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November 18, 2003

Obituaries

Ella Beatrice Wrixon
      Died November 15, 2003
      TRAVERSE CITY - Ella Beatrice Wrixon passed away at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City Nov. 15, 2003.
      She was the dear sister of Guinevere Inkpen of Chateauguay, Quebec, Canada, and Jacqueline (John) Berry of Thuder Bay, Ontario, Canada.
      She will be sadly missed by her nieces, nephews and friends, especially Ron and Anita Underwood, who were like family to her.
      We wish to thank all the caregivers and the many friends who were so good to her these past years. Her smiles and humor will be missed by all who knew her.
      Ella's wish was to donate her body to science, hoping to help other people.
      Memorial contributions may be directed to the American Diabetes Association Memorial Program Call Center, P.O. Box 2680, North Canton, OH 44720.

      TRAVERSE CITY - Suann Jane "Sally" Cook, 48, of Traverse City, died Monday, Nov. 17, 2003, at home with her loving husband by her side.
      Born May 15, 1955, in Traverse City, she was the daughter of John J. and Mary Jane (Herman) Geroy. On Oct. 21, 1978, in Traverse City, she married Owen Cook, who survives.
      A longtime resident of the Traverse City area, Sally briefly lived in Naples, Fla., for a year and Phoenix, Ariz., for four years.
      She was the first female employed by Grand Traverse E.M.S., and worked there for three years. This work motivated her to become a licensed practical nurse and later was employed at Munson Medical Center, where she received great fulfillment.
      Sally was a member of St. Francis Catholic Church and was very active in mission ministry. She was a supporter of St. Jude's Children's Orphanage and India School in Chamberlain, S.D.
      Sally enjoyed caring for children, collecting angels and especially spending time with her family. She will be deeply missed by her loving family and caring friends.
      Along with her husband, Owen, Sally is also survived by her son, Jeremy Cook of Traverse City; stepchildren, Mary Taylor of Jefferson, Ore., Laurie Torres of Albany, Ore., Christy (Albert) Buchanan of Traverse City and Thomas Cook of Amarillo, Texas; brothers, Steven (Lillian) Geroy of Traverse City and Allen (Delores "Dee") Geroy of Bark River; sisters, Suellen (Gerald) Cook of Prescott Valley, Ariz., Sharon (Randy) Wheelock and Sharry (Jim) Hirtreiter, all of Traverse City; nine grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and many aunts, uncles and cousins; and a special friend, Carlena.
      Sally was preceded in death by her parents; and her mother and father-in-law, Mildred M. and Vernard A. Cook.
      Cremation has taken place. A rosary will be prayed at St. Francis Catholic Church on Thursday, Nov. 20, at 10 a.m., followed by a memorial Mass at 11 a.m. with the Rev. James Gardiner, celebrant.
      Memorial contributions may be directed to Grand Traverse Pavilions, where a memorial will be established in Sally's name, or to Mass Intentions.
      The family is being served by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City.

      TRAVERSE CITY - James William "Jim" Pillars, 65, of Traverse City, died Saturday at Munson Medical Center as a result of an auto accident.
      Jim was born on April 2, 1938, in Traverse City, the son of Ruth (Druschel) and Homer W. Pillars. On Oct. 19, 1962, in Traverse City, he married Norene J. (Christopher) O'Brien.
      Jim, a lifelong resident of Traverse City, owned and operated J. W. Pillars Excavating. He was a member of the Free Methodist Church and enjoyed photography, fishing, hunting, his computer, traveling, nature, boats and sailing. He especially enjoyed having lunch each day at Don's Drive-In with his buddies.
      Jim is survived by his wife, Norene; step-children, John and Leveda O'Brien of Nampa, Idaho, Joan and Jeff Anderson of Arvada, Colo., and Jackie Bass of Flat Rock; his children, Jim and Jolene Pillars Jr. of Mesick, Tammy and Bob Bruhn of Auburn Hills and Terri and Dr. Bruce Cain of Mesick; 18 grandchildren; a great-grandson; and a sister, Shirley, and her husband, Bill Becker, of Traverse City also survive, along with his foreign exchange student "son" Gerhart Gutland of Frieburg, Germany.
      Visitation will take place today, Nov. 18, at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home from 5 until 8 p.m.
      Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, at the funeral home, with Pastor Tim Morris officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery.
      Memorial contributions may be directed to the family.

      LAKE ANN - David Thompson "Tom" Clark, 94, of Lake Ann, went home to be with his Lord Sunday.
      Born Jan. 20, 1909, at the Thompson place in Almira Township, Benzie County, he was the son of Will O. And Lucy E. (Thompson) Clark.
      Tom moved with his parents to Flint in 1923, where he graduated from Flint Central High School and was a member of the football team. He worked for Chevrolet in Flint until returning to the Clark farm near Lake Ann in 1944.
      Tom married his high school sweetheart, Edith Schoeppach, in Flint on Dec. 30, 1933.
      Tom was born again in August 1939 at Lake Ann Camp Meeting. He was a charter member of Grawn Bible Methodist Church. His life was devoted to serving his Lord Jesus Christ.
      In 1944, Tom founded Clark Lumber Company, which he owned and operated with his family until retirement in 1977.
      He is survived by his wife, Edith; daughter, Joanne Lucinda Clark; daughter-in-law, Shirley (Rayle) Johnson, all of Lake Ann; grandson, Ron (Clark) Flaska of Traverse City; many brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins.
      Tom was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Helen Katherine, in infancy; son, Daniel Orson Clark, in 1974; and daughter, Elizabeth Edith Clark, in infancy in 1957.
      Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City.
      Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, at Bible Methodist Church in Grawn, with the Rev. Paul Bundy and the Rev. William D. Gale officiating. Burial will be in Inland Township Cemetery.
      Memorials may be directed to Bible Methodist Church, 7640 U.S. 31 S., Grawn, MI 49637.

      SPRING LAKE - Adah Brehm Smith Frank, 96, beloved aunt and friend, went to be with her Lord and Savior Saturday, Nov. 8, 2003.
      She was born Jan. 29, 1907, to George and Christina (Schmidt) Pelton, and grew up in Cadillac. After graduating from the Harper Method of Beauty in Louisville, Kan., she returned to Cadillac and became a beautician.
      She married Gustof A. Brehm in 1928 and lived in Kent, Ohio, until 1945, when they moved to Traverse City. They owned and operated the Brehm's Service Station, located at 501 E. 8th St., at Wellington St., and lived there until 1968. They then moved to Holiday, Fla., where Gust died in 1980.
      Adah met and married Everett Smith in 1981, and lovingly lived with him in Holiday until his death in 1988. At that time, she moved to Independence Village in Frankenmuth, where she met and married Clarence Frank in 1988 and lovingly lived with him until he passed away in 1992. Upon his death, Mrs. Frank moved to Grand Haven.
      For the past five years, Adah had lived at Oakcrest Manors in Spring Lake. A special thanks from the family goes to the very loving staff of Oakcrest Manors for their expert care of, and loving concern for, Adah.
      Adah's faith was lived out through her involvement in Lutheran churches in the various communities where she lived. Between 1945 and 1968 she was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Traverse City. In addition to church activities, Adah enjoyed sewing, reading, watching television and talking with people.
      She is survived by many members of the Brehm, Smith and Frank families, including Ross Brehm and MaryLinda Kittleman of Grand Haven and their children, Evan (Heather) Kittleman and Joshua Kittleman, with whom Adah lived for five years. She is also survived by friends and fellow residents at Oakcrest Manors in Spring Lake.
      Mrs. Frank was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Hazel French-Jones-Sedam; brother, Don (Lillian) Pelton; nephew, Don Pelton (Lucy) Jr.; and husbands, Gust, Everett and Clarence.
      A celebration of Adah's life will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 22, at St. John's Lutheran Church, 527 Taylor St. in Grand Haven, with the Rev. Phillip Baerwolf officiating. Interment will be in Meadowlawn Memorial Gardens in Elfers, Fla.
      In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to God's Pantry at St. John's Lutheran Church, or Hospice of North Ottawa Community, 1515 S. Despelder, Grand Haven, MI 49417.
      The Clock Funeral Home of Grand Haven is serving the family. The online guest book is available at www.clockfuneralhome.com.

      SUTTONS BAY - John Richard "Dick" Sheppard of Suttons Bay passed away at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City Nov. 15 following a long, valiant battle with complications from diabetes.
      Dick was born in East Liverpool, Ohio, on March 19, 1932. He was a graduate of Worcester College in Ohio, and worked for many years in broadcast advertising in New York City and Detroit. His last position in Detroit was as general sales manager for classical radio station WQRS.
      During his last years in Detroit, Dick was very active in the restoration of what is now the Detroit Symphony Orchestra Hall, and held an honorary seat in the hall for his contribution.
      Dick left Detroit in 1984 and moved to Suttons Bay, where he eventually opened his well-known antique shop, Danbury Antiques. He soon established it as one of the finest shops of its kind in the Midwest. His specialty was English antiques. More recently, Dick was very active in the creation and management of the annual antique show at the Grand Hotel on Mackinaw Island.
      An avid reader, Dick was an equally avid animal lover. He also loved classical music and music of the Broadway theater. With his phenomenal memory, Dick was able to quote lines from Broadway show songs with remarkable ease and accuracy. He also had an extraordinary sense of humor, which was second nature to him and was much admired. He would always fearlessly cut to the quick and would brook no nonsense or pretension.
      Dick loved living in Leelanau County and would often comment on what a privilege it was to live and work there.
      He is survived by three sisters, Gail Finnegan of Lodi, Calif., and Doris Carr and Lois George of Dayton, Ohio.
      A memorial gathering to honor Dick will be announced at a later date. Cremation has taken place.
      Family and friends have asked that memorial contributions be directed to the American Diabetes Association.
      Arrangements have been provided by Martinson Funeral Homes, Suttons Bay.

      RONALD JOSEPH DAHLKE SR., 65 of Twin Lake, formerly of Manistee, died Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2003, in Chicago.
      Visitation will take place today, Nov. 18, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at Herbert Funeral Home in Manistee, with prayers from the Order of Christian Funerals at 8 p.m.
      Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 19, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Manistee. Burial will immediately follow in Mt. Carmel Cemetery.
      The Herbert Funeral Home in Manistee is in charge of arrangements.
     
      NANCY C. PINNA, 65, of Traverse City, formerly of Flint, died Saturday, Nov. 15, 2003, at her home.
      Visitation will take place Thursday, Nov. 20, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at Covell-Smith Funeral Home in Kingsley, with a scripture service at 6 p.m.
      Mass from the Order of Christian Funerals will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Friday, Nov. 21, at St. Mary of Hannah Catholic Church, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in St. Mary of Hannah Catholic Cemetery.
      A complete obituary will appear in the next edition of the Record-Eagle.
      Arrangements have been entrusted to the Covell-Smith Funeral Home, Kingsley.
     
      LORETTA G. WOLVERTON, 79, of Lake City, passed away Saturday, Nov. 15, 2003.
      A memorial service will be held at 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 19, at the Young Funeral Home in Lake City.

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