Obituaries
Rose M. Strong
Rose Mary Strong of Lansing, MI and formerly of Eaton Rapids, MI passed away on Monday, May 25, 2020 at the age of 62. She was born on March 14, 1958 in Abilene, Kansas the daughter of Melvin and Nayola (Duran) Strong. She attended Eaton Rapids Public Schools before moving to Cadillac where she graduated from High School class of 1976. Rose worked for MESA in Medical Insurance and also for Dr. Wulff’s Office in Eaton Rapids and eventually for Ryder in Lansing.
Rose is survived by her daughter, Amy Fajnor; parents, Melvin and Nayola Strong; brothers, John (Dalene) Strong, Randy (Helen) Strong, Phillip Strong; sister, LuAnn (Charles) Borton and numerous nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her brother, Bill Strong.
A graveside service will be held at a later date. To share memories or leave condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHome.com
Mitchell W. Taylor
Mitchell W. Taylor, age 24, died May 6, 2020. Mitchell was born September 15, 1995 in Marshall to Rusty and Louise (Philp) Taylor. Mitchell loved animals and sports. He spent a lot of time with his grandfather playing Texas Holdem. They went to a Detroit Lions game for Mitchell’s birthday and, on another occasion, sat in the front row of a Red Wings game.
Mitchell is survived by his parents, Louise and Rusty Taylor; his grandparents, Charles and Sharon Philp, Alfred and Nancy Taylor; two brothers, Benjamin Taylor and Zachary Taylor; his best friend, Isaiah Harris, and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
A private memorial service to celebrate Mitchell’s life was held at the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home and Cremation Care on Wednesday, May 13, 2020. Memorial contributions can be given to the Substance Abuse Council of Battle Creek. Personal messages for the family may be placed at farleyestesdowdle.com.
Robert E. Thompson
Robert Egbert Thompson, age 83 — a loving, father, grandfather and friend — of Charlotte died Wednesday, May 6, 2020 at The Eaton Community Palliative Care. Robert was born July 3, 1936 in Charlotte, the son of Farley and Juanita (Shumaker) Thompson. He graduated from Charlotte High School and later served in the Army National Guard. Robert worked as a machinist at Diamond Reo and was also a dairy farmer. He then moved to southern Indiana in 1986, where he started working at the Indiana Department of Natural Resources in the forestry department. Following his retirement from the DNR, Robert moved back to Michigan to be closer to his family. Roberts hobbies included hunting, his mules and collecting knives. He loved wearing his bib overalls and being a good ole country boy. In 1952, at the age of 16, he became the second recorded person in Eaton County to tag a white tail buck.
Robert is survived by his children, Rob Thompson, Jane (Larry) Johnston, Gina (Ross) Himebaugh; eight grandchildren, Brad Johnston, Larry Johnston, Sarah Schumacher, Aimee Fletcher, Leah Heinze, Maria Heinze, Siera Blain, and Martina Swanson; 16 great-grandchildren; sister, Vonda Stanton; special friends, Dorene Bearndt and Tony Kidd, and the members of the Enon Baptist Church in Salem, Ind. He was predeceased by his parents; sister, Eva; and nephew, Eric Stanton.
John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.
The Thompson family is going to be having a memorial service for Robert at a later date in Indiana at the Enon Baptist Church. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Robert on his tribute page at prayfuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte.
Haylee J. Hosack
Haylee Jo Hosack, age 31, of Eaton Rapids passed away May 1, 2020. Haylee was born in Charlotte on November 10, 1988, the daughter of James Hosack and Cynthia (Gosenca) Hosack. She was an amazing aunt, stubborn and silly little sister and the special super-sweet daughter. Haylee loved her cats, Winter Bug and Sunshine, dearly. She enjoyed taking pictures, drawing and writing poetry.
Haylee is survived by her mother, Cynthia (Jason Williams) Hosack of Eaton Rapids; brother, James Hosack of Charlotte; sister, Crystal Hosack of Olivet; uncle, Mike Gosenca of Charlotte; as well as several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her father, James.
Private family services will be held. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the family to help with expenses (gofundme.com/f/Haylee-jos-heaven-going). Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel. Online condolences and memories of Haylee Jo may be placed at millsfuneral.com.
Duane E. Wolfe
Duane E. Wolfe, age 82, of Charlotte passed away Sunday, May 3, 2020, at Golden Days AFC with his family by his side. He was born August 10, 1937 in Kellersburg, Penn., the son of Donald and Hilda (Hetrick) Wolfe. Duane graduated from Red Bank Valley High School in Pennsylvania. Duane was a tremendous husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. He was a hard worker his entire life. Duane began working at the age of seven while his father was away serving in WWII. Duane wore many different hats during his life. He was a farmer, accountant, grave digger and union steward. Duane worked over 33 years at Owens-Illinois, first in Pennsylvania and then transferred to Charlotte. He was a huge proponent of buying glass and never plastic products. After his retirement, he went to work at Adessa Auto Auction. He worked there for over 20 years until he experienced a stroke earlier this year. Duane was a very good listener and was never quick to offer advice; although if you asked him what he thought he would not hold back. Duane had a passion for Oldsmobile cars. In his mind there was no other car worth driving. He was a “made in America” type of man. He tried to support his country in any way possible and did not like imported goods. Duane enjoyed all sports but was especially fond of the Detroit Tigers, Pittsburg Steelers and Penn State University. He also enjoyed taking vacations, camping, flea markets, antiques and attending auctions. The family would like to especially thank the staff at Golden Days AFC for the loving care they provided Duane during his time there.
Duane is survived by the love of his life, Mary; children: Judy (Richard) Parish of Eaton Rapids, Joyce (Rocky) Good of Kentwood, Daniel Wolfe of Nashville, Brenda (Steve Palacios) Swanson of Charlotte, Blane (Deb) White of Vermontville, Jackie (Jim Shattuck) of Fowlerville, Judi (David) Lemon of Potterville; 19 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; and several great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Deborah Vega; grandson, Ryan Lopez; and brother, Malcolm Wolfe.
A private funeral service was held. Interment took place at Gresham Cemetery. Those desiring, may make contributions in Duane’s honor to the charity of one’s choice. To view Duane’s obituary online, or to leave a condolence for the family, visit burkhead-greenfuneralhome.com.