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December 18, 2001Obituaries**FLAG**Robert G. Watkins Died December 16, 2001 TRAVERSE CITY - Robert G. Watkins of Traverse City and Grand Rapids, passed way Sunday Dec. 16, 2001, in Traverse City after a long and joyful life. He was 85 years old. He will always be remembered as the perfect gentleman and a snappy dresser. Robert was born in Hopkins, Mich. and later attended Michigan State University. He then transferred to Northwestern University where he earned a degree in Business Management. After graduating from Northwestern, Robert served in the U.S. Army as a Master Sergeant under General George C. Marshall at the Pentagon where he assisted in the planning for D-Day. During his active service, he met and married Betty Jane Swift. After the war, Robert attended the University of Wisconsin where he earned a law degree. After receiving his law degree, Robert moved to Grand Rapids with Betty, and became employed with States Associates Company, which he later purchased and re-named. He re-directed the company's focus to pension, actuarial and retirement benefit services. Robert retired in 1979 and over time, sold his interest to his former partners. The company exists today as Watkins/Ross. Robert's civic duties included the Grand Rapids Arts Council, Grand Valley State College (founder), and he was the longest reigning president of the World Affairs Council of Western Michigan. He loved Dixieland Jazz Music and was responsible for starting the annual Dixieland Jazz Festival at Schuss Mountain during the 1970s. Robert was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Betty Jane (Swift) and is survived by his five children; Birge (Liz) Watkins of Warrenton, Va., Bill (Sue) Watkins of Grand Rapids, Libby Watkins (Bill) Southworth of Grand Rapids, Sarah Watkins (Steve) Trippe of Traverse City and Robb Watkins of Crested Butte, Colo. Robert is also survived by 14 grandchildren. In lieu of a memorial service, his children will plan a celebration of his life next summer. Memorial contributions can be made to the Central Scholarship Fund at Grand Valley State University, 1 campus drive, Allendale, MI 49401-9403 or to Munson Hospice, 1105 6th St. in Traverse City. The family would like to also thank the Hospice nurses and the incredible, caring staff of Brigadoon Assisted Living where Robert resided for the last two years. The family was served by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City. **PHOTO** Lydia Anna McMahon Died December 16, 2001 TRAVERSE CITY - Lydia Anna McMahon, 83, born in Traverse City, resided in Muskegon and Ft. Smith Ark. before returning to Traverse City in 1964, passed away at the Grand Traverse Pavilions on Sunday. She was born on Feb. 7, 1918, in Traverse City, the daughter of Ben and Margretta (Broomhead) Harig. She married Lawrence "Bill" McMahon in 1934 at Fife Lake. Lydia was a homemaker. She enjoyed spending time with her family and grandchildren. She also enjoyed sewing, cooking, baking, camping and fishing. She is survived by three sons, Lawrence (Alice) McMahon of Muskegon, James (Sharon) McMahon of Muskegon and Leon (Carolyn McMahon of Traverse City; two daughters, Jacquelynn Russell of Muskegon and Jeanne (Ken) Baum of Muskegon; one brother, Leon Harig of Traverse City; two sisters, Doris Fritz of Kansas City, Missouri and Devella Colwell of Horseheads, N.Y.; numerous grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1998; parents; daughter, Virginia in infancy; brother, Gaylord Harig; and a son-in-law, Jack Russell. Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Traverse City Chapel of Covell Funeral Homes. Funeral services will be held on Thursday at 1 p.m. at the funeral home, with the Rev. Larry Ross officiating. Interment will be in Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens. Memorial contributions may be directed the American Heart Association or the Grand Traverse Pavilions. **PHOTO** Betty Jane Fleis Died December 17, 2001 TRAVERSE CITY - Betty Jane Fleis, 75, of Traverse City, died Monday at Munson Medical Center. Born April 11, 1926, in Lake Leelanau, she was the daughter of Valere and Florence (St. John) Lamie. On March 6, 1945, in Lake Leelanau, she married Leo J. Fleis, who preceded her in death on Aug. 9, 1994. Betty had been employed as a factory worker for United Technology for 17 years. She was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, the Ladies Auxiliary of the VFW, Variety Club and the Knights of Columbus 100 Club. Survivors include her two brothers, Merten (Geraldine) Lamie of Ann Arbor, Valere (Arlene) Lamie of Traverse City; two sisters, Eunice Novak of Cedar and Beverly (Daniel) Schaub of Muskegon. Along with her husband, Leo, Betty was also preceded in death by her parents; and her brother, Edgar Lamie. Visitation will be at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home on Tuesday from 5 to 8 p.m. where a rosary will be prayed at 7 p.m. Funeral mass will be celebrated at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church on Wednesday at 11 a.m. where visitation will be held one hour prior to the mass, with the Rev Father James Hayden serving as celebrant. Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Isadore. Memorial contributions may be directed to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Restoration Fund. Marlene L. VanBrocklin Died December 14, 2001 FRANKFORT - Marlene L. VanBrocklin, 56, of Frankfort, died Friday evening at Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital. Marlene was born on Dec. 29, 1944, in Brethren, the daughter of Harry A. and Nada P. (Long) Townsend Sr. Marlene had been a resident of Benzie County most of her life. She had been employed by H.W. Jencks for the past 30 years. Marlene was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Frankfort. She collected butterflies and enjoyed canning, gardening, flowers, traveling and reading cookbooks. She most enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. She married Robert VanBrocklin on Aug. 9, 1960, in Frankfort and he preceded her in death on Sept. 27, 1999. Marlene is survived by her children, RC VanBrocklin of Frankfort, Bobbi Jo (Richard) Fast of Honor and Lisa (David) Royal of Randolph, Iowa; seven grandchildren; brothers, Don of Thompsonville, Dick (Gail), Roger and Mike, all of Benzonia; and sisters, Laura (Bob) Long of Benzonia, Mary Sue Nizza and Patricia (Cecil) Mullins, both of Georgia and Jeanie Mihalik of Traverse City. Three brothers, Harry Jr., Bill and Joseph; and a sister in infancy, preceded Marlene in death. Memorial services will be held on Wednesday at 11 a.m. from Trinity Lutheran Church in Frankfort with Pastor Rick Stieve officiating. Burial will follow in Crystal Lake Township Cemetery North. Friends may meet with the family one hour prior to the service at the church. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the American Lung Association. The family was served by the Frankfort Chapel, McElduff Funeral Homes. Hubert R. Dine Died December 15, 2001 KINGSLEY - Hubert R. Dine, of Kingsley, passed away on Saturday at the age of 78. Born on May 14, 1923, in Cadillac, his parents soon moved to the Fife Lake area where Hubert enjoyed life on a small farm. Many adventures were to follow as he became a resident of Kingsley for many years. His parents, Isaac and Maude Dine and his brother, Donald Dine preceded him in death. Hubert is survived by his sister, Patricia; nephews, Frank and Colen Dine; niece Donaldine Morden; and his companions at Meadow Hill Care Center. He enjoyed the outdoors and his visits with family, particularly the fun moments with the family dog, Angel. Those special times will long be remembered. A graveside memorial service will be held Friday at 2 p.m. at Evergreen Cemetery in Kingsley, with the Rev. Arthur Covell officiating. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Meadowhill Care Center in Kingsley. Arrangements are being handled by the Covell-Smith Funeral Home in Kingsley. Arline M. McCabe Died December 15, 2001 BENTON, Ky. - Arline M. McCabe, 79, of Benton, Ky., died on Saturday in Benton, Ky. She is survived by her husband, Walter Thomas McCabe of Benton, Ky.; two sons, Carl Arthur McCabe of Benton, Ky. and Walter Thomas McCabe Jr. of Ionia; sisters, Sally Keen of Colo., Rose Lyer of Michigan and Margie Strickler of Ariz.; brothers, Edward Riker of Michigan, Joseph Riker of Michigan and Robert Riker of Ariz.; four grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and three step-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her father, Carl Riker; and mother, Mary Ryckaert Riker. Visitation will be held Wednesday, Dec. 19, from 9 a.m. until time of service at the Hull Memorial Chapel of the Lake Funeral Home in Muir. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, Dec. 19, at 2 p.m. at the funeral home, with the Rev. Robert Girdwood officiating. Anyone wishing may make a memorial contribution to The American Heart Association www.lakefuneralhomes.com. DONNA J. REAM, 80, of Benzonia, died on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2001, at her residence. She was born on April 23, 1921, in Illinois. Memorial services will be held on Thursday at 1 p.m. at the First Congregational Church of Benzonia, with Rev. Stephen J. Davidson. Burial will be in the Benzonia Township Cemetery. Friends may call at the church at the time of the service. Arrangements are being handled by the Bennett-Barz Funeral Home in Beulah. JERRY M. ERICKSON, 71, of Zephyr Hills, Fla., died Sunday, Dec. 16, 2001, at home. Interment will be held at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell Florida. EDWARD "JERRY" DONOVAN BOND, 93, of Bear Lake, died Monday, Dec. 17, 2001, at the Manistee County Medical Care Facility. He was born Jan. 2, 1908, in Bear Lake. Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday at the Terwilliger Funeral Home in Kaleva. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Friday at Bethany Lutheran Church in Kaleva, with Rev. Kenneth H. Lein officiating. Interment will be in Bear Lake Township Cemetery. EDITH PADDOCK, of Manton, died on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2001, she was 92. A memorial service will be held at the Hall Funeral Chapel in Manton on Saturday at 11 a.m., with Pastor Robert Lanning officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Township Cemetery in Manton. FRANK GERRARD OLACH, 43, of Interlochen, died Sunday, Dec. 16. Private family services are being planned. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Traverse City Chapel of Covell Funeral Homes. HAZEL G. ERDMANN, 93, of Manistee, died Sunday, Dec. 16, 2001, at Tendercare of Manistee. Born April 24, 1908, in Manistee County. Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Manistee. Arrangements are being handled by Johnson Funeral Home, P.C., 480 Water Street, Manistee, MI 49660. Liliane P. Warner Died December 16, 2001 FIFE LAKE - Liliane P. Warner, 59, of Fife Lake, died on Sunday. Liliane was born on March 8, 1942, in France, the daughter of John Claude and Madeline Appoline (Hubrecht) Boissier. She was born and raised in France and moved to the States upon her marriage in 1963. Liliane enjoyed spending time with her family. She is survived by her one son, Samuel (Kathaleen) Warner of Fife Lake; one daughter, Wendy Warner of Fife Lake; five grandchildren, Jacob, Anthony, Jordan, Adam and Ethan Warner, all of Fife Lake; one sister, Claudine Dutton of Fife Lake, and three other sisters, and two brothers that still live in France; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents. A Service of Remembrance will be held on Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Fife Lake United Methodist Church, corner of Boyd Street and Front, with Pastor Howard Seaver officiating. Arrangements have been entrusted to Covell-Smith Funeral Homes of Kingsley. |
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