Obituaries
Thomas Irving Hansen
Thomas Irving Hansen of Eaton Rapids, passed away April 10, 2024, at the age of 91. Thomas was born in Douglass Township, Michigan on November 9, 1932, the son of Irving and Sada (Little) Hansen. He graduated from Eastern High School in 1951 and Michigan State University in 1958. Thomas was a proud Navy veteran who served during the Korean War. He and his wife were members of the First United Methodist Church in Eaton Rapids. Thomas retired from teaching in 1990. He was a dedicated teacher for Laingsburg, Fremont and Lansing Schools. Thomas enjoyed farming, gardening, reading, storytelling, European travel and Civil War re-enactments.
He is survived by his children, Julia (Scott) Barningham, Eric (April) Hansen; grandchildren, Jenna (Shane) Schnepp, Mathew (Savahna) Hansen, Kaitlynn Hansen, Caleb Hansen, Bradley Barningham; great grandchildren, Cooper Echevarria, Laurelin Hansen, Adelaide Hansen. Thomas was preceded in death by his parents; wife Judith Hansen in 2020; sisters, Marilyn Finnis and Alice Dausey.
Memorial Services will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Eaton Rapids on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. with visitation one hour prior. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 600 S. Main St, Eaton Rapids MI 48827, in loving memory of Thomas Irving Hansen. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. To leave condolences for the family, visit our website www.millsfuneral.com.
Randy Ward Johnson
Randy Ward Johnson, 69, of Eaton Rapids, MI, peacefully passed away on Sunday, April 7, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. Born on February 27, 1955, in Jackson, MI, Randy was the son of Tom and Jacqueline (Bos) Johnson. He spent his formative years in Jackson, graduating from Jackson High School in 1973. Randy embarked on a 25-year career as a corrections officer at Jackson Prison before retiring.
In retirement, Randy pursued his passion for antiques, immersing himself in buying and selling goods for the past 25 years. He had a fervent enthusiasm for Mopar Classic Cars, enjoyed building model cars, indulged in garage sales, and was a devoted fan of WWE wrestling.
Randy is preceded in death by his parents, Tom and Jacqueline, and his brother, Terry Johnson. He is survived by his beloved wife of 37 years, Judy Johnson; his children, Randy (Cindy) Johnson, Melissa Breese, Ben (Denae Baker) Johnson, and Elizabeth Bivins; his brother, Gerry (Linda) Johnson; a special friend, Rayette Ruoff; and numerous grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
A celebration of Randy’s life will be held in the summer of 2024. For those who wish to honor his memory, memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association. To share memories or offer condolences online, please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com
Mary Lou Hill
Mary Lou Hill, age 89, of Eaton Rapids, MI, passed away on April 5, 2024, in Tavares, FL. She was born in Eaton Rapids, MI on May 24, 1934, to Daniel P. And Mary E. Shinaver. She was preceded in death by four brothers and seven sisters and her husband, Dexter R. Hill, Sr. She is survived by her children, Dexter R. Hill, Jr., David (Debbie) Hill, Harvey Hill, Lori (Tommy) Rhodabeck, Patti (Robert) O’Neil, several grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Mary Lou went on to become a successful business owner, running LuLu’s Garden Restaurant in Eaton Rapids from 1974-1994. A celebration of life gathering will be planned in Mary Lou’s honor. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Joyce Arleene (McIntyre) Middaugh
Joyce Arleene (McIntyre) Middaugh, age 86, peacefully passed away, surrounded by her loving family in Lansing, MI, April 7, 2024. She was born May 14, 1937, in Mulliken, Michigan to Harley and Geraldine McIntyre.
On a beautiful summer day, July 16, 1955, Joyce married her soulmate Marion E. Middaugh, with whom she embarked on a life-long journey of companionship and devotion. Together, they raised a family, creating a home filled with laughter, delicious meals, and unconditional love.
As a passionate gardener, Joyce found solace and joy in the beauty of nature, tending to her plants with the same care she extended to all aspects of her life. She delighted in the blooms and harvests that were the fruits of her labor. As an enthusiastic sports fan she was always cheering on her favorite MSU Spartans. Joyce was sure each family member was given one of her handmade quilts, either knitted, crocheted, or embroidered, and each is a cherished heirloom.
Above all else, Joyce is celebrated as a perfect mother, not just in name but in every action and sacrifice. She instilled love and kindness in her children: Julia Middaugh-McArthur, Michael Middaugh, and James E. (Rena) Middaugh. Her grandchildren: Tina Cole-Day, Rebecca Lobdell, Lisa (John) Warner, Michael Middaugh II (Katie Baum), Sheri (Jeff) Ide, Sheli Knott, Jaclyn (Tyler) Ripley, Janet (Matthew) Kruse, and James R. (Mikayla) Middaugh, knew her as a source of endless encouragement and wisdom. She was a treasured matriarch to 23 great-grandchildren and 14 great-great-grandchildren. She is now reunited with her parents and her dear husband, Marion, who preceded her in death.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 13, 2024 at the Mills Funeral Home, Peters & Murray Chapel, Grand Ledge with visitation starting at 10:00 a.m. A graveside service will follow at the Delta Center Cemetery. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the Leukemia Research Foundation, in memory of Joyce Middaugh.
Nyle Robert Weiler
Nyle Robert Weiler, a man known for his need for speed, died in his home on Sunday, April 7, 2024, after a courageous battle with ALS. Nyle, 72, grew up on the family farm in Vermontville, Michigan, the son of Dick and Rachel (Viele) Weiler. After graduation from high school, he enrolled in trade school and became a carpenter. He started T&W Builders with his childhood friend, David Thrun. Together they installed many kitchens in the mid-Michigan area before he moved on to become a Union Carpenter. As an avid Spartan fan, he was especially happy to share that he installed the ceilings at the Jack Breslin Center on the campus of MSU. Nyle retired at the age of 49 from Bouma Corporation as a foreman who managed the remodels of countless Meijer stores. After his diagnosis, he conveyed how fortunate he felt to have enjoyed so many of his other hobbies while he was a healthy man. His passion for speed led to muscle cars, dune buggies, snowmobiles, and motorcycles, but his biggest love was his open-wheeled modified race cars. He was crowned the 1998 Michigan Modified Asphalt State Champion and won back-to-back Spartan Speedway track championships in 1997 and 1998. When Nyle was not racing he loved spending time with Kris at the cottage on Higgins Lake where he developed many great friendships. Nyle had a large circle of friends and he was known as one of the good guys. He enjoyed hunting, bowling, golfing, poker during the racing off-season, racquetball at the courts he helped build in Nashville, Michigan with ten other friends and traveling to many locations around the world; including riding his Harley to Alaska, visiting Italy with Kris’s family and three weeks in Hawaii with beloved friends Larry and Renee Lowrie. Some of his proudest accomplishments in life were his son, Zack and the home that he built on the family farm where he lived for over 50 years.
Nyle is survived by his life partner of 26 years, Kris Hudson; son, Zachary (Andrea) Weiler; grandson, Zane Weiler; mother, Rachel Weiler; twin sister, Nancy Weiler; sister, Susan (Paul) Trinklein; Kris’s family, Karen Hudson, Tom Hudson, Thomas (Sheila) Topham, Ryan (Anna Dematatis) Topham, Matthew (Kurt Lu) Topham; and many extended family members and dear friends. He was predeceased by his father, Dick Weiler. Special thanks to the Sparrow Home Hospice Team for the support and care they provided.
Friends are encouraged to support Nyle’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation was Friday, April 12, 2024, from Noon until 2:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. A funeral service followed at 2:00 p.m. with Chaplain Allison Ellsworth officiating. The funeral was webcast so you may watch it from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device that has internet access. Go to www.prayfuneral.com, click on Nyle’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smartphone). In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the family for his grandson Zane’s 529C College Fund or The Susan Mast ALS Foundation. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.