Obituaries
Derek Duncan Nettleman
Derek Duncan Nettleman of Lansing, passed away May 2, 2024, at the age of 55. Derek was born in Lansing, MI, February 22, 1969, the son of Bruce and Fleeta (Foland) Nettleman. He was a 1986 graduate of St. John’s High School. Derek worked for Dart Container as a scheduler and was a secretary for Tarry Chiropractic. He was a talented musician playing bass guitar with several different bands. Derek was such a fun, animated man who had many friends. His friend and owner of the Meat Restaurant in Lansing, named a sandwich after Derek called the “Nettlearchy.” Derek took it upon himself to become an ordained minister so that he could marry his friends. He leaves behind two children who will miss the times spent with their dad.
Derek is survived by his twin children, Maxwell and Willow Nettleman of Haslett; father, Bruce (Dora) Nettleman of Eaton Rapids; sister, Heather Nettleman of Eaton Rapids; brother, Erik (Tait) Medina of IL; nephews, Enzo Medina and Christopher Nettleman; great nephew, Aiden Easterling; special cousin, Lisa Hathaway; best friend, Tim Tarry; Joseph Lachniet, who was like a father to him. He was preceded in death by his mother, Fleeta Nettleman.
Memorial services will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of your choice in loving memory of Derek Duncan Nettleman. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. Please visit our website to place online condolences, www.millsfuneral.com.
Norma Rae Howell
Norma Rae (Hammond) Howell of Springport, born September 14, 1927, passed into the arms of Jesus Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at the age of 96. View the full obituary at www.VickersFuneralHomes.com. The family received family and friends at Vickers Funeral Home, Springport on Thursday, May 16, 2024, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Services were held at Vickers on Friday, May 17, 2024, at noon with visitation one hour before. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Springport Area Foundation For Education (S.A.F.E.), Hospice of Lansing or Holt Christian Church.
Darlene Kay Joostberns
Darlene Kay Joostberns was born on September 7, 1944, in Allegan, Michigan, to Albert Kizer and Coral (Meyer) Kizer. She was the second of three children and the only girl. Darlene grew up in Allegan and attended Allegan Public Schools.
Darlene married her high school sweetheart, Andrew (Tom) Joostberns on October 1, 1960, and from this union five children were born, Andrew Jr., Tony, Randy, Scott, and they saved the best for last when they had their daughter, Debra. Such a relief after four boys!
Darlene and Tom lived for several years in Allegan and enjoyed spending time with their family playing cards, spoons and going snowmobile riding. Darlene and the boys could often be found spending time with her sisters-in-law while Tom worked on cars with his brothers-in-law. Wherever Tom went, so did Darlene and the boys….she was not going to be left home alone with the four of them!
In 1966, they moved to Vermontville, Michigan when Tom took a job working for the Board of Water and Light in Lansing. In 1972, Darlene began working as a school bus driver for Maple Valley Schools, which she enjoyed doing for the next 30 years, until she retired in 2002. While she enjoyed the normal pick up and drop offs during the school day, she especially enjoyed taking the sports teams to their away games. Driving bus also allowed Darlene to attend her kids school events and parties during the day. Bus driving was very important to Darlene, and she would often talk about it right up until she passed.
While working at Maple Valley, Darlene developed many close and long-lasting friendships, who also served as a second set of eyes to keep the boys in line when she wasn’t around. Darlene and Tom were very actively involved in the community, coaching little league, being Cub Scout Troop Leaders and being key members of the Maple Valley Athletic Boosters. On most Tuesday and Thursday nights, you would either find Darlene working or playing bingo at the high school or the VFW and on Sundays, you would find her bowling at Char-Lanes in Charlotte.
Darlene enjoyed camping, fishing, and traveling. Often taking trips to Florida, Vegas and fishing at Rice Lake, Canada every summer with friends. While Darlene was not afraid to put a worm on the hook, she left the cleaning of the fish to Tom. Darlene and Tom had many, many wonderful adventures, starting out with two boys and a pop-up tent, and eventually worked up to just Deb and a 32’ motorhome, named The Roundball Express, which was taken to many Gus Macker Tournaments. While Tom was in charge of driving the motorhome, Darlene was in charge of keeping them on course using the AAA TripTik.
After Tom passed in 1998, Darlene’s focus shifted to her grandchildren. She loved to attend any and all sporting events. To keep herself involved, she became the official scorebook keeper of the girls’ basketball team, and she would attend weekend AAU tournaments in Detroit, Chicago or wherever the kids were playing. She also volunteered her time at her granddaughters’ elementary, assisting the students with reading and helping the teachers prep their activities for the day. Everyone knew Grandma Jo and her pocket jellybeans.
One of Darlene’s lifelong dreams was to live on a lake. That dream became a reality in 2010 when she moved to Long Lake in Dowling, Michigan. Darlene loved to sit on the dock and fish or sit in her sunroom and watch the wildlife. Living on the lake created long lasting memories with family and friends of cookouts, fish fries, tubing or just cruising the lake in the pontoon on a summer afternoon.
Darlene departed this life on May 3, 2024, after a long battle with dementia. Darlene was preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband, Andrew Joostberns, two brothers, Robert Kizer and David Kizer, and her granddaughter, Jennifer Joostberns. She leaves to cherish her memory, five children, Andrew (Susan) Joostberns, Tony (Brenda) Joostberns, Randy (Joene) Joostberns, Scott Joostberns, and Debra (Torriea) Carpenter-Bradford. She also leaves behind 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life will be held for Darlene on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at the VFW at 304 S. State St., Nashville, Michigan. There will be a memorial service from 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and will follow with light appetizers and drinks from 12:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. for friends and family to share memories of Darlene.
The family would like to give a special thanks to Kauhale Otsego for all of the support and care that they provided Darlene over the past three years and thank you to Heartland Hospice for helping keep Darlene comfortable over the past few months.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to the Maple Valley Athletic Boosters, Dementia Society of America (www://dementiasociety.charityproud.org/donate) or Heartland Hospice (www.gentivahs.com/about/donate/).
Wayne James Eaton
Wayne James Eaton (Jim), 79, of Duck Lake, went home to be with his Heavenly Father, while in Florida, on April 2, 2024. His joking, kindhearted and easy-going nature and always willing to lend a helpful hand is the legacy he left and will be missed, along with his love and devotion to his family.
Jim was born May 14, 1944, in Charlotte, MI, to Arlo and Margie Eaton. He attended Charlotte Schools and married his high school sweetheart, Sharyn (Kelly) in 1963. He began working for GM in 1964 and shortly after took classes at LCC to work skilled trades in tool grinding. After moving to Duck Lake in 1993, Jim was elected president of the Charlotte Landing Association where he served for 23 years. Jim and family enjoyed many summer days and holidays celebrating on the water, boating, skiing, fishing, pulling grandkids tubing and watching fireworks. Jim enjoyed serving his community as a volunteer fireman for the City of Charlotte for 20 years.
Upon retirement, after 40 years of service at GM, Jim and Sharyn wintered in Florida at their home in Lake Region Village. Throughout the years, he was extremely active in Horseshoe and Shuffleboard Club, showing his competitive drive along with being a good sport, always having a smile on his face and joking around with others. Jim was on the Dance committee and was voted Volunteer of the year in 2018 for helping with many projects and clubs when needed.
Jim is survived by wife Sharyn; son, Wayne J. Eaton, Jr.; son, Scott (Wanda) Eaton; daughter, Lisa (Jon) Villanueva; daughter, Heidi (Jason) Crocker; 11 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; brothers, Jack (Pam) Eaton and Tom (Doris) Eaton. He was preceded in death by his parents.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Charlotte Assembly of God on Sunday, May 19, 2024. Visitation is at 3 p.m. followed by service at 4 p.m.
Joel Jacob Epstein
Joel Jacob Epstein of Olivet, Michigan and Hallandale, Florida died on December 30, 2023 after a long illness. He was 86.
Joel was born in the Bronx, New York on April 13, 1937, the son of Samuel Epstein (1905-1995) and Beatrice Epstein (1906-1990). On August 26, 1962 Joel married Julia Ann Gertler, the daughter of David Gertler (1903-1982) and Ruth Gertler (1911-1997). Joel and Julia had two children, Roy Michael Epstein of Olivet, Michigan and Victoria A Epstein of Portland, Oregon.
Joel received his BA from Queens College and his MA from the University of Michigan. He earned his doctorate from Rutgers University specializing in European history. He then taught history at Newark College of Engineering until the family relocated to Olivet where he was a Professor of History at Olivet College from 1968 until his retirement in 1999. He loved his years of teaching especially his Holocaust and Vietnam classes. He was also a published author having written several articles on the teaching of the Holocaust and a book about the political career of Francis Bacon. One of the many highlights of his teaching career was an exhibit on Anne Frank that he worked for years to bring to Battle Creek, MI.
He was a caring and loyal husband and father to Julia, Roy, and Victoria. He loved his family and his students. Some of his many other enjoyments included The Traverse City Film Festival, traveling the world, cooking, gardening, classical music, theatre, golfing, solving crossword puzzles and swimming in the pool at his Florida residence. He was a longtime member of the Olivet Lions Club.
Joel is survived by his wife, Julia; his two children, Roy and Victoria, and his son-in-law, Matthew Wilcox.
Please join the family for a Celebration of Life to remember and honor Joel on Sunday, May 19 at 2:00 p.m. at The University of Olivet Cutler Student Center, Community Room, 200 East Cottage Street, Olivet, MI 49076.
Arrangements were entrusted to Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services, 723 US Hwy 27 N Marshall, Michigan 49068. Please visit https://www.kempffuneralhome.com to view the online obituary, to sign the online guest book or to leave the family condolences.