October 26, 1999

Obituaries

EUGENE H. KOOISTRA, 76, of Traverse City, died Saturday, Oct. 23, 1999, at Bortz Health Care of Traverse City. A retired production worker, he was a former resident of Muskegon. Eugene was born Feb. 17, 1923, in Muskegon.
      Private graveside services will be held at Muskegon's Oakwood Cemetery at a later date. Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home of Traverse City is in charge of arrangements.
     
      DOROTHY M. PAUL, 73, of Manistee, died Monday morning, Oct. 25, 1999.
      Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Thursday at Johnson Funeral Home in Manistee.
     
      CLARA S. SWARTOUT, 78, of Beulah, died Monday, Oct. 25, 1999, at her home in Homestead Township. She was born Dec. 25, 1920, in Detroit.
      Visitation will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Bennett-Barz Funeral Home in Beulah; a Rosary service will be held at 8 p.m. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Frankfort. Interment will be in Homestead Township Cemetery. A full obituary will appear in the Wednesday Record-Eagle.
     
      Shelby Marie Hall Blonshine
      Died October 23, 1999
      TRAVERSE CITY - Shelby Marie Hall Blonshine, 2, of Traverse City, died Saturday.
      Born June 24, 1997, in Traverse City, she was the daughter of James Alen Hall and Christina Blonshine.
      Survivors include her parents; two brothers, Deven and Dylen Hall - at home; maternal grandparents, Denny and Renee Blonshine of Traverse City; paternal grandparents, Gary and Sandy Furtner of Livonia and Gilbert and Jeannie Hall of Mesick; great-grandparents, Don and Marge Champine of Lake Ann and Barb Gordon of California; aunts, Carrie Ann Hall, Amanda Hall, and Kristie Hall - all of Mesick; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
      Visitation will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the Traverse City Chapel of Covell Funeral Homes. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home; the Rev. Daniel Biteman will officiate. Burial will be in Inland Township Cemetery.
      Memorial contributions may be made to the Blonshine family's relief fund care of Empire Bank.
     
      Fida Myers
      Died October 24, 1999
      ADRIAN - Fida Myers, 102, passed away Sunday at the Lenawee Medical Care Facility in Adrian, where she had been a resident for the past nine-and-a-half years. Fida had celebrated her 100th birthday with a large gathering of friends and family at the facility in May 1997.
      Born May 19, 1897, in Old Mission, she was the daughter of William "Tink" Tompkins and Maude Elizabeth (Hurst) Tompkins.
      She was preceded in death by her parents; six brothers; five sisters; her first husband, Lee D. Harris; her second husband, Arthur L. Myers; and three sons, Willard John "Roddie," Morris, and Joe.
      She is survived by two sons, Jim of Toledo and Richard "Pood" of Seminole, Fla.; two daughters, Helen Borton of Cement City and Jeanne Exe of St. Pete Beach, Fla.; and a large number of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, stepgrandchildren, and stepgreat-grandchildren. She is also survived by a sister, Katherine Clarici of Mancelona.
      For many years Fida played the piano for the enjoyment of family and friends. She also played piano for dancing at many granges and many other places in Lenawee and surrounding counties.
      Fida was very active in the First M.E. Church of Hudson for many years. She taught Sunday School, had charge of many suppers and played in the Sunday School Orchestra.
      She was also active in the Hudson Garden Club where she won first prize year after year.
      Her father was a band director, so he was a great help to her in learning to play the piano. During the days of the silent movies she played piano to accompany the films. The past nine years, Fida played the piano at Lenawee Medical Care Facility.
      She will be greatly missed by many. For many years she cared for her family and was employed at the Hudson Post-Gazette for six years and also at Coleman Manor in Hudson.
      Fida graduated as valedictorian of her class at Elk Rapids High School and attended Alma College where she met her first husband, Lee Harris.
      For many years Fida was a member of the United Methodist Church in Hudson, and was a life member of the American Legion Auxiliary.
      Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Brown-VanHemert Funeral Home in Hudson. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
     
      Claude Richard Russell
      Died October 25, 1999
      KEWADIN - Claude Richard Russell, 94, a lifelong resident of Kewadin, died Sunday at Meadowbrook Medical Care Facility in Bellaire.
      Born Dec. 29, 1904, in Torch Lake Township, he was the son of Frank and Caroline (Hockins) Russell. On May 10, 1933, in Elk Rapids, he married Josephine Paradis.
      A cherry farmer, Claude was also employed by the Ludington car ferry for over 15 years. A Third Degree Mason, he was a member of Lodge No. 354 North Star Lodge of Torch Lake Village for 71 years and was also a past master of the lodge. Claude was also a third degree Mason. He served as the Torch Lake Township Clerk for over 15 years.
      Survivors include his wife, Josephine of Kewadin; two daughters, Marylin (Charles) Thomas of Kewadin and Beverly (Gene) Gorecki of Sterling Heights; two sons, Richard Dean (Joanne) Russell and Billie James Russell - both of Kewadin; 11 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.
      Claude was preceded in death by his parents; two sons, Joseph and Thomas; a sister, Caroline Hubbell; and three brothers, Harry, Willard, and Lewis Russell.
      Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. today at the Elk Rapids Chapel of Covell Funeral Homes.
      Funeral services under the auspices of Masonic Lodge No. 354 will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. The Rev. Fredrick Myers and Harry Harter will officiate.
      Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery in Elk Rapids.
      Memorials may be directed to Meadowbrook Medical Care Facility.
     
      Emma Catherine Schichtel
      Died October 24, 1999
      TRAVERSE CITY - Emma Catherine Schichtel, 75 of Traverse City went to be with her Lord on Sunday at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City, surrounded by her loving family.
      She was born Dec. 18, 1923, in Traverse City to Stephen and Gertrude (O'Brien) Flees. On Nov. 12, 1949, at St. Mary's Lake Leelanau, she married Raymond Schichtel.
      A lifetime resident of northern Michigan, Emma greatly enjoyed gardening, cooking, shopping, watching birds and playing lotto. Her greatest pride and joy were her grandchildren with whom she loved to spend time and tell stories.
      Emma is survived by two brothers, Leonard of Huntington Beach, Calif., and Warren (Loretta) of Milford; three daughters, Joyce (Doranda) Crouch of Interlochen, Janet (William) Musser of Kingsley, and Jane (Marc) Fleis of Buckley; and two sons, John (Cindy) Schichtel of Buckley and Jeff Schichtel of Traverse City. She is also survived by 14 grandchildren, Amber, Matthew, and Amanda Crouch; Lisa, Angelee, Benjamin, and Jessica Musser; Marc Jr., Dennis, Michael and Yvonne Fleis; and John, Jamie, and Heather Schichtel. Also surviving is one great-grandchild, Denver Cade, and a special sister-in-law, Eileen Flees.
      Emma was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Raymond, brother, Stephen, sister, Jane, son, James, and grandson, Patrick Crouch.
      Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. today at the Traverse City Chapel of Covell Funeral Homes; a Rosary will also be recited at 7 p.m.
      Friends may also call from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday before the funeral Mass is celebrated at 11 a.m. at St. Francis Catholic Church in Traverse City.
      Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery in Hannah.
      In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Father Fred Foundation, the American Heart Association, or to Mass intentions.
     
      Elizabeth Mary 'Betty' Wakulat
      Died October 25, 1999
      TRAVERSE CITY - Elizabeth Mary "Betty" Wakulat, 87 of Traverse City, died Monday at her home, surrounded by her loving family.
      She was born on Aug. 23, 1912, in Plamondon, Alberta, Canada. In April 1917 her family moved to Traverse City, remaining until 1929. They then moved to Lake Leelanau where she graduated from St. Mary's Catholic School, Lake Leelanau in 1930. She graduated from Northport, Leelanau County Normal in 1931. Betty attended the University of Michigan and then Central Michigan University where she received her teaching certificate. A teacher for Leelanau County rural schools for three years, she taught at Cherry Knoll for two years and at Traverse City St. Francis Elementary School for 11 years. Betty also worked for the Federal Emergency Relief Administration teaching music and organizing and conducting small orchestras as part of a recreational program. In 1967 she accepted a position as medical social worker at Munson Hospital, becoming its social services director until her retirement in 1974.
      She and her husband developed their former Old Mission Peninsula orchard into what is now known as the Panaview subdivision. She enjoyed traveling, bridge and her women's clubs. Betty was deeply involved in her Catholic faith, and prayed the Liturgy of the Hours, in accordance with her status as a member of the Carmelites. She was a member of St. Francis Catholic Church since 1937, she was also a member of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites, a charter member of the Archie Jr. Women's Club, a life member of the Daisy Chain No. 2 - being named member of the year in 1964, and a member of the Our Lady Discussion Club.
      On Oct. 9, 1934, she married Richard H. Wakulat at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Lake Leelanau; he died July 5, 1991.
      Betty is survived by a daughter, Mary Beth Wakulat of Gaylord; a son, Richard H. (Patsy) Wakulat M.D. of Charlevoix; grandchildren, Paul J. (Kelli) Wakulat, Carrie A. Wakulat, Elizabeth A. Wakulat; four great-grandchildren; her sisters, Albertine Sawyer and Dorothy (Morris) Kolarik; a brother, Joseph (Lorraine) Lamie; and numerous nieces and nephews.
      She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; an infant son; her sisters, Barbara Jean Lyon and Mary Jane Gromek; and her brothers, Paul W. Lamie, Donald E. Lamie, and Richard Lamie.
      Visitation will be held 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at St. Francis Catholic Church and a Rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m.
      A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday at the church; Father James Gardiner will serve as celebrant.
      Burial will be in Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens.
      Memorial contributions may be made to the Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools, Carmelite Monastery, or Munson Hospice.
      Arrangements are being handled by the Traverse City Chapel of Covell Funeral Homes.