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Deloris `Dee' Thomas
Deloris "Dee" Thomas, 76, of Elk Rapids, died Tuesday, May 25, 2004. She was born In Milford on July 27, 1928, the daughter of Jacob and Dona (Bassler) Vandenberg.
During the last several years, Dee had worked in retail at many of the local shops in Elk Rapids. Throughout Dee's life her family, children and grandchildren were her focus. In years past, the family had a cabin in the Atlanta/Lewiston area, where they would gather on weekends.
Dee enjoyed cooking and baking for her family, as well as others. She was the neighborhood mother to everyone. She filled in and played sandlot baseball when needed, and hosted backyard fish-frys for the neighborhood kids. Her love for animals found her rescuing and nursing many back to health.
Dee is survived by her loving husband, John Thomas of Elk Rapids; four children, David (Catherine) Thomas of Bradenton, Fla., Matthew (Jenifer) Thomas of Traverse City, Benjamin (Julie) Thomas of Chesapeake, Va., and Jane Thomas of Nakomas, Fla.; five grandchildren, Cameron, Will, Linc, Ali and Rachel Thomas; four sisters, Geraldine Aten, Shirley (Victor) Romero, Alma (Donald) Boesh and Patricia (George) Serbinoff; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Robert, Jay and Francis; and two sisters, Vida and Phyllis.
A Celebration of Life service was held Tuesday, June 1, 2004, at the Elk Rapids United Methodist Church, with Rev. Thomas Pier-Fitzgerald officiating.
The family asks those wishing to give memorial contributions to please remember the Elk Rapids United Methodist Church, 301 Traverse St., Elk Rapids, MI 49629.
Arrangements were entrusted to the Elk Rapids Chapel of Covell Funeral Homes.
Herbert Rush
Herbert Rush, 80, of Grand Rapids, formerly of Grosse Pointe Woods, died Friday, July 23, 2004, at his summer home of 40 years, on Intermediate Lake near Bellaire.
He was born May 14, 1924, in Chicago, the son of Frank and Katherine (Wege) Rush.
He worked as an engineer for the Chrysler Corporation for 25 years, followed by many years as a sales representative for the Joseph Lamb Company, both in Warren.
He served in the U.S. Army Air Corp in World War II.
He was a member of the First English Lutheran Church in Grosse Pointe Woods, and the Grosse Pointe Men's Club.
On June 28, 1947, in Detroit, he married Gertrude Kablowsky who survives. Also surviving are two children, Elyce (Michael) Fuller of Grand Rapids, Gary Rush of Hartland; three grandsons, Daniel and Robert Lewis, and Andrew Fuller.
Funeral services were held Sunday, July 25, at the Bellaire Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes. The Rev. Raymond D. Parent officiated. Interment was in Southern cemetery, Central Lake Township.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First English Lutheran Church Building Fund, 800 Vernier, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236, or the Universit of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, 1500 E. Medical Center Dr., Ann Arbor, MI 48109.
Paul J. Ott
Paul J. Ott, 77, of Alden died Wednesday, July 21, 2004, at home.
Mr. Ott was born Feb. 5, 1927 in Lansing, the son of Paul and Marguerite (Howland) Ott.
He was a 1950 graduate of Michigan State University after serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II. While living in Birmingham he was active in the St. Columbian Catholic Church.
He moved to Alden in 1975 and worked as an investment counselor in Traverse City for many years. He enjoyed golfing.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, John and Donald Ott.
On Aug. 12, 1951, in Royal Oak, he married Louise D. Bentsen who survives. Also surviving are two children, Paul J. Ott III of McKinney, Texas, Janis (Kevin) Kenny of Brighton; a sister, Barbara O'Connor of Manistique; three grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Saturday, July 24, at the Bellaire Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes, with the Rev. James Gardner officiating. Interment was in Helena Township cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association or the Arthritis Foundation.
Alice H. Lauroff
Alice H. Lauroff, 84, of Central Lake, formerly of Echo Township, died Thursday, July 22, 2004, at Meadow Brook Medical Care Facility in Bellaire.
She was born on April 6, 1920, in Echo Township, the daughter of Harrison and Lennie (Hill) Churchill.
She resided in the Detroit area for many years where she worked as the head cashier for Kroger grocery stores. She moved to Echo Township in 1990 and had also resided in Arcadia, Fla.
She was a member of the Bible Baptist Church in Central Lake. She loved her family and enjoyed spending time with them and also had a special love for her church.
On January 7, 1939, in Hazel Park, she married Alexander Lauroff who preceded her in death in 1995. Also preceding her in death were a daughter Patricia McCollum, a granddaughter Maria McCollum, four sisters, Maude Churchill, Irma Crow, Elva Czarnecki, Norma Bishop and her parents.
Surviving are a son Alexander Jr. (Sandra) Lauroff of Goodrich; a daughter Peggy (Robert) Tourangeau of Washington Township; two sisters, Jane (R.J.) Webb of Central Lake, Iris Morrish of Cass City; eight grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held on Monday, July 26, at the Bible Baptist Church in Central Lake. Pastor Tom Hunter officiated. Interment was in Dunsmore cemetery in Echo Township
Memorial contributions may be made to the Bible Baptist Church.
Arrangements were handled by the Central Lake Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes.
Geraldine Ellen Williams
Geraldine Ellen Williams of Boyne City died Monday, July 19, 2004, at Charlevoix Area Hospital in the presence of her family, of natural causes. She was 90.
Geraldine was born Sept. 28, 1913, in Boyne City, daughter of Morris Snyder and Louise Grammel Snyder. She was a graduate of Boyne City High School.
She married Charles E. Williams of Boyne Falls in Traverse City in 1933, and they spent most of their lives in Boyne City.
While raising her children Geraldine was a waitress at the Wolverine Dilworth and the Boyne Mountain Lodge and owned and managed the Country Cousins Restaurant in Boyne City. She was devoted to her family, loved to play cards and spend time with friends.
In her family she was the champion morel mushroom picker.
Together with Jewel Bryan and Thelma Behling, Geraldine created the Christmas Basket Project of Boyne City. In the last three years Geraldine's home was Grandvue Medical Center where she was lovingly cared for by their extraordinarily kind and devoted staff to whom the Williams family will be eternally grateful.
Most sincere and special thanks to Amamda Van Denavond and Linda Sellke.
Survivors include her children, Nancy (Dale) Kuebler of Petoskey; Stephen (Dee) Williams of Apple Valley, Calif., Charlene (Alan) Walker, of Lahaina, Maui,Hawaii; Lyssa (Glen) Truitt, of Colorado Springs, Colo.; Anthony (Robin) Williams of Boyne City; Martha Sulfridge of Castle Rock, Colo., and Kerri (Tracy) Reinhardt, also of Boyne City; four sisters, Louise Harrsen, Alice (husband Don) Bachman, Arlene (husband Rex) McGhan and Betty Tyler; 17 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.
Her husband, Charles, four brothers, Kenneth, Lineous, Lyle and Carl Snyder, and grandson Timothy Charles Williams preceeded her in death.
A memorial service was held at the First Presbyterian Church in Boyne City Sunday, July 25.
In lieu of flowers please make contributions to the Christmas Basket project of Boyne City or to the Breast Cancer Fund. (For more information call 582-5057).
John D. Juracko
First Sergeant John D. Juracko, 90, of East Jordan died Monday, July 19, 2004, at the East Jordan Adult Foster Care Facility, Inc. in East Jordan.
Funeral services were held Friday, July 23, at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in East Jordan. The Rev. Jim Gardner officiated with military services following at Sunset Hill cemetery in East Jordan.
John was born on March 28, 1914 to John D. and Mary Juracko in Marianna, Penn.
He joined the United States Marine Corps in 1936 during the Great Depression. John was a "China Marine," serving his country in China before the start of World War II. He served throughout World War II, and also during the Korean Conflict, retiring in 1960 with the rank of 1st Sergeant. John loved the Marine Corps and after he retired he became a member of the Northern Michigan Detachment of the Marine Corps League. He very much enjoyed participating in the meetings and fellowship and camaraderie of this very close group of former Marines. He especially enjoyed the many parades they participated in and handing out American flags each June to remind his fellow Americans that Flag Day was approaching.
John was a member of St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church in Jordan Township, Antrim County and St. Joseph Catholic Church in East Jordan. He will be remembered by many friends who cared for him throughout the years.
John is survived by many nieces and nephews; close friends, Paul and Linda Michael of East Jordan; as well as his adopted family in the United States Marine Corps. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Joseph, Paul and Andrew; two sisters Mary and Julia; and a very special friend and companion for many years, Mary Gower of East Jordan.
Memorials may be given to John D. Juracko Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Charlevoix County Community Foundation, P.O. Box 718, East Jordan, MI 49727. Arrangements were made by Penzien Funeral Homes, Inc. in East Jordan.
Lucy Weidenbacker
Lucy Weidenbacker, 81, of Boyne City passed away in Florida on July 13, 2004 after a long battle with Alzhiemers.
Lucy was born July 6, 1923. She is survived by her husband Robert Weidenbacker; daughter Jacqueline Fleming of Boyne City; sisters, Nancy Hale of Petoskey, and Rose Etheridge of Walloon Lake; and brother Osca Shayolian of Indian River. Lucy also had three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Elisha Coon
Elisha "Chuck" Coon, 22, of Kalkaska, passed away suddenly on July 19, 2004.
He was born on March 6, 1982, in Traverse City, the son of Ralph and Connie (Vowels) Coon Jr.
Chuck was a construction worker of residential homes. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed golf. Chuck was a member of Victory Baptist Church.
Surviving is his loving family, including, his parents, Ralph and Connie Coon, Jr.; his siblings, Brandy (Bryan) Sam, Shawn Coon and Brandon Cook, all of Kalkaska, and his maternal grandmother, Betty Vowels of Kalkaska.
Chuck was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Ralph and Barbara Coon; his maternal grandfather, Kenneth Vowels, and his niece, Candice Sam.
The funeral service was held on Wednesday, July 20, at Wolfe Funeral Home. Interment was at Lodi cemetery.
Arrangements were made by Wolfe Funeral Home, Kalkaska.
Raymond Gassel
Raymond John Gassel of Fife Lake passed away peacefully at his home on July 22, 2004, surrounded by his loving family.
Raymond was born on June 15, 1921, in Brown City. His parents were Michael and Eva (Jones) Gassel.
Raymond served our country during WWII as a U.S. Marine. He married Jean Neihardt on June 17, 1947, in Kalkaska. He was a resident of Fife Lake his entire life.
Raymond retired from Cadillac Rubber in 1983 after 21 years of service.
He enjoyed fishing and hunting.
Surviving Raymond is Jean, his wife of 57 years; children, David J. (Cherle) Gassel of Boise, Idaho, Alan (Susan) Gassel of Lake City, Michael J. (Marilyn) Gassel of Manton and Ann (Craig Newell) Dontje of Okemos; nine grandchildren; three great-grandchildren, and siblings, John (Edna) Gassel of Lapeer, Michael (Jean) Gassel of Livonia and Rosemary (Donald) Bently of Las Vegas.
Funeral services were held July 26 at Wolfe Funeral Home with Elder Glen Neihardt officiating. Interment was at Clark cemetery.
Memorials may be given in behalf of Raymond to Munson Hospice or Kalkaska Commission on Aging.
Arrangements were made by Wolfe Funeral Home, Kalkaska.
Charles J. Ford
Charles J. Ford, 60, of West Bloomfield died Sept. 30, 2004. He was born in Dearborn on Dec. 9, 1943. A 1966 graduate of Central Michigan University, he was a retired vice president for Compuware.
Charles loved football, small town parades, photography, Lake Michigan and Grand Traverse Bay. He was very devoted to his family, had a great sense of humor, and was also a charter member of the Acme Athletic Club.
Charles was the beloved husband of Paula for 35 years, and dear father of Julie Pietrosante (Judd), Sara Burstein (Gregory) and Scott Charles Ford; grandfather of Nicholas Rocco and Charles Lucca Pietrosante; and brother of Ruth Ann Nelson.
Visitation was held Saturday and Sunday at the A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Home in Troy. A funeral mass was held Monday at the Shrine Chapel of Our Lady of Orchard Lake at St. Mary's College in Orchard Lake.
Memorial tributes may be made to the Charles J. Ford Memorial Scholarship Fund, in care of A. J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Home, 2600 Crooks Road, Troy, MI 48084
For more information, call (248) 362-2500.
