Chase Graham; great grandchildren, Mason and Mikaylah Ruttan, Sage VanWasshenova, Clara Wilson, Ethan and Emma Thomas, Riyah and Amara Field, Zoey and Wesley Colestock, Harper and Hudson Davis; sister, Linda (Keith) Fuller; in-laws, Gary and Caroline Cheadle, Ponnie Bailey, Anne Cantine and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 20, 2020 at Skinner Funeral Home Eaton Rapids Chapel. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the First Congregational Church. To share memories or condolences, please visit SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.