Eaton Community Hospice

Executive Committee

President, Anne Cantine
Vice President, David Smith, Attorney
Secretary, Cecil Miller
Treasurer, Pam Wilson
Rick Jones, State Representative, Member at Large
Cindy Martens, Member at Large
Dave Powers, Member at Large

Members of the Eaton Community Hospice Board of Directors

Larry Baxter

Larry attended the Grand Ledge school system and educated at Lansing Business University and Lansing Community College. Larry was a ten-year member of the National Guard, serving in Administration/Supply Technician from 1957-1966. The Detroit Free Press awarded citizen “Soldier of the Year” to Larry in 1964. He served as Registrar for Michigan State University Conferences and off-campus non-credit activities from 1966-1989. He also was Conference Facilitator and Coordinator for the Kellogg Center from 1989-1995. He was Vice Provost of University Outreach, administering continuing education units from 1995-1996. He was a member of Big Brothers Big Sisters for 38 years and is an active volunteer with Eaton Community Hospice, having been honored with the first “Volunteer of the Year” award in 2004

Stanley Baxter

Stanley resides in Grand Ledge and has been an Eaton Community Hospice supporter since 1993 benefiting the annual Hospice auction. In 2002, he became a Hospice volunteer lending his people skills on several fundraising events. In addition, he currently does meal preparation 3 days a week at the Hospice House and assists with the Thrift Shop. Stan is retired from Comerica Bank as Vice President after 36 years of service, formerly Manufactureres Bank. In addition to Stan’s Hospice volunteering he has volunteered with Junior Achievement, East Detroit Small Business Fund Drive of United Way, has lent his time to the Grand Ledge Senior Center for 13 years. He has also assisted with Paint the Town-Detroit, the 1st Optimist Club of Sterling Heights, YMCA Highland Park and the Eastpoint Lions Club.He

Dan Bialkowski

Dan has lived in Charlotte for nine years and has been involved with Eaton Community Hospice since 1999. He has a BS and Master’s degree in Information Technology Management from Ferris State University and has worked for the State of Michigan for 29 years. In addition, Dan is an Eaton County 4-H leader and is a past Boy Scout Leader. Dan served as the “Project Manager” for our Hospice Residence. He has given an enormous amount of time, energy and creative support to this project. Dan also serves as the official Hospice photographer.

Diana Bourne was selected Eaton Community Hospice“Volunteer of the Year” for 2006.

Diana lives in Eaton Rapids and has been involved with Eaton Community Hospice since 1985. She helps with the Annual Auction, other fundraisers and patient care. She has also served our board in the past as Secretary. Diana received her Bachelor Degree in Social Work from MSU and has been the Director of Social Services at the Eaton County Medical Care Facility for the past 19 years. She is also very active in the First United Methodist Church and the Eaton Rapids Womens Club.

Margery Briggs, MPA, MSW, CSW, ACSW

Margery has been a Hospice volunteer since 1987 and a board member since 1992. She has worked on many fundraisers and in the past coordinated the Grand Ledge Pizza Breakfast. Margery retired from the State Department of Mental Health, Bureau of Hospitals and Centers as the Department Coordinator for Traumatic Incidental Stress Management Committee. Margery received her Masters Degree in Public Administration from Western Michigan University. She also earned a Masters in Social Work and holds certifications with the Academy of Certified Social Workers and State of Michigan Certified Social Workers.

Anne Cantine - President

Anne lives in Eaton Rapids and has been on the Eaton Community Hospice Board since 1985. She has served on the Executive Committee since 1987, is very active doing direct patient care, fundraising and office work. Anne also has served as the Volunteer Patient Care Coordinator and never hesitates to do on-call work when needed. She is retired from the Eaton Rapids School system and has been an active volunteer for the Congregational Church and Senior Center. Her newest contribution to Eaton Community Hospice has been opening, organizing and scheduling volunteers to run the on-site Thrift Shop.

Dawn Christenson

Dawn is a 1979 graduate of Michigan State University’s Veterinary Technology Program. She worked 4 years at Town & Country Animal Hospital in Charlotte and is now a Specialist/Instructor at MSU with the Veterinary Technology program. Dawn is the recipient of many awards from the MSU Veterinary Technology Program including an Honorary Bachelor of Science Degree in Veterinary Technology, two Director’s Awards, Michigan Veterinary Technician of the Year Award, Distinguished Service Award, Teaching Award. She is listed in "Who’s Who in Veterinary Science and Medicine", Crown Biographic Reference Publications. Dawn has had several publications in textbooks, professional journals and medical illustrations.

State Representative Rick Jones - Executive Committee

State Representative Rick Jones took his 71st District state seat representing Eaton County on January 1, 2005. Rick previously served on the Eaton County Sheriff’s Department for the past 3 decades; the last 4 years serving as Sheriff. Rick holds a Bachelor Degree in Criminal Justice from Michigan State University and has had training in Executive Management, Law Enforcement, Crisis Management and Correctional Management. He has been an active Eaton Community Hospice volunteer since April, 1997 in addition to being very involved with many other community agencies and programs. Rick has received the Bravery Award from the Sheriff’s Department, the Community Excellence Award from the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce and was voted 1999’s "Favorite Officer". He is also an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Grand Ledge.

Cindy Martens - Executive Committee

Cindy lives in Charlotte and has been on the Eaton Community Hospice Board since 1995. Since becoming an Eaton Community Hospice volunteer in 1992, she has been actively involved in direct patient care as well as helping in the office and fundraising. She works as a Real Estate Agent for Coldwell Banker, United Charlotte Associates. She is an active member of the First Lutheran Church and has been a dedicated community volunteer for many years.

Cecil Miller - Secretary

Cecil resides in Grand Ledge and has been on the Eaton Community Hospice Board since 2000. Prior to joining Eaton Community Hospice as a volunteer in October 1998 she had received 30 hours of training from Arbor Hospice where she also actively volunteered. Cecil earned a degree in Family Life Education from Spring Arbor University in 2001 after relocating to Eaton Rapids from Detroit where she began her studies at Madonna University. She leads the Survivor’s Support Group Meetings and is active in the Bereavement follow-up program and fundraising.

Dave Powers - Executive Committee

Dave has been a lifetime resident of Charlotte. He works for Coldwell Banker United Charlotte Associates as a real estate broker and is a sales representative for Badger Insurance Company. He is very active in issues concerning Charlotte, including Friends of Maple Hill Cemetery. Dave was very instrumental in acquiring the property for our Hospice Residence including arranging for our attorney to work pro-bono.

Linda Rairigh

Linda lives in Sunfield and has been on the Eaton Community Hospice Board since 2001. She retired from the State of Michigan, Department of Treasury where she had worked as a Manager since 1971. Linda has been an active fundraising volunteer for the past 13 years, helping with our annual dinner and auction. A graduate of Western Michigan University, she holds a Bachelor of Business Administration. Linda is also a member of the Sunfield District Library Board of Directors.

Dr. Stanley R. Robinson

Dr. Robinson was born in Ionia County and raised in Grand Ledge. He attended MSU and graduated from U of M Medical School. He has been a physician in Grand Ledge for 48 years and also taught medical students and residents for 20 years until 1998. He holds an honorary professorship from the Department of Family Practice at Michigan State University. He is also a current member of the American Academy of Family Physicians. Dr. Robinson is a member of Calvary Lutheran Church in Lansing and has studied and performed medical mission work in South Africa, Honduras and Tanzania. His hobbies include world travel, fishing, hunting, toy trains and caring for the less fortunate.

Jerry D. Roe

Jerry lives in Delta Township and is known as a great local historian and is a 20-year member of the Michigan Historical Commission having served 2 terms as president. Jerry is former executive director of the Michigan Republicans and a member of Michigan Sesquicentennial Commission. He also serves as President of Friends of Turner Dodge Museum in Lansing, is founder of Montanan’s in Michigan and was named "Michigander of the Year" by the Detroit News. Jerry is a Government professor at Lansing Community College.

David Smith - Vice President

Dave graduated from Alma College in 1961 and from Detroit College of Law with honors in 1965. He passed the MI bar exam in 1965 and has been a practicing attorney since 1966. Dave was elected Eaton County Prosecuting Attorney in 1972 and has been in his private practice since 1976. Dave is involved in our community through the Charlotte Rotary Club, Charlotte Chamber of Commerce, Eaton County Bar Association, Courthouse Square Association, Planned Gifts Committee of Hayes Green Beach Hospital and has provided pro bono legal services for Eaton Community Hospice over several years. Dave and his wife Linda reside at Duck Lake and both offer their time to fundraising activities with Eaton Community Hospice.

Mollie Stevens

Mollie has been a volunteer since March of 1996. She resides in Bellevue, is married to Douglas and has 2 daughters. Mollie owned and operated a beauty shop for 13 years. She has been a 4-H leader and member president; she participated in the American Cancer Society Fund drive and was Eaton County Extension President. Mollie is a Competency Evaluated Nursing Assistant (CENA) and is owner/operator of "Mollie’s Caregiver Services", private pay home care service utilizing her hospice background. Mollie also holds an Associates Degree in business communications.

Beth Thomas

Beth lived in Northern Michigan for 11 years and attended Kirtland Community College. She is currently a Registered Nurse in Cardiology at Sparrow Hospital with 11 years experience in Dialysis. Beth s active at West Windsor United Brethren in Christ Church in Dimondale, having served on the church board for 5 years. She is an active patient care volunteer at the Hospice House. Beth lives in Potterville, is married with 2 children and 4 grandchildren. She enjoys biking and reading.

Pam Wilson - Treasurer

Pam lives in Charlotte and has been on the Eaton Community Hospice Board since 1999. She has been a volunteer since April 1997 and is actively involved in direct patient care and fundraising. Pam earned her Master’s Degree in Family and Consumer Sciences from Western Michigan University and has worked for the State of Michigan for 29 years.

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