Kent F. Zimmerman

Died April 28, 2015

CEDAR – Kent Francis Zimmerman, 70, of Cedar, passed away Tuesday, April 28, 2015 at home surrounded by his loving family.

  Kent was born April 29, 1944, in Hamtramck, the son of Frank Joseph Zimmerman and Dorothy Marian (Fleis) Zimmerman.  On Oct. 5, 1968, at Holy Rosary Church in Isadore, he married his loving wife of forty-six years, Nancy Ann (Miller) Zimmerman, who survives.

  Kent was a lifelong parishioner of Holy Rosary Church, serving as usher and maintenance worker as needed.  He was also a member of the Cedar Chamber of Commerce and the Cedar Hilltopper’s Association.  He was a master electrician for Brezin Electric Co. for 30 years and took great pride in his craftsmanship and safety.  During retirement his favorite activities were working on his cars, polka dancing, and spending time with family, especially his grandchildren whom they affectionately called Polka Papa.  Kent will be most remembered by his beautiful landscaping, ability to help others in simple and practical ways, and as a Christian marked by service.

  In addition to his wife, Kent is survived by his children, Kevin Zimmerman, Kris Zimmerman, and Kathy (Daryl) Couturier; three grandchildren, Kendra, Cody, and Claire Couturier; mother, Dorothy; sister, Karen (Al) Laskey; and brother, Keith Zimmerman.

  Visitation will be held on Monday, May 4 from 5 p.m. to the start of the 7 p.m. rosary at Holy Rosary Church in Isadore.  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 5 also at Holy Rosary with a visitation held one hour prior.  Father Donald Libby will serve as celebrant.   Burial will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

  The family acknowledges the care of Kent’s oncologist, Dr. David Gordon, and his staff, as well as Munson Hospice.

  Memorials may be directed to Holy Rosary Church, 6982 South Schomberg Road, Cedar, MI 49621 and/or to the Cowell Family Cancer Center, 1150 Medical Campus Dr., Traverse City, MI 49684.

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Elli H. Rodaer

Died April 18, 2015

TRAVERSE CITY – Elli Hertha Rodaer, 99, of Traverse City, passed away April 18, 2015 at home.

Elli was born on Sept. 19, 1915, in Geresheim, Germany, the daughter of Ernest and Rosalie (Meltzer) Spingler.  In 1948, she married Paul Wayne Rodaer in California, who preceded her in death on July 11, 1988.

Elli retired from Union Oil in Los Angeles as the head keypunch operator.  She then worked at LAX International Airport as an interpreter for many years. 

Elli moved to Traverse City, MI in 2003 to be with her daughters, Vonie and Denise, where she resided at Glen Eagle Holiday Retirement Community.  Glen Eagle was her residences for seven years, where she made many close friends and relationships.  For the past three years, Elli lived with her daughter ,Denise, and son-in-law, Jerry, in Long Lake Township area of Traverse City.

Elli loved family and cherished her friends.  She loved to dance and listen to music.  Her favorite color was pink.  Elli had a spirit that shined through to everyone she met.

Elli is survived by her daughters, Vonie Kirkland and her husband, William, Denise Lauzon and her husband, Jerry; four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband of 39 years, Elli was preceded in death by her siblings, Ted, Edmund, Eugene, Gotthart, and Gerda Spingler.

Private family visitation was held on April 19, 2015 at the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.  Burial followed at Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens.  Rev. William Kirkland officiated.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Heartland Hospice Memorial Fund, 4020 Copper View, Suite 113, Traverse City, MI 49684-7041.

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Mary Lynne Pezza

At Rest April 14, 2015

Mary Lynne Pezza, 76, of Lake Leelanau, passed away at home peacefully on April 14, 2015, with family at her side.

Mary Lynne was born on Aug. 20, 1938, in Oak Park, IL, the daughter of Germain John “Jack” and Lillian (Breseman) Schaub.  On April 12, 1958 at St. Giles Church in Oak Park, she married George Henry Pezza, beloved husband.

Mary Lynne attended Mount Mary University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  She held various Executive positions in the suburbs of Chicago, including Keebler Company and was an Executive to the CEO of Advocate Home Health Care in Oak Brook, IL. 

The passion of Mary Lynne had involved her spending time with all her friends, family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  The week would begin with playing Mahjong, followed by her advent reading at book club. Mary Lynne would be found reading four to five books at one time !!!  Charity became an important part of Mary Lynne’s spare time with Blessing in a Backpack, Leelanau Christian Neighbors, and we must not forget at Christmas Time – Holiday Needs Program.

Mary Lynne loved her adopted / rescue dogs.  She always had two at a time starting with golden retrievers, and the newest being a slightly blind dachshund “Sammy” and an extraordinary lover “Oscar”.  Her grand-dogs include a coco labrador (Molly), black labrador (Bentley), white boxer (Suggar), and shepherd-husky (Mocca).

Besides the love of walking the beach of Lake Michigan, Mary Lynne would be the first at the garden shop ready to begin work in her incredibly colorful garden.  Throughout her yard there were multiple bird feeders for her blue jays – chickadees – cardinals – woodpeckers - including sugar feeders for her hummingbirds who would know to stop at Mary Lynne’s house after a long journey.  Once the house was ready to go, the cooking would begin and entertaining was next in store.  She loved gathering all her friends for an afternoon/evening together – her way of saying “Thank you for blessing me with your friendship”.

Sunsets soothed Mary Lynne’s heart and soul.  We know Mary Lynne is and always will be found walking the beach, smiling and watching the Incredibly Gorgeous Sunsets.   We Love You!

In addition to her loving husband of 57 years, Mary Lynne is survived by her children, George Robert (Lynn), Paul Joseph, David Michael (Lisa), and Julie Anne Pezza; proud grandmother of Ashley Suzanne (Justin) Wright, George Robert Jr., Sean Michael, Courtney Lynn; Paul David, Erica Marie; Emma Elizabeth, Ava Lisette; Matthew George-Joseph and Rachel Marie; devoted great-grandmother to Emry Suzanne and Jack Barrett Wright; loving brother, John Jerome “Jerry” (Pat) Schaub; and numerous cousins.

She was preceded in death by a sister, Doris Ann; and her beloved aunt, Emelia Schaub; and other special loved relatives.

Friends and family will gather on Saturday, April 18 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay with the Liturgy of the Word to be held at 2:30 p.m.  Fr. Michael Janowski will serve as celebrant.

In addition, a funeral mass will be held on Saturday, April 25 at 11 a.m. at St. Domitilla Parish, 4940 Washington St, Hillside, IL.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Leelanau Christian Neighbors Blessings in a Backpack, P.O. Box 32, Suttons Bay, MI 49682 and/or to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675 and/or to Mass Intentions.

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Mary Jane Bissell

Died April 11, 2015

NORTHPORT – Mary Jane Bissell, 84, of Northport passed away Saturday, April 11, 2015 at Munson Hospice House.

  Mary Jane was born on Oct. 26, 1930 in Chicago, the daughter of Peter Augustine and Josephine Elizabeth (Thomas) Cassidy.  On July 26, 1948 in Northport, she married George Henry Bissell who preceded her in death on Nov. 10, 2013.

  Mary Jane is survived by her children, Chuck (Ruth) Bissell, Mary Jo Shaffer, George R. Bissell, Darrell I. (Roxie) Bissell, Thomas A. Bissell, and Gerald E. Bissell; five grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

  In addition to her husband of 65 years, Mary Jane was preceded in death by her brothers, Peter Augustine Cassidy, Jr. and Richard Cassidy.

  A memorial service will be held in early June at Trinity Church UCC in Northport.  Burial will follow at Leelanau Township Cemetery.  The Rev. Karen Stokes will officiate.

  Memorials may be directed to the Northport Area Heritage Association, PO Box 453, Northport, MI 49670.

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