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December 17, 2003ObituariesELDON R. GERRING SR., 77, of Amatilla, Fla., formerly of South Boardman, died Dec. 12, 2003, in Florida.A Funeral service will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2003, at 2 p.m., at Wolfe Funeral Home in Kalkaska. Burial will be in Boardman Township Cemetery. A full obituary will appear in a later edition of the Record-Eagle. Arrangements are being handled by Wolfe Funeral Home, Kalkaska. EARL LAWSON, 83, of Rapid City, died Dec. 16, 2003, at his home. Visitation will be held on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2003, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Wolfe Funeral Home in Kalkaska. A Funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 19, 2003, also at the funeral home. Burial will be in Clearwater Township Cemetery. Arrangements are being handled by Wolfe Funeral Home, Kalkaska. RUTH CHARLOTTE SCHULTZ, 79, of Honor, died Monday, Dec. 15, 2003, at her home. Memorial services will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 17, 2003, at the Bennett-Barz Funeral Home in Beulah, with Rev. Carl Green officiating. The Bennett-Barz Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. FARMINGTON HILLS - Sister Mary Frances Vondruska, RSM, 89, of Farmington Hills, died on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2003, at McAuley Retirement Center in Farmington Hills. She was born to Yugoslavian immigrants Joseph and Frances (Bocek) Vondruska on April 17, 1914, in Bannister, and christened Agnes at St. Joseph's Parish. She was received into the Sisters of Mercy in Dubuque, Iowa, on Aug. 16, 1934, and given the name, Sister Mary Frances Joseph. The majority of Sister Frances' 46 years of service in education were spent in Michigan parochial schools. She received a bachelor's degree from Mercy College of Detroit, and a master's degree in education from the University of Detroit. These degrees were earned over a number of summers, as there was no time for studies during the school year. Sister Frances taught children in Holland, Midland, Traverse City, Bay City, Ludington, Muskegon, Temperance, Rogers City, Detroit, Manistee, Auburn, and Howell. She also served as principal of St. John School in Independence, Iowa, for four years, and taught first grade for a year in Clovis, N.M. She slowed down her pace in 1984, to become a library aide and parish volunteer at St. Joseph Parish in Howell, and retired to McAuley Center in 1989. Sister Frances is remembered for her quiet, patient manner with her many students over the years, and with herself as her health declined. She loved teaching small children to read and write. She was also an excellent cook, who enjoyed making sticky buns and other treats for the sisters. "She was a warm and caring person, always making everyone feel welcome," recalls her sister, Sister Mary Bertha Vondruska, RSM. "When our mother died of cancer at the age of 44, Agnes was already in the convent. She offered to give up what she was doing and come home to help Dad raise the younger children. Of course he wouldn't hear of it, but this is an example of how generous she was." Sister Frances is survived by two brothers, Frank Vondruska of Glennie, and Louis Vondruska of Waterford; three sisters, Sister Mary Bertha Vondruska, RSM, of Auburn, Frances Dunay of Ovid, and Helen Smolek of West Palm Beach, Fla.; several nieces and nephews; and the members of her Mercy community. Welcoming and scripture services were held on Dec. 11, 2003, in Farmington Hills. A Mass of the Resurrection was celebrated on Dec. 12, 2003. Burial was in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Southfield. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Mercy Ministry Fund, 29000 Eleven Mile Road, Farmington Hills, MI 48336-1405. Arrangements were under the direction of McCabe Funeral Home, Farmington Hills. TRAVERSE CITY - John A. 'Jack' Orwosky, 73, of Traverse City, formerly of Suttons Bay, died Sunday, Dec. 14, 2003, at Munson Medical Center. Born on Dec. 17, 1929, in Weirton, W.Va., he was the son of John Joseph and Beatrice Hazel (Walker) Orwosky. On May 27, 1994, in Traverse City, he married the former Patricia Jane Smolar Ryan, who survives. Jack served his country honorably, with the United States Navy, during the Korean War. He retired from Ford Motor Company, where he had been employed for many years in the purchasing department. His hobbies included hunting and flower gardening. Jack enjoyed the time he spent outdoors, especially with his dog, Teeger. Along with his devoted wife, Pat, Jack is survived by several nephews and one niece. A memorial service will be held at the Unity Church of Traverse City on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2003, at 3:30 p.m., where friends may call one hour prior to the service. The Rev. Judith Grimes will be officiating. In remembrance of Jack, memorials may be directed to the Unity Church, 3600 Five Mile Road, Traverse City, MI 49686. Arrangements are by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City.
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