Obituary Listing

Oct 22, 2025

Roberta A. "Birdie" (Johnson) Button, 91, of Ludington and Greenville, died Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at Oakview Medical Care Facility in Ludington.  She was born July 11, 1934, in Ann Arbor, the daughter of Henry and Clara (Hansen) Verboam.

Birdie enjoyed bowling, pool league and crafts.  She also enjoyed gardening as long as there weren't any snakes...

Oct 21, 2025

Helen Cecelia Parker: 12/1/48 – 10/21/2025 Helen Cecelia Parker, 76, of Traverse City, passed away peacefully at Munson Medical Center on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, after a long battle against Multiple Sclerosis. Her loving husband of 47 years, Alan Robert Parker, was at her side, holding her hand, comforting her during her final moments.

Helen was born...

Oct 20, 2025

Ryan Jack Willacker, 40, of Montague, passed away Monday, October 20, 2025. He was born April 11, 1985, in Shelby, the son of Jack Willacker and Renee (Schlee) Willacker.

On October 4, 2008, Ryan married Nickole (Howard), and they spent 20 years together, 17 of them married. Together, they were blessed with two beautiful children, Jenna and...

Oct 19, 2025

Gordon Leroy Steele, 86, of Fife Lake, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 19, 2025 surrounded by his loving family.

Gordon was born on October 22, 1938, in Fife Lake, Michigan, to Kenneth and Agatha Steele. He proudly served his country in the United States Navy from January 1957 to May 1977, achieving the rank of...

Oct 18, 2025

Ronald King Farmer, 85, of Whitehall, passed away Saturday, October 18, 2025. He was born January 12, 1940, the son of Benjamin and Donna (Erickson) Farmer.

He graduated from North Muskegon High School where he was a standout athlete in basketball and baseball, in the late 1950's.  After high school, he received an associate degree from Muskegon...

Oct 17, 2025

Beverly Jane Curtis, of Ludington, MI, passed away at the age of 92 on Friday, October 17, 2025, at home surrounded by her loving family. She was born on August 6, 1933, in Walkerville, MI, to Clifford and Clara (Fairchild) Clark.

Beverly loved many things in life, including traveling to warmer weather in the winter, polka dancing,...

Oct 17, 2025

Gerald Leonard "Buzz" Schmitz, Jr., 73, of Hart, passed away Friday, October 17, 2025, due to a motor vehicle accident. He was born October 8, 1952, in Monroe, Michigan, the son of Gerald Sr. and Jean (Dodson) Schmitz.

In 1995, Gerald married Helen (Mannor) Schmitz, and over the last 30 years have been blessed with 11 children,...

Oct 17, 2025

Mark Sidney Benfele, age 66, was peacefully welcomed into heaven by his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on October 17, 2025, from his Kingsley, Michigan home in the presence of his friends, John and Amanda Bowen, after a valorous battle with pancreatic cancer. Mark was born October 27, 1958, at U of M Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan to...

Oct 17, 2025

Bruce Rene Kendorski, 82, of Whitehall, passed away Friday, October 17, 2025. He was born November 17, 1942, in Detroit, the son of Victor and Gertrude (Sadowski) Kendorski.

For almost 63 years, Bruce was lucky enough to be married to the love of his life, Averna (Evo) Kendorski. Together, they were blessed with two daughters who spoiled...

Oct 16, 2025

Terry Kidder, 75, of Pentwater, passed away Thursday, October 16, 2025. He was born in Battle Creek, Michigan, on Tuesday July 25, 1950, to end up being the oldest of 4 kids born to Jack and Harriette Kidder.

From a young age, Terry was an outdoorsman and a football player; two passions that would hold the entirety...

Oct 16, 2025

David Alan Streeting, 70, of Muskegon, passed away Thursday, October 16, 2025, he was born June 24, 1955, in Muskegon, the son of Robert and Jeannette (Scurlock) Streeting.

On January 21, 1977, David married Jean (Peterson) Streeting. The two spent 42 loving years together and were blessed with three children. Jean precedes him in death.

...

Oct 16, 2025

Tanya Rae Jeffries, 79, of Muskegon, passed away Thursday, October 16, 2025. She was born July 31, 1946, the daughter of Royal and Arlene (Camps) Peterson.

Tanya graduated from Montague High School in 1964. After high school, she received a Bachelor's Degree from Grand valley State University in Criminal Justice. She retired as a social worker for...

Oct 15, 2025

Harry Swiatek, 85, of Whitehall, passed away Wednesday, October 15, 2025 peacefully, in the loving arms of his wife. He was born February 27, 1940, in Tomaszow Mazowiecki, Poland, the son of Jacob and Irma.

Harry graduated high school in Poland and started college there as well. After most of his family immigrated to the United States,...

Oct 14, 2025

George Daniel Kruse, 68, of Cedar, died Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at home with his family by his side.  He was born February 5, 1957, in Saginaw, the beloved son of George and Carol Kruse.

On August 21, 1976, in Saginaw, George married Tammy Hegenauer who survives him.  He is also survived by: his children, Danielle (Jon)...

Oct 14, 2025

The Apple Man, Bob Rider, passed on to a Higher Orchard on October 14, 2025, with all of the love and devotion he inspired in his large and extended family, after a short residency at White Lake Assisted Living in Whitehall, Michigan. It would be hard to find anyone who would be more admired for his devotion to his...

Oct 14, 2025

Joseph Gerald Hahn, age 65, passed away at his home in Whitehall, on October 14, 2025, from complications of asthma. He was born in Muskegon, the son of Fred Hahn and Dorothy (Jones) Hahn, and was the fourth of six siblings.

Joe graduated from Orchard View High School and later moved to Rothbury to be closer to...

Oct 13, 2025

Patricia Rose Mosher, 86, of Traverse City, died Monday, October 13, 2025.  She was born August 2, 1939 in Lake Leelanau, the daughter of Louis and Esther (Ossie) Denoyer.

Patricia grew up in Lake Leelanau and graduated from Lake Leelanau St. Mary Schools.  She was a waitress at the Bluebird Restaurant and was voted runner-up of Ms....

Oct 11, 2025

William "Bill" Andrew Kline, 74, of Elk Rapids, died Friday, Saturday, October 11, 2025.

In keeping with Bill's wishes, no services will be held.

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

www.beaconfh.com

Oct 9, 2025

Marcia Lee Knutson, 64, of Fountain, died Thursday, October 9, 2025, at home. She was born October 23, 1960, in Flint, the daughter of Fordyce and Marjorie (Wirt) Christensen.

Throughout her life, Marcia worked in various customer service roles, where she was known for her friendly nature and for always putting a smile on people's faces. She...

Oct 9, 2025

Curt Charles Johnson, 67, of Rapid City, passed away on October 9, 2025, following his courageous ten-month battle with acute myeloid leukemia.

Curt was born on January 24, 1958, in Detroit, to Robert Johnson and Dorothy (Snyder) Johnson. He moved to Elk Rapids at the age of 12, later graduating from Elk Rapids High School in 1977....