March 6, 2005

Obituaries

      LeROY N. CATRELL, 77, of Torch Lake, died Saturday, March 5, 2005, at home.
      Arrangements are pending and will be announced by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City.

      MERLE A. MADSEN, 85, of Manistee, died Thursday, March 3, 2005, at West Shore Medical Center in Manistee.
      The family will receive friends Monday, March 7, 2005, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m., at the Johnson Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 8, 2005, at 11 a.m., at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Manistee.
      The family is being served by the Johnson Funeral Home in Manistee.

      JAMES A. PAPUGA SR., 74, of Thompsonville, died Wednesday, March 2, 2005, at his home.
      Private services will be held.
      The Benzonia Chapel of McElduff Funeral Home and Cremation Service is handling the arrangements.

      MYRNA J. PUTNEY, 97, of Flint, formerly of Thompsonville, died Wednesday, March 2, 2005, at Genesys Convalescent Center in Flint.
      Visitation will be Thursday, March 10, 2005, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m., at the Benzonia Chapel of McElduff Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held Friday, March 11, 2005, at 11 a.m., also at the funeral home, with the Rev. Bob Larimer officiating. Interment will be in the Thompsonville Cemetery in the spring.
      The Benzonia Chapel of McElduff Funeral Home and Cremation Service is handling the arrangements

      PAULINE ELLEN SCHUSTER, 76, of Frankfort, died Thursday, March 3, 2005, at Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital Long Term Care in Frankfort.
      Memorial Services will be held later in Illinois. Cremation has taken place at Oak Grove Cemetery in Manistee.
      The Oak Grove Cremation Center is serving the family.
     
      TRAVERSE CITY - Florence E. Behrens, 84, of Traverse City, died Monday morning, Feb. 28, 2005, at Grand Traverse Pavilions.
      Florence was born Aug. 25, 1920, in Commerce, Mich., the daughter of the late Emerson G. and Katy L. (Turner) Barrett.
      She is survived by her loving and caring family, son, Mark A. Behrens; daughter, Roxanne F. Perri and her fiancé, Stephen Marquardt, both of Kingsley; three grandchildren, Shelly H. Willingham, Shane A. Behrens and Felita D. Behrens; and her niece, Trisha Bias.
      Cremation has taken place. Family service will be held at a later date.
      Memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society or to Grand Traverse Pavilions.
      Arrangements were made with the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home of Traverse City.

      OSCODA - S. Bayard Gum, born July 18, 1928, in Buckhannon, W.Va., died in his Florida home on Sunday, Feb. 27, 2005, at the age of 76. He passed away peacefully after a bravely fought battle with lung cancer. Bayard and his wife, Sue are residents of Oscoda and have been wintering in Ormond Beach, Fla.
      Mr. Gum graduated from Buckhannon Upshur High School in 1946 and attended West Virginia Wesleyan College. He also attended Central Michigan University and the University of Michigan.
      He was the son of W.B. Gum and Gladys Ione Simons of Buckhannon, W. Va., and moved to Oscoda in 1952 when he served in the United States Air Force.
      He became a teacher of English and Speech, and a coach of Debate and Forensics at Oscoda High School. He led the Oscoda Debate team to several state finals. He retired from teaching in 1986 after 37 years.
      Mr. Gum was one of the first licensed Charter Boat captains in the state of Michigan. He organized the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary in Oscoda, and was its first commander.
      His interests included fly fishing, hunting, golf and playing with his grandchildren.
      He is survived by his wife, Sue Gum (Wilfong); his son, Dr. Kenneth B. Gum of Traverse City and his wife, Marilyn; and two grandchildren, Zane and Zoe. His daughter, Dana Wright and her husband, Jim live in Frederick, Md., where Dana is an art teacher. Bayard also has many relatives and loving friends.
      A small memorial ceremony took place March 2, 2005, at Florida Memorial Hospital chapel in Ormond Beach. A formal memorial service will take place this summer in Oscoda at the Oscoda United Methodist Church, where he has been a long-time member.
      Announcements will be forthcoming regarding any memorial gifts in his honor.

      TRAVERSE CITY - Dwight Reava, 76, of Traverse City, formerly of Mt. Pleasant, passed away peacefully at Munson Hospice House with his family by his side.
      Born Sept. 12, 1928, in Flint, he was the son of Sherman and Velma Reava. As a young boy, his family moved to Grayling. Dwight graduated from Grayling High School in 1946.
      He and his best friend, Richard K. Nelson, left immediately for the Air Force, Dwight spending most of his service time as a crew chief working on the new jet airplanes.
      He never lost his love of flying, eventually piloting his own airplane and flying gliders. For him, soaring like eagles and hawks was a dream come true.
      After moving to Traverse City, Dwight spent some time every day he could at the Cherry Capitol Airport Observation area listening to the 1610 AM radio contact between the tower and incoming pilots. He especially liked watching and hearing the big jets come and go.
      While living in Mt. Pleasant, Dwight spent many wonderful times with his flying buddies, attending various fly-ins and the annual Experimental Aircraft Association Air Show in Wisconsin, where he served as one of the presidents of the local chapter, and helped his friend build an airplane.
      On Dec. 27, 1952, Dwight married Betty Kubik in Grayling, and she joined him at Central Michigan University, from where he graduated in 1954.
      Dwight was a long-time businessman, operating the Reava Sewing Center in Mt. Pleasant for 45 years. He was an ardent canoe racing fan, operating a canoe livery on the Chippewa River for a time. He served as president of the Isabella County Humane Society and as vice president of the Mt. Pleasant Jaycees, helping to organize numerous community events and fund-raisers.
      He was very creative and inventive. A true "Mr. Fix-it," he always had a new project going. He had a real passion for baseball, wild birds, ice fishing and opera. He entertained us with his quick-witted humor, funny jokes, poetry and songs, even serenading us with a couple of songs from his hospital bed.
      He was a father, grandfather, husband and a friend, always sure and steady...he was our safe harbor.
      Dwight is survived by Betty, his wife of 52 years; daughters, Edith (Tony) Schmidt of Honor, Laura (Lawrence) Lannen of Ann Arbor, Susan (Daniel) Halfmann of Rosebush; grandchildren, Brendan and Evan Lannen, and Danielle and Michelle Halfmann; sisters, Dorothy Shefler of Cincinnati, Nancy Phillips of Kent City and Sharol (William) Tatro of Albany, N.Y; brothers, Roy (Genave) Reava of Laingsburg, Richard (Sally) Reava of Perrinton; brother and sister-in-law, Gerald and Wanite Kubik of Saginaw; and many nieces and nephews.
      Dwight was preceded in death by his parents, and brother, Duane.
      The family wishes to send a special thank-you to Dr. Roger Gerstle for his many years of care and friendship.
      According to Dwight's wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial gathering to celebrate his life will be held in the spring.

      TRAVERSE CITY - Jean Elizabeth Sonnanstine, 84, of Traverse City, died Thursday, March 3, 2005, at Munson Medical Center after a short illness.
      Born Oct. 6, 1920, in Detroit, she was the second child born to Marie and Otis Sonnanstine. At the age of ten, she and her family moved to Traverse City, her favorite place in the world.
      She finished her high school education at Traverse City Central, then continued her studies and graduated from Michigan State University.
      She returned to Traverse City, where she worked with the Michigan Children's Aid in 1944. After that job she worked in the bookkeeping department at the Traverse City Iron Works for 36 years.
      Jean loved being surrounded by her family, nieces and nephews. She was an avid beach fan, loved to knit, cook and play bridge. She will be extremely missed by all she was surrounded by.
      She is survived by her two sisters, Mrs. William A. (Charline) Royce and Mrs. Shirley Larson, both of Traverse City; two nephews, John H. Royce and Allen Royce; three nieces, Sue Crandall, Laurie Larson and Jeannie Larson.
      Jean was preceded in death by her parents; and a very special friend, Jack Morgan, who was killed in World War II.
      Friends may call Monday, March 7, 2005, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 8, 2005, at 11 a.m., also at the funeral home, with the Rev. Tamara Williams officiating. Burial will take place in Oakwood Cemetery at a later date.
      Memorials may be directed to the Cherryland Humane Society.

      LAKE HAVASU CITY, Ariz. - Elward Almon Taisey was born in Bellaire in 1915, the son of Augusta and Connie Lyle Taisey and the brother of the late Emily Ruhlig and Connie Lyle Taisey Jr. He grew up on Torch Lake and in Detroit. He was a long-time resident of both Rapid City and Lake Havasu City, Ariz.
      Known as El to his friends, Elward, enjoyed a rich and long life. He retired from 35 years in the heating and air conditioning business in Detroit, and with his wife embarked on a 24-year retirement that included boating, gardening, fishing and travel to nearly every state in the country he knew and loved so well. Ruth and El spent their summers on Torch Lake in Rapid City, traveled in their motor home during the winter and then settled into their winter home for the last 18 years in Lake Havasu City, Ariz.
      Elward was a member of the Centerline Masonic Lodge, and was active in both the Centerline and Southfield Presbyterian Churches, for which he served as an elder and trustee. He served on the Southfield Civil Defense.
      He had a natural aptitude for engineering that was revealed through his special knack for fixing just about anything. He was an avid gardener and many enjoyed the fruits of his labors for over fifty years. Elward knew this country like the back of his hand and rarely had to refer to maps.
      All those who knew him will remember Elward for his wonderful sense of humor. He always had a sparkle in his eye and a ready smile. He was a man of dignity, kindness and generosity. His optimistic spirit and his hearty laughter were an inspiration to his family and friends. Elward lived a vigorous, active life for his entire 89˝ years, and he looked forward to planting a spring garden and taking a boat trip across Lake Michigan. He lived life to its fullest.
      Elward is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Ruth Elizabeth; his three children, Janet Taisey (William) Craft of Ipswich, Mass., Connie Taisey (Kent) Reinhold of Tempe, Ariz., and Jon Elward (Pat) Taisey of Ferndale; and his six grandchildren, Allison and Lindsay Reinhold, Easton (Alecia) and Zane Craft, and Christopher and Erin Taisey. He leaves many cousins in the Northwest, an extended family in Michigan, and close friends from across the country.
      He died on Feb. 28, 2005, of heart failure in Scottsdale, Ariz. A memorial service for family and friends will be held on Sunday, March 6, 2005, at 1 p.m., at the Beachcomber Resort in Lake Havasu City, Ariz. A reception for family and friends will be held at Ruth and Elward's home immediately following the service. There will be a memorial service in Mancelona on Aug. 9, 2005.
      In memory of Elward Taisey, donations may be made to The American Heart Association, 3816 Paysphere Circle, Chicago, IL 60674; 1 (800) 677-5481.

      TRAVERSE CITY - Francis "Will" Willsey, a self-proclaimed "good architect," and a longtime Silver Lake resident, died Friday morning at Munson Medical Center. He was 89.
      Growing up on the western shore of Silver Lake, Will and his siblings, Thelma and Kenneth, enjoyed swimming, boating and taking part in running The Silver Lake Inn with their parents. It was there that Will's love of nature and beauty began.
      From the University of Michigan, Will received a bachelor's of arts degree in landscape architecture. He then worked for the Michigan Planning Commission in Battle Creek, where he met and married Virginia (Zuber).
      Will was accepted as an apprentice into the Frank Lloyd Wright Taliesin Fellowship, where he and Virginia lived for three years. In order to supervise the construction of a house in Northport that Mr. Wright designed, the couple moved back to Michigan. Will was later employed by the L.C. Kingscott Co., designing homes for the Battle Creek area.
      When asked what kind of architect he was, Will always answered, "A good one!" It was his life's work, yet he took time to enjoy many other facets of life, including owning The Silver Lake Inn after his parents died, adding to it a Gift Shop and The Brass Owl Gallery.
      Those surviving include his wife of 62 years, Virginia (Zuber) Willsey; his lifetime friend and brother, Kenneth; a niece, Julie Black; a nephew, Michael (Becky) Willsey; and his nephew's children, Liza and Adam.
      Going before him was his sister, Thelma (Willsey) Black; and two sisters-in-law, Rose Zuber and Helen (Zuber) Gould.
      Visitation will be held today, March 6, 2005, from 5 to 8 p.m., at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home, where a rosary will be said at 7:30 p.m. Mass will be celebrated Monday, March 7, 2005, at 11 a.m., at St. Patrick Catholic Church.