November 28, 1999

Obituaries

DALE V. CROPSEY, 79, of Beverly Hills, Calif., died Wednesday, Nov. 24, 1999, in Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
      Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Connelly Funeral Home in Cassopolis. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Volinia Baptist Church in Volinia Township in Cass County. Interment will follow in Crane Cemetery, also in Volinia Township.
     
      Services for MARIBEL V. CROUCH, who died Wednesday, Nov. 24, 1999, will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Asbury United Methodist Church. Friends may call the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City from 2 to 5 p.m. today.
     
      GERALD A. 'DUKE' HILL, 52, of Rapid City, died Friday, Nov. 26, 1999, at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City. He was born June 27, 1947.
      Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. today with a wake service at 7 p.m. at the Wolfe Funeral Home in Kalkaska. A funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at St. Mary of the Woods Catholic Church in Kalkaska.
     
      RUBY SANDBERG, 86, formerly of Benzonia Township, died Sunday, Nov. 21, 1999, at The Havenwood Care Center in Bermidji, Minn.
      Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the Benzonia Township Cemetery. Arrangements were handled by Bennett-Barz Funeral Home of Beulah.
     
      Annie L. (Beaubien) Burgess
      Died November 24, 1999
      GRAWN - Annie L. (Beaubien) Burgess, 69, of Grawn, died Wednesday, at her home.
      Born Oct. 5, 1930, in Detroit, she was the daughter of Paul and Alta (Harp) Dingley.
      Over the years, Annie had owned several businesses and had also provided in-home health care. She also was a published poet.
      Survivors include her daughter, Patricia (William) Helmintaler of Arizona, their children and Annie's grandchildren, Thomas Ashenbrenner, Jennifer West, Kerri Carr, Jason Zambon and Ann Helmintaler; and their children and Annie's great-grandchildren, Thomas Ashenbrenner III and Sara Helmintaler - all of Arizona; her son, Franklin (Janet) Beaubien, Jr. and their children and Annie's grandchildren, Franklin (Tara) Beaubien III, Randall Scott Beaubien and Angela Beaubien; and her son, Michael (Melissa) Beaubien and their children and Annie's grandchildren, Stephanie, Nicholas, Jennifer and Rebecca Beaubien and a former daughter-in-law, Tammy (Greg) Reicha and their daughter, Annie's granddaughter, Kirsten - all of the Traverse City area.
      Annie was preceded in death by her parents; husbands Frank Beaubien, Sr. and Boone Burgess; and by a granddaughter, Tiffany Beaubien.
      At her request no services will be held. Burial will take place in Inland Township Cemetery.
      Memorials may be directed to the Annie Burgess family.
      Arrangements were made by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City.
     
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      Alex J. Fisher Jr.
      Died November 24, 1999
      MIAMI, Fla. - Alex J. Fisher, Jr., beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend, passed away suddenly Wednesday in Miami at the age of 70.
      Born Dec. 27, 1928, to Alex and Catherine (Miller) Fisher on the family farm near Caseville, Mich., he was the 11th of 14 children. On Jan. 30, 1954, he joined Shirley Kucharczyk-Cook in marriage.
      Alex was a 1947 graduate of Elkton High School. He joined the U.S. Army in 1952 and served a tour in Germany. In 1956 Alex became a Michigan state police trooper, retiring a detective sergeant in 1975. It was at that time he moved his family to Traverse City, Mich. Whether dancing at the Polish Festival or touring the U.S. in their motor home with friends or attending his grandchildren's athletic events, he enjoyed life to the fullest. He also loved his yard and rock garden and enjoyed golfing. Alex had an extensive toy tractor collection and he and Shirley just finished up a six week tour of Nova Scotia.
      He is survived by his wife, Shirley, son, Edward Fisher and family, Nancy, Shannon and Mitchell; daughter, Terry Punturo and family, Bryan and Kimberly Gotts and Nicholas Gotts; daughter, Sherry Overholt and family, Scott, Alexis and Ashlee; and daughter, Kelly Greilick and family, Craig, Kayla and Carly - all of Traverse City; five brothers, Ray and Maxine Fisher, Tom and Tilly Fisher, Ben and Alice Fisher, Bob and Delores Fisher and Clarence "Trigger" Fisher; three sisters, Dorothy Heleski, Virginia and Gene Coats and Bernice and Mac McRae - all of the Mihigan "Thumb" area.
      He was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers and sisters; and a granddaughter.
      Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. with a rosary being recited at 7:30 p.m. today at St. Patrick Catholic Church. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday at the church with Rev. Gerald Micketti serving as celebrant. Burial will be in Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens.
      Memorials may be directed to the charity that Alex believed in and which helped his family: My Friends Care Bone Marrow Transplant Fund, 148 S. Main St., Suite 101, Mt. Clemens, MI 48043.
      Arrangements are being handled by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City.
     
      Elizabeth M. 'Bette' Olman
      Died November 27, 1999
      TRAVERSE CITY - Elizabeth M. "Bette" Olman, 77, of Traverse City, died Saturday at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City.
      Born May 21, 1922, in Traverse City, she was the daughter of Archie and Gladys (Dewar) Bellows. On Nov. 10, 1951, in Traverse City, she married Jack J. Olman, Sr.
      Bette enjoyed playing Bunko with her friends, riding bikes, playing volleyball and her dog, Sparky. She also enjoyed collecting knick knacks and pictures. Bette was a former member of TOPS.
      She is survived by her husband, Jack; children, Richard (Jeanne) Olman, Sandy Olman, Sue (Dave) Olman, Jackie (Mark) Smith, Terri (John) Mann, Pam (Russ) Crysler and Jack (Chris) Olman - all of Traverse City; 13 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; great-grandchild expected to arrive any time; and many nieces and nephews.
      She was preceded in death by her parents; and brothers and sisters.
      A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Monday at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City. Following cremation, burial will be in Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens.
      Memorial contributions may be directed to American Diabetes Association.
     
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      Bertha H. Olson
      Died November 26, 1999
      MAPLE CITY - Bertha H. Olson, 81, of Maple City, died Friday at Birchwood Nursing Center in Traverse City.
      Born Oct. 18, 1918, in Maple City, she was the daughter of Frank and Helen (Nemeskal) Bartunek. On Sept. 11, 1954, at St. Rita's Catholic Church in Maple City, she married Howard Olson.
      A homemaker, Bertha was a lifelong resident of Maple City. She enjoyed embroidery and crocheting.
      She is survived by an aunt, Anna McConnell of Alberta; several cousins; and a first cousin, Leon Kelderhouse of Traverse City.
      She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Howard, in 1980; and a brother, Alfred Bartunek.
      Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at St. Rita's Catholic Church, where a rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the church with Rev. Chad Zielinski serving as celebrant. Burial will follow in Cleveland Township Cemetery.
      Memorial contributions may be directed to Cleveland Township Cemetery upkeep or Mass intentions.
      Arrangements were handled by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City.
     
      Wilma J. 'Willie' Olson
      Died November 25, 1999
      TRAVERSE CITY - Wilma J. "Willie" Olson, 68, of Traverse City, died Thursday at her home.
      Born Feb. 27, 1931, in West Union, Ohio, she was the daughter of Samuel and Tilli Myrtle (Cordrey) Piatt. On May 12, 1957, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Dayton, Ohio, she married James Olson.
      A homemaker, Willie was a devoted wife and mother. She was a resident of Traverse City for the past 40 years, moving here after her marriage. After raising her family, she did clerical work, retiring in 1992. She was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church.
      She is survived by her children, Richard L. Olson of Traverse City, Joseph H. (Eileen) Olson of Traverse City, Theresa M. Olson of Traverse City, Janet S. (Brian) Link of Waldorf, Md., Christopher J. Olson of Cedar and Debra J. (Jeff) McNail of Salt Lake City, Utah; nine grandchildren; three brothers, Evart (Juanita) Piatt of Hillsboro, Ohio, James (Eleanora 'Jolly') Piatt of Xenia, Ohio and Samuel (Violet) Piatt of Sabina, Ohio; and one sister, Mildred Jones of Darby, Ohio.
      She was preceded in death by her parents; and an infant son, Dale Edward Olson.
      Visitation will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday with a Rosary recited at 7 p.m. at Traverse City Chapel of Covell Funeral Homes. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at noon Tuesday at Christ the King Catholic Church in Acme with Rev. Edwin Thome serving as celebrant, where visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will be in Oakwood Catholic Diocesan Cemetery.
      Memorial contributions may be directed to Christ the King Catholic Church.
     
      Lelia Irene Wright
      Died November 26, 1999
      BEULAH - Lelia Irene Wright, 86, of Beulah, died Friday at The Maples in Frankfort.
      Born June 9, 1913, in Beulah, she was the daughter of Alvin and Charlotte (Butcher) Hewitt. A homemaker, Lelia loved spending time with her family and enjoyed socializing with people.
      She is survived by her son, Vern L. (Volli) Wright of Muskegon; two grandchildren, Sven (Jody) Wright of Benzonia and Regina (Patrick) Judd of Ann Arbor; twin great-granddaughters, Andrea and Ericka Judd of Ann Arbor; one brother, Williard (Betty) Hewitt of Muskegon; two sisters, Audro Burr of Muskegon and Lucille (John) Robson of Beulah; and numerous nieces and nephews.
      Lelia was preceded in death by her husband, David Elmer Wright; three brothers, Versal Hewitt, Sr., Leslie Hewitt and Alvin Hewitt; and one sister, Daisey Burr.
      Visitation will be from noon until the 2 p.m. funeral service on Monday at the Bennett-Barz Funeral Home in Beulah; Rev. Versal Hewitt will officiate. Interment will be in the Homestead Township Cemetery.