John Gonder

December 21, 2010

TRAVERSE CITY — John Alvin Gonder, 83, a life-long resident of the Interlochen area, died Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2010, at Tendercare of Traverse City.John was born Saturday, Nov. 5, 1927, to the late George and Belle (Jaquish) Gonder in Bendon. On June 6, 1953, in Grawn, John married the former Berneice Bancroft. On March 29, 1955, John entered the service of our country as a member of the U.S. Army.Working in sales, feed manufacturing and animal nutrition, first for Farm Bureau and then Agraland and Countrymark, John also was active in the community in which he lived. He was a member of the Lake Ann United Methodist Church as well as the Men's Club at the church. He served in various township positions over the years, including the planning board, zoning board and the board of review. He thoroughly enjoyed farming, working in his garden, snowblowing, mowing the grass and helping 4-Hers in feeding their livestock.John is survived by his wife, Berneice; his children, John Alden (Sharon) Gonder, of Cadillac, Gerald (Carrie) Gonder, of Midland, Yvonne (Jim) Schwind, of Traverse City, Laverna (Mike) Witkop, of Traverse City; and nine grandchildren, Bethany Schwind, Megan (Andy) Taylor, Hiram (Carly) Witkop, Laura and Jessica Gonder, Grace Witkop, Jordan, Jared and Trevor Gonder; as well as his beloved dachshund, Masie.John was preceded in death by his parents and his sisters, Marie Gonder and Annabell Gonder.Visitation for friends and family will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. today, Dec. 23, at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.Services celebrating John's life will take place at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 24, at Lake Ann United Methodist Church Christian Education Building (Old Church), with Pastor Devon Herrell officiating. Burial will be held in Inland Township Cemetery in the spring.For a more lasting memorial, the family asks that memorial contributions may be directed to the Lake Ann United Methodist Church.Please share your thought and memories with John's family by way of his online guestbook at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.The family is being served by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.