Obituaries
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.
Michael F. Munro
Michael Frederick Munro, age 68, of Lansing, and formerly of Onondaga, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, March 10, 2020. Mike was born on February 29, 1952 in Jackson, the son of Frederick and Elmira (Miller) Munro.
He was a graduate of Leslie High School class of 1970 and went on to receive an electrical trade degree from MSU. Mike worked as a journeyman for Trine Electric in Albion before taking a position with Mobile Pipeline, where he spent two years in Saudi Arabia. He also worked for Conoco Oil, Omimex Energy and retired from ANR Gas Storage in 2012 to assume his new role as full time Papa. Mike was currently the electrical inspector for Leslie, Onondaga, Bunker Hill and Aurelius townships. He was a man that lived his life by the motto, “If you have the ability and means to help someone in need, why wouldn’t you?”
Mike was a trustworthy, generous and caring soul who would drop everything in an instant to help a family member or friend in need. He was the rock of his family and the glue that held them together. Mike was a loving husband, father and Papa whose memory will be cherished by all who loved him.
Mike is survived by his wife of 40 years, Cyndi (Smith) Munro; mother, Elmira Munro; sons, Michael (Sarah) Munro, Tyler Munro; grandchildren, Michael, William and Benjamin Munro; sister, Retha (Bill) House; brothers, Steven (Tina) Munro, Kevin (Dawn) Munro and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his father and sister, Janice Westbrooks.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 14, 2020, at Skinner Funeral Homes, Eaton Rapids Chapel. The family was scheduled to receive friends at the funeral home on Friday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. and one hour prior to the service on Saturday. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. To share memories or condolences, visit skinnerfuneralhomes.com.
Jeanne Sherman
Jeanne Sherman went home on March 9, 2020. Jeanne loved life, and life loved her right back. She was a woman of great kindness, generosity, creativity and enthusiasm. Born February 6, 1927 to Thelma and Bert Van Ark, she grew up in Eaton Rapids. Graduating from Albion College with a degree in social work, she married Eber Sherman in 1949. After working for Michigan Children’s Aid Society, and while raising six children, she returned to school in 1977, receiving a second degree in education from Michigan State University. She then taught and volunteered in Eaton Rapids school system for many years.
Jeanne was preceded in death by her husband, Eber; daughter, Mindy; grandson, Matthew Sherman; and son-in-law, Peter Nestor. Surviving are daughters, Karen Nestor, Jan (Rick) Hettich, Mary Beth (Jeff) Morgan; sons, John (Lynn), Mark (Trish); 12 beloved grandchildren, Sean, Elizabeth, Daniel, David, Maggie, Brendan, Jane, Molly, Clara, Kyle, Zachary, Sofia; and five great-grandchildren, Emmett, Mary, Iris, Sage and Anna. She also leaves sisters, Ginnie Scott and Judy (Bill) Babbitt; plus, many treasured nieces and nephews.
Her greatest loves were family, good friends, all children, gardening and birding. In lieu of flowers, send gifts to any cause that offers nourishment and loving care to needy souls such as Heart and Hands, in Eaton Rapids, and Manna Food Project, in Harbor Springs.
A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 4, 2020 at the First United Methodist Church in Eaton Rapids (FUMER) with visitation starting at 10 a.m. To share memories or condolences, visit skinnerfuneralhomes.com.
Marilyn G. Hartsuff
Marilyn Gail Hartsuff, age 90, of Charlotte passed away on March 4, 2020. She worked as a telephone operator. Funeral services will be held at a later date. Arrangements were made by Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.