Obituaries
Jean M. Appelman
Jean M. Appelman went to be with the Lord March 9, 2023, peacefully, with family by her side.
Jean was born on July 21, 1935, to Noice and Irene (Calkins) Bartholomew in Charlotte. She graduated from Vermontville High School in 1953. After graduation she married Raymond Hickey. She became a homemaker and together she and Raymond raised their children. In 1983 Jean married Michael Appelman.
Jean worked at the International Seal & Lock in Hastings, Barry County Medical Care Facility, Barry Eaton District Health Department and Nashville Locker.
Mike and Jean loved to travel, going to Australia, New Zealand, England, Alaska, Hawaii, Jamaica, Texas and Mexico and spent many winters in Florida where she loved to shop garage sales, play cards and hang out with friends. Cross stitching and putting puzzles together were also favorite pastimes for Jean.
She is survived by her children, Deb (Jerry) Kemp, Don (Karen) Hickey, Sue (David) Fassett-Musser, Carol (Dale) Simon, and Jamie (Mark) Hess; sister-in-law Betty Appelman; and special nieces Melinda Appelman and Diana Bennett. Jean is also survived by 15 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren and one great great-grandchild.
Jean was preceded in death by her husband of 39 years, Michael; son, Patrick Appelman; brothers, Dale (Bev) Bartholomew, Lloyd (Kate) Bartholomew, Carl (Betty) Bartholomew; and sister Ruth Ann.
Our family wishes to extend a special thank you to their wonderful caregiver Mary Ann Mead and Spectrum Hospital Hospice of Grand Rapids, who took excellent care of our parents.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Daniels Funeral Home – Nashville, conveniently located at 9200 East M-79 Highway, Nashville, MI. For further details please visit our website at www.danielsfuneralhome.net.
Marilyn Joanne McPherson
Marilyn Joanne (Willis) McPherson, age 86, of Eaton Rapids, MI and Leesburg, FL passed away on Tuesday, March 14, 2023.
Marilyn was born in Decker, MI on October 21, 1936. She graduated from Marlette High School and continued on to receive a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Michigan State University.
Marilyn was married to Lloyd (Mac) McPherson on July 11, 1959, they were married 63 years.
Marilyn worked as an educator teaching grades kindergarten through 6th for over 30 years. She enjoyed playing cards, bowling, sewing, baking, and anything to do with family and friends. Marilyn loved the game of golf, playing, competing, and even coaching throughout her life. She was also actively involved in Eastern Star, Jobes Daughters, president and member of women’s golf groups which participated in numerous fundraisers supporting women’s health at Waterman Hospital, Leesburg, FL. With Marilyn’s efforts the group raised more than $20,000 throughout her years.
Marilyn is survived by Lloyd (Mac) McPherson, Chandra (David) Cataline, David (Linda) McPherson; grandchildren: Tyler Cataline, Katie Cataline, Leslie (Brian) Hoskins, Danny (Elise) Hignite; great-grandchildren: Ireland Cataline, Zachary Hoskins, Alice Hoskins and Bowen McCully; nieces and nephews, Ron and Melinda; and other special extended family and friends.
The funeral service will be held in the spring of 2023.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to local charities of your choice in Marilyn’s name.
Linda Kay Bennett
Linda Kay Bennett of Leslie passed away March 12, 2023, at the age of 67. Linda was born in Concord (Jackson) on January 2, 1956, the daughter of Floyd Lee Engle and Zelma Mae (Miller) Norment. She had a love for the outdoors especially when she was getting her hands dirty in her flower beds. She enjoyed listening to her albums and watching baby monkey videos. Most of all she loved being around her family, laughing and having a good time, spoiling her youngest grandson, Bryce, and watching her dog, Tank, play outside.
Linda is survived by her daughter, Hannah (Steve Miller) Pierce of Charlotte; grandchildren, Taylor Johnson, Marissa (Brandon) Hunter, Logan Smith, Kolton Pierce, Bryce Miller; great-grandchildren, Annabeth, Liam and Wrenley; sisters, Bonnie Sue (Steve) Norment-Anderson, Pamela Norment, Bobbie Jo Jacobs; father of her children, Zestill “Zak” (Diana) Johnson. She was preceded in death by her parents, Floyd and Zelma; stepfather, Henry “Hank” Norment; daughter, Jody Lee Johnson; sister, Karen Nobach.
Funeral services were held Friday, March 17th at 11 a.m., at the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel, 518 S. Main St. Eaton Rapids, MI 48827. Visitation was one hour prior to the service. Memorial contribution may be made to the donor’s choice of charity. To leave condolences for the family, please visit our website, www.millsfuneral.com.
Betty Jean Merrow
Betty Jean Merrow, 90, of Bluffton, South Carolina and formerly of Eaton Rapids, Michigan, passed away peacefully, Thursday, March 9, 2023, at her daughter’s home with her family by her side. She was born October 2, 1932, in St. Ignace, Michigan, daughter of Barney and Ollie (Stoll) McCuan. Betty is survived by daughters, Diane (Dennis Dull) Merrow of Bluffton, SC and Sharron (Doug) Mann of Islamorada, FL; grandchildren, Tasha McNerney, Matthew Dow, Christina Covell, Michelle Lape, Marie Dow, Aubrey Dull, and Nathan Dull; great grandchildren, Katelin Dow, Olivia Dow, Sabrina Dow, Kyle Bixby, Briana Bixby, Oliver McNerney, Alisyn Dow, Noah Dow, Baron Covell, Coral Covell, Brooke-lyn Kirsch, Grace Lape, and Lydia Lape; great-great granddaughter, Jupiter Milliron; brother, Billie McCuan of Springfield, MO; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Dossie Merrow in 2013; grandson, Michael Dow in 2020; sister and brother in-law, Maxine and James Thompson; and in-laws, Gloria McCuan and Robert and Minne Merrow. A Funeral Mass for Betty was celebrated Thursday, March 23, at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church in Beal City with Father Thomas Held as celebrant. Following Mass, Betty was laid to rest in Plains Cemetery, Eaton Rapids. On Friday, March 24, on what would have been the 72nd anniversary of her marriage to Doss, the family invited friends to a Celebration of Life Christmas Party and luncheon at 12 p.m. in Lincoln Reception Center, 2300 S. Lincoln Rd., Mt. Pleasant (attached to Charles R. Lux Family Funeral Home). Betty’s request was to have a Christmas Party no matter what time of year it was to celebrate her life. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Toys for Tots. To sign the online guest book or leave a condolence for the family please visit www.CharlesRLux.com.
Randall Gene Klink
Randall Gene Klink of Eaton Rapids, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family and friends, March 9, 2023, at the age of 61. Randall was born in Merced CA, March 10, 1961, the son of William and Darlene (Higgins) Klink. He spent over 20 years working as the maintenance foreman at the VFW National Home for Children in Eaton Rapids. Randy loved cruising around in the car with the windows open, playing his favorite tunes on the radio and reminiscing about the good old days. He enjoyed watching the birds outdoors and growing plants which was a love that was nurtured as a young man on the family farm. More recently, he loved his “not so late night,” watching his sports, game shows and playing cribbage. Randy became a best friend to his grandchildren and the favorite Papa to the neighborhood children. All who knew Randy, knew him as the most kind-hearted, generous, positive, selfless, and hardworking man anyone would ever meet. Randy will also be remembered for the faith, peace, and hope he found in Christ. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends.
Randy is survived by his daughters, Samantha (Ryan) Klink-Haindel of Onondaga, Autumn (Corey) Freeman of Springport, Ashley (Austin) Carmody of Lansing, Nicholas (Alexis) Turner of Eaton Rapids; honorary daughter, Jessica Shepard of Eaton Rapids; brothers, Mike (Beth) Klink of Middletown, CT, Jason (Amy) Garnsay of Eaton Rapids, Darrell Garnsay of Charlotte; sister, Dorothy Whitting of Springport; grandchildren, Britney, James, Aiden, Jeremiah, Haizy, Rayne, Dominic, Blake, Natalie, Bailee, Donovan and Everlei; nieces, Mistelle, Frankie; numerous great nieces, great nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; stepdaughter, Natasha Harrington; step-grandson, Dimitri Harrington; brothers, Rodney Klink, Bud and Curt Garnsay; sister, Sherry Klink; grandparents, Luman and Luella Klink, Elmer and Rachel Higgins.
Memorial services will be 12:00 p.m. Saturday, March 18, 2023, at the Eaton Rapids Community Christian Church, 2487 Michigan Rd., Eaton Rapids, MI 48827. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service. Memorial contributions may be made to the VFW National Home for Children. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel. To leave condolences for the family, please visit our website, www.millsfuneral.com.