Dr. Sander A. Kushner

Sander A. Kushner

Died July 25, 2016

SUTTONS BAY - Dr. Sander (Sandy) Kushner, age 81, passed away July 25, 2016 at home surrounded by his loving family.

Beloved husband of Kathy (late Elinor Kushner); devoted father of Dr. Marla Kushner (Robert Sawyer) of Chicago, Illinois, Wendy Weckstein (Dr. Sander) of Traverse City, Michigan and Dr. David Kushner (Stefanie) of Middleton, Wisconsin; loving step father to Michelle Gerard (Christian) and T.J. Swoveland (Dr. Laura Susick) and loving grandfather of Jordan and Noah Sawyer, Ethan, Devin and Taylor Weckstein, and Alex, Rachel and Emily Kushner; dear brother of Eilene Gerofsky (Merrill) of London, Ontario; Karen Roth of New York, NY. Beloved Uncle to Steven Gerofsky (Heather), Robert Gerofsky and Keith Gerofsky and Jonathon Roth (Lisa Price), Mathew Roth (Stephanie King).

Adored and respected by his family and countless friends, colleagues and patients, Sandy was a pillar of the medical community in Detroit and Sutton’s Bay for more than 55 years. He graduated from Des Moines Osteopathic Medical School in 1960.

After graduating he owned and ran a flourishing family practice in the Detroit area.  He then moved to Sutton’s Bay, Michigan where he practiced Urgent Care Medicine.  He was a clinical professor at Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine and the recipient of prestigious honors and awards for his teaching and contributions to the field of Osteopathic Family Medicine.

When he was not spending quality time with his family and dear friends you would find him on his sailboat, Celestial, on the tennis court or pruning his roses in his garden.  He loved Classical Music, Jazz and Barbara Streisand!

Services will be held on Thursday July 28, 2016 at 11:00am at The Ira Kaufman Chapel, 18325 W. Nine Mile Rd. Southfield, Michigan 48075. Telephone 248-569-0020.  Additional Memorial service will be held in Sutton’s Bay tbd.

Donations may be sent to the American College of Osteopathic Family Practice education & research foundation, restricted fund for Sander A. Kushner, DO, FACOFP 330 E. Algonquin Road, Suite 1, Arlington Heights, IL  60005 or go to www.acofpfoundation.org and select Memorial Giving.

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Clara C. Bumgardner

Clara C. Bumgardner

Died July 22, 2016

MAPLE CITY – Clara Caroline Bumgardner, 100, of Maple City, passed away Friday, July 22, 2016 at her home with her daughter and son at her side.

Clara was born on May 23, 1916 on the family farm north of Cedar, the seventh child of Frank and Mary (Brzezinski) Bloswick.  In 1936 she married David M. Bumgardner who preceded her in death in 1963.

Clara graduated from Maple City High School in 1934.  She spent part of her high school summers working for D.H. Day at the Glen Haven Canning Factory.  After moving to Glen Haven in December of 1938 she worked at hotels around Glen Lake, at the Glen Haven Sand Dune Rides, Steffen’s Grocery in Glen Arbor and Pleva’s Grocery in Cedar.

Clara liked to travel.  She visited her son Ron while he was stationed in Berlin and wrote her name on the Berlin Wall.  She also visited her daughters in Seville, Spain.  Clara made numerous trips to Salt Lake City to visit her sister, Winnie; then to Florida to visit her son George.  She loved the Polka Dances in Maple City and helping her sister Esther in the cherry orchard.

Clara is survived by her children, Carolyn, George (Barbara), Bob (Donna), and Ron (Judith) Bumgardner, ten grandchildren, eighteen great grandchildren, two great great grandchildren, one godson, Eugene Elmer and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband was preceded in death by her siblings, Isabelle, Mary, Esther, John, Winifred, Helen, Edmond at birth and a grandson, T.J.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 28 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.  Graveside services will be held on Friday, July 29 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Rita’s Cemetery, Maple City.  Father Michael Janowski will serve as celebrant.

Memorials may be directed to Cedar Fire and Rescue Association, PO Box 74, Cedar, MI, 49621.

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Jean W. Lane

Jean W. Lane

Died July 13, 2016

MAPLE CITY – Jean Whitelaw Lane, 80, of Maple City, passed away Wednesday, July 13, 2016 at Grand Traverse Pavilions.

  She was born on Oct 20, 1935 in Ferndale, MI to John R. and Mary Whitelaw. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Michael J. Lane, and her brother and sister-in-law John and Betty Whitelaw.

  She worked as a Radiology Technician for many years in Detroit, Southfield, and Traverse City. She loved photography, music, books, dogs, and everything outdoors.

  Jean is survived by many people who love her, including her step-children Michael Lane, Colleen Spoelman, Kevin Lane; nieces Diane Chencharick, Ginny Whitelaw, and Cornetta Lane; nephew Larry Whitelaw; brother and sister-in-law Robert and Beulah Lane; and seven grandchildren.

  According to her wishes, no services are planned.

  Please share memories and condolences with Jean’s family at www.martinson.info

  Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Leelanau.

Charles O. Fredrickson

Charles O. Fredrickson

Died July 15, 2016

SUTTONS BAY - Charles O. Fredrickson, 70, of Suttons Bay died at home on July 15, 2016.  He waged a determined 4 ½ year campaign to defeat pancreatic cancer.  He never asked why, never questioned or worried about what was ahead.  He faced his diagnosis and the challenges that came with it with incredible strength and perseverance.  He rarely allowed those challenges to slow him down.

Charlie was born in Traverse City to Orin M. and Jeanne M. Fredrickson on December 1, 1945.  His parents preceded him in death.

He graduated from Northport High School in 1964 and enlisted in the U. S. Navy in 1966.  While based in Norfolk, VA, he served aboard the USS Mountrail and then the USS Yancey.  After being honorably discharged in 1970, Charlie attended Ferris State University, graduating in 1972 with an Associate Degree in Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration.

His career as an HVAC-R Service Technician began at Wares and Son in 1972. In 1995 he continued his career with Temperature Control, Inc., and retired in 2011.  A long-time member of UA Local 85 Plumbers and Steamfitters Union, he was highly skilled in his profession, admired and well-liked by co-workers and customers alike.

On September 13, 1980 Charlie married Karen C. Fretheim in Northport, MI.  They had an 8-year courtship followed by a 35-year marriage, a total of 43 years as a loving, deeply committed team.  They built their home and their life together in Suttons Bay, where they shared common interests in sports (Green Bay Packers/Detroit Lions, Detroit Tigers, and NASCAR), feeding and enjoying wildlife, following the freighters of the Great Lakes, and most especially the cats who shared their home over the years.

Charlie was a caring, giving, strong, and skilled man.  He was a man of faith and prayer.  He was loved and respected by many and will be incredibly missed.

Charlie and Karen founded a nonprofit organization, Marine Support Network, dedicated to the Marines, Sailors, and families of 1^st Battalion 8^th Marines.  The men and families of 1/8 remain a part of their family. For 11 years Charlie and Karen were also Leelanau County coordinators for NW MI Toys for Tots.

Charlie is survived by his wife Karen, his mother-in-law Norma Fretheim, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Paul and Ann Fretheim, two nephews and one niece and their families, numerous cousins, two uncles and one aunt.

It was Charlie’s wish that he be cremated and that no funeral service be held at this time.  Charlie and Karen will one day rest together at the Tanum-Forest Lutheran Cemetery in rural Sturgeon Bay, WI.

It was also Charlie’s wish that all monetary memorials be donated to Marine Support Network.  Memorials can be sent to Marine Support Network, 690 N. Stony Point Road, Suttons Bay, MI  49682.

Charlie’s family extends gratitude to all who have held Charlie in their prayers, given comfort and support, and assisted them over the last 4 ½ years.

Please share thoughts and memories with Charlie’s family at www.martinson.info.

Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Leelanau.

Joy A. Slaughter Died July 3, 2016

Joy Annette Slaughter

Died July 3, 2016

TRAVERSE CITY – Joy Annette Slaughter, 85, of Traverse City, died Sunday, July 3, 2016.

  Joy was born on Feb. 25, 1931 in California, the daughter of Benny McLaren and Willa Leola Campbell.  She was raised in Detroit, where she graduated from Cooley High School, and Wayne State University.  In 1952, she married Robert Lee Slaughter in Detroit, after meeting years earlier at a church youth group.

  She briefly taught English in Detroit Public Schools, and later worked for many years as a Teacher’s Assistant at Northville Public Schools, where she was dedicated to her work with developmentally disabled young people.  Joy and Bob raised their daughters in Livonia, Michigan, and later fulfilled a dream by moving “up north” for their retirement.

  Joy is survived by her daughter, Laura Slaughter (Don Hartwig), and granddaughter, Sarah Rae S. Hartwig.  She was preceded in death by her husband Robert, in March of 2002, and by her daughter, Carol, in June of 2009.

  Joy lost her mother at an early age, after being a loving caretaker to her through her long illnesses.  Joy herself, struggled with many serious health issues throughout her life, and was able to recover and rebound repeatedly, with amazing resilience.   Joy taught her children to read and write at an early age, and also spent many happy hours playing with, and reading to her young granddaughter.

  She loved music, and took her daughters to see many concerts (the Beatles!), and supported Laura in her musical endeavors in high school.  She loved her pets, and mourned being without an animal companion in her final years. Joy and Bob took their children on wonderful vacations, and enjoyed many weekends in northern Michigan while Bob was deer hunting, and Joy and daughters looked for rocks along the water, or autumn leaves in the woods.

  She will be remembered for her appreciation of art, music and books, her quick wit, and her resilience.

  A memorial service will be held on Sunday, July 10, 2016 at 1 p.m. at the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay with visitation one hour prior to the service.  The family is grateful to Rabbi Chava Bahle, who will officiate.  A luncheon will follow the memorial service, also at the funeral home.  Joy will be buried at a later date, alongside her late husband and daughter at Pioneer Cemetery, National City, MI. 

  Memorials may be directed to the Cherryland Humane Society. 1750 Ahlberg Road, Traverse City, MI 49686.

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Paul H. Genoa Died July 4, 2016

Paul H. Genoa

Died July 4, 2016

SUTTONS BAY– Paul Hagen Genoa, 64, of Suttons Bay, died Monday, July 4, 2016 at Munson Hospice House surrounded by his loved ones.

Paul was born on November 5, 1951 in Pennsylvania the son of William and Gloria (Whitaker) Genoa. He is survived by his wife, Denise Genoa; his son, Matthew Genoa; his grandson, Evan Genoa; his sister, Leslie Temples; and his mother, Gloria Genoa.

Paul had a deep passion for clean energy.  He received a degree in Environment Health at Colorado State University and went on to receive a Master’s Degree in Business.  He began his career in the nuclear energy industry locally, at Big Rock in Charlevoix.  He eventually went on to work for the Nuclear Energy Institute in Washington DC for over 22 years, educating the world about the benefits of nuclear.  He had a lasting impact on the industry and made many wonderful friends along the way.

Paul's other passions included sailing, biking, skiing, woodworking, hiking and spending time with family and friends.  He loved the outdoors and all the splendor that Northern Michigan has to offer.  While he is no longer here in person, his spirit lives on in all of us as he makes his final sail into the sunset.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Paul’s name to the Inland Seas Education Association, P.O. Box 218, Suttons Bay, MI 49682 and/or to the Leelanau Conservancy, P.O. Box 1007, Leland, MI 49654.

A memorial service is planned for the future.

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