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August 11, 2002ObituariesTRAVERSE CITY - Lillian "Lil" Irene Maxbauer, 71, passed away Friday at home with family at her side.Born March 23, 1931, the daughter of "Ward" Cressell and Sophie (Patti) Cressell/Cain, Lil grew up in Grand Rapids and attended South High School. She married John Maxbauer Jr. on June 24, 1950, at St. Andrew's Cathedral and moved to Traverse City where she remained for the rest of her life. Lillian, a homemaker, loved flowers, observing nature and watching the beautiful sunsets over Lake Michigan, but she really loved to laugh and talk with her friends and family. Often found in attendance at her grandchildren's ball games, concerts and school events, her applause and praise were ever abundant. Lil was an avid bowler for 30 years and she served as a league president. A strong supporter of the Boy Scouts of America for over 50 years, she assisted and encouraged her husband, sons, grandsons and the scouting families of Troop 35 and Troop 27. Lil's home was always open and the center of activity for her extended family, friends and many neighborhood children. She also helped to raise other children from time to time as well as provided daycare for her grandchildren. Lil is survived by her husband of 52 years, John Maxbauer Jr.; her mother, Sophie Cain; her brother, Charles Cressell of Grand Rapids; her children, Charlie (Sue) Maxbauer, Gail (Tony) Miller of Columbia City, Ind., Russell Maxbauer and John (Patty) Maxbauer III; her friend and sister-in-law, Marie (Maxbauer) Corsaut; 11 grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Lillian was preceded in death by her father; her stepfather, Russell Cain; and her grandparents, Charles and Lillian Patti. A memorial service will be held for the family and close friends at 1 p.m., Monday, Aug. 12, at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home, with the Rev. James Hayden officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to Munson Hospice and Palliative Care, 1105 Sixth St., Traverse City, MI 49684. TRAVERSE CITY - Erika Lindsey Bolton, 22, of Traverse City, died Wednesday in Ann Arbor after a long battle with leukemia. Erika was a student at Northwestern Michigan College and looked forward to a career involving work with children. Through her 18 month struggle with cancer, she taught all that knew her the true meaning of courage, love and the human spirit. She was a 1999 graduate of Traverse City High School where she was active as a member of the TCHS Varsity Softball Team. Erika loved sports, reading, fishing and all the wonders that living has to offer. God blessed the many lives touched by Erika's determination, optimism and her never-ending smile even in the face of terrible adversity. She is dearly missed and will be cherished forever. Erika is survived by her parents, Gary and Deb Bolton of Traverse City; her three sisters, Heather Bolton of St. Clair Shores, April Bolton of Ann Arbor and Michelle Bolton of Traverse City; her grandmothers, Betty Bolton of Dearborn and Elizabeth Bodo of Dearborn Heights; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins, whose lives will never be the same without Erika here. She was preceded in death by her grandfathers, Lee Bolton and Lewis Bodo. Cremation has taken place. The family invites all friends and neighbors to a memorial service to honor Erika and celebrate her life at 5 p.m. today, Aug. 11, at the Old Town Playhouse in Traverse City. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Children's Leukemia Foundation of Michigan, or to the Old Town Playhouse. BETTY J. FERGUSON, 80, of Manistee, died Thursday, Aug. 8, 2002, at West Shore Medical Center in Manistee. Family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the Johnson Funeral Home. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m., Monday, Aug. 12, at the Manistee United Methodist Church. Arrangements are being handled by Johnson Funeral Home, P.C. in Manistee. JOSEPH CHARLES LEVEQUE III, 28, of Kalkaska, died June 20, 2002. A Memorial service will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 17, 2002, at the Kalkaska Snowmobile Club located on Island Lake Road. Family and friends are welcome to attend. MUSKEGON - Mrs. Varden Aldridge Akers, 83, of Muskegon, passed away Friday, Aug. 9, 2002, at home. She was born April 22, 1919, in Walton Junction, to Adolphus and Nellie (Smith) Aldridge. Varden wed Gerald Akers in 1935, and they were married for 57 years prior to his death. Mrs. Akers is survived by her children, Sheila (Versil) Huffman of Ravenna, Venita (Lawrence) Boody of Oliver Springs, Tenn., Jeritza (John) DeCheney of Hesperia and Jerrold (Donna) Akers Sr.; 15 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; three brothers, Basil (Wynola) Aldridge of Muskegon, Elbridge (Betty) Aldridge and Dolph (Dovie) Aldridge, all of Traverse City; and two sisters, Julia Roop and Donna Martin both of Kingsley. Varden was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald on June 15, 1993; her grandsons, Craig DeCheney, John DeCheney Jr., and Michael Dennis; her parents; a brother, Tom Aldridge, sister, Ruth Roop; her half brother, Mancil; and her half sister, Clarice. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m., Monday, Aug. 12, at the Ever Rest Funeral Home and Chapel, with the Rev. George Cripe presiding. Visitation will be held two hours prior to the service at the funeral home from noon until 2 p.m. Monday. Interment will be in Sunrise Memorial Gardens. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Michigan, 819 W. Main St., Fremont, MI 49412. Arrangements were handled by Ever Rest Funeral Home and Chapel, 1783 E. Keating Ave., Muskegon. TRAV ERSE CITY - Theodore Noel "Ted" Cline, M.D., 80, died peacefully at home in the presence of his family on Friday, Aug. 9, 2002. Born Dec. 24, 1921, in Kaifeng, Honan, China, the first son of American parents, Hallie and Warren Williams Cline, Ted spent most of his first 13 years in China before his family returned to settle in Hiram, Ohio, in 1935. He graduated from Hiram College in 1942. Ted entered the U.S. Navy for flight training in January 1943, then flew a Douglas Dauntless SBD dive-bomber in the South Pacific for the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross with one Gold Star in the campaign to retake the Philippines. After the war, he attended Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, where he met his wife of 55 years, Jean Esther Cram, of Shaker Heights, Ohio, and earned his M.D. degree. Following a five-year residency training in general surgery, Ted, Jean, and their young family settled in Traverse City in 1955, where he began a long and distinguished career in general and vascular surgery, retiring from medical practice in 1982. Ted was the first physician-member of the board of James Decker Munson Hospital, now Munson Medical Center. He served as president of the board and was instrumental in guiding Munson's evolution into the major regional medical center it is today. In 1965, he began his third career with the purchase of "Zero-Six Charlie," a Cessna 180 with which he combined three of his loves: flying, photography, and the lands and waters of Northern Michigan. Through Photair, Inc., his aerial photography firm dedicated to the preservation and stewardship of his beloved Grand Traverse Region, he spent hundreds of hours aloft, documenting the beauty of the Earth below, and helped raise a broader awareness of the effects of unbridled land development. Following retirement from his medical practice, he could devote full attention to aerial photography, including service to the Nature Conservancies of Michigan, Wisconsin, Virginia, Idaho and New Mexico. He received the Nature Conservancy's Oak Leaf Award in 1988 for his dedication to preservation of critical habitats. Other community involvement included a term as Commodore of the Grand Traverse Yacht Club when the present West Bay Shore site was acquired, four years as a city commissioner for Traverse City and service on the board of the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce. He received the Chamber's Distinguished Service Award for 1992. He also enjoyed many friendships as a longtime member of the Knife and Fork Club. Ted is survived by his wife, Jean; children, Cathie, Bob (Suzy), Jack and Mike (Shelley); granddaughters, Lindy, Sarah, Christina, Polly, Becca, Amanda and Meara; brothers, Warren and Tom, sister Charlotte; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Hallie and Warren, stepmother, Helen, and a sister, Elizabeth. Cremation has taken place and a private interment ceremony will be held. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, Aug. 23, at Grace Episcopal Church in Traverse City, with the Rev. D. Edward Emenheiser officiating. Friends are welcome to visit with family in Parish Hall following the service. Memorial contributions in Ted's name may be directed to Munson Hospice or the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy. Arrangements were handled by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City. TRAVERSE CITY - James Leonard Simpkins, 65, of Traverse City, died Thursday evening at Munson Medical Center, following a brief illness. Born Jan. 28, 1937, in Camden, N.J., he was the son of the late Maurice and Rose (Pardise) Simpkins. A resident of the Traverse City area for 26 years, he retired as an executive from Chef Pierre. An avid collector, Mr. Simpkins enjoyed his many years of employment with Coins and Collectibles. He served his country honorably with the U.S. Army. Mr. Simpkins attended St. Francis Catholic Church and Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Jim touched many lives while living in this community and will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Survivors include his two sons, Jeff (Pamela) Simpkins of Grand Rapids, Jason (Stephanie) Simpkins of Traverse City; and one brother, Maurice Simpkins of Moorestown, N.J. Cremation has taken place. No formal services are planned, however, friends may pay their respects during visitation which will be held at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home on Tuesday, Aug. 13, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. In remembrance, memorial contributions may be directed to the Christmas Campaign Fund in care of the Salvation Army, P.O. Box 5228, Traverse City, MI 49696. |
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