Arlene L. Weitz

Arlene Batdorff Weitz passed away peace-fully at her home on East Bay early Saturday morning, Aug. 6. She was 99 years old. She was past president and board member of both J-B Publishing Company and Conine Publishing Company, predecessors to The Pioneer Group, a northwest Michigan newspaper and communications media company. A native of Traverse City, Arlene was born on Sept. 22, 1916, to the late John and Anna Altrichter and was christened Arlene Lucille. Arlene attended Traverse City High School and graduated as salutatorian of her class in 1934. She went on to attend college at the (now defunct) Ann Arbor Secretarial School, which was patterned after the Catherine Gibbs Schools, which required a straight A high school record for admittance. In 1935, she married her childhood and high school sweetheart, John Howard Batdorff, who was attending the University of Michigan. 1935 was a tumultuous time...it was in the center of the Great Depression and necessity forced the young couple to put education on the sideline and enter the work force. They moved to Big Rapids from Ann Arbor, and Arlene took her first job at the Big Rapids Pioneer, employed as a proofreader. Her husband, John had accepted a position with the same daily newspaper. Two years later, when husband, John received an offer to take over the management of the daily Manistee News Advocate, they moved to Manistee. In Manistee, Arlene was very involved with numerous civic organizations, was very active with the Congregational Church, the local garden club and was an active member of the Manistee Golf and Country Club. In 1955, Arlene and her husband moved back home to Traverse City, where her husband accepted a position with his father Austin at the Record-Eagle. Once again, Arlene put her civic foot forward and was active in innumerable civic projects. She was president of the Friendly Country Club, president of the Grey Ladies, a female volunteer group at Munson Hospital and was active in the Traverse City Golf and Country Club. Arlene was one of a kind. She lived her life fully, was dedicated to her husband and two sons, reveled in family events and was passionate about her community. Husband, John left her side in 1970, after suffering a massive coronary, putting an end to 35 years of marriage. Arlene then moved to St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands, where she and her husband, John had planned to retire. She lived and worked there during the winter months and migrated back to Traverse City for the summers. In 1975, Arlene married Dr. Harry Weitz, of Traverse City. This marriage again lasted nearly 35 years until Dr. Weitz’s passing in 2009. She is survived by Dana Pow-ell, her longtime companion and caregiver; her son, Jack (Susan Futterer) Batdorff, of Big Rapids and Manistee; as well as, Dr. Charles (Ann) Weitz, of Traverse City, Sheryl Weitz, of Fountain Hills, Ari-zona and Elliot Weitz, of Scottsdale, Arizona; her grandchildren, Wendy (Blake) Miller, of Manistee, John Austin (Stacy Prince) Batdorff II, of Lincoln Park, Illinois, Suzanne (Jackson Allan) Batdorff, of Kalamazoo, Dr. Leah (Adam) Weitz-Carlson, of Traverse City, Dr. Josh (Dr. Lesley Loss) Weitz, of Rochester, New York, Dr. David (Dr. Jenny) Weitz, of Scottsdale, Arizona and Mark Weitz, of Scottsdale, Arizona; and eight great-grandchildren, Zachery and Hope Miller, Anna Batdorff, Rory and Sean Carl-son, William Weitz, Dylan and Sarah Weitz. She was preceded in death by two husbands, John Howard Batdorff and Dr. Harry Weitz; and son, Cris Batdorff. Arlene led a remarkable life. She was married nearly 70 years. She was a cancer survivor, and never complained when macular degeneration took her eyesight nearly 40 years ago, ending her capability of participating in many sports and activities. In later years, Arlene was still very active and each spring, continued to travel to her home in Green Valley, Arizona. She was a true testament to living your life at its fullest as she continued to attend gatherings with her friends and family as a regular basis. As she said the evening prior to her death, "Don’t cry for me...I’ve had a great ride." At her request, no funeral services will be held and a celebration of life will be held at a later date for family members in Traverse City. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the foundation of your choice. You may share your thoughts and memories at www.Reynolds-Jonkhoff.com.

Arlene L. Weitz

September 22, 1916 - August 6, 2016