Rosemary Blashill
Aug 5, 2026
Rosemary Blashill, 84, of Traverse City, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 5, 2026 at Munson Medical Center surrounded by the love of her family. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, nurse, public health leader, and faithful Catholic, Rosemary spent her life caring for others with extraordinary compassion and quiet strength even while enduring years of physical pain that she...
Dennis "Denny" Hackbarth
Aug 4, 2026
Dennis “Denny” Karl Hackbarth, 87, of Traverse City, and most recently Kingsley, entered the presence of his Savior while at home with loving family by his side.
Denny was born on September 22, 1938, in Des Plaines, Illinois, to the late Herbert and Elinor (Adam) Hackbarth. Following his graduation from high school, he proudly served his country in the United States...
Michael Robert Smith
Aug 3, 2026
The world lost a remarkable man on August 3, 2026, when Michael Robert Smith passed away peacefully with his wife, Ronnie, holding his hand. Born on August 16, 1947, Michael lived a life filled with purpose, loyalty, and heart.
At just 20 years old, Michael answered the call to serve his country, joining the U.S. Army in 1967. He quickly rose...
Marshall "Gene" E. Cassady
Aug 2, 2026
It is with broken hearts that we share the sudden unexpected loss of our patriarch, husband, father, brother, and friend “Gene" Marshall Eugene Cassady II.
Gene's greatest passion in life was his family and friends. Music lived in his soul, and countless evenings were spent with The Beatles playing as he danced through the living room with those he loved.
In his...
Patrick Peiffer
Jul 31, 2026
Patrick William Peiffer, 79, of Williamsburg, passed away on July 31, 2026 at Sunrise of Cascade in Grand Rapids with his family by his side.
Pat was born on July 12, 1947 in Saint Johns to the late Eugene and Colleen (Miller) Peiffer. He grew up in Carson City, spent time in Grand Ledge and later moved to Traverse City in...
Gretchen E. Campbell
Jul 31, 2026
Gretchen Elaine Campbell, age 72, of Traverse City Michigan passed away peacefully into the loving arms of Jesus Christ on Friday, July 31, 2026 after a tenacious battle with esophageal cancer.
Gretchen was born on March 18, 1954 in East Grand Rapids, Michigan to a teacher and a principal, John and Irmgard Hart. She was the first-born of four children. Her...
Ronald Phillips
Jul 30, 2026
Ronald Murray Phillips, 91, of Traverse City, passed away peacefully at home on July 30, 2026.
Ron was born on March 5, 1935, in Detroit to the late George Alexander and Helen (Murray) Phillips. On February 20, 1954, in St. Ignace, Michigan, Ron married his high school sweetheart, Joan Helen MacDonald. Together, they shared 72 wonderful years of marriage and built...
Anita Cora Joerger
Jul 30, 2026
Traverse City – Anita Cora Joerger “Nana,” 100, died July 30, 2026, at the French Manor LaFranier Facility. Anita was born May 10, 1926, in Union City, New Jersey. She was the daughter of Cora and Frank Quinton and the older sister of Joan McCourt. She was the mother of two daughters, Dyana Goss (Lawrence Goss) of South Carolina and...
Shirley Priest
Jul 28, 2026
Shirley Priest, 78, of Traverse City, Michigan, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on July 28, 2026.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Loretta Plamondon, her lifelong partner, James Burkhart, her beloved son, Kenneth Priest.
Shirley is survived by her children, Jean Case, Jennifer Case, Edward Priest, and Magnolia Cooper; cherished grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and many nieces and...
Betty "Bunny" Jane Lanham
Jul 28, 2026
Betty “Bunny” Jane Lanham, 79, of Maple City, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, with her loving family by her side.
Bunny was born on April 12, 1947, in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, to the late Walter and Jennie (Herron) Wilms. She earned the nickname “Bunny” because she was born at Easter, and the name stayed with her throughout her...
Janice Eileen Reynolds
Jul 27, 2026
Janice Eileen Reynolds (1935-2026) passed away peacefully in her sleep after a 6-year remission from ovarian cancer. In her own words, she had a “good run” during her 90 years.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Keith, her mother and father, Florence and Don, and her brother, Don.
She was born in a small town in Indiana...
Ben Ditta
Jul 27, 2026
Benny DItta, 92, of Traverse City, passed away on July 26, 2026.
Benny was born on December 2, 1933, in Detroit, Michigan to the late Nicola and Angela (Aloia) Ditta.
After graduating from high school in Detroit, Benny held various jobs until joining the Army, where he was stationed in Germany. After honorably completing his military service, Benny attended Wayne State University...
Griffin Anthony Arends
Jul 26, 2026
Griffin Anthony Arends, 22, of Traverse City passed away unexpectedly on July 26, 2026.
Griffin was born on March 24, 2004; the beloved son of Creig Anthony and Lisa Soojung (Griffin) Arends and brother to Elena. He came into this world the same way he lived his whole life: large head full of hair, and filling the room with his huge...
Barbara Good
Jul 26, 2026
Barbara Anne Good, 88, of Traverse City passed away peacefully on July 26, 2026 at Orchard Creek with her beloved family by her side.
Barb was born on March 11, 1938 in South Bend, Indiana to the late Herman and Anna (Christman) Waechter. She attended John Adams high school in South Bend. During those years, she was very active in gymnastics...
Jerome Francis Peplinski
Jul 25, 2026
Jerome Francis Peplinski, of Maple City, passed away unexpectedly at his home on July 25, 2026, at the age of 73.
Jerome was born in Traverse City, Michigan, on May 12, 1953, to Francis and Anna (Winowiecki) Peplinski. He graduated from Traverse City Senior High School in 1971. While still in school, he began working as an Inventory Associate through the...
Sharon Jeanne Perszyk Fidler
Jul 25, 2026
Sharon Jeanne Perszyk Fidler, 82, of Traverse City, Michigan, passed away on July 25, 2026.
Born on March 26, 1944, in Traverse City, she was the daughter of Anthony and Blanche McCarthy Perszyk.
A 1962 graduate of Traverse City Central High School, Sharon was the valedictorian of her class. In her early years, she performed in numerous plays at the Cherry County...
Annette Lou Kreh
Jul 25, 2026
Annette Lou Kreh, 84, passed away on July 25, 2026 at French Manor in Traverse City, MI. Born in Midland, MI, on Oct. 6, 1941, she was the daughter of the late Joseph James and Blanche LaLonde.
Annette dedicated her early years to being a full-time mother, deeply devoted to God and her family. She found great joy over the years...
Rodney Jerome Wilson
Jul 25, 2026
Rodney Jerome Wilson, age 96, passed away July 25th, 2026, in Traverse City, Michigan. He was born in Lansing, Michigan on April 26, 1930, born to Ralph Wilson and Wilma (Bensinger) Grubaugh.
Rodney grew up in northern Michigan and graduated from Petoskey High School in 1948. At that time, he enlisted in the United States Air Force where he honorably served...
Diana Jean Viskochil
Jul 24, 2026
Diana Jean (Ferguson) Viskochil, 82, of Traverse City, Michigan passed away peacefully on Friday, July 24, 2026. Diana was born on January 29, 1944 in Detroit, Michigan. She was married to Richard Viskochil on April 2, 1966, in Birmingham, Michigan. He preceded her in death on July 26, 2015.
Diana’s career in education began at Berkshire High School in Birmingham, Michigan,...
Dr. Paul James Ward
Jul 22, 2026
Dr. Paul James Ward, 70, of Traverse City passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday July 22. He was surrounded by an ocean of love after his Leukemia returned from remission. Paul Ward was born on July 12, 1956, in Albany, NY to Harold Ward and Rosemary Ward. He married the first love of his life Pauline “Paula” Ward on...
