Obituaries
Gary W. Crews, Jr.
On February 8, 2019, Gary Wayne Crews, Jr., formerly of Charlotte, passed away suddenly. Gary was the beloved husband of Colleen Cleary Crews; devoted father of Taylor and Brandon Crews; loving son of Gary Wayne Crews, Sr. and the late Sue Crews; dear brother of Tammy (David) Partridge and Tracy (Jim) Bishop.
A Memorial Mass was held on Saturday, February 16, 2019, at The Shrine of the Sacred Heart Church in Baltimore, Md.
In Gary’s memory, contributions may be made to The Josh Hamer Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o The John Carroll School, 703 E. Churchville Rd., Bel Air, MD 21014.
Family and friends are encouraged to share memories of Gary at dignitymemorial.com or Charlotte Orioles Lost Classmates.
David L. Eaton
David L. Eaton, 68, of Charlotte, peacefully passed away on the evening of February 19, 1929. He left this world surrounded by love, with his favorite television show (Jeopardy) playing in the background. David was truly an inspiring man. He had polio as a young boy and faced several obstacles as a result. None of these obstacles stopped him from becoming a successful man. He worked hard and had an amazing wife and two children who he was extremely proud of.
David was born January 30, 1951 and grew up in Harrison. His dream was to someday play baseball with his father, Howard Eaton. We believe that David is doing just that. On the sidelines are his mother, Lois Eaton and brother, Gary Eaton.
David was also a life member and Past Master of John J. Carton Masonic Lodge, F. & A.M. No. 436, in Harrison.
Surviving is his wife, Tina; son, Jack Eaton (Dwaina); daughter, Jayme Fast (Rich); grandchildren, Lewis Jo David Eaton, Lucia Renae Fast and Ille; brother, Jeff Eaton (Kim) and the Case Family.
He was loved by many and will be greatly missed.
Services were held at 1 p.m. Friday at Field & Leik Funeral Home in Dimondale, followed by Masonic rites.
Garry Perkins
Garry Perkins, 80, of Charlotte, passed away on January 31, 2019 in Bartow, Fla. He was a retired master electrician. He also had a contractor’s license.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Myra; daughters, Debora (Jay), and Cheryl (Jerome); and son, Scott (Teresa); eight grandchildren, Kendra, Phillip (Jenifer), Alison (Josh), Dreux (Jill), Tyler, Jessica, Morgan (Michael), and Logan; seven great-grandchildren, Jackson, Lorelei, Reese, Cole, Wyatt and Wesley.
He was preceded in death by son, Steven; and great-granddaughters, Dawson and Ryan.
There was a memorial for him in the clubhouse at Sleepy Hollow Park 1 in Zephyrhills, Fla., where had spent winters for the last 20 years. He loved to hunt, fish, golf and any function at Sleepy Hollow Park 1. He will be sorely missed by all his family and friends.
There will be a memorial in Michigan at a later date.
Michael G. Cary
Michael Guy Cary, 61, of Charlotte, passed away Saturday, February 16, 2019, at his home in Charlotte with his wife by his side. He was born November 16, 1957, in Columbia City, Ind., the son of Guy and Letha Joan Cary. Mike graduated from Olivet High School with the class of 1976. He married Pamela Louise Crittenden on March 24, 1996, in Charlotte. He worked for Shrontz Trucking for more than 20 years. Mike enjoyed hunting, trips to the casino, and working with wood.
He is survived by his wife, Pam; children, Jason (Tatum) Cary of Charlotte, Nicole (Justin) Breard of Eagle, Paul (Angela) Hume of Illinois, Kristy (Kyle) Grinold of Vermontville; six grandchildren; siblings, Linda (Mike) Allman of Florida, Debra Burton of Portage, Cheryl Halsey of Battle Creek, Christine Halsey of Potterville, Brad (Cindy) Halsey of White Cloud.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents; step-father, Tom Halsey; and sister, Dee Cary.
Funeral services were held Thursday, February 21, 2019, at Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home, with Pastor Dan Wilkinson officiating.
Those desiring, may make contributions in Mike’s honor to the family or the American Cancer Society.
To view Mike’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family, please visit burkhead-greenfuneralhome.com.
Jan P. Benedict
A celebration of life for Jan Paul “J.P.” Benedict of Alba, Texas was held Thursday, February 21, 2019, at Lake Fork Baptist Church with Bro. Perry Crisp officiating. J.P. passed away peacefully, surrounded by family and dear friends on February 14, 2019, in Texas. He was born June 7, 1944, in Hastings, Mich., to Gretchen and Paul Benedict. He was a member of the Epsilon Nu Chapter of Psi Upsilon Fraternity at Michigan State University, Class of 1967 and graduated from MSU with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Zoology/Chemistry. J.P. was called to serve in the armed forces during his senior year of college and enlisted in the United States Army for Officer Candidate School. During his tour in Vietnam, he was 1st Lt. and Platoon Leader of the 1099 Transportation Company, nicknamed the 1099th River Rats. He received the following citations/commendation awards: N.D.S.M, USM, VCM, ARCOM and two O/S Bars. After serving our country in the Vietnam War and receiving an Honorable Discharge, he pursued and obtained his Juris Doctorate Degree at the Valparaiso School of Law in 1973. He was a member of the State Bar of Michigan and began his career as a prosecuting attorney for Ingham County before going on to private practice until 2004. J.P. and Brenda married in 1998. After moving to Texas in 2004, they purchased a Dairy Queen, which they are very proud of. J.P. was also an instrument rated, private pilot. He was an avid outdoorsman. J.P.’s love for horses began at their farm in Michigan. He was an active member of the NCHA (National Cutting Horse Association), ACHA (American Cutting Horse Association) and WCHA (World Cutting Horse Association). He was very passionate about his horses and won numerous awards in cutting competitions.
J.P. always said that he wasn’t born in Texas, but he got here as fast as he could! His sons remember him as a strong leader who encouraged them to pursue their goals. He adored and enjoyed watching his grandchildren grow and loved teasing them; especially telling his little granddaughter that he was going to be better looking than her in the morning! His friends remember him as a warm, gentle and caring man; strong and determined with a wonderful sense of humor. He was a loving husband, father and “Bapa” and will be greatly and dearly missed by his family, friends and brothers in arms.
J.P. leaves behind his loving wife, Brenda of Texas; two sons, Tyler (Jaclyn) Ripley of Charlotte, and Travis (Katie) Ripley of Lindale, Texas; three loving grandchildren, Max, Kylee, and Beau Paul Ripley of Lindale, Texas. J.P. is also survived by his sister, Susan Benedict of Charlotte, North Carolina; his mother-in-law, Dorothy Martin of Charlotte; sister-in-law, Tonya (Barry) Ashley of Charlotte; sister-in-law, Linda Willis of Dimondale; sister-in-law, Carol (Travis) Combs of Kingwood, Texas; sister-in-law, Janice Ward of Dimondale; sister-in-law, Kathy (Tom) Jones of Charlotte; brother-in-law, Dan (Barb) Martin of Charlotte; brother-in-law, Dennis (Renee) Martin of Mulliken; and numerous extended family members around the country.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Peter Benedict, of Michigan.
A special thank you to Dr. Bernard Taylor and his staff and the medical professionals at Christus Good Shepherd Medical Center.
Memorial contributions can be made in his honor to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, www.stjude.org.
Arrangements are under the direction of Wilson-Orwosky Funeral Home. The online register can be signed at wilsonorwoskyfuneralhome.com.