May 18, 2005

Obituaries

      A graveside service will be held for EARL R. PUTNAM on Wednesday, May 25, 2005, at 1:30 p.m., at the Leelanau Township Cemetery in Northport.
      Arrangements are by the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.

Florence (Emerson) Chubb
Died May 16, 2005
      TRAVERSE CITY - Florence (Emerson) Chubb, 95, of Traverse City, died Monday, May 16, 2005, at Munson Hospice House.
      Florence was born to Fred and Anna (Antony) Emerson on March 25, 1910. She was born on her grandparent's farm, Florent and Mary (Eggli) Antony, on Keystone Road by the Boardman River.
      On her first day of kindergarten at Boardman Street School Florence declared, "I want to be a teacher, just like Miss Billings." She was taught by the Dominican Sisters at St. Francis Grade School and High School. Florence graduated valedictorian of the St. Francis Class of 1927.
      After studies at Grand Traverse County Normal, she taught two years at the Beitner one-room schoolhouse. She continued her education at Western State Teachers College in Kalamazoo, earning a Lifetime Teaching Certificate. In 1931 Florence became an elementary teacher for the Lansing Public Schools. She later received a bachelor of science degree from Western Michigan University and a degree as a reading specialist from Michigan State University. She retired in 1972 following a teaching career of 43 years.
      Florence remained an active member of Alpha Beta Epsilon sorority at Western Michigan University, serving as Lansing Chapter president and State president. She was on the capital Area School Employees Credit Union Board for 33 years and served as president from 1963-1977.
      One of Florence's proudest achievements was being a member of the first girls' basketball team at St. Francis High School from 1924 to 1927. She loved to tell the story of the team camping on the island of the Armour Estate on Long Lake. While the girls were swimming, Mrs. J. Ogden Armour sent her butler out in a row boat to tell the girls that she was concerned for their safety, and that they should take a rest on the diving platform in front of the estate.
      Her lifetime love for dancing began at the O-At-Ka Beach Pavilion and the Rainbow Gardens Dance Club in Elk Rapids.
      Florence was an adventurer. In 1932 she made a cross country road trip with three other young ladies in a 1928 Chevy touring car to Texas, Mexico and California, visiting many of the national parks. In 1937 she went alone on a cruise aboard a cargo liner to Scandinavia, Russia, Poland, Germany and England.
      On July 13, 1940, in Traverse City, Florence married Russell Brooks Chubb at St. Francis Church. They designed and built their home in Lansing, where they were members of the Church of the Resurrection.
      During World War II when her husband, Russell, served with the 29th Infantry in the medical corps in Europe, his unit was befriended by the Hendricks family in Holland. Florence began a lifetime correspondence with the 14 year old daughter, Mia, until her death in 2001. In July 1970, Florence and Russell visited this family on a trip to Europe celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary.
      In retirement they built a summer home on Lake Leelanau, and attended Immaculate Conception Church at Peshawbestown.
      Florence was her husband's loving caregiver through his struggle with Alzheimer's, until Russell's death on April 15, 1990. Florence maintained her Lansing home until 2003 when she herself became afflicted with Alzheimer's. She decided to return to her roots in Traverse City to make her home. She flourished under the wings of new friends and special cousins, Larry and Loretta Ludka, David and Elaine Ludka Kozlowski, Marilyn Antony and Sally Antony Cole.
      One of her greatest pleasures were outings to her "Grandpa Antony's farm." Joe and Bessie Meyers have owned and lovingly cared for this property since the 1920's. Florence was so pleased to know that Joe had arranged to have it always remain a public park through the DNR and Grand Traverse County. The fields on Keystone are now the TBAYS soccer fields for the youth of the area.
      She was also proud that part of her fraternal grandparents' farm, Charles and Elizabeth (Chantler) Emerson, on Brimley Road, is the sight of the Northwestern Michigan College Observatory.
      Florence had a most generous heart and spent her life giving unconditional love. She helped with raising nieces and nephews and was always there for anyone's needs. Her generosity to organizations and charities was philanthropic. Her Catholic faith was the foundation for her goodness, and during her lifetime she was chosen to be godmother for over forty children.
      In addition to her husband, Russell, Florence was preceded in death by her parents; a baby sister, Grace; a brother, Vernon (Viola) Emerson; a sister, Beatrice (Fred) Shutler Gilliland; and many aunts and uncles, including her special aunt, Katie Emerson Bickler. She is survived by one aunt, Lillian Antony Ludka; a brother-in-law, Robert (Ardeth) Chubb; nieces, Joan (Dale) Gary, Jean (Jack) Horn and Kathy (Mike) Fish; nephews, Jack (Betty) Emerson, Richard (Arlene) Emerson, William (Phoebe) Shutler, David (Bobbi) Shutler, Robert (Betty) Shutler and Michael (Fran) Shutler; nieces-in-law and nephews-in-law, Allan (Joyce) Chubb, Debbie (David) Schweigart, Nancy (Tim) Walsh, Sand (Ron) Howden and William (Beth) Maydee; many grandnieces, grandnephews, great-grandnephews, great-grandnieces; and numerous cousins.
      A visitation will be held today, May 18, 2005, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m., at the Covell Funeral Homes in Traverse City, where a rosary will be prayed at 7:30 p.m. A funeral Mass will be held Thursday, May 19, 2005, at 10 a.m., at St. Francis Catholic Church, with Father Ken Stachnik officiating.
      Memorial contributions may be directed to Mass of Intentions, St. Jude's Children Hospital, the Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools Libraries or Munson Hospice House.
      Arrangements have been entrusted to the Traverse City Chapel of Covell Funeral Homes.

Margaret Hillis Comins
Died May 15, 2005
      TRAVERSE CITY - Margaret Hillis Comins of Traverse City and Birmingham, originally of Flint, died peacefully on Sunday, May 15, 2005, at Munson Hospice House following a stroke which she suffered on Easter Sunday. She was surrounded by her two daughters and sons-in-law and the Hospice House angels, to the sounds of Irish music and readings of Irish Blessings.
      She was born Jan. 31, 1914, in Schenectady, N.Y., to the late Joseph B. and Ruby (McLintock) Hillis. On Feb. 3, 1940, at the First Presbyterian Church in Flint, she married Philip N. Comins, who preceded her in death on Sept. 23, 2002. Margaret was the love of Phil's life and everyone knew it.
      Margaret was known by all she met as a sweet little lady with a big heart. She loved everyone and welcomed hugs and conversation.
      She was very proud of her Scotch-Irish heritage. A talented artist, she created many beautiful things in a variety of media. Margaret's family and her pets were her life; her dog, Buffy, spent the last seven and a half years constantly at her side. She was an avid collector of antiques, dolls and teddy bears, and she delighted in her many contacts with dealers and craftsmen.
      Margaret is survived by her daughters, Patricia (Herb) Sawin and Amy (Eric) Mueller, both of Traverse City; grandchildren, Scott (Silvia) Byrnes, Kim McKenna, Tammy Byrnes, Karen Mueller and Jill (Sean) Roberts; and great-grandchildren, Corey Byrnes and Chris Pedone.
      She was also preceded in death by her sister, Ruby (Mike) McCarren.
      A memorial service honoring Margaret's life will be held at Woodside Village Senior Apartments, 3016 LaFranier Road, Traverse City, on Friday, May 20, at 11 a.m. All are invited to this celebration and the luncheon following.
      The family extends their heartfelt thanks to the wonderful staff and volunteers at Munson Hospice House, who loved and cared for "Maggie" and brought grace, comfort and dignity to her final days; to the staff at Woodside and Southridge, who cared so well for Margaret for the last seven and one-half years, as well as the nurses at Munson Medical Center.
      In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be directed to Munson Hospice House, 1105 Sixth Street, Traverse City, MI 49684.
      The family was assisted by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City.

Katie M. Lordy
Died May 17, 2005
      ST. CLAIR SHORES - Katie M. Lordy, 76, passed away at home peacefully on Tuesday, May 17, 2005.
      Mrs. Lordy was born in Karlin and graduated from Buckley High school in 1947. After high school she joined the United States Marine Corps, where she served honorably.
      Mrs. Lordy retired after 25 years at Jacobsons.
      She was the beloved wife of the late Carl Sr.; dear mother of Amy (Fred) Bolton, Kenneth of Interlochen, Ronald of St. Clair Shores and the late Carl Jr.; loving grandmother of Cherie Lordy and Tonia Lordy; sister of Belle Hillard, Eleanor Lamsa, Frank Zalud, the late Dorothy Osborn and Rudy Rakan; and dear companion of the late Arthur Koch.
      Funeral services will take place Friday, May 20, 2005, at 7 p.m., at the Kaul Funeral Home, 28433 Jefferson, St. Clair Shores, where visitation will take place from 2 to 9 p.m., also on Friday. Interment will be in Bear Lake Township Cemetery.
      Share a memory at www.kaulfuneralhome.com.

H. Edmund Peters
Died May 13, 2005
      LELAND - H. Edmund Peters, 95, of Leland, died Friday, May 13, 2005, at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City.
      He was born in Leland on May 29, 1909, the son of John and Anna (Fitchen) Peters. He married Bernice Garthe in Chicago in 1934. She preceded him in death on April 3, 2002.
      Edmund was a graduate of Leland High School in 1927. He graduated from County Normal and Northern Michigan University. He taught school for 40 years at North Manitou Island, Suttons Bay, Glen Arbor, Traverse City, Detroit and Bloomfield Hills schools.
      Edmund had a wonderful mind, a good sense of humor, and loved reading. A history buff, Edmund helped record Leelanau County history. He had a special love of Leland. He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Leland.
      He is survived by his children, Elizabeth Doerr of Traverse City, John E. (Charlene) Peters of Camano Island, Wash., Richard E. (Patricia) Peters of Gurnee, Ill., Dorothy J. (Terry) Carpenter of Traverse City, Bud (Ann) Peters of Woodburn, Ore., Peter A. (Joan) Peters of Port Orchard, Wash., Mary K. (Jim) Proctor of Vail, Ariz.; 31 grandchildren; 62 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren.
      In addition to his wife, Bernice, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Stella Fritz, Arnold Peters, Erhardt Peters, Wilford Peters, Ewald Peters.
      Visitation will be Thursday, May 19, 2005, from 4 to 8 p.m., at the Martinson Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 20, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Leland, with Rev. Lawrence K. Matro officiating. Burial will be in Beechwood Cemetery.
      Memorial contributions may be directed to Immanuel Lutheran Church.
      The family was assisted by the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.

James W. "Jim" Schroeder
Died May 14, 2005
      ACME - James W. "Jim" Schroeder, 57, of Acme, died Saturday, May 14, 2005, under the loving care of his family, at his home in Acme. Jim was born May 2, 1948, in Flint, to parents, Carl and Verna (James) Schroeder.
      A Traverse City resident for 25 years, Jim enjoyed spending time in the area hunting and fishing. He also passed time playing guitar in a local band performing at the Eagles and the VFW. Jim may often have been seen working on his yard and playing golf with friends and family.
      He worked part time for Timeless Image Photography, and was a loving stay at home father for his children.
      Jim is survived by his wife, Tammi; two sons, Russ (Beth) Schroeder of Traverse City and Marc (Sherry) Schroeder of Zephyr Hills, Fla.; his little princess, Leyna Schroeder of Acme; his mother, Verna Schroeder; sister, Barb Gearhart, and her special friend, Dick, of Burton; brother, Al (Sylvia) Schroeder of Phoenix; mother-in-law, Anita (Chuck) Fraser of Acme; and grandchildren, Jessica and James Schroeder.
      Jim was preceded in death by his father, Carl Schroeder.
      Per the families request, cremation has taken place and a memorial service commemorating Jim's life will be held on Friday, May 20, 2005, at noon, at the Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home, where friends may call one hour prior to the service. Pastor Jon DeBruyn will officiate. A luncheon will immediately follow the service at the Eagles Club in Traverse City.
      Memorial contributions may be directed to the family or Bertha Vos PTO.
      The family is being served by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City.