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December 23, 2001ObituariesTRAVERSE CITY - W. Dwane Chase, 64, of Traverse City, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 20, 2001, at the Aleda Lutz Veteran's Administration Hospital in Saginaw.Dwane was born on Aug. 6, 1937 in Modesto, Calif. He served with the U.S. Air Force. Dwane was employed as an automotive accountant with Chrysler and Dodge. Dwane is survived by his mother, Winifred Casler of Union City, Calif.; his daughter, Bren (Tom) Elliott of Traverse City; his son, Randy (Kelly) Chase of California; his seven grandchildren, Cody, Cade and Cole Elliott, and Alix, Brody, Ashley and Cory Chase; his sister, LaVonne Donihue of Connecticut; and his brother, Wayne Chase of Oregon. Cremation has taken place. Arrangements by W.L. Case and Co. Funeral Directors, 4480 Mackinaw Rd., Saginaw, MI 48603, (989) 793-9700. ONEKAMA - Alphonse J. Piotrowski, age 79, of Onekama, passed away on Friday, Dec. 21, 2001, at West Shore Medical Center. Alphonse was born on July 7, 1922, in Detroit, the son of Frank and Anna Piotrowski. He married Jacqueline D. Lekki on June 1, 1946, in Detroit. Alphonse was a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service in Detroit for 23 years. Alphonse is survived by his wife of 55 years, Jacqueline; his daughter, Karen (Patrick) McNamara of Warren; his son, Allen J. (Nola) Piotrowski of Beulah; two grandchildren, Jessica and Ashley Piotrowski; one great-granddaughter, Fionna; and his brother, Edmund Piotrowski of Harrison. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, and one brother, Harry Piotrowski. There will be no visitation at the funeral home. The Oak Grove Cremation Center of Manistee is in charge of arrangements. TRAVERSE CITY - Virginia Martha Sisson, 81, of Traverse City, went to be with her Lord and Savior Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2001, at Bortz Health Care of Traverse City. "A Lady": It is hard to sum up in a few printed words someone's nearly 82 years gracing this earth. But "A Lady" says it best. Frank's wife of over 51 years, the mother to a family of six, a friend to hundreds, and a confidant to many, and always "A Lady". Virginia's occupation was as a full-time wife and mother. From her roots in Grand Rapids with a move to the Detroit area in the early 1960s, and Traverse City in the early 1980s, she was a blessing to all to whom she came in contact. Right up until the end, with a short but meaningful stay at Bortz Health Care, it was truly a fitting and honorable place for her to go home to her Lord and Savior. Being surrounded by a loving and caring staff, with Munson Hospice assisting, allowed Virginia to leave our world as "A Lady". A strong woman in faith with never a wavering moment of her eternal home. Even at the end of her life, her only concern was for her family and friends. Her final gift to us was the love and knowledge that we would be all right and that she would be watching us and be with us always. A special person, a loving wife, a wonderful mother, and grandmother, she has left her mark on many and will be missed. Born Jan. 15, 1920, in Grand Rapids, she was the daughter of Ernest and Maude (Morse) Baxter. On Nov. 25, 1950, in Grand Rapids, she married Franklin Sisson. A graduate of Michigan State College, Virginia was also a member of The Presbyterian Church. She received great enjoyment in volunteering at Munson Hospital as a Pink Lady. Survivors include her husband, Franklin; children, Steve (Mary) Sisson of Kent, Wash., Jim (Geneva) Sisson of Santa Rosa, Calif., Anne (Rick) Calice of Troy, Rocky (Connie) Sisson of Paradise Valley, Ariz., John (Linda) Sisson of Maple City and Jill (Mark) Reid of Kalamazoo; 14 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews. Virginia was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Harold; and sister, Margaret. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 27 at The Presbyterian Church. The Rev. Dr. Homer Nye and the Rev. Becky Chamberlain will be officiating. Friends may call at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. If you would like to remember Virginia, please consider a gift to Munson Hospice, 1105 6th Street, Traverse City, MI 49684. The family is being served by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City. LEESBURG, Fla. - James A. "Smitty" Smith, 87, of Leesburg, Fla., and former longtime resident of Beaverton and Frankfort, passed away following a long illness on Friday, Dec. 21, 2001, at Mid Michigan Medical Center. "Smitty" was born on June 8, 1914, in Wittemore, the son of Willard and Jessie (Upton) Smith. On July 5, 1935, in Detroit, "Smitty" married the former Velma "Pebs" Stone. He was a veteran of World War II. "Smitty" and "Pebs" owned and operated Smitty's Landing, a resort in Beaverton until retiring in 1976. They moved to Leesburg, Fla. in 1993. "Smitty" is survived by his daughter, Velma (William) Miller of Beaverton; his brothers, Robert Smith of South Lyon, and Walter Smith of Summerfield, Fla.; his sisters, Evelyn Adkins of Sarasota, Fla., Marjori Cuffe of Cape Coral, Fla., and Mildred Fuller of Prescott; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 60 years, "Pebs" in 1995; his sister, Mary Lou Zachos; and his brother, Ralph Smith. Cremation has taken place according to the wishes of the family. Arrangements by Hall Funeral Homes of Beaverton and Gladwin. THOMPSONVILLE - John Emery Webber, age 71, of Thompsonville, passed away on Friday, Dec. 21, 2001, at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City. John was born on Feb. 9, 1930, in Detroit, the son of John and Ethel (Francisco) Webber. John served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. On Dec. 19, 1954, in Angola, Ind., he married Cora Anne Sweet. John retired from the Ann Arbor Railroad Company, where he had worked for almost 40 years. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, working in the woods, and most of all, being outdoors. John is survived by his wife of 47 years, Cora Anne; his three children, Pamella Webber of Thompsonville, Kathy Guck of Milan and John Webber III of Dexter; six grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; his brother, Kenneth (Millie) Webber of South Carolina; and his sister, May Schermerhorn of Mesick. John was preceded in death by his infant son, and his sister, Leora Trumbell. Cremation has taken place and private family services will be held at a later date. The Terwilliger Funeral Home in Kaleva is in charge of arrangements. MARVIN BIEMAN, age 47, of Scottville, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, Dec. 21, 2001, at Memorial Medical Center of Ludington. A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 27, at the Emanuel Lutheran Church in Ludington, with Pastor Wayne E. Buskirk officiating. There will be no visitation at the funeral home. The Oak Grove Cremation Center of Manistee is in charge of funeral arrangements. THOMAS JAMES CUNNINGHAM, 58, of Traverse City, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 20, 2001, at his home. Arrangements are pending with the Traverse City Chapel of Covell Funeral Homes. A full obituary will appear in the Monday edition of the Record-Eagle. BRUNO W. URYASZ, age 64, of Traverse City, passed away on Friday, Dec. 21, 2001, at his home. Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 26, at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 27, at St. Michael's Lutheran Church in Traverse City. A complete obituary will appear in the Monday edition of the Record-Eagle. |
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