Edward D. Drzewiecki Died August 26, 2016

                                    Edward D. Drzewiecki
                                    Died August 26, 2016

CEDAR – Edward D. Drzewiecki, 89, of Cedar; a loving husband, gentle father, grandpa (papa), friend and neighbor, passed away Friday, Aug. 26 at Country Pleasures Assisted Living surrounded by his loving family.
Ed was born July 5, 1927 on the family farm in Maple City to Joseph and Josephine (Kruse) Drzewiecki. On May 14, 1955 at Holy Rosary Church he married Elizabeth Marie (Witkowski) Drzewiecki, who survives.
 
As a young man Ed served his country from 1952 to 1954 in the Army during the Korean War. He was stationed in Germany and honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant. Over the years Ed had many jobs. After the death of his father he started out at a young age helping his mother work the farm. He was a hard-working man and a jack of all trades working at such places as: Tody Lumber Co in Cedar, Bennette Pumps in Muskegon, Parts in Traverse City, Parsons, Zimmerman Construction, Traverse City Line Stack Grounds, Standard Oil Co driver in Maple City, Hatlem Construction in Glen Arbor, Wicksal Beer Distributors in Traverse City, Matheson Construction, Tom’s Food Market, Cone Drive Gears, Cluff Well Drilling, Iron Works, Leelanau Industries, Traverse Gray Iron and he retired on Aug. 5 1989.
 
Ed was very involved in his community and church. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus since he was 22, joining the fourth degree and serving on many occasions in the color guard which he dearly loved. He was a member of Holy Rosary Church, serving as an usher in the early years and a Eucharistic Minister for twenty-five years.
He loved to watch all sports, especially his Detroit Tigers. Ed loved to deer hunt, ice fish, play cards and dance. He was a member of the Cedar Chamber of Commerce and worked for the Polka Festivals which he enjoyed.
 
Ed loved to work with wood and made many things for the family. He always kept the lawn neat and trim. He grew a super large garden which he patiently attended to.
 
Ed is survived by his loving wife of sixty-one years, Elizabeth, six children, Edward (Colleen) Drzewiecki, Lynette Zimmerman, Cynthia Castle, Therese (Gregory) Rosinski, Ronald (Tina) Drzewiecki, Stephen (Cheryl) Drzewiecki; a step sister, Mickey (Bud) Bark; two sister in laws, Evelyn Drzewiecki, Millie Drzewiecki; twelve grandchildren, Cayla, Shelby, Aubrey, Carley, Cameron, Lydia and Adam Drzewiecki, Alexis and Andrew Rosinski, Kevin (Sue), Keith (Brittney) and Kyle Castle; and his first great grandchild, Kaley Rey Castle.
 
He was preceded in death by his parents, his step dad, Henry Lindtner; his brothers, Martin, Joseph and Frank Drzewiecki; and his step sisters, Dorothy Mikowski and Marie Kulanda.
 
Visitation will be held Tuesday, Aug. 30 from 5 to 8 p.m. with the Rosary to be prayed at 7 p.m. at Holy Rosary Church of Isadore. The mass will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 31 at 11 a.m. with the family greeting friends one hour prior to the mass also at Holy Rosary Church. Burial will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Father Donald Libby will serve as Celebrant, assisted by Deacon Rene M. Hoenscheid.
 
Memorials may be directed to Mass Intentions.
 
Condolences may be shared with the Drzewiecki family below:

Samuel J. Belanger Died August 8, 2016

Samuel J. Belanger

Died August 8, 2016

LAKE LEELANAU – Samuel Joseph Belanger, 90, of Lake Leelanau, passed away Monday, August 8, 2016 at Munson Medical Center.

Sam was born on May 21, 1926 in Lake Leelanau, the son of Napoleon and Mary (Kiessel) Belanger.  On Oct. 30, 1948 at Holy Rosary Church in Isadore, he married Louise Emma Vert who survives.

Sam served at the Battle of the Bulge in the U.S. Army during WWII.  He belonged to the VFW for over 60 years and was a 3^rd degree Knight of Columbus.  Sam was also the sexton for St. Mary Cemetery for 33 years.  He was an avid Euchre player and hard worker – even cutting firewood until he was 82 years old.  Sam loved to sit in his yard and wave to his friends as they passed.  He was a devoted husband, loved his family and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In addition to his wife of 67 years, Sam is survived by his children, Barbara (Robert) Eckerdt, Karen (Mike) Evans, Richard Belanger, and Kathleen (Todd) Basch; five grandchildren, Chris (Melissa) Eckerdt, Jennifer (Eric) Blomberg, Scott Evans, Terri Evans, and Madyson Basch; four great-grandchildren, Emma Eckerdt, Ally Blomberg, Ava Blomberg, and Ian Evans; sister Rosemary, Mildred (Elmer) Kalchik, Clara (Jerome) Bufka; brothers, Paul (Ann) Belanger, and Ed (Darlene) Belanger.

Sam was preceded in death by siblings, Agnes Steimel, Margaret Walters, Leona Walter, Leo and Bernard Belanger.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 11 from 5 to 7 p.m. with the rosary at 7 p.m. at St. Mary Church, Lake Leelanau.  The funeral mass will be celebrated on Friday, August 12 at 11 a.m. also at St. Mary Church.  Fr. Michael Janowski will serve as celebrant.  Cremation and burial will follow at a later date.

Memorials may be directed to St. Mary Church, P.O. Box 340, Lake Leelanau, MI 49653.

Condolences may be shared with the Belanger family below:

Kenneth F. Huys

Kenneth F. Huys

Died Aug. 2, 2016

SUTTONS BAY- Kenneth Francis Huys, 74, of Suttons Bay, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2016 at the Munson Hospice House.

  Ken was born August 4, 1941 in Mishawaka, Indiana to William and Geraldine Huys, both of whom preceded him in death.  He was married to Judith Coppens in Mishawaka, Indiana on August 19, 1961.  They had four children:  Kathleen Huys, Middlebury, Indiana, Steven (Elena) Huys, Elkhart, Indiana, Kristine (Brian) Maharg, Liberty Township, Ohio and Scott (Shawn) Huys, Middlebury, Indiana.  Ken married Christine Oscar in November, 1995.  There were no children.

  He was the proud grandfather of ten grandchildren:  Cassandra and Alexandra Huys, Megan and Thalia Huys, Daniel, Amanda, Sara and Jacob Maharg and Zachary and Cameron Huys.

  His siblings are William Huys, Granger, Indiana, Cynthia Gianesi, Mishawaka, Indiana, Diane (Charlie) Imus, Mishawaka, Indiana and David (Sue) Huys, Cassopolis, Michigan.

He was a 1965 graduate of Indiana University and a proud Hoosier fan all his life.  He also enjoyed Notre Dame football and Women’s basketball.

  Ken left Indiana University and began his career at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, Akron, Ohio, where he worked in international accounting.  He later worked at Associates Investments Corporation in South Bend, Indiana.  He has a long career in the Recreational Vehicle Industry, where he worked for Coachmen Industries, first as the company comptroller and eventually rising to the position of President of that company and one of its subsidiaries, Shasta Industries. He was also co=owner of Shasta Van Company of Elkhart, Indiana.

  Ken was an active member of the Middlebury community.  He served that community as co-chairman of its sesquicentennial celebration, oversaw the construction of the town’s library, and was chairman of the summer festival for several years.  He also was one of the founders of the: Middlebury Men’s Club and helped to organize the Little League program in the early 70s.

  Prior to his relocation to Suttons Bay, Michigan Ken lived in Mishawaka, Indiana where he attended Queen of Peace Catholic Church.  He was an active member of that church, working at the food pantry and helping to raise funds for the many projects held at the church.

  A memorial service will be held at 1 pm on Saturday, Aug. 6 with the family greeting friends starting at 11 a.m. at the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.  Burial will be held at later date in St. Michael’s Cemetery.  Father Leonard Paul will officiate.

  An additional memorial service will also be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 27 followed by a luncheon at Queen of Peace Church, 4508 Vistula Rd, Mishawka, IN, 46544.

  Memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society, c/o Hope Lodge, 129 Jefferson Ave S.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49503 or call (616) 551-4000.

  Please share memories and condolences with Ken’s family below:

Edna M. Richter

Edna Richter

Died July 14, 2016

ARIZONA – Edna Mary Richter, 96, of Mesa, Ariz. and formerly of Suttons Bay, passed away Thursday, July 14, 2016.

Edna was born on Feb. 20, 1920, in Bingham Twp., the daughter of Edward and Amelia (Donner) Richter.

Edna was a graduate of Suttons Bay High School and Michigan State University College of Nursing.  She worked as a nurse at Munson Medical Center for over 25 years before moving to Arizona in 1969.  After her retirement, Edna and her sister, Josephine, lived in Arizona and enjoyed traveling together but always spent summers in Suttons Bay.  Edna was always very interested in keeping up with the news and world affairs.

Edna is survived by her seven nieces; nine nephews; and many great, great-great, and great-great-great grand nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her brothers, Julius, Cyrus, and William Richter; sisters, Josephine Richter, Hannah Smith, Rose Send, and Blanche Priest; four nephews and her friend and caregiver, Sharon Schwartz.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, Aug. 11 at 11 a.m. at the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay with a visitation one hour prior.  Burial will follow at Keswick Maple Grove Cemetery.  Rev. Patricia Haas will officiate.

Memorials may be directed to Keswick United Methodist Church, 3376 S. Center Hwy., Suttons Bay, MI 49682 and/or to Munson Hospice House, 1105 Sixth St., Traverse City, MI 49684.

Please share memories and condolences with Edna’s family below:

James Reid Dill Stevenson III

James Reid Dill Stevenson III

1937 ~ 2016

James Reid Dill Stevenson III (also known as: Dad, Gran, Granny Bananny, G Diddy, JJBBR, Birdlegs, the M of O and F, Jumper and Stubes) passed away quietly the morning of Sunday, July 31st, 2016.

  Born in Chicago, Illinois, Jim grew up in Kenilworth, Illinois, and attended New Trier High School where he was an accomplished member of the dive team. Jim studied at the University of Michigan before working at the CBS Television Network where he lived the dream for 36 years by combining his love of sports and work. Jim was known by family and friends as humorous, charming, and generous. Most memorably, Jim was a passionate Michigan fan and lover of peanut M&M’s.

  Cheering him over the goal line is his wife Linda; daughter Lori Stevenson Buley; son-in-law Jeffrey Busch; six grandchildren, Taylor Buley (Jacquelyn), Trelawny Shepherd (Zachary), Casey Sinkus (Wiley), Charles Busch, Colin Buley, and Henry Busch; two great-grandchildren, Beckett and Miller; and three beloved dogs. Jim was preceded by his sister Sarah Stevenson, his daughter Sandra Stevenson Busch, and grandson James Buley.

   As he wished, there will be no formal service; however, a private family gathering has been held. Inspired by Jim’s generosity, in lieu of flowers, find a way to carry out a heartfelt act of kindness.

  Please share memories and condolences with Jim’s family below: