October 9, 2005

Obituaries

Clara Rosemund Cuthbert
Died October 7, 2005
      TRAVERSE CITY - Clara Rosemund Cuthbert, 90, of Traverse City, passed away peacefully on Friday, Oct. 7, 2005, at the Grand Traverse Pavilions Willow Cottage. Clara was born in Donaldson on Dec. 24, 1914, the daughter of Edmund and Leta (McLean) Morrow.
      Clara married George M. Cuthbert in Sault Ste Marie on June 1, 1934. She lived her first 75 years in and around the Sault Ste Marie area, and with her last breath, still called the Sault home. She was a member of the First United Presbyterian Church of Sault Ste Marie. She enjoyed traveling with her husband of 71 years. They visited every state in the country, as well as Great Britain and every province of Canada. She enjoyed parties, visiting family, and playing on the floor with her great-grandchildren and grand-dog.
      Clara was preceded in death by her parents; her sister Elda Miller; her brother Mervin and James Morrow; and two infant sons.
      Clara is survived by her husband, George; son Gary (Bea) Cuthbert; daughter Beverly Cuthbert; granddaughter Renee (Robert) Guzanek; grandson Brent (Chris) Cuthbert; great-grandchildren Mitch and Meaghan Guzanek, Blake, Parker and Carson Cuthbert; several nieces and nephews; and her grand-dog, Abby.
      Funeral services will be held Monday, Oct. 10, at 1 p.m., with a visitation one hour prior at Covell Funeral Home in Traverse City, with Rev. Becky Chamberlain officiating.
      Graveside services will be held Tuesday, Oct. 11, at 11 a.m., at Pine Grove Cemetery in Sault Ste Marie, with Rev. Dave Henderson officiating.
      In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be directed to the Grand Traverse Pavilions, First United Presbyterian Church in Sault Ste Marie, or to charity of choice.
      The family would like to thank the staff of the Willow Cottage for their wonderful and loving care of "Clara Bell" and Pastor Becky for her support and comforting presence.
      Arraignments have been entrusted to Covell Funeral Home of Traverse City.
     
Robert C. Johnson M.D.
Died September 18, 2005
      TRAVERSE CITY - Robert C. Johnson, M.D., 69, of Traverse City, died at his home Sunday, Sept. 18, 2005.
      Born Aug. 31, 1936, in Detroit, he was the son of Waldemar and Violet (Davis) Johnson. He married Marilyn Rae Bailey, a childhood and family friend, on March 26, 1960, in Detroit.
      After graduating from Detroit Redford High School in 1954, Bob attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, graduating from Medical School in 1961. Bob interned at Munson Hospital in Traverse City in 1962. In 1963, he started his residency training in Internal Medicine at Harper Hospital in Detroit. He served two years in the U.S. Air Force, and completed his residency at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
      In 1967, Bob began his practice as an Internist at Thirlby Clinic in Traverse City. He also became a board certified specialist in Geriatric Medicine in 1988. He had a special interest in elderly patients, advocating for conservative but quality medical care in their remaining years. He retired in 1996.
      During his years of practice and into retirement, Bob served his community as Medical Staff President of Munson Hospital, Medical Director of the Grand Traverse Medical Care Facility, Munson Hospital Ethics Committee, the Grand Traverse Pavilions Foundation, Board of Trustees, and the Physicians Reality Group for 25 years.
      Bob was an active member of the Grace Episcopal Church community. He enjoyed the Men's Club, Cursillo, served on the Vestry, the Personnel Committee, the Finance Committee and the Foundation Board. He also served as church treasurer since 1996 and was co-chair of the Building Committee. He enjoyed working with numbers and was known for confidently challenging the financial part of parish business.
      Retirement allowed Bob the treasured opportunity to explore his many interests and to enjoy the company of family and friends. Special memories included breakfasts with the "old fuds" (retired doctors), golf with the Elmbrook and Snicker's tournament groups, playing his trumpet in the NMC Community Band, and traveling with his wife, Marilyn.
      Interests also included woodworking and equipping his shop, reading, crossword puzzles, playing bridge and exploring his lifelong love of photography. Bob was a documentarian of events, preferring to quietly capture life's candid moments on the sideline. Later, preparing and sharing those photos with all.
      Bob will be remembered for his quiet, generous and accepting spirit, his intelligence, and the ability to live life on its terms, despite the effects of a debilitating lung disease.
      As a husband, dad and grandfather, friend and caregiver, Bob was greatly loved and will be deeply missed.
      He is survived by his wife, Marilyn; their children, Barbara (Jamie) Marsh of Traverse City, David (Cindi Packard) Johnson of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, and Carol Johnson of Madison, Wis.; four grandchildren, Lindsay, Robert, Sarah and James Marsh. He is also survived by his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Tom and Ann Bailey; as well as nieces, nephews and cousins.
      A Memorial and Committal Service will be held at 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14, at Grace Episcopal Church in Traverse City. The Rev. D. Edward Emenheiser and The Rev. Louise Kountze will officiate. There will be a light supper and an opportunity to visit with the family following the service.
      In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Grace Episcopal Church of Traverse City Foundation, or the Grand Traverse Pavilions Foundation.
      The family is being served by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home. Kindly share memories with the family in their online guestbook at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com
     
Kevin T Parmenter
Died October 6, 2005
      TRAVERSE CITY - Kevin T Parmenter, 47, of Traverse City, died Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2005. Kevin was born in Ann Arbor on June 1, 1958, the son of Bruce R. Parmenter and Ann (Ross) Luedtke.
      Kevin graduated from Plymouth-Canton High School in 1976. He attended Northwestern Michigan College and Northern Michigan University in his lifelong pursuit of knowledge. He found his calling in being a carpenter after stumbling into the profession. Eventually, he started his own construction company and was known for being a master craftsman. He shared his gift with others by becoming certified to teach construction education at the college level.
      As a child, Kevin enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping with his mother and step-father. As the years passed, Kevin became very successful in both cross-country skiing and mountain biking, including multiple wins in the VASA classic race. He touched many young lives while coaching cross-country skiing through the years. Recently, Kevin became involved in kayaking. This involvement led to him building traditional kayaks, learning about Inuit life and passing on his knowledge of both to young people.
      Ever the avid sportsman, Kevin shared his love of fishing and camping with his two daughters. He believed in teaching them to be independent, and taught them never to limit themselves to traditional female roles. He taught Erin to throw a softball and Lizzie to be tough on the soccer field, making sure they both knew how to swing a hammer.
      He is preceded in death by his brother, Shawn; his loving step-father, Leonard W. Luedtke; and his grandfather Max Ross.
      He is survived by two beloved daughters, Erin (Jeremy) LaValley; along with his grandson Croix John LaValley, and Elizabeth (Matthew) Turek; his mother, Ann Luedtke of Rapid City; his father Bruce (Diane) Parmenter of Arizona; his half-brother Bruce (Lisa) Parmenter, Jr.; and two step-brothers, David (Kathy) Luedtke of Rapid City and Kerry Luedtke of Interlochen; as well as many aunts and uncles.
      Visitation with the family will begin on Tuesday, Oct. 11 at 4 p.m., at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City.
      The funeral service will begin at 5:30 p.m., with the Rev. Father Edwin Thome officiating.
      In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the TART/VASA Trail Foundation.
      Kindly share your memories of Kevin with the family at his online guestbook at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.