Dorothy "Dottie" Jean Van Farowe
Aug 10, 2026
Our beloved mother, Dottie Van Farowe, passed away of natural causes at the age of 97 on August 10, 2026, here on Old Mission Peninsula in Traverse City, where she spent most of her adult life. Born April 28, 1929, in Zeeland, Michigan, she lived a full and active life.
Dottie was president of the Athletic Sisters in her high school...
Travis Jay Sizeland
Aug 10, 2026
Travis Jay Sizeland, 38, of Traverse City, passed away unexpectedly at home on Monday, August 10, 2026.
Travis was born on May 11, 1988, in Cadillac to Steve and Valerie (Racine) Sizeland. A 2006 graduate of West Senior High School, Travis was known for his incredible work ethic and his unwavering dedication to his family and friends. From his early days...
Conrad Arnold Proctor
Aug 7, 2026
Conrad Arnold Proctor, MD (known as “Cap”) was born July 14, 1934 in Ann Arbor, Michigan to Dr. Bruce and Luena Proctor. He had one sibling, Margaret (Peggy) Hyvarinen.
Cap is survived by Phyllis (Ne, Phyllis Darlene Anderson), his beloved wife of seventy years.
Together they bore four children:
Daughter Sharon Darlene Pins (husband Chris);
Daughter Barbara Jan Brown (husband William);
Son David Conrad Proctor
Son...
Rosemary Blashill
Aug 5, 2026
Rosemary Blashill, 84, of Traverse City, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 5, 2026 at Munson Medical Center surrounded by the love of her family. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, nurse, public health leader, and faithful Catholic, Rosemary spent her life caring for others with extraordinary compassion and quiet strength even while enduring years of physical pain that she...
Dennis "Denny" Hackbarth
Aug 4, 2026
Dennis “Denny” Karl Hackbarth, 87, of Traverse City, and most recently Kingsley, entered the presence of his Savior while at home with loving family by his side.
Denny was born on September 22, 1938, in Des Plaines, Illinois, to the late Herbert and Elinor (Adam) Hackbarth. Following his graduation from high school, he proudly served his country in the United States...
Michael Robert Smith
Aug 3, 2026
The world lost a remarkable man on August 3, 2026, when Michael Robert Smith passed away peacefully with his wife, Ronnie, holding his hand. Born on August 16, 1947, Michael lived a life filled with purpose, loyalty, and heart.
At just 20 years old, Michael answered the call to serve his country, joining the U.S. Army in 1967. He quickly rose...
Marshall "Gene" E. Cassady
Aug 2, 2026
It is with broken hearts that we share the sudden unexpected loss of our patriarch, husband, father, brother, and friend “Gene" Marshall Eugene Cassady II.
Gene's greatest passion in life was his family and friends. Music lived in his soul, and countless evenings were spent with The Beatles playing as he danced through the living room with those he loved.
In his...
Mary Anna (Sumners) Harris
Aug 1, 2026
Mary Anna (Sumners) Harris, 87, of Leelanau County passed away peacefully on August 1st, 2026 at home, surrounded by loved ones.
Mary was born on Sept 29, 1938 in St. Mary’s Hospital in Marquette Michigan. She was the 1st born child of John Joseph Sumners, and Dorothy Anna (Ladensack) Sumners. She had one sister and two brothers, Katherine (Sumners) McKinnon and...
Thomas "Tom" Stokes
Aug 1, 2026
Thomas Stokes, a beloved music educator, mentor, conductor, and friend to generations of students and musicians in the Traverse City community, passed away peacefully on August 1, 2026.
Tom devoted more than 35 years to music education in the Traverse City school system, leaving an extraordinary legacy that reaches far beyond the classroom. For countless students, he was not simply a...
Connie McGovern
Jul 31, 2026
“Love Is Stronger Than Death”
Constance Marie McGovern (Sorensen), age 97, of Traverse City, died on July 31st, surrounded by her family. Throughout her life, she was known for her generosity, her kindness and her ever-present sense of humor.
Connie was born December 15, 1928 in Racine, Wisconsin, one of six children born to Danish immigrants, the late Helmuth and Marie Sorensen....
Patrick Peiffer
Jul 31, 2026
Patrick William Peiffer, 79, of Williamsburg, passed away on July 31, 2026 at Sunrise of Cascade in Grand Rapids with his family by his side.
Pat was born on July 12, 1947 in Saint Johns to the late Eugene and Colleen (Miller) Peiffer. He grew up in Carson City, spent time in Grand Ledge and later moved to Traverse City in...
Gretchen E. Campbell
Jul 31, 2026
Gretchen Elaine Campbell, age 72, of Traverse City Michigan passed away peacefully into the loving arms of Jesus Christ on Friday, July 31, 2026 after a tenacious battle with esophageal cancer.
Gretchen was born on March 18, 1954 in East Grand Rapids, Michigan to a teacher and a principal, John and Irmgard Hart. She was the first-born of four children. Her...
Ronald Phillips
Jul 30, 2026
Ronald Murray Phillips, 91, of Traverse City, passed away peacefully at home on July 30, 2026.
Ron was born on March 5, 1935, in Detroit to the late George Alexander and Helen (Murray) Phillips. On February 20, 1954, in St. Ignace, Michigan, Ron married his high school sweetheart, Joan Helen MacDonald. Together, they shared 72 wonderful years of marriage and built...
Anita Cora Joerger
Jul 30, 2026
Traverse City – Anita Cora Joerger “Nana,” 100, died July 30, 2026, at the French Manor LaFranier Facility. Anita was born May 10, 1926, in Union City, New Jersey. She was the daughter of Cora and Frank Quinton and the older sister of Joan McCourt. She was the mother of two daughters, Dyana Goss (Lawrence Goss) of South Carolina and...
Shirley Priest
Jul 28, 2026
Shirley Priest, 78, of Traverse City, Michigan, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on July 28, 2026.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Loretta Plamondon, her lifelong partner, James Burkhart, her beloved son, Kenneth Priest.
Shirley is survived by her children, Jean Case, Jennifer Case, Edward Priest, and Magnolia Cooper; cherished grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and many nieces and...
Betty "Bunny" Jane Lanham
Jul 28, 2026
Betty “Bunny” Jane Lanham, 79, of Maple City, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, with her loving family by her side.
Bunny was born on April 12, 1947, in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, to the late Walter and Jennie (Herron) Wilms. She earned the nickname “Bunny” because she was born at Easter, and the name stayed with her throughout her...
Janice Eileen Reynolds
Jul 27, 2026
Janice Eileen Reynolds (1935-2026) passed away peacefully in her sleep after a 6-year remission from ovarian cancer. In her own words, she had a “good run” during her 90 years.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Keith, her mother and father, Florence and Don, and her brother, Don.
She was born in a small town in Indiana...
Ben Ditta
Jul 27, 2026
Benny DItta, 92, of Traverse City, passed away on July 26, 2026.
Benny was born on December 2, 1933, in Detroit, Michigan to the late Nicola and Angela (Aloia) Ditta.
After graduating from high school in Detroit, Benny held various jobs until joining the Army, where he was stationed in Germany. After honorably completing his military service, Benny attended Wayne State University...
Griffin Anthony Arends
Jul 26, 2026
Griffin Anthony Arends, 22, of Traverse City passed away unexpectedly on July 26, 2026.
Griffin was born on March 24, 2004; the beloved son of Creig Anthony and Lisa Soojung (Griffin) Arends and brother to Elena. He came into this world the same way he lived his whole life: large head full of hair, and filling the room with his huge...
Barbara Good
Jul 26, 2026
Barbara Anne Good, 88, of Traverse City passed away peacefully on July 26, 2026 at Orchard Creek with her beloved family by her side.
Barb was born on March 11, 1938 in South Bend, Indiana to the late Herman and Anna (Christman) Waechter. She attended John Adams high school in South Bend. During those years, she was very active in gymnastics...
