Betty A. Gonyo

TRAVERSE CITY – Betty Williams Gonyo, age 95, of Traverse City, passed away Monday, November 14, 2016 at the Munson Hospice House in the loving care of her family.

Betty Adelaide (North Williams) Gonyo, of Traverse City, was born on March 15, 1921, in Chazy, NY, to Stanley and Gladys North. She graduated from Chazy Rural School in 1939. From there Betty went on to Michigan State University graduating with an A.B. in French. She taught for 34 and a half years in the Mesick and Copemish school districts. She married Charles Howard Williams on March 25, 1945. He predeceased her on May 4, 1981. Betty then married James A. Gonyo, a Chazy school friend, on Feb 10, 1994. Betty received many honors over the years. Some of these were Michigan Mother of the Year nominee, Mesick Citizen of the Year, Chazy Central Rural School Outstanding Alumni, and Mesick Teacher of the Year in 1979 and 1981. Betty dearly loved her family and friends and always enjoyed talking to her former students.
Betty is survived by her husband, James A. Gonyo, children; Nancy (Matt) Gustafson, Monroe, NC; Diana Williams, Traverse City; Carol (Chuck) Boyer, Harrietta; Tom (Pam) Williams, Mesick; Paul (Patti) Williams, Mesick. Betty is also survived by 12 grandchildren, and 19 great-grandchildren with 3 more due in 2017.
Betty is preceded in death by her parents, first husband, Charles H. Williams, siblings; Ethelwynne, Dorothy, Jack, and Stanley.
A visitation for Betty will take place on Thursday, November 17, 2016 at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm. A funeral service for Betty will take place on Friday, November 18, 2016 at the Mesick United Methodist Church at 2:00 pm with a visitation one hour prior. Graveside services will take place at the Antioch Cemetery in Mesick immediately following the service.
Memorial contributions may be directed to; Mesick Schools Scholarship Fund, Mesick United Methodist Church, 121 S Alvin St, Mesick, MI 49668, Mesick Museum, 117 W Mesick Ave, Mesick, MI 49668.
Please share a memory with the family by visiting www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com . The Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services is serving the family.