November 17, 2004

Obituaries

      GERALDINE LUCILLE COWELL, 96, died Monday, Nov. 15, 2004, at her Traverse City residence.
      Visitation will be Friday, Nov. 19, 2004, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20, at Central United Methodist Church, 222 Cass St., Traverse City.
      A complete obituary will appear in Thursday's edition of the Record-Eagle.

      HELEN T. GIBBONS, of Leland, died Monday, Nov. 15, 2004, at Munson Hospice House.
      Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.

      MITCHELL ROBERT JAWORSKI, 69, of Thompsonville, died Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2004, in Cleon Township.
      Funeral services will be conducted Thursday, Nov. 18, 2004, at 7 p.m., at the Terwilliger Funeral Home in Kaleva, with visitation from 4 p.m. until the time of service. Father Michael Conner will officiate the services.
      The Terwilliger Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

      C. J. "TIFF" McKEE, 59, of Traverse City, passed away Tuesday morning, Nov. 16, 2004, at his home with his family, after a four-year battle with cancer.
      A full obituary will appear in a future edition of the Record-Eagle.
      The Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home of Traverse City is serving the family.

      JACK NEWTON, 75, of Frederic, died Monday, Nov. 15, 2004, in Gaylord.
      Visitation will be Thursday, Nov. 18, 2004, from 3 to 8 p.m., at the Nelson Funeral Home in Gaylord. A graveside service will be held Friday, Nov. 19, 2004, at 1 p.m., at the Cadillac Memorial Gardens East in Clinton Township.
      Arrangements are by the Nelson Funeral Home in Gaylord.

      ERNESTINE L. "TENE" PALMER, 77, of Grayling, died Monday, Nov. 15, 2004, at Mercy Manor in Grayling.
      A funeral service will be held today, Nov. 17, 2004, at 3 p.m., at the Michelson Memorial United Methodist Church in Grayling. Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery.
      Arrangements are by the Sorenson Funeral Home, McEvers Chapel, in Grayling.

      NORMAN SMITH PEMBERTON, 71, of Brethren, died Sunday, Nov. 14, 2004, at Munson Medical Center.
      Cremation has taken place at the Oak Grove Cemetery in Manistee.
      Arrangements are by the Oak Grove Cremation Center in Manistee.
      Funeral services for BENEDICT F. "BEN" STEFANIAK will be held today, Nov. 17, 2004, at 2 p.m., at Trinity Lutheran Church, with visitation one hour prior to services.
      The Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

      DIANE TIERNEY, 70, of Vanderbilt, formerly of Saginaw, died Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2004, in Petoskey.
      A memorial service will be held Saturday, Nov. 20, 2004, at 1 p.m., at the Nelson Funeral Home in Gaylord.
      Arrangements are by the Nelson Funeral Home in Gaylord.

      ALETHA LOUISE ZENNER, 79, of Traverse City, died Monday, Nov. 15, 2004, at Munson Medical Center.
      Visitation will be held Friday, Nov. 19, 2004, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m., at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.
      A full obituary will follow in Thursday's edition of the Record-Eagle.

      TRAVERSE CITY - Ralph W. Bohrer, 87, of Traverse City, died Sunday, Nov. 14, 2004, at Orchard Creek Skilled Nursing Center.
      Ralph was born on the family farm on April 17, 1917, in Traverse City, to Otto and Urina (Birmley) Bohrer.
      He was a 1935 graduate of Traverse City High School, and retired from the Traverse City State Hospital after 35 of years working in the carpentry shop.
      Ray attended East Bay Calvary Church, First Baptist and Bible Baptist Church. He was also a past president of the Future Farmers of America.
      During World War II, Ralph served in the U.S. Army with the rank of Master Sergeant. He served most of his time in France as a maintenance carpenter.
      Ralph was a planner and very organized. Everything was thoroughly thought out, including family trips, which he always made educational. His greatest pleasures in life were working outside and putting his carpentry skills to work. He also loved his tractor and moving dirt with it. Ralph built his own homes and loved to putter in his carpentry shop. He often made things for gifts instead of going out and buying them.
      For many years he helped build floats for the Cherry Festival parades with his children when they attended Cherry Knoll School. He loved to do activities with his children at school and do projects for the school. He was also a past school board member of Cherry Knoll school and was a wood working leader with 4-H.
      Ralph was very respected and smart, and had lots of common sense. He taught his family to care for others and to give back to their community.
      In 1938, he married the former Rose Blazek, in Traverse City, and she passed away in 1985 after 46 years of marriage. In 1987, he married the former Ruth Hickey, and she passed away in 2002 after 15 years of marriage.
      Surviving are four children, Susan (Robert) Crandall of Traverse City, Dr. Raymond (Stephanie) Bohrer of Traverse City, Bonnie (Ted) Peltier of Elberta and Ronald (JoAnn) Bohrer of Traverse City; two sisters, Maxine (Eugene) Pelizzari and Leola Yankee, both of Traverse City; a stepdaughter, Karen (Ed) Piontek of Portage; 10 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; and three step-great-grandchildren.
      He was predeceased by his parents; his first wife, the former Rose Blazek; and his second wife, the former Ruth Hickey; a sister, Gwendolyn Strait; a brother, Albert Bohrer; two infant granddaughters; and stepson, James Hickey.
      Funeral services will be today, Nov. 17, at 1 p.m., at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home, with the Rev. Thomas Mansfield officiating. Burial will be in Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens with military graveside services performed by the Cherryland VFW Post 2780.
      Memorials may be directed to Munson Medical Center Emergency Department Building Fund.

      TRAVERSE CITY - Beloved father and grandfather Robert "Bob" Beagle, of Traverse City, passed away Sunday, Nov. 14, 2004, following a brief illness. He was 71.
      Born Robert John Beagle on April 14, 1933, in Lansing, he was the son of Chester and Nettie (Wilsey) Beagle. He graduated from Sexton High School in Lansing, where he met his future wife, Jacquelyn "Jacque" Louise Spack.
      A gifted musician, Bob had been a member of the Sexton High School Marching Band, and performed on his baritone at such prestigious events as President Truman's inauguration and the Rose Bowl.
      He and Jacque married on Aug. 18, 1951, at The Church of The Resurrection in Lansing, and shared a beautiful 50 years together before Jacque's death in 2001. The couple had nine children and adopted another two. They also served as foster parents for several other children.
      Bob was an electrical engineer who retired as plant superintendent from Traverse City Light & Power in 2001, after having served the utility for more than 20 years. He worked as a lineman for several years early in his career, starting at the Board of Water and Light in Lansing. Bob also served as an auxiliary deputy sheriff for the Grand Traverse Sheriff's Department, and was a juvenile probation officer.
      An avid sportsman who loved northern Michigan, Bob enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping and boating. His great loves were his family and his faith.
      He will be greatly missed by those who survive him, including three daughters, Cathy (Ernest) Stathakis of Chicago and Traverse City, Pam (Dave) Nickerson of Lakeland, Fla., and Traverse City and Dawn of Traverse City; seven sons, Robert (Donna) of Baltimore, Md., Patrick (Jeanette) of Traverse City, David (Deborah) of Orlando, Fla., Jon (Catherine) of Big Rapids, Joel (Bekki) of Myrtle Beach, S.C., Nicholas of Traverse City and Scott (Ellen) of New York; 25 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; a sister, Barbara (Ernest) Fedewa of Lake Placid, Fla.; several nieces and nephews; and many good friends.
      Preceding him in death were his beloved wife, Jacque in 2001; a son, Christopher Lee in 1980; and recently, both parents; a brother, Chester; and his sister-in-law, Jean.
      The family will receive relatives and friends for a celebration of Bob's life today, Nov. 17, 2004, from 5 to 8 p.m., at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City, where a rosary will be prayed at 7:30 p.m. Celebration of the funeral Mass will be held Thursday, Nov. 18, 2004, at 11 a.m., at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Traverse City, with the Rev. Father Peter Eke serving as celebrant. Interment will follow in St. Mary's of the Woods Catholic Cemetery at Barker Creek.
      Memorial contributions may be made to the Father Fred Foundation, St. Francis Catholic Church or to the American Cancer Society. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.

      LAKE ANN - James W. Bishop, 70, of Lake Ann, passed away on Friday, Nov. 12, 2004, at his home.
      He was born April 5, 1934, in Hudson, the son of James and Charlotte Bishop. He was an avid sportsman and enjoyed hunting and fishing.
      Mr. Bishop is survived by his three children, Matthew Bishop of Grayling, Gregg (Deb) Bishop of Lansing and Lisa (Brian) Oberlin of Lansing; and five grandchildren, Gregory, Trista and Lukas Bishop, and Bryan and Brennen Oberlin.
      Cremation has taken place.
      Memorial contributions may be considered to the Platte River Association.
      The Bennett-Barz Funeral Home, Beulah is in charge of the arrangements.

      TRAVERSE CITY - Sammie Elaine Taylor, 65, passed away Sunday, Nov. 14, 2004, at Munson Medical Center.
      She went to heaven in the arms of Christ with a heart full of gratitude and love. As her body grew weaker, her faith grew stronger, as did her desire to forgive and be forgiven by family and friends. A loving mother, sister, daughter, friend and child of God, Sammie will be remembered for her smile and laughter.
      She is survived by her mother, Patricia Davis; son, Grant (Tonya Knoop) Shepherd; daughter, Sherry (Vic) McCarty; grandson, Aaron Lloyd; brothers, Bill (Katie Hess) and Don Davis; and sisters, Judy (Jerry) Anderson and Kaye (Steve) Stover.
      A memorial service will be held Friday, Nov. 19, 2004, 2 p.m., at the Trinity Lutheran Church, on the corner of 13th and Maple streets in Traverse City.

      CEDAR - Elizabeth Ann Rockershousen, 64, of Cedar, died Monday, Nov. 15, 2004, at home.
      She was born Dec. 11, 1939, at Saint Joseph Hospital in Pontiac, the daughter of the late Andrew Jerome Thomson and the late Harriett Alma Lathrop Thomson.
      She had a varied and fulfilling career. Liz is a graduate of the University of Michigan, and used her teaching certificate to teach elementary school at McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey and Southfield. She worked for Leelanau County in the planning department and the Michigan State Extension office. She also worked for Hospice at Munson Medical Center and for Child and Family Services as their development director. It was while she was at Child and Family Services that she created and produced their "Littlest Bag People" Program, which continues to help foster care and abandoned children in our area.
      However, Liz's greatest love was family, and she encouraged all family members to follow their dreams and do their best in all endeavors. She enjoyed all family activities, but she especially enjoyed holidays when the family was all together.
      On April 3, 1961, at Shepherd Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas, she married Lieutenant John J. Rockershousen, who survives her. She is also survived by two daughters, Darcy (Dennis) Whitney of Ovid and Sara Busch of Philadelphia, Pa.; her grandchildren, Dan, Carrie and Donna; her sister, Virginia (Don) Sussex of Sharps Chapel, Tenn.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
      Cremation has taken place and a celebration of her life will be held during cherry blossom time next spring.
      In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, P.O. Box 650309, Dallas, TX 75265-0309.

      TRAVERSE CITY - Maria G. Klur, 87, of Traverse City, died early Tuesday morning, Nov. 16, 2004, at Grand Traverse Pavilions.
      Born March 16, 1917, in Netphen Siegen, Germany, she was the daughter of Gertrude Korstian and Karl Schaefer. She married William Klur on May 8, 1952, in Marblehead, Ohio.
      A resident of this area for the last 19 years, Maria was a licensed practical nurse and, with her husband, William, owned and operated a German bakery in Cleveland, Ohio. She enjoyed gardening, sewing and writing letters to family in Germany.
      She was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church, where she was active in the life of the parish and was one of its founding patrons. Maria was devoted to the religious life, having sponsored two priests and a nun to The Carmelite Order.
      Maria is survived by her daughters, Marilyn Nemetz of Traverse City, Karen Marie (David) Shealy of Seattle, Wash., Carol (Michael) Srdjak of Traverse City and Elayne (Rob) Page of Eureka, Calif. Also surviving are her grandchildren, George and Emily Nemetz, Matthew, Kenny, and Stephen Srdjak and Aubrey Page; her sister, Lori Schmallenbach; and brother, Fritz (Illsa) Schaefer, both of Netphen Siegen, Germany.
      Maria was preceded in death by her husband; a son, Austin Kenneth Klur, who died in infancy; and by her parents.
      Visitation will take place at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home, Thursday, Nov. 18, 2004, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m., with an evening wake service at 7:30 p.m. The Rev. Father Edwin Thome will officiate. The funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, Nov. 19, 2004, at 11 a.m., at Christ the King Catholic Church in Acme, with the Rev. Father Gerald Micketti serving as celebrant. Committal and burial will take place in All Souls Cemetery in Chardon, Ohio, on Saturday, Nov. 20, at 12 noon. The Rev. Father Fred Pausche of St. Gabriels Catholic Church will preside.
      Memorial contributions may be directed to the Alzheimer's Association.