Search Archived Marriage Records
Diana P. Benson
Diana P. Benson (also known as Bristol, Matonis, Bolin and Bolinski) died November 27, 1998. She was born October 9, 1930. She was loving grandmother to Ian, Jamie, Chelsea & Seth Matonis as well as great-grandmother to Kelsey and Devin.
She is survived by her loving husband, Leslie, of Rive Junction; Garth and Ilene Matonis of Eaton Rapids; Jeff & Jennifer Matonis of Charlotte, NC; Gilman Bolin of Oscoda, MI; Nancy Bolin-Romanski of Annapolis, MD; and Dr. Stanley Bolin of McLean, VA.
At her request, Diana’s body was gifted to MSU Medical Science Program, and there will be no burial service. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to the American Cancer Society or a charity of your choice in memory of Diana P. Benson.
P. Arden Berry
P. Arden Berry, age 84, of Houghton Lake, died July 30, 1998 at his home. He was born Oct. 12, 1913, in Adrian, MI, the son of Frank Berry and Irene (Cheeseboro) Berry. He married Doris Tingley on Aug. 8, 1936 in Jackson, MI. He resided in Houghton Lake since 1957 when moving there from Pittsford, MI. Mr. Berry worked as an inspector for the Michigan Department of Transportation and retired in 1976. He was the Hillsdale County Road Commissioner for several years, a member of Addison United Methodist Church, a life member of the Elks in Hillsdale, Past Master and life member of the Masonic Lodge in Addison and Past Patron and life member of the Eastern Star.
Surviving are his wife of nearly 62 years, Doris; a son, William (Lynn) Berry of Eaton Rapids; a daughter, Kay (James) Trosper of Eaton Rapids; 9 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Saturday, August 1, 1998 at Christler Funeral Home in Houghton Lake with the Rev. Bradford K. Lewis officiating. Interment was at Roscommon Twp. Cemetery.
Those desiring, may make contributions to either the American Heart Assoc. or Amicare Hospice in memory of P. Arden Berry.
Stephanie G. Betterly
Stephanie Grace Betterly, 18, of Eaton Rapids died Jan. 29, 1998.
Miss Betterly was born June 27, 1979, in Lansing, the daughter of Steve and Mary Betterly of Eaton Rapids. She was a senior at Eaton Rapids High School and employed by LSSM in Holt. She was involved with numerous activities, including dance, go-carting, 4-H, dog breeding and showing, softball, color guard, band, and choir.
She is survived by her parents; two sisters, Stacey and Sara Betterly; her grandparents, Shirley and Richard Slocum of Okemos and Wilfred “Radio” Betterly and Jean Rhodes, both of Lansing, Marilyn and Robert Evans of Oscoda, and William Jones of Otisville; her great-grandparents, Ruth Slocum of Perry, Mrs. Sanford Evans of Flint, and Mr. and Mrs. Irving Jones of Otisville; seven aunts, Cynthia Brown, Robin Chapman, and Lezlea Jones, all of Lansing, Melissa (Kirk) Chauncy of Holt, Ruth (Steve) Stedge of Las Vegas, Nev., Kristin (Tom) Gladney of Portage, and Tracey Moses of Eaton Rapids; two uncles, Mark Jones of Lansing and Shannon (Jamie) Jones of Flint; several grand aunts and grand uncles, including Lee and Beth Rockafellow of Perry and Keith and Linda Rockafellow of the Upper Peninsula; and two God uncles, Lon Carney and Jeffery Cornell.
She was preceded in death by one uncle, Tony Jones in 1982, and her grandparents, Moose Evans and Russell and Mary Rockafellow.
Services were Feb. 2 at the First United Methodist Church, Eaton Rapids, with Pastor Mike Fretenborough, Pastor Dennis Perkins, and the Rev. Ron Judge officiating. Interment was in the Munger Cemetery, Eaton Rapids.
Arrangements were made by the Shelly-Odell Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids.
Leon Betz
Leon “Joe” Betz, 97, of Charlotte, formerly of Narrow Lake for 38 years, died Friday, Dec. 4, 1998.
Mr. Betz was born March 5, 1901 in Eaton County the son of Charles and Julia Betz. He worked 25 years at the Wilcox-Gay Corporation in Charlotte, City of Charlotte, and Dowding Tool of Narrow Lake as a tool maker. He was the oldest member of the Charlotte Eagles #3552 and was a veteran of World War II, U.S. Army.
He is survived by two sons, Charles (Edna) Betz, of Bellevue and James, of Charlotte; three granddaughters, Tamyra (Leroy) Davis and Mary Jo Betz, both of Charlotte, and Barbara Betz; two grandsons, Timothy Betz and Rodney Betz of Nashville; seven great-grandchildren; one brother, Charles Wayne (Doris) Betz of Grand Rapids; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary (Bates) Betz in 1987; one sister, Beulah Anderson; and three brothers, Dale, Arthur, and Kenneth.
Services were held Dec. 7 at the Pray Funeral Home with the Rev. Arthur Salisbury officiating. Interment was at the Needmore Cemetery in Eaton County. Arrangements were made by Pray Funeral Home.
Dorothy Binns
Dorothy Mary Bins, 94, died Monday, Sept. 7, 1998 at the Wilson Adult Foster Home in Ionia.
Mrs. Binns was born Oct. 6, 1903 in Eagle Township, Clinton County, the daughter of Charles and Annie Rathfoot. She attended Partlow Country School and graduated from Grand Ledge High School. She married her husband, Orville, in 1924, and they farmed in the Mulliken and Sunfield areas. She was a member of the Sunfield United Brethren in Christ Church and wintered in Fla., enjoyed five trips to Alaska, flowers and her gardens.
She is survived by four sons, Dale (Darlene) of Mulliken, Gordon (Beverly) of Sunfield, Donald (Marjorie) of Charlotte, and Maurice (Faith) of Midland; 11 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Margaret Seavolt of Sunfield. She was preceded in death by her husband, Orville, in 1994; and one great-grandson.
Services were held Sept. 10 at the Sunfield United Brethren in Christ Church with the Rev. Harold Cherry officiating. Interment was in the Danby Cemetery, Mulliken. Arrangements were made by Rosier Funeral Home, Mapes-Fisher Chapel, Sunfield.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sunfield United Brethren in Christ Church or the Ionia County Hospice.
Edna W. Birch
Edna W. (Filbert) Birch, 89, of Charlotte died March 1, 1998.
Mrs. Birch was born March 23, 1908, in Jewell, Iowa, the daughter of George Edward and Isabel (Cochran) Whitinger. She worked as a homemaker and was a member of the First Lutheran Church.
She is survived by her son, Chuck (Glenda) Filbert of Charlotte; and two daughters, Dorothy Shattuck of Charlotte and Donna (William) Tellas of Pickford; 13 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; brother, George Whitinger of Lyons.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, John Filbert; her second husband, Lewis Birch; one daughter, Evelyn Cole; and three grandchildren.
Services were March 4 at the First Lutheran Church, Charlotte, with the Rev. John Bookshaw officiating. Interment was in Center Eaton Cemetery. Arrangements were made by Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Lutheran Church.
Hazel C. Blackburn
Hazel C. Blackburn, 90, of Charlotte passed away Feb. 19, 1998, at the Eaton County Medical Care Facility of Charlotte.
Mrs. Blackburn was born Nov. 15, 1907, in Ashley, the daughter of Bert E. and Maude M. (Insley) Kimmel. She married J.D. Blackburn on March 7, 1933. She graduated from Acme Business College in Lansing as a stenographer and doing substitute teaching at a Detroit Public School, she was a homemaker. Mrs. Blackburn was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Lansing, but recently had membership in the Lawrence Avenue Church of Charlotte.
She is survived by her daughter, Nancy L. (Vance) Cheeseman of Vermontville; one grandchild, Penny L. (Ronald) Carrero of Charlotte; one sister, Edna (Laurence) Patterson of Largo, Fla.; and nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, J.D. Blackburn.
Funeral services were Feb. 23 at the Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church, Charlotte, with the Rev. George Fleming officiating. Interment was in Deepdale Memorial Gardens. Arrangements were made by Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Joyce M. Blakney
Joyce M. Blakney, 60, of Olivet died Oct. 14, 1998.
Mrs. Blakney was born in Union City, Tenn., the daughter of Doice and Ophelia (Ring) Perry. She was employed at Hayes Green Beach Hospital, Charlotte. She was a member of the Gresham United Methodist Church.
She is survived by special friend, Charles Long; one daughter, Julie (C.J.) VanSyckle of Olivet; four sons, Don (Pam) of Vermontville, Tim (Terry) of Charlotte, and Steve (Laura) of Marshall; 12 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; one brother, Clinton (Carole) Perry of Charlotte; an aunt, Gladys Williams of Lansing; and an uncle, Dale (Mary) Perry of Panama City, Fla.
She was preceded in death by her parents and one son, John, in 1967.
Services were Oct. 17 at the Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte. Interment was in the Bosworth Cemetery.
