Mrs. Gail L. Bluhm, age 75 of Pentwater, passed away Thursday morning, Feb. 5th. She was born May 5, 1939 in Berwyn, Pennsylvania to Edward J. and Margaret (Peg) Lockwood. Growing up in Eastern Pennsylvania, and Erie Pa., she attended the University of Michigan Nursing School and graduated from Cleary College, Michigan. While at the U. of M. she met and married William L. Bluhm. Living in California and Southfield, Mi., where Bill was a teacher and administrator, Gail was involved in church, local clubs, and especially her bowling team of neighborhood friends. She and her family moved to Pentwater in 1970 where she lived for the rest of her life. Gail was active in the community all her life, working and retiring as secretary for the Centenary United Methodist Church in Pentwater and volunteering in many organizations, including the local Chamber of Commerce, church groups, and was one of the local women that started the Junior Women's Club in Pentwater. The annual Art Fair and the numerous scholarships are still successful projects of the club she helped start. Active in the local Pentwater Yacht Club, Gail and her husband have been members for 44 years. Gail served on the PYC Administrative Board as Club secretary and Membership chairman for eight years plus worked with her husband as Board members and Flag Officers from 1977 to 2000. Along with other friends, she enjoyed a local dinner club, and participation in charity events and card/game groups. Sewing and cross stitch were also hobbies, and examples can be found on the walls of her home. Gail became involved in Genealogy tracing ancestors for both the Lockwood and Bluhm family ancestors to the early 1700's. Many family trips found her in municipal records offices or cemeteries. Throughout her married life, she and husband Bill roamed the U.S.A. as R.V. campers and tourists, using summer vacations and holidays visiting state and federal parks as they traveled in all 50 states. After retirement, RV'ing became the alternate life style to the summer in Pentwater. During these travels, they started visiting and touring the many lighthouses in Michigan and Florida. The result of these "side trips" to climb lighthouses and take photos is two curio cabinets of miniature light houses. Also active in sailing, she was first mate on her and Bill's sloop "Condor". After sailing out of Pentwater for 27 years, they celebrated their retirement with a year long sailing trip through the Great Lakes, Erie Canal, and down the East Coast, culminating in six months in the Bahamas as they cruised the islands of that tropical country. Gail once said that she proved herself as an "able seaman" during one of the best years of her life. However, she always looked forward the arrival home to Pentwater, her favorite place to live.
Her family includes her husband Bill, her sons David (Kristine) and Stephen (Jennifer), her brothers Edward (Beatrice) Lockwood, Jack (Beatrice) Lockwood, grandchildren Derek, Alexander, Courtney, Patrick, Jacob and Brandon, sister in law Arlene (Ralph) Nicholls, and brother in law Richard Schulz. Gail was preceded in death by her parents Edward J. and Margaret (Peg) Lockwood, and her sister Ann (Nancy) Schulz, and sister in law Carol Ann Bluhm.
A Memorial Service for Gail will be held on Monday, February 9, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at the Centenary United Methodist Church, 82 South Hancock Street, Pentwater, Michigan 49449 with Pastor Melanie Young officiating. There are no scheduled visitations, interment will take place at the Pentwater Township Cemetery.
For our friends and family who are away or in distant places, a Celebration of Life will be held in late spring/early summer for all to attend.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Pentwater Historical Society, 85 South Rutledge Street, Pentwater, Michigan 49449.
To send flowers or a sympathy card, please use the Expressions of Sympathy link to the left.