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Eskridge, Mildred W.
Williamston, MI
Age 89, passed away on August 16, 2002. She was born on January 5, 1913 in Buchanan, Georgia, the daughter of James and Harriette (Cason) Wade. She worked for a number of years as a Chef and helped build B-29 Bombers in Marietta, GA during WWII. She loved fishing, birdwatching, flower gardening and traveling. She was preceded in death by: husband, Clyde Eskridge; sons, John and Milton Kelley; daughter, Hilda Chauncey; 3 sisters; and 6 brothers. Beloved mother, grandmother, sister leaves behind: daughters, Velta Tate of Williamston and Mildred (Harry) Shaffer of Lakeland, FL; 12 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; sisters, Catherine Bagwell, Vivian Richards and Margie Wren; brother, Eugene Wade; numerous nieces and nephews; and daughter-in-law, Marlene Kelley. Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m., on Monday, August 19, 2002 at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel with the Rev. Dean Prentiss of Williamston United Methodist Church officiating. Interment will follow in East Lawn Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends from 4-7 p.m., on Sunday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice.
Johns, Dennis Owen
Holt, MI
On July 4, 2003, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He was born on January 22, 1916 in England, to Frederick and May Johns. He was a fork lift operator for General Motors, and was a member of UAW Local #652. Mr. Johns was an avid hunter and fisherman, and was a member of the NRA. He was a veteran of WWII, serving in the U.S. Navy on the U.S.S. Frost, DE144. He was an avid gardener, and supported several charities. Mr. Johns was a member of the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1934. Surviving are: 3 daughters, Kay Rose of Lansing, Teri Fletcher and Roger DeYarmond of Holt, and Denise (Daniel) Shadduck of Holt; 2 sons, Kent Johns of Fenwick and Jeffrey (Connie) Johns of St. Johns; 20 grandchildren; 28 great grandchildren; 1 great-great grandchild; 3 sisters-in-law, Marge Johns, Donna Jean Boughner, and Ardyce Thompson; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Navis; 2 brothers, Glen and Russell; and sister, Gladys. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 9, 2003, at the Estes-Leadley Holt/Delhi Chapel, with Pastor Jack Quaid officiating. Interment will follow in Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 3-5 and 7-9 p.m. Tuesday. Memorial contributions may be made to the Paralyzed Veterans of America.
Backus, Margaret “Peg”
Lansing, MI
Age 80, passed away on January 8, 2003. She was born on July 2, 1922 in Wendell, ID, the daughter of Leslie G. and Georgia (Avery) Perry. Margaret was Past President of the Sparrow Hospital Auxiliary; Past President of the Lansing Child Study Club; and a member of the Grandmother’s Club. She was preceded in death by: husband, Robert Backus; infant son, Gregory Backus; and sisters, Grace Hergert and Fran Hewett. She is survived by: sons, Stephen Backus of Las Vegas, NV, Daniel (Mary) Backus of Mason, MI, William Backus of East Lansing, MI, Richard (Paula) Backus, James (Cathy) Backus, both of Charlotte, MI, and John (Debbie) Backus of Holt, MI; daughter, Nancy (James) Kopietz of Charlotte, MI; 18 grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren; and sisters-in-law, Ruth Hoppe and Anne McGuffey. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 11, 2003 at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Sparrow Hospital Auxiliary or the American Cancer Society.
Babcock, Shirley
Lansing, Michigan
Age 79, Shirley passed away on Monday, February 28, 2005 at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, MI. Shirley was born on January 24, 1926 in Albion, MI, the daughter of Gardner and Lula Allen. She was an avid sports fan, and was particularly fond of professional baseball and college football and basketball. She had just returned from Las Vegas, her favorite destination. Shirley worked for many years at Hudson’s and Marshall Field’s Department Stores. She was married to George W. Babcock, Jr. on June 5, 1948, and was widowed in 1985. She is survived by her children Sherry (Dominic) Piacenti of Lansing, Michigan; Robert (Debra) Babcock of Ypsilanti, Michigan; and Bruce (Betsy) Babcock of Coconut Creek, Florida. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Jennifer (Jack) Schick, Tony (Tammie) Piacenti, Laura, Lindsey, Rachael, Stephen, and James Babcock, and her great-grandchildren, Carson and Jackson Schick and Dominic Piacenti. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 5, 2005 at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel. The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until service time on Saturday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Ele’s Place in memory of Shirley Babcock.
Stauffer, Cecelia R.
Lansing, MI
Age 98, passed away on March 11, 2003. She was born on January 5, 1905 in Fort Wayne, IN to Lawrence and Ann (Jansen) Bilski. She married Carl Edward Stauffer on September 19, 1928 in Fort Wayne, IN. He passed away in 1948, she then moved to East Lansing in 1950. She was then a house mother at Theta Chi House and MSU Dorms for 22 years. She was a long time member of First Presbyterian Church, joining in 1954, a member of the Missions Sewing Group and Women’s Bible Study of First Presbyterian Church. She is survived by: son, Gordon (Norma) Stauffer of Fort Lauderdale, FL; daughter-in-law, Carolyn Stauffer of Lansing; grandchildren, Nita (Fred) Haggart of Terra Haute, IN, Sherry (Gary) Lovinger and Terry Stauffer, both of Fort Wayne, IN, Cecilia (John) Anderson of Mason, Amy (Arthur) Celentino of Lansing, and Gregory (Colleen) Stauffer of Conover, NC; great grandchildren, Erica Pizza, Alison and Matthew Lovinger, Beka and Matthew Anderson, Phillip Celentino and Katie Nicole Stauffer; great great grandson, Trevor Ley. She was also preceded in death by her son, Ronald Stauffer. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 510 W. Ottawa, Lansing, on Tuesday, March 18, 2003 with the Rev. Anthony A. Patrick officiating. Inurnment in Lindenwood Cemetery, Fort Wayne, IN. The family will receive visitors from 10:00 a.m. until service time at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Lansing.
Crippen, Wendell Keith
Lansing, MI
Age 53, passed away on August 15, 2003. He was born on November 5, 1949 in Mason, the son of Wendell Charles and Lavina (Viancour) Crippen. Wendell was a veteran of the United States Army. He loved animals and enjoyed spending time with his pets. He also was an avid Tigers Fan and enjoyed watching WCW Wrestling and playing video games. He was preceded in death by his father, Wendell Charles Crippen and his mother-in-law, Juanita Cardinal. Surviving are: his wife, Karen; mother, Lavina Crippen of Holt; sisters, Carol (Rodney) Rose of Uniontown, OH and Diane (Timothy) Drier of Holt; brothers, Ronald Crippen of Florida, Donald (Paulette) Crippen of Charlotte and Raymond Crippen of Arizona; and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, August 18, 2003 at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel, with Elder James C. Reed officiating. Interment will follow in Maple Grove Cemetery in Mason. The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Capital Area Humane Society in memory of Wendell K. Crippen.
Crofts, William George
Grayling, MI
Formerly of Bath, MI
Age 91, passed away May 17, 2003. He was born in Olive Township, MI on April 4, 1912 and had lived in Bath for 60 years, moving to Grayling in 1972. He was employed at Motor Wheel Corp. for 28 years, retiring in 1970. He was an avid sportsman and a wonderful family man. He was preceded in death by his wife Ida V. Crofts in 1977. Surviving are: Daughter, Faye (Ronald) Wellfare and Son, Carl R. (Bethany) Crofts both of Bath; 4 Grandchildren, Lisa (Peter) Angus of Ann Arbor, David Wellfare of Bath, William Crofts and Katie Crofts both of Bath; 4 Great Grandchildren, Lachlan, Audrey; Carli and Graham; Caregiver, Eunice Weaver of Frederick. Funeral Services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 21, 2003 in the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel, with The Rev. Thomas VanDyke officiating. Interment will follow at Rose Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Michigan; 128 N. Court St.; Gaylord, MI 49735 or to the American Cancer Society.
Draper, Randy T.
Lansing, MI
Age 51, passed away on January 30, 2003. He was born on May 19, 1951 in Lansing, and lived in Lansing all of his life. Mr. Draper was a member of the Eaton County Buck Club. He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Gayle; 3 sons, Donald and Daniel (Crystal) Draper, all of Lansing and Dennis (Mindy) of Tennessee; 4 grandchildren; father, Donald Draper of Oregon; 2 brothers, Rick (Linda) Draper of Oregon and Greg (Kathy) Meredith of Onondaga; and 1 sister, Renae McMann of Lansing. He is preceded in death by his mother, Ellen Draper. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, February 3, 2003, at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel, with The Rev. Dr. William Barber officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Sunday. Memorial contributions may be made to the family in memory of Randy Draper.
