Obituaries

THOMAS M. FLOWER, 38, of Kalkaska, died on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2004, at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 5, 2004, at People's Church in Kalkaska.
Arrangements are being handled by Wolfe Funeral Home in Kalkaska.

VIOLET FORBUSH, 92, of Maple Forest Township in Crawford County, died on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2004, at Mercy Hospital in Grayling.
Visitation will be held today, Jan. 4, 2004, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., at Sorenson Funeral Home, McEvers Chapel, in Grayling. A funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 5, 2004, also at the funeral home. Burial will be in Maple Forest Township Cemetery.
Arrangements are being handled by Sorenson Funeral Home, McEvers Chapel, Grayling.

ALFRED 'AL' MITCHELL, 90, of Kalkaska, died on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2004, at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City.
Visitation will be held on Monday, Jan. 5, 2004, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Wolfe Funeral Home in Kalkaska. A Funeral service will take place at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2004, also at the funeral home. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery.
Arrangements by Wolfe Funeral Home in Kalkaska.

ELEANOR ALMA WAKELEE, 91, of Kaleva, died on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2004, at West Shore Medical Center in Manistee.
Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 5, 2004, at the Terwilliger Funeral Home in Kaleva. Visitation will be held on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2004, also at the funeral home, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., with a VFW Ladies Auxiliary Service at 7:30 p.m., conducted under the auspices of the Bear Creek VFW Post #6333 Ladies Auxiliary.

FOREST WILLIAMS, 73, of Muskegon, formerly of Traverse City, died on Friday, Jan. 2, 2004, in Muskegon.
A complete obituary, with visitation and service times, will appear in Monday's edition of the Record-Eagle.
Arrangements by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City.

TRAVERSE CITY - Elaine Dorothy Snider, 82, of Traverse City, died on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2004, at Bortz Health Care. Born March 13, 1921, in Detroit, she was the daughter of the late Lester and Dorothy (Middendorf) Holt. On May 8, 1944, in Sioux City, Iowa, she married Curtis L. Snider, who survives.
Elaine had been a member of the First Congregational Church in Traverse City.
Along with her husband, Curtis, she is survived by her two sons, Gregory (Carolyn) Snider of Novi, and Christopher (Jean) Snider of Pacifica, Calif.; a granddaughter, Kimberly Snider, and a grandson, Jaime Snider, both of Livonia.
Family services will be held at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the The Children's Leukemia Foundation, 29777 Telegraph Road, Southfield, MI 58034.
Arrangements are by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City.

TRAVERSE CITY - Frank R. Dockery, 78, of Traverse City, died on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2003, at home after battling cancer. He was surrounded by his family.
Born March 18, 1925, in Elk Rapids, and raised in Barker Creek, he was the son of Frank and Anna (Hansen) Dockery.
In 1943, at the age of 17, he enlisted in the United States Army. Frank was a decorated veteran of the Normandy (D-Day) Landing and European campaign, and was awarded the Bronze Star for valor.
After the war, he remained in Germany, working as a civilian member of the occupation forces. His occasional gruff exterior hid a strong spirit of generosity and compassion.
While in Germany, Frank met and married his wife of over 51 years, Liselotta (Steeg) Dockery. He returned to Michigan in 1951, settling in the Detroit area and working with the Fisher Body Division of General Motors. Frank retired to Traverse City in the early 1980s after decades of successful service at G.M.
Frank was a lifelong outdoorsman, enthusiastic sport-fisherman and hunter. He was also a staunch and enthusiastic supporter of local scholastic sports. His favorite dog breed was the Weimeraner, favorite sport fish was the Muskellunge, and his favorite line fish was the Large Mouth Bass.
He knew the Grand Traverse area waters better than many lifelong residents, and would never divulge the exact location of his favorite fishing spots. Frank held several record-class fishing trophies, including a state record for Muskellunge.
Survivors include his devoted wife, Liselotta; son, Kevin Dockery of Ray; daughter, Patricia Rose; and grandchildren, Andrew and Amanda Rose, all of Euclid, Calif.; and a sister, Peggy Troutwine of Traverse City.
Frank was preceded in death by his parents; one brother; and a young son, Michael.
Private interment with family and close friends has taken place at Oakwood Cemetery in Traverse City. A memorial service is planned in the spring with date and time to be announced.
The family is being served by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City.

TRAVERSE CITY - Russell Howard Annis, 83, of Traverse City, died on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2003, at home. Born on Oct. 24, 1921, in Grayling, he was the son of Howard and Flora (Moon) Annis. On Aug. 8, 1948, in Traverse City, he married the former Phyllis Lorraine Burrows, who preceded him in death.
Mr. Annis served his country honorably, with the United States Army during World War II. He later became a floor specialist for Northern Floor and Tile and retired from Waterland Tile.
Mr. Annis enjoyed golfing and ice fishing. An avid bowler until the age of 82, he was inducted into the Bowlers Hall of Fame in 2001.
Mr. Annis was a member of the American Legion.
Survivors include his sons, Jerry (Lydia) Annis of Traverse City, Joel (Marsha) Annis of Charlevoix and Kurt (Connie) Annis of Traverse City; 12 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Bonnie Lou Weber.
Along with his wife, Phyllis, Mr. Annis was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Margaret Lake.
Friends may call at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City on Monday, Jan. 5, 2004, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Services will be at the funeral home on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2004, at 11 a.m. Officiating the service will be the VFW, Cherryland Post 2780. Burial will be in Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Salvation Army.

TRAVERSE CITY - Mary Jill Shook was born in Toledo, Ohio, to Kenneth and Patricia (Trabbic) Shook on Nov. 11, 1950. She went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Dec. 22, 2003, at the Hospice of Northwest Ohio Center in Perrysburg, Ohio.
Jill was raised in Temperance, Mich., and lived in California, Florida, and New York prior to making her final residence in Traverse City.
Jill graduated from Bedford High School in 1968, Central Michigan University in 1973, and earned her Master of Arts degree from Western Michigan University in 1982. She was a registered social worker with the State of Michigan and was an accomplished professional photographer.
Jill is survived by her brother, Mark Shook of Coloma; her sister, Kathy Rosamalia of Florida; and several cousins.
Two memorial services will be held in Traverse City, at Light of the North Christian Center, 3211 North Garfield Rd., on Jan. 10, 2004, at 1 p.m.; and at Traverse House, 105 Hall Street, Suite B, on Jan. 15, 2004, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

TRAVERSE CITY - Theodore Emiliane Surprenant, 91, of Traverse City, formerly of Mt. Clemens and Glen Lake, died on Monday, Dec. 22, 2003, at Munson Medical Center, surrounded by his loving and caring family. Born Oct. 11, 1912, in Manteno, Ill., he was the son of Alexis O. and Lucy J. (Giroux) Surprenant. On May 24, 1934, at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Mt. Clemens, he married the former Metta Virginia Ceresk, who survives.
While living in Mt. Clemens, Mr. Surprenant was an assistant sales manager for Neds Firestone, where he retired after 33 years of service. From 1956 to 1986, Ted and his wife, Metta, owned and operated Shadowoods Cottages on Big Glen Lake. Over the years, they developed many friendships, and have wonderful memories of the people who stayed at their cottages.
While living in Glen Lake, Ted was a member of St. Philip Neri Catholic Church and actively served as an usher. Most recently, he was a member of St. Francis Catholic Church. Ted was also a member of Empire Lions Club.
Along with his wife, Metta, of 69 devoted years, Ted is also survived by three sons, Theodore (Patricia) Surprenant of Sterling Heights, Gerald R. (Marjorie) Surprenant and James L. (Sally) Surprenant, all of Traverse City; 15 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. He is also survived by his two sisters, Viola Sheppard of Port Orange, Fla., and Madeline VanZant of Mishawaka, Ind.
Ted was preceded in death by a brother, Hillair Surprenant.
A memorial Mass will be celebrated at St. Francis Catholic Church on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2004, at 11 a.m. The Rev. Fr. Patrick Maher will serve as celebrant. Cremation has taken place.
In remembrance of Ted, memorials may be directed to the American Lung Association or the Father Fred Foundation.
Arrangements are by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City.

THERE'S MORE THAN JUST THE HEADLINES

The Record-Eagle offers more news, info, advertising and updates in print than what is published online. Subscribe today and get more.