Charles E. "Dick Dickinson, Died July 6, 2017

Charles E. Dickinson

1931 ~ 2017

Charles Edwin “Dick” Dickinson, 85, of Suttons Bay, formerly of Harbor Springs, passed away Thursday, July 6, 2017 at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Dick was born Dec. 13, 1931 in North Tonawanda, New York the son of Charles Frederick Dickinson and Doris Marie (Stockwell) Dickinson.  On July 2^nd, 1955 at Rensselaer, Indiana he married Marilyn Russa (Hadley) Dickinson who survives.

Dick served his country in the U.S. Army.  He graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1957.  Dick continued his education earning a Master’s Degree from MSU and  Purdue/Indiana University in 1972.

For thirty years he was a high school teacher and guidance counselor for the students of Harbor Springs Public Schools.  Dick was the first tennis coach for the Harbor Springs Rams.  He was also a tennis pro at Wequetonsing, MI.

Dick is survived by his wife, Marilyn; his children, Charles David Dickinson (Beth) of Port St. Joe, FL, Richard Douglas (Kim) Dickinson of Harbor Springs, Amy L. Dickinson of Holland, Hadley (Marko) Vukasovich of Suttons Bay, a sister, Janice Pendleton of Tonawanda, NY; sisters-in-law,  Madilyn Grigsby, Carilyn Padgett; his grandchildren, Nick Dickinson, Jake Dickinson, Kjeil Dickinson, Kobe Dickinson, Sophie Vukasovich, Corinne Vukasovich, Sam Vukasovich, Mikayla Dickinson, Aaron Ellis, Taylor Dickinson, Luke Dickinson and many loving nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Affectionately known as "Mr. D", he approached life with passion, enthusiasm and humor; and shared his optimism with those around him. He loved his wife Marilyn and family dearly and he and Marilyn were virtually inseparable. He was extremely devoted to his children and grandchildren and they carry with them his gently offered wisdom, guidance and love of life.

He left his friendly mark wherever he went and influenced the lives of many students, coworkers and friends; particularly during his long career as educator and coach in Harbor Springs and Wequetonsing, and during 25 wonderful years of retirement in Suttons Bay.

Among his many accomplishments, he was very proud of his time serving with the US military in Germany; his dual master’s degrees from MSU and Purdue; as head tennis coach of St Joseph’s College; as tennis coach and debate team coach in Illinois; of his tenure as English teacher, guidance counselor and tennis coach at Harbor Springs High School; and his more than 30 years as tennis professional for the Wequetonsing Association. He was also the founder, along with wife Marilyn, of the Paul Revere Run on the 4^th of July in Harbor Springs.

If he wasn’t known as Mr. D, he might be known as Mr. Spartan; for his unwavering support of his alma mater, Michigan State University. He also loved the game of tennis and his teaching and coaching career has influenced generations of players to play the game with both competitive energy and joy.

Mr. D will be missed greatly but his family and those who knew him will carry his “Spartan” spirit forward with pride.

Services will be held Saturday, July 15 at the Suttons Bay Congregational Church at 1 pm. A Celebration of Life gathering will be held in mid-August in Harbor Springs. Rev. Dr. Robin Carden will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Charles Dickinson Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Chemical Bank, PO Box 245, Suttons Bay, MI 49682.  A memorial fund which is being established to support tennis facilities in Suttons Bay and Harbor Springs, and a scholarship at Harbor Springs High School.

Please share memories and condolences below:

Harriet M. Kleinfelder, Died July 8, 2017

Harriet M. Kleinfelder

Died July 8, 2017

NORTHPORT - Harriet Mae Kleinfelder, 93, of Northport, formerly of Beverly Hills, MI, passed away Saturday, July 8, 2017 at Northport Highlands surrounded during her final days by her loving family.

Harriet was born Dec. 26, 1923 in Corry, PA the daughter of Rev. Aaron L. Roth and Lillian E. (Schumacher) Roth.  On August 1, 1948 she married Kenneth Frederick George Kleinfelder who preceded her in death in 1991 in Detroit, MI.

Harriet graduated from Detroit Business School.  She and Kenneth Kleinfelder then raised two children.  In addition to being a supportive mother, she was a very active member of the First Baptist Church of Birmingham MI, including singing in the Choir.

Harriet is survived by her children, Dr. Karen L. (Dr. David Ring) Kleinfelder, James A. (Carole A.) Kleinfelder; a sister, Miriam Jeanette Mann; her grandchildren, Elliot Kleinfelder and Alexander Kleinfelder.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Ken; her brothers, Cortland and Gordon Roth, and a sister, Isabel Roth.

Graveside services were held in White Chapel Memorial Cemetery in Troy.

Memorials may be directed to First Baptist Church of Birmingham, 300 Willits St, Birmingham, MI 48009.

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

Elizabeth A. Large, Died June 30, 2017

Elizabeth A. Large

Died June 30, 2017

HANCOCK - Elizabeth “Betty” Ann Large, 78, of Suttons Bay, formerly of Hancock, passed away peacefully into the hands of our Lord on Friday evening, June 30, 2017 at Tendercare of Leelanau.

Betty was born Feb. 6, 1939 in Hancock the daughter of Leonard and Irene (Lehto) Johnson.  She graduated from Hancock High School and attended the University of Michigan. 

Betty was able to spend her final days surrounded by her beloved daughters and sister prior to her passing.  She enjoyed travelling, Broadway musicals, playing cards, gardening, her pets, but most of all Betty was a devoted mother and grandmother.  Betty was known for her immaculate house and phenomenal cooking in which the aroma of her delectable cinnamon rolls could be smelled over a block away!

She will be remembered for her relentless, dedicated and unwavering love for her family.  Grandma Betty’s “The Sky is the Limit” attitude when hosting her loved ones will always be her trademark and missed by all!  Betty adored her “little cherubs” and they are comforted knowing she is now safe and at peace in the loving arms of Jesus Christ our Savior. 

Betty is survived by her three daughters, Betsey Griffin of Scottsdale, AZ, Anne Meeler of The Woodlands, TX, Sarah Boothby of Empire; a sister, Mary Comi of Toronto, Canada; a brother, Bill Johnson of Houghton; seven grandchildren and four great-grandchild.

A memorial service will be held at 11 am on Saturday July 29 at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Hancock, 1000 W. Quincy Street, Hancock, MI 49930 (906) 482-2381.

Memorials may be directed to: Copper Country Mental Health Services, Assertive Community Treatment Team, 901 W. Memorial Drive, Houghton, MI  49931.

Condolences may be shared with Betty’s family below:

Bernard A. Thompson, Died June 8, 2017

Bernard A. “Bud” Thompson

Died June 8, 2017

A new commandment I give unto you,

That you Love one another; as I have Loved you,

That you also Love one another.

John 13:34

SUTTONS BAY – Bernard Arthur “Bud” Thompson, 79, of Suttons Bay, passed away on Thursday, June 8, 2017 at Munson Medical Center

Bud was born on July 20, 1937 in Saginaw, the son of Bernard G. and Marian E. (Garner) Thompson.  On July 16, 1960 in Saginaw, he married Mary Jean Ackerman, who survives.

Bernard A. Thompson, M.S.W., A.C.S.W. graduated from Saginaw High School in 1955.  He obtained an Associate of Science Degree from Bay City Junior College in 1957 and a Bachelors Degree in Science from Central Michigan University in 1959.  He secured a position as Juvenile Probation Officer with the Saginaw County Probate Court in January of 1960 where he met his future wife.  In 1961, they moved to Michigan State University where he received a Masters Degree in Social Work in 1963.  They then moved to Wisconsin where he was Chief Social Worker at Winnebago State Hospital in the children’s department from June of 1963 until June of 1964, to satisfy a grant requirement.  In August 1964, he was hired as Field Office Supervisor of Michigan Childrens Aid in Bay City.  In February 1967, he became Executive Director of Child and Family Services (Michigan Childrens Aid) in Traverse City.  His staff grew from 7 in 1967 to 60 in 2000 when he retired.

During his time at CFS he helped start and maintain many programs such as the Benzie Co. Community Chest; Retired Senior Volunteer Program; Grand Traverse Big Brothers/Big Sisters Program; Parkdale and Harvest Acres AIS/MR Facilities; the first “residential rated” group home for girls in Northern Michigan (Murchie House) in 1975; and the fist specialized (Intensive Care) foster care program in the state in 1973.  Bud was also involved with many other social service agencies.  In 1968, he helped to found the Michigan Federation of Private Child and Family Agencies located in Lansing and served on various Board positions there.  He helped to re-establish the Top of Michigan Childrens Agencies (TOMCA) serving northern Michigan in the UP.

In 1979 Bud was named Michigan’s Social Worker of the Year.  Bud and his wife Mary Jean, have lived in Suttons Bay since 1967.  He was a past member of the Lions Club and the Rotary Club of Traverse City.  He was a member of the Keswick United Methodist Church where he served in many positions on the Church Council and was an Adult Sunday School teacher for over 20 years.  He became a member of the Emmaus Community in 1992 and joined the Kairos Prison Ministry Program (Keryx) in 1993.  Bud volunteered at Kinross Prisons in the UP, doing monthly meetings and four-day Christian walks with the inmates until 2002.  In 2002, he helped Chaplain Ray Moore to establish the Keryx Program at Pugsley Prison in Kingsley.  He volunteered for weekly Sunday Christian meetings with the inmates and tow four-day walks yearly at Puglsey until March 2016 when his health failed.  Bud tried to portray God’s love in whatever he was doing.  He was a wonderful husband and father.  Bud’s hobbies included reading extensively and Sudoku.  He also liked to watch sports including the Tigers, Lions, Red Wings, and Pistons.  But his favorite was watching the Spartans football and basketball teams.  Go Green!  He and his wife had season football tickets for over 20 years, hardly ever missing a game to tailgate with his brothers.  From his chair, Bud liked to watch the birds at their feeders, especially the Pileated Woodpecker family.  Bud’s family would like to thank the ICU, Trauma, and Palliative Care staffs at Munson Medical Center for their kind care of Bud and his family while he was there.

In addition to his wife of 56 years, Bud is survived by his son, Victor B. (Rhonda) Thompson; his daughter, Susan M. (Kevin Alpers) Dempsey; grandchildren, Zachary Alpers, Sarah and Soren Thompson; four great-grandchildren; and siblings, James B. (Mary Ann) Thompson and Judith K. Thorne; and sister-in-law, Janice Thompson.

He was preceded in death by an infant son, David M.; and brothers, Larry and Robert Thompson; and sister-in-law, Carla Thompson.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 15 at 11 a.m. at Keswick United Methodist Church with visitation held one hour prior.  Rev. Patricia Haas will officiate.

Memorials may be directed to Keswick United Methodist Church, 3376 S. Center Hwy., Suttons Bay, MI 49682, Child & Family Service, 3785 Veterans Dr., Traverse City, MI 49684 and/or to Traverse Area Keryx, 4811 Pinespur Tr., Traverse City, MI 49685.

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

Dale P. Mikowski, Died June 22, 2017

Dale P. Mikowski

Died June 22, 2017

SUTTONS BAY – Dale Patrick Mikowski, 74, of Suttons Bay, passed away Thursday, June 22, 2017 at his home with his wife by his side.

Dale was born on August 7, 1942 in Leland Twp., the son of Anthony and Leola (Bussey) Mikowski.  On Dec. 21, 1963 at St. Francis, Traverse City, he married Margaret J. Macksey, who survives.

Dale loved, Coca-Cola, Red Lobster, going to auctions and buying tools. He enjoyed boating, snowmobiling, Corvairs, and adored his cats.  He was a master carpenter and woodworker.  His hand-crafted talents are showcased in many homes throughout Leelanau and Grand Traverse Counties.  In the 1960’s, early in his career, Dale worked in Chicago for many years at Illinois Tool Works.  Most recently, Dale worked at Orchard Creek Senior Living and Health Care in maintenance before retiring in 2013.

In addition to his loving wife of 53 years, Dale is survived his siblings, James, Glen, Rosemary (Willard) Houdek, Jr., JoAnn Roy; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant brother, Raymond; and siblings, Arthur and Donna.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 13, from 5 to 8 p.m. with the rosary at 7 p.m. at the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.  The funeral mass will be celebrated on Friday, July 14 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary Church, Lake Leelanau, with visitation held one hour prior.  Burial will be at East Leland Cemetery.  Fr. Bryan Medlin will serve as celebrant.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Mary’s Church, PO Box 340, Lake Leelanau, MI 49653 and/or to Suttons Bay/Bingham Fire & Rescue, PO Box 280, Suttons Bay, MI 49682.

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

Paul J. Hallstedt Died July 1, 2017

Paul J. Hallstedt

Died July 1, 2017

TRAVERSE CITY – Paul Junior Hallstedt (aka Papa), 87, of Traverse City and formally of Northport, died in his sleep on July 1, 2017, after a joy-filled and generous life which impacted his family deeply and his community on a very personal level.  He had strong hands and a big heart which he used to help family and friends, as well as strangers, on an equal basis.  His strong hands came from scooping ice cream, electrical work, working the land and 37 years as a locomotive engineer.  He loved working in the garden with Berniece and helping his cousins with both the cherry and corn harvests.  Additionally, he and his wife developed and operated Woodchip Campground in Byron Center, MI, for many years through which they were able to provide assistance to many people and build numerous lifelong friendships.  He could fix anything, including broken hears, and utilized his knowledge and skills to help anyone in need.  His heart pumped out tunes on a trumpet for the United States Navy in the 1940’s, a talent that he carried forward in which to service the community.  Paul lived hard, loved hard, worked hard, and played hard.

He welcomed everyone with a hug, but was most in tune with his wife of 64 years and lifelong companion, Berniece.  They grew up together as children, married, raised two children, and traveled extensively after their retirement.  He was known by his grandchildren as a teacher of fishing, a lover of sailing, and a pilot of his own airplane.  Paul was proud of his Swedish heritage and to the delight of his grandchildren, made the best “Swedish Pancakes” this side of the Stockholm.

Paul's faith in Christ was strong, and he modeled his faith through numerous church memberships.  Although most recently he was a member of the Northport Covenant Church, he still had room in his heart to volunteer at the annual St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church chicken dinner and volunteering at the Zionsville Presbyterian Great Banquet.  His last 15 years were spent living in Northport, enjoying the summer harvest of fruits and vegetables as well as the clear white winter landscapers.  He and Berniece recently moved to Traverse City, touching the lives of their new neighbors and staff at Traverse Manor.  Special thanks to the Hospice team at Munson Home Hospice for their care and assistance to Paul and the family.

Paul is survived by his wife, Berniece; his children, Debbie (Steve) Zinger and Phil (Sarah) Hallstedt; five grandchildren, Luke (Crystal) Zinger, Melanie (Josh) Dahlman, Erika (John Baez) Hallstedt, Becca Hallstedt, and Nick Hallstedt; his brother, Fred Hallstedt; sister-in-law, Vivian (Bob) Bostwick; and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Friday, July 7 from 12 noon until the start of the 2 p.m. funeral service at Northport Covenant Church.  Burial will follow at Leelanau Township Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to Munson Hospice, 1105 Sixth Street, Traverse City, MI 49684. 

 

Please share condolences and memories with the Hallstedt family at www.martinson.info or on our Facebook page.

Kaye E. Ball Died June 29, 2017

Kaye E. Ball
Died June 29, 2017

LAKE LEELANAU - Kaye Eleanor Ball, 79, of Lake Leelanau, passed away on Thursday, June 29, 2017 at Tendercare of Leelanau.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 5, from 12 noon to the start of the 2 PM funeral service at Martinson Funeral Home, Suttons Bay. Reverend Doctor Robin Carden will officiate.

Please share condolences and memories with Kaye's family below or on our Facebook page.

Rogelio "Roy" Segura, Sr. Died June 29, 2017

Rogelio "Roy" Segura, Sr.
Died Thursday, June 29, 2017

NORTHPORT - Rogelio "Roy" Segura, Sr., 69, of Northport, passed away on Thursday, June 29, at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 7 from 5:00 PM to the start of 7:00 PM sharing of memories at Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.

Please share condolences and memories with the Segura family below or on our Facebook page.

R. Clint Kerr Died July 1, 2017

Please share condolences and memories with Clint's family below or on our Facebook page.