Obituaries

Apr 11, 2018

Vera Jean Hickerson, 84 of Gaylord, passed away at Otsego Memorial Hospital on Wednesday, April 11, 2018 with her family near.

Born in Gladwin, Michigan on September 20, 1933, she was the daughter of Alexander and Vera (Tenwalde) Cameron.  She grew up in Gladwin and was a 1953 graduate of Gladwin High School.

On April...

Apr 9, 2018

Donna J. Kitchen, 61 of Vanderbilt, passed away Monday, April 9, 2018 at home surrounded by her family.

Arrangements are incomplete at this time and will be updated.

Apr 5, 2018

Frankie Ann Percha, 19 of Gaylord, passed away on Thursday, April 5, 2018 at Otsego Memorial Hospital.

Born on September 8, 1998 in Gaylord, Frankie was the daughter of Charles D. and Wendi A. (Passingham) Percha.  She was a lifelong Gaylord resident.

A “social butterfly”, she loved people and she loved being out in the...

Apr 1, 2018

Brenda M. Sparks Eskridge, 54 of Holiday, Florida passed away at home on Sunday, April 1, 2018.

Born in Saginaw, Michigan on July 12, 1963 in Saginaw, the daughter of Donald and Grace (Sackrider) Sparks.  She was raised in Bay City where she attended school.  Later she moved to Indiana and Tennessee before settling in Florida the...

Mar 24, 2018

Jeremy David Heythaler, 41 of Cheboygan, passed away Saturday, March 24, 2018 in Gaylord.

Born in Flint, Michigan on March 28, 1976, he was the son of Dennis L. and Sherry L. (Benaway) Heythaler.

Jeremy had a Bachelor’s Degree in nursing and worked as a traveling registered nurse.  With a love for travel, this fit...

Mar 24, 2018

Paul E. Karslake, 78 of Vanderbilt, passed away on Saturday, March 24, 2018 at McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital in Petoskey.  Memorial gathering arrangements will be announced later.

Mar 20, 2018

Robert D. Cook, 68 of Wolverine, passed away Tuesday, March 20, 2018 at McLaren Northern Michigan. Born in Flint on January 16, 1950 Robert was the son of Daniel and Harriet (Williams) Cook.

Upon retirement from General Motors, Robert moved to Lewiston and enjoyed living Up North. He enjoyed fishing, riding his motorcycle, hunting, camping and being...

Mar 19, 2018

Lyle Dean Bennett, 72 of Cheboygan, passed away on Monday, March 19, 2018 at McLaren Hospice House in Cheboygan.

Born in Lansing on October 28, 1945, Lyle was the son of Lewis W. and Leona G. (Kast) Bennett.  A longtime Lansing resident, Lyle worked as a painter at the General Motors Assembly Plant for 43 years, retiring...

Mar 17, 2018

John J. Meeder, 91 of Boyne City, (formerly of Potterville and Bellaire) passed away at home on Saturday, March 17, 2018.

John was born on March 12, 1927, three minutes after his twin brother Jack, in Potterville, Michigan to Edward and Mabel (Heath) Meeder.

With a Doctorate in Education from Michigan State University, he worked...

Mar 16, 2018

Ralph A. Layman, 78 of Indian River, passed away surrounded by his family on Friday, March 16, 2018 at McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital in Petoskey.

Born on November 15, 1939 in Cheboygan, Ralph was the son of Elwin and Velma (DeLoy) Layman.  He was a lifelong Cheboygan County resident.

On December 14, 1957, Ralph married...

Mar 15, 2018

It is with great sadness that the family of Robert D. Allaben, MD announces his passing on March 15, 2018 at the age of 87. Bob loved greatly, and was loved by his entire family, including his wife Joan, 3 children (Elizabeth, Janet, Bruce), 4 step-children (Deborah, Karyn, George, Robert), 13 grandchildren, 1 great-grandson, and many nieces and nephews....

Mar 13, 2018

Norma Kllian, 75 of Gaylord, passed away at Medilodge of Gaylord on Tuesday, March 13, 2018.  Additional information will follow soon.

Mar 10, 2018

David F. Blouch, born in Tecumseh, Michigan on February 5, 1944, went to be with his Savior on March 10, 2018.

He is survived by 5 children, Robert Plante of Long Beach, California; Dawn Phillips of Bradenton, Florida; Dietra Blouch of Bradenton, Florida; David Blouch, Jr. of San Jose, California; and Brian Kupsov, Harrison Township, Michigan; Step-daughter Dawn...

Mar 9, 2018

Betty J. Tischler, 67 of East Jordan, passed away Friday, March 9, 2018 at home with her family. Born in Northville on September 9, 1950, the daughter of Paul and Ilda Kelley.

For 15 years, Betty worked as a waitress at Ottawa Casino. She enjoyed her job and loved getting to know the customers whom become her...

Mar 1, 2018

Randy A. Manhire, 57 of Vanderbilt, passed away at home on Thursday, March 1, 2018.

Born on June 8, 1960 in Highland Park, Randy was the son of Roy and Mary (Jardine) Manhire.  After graduating from Fitzgerald High School in Warren, Randy joined the U.S. Navy, serving honorably from 1978-1982.

A licensed master plumber, Randy...

Feb 28, 2018

Jerry R. Vatter, 76 of Vanderbilt, passed away on Wednesday, February 28, 2018 at Hiland Cottage in Petoskey.

Jerry was born on July 28, 1941 and had been a Vanderbilt resident for more than 40 years.  For the last several years he enjoyed spending winters in Arkansas.

He worked for many years in construction and...

Feb 27, 2018

Patricia Ann Sweet, 80 of Boyne City, passed away on Tuesday, February 27, 2018 at Hiland Cottage in Petoskey.

Born in Detroit on October 10, 1937, Patricia was the daughter of Roland and Doris (Orlando) Eschedor.

Pat spent her early years in Berea, OH before the family moved to East Jordan when she was a...

Feb 26, 2018

Donald W. Bershback, 84 of Gaylord, passed away at home on Monday, February 26, 2018.

Born in Detroit on April 13, 1933, Don was the son of Albert and Lillian (Meyer) Berschbach.

Don worked many years in roofing, remodeling and maintenance, living in Clinton Township and later in Gaylord .

He enjoyed trucks...

Feb 25, 2018

Clara Ruzinsky known as "Pattie" to her family and friends left this world to be with the Lord on Sunday, February 25, 2018.

Clara was born on July 17, 1933 to Carl and Helen Hankins.  She married John Ruzinsky Jr. on April 17, 1995.

She was preceded in death by brothers; Jesse, Gerald, and Harold;...

Feb 24, 2018

Dorothy M. Miller, 95 of Gaylord and formerly of Cheboygan, passed away Saturday, February 24, 2018 at Medilodge of Gaylord.

Dorothy was full of life. She was very loving and giving. She enjoyed telling stories, jokes and was a feisty, full of zest kind of lady. She truly lived life 'her way', For most of her life,...