Alfred Mayer

TRAVERSE CITY — Alfred Mayer, 102, of Traverse City, passed away on Jan. 20, 2011. Al was born July 8, 1908, in Zurich, Switzerland, to the late Jacob and Elisabeth (Gregory) Mayer. After losing both of his parents in 1914, he spent the next 10 years in foster homes. In 1925, he emigrated to the United States. He travelled to Worcester, Mass., where his uncle resided. In 1928, he moved to Chicago, where he worked at the U.S. Steel and Drafting Company until he was laid off during the depression. In 1931, Al married his first wife, Emma Pechota. Together they moved to Interlochen, and he started his career as a carpenter. Throughout his life he built many homes in the Interlochen area and was a creative and master stone mason. Emma passed away in 1956. In 1958, Al married Dorothy Heim and became the proud father of Myrtle (Heim) Smith, Leah (Heim) Martz and David Heim. In his spare time Al enjoyed oil painting. Al was also a member of Faith Reformed Church, where he served as a Deacon and an elder. Al is survived by his loving daughter, Myrtle Smith; son, David Heim and daughter-in-law, Vanita (Saxton) Heim; grandchildren, Dave, Deb, Loree, Jim, Bonnie, Sandy, Thom and Bob; great-grandchildren, Justin, Stacy, Aimee, Samantha, Jennifer, Zach, Doug, Diane, Jeff, Kelly, Rochelle and Tammy; great-great-grandchildren, Dillon, Landon, Taylor, Collin, Braden, Andrew, Crystal, Michael, Josh and Chris; great-great-great-grandchildren, Marissa and Caleb; and special friends, Alvina Ellis, John Dyksterhouse, Chuck Ebinger and the Elenbaas family. Al was preceded in death by his first two wives, Emma Pechota and Dorothy Mayer; daughter, Leah Martz; brother, Adolph Mayer; and sisters, Hannah Mayer and Elizabeth Langhart. Visitation for friends and family will be held today, Jan. 23, 2011, from 4 to 6 p.m., at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home. The funeral service celebrating Al's long life will be held on Monday, Jan. 24, at Faith Reformed Church, at 11 a.m. Graveside services at Oakwood Cemetery will take place in the spring. Memorial contributions may be directed to Faith Reformed Church or a charity of your choice. Please visit Al's online guestbook at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com to share your thoughts and memories with the family. The family is being served by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.

Alfred Mayer

January 20, 2011