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May 16, 2004ObituariesPENINSULA TOWNSHIP - Roy Earl Brigman of Traverse City died on May 11, 2004, at his home on the Peninsula. Mr. Brigman was born in Marquette, on Sept. 23, 1914, to Albin and Bessie (Anderson) Brigman. On June 24, 1939, he married Ellen N. Ewing, who preceded him in death on Aug. 14, 1998.Upon graduation from Northern Michigan University, Mr. Brigman taught and coached in Alpha. After discharge from the Air Force, he earned his degree in Physical Therapy at the University of Minnesota, where he also taught. He then obtained his master's at Northern Colorado University. In June of 1947, Mr. Brigman accepted the position of Director of Physical Therapy at Munson Hospital in Traverse City, where he established a polio center during the epidemic years. He entered into private practice 15 years later, establishing PT programs in Traverse City, Bellaire, Charlevoix, Petoskey, Cheboygan, St. Ignace and Newberry. Sports were always an important part of Mr. Brigman's life, and his tournament-winning teams were well known throughout the U.P. In Traverse City, he served on the School Board Recreation Committee that developed Hickory Hills, and pitched for Trude Hardware for 15 years. It was Mr. Brigman's love for the outdoors, and his desire to make experiences available for the polio-afflicted children with whom he worked, that he and his wife founded and directed Camp Roy-El, which served physically-challenged area children for 40 summers. Sharing the honors with his wife for volunteer and community service, Mr. Brigman received the Traverse City Chamber of Commerce Special Services Award, the Distinguished Alumnus Award for Service to Humanity from Northern Michigan University and was honored by the Detroit News as 1989 Michiganian(s) of the Year. In 1996, he was inducted into the Northern Michigan University Sports Hall of Fame. Mr. Brigman served 32 years in active and reserve duty with the United States Air Force and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. He is survived by his daughters, Mary Ellen Brigman and Kathryn (Richard) Woods; grandchildren, Courtney Brigman and Michael (Denise) Woods; great-grandchildren, Jessica and Brendan Brigman-Eggli, and Logan Woods; and a very special cat and companion, Tyge. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; and five siblings, Clayton, Carl, Donald, Betty and June. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 18, 2004, at Grace Episcopal Church in Traverse City, with visitation with the family one hour prior to the service. The Rev. D. Edward Emenheiser will officiate. A Yooper luncheon will be served in the parish house following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the Commission On Aging, 520 W. Front St., Traverse City, MI 49684, which allowed Mr. Brigman to maintain a life of quality independence, in his own home, for the past six years. The family is being served by The Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City. TRAVERSE CITY - Gladys A. Welch, 96, of Traverse City, died on Thursday, May 13, 2004, at Bortz Health Care of Traverse City. A lifelong resident of the Traverse City area, Gladys was a former member of Oak Park Congregational Church. She enjoyed needlework and gardening. Born on Nov. 17, 1907, in Hart, Gladys was the daughter of George and Rose (Parsons) Blohm. On Dec. 4, 1926, she married Laurence Welch, who preceded her in death in 1979. She also was preceded in death by her sons, Melvin on May 3, 2000, and Keith on Dec. 28, 1934; a daughter, Rosemary Egeler, on July 8, 2001; two sisters, Esther Blohm and Bertha Davis; two brothers, Jay and John Blohm; and a great-granddaughter, Amy Hopkins. Gladys is survived by a son, Kenneth (Ruth) Welch of Traverse City; daughter, Shirley Russell of Ypsilanti; a sister, Helen (Arthur) Budday of Spring Lake; 11 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter. Graveside services will be held at noon on Wednesday, May 19, 2004, at Platte Township Cemetery. The Rev. Dan Ingersoll will officiate the services. Memorials may be directed to Bortz Health Care Activities Department, or to the American Cancer Society. Arrangements are by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City. TRAVERSE CITY - On Thursday, May 13, 2004, in the wee hours of the morning, Richard G. Thomas went home to be with his Lord, because he believed in John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Formerly of Berkley, Mich., Richard had been a resident of Tibbets Lake for the past 29 years. He was a 1956 graduate of Berkley High School, served in the United States Army Reserve, and in 1961, was called to active duty during the Berlin crisis. Following his Army service, Richard worked for General Motors as a tool & die maker for 34 years, retiring in 1993. For 18 of those years, he made the sacrifice for his family and commuted between Detroit, Grand Rapids and Traverse City. Born on Feb. 3, 1938, in Detroit, Richard was the son of Stephen J. and Violet M. (Severy) Thomas Sr. On Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, 1959, at Central Woodward Christian Church, he married the former Jacqueline L. Dennis. Richard is survived by his mother, Violet Thomas of Traverse City; his caring and loving wife of 45 years, Jacqueline 'Jackie' Thomas of Tibbets Lake; four children, Cynthia (Pat) Burns of Traverse City, Paul (Margaret) Thomas of Brethren, David (Toni) Thomas of Traverse City and Amy (Todd) Moser of Morgantown, W.Va.; brother, Stephen J. (Annie) Thomas Jr. of Florida; 10 grandchildren, Victoria, Jennifer, Angela, Cassandra, Nick, Caitlin, Alexander, Scott, Megan and Timothy; and a great-granddaughter, Raven Mae. Richard was preceded in death by his father, Stephen J. Thomas Sr., in 1996. A celebration of Richard's life for family and close friends is being planned. Burial will take place at Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens at a later date. Because of Richard's long battle with diabetes, memorials may be directed to the American Diabetes Association, PO Box 2680, North Canton, Ohio 44720. Special thanks from the Thomas family to those who helped: the staff at Munson Hospital, the Munson Home care nurses, the volunteers of East Bay Township Red 9 and to the Hospice nurses ("God's angels"). God bless each one of you that was there for my husband and our father and grandfather. Arrangements are by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City. To the friends, colleagues and extended family of Boyd Yard: It is with sadness and love that we inform you all of Boyd's passing last week. He is survived by his wife, Elinore; brother and sister-in-law, Wesley and Mary Yard; daughters, Kathleen and Melissa; sons, David and Wesley; beloved son-in-law, Michael Wright; and cherished granddaughters, Erin and Sarah Wright. A kind and compassionate man, Boyd was rich in humor, patience and wisdom. He loved music, philosophy and literature, straight talk and good food. Boyd was a steadfast and conscientious person. Raised during the Depression by his brother and single mother, he became a self-made man - an active and engaged citizen dedicated to the democratic concept that society is formed by personal responsibility and not by collective privilege. He was a fine human being. Boyd was blessed to have lasting and deep friendships with many people. He was a role model and father figure to many. He traveled a varied path in his time on earth, and touched many lives along the way. Yet his life, too, was shaped by the wonderful people that shared a part of their journey with him. Boyd will be dearly missed. Thank you all for being a part of his life. - The Yard Family Memorial donations can be made to the Shielding Tree Nature Center, 3378 W. Harbor Highway, Maple City, MI 49664, (231) 334-7649, where Boyd was a founding director. LAKE LEELANAU - Jacob Steven Loucks, 5 months, of Lake Leelanau, died on Thursday, May 13, 2004, at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City. He was born on Dec. 9, 2003, in Traverse City, to Steven Jon and Christina Marie (Blazekovich) Loucks. In addition to his parents, Jacob is survived by his brother, Michael Dennis; his paternal grandparents, Loyal and Carol Loucks; and his maternal grandmother, Jessica Blazekovich. Visitation will be held today, May 16, 2004, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m., at Martinson Funeral Home in Suttons Bay. A funeral Mass will take place at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 17, 2004, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Lake Leelanau. The Rev. Jerry Hunko will officiate. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery. Arrangements were made by Martinson Funeral Home in Suttons Bay. TRAVERSE CITY - Woodrow Odle, 90, went to be with his heavenly Father on Friday, May 14, 2004. He is survived by many nieces, nephews and Christian friends. He was the beloved husband of the late Frances, who preceded him in death by just nine months. Woody was born on Sept. 21, 1913, in Sugar Tree, Tenn., the youngest of six children, to Arthur and Dona Lou Odle. He married his bride of 69 years, Frances McWherter, on May 18, 1934. He and Frances were proprietors of a restaurant in Camden, Tenn. They moved to Detroit and during WWII, worked at a factory and ran a boarding house for men working at a Ford plant. In 1952, they purchased a hunting cabin in Lake Ann, which became their home for over 50 years, until they moved to Hawthorne Cottage in the Pavilions, in February of 2003. Woody worked at Interlochen Music Camp for 16 years. Woody and Frances were members of Gideon's for many years. Woody was a life member of the Benzie area Masonic Grand Lodge in Honor, and he attended and worked at the Lake Ann United Methodist Church for over 50 years. Viewings will be held on Tuesday, May 18, 2004, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m., at the Covell Funeral Home, 232 E. State St., Traverse City. A funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 19, 2004, from the Lake Ann United Methodist Church Christian Education Center, 6583 First Street, Lake Ann, with additional visitation one hour prior to the service. The Rev. Chuck Towersey will officiate. The final resting place for both Woody and Frances will be in Murray City Cemetery, in Murray, Ky. The family asks those wishing to give memorials to please remember Gideon's International for Bibles or Lake Ann United Methodist Church. Envelopes will be available at the church, as well as at the funeral home. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Traverse City Chapel of Covell Funeral Homes. Graveside services for LOUIS DEYOUNG, 104, who died on Feb. 29, 2004, will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, May 18, 2004, at Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens. Memorials may be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church in Traverse City. Arrangements have been entrusted to Covell Funeral Homes. BERNARD E. FINCH, 81, of Williamsburg, died on Thursday, May 13, 2004, at Bortz Health Care of Traverse City. Arrangements are pending with Covell Funeral Homes in Traverse City. A full obituary will appear in a later edition of the Record-Eagle. JACOB H. TORNGA, 84, of Ellsworth, died on Friday, May 14, 2004, at Meadowbrook Medical Care Facility in Bellaire. Visitation will be held on Monday, May 17, 2004, from 6 to 9 p.m., at Hastings Funeral Home in Ellsworth. A funeral service will take place at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, May 18, 2004, at Belltower Reformed Church in Ellsworth.
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