Mariam Onalee Navachic

Mariam Onalee (Wise) Navachic, 97, of Traverse City, passed away Saturday, February 27, 2016 at Grand Traverse Pavilions in Traverse City.

Mariam was born November 1, 1918 in Flint, the daughter of Alfreda E. (Ramsay) and Hosie M. Wise. Growing up, she attended schools in Cadillac, Grant Township and Flint, and then the family moved to Traverse City where she graduated from Traverse City High School in 1937. She married Steve N. Navachic of Detroit on May 1, 1948 in Angola, IN and they made their home in Detroit. All told, she and Steve spent over 50 years living in the Detroit area and its suburbs. During WW II, Mariam worked as a floor inspector for the Aircraft Division and also the Silver Department of Bohn Aluminum and Brass Corp. of America. After the war, she attended the IBM school and obtained employment with IBM War Assets and later Garwood Industries located in the Maccabees Building in Detroit. She retired in 1959. In April of 1992, she and Steve moved to Traverse City. He passed away shortly afterwards on Dec. 9, 1992.

Mariam and Steve had no children but several nieces and nephews survive who live in the Traverse City and Columbus, Ohio areas. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and a brother, Bob M. Wise, who died in June of 1978,

Funeral services will take place at 11:00 AM on Thursday, March 3, 2016 at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home, with visitation one hour prior to the service. The Rev. Jane Lippert will officiate. Burial will be in Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens.

Mariam asked that she be remembered through memorial contributions may be directed to American Cancer Society, 129 S. Jefferson, S.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49503 or online at www.cancer.org/donate .