Ruth Williamson Johnson
May 11, 2021
TRAVERSE CITY – Ruth W. Johnson, age 83, of Traverse City passed away Tuesday, May 11, 2021 at her home. Ruth was born in Springfield, OH on April 19, 1938 to the late William and Mary (Huber) Williamson. Ruth lived in Springfield, OH, Kent, OH and Midland before moving to Traverse City in 1989. She earned both her BA and...
Ronald Edward Todd
May 10, 2021
Ronald Edward Todd, 87, of Traverse City, passed away at his home on May 10, 2021 surrounded by his family. Ron was born on August 9, 1933 in Belding to the late Clarence and Agnes (Bruske) Todd. On June 15, 1957, Ron married Elizabeth "Betty" Svec in Traverse City and together they raised 4 children. Ron graduated from Central Michigan...
Shirley Kay Debelack
May 10, 2021
Shirley K. Debelack, age 77, passed away on Monday, May 10, 2021. She was a much-loved friend, sister, aunt, and will be missed by so many. She is survived by her brother Charles (Bud) Arnold and wife Lou Ann, her niece Julie Arnold Miller and husband Mark, and her special friends Bonnie Priess and Tim Roache. Shirley was born in...
Virgilio Arellano Mendez
May 10, 2021
On October 16, 1959 the most wonderful man was born in Michoacan Mexico. Virgilio Mendez came into the world. This young boy learned to love his family, friends, and support them at a very young age. Virgilio worked hard his whole life from Texas, Florida, Virginia, Georgia and Michigan. Every restaurant he worked in he made it better, as well...
Robert "Bob" Charles Ferman
May 9, 2021
Robert "Bob" Charles Ferman, 67, of Interlochen, Michigan passed away on Sunday, May 9, 2021 at his home. Bob was born on May 15, 1953 in Saginaw, Michigan to the late Lester and Betty (Andrews) Ferman. He proudly served his country, in the U.S. Navy with the "Sea Bees" and later, as a mechanic in the U.S. Army. Bob had...
Brian Ervin Strong
May 8, 2021
Brian Ervin Strong , 66, of Traverse City passed away Saturday, May 8, 2021 at Munson Medical Center. Brian was born March 9, 1955 in Traverse City to Carter Bruce and Margaret Maud (Collins) Strong. He graduated from Traverse City High School in the class of 1976. He worked as the mail distributor at Burwood's, at Captains Quarters, and spent...
Mary Kay Dohm
May 8, 2021
Mary Kay Dohm, age 60, passed away May 8, 2021 at her home in Traverse City, Michigan. She was born July 30, 1960 in Shelbyville, Indiana to Donald and Dorothy Pence—the fifth of seven children. She attended Southwestern High School, received her B.S. in Business Management from Ball State University, and her dental degree from IUPUI. She married Steve Dohm...
Gordon Lew Uecker
May 8, 2021
Gordon Lew Uecker, 82, of Traverse City (Formerly Mt. Clemens), died May 8, 2021. He will be laid to rest in Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens. His tribute page may be viewed at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com
Rebekah "Becky" Rose Sleder
May 7, 2021
Rebekah "Becky" Rose Sleder passed away unexpectedly on May 7, 2021 in Jackson, Michigan, where she was living. Becky was born June 30,1974, in Traverse City, to the late Jon and Carol(Kolarik) Sleder. She loved growing up on the family farm. Becky was involved in 4H and showed livestock at the Northwestern Michigan Fair. She graduated from Traverse City Central...
Evelyn Easter
May 5, 2021
Evelyn Mae Easter, 87, of Traverse City, passed away May 5, 2021, joining her beloved husband Dick and her kind hearted son Michael. Evelyn was born on September 7, 1933 to the late Alwin "Richard" and Josephine (McPeters) Moreland. Evelyn, noted as the most amazing woman you would meet, fell in love with and married Dick on July 31, 1951...
Joseph Gregson
May 5, 2021
Joseph Shannon Gregson, age 65 of Glen Arbor Michigan, formerly Davison Michigan, passed on to heaven Wednesday, May 5th, 2021. He passed away in the comfort of his own home, surrounded by his wife, daughters, and other family members. Joseph is survived by his wife, the love of his life of 39 years, Katherine Marie Gregson, children: Shannon Gregson, Emily...
Mary Helen Novak
May 5, 2021
Mary Helen Novak, age 95 of Traverse City, MI, passed away May 5, 2021 at the Grand Traverse Pavilions. Mary was born September 15, 1925 to John and Helen (Osie) Schettek in Maple City. She was the youngest of 10 children. She married Peter Novak on September 28, 1946 at St. Rita's Church in Maple City. Together they shared 64...
James Fenton
May 5, 2021
James Fenton, age 77, of Traverse City, passed away at the Villa in Traverse City on May 5, 2021 with family members present. Jim was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 12, 1944 to the late Charles Fenton and Virginia (Murray) Fenton. He graduated from Southern High School in Louisville and attended Indiana University. He served in the U.S. Air...
James "Jim" Helmick
May 4, 2021
James (Jim) Carl Helmick was born on April 2, 1930 in Dearborn, MI to Carl and Mary (Edna) Helmick. He died at the age of 91 on May 4, 2021. Jim was the oldest of seven children. He was a prankster whose carefree, mischievous childhood was spent roaming the woods and fields around Dearborn. Occasionally he jumped the fence at...
Mary "Betsy" Gratiot
May 4, 2021
Mary "Betsy" Gratiot, 64 of Traverse City, MI passed away on May 4th, 2021. Betsy was the light in everyone's life. She was a helping hand, a warm hug, and the best advice you could ask for. Betsy knew how to make everyone feel special and appreciated. She didn't know a single stranger because everyone became a friend. Betsy spent...
John Church
May 4, 2021
John Church, of Interlochen, Michigan, passed away on May 4, 2021. John was born in Saginaw, Michigan, in 1938, and spent his childhood in Midland. He received his education at Michigan Tech, Western Michigan University, and Cranbrook Academy of Art, with an emphasis in metalworking and jewelry making. John was stationed in Korea during his service in the Army. A...
Frederick Dean Reiken
May 2, 2021
Frederick Dean Reiken, 87, of Traverse City and formerly of Wabash, IN, passed away May 2, 2021 at the Grand Traverse Pavilions. Fred was born on August 26, 1933 in Ijamsville, IN to the late Frederick and Della (Forst) Reiken. On September 1, 1954, Fred married Dorthy F. Unger in Wabash, IN. Fred was employed as a lab technician for...
Linda M. Ritola
May 1, 2021
Linda Marita (Savage) Ritola, 73, of Traverse City, passed away peacefully on May 1, 2021, at her home. She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Leonard Paul Ritola, her six children: DiAnna Fitztola (Michele), Nancee Pond (Casey), Andrew Ritola (Christy), Mary McKillip (Chris), Joe Ritola, and Brenden Ritola (Haley); and her grandchildren: Mira and Ila Ritola-Schow; Reid, Ruby...
Joseph Brief
May 1, 2021
Joseph (Joe) Brief, age 70, of Grawn, Michigan, passed away on Saturday May 1st, 2021, at Munson Medical Center. He was born July 15th, 1950 in Midland, MI to Gilford (Gil) Brief and Agnes (Boehnlein) Brief. Joe was raised in Midland, MI along with his 4 brothers. He moved to Traverse City in 1971. He worked for Arnell Engstrom Children's...
David M. Hack
Apr 30, 2021
David Michael Hack, 74, of Traverse City, passed away Friday, April 30, 2021. A virtual public webcasting of Military Honors will take place at 3:00 p.m. Thursday, May 6, 2021 at www.rjfh.tv . A Fond Farewell visitation will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Thursday, May 6, 2021 at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home. Please feel free to share your...
