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August 19, 2001

Obituaries

GLEN ARBOR - Clarence L. Burry, 90, of Glen Arbor, died Friday at his home.
      He was born July 23, 1911, in Nessen City, Mich., the son of Frank and Frances (Popa) Brzezinski, and married the former Leona B. Cluff on Oct. 22, 1937, in Grand Rapids.
      Clarence had been a millwright for American Box Board in Grand Rapids and then moved to Cedar, where he and his wife owned and operated Burry's Dining Room for 27 years. Following retirement from the restaurant, they moved to Glen Arbor.
      Clarence was a member of Glen Lake Community Reformed Church where he also served as a Deacon on the Consistory board.
      He was a member of the Glen Lake Community Schools Board of Education and was a charter member of the Cedar Fire Department, where he was instrumental in securing the first fire truck for the department. A member of the Cedar Chamber of Commerce, Clarence began the Cedar 4-H Handiwork Club and was also active with the Boy Scouts in the community. He drove dune buggies at The Sleeping Bear Dunes and also drove school buses for Glen Lake Community Schools until they told him he was too old to drive.
      Clarence was a member of the Glen Lake Noontiders and was in charge of their lunches. He was also a fan of Glen Lake boys and girls basketball as well as all Glen Lake sports.
      He was Cedar's very own Santa Claus for many years, where he visited schools, nursing homes, nursery schools and homes in the area during the Christmas Holidays. Clarence also enjoyed gardening and caring for the flower gardens at his church. He and Leona enjoyed entertaining their friends at their home.
      In addition to his wife, Leona, Clarence is survived by his children, Don (Peggy) Burry of Royal Oak, Lori (Ron) Novak of Traverse City, Marcia (Fred) Gauthier of Glen Arbor; six grandchildren, Renee (Rick) VanDaal of Oakland, Julie (Rob) Mueller of Troy, Kevin Gauthier of Oscoda, Norman (Peggy) Gauthier of Cedar, Kyle Novak and Carlee Novak, both of Traverse City; four great-grandsons, Michael and Nicholas VanDaal and Drew and Will Gauthier. Clarence is also survived by his sister, Sophie Watson of Traverse City, and several nieces and nephews.
      Services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Glen Lake Community Reformed Church with The Rev. Stephen Wing officiating. Burial will be in Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens.
      Friends may call today at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Friends may also call at the church on Monday from 10 until 11 a.m.
      Memorial contributions may be directed to Glen Lake Community Reformed Church or to Munson Hospice.
     
      TRAVERSE CITY - Peggy Aly's (Hemphill) Pronger died August 17, 2001. Peggy was born in St. Louis, Mo. She graduated from Bay City Central High School in 1948. Peggy graduated from Grace Hospital Nursing School in Detroit in 1951. Her nursing career spanned 44 years. She worked at Children's Hospital in Detroit, William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Traverse City State Hospital and Munson Medical Center, Traverse City.
      Peggy was a nursing instructor at Northwestern Michigan College for over 15 years. Her nursing career was highlighted by her love for pediatrics and nursing administration. Her ultimate love was teaching others. Peggy was committed to discipline and standards during her career. She defined integrity in the nursing profession and shared a tremendous bond with those committed to the profession.
      Peggy is survived by her children, Scott (Sheila), Tami, Cindy, Todd (Angel) and Derk. She was proud Nama (grandmother) of Paige, Seth and Chase.
      She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Francis Dalton Pronger.
      Peggy lived her life for her children. She and her husband were especially proud of having each child successfully graduate from college.
      Visitation will be held Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Wednesday from 12 p.m. until the time of service.
      Funeral services will be held Wednesday 1 p.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. Father John Tupper officiating.
      The family has asked that all donations be made to the Peggy A. Pronger Nursing Scholarship Fund to assist dedicated students seeking a nursing degree.
     
      ROY J. DENOYER, 81, of Traverse City, died Thursday at Bortz Health Care.
      Friends may call at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City today from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. with a rosary at 7:30 p.m. A funeral Mass will be held at St. Francis Catholic Church on Monday at 11 a.m. with visitation one hour prior to the service. The Rev. Fr. William Lipscomb will be serving as celebrant. Burial will be in Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens.
     
      PESHAWBESTOWN - Stanley C. Morgan, of Peshawbestown died on Friday at his home.
      He was born in Leelanau County (Agosatown) on July 19, 1919. He married Delia Evelyn Gingway in the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Peshawbestown on June 30, 1941.
      Stanley joined the Army in January, 1943 and was assigned to a Military Police Unit guarding German and Italian prisoners of war. In October of 1944 he was sent to the (PTO) Pacific Theatre of Operations and served with the Amphibious Engineers building and repairing docks and bridges from New Guinea and throughout the South Pacific Islands. His unit was sent on to Mainland, Japan, where he served for four months. After the war he and his family settled in Muskegon. He worked for the Reliable Roofing Company for 20 years and then for Fruitport Township until he retired at age 73. He has been very active in Veterans Affairs and is a life member of the Lt. Wilbur L. Boyer Post #3195, Veterans of Foreign Wars of Norton Shores. His leisure time was spent traveling. He has visited every state of the union and on his 30th Wedding Anniversary he and his family went on a cruise ship to Alaska.
      He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Delia; his daughter, Beverley Jean Clay of North Richland Hills, Texas; his granddaughter, Kareene; and great-grandson, Stone William Holmes of Thousand Oaks, Calif. He is a member of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians.
      Visitation will start at 6 p.m. on Sunday with Rosary at 7 p.m. at the Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Church in Peshawbestown with a Funeral Mass on Monday at 11 a.m. and burial in the church cemetery.
      Arrangements are being handled by the Martinson Funeral Home in Suttons Bay.
     
      TRAVERSE CITY - Arthur Chisholm Francis, 86, passed away on Wednesday at his home in Traverse City with his wife, Nancy and his three sons at his side.
      Art was born in Chicago, Ill. on Jan. 30, 1915. He moved to Saugatuck in December of 1951, where he owned and operated Francis Food Store for 16 years. There after he worked for the Postal Service for 12 years, retiring in April 1979.
      Art was a member of the First Congregational Church of Saugatuck. He and his wife moved to Traverse City in 1992.
      He is survived by his loving wife, Nancy (Compondu) of 63 years; his sons, Dr. Guy A. Francis of Burlington, Iowa, Rex E. (Connie) Francis of Kentwood and Mark A. (Dawn) Francis of Traverse City; his grandchildren, Eric Francis, Stacey Francis, Jennifer Francis, Christopher Francis and Angela (Patrick) Machin; and his great-grandchildren, Mark and Abigail Machin.
      A Graveside service will be held on Saturday, Aug. 25, 2001, at 1 p.m. at the Saugatuck Riverside Cemetery with Rev. Ben Becksvoort officiating.
      In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Munson Hospice, 1105 Sixth Street, Traverse City, MI 49684.
      Arrangements are being handled by the Ever Rest Funeral Home and Chapel in Muskegon.