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GEIKOWSKI
Miss Danielle Marie Geikowski, 17 of Lewiston died Saturday, June 30, 2001 due to injuries sustained in an automobile accident in Montmorency County. Danielle was born October 29, 1983 in Phoenix, Arizona and moved to Gaylord in 1989 from Lake Havasu City, Arizona. She and her family later moved to Lewiston. She attended Johannesburg-Lewiston Schools and was making plans to enlist in the United States Navy. She had been a member of the Johannesburg-Lewiston High School basketball team and track team. She was active in the Gaylord Little League program and loved to fish. She is survived by her parents, Marvin Jr. & Dustine Geikowski; her sister, Stephanie; her paternal grandparents, Marvin Sr. & Josephine Geikowski of Lewiston; maternal grandparents, Daniel Hicks of Mansfield, Ohio and Brenda Goad of Festus, MO; several aunts, uncles and cousins. FUNERAL SERVICES will be held on Tuesday, July 3, 2001 at 11:00 AM from St. Francis Church in Lewiston, Father Gregory Kurutz, officiating. Burial will be in St. Francis cemetery in Lewiston. Visitation will be at the church on Monday from 4-8 PM and on Tuesday from 10 AM until the time of services. A parish vigil service will be held Monday evening at 7 PM. Memorial contributions may be made to the Danielle Geikowski Memorial Fund through the Nelson Funeral Home.
CONN
Mrs. Margaret Eloise Conn, age 80 of Battle Creek died Friday, June 29, 2001 at Holland Community Hospital. Mrs. Conn was born in Bad Axe on February 27, 1921. She raised her family with her husband Charles in Battle Creek, where they lived for over 50 years. Margaret was employed as a labor and delivery nurse at both the Leila & Community hospitals. She was an active charter member of Chapel Hill Methodist Church in Battle Creek. Her retirement years were spent wintering in Arizona with her husband Charles until his death in 1993. Margaret spent her final years with her daughter in Holland, where she became active in Evergreen Commons Senior Center. She was preceded in death by her husband Charles in 1993, her daughter Cathleen in 1987 and her sister Pearl Soule in 1998. Mrs. Conn is survived by her son, Charles R. (Victoria) Conn of Harbor Springs; her daughter, Carol (Gary) Mallow of Holland; two grandchildren, Marie Bontrager and Roy Conn; two great-grandchildren; Danielle and Trevor Bontrager. MEMORIAL SERVICES will be held on Tuesday, July 3, 2001 at 11 AM from Chapel Hill Methodist Church in Battle Creek, Rev. Dr. James M. Gysel, officiating. Interment will be in Memorial Park cemetery in Battle Creek. Memorial contributions may be made to the Arthritis Foundation or the Asthma Foundation. Contributions and messages of condolence may be sent to the Nelson Funeral Home, 135 N. Center, Gaylord, MI 49735
BARRAW
JOSEPH FRANKLIN BARRAW, JR . , 21 of Vanderbilt died Tuesday, June 26, 2001. Joe was born December 13, 1979 in Gaylord. He had attended Gaylord and Vanderbilt Schools and had been employed at Wickes Lumber in Gaylord until 1998. He loved hunting, fishing and spending time with his friends. He is survived by his daughter, Kara Lynn Robinson of Wolverine; his father, Joseph (Theresa) Barraw, Sr. of Gaylord; his mother, Willadeen Barraw of Vanderbilt; two sisters, Kristy (David) Sides of Vanderbilt and Jodi Barraw of Elmira; two brothers, Jon Barraw of Gaylord and Shawn Barraw of Gaylord; maternal grandparents, Dean and Nina Treece of Elmira; paternal grandparents, Larry and Karen Pruitt of Aurora, CO and Robert (Mary) Kucharek, Sr. of Elmira; two nieces, Emily and Tishia Sides of Vanderbilt, two nephews, David Sides Jr. of Vanderbilt and Trevor Dunham of Elmira; many aunts, uncles and friends. FUNERAL SERVICES will be held on Friday, June 29, 2001, at 11:00 AM from the Nelson Funeral Home, in Gaylord, Pastor David Hugger, officiating. Burial will be in Maple Hill cemetery in Elmira. Visitation at the Nelson Funeral Home will be on Thursday from 2-8 PM and on Friday from 10 AM until the time of services. MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS may be made to the family, through the Nelson Funeral Home, 135 N. Center, Gaylord, MI 49735.
WHALEN
Mrs. Hattie T. Whalen, 92 of Gaylord died Sunday, June 24, 2001 at Otsego Memorial Hospital in Gaylord. Mrs. Whalen was born in Pound, Wisconsin on November 16, 1908. She had lived in Detroit and later moved to Manistique for several years before moving to Gaylord in 1980. She was preceded in death by her husband Clarence Whalen on September 20, 1978. She was also preceded in death by her daughter Marjorie Mikkola and her 11 brothers and sisters. Mrs. Whalen is survived by two daughters, Patricia Greig of Gaylord and Mary (Robert) Furgeson of Kissimmee, Florida; stepson, Francis (Shirley) Whalen of Florence, MA; 10 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; 12 great-great-grandchildren. Visitation at the Nelson Funeral Home in Gaylord will be held on Thursday June 28, from 4-8 PM with a prayer service at 7 PM, Pastor David Burney, officiating. GRAVESIDE SERVICES will be held on Friday, June 29, 2001 at 12:00 PM from Fairview cemetery in Manistique, Michigan Rev. Dr. Jay Martin, officiating. MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS may be made to the American Cancer Society through the Nelson Funeral Home, 135 N. Center, Gaylord, MI 49735.
NOA
Renetta L. Noa, 46 of Gaylord died Thursday, June 21, 2001 at her home. Renetta was born in Flint, Michigan on February 23, 1955 and had lived most of her life in the Gaylord area. She was a 1973 graduate of St. Mary Cathedral High School and had been employed as a medical assistant for the office of Dr. Changxin Li. She loved her horses and horseback riding and her dogs. She was actively involved with the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. Memorial services will be held on Saturday, June 23, 2001 at 11:00 AM from the Nelson Funeral Home, in Gaylord, Ted Engel, Jr. officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday beginning at 10 AM. Burial will be in Silver Lake cemetery in Wolverine. Renetta is survived by her sons: Travis and Matthew of Gaylord, her mother: Myrtle (Dunbar) Stewart of Indian River, her brother: Michael (Debra) Dunbar of Gaylord, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. She was preceded in death by her father Clayton O. Dunbar. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society Relay for Life through the Nelson Funeral Home, 135 N. Center, Gaylord, MI 49735.
BRADFORD
Maxwell D. Bradford, Age 84 of Gaylord died Tuesday, June 19th at his home. Mr. Bradford was born on May 13, 1917 in Ravenna, MI. He served in the U.S. Air Force during WWII as a weather forecaster, and was also a Technical Sergeant in Alaska and the Aleutian Islands. He was employed by the United States Government as a Postal Clerk for the Railroad Mail Service, and retired after 35 years of service. In 1965 Mr. Bradford moved to Gaylord from Mackinaw City, and was one of the first city residents to visit the Gaylord sister city Pontresina, Switzerland, receiving the key to the city. Mr. Bradford was the owner of the Busy Bee Construction Company in Gaylord. As a member of the First United Methodist Church of Gaylord, he was active in the mission field and various church activities. He was involved in the community, volunteering with RSVP, the Gaylord Historical Society, Boys and Girl Scouts, and also with Alpenfest. In 1986 he received the citizen of the year award in Gaylord. Memorial services for Mr. Bradford will be held on Saturday, June 30th at 4:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Gaylord, the Rev. John Naile officiating. Friends may gather at the church beginning at 3:00 p.m. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Jane Marie Clifford Bradford, 3 children; Suzanne (Jerry) Bradford-Stewart of Gaylord, Michael (Colleen) Bradford of Houston, TX, and Debra (Roger) Bradford Peterman of Grand Rapids. Also surviving are 6 grandchildren, Joshua Stewart of Kalamazoo, Jacob & Molly Stewart of Gaylord, Sara & Emily Peterman of Grand Rapids, Timothy (Amy) Bradford of Plano, TX., 2 great-grandchildren Megan and Holli Bradford of Plano, TX, one brother, William (Mary) Bradford of Muskegon, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by one sister Bettina Bradford, and his parents, William & Marian. Memorials appreciated to Hospice of Michigan or RSVP through the Nelson Funeral Home, 135 N. Center, Gaylord, MI 49735.
ROSENBURG
Mr. Milford R. Rosenburg, age 61 of Johannesburg died Wednesday, June 13, 2001. Mr. Rosenburg was born in Mancelona on May 7, 1940, and was raised in Johannesburg. He worked for himself in the Trucking industry, and then later worked for other companies in the industry. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. Mr. Rosenburg was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley, in 1993, his sister Donna, his brothers: Jerry, Jim, and Joe . Mr. Rosenburg is survived by daughters Carrie Denison, Kim Rosenburg, mother, Mabel Rosenburg, 5 grandchildren, Marie, Johnny, Douglas, Harrison, and Alex, 1 brother Duane Rosenburg and 1 brother-in-law: Melvin Welsh. FUNERAL SERVICES were held on Friday, June 15, 2001 at 11:00 AM from the Nelson Funeral Home, Ted Engel, Jr. officiating. Burial was in Mt. Hope cemetery in Johannesburg. Memorial contributions may be made to the wishes of the Rosenburg family through the Nelson Funeral Home.
DOMBROWSKI
Mr. Stanley Dombrowski, age 73 of Gaylord passed away Wednesday, June 13, 2001 at his home. He was born in Detroit on December 25, 1927 and moved to Gaylord in 1984 when he retired from the construction business. He served in the United State Army in 1947 and 1951. He is survived by: his wife of 19 years, Ilene, sons: Michael (Cheryl), Henry (Margaret), daughter: Susan (Mark), step children: Donna (Dave), Carol (Phillip), Patricia (Duaine), and Robert, 11 grandchildren: Adam, Christine, Jacob, Paul, Angel, Kristina, Phillip, Tara, Tracy, Jenna and Tyler, 2 great grandchildren, Steven and Kacy, and a sister: Genieve. He was preceded in death by his father Stanley, his mother Mary and his brother, Larry. Graveside services were held on Friday, June 15, 2001 at 10:00 AM from Fairview cemetery, Rev. Garth Hilmer, officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to conservation and ecology charitable organizations or to the Animal Shelter, through the Nelson Funeral Home.
SEVENSKI
Mr. Lawrence David Sevenski, age 48 of Elmira died Monday, June 11, 2001 at Otsego Memorial Hospital. Lawrence was born May 1, 1953 in Lansing and moved to Elmira at the age of 13. He was a 1971 graduate of Gaylord St. Mary High School and was currently a partner in Sevenski Enterprises with his wife Julie & family, his father, Larry and his mother Dorothy He loved snowmobiling and was a member of several snowmobiling clubs including the Alpine Club, the Antrim Club, MSA and the clubs in East Jordan and Petoskey. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and gardening on his property in the Upper Peninsula. On June 10, 1972 in Elmira, he married
the former Julie Davis, who survives.
GATES
Mr. Douglas R. Gates, age 70 of Vanderbilt died Sunday, June 10, 2001. Mr. Gates was born in Alba on September 16, 1930. He had lived in Vanderbilt for the last 5 years, previously living in Gaylord and Alba. He was a decorated US Army veteran, serving in the Korean War. He was a member of the Chosin Few, a veterans organization of survivors from the Chosin Campaign. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, and camper. Mr. Gates is survived by his wife Edith, daughters, Cynthia Gates Wheeler of Chester, VA, Debra Gates of Midlothian, VA ,step sons Robert Britz of Gaylord, MI., Arthur Harrington of Fort Collins, CO., Steven Shane of Lapeer, MI, 1 great grandchild: Jasmine Nichole-Gates Mendenhall, 9 step grandchildren, Alan, Layton, & Adam Harrington, Crystal, Amber, & Rachel Shane, Brandy, Dana, & Shannon Britz, 3 sisters: Isabelle Brock of Alba, MI, Verna Brock of Traverse City, MI, and Eleanor Patterson of Gainesville, FL. Mr. Gates was preceded in death by his parents, 2 sisters, and 2 grandchildren Drake Kearney and Paul Gates. FUNERAL SERVICES were held on Thursday, June 14, 2001 at 1:30 PM from the Nelson Funeral Home, Pastor David Hugger, officiating. Interment Resurrection cemetery in Vanderbilt. Memorial contributions may be made to the Gaylord Post of the D.A.V. through the Nelson Funeral Home.
DUFFIELD
Mr. George A. "Bill" Duffield, age 81 of Gaylord died Monday, June 4, 2001. Mr. Duffield was born in Thompsonville on April 8, 1920. He had lived in the Alba / Elmira area for 9 years before moving to Gaylord in 1957. Mr. Duffield began working for the Otsego County Road Commission in 1957 and retired in 1982. He was a veteran of World War II and served in the United States Army in the Asiatic Pacific Theater. During his tour of duty he received a Purple Heart. Mr. Duffield was a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, a member of the VFW Post 1518 and a retired volunteer of the Otsego County Fire Department. He had served on the Otsego County Veterans Trust Fund. Mr. Duffield is survived by: son David Duffield of Gaylord, step son, Thomas (Sandy) Young of Traverse City, step daughter: Joyce (Leonard) Slivinski of Gaylord,5 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, 2 brothers: Harry Duffield of Jackson and Everett Duffield of Houston,Texas,1 sister, Jane Smith of Kentwood, and special companion: Darlene Bricker. Mr. Duffield was preceded in death by his wife Pearl on March 9, 1979, and 6 brothers and 1 sisters. FUNERAL SERVICES were held on Thursday, June 7, 2001 at 11:00 AM from the Nelson Funeral Home, in Gaylord, Rev. John Naile, officiating. A Disabled American Veterans memorial graveside service followed at Fairview cemetery in Gaylord. Memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society - Road to Recovery Van or to the Otsego County Fire Department, through the Nelson Funeral Home, 135 N. Center, Gaylord, MI 49735.
BLAIR A. MURPHY, D.O.
Blair Allen Murphy, D.O. passed away December 1, 2001. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Tina of 27 years and five children, Meghan, Maureen, Melissa, Molly, and Blair II. Dr. Murphy was born on December 30, 1953 in Flint, Michigan to Dr. Gerald Murphy and Mildred Whalen Murphy. Blair grew up in Flint with siblings, Bernie, Brent, Brad, and Bonnie. He graduated from Assumption College Prep School in Windsor, Ontario in 1972. He attended Northeast Missouri State University in Kirksville, Missouri. In 1984 he graduated from University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine, with the degree Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his Urological residency at Oakland General Hospital, Madison Heights, Michigan in 1990. In 1990, Dr. Murphy and his family moved to Gaylord, Michigan where he began his Urological practice at Mercy Hospital in Grayling, Michigan. Dr. Murphy was devoted to his patients, many of whom he considered to be good friends. To his patients and friends Blair was simply known as “Murph” or “Doc”. Dr. Murphy, along with his friend, William F. Rolinski developed an idea that led to the establishment of the first microbrewery in Northern Michigan. Blair’s love of hunting and the outdoors inspired the name, “Big Buck Brewery and Steakhouse.” Dr. Murphy’s love of the outdoors led him to many exotic places, such as Alaska, New Zealand, Australia and Tanzania. He recently returned from South Africa with his friend Dr. Jeffrey Chaulk and had the “hunt of a lifetime.” He received many awards from Safari Club International for his record setting trophies. At the time of his death he was pursuing his dream to complete “The Big Five” trophy collection of animals. Blair loved spending time with his family at Higgins Lake. He loved teaching his son Blair how to fish, and loved sailing with his brother Brad. One of his favorite pastimes was to just sit and watch the sunset. He ended this past summer with a spectacular sunset sail with his family. On May 25, 1974, at Saint Alphonsus Church in Dearborn, Michigan, Blair married
Tina Giuliano. His love of Italian food endeared him to his in-laws, Salvatore and Assunta Giuliano, who considered him their Irish son. In 1979, they began their family with the birth of their daughter, Meghan. Meghan was followed by Maureen in 1981, Melissa in 1983, Molly in 1987, and in 1992 Blair finally had a son who he named after himself. He loved and was devoted to his family. Besides his wife and children, he is survived by his loving mother, Mildred Whalen Murphy, siblings, Bernie Murphy, Dr. Brent (Michelle) Murphy, Dr. Bradford (Linda) Murphy, and Dr. Bonnie Murphy. Also surviving are mother and father-in-law, Salvatore and Assunta Giuliano and sister-in-laws Pauline (Paul) Wolski and Elizabeth (Mitchell) Rosekrans and many loving nieces and nephews, Shauna, Tracy, Brian, Donovan, Kathleen, Devin, Ryan, Robert Stephanie, Trevor and Laura. He was preceded in death by his father, Dr. Gerald Murphy. Blair also leaves behind a legacy of many loving and lifelong friends. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, December 5, 2001 at 12:00 PM from St. Mary Cathedral in Gaylord, Rev. John McCracken, officiating. Visitation at the Nelson Funeral Home in Gaylord will be held on Monday 4-8 PM and on Tuesday 4-8 PM. A rosary will be offered Tuesday evening at 7 PM. Memorial contributions may be made to the Blair A. Murphy, D.O. Memorial Fund in care of the Nelson Funeral Home, 135 N. Center, Gaylord, MI 49735.
Mr. Leon Butka
Mr. Leon Butka, age 76 of Berkley died Wednesday, November 20, 2002. Mr. Butka was born in Gaylord on April 29, 1926. While being raised in Gaylord he worked on the family farm off Beckett Rd. In 1945 he enlisted in the United States Navy. On August 28, 1948 at St. Mary Church in Gaylord he married
his wife, the former Marion Dipzinski. The couple had been married
54 years. In January of 1954 they left Gaylord and moved south, settling in Berkley. Mr. Butka had worked for several companies including Westwood Carpentry. He was a member of the Berkley American Legion and the Gaylord Eagles. He loved hunting and fishing. Mr. Butka is survived by his wife, Marion; his children, Marcia (John) Steele of Berkley, Gerald (Nancy) of Berkley Michael (Colleen) of Livonia, Doreen (Dennis) Moser of Oxford Karen (Gary) Koslakiewicz of Westland; 14 grandchildren; 1 great-grandson; 2 brothers Joseph (Rita) Butka of Livonia and Chester (Deb) Butka of Gaylord; 1 sister, Christine (Mack) Jaruzel of Millington; sisters in law: Betty Butka, Darlene (Butka) Simcek; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents John & Frances Butka, brothers and sisters, Cecelia & Joseph Pewinski, Pearl & Joseph Florkowski, Alexander, Raymond & Edmund Butka. FUNERAL SERVICES will be held on Saturday, November 23, 2002 at 2:00 PM from St. Mary Cathedral, Father John McCracken officiating. Burial will be in Resurrection cemetery in Vanderbilt. Visitation at the Nelson Funeral Home will be held on Friday from 2-8 PM and on Saturday from 11 AM until prayers at 1:30 PM. A rosary will be offered Friday afternoon at 3 PM followed by a parish wake service at 6:30 PM. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Vincent DePaul Society through the Nelson Funeral Home.
Mr. Wilbert F. “Bill” Hersch
Mr. Wilbert F. “Bill” Hersch, 86 of Gaylord died Sunday, November 10, 2002 at Tendercare in Gaylord. Bill was born in Larimer, PA on November 23, 1915 and moved to Ypsilanti in the early 1930’s where he lived most of his adult life until he moved to Gaylord in 1990 to live with his daughter until 2001. He was preceded in death by his wife Alice in 1988, son Bert in 1990, son Tom in 1991 and his granddaughter Wendy. He is survived by his son, Harry (Monica) Hersch of Gaylord & Muir, MI; his daughter, Ruth (Martin) Smolarz of Gaylord; 7 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren. Memorial services will be held on Friday, November 15, 2002 at 11:00 AM from Peace Lutheran Church in Gaylord. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Michigan or to the Hersch family, through the Nelson Funeral Home, 135 N. Center, Gaylord, MI 49735.
