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March 20, 2001

Obituaries

TRAVERSE CITY - Jon Warren Brauer, 48, of Traverse City, formerly of Lansing, died unexpectedly Sunday at home.
      He was born on April 30, 1952, in Lansing, the son of Stanley and Blanche Brauer.
      Jon worked as a salesman, but his real occupation was the outdoors. He loved hunting, fishing, boating and just being outside with family and friends. Wherever he is, his family and friends hope the trout are running...
      He is survived by his wife, Marilyn Brauer; daughter, Mari Jonelle; son, Hunter Thomas; brother, Max Thomas; mother, Blanche, and father, Stanley; mother-in-law, Esther Potyjah, and father-in-law, James T. Milan; and several other relatives.
      Memorial services will take place on Thursday at 11 a.m. at Christ United Methodist Church, 1249 Three Mile Rd. S., Traverse City.
      In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Christ United Methodist Church Memorial Fund.
      TRAVERSE CITY - G. Edward Stokes, M.D., 78, died Sunday at Munson Medical Center. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather; highly respected surgeon, endeared community leader, substance abuse physician and counselor.
      He served the medical needs of this community with compassion, sympathy, integrity and dedicated commitment for almost 50 years. The care he gave for so many was graced by his humility and sense of service before self.
      Dr. Stokes was born on May 4, 1922 in Hammond, Ind. and was raised in Calumet City, Ill. He was the son of John C. and Opal (Hatton) Stokes. On July 26, 1991, he married the former Marlene Yiirs, who survives.
      He graduated with Highest Honors from DePauw University in Greencastle, Ind., in Pre-Med followed by four years of Medical School at the John Hopkins University, School of Medicine in Baltimore. He interned for one year and then four years of residency at Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, Ind. He then served two years as a Captain in the Medical Corps at the U.S. Military Academy Station Hospital at West Point, New York. While there, he was honored to be one of the physicians for the Army Football Team.
      Dr. Stokes came to Traverse City in 1954 and established a private practice in General Surgery. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and is certified by the American Board of Surgery; member of the Grand Traverse, Leelanau, and Benzie County Medical Society from 1954 until present; and past president of Munson Medical Staff and Munson Hospital Surgical Staff. After retirement from surgical practice in 1988, he became Medical Director of Phoenix and Dakoske Hall in the field of Substance Abuse, where he was also on the board for Alcohol Treatment Services for Dakoske Hall. He also worked at Munson Medical Center's Alcohol and Drug Treatment Center as Medical Director.
      For over 25 years, he could be seen on the sidelines of all Traverse City Trojan and St. Francis Gladiator football games as the team physician.
      He was elected for four consecutive, four-year terms on the Traverse City Board of Education, serving as board president. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club, Chamber of Commerce, Knife and Fork Club, and past member of the Traverse City Golf and Country Club.
      Dr. Stokes enjoyed a fulfilling life with a passion for skiing, golfing, gardening, travel and sports. He was interested in world history and also has a wealth of knowledge about the U.S. Civil War. He was an avid reader, a precision craftsman and a "can-do-anything" individual.
      He is survived by his wife, Marlene H. Stokes of Traverse City; children, Patricia (Steve) Olender of Webster, New York, Bill (Peggy) Stokes of Midland, Tom Stokes and Nancy (Bob) Brick, both of Traverse City, Juliet (Donald) Wichern of Maple City, Renee (Jason) Klingelsmith of Traverse City, Vincent Pugliese and his special friend, Cindy Stewart, both of Traverse City; and brother, Tom (Pat) Stokes of Elk Rapids.
      Dr. Stokes was a loving grandfather, "Bumpa" and "Papa" to 11 grandchildren, Mark and Nancy Olender, Kristal, BJ, Betsy and Danny Brick, Katie and Jim Stokes, Tyler and Megan Klingelsmith and Hannah Wichern.
      He was preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Martha H. (Stokes) Bishop.
      A gathering of friends and family will take place on Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City. Inurnment will be in Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens.
      Memorial contributions may be directed to the Addiction Treatment Services, 940 E. 8th St., Traverse City, MI 49684, or to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis of Michigan, Inc., A Chapter of the ALS Association, 8521 Lyndon St., Suite 200, Detroit, MI 48238.
      TRAVERSE CITY - Marianne Doe was born to Fred H. Garland and Anna Mulrooney Garland on Nov. 7, 1922 on the Old Mission Peninsula. She graduated from Traverse City St. Francis High School in 1940. She married Lt. Leonard G. Lyon on Sept. 21, 1942. He was sent to Korea in November 1950 and was killed in action Jan. 12, 1951. Three sons were born to this union. The family were united in marriage to Charles H. Doe on April 27, 1955.
      She worked for Youth for Understanding student exchange program of Michigan for 10 years. Marianne enjoyed charity work and spent every Saturday for 12 years helping Father Fred at the State Chapel. She served for two terms on the Grand Traverse Area Catholic School Board, filled all of the chairs of the Catholic Daughters of America and the State Court. She was elected to two terms as State Regent of Catholic Daughters of America. Her hobbies included caring for her flowers and baking. Her greatest joy was her pride in her grandchildren and cooking for the "Cookie Monsters." Her daily inspiration was the ever-changing view of East Grand Traverse Bay. She had worked as a secretary and bookkeeper for Dr. David Halsted of Traverse City for the past 27 years. She was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Parish since 1950.
      Her survivors include her husband, Charles H. Doe, four sons and the daughters they brought to the family, Greg and Kathy (Duffy-Lyon) Lyon of San Francisco, Jeffrey T. and Linda (Lefere) Lyon of Cheboygan, Steven J. and Nanci (Leo) Lyon of Frankenmuth, and Charles F. and Susan (Taylor) Doe of Traverse City; eight grandchildren, Jeremy and Linda (Weis) Lyon of San Jose, Calif., Meggen Lyon of North Carolina and Cheboygan, Jeff R. Lyon and Jacob Lyon of East Lansing, Colleen Lyon and Mark Lyon of East Lansing, Adam Doe of Traverse City, and Faith Brooks and her daughter, Mikayla Brooks of Traverse City. She is also survived by a sister-in-law and her husband, Avis and Bud Wolfe of Northport; a brother-in-law of her first marriage, Harry Lyon, Jr. of Traverse City; sisters-in-law of her first marriage, Jane Lewis, Charlotte Carr, Doria Thunstrom and Arwilda Lyon, all of Traverse City; and several nieces and nephews and many special friends.
      Friends may call tonight from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City, and on Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home, where a rosary will be prayed at 7 p.m.
      Funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday at 11 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, with Fr. Paul Magge as celebrant. Burial will be in Oakwood Catholic Diocesan Cemetery.
      In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Immaculate Conception Food Pantry, or to Old Mission American Legion Post 399.
      Albert C. Blankenship, an authority on local government accounting procedures and a longtime resident of the Lansing and Traverse City areas, passed away in Surprise, Ariz., on Friday after a short illness.
      He was well known among township officials throughout the state as an expert in government audit procedures. He retired from the Michigan Department of Treasury's Local Audit Division in 1976, and later worked for many years with the Michigan Township Association and Tobin & Co. During his career, he oversaw local government audits, established accounting procedures for road commissions, conducted seminars for township officials and helped to develop widely used manuals for local government accounting.
      He served in the Michigan National Guard for 34 years, and earlier served in the Michigan State Troops. He retired from the National Guard in 1981 as a Chief Warrant Officer Grade 4.
      He was the son of Jake and Ida Blankenship, and was born on June 16, 1921 in Dresden, Tenn., the second of seven children. The family moved to Lansing in 1925 and he was graduated from Eastern High School in 1939.
      On December 8, 1945, he married Marjorie Ann Wilhelm of Lansing, and they had five children. During his career, the family lived in Lansing, Dimondale, Traverse City and Grand Ledge before he retired to Traverse City and later to Surprise. He was active with the Presbyterian Church in both Dimondale and Traverse City, serving at various times as treasurer, Sunday School teacher and other positions with both churches. He was also active with the Boy Scouts and many civic and community organizations.
      He is survived by Marjorie, his wife of 55 years; daughter Karen Moore of Manistee; four sons, Allan of Grand Ledge, Randy of Lansing, Gary of Tallahassee, Fla., and Karl of Seven Valleys, Pa.; four brothers, Harold of Lansing, Roland of Newaygo, Robert Spencer of Battle Creek and Melvin of Scottsdale, Ariz.; a sister, Ruth Marie Dalton of Las Vegas; and six grandchildren.
      HARRIET I. ALLEN, 84, of Kalkaska, died Sunday, March 18, 2001 at her daughter's home in Kalkaska. She was born Aug. 24, 1916 in Kalkaska County.
      Visitation will take place Wednesday from 10 a.m. to noon at Wolfe Funeral Home in Kalkaska. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial will follow the funeral service at Evergreen Cemetery in Kalkaska.
     
      Services for DAVID R. FERENS have been rescheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Ann Catholic Church in Frankfort. Visitation will be 2 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Benzonia Chapel, McElduff Funeral Home, with Evening Prayer Services following visitation.
     
      LEONARD T. ILIFF, 84, of Kalkaska, died Monday, March 19, 2001 at Munson Medical Center. He was born March 6, 1917 in Chicago.
      Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday at the Wolfe Funeral Home in Kalkaska. Visitation will take place from 10 a.m. until the time of the services at the funeral home. Burial will be in North Shore Memory Gardens in St. Joseph.
     
      ANDRE H. "ANDY" MALO, 74, of Torch Lake Township, died Sunday, March 18, 2001. He is survived by his friend, companion, and partner, Richard Wheeler.
      Per his request, Cremation has taken place. No services or memorials are planned. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Elk Rapids Chapel of Covell Funeral Homes.
     
      TRAVERSE CITY - Alison R. Wilbur, 80, of Traverse City, died Sunday at the Grand Traverse Pavilions.She was born Florence Alison Rider on Sept. 3, 1920, to William Hendricks and Florence Elizabeth (Yellowlees) Rider, at Blue Island, Ill.Her father's Rider, Hendricks and other families were among the earliest settlers of Kentucky and Illinois. Her mother's Yellowlees and White families emigrated from Scotland to rural Ontario, to Toronto. Her parents came together in Chicago.Alison grew up in south Chicago, in the area of Longwood and Western, between 91st and 115th streets. She attended Clissold Grammar School and Morgan Park High School. In the late 1930s, she attended the Art Institute of Chicago, where she met fellow student and future husband, Charles Anthony Wilbur. They were married in Wheaton, Ill. on April 28, 1939. In 1945, they moved to his "hometown," Traverse City. Alison became a pioneering and quietly influential northern Michigan artist, and was a charter member of the Northwestern Michigan Artists and Craftsmen. In the 1940s and 50s, especially before Northwestern Michigan College was built, she taught fine pottery to many young people and adults.She was involved with several local galleries, including one she operated sporadically from the family home on Garfield Avenue. She created beautiful pottery for nearly 60 years, using indoor and outdoor kilns.Most of her work is inscribed "Alison" or "Alison's Kiln". When she became older and materials involved in creating her pottery became too heavy for her to manage, she took up sewing and knitting. She became a "regular" at yarn and materials stores and continued to create. In addition, she always loved to attend yard sales and to pick up "junk." The unusual arts she created from found materials are well-known to family and friends.She also enjoyed challenging her grandchildren; puttering in her "arts and flowers" gardens; and playing bridge (both recreational and tournament) with her husband and friends. Though she grew up in the city, she came to enjoy outdoor Northern Michigan, especially Long Lake. She was an avid and eclectic reader. She kept up with the doings of-it seemed- nearly every person who had significant contact with any of her children. She loved animals and, when her children were young, she augmented the family's already-considerable household chaos by keeping a series of undisciplined Saint Bernards. Like her mother, Alison was a longtime member of the Congregational Church.She is survived by her husband, Charles Wilbur; by her children, Dr. Thomas Peter (Kathleen Melinda Schlager) of Okemos, Martha "Marty" Elizabeth (Bruce Dean Fox) of Long Lake, Alison "Sally" Stone (Wilbur) of San Francisco, Lt. Colonel Ret. Marine Corps Paul Alexander (Barbara Diane Hock) of Fairfax, Va., and Robert "Huck" Hendryx (Cyndi Faye Nichols) of Kent, Wash.; 14 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and nephews and nieces. Several of the foregoing are artists and/or teachers.She was preceded in death by her sister, Margaret Elizabeth (Rider) Bauer of LaGrange, Ill.A memorial service for Alison will be held in early summer. Memorials may be directed to the Northwestern Michigan Artists and Craftsmen, 720 S. Elmwood, Traverse City.Arrangements have been entrusted to the Traverse City Chapel of Covell Funeral Homes.
     
     
     
      TRAVERSE CITY - William M. Bright, 82, of Traverse City, died on Friday at Munson Medical Center.
      Born Aug. 8, 1918 in East Kasson Township, he was the son of Ora and Erma (Ross) Bright. On Oct. 15, 1940, in Traverse City, he married the former Juanita G. Diehl.
      Mr. Bright was a member of the First Church of the Nazarene. He was a long time employee of Traverse City and most recently owned Oakridge Cycle Sales and Service. He enjoyed traveling and hunting.
      He is survived by his wife, Juanita; son, the Rev. Gary (Marjorie) Bright of Holt; a daughter, Judy A. Ritter of Traverse City; a brother, Fred (Cleo) Bright of Traverse City; two sisters, Helen (Walter "Pete") Nelson and Marjorie (Willard Erickson), both of Traverse City; three grandchildren; a great-grandchild; and several nieces and nephews.
      Mr. Bright was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Madge Haywood; and brothers, Robert Bright and Gerald Milton Bright.
      A celebration of life took place on Monday, March 18, 2001 at the First Church of the Nazarene at 1 p.m., with a gathering of family and friends one hour prior to the time of service. The Rev. Rick Rice was the officiate. Burial will be in the East Kasson Township Cemetery this spring.
      Memorial contributions may be directed to the First Church of the Nazarene.
      Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home served the family.
      ELK RAPIDS - Robert Edward Westlund died Saturday of injuries from an automobile accident.
      He was born June 9, 1959 in Traverse City to C. Robert and Marlene (Youmans) Westlund.
      A lifelong resident of Elk Rapids, Rob graduated from Elk Rapids High School in 1977. Rob loved to cook and had been employed through the years at T.J. Charlie's, Rainbow, Torch Riviera, and for the past several years at the Country Kitchen in Alden.
      He and friend Jim Moore formed "The Staggering Odds" musical duo with Lisa Olin as vocalist. They played at various places in the area and he loved it. Rob enjoyed hunting, fishing and baking for his family and friends. He will be sorely missed.
      Rob is survived by his mother, Marlene Youmans; brother, Richard Westlund; aunts, Dorothy (Carl) Merillat, Marcia (Floyd) Merillat and Betty Carpenter; uncle, Bill (Donna) Youmans; and numerous cousins.
      He was preceded in death by his father, C. Robert Westlund; paternal grandparents, Earl and Opal Westlund; maternal grandparents, Ed and Mollie Youmans; uncles, Doyle and James Westlund.
      Services will be held Friday, March 23, at 2 p.m. at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Elk Rapids. Family will greet friends from 1 p.m. until the time of services at the church.
      Memorials may be directed to the Elk Rapids Rescue Unit or the Elk Rapids Fire Department.
      Arrangements have been entrusted to the Elk Rapids Chapel of Covell Funeral Homes.
      TRAVERSE CITY - Lydia Mary Hunt, 95, of Traverse City, died Friday. She lived for 22 years near Kewadin, and the rest of her life was spent in Traverse City.
      She was born Sept. 22, 1905 in South Milton Township, the daughter of Joseph and Caroline (LaCross) Bussa. She first married Harry Russell in Elk Rapids on May 1, 1925. She later married E.T. (Tom) Smith of Boon on Nov. 14, 1958. She married Kenneth Hunt on June 2, 1967 in Utica.
      Lydia was a housewife, and worked as an attendant at Traverse City State Hospital. She also worked at Cunningham Drug Store in Traverse City.
      She is survived by one daughter, Bonnie (Marcel) Carpenter of Traverse City; one stepdaughter, Muriel (Robert) Peavler of Traverse City; a sister, Velma Goodman of Elk Rapids; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
      She was preceded in death by her husbands, Harry Russell in 1958, Tom Smith in 1965, and Kenneth Hunt in 1982; stepdaughter, Bobbi Darling of Kalamazoo; four sisters, Lena Hockridge, Melinda Munro, Amy Hanna and Harriet Barnes; and four brothers, Ernest Bussa, George Bussa, Frank Bussa and Archie Bussa.
      A gathering of friends and family will take place Wednesday, March 28, 2001 from 1 to 3 p.m., with a sharing of memories at 2 p.m., at Community Hall on Manor Lane at the Town & Country Mobile Home Park in Traverse City. Interment will be in Maple Grove Cemetery, Elk Rapids.
      Arrangements have been entrusted to the Traverse City Chapel of Covell Funeral Homes.
      KINGSLEY - Bonnie J. Page, 44, of Kingsley, formerly of Saginaw, died Saturday at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City.
      She was born July 31, 1956 in Saginaw, the daughter of Raymond and Barbara (Pearson) Meehleder. On Nov. 10, 1973, she married Roy C. Page in Saginaw.
      Bonnie was a loving wife and mother whose family viewed her as their angel. She loved her family, the outdoors and animals.
      She is survived by her husband; her parents, of Saginaw; son, Jonathan C. Page and daughter Jennifer J. Page, both of Traverse City; sister, Connie (Dave) Visnaw of Saginaw; her brother, Robert (JoAna) Meehleder of New Mexico; and several nieces and nephews.
      A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday at St. Andrews Church in Saginaw. Friends may call at the time of the memorial service.
      Memorials may be directed to the American Heart Association.
      Arrangements have been handled by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home of Traverse City.