Nancy Hunt

Died Jan. 27, 2014

 LAKE LEELANAU - Nancy Hunt, 57, of Lake Leelanau, died peacefully surrounded by family, after a long fight with cancer on January 27.

  Nancy was born November 15, 1956 to Peg (Krehbiel) and the late Walter B. Meeker in Dayton, Ohio.  Nancy's relentless and brilliant smile was proof that every day on Earth, no matter the struggle, was a welcomed blessing.

  Nancy graduated from Troy High School in 1975 before attending the College of Wooster, transferring and graduating from The Ohio State University in 1980.  In 1982, she married former spouse Douglas Hunt.  Together they had four children, who she loved passionately and unconditionally.  She introduced each one to the world with an open heart and a free spirit.  Raising her children, she had said, was her most rewarding labor of love.

  Nancy was deeply rooted in every aspect of life, giving generously to the communities of Worthington, Ohio and Lake Leelanau, Mich.  She moved to Lake Leelanau, her paradise away from home, in 2007.  Right away, Nancy made many friends through active membership at Leland United Methodist Church, Samaritan's Closet ministry and Leland athletics.  An avid runner, Nancy savored the crisp morning air, visits with all of God's creatures and refreshing dips in Lake Leelanau.  In her later years, she served hot drinks with a warm smile at the Pedaling Beans Coffee House, where she worked as owner/manager with her sister and friends.  In Worthington, her time was devoted to family, friends, youth and ministry activities through Worthington Presbyterian Church, Stevens Ministry, Worthington Community Women, Together With Important Goals, Columbus Homeless Family Foundation, Girl Scouts of America and countless other groups.

  Nancy's incredible strength and wisdom allowed her to accept life on God's terms.  She was quick to cry at all things beautiful, and the first to laugh at all things even slightly funny.  She will be greatly missed by her four children, Hilary (Michael) Dickson, of Cincinnati; Frederic (Alexandra) Hunt, of Lake Leelanau; Elliot Hunt, of Denver; and Andrea Hunt, of Lake Leelanau; her mother Peg Meeker, of Leland; sister Kay (Dan) White, of Lelend; sister Betsy (Ben) McCallister, of Ann Arbor; brother Walter (Meg) Meeker, of Traverse City; former spouse Douglas Hunt, and his parents Frederic and Freda Hunt, of Columbus, Ohio; and many extended family members.

  She was preceded in death by her father, Walter B. Meeker.

  In her final days, Nancy had said, "Life is meant to be enjoyed and to bring joy to others." That is exactly how she spent 57 wonderful years.

  Cremation has taken place.  A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m., today, Wednesday, Jan, 29 at Leland United Methodist Church, 106 N. Fourth St with the family receiving friends at 12 p.m.  Following the memorial, friends are welcome to The Riverside Inn, 302 River St., from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

  In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made out to Munson Hospice and Cowell Family Cancer Center.

  Please share memories with Nancy’s family online obituary at www.martinson.info.

  Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.



William "Bill" F. Hendry III
Died January 17, 2014

SUTTONS BAY - William “Bill” F. Hendry, 59 of Suttons Bay, passed away in his sleep Friday, Jan. 17, 2014 at his home.  He leaves behind a legacy of public service, professionalism and a dedication to making those he loved laugh.

  Bill was born to William and Myrna (Crutcher) Hendry on July 27, 1954 in Detroit.  He graduated from Detroit Redford High School in 1972, where he gained a reputation as a tenacious and under-sized football lineman.
  Bill worked at UPS to put himself through Central Michigan University, where he was a member of the Theta Chi fraternity and graduated in 1976 with majors in psychology and sociology.  It was during his time at CMU that he met his lifelong buddy and fraternity brother, Al Ruggirello.  “Having known Bill for forty years,” Al said, “we have been through a lot together.  Bill was a fraternity brother, a business partner and confidant, and a ray of sunshine in dark times.  He will never be forgotten.”  After graduation Bill worked as a Juvenile Probation Officer with Leelanau County.
  He married Claudia Christensen at the Immanuel Lutheran Church on June 4th, 1977 - a perfect Suttons Bay summer day.  They would be married for the rest of his life.  They had their first child, Danielle, in 1981 while Bill worked as a real estate agent and prepared to attend Cooley Law School, from which he graduated with honors in 1984.
  The family’s second child, Brooke, was born in 1985 while Bill prepared for the Bar Exam.  He began his legal career at the Southfield-based Lawyers Title firm before opening his own law office in Byron Center, which he ran until 2010.
  Bill was an active member of the Byron Center community, serving as a board member the Byron Township Chamber of Commerce, member of the Downtown Development Association and President of the area Lions’ Club.  He also volunteered legal service to the City of Kentwood’s Senior Center, gaining a reputation for helping those in need.
  Bill and Claudia returned up north in 2010, settling a stone’s throw away from the Christensen family farm on Stony Point.  He opened a new law office in Northport and joined Lake Leelanau St. Mary’s School as their Athletic Director.  He served on the Northport Chamber of Commerce and Leelanau Township Foundation, and also provided legal counsel for the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians.
  Beyond his professional and community service, Bill was an incredibly loving father, grandfather and husband.  He regularly encouraged and supported his daughters’ extracurricular pursuits, while instilling in them his strong work ethic and sense of humor.
  To his many friends and family, Bill was known for his jokes and (often repeated) stories.  He loved being a grandfather to Eleanor, who affectionately referred to him as Papa. He thrived in the company of his storyteller friends, first with his “Latte Boys” buddies in Grand Rapids and later with the Northport-based Barb’s Bakery locals.
  A lover of reading and boating, he enjoyed taking his daughters, cousins and friends out to water ski and tube on West Grand Traverse Bay.  He was happiest when he was making everyone around him laugh with some of the many silly true stories of his life.
  Eleanor’s belief that “Papa is too big for heaven” is likely shared by all who had the wonderful fortune to know him.  He was a rare breed of man - strong but kind, disciplined but loving, and loyal to the end.
  Bill is survived by his wife, Claudia; his daughters Danielle Hendry (John “David” Oller), and Brooke Hendry; his siblings Laura Meyers and John (Diane) Hendry; his granddaughter Eleanor Hendry Oller, his brother-in-law Steven (Sarah) Christensen, his sister-in-laws Sheryl Hendry and Lou Ann Christensen, and his mother-in-law Ruth Christensen.
  Bill was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers Daniel Hendry and Kenneth Hendry, his brothers-in-law Mike Meyers and David Christensen, and his father-in-law Norman Christensen.
  A memorial service will be announced in the summer.
  Memorials may be directed to the Saint Mary School, P.O. Box 340, Lake Leelanau, MI 49653. Funds will be used to establish a scholarship in Bill's name.
  Please share memories with Bill’s family online at www.martinson.info.
  Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regina A. Stearns

Died Jan. 17, 2014

NORTHPORT – On January 17th, Regina Ann Stearns, 57, of Northport, lost her nine year battle with cancer.  Her final days were spent in the company of her loving family while at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City.

  Jeannie was the embodiment of the word selfless. She was a gardener, a mother, a wife, and a nurse; A guardian of the helpless and all other wayward things. A child in her care never knew hunger, never knew loneliness, never knew want for a protector during any storm in life.
  Through simple devotion, determination, sweat, and optimism, Jeannie saw all problems as stepping stones that together, we could easily overcome.  She loved others much more than she ever loved herself.
  When with her, you always felt that you had a fierce warrior in your corner, all too eager to step in at the first sign of faulter. She was mother to many more than those of her progeny. We all will miss her more that simple words can describe.
  She is survived by her husband of thirty-nine years, Richard; her children, Noah (Salina Olmsted) Stearns, Rachel (Dan) Tompkins; ten siblings, Mike (Darlene) Borths, Carmella Grams, John (Mary Ann) Borths, Bob (Cooky) Borths, Margie (Jim) Werden, Charley (Doris) Borths, Jim (Cathy) Borths, Richy Borths, Joe (Cathy) Borths, Connie (Todd) Eggers, and many loving nieces and nephews. Her parents, Henry and Angelina (Poleto) Borths preceded her in death.
  Memorial services will be held at St. Gertrude's Church of Northport on Friday January 24th at 1pm.  Friends are invited to come one hour prior to the service to visit with family and celebrate Jeannie's life.  Inurnment will be held at a later date.  Father Leonard Paul will serve as celebrant.
  Memorials may be directed to the Stearns Family, PO Box 159, Suttons Bay, MI, 49682.
  The family would also like to extend a special thank you to all the dedicated nurses and staff on C4 at Munson Medical Center.
  Please share memories with Jeannie’s family online at www.martinson.info
  Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.

Harry E. Garthe

Died Jan. 13, 2014

 

GLEN ARBOR – Harry Ellsworth Garthe, 91, of Glen Arbor, passed away on Monday, Jan. 13, 2014 at Yorkshire Manor Assisted Living.

  Harry was born on Aug. 17, 1922 in Northport, the son of Esten and Gunhild (Einerson) Garthe.  On Dec. 14, 1944 in Leland, he married Fern L. Grosvenor who preceded him in death on Sept. 22, 1965.  On Nov. 19, 1966, also in Leland, he married Betty B. Shmidt Prause who preceded him in death on Feb. 29, 2012.

  Harry graduated from Northport Consolidated High School in 1941.  At the age of 20, Harry enlisted in the U.S. Air Force during WWII and became Technical Sergeant, flying on 52 missions over France and Germany.  He later worked a Parsons Corp., Cone Drive Gear and later as a carpenter.

  Harry is survived by his children, Sally S. (Jeff) Butwell, Kathleen A. Ludwig, Christine “Kiki” L. (Scott) Anderson, Peter J. (Donna) Garthe, and Margaret “Peggy” J. Garthe; step-children, Eugene, William (Kathie), Gerald (Sandra) and Charles Prause; grandchildren, Mark Butwell, Kathryn Goodman, Kristin Romel, Edward Ludwig, Jeremy Anderson, Melissa Steinhauer, Todd Garthe, and Jennifer Williams; 19 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild.

  In addition to his wives, Harry was preceded in death by his siblings, Betty Carlson, Esther Guptill, Steiner Garthe, Bernice Peters, Norvold, Inga, and Randolph Garthe.

  A memorial service will be held on May 17 at 11 a.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Glen Arbor.  Burial will be at Beechwood Cemetery in Leland.

  Memorials may be directed to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 353, Glen Arbor, MI 49636 and/or to a charity of one’s choice.

  Please share memories with Harry’s family at their online guestbook at www.martinson.info.

  Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.

 

Anthony A. Agosa
Died January 1, 2014

PESHAWBESTOWN – Anthony Albert Agosa, 38, of Peshawbestown, passed away unexpectedly on Jan. 1, 2014 at his home.

   Tony was born on April 28, 1975 in Tawas, the son of Wayne Allen Agosa and Shalda (Pinder) Pettit.

    Tony loved to fish and hunt and spending time alone in peacefulness.  He loved his children dearly as they were his greatest accomplishment in his life.  Tony worked at Kal Excavating and loved to build as long as it was outside work.

    Tony was known for his joking personality and his huge smile.  He was loved and will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

    Tony is survived by his father, Wayne (Linda) Agosa; mother, Shalda (William) Pettit; four children, Autumn Graysky Agosa, Skylar Rain Agosa, Anthony Jake Agosa, Jordan Marie Rahl; siblings, Ronald (Ruthann) Agosa, Michael (Kristi) Agosa, Marcus Agosa, Angela Agosa; and many nieces and nephews with whom he loved to spend time with.

   Visitation will be held on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.  The funeral service will be held on Monday, Jan. 6, 2014 at 1 p.m. at Northport Indian Mission Church.  Burial will be held in the spring at Omena Hillcrest Cemetery.  Rev. Tom John will officiate.

   Memorials may be directed Tony’s children.

   Please share memories with Tony’s family at their online obituary at www.martinson.info.

   Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.

 

William A. Denham

Died December 28, 2013

NORTHPORT – William Alfred (Bill) Denham, 89, of Northport joined the saints triumphant in heaven on Saturday, December 28, 2013 in Traverse City.  There he is reunited and together forever with Shirley, his loving bride of 65 years, who went before him on May 14, 2013.

   Bill was born on January 14, 1924 in Detroit to William and Alvina (Koss) Denham. He is the eldest of four brothers (William, Richard, Harold, and Frederick), so from an early age he served as interpreter for his deaf parents.

   Bill proudly served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, first as a pilot, then in the “Silent Service” as a submariner. He held a wide variety of jobs through the years, but eventually partnered to develop Northland Plastics in Troy to a very successful firm before “retiring” and moving to Northport in 1972 where he became a home builder and real estate agent.

   While living in Northport he attended Immanuel Lutheran Church in Leland where he served in many different positions, including more than a decade as an Elder.

   We are grateful to the many helpful and compassionate friends, church family, and medical staff that assisted Bill and Shirley during their last years, and the family would especially like to thank the staff at Boardman Lake Glens-Brigadoon and Hospice of Michigan for their heart-felt loving care for all of us during Bill and Shirley’s last days.

   They will be greatly missed and long remembered by their Christian family; William A. (Mary) Denham III of Springfield, Illinois, Christopher R. (Deborah) Denham of Murray, Kentucky, the late Charles T. (Lisa) Denham of Traverse City, Kimberley S. (Mark) Krueger of Lake Orion, Michigan, eight grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and Bill’s surviving brother, Fred Denham of Drummond Island, Michigan.

   The funeral service was held on Tuesday, December 31 at 11 a.m., with visitation one hour prior, at Immanuel Lutheran Church of Leland.  Burial will be in the spring at the Leelanau Township Cemetery, Northport.

   Memorials may be directed to Immanuel Lutheran Church, c/o Organ Fund, PO Box 436, Leland, MI, 49654 and/or Hospice of Michigan, c/o Traverse City, 112 Chisholm St, Alpena, MI, 49707-2446.

   Please share memories with Bill’s family at their online obituary at www.martinson.info

   Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.

Milford J. Schaub

Died Jan. 1, 2014

SUTTONS BAY – Milford “Mel” J. Schaub, 85, of Suttons Bay, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2014 at home surrounded by his loving family.

   Mel was born Aug. 5, 1928 in Provemont (Lake Leelanau) the son of Lawrence and Della (Belanger) Schaub.  On Oct. 26, 1946 at St. Mary’s Church of Lake Leelanau with Father Linus Schrems officiating, Mel married his loving wife of sixty seven years, Marie J. Schaub, who survives.

   Mel worked for Grand Traverse Metal Casket for seven years.  Afterwards he spent eighteen years with Parsons Aircraft Corp., becoming a supervisor.  Mel also spent thirty five years as a home and commercial builder.

   Mel had the mind of an engineer and made his own self-propelled lawn mower.  He was an auto mechanic for his girls and a neighborhood handyman.  His charity work includes helping to refurbish both St. Michael’s and Kateri Tekakwitha churches.  Mel built furniture for his children and grandchildren.

   As a young man, Mel played baseball as a center fielder.  He enjoyed hunting and fishing in Leelanau with his sons.  Loved his animals, cat and kit, and was a master gardener to his fruit trees and vegetables.

   Mel is survived by his wife, Marie; his children, Leonard (Joyce) Schaub, Linda (Michael) Warren, Sharon Elzer, Mark (Ticia) Schaub, Marlene (Garry) Plane, Lori Lingaur; his siblings, Marvin (Edith) Schaub, Marcie Kedzie, Sarah (Blaise) Korson; sixteen grandchildren, twenty-four great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren.

   He was preceded in death by a brother, Terry Schaub, and a sister, Jane Rexroat.

   Visitation will be held today, Jan. 3 from 4 to 8 p.m. with the rosary to be prayed at 7:00 p.m. at the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.  The mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Saturday Jan. 4 at St. Michael’s Church of Suttons Bay.  Burial will be held in the spring at St. Michael’s Cemetery of Suttons Bay.  Father Leonard Paul will serve as celebrant.

   Memorials may be directed to St. Michael’s Church, P.O. Box 9, Suttons Bay, MI 49682.

   Please share memories with Mel’s family at their online guestbook at martinson.info.

    Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay, www.martinson.info