DOROTHY BATES
Dorothy M. Bates, age 81, of Vassar, died Sunday July 2, 2006 at the Frankenmuth Lutheran Home. Dorothy was born January 21, 1925 in Munger, daughter of Arthur and Elizabeth (Dean) Beeckman. Dorothy was previously married to William Baird and later to Grant Bates in 1959. She was a hairdresser for 35 years, owning her own beauty salon, Dorothy’s Beauty Shop. She retired in 1977, then worked as a clerk at Gilchrist Drug Store and Uncle Ray’s IGA until 1989. She was a member of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Catholic Church and their Altar Society. She was an avid bowler, golfer, card and bingo player.
Surviving are six children: JoAnn (Kirk) VanWormer of Vassar, Marilyn (David) MacKay of Vassar, Bonnie (Steven) Grainger of Frankenmuth, Diane Suppes of Ionia, Mark (Janet) Bates of Linwood, Paul Bates of Saginaw; 15 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; sister Ruth Van Tol of Bay City; sisters-in-law Maureen Beeckman, Joanne Beeckman, Dora Beeckman, Julie Beeckman; several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husbands, William Baird and Grover Grant Bates; son Patrick Bates; grandson Derek Suppes; her parents; sisters Evelyn Morgan, Edna Walraven, Irma Sharland; brothers Arthur Beeckman, Norbert Beeckman, Virgil Beeckman, and Neil Beeckman.
Mass of Christian Burial was on Friday, July 7, 2006 at St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Catholic Church with Fr. Fred Kawka officiating. Rite of Committal was at Eastlawn Memorial Gardens. Memorial contributions may be directed to the St. Frances Building Fund and the Frankenmuth Lutheran Home and Hospice.
GROVER "GRANT" BATES
Mr. Grover "Grant" Bates of Vassar, died Sunday, June 1, 2003 at Tendercare in Frankenmuth. He was 83 years of age.
Mr. Bates was born April 16, 1920 in Vassar, the son of Grover and Edna (Hinman) Bates. He served in the U.S. Marines in the Pacific from September 21, 1943 to 1946. He and Dorothy Beeckman were united in marriage in 1959. Mr. Bates retired in 1977 from the U.S. Post Office in Vassar as clerk and mail carrier for almost 36 years. He was a past member of the American Legion, Odd Fellows drill team, a member of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Catholic Church and the St. Frances Church MenÕs Club. He was also an avid bowler, golfer, fisherman, hunter and enjoyed playing poker and horse racing.
Surviving is his family, wife, Dorothy Bates of Vassar; seven children, JoAnn and Kirk VanWormer of Vassar, Marilyn and David MacKay of Vassar, Bonnie and Steven Grainger of Frankenmuth, Diane Suppes of Ionia, Mark and Janet Bates of Hemlock, Patrick Bates of Kingston, Paul Bates of Saginaw; 15 grandchildren, Troy and Natalie VanWormer of California, Terry and Shane VanWormer of Utah, Toby and Marsia VanWormer of Texas, Trent VanWormer, Trisha VanWormer, both of Vassar, Todd MacKay of Saginaw, Michael and Brenda MacKay of Vassar, Jill and Jeff Dunaway of California, Jeff and Jacquy Grainger of Miami, Dustin Suppes of Lansing, Darcy Suppes of Ionia, Sarah Bates and Jenny Bates, both of Hemlock, Megan Bates and Nathan Bates, both of Saginaw; 14 great-grandchildren, Austin, Brittney, Naverjon, and Elise and Aidan VanWormer, Matthew and Lance Grainger, Alexis, Hillary, Tanner, Bailey, Brandon, Logan and Jordan MacKay; brothers, Reverend Robert and Jane Bates of Ohio, Reverend Donald and Joyce Bates of Oklahoma; sister, Margaret Holliday of California; sister-in-law, Harper Bates of Texas; several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by grandson, Derek Suppes, brother, Earl Bates and brother-in-law, Gene Holliday.
Funeral Mass was held Thursday, June 5, 2003 at St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Catholic Church. Reverend Fr. John Ederer officiated. Burial followed at Eastlawn Memorial Gardens with military honors by VFW Post #10884.
Memorials may be directed to St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Catholic Church, the VFW or the family for their discretion.
Arrangements were in the care of Martin Funeral Home, Vassar.
SERGEANT JAMES MILTON CARR (RET.)
James Milton "Jim" Carr of Suttons Bay, died Monday, October 27, 2003 at Munson Medical Center, surrounded by his loving and caring family. He was 70 years of age.
Born February 6, 1933 in Vassar, he was the son of Dorr Milton and Dorothy Louise (Schattilly) Carr. On December 31, 1985 he married the former Sally Jeanne Miller in Leland.
Sergeant Carr served his country honorably with the United States Navy during the Korean Conflict. He also served 28 years with the Michigan State Police, retiring as a sergeant in 1984, and was Leelanau County Undersheriff from 1984 to 1994. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing.
He is survived by his wife, Sally of Suttons Bay; a son, James Carr of Traverse City; a daughter, Judy (David) Fry of Kingsley; his mother, Dorothy L. Bates of Houghton Lake; and two stepsons, Tom Fleury, Jr. of East Lansing and Brad (Sara) Fleury of Fishers, Indiana.
He was preceded in death by his father.
Memorial services were held at the Suttons Bay Congregational Church on Friday, October 31, 2003. The Reverend Geraldine MacNeil and Captain Tim Rod, Michigan State Police, 7th District Commander, officiated. Cremation has taken place.
Memorials may be directed to the charity of one's choice.
Arrangements were made by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City.
EDWARD E. AUGSBURGER
Mr. Edward E. Augsburger of Vassar, loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, died Sunday, October 19, 2003 at Covenant Healthcare-Cooper in Saginaw. He was 72 years of age.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, October 22, 2003 at St. Luke's Evangelical Lutheran Church. Reverend James Plocher officiated with burial following in Riverside Cemetery.
Arrangements were in the care of Penzien-Steele Funeral Home-Hanlin Chapel, Vassar.
RICHARD L. KUKULSKI
Mr. Richard L. Kukulski of Vassar, died Wednesday, November 5, 2003 at Covenant Medical Center, Cooper in Saginaw. He was 74 years of age.
Mr. Kukulski was born on July 18, 1929 in Vassar, the son of Andrew and Veronica (Czech) Kukulski. He and Viola TerBush were united in marriage in 1948. She preceded him in death in 1998. Prior to his retirement, Mr. Kukulski had been employed at Sargent Sand Company in the Vassar area for over 40 years. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, digging and hauling gravel construction, hobby farming and caring for animals especially baby calf Joey.
Surviving are four children, Sheila and husband Danny Montague of Vassar, Linda Maharg of Vassar, Robert and wife Faye Kukulski of Davison, Andrew Kukulski of Lapeer; grandchildren, Christina and husband Aaron Adams, Jennifer and husband Matt Armstrong, Rachel Maharg, Robin Maharg, Melissa and husband Dewayne Elledge, Shelly Montague, Rhett R. and wife Kristin Kukulski, Jessica Kukulski; great-grandchildren, Mark, Alexis, Dakota, Brenna, Jacob, Bailey Marie; sister, Lottie Magyar of Vassar; several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Viola; brothers and sisters; and grandson, Richard.
A memorial service was held Saturday, November 8, 2003 at Martin Funeral Home, Clark Chapel in Vassar with Reverend Donald Fairchild officiating.
Memorials may be directed to Asthma Foundation.
JERRY JAY SPENCER
Mr. Jerry Jay Spencer of Caro died on Tuesday, October 28, 2003 in Caro. He was 48 years of age.
Mr. Spencer was born on March 5, 1955 to the late Leonard and Florence (Kester) Spencer. He was employed as a welder.
Surviving him are four children; Joey (Jennifer) Spencer, Tammy (Delbert Metro) Spencer, Misty (John Sparks) Spencer, and Jerry Spencer; six grandchildren, Heather, Breanna, Joshua, Diana, Megan and Samuel; four brothers and sisters; Linda Carter, Dale Spencer, Leonard (Kari Opperman) Spencer and Julie Guitteraz.
Funeral services were held on Friday, October 31, 2003 at the Penzien-Steele Funeral Home/Hanlin Chapel with Dr. Rick Flanders officiating. Interment was in Indianfields Township Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the family.
LAURA GOUINE-FREED
Laura Gouine-Freed died quietly on Tuesday, May 11, 2004, after a short illness.
She was cremated and no services were held. Her ashes will travel back home to Cheboygan, Michigan in July, where she will be placed with her mother and father.
One brother, Raymond J. Gouine and several nieces and nephews survive her.
