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Ralph L. Kelly
Died Aug. 25, 1999
Ralph L. Kelly, age 95, of Ludington and formerly of Orlando, Fla., passed away Wednesday, Aug. 25 in Hart. He was born March 1, 1904, in Holton, the oldest son of John and Minnie (Trump) Kelly. He was a master plumber in Kalamazoo, a farmer, carpenter and a spirited amateur boxer who went by the name of “Monk Ryan.” His wife sometimes had to move the lamps in the living room when he watched the fights on television so they wouldn’t be knocked over. He also was a hard-working man, a great father and the best father-in-law. Ralph always had a deep liking for people and had a sense of humor up until the time of his death.
Surviving are his son Thomas (and Carol) Kelly of Ludington; four grandchildren, Carla Messer of Hamilton, Ohio, Chuck (and Kris) Kelly of Ludington, Bryan Kelly, Karla (and Scott) Kizer of Dallas, Texas; and five great grandchildren.
Preceding him in death were his parents, his wife of 58 years, Grace Kelly, and his brother, Leland Kelly.
Services for Mr. Kelly are at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 30 at the Faith United Methodist Church, Orlando, Fla. Visitation will be Sunday, Aug. 29 at the Union Park Memorial Chapel, 10033 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando, Fla.
Those wishing to make donations may do so to Faith United Methodist Church, 1141 N. Dean Road, Orlando, FL 32825.
Charles C. Hulse
Died Jan. 29, 1999
Charles C. Hulse, age 75, of 10778 N. U.S. 31, Free Soil, died Friday, Jan. 29, in Phoenix, Ariz., following a brief illness.
Charles Clifford Hulse was born June 5, 1923, in Pawhuska, Okla. He attended school in the Stewartsville, Mo., area. He served his country in the United States Navy as a gunner’s mate 1-C on the USS San Francisco from 1940-1946. Defending his country at the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the battles of Midway and Guadalcanal, Charlie never saw himself as a “war hero, ” and gave all the credit to those who gave their lives in the service of their country. He married Doris R. Hansel on Nov. 22, 1944, in Olathe, Kan.
He worked for Century Boat Company of Manistee for 33 years, retiring in 1985. During retirement, the couple enjoyed spending their winters at their “second home” along the Colorado River near Parker, Ariz. He was a devoted family man, enjoying nothing more than spending time at family gatherings or showing pictures of his great-grandchildren to his friends at the park where he wintered.
He was a life member of VFW Walsh Post No. 4499 of Manistee and a 45-year member of the Free Soil United Methodist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Doris, of Free Soil; two sons, Charles T. (and Alana) Hulse of Constantine, and Brian D. (and Sandy) Hulse of Bakersfield, Calif.; one daughter, Christine Hulse of Benzonia; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Also surviving are three brothers, Raymond of Arma, Kan., Kenneth of Stockton, Calif., and Herbert of Hesperia, Calif.; five sisters, Geneva Black of Blue Springs, Mo., Eunice Tanner of Hardin, Mo., Dorothy Vaughn and Loretta Horn, both of Stockton, Calif., and Deborah Hulse of Lawson, Mo.; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Opal Hulse, two brothers, William and Darrell Hulse, and a sister, Ruby Fields.
Cremation has taken place. A memorial service for Charles C. Hulse will be Feb. 20, at Herbert Funeral Home in Manistee with the Rev. Russell Garrigus of Epworth United Methodist Church officiating. VFW military services will follow. The to receive friends.
Edward E. Hawkins
Died April 22, 1999
Edward E. Hawkins, age 83, of Mt. Vernon, Ill., died Thursday, April 22, at Barnes Jewish Hospital.
He was born April 5, 1916, in Buffalo, Iowa, the son of Ernest Hawkins and Alice (Holden) Hawkins. He was married Jan. 12, 1940, in Davenport, Iowa, to Lucia Mae Wynes and she survives.
He had served in the Maritime Service during World War II. He was vice president of Rowland & Company and was in the investment business for over 50 years. He was an allied member of the New York Stock Exchange.
He was a lifetime member of Masonic Orders in Davenport, Iowa, including the Kaaba Shrine, Mohasson Grotto, Zarepath Consistory, Trinity Lodge No. 208. He was also a lifetime member of the Mt. Vernon Elks Lodge No. 819, and was chairman of Mt. Vernon Park Board from 1975 to 1998. He was a member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Mt. Vernon, Ill.
The couple summered in the Ludington area.
Surviving, in addition to his wife, are two sisters-in-law, Dorothy Hawkins and Leona Hawkins, both of Davenport, Iowa; three nephews, John Hawkins Jr., Richard Hawkins and Robert Hawkins, all of Davenport, Iowa; and one niece, Nancy Sparks of Florida.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, John Hawkins Sr. and William Hawkins.
A memorial service for Mr. Hawkins will be held in Mt. Vernon, Ill., and Ludington at a later date.
Memorials may be directed to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church or the American Heart Association and will be accepted at the Newell Funeral Home, 2707 North St., Mt. Vernon, Ill., 62864.
Rose K. Benson
Died April 21, 1999
Rose K. Benson, age 95, of 201 E. Fitch St., Ludington, died peacefully at Memorial Medical Center Wednesday, April 21, following a brief illness.
Rose Kupper was born June 19, 1903, in Chicago, Ill., the daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Homel) Kupper. She grew up and attended school in Ludington graduating from Ludington High School with the class of 1922. She then attended Hillsdale College in Michigan. She graduated from St. Simon’s as a music teacher and taught piano for several years.
She first worked for Bosoms Manufacturing as an accountant and then worked for Mason County Probate Court for many years as a clerk.
She was very active in her community and served as worthy matron of Pere Marquette Chapter, Order of Eastern Star No. 327 and its secretary for 45 years. She was also past president of the Manistee District Association of Stars and past president of the Past Matrons Club.
She was past noble grand of the Rebekah Lodge No. 87, and past president of the Noble Grands Club. She was past president of District No. 30 of the Rebekahs and also past chaplain of the Rebekah Assembly of Michigan.
She was past president and ritualistic instructor of the Ludington Emblem Club No. 383.
Bridge, crocheting, knitting afghans and playing solitaire were some of the things she enjoyed doing.
She leaves her beloved son Philip W. Benson and his wife, Libby of Rockford, and her beloved sister, Lil R. Hansen of Ludington, with whom she made her home for many years.
Also surviving are three grandchildren, Laura Lee (and Timothy) Milliken of West Bloomfield, David (and Laurie) Benson of Grand Rapids, Martin Benson of Grand Rapids; eight great-grandchildren, Erin, Allison, Matthew and Sam Milliken, Mary Rose, Cyril, Taylor and Noah Benson; her nephews, Sherwood (and Julie) Kupper of Odessa, Texas, Gary Kupper of Incline, Nev., Douglas (and Vonise) Kupper of Tampa, Bruce Kupper of Chesapeake, Va., Steven S. (and Kathleen) Kupper of Temperance; nine grand-nephews; two grand-nieces.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers, Ben, Lou and Saul; two sisters-in-law, Sophie “Button” Kupper and Mary Kupper, and one niece, Marcia Lou Sheftel.
Memorial services for Rose K. Benson will be conducted at a later date and announced by the Dorrell Funeral Home.
Contributions in Rose’s memory may be directed to the Ludington Rebekah Lodge No. 87 and the Ludington/Scottville Chapter No. 327, Order of Eastern Star, or the Ludington Emblem Club with envelopes available at the funeral home.
Joanna M. Ray
Joanna M. Ray, age 93, of 310 N. Harrison St., passed away Feb. 15 at her home while surrounded by her family.
Joanna Mason, the daughter of Edward B. and Susan B. Mason, was born May 19, 1908, on her parents’ farm near Sonora, Ky. She graduated from Sonora High School and Western Kentucky University and received her MS in Library Science from the University of Michigan in 1961.
She was married on July 12, 1929, in Princeton, Ky., to Edward M. Ray, and he preceded her in death on March 17, 1973. She taught school in Kentucky before raising her family, and in Michigan she taught and served as high school librarian in Milan, Roscommon, Fraser and Scottville.
Joanna was a member of the United Methodist Church of Ludington and the United Methodist Women. She was also a past member of AAUW, the Women’s Literary Club, the Literary Study Club, the Ludington Garden Club, the Retired Teachers Association and Delta Kappa Gamma.
She is survived by two daughters, Barbara (and William) Sutter of Ludington and Emily Moore of Minneapolis, Minn.; six grandchildren, Pamela (and Ralph) Christensen of Marquette, Susan (and Allen) Andersen of Ludington, Laura Munch of Lockport, Ill., E. Eric (and Wendy) Sutter of Scottville, and Jennifer Moore and Joshua Moore, both of Minneapolis; six great-grandchildren, Abigail and Alexa Christensen, Scott and Joanna Andersen, Claire Munch and Alexandria Sutter; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Louella Mason and Sue E. Davis; and one brother, E.L. Mason, all of Kentucky.
Cremation has taken place. A celebration of Joanna’s life will be conducted at the United Methodist Church of Ludington 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 28 in the sanctuary. The family will be present in the church at 10 a.m. to receive visitors.
Those wishing to make an expression of sympathy are asked to consider a donation to the United Methodist Church of Ludington or Hospice of Michigan. Envelopes are available at Dorrell Funeral Home.
