Obituaries
Glen Lee Neal
Glen Lee Neal, 75, of Reynoldsburg, Ohio peacefully passed away Sunday, September 29, 2024, at home surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Oak Park, Illinois to the late Roy and Hazel (Hill) Neal.
Glen is preceded in death by his parents; Roy and Hazel (Hill) Neal and his grandparents.
He is survived by his wife Karen; daughters Patricia Rogers, Marsha Neal, Candace (Richard) Hatmacher, Nancy (Rick) Arford and son Mark (Leann) Neal; brother Mitchell (Diane) Neal; sister Judy (Craig) Crombar; grandchildren Devina (Ray) Hux, Sarah Murray, Amelia Hatmacher and Annalisa Hatmacher, Adam Sprang, Alyson (Matthew) Brown, Hailey Neal, Lauren Neal, Luke Neal; and 11 great grandchildren.
As he was inspired by his father-in-law, James Kocman, Glen recognized his gift in mid-life and began working with his hands. He enjoyed creating beautiful artwork through woodworking and restoring and making furniture. He spent his retirement years restoring a 150-year-old home that he and Karen lived in while in Charlotte, MI. He passed the love of woodworking down to his son, Mark, and grandson, Luke. Before being called into the ministry, he worked as a supervisor at a steel company in the Chicago area. Glen’s main dedication was in serving the Lord and serving others. He dedicated 27 years as a minister in the Church of the Nazarene in Gainesville, TX, Marquette, MI, Jackson, MI and Charlotte, MI. Glen truly served the Lord, and he guided so many hearts to the Lord. Glen’s love for the Lord was apparent in his dedication to his wife, Karen, for 45 years. Ephesians 5:25-27 “Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself for it to make it belong to God. Christ used the word to make the church clean by washing it with water. He died so that he could give the church to himself like a bride in all her beauty.” Oh, how Glen loved his bride and his family. Glen served the Lord and asked God to guide Him as a husband, father and grandfather. His trust and dedication to the Lord is one to be admired.
His family received friends Thursday, October 3 from 6:00-8:00 at Cotner Funeral Home, 7369 East Main Street, Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
Visitation was held on Friday, October 4, 2024, from 10-11:00 a.m. with the funeral service starting at 11:00 a.m. at the Reynoldsburg Church of the Nazarene, 1340 Crest Road, Reynoldsburg, OH 43068. Interment following at Glen Rest Memorial Estate.
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Mable Elaine Olney
Mable Elaine Olney, of Eaton Rapids, MI, passed away peacefully at her home on September 25, 2024, at the age of 90. Born on May 19, 1934, in Chester Township, MI, Mable was the ninth of ten children to Evan and Vevia (Satterlee) Bursley. She grew up in Charlotte and graduated with the class of 1951.
After graduating from Charlotte High School, she worked over 9 years at Michigan Bell Telephone in Lansing pulling wires and doing maintenance on phones. Mable married the love of her life, Tom Olney, Sr., on April 30, 1954. Together, they built a life centered on family, farming, and a shared love of the outdoors. Mable was passionate about nature, spending much of her time hunting, fishing, golfing, and gardening. She especially enjoyed deer, turkey, and partridge hunting. One of her favorite places to visit was the family property between Cadillac and Lake City, where she made countless memories with her loved ones camping, fishing, and gathering around bonfires.
Mable was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Tom; her parents, Evan and Vevia; her granddaughter, Veronica Olney; and her siblings, Beatrice Fuller, Raymond Bursley, Bertie Steward, Donald Bursley, Maxine Fuguer, Betty Holland, Annabel Sheren, Ruth Olney, and William Bursley.
She is survived by her sons, Tom (Lisa) Olney and Rob (Tammy) Olney; grandchildren, Christopher (Stefanie) Olney, Tyler (Rachel) Olney, Travis (Adriana) Olney, and Brooke (James) Vredenburg; great-grandchildren, Kaelyn, Corbin, Sawyer, Henry, Connor, Ellie, Lillian, Veronica, Charlie, and Wilhelm; along with many cherished nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 24, 2024, at Skinner Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids Chapel, with visitation beginning at 11:00 a.m. A luncheon will follow the service at Robins United Methodist Church, 6419 Bunker Highway, Eaton Rapids, MI. Memorial contributions in Mable’s honor may be made to Shriners Children’s Hospital or Pawsibilities Animal Rescue, 2200 W. Bellevue Highway, Olivet, MI 49076. To share memories or leave condolences, please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
Shirley Jean Bryson
Shirley Jean Bryson, 85, of Bellevue, MI, passed away peacefully after a brief battle with cancer on September 23, 2024. She was born on October 10, 1938, in Eaton Rapids, MI, the cherished daughter of Ralph Edward and Lucille Marie (Goodnoe) Smith. Raised in Eaton Rapids, Shirley attended a one-room schoolhouse on Barnes and Onondaga Road before graduating from Eaton Rapids High School, class of 1956.
Shirley began her working life as a cashier at Desmore Grocery in Mason, where she met the love of her life, Stanley Bryson. After they married, Shirley dedicated herself to raising their children and creating a loving home. She was an active member of the Brookfield Lodge 352 Order of the Eastern Star, contributing her time and energy to this cherished service organization.
Shirley had a deep love for travel, reading, gardening, and watching the birds that visited her yard. She and Stanley also shared a passion for antiques, traveling across local and surrounding states to buy, restore, and sell treasures. Shirley had many antique booths in different shops over the years in the Lake Odessa Mall, Mason Mall, and on Main Street in Eaton Rapids, where her passion and love shone bright.
Shirley was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Stanley; her parents, Ralph and Lucille; her brothers, Richard and Edward Smith; and her sister, Carol Dunn. She leaves behind a loving family: her children, Susan (Jeff) Houghton, Diana (Steve) Hyatt, and Larry Bryson; grandchildren, Ben (Melissa) Hyatt, Jeff (Katie) Whitaker, Shiria (Rachael) Kane, Stacey (Gary) Meyers, Rebecca (Frank) Psurny, Erica (Dell) Porter, Amber Bryson, and Taylor Bryson; 10 great-grandchildren; her sister, Phyllis Whidden; lifelong friend and recent caregiver, Priscilla Law; as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at noon at Skinner Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids chapel, with visitation beginning at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Brookfield Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star. To share memories or leave online condolences, please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
Larry Lee Milligan
Larry Lee Milligan of Grand Ledge, passed away peacefully in his home on September 10, 2024, at the age of 89. Larry was born on April 24, 1935, to Clyde V. and V. Elaine (Spillette) Milligan. He married Charleen Torrey on August 14, 1954, and raised a family of 7 children.
Larry served in the Navy National Guard from 1954 – 1961. Foreman for Diamond Reo in the 60’s. In the 70’s he started LL Milligan Excavation where he assisted in the building of Troy Hills (Ledge Meadows) Golf Course along with various excavation projects. He transitioned to LL Milligan Logging the mid-70’s until the mid-80’s working on the addition of 9-holes for Ledge Meadows Golf Course to complete their 18-hole course. He said there was always something special about playing in the dirt. He had an eye for grade and built numerous driveways and septic systems, but he truly enjoyed digging ponds. His last pond was dug in the fall of 2020 at the age of 84 for his grandson Nicholas. He also enjoyed fishing, Drummond Island, western movies, polka, and people. He would often take an hour’s detour just to stop in to visit with someone. This was also true with ice cream.
Larry is survived by his children: L. Lee Milligan Jr., Lynda Milligan, Lon (Ruth) Milligan, Loren Milligan, Les Milligan, LaRae (Robert) Dorman, LouAnn (Michael) Flitton; many grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by his parents Clyde and V Elaine, wife Charleen A of 64 years, brother William (Phyllis) Milligan, nephew, Joseph Milligan, and granddaughter Brooke E. Humphrey.
Thank you to everyone who stopped by for a visit, sent cards and well wishes to make Dad’s day a bit brighter. A special thank you to the McLaren Hospice Nurses and HHA (Katrina Palmer) for all your help during this journey.
A celebration of life will be held 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at the Believers Christian Church, 10837 W Grand River Hwy., Grand Ledge, MI 48837 with a luncheon directly following at the American Legion Hall, Grand Ledge. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in loving memory of Larry Milligan to McLaren Hospice, 6250 S. Cedar St., Suite 17. Lansing, MI 48911. The family has entrusted arrangements to Mills Funeral Home, Peters & Murray Chapel, Grand Ledge. For online condolences please visit www.millsfuneral.com .
Wanda Jean Allen
Wanda Jean Allen, age 83, of Charlotte, formerly of Corunna, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Sunday, September 29, 2024, at Hospice House of Mid-Michigan. She was born July 2, 1941, in Marion, Virginia, the daughter of John Vilace Austin and Fanny Lou (Peake) Austin. She spent the first part of her growing up years in Virginia and attended Sugar Grove High School before she moved to Owosso, Michigan, where she completed her senior year and graduated from Owosso High School. On July 11, 1959, she married John J. Allen in Owosso, Michigan. Wanda worked the majority of her career for the Shiawassee Intermediate School Office and retired after 30 years of faithful service. Family was of the utmost importance to Wanda and she cherished spending time together. She always looked forward to attending her grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s school and sporting events. Wanda’s faith was very important to her and she faithfully attended Calvary Baptist Church in Charlotte.
Wanda is survived by her husband of 65 years, John J.; daughter Cindy (Jon) Hosek; grandchildren, Alaina Williams, Emily (Tim Arrington) Hosek, Zachary Hosek, and Noah Hosek; great-grandchildren, Mason, Keegan, and Ensley O’Connor; siblings, Brenda (Mac) Smith-McMurren of Washington, Betty Straley of Virginia, Linda (Bill) Heath of Virginia; and numerous nieces, nephews and many her dear friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; grandparents; nephews, Michael Allen, Robert Allen III; and nieces, Susan Allen Speers, Terra Schultz; grandson-in-law, Liam O’Connor; and her sister Etta Dean.
In keeping with Wanda’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held on Monday, October 7, 2024, at 11 a.m. at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home with Pastor Timothy Potter officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will take place at Maple Hill Cemetery.
Those desiring may make contributions in Wanda’s memory to her great grandchildren’s college fund in care of Cindy Hosek.
To view Wanda’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com.