|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
December 14, 2000ObituariesTRAVERSE CITY - Mary S. Stedman, 66, of Traverse City, died Wednesday at her home.Born March 2, 1934, in Detroit, she was the daughter of Joseph and Mary (Moinar) Veresh. On Jan. 15, 1966, in Allen Park, she married George Stedman. A resident of Traverse City since 1989, she moved here from Fenton where she had lived since 1966. Mary was employed as a dietitian at Hurley Medical Center in Flint, at Greenfields Restaurant in Detroit and also at Ford Motor Company. She later taught at Southwestern High School in Flint and also at Northwest Vocational Education Center in Clarkston until her retirement. She was also an excellent cook, baker and hostess, to the great enjoyment of her friends and family. She was a master gardener; gardening was her greatest love. Other outdoor activities included golf and fishing. Mary is survived by her children, Claudia (Robert) Craig of Traverse City and Matthew (Tamara) Stedman of Grand Blanc. She is also survived by her granddaughters Kylie Lynne and Katie Maureen, Sarah Elizabeth and Abby Rose; a sister, Eva (Julius) Tatar of Suttons Bay; brothers, Louis (Helen) Veresh of Suttons Bay and William (Helen) Veresh of Lincoln Park; sisters-in-law, Elizabeth Veresh of Milford and Anenia Veresh of Detroit, and many nieces and nephews, of whom all were her favorites. She was preceded in death by her husband, George; a son, George "Chip" Stedman, Jr.; her parents; and her brothers, John, Joseph and Steve. Services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City with Rev. Becky Chamberlain officiating. Friends may call at the time of service. Memorials may be directed to Munson Hospice, Cherryland Humane Society or the America Cancer Society. BENZONIA - Howard V. Johnson, 70, of Benzonia, passed away Wednesday morning at The Maples in Frankfort. Howard was born on September 30, 1930 in Stuttgart, Ark., the son of Charles and Adell (Seymore) Johnson. Howard had been a resident of Benzonia since 1939. Howard was employed by Luedtke Engineering as a Tug Boat Captain for 22 years, retiring in 1988. Howard served his country, honorably serving with the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean conflict. He was a former member of the Eagles and American Legion Post in Frankfort. Howard was an AVID card player and he enjoyed refinishing furniture. His greatest joy and priority was his grandchildren. On August 11, 1979, he married Sandra Given, who survives. Howard is also survived by his sons, Dave (Shirley) of Bloomington, Ind., Joe (Kristi) of Benzonia, and Tim of Chicago; daughters Charla Johnson of Eugene Ore., Cheryl Johnson of Frankfort, and Shawna (Todd) Purgeil of Thompsonville; and 11 grandchildren. Howard is survived as well by his brothers Don of Chicago and Jim (Olga) of S.C.; and his sisters Nina (Ross) Ghaston of Honor, Ruth Maginity of Benzonia, Betz Paupore and Charlene Kortokrax, both of Traverse City. Services will be held on Saturday at 2 p.m. from the Benzonia Chapel, McElduff Funeral Homes, with Pastor Ken Blair officiating. Friends may meet with the family on Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider either The Maples or Grand Traverse Pavilions. TRAVERSE CITY - Lena Marie Bauer, 96, a lifelong resident of Kingsley and Traverse City, died Tuesday. Lena was born on November 26, 1904 in Kingsley to Frank and Katherine (Wolf) Schmuckal. She was married at St. Mary's in Hannah on September 15, 1926 to Joseph Bauer. Fondly known by her grandchildren as "Grandma Joe," Lena's grandchildren were very special to her. She was a very creative person and enjoyed crocheting, gardening, cooking and playing the piano. She spent time volunteering at church, as well. Lena is survived by her five children, Dorothy (Max) Elliott of Traverse City, Wilma (Maynard) Elliott of Grawn, Richard (Betty) Bauer of Kingsley, John (Eva) Bauer of Lake Ann, and Romana (Sherwood) Herman of Traverse City; and one sister, Margaret Bogart of Kinglsey. She is also survived by 23 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild. Lena is preceded in death by her parents; her husband; three sisters; and one brother. Visitation will take place Thursday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at Covell-Smith Funeral Home of Kingsley and Friday at the church from 11 a.m. to the time of service. The Rosary will be held Thursday at 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Friday at 12 noon at St. Mary's in Hannah. Internment will take place at St. Mary's Cemetery in Hannah. Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Mary's Hannah School. Arrangements have been entrusted to Covell-Smith Funeral Home of Kingsley. 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. He 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. Friends may call Thursday from 2 to 9 p.m. at Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay. Funeral services will be held Friday at 3 p.m. at the funeral home, 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. TRAVERSE CITY - Mildred Van Petten, 89, of Traverse City, died Tuesday at the Grand Traverse Pavilions. She was born August 26, 1911 at the family home in Blair Township and spent all 89 of her birthdays at the place of her birth, the family home. She was the daughter of John and Clara (Brakel) Canfield, the youngest of eight children raised on the family farm near Silver Lake. On June 28, 1937, in Traverse City, she married William Van Petten, who preceded her in death. Mildred's elementary school days were spent at the two room school house in Grawn, which was a three mile walk to and from home. During high school, she and her twin sister, Margaret, lived downtown. Mildred graduated in 1929 from Traverse City High School. She and Margaret continued their education at Central Michigan Normal in Mt. Pleasant, where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree and a teaching certificate. Mildred began her career as a high school teacher. She taught in Bellaire, Whittemore, Brimley, Linden and Fenton school systems. She retired from teaching in June of 1971. She was very much a family person and was devoted to her family's land. A member of Grawn United Methodist Church, Mildred also enjoyed the company of her many friends, traveling, playing cards, baking, bowling and swimming in Silver Lake. She is survived by her son, William (Peggy) Van Petten, Jr. of Allen, Tx.; two grandsons, Steve and Jason; and many nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death were her parents; a son, Richard; and siblings, Ida Ann, Crystal, Thereasa, Margaret (her twin), Bill; and twins, Carl and Charles. Visitation will be Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City. Funeral services will be held on Friday at 11 a.m. at the funeral home, with the Rev. Dan Biteman officiating. Burial will be in the spring at Maple Grove Cemetery in Grawn. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Grawn United Methodist Church. |