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March 26, 2005ObituariesBRIDGET DELIKTA, 54, of Traverse City, died Saturday, March 26, 2005, at her residence surrounded by her family. A complete obituary will follow this week in the Record-Eagle. Arrangements are being handled by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home. CASIMIR J. DEMBINSKI, 92, of Manistee, died Thursday, March 24, 2005, at the Manistee County Medical Care Facility. The family will receive friends at the Johnson Funeral Home on Monday, March 28, 2005, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 29, 2005, at 11 a.m., also at the funeral home. The family is being served by the Johnson Funeral Home in Manistee. LOUIS E. MUSE, of Traverse City, died Thursday, March 24, 2005, at Munson Medical Center. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, March 30, 2005, at 11 a.m. at United Methodist Church in Williamsburg. The family will receive visitors one hour prior to services. A complete obituary will follow in Monday's Record-Eagle. Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home. LILA SHERMAN, 86, of Milford Township, formerly of Kalkaska, died Wednesday, March 23, 2005. A funeral service will be held Tuesday, March 29, 2005, at 1 p.m. at the Wolfe Funeral Home in Kalkaska, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in Coldsprings Township Cemetery in the spring when weather permits. Arrangements are by the Wolfe Funeral Home in Kalkaska. FRANKFORT - On March 23, 2005, LaVern "Chili" Chilcote passed from this earth due to complications brought on by brain cancer. Through his valiant and courageous struggle, Chili was fortunate to spend his last days at home, surrounded by his family. Chili was born Raymond LaVern Chilcote in Cadillac on July 20, 1930, to Pauline (Small) and Clifford Chilcote. Chili was a gifted athlete in high school, competing in football and track, in which he won several medals at the state level as a sprinter. In 1947, he graduated from Cadillac High School. After high school he worked for BF Goodrich in Cadillac. He also continued with his athletics playing hockey and as a catcher for fast-pitch softball. On Oct. 21, 1950, in Cadillac, Chili married the love of his life, Jean Beverly Gardner, whom he met when they were both 10 years old. In 1951, he was drafted into the Army and became a drill sergeant stationed in Fort Stewart, Ga., and then Dundock, Md. At the end of his mandatory two years of service, he decided to make a career of the Army. Upon arriving at the recruiting office to "re-up," he found it closed, which made him mad, so he left and never went back. He was given an honorable discharge and moved on to bigger and better things! Taking advantage of the GI Bill, Chili attended Michigan State University, where he received a bachelor's degree in secondary education in 1957, and later a master's degree in 1964. In addition, he attended Central Michigan University in 1981, where he completed 30 hours toward his Ph.D. Upon graduation, Chili was employed as a math and science teacher at Pellston High School. In addition to his teaching duties, he was the junior varsity basketball coach and the assistant varsity football coach from 1957 to 1962. In September of 1962, he accepted the elementary principal position at the Elberta Elementary School. From there he became the principal of the Frankfort and Elberta Elementary Schools. In 1974, he became the principal of Frankfort High School, where he stayed until his retirement in 1992. Along with his many jobs as the principal, he was the occasional driver's education teacher, the athletic director and the voice of Frankfort football for many years. His most loved job was being the listening ear, strong shoulder and mentor to the hundreds of students who crossed his path in his many years at FHS. With his love of athletics, Chili took on many responsibilities in the Northwest Conference, among them he was the president, secretary and treasurer over a number of years. He also made the conference championship trophies for the schools up until 2004. In addition to his dedication to Frankfort Areas Schools, he was the director for the summer migrant program when it was located in Frankfort. Chili was also the director of the Salvation Army for Benzie County for a few years, and a past member and president of the Frankfort Area Lions Club. Chili is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 54 years, Jean; daughters, Kris (Bob) Joy of Prescott, Ariz., Heidi (Allan) Sherman of Chandler, Ariz., and Lisa (Jim) Lundy of Kewadin; grandchildren, Scott Joy, Nikki (Clint) Handley, Ben (Amber) Sherman, Shelly (Troy) Sutherland, Christy (Andy) Ritola, Melissa Lundy and his "princess," Kyra Lundy; great-grandchildren, Ana and Krysta Handley, Keegan Sutherland and two more due in June. Also surviving are his sister, LaVonna Trowbridge of Kalamazoo; and his brother, Clifford "Pep" (Lois) Chilcote of Grawn. Chili was preceded in death by his father, Clifford; his mother, Pauline; and his sisters, Dorothy Holmes and Betty Lou Giddings. Chili was a man who would help anyone, followed rules to the letter and had a great sense of humor. He could tell the best jokes, and had a bark that was worse than his bite. He could do anything with a piece of wood, was a man of his word, no promise was ever given lightly. He was a hero to many and someone who earned respect from all. He was the most wonderful husband, father, grandfather and "papa great," his family was everything to him. Even at the end of his life here on earth, he gave of himself and wished to help educate others. His wishes were that he be donated to Michigan State University for research, the family has honored those wishes. A celebration of Chili's life will take place Tuesday, April 5, 2005, at Frankfort-Elberta Area High School, 534 11th Street, in Frankfort. Those wishing to attend may visit with the family from 4 to 5 p.m., with services to begin at 5 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to Munson Hospice and Palliative Care, 1105 Sixth St., Traverse City, MI 49684 or to the City of Frankfort Recreation Board/Trails, Beaches and Parks, 412 Main Street, Frankfort, MI 49635. The family would like to thank Nancy Patterson, Dr. Fraser and all the staff from Munson Hospice and Palliative Care. The services offered by all at Munson Hospice and Palliative Care helped Chili and his family make his final days as special as possible. Also, a special thanks to the staff of 4-West at Munson Medical Center and the many friends and family who have been so very helpful and supportive. The Frankfort Chapel of McElduff Funeral Homes & Cremation Service is handling the arrangements. KALKASKA - On Thursday, March 24, 2005, Donald F. Ehrhart went to join the love of his life, Iva Jean Ehrhart, who preceded him in death on Oct. 10, 2003. Don was born on May 11, 1926, in Aurora, Ill. As a youth he lived in Naperville, Ill., and in his teens moved to Dearborn, where he graduated from high school. Don enlisted in the United States Navy and served during World War II. He married Iva Jean Gottman on Dec. 4, 1944, in Boston. In 1954, they moved to Ypsilanti. Don was a 30-year employee of Ford Motor Co., Dearborn Engineering, retiring in 1983. Don and Iva moved to Houghton Lake, and then in 1994 moved to Kalkaska. He was a lifetime member of the Dearborn Masonic Lodge. Don is survived by his daughter, Gayle Lynn (Alfred) DeOtte of Fife Lake; his grandchildren, Amy Jean (John) Taranko of Ludington, David Christian (Dinah) DeOtte of Seattle, Wash., and Ann Louise DeOtte of Kalamazoo; and two great-granddaughters, Emma Ehrhart Taranko and Grace DeOtte Taranko. A graveside service will be held with military honors at a later date. Memorials may be given to the Kalkaska United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, 2525 Beebe, Kalkaska, MI 49646. Arrangements were made by Wolfe Funeral Home in Kalkaska. TRAVERSE CITY - Ronald Anthony Chervenka, 81, of Traverse City, Leelanau County, died Thursday, March 24, 2005, at Munson Medical Center. Born in Petoskey on July 31, 1923, Ron was the son of Anthony and Violet (Pease) Chervenka. A resident of Leelanau County since 1939, he attended Traverse City Schools and then joined the United States Navy in June of 1942. He received a medical discharge later that year. Ron married the former Rosemary Ranger of Omena in 1949, and she preceded him in death in 1975. He then married Viola Wittmer Musser on June 2, 1990, in Traverse City. Ron had been employed by the Grand Traverse Metal Casket Co., Ray Darrow Marine Services, and also was self employed and the owner of a mobile home park. He loved to work on boats in his younger years and enjoyed fishing. Every year he put in a large garden, which he enjoyed working in, as well as raising feeder cattle and chickens. Survivors include his wife, Vi; a brother, Earl R. Chervenka of Suttons Bay; and his sisters, Lorna Chervenka Irish and Evelyn Chervenka Julian, both of Traverse City. Cremation has taken place and Ron's remains will be buried in Leelanau Township Cemetery in Northport at a later date. Memorial services are being planned and are expected to take place in April. The time and place of services will be published in a future edition of the Record-Eagle. The family would ask that memorial contributions be directed to a charity of one's own choosing. The Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home is serving the family. ELBERTA - Wanda Mae Michael, 81, of Elberta, died Friday, March 25, 2005, at Munson Medical Center. Wanda was born April 12, 1923, in Rockford, Ill., the daughter of Grover and Violet (Halroyd) Witbecker. Wanda married Robert A. Michael on Dec. 3, 1964, in Beulah. She was a very active member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Frankfort. Wanda is survived by her husband, Robert; sons, Charles Allen and James (Donna) Allen of Punta Gorda, Fla., Raymond (Linda) Allen of Taylor and Michael (Jean) Allen of Redford Township; 13 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Violet Benoy of Feeport, Ill.; and several nieces and nephews. Wanda was preceded in death by her parents and a son, Robert Allen. Funeral services will be held Monday March 28, 2005, at 11 a.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Frankfort, with the Rev. James Petteys officiating. The family will receive friends at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Cremation will follow the service. Memorial contributions may be made to the Trinity Lutheran Church. The Frankfort Chapel of McElduff Funeral Home and Cremation service is handling the arrangements.
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