Obituaries
Louis DeFabio, Jr.
Louis DeFabio, Jr., age 97, of Riverview, Michigan and formerly of Southgate and Olivet, Michigan, passed away Sunday, April 9, 2023.
Louis was born July 6, 1925, to Luigi and Autilia DeFabio. Louis served with the U.S. Marine Corp and is a WWII Veteran. He retired from PennWalt Chemical Plant after 25 years of service. Louis was a jack of all trades. He could fix anything and tackled many carpentry jobs along with having a big green thumb when it came to growing a garden. His specialty was growing tomatoes, sending many bushels of produce home with family and friends after weekend visits.
Louie was the beloved husband of 59 years to the late Patricia DeFabio. He was the loving father of Penny (Michael) Gibbons of Riverview, Louis (Paula) DeFabio III of Charlotte, Shirley (Larry) Frederick of Ellenton, FL, and John DeFabio of Belleville. He was the dearest grandfather of Patricia (Adam) Rollason, Kristen Kurzeja and Becky (Cory) DeFabio-Hewitt, and sweet great-grandfather of Matthew Kurzeja, Alexia Kurzeja, Kaiden Elsey, Kenley Hewitt, and Brittanie Hewitt. Preceding him in death were his parents, wife, and seven siblings.
Cremation has taken place. A family memorial gathering will be held later this summer. The family is under the care of Molnar Funeral Home – Brownstown Chapel, Brownstown, Michigan.
Joyce Eileen Williams
Joyce Eileen Williams, age 87, of Charlotte, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, April 15, 2023, at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing. She was born September 12, 1935, in Hebron, Ohio, the daughter of Ernest and Marie (Snider) Bowers. Joyce graduated from Hebron High School with the class of 1953. On October 11, 1959, in Hebron, Ohio, she married Griffith Leland “Lee” Williams. This began a treasured 62-year marriage. Joyce loved people and always had an open door. She adored her many lifelong friends and was very good at staying in touch with them. She still had a close bond with her many friends from her school years. Family meant everything to Joyce. She cherished her daughters and was especially fond of her grandchildren. She always looked forward to Christmas when the family would all be together.
Joyce is survived by her daughters, Gina (Duane) Hanrahan of Indianapolis, IN, Julie (Wayne) Nash of Delaware, OH, Nancy (Bob) Loth of Pewaukee, WI; grandchildren, Chris (Annie) Hanrahan, Stephen Hanrahan, Geoff (Kaila) Hanrahan, Ben Nash, Chris Nash, Allison Loth, Megan Loth, Corinne Loth; and brother, Billy (Ruby) Bowers.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Lee; three brothers, and two sisters.
Funeral services were held on Thursday, April 20, 2023, at 11 a.m. at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will take place at Poplar Forks Cemetery in Gratiot, Ohio.
Those desiring may make contributions in Joyce’s memory to the Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church, 210 E. Lawrence Ave., Charlotte, MI 48813.
To view Joyce’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com.
John Raymond Kreischer
John Raymond Kreischer on January 28, 2023, at 12:21 p.m., our father, John Raymond Kreischer of Eaton Rapids, Michigan passed away.
John was born in Homer, Michigan on February 5, 1940. He was the second son born to James Paul Kreischer and Lorene Opal (Snodderly) Kreischer. He grew up on the family farm new Narrow Lake and attended school in Eaton Rapids. It was there, at the age of 14, he met his sweetheart, Mabel Ellen Kinyon. They married in 1958 and had 56 years together until Mabel passed away in 2014.
John enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1957 where he began his 20-year military career. His many jobs were in the transportation department including semi-truck driver in Thailand during the Vietnam war, school bus driver and bussing coordinator for military children on English coaches, director of the base motor pool, movie projectionist. His favorite assignment was in California on Travis AFB, when he was a chauffeur for Marie von Trapp!
During John’s years of service, the family moved several times, and were able to experience and visit many amazing sites.
John retired from the USAF in 1977 and moved his family home to Mabel’s family farm in Eaton Rapids. This was not a total retirement. John began work as a poultry caretaker for the USDA Poultry Research facility at Michigan State University. He was employed there for 20 years.
John was preceded in death by his loving wife Mabel Ellen (Kinyon) Kreischer; his parents, James Paul Kreischer and Lorene Opal (Snodderly) Kreischer; his brothers, Robert Kreischer and Leonard Kreischer; his sister, Linda (Kreischer) Cook.
He is survived by his eldest brother, Milo (Inez) Kreischer; his three children, Carol Sue (Kreischer) Pope, Barbara (Kreischer) Johns, and Brian Kreischer.
John had three beloved grandchildren: Bradley Richard Johns, Janeen Carneshia Johns, and Joseph Charles Johns. He also had four great-grandchildren: Marley Mae, Lennox Ophelia, Naomi Rose, and Damien DeShay.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Rachel Wilcox for being Dad’s compassionate caretaker for over a year prior to his passing.
A memorial luncheon is being planned for May 13, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at the VFW Post in Springport, Michigan.
For those desiring, in lieu of flowers the family suggests a donation in memory of John R. Kreischer may be made to the VFW Adams-Rocky Post 6056, 230 Mechanic Street, Springport, MI 49284.
Dianne Marie Morris
Dianne Marie Morris, of Eaton Rapids, MI went to be with the Lord and her family on Thursday, April 13, 2023, at the age of 76. Dianne was born on Dec. 21, 1946, in Jackson, MI. to Frederick and Mildred (Towns) Jackson. She graduated from Springport High School in 1965. Dianne met her husband Jack at a Griffith Church Christmas caroling activity in 1964. They were married on June 19, 1966, at the Griffith Methodist Church in Eaton Rapids, MI and had three children. Dianne was devoted to her family and gracious to everyone she met. She always had a smile. She especially enjoyed her grandchildren and flower gardening.
Dianne is preceded in death by her son Gregory; her parents; and three siblings, Donna Kolodica, Dennis Jackson and Sharon Pettit.
Surviving is her husband, Jack; daughters, Michele Marti and Melanie Nykamp; grandchildren, Bailey Marti, Jack Marti, Ava Nykamp and Elyse Nykamp.
A memorial will be held at a later date in accordance with her wishes. Memorial contributions can be made in her name to Eaton Community Palliative Care at 2675 S. Cochran Rd., Charlotte, MI 48813. To share memories or leave online condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
Pennie Jean Newberry
The family of Pennie Newberry, age 71, of Eaton Rapids, MI is saddened to announce her passing on April 7, 2023. Pennie was born on June 29, 1951.
She will be lovingly remembered by her children, Charlie (Amanda) Newberry, Wanda Newberry, Eva Clother, Melody (Robert) Passolt and Dennis Hurd; grandchildren, Mackenzie, Zoe, Savanna, Cooper, Levi, Ty, Trista, Tia, Felicia, Patience, Miranda, and Trent; multiple great-grandchildren including a great-granddaughter Isabel with whom she had a very special relationship; sisters, Bobbie Mohler, Charla (Greg) Rudderow, Kaye (John) Mueller and many nieces and nephews.
Pennie was preceeded in death by her loving husband of 32 years, Wayne Newberry; her parents, Charles and Wanda Head; and nephew, Travis Peterson.
Pennie loved being a wife, mother, and grandmother. She was always involved and adored watching everyone grow. Her face always lit up when she shared stories about their accomplishments. Pennie was an excellent cook, and everyone could feel her love in the food she prepared, whether that be for a small family get-together or a large gathering.
A private memorial service will be held at a later date for the family to celebrate Pennie’s life.