Obituaries
Sharon Jeanne Williams
Sharon Jeanne Williams of Eaton Rapids passed away April 21, 2023 at the age of 88. She was born in Lansing, Michigan, September 3, 1934, the daughter of Harold and Marion Owen. Sharon lived in Eaton Rapids, Michigan until she married the love of her life, Richard Williams, in 1951.
She attended Lansing Community College where she earned her nursing degree as an LPN in 1972. She was employed by Sparrow where she retired in 1996.
She was a devout Christian attending Pennway Church of God in Lansing until she moved to Apache Junction, Arizona, in 1998. There she attend3ed and was very active at Christian Community Church and Family of Faith Bible Church.
Sharon loved traveling, golf, bowling, singing in the church choir, crocheting, and last but not least, baseball.
She is survived by her children: son, Michael (Angela) Williams of Montrose, CO; daughter, Cheryl (Roger) Morrison of Eaton Rapids, MI; four grandchildren: Chad, Chelsea, Jessica, and Trisha; six great-grandchildren: Zach, Kensley, Lilly, Skylar, Harley, and Everly; brother, Tom Owen of Eaton Rapids; and many extended families.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Richard Williams; sister, Shari Clough; brothers, William Owen and David Owen; and granddaughter, Shena Esper.
A Graveside Memorial will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, June 16, 2023 at Maple Ridge Cemetery in Holt, Michigan.
Betty Jane Gulliver
Betty Jane Gulliver, 77, of Clarklake passed away from cancer, March 25, 2023 at Manatee Memorial, Bradenton, Florida. Betty’s family and friends will gather for visitation Thursday, June 1, 2023 from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Eineder Funeral Homes – Brooklyn Chapel and Friday, June 2, 2023 from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at Brooklyn Presbyterian Church. Her funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 2, 2023 at Brooklyn Presbyterian Church, 160 N. Main St., Brooklyn, Michigan. Pastor Tami Recob will officiate.
Betty was born on January 6, 1946, in Trenton, Michigan to Henry and Marion (Skidmore) Steward. She married her college sweetheart, Ted Gulliver, whom she met on a blind date at Western Michigan University, 55 years ago. She will be remembered as having lived a wonderful life. Betty attended Wyandotte Roosevelt High School where she was homecoming queen in her junior year. She earned her degree in Special Education from Western Michigan University where she belonged to the Delta Zeta sorority. Betty was like a mother to her special needs’ classroom; using her great personality to make her classroom one that the students loved. She had a knack for working with her classes. She took her “kids” to Michigan’s first Special Olympics, held in Kalamazoo in 1969. She continued to volunteer for the Special Olympics for many years. Her personality helped make her a good wife, caring and kind mother that had a terrific sense of humor and was a good role model. Betty continued to play in a golf league that started in Manchester over 60 years ago. She helped bring back the Columbia Central High School musicals and produced them for many years, providing another place for the students to learn and excel. Betty even acted in a few plays at the Potter Center with her husband and daughters. She made it fun for every group she was part of, such as her book club (who actually read the books); she volunteered with the local Red Cross for a time; the Red Hat group, The Universalist Unitarian Church of East Liberty, and she looked forward to Thirsty Thursdays and the comfort of old friends. She and her husband spent much of their recent years as caregivers for each of their two daughters. She was known to be a very kind and good friend. In her later years, she found a special “family” at her Winterset home in Palmetto, Florida where she loved to lead the decorating of the clubhouse for Christmas and to line dance. Betty was truly loved by all who knew her; and her brilliant, constant smile with eyes that truly sparkled will be greatly missed, especially by her husband Ted.
Betty is survived by her loving husband, Ted; sister, Marie (RC) Wallace; mother-in-law, Nina Gulliver; sisters-in-law Christine (Keith) Pople, Charna (Bob) Welch; brother-in-law Gary (Debbie) Gulliver; nephews, Mike Vick and Mark (Tammy) Vick, John Welch, Keith (Blerina) Pople, Zach (Kim) Gulliver, Nick Gulliver; nieces, Laura (Devin) Benford, Kim (Chad) Porter, Alexis Gulliver, and Jessica Gulliver. She is preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Marion Steward; and daughters, Anne Reed and Katie Clark. She will be remembered fondly by so many more, including the residents of Florida’s Winterset Resort, and Clark Lake residents, along with scores of Michigan friends, and her extended family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Universalist Unitarian Church of East Liberty, 2231 Jefferson Rd., Clarklake, MI 49234 or Educational Foundation for Columbia Schools, P.O. Box 126, Brooklyn, MI 49230. Please leave a message of comfort for Betty’s family or sign her guestbook at www.EinederFuneralHomes.com.
Harold Alan Degner
Harold Alan Degner, 75, of Dimondale, died on Saturday, May 20, 2023. Harold was born on October 14, 1947, in Lansing the son of Roy and Dorothy (Thompson) Degner. Upon graduating from high school Harold enlisted in the Air Force where he served during Vietnam, once he returned home, he would then serve in the Air National Guard. Harold worked as an Electrician for Fisher Body for 40 years before his retirement in 2007. He also was a volunteer fireman in Potterville for several years. In his free time Harold enjoyed watching westerns, target shooting, and being with his dogs. His biggest enjoyment in life was growing up on the family farm and being able to cruise around the property on his scooter.
Harold is survived by his son, Shawnn; grandchildren, Elizabeth, and Christopher; siblings, Jerry (Jamie) Degner, and Emma (Louie) Trowbridge; sister-in-law, Pat Degner; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents; and his brother, Roy Degner.
Friends are encouraged to support Harold’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 31, 2023, from 11 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. A graveside service will be held at 1:30 p.m. at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Lansing with Pastor Charles Jenson officiating. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Wounded Warrior Project. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Ark J. Hampton
Ark J. Hampton of Charlotte, a guy with a big heart and a big sense of humor, died May 15, 2023, at the age of 75. Ark was born April 14, 1948, in Prestonburg, KY to Benjamin and Vernie (Prater) Hampton. Ark served in the Army during Vietnam and returned to get an Associate degree. Over the years he held many different positions, including a salesman for Sundance Home Sales and the place he worked last, Northwest Tire. Always acting from the heart, Ark was often helping others and putting others first. He loved being a jokester too, sometimes over-the-top with his pranks and jokes but always with good humor. Ark was very proud of his family and encouraged his kids and grandkids in all they did. He always stood up for others, for what was right, and was willing to lend a hand and “just do it.”
Ark is survived by his wife, Connie Hampton; son, John (Carol) Moreno; daughters, Darla (Scott) Moreno-Ream and Brandy Moreno; grandchildren, Corey Rice, Matt Kreis, Danielle Wood, Dustin Rice, Garrett Rice, and Marissa Moreno; four great-grandchildren; siblings, Hershel Hubbard, Thomas Hampton, Ben Hampton, Chillie Hampton, Lucy Wright, and Sally Johnston. He was predeceased in death by his parents, Benjamin and Vernie Hampton.
Friends are encouraged to support Ark’s family by sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. A Celebration of Life is being planned for a later date. If desired, memorial contributions are suggested to the family. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Alice Sartin LaDuke
Alice (Billye) Sartin LaDuke lived a full and happy life. Her native intelligence, strength and resilience sustained her through her 94+ years.
Born in Springdale, Arkansas in 1928, she was the last survivor of a family of eleven.
She moved to Lansing, Michigan after WWII and found a job at the local Walgreens where she met the man who changed her life, Bernie LaDuke. They fell in love, married in 1946, and moved into their first home, a remodeled garage, where they lived and raised their two children until the late 60s. During this time, she pinched pennies, cooked, sewed and raised their children, along with a few others. She was ambitious, energetic and imaginative, and Bernie adored her. She was always looking for new opportunities. In the 50s, it was constructing and operating a Tastee Freeze on land adjacent to their home. Afterward, she completed beauty school and Bernie added a shop to their home. She operated Billye’s Beauty Shop in Maple Grove until they decided to build in Potterville in the late 60s.
Together, they built their dream home on 10 acres on M100. Billye was next to Bernie all the way – hammering studs, hanging drywall and shingling the roof. They worked all day and after dinner went to work on the new house. They moved in 1968 and lived there happily until Bernie’s death in 2007. Billye continued to carry on until 2019 when declining health made it too difficult to remain.
They made a lifetime of memories and gave their children, Donna and Bernie Jr., unconditional love, support and wonderful childhoods. They grew up healthy, happy and productive adults, likely unaware how lucky they were to have parents who loved them and adored one another. The greatest gift a child can receive is a stable and loving home and Donna and Beanie had one.
Over the years, Billye ran the home while working various jobs including bank teller, pocket protector manufacturer, cosmetologist, artist and woodworker.
She and Bernie were true partners for over 61 years. After his retirement from Oldsmobile, they started a crafts business and worked together creating, constructing and decorating everything from ornaments to furniture. They were always happiest when busy and working together toward a shared goal. Over these years they also managed to take dance lessons, join square dance clubs, entertain at home and travel the US with a small house trailer or a camper on their pickup truck.
Bernie retired early and with both kids grown, they enjoyed almost 30 years together post retirement. After his death, she became an active member of the Eaton County Senior Center where she enjoyed playing Euchre and Cribbage.
In 2019, Billye moved to Tulsa to live near her daughter, independently, in a wonderful senior community where she once again reinvented herself. Leaving their home of 40 years was not easy, but she adapted to apartment living at Cedarhurst, loving the staff and surviving COVID and lockdowns.
She and Donna were always exceptionally close, but grew even more devoted through her remaining years. Bernie Jr. and his wife, Seidy, were tragically killed in a landslide in 2020 and Billye passed on May 6, 2023 in her Tulsa home.
Billye will be remembered for her great sense of humor, kind spirit, friendship and devotion to her family. Her life was full and long, she was much loved and will be missed.
She is survived by her daughter, Donna; three granddaughters: Star, Alicia and Blythe; five grandchildren and one great granddaughter; along with Maisie Jane, the best dog ever and much loved by her Granny. She also leaves many nieces and nephews and is especially grateful for the love and support of Dale and Diane LaDuke who were always there for her, always.
At her request, there will be no service, but she will once again be next to Bernie in mid-Michigan later this summer.