December 21, 1999

Obituaries

      THELMA M. GRAY, of Traverse City, died Sunday, Dec. 19, 1999, at Munson Medical Center in Kingsley.
      A full obituary will appear in Wednesday's Record Eagle. Arrangements are by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City.
     
      MARGARET O. 'MUNCIE' MILLER, 85, of Bellaire, died Friday, Dec. 17, 1999, at Eastport Village Care Home. A retired party store owner, she was born in Detroit on Feb. 5, 1914.
      Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. today at J.K. Solosy & Son Funeral Home in Detroit. Local arrangements were by the Bellaire Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes.
     
      PETER M. NEZKI, 53, of Grand Rapids, formerly of Manistee, died Saturday, Dec. 18, 1999, in Grand Rapids. He was a former radio station owner.
      The family will receive friends from 9 to 10 a.m. Wednesday at Saint Joseph's Catholic Church in Manistee; the funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Herbert Funeral Home of Manistee is in charge of arrangements.
     
      SYLVIA C. SHINK, 87, of Traverse City, died Sunday, Dec. 19, 1999, at Birchwood Nursing Center in Traverse City. She was born Oct. 24, 1912, in River Valley, Ontario.
      At her request, no services will be held. Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery in Clinton Township. Arrangements are by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City.
     
     
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      Roger W. Anderson
      Died December 19, 1999
      ELK RAPIDS - Roger W. Anderson, 83, died Sunday at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City.
      Born June 15, 1916, in Rattlerun, he was the son of Fredrick and Lydia (Covell) Anderson. On March 4, 1994, in Homosassa, Fla., he married Marion Forston.
      Roger served in the U.S. Army during World War II. An electrical engineer, he worked for General Motors Corp. in Utica until he retired in 1978. He moved from St. Clair Shores to Elk Rapids in 1978 and spent his winters in Homosassa. Roger was a member of Williamsburg Senior Citizens, Sugarmill Woods Country Club in Homosassa, Elk Rapids Golf Club and Grosse Pointe Optimists Club. He attended Elk Rapids United Methodist Church.
      Survivors include his wife, Marion, of Elk Rapids; a daughter, Joan (William) Kremer of Sterling Heights; three sons, Arthur (Gretchen) Anderson of Almont, Donald (Carol) Anderson of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Gregory Anderson of Wyoming, Mich.; two step daughters, Joanne (John) Kreag of Kewadin and Jacqueline (John) Holdsworth-Kershaw of Monroe; two step sons, William (Eleanor) Holdsworth of Kewadin and Robert (Louise) Holdsworth of Kewadin; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a brother, Gordon (Venita) Anderson of Toledo, Ohio
      Roger was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Duane, and his first wife, Frances in 1989.
      Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. today at Elk Rapids United Methodist Church; the Rev. Tom Pier-Fitzgerald will officiate.
      Burial will be in Princess Hill Cemetery in Barrington, R.I.
      Memorial contributions may be directed to Elk Rapids United Methodist Church, the American Cancer Society, or to one's choice.
      Arrangements are by the Elk Rapids Chapel of Covell Funeral Homes.
     
      Gretchen L. Flory
      Died December 20, 1999
      HART - Gretchen L. Flory, 82, of Hart, formerly of Williamsburg, passed away Monday at Oceana County Medical Care Facility.
      She was the daughter of Robert and Beulah (Herold) Younglas.
      Gretchen is survived by her husband, Wayne Flory of Hart; daughter, Mary (Jerry) Cargill of New Era; son, Albert Flory of Lansing; and two grandchildren.
      Visitation will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Tate Funeral Home in Hart.
      Services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
     
      Marvin V. Guntzviller
      Died December 19, 1999
      ELK RAPIDS - Marvin V. Guntzviller, 89, of Elk Rapids, died Sunday at his home.
      Born April 10, 1910, in Detroit, he was the son of George and Edith Guntzviller. On June 3, 1948, he married Mary Munro in Angolia, Ind.
      In 1928 Marvin founded Guntzviller Taxidermy in Northville. He brought his business to Elk Rapids in 1972. Marvin choose to semi-retire in 1989. He liked hunting, fishing, pistol shooting and gardening and was especially fond of picking berries.
      Survivors include his wife, Mary; two sons, Voss (Patricia) Guntzviller and Mel (Rhonda) Guntzviller - both of Elk Rapids; a step daughter, Lana Socia of Howell; a brother, Herbert (Norma) Guntzviller of Bellaire; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
      Marvin was preceded in death by his parents, a stepson, Alvin Whistle, in 1992, and a brother, Harvey, in 1978.
      Memorial services will be announced at a later date.
      Memorial contributions may be directed to the American Diabetes Association or to the charity of one's choice.
      Arrangements are by the Elk Rapids Chapel of Covell Funeral Homes.
     
      Anna Mae Hallett
      Died December 19, 1999
      OMENA - Anna Mae Hallett of Omena, Mich., died Sunday at the Leelanau Care Center in Northport where she had been a resident for two years.
      Anna was born in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada on Sept. 30, 1905, the ninth of 10 children. She moved to Boston as a teenager and subsequently to Detroit where she met and married John Chester Hallett who worked for Ford Motor Co. at the time. Chester later went to work for the Jesuits at the University of Detroit and in 1941, with six children in tow, moved to the Villa Marquette in Omena as the caretaker. Anna and Chester had five additional children.
      Besides being a dedicated homemaker, she also managed to find time to volunteer for Social Services, The Cancer Drive and many church functions. Anna will be dearly missed by all who knew her.
      "Grannie," as she was known by many, was a very warm, loving and caring person. She always had room at the table for another hungry friend. Euchre, marbles and Tiger's baseball were three of her passions. She always had a dance in her step, a song in her heart and a joke to play on you when you least expected it.
      Anna was preceded in death by her husband, John Chester, and sons, Roddie, Chester, Bill, and Cyril.
      She is survived by sons, John Hartford (Linda), Ed (Shari), Fred (Amy), and Bub; daughters, Margie (Lawrence) Meachum, Dorothy (Vic) Bodeux, and Mary (Stephen) Stanton; 31 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren.
      Anna's personality was unlike any other. We will dearly miss her; Mom, Grannie, Aunt and friend.
      Services will be held at Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Church in Peshawbestown, Mich., on Wednesday, Dec. 22, at 1 p.m.
      Memorials may be sent to Leelanau Memorial Health Care in Northport.
      Arrangements are by Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.
     
      Ruby R. Lannin
      Died December 18, 1999
      TRAVERSE CITY - Ruby R. Lannin, 84, of Traverse City, died Saturday at Munson Medical Center.
      Born Nov. 12, 1915, in Kalkaska County, she was the daughter of Clio and Irma (Hauenstein) Rosenburg. On Jan. 20, 1947, she married Francis W. Lannin in Brooksville, Fla., he preceded her in death in March 1990.
      Born and raised in Kalkaska County, Ruby was a resident of the area her entire life. For many years she worked as a private house cleaner for various area residents. Ruby enjoyed crocheting and gardening.
      Survivors include her daughter, Rosile (Timothy) Shaffer of Williamsburg; five sons, Warren (Janet) Clark of Taylor, Mich., Lawrence (Ann Marie) Lannin of Upper Marlboro, Md., Fran Lannin of Maple City, Mich., Edward (Ruthe) Lannin of Traverse City, and John Lannin of Traverse City; 11 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; a brother, Kent (Arlene) Rosenburg of Kalkaska; and several nieces and nephews.
      Ruby was preceded in death by her husband, parents, a daughter, Norma Lannin, and a great-grandson, Kenneth Fisher.
      Visitation will be held one hour prior to memorial services which will take place at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Traverse City Chapel of Covell Funeral Homes. The Rev. Scott Bills will officiate.
      Memorial contributions may be directed to Oak Park Evangelical Free Church.
     
      Mary Lee Merriman
      Died December 3, 1999
      MAPLE CITY - Mary Lee Merriman, long time resident of Lime Lake, Maple City, recently relocated to Scottsdale, Ariz., died Dec. 3.
      The daughter of J.L. "Biffy" Lee and Elizabeth Lee, who homesteaded on Lime Lake in the 1920s, Mary Lee is survived by her husband David D.; daughter, Dian Lee Gruber; son, David D. III; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
      During her full life of 81 years, she enjoyed many satisfying accomplishments, among them working with the Red Cross during World War II, performing in both the Ann Arbor Civic Theater and the Cherry County Playhouse, radio talk show host, yarn shop proprietor in Ann Arbor, organizer of a steel band in Grenada, West Indies, summers on Lime Lake and, in recent years, as owner of an antique shop in Scottsdale.
      Burial will take place in Cleveland Township Cemetery and a memorial service at Lime Lake is planned for this spring.
     
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      Harold Neddo
      Died December 17, 1999
      AUBURN HILLS - Harold Neddo, 82, of Auburn Hills, formerly of Maple City, died Friday in Auburn Hills.
      Born April 17, 1917, he was the son of Charles and Clarissa Neddo who preceded him in death. Also preceding him in death were his brothers, Lloyd and Ward, and three sisters, Lydia, Clara and Lucille.
      Harold was a 1936 graduate of Maple City High School and a veteran of World War II.
      He is survived by his wife, Hilda of Auburn Hills and four brothers, Clifford of Florida, Clarance (Evelyn) Neddo of Maple City, Howard (Dorothy) Neddo of Maple City and Wesley (Lorraine) Neddo of Maple City.
      No services are planned.
      Local arrangements are being handled by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City.
     
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      George Willard 'Bill' Reece
      Died December 19, 1999
      SOUTH BOARDMAN - George Willard "Bill" Reece, 71, of South Boardman, died Sunday evening at his home.
      He served in the U.S. Navy for many years and retired in 1966. He later worked as a meat cutter, most recently for Kimball's Market in Fife Lake. He was a member of the Church of Christ, American Legion, Fleet Reserve Association and Campbell Masonic Lodge in Marshall, Ark. George enjoyed golf and his family history.
      Born in Marshall, Ark., on Oct. 23, 1928, he was the son of Wayne and Irene Willingham Reece. George married Janiece Opperman in Berryville, Ark., on July 8, 1966.
      Surviving are his wife, Janiece; two sons, Bryan Wayne Reece of South Boardman and Joseph Anthony Reece of Blue Eye, Mo.; a brother, Woodrow Jack Reece of Yellville, Ark.; a sister, Lorene Peden of Oak Grove, Ark.; five grandchildren, Joshua and Sarah Reece, Heidi and Daniel Roussel, and April Dawn Reece; and several nieces and nephews.
      No local services will be held.
      Funeral services will be held at the Roller-Coffman Funeral Home in Marshall, Ark., with burial in Redhill Cemetery,
      Local arrangements by Wolfe Funeral Home in Kalkaska.
     
      Claire Rae Stone
      Died December 19, 1999
      TRAVERSE CITY - Claire Rae Stone, 79, of Traverse City, died Sunday.
      A former resident of Bloomfield Hills where she was the founder and owner of Echo Park Day Camp and School, she was a former member of the Bloomfield Hills Garden Club. Claire came to Traverse City in 1992. She followed the stock market very carefully and was a member of an investment club. Claire was baptized a Catholic. She was a great entertainer and enjoyed cooking and the arts - including symphony orchestras. She loved her dog, Bobi.
      Survivors include two daughters, Sheila R. (Andrew) Craig of Traverse City and Roberta C. Stone (Charles Brunk) of Jupiter, Fla.; a son, Allen (Libby) Stone of Los Angeles; four grandchildren, Kendall Craig, Wyatt C. Stone, and Elizabeth and Rebecca Brunk; and a sister, Susie Lyon of Grand Rapids.
      Claire was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Robert L.W. Stone, who died in 1988; sisters, Connie Syrek, Harriett Younkers, Esther Markucki, and Millie Mileski; and brothers, Mitchell and Charles Mileski.
      Cremation has taken place.
      Private family services are being held.
      Memorial contributions may be directed to the Cherryland Humane Society.
      Arrangements are by the Traverse City Chapel of Covell Funeral Homes.
     
      Janet S. Williamson
      Died December 19, 1999
      ELK RAPIDS - Janet S. Williamson, 94, of Elk Rapids, died Sunday at Tendercare of Traverse City.
      Born in Scotland, she was the daughter of James and Elizabeth (McNeill) Linton. On Oct. 30, 1970, in Westland, she married Archibold Williamson.
      Janet came to the United States in the 1930s and in 1943 became a naturalized United States citizen. She was employed as a salesperson at Awrey Bakery in Detroit for 30 years and then as a salesperson for the meat department of Alexander-Horning until her retirement in 1970. A former resident of Westland, she moved to Elk Rapids in 1980. A member of the First Presbyterian Church, Janet was a very devoted child of God who loved and served her Lord.
      Survivors include a son-in-law, George Jeruzal of Kewadin, special friends, Bea and Joe West of Elk Rapids, and six grandchildren.
      Janet was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, in 1988.
      Friends may visit from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. today at the Elk Rapids Chapel of Covell Funeral Homes.
      Funeral services will take place at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home; the Rev. Dr. Dan Herlein will officiate.
      Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery in Elk Rapids.
      Memorial contributions may be directed to the First Presbyterian Church of Elk Rapids.