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December 10, 2004ObituariesLAKE LEELANAU - Jim Porter died Thursday, Dec. 9, 2004, as he lived, reaching out to and surrounded by people. He had a lifelong love of service, community, and the adventure and gifts of life. He loved travel, food and cooking. Being surrounded by family and friends at his table gave him great joy; his many guests who loved his spirit and hospitality will miss him dearly.Born in Jackson on July 22, l926, Jim, like other children of the Great Depression, learned values of self-reliance, resilience and the need to build a caring community. His community was filled with people, nature, wild birds and his well-trained and loyal dogs, Mark and Roy. Appointed to Kings Point, the Merchant Marine Academy, Jim served on troop carriers in World War II, an experience that forged a lifelong call to the sea and to peacemaking. After graduating from the University of Illinois with a degree in engineering, Jim married Alice (Grinnell) Porter. Jim and brother-in-law Don Borgeson formed Vulcan Laboratories, where water quality engineering became his career. In l968, Jim, Alice and their three young children crossed the Atlantic in a 42-foot ketch, the Tanaquill. It was their home for four years, sailing the British Isles, Europe and back to the Caribbean. On return, he formed James A. Porter Engineering in l972. He designed and maintained water quality procedures for major institutions in northwest Michigan. He also helped create Venture VI, a water quality firm based in southeast Michigan, which continues his work. Jim's dedication to clean water took him twice to Varanasi, India, with the Friends of the Ganges, a service effort shared by his daughter, Catherine, and son, Sam. Jim's public peacemaking began in Grand Rapids, on civil rights efforts locally and in training with Saul Alinsky in Chicago. After moving to Traverse City in l972, he participated in most local peace gatherings, and extended this witness from Washington, D.C., to Texas, to the Iona Community in Scotland. However, his most effective peace work was one-on-one through his interest, questions and listening to everyone he met. He is survived by his children, Jeffrey (Sue), Catherine, Daniel and Samuel (Abigail); and sisters, Julie Baker and Susan Becker. Also surviving are loved ones, Sharon Webster and Dianne Ureel; grandchildren, stepchildren, nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law and many, many friends. Jim was preceded in death by his first wife, Alice. Family and friends are invited to The Leelanau Community Cultural Center's Old Art Building, 111 S. Main St., Leland, at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 12, for a celebration of Jim Porter's life. Memorials may be made to Friends of the Ganges/Crabgrass, Father Fred Foundation and Lake Leelanau Watershed Initiative. The family has entrusted arrangements to Oak Grove Cremation Center. FRANKFORT - Marcia Jean Hescott passed away from a terminal illness on Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2004. She was born March 10, 1936, in Marquette, the daughter of Walter and Fannie (Orhanen) Benson. A former resident of Marquette, she had been a resident of Frankfort since 1976. In June 1954, Marcia Jean married Rodger Hescott, who preceded her in death in 1992. Marcia was employed as a nurse's aide at Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital for 18 years, until her retirement. She was a former member of St. Michaels Church in Marquette and a member of St. Ann's Catholic Church in Frankfort, where she was a member of the Altar Society. Marcia enjoyed shopping, taking drives and going out to eat. She is survived by son, Michael (Jennifer) Hescott of Grand Junction; daughter, Ellyn Rogers of Fennville; granddaughters, Nicole Allen and Montana Hescott; grandson, Jared Hescott; and brother, Walter (Brutz) Benson of Marquette. She was also preceded in death by a son, William Hescott in 2001. Friends may visit the Frankfort Chapel of McElduff Funeral Home on Sunday, Dec. 12, 2004, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m., with a scripture service to be held at 7 p.m. A funeral Mass will be held Monday, Dec. 13, 2004, at 11 a.m., at St. Ann Catholic Church, with Father Ray Cotter officiating. Interment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery in Marquette. Those desiring may make contributions to the Hospice of Michigan in memory of Marcia. The Frankfort Chapel of McElduff Funeral Home and Cremation Service are handling the arrangements. DOROTHY I. BECKNER, 72, of Alba, died Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2004, at Tendercare of Gaylord. Visitation will be today, Dec. 10, 2004, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m., at the Mancelona Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Dec. 11, at 11 a.m., also at the funeral home. WALTER A. GRAHL, 73, of Bear Lake, died Thursday, Dec. 9, 2004, at his home. Funeral services will be held Saturday, Dec. 11, 2004, at 1 p.m., at the Homestead Community Church in Beulah, where friends may call from 10:30 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will take place in Michigan Memorial Park in Flat Rock. The Edwards-Oak Grove Funeral Home of Bear Lake is serving the family. EDWARD J. JOHNSON, 79, of Gaylord, died Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2004, at Otsego Memorial Hospital in Gaylord. Memorial services will take place on Saturday, Dec. 11, 2004, at 11 a.m., at the First United Methodist Church of Gaylord. Arrangements are being handled by the Central Lake Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes. MARGARET M. "PEGGY" LUCIER, 78, of Traverse City, died Thursday, Dec. 9, 2004, at Munson Hospice House. A complete obituary will be in Saturday's edition of the Record-Eagle. The family is being served by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home of Traverse City. FRANK POWERS, 71, of Traverse City, passed away Thursday, Dec. 9, 2004, at his home. A full obituary will run at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Covell Funeral Home in Traverse City.
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