October 19, 2004

Obituaries

Marianne H. Iverson
TRAVERSE CITY - Marianne H. Iverson, 71, of Traverse City, died Friday, Oct. 15, 2004, at Bortz Health Care in Traverse City.
      She was a 1951 graduate of Marion High School in Marion, Ind., and attended Ball State in Muncie. In Traverse City, Marianne worked in the mailroom of the Traverse City Record-Eagle for seven years and worked in dietary for Tendercare for 17 years, retiring in November of 2000. She was a volunteer for RSVP and enjoyed going to the senior center.
      Born June 7, 1933, in Marion, she was the daughter of Patrick and Betty (Jackson) O’Reilly.
      Survivors include three children, her daughters, Karen (Tim) Perry of Interlochen and Elizabeth (Joseph) Pugliese of Traverse City; son, Christian (Mary) Iverson of Lapeer; brother, Patrick (Megs) O’Reilly of Wolfsboro, N.H.; grandchildren, Nicole and Desiree Perry and Grace Iverson; and several nephews and cousins.
      She was preceded in death by her parents; adoptive father, Roscoe Hanks; and her husband, Edward Rott.
      Graveside services are being planned for a future date. Burial will take place in I.O.O.F Ceme-tery in Marion, Ind.
      Memorial contributions may be directed to the Grand Traverse Commission on Aging, 520 West Front St., Traverse City, MI 49684.
      Arrangements are being made by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.

Leatha Bernice McFarren
MANCELONA - Leatha Bernice McFarren, 81, of Mancelona, formerly of Traverse City, died Sunday, Oct. 17, 2004, at the Kalkaska Memorial Health Center Long Term Care Facility.
      Leatha was born in Rapid City on Jan. 27, 1923, the daughter of John M. and Florence H. (Hubbell) McFarren.
      Due to an early childhood illness, her mental development was not sufficient for Leatha to learn to hate. She made friends easily and was known for being trustworthy and responsible for things she was asked to do. Her love for the Lord was very evident in her enjoyment attending church services and listening to stories from the Bible. She relished the companionship of her many friends.
      Leatha was a member of the Traverse City Asbury United Methodist Church until 1983, and was a member of the Mancelona United Methodist Church since that time.
      Leatha is survived by a sister, Avanell Nellie (William) Chase of Kalkaska; a brother, Lyle N. (Gloria) McFarren of Mancelona; 15 nieces and nephews; and numerous grand-nieces and grand-nephews.
      She was preceded in death by three sisters, Leora (John) Champney, Irene (Henry) Carpenter and Marcella (Glenn) Plucker; and a brother and very special sister-in-law, Eldon (Mary) Hubbell Way.
      The family will receive friends today, Oct. 19, 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 at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 20, at the funeral home, with Rev. Gerald Cook officiating. Interment will be in Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens in Traverse City.
      Memorial contributions may be made to GTT Industries (formerly Antrim Kalkaska Industries), P.O. Box 590, Mancelona, MI 49659, or the Kalkaska Memorial Health Center Long Term Care Patient Activities, 419 S. Coral, Kalkaska, MI 49646.

Margery Alice Blue
TRAVERSE CITY - Margery Alice Blue, 87, of Traverse City, died Saturday, Oct. 16, 2004, at Munson Medical Center.
      Born in Traverse City on Easter Sunday, April 8, 1917, she was the daughter of Dan and Grace (King) George. Margery lived most of her life in Traverse City, where she was raised by her grandmother, Dora Burbank. On June 1, 1963, she married Walter J. Blue (who survives) at the Trinity Lutheran Church.
      Margery lived her life as a homemaker and also worked in the kitchen at Trinity Lutheran School. Margery was very proud of her Native American Indian heritage.
      She was an active member of the Cherryland VFW Auxiliary #2780, a charter member of the St. Michael’s Lutheran Church and the Martha Guild. After marrying Walt she transferred her mem-bership to Trinity Lutheran Church.
      Margery enjoyed reading and often brought books home from the library and assisted the li-brary by rebinding them. She loved her church, nature, and enjoyed family picnics and family gatherings. She loved to travel, play bingo, fish, garden and bake.
      Surviving Margery is her husband Walter; daughter, Patricia (Larry) Jackson of San Antonio, Texas; son, Don (Bear) Lappo of Kingsley; daughter, Nancy (Dave) Shay of Kingsley; daughter, Charlene Gleason of Traverse City; daughter, Bobbie Whaley of Traverse City; stepson, Douglas Blue of Roscommon; stepdaughter, Anita Martin of Traverse City; stepdaughter, Pamela Blue of Traverse City; 19 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
      She was preceded in death by her daughter, Doty Willis; son, Larry “Sunny boy” Lappo Jr.; daughter, Irene F. Krussell; a step-son, Dennis Blue; grandson, Michael Lloyd ; a great-grandson, David D. Schneider Jr.; a sister, Edna Schall; and four brothers, Jess, Woody, Art and Frank George.
      Friends may call today from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 until 8 p.m. at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.
      Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 20, at the funeral home. The Rev. Chad Hoover will officiate. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery.
      Memorial donations may be directed to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or to the Bethesda Lutheran Home in Watertown, Wis.