Mary Younker

TRAVERSE CITY — Mary Alice Younker, 84, of Traverse City and formerly of Chicago, Ill., passed away Monday, July 26, 2010, at Boardman Lake Glens, Highlander, in Traverse City. Mary Alice was born on Oct. 10, 1925, to the late Terrence and Kathryn (Reed) Sullivan in Chicago, Ill. She entered into marriage with John A. Younker on Sept. 18, 1948, at Visitation Parish, also in Chicago. Upon graduating from Visitation High School in 1943, Mary Alice continued her education, earning a bachelor's degree at Mundelein College and a master's degree from Roosevelt University, again in Chicago. Mary Alice shared her love of education and knowledge as a teacher, first teaching at St. Gerald's Elementary school in the Oak Lawn area, then high school English classes with the Chicago Public School system. After many years of vacationing in northwestern Michigan, she and John relocated to Empire in 1984, spending their retirement on their own "Golden Pond," also known as South Bar Lake. Over the years Mary Alice came to love the Empire and Traverse City area as much as her beloved Chicago. As a family she was an active member of St. Philip Neri Catholic Church, continuing her career talent by sharing the faith she most dearly loved, teaching religious education and participating in other parish activities. She and John recently joined Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Traverse City. Mary Alice enjoyed her time in retirement volunteering as a docent at Empire Museum, traveling the country with her husband and daughter in their fifth wheel camper trailer and entertaining and enjoying the many family and friends who would come to visit. She was fluent in several languages and an avid reader. Mary Alice's faith, humble ways and kind spirit will be deeply missed by her caring family and many friends. Mary Alice is survived by her husband of over 61 years, John A. Younker of Traverse City; their two sons, John J. (Sue) Younker of Eagle River, Wis., and Jude F. (Susan) Younker; their daughter, Mary H. Younker; and a granddaughter, Megan R. Younker, all residing in Traverse City. Mary Alice also leaves behind her brother, Terrence J. (Renee) Sullivan of Orland Park, Ill.; one sister, Bernadette L. Fleckenstein of Aurora, Ill.; many nieces and nephews; as well as many other loving family members and friends. Mary Alice has been preceded in death by her parents, as well as her sisters, Patricia A. McCormick and Donna J. McMahon. Visitation for friends and family will be held from 5 until 8 p.m. on Friday, July 30, 2010, at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home, with a 7 p.m. wake service. A con-celebrated Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday July 31, 2010, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, with the Rev. Ruben Munoz and the Rev. Lawrence J. Sullivan (nephew) officiating. Graveside committal services will be held in St. Philip Neri Catholic Cemetery in Empire. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Munson Hospice. Please share thoughts with the family at Mary Alice's online guestbook at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com. The family is being served by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.