Obituaries
Venice C. Martin
Venice C. Martin, age 94, of Hastings, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 19, 2023. She was born February 7, 1929, in Charlotte, the daughter of Carson and Eva (Rawson) Parr. Venice went on to graduate from Charlotte High School with the Class of 1946. Soon after graduation she married Jackson L. Martin. Venice loved cooking and preparing wonderful meals for her family. She also enjoyed doing seamstress work and the beauty in nature. Venice also taught Sunday school for many years at the Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church. She will be dearly missed by her precious family and many friends.
Venice is survived by her children, Sandra (David) Gilding of Charlotte, Jeffrey Martin of Cadillac; grandchildren, Scott Gilding, Matt (Tracie) Gilding, Ryan (Katie) Gilding, Jesse (Sara) Gilding, Autumn Rand; numerous great-grandchildren; sister, Nona Osborne; sister-in-law, Sharon Parr, brother-in-law, Mike Kehres; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; parents-in-law, Lloyd and Doris Martin; husband, Jack; daughter, Stephanie Rand; siblings, Wayne (Marion) Parr, Jean (Wayne) Davis, Shirley (Bruce) Bryan, Dick Parr, Sharon Bayes, and Linda Garrison-Kehres.
The family received friends for a time of visitation on Friday, December 22, 2023, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home.
Those desiring may make contributions in Venice’s memory to Shriners International. www.shrinersinternational.org
To view Venice’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com.
Duane Richard Martin
Duane Richard Martin of Eaton Rapids, passed away December 15, 2023, at the age of 88. Duane was born January 28, 1935. He was a foster child living in numerous places in Eaton Rapids, including, the Miller Farms, the VFW National Home for Children, and many thanks for the following people for taking him in as well: Luman and Luella Klink, Charlie Campbell and Herbert Gates, Sr. Being a father was an important role for him and it was one that he took on lovingly full time while farming his land. Duane worked for the Lansing School District as a painter and was a Maintenance Director at the Dimondale Nursing Center for many years. He was a member of Robbins United Methodist Church, the Eaton Rapids Chapter FFA, was the leader of the 4-H Club Borderline Wonders, a 4-H softball coach that went all the way to the State Finals, member of the American and Michigan Corriedale Sheep Breeders Association holding many officer positions, the Michigan Sheep Breeders Association, was the 1993 Premier Sheep Breeder at the Michigan State Fair, and a wool buyer. He spent winters in Zephyrhills and loved restoring tractors.
Duane is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Lois Martin; daughters, Kim (Steven) Koth of South Haven, MI, Teresa (Robert) Wallo of Gregory, MI; grandchildren, Joshua (Angela) Salow-Leatherberry, Gregory Wallo, Stacy (Craig) Rehmann, Michelle (Travis) Pietsch, Eric Robert Duane (Julie) Leatherberry; great grandchildren, Ethan, Hendrix, Kayden, Jemma, Kenley, Emily, Annabelle, and Jillian; finally, his dog, Ginny, who was his best friend. He was preceded in death by his son-in-law, Timothy Edward Salow and several siblings.
Memorial services were held Thursday, December 21, 2023, at the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to Heartwood Schools, 625 Hagadorn Rd, Mason, MI 48854. To leave condolences for the family, please visit our website, www.millsfuneral.com.
Paul Duane Adleman
Paul Duane Adleman, a resident of Eaton Rapids, MI, peacefully passed away on Saturday, December 16, 2023, at the age of 88. Born on March 21, 1935, Duane was the fourth child of Emery and Winnie (Taylor) Adleman and spent his formative years in Big Rapids, MI, graduating from high school in the class of 1952 and went on to receive his bachelor’s in accounting from Ferris State University.
Duane proudly served his country as a member of the United States Marine Corps from 1953 to 1956. On June 22, 1957, he married the love of his life, Joyce (Knoop) Adleman, and together they raised three beautiful children.
Throughout his career, Duane worked as a purchasing manager for several manufacturers, including Capitol Plastics, Dart Container, Spartan Motors, and Melling Corporation. In his retirement, he found joy in delivering paint and driving for Sparrow Hospital. Duane was a devoted homebody who cherished moments spent playing cards, board games, and passionately supporting the University of Michigan.
He is survived by his children, Kathy (Dennis) Desgrange, Tim (Sue) Adleman, Ron (Barb) Adleman; 11 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren. Duane was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Joyce Adleman; his brothers, Art, and Floyd Adleman; his sister, Dolly Lile; and his grandson, Creig Adleman.
Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 22, 2023, at Skinner Funeral Home in Eaton Rapids. The family received friends at the funeral home starting at 10:00 a.m. A remembrance luncheon hosted by the family will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Disabled American Veterans or Elara Caring Hospice in memory of Duane. To share memories or leave online condolences, please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
Merle Leroy Rochester
Merle Leroy Rochester of Eaton Rapids, passed away December 15, 2023, at the age of 86. Merle was born in Eaton Rapids, MI on August 11, 1937, the son of Arlo and Alice (Paquette) Rochester. He proudly served with the US Army for two years while stationed in Germany.
Merle worked for General Motors for 30 years and not a day more, before retiring in 1986. He was also a lifetime farmer taking over his family farm. Merle enjoyed bowling and chasing around grandkids whenever he got the chance.
Merle is survived by his wife, Daisy Rochester of Eaton Rapids; children, Kathi (Barry) Hardin of Haslett, Jeffrey (Carol) Rochester of Eaton Rapids, Larry (Lori) Chesebro of Muskegon, Charles Rochester of Eaton Rapids, Gary (Lindsey) Chesebro of Stanwood, Christine (Todd) Garrison of Eaton Rapids; 14 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Marilynn Ward; second wife, Linda Potter; grandson, Jeffrey Rochester Jr; siblings, Robert Rochester, Eloise Bainbridge, Loreen Bertram, Wilson Rochester.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, December 20, 2023, at the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel. Interment followed in Oakwood Cemetery. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741 in loving memory of Merle Leroy Rochester. To leave condolences for the family, visit our website www.millsfuneral.com.
Marjorie Ann Niceswander
Marjorie Ann Niceswander of Eaton Rapids, passed away December 7, 2023, at the age of 76. She was born in Mason, Michigan on June 28, 1947, the daughter of Charles Norman and Mary Ellen (Dexter) McMann. Marjorie enjoyed the simple life and liked to keep to herself. Some of her hobbies included reading, playing games on her Kindle and growing cherry tomatoes in her garden. Marjorie was also a good cook, she had a special recipe for homemade tortillas that her family especially enjoyed.
Marjorie is survived by her children, Dean Niceswander of Lansing, Wade (April) Niceswander of Missouri; grandchildren, Keith, Hannah (Dustin), Hali (Nicole), Hunter (Allison), James and Arisa; great grandchildren, Emma, Gavyn, Enslea, Aidon, Charlie and Elliet; siblings, Chuck (Deb) Wells, Nancy (Bob) Botke, Mary (Chester) Anderson, Eileen (Steve) Delaney; sister-in-law, Michelle Smith. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence Niceswander in 2022; parents, Charles and Mary; siblings, Betty Lou Elliott, Mark Smith, Dan Molter and Mike McMann.
A memorial will be held at a later date. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society in loving memory of Marjorie Ann Niceswander. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. To leave condolences for the family, visit our website www.millsfuneral.com.