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Ruth McFall, 96
ONAWAY - Ruth McFall, age 96, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2003, leaving this world to join her beloved husband of 60 years who died June 5, 2001.
Ruth always said that when it was her time, she wanted to "go in the woods." Her last three wishes were granted: She saw a last snowfall, she was surrounded by her children and she was welcomed into a brilliant autumn woods by a beautiful sunshine that came close to rivaling Ruth's special smile.
Ruth was an independent woman long before women were expected to ravel, work and reach beyond home. From covered wagon to jet plane, from Downs, Kan. (he birthplace) to Milford Track, New Zealand. Ruth saw the world, embraced adventure and drew into her family all she met.
A consummate teacher, Ruth began her career in the Missouri Ozarks in one-room schoolhosues; attended Wayne State University and taught at Denton schools, where she met Roger. They moved to Onaway, where Ruth taught until moving to Midland, Mich., where she taught until she retired. Ruth was involved in 4-H for many years and supported Special Olympics as well. Her many students gave her great joy. She left a mark on their lives, finding goodness and worth in everyone she met.
Ruth will not be easily forgotten. There will be many "Ruthie" stories as all who came to know her have special memories - camping and hiking in Alaska, exploring Mayan ruins in Mexico, trekking through Europe, visiting friends all over the world, or enjoying retirement and the company of family and friends at home on the Black River in Onaway. Being with Ruth, one always felt warmth and acceptance.
Ruth's children: Jim and wife, Barb; Barbara and husband, Charlie Randazzo; Helen Brandt; grandchildren Melanie Craft, Bill Brandt and Casey Randazzo; great-grandchildren Nathaniel McFall and Jessica Craft; sisters Grace Burden and Laura Miller; as well as those whose lives she touched will remember Ruth's warm and loving smile, her kindness and gentleness. Most importantly, through all of her experiences, her greatest love was her family. We are all richer for her love.
Ruth's memory can be honored by all those who wish, with a contribution to Hospice of the Straits in Cheboygan or the Special Olympics.
Patricia J. Embach, 77
PETOSKEY - Patricia J. Embach, 77, of Indian River, passed away on Monday, Feb, 23, 2004, at Northern Michigan Hospital in Petoskey.
Visitation will take place from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2004, at the Lintz Funeral Home in Indian River, where a prayer service will be conducted at 7 p.m. Wednesday. Mass of the resurrection will take place at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 26, 2004, at the Cross in the Woods Catholic Church in Indian River.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Cross in the Woods endowment fund.
Elizabeth A. Woodruff, 63
PETOSKEY - Elizabeth Ann Woodruff, 63, of Topinabee, passed away on Sunday, April 4, 2004, at Northern Michigan Hospital in Petoskey.
Elizabeth was born in Cheboygan on Feb. 3, 1941, the daughter of Arthur and Laura (Grandmason) Boyea. She married William Woodruff Sr. in Cheboygan. He preceded her in death on Dec. 15, 1995.
Elizabeth was employed at the Flame Restaurant, Green Meadows and later in the dietary department at Cheboygan Memorial Hospital.
She is survived by five sons, Philip of Topinabee, William of Cheboygan, Steven of Cheboygan, Tim of Indian River and Brian of Cheboygan; one daughter, Paula Woodruff of Cheboygan; three grandchildren, Amanda, Jessie and Billie; three brothers, Earl Jr., Harold and Robert; and three sisters, Alice, Joyce and Mary; and a brother-in-law, Richard. She was preceded in death by her husband, William; and several brothers, as well as her parents.
Private graveside services will be conducted at a later date.
Nordman Funeral Home in Cheboygan was in charge of arrangements.
Craig Leroy 'Tank' Welke, 57
CHEBOYGAN - Craig Leroy "Tank" Welke, age 57, of Cheboygan went to be with his Heavenly Father on Thursday, April 8, 2004 at his home surrounded by his loving family following a courageous 17-month battle with cancer.
He was born in Cleveland, Ohio on March 22, 1947, the son of the Rev. Roy A. and Dorothy (Trask) Welke Jr.
Craig was a graduate of Cheboygan High School and the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. He was a member St. James Episcopal Church, the Fraternal Order of Police, the Moose Lodge, the Eagles and the Masonic Lodge of Onaway.
Craig enjoyed every aspect of the outdoors and had a genuine appreciation of everyone and everything in his life.
Craig leaves to cherish his loving memory two children, Sarah (David) Skinner of Virginia Beach, Va., and Brian Welke of St. Augustine, Fla.; his wife Anne Marie and her three children, Robert, Richard and Jason (Joan) Farrell; and her grandchildren, Jakob and Alexzandria; his sister, Janet (James) Bauer of Malcolm, Neb.; two brothers, Gary (Vonda) Welke of Middleburg, Va. and Kyle (Sharon) Welke of St. Charles, Mo.; his stepmother, Ellen Olcott Welke of Temple Hills, Md.; and his "second father" George Radke of Cheboygan. He will also be sadly missed by his very special nieces, nephews and countless friends as well as his faithful companion and "duck hunter" Ralph.
Craig was preceded in death by his parents.
Visitation will take place from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. today, April 9, 2004, at the Nordman Funeral Home in Cheboygan. The funeral service will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 10, 2004, at St. Mary/St. Charles Catholic Church, with the Rev. Bill McClure officiating. Interment will be in Oakhill cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family and Craig request that memorial contributions be directed to Hospice, the Salvation Army or the charity of one's choice.
Frances C. Socha 87
CHEBOYGAN - Frances C. Socha 87 of Cheboygan passed away April 8, 2004 at Cheboygan Memorial Hospital.
Arrangements were handled by Charles G. Parks Funeral Home in Petoskey.
Phillip J. Whitman, 70
MENTOR TOWNSHIP - Phillip J. Whitman, 70, passed away on Tuesday, April 20, 2004, at his Mentor Township home.
There will be no visitation or services.
The Lintz Funeral Home in Indian River served the family.
Elaine Sova, 80
PETOSKEY - Elaine Sova, 80, of Cheboygan, passed away Wednesday, April 21, 2004 at Northern Michigan Hospital in Petoskey.
Arrangements are pending and will be announced by the Christian Funeral Home in Cheboygan.
Francis T. Connors, 85
CHEBOYGAN - A memorial Mass to celebrate the life of Frank Connors, 85 years old, will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, April 30, 2004, at Sacred Heart Church in Mt. Pleasant, Mich.
Frank, formerly of Mt. Pleasant, passed away in Cheboygan on Monday, April 26, 2004, following a brief illness.
He was born in Mt. Pleasant on Jan. 31, 1919, the son of James and Ethel Connors. He was a 1939 graduate of Sacred Heart Academy, a veteran of the U.S. Navy and retired from Total Petroleum in 1982.
Visitation will take place from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 29, 2004, and from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Friday, April 30, 2004, at the Clark Funeral Home, 114 Bradley St., Mt. Pleasant. His family and friends are invited to share this memorial with his wife of 64 years, Evelyn; their daughter, Connie; sons Thomas and Timothy; and grandchildren Donald, Rene and William. The Rev. Robert Byrne will celebrate the Mass.
In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the American Heart Association or American Lung Association.
Erna E. Grieger, 83
ALPENA - Erna E. Grieger, 83, of Alpena, passed away on Thursday, April 29, 2004, at her home.
Born Erna Rumminger on May 25, 1920 in Gladwin, Mich., she married Donald Grieger on Jan. 15, 1944, in Detroit.
Mrs. Grieger was a member of the Church of the Straits in Mackinaw City.
Surviving are her husband, Donald; a daughter, Judy (the Rev. H. Robert) Case; four grandchildren, Allen, Joshua, Joseph and Kristin; two great-grandchildren, Mara and Everett; and a brother, Richard. Preceding her in death was a son, Kenneth, and a brother, Henry.
Mrs. Grieger has been taken from the Bannon Funeral Home in Alpena for cremation. A memorial service is scheduled in May at the Church of the Straits in Mackinaw City.
The family suggests memorials to the First Congregational UCC of Alpena or Church of the Straits in Mackinaw City.
Leolabell Sack, 78
CHEBOYGAN - Leolabell Sack, age 78, formerly of Burt Lake and Cheboygan, passed away early Monday, May 3, 2004, at TenderCare in Cheboygan, where she had been a resident for the past year.
Leolabell was born in Muskegon, Mich. on Feb. 8, 1926, the daughter of William and Lydia (Camp) Remailia. She married William Sack, and together they owned and operated Sack's Grocery near Burt Lake for more than 30 years. Mr. Sack died in 1974, and shortly after the store was sold. Mrs. Sack retired a short time later.
Leolabell loved to do arts and crafts, fishing and hunting.
She is survived by four children, Kaola Pilmore of Pewamo, Mich., Linda and John Karsten Rutherford of Grandville, Mich., and Debra and Richard Croff of Alanson; eight grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, William; a son, William Jr. in 1972; a son-in-law, Dennis Pilmore; and a brother, Gerald.
Cremation has take place and family graveside services will be conducted at a later date.
The Nordman Funeral Home in Cheboygan is caring for the family.
