June 7, 2005

Obituaries

      JEAN M. JEPSEN, 84, of Manistee, died Sunday, June 5, 2005, at West Shore Medical Center in Manistee.
      Visitation will take place this evening, June 7, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Herbert Funeral Home in Manistee, with an evening vigil service at 8:30 p.m.
      Mass from the Order of Christian Funeral swill be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 8, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Manistee. Burial will follow in Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Manistee.

      DENNIS J. RIDER, of Benzonia and California, died peacefully in his sleep at his Benzonia home surrounded by his family and friends on June 5, 2005.
      A celebration of Dennis' life will be Wednesday, June 8, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Benzonia Chapel of McElduff Funeral Homes.
      A service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 9, at Blaine Christian Church, with Brett Spalding officiating.
      A complete obituary will appear in the Wednesday edition of the Traverse City Record-Eagle.

      IVAN E. SANBORN, 100, of Traverse City, died Sunday, June 5,2005, at his home.
      Visitation will be Thursday, June 9, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.
      Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, June 10, at the former Emmanuel United Methodist Church, located at 9th and Wadsworth streets in Traverse City.
      A complete obituary will appear in Thursday edition of the Traverse City Record-Eagle.

      JOHN WADDELL of Traverse City died Sunday, June 5, 2005, at Munson Hospice House.
      No services are planned at this time.
      Arrangements are pending at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.

      GLADYS C. WHITTAKER, 95, of Suttons Bay, died Monday, June 6, 2005, at Munson Medical Center.
      Visitation will take place Wednesday, June 8, from 5 to 8 p.m., with a rosary at 7 p.m. and a vigil at 7:30 p.m., at the Martinson Funeral Home in Suttons Bay.
      A Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 9, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Suttons Bay.

      Graveside services for RODNEY WINDISH, 52, of Williamsburg, who died Feb. 10, 2005, will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, June 10, at the Acme Township Cemetery.
      Arrangements are being handled by the Mancelona Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes.
     
William T. Allen
Died June 4, 2005
      KALKASKA - William T. Allen, 61, of Kalkaska, passed away on June 4, 2005, surrounded by his loving family at his home after a courageous battle with cancer.
      Born on Aug. 5, 1943, in Lansing, he was the son of Thomas and Irene (Lownsbery) Allen.
      Bill married Nancy A. Kretowicz on April 29, 1972, in Grand Rapids. They were residents of Kalkaska since 1978, moving from East Jordan.
      Bill graduated from Marion High School. He had many occupations, mostly in the trucking field. His career ranged from long distance trucking to logging, to driving and dispatching crude and gas trucks, to finally owning his own trucking business, W. T. Allen Trucking for the last 20 years.
      He enjoyed playing poker, hunting, golfing, auto racing, bowling and most of all, spending time at his cabin.
      Surviving Bill is his wife of 33 years, Nancy; his children, Dan (Shelly) Allen of Cadillac, Sandy (Ken) Wiltzer of Marion, Ken (Gwen) Allen of Kalkaska, Sue (Roger) Monhead of Kalkaska, Brian (Cassie) Allen of Big Rapids and Matt Allen of Kalkaska; 14 grandchildren; and his sisters, Linda (Hyle) Segar of Muskegon, Joan Thacker and Cindy Hicks of Virginia and Judy Turner of Texas.
      There will be visitation this evening, June 7, from 6 until 9 p.m. at Wolfe Funeral Home in Kalkaska.
      The memorial service honoring Bill's life will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 8, at the funeral home.
      Arrangements were made by Wolfe Funeral Home.
     
Robert Orr Bovard
Died June 4, 2005
      FRANKFORT - Robert Orr Bovard, longtime resident of Keene, Va., and Frankfort, where he was a 92-year resident of Benzie County, died June 4, 2005, at his home in Frankfort.
      Bob Bovard was born May 2, 1913, in Zanesville, Ohio. He was the youngest of five children of Orr Buffington Bovard and Kate Agnes Pinkerton. He was the grandson of John W. Pinkerton, founder of the Pinkerton Tobacco Co. and the creator of Red Man Chewing Tobacco.
      Bob graduated from the Lawrenceville School in 1931, and Yale University in 1935.
      In May 1942, Bob joined the United States Navy and graduated as a Lieutenant J.G. from Quonset Point Training Center, R.I. Bob served throughout World War II, first at the Advanced Air Training Center in Lake City, Fla., and thereafter in the Pacific Theater. He was appointed a member of Admiral Chester Nimitz's staff, serving first as the Aviation Rocket Officer for the Pacific, and then staff officer of Fleet Air Wing #2, and finally staff officer of Fairway West, where he ended his tour with the rank of Lieutenant Commander. He left active service in April, 1946 for the Naval Reserves.
      In 1947, Bob married the late Patricia Miller Bovard and remained her faithful and devoted husband until her death in 1973.
      Following the war, Bob returned to the management of the family businesses: the Bovard Orchards, comprising over 1,000 acres of cherry orchards in and around Benzie County, and the Chester Groves Company, a large citrus business in Cocoa Beach and Rockledge, Fla.
      In 1950, the orchard businesses were sold and Bob began the development of Michabou Shores subdivision near Frankfort. He had maintained a summer residence there, on the shores of Lake Michigan, ever since.
      In 1999, upon his retirement from the active management of Michabou Shores, his fellow residents named Michabou's lakeside park Bovard Park in his honor.
      From 1950 until the week of his death, Bob was an avid investor and student of business and the stock market. Investing was both his lifelong occupation and his principal entertainment. As a result, he was a naturally successful investor and a generous and helpful tutor to others.
      In 1950, Bob moved his winter residence to southern Albemarle County, where he first owned and managed "Broomfield Farm" near Keene, Va. In 1957, he moved to "Woodville" near Esmont, Va.
      In 1974, Bob married Lelia Graham Hobson Randolph, the widow of the late Allen K. Randolph of "Greenmont Farm," Keene, Va. In 1987 the couple built "Montrose" near Keene. They remained happily married until Lelia Graham Bovard's death in 2000.
      Bob was a member of the Crystal Downs Country Club of Frankfort, and was a past member of the Tri-County Riding Club and the Southside Albemarle Association. He was a longtime member of the finance committee of Christ Church Glendower at Keene, and a member of the Board and Finance Committee of the Scottsville Museum.
      He is survived by nieces and nephews, including Elizabeth M. Barnett, Stewart P. McConnel Jr., Harriette M. Soule, William Orr McConnel, John Sherwood McConnel, James Orr Bovard, Robin B. Huck, Susan Miller, Rachel Brown, Queta Carter Bond, Adelaide Carter Ruffner and numerous grandnieces and grandnephews. He is also survived by three stepchildren, Bruce Randolph Murray of Keene, Graham Allen Randolph of Baltimore, Lelia Carroll Randolph Barr of Powhatan, Va.; and 10 step-grandchildren and 18 step-great-grandchildren.
      Another stepchild, Elizabeth Randolph Lewis of Powhatan, preceded him in death.
      A graveside service will be held at 3 p.m. June 13 at Christ Church Glendower in Keene, Va.
      The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be sent to either Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital, 224 Park Ave., Frankfort, MI 49635; Martha Jefferson Hospital, 459 Locust Ave., Charlottesville, VA 22902; Christ Church Glendower, 900 Glendower Road, Scottsville, VA 24590; or to the charity of one's choice.
      The Frankfort Chapel of McElduff Funeral Homes & Cremation Service is handling arrangements.
     
Gregory Maurice Bright
Died June 4, 2005
      TRAVERSE CITY - Gregory Maurice Bright, 48, passed away Saturday, June 4, 2005, in the arms of his beloved wife, Carol, from a heart attack.
      Born February 15, 1957, in Traverse City, he was the beloved son of Fred M. and Cleo (Selkirk) Bright.
      Greg graduated from Traverse City High School in 1975. He was a varsity Trojan athlete in football and track, establishing several state records in the latter.
      Greg is survived by his parents; his wife, Carol; sons, Jason R. Bright, Gregory (Tiffany) Bright; daughters, Maxine A. Bright and Kim (Jay) Sipple. He is also survived by his sister, Vickie Gibson; niece, Alyssa and nephew, William Gibson.
      Also surviving Greg are his most cherished and adored grandchildren, Cameron, Caleb and Coby Sipple, and Kelci and Madelyn Bright.
      Greg was an avid sportsman. Hunting and fishing were his passions. He was a life member of the North American hunting club, and he was awarded Master Angler recognition by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources on several occasions.
      Greg and Carol own Mabel's Restaurant, which they founded in 1990. Since 1995, Mabel's has been voted best family dining restaurant for 10 consecutive years. Greg and Carol were happily married partners in business, parenting, family and life for 26 years.
      Greg will be missed for his gregarious spirit, generosity to family and friends, and his competitive leadership in Mabel's softball league.
      Visitation will take place today, June 7, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home.
      Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 8, at the First Church of the Nazarene, 1023 S. Division St. Burial will be in East Kasson Cemetery.
      Memorial donations may be directed to the Grand Traverse Area Sports Fishing Association, P.O. Box 6113, Traverse City, MI, 49696-6113.
     
William Webb 'Pete' Elifritz
Died June 4, 2005
      LAKE LEELANAU - William Webb "Pete" Elifritz, 78, of Lake Leelanau, died Saturday, June 4, 2005.
      He was born March 12, 1927, in Troy, Ohio, to Carleton Webb Elifritz and Christine H. (Hales) Elifritz. Pete served in the Merchant Marines during World War II. On Sept. 5, 1947, he married Nancy Sauer in Troy, Ohio.
      Pete and Nancy moved to Traverse City in 1967, where Pete was an agent for the Hobart Corp. They made their permanent home in Lake Leelanau in 1972.
      After retirement, Pete enjoyed the art of woodworking and crafting, fashioning Shaker and Windsor chairs and other furniture. He truly loved golf and played at the Leland Country Club as often as he could.
      He is survived by his wife, Nancy Elifritz of Lake Leelanau; and three daughters, Elizabeth Jane (Karmen Twocrow) of Northport, Marcia Elifritz of Annapolis, Md., and Anne Elifritz of Cedar. He was "Da" to his seven grandchildren, Matt Peplinski, Heather Peplinski, Kyle Marek, Rachael Jones, Sarah Jones, Peter and Cameron Carlson; and one great-grandson, Quentin Jones. He is also survived by four sisters in Ohio.
      Private family services will be held.
      Memorial contributions may be directed to the Father Fred Foundation or the Leelanau Conservancy.
      Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home in Suttons Bay.

Kenneth Walter Esch
Died June 5, 2005
      HONOR - Kenneth Walter Esch, 75, of Honor, died Sunday, June 5, 2005, at his residence. He was born April 6, 1930, in Traverse City, the son of Ellsworth and Ellen (Hartson) Esch.
      Kenneth retired in 1992, from Pet Milk in Frankfort, where he had been employed for 35 years.
      Kenneth had coached little league baseball and had been a 4-H leader. He enjoyed playing basketball when he was younger and was a member of the Platte Grange.
      Kenneth also enjoyed working on the family farm, making maple syrup and commercial fishing.
      Kenneth is survived by his wife, Velma Jean Esch; 10 children, Bob (Elizabeth) Esch of Honor, Julie (Richard) Connell of West Bloomfield, Cindy Ullom of Honor, Mike (Gina) Esch of Traverse City, Kathy (Mike) Bopry of Traverse City, Cindy (John) Oakley of Frankfort, Pam (David) Dumas of Manistee, Jeff (Barb) Martindale of Honor, Shannon (Merle) McAlpine of Curtis, Melissa (Sue Rafferty) Oakley of Honor; a sister, Joyce (Jack) Einodshofer of Empire; his step-mother, Helen Esch of Sun City, Fla.; numerous grandchildren; great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews; and his former spouse, Agnes Cross.
      Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Debbie Esch during infancy; and one nephew, Doug Einodshofer.
      Funeral services will be conducted at 4 p.m. Wednesday, June 8, at the Bennett-Barz Funeral Home in Beulah, with Rev. Thomas Maher officiating. Visitation will be held from 2 p.m. until time of services.
      Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or to Munson Hospice.
      The Bennett-Barz Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

The Rev. Dr. Heath T. Goodwin
Died May 31, 2005
      CHELSEA - The Rev. Dr. Heath T. Goodwin, 88, of Chelsea, died Tuesday, May 31, 2005, at the Chelsea Retirement Community. He was born March 11, 1917, in Carson County, the son of Harold and Gertrude (Allsopp) Goodwin.
      Dr. Goodwin moved to Chelsea in 1994 from Adrian. He formerly resided in Holland. He married Alice Munro in Holland on June 29, 1942.
      He was a member of the West Michigan Conference of the United Methodist Church. He served churches in South Chicago, Pentwater, St. Louis, Mich., Ionia, Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, Holland and Adrian. He was District Superintendent of the Grand Traverse District, Director of Christian Education in both Detroit and West Michigan conferences, was part-time chaplain at the Ionia State Mental Hospital, and was assistant to the president and chaplain at Adrian College. Rev. Goodwin was awarded the Honorary Doctorate from Adrian College for his work in Christian Education.
      Heath was a member of the General and Jurisdictional Conference when the racially segregated segment of the United Methodist Church structure was eliminated. He served on the Executive Committee of this conference from 1968-72, as well as for the Grand Rapids Child Guidance Clinic and the Battle Creek Children and Family Services.
      He is survived by his wife, Alice Goodwin; four sons, Lawrence (Sharon) of Vero Beach, Fla., William (Suzanne) of Lakewood, Colo., Paul (Barbara) of McLean, Va., and Donald (Joyce) of Novi; eight grandchildren, Heath, Gretchen, Matthew, James, Andrew, Evan, John and Bonnie; five great-grandchildren; and a cousin, Malcolm (Rita) Goodwin of Farmington Hills.
      He was preceded in death by a brother, Robert.
      A memorial service was held Friday, June 3, at the Chelsea Retirement Community Chapel, with Rev. Beth Foster officiating. Burial took place in Pilgrim Home Cemetery in Holland on June 4.
      Memorial contributions may be made to the Chelsea Retirement Community Chapel Fund.
      Arrangements have been made by the Cole Funeral Home in Chelsea.
     
Virginia A. Mawby
Died June 5, 2005
      SUTTONS BAY - Virginia A. Mawby, 82, of Suttons Bay, died Sunday, June 5, 2005, at Boardman Lake Glens. She was born April 9, 1923, in Evart, to Hugh and Flora (Huff) McLachlan.
      After graduating from the University of Grand Rapids, she went to work for Travelers Insurance Co. and, later, for the law firm of Butterfield, Keeney and Amberg.
      Her marriage to Edwin W. Mawby on Feb. 7, 1948, began their lifetime of work together in the fruit industry, which continued after moving from Rockford to Suttons Bay in 1963. Mrs. Mawby was also an active member of the Presbyterian Church of Traverse City and the P.E.O. Sisterhood.
      She is survived by her children, Lawrence E. (Lois Bahle) Mawby, Ronald W. (Cathy Clement) Mawby and Joan V. (Dave) Dunklow; grandchildren, Jason Dunklow, Kevin Dunklow, Alan Dunklow, Benjamin Mawby and Elliot Mawby; and her sister, Audrey Carlson.
      She was preceded in death by her husband, Edwin W. Mawby; and sister, Mildred and Ada.
      Visitation is planned for this evening, June 7, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Martinson Funeral Home in Suttons Bay. Private burial will then take place in Maple Grove Cemetery.
      Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 8, at the Presbyterian Church of Traverse City, with Rev. Homer Nye officiating.
      Memorials may be directed to the Presbyterian Church of Traverse City or to Munson Hospice.
      Arrangements are being handled by Martinson Funeral Home in Suttons Bay.

Janet June Pihl
Died June 5, 2005
      LAVERGNE, Tenn. - Janet June Pihl, 58, of LaVergne, Tenn., formerly of Lake Ann, died Sunday, June 5, 2005, at her residence. She was born Aug. 4, 1946, in Muskegon, the daughter of Herbert and June (Gray) Oakley.
      Janet was a wonderful, loving mother who enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.
      Janet is survived by four children, Corinna Luther of Charlotte, N.C., Abby (Sean) Harkins of LaVergne, Tenn., Wendy Hill of Charlotte, N.C., and Gordon (Gingie) Pihl of Rockingham, N.C.; six grandchildren, Casey, Kameron, Keslynn, Shelby, Carly and Gordon; two brothers, Arden (Helen) Oakley of Traverse City and Rance (Patricia) Oakley of Lake Ann; and several nieces and nephews.
      Janet was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Thomas Eugene Oakley.
      Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 8, at the Terwilliger Funeral Home in Kaleva, with Rev. Kenneth H. Lein officiating. Interment will be in the Maple Grove Township Cemetery. Visitation will be held Wednesday from noon until time of services at the funeral home.
      The Terwilliger Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.