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November 21, 2003ObituariesTRAVERSE CITY - Leo Earl Rittenhouse, 65, of Traverse City, passed away peacefully Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2003, at his home, surrounded by his family and best friend, Elery Kurtzal.Born April 5, 1938, in Acme, he was the son of Delbert and Edwardine (Bissel) Rittenhouse. On April 4, 1980, in Traverse City, he married the former Ruth Barber. Leo served his country honorably with the United States Army Reserves 863rd ordinance. He had been employed as the sexton for Blair, Lake Ann and Long Lake Townships. Leo enjoyed going to auction sales. An avid outdoorsman, his favorite sport was deer hunting, which he especially enjoyed with his sons, brother and friends. He is survived by his wife of 24 devoted years, Ruth of Traverse City; his father, Delbert; his two daughters, Tammy (Daniel) Bohn and Joann Barber, all of Traverse City; sons, Mark Rittenhouse of Kingsley, Jeff (Christine) Rittenhouse and Randy (Meagan) Rittenhouse, all of Traverse City; brother, Delbert Rittenhouse of Traverse City; brothers and sisters-in-law, Ronald (Marilyn) Barber, Kay (Rick) Skaggs, Nina (Terry) Zick, Sara (Larry) Adams, Joann Erickson and Lea (Fred) Strobel; five loving grandchildren who will deeply miss him, Christopher, Joshua and Nicholas Leatherman, and Ashley and Justin Rittenhouse, all of Traverse City. He will be greatly missed and was loved by all. Leo was preceded in death by his mother; and brothers-in-law, Philip Barber and Charlie Erickson. Friends may call at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City this evening, Nov. 21, from 5 to 8 p.m. Services will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, Nov. 22, at 2 p.m., with the Rev. Bruce Sheets officiating. Burial will be in Linwood Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Munson Hospice. We wish to thank Beth Nussdorfer for her outstanding service and care for Leo. She has done so much for our family and we want to let her know that she is very much appreciated. Thank you, Munson Pharmacy and everyone for the great care provided for Leo and his family. Donald Cecil Wickham 1924-2003 SOUTH LAKE, Fla. - There have been many visionaries in our history, whose ability to see opportunities beyond the imagination changed the face of the world forever. To many who live there, the South Lake community is their "little corner of the world." To Don Wickham, it was the place he called home for more than 20 years and the mission field on which he served. The South Lake, Fla., community mourns the passing of Donald Cecil Wickham, a true visionary. He moved to Lake County in 1979, and made Clermont, Fla., his home in 1983. There he took over the helm of one of the most successful branch banks for Sun Trust, developing it shortly after its infancy to its present size today. He is remembered describing all collateral as "beautiful lakefront property!" He was described by Shannon Elswick, senior vice-president of Orlando Regional Healthcare System as "one of the original visionaries, the true leader and primary driving force behind the transformation of South Lake Hospital from a basic primary care hospital to a thriving economic component of the health and human service network in South Lake County." Don joined South Lake Hospital's District Board of Trustees in 1986, where he served as president from 1988-96, prior to being appointed president of the South Lake Hospital Board of Directors. He was instrumental in the formation of the new South Lake Hospital and Community Foundation of South Lake County, through the successful partnership with Orlando Regional Healthcare. He saw the Community Foundation as a vehicle to improve the health and welfare of the community for many years to come. Don took an active role in his trustee position. He enjoyed donating his time to this very important community health facility. Don was recognized as the "Citizen of the Year" in South Lake County in 1995 for his invaluable work with the hospital. Don was instrumental in purchasing the property that is now known as the South Lake Hospital - Health, Education and Wellness Campus, which was one of his primary goals. Leslie Longacre, executive director/CEO of South Lake Hospital, remembers the strength of Don's belief in the early 1980s that one day South Lake Memorial Hospital would no longer be able to care for the needs of the community at its Eighth Street location. He was committed to seeing a new hospital built on the original 40 acres of land, which was truly his "field of dreams." He will be remembered for his wonderful sense of humor and his ability to always leave you smiling. His endless contributions to the South Lake community will be visible for years to come. Born in Indiana in 1934, Don moved to Michigan, where he received a bachelor's of science degree from Eastern Michigan University and a graduate degree from the School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin. Don served in the U.S. Army from 1953-55. He began his life of community service as a board member for the Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District, and as president of the Frankfort Chamber of Commerce. After moving to Florida in 1979, Don continued his dedicated service by donating time as a civic leader. He was a member and president of the South Lake Memorial Hospital District Board of Trustees for more than 16 years; past president of the Clermont Kiwanis; board member of the Cooper Memorial Library; member of the Sun Trust Advisory Board; and a founding member of the Community Foundation of South Lake County. Don loved sailing, gardening and golf, but his pride and joy was his family. A devoted family man, Don is survived by his wife, JoAnn Wickham; mother-in-law, Treva Duckworth; sons, Craig Donald of Jacksonville, Fla., Brent Lee and Keith Daniel , both of Clermont, Fla.; daughter, Karen Lynn Wood of Clermont; brothers, David Wickham of Clermont, Bruce Greene of Saline, Blair Greene and Hazel Greene of Alabama; nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild. There will be a gathering of family at Becker Funeral Home in Clermont, Fla., today, Nov. 21, from 5 to 7 p.m. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, with a reception immediately following, at the First United Methodist Church. Memorial contributions may be made to the South Lake Hospital or the Community Foundation of South Lake County. SOLON TOWNSHIP - Goldie Burkhart, 92, of Solon Township, died Thursday, Nov. 20, 2003, at Bortz Health Care. Born July 6, 1911, in Bedford, Ohio, she was the daughter of Emory and Julia (Gacs) Borosh. She married Hugh J. Burkhart on June 28, 1930, on Old Mission Peninsula. Goldie retired in 1976 after 21 years of service at Traverse City Osteopathic Hospital. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Traverse City. Surviving is a son, James (Shirley Priest) Burkhart of Traverse City; two grandchildren, Kathern Bowles and Gordon Burkhart; five great-grandchildren; two nieces, Sharon Anderson and Joyce Dormer; and one nephew, James Boros Jr. Goldie was preceded in death by her husband, Hugh J. Burkhart in 1989; a son, Hugh E., in 1953; her parents; a sister, Julia Coleman; and a brother, James Boros Sr. Visitation will take place this evening, Nov. 21, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Traverse City Chapel of Covell Funeral Homes. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, at the First Baptist Church in Traverse City. The Rev. Thomas Mansfield will officiate. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery, Traverse City. Memorials may be made in Goldie's name to the Michigan Heart Association through Covell Funeral Homes. SUTTONS BAY - Robert Xavier Wransky, 82, of Suttons Bay, died Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2003, at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City. He was born in Traverse City May 10, 1921, the son of Frank X. and Helen (Sivek) Wransky. On Nov. 23, 1946, he married Helen Duester at St. Michael's Church in Suttons Bay. Bob served in the U.S. Army 33rd Division from October 1942 until November 1945. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and especially making craft items with his daughter. He is survived by his daughter, Barbara (Dennis) Lehner of Traverse City; grandson, Matthew Lehner of Suttons Bay; family friend, Tina Frankenburger; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Barbara Lucille. Visitation will take place Saturday, Nov. 22, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Martinson Funeral Home in Suttons Bay. Visitation continues Sunday, Nov. 23, at the funeral home, where family will greet friends from 2 to 9 p.m., with a rosary at 7 p.m. A Catholic Requiem Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 24, at Martinson Funeral Home, with Fr. Joseph Greenwell as celebrant. Burial will be in St. Michael's Cemetery, Suttons Bay. Memorial contributions may be directed to Traverse Bay Regional Dialysis Center or Our Lady of Fatima Church in Monroe Center. Arrangements were handled by Martinson Funeral Home, Suttons Bay. DAVID LEE HANNON, 71, of Kalkaska, died Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2003, at Kalkaska Memorial Health Center-LTC. Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, at Evergreen Cemetery in Kalkaska. Arrangements have been made by Wolfe Funeral Home, Kalkaska. FREDERICK MAX HART, 79, of Traverse City, died Thursday, Nov. 20, 2003, at the Grand Traverse Pavilions. Service arrangements will be announced by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home. MARGARET (BOLHUIS) HUIZINGA, 96, of Palos Heights, Ill., formerly of Ellsworth, died Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2003, in Palos Heights. Visitation will be on Friday, Nov. 21, from 3 to 9 p.m. at Colonial Chapel in Orland Park, Ill., and the funeral will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22, at Colonial Chapel.
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