January 31, 2005

Obituaries

      CLARENCE T. PRIEBE, 95, of Honor, died Saturday, Jan. 29, 2005, at Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital LTC in Frankfort.
      A Memorial Mass will be held in the spring.
      The Benzonia Chapel of McElduff Funeral Home and Cremation Service is handling the arrangements.
     
Jennifer Ellen Krnc
Died January 27, 2005
      FRANKFORT - Jennifer Ellen Krnc, 55, of Frankfort passed away Thursday, Jan. 27, 2005, at St. Mary's Medical Center in Saginaw.
      Jennifer was born Oct. 13, 1949, in Detroit, the daughter of Chester and Francine (Bielat) Wierzbicki. She attended Georgetown University, where she graduated with her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing.
      Jennifer worked as a Hospice nurse in Northern Michigan for many years. She enjoyed spending time with her daughter and family, and kayaking.
      Jennifer is survived by her daughter, Jennelle (Matthew) Wermer of Fort Wayne, Ind.; a grandson, Connor Wermer of Fort Wayne; her parents, Francine (Harold) Londy of Commerce Township; two brothers; a sister; and numerous nieces and nephews.
      Cremation has taken place at Oak Grove Cemetery in Manistee, and a memorial service for Jennifer will be held at Blaine Christian Church in the spring.
      The family has entrusted funeral arrangements to Oak Grove Cremation Center.

William J. Oldford
Died January 29, 2005
      TRAVERSE CITY - William James Oldford, 70, of Traverse City died Saturday at Munson Medical Center.
      Bill was born in Detroit Sept. 15, 1934, to Hazel (Davis) and William Augustus Oldford. He graduated from Berkley High School and then attended junior college and Wayne State University. On Feb. 15, 1958, he married the former Jeanette Loretta Green. He was drafted and served our country as a member of the U. S. Army.
      Bill was employed as a tool and die maker for Ford Motor Company prior to retiring and moving here in 1991 from Lathrup Village. He was a member of the Lathrup Village Lions Club and in Traverse City became a member of the Kiwanis Golden K. Bill volunteered at the Career Tech Center, Small Engines Department. He was a member of St. Francis Catholic Church where he served as an usher.
      Bill enjoyed woodworking, electronics and playing tennis. He, Jeanette and family enjoyed taking camping vacations. They traveled the United States taking the back roads through the small towns admiring the countryside.
      Survivors include his wife, Jeanette; his daughters, Theresa and her husband, David Dysarz, and Linda and her husband, Mark Piotrowski; his grandchildren, Kevin, Daniel and Laura Piotrowski, all of Lathrup Village; and a brother, Floyd and his wife, Rosemarie Oldford of Brighton.
      Bill was preceded in death by his parents; and by his sons, Kenneth James and Daniel Martin Oldford.
      Visitation will take place Tuesday, Feb. 1 from 2 until 8 p.m. at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home with a scripture service at 7:30 p.m.
      The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at noon Wednesday, Feb. 2, at St. Francis Catholic Church, with the Rev. Father Peter Eke serving as celebrant. Burial will take place in Linwood Cemetery in Long Lake Township.
      The family would suggest the memorial contributions be directed to the Traverse City Area Golden K. Envelopes will be available from the funeral home.

Ronald D. Squires
Died January 27, 2005
      LAKE ANN - Ronald D. Squires, 60, died Thursday, Jan. 27, 2005, in the Hospice House in Ft. Myers, Fla., after a short illness.
      Born Oct. 29, 1944, in Hillsdale, he was the son of William B. and Phena L. (Black) Squires. On Aug. 28, 1965, in Saginaw, Ron married the former Mary Kay Pelkey, who survives.
      Ron grew up in the area then moved away for a time. He was able to move back in 1986, after earning his builder's license to build his dream home with the help of his family.
      He was a graduate of Honor High School, where he played football and baseball and ran track. Ron served in the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1969, earning the rank of 1st Lieutenant.
      Ron was very proud of his 30 years of working for the E & J Gallo Winery, where he will be remembered for his work ethic, honesty and for always being early.
      He was mentally and emotionally strong, and a rock for anybody who needed him. His family, grandchildren, and going to Florida gave him a lot of enjoyment.
      Ron was passionate about the conservation of Bellows Lake, where he was the vice-president of the Association. He was an avid hunter and loved being outside, whether working in his yard, golfing or just enjoying the view of his surroundings.
      Survivors include his wife, Mary Kay; two sons, Roy M. (Cuixian) Squires of Lake Ann and Andrew J. (Dena) Squires of Muskegon; a daughter, Jody L. (Michael) Myers of Green Bay, Wis.; his mother, Phena L. Squires of Lake Ann; two sisters Janice (Dan) Herringa of Lake Ann and Debra (DeWayne) Hunter of Big Rapids; and four grandchildren, Zachary, Bradley, Katelyn and Cassie.
      Ron is also survived by Donald (Amanda) Loeffler and their children, Alex and Riley of Lake Ann and Tammy Squires of Interlochen, whom Ron considered part of his family.
      Ron was preceded in death by his father and an infant son, Scott R. Squires.
      Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 2, at the Christian Education Center of Lake Ann United Methodist Church in Lake Ann, where friends may call beginning at 11 a.m. The Rev. Charles Towersey and Rev. Marvin Rosa will officiate.
      Memorial donations may be directed to Hope Hospice, 9470 Health Park Circle, Ft. Myers, FL 33908.
      Arrangements are being handled by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City.

Charles J. 'Chuck' Stoppels
Died January 29, 2005
      KALKASKA - Charles J. "Chuck" Stoppels, 84, of Kalkaska, passed away peacefully on Jan. 29, 2005, at Kalkaska Memorial Health Center, LTC.
      Born on June 27, 1920, in Muskegon, he was the son of Charles and Jeannette (Kulicamp) Stoppels. Chuck married Iris M. Muyskens on March 31, 1945, in Holland.
      Chuck was the Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Boyne City from 1945, when he received his ordination, until 1950 when he left to be the Associate Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Flint. He retired in 1982.
      Chuck was a resident of Rapid City since 1984. He was a member of the following organizations: Christian Endeavor, Flint Council of Churches, Covenanter Male Chorus, Stated Clerk of the Synod of Michigan, Lake Huron Presbytery and the Cosmo Fraternity at Hope College.
      Chuck will be remembered fondly as a faithful servant of God.
      Surviving Chuck are his children, Mark (Martha) Stoppels of Grand Rapids, Laura Chamberlain of Pioneer, Calif., Jean (John Carroll) Stoppels of Rose City and Alice (Carl) Ray of Williamsburg; six grandchildren; his brothers, Robert M. (June) Stoppels of Grand Rapids and Paul J. (Nancy) Stoppels of Marion, Iowa; his sister-in-law, Sarah Stoppels, of Seattle, Wash.
      Chuck was preceded in death by his wife, Iris; and his brother, A. Dale Stoppels.
      The visitation will be held Tuesday, Feb. 1, from 2 until 7 p.m. at Wolfe Funeral Home. Additional visitation will be on Wednesday from 1 until 5 p.m.
      The funeral service will be Saturday, Feb. 5, at 1 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Elk Rapids, with Daniel Herlein officiating. Interment will be in Restlawn Memorial Gardens in Holland.
      Memorials may be given on behalf of Chuck Stoppels to The Stoppels Muyskens Education Fund of the First Presbyterian Church of Flint, 746 S. Saginaw, Flint, MI 48502.
      Arrangements were made by Wolfe Funeral Home, Kalkaska.