Beverly J. Erickson passed away peacefully on January 12, 2024, while holding the hand of her son Dean. She had recently moved to Evergreen Terrace in Big Rapids after a fall at home.

Beverly married the love of her life, Theodore “Jr.” Erickson on May 3, 1958. They built their home in Grant Center from the ground up and lived there for their entire lives, raising their sons and enjoying their grandchildren. Bev and Jr. made many friends in the community and were thankful to live near enough to Juniors parents to be helpful to them in their later years. Bev’s best friend, Edna Langworthy, lived “just up the road” and they visited each other several times a day.

Bev loved to mow her lawn and tend to her flowers. As soon as the grass was tall enough to mow, you would find her riding around and around to make it perfect. She had her “path” and would supervise and direct if anyone else mowed her yard. Bev loved watching birds from her kitchen windows and had several feeders and suet hangers. The squirrels, possums, deer and raccoons liked her feeders as well, and it was always up to Dean to figure out how to keep them out of her bird feeders.

Her best times were spent with family and friends. She went on several short trips with her sisters-in-law and spent weekends with her sister Wanda as often as she was able. If she had any extra money, you could find her at the local casino where she enjoyed trying to beat the slot machines.

Bev was preceded in death by Junior in September of 1998. Losing her one and only love was devastating but she moved forward, supported by her family and friends. She also lost her mother and father Mae (Domalske) and Elmer Earnest, her brothers, Joe Earnest, Richard Earnest, Robert “Bob” Earnest, her sister Wanda Watson, her grandson Shawn Erickson when he was just seven, her sisters-in-law, Roseanne Quast, Nancy Hommister, and Beverly Peffer, brother-in-law Lavail Erickson, and best friend Edna Langworthy. Bev is survived by her sons, Dean (Kim) Erickson, and David (Yvonne) Erickson; grandchildren, Nicole (Scott) Quinn, Shana Erickson, Lauryn (Tyler) Robbins, and Evan Erickson; great grandchildren Chloe and Maise Quinn and Gracie Thatcher; brothers-in-law, Larry Erickson, Raymond Quast and Percy Watson; sister-in-law Blanche Erickson; and several nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the staff at Evergreen Terrace and the Mecosta County Commission on Aging. 

No services are planned at this time. Memorial contributions in Beverly’s name can be made to the Mecosta County Commission on Aging. Care and arrangements are entrusted to the Mohnke Janowicz Funeral Home in Big Rapids. Share a memory or express condolences at mohnkefuneralhome.com.

Maxine C. Olson Eisenhauer, 84, of White Cloud, passed away January 3, 2024, in Zephyrhills, FL, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born January 21, 1939, in Fremont, the daughter of Lambert and Pauline (Welsh) Kaiser, and graduated from White Cloud High School in 1957.  Maxine married Herman Olson on  April 11, 1959, and they made their home and raised their children in Goodwell Township . 

For 34 years, Maxine worked in the Accounting Department at Gerber Products in Fremont until retiring.  She served as the  Goodwell Township Treasurer for 8 years, and formerly served on the Pineview School Board.  Maxine also volunteered helping others with their tax returns after retirement.  

Maxine wintered in Zephyrhills, where she enjoyed her daily walks, and playing cards and games.  Spending time travelling with family and friends was important to Maxine, and she loved cooking dinners, baking treats, and making fudge and jam for them.  She also enjoyed gardening, taking special care of her raspberries and strawberries.  

Herman passed away on April 1, 1998.   On January 6, 2006, she married Albert Eisenhauer, who survives.  Also surviving are her children, Greg (Colleen) Olson of White Cloud and Sally (Scott) Day of Brighton; her grandchildren, Kara (Ryan) Pellerito of Big Rapids, Stacy (Justin) Johnson of Big Rapids, Anderson Day and Kennedy Day both of Brighton; her great grandchildren Mason and Clay Pellerito, and Paisley and Layne Johnson; her brothers Jerry (Garnet) Kaiser and Dennis (Mary) Kaiser both of White Cloud; her sister-in-law Doreen Kaiser of White Cloud; and several nieces and nephews. Maxine was also preceded in death by her parents, and brother Donald Kaiser.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m., Friday, January 12, 2024, at the Mohnke Janowicz Funeral Home in Big Rapids, with Pastor Jeremy Wicks officiating. Maxines’s family will greet friends from 3-6 p.m., Thursday, January 11, 2024, at the funeral home, and beginning at 10 a.m. on Friday. Memorial contributions in Maxine’s name may be made to Susan P. Wheatlake Regional Cancer Center.  Share a memory or express condolences at mohnkefuneralhome.com.

Frederick Thomas “Fritz”  Kehr, 92, of Paris, passed away Sunday, December 31, 2023, at his home surrounded by his loving family.

He was born February 21, 1931, in Bay City, the son of Lewis and Nellie (Hartley) Kehr. Fred attended school in Bay County, at the “one room country Cherry School”, then the Flint schools, before moving with the Russell and Geneva Gilchrist family to Mecosta county where he attended Stanwood Elementary and Big Rapids High School.

On February 7, 1952, Fred was drafted into the US Army, and served his basic training at Camp Gordon in Georgia. He was assigned to the 29th Signal Corp and was shipped to Germany and France, where they secured the ammunition fields left from World War II. Fred was honorably discharged in 1954 with the rank of Cpl E-4. 

On December 31, 1954, he married Noreen Battle in Reed City. In 1958 they bought a farm west of Paris, where they still live, raising cattle and horses. 

Fred worked for General Motors in Flint before moving to Paris.  In 1958, he joined the Physical Plant staff at Ferris State College, where he remained for 35 years, retiring as the Paint Supervisor in 1993. 

Fred was a longtime member of St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Paris, and currently a member of St. Mary – St. Paul Parish. He remained busy in the Farm Community and the Paris Antique Business.

Fred is survived by his wife Noreen; their children, Randall (Marsha) Kehr, Gregory Kehr, and Kimberly (Robert) Kleeves; grandchildren, Andrew and Adam Kehr, Shayla (Sam) Olmstead, David Saivdes, and Raymond and Joshua Kleeves; great granddaughter Paige Kehr; his brother Gerald Kehr; his sister Ilene Hamel; many nieces and nephews; and the extended Battle family. Fred was preceded in death by his brother Donald Kehr and sister Margaret Scott.

The Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:00 a.m., Friday, January 5, 2024, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Big Rapids, with Father Dan DePew as celebrant. Burial will follow at the Saint Anne’s Cemetery in Paris. Fred’s family will greet friends from 3-6 p.m., Thursday, January 4, 2024, at the Mohnke Funeral Home in Big Rapids, and beginning at 10 a.m. on Friday at the church. Memorial contributions in Fred’s name may be made to  St. Vinny’s Ministry. Share a memory or express condolences at mohnkefuneralhome.com.