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December 13, 2000

Obituaries

TRAVERSE CITY - Frederick Martin "Marty" Brydges, 57, passed away on Saturday at his Traverse City home, 2 1/2 years after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
      Born Nov. 14, 1943, in Battle Creek, he was the son of the late Frederick R. and Mary Ann Brydges. On Feb. 4, 1967, in Kalamazoo, he married Ann Elizabeth Bowen.
      A graduate of the Saint Philip High School in Battle Creek, he went on to earn a BS degree in business management from Western Michigan University in 1966. He was a member of Delta Chi fraternity. While studying for his master's degree, he was drafted, went to Vietnam in 1968, and received the bronze star.
      Upon his 1969 return from military service, Fred was employed by General Foods Corporation, as a sales representative in Bay City. In 1974, he accepted a district sales manager position with the Keebler Company. After three years with Keebler, Fred was hired by Sales World, Incorporated, a career move that would take him and his family to Saint Louis, Missouri. In 1980, he returned to Michigan to work for Maxwell House Coffee Company (which later became Kraft Foods), until his retirement in 1998.
      During his career, Fred received numerous accolades and awards. A charter member of the Maxwell House Master's Club, Fred was also a recipient of a presidential award for sales - the first sales representative in the country to receive both of these prestigious distinctions. Fred was a board member of the Michigan Grocer's Association, president of Northern Michigan Grocery Manufacturer's Representatives and selected as a trainer at the Basic Selling Skills Seminar in Stamford, Ct.
      Marty is survived by his wife, Ann; son, Steven Brydges of Gaylord; daughter-in-law, Rhonda Brydges of Elk Rapids; son, Jeremy and his wife Katie Brydges of Kalamazoo; sisters, Susan Varenne and Robin Anthony; and nieces and nephews.
      Highly-regarded and respected by his family, friends and peers, Fred was confident, supremely perceptive and determined, a man whose intelligence, sense of humor and listening ability are among his most remembered attributes. He enjoyed his family, boating, antiques, traveling, investing, the oldies, and his beloved dog and constant companion, Madison.
      We love you, Dad. - written by Steve Brydges.
      A memorial service will be celebrated at 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 14, 2001, at The Presbyterian Church, with Rev. Dr. Homer E. Nye and Rev. Mr. Thomas J. Bousamra (of ICCC) presiding. Visitation will follow the service.
      In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Cherryland Humane Society, 3201 LaFranier Road, Traverse City, MI 49686, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, PO Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101 or a charity of one's choice.
      The family is being served by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home of Traverse City.
      ARCADIA - Arthur J. Hunt, 63, of Arcadia, passed on Monday at his home.
      Art was born July 19, 1937, in Blaine Township, the son of Merton and Edna (Clark) Hunt.
      Art worked for the Ann Arbor Railroad as a switchman until 1982. He was also a dedicated farmer who loved draft horses. He used his draft horses for plowing, collecting sap and giving hay and sleigh rides, and participating in many parades. Art was a member of Herring Lake Baptist Church, serving as a deacon of the church. Art's main interests and concerns were his family and his church.
      On March 29, 1958, at Herring Lake, he married the former Gail Moore, who survives. Art is also survived by his daughter, Carey (Kim) McCaughna of Arcadia; sons, David and Billy - both of Arcadia; 11 grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; his mother, Edna; brothers, Jim (Catherine) Hunt of Frankfort and Dan (Jean) Hunt of Missouri; and two sisters, Kathy (Leon) Chilson of Buckley and Janice (Keith) Greenwald of Tinslow.
      His father, Merton, preceded Art in death.
      Friends may meet with the family from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. today at the Benzonia Chapel, McElduff Funeral Homes. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at Herring Lake Baptist Church with Pastor Gary Coleman officiating. Interment will be at Blaine Township Cemetery in the spring.
      Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider either Herring Lake Baptist Church or Grand Traverse Area Hospice.
      NORTHPORT-George A. Widmaier, 80, of Northport died Monday evening at Leelanau Memorial Health Center.
      George was born on March 27, 1920 in Detroit, to Richard and Grace (Innis) Widmaier. He was married in January 1940 to the former Betty Jeanne Rigley, who preceded him in death on September 23, 1994.
      George was a contractor for custom homes, building many in the Plymouth area. He and Betty Jeanne retired in 1973 and moved to Northport, where George was a member of the Northport Lions Club.
      The family wishes to thank the staff of the long term care unit of Leelanau Memorial Health Center for their loving care of George.
      George is survived by two daughters Judy (Fred) Clement of Sebastian, Fla.; and Sally (Dow) Swope of Williamsburg; a son, George G. Widmaier of Elk Rapids; and eight grandchildren, Debra, Drake and Tracy Kurtz; Michael, Steven, and George Widmaier; David Clement; and Teri Campbell; as well as nine great grandchildren.
      George was preceded in death also by his brother William; and his grandson Scott.
      Funeral services will be held Friday at 3 p.m. at Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay, with Rev. James H. Beadle officiating, where friends may call from 2 to 9 p.m. Burial will take place in the spring at the Leelanau Township Cemetery.
      Memorials may be directed to the Leelanau Memorial Health Center, long term care unit.
      EVALINE B. BOOTH, 81, of Traverse City, died the evening of Monday Dec. 11, 2000, at the Grand Traverse Pavilions.
      No services are planned at this time. Local arrangements have been entrusted to the Traverse City Chapel of Covell Funeral Homes.
     
      DENISE GAVALDON, 45, of Traverse City, passed on Monday, Dec. 11, 2000, at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City.
      Arrangements are pending and a full obituary will appear at a later date.
     
      MILDRED VAN PETTEN, 89, of Traverse City, passed on Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2000, at the Grand Traverse Pavilions.
      Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home.