Louis F. Forton

Died March 24, 2014

SUTTONS BAY - Louis Franklin Forton, 80, of Sutton Bay, passed away at his home on Monday, March 24, 2014.

  Lou was born Feb. 18, 1934 in Traverse City the son of Louis and Adeline (Kolarik) Forton.  On Aug. 24, 1957 at St. Mary’s Church of Lake Leelanau he married his loving wife of 56 years, Merle Marie (Couturier) Forton, who survives.

  Lou was a proud veteran of the United States Army and served his country honorably in the Korean War.  He was a member of the VFW post 7731 of Lake Leelanau and also St. Michael’s Parish of Suttons Bay.  Lou was a stone mason for over 40 years, but “never worked a day in his life.”  Lou loved to fish, hunt and travel.  He took hunting trips to Wyoming, Montana and Alaska, and also traveled to Brazil, Japan and Rome.

  Lou was well known in the area as “Big Lou” not only because of his size but because of his enormous heart.  He had an outgoing and friendly personality, always stopping to engage in a conversation with anyone he met.  He visited and played Euchre with his many friends at Tendercare on a daily basis.

  He carried on his family tradition by making hotdogs and sausage for most of the county. He was a craftsman and made numerous trains, rocking horses, and doll beds for his grandchildren and great grandchildren. His masonry came in handy with his art of making cement hearts and Blessed Virgin Mary statues that decorate many yards in the area.

  Lou is survived by his wife, Merle; his children, Louis J. Forton, Dale (Kim) Forton, Denise (Ken) Derylo, Wade (Heatherbee) Forton, Tonya (Joseph) Dulzo, Todd (Sari) Forton, Jason (Julie) Forton; his siblings, Jane (Raymond) Cracchiolo, Robert (Pat) Forton, Cecelia (Thomas) Hamer, Thomas (Karen) Forton; a brother-in-law, Ronald Ervin; sixteen grandchildren, Rose, Caleb, Erika, Jaimie, Hildi, Eliot, David, Avery, Christopher, Adelan, Elizabeth, Steven, James, Kate, Grace, and Samuel;  and three great grandchildren, Ashley, Payton, and Dylan.

  He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Andrew Forton, and a sister, Margret Ervin.

  Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 26 from 4:00-8:00pm with the rosary to be prayed at 7pm at the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.  The mass will be held on Thursday, March 27 at 11:00am at St. Michael’s Church of Suttons Bay.  Burial will be held at a later date in St. Michael’s Cemetery.  Father Leonard Paul will serve as celebrant, Father Michael Janowski will serve as co-celebrant.

  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Michael’s Church, PO Box 9, Suttons Bay, MI, 49682 and/or Mass Intentions.

  Please share memories with Lou’s Family online at www.martinson.info.

  Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.

 

 

Nimkeenoondah Jude N.R. Gibson

Died March 20, 2014

PESHAWBESTOWN – Nimkeenoondah “Jude” Nicholas Reece Gibson, 4 months, of Peshawbestown and Harbor Springs, started his journey on Thursday March 20, 2014 peacefully in his mother’s loving arms at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital.

  Jude was born Nov. 20, 2013 in Grand Rapids, the son of Sarah John and Gary Gibson.  He was born prematurely at 27 weeks and spent the majority of his young life in the NICU at DeVos.  His family was very blessed to enjoy 31 days with him at home prior to his last hospitalization in which he passed on due to complications of pneumonia.

  Jude is survived by his parents; siblings, Kyla Gross, Waawaaskone Gibson, Kewaquam Gibson and one older brother; grandmother, Therese (Shomin) John-Keller; aunts and uncles, Susan (Stephen) Wysocki, Jessica John, Elaine Silva, Iris John, Nolan Keller, Angelia Keller and Oren Keller; 21 loving cousins and extended family.

  Jude was welcomed home by his grandparents, Mary and Harvey Gibson; grandfather, Nicholas Wilson Jr.; uncle, Stephen F. Keller; great-grandparents, Norman and Lila Gibson, Louis and Doris Adams, Nicholas (Sr.) and Elsie Wilson; Frank “Pine” and Vivian Shomin.

  The funeral service will be held on Tuesday, March 25, 2014 at 1 p.m. at the Medicine Lodge in Peshawbestown.  Burial will be held at a later date at Omena Hillcrest Cemetery.  Paul Raphael will officiate.

  Please share condolences with Jude’s family at their online obituary at www.martinson.info.

  Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.

 

Sandra J. Reicha

Died March 10, 2014

CENTERVILLE TWP – Sandra Jean (Auten) Reicha, 60, of Centerville Township, passed away on Monday, March 10, 2014 at Tendercare of Leelanau.

  Sandy was born on Feb. 23, 1954 in Ypsilanti, the daughter of Bernard and Kathleen (Kiley) Auten.  She graduated from Milan High School in 1972 and in 1982 she married Ron R. Reicha who survives.

  Sandy will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered for her warm and caring personality and her infectious laugh.

  In addition to her husband, Ron, Sandy is survived by her stepchildren, Ronnie Reicha and Robin Henry; six grandchildren; sisters, Linda (Jerry) Rendel, Beth Heath, Janice (Jim) Steinke; brother, Norman Auten; stepbrother, Kipp Burgin; mother-in-law, Dorothy Reicha; stepmother, Eleanor Auten; and a host of nieces and nephews.

  She was preceded in death by her parents; devoted grandmother, Leone Auten; and stepbrother, Jeff Burgin.

  The family would like to thank the staff and caregivers at Tendercare of Leelanau for their dedication and service while caring for Sandy.

  Visitation will be held on Friday, March 28 from 5 to 8 p.m. with a rosary to be prayed at 6 p.m. at the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.  The funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday, March 29 at 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church in Lake Leelanau with a visitation held one hour prior.

  Burial will take place at a later date at St. Mary’s Cemetery.  Father Michael Janowski will serve as celebrant.

  Memorial donations may be directed to St. Mary School, P.O. Box 340, Lake Leelanau, MI 49653 and/or to Mass Intentions.

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

  Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.

 

Thomas J. Popa

Died March 2, 2014

 

CEDAR – Thomas Joseph Popa, 80, of Cedar passed away on Sunday, March 2, 2014 at Munson Medical Center, after a courageous battle with cancer.

   Tommy was born Feb. 12, 1934 on the family farm just outside Cedar, the tenth child of Thomas and Catherine (Novak) Popa.  On June 15, 1963 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church of Gills Pier, he married Ruth Ann Korson, his wife of 50 years.

   Tommy completed his high school education at Holy Rosary School, and enjoyed playing baseball in the local league.  He explored a bit of Europe while serving as a paratrooper in the Army.  He returned to Leelanau County to farm the family homestead, and also worked full-time as a machinist at Traverse City Iron Works.  He was an active member of Holy Rosary Parish and shared his love of singing as a member of the church choir.

   Tommy treasured the land he was born and raised on.  He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying fishing, hunting (particularly bow and rifle), and proudly bagged one last deer this past hunting season.  He tended the land as a life-long farmer, baling hay even through his final years. He was named Leelanau Conservationist of the Year in 2002.  Spending time with his children and grandchildren was important to Tommy.  The family gathered for a reunion and the couple's 50th wedding anniversary this summer.  He and Ruthie recently returned from their annual visit to see their daughters and their families in California and Minnesota. When Tommy wasn't hunting or fishing, his hobbies included tackling projects around the farm, serving as jack of all trades at Bel Lago Vineyards, collecting tractors at area auctions, and playing euchre.

   Tommy is survived by his wife, Ruthie; his children, Mindy (Steve) Scherr of San Juan Bautista, CA; Brenda (Tim) Nicol of Woodbury, MN; Alan Popa of Valencia, Spain; Marcia Popa of Edina, MN; Roger (Bubba) Popa of Traverse City; eight grandchildren; his siblings Leonard (Betty) Popa, Alice McNeil, Katherine (Louie) Stachnik, Julie (Joe) McAuliffe; his brothers in-law Joe Brzezinski and Don Herman; and many loving nieces, nephews and cousins.

   He was preceded in death by his siblings and in-laws, Agnes Brzezinski, Irene (Stanley) Walters, Gertrude (Meda) Lamie, Mary Popa, Harry (Barbara) Popa, Teresa Herman, Rose Marie (Ralph) Couturier, Larry McNeil and Teddie Popa.

   The family will greet friends on Friday, April 25 from 5 pm through the 7 pm Rosary at Holy Rosary Church.  The funeral service will be held Saturday, April 26 at 11 am also at Holy Rosary Church.  Burial will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery.  Father Donald Libby will serve as celebrant.

   Mass intentions for Tommy may be made at Holy Rosary Catholic Church.  Memorials may be sent to Holy Rosary Catholic Church or The Father Fred Foundation.

   Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay; please share memories with Tommy’s family online at www.martinson.info.

Marguerite R. Calhoun

Died February 19, 2014

LAKE LEELANAU – Marguerite “Marge” Rachel Calhoun, of Lake Leelanau, passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014 at Tendercare of Leelanau.

  Marge was born on Nov. 10, 1921, in Traverse City, the daughter of Bert and Francis (Kochinski) Edgall.  On Oct. 3, 1952 she married James I. Calhoun who preceded her in death on April 20, 1964.

  Marge graduated from Suttons Bay High School and volunteered for many years at the SB Food Pantry and Leelanau Historical Museum.  She was an avid reader and music lover and enjoyed playing the piano.  She made the best cherry sodas at the old SB Drugstore when it was across from the funeral home and loved art and gardening.

  Marge is survived by her son, V. Frederick Lawson, Jr.; six grandchildren, Kelly Lawson of Baldwin, Kristi Weber of Grand Blanc, Kimberly Lawson of Grand Blanc, Harry Bushell of Flint, Sherry Frydrick of Pennsylvania, and Tricia Bushell of Texas; six great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

  Marge is preceded in death by a son, Harry Bushell; daughter, Patricia Bushell; sisters, Clara McSweeney, Theresa Lloyd.

  Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2014 from 3 to 8 p.m. at the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.  Graveside services will be announced in the spring.

  Memorial donations may be directed to St. Mary’s Church, P.O. Box 340, Lake Leelanau, MI 49653.

  The family would like to thank the staff at Tendercare of Leelanau for their wonderful care of Marge.

  Please share thoughts and memories with Marge’s family on their online guestbook at www.martinson.info.

  Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.