Obituaries
Deborah S. Lownsbery
Deborah Sue Woodard, Lownsbery, age 53, of Eaton Rapids passed away April 1, 2020. Deborah was born in Albion, October 22, 1966. She was a 1984 graduate of Eaton Rapids High School. Deborah had been hairstylist since 1987, most recently working at Holt Hair and Nails. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, enjoyed working out at Healthworks at the ERMC, boating, walking, being outdoors and sitting by the fire pit.
Deborah is survived by her parents, Eddie and Sue (Chapman) Woodard; husband, David Lownsbery; sons, Eric (Audrey) Lownsbery of Paris, Mich., Evan (Kaylyn McGuire) Lownsbery of Eaton Rapids; grandson, Levi Lownsbery; sisters, Stacie (Pattrick) Yockey of Eaton Rapids, Nichole (Andy) Zasucha of Marshall; brother, Eddie (Kimberly) Moss of McKenzie, Tenn.; several nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles; loving step-mother, Patricia Zasucha; her beloved dogs, Bella and Bernice and her beloved clients who were like family to her. She was preceded in death by her biological father, Thomas Zasucha; mother and father-in-law, Gail and Barbara Lownsbery and her grandparents.
Memorial services will be held at a later date. Those desiring may make memorial contributions to the First United Methodist Church, 600 S. Main St. in Eaton Rapids, or New Hope Pet Rescue, PO Box 745, Charlotte MI 48813. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. Visit the website to place online condolences or to sign the guest book, millsfuneral.com.
Deborah M. Lehman
Deborah “Deb” M. Lehman, age 70, of Battle Creek passed away on Saturday, March 28, 2020 at Glenn Arbor Hospice Residence in Battle Creek with her loving husband at her side.
She was born November 7, 1949 in Battle Creek to George and Harriet “Betty” (Pike) Tidd. Deborah was a graduate of Bellevue High School where she met and then married Brian Lehman on June 7, 1969 at Bellevue United Methodist Church. She started her working career with Transamerica in Battle Creek and then onto The Ole Bakery Haus in Battle Creek as a clerk. Deborah worked at the Base Exchange, Air National Guard Base, Battle Creek as a sales clerk before starting at JC Penney in Battle Creek, where she worked in sales and then as a stock room manager for over 20 years.
Deborah was an Avon representative for over 50 years. She loved going to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, especially St. Ignace and Sault Ste. Marie. She enjoyed going on the Toonerville Trolley in Newberry. Reading, crossword puzzles, Tuesday morning breakfast at Firekeepers Casino, going to the county park, visiting lighthouses and crocheting Christmas stockings were some of her favorite things to do.
She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Brian; her son, Shawn Adam Lehman of New Hampshire, her sister, Barb Katts of Battle Creek; and her brother, Steve (Beth) Tidd of Delton. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
Per Deborah’s request, cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be announced at a later date. Arrangements were entrusted to Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services in Bellevue. Memorial contributions may be directed to the family. Visit kempffuneralhome.com to view the online obituary, sign the online guest book or to leave the family condolences.
Sharon L. King
Sharon Lee King, age 79, of Charlotte passed away March 24, 2020, surrounded by family. She was born January 20, 1941 in Charlotte , daughter of Eldeen and Norma (Bodell) Jones. She graduated from Charlotte High School in 1959. Shortly after high school, she met and married her husband of 52 years, Jack King.
After working as a bank teller at Eaton Federal for some time, she happily moved on to her true calling – mother. After the children were grown, she returned to work as a tax preparer, most recently at H&R Block. She was also a lifetime farmer. Sharon loved being a mom, often serving as chaperone for school field trips. She attended every school sporting event her children participated in through the years. She also enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, who could always bring out her beautiful smile. She loved fishing and hunting – and even bagged an elk. After Jack retired, they started an antique business together and would often spend their time at auction sales. They also wintered in Ruskin, Fla., where she loved fishing and hunting for treasures at garage sales.
She is survived by her three children: Darrin (Amee) King of Grand Ledge, Beth (Eric) Pulver of Dimondale, and Jeff (Heather) King of Livonia; five grandchildren: Kyle King, Evan King, Danny Small, Rachel (Small) Reed and Addie King, and five great-grandchildren; as well as a sister, Beverly Wells of California. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents and her brother Darwyn Jones.
Due to the current mandate on public gatherings, a memorial service will be scheduled once the current restrictions are lifted. In lieu of flowers, consider making donations to Hospice of Lansing Stoneleigh Residence, 3411 Stoneleigh Dr., Lansing MI 48910, the hospice facility where Sharon spent her last five months. To view Sharon’s obituary online, or to leave a condolence for the family, visit burkhead-greenfuneralhome.com.
Harlan B. Pauls, Jr.
Harlan Benjamin Pauls, Jr., age 80, of Eaton Rapids passed away on March 25, 2020. Harlan was born in Williamston on June 6, 1939, the son of Harlan Benjamin Pauls, Sr. and Bernice Adell (Barnes) Pauls. He was a graduate of Williamston High School and proudly served with the U.S. as an airplane mechanic. Air Force After returning from the service, he worked for General Motors as an inspector and retired in 1991. Harlan was a proud member of the UAW Local 652, had a love for cars, enjoyed going to car shows and enjoyed watching all kinds of sports on television. But mostly, he enjoyed the time he spent with his grandchildren. Harlan is survived by his daughters; Tammie (Donald) Brown of Charlotte, Melanie (Christopher) Wood McCord of Eaton Rapids and Jessiey Pauls of Eaton Rapids; daughter-in-law, Melody Pauls; grandchildren, Cheyenne Moore, Harlan Brown, Devin Wood, Tayler McCord, Jorden McCord, Dustin McCord, Ezekial Pauls, Anne Marie Pauls; and sister, Judie (Larry) Gregg of Wisconsin. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 50 years, Judy Kay Pauls; his son, Benjamin Pauls; sister, Madelyn Mason and brother, Jerold Pauls. No services are planned at this time. Those desiring may make memorial contributions to Eaton County Health and Rehabilitation Services, 530 Beech Street, Charlotte MI 48813. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. Visit the website at millsfuneral. com to place online condolences or to sign the guest book.
Sallie Emmer
Sallie Emmer, born April 14, 1929, passed away on March 19, 2020. Sallie was a retired teacher who taught at Eaton Rapids and Charlotte for many years. She married Gene Emmer in 1951 and had three daughters, Laura, Lisa and Leslie. She loved art and art history and was accomplished in watercolors and figure painting, something she Sallie Emmer fine-tuned in retirement. Sallie had the gift of giving. She truly cared for the happiness of others. She gave her all to make sure her family was taken care of. Sallie was a strong individual who wouldn’t budge if she thought she was right, despite her family pointing out how opposite her politics were. She was true to her beliefs and respected others as well and cared deeply for her daughters and their well-being. Sallie had a special place in her heart for her grandson, Mattias DeDoes. In the days of a stay-at-home mom, she worked fulltime, cared for her family and the home — something we all should respect. At the same time, she never met a cookie she did not like or a flower she would not plant. Like her husband, Sallie loved books and movies about Sherlock Holmes. Her kids liked nothing better than to take her to the latest Bond movie. Between movies she read mysteries, especially Detective Montalbano. She will be dearly missed. She is survived by her daughters, Laura (Patrick) Marutiak, Lisa Emmer (Steven DeDoes), Leslie (Jim) Long; grandchildren, Mattias DeDoes, Shelli Long; great-grandchildren, Margeaux (Will) Wing, Maci (Matthew) McNamara, Morgan (Ryan) Wing and great-great-grandchildren, Vaida, Norah and Claira. Due to current conditions, a private service will be planned. To share memories or leave condolences, visit skinnerfuneralhomes.com.