All Obituaries

Frances Montene (Nelson) Mort of Lansing, Passed away peacefully on Sunday morning, April 25, 2021 at the age of 91. Fran was born in Cullman, Alabama on October 9, 1929, the daughter of John and Lena (Fallin) Nelson. Fran was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Lansing and belonged to the Capital City Quilt Guild for 27 years and was known as the “Quilt Lady” by many. She was involved in the exercise class at the Lansing Mall Food Court for 17 years and volunteered...

Obituary is pending at this time. 

Cesar Ruiz of Lansing, Michigan, Born September 17, 1980 sadly passed away April 18, 2021 at the age of 40. Cesar was a talented, caring, loving, and often funny father, son, brother, uncle, and nephew. Cesar is preceded in death by his father, Bill Turpin and mother, Sally Ruiz. Surviving to cherish his memory are his children, Damon, Tori, Marquis and Kinston; older sister, Dominica; younger brothers, Salvador, and William as well as many other family and friends. Funeral services will...

John William Akley Jr. of Lansing, Passed away April 10, 2021 at the age of 43. John was born in Lansing on December 20, 1977, the son of John Akley Sr. and Harveline (Banks) Akley. He graduated from Everett High School and attended Lansing Community College where he earned his Associates Degree in Computer Science. John worked at Meijer for a number of years before retiring and his hobbies included playing the guitar, glass blowing and riding his motorcycle. John is survived by his...

Sharon Olive Southwell, of The Villages in Florida, formerly of Eaton Rapids, Passed away peacefully on April 7, 2021, at the age of 82. Sharon was born in Eaton Rapids, September 25, 1938, the daughter of Oliver and Olive (Baker) Goodrich. She lived most of her life in Eaton Rapids and was a 1956 graduate of Eaton Rapids High School. Sharon married David in 1959 and they were inseparable until his passing in 2015. She moved to The Villages in 2019, where she enjoyed warm memories of the...

Jerrilynn “Jerry” Kay Wilson of Eaton Rapids, Passed away April 6, 2021 at the age of 77. Jerry was born in Battle Creek, Michigan on September 3, 1943, the daughter of Harry and Bernadine (Bushre) Irish. She was a 1961 graduate of Charlotte High School. Jerry considered herself a farmer’s wife but that didn’t mean she wasn’t driving tractors and picking stones. She enjoyed quilting, canning vegetables and baking. Jerry is survived by her husband, David;...

Herman Bert Elston of Lansing, Passed away April 5, 2021 at the age of 70. Herman was born in Eaton Rapids, Michigan on October 11, 1950, the son of Robert and Hilda (Getter) Elston. He loved the outdoors and in his younger years he enjoyed hunting with his beagles, raised chickens and goats.   Herman is survived by his fiancé, Christine Burgess; children, Andrew Elston and Alicia Elston; 9 grandchildren; sisters, Brenda Elston, Linda Brininstool, and Janice Place; numerous...

Shimaun Torrez Thurman-Gilbert of Eaton Rapids, Passed away April 1, 2021 at the age of 47. Shimaun was born in Lansing, Michigan on July 5, 1973, the son of Raymond Gilbert and Shirley Thurman-Johnson. He married Michelle Carothers on June 6, 2008. Shimaun enjoyed writing stories as well as movie scripts. He loved his football, coaching and watching. If MSU, the Steeler or the Lions were playing he was watching. Shimaun will be dearly missed by his friends and family. Words from his...

Joyce Yvonne Dunn Schmidt went home to Jesus on March 30, 2021 at the age of 83. Joyce was born to Nora Louise and George Dunn on April 11, 1937 in Dermott, Arkansas. She met William Thomas Schmidt on a blind date in Memphis, Tennessee and immediately knew Tom was “the one”. Tom and Joyce were married for 59 years and had three children: David, Deborah, and Pamela. In addition to being a loving wife and mother, Joyce graduated from the Methodist Hospital School of Nursing...

Maxine (McDaniel) Crafton of Eaton Rapids, Passed away March 28, 2021 at the age of 93. She was born in Fredonia, Kansas on February 29, 1928, the daughter of Oscar and Della (Mallonee) McDaniel. Maxine was a member of Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church and The Jean Bradford Kline Senior Center. She enjoyed baking, any type of needlework, vegetable gardening, playing games, including Bunco and occasionally Fire Keepers Casino. Maxine is survived by her children, Darlene, Donald (Susan...