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Barbara Wahl Peterson
Barbara "Barb" Wahl Peterson, 51, of Bellaire died Saturday, Oct. 2, 2004, at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City.
She was born Dec. 16, 1952, in Saginaw to Leslie and Helen (Kirstowsky) Wahl. Barb graduated from Arthur Hill High School in Saginaw in 1971. She graduated from Central Michigan University with a bachelor of arts degree in journalism in 1975. For most of her career, Barb worked as a legal assistant for several law firms in Saginaw and Traverse City. Barb earned the designation of Professional Legal Secretary in 1983.
On Dec. 1, 1980, Barb married Theodore Peterson.
Barb's passions were her big Newfoundland dogs and the Detroit Red Wings. She thoroughly enjoyed camping, catching fish, walking along beaches, exploring lighthouses and waterfalls and watching wildlife of the north woods.
Barb will always be remembered for her gallant struggle in trying to recover from massive injuries received in an automobile accident in Bellaire. She was hospitalized for slightly more than a year. Barb confronted what ultimately proved to be insurmountable injuries with inspirational courage and grace sprinkled with a delightful sense of humor.
Barb is survived by her husband, Theodore Peterson of Bellaire; her sister, Linda Hanley of Ann Arbor; and three special cousins, Jo Ellen (Phil) Oppenheiser of Cheboygan, Jackie (Paul) Perreault of Saginaw, and Judy (Dave) Schlitts of Brandt. She was preceded in death by her parentsFriends may call Saturday, Oct. 9, from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Bellaire Chapel of Mortenson Funeral Homes in Bellaire. Funeral Services will be conducted at 11 a.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. Kenneth Lein officiating.Memorial contributions may be made to the Grass River Natural Area, PO Box 231, Bellaire, MI 49615.
Barbara A. Hunt
Barbara A. Hunt 46, of Mancelona, died Monday, Oct. 4, 2004, at Munson Medical Center.She was born on Nov. 24, 1957 in Warren, the daughter of Frederick Sr. and Verina (Rabior) Hunt.She was a resident of Mancelona most of her life where she was a long time member of St. Anthony Catholic Church.
She was employed for Craft House in Kalkaska. She was an active participant for the American Cancer SocietyÕs Relay For Life in Antrim County, and was an avid University of Michigan Wolverine fan.
She is survived by her mother Verina Hunt of Mancelona; three brothers, Fred Jr. (Darlene) Hunt of Bellaire, James Hunt of Mancelona, Tom Hunt of Bellaire; seven sisters, Ruth (Dale) Lacy of Zephyrhills, Fla., Mary (John) Jefferson of Greenwood, Ind., Fern Vandergriff of Mancelona, Elizabeth "Betty" Vazquez of Mancelona, Sue (Jay) Robinson of Mancelona, Debbie Hunt of Mancelona, and Patricia (Ed) Lucas of Williamsburg.
Also surviving are many nieces and nephews and many great nieces and great nephews.
She was preceded in death by her father Frederick Hunt Sr., a brother-in-law James Vandergriff and a sister-in-law Kathy Hunt.A Funeral Mass will take place on Thursday, Oct. 7, at 11 a.m. at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Mancelona. The Rev. James Barrand will officiate. Interment will follow in Fairview cemetery, Mancelona. Visitation will held Wednesday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Mancelona Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes where a Rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to the family.v June E. Bartlett 72, of Bloomington, Ill., formerly of Mancelona, died Sept. 28, 2004, at her home. Funeral services were held Oct. 2, 2004 at the Mancelona chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes.
DeVere Ryckman
DeVere W. "Rick" Ryckman, founder of an environmental firm and responsible for setting up the environmental engineering department at Washington University, died Sept. 14, 2004, of complications of lymphoma at St. John's Mercy Medical Center in Creve Coeur, Mo. He was 80 and a resident of Ballwin, Mo.
Mr. Ryckman was reared on a farm in South Boardman. He attended the University of Maine before enlisting in the U.S. Navy as a member of the Construction Battalion, stationed in the Pacific while serving in World War II.
After his military service, Mr. Ryckman earned a bachelor of science degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y., one of the nation's oldest technological universities.Mr. Ryckman received a master's degree from Michigan State University and a doctorate of science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in environmental engineering.
In 1956, Mr. Ryckman moved to St. Louis, where he was in charge of setting up a new department in environmental engineering at Washington University. He would teach there for the next 15 years. At the university, Mr. Ryckman was the A.P. Greensfelder professor of engineering.
In 1962, Mr. Ryckman helped organize a graduate program at the University of Hawaii.
From 1963 to 1975, Mr. Ryckman was a partner in the environmental consulting firm RETA (Ryckman Edgerley Tomlinson and Associate). In 1975, he founded REACT (Ryckman, Emergency, Action and Consulting Team) which continues today on Sixth Street. His son, Stewart Ryckman of Ladue, is president of the company. His other son, Mark D. Ryckman of Atlanta, is the principal engineer of Remtech.
Recently, the environmental engineering department at Washington University established the Rick and Betty Ryckman lecture series. The annual lecture series invites individuals to further promote environmental engineering science education.Mr. Ryckman was a member of the First Congregational Church of Webster Groves, St. Louis downtown Rotary Club, the Engineers Circle Club and the Washington University Eliot Society. He served on the board of the Salvation Army.
A memorial service was held Sept. 18 at First Congregational Church of Webster Groves. Interment was private.
In addition to his sons, among the survivors are his wife of 55 years, Betty J. Ryckman; daughter, Jill Ferguson of Chicago; brothers, Seymour Ryckman of Dayton, Ohio, Willard Ryckman of Kalkaska and Clesson Ryckman of South Boardman; sisters, Gene Woodhams of Fife Lake and Virgil Uitvlugt of Battle Creek; and seven grandchildren.Memorial contributions may be made to First Congregational Church of Webster Groves, 10 West Lockwood Ave., St. Louis, Mo. 63119, or the Salvation Army, 1130 Hampton Ave., St. Louis, Mo. 63139.
Lawrence Myers
Lawrence (Larry) Myers of Kalkska died on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2004, at Meadowbrook Care Facility in Bellaire, following a long illness.He was born December 15, 1946, in Highland Park.
Surviving are his daughter, Stephanie, of Kalamazoo, and his parents, Mark and Betty Myers, of Fife Lake.He was preceded in death by his brother, Gregory, in 1999.Memorial services will be held Saturday, Oct. 9, at 1 p.m. at the Frurip-May Funeral Home in LaGrange, Ind.Memorials may be made to K.A.I.R., P.O. Box 766, Kalkaska Mich. 49646.
Local arrangements were made by Wolfe Funeral Home, Kalkaska.
Margaret Casassa
Margaret Elise Casassa, R.N., 83, of Ferrysburg, died peacefully Friday evening, Sept. 17, 2004, at Munson Medical Center with her family by her side.
She was born on Feb. 6, 1921, in Gwinn, the daughter of H. Hugo and Alma (Petersen) Field. She married James P. Casassa at PeopleÕs Church in Kalkaska on Sept. 8, 1946.
Margaret graduated from Kalkaska High School and Sparrow Nursing School in Lansing.
She served four years as a lieutenant nurse in the Army during World War II, where she met James, her husband. After the war, Margaret worked at the Traverse City State Hospital until she and James moved to Ferrysburg.
Margaret demonstrated her commitment to the practice of nursing by serving for many years as a delivery room nurse at Grand Haven Community Hospital, an Ottawa County visiting nurse, a private duty nurse at Shore Haven Nursing Home, and caring for many individuals in their homes. She had been a member of the American Nurses' Association and a charter member of the Women's War Memorial in Washington D.C.
She was a longtime member of St. John's Episcopal Church and served on many committees including the Altar Guild, Thrift Shop, Pastoral Calling and Women's Guild. Margaret sang alto in St. Cecelia's Choir for more than 40 years.Margaret loved the time she spent with her family, especially her grandchildren, and enjoyed watching sunsets and spending time at her cottage on Torch Lake. She was a talented seamstress who enjoyed playing the piano, painting and doing crosswords. Margaret was very proud of the watercolor class she joined this summer, and created some very lovely paintings.She is survived by her daughters, Elise (Robert) Glettler of Ada, Gianine of Grand Rapids, Mary Beth of Ferrysburg, and Christine (Michael Dixon) of Torch Lake; six grandchildren, James and Brian Glettler, Sarah Casassa, Danielle, Megan and Amy Dixon; nieces, Kathleen Field of Los Allemands, La., Cheryl and Sharon Casassa of Leominster, Ma.Along with her husband, Margaret was preceded in death by her two sons, David and Paul.
A memorial service was held at St. JohnÕs Episcopal Church, Grand Haven, on Oct. 3, 2004. The Rev. Henry Idema III and the Rev. John B. Hills served as celebrants.
A celebration of MargaretÕs life will he held at her beloved Torch Lake cottage at a later date.Memorials may be directed to St. CeciliaÕs Choir, c/o St. JohnÕs Episcopal Church, 524 Washington St., Grand Haven Mich. 49417.
Thomas St. Denis
Thomas Alexander St. Denis, 77, of Kalkaska, formerly of Detroit, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2004, at his home.
Born on Oct. 6, 1926, in Detroit, he was the son of Alexander and Marie St. Denis. Thomas retired from the Total Oil Co. in Detroit. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Kalkaska VFW Post 8684, Beebe-Sherwood Post 480 of the American Legion in Kalkaska. He served his country in WWII and in the Korean War. He belonged to St. Anthony of Paduca Parrish in Mancelona and St. Mary of the Woods Catholic Church in Kalkaska.
He is survived by his brother, James (Joann) St. Denis of Sterling Heights; children, Elizabeth (Dennis) St. Denis-Borek, Jeanette (Dennis) St. Denis-Dryden, and Karen St. Denis-Cook; grandchildren, Dennis Borek, Bernadette Malooley, Bridget Ames, Michael Borek, Matthew Dryden, Andrew Dryden and Rebekkah Brown; and 10 great-grandchildren.Thomas was preceded in death by his wife, Grace, and his parents.Visitation was on Oct. 1 from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m., with a 7:30 p.m. Rosary at the Wolfe Funeral Home in Kalkaska. Mass was Saturday, Oct. 2 at 10 a.m. at St. Mary of the Woods. Interment was at Fairview cemetery in St. Helen.
In lieu of flowers, masses may be said for the repose of the soul. Memorials may be given to the Kalkaska VFW Post 8684 or Beebe Sherwood Post 480 of the American Legion, both in Kalkaska, or Munson Hospice, 1105 Sixth St., Traverse City, Mich. 49684-2386.Arrangements by Wolfe Funeral Home.
Michael B. McNally
With his keen sense of humor and bright smile, Michael B. McNally was well known within the legal community of southeastern Michigan. McNally, retired president of The Legal Advertiser, died Tuesday, September 21, after a short illness.
A Mass of the Resurrection was celebrated Saturday, Sept. 25, at St. Mary Magdalen Parish in Brighton. The body was cremated and his wife and sons will travel to northern Michigan to scatter the ashes. The family suggests donations to a charity of the donor's choice with acknowledgements sent through Keehn Funeral home, 706 W. Main St., Brighton, 48116.
He was a big, bold, happy Irishman who had a great perspective on life, an amazing sense of humor, quick wit and an uncanny ability to light up a room with his presence, said his son, Michael.
Born Dec. 23, 1936 in Detroit, McNally attended Grosse Pointe High School where he played varsity football and was named All State Guard. He continued to play football at the University of Detroit. During his two years in the U.S. Navy, 1955-57, he played tackle on the Amphibious Force Gators Football team.
A knee injury prevented him from continuing to play when he returned to civilian life to finish his education at Michigan State University.After holding several successful sales positions, McNally found his life's work when he joined Parker Publications, parent company of The Legal Advertiser, in 1967. He was named vice president in 1968 and became company president in 1991.During his career with the paper, McNally was instrumental in the formation of the popular Lawyer's Softball League, in which he played for many years.He also helped with the founding of the Michigan Chapter of the Incorporated Society of Irish American Lawyers.
An avid outdoorsman, he loved hunting and fishing, spending quality time in the woods and on the water with his three sons and lifelong friends. In 1993, McNally retired to pursue 'the life of the country gentleman' in northern Michigan, but instead discovered the motorhome lifestyle. He was proud of the fact that he and his wife traveled through the entire lower 48 states and also drove to Alaska.
McNally is survived by his wife, Karen; three sons, M. Timothy, Thomas (Julie) and Michael (Kristen); his mother, Anne; brother, Thomas; eight grandchildren; two nieces and three nephews; a grand niece and grand nephew.
Joseph Francis McKeon
Joseph Francis McKeon, 79, of Bellevue, died Thursday, Sept. 30, 2004 at the Eaton County Medical Care Facility. No services are scheduled.
He was born Oct. 2, 1924 to William J. and Estelle R. (Johnson) McKeon in Somerville, Mass.
He served in the Navy during World War II aboard the U.S.S. Lexington in the Pacific Theatre.
Joseph was a truck driver for Central Transport for 32 years, retiring in 1986.He was a member of the VFW 8260 in Nashville and the Bellevue-Olivet American Legion.
Joe loved his family, his dogs and sitting outdoors in the shade. He loved music, playing his guitar and writing a song entitled, Joe's Blues.
Joseph married Marie Josephine Anderson formerly of East Jordan on June 6, 1952 in Lansing. She survives.
Also surviving are sons, Clinton (Tammy) Bates of Silver City, New Mexico, Michael (Lynn) McKeon of Bellevue; daughters, Pamela (Bill) Dixon of Boyne Falls, Nancy (Ron) Feher of Lansing; nine grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren; and sister, Florence Noonan Holly of Illinoois. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, William McKeon.
Memorial donations may be made to Michigan Lupus Foundation or Bellevue First Responders and Bellevue Fire Department.
The family is being served by Shaw Funeral Home, Lehman Chapel, Bellevue.
Kenneth Steele
Fife Lake native Kenneth Leroy Steele, 89, died peacefully in his sleep at Eden Long Care Facility in Kalkaska where he had been a patient for about a month.
He was born, April 11, 1915, on the farm in Fife Lake where he continued living until shortly before his death. His parents were Ernest Leroy and Una Fay (Price) Steele.
He graduated from Fife Lake High School in 1934. In South Boardman, on June 14,1936, he married Agatha Irene Smith, a school teacher in Crofton who later taught in Fife Lake and Oak Park Elementary in Traverse City. He and Agatha raised their three children; Gordon, Sandra and Carol, in Fife Lake. When Agatha retired in 1975, they began spending winters in Florida and Arizona. Kenneth was widowed on April 2, 1982. On July 21, 1993, he married Fern (Strahan) Hackman in Detroit, Michigan.
Ken was a very active man in the community. He carried mail for a short time in the 1930s, drove school bus for 30 years, was a scout master and worked with the Fife Lake July 4 committee helping put on fireworks. He was the assistant fire chief and was very involved in establishing the Fife Lake Historical Society and the Fife Lake Area Museum. He enjoyed photography and researching the history of the area. He made numerous slide presentations about the early days of Fife Lake. He was honored by the Michigan Historical Society for his many years of work in this field.
He was a farmer but had many other jobs throughout his life. He worked for the power plant in Fife Lake. When there was a power outage, he was the person who got the calls. He also was the person who climbed the poles to change bulbs for the streetlights. He later ran his own radio and television repair business. He was a general contractor and licensed electrician.
He was a member of the Fife Lake Methodist Church and a former member of the Fife Lake I.O.O.F. Lodge.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife and twin siblings. He is survived by his wife, Fern; his children, Gordon (Janice) Steele, Sandra (Serge) Mann and Carol (Wayne) Bancroft; stepson, Richard (Julie) Hackman; grandchildren, David (Debbie) Gaultier, Christina DeVita, Denise (Mike) Palmer, Barbette (Jeff) Lane, Todd (Aspen) Steele, Melissa (Peter) Hembrough, Cynthia (Steve) Gibler, Mark (Brenda) Bancroft, Rebecca (Bancroft) Strahan and Gregory Bancroft, and step-grandchildren, Kathryn and Jennifer Hackman. He is also survived by 25 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Memorials may be made to the Fife Like Historical Society. A memorial service will be held at the Fife Lake Methodist Church; Sunday, Oct. 17, 2004, at 2 p.m. with Pastor Dan Biteman officiating.
Covell-Smith Funeral Home of Kingsley is entrusted with arrangements.
Lucile Farr
Lucile D. Farr of Kalkaska passed away on Oct. 9, 2004, at Kalkaska Memorial Health Center Long Term Care. She was born on Jan. 15, 1916, in Chicago, Ill., the daughter of Roy and Lucile (Ostres) Enders.
Lucile was a resident of Kalkaska since 1994 when she moved from Canton. She was a member of Peoples Church. She loved her family dearly and enjoyed being with them.
Surviving Lucile are her children, Tommy Farr of Wayne, David (Melissa) Farr of Westland, Marie Farr of St. Helen, Nancy Richardson of St. Helen, Patricia Onjukka of Alabama, Hazel (Howard "Butch") Comai of Kalkaska and Dolly (Steve) Field of California; her daughter-in-law, Sandy Farr of Florida; 28 grandchildren, and 23 great-grandchildren.
Lucile was preceded in death by her son, Leslie "Sonny" Farr, in 1996.
The funeral service was on Oct. 12 with the Rev. Robert Stark of Kalkaska United Methodist Church officiating. Interment was at Evergreen cemetery.
Memorials may be directed to Munson Hospice in memory of Lucile. Arrangements were made by Wolfe Funeral Home of Kalkaska.
