Obituaries
Kathleen J. Graham
Kathleen Joyce Graham, age 87, of Eaton Rapids passed away on Monday, April 27, 2020. Kathy was raised in Eaton Rapids, the daughter of Arlo and Eva (Kruger) Towns, and she graduated in 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 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. 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 was 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 and numerous nieces and nephews.
A private family funeral and graveside service will be held. The family will host a public memorial service at a later date. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the First Congregational Church. To share memories or condolences, visit skinnerfuneralhomes.com.
Steve Etherton
Steve Etherton, age 73, of Charlotte went to be with the Lord on April 19, 2020. He was preceded in death by his mother, Betty Kost. He is survived by his sisters, Sherry Hays, Billie (Bill Scott), and Cindy Colson; his brother, Jeff Kost; and several cousins, nieces and nephews.
Steve’s hobbies were hunting and riding his motorcycle. He retired from Trinity Lutheran Church in Lansing. He is missed and loved very much. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Shirley A. Kyre
Shirley Ann Kyre, age 85, a feisty little lady of Grand Ledge, formerly of Charlotte, died Sunday, April 19, 2020 in Lansing. Shirley was born May 25, 1934 in Grafton, W. Va., the adopted daughter of Bordman Walton and Anna M. (Detrick) DeWitt. She graduated from Fairmont High School before marrying George Ray Kyre, and the two started their family. They moved to Maryland and eventually Charlotte, where Shirley worked for many years at Wildern’s Drug Store and at Weymouth Elementary School, where she was both feared and loved by students and teachers alike. She and George enjoyed spending time up north in Harrison and traveling.
George would do anything for Shirley, including buying her a Ford Mustang, which he continually kept clean while she drove it around town in style, even though she had to scoot her seat all the way up and pull herself up over the wheel to be able to see! On most Fridays, you could catch her at either a CHS football game or a CHS basketball game, where George and his buddy Gordon would be working on statistics for the local paper and she would be tossing back a box of popcorn. She and George were huge WVU fans, and they would drive back to West Virginia from Michigan for most home Mountaineers football games. In the fall, she would have football on all day long, both college and NFL. Her favorite teams were WV, MSU, the Steelers and the Lions. When George died in 2002, a part of Shirley faded as well, but she never lost her spunk, she was still Shirley.
Shirley liked to play tough, but she was one of the most caring and loving women one could have ever met. The last couple years of her life she made a lot of new friendships and was involved in community activities such as bingo and exercise classes, which she would brag that she could do more than the 60-, 70-year-olds in her building. Although many will miss her, the many “Shirley Stories” will live on in her memory.
Shirley is survived by her son Russ; grandchildren, Cassi (Frank) Hobyak, Jamie Kyre, Jon-Eric Kyre, Carly Kyre, Donny Kyre, and Logan Kyre; great-grandchildren, Jaydin, Kalin, Mitchell, Jameson, and Spencer; daughter-in-law, Jackie Kyre; and her grand-dog, Ace. She was predeceased by her husband, George; and two sons, Jon Kyre and Mike Kyre.
Visitation took place on April 22, 2020 and was followed by interment at Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte, where she was laid to rest alongside George.
If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Tri-County Meals on Wheels. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Shirley on her tribute page at prayfuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte.
Shirley J. Carpenter
Shirley Jean Carpenter, age 93, of Whitehall, formerly of Charlotte and Lansing, passed away peacefully Friday, April 17, 2020 in Norton Shores. She was born November 10, 1926 in Holt, the daughter of Roy and Dora (Johnson) Feier. Shirley graduated from Holt High School in 1944. On May 9, 1947 she married Edward W. Carpenter in Lansing. Family was of the utmost importance to Shirley. She adored her grandchildren and great grandchildren. In recent times, Shirley could often be found reminiscing while paging through her many photo albums. She enjoyed reading, watching Detroit Tigers baseball, trips to the casino, bingo and playing cards.
Shirley is survived by her daughter, Lois (Rudi) Semen of Lansing; son, Kevin (Cindy) Carpenter of Columbia, Tenn.; daughter-in-law, Sue (Green) Carpenter of Whitehall; grandchildren; Shawn Semen, Mark Semen, Katrina (Michael) Kutzleb, Jamie (Tom) King, Crissie Carpenter; and five great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Edward W.; son, Leland Carpenter; grandson, LCpl. Andrew P. Carpenter; sister, Arlene Sheldon of Lansing; and brother, Wendell Feier of Holt.
A private graveside service was to be held at Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte. Due to the current mandate limiting public gatherings, a celebration of Shirley’s life will be held at a later date. Those desiring may make contributions in Shirley’s honor to Harbor Hospice, 1050 W. Western Ave. Suite 400, Muskegon MI 49441 or St. James Lutheran Church, 8945 Stebbins St., Montague MI 49437.
Donna J. Allen
Donna J. Allen, age 78, of Eaton Rapids passed away unexpectedly on April 18, 2020. Donna enjoyed bowling and was on bowling leagues in the area for many years. Her and Wesley went camping with the family and enjoyed the time with the grandchildren very much. She will be remembered for those daily messages on Messenger and those messages will be missed dearly by all who received them.
Donna was preceded in death by her husband Wesley Allen in 2005; her parents Edward and Rose O’Neil, Kimberly Allen and great grand-daughter Athena. Surviving are her children, Kevin (Lori) Crawley, Renee (Ted) Shiels; grandchildren, Caitlyn and Brigette Crawley, Jeff and Michaela Wilson, Billy Ramey, Amber (Ryan) Landis, Hazen and Zayden Shiels. Donna is also survived by many extended family members dear to our hearts. Graveside services were scheduled to be held at Rosehill Cemetery in Eaton Rapids on Friday, April 24, 2020 at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that donations be made to Child Abuse of Michigan in memory of Donna and Athena or a COVID-19 charity of one’s choice. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. Visit the website at millsfuneral.com to place online condolences.