August 3, 2005

Obituaries

      SHIRLEY J. MONTNEY, 72, of Manistee, died Monday, Aug. 1, 2005, at the Manistee County Medical Care Facility.
      Cremation will take place at Oak Grove Cemetery in Manistee.
      The family is being served by the Oak Grove Cremation Center.

      JASPER WILLARD, 72, of Kaleva, died Monday, Aug. 1, 2005, at his residence.
      Funeral services will be conducted at the Gum Springs Baptist Church in Alabama. Interment will follow in the Gum Springs Cemetery.
      The Terwilliger Funeral Home in Kaleva is in charge of arrangements.
     
John Ross Beckstrom
Died July 30, 2005
      TRAVERSE CITY - John Ross Beckstrom, 91, of Traverse City, passed away peacefully Saturday, July 30, 2005, at his home.
      John was born on May 30, 1914, in Tustin, to Elsie (Erickson) and Albin Beckstrom. At the age of two, following the death of his mother, John went to live on the Erickson family farm in Tustin, where he was raised by his grandmother, Mrs. Lars Erickson. He had very fond memories of this time of his life. In 1928 he moved to Traverse City to attend Traverse City High School, class of '31.
      After attending Ferris State, John moved to Pontiac where he met his future wife, Patricia Helen McManus. John and Patricia were married on Oct. 5, 1940, and moved to Traverse City in 1945, where they made a home for their six children.
      John's first and foremost love was for his family. In addition to providing for them, his interests reflected his rural upbringing with activities such as gardening and pitching horseshoes. He was known for his twinkling smile and good-natured way.
      John is survived by his wife, Patricia; his children, James (Gloria) Beckstrom of Ann Arbor, Janice (Carl) Norcross of Petoskey, Patricia (Perry) Boothroyd of Cedar, Michael (Suzanne) Beckstrom of Marquette and Jeanne (Thomas) VanEgmond of Grosse Pointe Woods; his grandchildren, Julie, Jason, Michelle, Shane, James, Jesse, Andrew, Matthew, Kathryn, Kaitlin and Anna; and eight great-grandchildren.
      He was preceded in death by his son, Randall Beckstrom.
      A memorial Mass will be celebrated Friday, Aug. 5, at 10 a.m., at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. The Rev. Fr. James Hayden will serve as celebrant. Visitation will take place at the church beginning at 9 a.m.
      In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Munson Hospice House, Grand Traverse Pavilions or Immaculate Conception Church.
      The family is being served by The Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.
     
Carl Edward Davis
Died Aug. 1, 2005
      TRAVERSE CITY - Carl Edward Davis, 82, of Traverse City, died Monday, Aug. 1, 2005, at his home. He was born March 11, 1923, to Mali and Phillip "Edward" Davis in Omena.
      Carl served honorably in the United States Army during World War II, landing D + 9 at Normandy. Other battles and campaigns included Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe. He received the Purple Heart, being wounded at Luxembourg. He was a life member of V.F.W. Post 2740 of Traverse City.
      On Aug. 17, 1946, Carl married Irene McGarry at St. Phillips Church in Empire.
      He played baseball in the 1950s in the Leelanau Independent League.
      Carl worked in the automotive field at Herb Joslin Chevrolet until his retirement. After retirement, he worked at the Traverse City State Park, which he enjoyed.
      Carl is survived by his daughter, Carol Davis; son, Timothy (Jean) Davis; grandchildren, James Davis, Julie (Scott) Linderleaf and Morgan (Josh Gregory) Davis; one great-granddaughter, Karolyn Davis; two brothers, Clifford and Gordan Davis; and many nieces and nephews.
      He was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Irene, in 2004; a daughter, Kathleen, in 1981; and his parents, Mali and Edward Davis.
      A memorial service will be held at St. Francis Church on Thursday, Aug. 4, at 11 a.m., with Fr. Ken Stachnik officiating. The family will greet friends at the church one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens.
      In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Munson Hospice, Mass Intentions or St. Francis Church.
      Arrangements have been entrusted to the Covell Funeral Home of Traverse City.
     
Douglas Nelson Molby
Died May 25, 2005
      LIBERTYVILLE, Calif. - Douglas Nelson Molby was born on June 16, 1939, in Detroit, to Ellis William and C. Lucille (Provonche) Molby.
      He suffered a stroke that left him disabled in 1998. It was discovered in late 2004 that he also had ALS, Lou Gehrig's disease. After battling ALS bravely and honorably, he succumbed to the disease on May 25, 2005, at home in Libertyville, Calif.
      As a member of the Brea Baptist Church, he served his Lord as a volunteer missionary to Mexico.
      Doug was raised in Dearborn and moved to Alden in 1943. He assisted his father in building several cottages on Thayer Lake during the summer months. He graduated from Mancelona High School in 1958.
      He was a member of the United States Navy from 1958 through 1962. He served as a first class petty officer in aviation electronics aboard the carrier U.S.S. Franklin D. Roosevelt. He received an honorable discharge from his reserve obligation in 1964.
      Doug married Norma Jean Patton in 1959. He had three children with Norma, David (Gail) Molby of Traverse City, Karen Fredericks of Thompsonville and Kevin (Mandy) Molby of Grand Rapids.
      He worked as a quality control manager at Courter Products in Boyne City and World Magnetics in Traverse City from 1963 through 1988.
      In 1989 Doug moved to California and worked in quality control at Unit Industries from 1989 through 1998 as their executive vice president.
      He married Deanna Jean (Ellis) Silke on Oct. 14, 1990, and raised three stepchildren, Jessica, Olivia and Micah Silke, and adopted Lauren Molby in 1992.
      Doug was a Cub Master and Webelos Leader for many years. He thoroughly enjoyed hunting for Petoskey stones, polishing them to perfection. He loved the outdoors, water activities and camping. He loved to spend time with his wife, children and five grandchildren.
      Surviving also are his brother, Guy Eldon (Connie) Molby of Alden; sister, Pamela Martin and family of Interlochen; and many nieces and nephews.
      Interment was in Arlington Military Cemetery.
      He will be missed as a loving father by his family. Doug was most confident in his Lord Jesus Christ.

Sheryl Lee Peterson
Died July 22, 2005
      COPEMISH - Sheryl Lee Peterson, 57, of Copemish, died Friday, July 22, 2005, at Munson Medical Center. She was born Feb. 17, 1948, in Frankfort, the daughter of Charles and Margaret (Moon) Cerka.
      Sheryl is survived by two children, Elizabeth Aguilar of Grand Rapids and Andres Anaya of Grand Rapids; two great-grandchildren, Brandon and Margaret Peterson; one sister, Wilma Woldring of Copemish; and numerous nieces and nephews.
      Sheryl was preceded in death by her parents; and her brother, James Cerka.
      Graveside memorial services will be held Saturday, Aug. 6, 2005, at 11 a.m., at the Cleon Township Cemetery in Copemish.
      The Terwilliger Funeral Home in Kaleva is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. George Szendre
Died July 30, 2005
      ROOSEVELT PARK - Mr. George Szendre, 80, passed away July 30, 2005, after a short illness of seven months. He was born June 24, 1925, in Copemish, and on August 18, 1945, married the former Lila Isaacson.
      Mr. Szendre lived in the Muskegon area for over 50 years. George had worked at the Norge Plant for twenty years, both here and at Fort Smith, Ark. He then worked as an insurance agent with Woodman Accident and Life for 20 years prior to his retirement in 1986.
      George was an avid hunter and fisherman.
      He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Lila; two sisters, Mary Macklam of Ludington and Wilma Noonan of Roosevelt Park; as well as several loving nieces and nephews.
      He was preceded in death by six brothers, Bill, Pete, Louie, Joe, Sam and Frank.
      A memorial service will be held today, Aug. 3, 2005, at 2 p.m., at the Clock Chapel in Muskegon, with the Rev. Clifford Lones officiating. Interment will be in the Cleon Township Cemetery.
      Memorials may be directed to Hospice of Muskegon/Oceana.
      You may sign the on-line guest book at www.clockfuneralhome.com.