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Harold Otis Barton
Harold O. Barton, age 97 of Onondaga died Wednesday, May 23, 2007 at the Eaton Community Hospice in Charlotte. He was born August 28,1909 in Parma Township the son of Ira and Eva (Bardon) Barton. Harold was a likfe long farmer in the Onondaga area. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, farming or any activity outside and enjoyed Harness Racing. Preceding him in death was his wife Rose; daughter-in-law, Doris Bienz; 2 brothers, John and Lester Barton and a sister, Rumina Barney.
He is survived by his stepson, DeWaine Bienz of Eaton Rapids; grandchildren, Diane Bienz of Eaton Rapids, Susan (Jim) Gray of Onondaga, Carl (Jill) Bienz of Eaton Rapids; 3 great grandchildren; great nephew, Carl (Margaret) Calhoun of Jackson and great niece Lori (Shane) Snavley of Albion and long time companion, Tess Dunlap of Onondaga.
Funeral services were held on May 30, 2007 from the Skinner Funeral Home in Eaton Rapids. Burial followed in the Oakwood Cemetery in Eaton Rapids.
Jude Joseph L. Bauer
Judge Joseph L. Bauer, 96, of Charlotte, died Wednesday, Feb. 7. 2007. Mr. Bauer was born April 5, 1910 in Jackson, the son of Louis and Salina (Ottney) Bauer and had been a Charlotte resident most of his life.
He was a graduate of Charlotte High School and attended University of Michigan where he received his B.A. in literature and graduated from law school in 1936. He practiced law with his brother, Homer Bauer in Charlotte for many years, had served as an Eaton County Prosecuting Attorney, and later was elected 56th District Judge from where he retired in 1984 after serving for 14 years. He served as a Captain in the U. S. Army Infantry during World War II and later during the Korean War. He was a member of the Michigan and Eaton County Bar Associations, the Charlotte Masonic Lodge, the Charlotte Lions Club and attended the First Congregational Church in Charlotte.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Martha E. (Peters) Bauer; brother, Homer Bauer; and sister, Loretta Kirtland.
Surviving are two sons, Robert M. Bauer of Charlotte and James L. Bauer of New Orleans, La.
A service celebrating his life was held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13 at the Burkhead-Green Funeral Home, Charlotte with Judge Thomas Eveland, Judge Paul Berger and Attorney, David Smith officiating. Private interment was in the Maple Hill Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to the First Congregational Church. Envelopes available at the Funeral Home.
Doris A. Beam
Doris Alta (Mapes) Beam, 86, of Charlotte and formerly of Bellevue, died June 23, 2007.
She was born July 2, 1920, the daughter of Lee W. and Josephine (Hamilton) Mapes in Assyria Township, Barry County. She attended Mayo country school and graduated from Bellevue High School in 1938. She married Darrold James Beam on May 7, 1938. He died in 1992. Doris and her husband spent 34 winters in Sarasota, Florida. Her later winters were spent with family in Tampa, Fla. Lucy, the cat, went south with Doris for several years and was her constant companion and friend.
Doris was employed by the Kellogg Company in Battle Creek and Church's Market in Bellevue. She resided in Bellevue for 60 years before moving to Charlotte.
Doris was a home person. She loved family and was close to all her grandchildren. She had many friends. Doris was an avid reader and letter writer and she also accomplished many hand crafts including the lost art of tatting. She loved the challenge of a good crossword puzzle and completed them daily.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Darrold J. Beam; her parents; brothers, Dene Mapes, and Dale Mapes; sisters, Beryl Murphy and Beulah Bland and grandson, Van Groner.
Doris is survived by her sons, Lee (Martha) Beam of Charlotte, Douglas (Ellen) Beam of Tampa, Fla.; daughter, Carol (Gary) Marsh of Charlotte; 10 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren; brother, David (June) Mapes of Bellevue; and sister, Leah (Robert) Berkimer of Nashville.
Services were held June 28 at the funeral home, Pastor Steve Olmstead, officiating. Interment, Riverside Cemetery, Bellevue. Memorial donations may go to the Bellevue Memorial Scholarship Fund.
The family is being served by Shaw Funeral Home, Lehman Chapel, Bellevue.
Phillip Beard
Phillip Beard, 69, of Bellevue, and formerly of Battle Creek, died April 17, 2007 after a long illness, surrounded by his family and friends, at his home where he wished to be. He was born November 23, 1937 in Nashville, the son of Harry and Rachael (Smith) Beard.
Phil graduated from Nashville High School and served honorably in the U.S. Army. He was married to Elsie Vogt in the Congregational Church in Olivet on October 2, 1965. She survives. Phil retired from Clark Equipment Company in Battle Creek, after 29 3/4 years as a millwright. He also worked at the National Food stores and the Gamble Company. He was a former member of the Army Reserves and of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles.
Phillip loved to do things with his family especially his grandchildren. He also loved to go out to eat with his friends, and go fishing and boating at Lacey Lake where he resided.
He was preceded in death by his father, Harry Beard.
In addition to his wife, Elsie, he is survived by sons, Scott (Laurie) Beard of Victorville, California, Mark (Janet) Beard of Charlotte, and Jeff (Diane) Slocum of Woodland, Michigan; grandchildren, Lexie (Justin) Smith, Stacy Slocum, Kirsten Hayes, Zachary Beard, Matthew Beard, Abby Beard, Gabby Beard; and a great-grandson, Tristen Smith; his mother, Rachael Beard of Nashville; sisters, Kate Painter of Battle Creek, Barbara Sitzman of Ashland, Ohio, Betty (Butch) Hooghouse of Charlotte, and Janet (Jim) Jarman of Nashville. He is also survived by favorite nieces and nephews, Larry (Rae) Rollins, Harry (Sandy) Rollins, Lewis Hooghouse, and Gary (Char) Vogt.
Learn more about this wonderful man by watching a slide presentation 10:00 a.m. May 5, 2007 at the Bellevue United Methodist Church, 122 West Capital Avenue in Bellevue. A memorial service in Phil's honor at will take place at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, led by Pastor Virginia Heller. Private interment will be held at Fort Custer National Cemetery at a later date.
Larry Rollins, Harry Rollins, Michael Rollins, Lewis Hooghouse, Gary Vogt, and Zachary Beard will be honorary pallbearers for Phil.
Memorials may go to Bellevue United Methodist Church for the "barrier-free" fund. The family is being served by the Shaw Funeral Home, Lehman Chapel, Bellevue. .
Kenneth Allen Beardslee
Kenneth Allen Beardslee, 76, of Milford, Ind., died March 5, 2007 at his home. Ken was born Dec. 7, 1930 in Woodville to Roy and Gladys (Miller) Beardslee.
Ken married Marilene O. (Handy) Beardslee on Dec. 9, 1961 in Vermontville. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean Conflict. He spent 25 years in professional baseball with the New York Yankees and the Pittsburgh Pirates. As a prep pitcher in Michigan, he set seven United States all-time records. In professional baseball, Ken won a total of 64 games with the Yankees organization while losing only 24. He then entered the Pittsburgh Pirates scouting department where he remained for over 20 years. During the course of his time with the Pirates, he became a scouting supervisor, handìhng alì9scouting operations in the Midwest. Ken also ran a summer baseball camp in Midland and at North Manchester College for over 18 years.
Ken has five baseball books publishes, including his autobiography entitled, "Little Field on the Corner." Along with the baseball books, he has published three poetry books. Known for being a kind and gentle man, his joy came from his family, baseball, embracing the beauty of nature, writing his books, and of course, his beloved poetry. Ken Beardslee was a classy man who always wore a classy hat.
He is preceded in death by both parents; a sister, Betty Beardslee, Michigan; and a brother, Keith Beardslee, Michigan.
Surviving are his wife, Marilene; son, Cary Beardslee of Warsaw, Ind.; son, Craig Beardslee of San Diego, Calif.; sister, Beverly Beardslee of Grandville; and sister, Phyllis (Beardslee) Loucks of Charlotte.
Services are private. Memorials may be sent to the Milford Public Library, 101 N. Main St., Milford, IN 46542.
Eldon Beckner
Eldon H. Beckner, 85, of Bellevue, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, Aug. 11, 2007, at W. Drive North Assisted Living. Eldon, the son of Ira and Lydia (Heckley) Beckner, was born Sept. 24, 1921, in Bellevue.
Eldon was a farmer and retired from Hoover Ball Bearing in Charlotte. He also worked as a sales clerk at Gambles of Bellevue and Aluminum Extrusions of Charlotte. Eldon was a member of Bellevue Commercial Club, Eaton County Farm Bureau, Michigan Milk Producers, the Whirlaways, and Methodist Men's Club. Until his death, Eldon's membership in Bellevue United Methodist Church was the longest of all active members. Eldon enjoyed camping, playing card games with family and friends, and daily visits to the Riverside Café.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Dana; and a sister, Ilo Berry.
On Aug. 21, 1943 Eldon married Elnora Ruth Barker, and she survives. Also surviving are two sons, Gilbert (Linda) Beckner of Bellevue and Tom (Marge) Beckner of Litchfield; a sister, Marjorie Otto of Texas, five grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
A Memorial Service was held Aug. 16, at Bellevue United Methodist Church with Pastor Virginia Heller officiating.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to Bellevue United Methodist Church Barrier Free Elevator Fund.
Arrangements are by J. Kevin Tidd Funeral Home, 811 Finley Drive, Albion.
Richard J. Beilfuss
Richard J. Beilfuss, 79, of Olivet, died Sunday, Jan. 14, 2007 in Lansing. Mr. Beilfuss was born Feb. 6, 1927 in Albion, the son of Herman and Thelma (Boldt) Beilfuss and had been a life resident of the Albion and Springport area.
He was a graduate of Albion High School and had served in the US Navy during World War II. He was a meat cutter by trade, was a member of First Lutheran Church of Charlotte and was a member of the American Legion.
He is survived by his wife, Ruth M. (Moening) Beilfuss; children, Richard P. Beilfuss of Homer, Brenda (David) Heselschwerdt of Homer and Ronnie Beilfuss of Charlotte; step-children, Richard (Phyllis) Fhaner of Dresden, Tenn., Ann (Jim) Neuman of Shelby and Carolyn (Russ) Carroll of Ludington; 14 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Cremation has taken place. Memorial services were held Jan. 17 at the First Lutheran Church in Charlotte with Pastor Timothy Olson officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Lutheran Church for new hymnals.
Arrangements by Burkhead-Green Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Gina Ellen Belfiori
Gina Ellen Belfiori of Eaton Rapids, age 48, passed away as the result of an auto accident. Gina was born September 9, 1958 in Detroit, MI, the daughter of Joseph Francis and Helen Louise (Palmer) Belfiori. She was the owner and operator of Bel-Fiori’s Rose Shoppe in Eaton Rapids. Gina was a proud, kind and generous member of our Eaton Rapids community. Preceded in death by her parents; 2 sisters, Evelyn Belfiori and Louise Ahlteen.
Gina is survived by her daughter, Evelyn Grace Streeter; and son, Dolan Joseph “DJ” Waters, both of Eaton Rapids; sisters, Valerie (Thomas) Kunkel of Eaton Rapids and Maria (Paul) Clos of White Lake; and several nieces & nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, August 31, 2007 at the Shelly-Odell Funeral Home, 518 S. Main, Eaton Rapids. The family will receive friends and family on Wednesday and Thursday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the Funeral Home.
Rev. Howard A. Belknap
Rev. Howard A. Belknap, 89, of East Lansing, went home to be with his Lord on March 30, 2007. Howard was born to Edward and Grace Belknap Aug. 8, 1917 in Manistique.
Howard graduated from Central High School in 1935 and played professional baseball for the Chicago White Sox organization from 1938 - 1941. Rev. Belknap pastored Graham Community Church in Lainsgburg and Walker Memorial Bible Church in Lansing. He assisted Dr. Sugden as a Minister of Calling at South Baptist Church. Howard never retired from doing the Lords work. Howard worked at Motor Wheel for 36 years, he was a board member of the Lansing City Rescue Mission and Lansing Christian School. Howard was a greeter for Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes. Howard's passion in life was to be a man of God that reflected the love of Jesus to each and every person that he met and to be a devoted family man that would pass on that heritage to generations to come. He loved sports and fishing and spending time outdoors.
Rev. Belknap was preceded in death by three brothers, Rolland, Kenneth and Clinton.
Surviving are his spouse of 65 years, Frances; daughter, Patricia Diane Mills; three sons, Roger (Lisa), Howard (Debbie) Jr., Stephen (Jo Ann); 14 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; one brother, Lyle (Marie) Belknap; and several nieces and nephews.
The celebration of life was held April 3 at 11 a.m. at South Church, 5250 Cornerstone Dr., Lansing with the Rev. Don Denyes and the Rev. David D. Brooks officiating. Interment followed in Deepdale Memorial Gardens, Lansing. Those desiring may make contributions to South Church, in memory of Rev. Belknap.
