Obituaries

Duane D. Heffner

Duane D. Heffner

Aug 13, 2024

Duane D. Heffner, 89, of Mancelona, MI, passed from this life on August 13, 2024. Duane was born on April 16, 1935, in Gladwin, MI, to Edwin and Gladys (Eagleson) Heffner. While serving in the United States Army as a Military Policeman in Lawton, OK, he met Betty Lou Keck. They were united in marriage on September 6, 1959, and...

Thomas V. Reed

Thomas V. Reed

Aug 11, 2024

Thomas V. Reed, 60 of Gaylord, passed away Sunday, August 11, 2024, at home. Born November 30, 1963, in Toledo, Ohio, he was the son of Robert and Patricia (Pacynski) Reed. 

Tom coached the Youth Bowling League in Gaylord for many years. He worked at Cooper Standard for 10 years where he made automobile parts. He loved to write poetry and...

Louis Abner Smith

Louis Abner Smith

Aug 8, 2024

Louis Abner Smith, 74 of Vanderbilt, passed away Thursday, August 8, 2024, at his daughter’s home in Wolverine.

Born in Grayling, Michigan on July 8, 1950, he was the son of Abner and Gwen (Leese) Smith. He was a lifelong area resident.

Lou will be remembered for his skill in construction as a mason. In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing and...

Valerie Ann Walker

Valerie Ann Walker

Aug 7, 2024

Valerie Ann Walker, 91 of Petoskey, passed away Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at home.  Her family has chosen to remember her privately.

Barbara Mae Duda

Barbara Mae Duda

Aug 6, 2024

Barbara Mae Duda, 97 of Gaylord, Michigan passed away at home on Tuesday, August 6, 2024.

Born in River Rouge, Michigan on June 3, 1927, she was the daughter of Hershel and Rosebud (Rose) Daly.

On June 27, 1951, Barbara married Joseph W. Duda. They lived in Allen Park then Detroit, Michigan and later on in West Palm Beach, Florida. After the...

Terri Lea Fisher

Terri Lea Fisher

Aug 6, 2024

Terri Lea Fisher, 73 of Vanderbilt, passed away Tuesday, August 6, 2024 at home.  In keeping with her wishes, her family will remember her privately.

Christine Joan Ritchie

Christine Joan Ritchie

Aug 6, 2024

Christine Joan Ritchie, 73 of Gaylord, passed away Tuesday, August 6, 2024, at home. She completed life’s journey surrounded by her loved ones. 

Born in Bethesda, Maryland on January 31, 1951, and raised in Wayne, Michigan, she was the daughter of Larner and Joan (Friend) Peak. 

Chris dedicated her life to her family. A hard-working mother of four, Chris never complained about...

Mervyn James "Bing" Farrar

Mervyn James "Bing" Farrar

Aug 5, 2024

Mervyn James "Bing" Farrar 89 of Harbor Springs, passed away at the Charlevoix American House on Monday, August 5, 2024. His family will remember him privately.

Please share your memories or personal messages with the family on his guestbook below.

Sharon Ann Sloan

Sharon Ann Sloan

Aug 5, 2024

Sharon Ann Sloan 78, of Atlanta Michigan, passed away Sunday, August 4, 2024 at home.

The family has chosen to remember her privately.

Please share your memories or personal messages with the family on her guestbook below.

Michael C. Stevens

Michael C. Stevens

Aug 4, 2024

Michael C. Stevens, 50 of Gaylord, passed away Sunday, August 4, 2024 at home.

The family has chosen to remember him privately.

Please share your memories or personal messages with the family on his guestbook below.

Gaylord R. Alexander

Gaylord R. Alexander

Aug 3, 2024

Gaylord R. Alexander, 92 of Gaylord, passed away Saturday, August 3, 2024, at Medilodge. Born June 8, 1932, in Lansing, he was the son of Joseph Gaylord and Leona Henrietta (Brenke) Alexander. 

Gaylord married the love of his life on August 29, 1953, Jane Amsbaugh. Together they had three children and created a beautiful life. He obtained his Master’s degree in...

Sandra M. Whitmire

Sandra M. Whitmire

Jul 30, 2024

Sandra M. “Beanie” Whitmire, 71 of Gaylord, passed away Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at Munson Healthcare Otsego Memorial Hospital. Born in Mt. Clemens, MI on September 21, 1952, the daughter of Louis and Nancy (Williams) Marsack.

Beanie was simple and a no fuss kind of person who truly loved life to the fullest. She was the most unique, positive and selfless...

Michael S. Stachurski

Michael S. Stachurski

Jul 29, 2024

Michael S. Stachurski, 75 of Boyne City, passed away Monday, July 29, 2024 at McLaren Northern Michigan. 

The family will remember him privately. 

Please share your memories and personal messages with the family on his guestbook below. 

Louis Kozler

Louis Kozler

Jul 27, 2024

Louis Kozler, 86 of Johannesburg, passed away at home on Saturday, July 27, 2024.  His family will remember him privately.

Dennis R. Passow

Dennis R. Passow

Jul 24, 2024

Dennis R. Passow, 66 of Gaylord, passed away Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at home. Born July 10, 1958. in Long Beach, California, the son of Robert and Norma Passow.

Dennis proudly served his country in the United States Army for 7 years. For over 35 years, he was an electrician, skilled in the trades. He enjoyed fishing, camping, the outdoors, staying...

Peggy S. Thomas

Peggy S. Thomas

Jul 23, 2024

Peggy Sue Thomas, 76 of Mancelona, passed away Friday, August 23, 2024 at home.

The family has chosen to remember her privately.

Please share your memories and personal messages with the family on her guestbook below.

Diane Jean Wilber

Diane Jean Wilber

Jul 23, 2024

Diane Jean Wilber, 80 of Ellsworth, passed away Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at The Brook in Boyne City.

Born in Durand, Michigan on September 25, 1943, she was the daughter of Melvin and Lelah (Pritch) Kieffer.

On September 13, 2002, Diane and Daniel F. Wilber were married and have made their home in Ellsworth ever since.

Diane enjoyed gardening and working around her...

John "Tony" Tripp

John "Tony" Tripp

Jul 23, 2024

John “Tony” Tripp, 81 of Gaylord, passed away Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at home, with his wife by his side. Born February 12, 1943, in South Haven, the son of Nyman Anthony and Rosella (Burrows) Tripp.

On March 16, 2000, Tony married the love of his life, Nancy. For over forty years, he worked in the oil and gas industry. He...

Bette G. Burgett

Bette G. Burgett

Jul 22, 2024

Bette Gene Burgett, 75 of Atlanta, passed away Monday, July 22, 2024, at Medilodge of Alpena.

Born in Ypsilanti, Michigan on February 20, 1949, the daughter of Grant and Betty (Dunk) Oelke, she grew up in Belleville, graduating from Belleville High School in 1967.

On April 25, 1970, Bette was married to Jack Burgett in Belleville, where they lived and raised their...

Nicholas P. "Nick" Cafuk

Nicholas P. "Nick" Cafuk

Jul 21, 2024

Nicholas P. “Nick” Cafuk, 88 of Gaylord, passed away Sunday, July 21, 2024, at home.

Born in Detroit, Michigan, Nick was the son of Stephan and Pauline (Ulcar) Cafuk. 

On February 18, 1954, Nick and Mary Jane Rutkowski were married in Detroit. They lived in the Detroit area before moving to Gaylord in 1980.

Nick worked in the construction industry as a drywall...

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