Obituaries
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.
Emmett Gooch
Emmett “Joe” Gooch, a proud father and even more proud grandfather, passed away on August 25, 2023, at the age of 75, surrounded by his family at his home in Vermontville, Michigan. He attended Midland High School and was drafted to serve in the Vietnam War after graduation. After returning from the war, he worked for General Motors before starting his career as a Deputy for the Eaton County Sheriff’s Office. He retired after 25 years as a Deputy and went on to serve as a District Court Bailiff for several years.
Joe’s pride and joy in life was his family, and he spent the last several years teaching his grandsons Will and Levi to hunt, fish, play baseball, and enjoy the property they all shared. He also enjoyed camping with them at the Mackinaw Mill Creek Campground on Lake Huron or the Jellystone Campground in Angola, Indiana.
Joe is survived by his wife of over 39 years, Teresa; children, Allie (Jon) Whitford, and Kim (Bill) Fillmore; grandchildren, William and Levi Whitford, Sean Carter, and Joel Engel.
At Joe’s request, there will be no memorial service. In lieu of flowers or other gifts, donations may be made in Joe’s name to the Back-to-School Event at the Eaton Clothing and Furniture Center or Compassus Lansing Michigan Hospice Care.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Daniels Funeral Home-Nashville, conveniently located at 9200 East M79 Highway in Nashville, MI. For further details please visit our website at danielsfuneralhome.net.
Cindy Lee Herlein
Cindy Lee Herlein, a strong-willed wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and Christian, died surrounded by her loving family on Thursday, August 24, 2023, after a courageous battle with a rare form of cancer. Cindy, 60, of Olivet was born on June 7, 1963, in Hastings, the daughter of Roland “Bud” and Joan (Hummell) Bair. She graduated college from the Grand Rapids School of Bible and Music, and later graduated from Argubright Business College earning a Business Degree. On September 30, 1989, Cindy married the love of her life, Phil Herlein, and together they spent the next 34 years creating lasting memories. Cindy worked for Northwestern Michigan College for 10 years until she and Phil moved to Olivet. She then began working for the Olivet Public Schools where she has worked for the last 16 years. Cindy was all about education and being able to work with children. Her devotion to the Lord was very important to Cindy, she attended the First Baptist Church in Charlotte and the Leslie First Baptist Church.
Cindy loved making trips to Shipshewana and to different garage sales around the country. She was a very frugal person and always looked for the best deal. Cindy was a Master Couponer and would spend her Sunday clipping out coupons from the newspaper. Other hobbies that she enjoyed were feeding the birds, reading, baking, cooking, tending to her vegetable and flower gardens, and most importantly helping people in need. Above all Cindy loved being with her family, especially her grandchildren.
Cindy is survived by her husband, Phil; children, Kurtis (Felicia) Herlein, Alex (Rachel) Herlein, Tyler Canterbury; grandchildren, Eloise, Dawson, and Theo; mother, Joan Bair; siblings, Jody (Dan) Bivens, Earl (Jenny) Bair, Renee (Glen) Creek; dear friends, Deb Schwab, and Jeanna Ruthruff. She was predeceased by her father, Bud Bair.
Friends are encouraged to support Cindy’s family by sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Youth Haven Camp in Rives Junction. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.