Jeremy S. Dennison

Died July 23, 2014

SUTTONS BAY – Jeremy Scott Dennison, 39, of Suttons Bay, passed away Wednesday, July 23, 2014 at Munson Medical Center.
 
Jeremy was born on Oct. 1, 1974 and raised in Elizabethtown, KY.

  Jeremy’s heart was split in love and devotion between his family and his music.  The rhythm of the drum made his heart simply beat and every note he struck was a piece of his soul that he shared with us all.

  He is survived by his wife, Heather; three sons, Corey, Randy, and Jack; a daughter, Bridgett; a stepdaughter, Jasmine; a granddaughter, Hartley; many aunts, uncles, cousins, friends; and his mother, Donna Cripps.

  He was preceded in death by his father, Jackie Dennison; his grandparents; Harry and Cora Dennison, and Sherman and Elenora Cripps.

  Visitation will be held on Monday, Aug. 4 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.  Burial will follow at the Suttons Bay Township Cemetery.  Friends and family are welcome to the Dennison residence afterwards.

 

Agnes T. Paul

Died July 24, 2014

 

TRAVERSE CITY — Agnes Theresa Paul, 76, of Traverse City, passed away Thursday, July 24, 2014 at Grand Traverse Pavilions.

Agnes was born on Oct. 19, 1937 in Elk Rapids, the daughter of Eddie Anderson and Lena Williams.

Agnes enjoyed being a homemaker and loved to cook for her family and friends. She was a member of the Grand Traverse Band and enjoyed crocheting, crafts, Bingo, and working on puzzles. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Agnes is survived by her daughters, Lena Smith, Rose (William) Marshall, and Lisa (Donald) Smith-Leaureaux; eight grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and many loving nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her sons, John Aneweshki Smith, Jr. and Edward Smith.

The funeral service will be held on Monday, July 28 at 1 p.m. at the Kewadin Indian Mission Pavilion with a visitation held two hours prior. Burial will follow at the Kewadin Indian Mission Cemetery. Pastor Tom John will officiate.

Please share memories with Agnes’ family online at www.martinson.info.

Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.

 

 

 

Herman J. Kuipers

Died July 21, 2014

NORTHPORT – Herman John “Skip” Kuipers, 91, of Northport, passed away Monday, July 21, 2014 at Bortz Health Center of Traverse City.

  Skip was born March 18, 1923 in the Netherlands the son of John and Heinja (Motshagen) Kuipers.  Skip’s father immigrated to Port Colburn, Ontario, Canada to look for work and housing.  His family passed through Ellis Island and joined him later.  Skip’s brother, Jerry, was born in Canada prior to the family moving to the Detroit area.

  Skip, as a Dutch citizen, joined the U.S. Army Air Corps at age 18 and proudly served the U.S. during WWII.  He was granted U.S. citizenship at the end of his service while still in Paris.  Upon his return home Skip began to work at his families’ metal stamping plant in Centerline, MI.  Later he worked for Chrysler Corp and helped develop a mobile home park in Midland, MI.

  Skip met the love of his life in Auburn, MI when he helped a friend put up curtains for Shirley Schroeder.  They were married Aug. 6, 1966 in Bay City.  Their son, John, was born Sept. 30, 1973 and passed away in Aug. 1974.

  Skip and Shirley enjoyed years traveling in their motorhome from Michigan to Florida, to Alaska and all parts in between.  Skip’s mother, Helen, joined them on many occasions.  He also enjoyed his conversations with family and friends, reading, fishing and he loved working in his shop where he could make anything.

  Skip is survived by his wife, Shirley; many loving nieces, nephews and friends, brothers in law, Larry (Gayle) Schroeder of Independence, MO, Dick (Doris) Schroeder of Meridian, ID, a sister in law, Judith Kuipers of Fresno, CA and a godchild, Kristen Kramer of Chicago, IL.

  He was preceded in death by his son, John; his parents, and a brother, Jerry Kuipers.

  Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, July 25 at the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.  The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 26 with friends welcome to visit one hour prior to the service also at the funeral home.  Burial in Midland Memorial Gardens will be held at a later date.  Father James Hayden, Immaculate Conception Church of Traverse City will officiate.

  In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to Special Olympics, 12337 Bluff Road Traverse City, MI 49686; Salvation Army, P.O. Box 5228, Traverse City, MI 49696-5228, and/or to a Charity of One’s Choice.

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

  Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.

 

Nancy Ruth (Burke) Bruggeman

Died July 14, 2014

TRAVERSE CITY – Nancy Ruth Bruggeman, 82, of Traverse City, passed away peacefully on July 14, 2014 at Munson Hospice House surrounded by her loving family.

  Nancy, the second eldest of five children, was born on Dec. 13, 1932, in Detroit, to Edward Samuel and Mary Ellen Burke.  Nancy was preceded in death by a sister, Martha Jane Dunseth, and a brother, Marvin Edward Burke.

  On Nov. 2, 1951, Nancy married Henry J. Bruggeman in Detroit.  Hank preceded Nancy in death.  Together Nancy and Hank raised five incredible children: Jeffrey (Kathy), Jenny Keck (deceased), Martha (Hugh) Cook, Amy (Bob Maleski) Bruggeman, and Emily (Duane) Kalember.  Their fine children gifted them with seven wonderful grandchildren, Dennis (Marlana) Keck, Joanna (Damon Martinez) Bruggeman, Monica (Matthew) Gable, Emily (Brian) Sieg, Nicholas (Kelsey Punsal) Kalember, Abby (Phil Marsh) and Lauren (Dan Sterwald) Kalember.  Nancy also had the blessing of knowing and loving her six great-grandchildren, Cayden, Madilyn Joy, Jaren, Otto, Nolan, and Dax.

  Throughout her life Nancy had many jobs outside of the home, including working for the Josten’s Yearbook Company on yearbook layouts.  Nancy worked in fabric stores, doctor’s offices, and retail stores.  She did clerical jobs and even worked in a floral shop making floral arrangements.  She was a “Jill of all trades,” so to speak!

  Her many hobbies included painting with watercolors and when the girls were young, she would sew matching dresses for holidays for a long as they allowed her to get away with it!  She also loved to read and work in her beautiful flower gardens.  Nancy was also known for having the “gift of gab” and would often strike up a conversation with anyone, anywhere, always interested in someone’s “story.”

  Nancy has donated her body to the University of Michigan Medical School.  A private family service will be held at a later date.

  Our family would like to extend our sincere thanks to the wonderful staff of Munson Hospice House for the gentle and loving care our mom was given during the last days of her life.

  Anyone wishing to send a memorial in Nancy’s name may do so to the Grand Traverse Commission on Aging, or to the Munson Hospice House.

  Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay. 

 



Wallace L. Burfield

Walked on July 6, 2014

LAKE LEELANAU – Wallace L. Burfield, 67, of Lake Leelanau walked on Sunday, July 6, 2014 at Munson Medical Center

  Wallace was born Jan. 15, 1947 in Moulton, Alabama the son of Jess and Mildred (West) Burfield.  He was married to his lifelong love, Patricia Marian Mashka, who survives.
  As a young man, Wally made a living as a tree trimming business owner.  He was an avid outdoorsman who spent his days farming, hunting, and fishing.  His last days were spent tending to his garden and picking strawberries with his family.  Wallace will be remembered fondly by his family as a kind-hearted country man who was resourceful and cherished the simple pleasures in life.
  Wallace is survived by his wife Patricia, his children, Scott (Linda) Burfield, Tamara Burfield, Mildred (Jonathan) Rinehart, Jessica Bonilla, Leanne (Gean) Alber, Adam Chivis, Aaron (Maia) Chivis, Saul Burfield, Jodi Burfield, Donald Gann, Jennifer Gann; a sister, Bertha Mae Borden; many loving grandchildren; great grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.
  He was preceded in death by a son, Mike Burfield; his brothers, Norman, Marvin, Raymond, Leon Burfield; and his sisters, Lucille and Faye.
  Services have been held.
  Memorials may be directed to his wife, Patricia.
  Please share memories with Wallace’s family at www.martinson.info.
  Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay. 

Susan M. (Schaub) Messick

Died July 3, 2014

AURORA, ILLINOIS – Susan Marie Messick, 58, of Aurora, Illinois, passed to her eternal life on Thursday, July 3, 2014 at Rush-Copley Medical Center in the company of her loving husband.

  Susan was born May 13, 1956 in Traverse City, the daughter of Francis X. and Jean A. (Gauthier) Schaub of Lake Leelanau.  A graduate of Leland Public School, Susan earned her Associate Degree in Graphic Art from The American Academy of Art in Chicago, Illinois.  In 1984, she moved to Atlanta, Georgia to pursue her career.  There she met the love of her life, Raymond Osborne Messick, whom she married on June 13, 1987 at Holy Family Catholic Church of Marietta, Georgia.
  Susan, an independent thinker with much common sense and a strong work ethic, had a very successful career as an Operations Manager in the mortgage industry in Atlanta, Georgia, and most recently in Aurora, Illinois.  A talented artist, Susan had a keen eye for color and composition and worked in a variety of media, especially oil and acrylic painting.  She particularly enjoyed capturing the beauty and light of our natural world in photography as well as on canvas.  Her favorite recreational activities included bicycling, cross-country skiing, beach-walking, boating, gardening, and flower arranging.  An accomplished pianist and accompanist, Susan also enjoyed jazz, classical, and inspirational music.  She generously shared her artwork, talents, and interests with family and friends.  Her warm smile and sense of humor will be greatly missed.
  Susan was thankful for her relationships with her family, many relatives, and friends.  Most of all, she treasured being a loving wife to Ray and a mother to their son, Evan. Blessed with a strong faith, she recently authored a short book of her life experiences to provide encouragement and hope for those who mourn the loss of a child.
  Susan is survived by Ray, her husband of twenty-seven years; her mother Jean; siblings Mary Ann (Art) Urban of Traverse City, Mark Schaub of Lake Leelanau, Dennis (Kim) Schaub of Lake Leelanau, John (Mary Lou) Schaub of Lake Leelanau, Laura (Gordon) Gottfried of Traverse City; brother-in-law Warren Messick of Augusta, Georgia; nieces and nephews Jim (Erin) Urban, Julie (Johnny) Patubo, Katie Jo, Dean, Derek, Dylan, and Dustin Schaub, Emily Schaub, Kyle and Sarah Gottfried; a great-niece, great-nephews, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
  Susan was preceded in death by her beloved son Evan Michael Messick and her father, Francis X. Schaub.
  Visitation will be held Thursday, July 17, from 5 to 8 p.m. with the Rosary to be prayed at 7 p.m. at the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.  A funeral Mass will be celebrated by Father Michael Janowski on Friday, July 18 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church in Lake Leelanau.  The family will greet guests beginning at 10 a.m.  Interment of both Susan’s and Evan’s ashes will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Lake Leelanau.  Father Michael Janowski will serve as celebrant.
  Memorials may be sent to www.curechildhoodcancer.org/  
  Please share thoughts and memories with Susan’s family on online at www.martinson.info
  Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.

George ‘Skip’ Duhamel

Died July 9, 2014

PESHAWBESTOWN — George “Skip” Arthur Duhamel, 53, of Peshawbestown, passed away Wednesday, July 9, 2014, at McLaren Hospital.

Skip was born on May 21, 1961, in Jackson, the son of Arthur and Babette (Patton) Duhamel. On April 18, 2014, in Galveston, Texas, he married Kathryn Nix, who survives.

Skip worked hard his entire life, followed in his dad’s footsteps and started fishing by the age of 11.

He belonged to the Pipefitters Union Local 798 as a wielder.

Skip was very instrumental in Tribal development, opening up unused fishing territories for the GTB. He held the second fishing license out of the GTB with his dad holding the first license.

For 20 years he was very active in the conservation of Tribal fishing and many articles were written about Skip and his father concerning their fishing for the GTB. Skip was also a world class totem carver and jewelry maker. Skip maintained a second home on Beaver Island and was active in many island programs there as well.

In addition to his wife, Skip is survived by his children, Desire Duhamel, of Peshawbestown, Jessica Kochin, of Dexter, and Cameron and Alex Shocko, of Peshawbestown; mother, Babs Duhamel, of Peshawbestown; granddaughter, Lilly Gmoser-Duhamel; siblings, Sandra L. Smith, of Allen, Richard Everhart, of Suttons Bay, Armand Sherman, of Holland, and Mark Sherman, of Lansing; and many nieces, nephews, friends and family.

He was preceded in death by his father and sister, Darlene Sherman.

Visitation will be held today, July 11, from 4 to 10 p.m., as well as on Saturday, July 12, from 11 a.m. to the start of the 1 p.m. service, at the Strongheart Center in Peshawbestown. A luncheon will follow. Burial will take place at a later date in the Garden Island Indian Cemetery.

Please share memories with Skip’s family at www.martinson.info.

Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.

 

Anne Higgins

Died June 29, 2014

 SUTTONS BAY - (Mary) Anne Higgins, 81, died  on June 29, 2014 at her home in Suttons Bay. She was born on May 24,1933, in Battle Creek, the daughter of Keith and Mary (Lesher) Schroder.

 Anne grew up in Battle Creek and attended Lakeview High School before going on to complete her high school education at The Masters School of Dobbs Ferry, NY. She was a graduate of Northwestern University and Cranbrook Academy of Art, where she majored in painting and began her lifelong profession and patronage of the fine arts.

 “I paint because I must,” she said in a 1998 newspaper interview about her work. “I am telling myself a story, and I put my words into a visual setting.” Anne’s abstract paintings of the human figure and, later in her career, of landscapes frequently appeared in juried museum exhibitions and galleries in Battle Creek, in Jackson Hole, WY, where she lived from 1996 to 2004, and in Traverse City. Her most recent work appeared in Northwest Michigan Regional: A Juried Exhibition of Michigan Fine Art at the Dennos Museum Center.

 Anne served as president of the Art Center of Battle Creek and as a board member of the Center of the Arts of Jackson Hole. Her love of nature inspired her to support the missions of the Conservancy for Jackson Hole and the Leelanau Conservancy—and to nurture a flower garden as stunning as one of her paintings. Anne also enjoyed laughing alongside a circle of childhood friends and others she met through her Pi Beta Phi alumni group and pilates.

 Anne’s husband of 59 years, Richard J. Higgins, survives., she is survived by her children, Peter (Cheryl), Pamela (Steve), Gregory (Carole), and Blake; and her grandchildren: Taylor, Connor, Wilson, Cameron, and Ryan.

Contributions in Anne’s name may be directed to the Leelanau Conservancy, P.O. Box 1007, Leland, MI 49654.

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