July 28, 2005

Obituaries

      JANET M. STEPHEN, 96, of Traverse City, died Tuesday, July 26, 2005, at Hope Village.
      Arrangements will be announced by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City.

Richard Joseph Bondy
Died July 22, 2005
      TRAVERSE CITY - Richard Joseph Bondy, 58, dedicated father, family man, friend, United States Marine and outdoorsman, passed away Friday, July 22, 2005, in Traverse City.
      Richard is survived by his loving son and daughter-in-law, Jeffrey and Crissy Bondy; mother, Eleithia Bondy; twin sister, Rachelle Babcock; brother, Mark Bondy; sister, Tamara Bondy; along with a large spiritual circle of family and friends.
      Private family services will be held.
      In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Munson Hospice, 1105 Sixth St., Traverse City, MI 49684.
      Arrangements are being handled by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.

Andrew "Andy" Brzezinski IV
Died July 26, 2005
      TRAVERSE CITY - Andrew "Andy" Brzezinski IV, 48, of Traverse City, passed away Tuesday, July 26, 2005, at his home.
      Andy was born May 1, 1957, in Traverse City, to Andrew and Laura (Lautner) Brzezinski III. He married Patricia Winowiecki on July 22, 2005, in Traverse City.
      He worked at Sara Lee for several years. He was also a mail carrier for USA Today.
      Andy loved boating, fishing, snowmobiling, tinkering with tools and fixing things. He enjoyed visiting with his family and friends as often as he could.
      He is survived by his wife, Pat; mother, Laura; daughters, Amy (Ben) Riddle and Jen (Eric Salenski) Brzezinski; step-daughter, Kendra Winowiecki; brother, Art (Tammy) Brzezinski; sister, Cynthiann (Dan Worm) Brzezinski; granddaughter, Alyssa Riddle; and many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. Andy is also survived by his dog, Duke, and cat, Molly.
      He was preceded in death by his father; and sister, Karlene Stanchfield.
      A funeral service will be held at the Covell Funeral Home in Traverse City, Saturday, July 30, 2005, at 11 a.m., with Deacon Pat Biegler officiating.
      Memorial contributions may be directed to the family.
      Arrangements were entrusted to the Covell Funeral Homes of Traverse City.

Oliver Edel
Died June 29, 2005
      TRAVERSE CITY - Oliver Albert Swift Edel, described variously as "a giant," "a force of nature," and "a man of profound intellect, luminous presence, and kindly nature," died Friday, June 29, 2005, at his summer home in northern Michigan. He was 99 years old.
      Edel's legacy encompasses generations of musicians, professional and amateur, young and old, all influenced by his passion for living and his deep respect for great art. His students have earned distinction worldwide, and are abundantly represented in major orchestras and on music faculties across this country and abroad. His teaching style was empathetic and insightful on a personal level, giving people from all walks of life courage and hope and often inspiring them to achievement beyond their wildest expectations.
      Edel was born in Yonkers, N.Y. Following in the footsteps of an older brother, he attended the choir school of St. Thomas Church in New York City. He began his cello studies with the legendary May Muckle while attending Carteret Academy in Orange, N.J. He earned degrees from the Neighborhood Music School (antecedent of the Manhattan School) and the Conseratoire Americain at Fontainebleau, France, with additional studies at École Normal de Musique in Paris under the tutelage of Diran Alexanian.
      He became a faculty member at the Manhattan School in 1925 and made his solo debut at Steinway Hall the following year. He was a founding member of the original Manhattan Quartet, which formally debuted at Town Hall in 1928. Edel enjoyed a colorful concert career during the thirties and forties as cellist of the Manhattan and later the Roth String Quartets.
      In 1948 he was appointed to the faculty at University of Michigan School of Music in Ann Arbor. His concert career again flourished when in 1949 he and three colleagues formed the Stanley Quartet, an ensemble that continued for many years and became an institution in its own right.
      In addition to a distinguished teaching record at the university and its summer outreach program at Interlochen, Edel developed a reputation for his acumen in treating issues of university policy, governance, and oversight. He remained at the university until mandatory retirement in 1975.
      In 1976 Edel joined the faculty at the newly-formed Selma M. Levine School of Music in Washington D.C. During these later years he remained active as a cellist with the Handel Festival Orchestra, enjoying many seasons at the Kennedy Center and several European tours. He continued teaching cello and coaching chamber music in the Washington area well into his nineties.
      Edel was the recipient of numerous prestigious accolades, including the Undergraduate Teaching Award from the University of Michigan, and outstanding service awards from national organizations including Chamber Music America and the American String Teachers Association.
      He is survived by his wife, Evelyn Elsing; younger brother, Wilbur; and his children with former wife Lucille, who preceded him in death. Their family includes son, Christopher; daughter, Ellen (Jeremy) Greenfield; son, Aaron; and four grandchildren, Alex and Robin Greenfield and Aaron's children, Thomas and Hannah Edel.
      Family members have designated the Adult Chamber Music Conference, which Edel cherished and directed for many summers, as the recipient of memorial donations. The address is, Adult Chamber Music Conference/Camp, P.O. Box 199, Interlochen, MI, 49643-0199.

Brian K. Lapp
Died July 25, 2005
      TRAVERSE CITY - Brian K. Lapp died unexpectedly Monday, July 25, 2005, in Charlevoix. He was born Dec. 9, 1971.
      Brian graduated from Traverse City Central High School in 1990, attended Michigan State University and Lansing Community College. He was working towards a degree as a social worker.
      Brian is survived by his loving mom and stepfather, Don and Judy Arnold of Traverse City; father and stepmother, Keith E. Lapp and Mary Ellen Lapp of Alanson; three sisters, Wendy (Jim) Sommerville, Heather Lapp of Brighton and Karen Graves of Nelsonville, Ohio; one brother, Jason (Angie) Lapp of Mason; a special niece and nephew, Brittney and Brandon Sommerville; and two grandmothers, Mary Warner of Charlevoix and Euleta Lapp of Corfu, N.Y.
      He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Jasper Warner of Charlevoix and Earl Lapp of Corfu, N.Y.
      Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service, which is Friday, July 29, 2005, at 1 p.m., at the Barnard Methodist Church in Charlevoix.
      In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one's choice.
      Funeral arrangements are by the Winchester Funeral Home in Charlevoix.

John Mervin Rinehart
Died July 27, 2005
      TRAVERSE CITY - John Mervin Rinehart, 88, of Traverse City, died Wednesday, July 27, 2005, at the Grand Traverse Pavilions.
      Mr. Rinehart was born Aug. 10, 1916, in Maple City, the son of John Edwin and Blanche (Blackmore) Rinehart. On Nov. 25, 1939, in Traverse City, he married Lois Ellen Core.
      Mervin lived most of his life in Maple City and Traverse City, and was a farmer and brick mason. He helped build the school on Drummond Island.
      He was a member of West Bay Covenant Church, where he enjoyed ushering. He was also the sexton at East Kasson Cemetery for many years.
      Surviving are his wife, Lois of Traverse City; three sons, J. Howard (Jane) Rinehart of Traverse City, Charles E. (Helen) Rinehart of Holland and Lauren (Sue) Rinehart of Maple City; one sister, Fern Way of Cadillac; a sister-in-law, Helen Core of Traverse City; seven grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
      Mervin was preceded in death by his parents, and two sisters, Gladys Hart and Florence Stocker.
      Funeral services will be held at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home on Friday July 29, 2005, at 1 p.m., where friends may begin calling one hour before the service. The Rev. Richard Skar will officiate. Burial will be in Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens.
      Memorial contributions may be directed to West Bay Covenant Church

Joseph Wyatt West
Died July 27, 2005
      ELK RAPIDS - Joseph West, 80, of Elk Rapids, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July, 27, 2005, at Munson Medical Center.
      Joe was born in Detroit on June 6, 1925, the son of Dorsey and Hazel West. He married Beatrice (Clarkson) West on Aug. 30, 1947.
      Joe served as a Fire Control Technician with the United States Navy during both World War II and in the Korean Conflict, and was honorably discharged in February of 1952.
      Upon moving to Elk Rapids in 1978, he became active in the Amvets Post 114 and the VFW Post 1930. He loved his country, and through his actions encouraged all of us to be better citizens.
      Joe and Bea were recognized for their outstanding contributions to the community and were named Elk Rapids Citizens of the Year in 1997-1998.
      Joe is survived by his wife, Beatrice; five children, Joseph (Melanie) West II, John (Marcia) West, Jeffrey West, Shari (Ralph) Garber and Cindy (Robert) Boglin; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandsons.
      Services will be held Friday, July 29, 2005, at 11 a.m., at the First Presbyterian Church of Elk Rapids, with Pastors Dan Herlein and Sandy Murray officiating. A luncheon will follow at the Amvets Post 114.
      In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions should be sent to the VFW National Home for Children, 37573 S. Waverly Road, Eaton Rapids, MI 48827-9799 or Amvets Post 114, 410 Bridge Street, Elk Rapids, MI 49629.
      The children of Joe and Bea West would like to thank the entire community for their love and support during this time of great loss.
      Arrangements have been entrusted to the Elk Rapids Chapel of Covell Funeral Homes.