Obituaries
John Ellis Rathburn
John “Jack” Ellis Rathburn of Vermontville, MI known for his community involvement and helpful spirit, died Sunday, March 3rd at the age of 95. Jack was born at home in 1928, the eleventh child born to Irene and Ernest “Clyde” Rathburn in Charlotte Michigan. The family moved to Vermontville in 1942, and Jack soon became a fixture in the community.
He was active in many organizations including the American Legion post 222, Fire Department, Library Board, Cemetery Board, and the First Congregational Church. He operated the Standard Oil Station in Vermontville for over 30 years before retiring in 1982. And for the next 32 years as the Sexton for the Woodlawn Cemetery.
Jack loved hunting, fishing and playing poker with his Legion buddy’s. He was known for his tall tales and funny stories and as a jokester. Even at the age of 95, his memory was amazing. He could tell you stories of who married who, who lived where and even tell you their phone number off the top of his head.
Throughout his life he volunteered and donated his time to help others. You could find Jack helping others by clearing snowy driveways, mowing a neighbor’s lawn, blowing leaves and at any community work project that came along. He was especially proud that he was able to donate over 36 gallons of blood and platelets with the Red Cross helping save lives.
Jack enlisted in the Army in 1948 and served in Heidelberg Germany at the Headquarter Signal Battalion where he handled coded communications with NATO forces. He was discharged in 1951 as a corporal. Jack was proud of his service and his involvement with the American Legion where he had made so many lifelong friends.
Jack is survived by his wife of 71 years Joyce (Thrun), his children Steven (Peggy) Rathburn, Patty (Alan) Hamlin, Trudy (Jim) Jager and Philip (Sue) Rathburn. Jack loved his family and enjoyed spending time playing with his grandkids; Gregg (Kathy) Rathburn, Holly (Mike) Brandt, Meredith (Drew) Nicholoff, Kelsey (Kyle) Stolicker, Sueann Bowen, Chancy (Amber) Rathburn, Kara (Jon) Bowers and his great grandchildren; Chase, Cruize, Cayll, and Knox Rathburn, Logan and Layla Bowers, Audrey Nicholoff, Kamden and Kaylee Stolicker, Kennedy and Lucus Rathburn, and Evonne Kwaiser.
Jack is also survived by his brothers Larry and Don, and his sister Betty Betts. He was preceded in death by his parents, twelve siblings and his great-grandson Elijah Rathburn.
Jack asked for no formal funeral service, However the Family will hold a celebration of life for Jack on April 13 at the Vermontville Fire Department at 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Keeping with Jack’s passion for replacing the trees in the Woodland Cemetery, memorial contributions in Jack’s memory can be sent to “John Rathburn Memorial Fund” at PO Box 193, Vermontville, MI 49096.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Daniels Funeral Home – Nashville, conveniently located at 9200 E. M-79 Highway, Nashville, MI. For further details, please visit our website at www.danielsfuneralhome.net.
Joan Marie Sharp-Harmon
Joan Marie Sharp-Harmon, age 87, of Bellevue, passed away March 6, 2024, at Thornapple Manor in Hastings. She was born July 21, 1936, in Eaton Rapids to Merle and Marvelle “Jessie” (Heisler) Sharp. Joan received her education in Olivet, graduating from Olivet High School with the class of ‘54. She married the love of her life, Joseph Harman, on June 5, 1955 in Olivet.
It is hard to sum up Joan’s life in a few words. She was proud to be a homemaker and worked hard taking care of her family and chores on the farm. Joan also worked part time in the office helping farmers at Eaton County Farm Bureau. She loved to spend time outdoors and kept a tidy vegetable and flower garden every year. Joan was known for her cooking as well as being ruthless at playing Hand & Foot card game! She always took time to make sure her children succeeded in life and spent countless hours helping them with 4-H, girl scouts, and as a PTA room mother at Olivet Schools. Later in life Joan collected dolls and teapots. She was talented and creative with making crafts. Watching and listening to the many songbirds in her backyard brought her joy. She loved the Lord and attended Ainger Bible Church. Joan’s family remembers her as a very kind and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She will be deeply missed.
Those surviving her are her husband of 68 years, Joseph; children, Sally (Carl) Fox of PA, Carla (Bill) Kanine of Petoskey, Thomas (Julie) Harmon of Olivet, Debra (Rex) Swank of Olivet; eight grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; siblings, Jane VanDriessche of Olivet, brother-in-law, Bill Mott of Battle Creek, Barbara (John) Henry of TN, sister-in-law, Joyce Sharp of Olivet, Mary (Richard) Midlam of Olivet; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings, Gene Sharp, Elaine Sharp, Ilene Mott, and Kenneth Sharp.
Funeral services were held at Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home on Saturday, March 9, 2024, with Pastor Charles Jenson officiating. Family received friends during a time of visitation for one hour prior to the service. Interment will take place after the funeral service at Bosworth Cemetery.
Those desiring may make contributions in Joan’s memory to Elara Caring Hospice Foundation, PO Box 58, Jackson, MI 49204 or to Visiting Angels in Charlotte, 338 S. Cochran Ave., Charlotte, MI 48813, or to West Carmel Congregational Church, 5016 Carlisle Rd., Charlotte, MI 48813
To view Joan’s obituary online or leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com. The family is being served by the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral home.
Jewelene Anderson
Jewelene Anderson of Eaton Rapids, passed away March 9, 2024 at the age of 96. She was born August 28, 1927, in Salyersville, KY the daughter of Elliot and Gertrude (Whitaker) Risner. She attended school in Kentucky and moved with her family to Michigan as a young woman. Jewelene married Earl Anderson November 5, 1948, in Eaton Rapids and they had three children.
She enjoyed gardening, canning food, cooking, crocheting and knitting, sewing (including quilts), helping people with their income taxes, working crossword puzzles, and going to Cracker Barrel and Walmart. She and Earl were founding members of the Eaton Rapids Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Preceding her in death were her husband, Earl Anderson; daughter, Susan Burns; son, Dave Anderson, and siblings, Chalmer Risner, Irene Wittman, Elsie Love, Joyce Byron, Esther Risner, Alden Risner, Lorena Jecks and Mark Risner.
Jewelene is survived by her son, Don (Nancy) Anderson, daughter-in-law, Paige Anderson; four granddaughters, Amy Anderson, Michelle (Greg) Blythe, Cathy Anderson, and Jennifer (Brian) Oldham; great-grandchildren, Alex and Chloe Montgomery, Emily and Caylee Anderson, John Oldham; sister, Mae Locke as well as many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to give a special thanks to the entire staff at the Island City Assisted Living for their special care they gave to Jewelene over the past four years.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at Skinner Funeral Home in Eaton Rapids. Family received friends for visitation on Tuesday at the funeral home. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to Calvary Lutheran Church, 10500 Plains Rd., Eaton Rapids, MI 48827, in Jewelene’s name. To share memories and condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com
Raymond Howard Metzmaker, Jr.
Raymond Howard “Howard” Metzmaker, Jr., age 91, of Potterville, MI, passed away Sunday, February 18, 2024, at Masonic Pathways, Alma, MI.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 1, 2024, from 3:30-6:30 p.m. at VFW Hall in Charlotte, MI.
Raymond was born in Grand Ledge, MI on April 10, 1932, the son of Raymond Howard and Zella (Walker) Metzmaker. Howard graduated from East Lansing High School. He honorably served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.
Howard owned and operated Howard’s Garage in Potterville for 60 years until 2018. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge #367 in Potterville and the American Legion. Howard loved race cars and raced until he was in his eighties.
Howard was a staple in the community whose kindness touched many. He helped others who were in need and always said, “Friends and family are what’s important.” He sponsored several teams over the years. He loved softball and was a proud supporter of Potterville and the Michigan State University Spartans. He was loved by all that knew him and will be missed by all he touched in his life.
He is survived by his son, Rick and Roxanne Metzmaker; son, Rod Metzmaker; daughter Kristy Metzmaker; 26 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; many great-great-grandchildren. Howard was preceded in death by his parents, his son Dave Metzmaker in 2004, and his brothers: Jerry Metzmaker in 2010 and Jacob Metzmaker in 2013.
Special thanks to all the staff at Masonic Pathaways for all the wonderful care and support shown to our family.
Online condolences may be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca, Michigan.
Michelle Dunkleberger
Michelle Dunkleberger, Age 59, Marshall (formerly of Nashville), passed away unexpectedly on February 26, 2024, at her home in Marshall, MI. Michelle was born in Hastings, MI, on August 30, 1964, a daughter of the late Bernice (Maurer) and Leon Frith.
Michelle was raised in Nashville and attended local schools, graduating from Maple Valley High School in 1982. After completing her education, she married Mr. Tony Dunkelberger on December 10, 1983, at St Cyril Catholic Church in Nashville, MI. Michelle and Tony began their family together in Nashville, then in 1996, relocated to Alpena, MI, where Tony was teaching school & coaching.
During this time, Michelle continued to pursue her passion for the arts. She began by renting a small space in a local antique store, where she established her art studio. She used her talents to teach art classes and opened Michelle Louise Glass Studio and Gifts. Her love of the arts extended beyond “creating” and into theatre, where she was an active community participant in the Thunder Bay Theater. She performed in productions such as Tom Sawyer, Little Abner, Music Man, and Once Upon a Mattress.
Michelle loved music and used her vocal talents singing in St. Cyril, St Ann, and St. Bernard church choirs. She was also integral to volunteering at the annual Alpena Blues Festival. She was part of a group that established Friday Nights Downtown in Alpena. Michelle returned to the Nashville area in 2012 and began the restoration of the stained glass windows at St Cyril Catholic Church and served on the Maple Valley School Board. She was a licensed real estate agent and enjoyed helping many find their homes.
Michelle is survived by her three children, Kellen (Samantha) Dunkelberger, Jessilyn (Michael) Dunegan, LeeAnn (Richard) Martin, siblings Cynthia Gertude (Dean) Houston, LuAnn (Duane) King, RoseMary (Steve) Fosdick, six grandchildren, and her significant other Charlie Wolgamood. She was preceded in death by her husband, Tony, who passed away in 1999.
Funeral service was held on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 at St. Cyril Catholic Church, 203 North State Street, Nashville, MI, with Father Jeffery Hanley officiating.
The family received visitors on Monday, March 4, 2024, with a Rosary service immediately following at Daniels Funeral Home-Nashville, conveniently located at 9200 E. M79 Highway Nashville, MI.
Interment occured immediately following the Funeral Mass at Lakeview Cemetery in Nashville, MI.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Daniels Funeral Home in Nashville, MI. For further details, please visit our website at www.danielsfuneralhome.net.