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Bernice Pucher
Bernice Pucher of Lapeer, a former resident of Cedarville and Livonia, died Tuesday, March 29, 2005, at the age of 85.
Mrs. Pucher is survived by three sons and their families, Michael and Elaine, James, and Bernard, four grandchildren and their spouses, Michael and Wendy, Linda and David, Patrick and Susan, and Jamie and Aaron, and four great-grandchildren, Amanda, Royce, Andrew, and Grace.
She was preceded in death by two husbands, John Pucher and Keith Williams.
A funeral mass was celebrated Friday, April 1, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in downtown Lapeer.
Interment was in Holy Sepulchre cemetery in Southfield.
Memorial donations can be made to McLaren Hospice at 237 Davis Lake Road, Lapeer Michigan 48446.
Lynch and Sons Funeral Directors of Lapeer assisted the family with arrangements.
Lorna Heydinger
Lorna Duff Heydinger of Fort Meyers, Florida, was a former summer resident of Drummond Island.
Mrs. Heydinger died at the age of 82 Tuesday, March 15, 2005.
She was born in San Rafael, California, March 3, 1923.
She married
Dr. David K. Heydinger March 30, 1946, in Ross, California.
They lived in Columbus, Ohio, from 1946 to 1974, and Huntington, West Virginia, from 1979 to 2000.
Family members described her as a beloved wife and mother.
She is survived by her husband, Dr. David K. Heydinger; her children and their families, Lorna Lee and Rob Overly of Scottsdale, Arizona, Barbara Louise Spohn of Duluth, Georgia, Cynthia Ann and Mark Wenger of Upper Arlington, Ohio, Laura Jean and Peter Ryan of Duluth, Georgia, and David Kenneth and Linette Heydinger II of Duluth, Georgia; 14 grandchildren; one great-grandson, and two sisters and their families, Patricia Hagan of Fremont, California, and Susan Sommers of Modesto, California.
She was preceded in death by two brothers, Alfred Duff and Stephen Duff, and two sisters, Betty Stewart and Jeanne Lang.
Graveside services will be held on Drummond Island at the Drummond Island cemetery Saturday, May 14.
Reamer Galer Funeral Home of Pickford assisted the family with arrangements.
Memorial donations can be made to The Village Church at Shell Point Village, 15100 Shell Point Boulevard, Fort Myers, Florida 33908.
Lee Baker
Lee W. Baker, 75, a long-time Newberry resident, died Thursday, March 31, 2005, at Helen Newberry Joy Hospital following a short illness.
He was born on March 4, 1930, in Paragould, Arkansas, to Lee and Ethel Baker.
Mr. Baker was a self-employed carpenter in the Detroit area and following his move to Newberry in 1970.
He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict and was a former member of the Newberry VFW Post #4418 and the Newberry Eagles Arie #3701.
Survivors include his long time companion, Clara Bruce of Newberry; five sons and their families, Michael and Susan Baker of Royal Oak, Bradley Allen Baker of Rector, Arkansas; Donny and Missy Martin of Newberry, Clifford of Hessel, and Gary and Lisa Bruce of Newberry; three daughters and their families, Latonya Viars of Crossville, Tennessee, Veronica and Ed LeMieux of Newberry, and Stacy Bruce of Newberry; 25 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren, with one more expected, and three sisters and their families, Opal and Loy Greer of Paragould, Arkansas, Ruth and Jack Hanson of Troy, and Irene of Senith, Arkansas.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, L.T. and J.D. Baker.
A funeral was held at the Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry Friday, April 1, at 2 p.m. with the Reverend Tom Evans of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church officiating.
Interment is in Forest Home cemetery.
Lela Robach
Lela Robach, 63, of St. Ignace died Monday, March 28, 2005, at Cheboygan Memorial Hospital.
She was one of a set of triplets born July 26, 1941, to Willis G. and Jean (nee Jones) Martin. They were the first triplet birth in the Upper Peninsula.
She was graduated from LaSalle High School. After retiring from the Community Action Agency, where she was employed for 30 years, she worked as the Mackinac County Animal Shelter operator. She loved animals, and never saw an animal she did not want to keep or nurse to health, said family members.
She also enjoyed caring for her nephews and other children. She was a member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians and St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church.
She married
Robert E. Robach June 25, 1965, in Belding.
She is survived by her husband, four step-sons and their families, Robert C. of Orlando, Florida, Bernard of Grand Rapids, Michael of Kent City, and John of Grand Rapids; a sister and her family, Carmon and Joe Green of St. Ignace; two brothers, Kirk Martin and John Robert Martin, both of Grand Rapids; 14 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren; and special nephews and their families, Don and Laurie Wright, Lee Wright, Robert and Sarah Wright, and Richard Wright, all of St. Ignace.
She was preceded in death by her mother in 1956 and her father in 1997; two sisters, Lilly Mae Wright June 17, 1980, and Agnes Martin April 26, 1997; and one brother, Albert Martin, in 1992.
Mass of Christian burial was Friday, April 1, at St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church with Father Norbert Landreville officiating.
Parish prayers were Thursday, March 31, at Dodson Funeral Home with Layminister Robert Belonga officiating.
Pallbearers were Lee Wright, Don Wright, Ray Amacher, John Massey, Ralph Massey, Joe Stelzer, and Larry Leveille.
Burial was in Gros Cap cemetery.
Memorials may be directed to the family or the Mackinac County Animal Shelter.
Richard Cook
Richard Cook, Sr., who served as a captain on tugboats in the area and who earned credentials to sail throughout the world, passed away at Mackinac Straits Hospital in St. Ignace Wednesday, March 23, 2005.
His children remember that Mr. Cook loved to bring them souvenirs from the far east.
He was born in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, March 31, 1928, to Merlin and Matilda (nee Johnson) Cook.
He is survived by three sons and their families, Robert and Laura of St. Ignace, Richard Jr. and Rebecca of Riverside, California, and James and Esther of Homeland, California.; his daughter, Marilyn Nardi of Whitewater, California; two stepdaughters, Judy Laughlin of Muskegon and Susan Kins of Longdale, Oklahoma, his stepmother, Marion Cook; a brother and his family, Merlin “Butch” and Heather Cook of Kinross; three sisters and their families, Melody and Dan Rose of Pickford, Kim and Doug Atkinson of Bruce Township, and Diana and Stan Steiner of Yankton, South Dakota; 14 grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Audrey, who passed away October 25, 2004, and his sister, Marilyn Borbely.
Visitation was at Hovie Funeral Home Friday, April 1, and services were held at the funeral home Saturday, April 2, at 11 a.m. with Pastor Jim Walters officiating.
Memorials may be left to the Arthritis Foundation.
John ‘Jack’ Chambers
John T. “Jack” Chambers, 79, died Friday morning, April 1, after having long established himself on Mackinac Island, his hometown, as a colorful community member and successful businessman. He enjoyed arguing politics and just about anything else with friends and strangers at the bar and, with his stinging wit, rarely lost.
Mr. Chambers had been living in St. Ignace for several years and died at Mackinac Straits Hospital Long Term Care after being a patient there for only a few days.
He was born in Chicago on January 29, 1926, to Edward and Mary Chambers and was reared by his uncle and his sister, Tom and Ann Chambers, on Mackinac Island after his mother died when he was four years old.
Island resident Jeannette Doud remembers Mr. Chambers growing up with his grandfather, William Chambers, known as “Cannonball Bill.”
“For many years, the family owned and operated the famous chicken restaurant known as the Cannonball at British Landing,” said Ms. Doud. “It was so very popular as folks stopped by for delicious home-cooked dinners.
“Mr. Chambers was an avid gardener and produced all the fresh fruit and vegetables which were served at the dinners,” she continued. “I can remember Jack’s grandfather coming into town each day with produce from the garden, which he would sell to all his customers. The one that I will never forget were the huge strawberries he raised on Mackinac.
“Following the early death of Jack’s mother,” said Ms. Doud, “he and his brother, Bill, could be seen playing in the open spaces at British Landing. Their devoted Aunt Ann and Uncle Tom gave the boys loads of tender loving care.”
Mr. Chambers lived on the Island much of his life, though he graduated from high school in Chicago. He served in the Merchant Marines during World War II, returning to the Island in 1946 with many fond memories, which he shared almost to his death.
When he returned from the war, he began his working career as a delivery man, delivering milk, gas, and ice cream on the Island, crossing the ice bridge with his horse and wagon in the winter. He would later become vice president at Mackinac Island Carriage Tours.
Mr. Chamber’s business success includes owning the original Village Inn Restaurant, a gift shop, and the Orpheum movie theater.
He was one of three businessmen who formed Mackinac Island’s Department of Public Works (DPW) in 1971 to provide the Island’s water and sewer needs, along with the late Sam McIntire and R.D. Musser Jr., who continues as the board’s chairman.
“Jack made immense contributions to the DPW,” said Mr. Musser. “He was a thinker and extremely good with figures, and so quick to understand. Jack was bright and extremely straight forward and also an honest guy. If he gave you his word on something, you could take it to the bank. I had, and have, a lot of respect for him.”
He was instrumental in digging the city out of debt over a dilapidated water and sewer infrastructure, Mr. Musser said. “He was such a bright guy and had wonderful ideas. He basically started the system that Carriage Tours still has for his reservation system,” Mr. Musser added, “and perfected it for Arthur Chambers.”
“He has been my friend for 50 years,” he continued. “I had a lot of fun with him over the years. When he was running the VI, he didn’t like neckties very much and I learned to take them off early when I went in there.”
Jack Chambers also served as the city’s building inspector for many years and was elected the city assessor for 28 consecutive one-year terms, a position that allowed him to sit on the Board of Review with the mayor and supervisor. Ron Dufina, who operates the new Village Inn on Mackinac Island, has been the supervisor serving on the Board of Review with Mr. Chambers for many of those years.
“Jack was like a father to me,” said Mr. Dufina. “He was my father’s best friend.”
The late Charles Dufina, a contractor on the Island, befriended Mr. Chambers while building the theater at Moral Re-armament, now Mission Point Resort Mr. Chambers was hired by Mr. Dufina’s father and became best friends. The theater is still in use.
Ron Dufina said he not only learned carpentry skills from Mr. Chambers, he learned integrity.
Mr. Chambers was known for his political debates and conversations and his opinions influenced many ideas that are now city standards. He was a smart man, said Mr. Dufina, a man who could talk to anyone about anything.
“He taught me things you can’t learn in school,” he said. “He taught me the value of business and personal relationships.”
Mr. Dufina credits Mr. Chambers for the business success he enjoys today.
“In 1971, I had a chance to buy a gift shop and Jack told me to ‘get your tab written down and do it,’ and so I did, and that started my business ownership career.”
Jack Chambers was tough and hard-nosed and could be caustic in his arguments. His boat was named “Ain’t Scar’d,” a phrase he liked to use.
Tom Hawker of St. Ignace, a bartender at the Village Inn and a best friend to Mr. Chambers for more than 15 years, describes Mr. Chambers as “a hard shell on the outside, but he had a heart of gold.” He also saw Mr. Chambers as a father figure.
“He was ornery and grumpy, but there was nothing he wouldn’t do for me and there was nothing I wouldn’t do for him,” said Mr. Hawker. “We’re going to miss him.”
Mr. Chambers is survived by a brother and his family, Bill and Helen Chambers of Chicago and by his nieces and nephews, Edward, Mary, and Patrick. He is also remembered by his special friends, Ron and Mary Dufina of Mackinac Island, and Tom Hawker of St. Ignace.
No visitation or funeral is planned. A memorial service will be held later at the Village Inn in St. Ignace with Mr. Chambers’ ashes present.
Dodson Funeral Home in St. Ignace is handling arrangements.
Raymond Goudreau
Raymond Goudreau, 53, of Seattle, Washington, died Saturday, April 2, 2005.
He was born May 2, 1951, to A. Stephen and Ruth Goudreau of Trout Lake. His mother preceded him in death.
Services are pending in Tacoma, Washington, and a St. Ignace service will be announced later.
Aaron Sweeney
Aaron V. Sweeney, 88, of St. Ignace, passed away Friday morning, May 27, 2005, at Mackinac Straits Hospital, following a short illness.
Mr. Sweeney was born April 27, 1917, in Stirlingville and attended Pickford Public Schools.
He was known as “Butch” to friends and family as he was growing up in the Pickford area, and he married
his longtime girlfriend, Eleanor Morrow, October 16, 1940, in Barbeau and moved to St. Ignace that year.
He started working on the Michigan State Ferries in 1938, first as a deckhand on the City of Saint Ignace . He eventually worked on all the state car ferries during his career and retired as captain of the Vacationland . He was the youngest captain in the state fleet.
His many friends and coworkers affectionately knew him as “Mickey.”
Mr. Sweeney was the last living captain of the fleet of state ferries. His sailing career ended in 1957 with the completion of the Mackinac Bridge, whereupon he was transferred to the Michigan State Highway Department and became superintendent in 1960. He ended his 42-year career with the State of Michigan in 1980.
After his retirement, he enjoyed working as relief captain on the railroad ferry Chief Wawatam.
Mr. Sweeney was an avid deer hunter and conservationist. He enjoyed baseball as a young man, playing on teams from Pickford and Cedarville. He also loved golf and played almost daily at the St. Ignace and Kincheloe golf clubs until poor health forced him to quit.
He served on the St. Ignace School Board and was a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus. He was a member of the St. Ignatius Loyola Church in St. Ignace and recently of Holy Family Church in Barbeau.
His wife, Eleanor, preceded him in death in 2000, as did his siblings, Richard, Edith, and Ethel.
Surviving are his seven children and their families, Eugene and Kathleen of Marquette; Dennis of Marquette; Kathleen and Joseph Giannunzio of Redmond, Washington; Richard of St. Ignace; Mary and Robert Mumford of Hansville, Washington; Cynthia and Mark McGuire of Lake Stevens, Washington; Robert and Maureen of St. Ignace; 12 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren.
Visitation was Monday, May 30, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Dodson Funeral Home in St. Ignace.
A Mass of Christian Burial was Tuesday, May 31, at 10 a.m. at St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church in St. Ignace with Father Jim Williams and Father Greg Heikkala as co-celebrants.
Interment was at Holy Redeemer cemetery in Donaldson.
Pallbearers were grandsons Aaron Sweeney, Shawn Sweeney, and Ryan Sweeney, nephews Mike Sweeney and David Sweeney, and cousin Bruce Sweeney.
For those wishing to make donations, masses may be offered for Aaron and Eleanor Sweeney.
