Obituaries
Lori Ann Briggs
Lori Ann (Rockafellow) Briggs, an extraordinary warrior in the fight against cancer for the last three years, left the pain of her earthly body and went to be with her Lord and Savior on October 14, 2024. Lori was born January 12, 1962 in Eaton Rapids, MI to Donald and Paula (Pattenaude) Rockafellow. She was such a positive person and always drew people to her with her amazing attitude and beautiful smile, even from a very young age. After ten years of dating, in May of 1997 Lori married Jason Briggs and they had lots of fun and adventures as a family together with the children that Lori had with Philip Branch. She loved being a mom and was very proud of her children, and was very excited when she became a grandma, a title she cherished which gave her more chance to show her love for her family.
Working at Hayes Green Beach Hospital in the dietary department for 27 years, Lori touched many lives from patients to co-workers. She volunteered for numerous committees, helped plan events, and was honored for her dedicated service with several awards over the years. A talented person in many ways, Lori enjoyed crafting, making greeting cards, scrapbooking, and tending to her flower garden. Cardinals held a special meaning for Lori, and she enjoyed watching them and knew they were visitors from Heaven. A proud member of the First United Methodist Church in Eaton Rapids, Lori knew that while her time on earth was coming to an end, her soul would be at rest.
Lori is survived by her husband, Jason; children, Stephanie (Michael) Terpstra and Greg (Amanda) Branch; grandchildren, Summer, Kevin, Brennan, Cameron, Delia, Frankie, and Axel; siblings, Cathy (Don) DeGraffenreid, Ron (Cathy) Rockafellow, Don Rockafellow, and David (Rachel) Rockafellow; and many extended family members. She was preceded in death by her parents; and brother, Larry Rockafellow.
Family and friends are encouraged to share with one another the wonderful person that Lori was by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation was Thursday, October 17, at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. Funeral services were Friday, October 18, at First United Methodist Church in Eaton Rapids with Pastor Melany Chalker 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 Lori’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
MaryEtta R. Coker
MaryEtta R. Coker was born in Kalamazoo, MI on September 11, 1956. She passed on October 23, 2024. She was a kind, patient woman who was loved by all who knew her. She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Glenn Coker; her daughter, April McKensie; and son, Joshua (Nicole) Coker. She also loved being grandmother to DarryAnn, Melina, Korte, Zoe, Zac, Drake, and Marley, and great-grandmother to Mahkai.
MaryEtta has been cremated and a celebration of life will be held later.
Eileen H. Harrison
Eileen H. Harrison, 95, of Charlotte, a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and life-long learner and servant, died peacefully on Thursday, October 24, 2024. Eileen was born June 20, 1929, in Highland Park, MI, the daughter of Hilliard and Blanche (Wyman) Hart. She graduated from Cooley High School before earning a degree in elementary education from Albion College, where she met the love of her life, Robert Harrison. Eileen and Bob married on June 16, 1951, and moved to Battle Creek, where Bob worked. Eileen got a job teaching fifth grade in the Battle Creek Lakeview district, teaching four years before taking time off to raise their children. They moved to Olivet after Bob took a position as an accountant with Olivet College. Eileen worked as a substitute teacher for a year before accepting a full-time position teaching fourth grade in Olivet Public Schools. She retired after over 20 years of service and they moved to Charlotte, where Eileen became a very active member of the First Congregational Church of Charlotte.
Eileen remained extremely active until her final days. She looked forward to her hourly walk every day at AL!VE, was an avid reader, visited with family and friends throughout the country and was able to travel abroad with her children to Australia, New Zealand, Italy, and Greece. She enjoyed music and theater, including taking in shows and concerts. She cherished the coffee hours she had with long-time friends at each other’s houses. Eileen was an integral member of her church. She participated in the church book club and adult education as well as countless hours in the church kitchen, preparing dinners for numerous occasions. As a long-time member of the Outreach/Missions Team, she helped with the coat drive, grocery and clothing collections, activity boxes for children, helped with the church bazaar, and several other church ministries both at home in Charlotte and went on mission trips. Eileen was also a member of the Friends of the Charlotte Community Library for years, helping with book sales and other projects. She was a member of the Women’s Board of Olivet College, a member of Delta Kappa Gamma (international education society), and the Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel. She served as an officer in these groups throughout the years. Above all, Eileen lived as an example of Faith to all who knew her and will miss her
Eileen is survived by her children, Jan (Michael) Dieterle of Lakewood Ranch, FL, Robert A. (Patricia) Harrison of Richland, and Patricia (Melvin) Smith of Arlington, TX; grandchildren, Stacey (Mike) Gamble, Justin (Alejandra) Dieterle, Andrea (Kyle) Hendrix, Brooke Smith, Colin (Ashlyn) Smith, and Kerry (Anthony) Rotella; and four great-grandchildren, Ember Smith, Annalise Gamble, Logan Hendrix, and Harrison Rotella. She was predeceased by her husband, Robert Harrison; her father and mother, and her brother Willard Hart.
Friends are encouraged to support Eileen’s family by sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. The family is planning interment at Ft. Custer National Cemetery and a Celebration of Life to be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to First Congregational Church of Charlotte, Hope Landing, or Elara Caring Hospice. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Jayne Marie Harris
Jayne Marie Harris of Eaton Rapids, passed away Tuesday, October 29, 2024, in Eaton Rapids, Michigan. Jayne was born in Lansing, Michigan on November 7, 1929, to Gilbert and Carlotta Putman. She grew up on the family farm in Williamston, Michigan until she went to Michigan State University in 1947. Jayne married John “Jack” Harris, from Eaton Rapids, in 1950 and then went on to graduate from college in 1951 with a degree in English. She taught 1st grade for several years before leaving teaching to work at the family business, Harris Oil Co. Jayne always joked that she worked there for 40 years and never pumped a gallon of gas. She was an avid bridge player, played golf and was an accomplished piano player. Jayne will be remembered fondly for her love of dancing at parties with Jack at Duck Lake Country Club. No one loved a good party more than Jayne.
Jayne is survived by her daughter, Debra (Fred) Wager; grandchildren, John Bresky, Adam (Nichole) Bresky, Samantha (Jeff) Ellsworth and Amanda Reeve; nine great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Jack Harris; her later in life companion, Robert “Butch” Goodall; parents, Gilbert and Carlotta; siblings, Grant Putman and Joyce Cornell.
Jayne’s family would like to thank The Care Team Hospice and Island City Assisted Living for the excellent later-in-life care they provided her.
There will be a Graveside Service on her birthday, Thursday, November 7 at 2:00 p.m. at Rosehill Cemetery where she will be buried with her late husband, Jack. Friends and family are invited to Fred and Debra’s home at 219 Holmes St, Eaton Rapids immediately following the graveside service for a cocktail party, just what Jayne would have wanted. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Eaton Rapids Medical Center Foundation in loving memory of Jayne Marie Harris. 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.
Jane Stouffer
Jane Stouffer of Jackson, MI passed away on October 12, 2024. A celebration of life will be held November 10, 2024, at 2 p.m. at the Springport VFW. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Fowler House AFC, 400 VanBuren Rd., Jackson, MI 49201. Jane’s full obituary is available at Vickersfuneralhomes.com.