December 31, 1999

Obituaries

INA MARIE COOK, 88, of Delray Beach, Fla. and formerly of Grayling, died Tuesday, Dec. 21, 1999, at Delray Community Hospital in Florida. A retired school teacher and homemaker, she was born Jan. 11, 1911.
      Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2000, at Sorenson Funeral Home, McEvers Chapel in Grayling. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Entombment will be in Oakwood Cemetery Mausoleum in Saginaw.
     
      SANDRA (ACHA) NELBACH, 56, of San Antonio, Texas and formerly of Traverse City, died suddenly at her home Tuesday, Dec. 28, 1999. She was born Jan. 20, 1943.
      Funeral services will be held on Tuesday in San Antonio, Texas. Burial will be in Fort Sam Cemetery. Arrangements are being handled by Colonial Funeral Home in Universal City, Texas.
     
      JOHN H. NOVAK, 86, of Interlochen and Chicago, died Thursday, Dec. 30, 1999, at Grand Traverse Pavilions.
      Services will be held in Chicago. Local arrangements are by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City.
     
      Catherine 'Ronnie' Flechsig
      Died December 29, 1999
      TRAVERSE CITY - Catherine "Ronnie" Flechsig, 78, of Traverse City and formerly of Royal Oak, died Wednesday at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City.
      Born Oct. 7, 1922, in Sudbury, Ontario, she was the daughter of Burton and Kit Menzies. Ronnie was a retired secretary, having been employed by the G.M. Tech Center in Warren. She enjoyed traveling and driving and had a wonderful sense of humor.
      She is survived by a daughter, Linda Flechsig of Troy; son-in-law, Bill Carlson of Traverse City; grandchildren, Heather Marone of Seattle, Wash., Shannon Hagerty of Traverse City and Amber Carlson of Lansing; great-granddaughter, Olivia Hagerty of Traverse City; sister, Margaret Menzies of Royal Oak; and a brother, Donald Menzies of Florida.
      She was preceded in death by two daughters, Cathy Flechsig and Donna Carlson; and her parents.
      A memorial service will be held at a later date in Troy. Memorial contributions may be directed to the American Cancer Society.
      Arrangements are being handled by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City.
     
      Robert 'Butch' E. Helferich
      Died December 28, 1999
      TRAVERSE CITY - Robert "Butch" E. Helferich, 56, of Traverse City, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Tuesday.
      Robert was born in Traverse City on Jan. 20, 1943 and lived in the area for most of his life. He served his country in the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Coast Guard. He had been employed at Cherry Growers for 12 years until his retirement in 1998. Robert enjoyed life to the fullest and was a good friend to many.
      He is survived by his four sons, Robert B. (Mary) Helferich, Kevin E. Helferich, Jeffery S. (Dawn) Helferich and Michael D. (Jennifer) Helferich; his sisters, Patricia Scharf and Josephine Newmes; and many grandchildren, nieces and nephews. His longtime companion, Carol Ramsey, also survives him.
      He was preceded in death by his parents.
      A celebration of Robert's life will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at Traverse City Chapel of Covell Funeral Homes, where the family will greet his friends from noon until the time of service.
     
      Olga M. Laycock
      Died December 29, 1999
      MAPLE CITY - Olga M. Laycock, formerly of Flint, died Wednesday at Maple Valley Nursing Home in Maple City. She was 95.
      Born in Saginaw, she was the daughter of John T. and Emelia (Heppler) Raupp. She attended Central Michigan College and taught music, which she greatly enjoyed, in the Mount Pleasant and Flint public school systems. On June 15, 1927, she married Kenneth W. Laycock of Ithaca who preceded her in death in 1985. They lived in Saginaw, Kalamazoo and, finally, in Flint, where they made their home for over 40 years.
      She is survived by her daughter, Susan T. (Joe) Williamson of Glen Arbor; three grandchildren, Ken (Jill) Williamson of Elk Rapids, Janet (Douglas) Greer of Boise, Idaho, and Jim (Julie) Williamson of Couer d'Alene, Idaho; four great-grandchildren; and a nephew, Jerry Laycock of Clio.
      Olga was an active member of the Woodside Church in Flint, the Woodside Seniors and the Michigan Retired Teachers Association. For many years she served as a volunteer at McLaren Hospital in Flint. Throughout her life she was a gracious lady who practiced gracious living.
      Cremation has taken place and private services will be held at a later date at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Saginaw.
      Memorials may be directed to Maple Valley Nursing Home where the quality of Olga's life was greatly enhanced during her final years.
      Arrangements are by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City.
     
      Paul D. Robinson, Sr.
      Died December 30, 1999
      MIDLAND - Paul D. Robinson, Sr., 85, of Midland, died Thursday at his home.
      He was born Jan. 11, 1914, in Coldwater, the son of the late Frank Edward and Annie Laurie (Wiley) Robinson.
      Paul grew up in Mt. Pleasant and graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School and Central Michigan University. On Aug. 29, 1936, he married Frances Harrett and in 1940 they moved to Midland. Paul worked for the Dow Chemical Company from 1936 until his retirement in 1979. He was an active member of St. John's Episcopal Church and Grace Episcopal Church in Traverse City. He was active in scouting, junior achievement and was a past president of the Midland Chapter of Central Michigan University Alumni Association. He was also an avid supporter and fan of girls basketball and track. Paul and his wife, Frances, raised seven children, and to them, the most important thing was family.
      He will be deeply missed by his children, Hazel Robinson, David (Terri) Robinson - all of Midland, James (Karen) Robinson of Saginaw, Phillip (Margie) Robinson of Troy and Rick Robinson of Midland; brothers, Charles Robinson of Venice, Fla. and Homer Robinson of Holiday, Fla.; 11 grandchildren, Michael D., Kristina, Emily, Thad, Lindsay, Kyle, Timothy, Michael J., Daniel, Eric and Molly; and one great-grandson, Zackery.
      He was preceded in death by his wife, Frances; two sons, Kevin and Paul, Jr.; and brothers, Roy, Francis and Lawrence.
      Paul's family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Ware-Smith-Woolever Funeral Home, 1200 West Wheeler Street, Midland and from 10 a.m. until the time of service Monday at St. John's Episcopal Church. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the church with The Rev. Bruce McNab and The Rev. Joan T. McNab officiating. Graveside burial will take place at 2 p.m. Monday in Riverside Cemetery in Mt. Pleasant.
      Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider the Salvation Army.
     
      Frances A. (Korb) Sladek
      Died December 29, 1999
      TRAVERSE CITY - Frances A. (Korb) Sladek, 96, of Traverse City, died Wednesday at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City.
      Born Oct. 1, 1903, in Leelanau County, she was the daughter of Joseph and Josephine (Schettek) Mikowski.
      Frances enjoyed gardening and loved to entertain and play card games. She was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and the Holy Family Society.
      She is survived by four children, Robert Korb of Traverse City, Gerald (Wanda) Korb of Traverse City, Sandra Lubrani of Mechanicsberg, Pa. and Delores "Dee" (Neal) Evans, also of Traverse City; a sister, Mary (John) Miller of Westland; ten grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
      She was preceded in death by her two husbands, Adolph Korb on March 2, 1944, and George Sladek in May, 1981; two brothers, John and Pete Mikowski; and two sisters, Veronica April and Catherine Bohn.
      Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. today at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City, where a Rosary Scripture Service will be held at 7 p.m. Burial will be in Oakwood Catholic Diocesan Cemetery.
      In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.
     
      Buck Straub
      Died December 24, 1999
      CHICAGO - Buck Straub, 49, of Chicago, died on Christmas eve.
      The son of Robert A. Straub and Beverly Bracken Straub of Traverse City, Mich. and Ann Arbor, Mich., Buck grew up in Ann Arbor and attended St. Francis of Assisi Elementary, Tappan Junior High and Pioneer High School. A University of Michigan graduate, Buck was a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity, Druids honor society and recipient of an athletic scholarship. He was a three year letterman on the hockey team. A talented musician, Buck's singing and guitar playing were a source of entertainment and comfort for family and friends. Buck was a sales manager for AT&T Cable Systems in Chicago.
      He is survived by his stepmother, Jane Straub and great-aunt, Marion Straub - both of Traverse City; sisters, Sarah J. Straub of Glenwood Springs, Colo. and Deborah S. Zimmerman of Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich.; and a brother, Michael B. Straub of Winnetka, Ill.
      He was preceded in death by his parents.
      A memorial service will be held at the St. Francis of Assisi Parish Church in Ann Arbor, Mich. on Friday afternoon, Jan. 7.
      Memorial contributions may be directed to University of Michigan Victor's Club, 1000 South State, Ann Arbor, MI 48109.
      Arrangements are being handled by Wm. H. Scott Funeral Home in Wilmette, Ill.
     
      Ralph 'Deke' Tompkins
      Died December 21, 1999
      TRAVERSE CITY - Ralph "Deke" Tompkins, 72, of Traverse City, died Tuesday, Dec. 21.
      Deke had been a winter resident of Briny Breezes, Fla., for 12 years. He was a veteran of World War II.
      Survivors include his wife, Marie; sons, David (Mitzi) of St. Joseph, Dean of Marquette, and Douglas (Patrice) of Traverse City; three brothers; three sisters; and four grandchildren.
      Memorial services were held Thursday in Briny Breezes. Arrangements were by Babione-Stephenson Funeral Home of Lantana, Fla.
     
      Eleanor Ruth Witucki
      Died December 30, 1999
      WHITE CLOUD - Eleanor Ruth Witucki, 77, of White Cloud, passed away Thursday at her home.
      Born June 2, 1922, in Grand Rapids, she was the daughter of Edward and Alma (Maas) Beekman. On Oct. 16, 1943, in Grand Rapids, she married Edward Witucki. Edward preceded her in death in 1988.
      Eleanor has been a resident of the White Cloud area since 1984 and had been a homemaker. She was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church in White Cloud and had been active in the Alter Society.
      She is survived by her daughter, Teryl "Terri" (Joseph) Javian of Traverse City; son, Lindsay "Lindy" (Cheryl) Witucki of Benzonia; three grandchildren, Tobin (Janice) Javian, Antoinette Javian and Kristine Witucki; a sister-in-law, Mary Jane Pizarski and family of Detroit; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
      Visitation will be from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Crandell Funeral Homes, Inc. in White Cloud, where a Rosary will be recited at 4 p.m. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Interment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery.
      Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Joseph Catholic Church Alter Society Flower Fund.
     
      Ronald 'Ron' Yahr, Sr.
      Died December 28, 1999
      APOPKA, Fla. - Ronald 'Ron' Yahr, Sr., 61, of Apopka, Fla., died Tuesday.
      Born in Traverse City, Mich., he moved to central Florida in 1994. He was a U.S. Navy veteran and employed as an engineer for Ford Motor Company. He was a member of Killarney Baptist Church.
      He is survived by his wife, Nancy, of Apopka; sons, Ron, Jr. of Apopka, Gary of Sterling Heights, Mich. and Scott of Glenn Allen, Ark.; brothers, Gerald of Kalamazoo, Mich. and Marion of Traverse City, Mich.; sisters, Lucille Dunham of Grawn, Mich. and Karen Yahr of Owosso, Mich.; and seven grandchildren.
      Arrangements are being handled by Dove Funeral Chapel and Crematory in Winter Park, Fla.