Search Archived Marriage Records
David Anthony (Bogus) Boguszewski
March 17, 2000
David Anthony (Bogus) Boguszewski, age 97, of 2716 S. Lakeshore Drive, Pere Marquette Township, passed away unexpectedly early Friday, March 17 at his home.
He was born Nov. 5, 1902, in Ludington. He was married Nov. 3, 1931, at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Ludington to Kazmara Draminski and she survives. The couple lived in Ludington all their lives. He was employed by Jackson Vibrators for many years, retiring March 27, 1968. He was a member of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church since its beginning and his father was one of the founders of the parish. He attended St. Stanislaus School and was a member of P.M. Council 1492, Knights of Columbus, Ludington, Aerie No. 1354 Fraternal Order of Eagles, was a former member of the Jackson Vibrators Ball Team.
Surviving, in addition to his wife of 67 years, are five children, Mrs. Lloyd (Constance) Andersen of Ludington, Jane (and Harry) Abramowski of Manistee, Mrs. Gordon (Alicia) Petzak of Manistee, Mrs. Rodney (Alexandra) Meeker of Ludington, David M. Bogus of Ludington; 20 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; one sister, Gladys VanNorman of Ludington, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by five brothers and sisters, Stanley, Raymond, Theodore, Helen Wright and Mary O’Connell.
Mass of Christian Burial from the Order of Catholic Funerals for Mr. Boguszewski will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 21 at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church with the Rev. Dennis O’Donnell as celebrant. Burial will be in Pere Marquette Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 2 to 4 this afternoon and 7 to 9 this evening at the Alexander-Rye Funeral Home, where a rosary will be prayed at 8:30 this evening.
Memorials may be directed to Ludington Area Catholic Education Fund with envelopes available at the funeral home.
Paul P. Balavitch
Died May 1, 2001
Paul P. Balavitch, age 75, of Fruitport, died Tuesday, May 1 at a Muskegon hospital following a short illness.
He was born May 26, 1925, in Weare and moved to Fruitport in 1952. He married the former Donna M. Gillespie at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Weare on July 31, 1948, and she preceded him in death on Nov. 29, 1989. Mr. Balavitch later married the former Winifred M. Gillespie Christensen at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on June 30, 1990. He was an active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and a life member of the NRA. Mr. Balavitch was an avid hunter, fisherman and outdoorsman. He enjoyed attending Muskegon Catholic Central Crusader football games and watching his children and grandchildren play sports. Mr. Balavitch was employed at Muskegon Potato Company as a truck driver and co-owned Adams Camper Sales for over 30 years until his retirement.
Survivors include his wife, Winnie; three sons, Justin E. Balavitch of Fruitport, Paul P. (Cindy) Balavitch of Buena Park, Calif., and Gary A. (Ronda) Balavitch of Fruitport; three daughters, Suzanne M. (Greg) Miller of Norton Shores, Lee Ann (Jeff) Frame of Fruitport, and Linda A. Rivers of Fullerton, Calif.; two stepchildren, Richard (Sue) Christensen of Rothbury, and Mary Louise (Bill) Gokey of Ludington; two sisters, Helen Lynch of Detroit and Julia (Lester) Shaner of Hart; 19 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews, especially Petie, Tom and Dan Balavitch.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 150 Summit, Muskegon Heights, with the Rev. Norman Droski as celebrant. Interment will be in Fruitport Cemetery.
Visitation is from 6 to 8 this evening and from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Lee Funeral Home 2812 Fifth St., Muskegon Heights, where a prayer vigil will begin at 7 p.m.
Memorials may be made to Sacred Heart Catholic Church or the American Diabetes Association.
Helen Marie Smith
Helen Marie Smith, age 85, of Oakview Medical Care Facility, passed away early Friday, April 27.
Helen M. Miller was born March 25, 1916, in Ludington to Nickolas and Mabel Miller. She lived in Ludington all her life and was married Sept. 8, 1936, in Ludington to William O. Smith. He passed away April 15, 1989. She graduated from Ludington High School and was a member and past president of Pere Marquette Home Extension Club, the Pere Marquette Ladies Aid Society and the Nine We Are Club.
Surviving are three daughters, Mrs. Herbert (Barbara) Tacktor of Ludington, Mrs. Laval (Anita) Freeland of Ludington, Mrs. Frank (Carol) Schiepek of Flushing; seven grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; 12 great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Alice DeVette of Muskegon; two sisters-in-law, Irene Miller of Owosso, and Beatrice Smith of Ludington; nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, one grandson, Christopher Schiepek, two sisters, Jessica Hazekamp and Rosemary Miller.
Private family services will be held Tuesday, May 1 at the Alexander-Rye Funeral Home with the Rev. Wayne E. Buskirk officiating.
There will be no visitation; burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery.
Memorials may be directed to the Oakview Medical Care Facility Diversional Fund with envelopes available at the funeral home.
John Lee Farr
Died Feb. 26, 1998
John Lee Farr, 24, of 261 Lindy Lane, Holland, and formerly of Branch, passed away Thursday, Feb. 26, at his residence.
Memorial services for John Farr will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 1, at Evergreen Evangelical Covenant Church, Branch, with Bud Faulk, pastor, officiating.
The family will be at the Stephens Funeral Chapel, Scottville, to receive friends today from 7 to 9 p.m.
Mrs. Everlyn A. Goldberg
Died March 7, 1998
Mrs. Evelyn A. Goldberg, 75, of Hart died Saturday, March 7, at her residence. The Tate Funeral Home, Hart, is in charge of arrangements.
Dorothy E. Nielsen
Died Feb. 19, 1998
Dorothy E. Nielsen, 77, of 702 St. Paul St., Ludington, died at her residence on Thursday.
Dorothy Elizabeth Brant was born Jan. 23, 1921, in Ludington to John and Agnes (Rosplock) Brant. She lived her entire life in Ludington and graduated from Ludington High School.
She was married May 30, 1941, to Samuel Nielsen, and he preceded her in death.
She was a devoted mother and grandmother, always enjoying the time she was able to spend with her children and grandchildren.
She had a love for nature and ceramics and was a great humanitarian, spending time helping others.
Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Walter (Sally) Taranko and Mrs. Stanley (Mary) Karnicki, both of Ludington; two grandchildren, John (and Amy) Taranko of Ludington and Mrs. Greg (Barbara) Shaw of Muskegon; one brother, George Brant of Ludington; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband, Samuel, she was preceded in death by her parents and one granddaughter, Loriann Karnicki, in 1975.
Mass of Christian Burial from the Order of Christian Funerals for Mrs. Nielsen will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Simon Catholic Church, with the Rev. Ken Schichtel as celebrant. Interment will be in Lakeview Cemetery.
The family will be at the Dorrell Funeral Home from 2 to 4 this afternoon and 7 to 9 this evening to receive friends. A scripture service will be held at 7:30 this evening.
Memorials may be directed to the American Heart Association or American Diabetes Association; envelopes are available at the funeral home.
Ross E. Leedham
Ross E. Leedham, age 67, of Ludington, died Dec. 26 at home after a short illness.
Ross Edward Leedham was born Sept. 20, 1933, in Ludington, the son of the late Charles and Dorothy (Gatfield) Leedham. He grew up in Ludington where he graduated from Ludington High School, class of 1951. He also obtained a degree at General Motors Institute of Technology in Detroit.
He was married Nov. 5, 1955, to Gladys J. Kollberg and she survives.
Ross was employed by CSX Railroad as a switchman/yard master until his retirement. He was a member of Edwin H. Ewing Post 76, Ludington Aerie 1354 Fraternal Order of Eagles, Pere Marquette Lodge 299, Free and Accepted Masons, and the Ludington Boat Club.
In his free time he enjoyed golfing and fishing.
He is survived by his wife, Gladys; two sons, Robert (Ronda) Leedham of Kansas City, Kansas, and Steven (Dawn) Leedham of Grand Rapids; one daughter, Kathryn Leedham of Ft. Myers, Fla.; one sister, Anne (Ronald) Prill of Whitehall, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
His parents preceded him in death.
A memorial service for Mr. Leedham will be conducted 1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 28 at the Dorrell Funeral Home with the Rev. John Christensen officiating.
Those wishing to make an expression of sympathy are asked to consider Hospice. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.
