Dianne Watts
Feb 8, 2026
Dianne Marie (Hartzman) Watts, age 84, passed peacefully into the Lord's presence at 5:00 A.M. Sunday, February 8, 2026 in Traverse City, Michigan, with her children by her side. Dianne was born on October 4th, 1941 to Clarence Melfred Hartzman and Marie Alice (Timmermann) Hartzman. The family located to 13 Monterey St., Pontiac, Michigan, where she and her two older...
Fred Peplinski
Feb 8, 2026
Frederick "Fred" Peplinski, age 89, of Maple City, Michigan, passed away on February 8, 2026. He was born on August 13, 1936, in Traverse City, Michigan, to Walter and Lillian Peplinski. Fred grew up in Traverse City alongside his brother Richard, where he learned the values of hard work and family devotion. It was at his first job at Morgan's...
Janet B. Nesin
Feb 7, 2026
Janet Beeler Nesin of Milton Township, Michigan, passed away on February 7 after a courageous battle with cancer. She was surrounded by family and friends and has now gone to be with the Lord, her beloved husband, and other cherished family members. Janet was born on March 11, 1941, at West Point, New York, to Jane Stocke Beeler and Colonel...
James Calvin King
Feb 6, 2026
James "Jim" Calvin King was called home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on February 06, 2026. Jim was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend whose steady presence and kind spirit will be deeply missed. He was raised in Rochester, Michigan. Jim shared a special bond with his grandparents, Ida and George King, who played an...
Gertrude "Trudy" Dorothy Boettcher
Feb 6, 2026
Gertrude "Trudy" Dorothy Boettcher, age 97, of Traverse City, passed away peacefully on February 6, 2026, at Bay Ridge Assisted Living. Trudy was born on June 12, 1928, in Saginaw, Michigan, to the late James and Caroline (Becker) Doyle. On April 10, 1948, she married the love of her life, Edgar Boettcher Jr., at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Saginaw....
John William Matz Jr.
Feb 4, 2026
John William Matz Jr. Feb 28, 1927 – Feb 4, 2026 John William Matz Jr, of Traverse City, passed away peacefully on February 4. He is predeceased by Jane, his wife of 71 years, who passed in 2022. Surviving family are his sister Marjorie Henning, daughter Barbara, son John (Terry Griffin), and grandson Charlie. John was born and raised on...
Gene Devoe Reid
Feb 3, 2026
Gene Devoe Reid, age 97, passed away peacefully on February 3, 2026, with his loving family at his bedside. Gene was born on March 7, 1928 in Flint Michigan to John and Mae (Whitney) Reid. Gene served proudly on the USS Alabama in World War II in the Pacific and told many stories about his experiences including his time in...
Thomas Cornell Walbridge
Feb 3, 2026
Thomas Cornell Walbridge, Jr., age 70, passed peacefully in his home in Traverse City, Michigan on February 3, 2026 after living a rich and joyful life. Up until the very end he had Betsy, his beloved wife of 41 years, by his side. Tom was a devoted father to Beth Walbridge Anderson (Abe) and Tommy Walbridge (Leah), and a loving...
Jack David Segal
Feb 3, 2026
Jack David Segal passed away February 3, 2026 at the age of 80 after a recent cancer diagnosis. He was husband to Karen Puschel, father to Jehan L Segal (Stone Applegate), brother to Robert Segal (Joan), brother-in-law to Sandy King and Susan Gahagan (Jack), uncle to Laura Stein (Sam Goldfeder) and Leigh McNamara (Joe), Elizabeth Stone (George), David Segal (Shannon...
Richard "Dick" Ayling
Feb 2, 2026
Richard Harvey Ayling, age 90, passed away peacefully on February 2, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of family, sportsmanship, and enduring friendship. For many years, Dick dedicated his life to inspiring students both in and out of the classroom. Teaching was more than a profession to him—it was a calling. After earning his PhD, he devoted his career to education,...
John Raymond O'Polka
Feb 1, 2026
John R. O'Polka, dear dad, gregarious Grampy, caring companion, rascally brother, wily uncle, master millwright, cat rescuer, walleye wrangler, boisterous bowler, golfing great, and fun-loving friend, passed away in Traverse City, Michigan, on February 1, 2026, at the age of 77. John was born July 31, 1948, in Saginaw, Michigan, the son of the late John L. O'Polka and Beatrice...
Jim Trnka
Feb 1, 2026
James "Jim" William Trnka, 80, passed away at Munson Medical Center on February 1, 2026. Jim was born on June 29, 1945 in Traverse City to the late Joseph and Helen (Dobson) Trnka. After graduating from Traverse City Central High School Jim enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. Following his basic training he volunteered to serve his country in Vietnam....
Eileen Marie Martha Dunn
Feb 1, 2026
Eileen Dunn, 76, of Traverse City passed away peacefully at the Munson Hospice House on February 1, 2026. Eileen was born on July 5,1949 in Flint to the late John Odin and Lucy Delia (Montbriand) Jesme. She began her school years in 1954 at St. John Vianney Catholic School in Flint. She attended there until her high school graduation in...
Violet Marie Felker
Jan 31, 2026
Traverse City – Violet Marie Felker, 96, lifelong resident of Traverse City passed away peacefully on January 31, 2026 at Independence Village. Violet was born on September 8, 1929 to the late Steve and Susie (Depky) Panek. On July 16, 1949. she married Merle Felker at Immaculate Conception Church. Violet was a member of St. Francis Catholic Church and Greilikville...
Glenn Robert Heiney
Jan 31, 2026
Glenn Robert Heiney, age 74, peacefully passed away at his home in Maple City, Michigan, on January 31, 2026. Glenn lived a full and meaningful life marked by honorable military service, high-level accomplishments in horsemanship, a successful self-made business, many treasured friendships, and deep family roots. Glenn was born on May 3, 1951, to Evert Glen Heiney and Dorothy Heiney...
Annette Marie Johnston
Jan 30, 2026
Annette Marie Johnston, age 74, of Traverse City, Michigan passed away peacefully in the middle of January 2026. Annette was born on November 15, 1951, in Traverse City. The beloved daughter of Raymond Johnston; sister of Lisa (Howard) Waite, Tamara (Joe) Ganci, Diane (Stuart) Stevenson, Tafney (Kenny) Kastner, Cynthia McDonnell and Marsha Barrett. Annette was best known for her musical,...
Ingeborg Katherine Grost
Jan 29, 2026
With deep love and gratitude for a life beautifully lived, we share the passing of Ingeborg Katherine (Kuehl) Grost, affectionately known as Inge---a devoted mother, proud grandmother and great-grandmother, faithful friend, and steady source of warmth and encouragement. Inge passed away peacefully on January 29, 2026, in Traverse City, Michigan, at the age of 97. Inge was born November 23,...
Allen Henry Horstman
Jan 28, 2026
Allen Horstman, 82, of Traverse City, Michigan, passed away on January 28, 2026. Allen was born on August 1, 1943 to Eudora (Allen) Horstman and Albert Horstman in Seymour, Indiana. He grew up in the nearby farming community of Brownstown, where Eudora was a schoolteacher and homemaker and where Albert farmed and was a county clerk. An only child, Allen...
Russell John Berard
Jan 26, 2026
Russell John Berard (September 4, 1940 - January 26, 2026) lived a life that defied simple summary. Born in Des Moines, IA, raised everywhere, and finally at peace in Traverse City, MI, he left behind his birth and blended family that includes two daughters and a son - Jon Willow, Lucky, and Terry; seven grandchildren - Lena, Harrison, Kitty, Jeff,...
Marlene K. Clemenshaw
Jan 25, 2026
Marlene Kay Clemenshaw, age 89, of Elk Rapids, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 25, 2026. Marlene was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She was a skilled and compassionate orthopedic nurse for many years, a job she truly loved. Marlene was a member of Calvary Lutheran Church in Elk Rapids. She cherished her family and was the happiest when...
