Obituaries
Earl Leroy Howser
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Earl Leroy “Lee” Howser. He left this world on May 20, 2024, just a few days before his birthday of May 31. A truly remarkable soul, Lee was a community leader, a man whose generosity knew no bounds, and a loving father. “He was a kind and generous dad, far beyond what his children deserved!” his daughter, Julie, lovingly said.
Lee married Norma Jane Amos in 1957. They were married for 64 years when Norma passed in 2021. Their three children, Christopher Lee, of Traverse City, Steven Daniel, of Jackson, and Julie Ann, of Charlotte, survive him, along with grandchildren, Ryan, Nathan, Michael, and Addison. Three great-grandchildren, Xander, Avery, and Ryleigh, complete the Howser family.
Lee came from very humble beginnings but bettered himself through education along the way. After his high school graduation, where he was salutatorian, he was recruited to play basketball at Lincoln University in Missouri. He then attended Missouri University, where he received his master’s degree, and later his Ph.D. at Michigan State University.
In his early days he was a television personality on KRCG-TV in Missouri. In 1964 he taught school and was the head basketball coach in Jefferson City, Missouri. Lee served as the president of Jackson Community College from 1993-2001, and the Howser Child Development Center at JCC was named after Lee and Norma when he retired. He was instrumental in the creation of the center, in order to provide single mothers with safe and free childcare to give them the opportunity to seek better employment.
Lee Howser accomplished much in life. He worked with General Colin Powell, for instance, on his “Promise to Youth Alliance,” a program to improve the life of America’s at-risk youth. He helped establish Michigan Education Foundations at Jackson Community College and later at Charlotte Public Schools, raising millions of dollars. Working with astronauts McDivitt, Worden, and Lousma, he helped found the Michigan Space Center in Jackson. Lee founded the Jackson Enterprise Group, an economic development model. He served as president and chairman of the Jackson United Way. He actively supported many non-profit organizations, such as the Jackson Symphony Orchestra, the Shakespeare Festival, the Jackson Balloon Festival, the Ella Sharp Museum, the American Cancer Society, the Courthouse Square Museum, and many more.
On a fun note, each year Lee enjoyed Halloween at his daughter’s “Halloween House” in Charlotte, Michigan. He loved interacting with people and talking to the children. He would dress up to greet them at the door, sometimes as Elvis, other times as a spider.
With a love for animals, the Howser home was a sanctuary for various furry friends brought home by his children as they were growing up; “It didn’t matter what you dragged home, or where you found it, a lost animal was always welcome. You knew you could take it to the vet and Dad would pay.”
Lee will be dearly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. His spirit lives on in the countless lives he touched and the legacy of kindness and compassion he leaves behind. As we mourn his loss, we should also celebrate the incredible life he lived and the positive impact he had on the world around him.
You are encouraged to share memories of Lee on his tribute page at www.PrayFuneral.com, or by attending memorial services to honor Lee’s life. The memorial will be held on Sunday, June 2, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. A visitation will be held just prior to the service from 1-3:00 p.m. The funeral will be webcast so you may watch it from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device that has internet access. Go to www.prayfuneral.com, click on Lee’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Howser Child Development Center through the Jackson College Foundation. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Norman J. Milbourn
Norman J. Milbourn, a good-natured go getter, died suddenly May 23, 2024 in Lansing. Norman, 82 of Charlotte, MI was born July 24, 1941in Watertown, NY, the son of Lawrence and Marjorie (Perry) Milbourn. He graduated from Charlotte High School in 1959.
“Stormin Norman,” as his friends referred to him, was a laid-back, easygoing person who blended in with any group of friends. Known as a hard worker, Norman had a talent of being able to fix anything and everything. His family recalls that he could “MacGyver” anything as long as he could find a nut and a bolt.
Norman was an excellent auto body craftsman. His early years in the field were spent at Diamond Reo in Lansing. After Reo closed he worked a Keehne’s Autobody in Charlotte until starting at Spartan Motors in 1992, where he worked until his retirement in 2007. On the job he shared his skills teaching his coworkers some of the many things he had learned over the years.
Norman will always be remembered as a great friend with a great laugh. He always found some way to laugh in nearly every situation. He loved to share time on the golf course with his friends who would enjoy his stories much more than the game. On weekends you could often find him either perusing garage sales looking for that “special thing,” or at a local car show admiring the work that others had put into their cherished machines.
Above all, Norman was most proud of his family and cherished recent trips to Arizona by train to visit his son Tim, and another road trip to visit relatives in North Carolina. A family custom was dinner at their home with his son and daughter every Wednesday evening.
Norman is survived by his wife of 62 years, Elaine; children, Debbie (Al) Jeffers and Tim Milbourn (Jim); sister, Sandy Southern; brothers and sisters-in-law, Ken (Patricia) Marple, Pat Marple, and Joyce (Bill) Scott; and many beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers-in-law, Phil Southern, Bob Marple, and Don Marple.
Friends are encouraged to support Norman’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation is Wednesday, May 29, from 3-5:00 p.m. and 6-8:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. Funeral services are Thursday, May 30 at 2:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Pastor Charles Jenson officiating. The funeral will be webcast so you may watch it from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device that has internet access. Go to www.prayfuneral.com, click on Norman’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 a charity of your choice. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Diana Marie Shumaker Naylor
Diana Marie “Dirty” Shumaker Naylor, age 74, of Eaton Rapids, MI, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 25, 2024, surrounded by her family. Diana was born on June 3, 1949, in Charlotte, MI, to Lowell and Betty Jean (Hale) Shumaker. She grew up in Charlotte, attending the one-room Southworth country school through the sixth grade, and graduated from Charlotte High School in 1967.
In her youth, Diana loved riding horses, particularly her cherished horse, Tinker. She worked at several restaurants, including Jim’s Place, Holley’s Bear Den, and Calico Kitchen. Diana worked as a school bus driver for Eaton Rapids Public Schools for over 20 years and retired in 2003. She had a passion for music, especially Bob Seger, whom she saw live in concert numerous times. Diana enjoyed playing pool and introduced the game to her grandchildren, fostering their love for it by taking them to tournaments across the state and beyond.
Diana was preceded in death by her parents; her grandson, Dakota; her nephew, Jammie Wixson; her brothers-in-law, Tom Wixson, Reese Naylor, and Duke LaMotte; and her parents-in-law, Ruth and Frank Naylor.
She is survived by her husband of 42 years, Keith Naylor; her children, Mike (Cheryl) Wakley, Stacey (Jim) Clickner, Tammy Rowley, Kim (Pat) Hengsbach, and Mike Naylor; her grandchildren, Korrine, Vaughn, Erik, Elana, Jason, Logan, Randy, Drake, Macey, Patrick, Codie, Seth, Kylie; great grandchildren, Zayden, Paislee, Raya, Harlow, Briar, Ellie, and Ki’Morey; her siblings, Sandy Wixson, Connie (Floyd) Brandt, Randy (Dena) Shumaker, Deb (Don) Moga, and Lynn (Paul) Juhola; her sister-in-law, Carol LaMotte; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and her beloved dog, Sophia Grace.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, July 20, 2024, starting at 11:00 AM, with the venue to be determined. Memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Children’s or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. To share memories or leave online condolences, please visitSkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
Frank Thompson
Frank Thompson, 74, of Charlotte, a dedicated family man and community volunteer, died Sunday, May 19, 2024, after a sudden illness. Frank was born October 29, 1949, in Battle Creek, the son of George Francis, Jr., and Goldie Normean (Miller) Thompson. He graduated from Charlotte High School in 1968. Frank lived an adventurous youth, including a summer-long trip hitch-hiking to California and back. He attended a year of college before changing course and earning his journeyman mechanic. He went to work as a cold end mechanic at Owens-Illinois in Charlotte, a career he enjoyed for 42 years until the plant closed and he retired. Frank married Susan Sybil Chaplin on September 20, 1969, and the two settled into family life raising their two children. Frank remained a dedicated husband, father, and grandfather to the end. He proudly attended his grandson’s football games and was looking forward to seeing him graduate on May 23.
Frank could often be found at Char-Lanes bowling alley, where he played in leagues and developed many lasting friendships. He also loved the outdoors, especially fishing trips down the Grand River and Salmon fishing up North, and time spent tending his plants and garden. He was an avid reader, whether it was a new book he was reading or the newspaper, and he followed baseball closely. Frank enjoyed family trips out to Colorado to visit his cousins, and to see the mountains. He was also very generous with his time, devoted many hours to Courthouse Square in Charlotte, where he volunteered to help maintain and repair the historic buildings. He was active with the local genealogy society, and taught reading to immigrants looking to earn their citizenship. He was a busy man to the very end, whether working hard, staying active with his family, or volunteering in many capacities in the community.
Frank is survived by his wife of nearly 55 years, Susan Thompson; daughter, Heather Thompson-Michaud; son, Jesse Thompson; and grandson, Wyatt George Francis Boersen. He was predeceased by his parents.
Friends are encouraged to support Frank’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation was on Friday, May 24, 2024, at Pray Funeral Home. Funeral services were held on Saturday, May 25, 2024, at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. The funeral was webcast so you may watch it from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device that has internet access. Go to www.prayfuneral.com, click on Frank’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 Community Palliative Care. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Johannes and Hendrika Matthyssen
It is with great sadness that we announce that Johannes (Joop/Joe) and Hendrika (Henny) Matthyssen passed away peacefully at home surrounded by their loving family. Johannes was born on May 15, 1930 to Joannes and Gijsberta (Geurtsen) Matthijssen and passed away on May 16, 2024 at the age of 94. Hendrika (Henny) Matthyssen was born on December 28, 1930 to Anthonie and Bertha (Hazeleger) Renes and passed away on March 13, 2024 at the age of 93. They were both born in Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Joe and Henny Matthyssen were married on December 2, 1954 in Utrecht. They immigrated to the U.S. in March of 1957. Shortly thereafter, Joe began his rewarding career as a Machinist/Sales Engineer at Industrial Welding Inc. (Enprotech Mechanical Services) for 34 years. In his spare time, Joe pursued his passion for soccer by playing, coaching, and refereeing soccer for more years than we can count! However, the true love of his life was always his wife, Henny. They spent 69 loving years together and often talked about how wonderful their lives have been together living in the U.S. Joe always said that his wife was “his number one!” He devoted his entire life to loving and taking care of his family.
Henny was a homemaker whose greatest passions were taking care of her wonderful family and sewing. Henny was an extremely talented self-taught seamstress and started sewing when she was only twelve years old and continued sewing until she was 92 years old. In the Lansing area, she was a founding member of the Lansing Clippers and American Sewing Guild, and belonged to various bowling leagues. She enjoyed her volunteer work (sewing projects) and attending her children’s athletic events. She loved baking, cake decorating, cooking Dutch recipes, and reading. For the last twenty years, she spent her time making beautiful quilts for her entire extended family. Each one of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren have a quilt made especially for them. Her love of sewing was only surpassed by her love for her family; especially for her husband, Joop. They were soul mates and made a wonderful life together in the United States.
Joe and Henny were preceded in death by their parents; Joe’s brother, Frans Matthijssen, and his sisters, Greet Matthijssen and Berta Gerritsen; and Henny’s seven brothers and sisters. Joe and Henny are survived by their three children, Johanna (Brian) Haack, Yvonne (Dennis) Barens, and Johnny (Kim H.) Matthyssen; along with their eight grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren. Joe and Henny are also survived by Joe’s brother, Gerard (Ada) Matthijssen, his sister, Joke Matthijssen, and their sister-in-law, Johanna Matthijssen; and many nieces, nephews, and other extended family in the U.S., Canada, and The Netherlands.
Friends are encouraged to support the Matthyssen family by attending services or sharing memories on their Tribute Pages at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation for Joe and Henny is Friday, June 7, 2-4:00 p.m. and 6-8:00 p.m. at Palmer Bush and Jensen Holt Chapel, 5035 Holt Road, Holt. Memorial services are Saturday, June 8, 11:00 a.m. at Palmer Bush and Jensen Holt Chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either of the following: Holt Public Schools to help support the Holt High School Soccer programs (donations should be mailed to the Superintendent’s Office at 5780 West Holt Road, Holt, MI 48842) or to The National Kidney Foundation (www.kidney.org). The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.