Obituaries
Bernard J. Hall
Bernard James Hall, age 77, of Charlotte passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, April 29, 2020. He was born December 2, 1942 in Hastings, the son of Kenneth and Pauline (Fugate) Hall. Bernard graduated from Olivet High School with the class of 1961. He then went on to proudly serve his country in the United States Navy. On April 9, 1966, he married Julie Ann McLane in Charlotte. Bernard loved the outdoors and could often be found fishing or hunting, depending on the season.
Bernard is survived by his wife of 54 years, Julie; children: Jerome (Tara) Hall of Jackson, Bernard (Shelly) Hall II of Battle Creek, Marguerite (Thomas) Patterson of Eaton Rapids, Jensy (Armando) Pellegrino of Charlotte, Meagan (Steve) Turner of Olivet, Farin Burt of Lansing, Brandon (Sara) Hall of Eaton Rapids; 24 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, sisters: Bonnie (Dan) Judd of Olivet, Beverly (Bill) Cahill of Tennessee and Betty (George) Banfield of Florida. He was preceded in death by his parents. Visitation was scheduled for Friday, May 1, 2020 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home in Charlotte. Those planning to attend are asked to be mindful of the executive order set forth by the governor and wear a mask. Staff will be ushering attendees into the visitation. A private graveside service was scheduled to be held May 1 at the West Carmel Cemetery with Pastor Charles Jenson officiating.
Those desiring may make contributions in Bernard’s memory to the family. To view Bernard’s obituary online, or to leave a condolence for the family, visit burkhead-greenfuneralhome.com.
Paul Anderson
Paul “Cheatie” Anderson, age 84, of Eaton Rapids passed away on Wednesday, April 22, 2020. Paul was born on November 25, 1935 in Halo, Ky., the son of Hillard and Mary (Slone) Anderson. Paul moved to Michigan in search of work. He went to work for Heifetz Pickle Factory in Eaton Rapids. He then took a job with Springport Steel, where he worked until they closed. He eventually went to work for St. Lawrence Dimondale Nursing Center, retiring in the late 1990s. Paul loved to spend time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, spoiling them with treats every opportunity he had. He was an avid collector and enjoyed going to auctions, spending time outside, working in his garden and fixing things around the house.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Hazel Bates, Sessie Gatzke, Edith Smallwood; brothers, Hillard Jr., Hobert, Claude, Bobby, and Buddy Anderson.
Surviving are his daughter, Belinda (Kevin) Hill; grandchildren, Amanda (Juan) Gatica, Ashley (Evan) Gruesbeck, Brittney Hill; great-grandchildren, Evelyn and Liam Gruesbeck, Carlijean Benson, Olivia Adkins; extended family, Eric (Susan) Eaton, Daryl (Deb) Eaton, Justin (Miranda) Eaton, Cindy Beck, Darian Eaton, Delanie Eaton; sisters, Ollene Stapleton, Betty “Chickie” Anderson; brother, Glen (Ruby) Anderson; sister-in-law, Beulah Anderson; brothers-in-law, James Smallwood, Jerry Gatzke and numerous nieces and nephews.
A graveside service was held on Thursday, April 30, 2020 at Rosehill Cemetery in Eaton Rapids. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society in memory of Paul. To share memories or condolences, visit skinnerfuneralhomes.com.
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.