Obituaries
Phyllis Toncray (O'Mara)
Phyllis O’Mara Toncray of Eaton Rapids and Duck Lake passed away on February 1, 2017 in Florida at the age of 91. She was born in Eaton Rapids to Leo O’Mara and Pauline Woods O’Mara on August 21, 1925. Phyllis was a 1943 graduate of Eaton Rapids High School and also attended Albion College. In 1943 Phyllis married Richard Horner Toncray. They remained married for 68 years until Richard’s passing in 2012.
Phyllis was her family’s “energizer bunny.” She enjoyed waterskiing, all types of fishing, golf, boating with her husband along the Florida coast, playing games, traveling, reading, cruising, creating personalized greeting cards and posters, and participating in numerous civic and social organizations. She was a huge fan of anything Disney, and she enjoyed many vacations and day trips to Walt Disney World with all of her family. Phyllis was a member of Duck Lake Country Club for 60 years. She was active in the women’s association and she was also a multi-time women’s club champion. In her later years she continued participating with her friends for lunch, card games, and socializing at “the club.”
Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Mike O’Mara; sister-in-law, Sandy; and beloved daughter, Terry Toncray Becker.
She is survived by her son, Richard E. Toncray (Pamela); son-in-law, Charles T. Becker; grandchildren Richard Robert Toncray (Lisa), Lissa Toncray Marsolek (Chad), Brian Becker (Amber), Erica Becker; great-grandchildren, Richard Ryan Toncray, Alaina Toncray, Cole Marsolek, Kinsey Marsolek, Kenna Marsolek, Hayden Becker, Anna Becker, Audrey Becker, Elise Reaves; and niece, Lauri O’Mara Morris Lahr.
Phyllis was a wonderful mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend. She was loved and she will be dearly missed by all.
The family of Phyllis cordially invites you to join in celebrating her life on June 17 at 2 p.m. at Duck Lake Country Club in Albion. We request you bring your fondest memories and stories of Phyllis. Anyone wishing to make a donation can do so to the American Cancer Society or the First United Methodist Church of Eaton Rapids.
Terry Becker (Toncray)
Terry Toncray Becker of Merritt Island, Fla. and Duck Lake passed away on December 18, 2016 in Florida. She was born in Eaton Rapids to Richard Horner Toncray and Phyllis O’Mara Toncray on February 23, 1947. Terry was a 1965 graduate of St. Mary’s Hall, Faribault, Minn. She attended Albion College and later received a B.A. degree from Florida International University. In 1967 Terry married Charles Thomas Becker.
Terry was a joy to her family and many friends from around the country, always unfailingly thoughtful and kind. She loved keeping in touch with her many beloved schoolmates from both Eaton Rapids and Shattuck-St. Mary’s School. She enjoyed playing golf with friends at Duck Lake Country Club where she was a 10 time Club Champion and she remained a member for most of her adult life. She was also active in a Panhellenic group in Melbourne, Fla.
Above all she was a loving mother, grandmother and companion. She had a very special relationship with her granddaughter, Elise who has blossomed and thrived in good part because of Terry.
Terry was preceded in death by her father, Richard Horner Toncray; brother-in-law, Philip Becker; sister-in-law, Kathleen Becker; and her grandparents, Richard G. Toncray, Norma Horner Toncray, Leo O’Mara and Pauline O’Mara.
She is survived by her husband, Charles T. Becker; son, Brian C. Becker (Amber); daughters, Lauri O’Mara Morris Lahr and Erica L. Becker. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Elise Reaves, Hayden Becker, Anna Becker, Audrey Becker; and her brother, Richard E. Toncray. Her mother Phyllis Toncray survived Terry, but passed away on February 1, 2017.
A memorial reception for all of her family and friends will be held on June 17, 2017 at 2 p.m. at Duck Lake Country Club in Albion. In lieu of flowers anyone wishing to make a donation can do so to The American Cancer Society.
Dorothy Mae Shaffer
Dorothy Mae Shaffer, 94, of Vermontville, passed away on Tuesday, March 28, 2017 at her home. Dorothy was born on November 7, 1922, in Willis, Mich., the daughter of William and Emily Raymond. Dorothy graduated from Belleville High School. Her family moved to Nashville in 1941, where she met and married Raymond Shaffer on September 13, 1941. Dorothy and Raymond farmed for several years outside of Nashville. In 1965 they moved to Vermontville, where she worked for Michigan National Bank. Dorothy enjoyed China painting, her flowers, and playing cards with her special friends.
Dorothy is survived by her daughter, Sue Ann (Dan) Smith of Bellevue; granddaughter, Carleen (Paul) French of Wausen, Ohio; grandsons, Lentz (Jenny) Becraft of Mattawan, Greg (Missy) Smith of Stockbridge, and Rob Smith (Lisa) of Battle Creek; great-granddaughters, Jacey Wood, Lauren Foltz, and Alexis Smith; great-grandsons, Christopher and Dylan Becraft; step-great-granddaughters, Randi, Brooklyn, and Brianna Baldridge and Jessie French; and step-great-grandson, Cody French.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Raymond; her parents; twin sisters, Eva Marie and Neva Irene Raymond; and brother, Harold Raymond.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 1, 2017 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte, with Pastor John Bailey officiating. Visitation was held from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday, March 31, 2017 at the funeral home. Interment will take place at Woodlawn Cemetery in Vermontville.
If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Capital Area Humane Society or St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Dorothy on her tribute page at PrayFuneral.com.
Desrea Ann Nevins
Desrea Ann Nevins, 27, of Charlotte, passed away Friday, March 24, 2017. She was born on March 28, 1989 in Charlotte to Cynthia Admire. Desrea graduated from Charlotte High School in 2008. She enjoyed cookouts, camping, and participating in walks for cancer awareness. She was a lover of animals and particularly enjoyed horseback riding.
She is survived by her mother, Cynthia; her sister, April Blakney; her son, T.J. Thayer; two grandparents, Robert Dilday and Pam Admire; her great-aunt, Carla Dilday; three aunts, Candy (Paul) Thayer, Angie (Mark) Bailey, and Kellie Lawrence; her uncle, Mike (Tacia Daily) Patrick; nine cousins, Meagan (Rodger) Gleason, Kendra (Scott) Schneider, Jennifer Wiser, Rachelle Lewis, Dalton Lewis, Casey Polglase, Tori Daily, Seth (Britney) Bailey, and Jake (Britney) Bailey.
She is preceeded in death by her grandparents, Charlene and Al Perkins, Joe Admire, and great-grandparents Betty Dilday and John Bodell.
A celebration of life for Desrea will be held at another time.
Eleanora R. Jarrett (Gidner)
Eleanora R. (Gidner) Jarrett, 97, of Charlotte, formerly of Battle Creek, passed away on Tuesday, March 28, 2017 at Sparrow Hospital. Eleanora was born November 15, 1919 in Eaton Township, the daughter of Leon A. and Lulu G. (Strickland) Gidner. She was a 1937 graduate of Charlotte High School. While in Battle Creek she had been employed at Woolworths and Maggie’s Hallmark, and with her husband, had owned the Koffee Klatch. She had been employed at Joanne’s Fabrics in Charlotte and had volunteered in the Tri-County Office on Aging.
Surviving are her brother, Keith (Ellen) Gidner of Charlotte; nieces and nephews, Joyce Gidner, Alice Gidner, Bruce Gidner, David Gidner, Cindy (Gary) Sabo and Brian Gidner and numerous great nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, George Jarrett; brother, Robert Gidner and nephew, Roy Gidner.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 1, 2017 at First Lutheran Church, located at 550 E. Shepherd Street in Charlotte, with Pastor Timothy Olson officiating. Visitation was held on Friday, March 31, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at Burkhead-Green Funeral Home and on Saturday from 10 to 11 a.m. prior to the services at the Church.
Memorial contributions may go to the First Lutheran Church or to Eaton Community Palliative Care. Arrangements were made by Burkhead-Green Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at burkhead-greenfuneralhome.com.