Obituaries
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.
Douglas Peter Sjoquist
Douglas Peter Sjoquist (born March 30, 1951, in Escanaba, Michigan) passed away at Eaton Community Palliative Care peacefully on March 5, 2024. He is survived by his dearest friend and wife, Jan, of Charlotte, MI, and his children: Jonah (Yoko) from Brighton, MI, Mei-li (Nick) Restani from San Francisco, CA, Michelle (Mike) Erickson from Grand Rapids, MI, and Stephanie (Dean) Leavitt from Charlotte, MI as well as his two brothers and best friends, Paul (Annabelle) from Mililani, HI and Bill (Cathy) from Gladstone, MI. He had several grandchildren including Kainoa, Kaleo, Novella, Alessio, Alyssa, Maleia, Julia, Ethan, Elana, Collin, one great granddaughter, Freya, and one great grandson, Eli.
He graduated from Northern Michigan University in 1974 and the University of Hawaii in 1979. Sjoquist was a professor at Bay de Noc Community College (1980- 81), Lansing Community College (1982-2015), and at Michigan State University (2008- 2020). He was a curious mind who enjoyed an active and rich lifestyle of traveling, rockhounding, swimming/snorkeling, music, art, and writing on a variety of topics. He was also a professional musician playing in various rock and country bands throughout most of his life.
It is nearly impossible to sum up Doug’s influence on all who knew him, but former student, Justin Parker Pool 1 came close:
“It has been about 25 years since I took his class, but I still remember him explaining with wonder how the old Taoists would not mourn the dead, but rather parade down the street in celebration of their life. It is with that sense of joy that I am thankful to have known him as a teacher and friend. Sjoquist-Sensei’s kindness and joy for life will live on in all of us who knew him.”
There will be no funeral service. In honoring his life, donations may be made to Doug’s cause of spreading compassion and knowledge to Eaton Community Palliative Care, 2675 S. Cochran, Charlotte, MI 48813 or Friends of Charlotte Community Library, 226 S. Bostwick Street, Charlotte, MI 48813.
To view Doug’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com
The family is in the care of the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home.
John E. Locke, Sr.
John E. Locke Sr., honest, humble, and beloved family man, died March 1, 2024, at the age of 81. A lifetime resident of Charlotte, John was born May 2, 1942, to Rowland and Doris (Wonser) Locke. In 1961 he married Judith Ludwig and they worked side-by-side on their dairy farm for 62 years. While he wasn’t always politically correct, he loved to make others smile and was a jokester, loving to pick on his friends. John was very active with 4-H, FFA, and Farm Bureau, and was the fun dad and grandpa, with the kids always wanting to be where he was and do whatever he did.
John was also one of the guys that people would go to when they needed help. He was a 4-H leader, Farm Bureau FSA committee member, volunteered at his church and at the Eaton County Senior Center, and received several awards for his active participation in so many organizations over the years. John was a humble, fair and honest man, loving the Lord and living his life in a way that showed others what being a Christian really means.
John will be greatly missed by many people who knew and loved him. He is survived by his wife or 62 years, Judith; children, John Locke Jr. (Tuttie Gulett), Jeffrey (Angie) Locke, Lisa (Greg) Wylie; son-in-law, Roger (Nanette) Harris; grandchildren Jesse (Natlie) Harris, Elizabeth (TJ) Smith, Sarah (Chris) Johnston, Kendall (Alex) Dubois, Brittany (Alex) Ambrosius, Paige (Justin) Hall, Chelsea (Joshua) Ramirez, Lindsey (Ben) Walker, Joshua Locke, Justin Locke, Brett (Haidyn) Heikes, and Sharlene (Nick) Tekrony; 17 great-grandchildren; siblings, Leone Bust and Duane (Sharon) Locke; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by daughter, Cynthia Harris; brother, Elwin Locke; and brother-in-law, Don Bust.
Friends are encouraged to support John’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation was Tuesday, March 5, at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. Funeral services were Wednesday, March 6, at Crossroads United Brethren Church in Charlotte. The funeral as webcast so you may watch it from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device that has internet access. Go to www.prayfuneral.com, click on John’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 Eaton County Agricultural Society. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.