Obituaries
Jack Mahlon Parish, Jr.
Jack Mahlon Parish, Jr., of Mulliken, beloved master electrician and passionate outdoorsman, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 10, 2024. Born on October 29, 1947, Jack lived a life filled with dedication to his craft and reverence for nature. As a master electrician, he illuminated countless homes and businesses with his expertise, leaving behind a legacy of brightened lives and communities. He owned his own business, Parish Electric in Charlotte for more than three decades and was the electrician for the Eaton County Fairgrounds for 25 years before retirement.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Jack’s heart belonged to the great outdoors. Whether he was hiking to his deer blind, casting lines into serene lakes, or simply admiring the beauty of nature, Jack found solace and joy in the natural world. His adventurous spirit inspired all who knew him, and his love for the outdoors will continue to live on in the hearts of those he touched.
A proud Charlotte graduate, Jack was the first individual state wrestling champion in school history and will be inducted into the Charlotte High School Sports Hall of Fame later this year. He lettered in football, cross country (two years), wrestling (four years), baseball (two years) and track (two years).
Jack will be deeply missed by his loving family, friends, and colleagues, who remember him for his wisdom, loyalty, and unwavering passion for life.
He was proceeded in death by his parents, Jack Parish Sr., and Mary Lee Rodeman, brother, Mike Parish and daughter, Teresa Nighbert.
He is survived by his siblings, Sandi (Butch) Craven, Elaine (Dave) Martin, and Jim Parish; children, Scott (Ronda) Parish, Sara Parish and Amy Jo (Judd) Brown, and many grandchildren and great grandchildren whom he adored.
Though he may have left this world, his legacy as a master electrician and avid outdoorsman will forever be remembered and cherished. May his spirit continue to shine bright, like the stars he so admired in the night sky.
A memorial gathering will take place on Sunday, May 19, 2024, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Eaton County Fair Grounds Kardel Hall.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks contributions be made to the Charlotte High School Athletic Hall of Fame.
To view Jack’s obituary online or to 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.
Martha Ann Marshall
Martha Ann (McKim) Marshall, 82, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Born in Marlette, MI on April 28, 1942, to Earl and Eva (Ward) McKim. Martha spent her youth in Eaton Rapids, MI. She was the valedictorian of her graduating class in 1960. Marty attended Michigan State University where she graduated in 1964 with a degree in Sociology. On her first day at MSU, she met her future husband, Bill, whom she married in 1963. On September 14, 2013, Bill and Marty celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at the English Inn in Eaton Rapids.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Eva and Earl McKim; husband, William Marshall; and sister, Sara (McKim) Oakland. She is survived by her children, Dave (Sarah) Marshall and Kelly Reeve; grandchildren, Jessica (Imre) Ganic, June Marshall, Josh Reeve, Lauren Marshall, and Grace Marshall; great-granddaughter, Imreja Ganic; sister, Val (McKim) Hartnell; many nieces and nephews, cousins, and beloved friends.
In her entire life, personally and professionally, Martha was a selfless force for those around her. She had a quick and subtle wit combined with compassion and a true interest in others. Marty saw the best in people, and they gravitated to her unique leadership. She worked for the Disability Determination Service of Michigan for the majority of her career. In 1991-92 and 2004-05, Marty was twice elected as the President of the National Association of Disability Examiners. Her dedication to those in need led Martha to advocate for Social Security Reform, in Michigan then Washington D.C., including testifying to Congress.
An avid MSU fan, Marty and family enjoyed following the Spartans at home football games, Rose Bowls and Final Fours. She loved attending her grandchildren’s activities with unconditional support. Marty loved to travel in her motorhome, spend time with her dogs, and listen to waves crash ashore as she read a book.
Memorial Services will be held at the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at 11 a.m. with visitation one hour prior. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the Capital Area Humane Society or Ingham County Animal Shelter in loving memory of Martha Ann Marshall. To leave condolences for the family, visit our website www.millsfuneral.com.
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/).