July 26, 2005

Obituaries

      CAROL J. SHAFFNER, 72, of Eastport, died Sunday, July 24, 2005, at her home.
      Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 1, at the Central Lake Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes.

      LILY 'MAE' (WARE) SMITH, 85, of Bear Lake, died early Monday morning, July 25, 2005, at her home.
      The family will receive friends at the Edwards Oak Grove Funeral Home in Bear Lake on Wednesday, July 27, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m.
      Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, July 28, at the Bear Lake United Methodist Church, with visitation from noon until time of service. Burial will be in the Bear Lake Township Cemetery.
      The Edwards Oak Grove Funeral Home of Bear Lake is serving the family.

      RONALD J. WALTERS, 43, of Traverse City, died unexpectedly Sunday, July 24, 2005, at his residence.
      Visitation will take place Wednesday, July 27, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m., with a rosary at 7:30 p.m., at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.
      Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 28, at St. Francis Catholic Church in Traverse City, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Fr. Ken Stachnik will celebrate.
      A complete obituary will appear in the Wednesday edition of the Traverse City Record-Eagle.

      BERNARD B. 'BERNIE' WHIPPLE, 67, died July 16, 2005, at his Kalkaska home.
      A private graveside service has taken place at Evergreen cemetery.
      Memorials may be directed to the Kalkaska VFW Post 8684, 408 Hyde St., Kalkaska MI 49646.
      Wolfe Funeral Home of Kalkaska is handling arrangements.
     
Ralph J. Borucki
Died July 24, 2005
      TRAVERSE CITY - Ralph J. Borucki, 62, of Chesaning and Hart, passed away July 24, 2005, in Traverse City.
      He was born April 14, 1943, in Ludington, to Ralph and Phyllis Borucki. He married Mary Ann Juska at St. Gregory Catholic Church on May 13, 1967.
      A Vietnam veteran serving in the U.S. Army, Ralph retired after 30 years of employment with the Genesee County Road Commission. He summered in Montague at the Pines Campground. Ralph attended church at St. John Catholic Church in Claybanks and St. Gregory Catholic Church in Hart. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus.
      Ralph is survived by his wife, Mary Ann; his father, Ralph Borucki of Traverse City; a son, Ralph (Lisa) Borucki of Chesaning; daughters, Kriss (Mark) Barrs of Hart and Carrie Borucki of New Lothrop; grandchildren, Lauren, Lindsey, Seth, Walker and Alexis; sisters, Judy Ridley of Cadillac, Joy (Ken) Mackey of Traverse City, Sue (Jerry) Wright of Empire and Toni (Kirk) Nostrant of Interlochen.
      He was preceded in death by his mother, Phyllis Borucki.
      Visitation will take place Wednesday evening, July 27, from 7 to 9 p.m., continuing Thursday, July 28, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. at Tate Funeral Chapel in Hart.
      Funeral services for Ralph will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, July 29, at St. Gregory Catholic Church in Hart.
      Arrangements are being handled by Tate Funeral Chapel of Hart, (231) 873-3415.

Richard H. Mitchell
Died July 24, 2005
      NORTHPORT - Richard H. Mitchell, 53, of Northport, died Sunday, July 24, 2005, at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City.
      He was born in Huntington, Ind., on Nov. 23, 1951, the son of Bernard and Harriet (Nelson) Mitchell.
      Richard was a devoted father to Brian (Kelly) and Holly Mitchell. He was infamous for his love of Cherry Home Orchards, located in Leelanau County. Richard had the unique opportunity of having this passion as his occupation. He had a love for the outdoors, boating, hunting, scuba diving, and sharing such hobbies with his children. He had a great interest in the west; Arizona prevailed as his favorite destination.
      Richard was a man respected by many for his large heart. He will certainly be missed by a number of family members and friends who loved him.
      He is survived by his parents; his son, Brian (Kelly) Mitchell; a daughter. Holly; his loving, longtime companion, Susan Roseberry; a sister, Carol (Michael) Betz; his loving nieces and nephews, Paige (Steven) Kelly, Stephanie (Scott) Miller, Christian (Lori) Betz, Justin (Caroline) Mitchell, Emily (Andrew) Tyra, and Elke Betz; and many grand-nieces and -nephews.
      Richard was preceded in death by his brother, Donald.
      Visitation will be held Wednesday, July 27, from 2 to 8 p.m. at the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.
      In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Cherryland Humane Society.

Geneva Priester
Died July 24, 2005
      TRAVERSE CITY - Geneva Priester, 89, a longtime resident of Traverse City, died Sunday morning, July 24, 2005, at Munson Medical Center.
      Born May 21, 1916, in Arcadia, she was the daughter of the late Alva and Emma (Nelson) Blanchard.
      A retired factory worker, Geneva was associated with Burwood Manufacturing, retiring in 1980 after 15 years of service. She was an active member of the Traverse City Senior Center, the First Christian Church and was a former member of Oak Park Congregational Church. She enjoyed gardening and baking, and received great pleasure in sharing her goods with others.
      For over 20 years, Geneva cared for her son, Jim, at home and was recognized by the Traverse City Masonic Lodge for the wonderful and loving care she extended to him.
      She is survived by her brother, Ward Blanchard of Comstock Park; brother-in-law, Orville G. Ramey of Interlochen; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
      Geneva was preceded in death by her first husband, Leonard Bender; second husband, Edmund Priester; infant daughter, Sharon; son, James L. Bender, who died on June 4, 2003; and two sisters, Pansy "Pat" Hopkins and Bertha C. Ramey.
      Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 27, at the First Christian Church, with Rev. Ron Sinclair officiating.
      Friends may call at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home today, Tuesday, July 26, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m.
      Graveside services will be held Wednesday at 3 p.m. at the Conway Cemetery, near Arcadia.
      In remembrance, memorials may be directed to First Christian Church or to the American Heart Association.