Obituaries
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, his grandparents, two nieces and one nephew.
Steve is survived by his wife, Erlene, of 51 years. She was the love of his life. He is also survived by his sisters, Sherry Hays, Billie Jo (Bill Scott) and Cindy Colson; brother, Jeff Kost; aunt, Bonnie (John Carmen); many cousins, nieces and nephews, and a whole lot of friends.
Steve retired from Trinity Lutheran Church in Lansing. His hobbies were hunting, riding his yellow motorcycle and shopping. He had a very big heart for people. He will be missed always. Our hearts are broken. Until we meet again, we love you.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Edwin J. Schneider
Edwin John Schneider, age 87, a man with a gregarious personality and quick wit, passed away unexpectedly on April 24, 2020 at his home. He was born on January 7, 1933 to Edward and Matilda (Rademacher) Schneider in Fowler.
Ed served his country in the U.S Army as a tank crewman during the Korean War. After returning home, he met his future wife, Rosalie Cortright, in Lansing at Bradleys Dance Hall, and they were married June 8, 1955. When they started their family, they filled their home with love, caring, adventure, helping others and the Word of God. Edwin worked as a carpenter for Oldsmobile until his retirement in 1981 after 30 years. He was a member of St. Mary’s Mens Club, the St. Vincent DePaul Society and the Eaton Area Senior Center.
His family fondly remembers that he loved the outdoors. It didn’t matter if it was in the woods hunting, or caring for his enormous “weed free” garden (with 24 rows of potatoes), or working the farm. His children remember many lessons learned from their father: “Always put forth your best effort,” “Never do things halfway,” “You should learn how to be independent,” and “weed that garden” were among the many lessons he taught his family.
Some of the things that Ed and Rosalie enjoyed include camping, hiking, square dancing, polka music (especially the Beer Barrel Polka), and fall fishing trips to Sault Ste. Marie. After their retirement, Rosalie and Edwin enjoyed several trips to McAllen, Texas, and a special trip to Alaska and Newfoundland.
Edwin is survived by children, Marcella (Mike) Haag, Marvin (Teri) Schneider, Dorothy (Ron) Schroeder, Edward (Lynn) Schneider, Deacon Charles (Marlene) Schneider, and Kay (Parks) Preston; 21 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; and one brother, Alvin Schneider. He was preceded in death by his wife, Rosalie Mae Schneider; daughter, Nancy; brothers, Andrew Schneider, Leo Schneider, Leonard Schneider, Louis Schneider, Joseph Schneider, and Hilary Schneider; sisters, Antoinette Schneider, Catherine Heckman, Florian Schneider and Ann Leneman.
A Funeral Mass for immediate family was scheduled for 1 p.m. on Friday, May 1 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Charlotte with Rev. Fr. Dwight Ezop officiating. The Mass will be web cast so others may watch it from any computer, smart phone or mobile device that has internet access. The web cast will be available through Ed’s tribute page at prayfuneral.com. Click on Ed’s tribute, the click “photos & videos” from your computer (or media from your smart phone). Prior to the beginning of the service, a link will appear on this page to watch the web cast.
Friends and extended family members are also encouraged to share memories of Ed on his tribute page. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to St. Mary Catholic Church St. Mary St. Vincent DePaul Society or the Eaton Area Senior Center. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte.
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.