Obituaries
Roy Steven Willoughby
Roy Steven Willoughby, known as Steve, “Groundhog,” or “Big Willy,” was born February 2, 1948 in Charlotte, MI. He passed away unexpectedly at his home (where he felt most at peace) on October 20, 2023 in Battle Creek, MI. Steve grew up in the Olivet/Charlotte area for the majority of his life before ending up in Battle Creek. He also spent time in Indiana, Missouri, and Florida.
If you knew Steve for long, more than likely you knew two sides of him! There was the ride or die guy who would do anything for you. Then the short tempered, angry guy who wasn’t afraid to show this no matter who the heck you were!
Steve volunteered for the draft at 17, and eventually served with the U.S. Army Combat Engineers. He was initially deployed to Germany, but ultimately volunteered to go to Vietnam. After coming home, Steve spent most of his life keeping his two sides separated, not knowing how to control one or the other for a happy medium. It was an endless struggle to get back to the person he used to be.
Although he served his country with honor, pride, and devotion, he came back a different man, and struggled with the reality of this for the rest of his living days. One of the very first jobs Steve had was working at Moore’s Glass/Gas Station in Charlotte, MI. After the war, Steve became a drive attendant for Ambulance Service Comp. until triggers from PTSD started to make this job, relationships, and daily life very difficult to cope with. From plumbing and various cable jobs, to driving semis, Steve tried his best to be a contributing person in society. While wanting to pursue higher jobs at officer/leader levels, the PTSD that plagued him would never allow this to happen for Steve. However, he did go back and get his GED as an adult and was very proud of this accomplishment, as was his family.
If you knew Steve, you knew he would never pass down a good time or the chance to be wild and crazy! You knew he was most in his element when he was strumming an air guitar with a pool stick to the sound of his favorite tune… Steve loved the sound of a good tune. Or better yet, the sound of a good tune turned up loudly!! Some of the things he loved were playing pool, entering his cars into car shows, grilling at his house while his favorite flags flew above, and music blasted from his radio. Steve especially enjoyed the freedom he fought for on an open road in his 1971 El Camino SS or one of the many Harleys he had throughout his life. When he was able to do that, he was living his best life!
Steve would go on to become proud of his sobriety. An “Occasional” drinker after the war is something his family thought they’d never see. Him being able to fight this urge is something they were all very proud of. It was a choice he made but didn’t have to. Doing that and being able to say Adios to cigarettes were some of his great accomplishments! To love Steve was to also know what came along with that, and at times that wasn’t easy. Love him or not, he left a lasting impression on many! He was who he was, take it or leave it! He didn’t care what you thought of him or his biker looking persona! He was a proud member of The Rolling Thunder non-profit P.O.W./M.I.A. Awareness Group, an advocacy group that seeks to bring full accountability for prisoners of war. He wore these badges and others with honor on a black leather vest he had. Rarely would he ride on a bike without it!
He was proud that he served his country.
Proud to be an American.
Proud of his children.
Proud to have lived his life on his own terms and therefore no one else’s!
It may have been a life that only he understood and knew, but it was a life “lived.”
A true testament to his bravery, and a sacrifice he made each and every day.
His mind is now at peace…
He is whole again.
Steve is preceded in death by his mother, Peggy Modena Bruce; father, Thomas Bruce Jr.; and brother, Gary Willoughby. He is survived by his daughters, Starla and Katrina Willoughby; grandchildren, Ashley VanSplintern, Kaylyn (Nicholas) Jewell, and Mackenzie Griffith; great-grandchildren, Paris, Niko, Natalie, Sophia, Novi, and Jaxtyn; brother, John (Toni) Willoughby; sister-in-law, Sherry Willoughby; former son-in-law, Chad VanSplintern; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Per Steve’s requests there will be no formal funeral. The family will be joining him at his final resting place with a military send off at a later date and time. In honor of Steve or in lieu of flowers, you may make a donation to any local non-profit organization of your choosing that specializes in PTSD for military veterans, or Oaklawn Hospice in Marshall, MI. Arrangements entrusted to Vickers Springport Funeral Home, 121 Pearl St./P.O. Box 235. Springport, Michigan 49284. 517-857-4848.
Glen Arthur Byron
Glen Arthur Byron, born in Lansing, Michigan on June 11, 1965 and currently from Eaton Rapids, Michigan, passed away in Detroit, Michigan on November 3, 2023.
Glen was a beloved individual who will be deeply missed by his friends and family. Glen had a passion for playing cards and dice and spending time with loved ones. His memory will live on in hearts of those who loved him.
He is survived by his sister, Sherry Byron; sons, Steven Byron and Brandon Byron; daughters, Jacqueline (David) Lovely, Alice (Stephan) Hensley and Autumn Jennings. He leaves behind six granddaughters, two grandsons and many nieces and nephews.
Glen was preceded in death by his parents, Verna (Philo) Byron and Clifford Byron; brother, Mark Byron and sister, Tammy Byron.
A celebration of Glen’s life will be held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, November 12 at the Conservation Hall at 4483 Freeman Road, Eaton Rapids, Michigan.
Delores Louise Cassidy
Delores Louise Cassidy (Dee) of Eaton Rapids, passed away October 19, 2023, at the age of 78. Dee was born on January 13, 1945, to Elida (Letts) Cassidy of Eaton Rapids and Edgar B. Cassidy of Cleveland, Ohio. She is preceded in death by her mother, Elida in 1998 and her father, Edgar, who lost his life in World War II in 1945. Dee is also preceded in death by special cousins, Mary Lou Letts Foess and Marietta Harris Schafer. She is survived by her foster son, Scott Newsome of Eaton Rapids, and many very special cousins. Although Dee was an only child she did not lack for family.
Dee completed her bachelor’s at Michigan State University, graduating Suma Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kapa. She completed both of her master’s degrees at MSU as well. Dee taught English, Writing and Journalism for many years in Eaton Rapids, where she was known affectionately as “teacher lady.” She had been a member of the First United Methodist Church of Eaton Rapids for many years and was a member of the Capital Area Brain Injury Association, where she had many wonderful friends.
Visitation was held at Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids on Monday, October 23. The funeral service was held at First United Methodist Church of Eaton Rapids, on Tuesday, October 24. Interment followed at Rosehill Cemetery in Eaton Rapids. In Lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the Capital Area Brain Injury Association, 901 Mt. Hope, Lansing, MI 48910 in Dee’s memory. To leave condolences for the family visit our website www.millsfuneral.com.
Anita Jane Warner
Anita Jane Warner of Eaton Rapids, passed away October 28, 2023, at the age of 75. Anita was born in Springport, Michigan on December 15, 1947, the daughter of Max and Viola (Wolf) LeFevre. She enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time with her husband.
Anita is survived by her loving husband of 23 years, Robert “Bob” Warner of Eaton Rapids; children, Keith Rockafellow II of Eaton Rapids, Darren (Michelle) Warner of Eaton Rapids; four sisters; and numerous grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her daughter, Cheryl Rockafellow; parents, Max and Viola, as well as, several aunts and uncles.
Cremation has taken place and there will be no services. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel of Eaton Rapids. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to Elara Caring Hospice Foundation, PO Box 58, Jackson, MI 49204 in loving memory of Anita Jane Warner. To leave condolences for the family, visit our website www.millsfuneral.com.
Arlene Marie Sargent
Arlene Marie Sargent, 81, of Vermontville passed away on October 30, 2023. A service was held on Friday, November 3, 2023, 2:30 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home. Arrangements by Pray Funeral Home, Inc.