Obituaries
Hazel E. Satterly
Hazel Elaine Satterly, age 75, of Charlotte passed away March 6, 2020, with her family by her side. Hazel was born to the late Fay and Cortha (Torbet) Gilson on August 14, 1944, in Eaton Rapids.
She graduated from Mason High School in 1962. She married the late Leonard D. Satterly on March 9, 1963. Hazel drove a school bus for 16 years for Lakewood Public Schools and retired to take care of her six grandchildren, which she enjoyed. She loved to go to Rice Lake and fish. She loved camping and going on road trips. She was an active bowler ,and she loved to crochet and do scrapbooking.
Hazel is survived by her loving family; children; Leonard D. (Tara) Satterly Jr., Dawn E. (Ronald P.) Kauffman, Michael F. Satterly; grandchildren, Stephan Satterly, Sean (Brittany) Satterly, Brian (Kristin) Satterly, Ronald D. (Danielle) Kauffman, Cassandra (Timothy) Haney, Jalesa (Zachary) Raymer; great-grandchildren, Drake Campbell, Deegan Campbell, Dayne Campbell, Emerson Satterly, Brezlyn Satterly, Kamden Satterly, Brinley Haney, Ashlyn Manshum, Jackson Manshum, Ryleigh Raymer, Rhys Raymer, Rozlynn Raymer; sisters, Mary (Bob) Gilson- Batten, Vernice VanNess; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Norris (Hazel) Satterly, Byron (Pam) Satterly, Chris (Linda) Satterly and Larry (Jan) Mahan.
Hazel was predeceased by her husband, Leonard D. Satterly, parents and in-laws. Hazel’s family is planning a celebration of her life sometime this summer
Donald E. Otto
Donald E. Otto, age 69, of Bellevue died on Sunday, March 8, 2020 at home, surrounded by his loving family and friends, following a long battle with lung cancer.
Don was born on February 8, 1951 in Battle Creek to Bernard and Joyce (Oaster) Otto. He graduated from Bellevue High School in 1969. Don served in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1971-1977. On December 28, 2001 he married Martha “Marty” Lennon.
Don worked for Grand Trunk railroad for many years, and he retired in 1991. He also served on the Bellevue Fire Department for 16 years and eight of those years as assistant fire chief. Don enjoyed the outdoors, golfing, hunting and fishing. He was the assistant coach for the Bellevue High School girls softball team for several years. Don also enjoyed riding his motorcycle. He loved family get-togethers, especially time spent with his nieces and nephews.
Don is survived by his wife Marty of Bellevue; father Bernard Otto of Bellevue; son Dan Otto of Bellevue; two granddaughters; brother Michael (Mary) Otto of Delton; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother Joyce; and siblings Gary Otto and Steve Otto.
A memorial service took place on March 12, 2020 at the Bellevue United Methodist Church in Bellevue. A private family interment took place at Bellevue Riverside Cemetery. The family requests memorial contributions be made to the Bellevue Fire Department or to Eaton Community Palliative Care. Assistance with memorials is available at the Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services. Leave a personal message for the family and sign the online guestbook at kempffuneralhome.com.
James L. Greenman
James Levi Greenman, age 78, of Olivet passed away Sunday, March 8, 2020, at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing with his family by his side. He was born April 2, 1941, in Kalamazoo, the son of Leslie and Dorothy (Roberts) Greenman. Jim graduated from Vicksburg High School in 1959. He then studied agriculture at Michigan State University. On September 7, 1969, Jim married Noreene Stearns in Galesburg, Mich. Jim worked many different jobs throughout his life but his heart was always on the farm. He had a love for horses, and he was especially fond of his draft horses. You could often find him winning, or near the top of, many different plowing competitions. Jim was a social man who thoroughly enjoyed visiting with others. He would often hand out $2 bills or silver dollars to someone just to strike up a conversation. Jim also enjoyed reading books about the Old West. From ranching, the pioneers, to the history of the American frontier, Jim enjoyed them all. He enjoyed watching college basketball but supporting his grandchildren in their school sporting events, and 4-H was of an utmost importance.
Jim is survived by his wife of 50 years, Noreene; daughter, Rachael (Tony) Eye of Charlotte; son Chad Greenman of Olivet; grandchildren: Levi Greenman, Morgan Ann Greenman, Madison Eye, Abigail Eye, Ryder Greenman; sister, Jeanette Ridgley of Three Rivers.
He was preceded in death by his parents and parents- in-laws, Frank and Margaret Stearns.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2020, at noon at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Those desiring, may make contributions in Jim’s honor to the Michigan Draft Horse Breeders Association. To view Jim’s obituary online, or to leave a condolence for the family, visit burkhead-greenfuneralhome.com.
Jim Martin, Jr.
Charles “Jim” James Martin, Jr., age 78, of Eaton Rapids passed away on Tuesday, March 10, 2020. Jim was born on November 2, 1941 in Okemos, the son of Charles and Zola (Cooley) Martin. He graduated from Okemos High School class of 1958 and immediately enlisted in the United States Navy. He served on the USS Hissem during the Cuban Blockade and played football for the Newport Navy Islanders while stationed in Newport, R.I. Jim retired from General Motors as a die maker after 32 years. His great passion in life was raising and breeding race horses. Jim would regularly have 20 horses, and upwards of 50, that he would race all over Michigan and into Canada.
He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Betty King and Sue Newland.
Surviving Jim are his children, Timothy (Toni) Martin, Chuck (Sue) Martin, Beth Martin, Krista (Rock) Gervais; grandchildren, Kyle Martin, Tyler (Gina) Martin, Bronson Martin, Erin Whitely, Veronica (Jason) Schmidt; great-grandson, Liam Martin; brothers, Duff (Nancy) Martin, Ralph (Jan) Martin; sister, Zoanna (Robert) Riley; special friends, Jim and Shirley Rhodes and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 21, 2020 at Skinner Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids with visitation starting at noon. Jim will be laid to rest at Fort Custer National Cemetery at a later date. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the Eaton County Humane Society. To share memories or condolences, visit skinnerfuneralhomes.com.
Linda L. Cook
Linda Lou Cook, age 65, passed away on March 7, 2020 of health issues. She was born on April 6, 1954, the daughter of James Paul and Lorene Opal (Snodderly) Kreischer. Linda devoted her life to being a wife and homemaker for her family.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband of 42 years, Kenneth A. Cook; great-grandchild, Maia; siblings, Robert, Leonard and Richard Kreischer; and sister-in-law, Mabel Kreischer and niece, Uytovia Kreischer.
Surviving to cherish her memory are her partner of four years, Donald L. Smith; children, Stacy L. (Travis) Bristow, Kenneth A. Cook Jr., and Sarah L. McGillis; grandchildren, David, Travis Jr., Troy, Kayla, Savanah, Desmond, Kelli, Mercedes, Hailey and Jasmine; great-grandchildren, Aria, Malia, Emma, and Maddox; siblings, Milo (Inez) Kreischer, John Kreischer; sisters-in-laws, Evelyn, Margaret and Grace Kreischer; special nephews, James Ross and Doug Kreischer; and many other nieces and nephews. Memorial contributions may be made to the family.
A luncheon to celebrate Linda’s life will be held Saturday, April 11, 2020, at 2 p.m., at the American Legion, 1000 Lawrence Highway in Charlotte. Arrangements are entrusted to Vickers Springport Funeral Home.