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August 23, 2001

Obituaries

ELK RAPIDS - Frank Larsen, 87, of Elk Rapids, died on Tuesday at Birchwood Nursing Center in Traverse City.
      He was born on June 16, 1914, in Detroit, the son of Emma Larsen and Steve Glaza. On Oct. 29, 1937, in Detroit, he married the former Helen Bachi.
      Frank lived in Elk Rapids most of his adult life. He was employed as a welder at Purvis Brothers in Traverse City for 27 years, retiring in 1975. Frank was a lifelong member and past president of the Elk Rapids Sportsmen's Club, former member of the Odd Fellows. He also enjoyed building and remodeling houses.
      He is survived by his three daughters, Lavonne (Jack) Penoza of Kewadin, Sally (Michael) Weatherholt of Sheridan, Wyo. and Ricci Groomes of Alpena; one brother, Eugene Glaza of Detroit; nine grandchildren, Vicci (John) TerVeer of Fremont, David (Connie) Penoza of Escanaba, John (Anna) Penoza of Escanaba, Amy (Bob) Inman of Interlochen, Shelly (Matt) Walter of Suttons Bay, Mike (Pam) Weatherholt of Traverse City, Monique (Brian) Herman of Elk Rapids, Darby Larsen of Grand Rapids and Jay (Pam) Groomes of Detroit; 10 great-grandchildren, Amber and Danielle Penoza, Matthew and Marissa TerVeer, Luke and Robbie Walter, Tyler and Hannah Weatherholt and Madison and Cody Herman; and five step-great-grandchildren, Nick, Danielle and Hannah Inman and Glen and Josh Nance.
      He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Helen on Oct. 1, 2000; brothers, Paul and Stan Glaza; and great-grandson, Hunter Weatherholt.
      Visitation will be held today from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Elk Rapids Chapel of Covell Funeral Homes. Funeral services will be held on Friday at 11 a.m. at the funeral home with Rev. Tom Pier-Fitzgerald officiating. Interment will be in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Elk Rapids.
      Memorial contributions may be directed to the Elk Rapids Ambulance or Elk Rapids Public Library.
     
     
      LAKE LEELANAU - John Patrick Fitzpatrick, 78, of Lake Leelanau and Venice, Fla., passed away at his summer home on Tuesday.
      John was born on April 30, 1923, in Highland Park, the son of John and Catherine Fitzpatrick.
      John was a tool and die maker for the Ford Motor Company. He married Ruth Snedecor on May 12, 1951, in Detroit.
      John is survived by his wife, Ruth; two daughters, Patricia (Kenneth) Kraemer of Suttons Bay and Mary C. (Kevin) Ary of Linden; one son, John C. Fitzpatrick of Mesa, Ariz.; one nephew, Robert Schiller of Chandler, Ariz.; two grandchildren, Kathryn and Laura Kraemer; and two step-grandchildren, Rachel and Kevin Ary.
      John was preceded in death by his parents, John and Catherine Fitzpatrick; one sister, Margaret Schiller; and one brother, James Fitzpatrick.
      Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday at 11 a.m. at the St. Michael's Church of Suttons Bay, with Father Wayne Dziekan officiating. Burial will be in St. Michael's Cemetery in Suttons Bay after the Memorial Mass. There will be no visitation at the Oak Grove Cremation Center in Manistee.
      In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Munson Hospice of Traverse City.
      The Oak Grove Cremation Center of Manistee is in charge of the arrangements.
     
      WATERFORD - Ronald Randall, former Mesick resident, died Aug. 20 at his home in Waterford.
      Ron was born June 21, 1942, the youngest of eight children, to Leon and Glee Randall of Mesick.
      He graduated from Mesick High School in 1960, where he was active in athletics, and from Northwestern Michigan College with an Associate Degree in Business. Following his service in the U.S. Army as a cryptographer from 1962 to 1964, his career was spent in the fields of sales and office management. He maintained a lifelong interest in sports and particularly enjoyed bowling and a good game of golf.
      Ron is survived by his daughter, Nicole (David) Calderon of Highland; three sons, Ronald (Becky) Randall of Rochester Hills, Gary Randall and Bruce (Amy) Wiitala, both of Columbus, Ohio; four grandchildren, Cheyenne and Brianna Calderon, Melissa and Joshua Randall; brothers, Paul (Ella) Randall, Leon, Jr. (Betty) Randall and Don (Elsie) Randall; sisters, Lorraine (Wm.) Sublett and Elaine (Douglas) Burton; and several nieces and nephews.
      Ron was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Richard Randall in World War II; and sister, Dolores in childhood.
      A service of memorial will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday at the Pixley Funeral Home, 3530 Auburn Road, Auburn Hills, MI, (248) 852-1800, with Chaplain Rick Cryderman officiating.
      At Ron's request, cremation has taken place and he will be returned home to northern Michigan.
     
      MAPLE CITY - Letta F. Murphy, 61, a lifelong resident of Maple City, died on Tuesday.
      She was born on Sept. 16, 1939, in Traverse City, the daughter of Clarence and Irma (Price) Trumbull. On Jan. 18, 1959, in Maple City, she married Leon Murphy.
      With her husband, Leon, they owned and operated a number of rental properties. Letta was an avid reader, enjoyed growing roses, sewing and refinishing furniture.
      She is survived by her husband, Leon of Maple City; three children, LeRoy (Lisa) Murphy of Maple City, Sheila (Roger) Stites of Williamsburg and Daniel Murphy of Traverse City; three brothers, Nolan Trumbull of Maple City, Leslie Trumbull of Oregon and Lyle Trumbull of Lansing; one sister, Louise Murphy of Traverse City; and six grandchildren.
      She was preceded in death by her parents.
      Visitation will be held today from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Traverse City Chapel of Covell Funeral Homes. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Friday at 1 p.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Tim Manzer officiating. Interment will be in the Kasson Township Cemetery.
     
      JOHN A. EISELER, 70, of Fife Lake, died Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2001, at Northern Michigan Hospital in Petoskey. He was born Feb. 26, 1931, in St. Johns.
      Visitation will be held on Friday at 9:30 a.m. at the St. Mary of the Woods Catholic Church in Kalkaska. A memorial service will be held on Friday at 10 a.m. at the church.
      Arrangements are being handled by the Wolfe Funeral Home in Kalkaska.
     
      ASA MARVIN ELKINS, 89, of Corunna and Traverse City, died on Sunday, Aug. 19, 2001, in Tucson, Ariz. He was born on Jan. 29, 1912, in Rockford.
      The family will receive friends from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday at the Smiths Funeral Home in Corunna. Funeral services will be held on Saturday at 11 a.m. at Salem Lutheran Church in Owosso with Pastor Jonathan Balge officiating. Burial will be in Oak Hills Cemetery.
     
      FARMINGTON HILLS - Robert Eliassen, 81, an avid golfer and dancer, succumbed peacefully to lung cancer Saturday at his home in Farmington Hills, surrounded by his loving family. He had been in the restaurant business since childhood, from Eliassen's Fine Food to The Flame Restaurants, which were popular in the 1960s and 70s. At one time there were 10 locations in southwest Michigan.
      He was an active and generous benefactor of his daughter's ministry at Holy Redeemer High School in Detroit for 24 years. Sister Judith Anne Eliassen, IHM, was able to begin the Development Office at Holy Redeemer only with his financial help. This office has been the hope of Redeemer and is the reason for its success at being the only surviving Catholic high school in southwest Detroit (actually K-12). Scholarships he provided have enabled many students to attend who could not otherwise have afforded it. A memorial Scholarship Fund has been set up there in his name for future deserving students. Perhaps one of the recipients will someday find a cure for cancer.
      The resurrection of football at Holy Redeemer High School was also a result of his direct financial influence. In 1977, football had been dropped as being too expensive a sport, but with his matching grant challenge to the alumni and their generous response, football was reinstated in 1989.
      Mr. Eliassen was also responsible for sponsoring a chemical dependency education program for six inner city schools given by Maplegrove Community Education program. This allowed the total staffs of these schools to better understand their students, who are growing up in alcoholic or other drug-dependent homes. More training provided the staff with skills to offer support groups for their students.
      He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the Army's 66th Division of the Panthers, 264th Infantry Regiment, Company D, and was involved in their biennial reunions.
      In 1978, he was elected treasurer of the Detroit Unit of the W.B.C.C.I., Wally Byam Caravan Club International, a group of Airstream trailer owners who travel together throughout the country to national rallies and who enjoy meeting new people.
      Mr. Eliassen was also benefactor to his other daughter's animal rescue and adoption operation in Northern Michigan. Janet (Huyck) Eliassen of Interlochen has owned and operated Haven Hills Farm for the past nine years. Janet also co-owns Great Lakes Paramedical, based in Traverse City.
      Mr. Eliassen lived his life earning the respect of others with his goodness, honesty and generosity. He was a religious man, with a timeless sense of humor and wit, and an immeasurable depth of love for his family. He is survived by his wife, Virginia; another daughter, Janet; and three sons, Robert Jr., James and Dennis. He has seven grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Edna; and his only brother, Gordon.
      In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to The Robert Eliassen Memorial Scholarship Endowment, c/o Holy Redeemer High School Development Office, 5668 Baker, Detroit, MI 48209-9984; Angela Hospice, 14100 Newburgh Rd., Livonia, MI 48154-5010; Haven Hills Farm, P.O. Box 915, Traverse City, MI 49685-0915; or to a charity of your choice.
     
     
      SUTTONS BAY - Elisabeta Buntye, 72, of Suttons Bay, formerly of Detroit, died on Tuesday at her home.
      She was born on Oct. 8, 1928, in Beltiug, Romania, the daughter of Gaspar and Magdolna (Jung) Buntye.
      Elisabeta was a member of the St. Michael's Catholic Church. She was an amazing woman, strong, strict and loving are the words that best describe her. A single mom, she turned her three children into the center of her universe. Later in her life her grandchildren joined in that circle. Her passion, her only passion was reading. She would always squeeze in time for that.
      She is survived by one daughter, Magdalena Ildiko Bagi of Suttons Bay; two sons, Ioan Paul Buntye of Bulting, Romania and Coloman Buntea of Wixom; two brothers, Ferenc Buntye of Romania and Stefan Buntye of Germany; and her grandchildren, Jim Bagi, Barna Buntea, Anita Buntea, Roland Buntea and Paul Buntye.
      She was preceded in death by her two sisters, Margareta and Katalin.
      Visitation was held on Wednesday from 3 to 9 p.m. at the St. Michael's Catholic Church. A Wake services was held at 7 p.m. at the church.
      Funeral services will be held today at 3 p.m. at the church in Suttons Bay with the Rev. Wayne Dziekan officiating. Burial will be in the St. Michael's Cemetery.
      Memorials may be directed to the St. Michael's Church or Grand Traverse area Hospice.
      Arrangements are being handled by the Martinson Funeral Home in Suttons Bay.