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Thelma M. Odiorne
Thelma M. Odiorne, 75, of Kalkaska, passed away Nov. 25, 2002, at her home. She was born Aug. 12, 1927, in Kalkaska, the daughter of Oscar and Eva (Vipond) Anderson.
Thelma graduated from Kalkaska High School. She married Harold Odiorne on Oct. 1, 1949, in Kalkaska County. She was a lifelong resident of Kalkaska and a member of the Evergreen Bible Baptist Church.
Mrs. Odiorne is survived by daughters, Mona M. (Kirk) Bradley of Roscommon, Priscilla I. (Harry) Dutton of St. Johns and Sharon R. (Greg) Taylor of Columbus, Ohio; brothers, Melvin (Betty) Anderson of South Lyon and Norman (Audrey) Anderson of Kalkaska; her sister-in-law Alline Anderson of Kalkaska; eight grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Odiorne was preceded in death by her husband, Harold, on April 11, 1995; brothers Edgar Anderson and Eugene Anderson, and sister Pearl Stebbins.
Funeral services were conducted on Nov. 30 at Wolfe Funerall Home with the Rev. William D. Kuiper conducting. Internment was be at Evergreen cemetery
Memorials may be given on behalf of Thelma Odiorne to the Evergreen Bible Baptist Church.
Arrangements were made by Wolfe Funeral Home, Kalkaska.
Michael A. Merritt
Michael Anthony Merritt Jr., 34, of South Boardman, passed away on Nov. 29, 2002. He was born on Oct. 23, 1968, in Grand Rapids, the son of Joseph C. Okhuysen and Sharon Merritt.
Michael married Elizabeth J. VanFleet on July 31, 1999, in Rapid City. He was employed by Alken-Ziegler of Kalkaska since 1999. Michael enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing and was a great outdoorsman. He had the ability to fix anything. Michael was loved by all and will be missed greatly.
Michael is survived by his loving family, including his wife, Elizabeth; children, Teaira L. VanFleet and Rayeann N. Bird, both of South Boardman, Jonathon J. Pascoe of Michigan, and John R. Bird of South Boardman; parents Joseph C. (Sally) Okhuysen of Alpena and Sharon Merritt of South Boardman; sisters Dawn M. (James) Pickett of Marquette, Reva Georke of Jacksonville, N.C. and Jillian A. Stawicki of South Boardman; brothers Jeff Stawicki of Grand Haven and Scott (Dayna) Okhuysen of Stephenson.
Michael was preceded in death by his sister Renee Okhuysen on Sept. 19, 1969.
The funeral service was conducted Dec. 4, at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. The Rev. William D. Kuiper of Evergreen Bible Baptist Church officiated.
Memorials may be given in behalf of Michael Anthony Merritt, Jr. to the Educational Fund for Michael's children.
Arrangements were made by Wolfe Funeral Home, Kalkaska.
Dominic "Mico" Fortuna
Dominic "Mico" Fortuna, 71, of Alden, passed away at his home Jan. 20, 2003, surrounded by his loving family, to return to his Heavenly Father.
Dominic was born in Detroit Aug. 27, 1931, the son of Pasquale and Michela (Comito) Fortuna. On Sept. 1, 1956, he married the former Antonina "Toni" Barresi, his devoted and loving wife.
Dominic attended Henry Ford Trade School. He proudly served his country in the United States Navy from 1951 to 1955 on the USS Darby as a gunners mate 3rd class and bravely fought in the Korean War.
Dominic retired from LTV Aerospace in Sterling Heights and moved his family to their northern Michigan home in Alden. It was there, in 1976, that he opened and managed Mico's, the family restaurant overlooking Torch Lake.
He was a member of the Veterans of the Korean War and a devout Catholic.
Dominic's hobbies included hunting, fishing and music. He always received great enjoyment from the outdoors.
He is survived by his dear loving wife of 46 years, Antonina Fortuna of Alden; daughter Michele Fortuna of Rapid City; sons Patrick (Marisa Gonzales) Fortuna of Arlington, Texas, Joseph Fortuna of Alden, and Dominic Vito (Kimberly Purdy) Fortuna of Traverse City; grandson Pasquale "P.J." Fortuna; granddaughter Nicole Fortuna; sister Angela (Peter) Vitale of Mt. Clemens; brother-in-laws Joseph (Barbara) Barresi of Roseville, and Ron Gura of Warren; sister-in-law Anita (Al) Buonbrisco of Clinton Township; many cousins, nieces, nephews; and especially his lifelong friends, Sam Lipare, and Giacomo "Jack" Frabotta.
Dominic was preceded in death by his parents; and sister Mary Gura.
Dominic was a patriarch of a very loving and close family. All will dearly miss his strength, guidance, personality, love and devotion to his family.
Rosary was prayed Thursday evening at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City. Funeral Mass was celebrated at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Jan. 24, with Rev. James Hayden serving as celebrant.
Full military honors followed under the auspices of Cherryland VFW Post 2780.
Burial will be in the spring in St. Mary of the Woods cemetery, Barker Creek.
In remembrance, memorial contributions may be directed to Munson Hospice.
Norine Maye Clone
Norine Maye Clone, 82, of Eaton Rapids, passed away Monday, Jan. 27, 2003, in Lansing, surrounded by her children and grandchildren.
Norine was born Nov. 2, 1920, in Albion, the daughter of Glenn David and Meda Amy (Snow) Adams.
She was a member of First United Methodist Church, Eaton Rapids, and retired from the Eaton Rapids School System in food service.
Norine is survived by daughter Shari (John) Polansky of Belvidere, Ill.; sons Gary (Marcia) Clone of Williamsburg, Wayne (Dianne) Clone and Michael (Cindy) Clone, all of Eaton Rapids, Terry (Jill) Clone of Fishers, Ind., Ron (Marguerite) Clone of Brookfield, Wis., Pat (Peggy) Clone of Onondaga, Phil (Laurie) Clone of Corona, Calif., Al (Susan) Clone of Onondaga, and Bob (Marianne) Clone of Holt; 21 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; two stepgrandchildren; and sisters Dorothy (Ed) Carlson of Parma, and Karen (Dan) Rayner of Honor.
Funeral services are Thursday, Jan. 29, 2003, 11:00 a.m., at the Shelly-Odell Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids, with Pastor Tom Evans officiating.
Those desiring may make contributions to Eaton Rapids First United Methodist Church Memorial Fund in memory of Norine M. Clone.
Richard G. Jobe
Richard G. Jobe, 77, of Elk Rapids, and a long-time resident of Dayton, Ohio, passed away Friday, Jan. 24, 2003, in Xenia, Ohio.
He served during World War II in the United States Army Air Corps, later with the U.S. Air Force Reserves, retiring as a Navy captain after a career with the U.S. Public Health Service.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Jeanette; daughter Barbara (Charlie) Lundy of Xenia; son Jim (Kim) Jobe and grandchildren Amanda, Evan, Bryan and Marshall, all of Round Rock, Texas; sister Marjorie Bond of Fenton; brother Robert Jobe of San Rafael, Calif.; a host of nieces and nephews; and many special friends.
He was preceded in death by son Ricky; and daughter Nancy Miller Ridenour.
Funeral services were Jan. 27, at McColaugh Funeral Home in Xenia.
The family requests memorial contributions be made to Hospice of Dayton, P.O. Box 3509, Dayton, OH 45401-3509, or Munson Hospice of Traverse City.
Jerome P. Wirthlin
Jerome P. Wirthlin, 95, of Springport, died Jan. 19, 2003, at Maplewood of Marshall.
He was born in Loveland, Ohio, on April 24, 1907, the son of Joseph and Mary (Denser) Wirthlin. He married Eva Cornell in Mason, Ohio, and she preceded him in death in 1985. He then married Lucille Collins in Crystal River, Fla., in 1986. She preceded him in death in 2000.
Mr. Wirthlin owned and operated Elk Rapids Hardware, retiring in 1966. An avid hunter and fisherman, he was a life member of the American Veterans Post 114 in Elk Rapids.
He is survived by dear friends Keith and Barb French of Springport; stepson Gary (Elaine) Woodruff; stepgrandson Blaine (Tabatha) Woodruff; and two step-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were Jan. 21 at the Traverse City Chapel of Covell Funeral Homes. Father James Hayden officiated. Interment will be in Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens.
Bernice A. Pitkin
Bernice A. Pitkin, 97, passed away Thursday, Jan. 23, 2003, at Munson Healthcare in Traverse City. Bernice had spent her summers and vacations on Elk Lake since 1975. She resided under the loving care of the staff at Northwood Village Care Home of Elk Rapids since November.
Bernice was born May 4, 1905, in Cass Township, Hancock County, Ohio, the daughter of Albert and Louella (Cooper) Insley. She grew up on a farm outside of Arcadia, Ohio, and attended Arcadia High School. She played first violin in the school orchestra, and although 5 feet tall, was captain of both the baseball and basketball teams.
Bernice was president of her senior class. Following graduation she attended Bowling Green College (now state university) as a home economics major and transferred to Findlay College, graduating with a degree in business administration.
Bernice married Dwight L. Pitkin, then the editor of the Findlay Courier, on July 26, 1930. He joined the Associated Press, and they moved to Frankfort, Ky., where he covered the state capital. Their only child Nancy was born there. In 1937, Dwight accepted a foreign assignment with the AP to cover the Spanish Civil War, and they moved to France with two weeks notice. At the end of the war, the family moved to Madrid for a year and then to London.
When the "Blitz" began in London, the AP evacuated Bernice and Nancy. Bernice did not speak French or Spanish, but managed in her quiet and efficient way to get through France and Spain to Lisbon, and in March 1940 they sailed for the United States. Dwight remained in London as a war correspondent covering World War II.
Bernice and her family moved to Royal Oak in August 1949. Dwight covered automotive labor negotiations for the AP and Bernice became the bookkeeper for First United Methodist Church of Royal Oak in 1952. She retired at 70 in 1975, but remained active with the church she loved.
Bernice bowled with the church ladies bowling league until she turned 90. She loved the church youth _ she and Dwight were sponsors of the Methodist Youth Fellowship in the early 1950s. After her retirement, she volunteered every summer from 1969 until 1981 as a cook for the church's music camp.
Bernice was a dedicated volunteer for William Beaumont Hospital and was at the front information desk on Saturday nights for more than 25 years. It was a commitment that she took great pride in and it was difficult to lure her astray on a Saturday night.
Survivors include daughter Nancy Sue (Robert E. Reid, MD); beloved grandchildren, who Bernice was very active in raising, Laura Jean (Craig R. Cameron, DDS) of Ravenna, Sue Ann (Michael J.) Parisi, DDS, and Robert E.P. Reid, MD, all of Royal Oak; cherished great-grandchildren Michael Robert and Jennifer Sue Cameron of Ravenna, and Michael Reid Parisi of Royal Oak; and brother Robert Howard "Bill" Insley. Bernice and Dwight frequently vacationed with Bill and his late wife, Alice.
Bernice was preceded in death October 1968, by her beloved husband for whom she never stopped grieving, Dwight L Pitkin; sister Nina Graham; and brother Walter Insley.
Services were at First United Methodist Church in Royal Oak, Rev. Marshall Dunlap officiating. Interment will be in White Chapel Memorial cemetery in Troy.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, 320 W. 7th St., Royal Oak, MI 48067; William Beaumont Foundation, 3601 W. 13 Mile Rd, Royal Oak, MI 48067; Munson Healthcare, Traverse City; or Elk-Skegemog Association, Elk Rapids.
Arrangements were handled by Kinsey-Garrett Funeral Home, Royal Oak.
Margaret T. Gallop
Margaret T. Gallop, 81, of Schererville, Ind., passed away Jan. 24, 2003.
She is survived by dear friends Martha J. Powell of Schererville, Margaret Tinsley of Kalkaska, Nancy L. Rober of Schererville, William A. Roper of Griffith, Ind., Kelly (Mel) Brogdon of Hammond, Ind., Kevin J. (Lisa) Lauer of Chicago Heights, Ill., and Valerie A. Roper of Griffith, Ind.
She was preceded in death by lifelong friend Mary E. Holmes, parents Edwin J. and Ruth Gallop, and school teacher, mentor and dear friend Sister Marie Christine; and family: Julia Fleming, Betty Ford, Annetta Morton, Bob Siemer, Tim Siemer, Paul Morton, and Ralph Morton.
Funeral services were held Jan. 28, 2003 at the Kuiper Funeral Chapel in Highland, Ind. The Rev. Theodore Mens officiated. Burial was at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens, Schererville.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
