Mark O. Andersen, Died March 17, 2017

Mark O. Andersen

Died March 17, 2017

TRAVERSE CITY – Mark Owen Andersen, 64, passed away Friday, March 17, 2017 at Munson Medical Center in the loving care of his wife.

Mark was born in Detroit on June 25, 1952 to Norman and Katherine (Leitermann) Anderson.  On March 20, 2002 in China he married his loving wife Shuyun Zhou Andersen, who survives. 

Mark was a third-generation carpenter, who enjoyed working with wood, just like his father and grandfather before him.  His father taught him his craft, and Mark became very well known, and admired for his work.  He was a proud member of the Carpenters Union Local 202 of Northern Michigan.  Being a licensed contractor, he was able to use his skills while enjoying his passion for travel.

Beginning in the mid 1980’s he began working on many international construction projects which took him all over the world.  He acquired high security clearances which made him a highly sought after contractor to work on several international U.S. Embassy, and US government projects.

In August of 1989, Mark received the Antarctica Service Medal of the United States in recognition of his valuable contributions to exploration and scientific achievement by overseeing the construction of a research station there.

To look at stamps on his passports, one can only imagine the diversity of places and people he has met and worked with over the course of his life.  His work has taken him to the Soviet Union, Mongolia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Djibouti, Kazakhstan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Egypt, Amsterdam, China and South America to name a few.  He was liked and admired by all, and loved to chat about his many experiences and adventures.

Mark is survived by his wife of fourteen years, Shuyun and a brother, Eric Anderson of Traverse City.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 25 at 1 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1003 South Maple Street in Traverse City.  The funeral service will start at the church at 2 p.m.  Burial in Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens will follow the service.  Reverend Robert Zagore will officiate.

Memorials may be directed to American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123

Condolences and memories may be shared with the Andersen family below:

Alfons Heckl Jr., Died March14, 2017

Alfons Heckl Jr.

Died March 14, 2017

NORTHPORT – Alfons Heckl Jr., 89, of Northport, passed away Tuesday, March 14, 2017 at home with his loving family at his side.

  Alfons was born April 4, 1927 in Chicago, the son of Alfons Heckl Sr., and Frieda (Schleitzer) Heckl.  On June 27, 1953 in Chicago he married Arlene Diane Goeringer.

  After graduating from an all-boys high-school in Chicago, he immediately enlisted in the Navy, as WWII was ongoing. He served on the destroyer USS Putnam 757 in the South Pacific Campaign.  After the war, he continued his education in electronics and drafting. He became Head of the Drafting Dept. at Dearborn Stove Co. in Chicago, where he met Arlene Goeringer, who became his loving bride on June 27, 1953.  In 1955 they moved to North Manchester, IN where he was hired as Vice-President of Triwec of Indiana (mfr. of transformers for the electronic and TV industries). They lived there for 21 years, where they raised their five children. 

  He was an adventurous man and loved the outdoors and water.  He trailered with his family throughout the US and Canada and the Christmas school holiday was always spent on Sanibel Island, Florida. He taught the family to ski and many skiing weekends were spent in Northern Michigan at different resorts. When the children grew older and tired of trailering, he sold the trailer and purchased a boat for different adventures on the waters of the Great Lakes, Green Bay, the Mississippi River and the North Channel in Canada.

  After leaving his employment from Triwec the family moved back to the Chicago area, where he became the Industrial Engineer for Arc-Tronics, an electronics mfg. concern in Elk Grove Vlg., IL. He remained there until his retirement in 1991 when he and his wife moved to Northport, MI for the beauty and serenity, which they both desired. Upon moving here, he devoted many hours to his favorite hobby, HO model railroads, and became a member of The Little Finger Train Group of Leelanau County.

  He was known as a very kind and gentle man to his family, friends and employees and will be greatly missed.

  Alfons is survived by his loving wife of sixth three years, Arlene; his children, John Heckl, Deborah (Ronald) Bailey, Gregory A. (Sharon) Heckl, James B. (Laurie) Heckl, Susan K. (Daniel) Sandberg; his grandchildren, Jamie (Bill) Koc, Brandon, Brian, Jeffrey, Alan, Cole, Drew and his great grandchildren, Alex and Andrew Koc.

  He was preceded in death by his parents.

  In accordance with his wishes, cremation has taken place; a memorial is being planned for late June.

  Memorials may be directed to Grace Bible College, 1011 Aldon ST SW, Wyoming, MI 49509 or Leelanau Conservancy, PO Box 1007, Leland, MI 49654.

  Condolences may be shared with the Heckl family below:

Helen Smith Walked on March 18, 2017

Helen M. Smith

Walked on March 18, 2017

PESHAWBESTOWN – Helen Maxine Smith, 93, of Peshawbestown, passed away Saturday, March 18, 2017 at home with her loving family.

  Helen’s spirit name was “Kookgeesh” and she was born March 15, 1924 in Northport the daughter of Thomas and Marion (Nayatushing) Antoine.  She married Joseph Edward Smith who preceded her in death on Aug. 14, 1996.

  Helen spent forty years as a teacher’s aide in the Chicago Public School system.  She was very active in the Chicago Native Community throughout her fifty years there.  In Chicago Helen was a founding member of the St. Augustine Center for American Indians and the American Indian Center.

  She loved and promoted her native language and she especially loved teaching her grandson the language.  Helen was one of the last to speak native language in the Odawa Mzhiganiing (Northport) dialec.  

  Helen loved nature and the beauty of Northern Michigan.  She loved to pick sweet grass and all who knew her called her Nokomis, which means grandmother.

  Helen is survived by her three children, Barbara St. Germaine, Arlene Smith, Gary James (Anna) Smith; seventeen grandchildren, twenty-four great grandchildren and six great great grandchildren.

  She was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings, Frances Wonegeshik, Elijah Wonegeshik and Josephine Wonegeshik.

  Visitation will be held today, March 21 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.  The funeral service will be held Wednesday, March 22 at 1 p.m. at the Northport Indian Mission Church.  Rev. Samuel McClellan will officiate.  

  Please share condolences with Helen’s family below or on our Facebook page.

Edward A. Miller Sr., Walked On March 14, 2017

Edward A. Miller Sr.

Walked On March 14, 2017

PESHAWBESTOWN – Edward Anthony “Duece” Miller Sr., 79, of Peshawbestown, passed away on March 14 at Munson Medical Center surrounded by loving family.

  Edward's spirit name was "Migizi Inini" which means Eagle Man. 

Edward was a full-blooded Odawa whose spirit name is "Migizi Inini" which means Eagle Man.  He was born Nov. 17, 1937 in Newberry the son of Charles Cornelious Miller Sr. and Lucille Margarette (Pedwaydon) Miller.

  As a young man, Edward served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam era.  After his service, he lived in Chicago where he was the Chairman of the Board of the American Indian Business Association.

  Duece was a master mechanic, loved sports; especially baseball and bowling.  As young man, he worked very hard, loved to socialize and had many friends

   He was a proud full-blood member of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians.  Duece participated in Pow-Wows throughout Indian Country as a traditional dancer.  He was known to be a protector and would lend a hand to anyone in need in his community.

  Duece also loved children, his many nieces and nephews, and his greatest pride and joy; his son.

  Edward is survived by his children, Edward A. Miller Jr., Alicia M. Soto, Kelli T. Soto, Victor Barajas; his siblings, Charles “Chuck” Miller Jr., Ralph “Doc” Miller, Glen “Butch” (Cynthia) Miller, Phyllis Wanageshik, Douglas (Diana) Miller and Gail (Omero) Manzano, and a granddaughter, Anjeni Del Real.

  He was preceded in death by his parents, and two siblings in infancy, Florine and Henry Miller.

  Visitation will be held today, March 17 from 5 to 8 p.m. with the Rosary at 7 p.m. at the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.  The mass will be at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 18 at Kateri Tekakwitha Church of Peshawbestown.  Burial will be held at a later date in Kateri Tekakwitha Cemetery.

  Please share condolences with the Migizi Inini’s family below:

Louis A. Lingaur Died March 14, 2017

Louis A. Lingaur

Died March 14, 2017

LAKE LEELANAU – Louis Alfred Lingaur, 81, of Lake Leelanau, died Tuesday, March 14 in Grand Rapids.

Louis was born March 15, 1935 in Lake Leelanau, the son of Peter and Nina (Johnson) Lingaur.  On April 18,1959 at St. Mary Church, Lake Leelanau, he married Eunice Marie Popp, who survives.

Louis graduated from St. Mary where he played basketball and was a coach in the 1960’s.  He played independent baseball and was a huge golf fanatic.  Louis first job was at the Suttons Bay Door Factory.  He also worked in excavating and was a railroad brakeman before working and then owning Ted’s Standard Service in Lake Leelanau.  Upon retirement, Louis enjoyed crafting Adirondack chairs, mowing the lawns at both Matheson and Bahle golf courses, and tending to all sorts of vegetables in his large garden.  He was active in St. Mary Church and was the bingo caller for many of their chicken dinners as well as a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Louis is survived by his wife of 57 years, Eunice; seven children, Joan (Bryan) Sturtevant, Dale (Josephine) Lingaur, Kenneth (Sherrie) Lingaur, Jeffrey (Shelia) Lingaur, Linda Lou Lingaur, Lisa (Will) Duperon, Scott (Rebecca) Lingaur; twenty grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, March 17 with the Rosary to be prayed at 7 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church of Lake Leelanau.  The funeral mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 18 with visitation one hour prior also at the church.  Burial at St. Mary Cemetery will be held at a later date.

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

The family wishes to give special thanks to the professionals at Munson and Spectrum Health who so lovingly cared for Louis.

Condolences and memories may be shared with the Lingaur family below or on our Facebook page.