Byronetta Genevieve Jones

Byronetta Genevieve Jones (Brown) (Greene) passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 23, 2014 at Vista Grande Villa at the age of 100. She was born in Hudson, MI to Brace and Katherine (Knapp) Brown on August 25, 1913. She was preceded in death by her mother and father, two husbands, Robert Alton Greene and Richard Jones, two sons Byron Alton Greene and Wayne Stuart Greene. Byronetta is survived by her daughter-in-law Charlotte Greene, grandchildren, Scott I. (Kerry) Greene, Troy Alton Greene, Tracy (David) Burgess, Andrew Greene, Kyle Greene and Whitney Greene. Also surviving are great-grandchildren Jason Greene, Kristin Greene, Tara (John) Furnas, Quentin Greene, Brittany Burgess, Robert (Courtney) Burgess and David Burgess, and great-great-grandchildren John Furnas, Kendal Furnas, Landon Dean and Alexander Greene, and two step-children Todd Jones and Valerie (Tom) Wharton. She loved music and joined the Tuesday Musicale in 1945 and was president in the 60’s. About the same time she was a member of the Women’s Club of Jackson. She was a choir director, organist, and pianist at Haven United Methodist Church and Brookside United Methodist Church. She was a long time member of the Haven Methodist Church and Calvary United Methodist Church. Byronetta was an amazing mother and grandmother. Besides all her social activities, Byronetta made the best cookies in the world, doted on her grandchildren and was a good friend to all. Her priorities were always God, family, and friends. Visitation will be held at Wetherby Funeral Home on Tuesday, January 28, 2014 from 6-8pm. Funeral services will be held at Calvary United Methodist Church on Wednesday, January 29, 2014 at 12:00pm with Reverend Edrye Maurer officiating. Visitation will also take place at church from 11:00am until the time of service. A private interment will take place at Woodland Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Calvary United Methodist Church or a charity of your choice . Wetherby Funeral Home 402 Wildwood Ave. 517.787.7511

Helen Crary

CRARY, HELEN JEAN (GREGORY) Age 87, of Jackson died Sunday, January 12, 2014, at Trellis Gardens Assisted Living. Mrs. Crary was the daughter of George V. and Dorothy E. (Palmer) Gregory born August 8, 1926, in Jackson. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Crary, Jr.; her parents; great-grandson, Braxton Lewis. She is survived by two children, Cathy (Laurence) Lewis, and Byron (Cheryl Enger) Crary; three grandchildren, Kevin (Sarah) Lewis, Catherine Crary, and Carolyn Crary; two great-grandchildren, Luca and Olivia Lewis. Mrs. Crary was a graduate of Jackson High School, Jackson Junior College, and the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Arts degree. She worked for the Detroit News, then for the University of Michigan, Department of Journalism, lastly becoming a wonderful homemaker for her family. Helen was a member, and past president of Woman’s Club of Jackson, Tuesday Musicale of Jackson, the Tuesday Club, and Chapter AP of P.E.O. According to her wishes, cremation has taken place. A celebration of her life will be held in the Grande Room at Vista Grande Villa, utilizing the Grande Room entrance to the Vista Grande Villa Retirement Community, on Saturday, January 25, at 3:30 PM., Reverend Dr. JoAnn Kennedy-Slater officiating; private inurnment in Woodland Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Jackson Symphony Orchestra, 215 W. Michigan Avenue, Jackson, Michigan 49201. 

Mike Robert McMurtrey
Age 65, died on Monday, June 23, 2014 as a result of an automobile accident near his home in Spring Arbor. Mike is the beloved husband of Holly, generous and kindhearted father and grandfather to his surviving family. He is survived by his wife, Holly, daughters, Kelly (Eric) Shier and Beth (John) Milz and Gabriel Christensen. His grandchildren include Hannah and Ashton Kiffer, Bryce Shier and Peyton, Joslyn and Shelby Milz. He touched our lives in so many kind and positive ways. Mike is also survived by his brother, Jeff (Lois) McMurtrey. Mike had a passion for music and was able to share his passion for over 30 years as a Music/Band Director for Holt Public Schools. Mike was born in Frankfort, Indiana to James and Helen McMurtrey. He pursued his career in music at Indiana University earning a bachelor’s degree. Mike moved to Michigan and attended the University of Michigan for his master’s degree. When Mike retired, he became an active member of the Michigan Federation of Music Clubs and the Jackson Tuesday Musical where he served as a director and webmaster, designing and maintaining the club’s website. As per Mike’s wishes, he was cremated. No services will be scheduled at this time. The family deeply appreciates all the thoughts and prayers we are receiving during this difficult time. Memorial contributions in memory of Mr.McMurtrey may be made to the Cascades Humane Society 1515 Carmen Dr. Jackson, MI 49202 and/or Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Michigan Great Lakes Chapter 4595 Broadmoor Ave S.E. Suite 230 Kentwood, MI 49512.

Patricia Paul

PAUL, PATRICIA J. Age 86, passed away suddenly of an aneurysm in her home at Vista Grande Villa on Friday, November 2, 2012. Pat was born in Detroit, Michigan on February 3, 1926 to Dr. Marion and Katherine Slaughter. She grew up in Mount Pleasant, Michigan and attended Central Michigan College and the University of Michigan, graduating from U of M in 1948. She met Robert L. Paul in Kalamazoo and they married on November 1, 1952. She had two children and enjoyed being a mother and homemaker. In 1964 the family moved to Jackson, MI and Pat participated in many clubs and organizations including the U of M alumni, the Jackson Garden Club, and the Tuesday Musicale Chorus in which she sang for almost 50 years. She loved music, the arts, cooking and entertaining and discovered her passion for Astrology in 1970. Pat was a professional astrologer. She taught classes in Astrology at Jackson Community College, had a radio show, wrote a column for the Jackson Citizen Patriot, provided entertaining talks and formed a Metaphysical/Astrology group in Jackson meeting monthly for many years to advance the study of Astrology. She had boundless energy and was very generous in spirit and gave many hours of volunteer service. Patricia was very active in her many groups until the day she died. She is survived by her husband; Robert L. Paul, her children; David (Lori) Paul and Susan (Arthur) Maerlender, and her grandchildren; Laura Paul, Ryan (Amanda) Paul, their mother, Marcia Paul, Christina Maerlender and Michael Maerlender, Lori’s children; Caity and Jessica and her siblings; Suzanne Slaughter, Marjorie Stemple, and Daniel Slaughter. A service celebrating Pat’s life will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, 743 W. Michigan Ave., in Jackson on Saturday, November 17, at 2:00 pm with Rev. James Hegedus presiding. There will be a visitation hour at 1:00 before the service at the church. In lieu of flowers the family encourages contributions to the Tuesday Musicale Youth Music Scholarship Fund or the American Diabetes Foundation.