November 28, 2004

Obituaries

      EVA L. MURPHY, 98, of Elk Rapids, died Saturday, Nov. 27, 2004, at her home.
      Arrangements are pending and have been entrusted to the Covell Funeral Home in Elk Rapids.

      CHARLES E. VAN ALSTINE, 77, of Arcadia, died Saturday, Nov. 27, 2004.
      Arrangements are being handled by the Frankfort Chapel of McElduff Funeral Home and Cremation Service.

      AGNES WINOWIECKI, 83, of Cedar, died Saturday, Nov. 27, 2004, at her home.
      Arrangements are pending and have been entrusted to the Covell Funeral Home in Traverse City.

Phillip Russell Wright Sr.
Died November 25, 2004
      GRAWN - Phillip Russell "Buddy" Wright Sr., 63, of Grawn, died Thursday, Nov. 25, 2004, at home. Formerly of East Jordan, Florida, Cleveland and Grand Rapids, he had been a resident of Grawn since 1996.
      Born Oct. 30, 1941, in East Jordan, he was the son of Lee Edward and Emiline Mary (Ance) Wright. On Jan. 1, 1999, in Las Vegas, he married Joyce Irene Lemcool.
      Phillip served in the United States Army, in Vietnam, from 1962 to 1968. A member of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, he was a retired surveillance operator at the Turtle Creek Casino.
      Phil had a unique personality which showed in his laughter, jokes, story telling, great smile and sense of humor, and most of all, his ability to flirt. He received great enjoyment in life by being "Farmer Phil," riding his John Deere tractor, socializing with his family and friends, and making others laugh.
      His hobbies included photography, working in movie theaters, as well as watching movies, working the family farm and his horses. He was very proud of his family, especially his children and friends, his dog, Baxter, his farm, and cackling with the 4-H girls. Phil was most proud of his son, Duane, when he recently rescued someone from drowning in Lake Leelanau.
      He is survived by his wife, Joyce Irene Wright of Grawn; children, Russell (Margaret) Wright of Honor, Duane (Sole) Wright of Lake Leelanau, Polly (Richard "Ethan") Porter of Norfork Va., Sherry (Jon) Newman of Las Vegas and Roy McCraine of St. Louis, Mich.; 14 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; sister, Marjorie (Jim) Donaldson of Ellsworth; brother, Darrell (Arlene) Wright of East Jordan; many nieces and nephews; and numerous cousins.
      Phillip was preceded in death by his parents; and two sisters, Roberta and Patricia.
      Friends may call Monday, Nov. 29, 2004, from 1 to 3 p.m., and Tuesday, Nov. 30, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City. A Native American funeral service will be held Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2004, at 1 p.m., also at the funeral home. Burial, with full military honors, will be in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Grawn.
      Memorials may be considered to the family with a memorial to be established in Phil's name at a later date.

Sally Lagerman
Died November 26, 2004
      TRAVERSE CITY - Sally Lagerman, 72, of Traverse City, died at home after a sudden illness on Friday, Nov. 26, 2004.
      Sally was born the daughter of William and Myra Kurtz, in Boyne City, on May 6, 1932. On Sept. 10, 1954, she married Clifford Lagerman.
      Sally was a hair dresser in Traverse City since 1956 until her death. She owned and operated Cut and Curl Beauty Salon in downtown Traverse City. She had an endless love for her husband, children, grandchildren and her home.
      She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Clifford Lagerman; sons, Blane (Karen) Lagerman of Cross Village and Shane (Susan) Lagerman of Green Bay, Wis.; daughter, Peggy (Mark) Snyder of Traverse City; sisters, Kaye (Marv) Bixby of Petoskey, Jane (Jack) Myers of Rockingham, N.C. and Judy (Robert) Bryan of Boyne City; five grandchildren, Samantha and Michael Lagerman, and Lainie, Linsie Lue and Maggie Snyder; several nieces and nephews; and a special sister-in-law, Ann Holfeld of Chicago.
      Sally was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Pamela; and brothers, Floyd Jr. and Robert.
      Visitation will be today, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2004, from 2 to 5 p.m., at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, Nov. 29, 2004, at 11 a.m., at St. Francis Catholic Church, with the Rev. Fr. Eke serving as celebrant. Burial will be in the Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens.
      "Sally had a great love for life. She especially enjoyed her beach and her garden, as well as being with her customers."

Leonard Robert Wilson
Died November 25, 2004
      GRAWN - Leonard Robert Wilson, 53, of Grawn died unexpectedly Thursday, November 25, 2004, at home. A life long resident of the Grand Traverse area, he was a 1969 graduate of Traverse City High School, a member of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians and was an avid collector of die-cast cars. Leonard loved motorcycles and GTO's, and was a friendly, loving and charismatic person.
      Born June 16, 1951, in the grove at Kewadin, he was the son of Nicholas J. and Elsie (Mark) Wilson.
      He is survived by daughters, Nicole (Trevis) Basch of Interlochen and Denise Wilson of Grawn; son, Mark Wilson of Grawn; and their mother, Vicki; brothers, Eugene Wilson and Bill Wilson, both of Traverse City, Melvin Wilson of Peshawbestown, Greg Peplow of Suttons Bay, Matthew Boyer, Luke Coleman of Tulsa, Okla., Greg Fish of Hastings, Matthew Boyagian of Detroit and Ross Wyatt of Flint; sisters, Christine Wilson, Amy LaCross of Otisville; grandsons, Nicholas and Charlie Wilson, Kaden Wilson, Dalton and Zachary Basch; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
      He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Lillian Garcia; brothers, Nick, Clifford and Daniel Wilson; and granddaughter, Renee Basch.
      Friends may continue to call this evening, Nov. 28, 2004, from 4 to 7 p.m., at the Kewadin Indian Mission Methodist Church, where a wake service will be held at 7 p.m. Services will be held Monday, Nov. 29, at 11 a.m., at the Elk Rapids Methodist Church, with Pastor Thomas John officiating. Burial will take place in the Kewadin Indian Methodist Cemetery.
      Memorials may be directed to the Kewadin Indian Mission Methodist Church or to The West Side AA.
      Arrangements are being handled by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.

Jim W. Harkins
Died November 25, 2004
      TRAVERSE CITY - Jim W. Harkins, 79, of Traverse City, died Thursday, Nov. 25, 2004, at Munson Hospice House. He was born, in Buckley, on March 3, 1925, the son of Daniel J. and Carrie Adiline (Dixon) Harkins. He married Beverly Dawn Dekker, who preceded him in death.
      Jim retired from the United States Marine Corps. after 25 years of service.
      He enjoyed outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing and mushrooming. He also enjoyed playing cards and bowling.
      Jim is survived by his son, James David Harkins; daughter, Susee D. Harkins; grandson, Douglas James McNabb; sister, Alva Lou Pearson; and seven nieces and nephews.
      He was preceded in death by his ex-wife, Beverly; and his parents, brother and infant sister.
      Visitation will be Monday, Nov. 29, 2004, from 6 to 8 p.m., from the Covell-Smith Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Monday, Nov. 30, 2004, at 11 a.m., also at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Grant Township Cemetery.
      Memorials may be given to Munson Hospice House.
      Arrangements have been entrusted to the Covell-Smith Funeral Home in Kingsley.

Gladys R. Hart
Died November 24, 2004
      TRAVERSE CITY - Gladys R. Hart, 93, of Traverse City, died Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2004, at Grand Traverse Pavilions.
      Gladys was born on Dec. 11, 1910, in Kasson Township, to John and Blanche (Blackmore) Rinehart. She was raised on a farm with two sisters and one brother. Gladys married Raymond W. Hart, who preceded her in death.
      Gladys was a devoted homemaker for her family, and also enjoyed volunteer work at the local nursing homes in the area.
      She is survived by her three children, son, Raymond (Marie) J. Hart and daughters, Arlene Hart and Janice Maull, all of Traverse City; brother, John (Lois) M. Rinehart of Traverse City; sister, Fern Collins Way of Lake City; six grandchildren; several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
      Gladys was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Raymond; son, Vern H. Hart; sister, Florence Stocker; son-in-law, Glen Maull: and step grandson, Thomas J. Maull.
      Visitation will be Monday, Nov. 29, 2004, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home. Services will be held Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2004, at 1 p.m., with the Rev. David Standfest officiating. Burial will take place in Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens.
      Memorials may be directed to the Grand Traverse Pavilions or the charity of your choice.