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March 4, 2001

Obituaries

TRAVERSE CITY - Norman P. Strauser, 77, of Traverse City, died on Friday.
      Born July 1, 1923 in Bismark, Mo., he was the son of Thomas E. and Ethel B. (Lindsey) Strauser. On Oct. 3, 1969 in Pasadena, Calif., he married the former Paula Brooks.
      Norman served in the U.S. Army during World War II, stationed in Calcutta, Ind. He was a service manager for various auto dealers for many years, retiring at the age of 58. He was extremely proud of the recent celebration of his 50 year membership in the McKinley Masonic Lodge #712 in Schererville, Ind.
      Norman was survived by his two daughters, Cathy (Bryan) Marrow of Traverse City, and Joyce Strauser of Chicago, Ill.; two grandchildren, Kayla and Kenneth Marrow; long time family friend, Joyce Weber; and a brother, Thomas Strauser of Hammond, Ind.; and four nieces and nephews.
      He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Paula in 1995; and his brother, Glenn A. Strauser.
      Visitation will be today from 5 to 8 p.m. with a Masonic candlelight service at 7 p.m. at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City.
      Services will be held on Monday at noon at the funeral home with Rev. David McIntyre officiating.
      Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery in Kingsley.
      Memorial contributions may be directed to Munson Hospice.
     
      NORTHPORT - Grace Oliette Snyder, 78, of Northport, died on Thursday at Leelanau Memorial Health Center.
      Born August 9, 1922, in Northport, the daughter of Ralph E. and Mildred (Martinson) Nelson. She married Ralph Eldon Snyder on May 29, 1948, in Northport, who survives.
      Grace was a retired librarian from Northport Public Schools. She was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Northport and one of the founding members of the Leelanau Township library and Friends of the Library. She was also a member of the Leelanau Township Foundation.
      She is survived by a son, Merlyn R. (Diana) Snyder of Everett, Mass.; a daughter, Sue E. (Bill) Winowiecki of Cedar; two sisters, Sigwalda Garthe and Autumn D. Bea; three brothers, Charles Nelson, Raymond Nelson and Ralph Nelson Jr. She is also survived by two grandchildren, William "Billy" P. Winowiecki Jr. and Dylan Cory Snyder.
      She was preceded in death by her parents.
      Friends may call on Sunday, March 4, from 7 to 9 p.m. with a Rosary at 7:30 p.m. at the Martinson Funeral Home in Suttons Bay. There will also be a visitation on Monday from 2 to 9 p.m.
      Funeral services will be held on Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church in Northport, with the Rev. Andy Jones officiating. Burial will be in the Leelanau Township Cemetery.
      In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Bethany Lutheran Church or Friends of the Leelanau Township Library.
     
      DAVENPORT, Fla. - Shela Joan Smith, 69, of Davenport, Fla. and formerly of Kingsley, died Thursday, after an extended illness.
      Shela was born on July 6, 1931, she was the daughter of Willis and Margaret (Ackerman) Morgan.
      Shela was very involved with her church and a loving grandmother to her grandchildren. Both were very important in her life.
      She is survived by four sons, Monte (Jan) Smith of Davenport, Fla., Leonard (Linda) Smith of Davenport, Fla., Bruce (Billie) Smith of Brookhaven, Miss. and Randy (Val) Smith of Morton, Ill.; two daughters, Sheryl (Nate) Roper of Beulah and Lola (Ed) Fasel of Traverse City; 14 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Barbra (Bud) Benton and Phyllis (Ron) Compton; two brothers, Jim (Ruthann) Morgan and Joe (Jackie) Morgan, all of Kingsley. She is also survived by three aunts, two sisters-in-law, several nieces, nephews and cousins.
      She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Leon and Jerry; a granddaughter, Jennifer and a nephew Tracey.
      Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 6 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Covell-Smith Funeral Home in Kingsley. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 1 p.m. at the funeral home. The Rev. Estel Clark will officiate. Interment will be in the Evergreen Cemetery.
      Memorial contributions may be directed to Haines Church of the Nazarene, 801 S. 14 St., Haines City, FL 33844.
     
      TRAVERSE CITY - John Richard Heebner, 68, of Traverse City, passed away suddenly on Friday at his home.
      He was born on Feb. 9, 1933, in New York State, the son of Charles and Alice (Taggart) Heebner.
      A veteran, having served in the U.S. Navy, John was the chief of the technical computing center for Chrysler prior to his retirement.
      He is survived by his loving wife, Virginia; his three loving children, Carol (Kris) Sowolla, John (Lynne) Heebner and Robert (Donna) Heebner; five grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; his mother, Alice; and a brother, Dan (Gail).
      He was preceded in death by his father; a brother, Charles "Moe" and his step-daughter, Karen Rice.
      At his request, cremation has taken place. A service remembering and celebrating John's life will be held at 3 p.m. on Monday from the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City.
      Memorial contributions may be directed to the American Heart Association or to the family. "You have left us, but you will always be loved and will always be in our hearts."
     
      MORRIS ELBODE, died on Thursday, March 1, 2001.
      Friends may call at the funeral home today from 6:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. The Rosary will be prayed at 7 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday at 11 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. The family is being served by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.
     
      JAMES WALTER HOLLINGSWORTH, 78, of Onekama, died Saturday, March 3, 2001, at The Waters of Duneland Nursing Home in Chesterton, Ind. He was born on June 26, 1922, in Manistee, the son of Walter Rutherford and Winifred (Friant) Hollingsworth.
      Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 7, 2001, with a Scriptures service at 8 p.m. at the Terwilliger Funeral Home in Kaleva.
      Mass from the Order of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Thursday at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Onekama. Interment will be in St. Joseph Cemetery in the spring.
     
      MARY KING, 94, of Traverse City, passed away on Saturday, March 3, 2001 at Meadowbrook Medical Care Facility in Bellaire.
      Visitation will be held on Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Traverse City. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the church. Arrangements are being handled by Traverse City Chapel of Covell Funeral Homes.
      A full obituary will appear in Mondays Record-Eagle.
     
      LYLE ONEY LANNING, 66, died on Friday, March 2, 2001 at Munson Medical Care Facility in Traverse City.
      Funeral services will be held on Sunday, March 4, 2001 at 4 p.m. at the Penzien Funeral Homes, Inc. in Mancelona. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 1 p.m. until service time at the funeral home.