Obituary Listing

Nov 7, 2021

William "Bill" Joseph Merten, 65, of Hart, passed away unexpectedly Sunday, November 7, 2021, at home. He was born July 11, 1956, in Hart, the son of Joseph and Mary (Kokx) Merten.

Bill is survived by: his wife, Kimberlee; 2 daughters; 2 sons; 2 sisters; 4 brothers; and 11 very loved grandkids.

Bill was preceded...

Nov 7, 2021

Bruce Edward Hendrie, 60, of Mears, died Sunday, November 7, 2021, after a long struggle with cancer.  He was born November 29, 1960, in Detroit, the son of Robert and Bertha (Williams) Hendrie.

Bruce worked for many years as a drywaller and painter.  In his spare time he loved building with rocks.

Bruce is survived...

Nov 4, 2021

Cyrus North Patten, 87, of Ludington, died Thursday, November 4, 2021, at home.  He was born September 9, 1934, in Ludington, the son of George and Dolly Patten Sr.

Cyrus was an ironworker for Local #340 out of Battle Creek for over 45 years.  In his spare time, Cyrus loved putzing around his farm, tending to his...

Nov 4, 2021

Patricia "Pat" May Montgomery, passed away on November 4, 2021. She was born December 26, 1934, in Williamsburg.

She graduated from Elk Rapids School in 1953 and moved to Livonia where she married her first husband, Jim Blankenhagen, in 1956.  They raised 3 sons. Larry, Thomas, and, David (Sue) Blankenhagen. Pat worked for the Livonia Observer for...

Nov 4, 2021

Leslie O. Hill, age 72 of Alden, passed away Thursday, November 4, 2021, quietly at her home.

Leslie was born in Jackson, Michigan, on October 29, 1949, the daughter of Wallace and Doris

(Moss) Oldacre.  She attended and graduated from Jackson High School, and went on to attend

Denison University in Ohio.

Nov 4, 2021

Marie Gale, of Hart, passed away on her 95 th birthday, November 4, 2021. She was born in Chicago, Illinois, and grew up in Hart on the family farm.  She met Erwin and they married in 1947; they were married for 59 years, during which time they raised five children, and grew a two gas-pump store into a community...

Nov 3, 2021

Janet Elizabeth Dipple, 83, of Ludington, died Wednesday, November 3, 2021, at Oakview Medical Care Facility in Ludington.  She was born April 12, 1938, in Ludington, the daughter of Lawrence and Dawn (Bashaw) Jensen.

Janet worked at Old Kent Bank for many years, and more importantly, helped run their family farm.  Janet enjoyed traveling to go country...

Nov 2, 2021

Thomas (Tommy) Aquinas Hess, age 70, of Traverse City, Michigan, passed away peacefully at home on November 2, 2021, surrounded by loving friends and family.

Tommy was born in his family home on May 20, 1951, to Benjamin (B.G. or Bunny) Gustus Hess and Nannette (Merrill) Hess in Albany, Louisiana. He graduated from Hammond High School in...

Nov 1, 2021

Gary Elbert Schaub, 78, of Kingsley, died Monday, November 1, 2021, at home.  He was born April 1, 1943, in Traverse City, the son of Albert and Anna (Herman) Schaub.

Gary was a member of St. Mary of Hannah Catholic Church, in Kingsley, and the Knights of Columbus.  Gary worked hard to provide for his family, owning...

Oct 31, 2021

Clifton W. Helms, 88, of Whitehall, Michigan, passed away on Sunday, October 31, 2021.  He was born May 29, 1933, in Sand Lake, Michigan, the son of Clinton and Zona (Williams) Helms.

Clif married Janet Wheat on August 24, 1957, and has shared a loving marriage for 64 years.  He graduated from Michigan State University with BA,...

Oct 27, 2021

There are people who depart life quietly, leaving no trace they were ever here. Their imprint on those around them is small and unlasting, washed away quickly by time until there is no remnant of their existence remaining. Then there are those who, like a steady breeze on a hot summer day, make the heat of life a little...

Oct 26, 2021

Gerald "Jerry" Allan Emery, 89, of Pentwater, died Tuesday, October 26, 2021, at home surrounded by his loving family.  He was born October 15, 1932, in River Rouge, Michigan, the son of Fred and Marie (Haynack) Emery.

Jerry was a Veteran of the Korean War serving in the US Army, and a member of the Eldon L....

Oct 26, 2021

Shirley Ann Fleming, 85, of Ludington, passed away Tuesday, October 26, 2021, at Oakview Medical Care Facility in Ludington. She was born August 26, 1936, in Masontown, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Marion and Mary (Maple) Bise.

Shirley was the youngest child of seven brothers and one sister. She was employed as an accountant for Federals and then...

Oct 25, 2021

KINGSLEY - Saloma (Wilson) Hayes, 96, formerly of Fife Lake, passed away peacefully, Monday, October, 25th, 2021.

Saloma was born on her parent's farm near Yale, Michigan on December 23rd, 1924.  She attended school in a one room schoolhouse from 1st thru 8th grade.  She then went on to graduate from Yale High School in 1942. After...

Oct 25, 2021

Loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, William Joy passed away on October 25, 2021, at the age of 96. Bill was a kind, thoughtful, humble and educated man who cared deeply for his family and loved Leelanau county.

Bill was born in Highland Park, Michigan, and was the eldest child of Hilda Moran Joy and Charles Edson...

Oct 23, 2021

Diana F. Darrow, age 70, of Montague, passed away peacefully on October 23, 2021. She was born March 22, 1951, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and was the daughter of Howard F. and Florence B. (Thompson) Darrow.

During Diana's life, she worked both as a caregiver for the elderly, and also caretaker for many pet owners in the...

Oct 23, 2021

Ronald M. Runyan, 65, of Interlochen, passed away Saturday, October 23, 2021.

Ronald is survived by his wife, Brenda, and step-son Tim Trowbridge.

Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, Covell-Traverse City Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.

www.beaconfh.com

Oct 22, 2021

David "Dave" L. Benner, 83, passed away Friday, October 22, 2021. He was born in Miamisburg, Ohio, March 30, 1938, to Robert R. and Catherine (Weidle) Benner. Dave graduated from Whitehall High School and proudly served his country in the US Army. On September 5, 1964, he married Sharon Sorensen and they were happily married for 57 years. Dave was...

Oct 21, 2021

Florence Marie Moon, 93, of Interlochen, died Thursday, October 21, 2021.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 AM, Thursday, October 28, 2021, at Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, Covell-Kingsley Chapel.  Interment will follow in Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens in Traverse City.  Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM until time of services at the funeral home....

Oct 20, 2021

Mary Lou Szejbach, 76, of Elk Rapids, died suddenly Wednesday, October 20, 2021, at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City.  She was born June 1945, in Traverse City, the daughter of Edward and Loretta (Bobolz) Szejbach.

Mary was a lifelong resident of Elk Rapids.  She was a longtime member of Calvary Lutheran Church, in Elk Rapids, where...