December 28,1999

Obituaries

GEORGE FRANCIS 'WHITEY' SCHESTER, 70, of Kaleva, died Sunday, Dec. 26, 1999, at his residence. He was born March 16, 1929, in Detroit.
      Visitation will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Hopcroft Funeral Home in Hazel Park. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Interment will be in Christian Memorial Cultural Center in Rochester Hills. Local arrangements are by Terwillger Funeral Home in Kaleva.
     
      G. Robert 'Bob' Dixon
      Died December 22, 1999
      TRAVERSE CITY - G. Robert "Bob" Dixon, 90, of Traverse City, died Wednesday at Munson Medical Center.
      Beloved husband of Erma for almost 70 years, Bob was a teacher and school superintendent in northern Michigan before moving to Detroit to join the Ford Motor Co. in 1935. He assisted in the launch of the Willow Run Bomber Plant and retired from Ford Production Control in 1970.
      A member of Grant First United Methodist Church, he became a Master Mason, Olive Branch Lodge in 1943. He also became a member of Scottish Rite and Shriner in 1972 and a life member of Grand Lodge F&AM in 1983. Bob was a past president of Cherryland High Twelve Club and of Michigan High Twelve. He served as a trustee of High Twelve International and was the 1991 Mason of the Year, 1993 Shriner of the Year and member of the DeMolay Legion of Honor. He was a strong supporter of the Buckley High School basketball team.
      Bob is survived by his wife Erma, of Traverse City; two sisters, Katherine and Marjorie; and three brothers, Buell, Morley, and Roger.
      He was preceded in death by his brother, Bill.
      Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. today at the Traverse City Chapel of Covell Funeral Homes; a candlelight Masonic service will be held at 7 p.m.
      Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home; the Rev. Craig South will officiate.
      Memorial contributions may be directed to Masonic Lodge No. 222, the Traverse City Shriners Club, or Buckley High School.
     
      George Elliott
      Died December 26, 1999
      TRAVERSE CITY - George Elliott, 90, died Sunday at Bortz Health Care of Traverse City.
      Born July 8, 1909, in Leelanau County, he was the son of Michael and Mary (Kroupa) Elliott. On Dec. 9, 1940, in Traverse City, he married Zelma Rose Hart.
      A farmer, George was a lifelong resident of Traverse City. He was also a foundry worker and was employed at Traverse City Iron Works for 20 years. George was a member of Elmwood Township Volunteer Fire Department.
      Survivors include a sister, Mrs. Agnes Weller of Traverse City, a special friend, Mary Kevwithch of Traverse City, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
      George was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Zelma; two brothers, Frank and William Elliott; and a sister, Jane Olson.
      Visitation will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Traverse City Chapel of Covell Funeral Homes. Funeral services will follow at 2 p.m.; the Rev. Bert Erickson will officiate. Burial will be in Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens.
      Memorial contributions may be directed to Elmwood Township Fire Department.
     
      Donald 'Don' Leach
      Died December 24, 1999
      EAST BAY TOWNSHIP - Donald "Don" Leach, 82, of East Bay Township, died Friday morning.
      Born April 2, 1917, in East Bay Township, he was the son of John and Maggie (Champagne) Leach. On Aug. 30, 1947, he married Betty J. Cole.
      A lifelong resident of East Bay Township, Don lived in the home he built for over 52 years. A retired carpenter, he worked for Koenig Construction, Comstock Construction, Grand Traverse Construction and Bud Johnson of Suttons Bay. An honest man, Don was a perfectionist and consistent in everything he did. He had a great sense of humor and was a special husband, brother, uncle and friend. He loved the outdoors, hunting, fishing, gardening and wintering in Alabama. Don was an ardent bowler and golfer. He served in the South Pacific during World War II in the 39th Fighter Squadron from July 1941 to October 1945. Don was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Cherryland Post No. 2780. He attended East Bay Calvary Church in Traverse City.
      Survivors include his wife, Betty; two brothers, Howard Leach of Buena Park, Calif., and John Leach of Traverse City; a sister, Julia Johnson of Traverse City; and many special nieces and nephews.
      Don was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Willard, Roy, and Ralph Leach; and a sister, Gladys Ryon.
      Cremation has taken place.
      Visitation will be from 3 to 5 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City.
      A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at East Bay Calvary Church, 2368 Holiday Road, Traverse City; Dr. Kendale Dennis will officiate. Following the service, military honors will be held under the auspices of Veterans of Foreign Wars Cherryland Post No. 2780.
      In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the East Bay Calvary Church Building Fund.
     
      Dorothy Marie Plamondon
      Died December 24, 1999
      LAKE LEELANAU - Dorothy Marie Plamondon, 80, of Lake Leelanau, died Friday at Cherry Hill Haven Foster Home in Traverse City.
      Born Feb. 11, 1919, in Lake Leelanau, she was the daughter of Lorin and Gertrude (Schaub) McNiel. On Nov. 16, 1940, in Lake Leelanau, she married Robert Joseph Plamondon Sr.
      A lifelong resident of Lake Leelanau, Dorothy's life was devoted to her 10 children, 34 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. She also enjoyed hobbies such as cross-stitching, reading, gardening and camping. Dorothy was a lifelong member of St. Mary's Parish.
      Survivors include nine children, Marlin, Mona Rice, Ken, Erinie, Catharine Skeba, Gregory, Stephen, Rebecca Miller, and Todd; two sisters, Margaret and Theresa; and three brothers, Gerald, Arthur, and Leonard.
      Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, on May 4, 1998; a son, Robert E. Jr.; two brothers, Jamie and Lawrence; a sister, Cecelia; and two grandchildren, Brian and Kim.
      Friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Martinson Funeral Home in Suttons Bay; a rosary will be recited at 7 p.m.
      Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Mary's Catholic Church; the Rev. Jerry Hunko will officiate.
      Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery.
      Memorials may be directed to Grand Traverse Area Hospice, the Alzheimer Association, or St. Mary's Church.