November 14, 1999

Obituaries

THELMA J. CLARK, 77, of Kalkaska and formerly of Fife Lake, died Friday, Nov. 12, 1999, at Kalkaska Memorial Health Center. She was born May 4, 1922.
      Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Wolfe Funeral Home in Kalkaska. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
     
      JOHN E. GOTHRUP, 92, of Mancelona, died Saturday at Meadow Brook Medical Care Facility in Bellaire.
      The family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday and from 10 a.m. until the time of service Tuesday at the Penzien Funeral Homes, Inc. in Mancelona. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
     
      DEAN ALLAN MESKO, 33, of Seattle, Wash., died Thursday, Nov. 11, 1999, after a short illness.
      Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 20, at Church of the Living God. A full obituary will appear in Monday's edition of the Record-Eagle. Arrangements are being handled through American Memorial Bellevue, Bellevue, Wash.
     
      Evelyn M. Thornbury
      Died November 12, 1999
      SIX LAKES - Evelyn M. Thornbury, 81, of Six Lakes, passed away Friday at her home.
      Born April 12, 1918, in Morley, she was the daughter of Richard and Lenora (Strope) Mero.
      She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Jerry and Carol Thornbury of Traverse City; three grandchildren, Erik, Ryan and Heather; and two sisters, Bernice Rasmussen of Greenville and Guyrah Switzer of Lakeview.
      She was preceded in death by her husband, Wayne, who passed away Nov. 22, 1998.
      The family will greet friends and relatives from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 8:30 p.m. today at Youngman-McCullough Chapel in Lakeview. Funeral services for Evelyn will be held at 3 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Interment will take place at Hillcrest Cemetery in Six Lakes.
      Those who wish may make contributions in Evelyn's memory to the American Cancer Society.
     
      Elizabeth Miller Beals
      Died November 11, 1999
      ALDEN - Elizabeth Miller Beals, 72, of Alden, died Thursday at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City.
      Born March 31, 1927, in Detroit, she was the daughter of Charles R. and Bess L. Miller.
      Liz's top priority was her family, dedicating her life to her children and grandchildren. She grew up in Huntington Woods, spending summers studying harp at the National Music Camp in Interlochen. She attended Michigan State University, earning a business degree in 1948. She remained an active member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority and was designated a Golden Arrow Pi Phi by her peers. She raised her children to appreciate nature and camping, and she continued to enjoy gardening and bird watching after moving from Lathrup Village to Alden in 1981. She enjoyed working in Alden shops, and was an avid bridge player and dedicated fan of MSU sports. She loved hosting family gatherings and holiday celebrations in her home. She enjoyed travel, sewing, cooking, reading, and following fashion trends and the stock market. She found pleasure in social activities and will be remembered for her dignified manner and engaging conversation.
      She is survived by her four children, Betsie (Larry) Kortokrax of Traverse City, Bill (Marti) Beals of Alden, Bruce (Amy) Beals of East Lansing and Kathy (Bill) Morgan of Traverse City; and her three grandchildren, A.J., Cody and Laura.
      She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Roger C. Miller, of Grand Rapids.
      A memorial will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Grand Traverse on Center Road in Traverse City at 4 p.m. Monday.
      Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to Grass River Natural Area, Bellaire, MI.
      Arrangements were handled by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home of Traverse City.
     
      C. Wesley Wolf
      Died November 12, 1999
      MIDLAND - C. Wesley Wolf, 82, of Midland, died Friday at Gratiot Community Hospital in Alma.
      Born Oct. 13, 1917, in Kalkaska County, he was the son of Jacob and Jessie Hager Wolf. He married Esther Patterson in Wesleyville, Penn. on Sept. 6, 1946. She preceded him in death on July 15, 1996.
      Wesley spent his early years in South Boardman, and following his graduation from college taught in Lapeer. Prior to his retirement, he taught mathematics in the Midland public schools for over 30 years. He received his bachelors degree from Central Michigan University and earned his masters degree from the University of Michigan. He was an early advocate for teachers and helped found a teacher's credit union. A life member of the National Mathematics Teachers Association, he also belonged to the National and Michigan Education Associations. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and enjoyed school sports and his family.
      He is survived by a son, Patrick (Peggy) Wolf of East Lansing; half brother, Clarence Hudson of Lakeland, Fla.; two grandchildren, Thomas and Theresa Wolf - both of East Lansing; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
      He was also preceded in death by a daughter, Jean; two infants; and six sisters.
      Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Wolfe Funeral Home in Kalkaska. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home with Rev. Paul Karges officiating. Burial will be in Boardman Township Cemetery in Kalkaska County. A gathering of family and friends of C. Wesley Wolf will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 21, at the family home, 1116 Carpenter St., Midland.
      Memorial contributions may be directed to American Legion Berryhill Post 165 for the benefit of the youth baseball program at 5111 Hedgewood, Midland, MI 48640.