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Joseph A. “Pa Pa Joe” Kukla
Joseph A. “Pa Pa Joe” Kukla, 85 of Greenwich Street, Manistee, died on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2006 at the Manistee County Medical Care Facility in Manistee surrounded by his family.
He was born on Dec. 23, 1920 in Manistee to the late Casimir and Rose (Chycinski) Kukla. Joe served in the U.S. Army during WW II and was a recipient of the Bronze Star, having served from Sept. 29, 1942 until Nov. 29, 1945.
He married Mary L. “Susie” Sundbeck on Nov. 20, 1946 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Manistee. Joe was a Charter and Life Member of the V.F.W. Walsh Post No. 4499, the American Legion Post No. 10 of Manistee and a Life Member of the Fraternal Order of Eagle’s Aerie No. 1765. He was also a member of the WW II Reunion Group, of the 33rd Division 122nd Field Artillery, a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Manistee, the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Dart Ball Team and the Men’s Breakfast Club. Joe was an avid baseball fan and in his early years he had played a lot of baseball. He was a member of the Manistee Saints Hall of Fame and to this day still has records that remain unbroken. Joe’s most cherished moments were family gatherings, especially being with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, camping with family and friends and all kinds of music. He loved to make homemade ice cream, was considered one of the best storytellers and had a joke for every occasion.
Joe is survived by his wife Mary L. “Susie” Kukla of Manistee; four daughters and two sons-in-law, Kathleen Kukla, Sandra and Dennis Mikula all of Manistee, Cynthia and David Lokovich of Ludington, and Susie Kukla also of Manistee; five grandchildren, Lindsay Lokovich, Alyson (Brian) Schmidbauer, Jeffrey (Amanda) Mikula, Lea Raines and Jennifer Mikula; five great-grandchildren, Brianna Bentley, Benjamin Joseph Raines, Dallas Schmidbauer, Blake Alan Mikula and Trevor Joseph Mikula; two sisters and one brother-in-law, Blondine Goslinoski of Manistee and Margaret and Bill Martin of Macomb, Miss.; one brother and sister-in-law, Al and Margaret Kukla; and two brothers-in-law, Floyd Yoder and Evert Makinen all of Manistee. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive him.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Linda S. Kukla; his sisters, Irene Kuczynski, Helen Makinen and Virginia Yoder; infant twin brothers and two brothers-in-law, Roddy Kuczynski and Raymond Goslinoski.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Manistee with Lay Minister Ann Ziehm officiating. Final interment will be in Oak Grove Cemetery.
An evening Scripture Service will be prayed at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the Herbert Funeral Home in Manistee, where the family will receive friends from 6-9 p.m. Sunday. The family will also receive friends at the church on Monday morning one hour prior to the 11 a.m. funeral service.
Those wishing to remember Joe may do so by contributing to a memorial established in his name for Good Shepherd Lutheran Church or the Manistee County Medical Care Facility. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home and also at the church on Monday.
The Herbert Funeral Home of Manistee is in charge of funeral arrangements.
Harvey M. Thompson
Harvey M. Thompson, 90, of Ludington, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2006 at Tendercare of Ludington after a lengthy illness. He was born on August 7, 1916 in Ludington and married on August 4, 1957 in Cadillac to Lucille Batt. She preceded him in death on April 12, 1999. He lived in Ludington most of his life and was a graduate of Ludington High School. He was a member of the United Methodist Church of Ludington, and Ludington Aerie 1354 Fraternal Order of Eagles. He was a veteran of WWII serving in the Marines where he was a member of the Marine Corp Band. His love for music lasted his whole life and he formed the Harvey Thompson & the Nite Notes for over 50 years. Harvey was retired from Brill Manufacturing Co. of Ludington.
He is survived by one son, Jeffery (Robyn) Thompson of Bradenton, Fla.; one stepson, Ronald (Debbie) Batt of Ludington; four grandchildren, Travis (Kristy), Joseph, Tim (Sonya)= and Paul Batt; and one great-grandson, Tyler Batt; nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his wife, five brothers, and one sister.
Funeral services for Harvey M. Thompson will be held on Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the Alexander-Rye Funeral Home. Visitation will be today from 7-9 p.m. and again on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the United Methodist Church with envelopes available at the Alexander-Rye Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.
Carol Jean Pleiness Nemechek
Carol Jean Pleiness Nemechek, 83, passed away on Friday, Sept. 29, 2006. She was the beloved wife of the late Harold Roy Nemecheck Sr. She is survived by one son and three daughters, seven grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren, one sister, plus nieces and nephews. She was the daughter of the late Fern Oldt Pleiness and Walter Pleiness. She lived in Metairie, La. since 1961, but spent her childhood summers with both sets of grandparents in Riverton Twp.
A donation in her name may be made to Lakeshore Animal Friends.
Vera Mae (Lucker) Larios
Vera Mae (Lucker) Larios, 85, died Oct. 10, 2006 in Lansing. Vera was born August 13, 1922 in Sherman Township, and was the daughter of Carl and Shirley (Mendenhall) Lucker. Vera retired from the State of Michigan Department of Transportation after 30 plus years of faithful service. She had many friends at “Spud’s Restaurant” where she stopped in every day.
Surviving are her son, Robert (Beverly) of Lansing; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; two very special cousins, Carole and Shirley. Preceded in death by her husband, Joe (1989) and sisters, Dorothy and Vivian.
A Memorial Mass will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17 at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 1611 W. Oakland Avenue, Lansing. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to Holy Cross School, 1611 W. Oakland Avenue, Lansing, 48915. Arrangements with Tiffany Funeral Home.
Michele Kneidl
Michele Kneidl, 31, of Manistee died October 11, 2006. The Herbert Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Herbert J. Beyer
Herbert J. Beyer, 88, went to be with his Lord on Monday, Oct. 9 where he rejoins his wife of 59 years, Ruth. Herb was born Feb. 23, 1918 in Free Soil, to Charles and Amelia Beyer. He worked in the office at Gulf Refining Co. in Muskegon while attending Muskegon Business College. After graduating, he worked as general accounting supervisor at Stewart-Hartshorn in Muskegon, where he met Ruth Marie Brown in 1942, and later married on June 2, 1944. Having joined the Army in 1943, Herb was shipped overseas to Europe on June 21, 1944, where he served until August, 1945. After the war, Herb and Ruth lived in Ionia Co., where he was an accountant at Ionia Manufacturing. In 1953, Herb began working at Lear Siegler as a general accounting supervisor and accountant. Herb and Ruth moved to Wyoming in 1957 where they raised their family. Herb retired from Lear Siegler in 1983 and enjoyed serving as a commander of the Wyoming V.F.W. Post 702 and as a president of the Travelers Protective Association. Later in life, Herb and Ruth lived at Railside Living Center where Ruth died in 2003. Since that time Herb has lived at Crystal Manor in Cutlerville, Oak Crest Manor in Spring Lake, and most recently at McAuley Place in Muskegon.
He leaves behind his daughter, Nancy Ann Geneva of Spring Lake; his son, Jon William Beyer of Miami, Fla.; his sister, Hattie Sweetnam; his brothers, Walter (Jo) Beyer, and Edward Beyer all of Ludington; and several nieces and nephews. A sister, Louise Beyer of Muskegon, preceded him in death.
Since 1960 Herb has been a member of Grace Lutheran Church, 150-50th St. SW, Grand Rapids, where the funeral service will be held 1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 16, with the Rev. Robert Weidmayer officiating. Interment will be in Blain Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given to Grace Lutheran Church or the American Stroke Association. Visitation will be held Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Stroo Funeral Home and Monday from 12 to 1 p.m. at church.
Arrangements by Stroo Funeral Home, 1095 68th Street, SE, Grand Rapids 49508.
Donald B. Kelly
Died October 11, 2006
Donald B. Kelly, 89, of Ludington, died Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2006 at Mercy Hospital in Muskegon.
Donald Burton Kelly was born Dec. 25, 1916 in Oceana County’s Benona Township, near Shelby, the son of Clayton and Hulda (Hendricksen) Kelly. He graduated from Shelby High School.
He was married on Aug. 26, 1939 to Sylvia Hawley and she survives.
Don was a long-time member of the Summit Church of Christ where he served as a deacon and treasurer.
He was a fruit farmer in Summit Township for many years and in 1971 he began working with son Barry at Kelly’s Snowmobile Sales and worked with him for many years in the service area.
Don was unable to walk in later years, so he bought an electric scooter and sprayed his one remaining apple tree and worked in his garden from his scooters seat.
He coached several local baseball teams and dearly loved his favorite team the Detroit Tigers. He also loved dogs, especially his dog, Molly.
In addition to his wife of 67 years, Sylvia, he is survived by three sons, Dennis (June) Kelly of Searcy, Ark., Dale (Barbara) and Barry (Beverly) Kelly, both of Ludington; one sister, Jean Mackela of Hart; five grandchildren, Dennis Clayton Kelly Jr., Karmen Adams, Donald Wayne Kelly, Sharon Peterson and Teresa Kelly; and several great-grandchildren. He is also survived by sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Agnes Kelly, Leo and Phyllis Hazen and Marilyn Johnson.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Everett Kelly and Earl Kelly; and two sisters, Marge Pringle and Verna Manley.
Funeral Services for Donald B. Kelly will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Dorrell Funeral Home Chapel with Mr. Damon Beaver officiating. Interment will follow in Summit Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday.
Those wishing to make an expression of sympathy are asked to consider Hospice of Michigan or the Summit Church of Christ.
Dorrell Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Carol Ann Fields
Carol Ann Fields, 63, of Ludington, died Oct. 10, 2006. Oak Grove Funeral Home and Cremation Center is in charge of arrangements.
Jean Vachow
Jean Vachow, 89, of Mackinaw City, died Oct. 2, 2006, at the Grand Traverse Pavilions in Traverse City.
Born on May 20, 1917 in Ludington, Jean was the daughter of Joel Albert and Anna Marie Seward. She married Leo Vachow, also of Ludington, in 1938, and soon after moved to Mackinaw City where they became long-time residents. Leo preceded her in death in 1989.
Surviving are her children, Jim (Danielle) of Sutton's Bay, Jon (Jacki) of Plymouth, Kevin of Mackinaw City and Jo Kendall (Larry) of Tucson, Ariz. Also surviving are her siblings, Jim of Ludington, Jerry of Cadillac, and Carlin of St. Louis, Mo. Jean was proud of her nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
A devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, hers was a life of giving and service. She was an active member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church and the Mackinaw City Women’s Club for more than 60 years.
A memorial service will be held at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, 600 W. Central Ave., Mackinaw City, Michigan on Friday, Oct. 20 at 1 p.m.
Memorial considerations may be made out in the name of the Mackinaw City Women’s Club.
