Obituaries

Jan 15, 2021

John D. Sprunger, 80 of Roscommon, passed away on Friday, January 15, 2021 at Munson Healthcare Grayling Hospital.  His family will remember him privately.

Jan 14, 2021

Joan Rita Spehar (Proffitt) passed away on January 14, 2021 at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City.

She was born on July 8, 1939, in Detroit, Michigan to Harry and Mary Proffitt.

She married the late Michael Spehar on November 2, 1963, at the courthouse in Madison Heights where they continued to live and raise...

Jan 11, 2021

Carmen Elaine (Ward) Leese, 82 of Wolverine, passed away on Monday, January 11, 2021 at Boulder Park Terrace in Charlevoix after a long illness.

Carmen was born on July 17, 1938 on Five Mile Creek near Harbor Springs.  Her parents were Carlton and Janet (Garver) Ward, both of whom preceded her in death.  She grew up in...

Jan 10, 2021

Lawrence E. Rodgers, 75 of Johannesburg, passed away on Sunday, January 10, 2021 at home. Born on October 12, 1945 in Detroit, Lawrence was the son of Francis and Mary (Hanser) Rodgers.

On March 6, 1969, Lawrence married the love of his life, Mary Ellen. He proudly served in the United States Air Force during Vietnam.

...

Jan 9, 2021

On Saturday, January 9, 2021, Gary Wayne Russell passed away peacefully at the age of 82. Gary was born on August 7, 1938 in Grand Rapids, Michigan to Robert and Louise Russell. Gary grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he graduated from Union High School in 1956 and was on the champion basketball team. In his young adulthood...

Jan 8, 2021

Duane F. Locke, 83 of Lewiston, passed away at home on Friday, January 8, 2021. Born in Mt. Clemmons on April 1, 1937, Duane was the son of David and Margaret (Levillier) Locke.

On August 17, 1955, Duane married Ruth in Roseville, where they lived and raised their family until moving to Lewiston in 1987. For many...

Jan 7, 2021

Patricia Jane Finnigan (Haas) 91, resident of Lourdes Senior Community in Waterford, MI passed away on Thursday, January 7, 2021. Pat was born in Detroit, MI on June 17, 1929 to Walter and Katherine Haas. She grew up as the youngest of four children that included brother LaVerne (Pat) and sisters Doris and Genevieve, all of whom predeceased her....

Jan 7, 2021

Charles E. Westphal, 100 of Gaylord, passed away on Thursday, January 7, 2021 at Meadow Brook Medical Care Facility in Bellaire. Born on June 30, 1920 in Jones, Michigan, he was the son of George and Colleen Westphal.

Charles proudly served his country in the United States Navy. For many years, he worked for Georgia Pacific. Once he...

Jan 4, 2021

Patricia M. Wilkowski, 82 of Gaylord, passed away at home on Monday, January 4, 2021.

Born in Detroit, Michigan on November 8, 1938, she was the daughter of Joseph and Marjorie (Dahn) Kaminski.  Pat grew up in Ferndale, Gaylord and Troy.  She graduated from Clawson High School in 1956.

On May 21, 1960, Pat married...

Jan 3, 2021

Carolyn F. Lott, 74 of Gaylord, passed away on Sunday, January 3, 2021 at Medilodge of Gaylord.  Additional information will follow soon.

Jan 2, 2021

Sharrie Rae Ormsbee, 72 of Afton and formerly of Vanderbilt, passed away at Medilodge of Gaylord on Saturday, January 2, 2021.

Born in Detroit, Michigan on January 30, 1948, her parents were Donald Riness and Anne (Williams) Riness.  Sharrie grew up in the Black River area of Cheboygan County.

A short time after meeting Sherman...

Jan 2, 2021

Timothy James Pipkens, 68 of Roscommon, passed away on Saturday, January 2, 2021 at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City.  Presently, his family will remember him privately.

Jan 1, 2021

Russell J. Valeri, 72, of Gaylord, passed away on January 1, 2021.  Russ was a dear husband, father, brother, grandpa, uncle, and friend.  The list of friends during his busy life is endless.

Born on June 18, 1948 in Detroit, Russ was the son of John (Giovanni) and Vera (Williams) Valeri.  He is survived by his loving...

Dec 28, 2020

John Patrick Neph, 88 of Gaylord, passed away at home on Monday, December 28, 2020.

Born in Detroit, Michigan on November 6, 1932, he was the son of John Richard and Mary Margaret (Crinion) Neph.  He grew up in Detroit and Lake Orion and graduated from Lake Orion High School.

While still living in Lake...

Dec 27, 2020

Jack Gerald Nestell Sr, 77 of Indian River, MI passed away Sunday, December 27, 2020 at McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital.

He was born April 5, 1943 in Cheboygan, MI to Percy and Leola (Thomas) Nestell. At 9 months of age he was adopted by George and Edith (Ingalls) Nestell of Indian River, MI.

At the...

Dec 26, 2020

Dale Edgar Prentice, 61 of Gaylord, passed away at home with his family on Saturday, December 26, 2020.

Born in Lincoln Park, Michigan, he grew up in Wayne County, Michigan, and graduated from Fannin County High School in Blue Ridge, Georgia.

His father died when Dale was 10.  Eventually, his mother remarried.  His fondest memories...

Dec 26, 2020

Delphine Arold, 87 of Gaylord, passed away on Saturday, December 26, 2020 at Medilodge of Gaylord.  Additional information will follow later.

Dec 25, 2020

All our days are numbered. We now know that Terry Kureth had 30,322 days to savor, enjoy, endure, and experience. He lived his days deeply and fully; he wanted all to join him. Terry did just about everything. Falling in love and marrying his college sweetheart Ann, he enlisted in the Army where he jumped out of planes, operated...

Dec 23, 2020

Brian Keith Rathbun, 49 of Frederic, passed away Wednesday, December 23, 2020 at Munson Healthcare Grayling Hospital.

Born on February 1, 1971, he was the son of Dean and Mary (Parks) Rathbun.

In addition to his parents, survivors include his girlfriend, Tracy Crouch;  sons, Steven and Matthew Rathbun;  grandsons, Mason and Braxton; and his sister,...

Dec 23, 2020

Michael A. Vroman, 74 of Wolverine, passed away Wednesday, December 23, 2020 at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City.  Arrangements are pending and will follow soon.