On October 2 1918 Archie and Luella (Willets) Newton welcomed their first born son, Carroll Cecil into their family. After a full and well spent 96 years, Carroll passed away Sunday, November 16th at Pennock Hospital surrounded by many family members.
Carroll lost his mother at the age of 12 and took a lead with his father in raising his younger siblings. His keen interest and ability to learn led him to graduate from Hastings High School at the age of sixteen in 1934. Although he was unable to attend college, he kept that thirst for knowledge throughout his life.
A couple of years after graduation Carroll fell in love and married a neighbor girl, Edith Tobias, on June 18, 1940. He said she had the "blackest eyes he'd ever seen". Carroll and Edith remained married for 74 years until his death.
As a young farmer, Carroll was approached one day by several gentlemen who asked him to run for Barry Township Supervisor. He agreed, won the election and that became the defining moment of his life in politics. After representing Barry Township on the Barry County Board of Supervisors for 10 years, he ran, and was elected State Representative. Her served in this position for another 10 years and was named chair of the prestigious Ways and Means Committee. While in the House he traveled from his farm near Delton to Lansing each week.
In 1964 Carroll moved his family to Charlotte and served as Assistant Auditor General to the State, In 1965 he was appointed Chief Deputy State Treasurer serving under Governor William G. Milliken and Treasurer Allison Green. He held that position until January 20, 1981 when he retired after serving the State of Michigan for 30 years. Throughout his life he remained politically active in State and Local politics and continued to farm, partnering with his son, Darrell for several years.
Carroll received many recognitions over the years including Hastings High School Alumnus of the Year. He was a member of Michigan Farm Bureau, the Grange, was a lifelong Mason and served on the Barry County Telephone Company Board of Directors for 57 years.
Carroll enjoyed trapping, hunting and fishing. He bagged over 100 bucks in his lifetime and his fishing expeditions included catches of salmon, walleye, blue gills, snook and 6 to 7 pound bass. Carroll and Edith were fortunate to have traveled to all 50 states with two of his favorites being Alaska and Hawaii. For many years they wintered in Long Boat Key, Florida forging new friendships and welcoming family to visit and stay.
Carroll and Edith lived in Barry Township, Charlotte and for the last 21 years at 6415 Foster Road in Hastings. They raised six children, Dwight (Mary Earl) Newton, Judy (Don) Wooer, Jean Newton, June (Robert) Cribley, Joyce Snow (Alan Hanson) and Darrell (Kathy) Newton. They strove to teach their family the value of integrity, respect and hard work. Carroll is survived by his wife, 5 children, 15 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren, Brother Laurel Newton, and sister in-law Donna Cullers. Preceding him in death were his son Dwight Newton, grandson Jesse Snow, granddaughter Teresa Newton Harwood, sister Cosma Soya, and brother Donald Newton.
The family will receive visitors on Wednesday, November 19th from 6-8pm. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, November 20th at the Daniels Funeral Home in Nashville. A luncheon will be served immediately following the funeral service. Interment will take place following the funeral luncheon at Dowling Cemetery on South M-37 Hwy and Tebo Rd.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one's choosing.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to The Daniels Funeral Home at 9200 East M-79 Hwy in Nashville. For further details please visit our website www.danielsfuneralhome.net 517-852-9712.