Ellsworth Faulman

TRAVERSE CITY — Ellsworth Albert Faulman, 100, longtime resident of Glen Lake at Burdickville, formerly of Detroit, passed away Tuesday, May 10, 2011, at Munson Hospice House in Traverse City. Ellsworth was born 100 years ago on April 4, 1911, to the late Arthur and Bertha (Bauer) Faulman in Detroit. Ellsworth spoke German and English until he was five-years-old and remembered horse-drawn delivery wagons. He was a graduate of Cass Tech High School in Detroit.Ellsworth, son of a grocer, and Lucille Tong, daughter of a minister, met in 1932 at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Detroit. They were engaged on a wintry Christmas Eve in 1937. On a hot, humid and stormy day, June 15, 1938, they were married by Lucille's father in Redeemer Lutheran Church. The marriage was not legally recorded until a year later as Lucille's father had forgotten to send in the marriage license! Two days after the wedding, they honeymooned at Glen Lake at the Peppler summer cottage on the north shore. A foot washing tub of water froze on the back porch one night during their honeymoon.Following their honeymoon, Ellsworth and Lucille made their home in Trenton. Ellsworth was in the insurance business and Lucille was a homemaker. They gave birth to three sons, Thomas, who died in 1988, Lawrence and Robert. In July of 1948, the Faulmans bought Poulins grocery store in Burdickville. They built the Glen Lake Trading Post just east of Poulins the winter of 1948/1949. The Trading Post was both their residence and livelihood for 30 years. It became a popular Ma and Pa resort business selling meats, groceries, beer, wine, magazines, gifts and famous sodas and sundaes in the soda bar. In the summer season for many years, Ellsworth worked in the store from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week, serving summer visitors from Grand Rapids, Detroit, Chicago, St. Louis and beyond. In the off-season, Ellsworth worked 26 years at Hamiltons Men's Clothing Store in downtown Traverse City. The Faulmans retired from the Glen Lake Trading Post in 1978. They continued to make their home there. Over 30 years after the close of the store, loyal customers still reminisce about the wonderful chocolate sodas served with a smile from Ellsworth, the best "soda jerk" on Glen Lake. Since 1948 Ellsworth, along with Lucille, was active in the Lutheran Church, Glen Arbor, then Trinity Lutheran Church, Traverse City, finally making the Glen Lake Community Reformed Church, Burdickville, his church home. He served for many years as an elder at the Glen Lake Church. Ellsworth was active in the Glen Lake community. He was highly involved in the Glen Lake Community Schools consolidation effort in the mid-1950s. He served on the Glen Lake School board for 12 years, 11 of those as president. For a time early in retirement, he tutored children in the Glen Lake Elementary School.Ellsworth had a beloved connection to Glen Lake for 73 years and was a resident for 62 years. Ellsworth and Lucille, his wife of 72 years, were crowned King and Queen of Burdickville in 2010. In March of 2010, he moved to Concord Place (Bortz) and in February of 2011 to Munson Hospice House.Ellsworth is survived by his children, Lawrence Lowell (Nancy) Faulman, of Grand Rapids, and the Rev. Robert (Alice "Peggy") Faulman, of Boyne City; his six grandchildren, Benjamin, Katie (Brandon) Zibell, JoAnna, Michael, Sarah (Thomas) Arthur and Abigail (Philip) Deloria; his three great-grandchildren, Jack and Morgan Zibell, and Micah Arthur; as well as many other loving family members and friends.Ellsworth was preceded in death by his wife, Lucille in April of 2010; his son, Thomas Faulman; parents; and one brother, Kenneth Faulman.Visitation for friends and family will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 18, at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home, 305 Sixth Street, Traverse City, MI. A Witness to the Resurrection memorial service will be held 1 p.m. Thursday, May 19, at the Glen Lake Community Reformed Church, 4902 W. MacFarlane Road, Glen Lake, with the Rev. Andrew Bassardet officiating. A graveside committal service for family will be held in Maple Grove Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Glen Lake Community Reformed Church or Munson Hospice House. Please share your thoughts and memories with the family at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com. The family is being served by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.