Obituary Listing

Nov 24, 2021

Raymond Edward Purvis, 93, of Traverse City, died Wednesday, November 24, 2021, at home.  He was born June 17, 1928, in Traverse City, the son of Edward and Alice (Eckert) Purvis.

Ray was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.  He worked at Ideal Dairy, Maxbauer's, Traverse City Iron Works, Purvis Brothers (Jackson Steel), TCAPS, and, Christ...

Nov 24, 2021

June Marie Strahan Carney, 95, of Ludington, passed away in her home, surrounded by family, on November 24, 2021, after a long, beautiful life. She will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend. June was born in Alpena, Michigan on June 12, 1926.  She was the daughter of Peter and Elizabeth (Gross) Schneider.  June spent her...

Nov 22, 2021

LaVerne Ray Meachum, 92, of Traverse City, passed away to be with his Lord on Monday, November 22, 2021, at the Grand Traverse Pavilions in Traverse City. LaVerne was born August 27, 1929, in Thompsonville, the son of Ray Meachum and Velma (Southwick) Meachum.

He was married to the late Violet Hogarth Meachum of Thompsonville, Michigan, who...

Nov 22, 2021

Wilbur (Bill) Anthony Mitchell, 74, of Kingsley, died in an automobile accident on Monday, November 22, 2021.  He was born October 17, 1947, to Ralph and Bernadine (Forward) Mitchell.  He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother and sister-in-law, George and Nancy Mitchell. Bill lived his entire life on the Mitchell Centennial Farm and was a life-long...

Nov 21, 2021

James "Jim" Franklin Powell, 79, of Copemish, died Sunday, November 21, 2021.  He was born December 29, 1941, in Pontiac, the son of Joseph and Bertha (Coleman) Powell.

Jim was a proud lifetime member of the Operating Engineers Local #324, where he helped to build many of Michigan's bridges, high rises, and towers.  He would often boast...

Nov 20, 2021

James Lee Beggs, 62, of Hart passed away on Saturday, November 20, 2021, in Grand Rapids, following a short illness.  Jim was born on July 9, 1959, to the late Loren Beggs and Carol (Beggs) Ruster in Shelby, Michigan.  He was well-known, loved and respected by all.  Jim graduated from Hart High School and also obtained extensive automotive and...

Nov 20, 2021

Kenneth "Ken" Kolndorfer, 69, of Kingsley, died Saturday, November 20, 2021, at Munson Hospice House in Traverse City.  He was born in Traverse City on June 19, 1952, the son of Gordon and Charrie (Carlisle) Kolndorfer.

Ken worked as a mason for over 50 years.  He took pride in his work and always had a colorful story...

Nov 19, 2021

George James Novotny, 98, of Pentwater, passed away Friday, November 19, 2021, at his home. He was born July 21, 1923, in Chicago, Illinois, the son of the late Frank Sr. and Agnes (Chobat) Novotny.

George proudly served his country in the US Navy, and was a veteran of WWII. He had also worked as a supervisor...

Nov 19, 2021

Bonnie Jean Kelsey, 96, or Traverse City, passed away November 19, 2021, surrounded by her loving family.

Bonnie was a loving wife, devoted mother of six, and adored grandmother and great-grandmother.  She loved spending time with her family, and church family as well.  As a retired librarian, she loved to read books, walk the beach looking for...

Nov 19, 2021

Ernest Joseph Montroy Jr, 93, of Kewadin, passed away Friday, November 19, 2021. Ernest loved fishing and hunting; and everyone knew him for his big garden, which he would share the proceeds of with family and friends.  In his later years, he loved his wild birds that he fed daily and also the deer that would visit. Ernie was always...

Nov 19, 2021

Scott Alan Pritchard, 57, of Interlochen, died Friday, November 19, 2021, at home.  He was born July 21, 1964, in Bay City, the son of Walter Pritchard and Patricia Klinger Pritchard.

Scott was a gifted carpenter.  There was nothing he couldn't build or fix.  He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed boating and a sports enthusiast who...

Nov 18, 2021

Richard "Dick" Lee Sondag, of Kingsley, MI, passed away peacefully on November 18, 2021, with his family by his side. Richard was born          May 27, 1943, in Waterloo, Iowa, the son of Lawrence and Marguerite Sondag.  He was one of four children born to Lawrence and Marguerite, and enjoyed a great childhood with Jerry, Joyce, and Marilyn. Dick joined the...

Nov 17, 2021

Elizabeth Jean Kiefer, 101, of Pentwater, passed away Wednesday, November 17, 2021. She was born July 19, 1920, in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of James and Elizabeth (Otto) Candlin.

While in Chicago, Elizabeth attended the Chicago Conservatory of Music. She was also an artist who enjoyed painting, drawing, and writing. Elizabeth was a community oriented woman, being...

Nov 16, 2021

Chief Paul Smith, 60, of Pentwater, passed away Tuesday, November 16, 2021, at his home. He was born January 2, 1961, in Flint, the son of Charles and Edrid Diane (Peterson) Smith.

He began firefighting on Pentwater Fire Department in the fall of 2002 and worked his way up the ranks over the years. In 2006, he...

Nov 13, 2021

Jack Michael Nelson, 73, of Traverse City, died Saturday, November 13, 2021, at home.  He was born January 11, 1948, in Pontiac, the son of Julius and Lillian (Woodworth) Nelson.

Jack was a proud Vietnam veteran, serving in the US Army.  He attained the rank of Specialist and was awarded two Purple Hearts.  Following his honorable discharge,...

Nov 12, 2021

Kenny R. "McKenzie" Mills, of Muskegon, was born March 12, 2002, and unexpectedly passed away on Friday, November 12, 2021, at the age of 19.

Kenny was a 2020 Whitehall High School graduate, and was attending Muskegon Community College. Kenny was about to...

Nov 12, 2021

Margaret L. (Smith) Zywicki, 88, of Traverse City, died peacefully in her sleep on Friday, November 12, 2021, at Effie's Place in Leland, Michigan. She was born November 2, 1933, in Cedar, Michigan, the daughter of Bert and Doris (April) Smith.

Margaret enjoyed making crafts with her husband, Tony, to give away to family and friends.  She...

Nov 11, 2021

Shirley Mary Novotny, 96, of Pentwater, passed away Thursday, November 11, 2021, at her home. She was born July 25, 1925, in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of the late Matthew and Lillian (Hagedorn) Heinz.

Shirley enjoyed golfing with friends, enjoying meals at the Oceana County Commission on Aging, and was a faithful member at St. Vincent Catholic...

Nov 10, 2021

Lisa R. Johnson, age 93, of Mears, passed away early Wednesday morning , November 10, 2021. Lisa was born as Ruth Anna Lisa Öjst to Erik Öjst and Göta (Domeiji) in Alnö, Sweden, on March 23, 1928. On August 7, 1954, she married Edwin M. Johnson in Alnö, Sweden Lisa was an exceptional lady. She married an American farmer/teacher who...

Nov 8, 2021

Robert James Marriott, 52, of Ludington, died unexpectedly Monday, November 8, 2021, at home.  He was born October 17, 1969, in Trenton, Michigan.

Robert graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a Bachelor's Degree in English.  He worked for several years at Sherwin Williams in Ludington, and was currently employed at UPS in Ludington.  In his spare time,...