Obituaries
Danford Murray Byrens, Jr.
Danford Murray Byrens Jr. passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 27 at the home of his daughter Sue who lovingly cared for both Dan and his wife, Emily, for nearly two years. Dan was born on November 13, 1932, in Buffalo, New York, to his parents, Gladys Evelyn Wade Byrens and Danford Murray Byrens, Sr.
His was an athletic family with both his parents working as gym teachers and coaches and his brother David excelled in several sports. Dan generally pursued other interests, but he was, at one point, the backstroke champion of his school. He also achieved the lifelong goal of obtaining his pilot’s license in the mid 1970’s.
Dan lived his life surrounded by music, a love that he shared with his late wife, Emily Frances Hills Byrens who passed away Christmas Day, 2022. He started taking organ lessons in high school and obtained an undergraduate degree in Organ Performance from Oberlin College in 1954. He then moved to New York City where he attended Union Theological Seminary and met his future wife, Emily. Both received their Master of Music degrees in Sacred Music.
Dan is survived by his brother, David and Paula Byrens of Oakland, California, seven children: Margaret and Kent Kuiper of Bellevue, Dr. David and Kim Byrens of Marshall, Dan and Kim Byrens of Duck Lake, Robert Byrens and Jerome Nickels of Grand Rapids, Steve and Sonia Byrens of Marshall, Sue and Mike Wilson of Marshall, and Tracy Byrens of Hampton, Virginia. Dan and Emily found tremendous joy in their extended family of 32 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.
Dan and Emily shared their musical talents with many church congregations around the country including Olivet Congregational Church, The First Congregational Church of Battle Creek, Saint Thomas Episcopal Church of Battle Creek, Trinity Episcopal Church of Marshall, as well as churches in Tennessee and Alabama.
Dan was a much-beloved professor at both Kalamazoo and Olivet Colleges, where he directed choral ensembles as well as teaching organ, music history and theory. He and Emily also led vocal student ensembles that performed in various churches throughout Europe. After retiring from Olivet College, they accepted positions at Silliman University in the Philippines where they taught sacred music. Upon returning to the states, they relocated to the Uplands Retirement Community in Tennessee. There, they continued their legacy of performing sacred music in the Congregational Church, as well as conducting and playing for both church and community choirs. They eventually returned to Marshall to be near family.
Dan was a gifted yet humble man, a gentle soul and a servant leader who was admired by many and deeply loved by his family, friends and students. Dan’s family will hold a private celebration at a later date. If you feel moved to honor his memory, please make a contribution to The University of Olivet in his name.
Arrangements were entrusted to Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services, 723 US Hwy 27 N, Marshall, Michigan 49068. Please visit https://www.kempffuneralhome.com to view the online obituary, to sign the online guestbook, or to leave the family condolences.
Frederick Dale Bannister
Frederick “Fred” Dale Bannister of Eaton Rapids, MI, passed away on August 30, 2023, at the age of 80. Fred was born on July 4, 1943, in Seymour, Indiana. He was the son of Lloyd and Evelyn “Ellin” (né Engel) Bannister. He and his younger brothers were raised at the VFW Home in Eaton Rapids. He graduated from Eaton Rapids High School in 1961, then extended his education through a trade school to become a mechanical engineer.
Fred began his professional journey with Ream Manufacturing, later joining Gilbert Commonwealth; ultimately concluding his career in 2010 as an engineer with the Board of Water and Light. He traveled to various states throughout his career, and even lived in Egypt for a few months.
Beyond his professional pursuits, Fred was known for his vibrant social spirit. He relished the camaraderie of his friends over morning coffee at McDonald’s. He was an enthusiastic golfer, and also found joy in fishing during his leisurely moments. He loved visits from his family on the weekends.
Fred was preceded in death by his parents, his two brothers Sam and Lloyd Bannister, and his sister, Nettie Bannister.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Josephine “Jo” Bannister; his sons and their wives, Fred (Jr.) and Lisa Bannister, Craig and Dawn Bannister; and his daughter and her husband, Cathy and Craig McManus; as well as his grandchildren Craig Bannister, Jr., Cassie and husband Brandon Wheeler, Caroline McManus, Carmella McManus, Nathan Bannister, Justin Bannister; and great grandchildren, Jonathan and Michael Wheeler. He is also survived by one brother, Kenny Bannister and his wife Dede.
A memorial gathering will be held at a later date, for information contact Jo Bannister. To share memories or leave online condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
Wanda Ann Higdon
Wanda Ann Higdon of Eaton Rapids passed away September 1, 2023, at the age of 80. Wanda was born in Carson City, MI, June 9, 1943, to Roy S. and Vera M. (Bohen) Lauer. She graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Carson City in 1961. Wanda was a member of and worked as the church secretary for the First United Methodist Church in Eaton Rapids for 15 years, sending out the thank you notes for donations. She was a Friend of the Library member and was treasurer for two years. Wanda enjoyed traveling, reading and gardening.
Wanda is survived by her children, Christine (Danny) Olson-DeLaVergne of Fowlerville, Mark Higdon of Dimondale, and Greg (Ann) Higdon of Columbia, TN; grandchildren, Madeleine, Olivia, and Grant; brothers, William (Shelba) Lauer of Perrinton and John (Carol) Lauer of Alma; sister, Rosemary Bernard of FL. She was preceded in death by, parents and brother, Leon Lauer.
Memorial services will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 9, 2023, at the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel, 518 S. Main Street, Eaton Rapids, MI 48827. Visitation was Friday, September 8, from 6-8 p.m. and the hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 600 S. Main St., Eaton Rapids, MI 48827 or the Eaton Rapids Library, 220 S. Main St., Eaton Rapids, MI 48827 in memory of Wanda. To leave condolences for the family, please visit our website www.millsfuneral.com.
Joan Lockwood
We are sad to announce our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend passed away September 2, 2023, at the age of 88.
Born Joan Lamie in Eaton County November 30, 1934, she was the second oldest of six siblings. Growing up on a farm in Vermontville, MI, she developed a love for animals – including her favorite cow Chester – and always had a penchant for hard work. She helped raise her siblings, including her twin sisters who were 10 years younger than she.
At age 18, she met and married the love of her life, Donald C. Lockwood. Two years later they began to raise their family. These were the best years of her life!
Mom was a huge supporter of her husband Don as he made his school principal career in Eaton Rapids. Til the end, she would light up when anyone shared memories and stories of his many wonderful ways with the school children and their families.
Their tremendous love and commitment to each other set a great example of what love could be. People still comment on how they were always holding hands when they were out and about.
This great love for each other helped them through the tremendous loss of their son Jim in 1977.
Joan loved her family and was thrilled when her children started having children of their own, and then when her grandchildren started having children! She thoroughly enjoyed hosting the many special holidays, including Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. When their children were quite young, she and Don built a cottage on Horsehead Lake and treasured their many moments there, including teaching the kids how to water ski and fish.
She was devastated by the loss of her husband in 2002, but continued to be a trooper and take care of their lifetime family home, almost to the very end.
A true Spartan fan, she was pleased to learn her football team won their recent season opener.
She was a lifetime member of the Eastern Star, Brookfield Chapter #352.
She wanted all her caregivers to know how much she loved and appreciated their help and support with her ailments these last few years, including Khristina Coker, Amanda, and Cheryl at the Eaton Rapids Medical Clinic, and Sam, Pamela, and the gang at Rottenbucher Pharmacy. She also wanted to acknowledge her hairdresser Katie at It’s Your Hair, who became like a third daughter to her.
She is survived by her daughters Cathie (Larry Webb) and Kristi (Greg Hampton), her grandchildren Shannon Flattley (Carman), Jeremy Webb (Taylor), and Julie Bolitho (Antonio Celotto), her great-grandchildren Nathan Bence, Savannah Flattley, Chase Wells, Deacon Wells, Hazel Webb, and Giada Celotto, her sister Charlene Young, and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be at the Skinner Funeral Home in Eaton Rapids on Sunday, September 10, from 2:00-4:00 p.m. and the service will take place Monday, September 11 at 11:00 a.m., followed by burial at Rosehill Cemetery in Eaton Rapids.
If you wish to make a memorial contribution towards a Donald C. Lockwood Elementary School Sign Lighting Fund, please make checks payable to Cathie Webb. To share memories or leave online condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
Robert William Fischer
Robert William “Bob” Fischer, 81, of Naples, Florida, passed away on August 19 at the Avow Hospice House in Naples surrounded by his family.
Bob was born on May 16, 1942 in Charlotte, Michigan, the oldest child of William and Evelyn Fischer. He was raised on an active farm that is still owned by his family. He attended K-8th grade in a one-room schoolhouse in Charlotte and then attended Charlotte High School where he was named prom king and Mayor in his Senior Year. Bob graduated with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Albion College in 1964 and was a proud member of Sigma Chi. He received his masters degree in Hospital Administration from the University of Michigan in 1966. He remained an avid supporter of University of Michigan athletics. He didn’t wear one article of clothing that did not have a blue M on the pocket and his cell phone ring tone was set to “The Victors.”
Bob served in the Navy for three years as an officer in the Key West Naval Hospital. He began his career in hospital administration at Mercy Medical Center in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. His ability to transform hospitals to stability and profitability took him and his family throughout the United States, settling in nine states and the island of Antigua. Bob’s longest and most fulfilling position was as President and CEO of Northwest Hospital in Randallstown, Maryland. Upon retirement, Bob settled in Fort Myers, Florida to be closer to his parents. He most recently resided in Naples with his wife Marianne.
Bob was married to Marianne Stevens in 1965. They were divorced after 31 years of marriage and found each other again after 17 years of separation. They were remarried in 2017 and had a beautiful and unique love story to share with everyone that they met. Bob is survived by his wife, Marianne St. Johns and his three children, all of whom claim to be his favorite, Shelly Murray (Michael), Robert Fischer (Christie), and Ryan Fischer (Angela); his grandchildren Brenna Gneo (Vinny), Brady Murray, Jackson Fischer, and Reese Fischer. He is also survived by his sister Sherry Myers (Fred); niece Samantha Myers and nephew Paul Myers (Melissa). Bob was extremely proud of his children’s accomplishments, their families, and the close bond that they share.
Bob has a rich history of travel and a large circle of friends. In his later years, he enjoyed dining and playing cards with friends and neighbors. He was funny, yet competitive and loved nothing more than winning back the trophy at weekly card games. Through COVID and beyond, Bob looked forward to his monthly Zoom calls with his high school friends from Charlotte. He enjoyed participating in events as a member of the Northside Naples Kiwanis Club. He utilized and appreciated the services of the Parkinson’s Association of Southwest Florida. Throughout his decline with Parkinson’s Disease, Bob’s goldendoodle, “Sir William” remained by his side.
Bob will be remembered as a kind, giving, and loving husband and father. He instilled the values of independence, motivation, and generosity in his children. He was a thoughtful and generous “Pop-Pop” and “Pop twice” to his grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Northside Naples Kiwanis Club, that supports children in need in Collier County (PO Box 110333, Naples, FL 34108). Separate memorial services will be planned for the near future both in Naples, and with the spreading of ashes at the family farm in Charlotte.