Obituaries
Robert Arthur Breard
Robert Arthur Breard, 76, died suddenly and unexpectedly while at home in Sedona, Arizona on the morning of his birthday, April 2, 2024, which came as a shock to those who knew him as healthy, active and energetic, often claiming that he would live to be 150 years old.
Robert will be fondly remembered by his family and the friends he has made wherever he has lived. He founded and ran two extremely successful tool and dye businesses in Lansing, Michigan, he was a thrill-seeker who loved fast cars, golfing, cycling and later hiking and pickleball. Most of all, Robert was a generous, loyal and caring father, grandfather and friend who always put his loved ones first.
Robert entered the world on April 2, 1948, in Eaton Rapids, Michigan, the second child of Charles Breard and Vera (Jowett) Breard, who both served in the Royal Canadian Air Force where they met and married. The family moved to Eaton Rapids, Michigan and lived in a double story house on Bentley Street, where Robert and his four siblings ran free and engaged in neighborhood shenanigans, most memorably playing neighborhood pick-up sports, including street hockey with sticks and a rock, and eating ice cream after school at Miller’s Ice Cream Parlor where Robert’s grandfather, Arthur Jowett was Vice President.
Robert graduated from Eaton Rapids High School in 1966 and worked as a janitor to put himself through college at Michigan State University. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science in 1971, was married in 1972 and had two children. The family moved from Owosso, Michigan to Lansing, Michigan where Robert founded a tool and dye business. Weekends and summers were spent with dear friends on Bear Lake in Kalkaska, Michigan, which remained a cherished place for Bob to visit throughout the course of his life. He later became co-business owner at Eckhart USA, where he grew his second company in the tool and dye industry, finally retiring in 2016.
During his retirement, Robert split his time between Venice, Florida and Sedona, Arizona where he spent some of his happiest years. He kept a busy schedule, which included reading, kayaking, hiking and pickleball with friends, in addition to taking on numerous home improvement jobs. He enjoyed traveling to San Francisco to visit his two grandsons Miles and Julian, whom he absolutely adored. He hosted the boys on elaborate excursions, such as baseball games, trips to the zoo, rock climbing, putt putt golf and movie theaters, all while searching for the best burger the city could offer.
Robert is survived by his daughter Jennifer (Breard) Witt, son-in-law Gary Witt and grandchildren Miles and Julian; his son Justin Breard, daughter-in-law Nicole (Cary) Breard; his brother Michael Breard and sister-in-law Joan (VanDonge) Breard, niece Aubrey Breard and grand-nephew Luke Mann; his sister Annette Breard, nieces Amber Rochester, Jessi Bartlett and nephew Michael Bartlett, and his sister Susan Alexander and her son Stephen Carter.
Robert will be deeply missed by all who knew him. He will be remembered with a hike at 12:30, followed by a celebration of life from 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, April 20, 2024 at the Mystic Hills clubhouse in Sedona, Arizona. Family, friends and former colleagues are invited to join and/or post memories to this online memorial. In lieu of flowers, please donate in Robert’s name to the Sedona Community Foodbank.
Gay Noble
Gay Noble of Bellevue, MI, went to be with her Lord and Savior on April 11, 2024. Gay was born on May 14, 1951 in Lansing to the late L.R. and Nancy Gates. She married James Noble on September 4, 1970. Gay graduated from Bellevue High School in 1969 and started working the following week at Riverside Insurance Company and later at Clark Equipment Company until 1982. After being diagnosed with Lupus, she decided to be a stay at home mom.
She volunteered for Hospice for several years. Her hobbies included making baskets and ceramics and visiting the Upper Peninsula in Michigan. Gay enjoyed sitting by the water and fishing. She had a passion for horses and appreciated God’s beautiful creations. Her blessings included all of her friends, especially her “coffee gals.”
Gay is survived by her husband, Jim; daughters, La Nae (Jeff) Peek of Battle Creek, MI, Brandi Jo Million of St. Mary’s, GA. Her grandchildren were the delights of her heart. Grandchildren include Brayden Olmstead, Ethan Million and Anabelle Million. She is also survived by her brother, Craig (Glee) Gates of Spring Hill, FL; and brother-in-law, Stewart (Joanie) Noble of Sierra Vista, AZ; and many nieces and nephews.
At her request, cremation has taken place and a private graveside service will be held at a later date at Riverside Cemetery in Bellevue.
Arrangements are being cared for by the Baxter Funeral & Cremation Service.
In lieu of flowers, Gay’s final request was for you to take a loved one out to eat, clink a glass, and remember her. Her favorite words when saying goodbye were “toodles or poof.” So, toodles!
Donis Whitaker
Donis Ilene (Iauch) Whitaker, age 85, of Charlotte, Michigan and Brownsville, Texas, died in Webster, Texas on April 8, 2024.
She was born in Eaton County Michigan in 1939. Her parents were Harold Milford Iauch and Mildred E. (Gould) Campbell Iauch. Donis met the love of her life, George W. Whitaker, when she was just 17 years old. After graduating from Charlotte High School in 1957, she attended Western Michigan University.
Excited to start their new lives together, Donis and George were married at Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church in Charlotte on June 27, 1959. Their first child, Julie Irene Whitaker, was born in 1960 while Donis was attending Michigan State University. She received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education in 1961 and started teaching in Charlotte.
Tamara Ilene Whitaker was born in 1963. Donis worked towards her master’s degree, which she received in 1965 from Michigan State University. Their third child, Eric George Whitaker was born in 1968. Donis and George enjoyed weekend camping and summer vacation trips in their RV with their family.
Donis was a member of the teacher honorary, Delta Kappa Gamma, and had a lifetime membership in the National Education Association as well as the Michigan Education Association.
After 30 years of teaching in Charlotte, Donis retired in 1991 and she and George moved to River Bend Resort in Brownsville, Texas to be closer to their children and grandchildren, who resided in the Houston area. Donis enjoyed making greeting cards, scrapbooking, quilting and various other crafts.
After George’s sudden passing in October 2023, Donis moved to a senior apartment community in Webster, Texas where she was near her daughter, Tamara. She will be greatly missed, and her memory will live on in the hearts of all those who knew and loved her.
Donis is survived by her three children, two grandchildren, one great-grandchild, two sisters and one brother. She is reunited in heaven with her loving and devoted husband, her parents, one sister and two brothers.
Burial of cremains will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte later in 2024. Date to be determined.
Ronald Lee Place
Ronald Lee Place, 79, passed away peacefully on April 13, 2024. He was born in Eaton Rapids on December 3, 1944, to Howard and Twila (Greenslade) Place.
Ron graduated from Olivet High School in 1963. At OHS, he lettered in football, basketball, and track and met his wife-to-be, Laura Westgate. He earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Olivet College in 1973, where he also participated on the football team as a tight end and kicker. He began his coaching and teaching career at Climax Scotts in 1973 as a JV football coach and an elementary physical education teacher. Soon after, in 1974, he began coaching and teaching at Bellevue Middle School and High School as a physical education teacher, assistant football coach, freshmen basketball coach, and assistant track coach. He went on to coach football, as an offensive line coach, for several years at Olivet College. He also coached freshmen football and girls track at Pennfield High School in the mid-1980’s. Most of his lifelong efforts went into the track program at Bellevue where he coached for a total of 26 years and where the track is named in his honor. He taught physical education, health, and government at Bellevue High School until his retirement in 2002.
In retirement, Ron loved cars and enjoyed working on his 1976 Chevy El Camino, which he liked to take to various car shows around southern Michigan. He also loved being with his family and spending time with his grandchildren.
Ron is survived by his wife, Laura (Westgate) Place; two sons and their wives, Tracy (Nena) Place and Troy (Nicole) Place; five grandchildren, Cody Place, Amara Place, Colton Place, Jasper Vera, and Jessie Vera; one great grandson, Torin Place; two brothers, Bob Place and Daryl (Shirley) Place; and one sister, Sheila (Richard) Heisler.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Zelmadene and Norma Jean; and his brothers Herrold, Phillip, Merlyn, and Kevin.
At this time cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held on Monday, April 22, 2024 from 6-8 p.m. at Baxter Funeral & Cremation Service in Battle Creek.
In lieu of flowers, Ron wished that memorial contributions would be made to the Fire Department of Pennfield Charter Township. Arrangements provided by the Baxter Funeral & Cremation Service.
Thomas Irving Hansen
Thomas Irving Hansen of Eaton Rapids, passed away April 10, 2024, at the age of 91. Thomas was born in Douglass Township, Michigan on November 9, 1932, the son of Irving and Sada (Little) Hansen. He graduated from Eastern High School in 1951 and Michigan State University in 1958. Thomas was a proud Navy veteran who served during the Korean War. He and his wife were members of the First United Methodist Church in Eaton Rapids. Thomas retired from teaching in 1990. He was a dedicated teacher for Laingsburg, Fremont and Lansing Schools. Thomas enjoyed farming, gardening, reading, storytelling, European travel and Civil War re-enactments.
He is survived by his children, Julia (Scott) Barningham, Eric (April) Hansen; grandchildren, Jenna (Shane) Schnepp, Mathew (Savahna) Hansen, Kaitlynn Hansen, Caleb Hansen, Bradley Barningham; great grandchildren, Cooper Echevarria, Laurelin Hansen, Adelaide Hansen. Thomas was preceded in death by his parents; wife Judith Hansen in 2020; sisters, Marilyn Finnis and Alice Dausey.
Memorial Services will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Eaton Rapids on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. with visitation one hour prior. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 600 S. Main St, Eaton Rapids MI 48827, in loving memory of Thomas Irving Hansen. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. To leave condolences for the family, visit our website www.millsfuneral.com.