James P. Patterson 4/12/2002
Funeral services were held Tuesday at Faith Reformed Church for Leelanau County resident James P. “Jim” Patterson, who died April 12. He was 44.
Mr. Patterson, known to his associates as Lord Veillance, was born in Traverse City on May 29, 1957, the son of Arlie O. “Pete” and Nancy L. (Craig) Patterson. On Nov. 12, 1983, in Virginia Beach, Va., he married the former J. Sheryl Thomas, who survives.
Mr. Patterson served 18 years in the Navy as a hull technician and nuclear inspector. He served in the Persian Gulf War, and after retirement served in the Navy Reserves.
Most recently he was employed as a surveillance operator for Leelanau Sands Casino. He attended Bay Pointe Community Church, and enjoyed golfing, fishing, carpentry, watching movies and reading. He was a Boy Scout leader from 1995-99.
Also surviving are his children, Kira N. Patterson and Cody J. Patterson, both at home; his parents, of Traverse City; sisters Kathleen “Kathy” Patterson of Texas and Susan (Scott) McCarthy of Colorado; his mother- and father-in-law, Don and Pat Thomas of Traverse City; and his sisters-in-law, Myra, Kathy and Michelle.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Kim.
Memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society, or Munson Hospice.
Kirk Bouckaert 4/10/2002
A celebration of his life will be held April 27 at Leland Public School for Kirk Bouckaert, who died April 10 at his Lake Leelanau home. He was 44.
Mr. Bouckaert was born in Ann Arbor on Jan. 13, 1958, the son of Janet and Victor Bouckaert. On Jan. 27, 1981, he married Merri Lynn Glass of Leland, who survives.
Mr. Bouckaert received a bachelor’s degree in geological engineering from Michigan Technological University. He was employed for six years by Amoco Oil Company in Houston, and then for Graphic Chart and Map Company, Inc., of Hastings on the Hudson, N.Y., and Suttons Bay.
Mr. Bouckaert served on the administrative board, was chairperson of pastor parish relations and was a Sunday school teacher at Leland Community United Methodist Church. He was past president of the Leelanau Children’s Center Board, and actively supported projects and programs of Leland Public School. He was the inspiration behind the state championship season for the Leland volleyball team, on which his daughter played.
Mr. Bouckaert was a woodworker with a passion for boat building; enjoyed camping, bicycling and traveling to national parks; and loved living in Leelanau County surrounded by lakes.
Also surviving are his daughters, Ashley and Emily; his parents, of Northville; his grandmother, Josephine DeBard of Muskegon; his brother, Craig (Barbara) Bouckaert of Waterford; and his sisters Anne (Kevin) Breck of Ferndale and Amy (Michael) Bouckaert.
Memorials may be made to Leland Community United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 602, Leland 49654; Leland Education Foundation, c/o Leland Public School, Box 498, Leland; Leelanau Children’s Center, Box 317, Leland; or Leelanau Conservancy Village Garden, Box 1007, Leland.
Emma K. Solem 3/31/2002
Funeral services were held yesterday for Traverse City resident Emma K. Solem, who died March 31 at Munson Medical Center. She was 93.
Mrs. Solem was born on July 4, 1908, in Gills Pier, the daughter of Lawrence and Mary (Korson) Kolarik. She married Albion Solem, who died 1962.
Mrs. Solem moved in 1949 from Suttons Bay to Traverse City, where she lived until her death. She retired in 1974 after 17 years from Munson Medical Center. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, reading and gardening.
Surviving are three daughters, Marilyn Riggs of Traverse City, Carolene (Ray) Herman of Williamsburg and Ethel (William) Buchan of Virginia Beach, Va.; two sons, Lee (Genyth) Solem of Northville and James (Georgia) Solem of Williamston; a brother, Lawrence Kolarik of Suttons Bay; 16 grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by a son, Maurice Solem in 1991; a brother, Martin Kolarik; a sister, Anna Houdek; and three grandchildren.
Interment was in Oakwood Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, or a charity of one’s choice.
Eda Christine Olsen 3/21/2002
Funeral services were held at First Lutheran Church of Suttons Bay for Midland resident Eda Christine Olsen, who died March 21 at Tendercare of Clare. She was 91.
Mrs. Olsen was born on Sept. 14, 1910, in Northport, the daughter of Frederick and Ellen (Einas) Anderson. On Nov. 9, 1940, in New York, she married Carl Olsen, who preceded her in death on Aug. 13, 1961.
Mrs. Olsen was the owner of Eda’s Beauty Salon, which operated for 21 years in Suttons Bay. She was a member of First Lutheran Church, where she was active in choir and served as choir director.
Surviving are two children, Norman C. Olsen of Lansing and Ruth Ellen Olsen of Midland; two grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by her brothers and sisters, Clarence Anderson, Mary Swenson, Ole Anderson, Emma Eriksen, Anna Anderson, Paul Anderson, Fredrick Anderson and Paul Anderson II.
Burial was in the Lutheran Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to First Lutheran Church in Suttons Bay.
D. Ross Smith 3/31/2002
A private family service will be held for Leland and Grand Rapids resident D. Ross Smith, who died March 31. He was 76.
Mr. Smith was born on May 14, 1925, in Toronto, Ont., and came to the United States in 1946 as an undergraduate to play hockey for the University of Michigan. It was there that he met his wife of 51 years, Marjorie Clare Hewson, who survives.
Also surviving are six children, Kyle (Win) Hewson Smith Irwin and Clay (Leslie Black) Hewson Smith, both of Grand Rapids, Merrill (Oakleigh) Hewson Thorne of Lake Forest, Ill., Peter (Cathy) A.H. Smith of Yardley, Penn., Ross (Meghan McMahon) Hewson Smith of Madison, Conn. and Murray (Kit Boss) Hewson Smith of Santa Monica, Calif.; a brother, George Smith of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.; a sister, Jean Hoult of Toronto, Ont.; and 15 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, David (Donna) A.H. Smith.
Family and friends will gather on May 12 at Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids to celebrate his life. Memorials may be made to the Leelanau Conservancy, P.O. Box 1007, Leland 49654.
John W. Simpson 3/30/2002
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Leland Community United Methodist Church for Leland resident John W. Simpson, who died March 30. He was 84.
Mr. Simpson was born on Nov. 1, 1917, in Somerset, Ky., the son of James and Alma (Hudson) Simpson. In Indianapolis on June 30, 1950, he married the former Mildred Bone, who survives.
After growing up on the family farm with brothers Everett and Verl, Mr. Simpson graduated from the University of Minnesota and Indiana University. Mr. Simpson served in the Air Force during World War II. He returned to establish a successful career in real estate and land development in Indianapolis. He was founder and first president of the Indianapolis Apartment Association. The Simpson family moved to northern Michigan in the 1970’s, where he expanded the family cherry farms and the Manitou Market. In 1980, he built Good Harbor Vineyards winery, and worked tirelessly to further fruit growing in the area.
Mr. Simpson helped establish Leland Public Library and the Leelanau Children’s Center, and was a member of Leland Community United Methodist Church. His interest in genealogy led to overseas trips and publication of his book, “Simpson, A Family of the American Frontier.”
Also surviving are sons Bruce (Debbie) Simpson and Chris (Cindy) Simpson; and five grandchildren.
Memorials may be directed to the John W. Simpson scholarship fund at the Leelanau Children’s Center in Leland.
Elsie Pearl Clarke 3/24/2002
Funeral services will be held Saturday at 1 p.m. at Martinson Funeral Home for Elsie Pearl Clarke, who died March 24 at her Bingham Township home. She was 88.
Mrs. Clarke was born on May 31, 1913, in Pekin, Ind., the daughter of John and Flora Temperance (Mead) Souder. On Oct. 11, 1930, in Bowling Green, Ohio, she married Earle N. Clarke, who preceded her in death on Jan. 21, 2000.
Mrs. Clarke possessed a strong faith in God and loved her husband, family and friends.
Surviving are four sons, Gerald (Esther McKerrow) Clarke of Lake Leelanau, and Wayne (Marion Davison) Clarke of Traverse City, Randal (Carol Crowley) Clarke and Dan (Nancy Groesser) Clarke, all of Traverse City; three daughters, Leah (George) White Field and Gladah (Larry) Keeney, both of Traverse City, and Judith (Ivan) Kevelin of Redford; 21 children; and 34 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by three brothers, Ralph, Harold and Arthur Souder; and two sisters, Mabel Souder Ellison and Mary Miller.
Friends may call Friday from 3-9 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens. Memorials may be directed to Grand Traverse Area Hospice.
Donovan McMachen 1/23/2002
A graveside service will be held this summer at Omena Cemetery for Donovan Egeler McMachen, who died Jan. 23 at his Las Vegas home. He was 92.
Mr. McMachen was born on Nov. 17, 1909, in Northport, the son of A.W. “Deb” and Ida (Egeler) McMachen. On Aug. 22, 1936, at Omena Presbyterian Church, he married Carrie Adelle Craker, who survives. They were the first white couple married in the church.
Mr. McMachen was a construction superintendent locally for Comstock and Koenig Construction, and in the West for DelWeb Co. before retiring at 78. He will be sorely missed and fondly remembered as the pillar of his family.
Also surviving are his children, Beverly (John) Kirka of Los Osos, Calif., Phyllis (Leonard) Olson of Las Vegas, Carol (Rodney) Groesser of Bingham Township, Sharon (Charles) Kalchik of Northport, Larry McMachen of Las Vegas, Barbara (Emmett) Lowry of Honor, Calif., Darrell (Dessie) McMachen of Las Vegas, John McMachen of Palm Desert, Calif., Kenneth McMachen of Las Vegas and Jillene (Walter) Cranfils of Morongo Valley, Calif.; a brother, Henry (Phyllis) McMachen of Paw Paw; 24 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by four brothers and one sister.
Cremation has taken place. Memorials may be directed to Omena Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 45, Omena 49674.
Sidney Blum 1/23/2002
Maple City summer resident Dr. Sidney Blum died Jan. 23 in Dallas. He was 79.
Dr. Blum was a teacher, principal and science specialist prior to appointment as supervisor for science education for the Prince Georges County (Maryland) school system. He retired in 1983. A gentle man, his life was marked by a devotion to science, and he loved music.
Surviving are his wife of 54 years, Esther Blum; children Dr. Joanne Blum (Dechow) of Dallas and Maple City, Dr. Eric Blum of Akron, Ohio, and Dr. Andrew Blum of Newton, Mass.; and seven grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Freda Blum.
Donations may be made to the Sammons Cancer Center Research Fund, c/o BHCS Foundation, 3600 Gaston Ave. Suite 100, Dallas, Texas, 75246; or the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, 810 7th Ave., New York, NY, 10019.
