Esther Nelson
2/16/2002
Gills Pier native Esther Nelson died Feb. 16 in Pampano, Fla.-her 98th birthday.
Mrs. Nelson was born on Feb. 16, 1904, in Gills Pier, the daughter of Jenny and Knute Nelson.
She was preceded in death by a sister, Ruth. Survivors include two nephews, Gerald Nelson of Florida and John Nelson of Traverse City.
Arthur J. Ferdinand
2/21/2002
A memorial service will be held at a later date in Detroit for Arthur J. Ferdinand, who died Feb. 21 at his Elmwood Township home. He was 84.
Mr. Ferdinand attended Cass Tech High School in Detroit, and later was co-founder and president of A & B Hydraulics in Roseville. He was a Navy veteran of World War II.
He was a member of Immanual Lutheran Church in Suttons Bay and Historic Trinity Lutheran Church in Detroit.
Survivors include his sons, John (Frances) Ferdinand of Traverse City and Andrew (Lita) Ferdinand of Suttons Bay; one brother, Slyvesti "Nick" (Millie) Ferdinand of Southfield; and five grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia H. Ferdinand on May 19, 2001.
Memorials may be directed to Immanuel Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 206, Suttons Bay 49682; or Traverse Bay Regional Dialysis Center, 4062 W. Royal Dr., Traverse City 49664.
Elmer Thomas Knight
3/3/2002
Funeral services were held yesterday at Martinson Funeral Home for former Northport and Elmwood Township resident Elmer Thomas "E.T." Knight, who died March 3 at Grand Traverse Pavilions. He was 90.
Mr. Knight was born in Detroit on July 15, 1911, the son of James Thomas and Cora Elizabeth (Durand) Knight. On Sept. 12, 1934, he married the former Albertine Clara Mickey, who survives.
He was a retired real estate broker, builder and businessman. The Knights were residents of Northport and Lake Placid, Fla., for several years prior to making their home in Traverse City.
Mr. Knight was a Mason, volunteer fireman and elder for Mills Community Church. He loved golfing, boating, fishing, woodcrafts, music, nature and family times.
Also surviving are his children, Ronald Thomas Knight of Prescott, Lorraine Gail Knight of Torch Lake and Larry John Knight of Suttons Bay; sister-in-law Kathleen "Kitty" Knight; son-in-law Joseph "Joe" Barnes; seven grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Raymond and Harvey Knight; and a granddaughter.
Memorials may be made to a donation of choice.
Sophia Popa
3/4/2002
Funeral services will be held this morning at 10:30 at Wasik Funeral Home in Shelby Township for Sterling Heights resident Sophia Popa, who died March 4 at William Beaumont Hospital. She was 93.
She was born in Cedar on Jan. 31, 1909, and was formerly a resident of Detroit. She was a member of Sterling Heights Seniors and St. Blase Seniors, and was a retired employee of Chrysler Corporation's Lynch Road Assembly Plant.
Surviving are her son, Norman (the late Linda) Popa; three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a sister, Anna; and brothers Steve, Joseph and Edward Popa.
Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery, Clinton Township.
Robert James Garthe
2/13/2002
Funeral services were held Saturday at Suttons Bay Congregational Church for Robert James Garthe, who died Feb. 13 at his Glen Arbor home. He was 78.
Mr. Garthe was born in Suttons Bay on Nov. 6, 1923, the son of Carl and Lena (Bahle) Garthe. In Empire on April 15, 1950, he married the former Elna Greenan, who survives.
A graduate of Central Michigan University, he served in the Army Air Force during World War II. Mr. Garthe was a math and science teacher for 30 years, teaching in Empire, Honor, Glen Arbor and Glen Lake. He was affectionately known by his students as "Mr. G."
Mr. Garthe enjoyed hunting, fishing and playing golf and was an avid bird watcher. He and his wife traveled extensively. He served as a trustee on the Glen Arbor Township Board and as a volunteer on the Glen Arbor Fire and Rescue Squad.
Also surviving are his children, Gail (Blaine) Bonnell of Scottville, Jeannine (Joe) Wambold of Gaylord, Robert James Garthe Jr. of Empire and Robin (Richard) Cape of Beulah; a sister, Marilyn Klinefelter of Suttons Bay; and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Carlton, Stanley, Ray and Arnold; and his sisters, Laurel and Dorothy.
Interment was in Maple Grove Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the Glen Arbor Fire and Rescue Squad.
Marie A. Kelley
2/14/2002
A funeral Mass was celebrated Monday at Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Church for Kalamazoo resident Marie A. Kelley, who died Feb. 14 in Plainwell. She was 98.
Mrs. Kelley was born on Oct. 20, 1903, in London, Ont., the daughter of John and Mary (Masterson) Foley. In August, 1929, in Detroit, she married Edmond W. Kelley, who preceded her in death in 1966.
Mrs. Kelley graduated from St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing in London. She worked as a registered nurse and advanced to head nurse for the American Red Cross Blood Bank Program in Detroit.
Surviving are her daughter, Mary Johnson of Kalamazoo; six grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Interment was in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Detroit. Memorials may be directed to Mass intentions.
Ellen R. Bronson
2/12/2002
Funeral services were held Friday for Empire resident Ellen R. Bronson, who died Feb. 12 at Maple Valley Nursing Home. She was 82.
Mrs. Bronson was born on May 31, 1919, in Leelanau County, the daughter of George and Lottie (Payne) Zeigler.
Mrs. Bronson was formerly employed at Dunn's Resort in Glen Lake, and retired as a cook for Glen Lake Community Schools after many years. She also attended Empire United Methodist Church.
Surviving are her son, Percy R. (Navada) Bronson of Camden, S.C.; five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Percy R. Bronson; a daughter, Mary Bronson; and a son, George Bronson.
Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery in the spring. Memorials may be directed to the Empire Area Museum, or to Old Settlers Picnic Association.
Rose Alberta Dechow
2/9/2002
A funeral Mass is being planned in April for Lake Leelanau resident Rose Alberta Dechow, who died Feb. 9 at St. Vincent's Hospice in Indianapolis. She was 85.
Arrangements are pending with Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City.
Christine M. Willis
1/26/2002
Funeral services will be held Thursday at 1 p.m. at Greensky Hill Indian United Methodist Church in Charlevoix for Suttons Bay resident Christine M. Willis, who died Jan. 26 at Leelanau Memorial Health Center. She was 85.
Mrs. Willis was born on Sept. 27, 1916, in Cross Village, the daughter of Robert and Victoria (Meangwie) Coby. On Nov. 13, 1956, at Greensky Hill Indian United Methodist Church, she married John Raymond Willis, who preceded her in death in 1976.
Mrs. Willis was an active member of the church, and proud of her Native heritage. She was a member of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians.
Surviving are two daughters, Dora L. Willis of Suttons Bay and Nellie Hamon of Petoskey; four sons, Ronald Willis Sr. of Gaylord, Bob Coby of Pineville, La., Curtis D. Willis of Newfield, N.J. and John R. Willis Jr. of Gaylord; a brother, Albert Coby Sr. of Elmira; a sister, Grace Alker of Harbor Springs; 17 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Judith McMillan.
Friends called yesterday from 2-8 p.m. at the Greensky church, with a wake service held at 7 p.m. Burial will be in the Greensky Hill Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Greensky Hill Indian United Methodist Church.
John Ronald Jeffery
1/31/2002
A memorial service was held Monday for Northport resident John Ronald Jeffery, who died Jan. 31 at Leelanau Memorial Health Center. He was 85.
Mr. Jeffery was born in Cornwall, England, on Jan. 26, 1917, the son of John and Ethel Maud (Goldsworthy) Jeffery. In Indiana in 1937, he married the former Amelia Becker, who survives.
Mr. Jeffery served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a retired refrigeration technician.
Also surviving are his daughters, Judith Dianna Livingston and Nancy Joy Knister; a son, Kenneth Ronald Jeffery; 10 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be directed to the Salvation Army or the Cherryland Humane Society.
Orpha Garnet Brow
11/2/1999
Services were held Saturday at Martinson Funeral Home for Lake Leelanau resident Orpha Garnet Brow, who died Tuesday at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City. She was 84.
Mrs. Brow was born in Bingham Township on April 30, 1915, the daughter of David and Estella (Heinforth) Priest. On June 14, 1933, in Lake Leelanau, she married Albion E. Brow, who survives.
Orpha enjoyed reading, embroidering and playing cards. She will be fondly remembered for her baking and cooking skills.
Also surviving are a daughter, Phyllis Dunklow of Lake Leelanau; a sister, Iris Brugh of Traverse City; two grandchildren; and one stepgrandson. She was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Marvin Dunklow; five brothers, Earl, Raymond, Alfred, Orville and Bud; and a sister, Fern Behm.
Burial was in Keswick Maple Grove Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Suttons Bay Congregational Church.
