Michael B. Dick, Died January 23, 2020

Michael B. Dick

Died Jan. 23, 2020

MAPLE CITY—Michael Bruce Dick, of Maple City, died Jan. 23. He was 74.

Born in Holland, Michigan, he was the oldest child of Bruce and Geraldine Dick.  He

grew up in Interlochen and graduated from Traverse City Senior High School in 1963.

Mike enjoyed hunting, particularly for Michigan white-tailed deer.  There are people who are passionate about hunting, and then there are people who wake up in the morning and immediately start thinking about what kind of crop, coop, camera, crossbow, scent-block, range finder, binoculars, gloves, broadheads, scope or sight to try next.  Mike was much closer to the latter kind of person but far, far more intense. You check your email in the morning.  He checked wind direction.

Mike also enjoyed long rides along scenic Northern Michigan roads on his Harley-Davidson motorcycle and the camaraderie of the fellow riders that came along with it.  We thought the biking might kill him some day, and it almost did.  But in the end it was his heart.  His heart just couldn’t keep up with that man’s passion.

Mike enjoyed stiff drinks and big laughs with the most motley crew of friends you’ve ever seen, and he was blessed to have each and every one of them.  Too many too name, but good people all.

Did we mention the hunting thing?  He really liked hunting.  He played hard but worked hard until retirement, an entrepreneur whose success with his telemarketing business afforded him hunting trips to Alaska and Montana and South Dakota and Mexico and also afforded him a swell place to hang all the mounts from his success on those hunting trips.  Mike was a skilled salesman.

Blood is thicker than water, and Mike made that absolutely clear.  He had two sons he loved very much, one whose enthusiasm for revelry surpassed even that of his father’s.  The other son seems fine, but it’s early still.  Mike appreciated his sister and brother much more than he told them.  And his granddaughter, Bianca, held a special place in his heart.

He also loved these two little dogs, a relationship that seemed so incongruous for the big buck slayer that you just had to laugh.  He will be deeply missed by those dogs.  He will be deeply missed by us all.

Mike is survived by his son, Eric Dick (Terri Danielson), of Carmel, Indiana; a sister Julie (Phil) Case of Kingsley; a brother, Greg Dick of Ionia; numerous nieces and nephews; a granddaughter, Bianca Richards of Traverse City; two grandsons, Joe (Michelle) Lihou of Norton Shores and Collin (Lauren Harwood) Lihou of Denver; a former wife and mother of his children, Linda Dunigan; a dear friend, Helen Simon; and at least two dozen black biker T-shirts.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his eldest son, Shane.

A celebration of Mike’s life will be held at 5 p.m. Saturday at the VFW post at 3400

Veterans Drive in Traverse City.

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Milford "Mel" C. Schneider, Died Jan. 27, 2020

Milford C. Schneider

Died Jan. 27, 2020

LAKE LEELANAU – Milford “Mel” C. Schneider, 89. of Lake Leelanau, passed away Monday, Jan. 27, 2020 at the French Manor of Traverse City.

Mel was born Aug. 19, 1930 in Traverse City and was the son of Frederick and Elizabeth (Dufek) Schneider.  On Oct. 7, 1950 he married Grace Rita Petrosky who preceded him in death on Feb. 26, 2015.

Mel grew up on Schneider and Sons Dairy Farm in Lake Leelanau along with his brother Michael where he learned the value of a hard work ethic which stayed with him his entire life.

Mel was an avid hunter and fisherman who also enjoyed taxidermy, wood carving, split-stone masonry and tying flies for fishing.  Mel was a “Jack of All Trades” as he worked on cars, finish carpentry, house painting, tool and die, time study and was particularly proud of his job as the lodge maintenance manager for Sugar Loaf.

Mel is survived by 5 of his 6 children, Leonard (Lois) Schneider, Mary (Mike) Taylor, Sue Saiers (John Richardson), Judy (Marty) Schaub and Frederick (Renee) Schneider as well as a sister-in-law, Lena Schneider, 13 grandchildren, Jennifer, Jessica, Katherine, James, Cody, Naomi, Natasha, Tabetha, Hali, Marriah, Garrett, Kevin and Sarah; 12 great grandchildren, and many loving nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Grace, two brothers, Willard and Michael; a son, Robert and his grandchildren Justin and Conrad.

Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m on Thursday, Jan. 30 with the Rosary to be prayed at 7 p.m. at the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.

The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 31 with family greeting friends at 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church of Lake Leelanau.  Burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery will be held in the spring.  Fr. Bryan Medlin will serve as celebrant.

Memorials may be directed to St. Mary’s School, PO Box 340, Lake Leelanau, MI 49653 and/or Hospice of Michigan, 10850 Traverse Highway, Traverse City, MI 49684

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Charles C. Miller Jr. Died January 24, 2020

Charles C. Miller Jr.
Died Jan. 24, 2020

PESHAWBESTOWN – Charles Cornelius Miller Jr., 86, of Peshawbestown passed away Friday, Jan. 24, 2020 at the Traverse Manor.

Charles was born July 28, 1933 in Peshawbestown the son of Charles Sr. and Lucille (Pedwaydon) Miller.

Chuck grew up in Peshawbestown and later served in the U.S. Army seeing service during the Korean War. He was a member of the American Legion Eagle Town Post 120. In 2018 he was honored to be part of an Honor Flight to Washington DC to attend events and visit The Korean War Veterans Memorial.

After his military service Chuck spent a lifetime driving trucks and buses. He drove out of Milwaukee, out of Arizona and lastly for the City of Detroit. Chuck was charismatic, possessing a silly sense of humor and he loved people. He loved to sign, especially Jim Reeves songs. He was happy, generous, caring and wise in his counsel.

Chuck attended St. Kateri Tekakwitha Church of Peshawbestown during Sunday mornings and later that same day he would attend services at the Indian Mission Church of Northport.

He was known as a charmer at the Traverse Manor and those who got to know him grew to be his friends. The family expresses their deepest thanks to Deanne Sinclair-Parker for the wonderful care of our dearest Chuck.

Chuck is survived by his three children, Michael Miller, Larry Miller, Tammy Miller-Rose; his siblings, Ralph “Doc” Miller, Glen “Butch” Miller, Phyllis Wanageshik, Douglas (Diana) Chippewa, Gail (Omero) Manzano; several grandchildren and great grandchildren and many loving nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by parents, his first wife Deloris Miller, his second wife, Josephine Miller, a daughter, Sheryl Miller, a grandson, John Rose; a brother Edward “Deuce” Miller, and two siblings in infancy, Florine and Henry Miller.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m on Wednesday, Jan. 29 with the Rosary to be prayed at 7 p.m. at the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay. The funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 30 also at the funeral home. Burial in St. Kateri Tekakwitha Cemetery will be held in the spring.

Memorials may be directed to the American Legion Post 120 Eagletown.

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Phyllis M. Denoyer Died January 24, 2020

Phyllis M. Denoyer
Died January 24, 2020

LAKE LEELANAU – Phyllis Mae Denoyer, 93, of Lake Leelanau, passed away on Friday, January 24, 2020 at Grand Traverse Pavilions.

Phyllis Mae Denoyer was born to Lester and Edith Couturier on September 8, 1926. She went to be with Jesus and Mary in heaven on January 24, 2020. Phyllis grew up in Lake Leelanau and graduated from St. Mary School in 1944. She read every book in the library and continued to be an avid reader her entire life. 

On January 20, 1945 she married her childhood sweetheart, Leonard Denoyer, who preceded her in death on December 11, 2018. Phyllis was a homemaker and was known for her homemade cinnamon buns—which no one in the family has ever been able to find any as delicious as hers. She loved to garden and could make a dead looking flower bloom again just as beautiful as the first time. She was also a very accomplished seamstress and sewed everything from Barbie Doll wardrobes to wedding dresses and coats. She made personal quilts for all her children and grandchildren and donated many hand quilted quilts to St. Mary Church raffles.

Phyllis and Leonard had many friends with whom the square danced and played cards with, but they were each other’s best friend. They are together now for eternity.

Phyllis is survived by her children, Kenneth (Bernadette) Denoyer, Carol (Jim) Beehler, Yvonne (Ken) Ruby, Dennis Denoyer, Steve (Pam) Denoyer, and Amy (Bob) Thomas; 25 grand; and three great-great-grandchildren; six siblings, Robert Couturier, Audrey Fouch, Millie (Bud) Perrault, Joyce (Ron) Korson, Don (Jan) Couturier, and Jan (Steve) Walters.

In addition to her husband, Phyllis was preceded in death by two grandsons, Scott and Brian Denoyer; daughter-in-law, Judy Denoyer; and two grandsons; two brothers, Arnold and Larry; and brother-in-law, Lester Fouch.

A memorial mass and burial at St. Mary will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be directed to Hospice of Michigan, 989 Spaulding Ave. SE, Ada, MI 49301 and/or St. Mary Church, PO Box 340, Lake Leelanau, MI 49653.

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Randy G. Harmson Died January 12, 2020

                                                                                        Randy G. Harmson
                                                                                         Died Jan. 12, 2020

NORTHPORT - Randy Gene Harmson, 72, of Northport, Michigan passed away peacefully at sunset on January 12, 2020, at Munson Medical Center following a four-year battle with cancer (plasma cell leukemia).

Randy was born April 26, 1947 to Lloyd and

Doris (Josephson) Harmson in Muskegon, Michigan. Randy graduated from North Muskegon High School in 1965 and served his nation for three years in the US Army as an Intelligence Analyst during the Vietnam Conflict. Randy was awarded The Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service.

Upon discharge from the service Randy initially pursued his education at Davenport University where he met the love of his life, Jo (Boggio). They were engaged on January 12, 1972, and were married on July 8, 1972, in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Randy and Jo moved to Mt. Pleasant where Randy attended Central Michigan University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. He later earned a Master of Arts degree in Social Science from Michigan State University and completed the Export Academy Executive Development Program at Eli Broad Graduate School of Management and International Business. 

Through the course of his life, Randy worked for the City of Mount Pleasant, CUFA, the State of Michigan, Michigan Farm Bureau, Wray Castle, Inc. and

owned a consulting business. His keen interest in Michigan agriculture developed while working for the State of Michigan Agriculture Department and he became intimately involved in the northern Michigan cherry industry while working for Michigan Farm Bureau. His involvement with Michigan agriculture and the cherry industry heavily influenced his and Jo’s decision to move to Northport.

Randy was an avid sportsman. He fur-trapped as a teenager and developed a lifelong passion for fly fishing. At North Muskegon High School he played both football and basketball, he canoed, kayaked, loved downhill and cross country skiing, sailing, and particularly enjoyed hiking through northern Michigan forests hunting for morel mushrooms. Jo’s father dubbed Randy the “Timber Cruiser.” Throughout Randy’s life, his international business endeavors and personal travel took him to Africa, Asia, Australia, Central America, and Europe. Randy’s love of everything MSU “Go Green/Go White” football (and basketball) found him tailgating with cherished friends and family on Autumn Saturdays. Randy and his son Pete competed with one another in an annual MSU football season win/loss prediction, with an exchange of officially postmarked letters. It was Pete and Randy’s greatest football event when they attended the 2014 Rose Bowl to see MSU beat Stanford.

Once retired, Randy dedicated himself to helping others in the Northport Community and Leelanau County as a dedicated member of the Northport

Lion’s Club, with a special love for the Lion’s annual “Fly-In and Pancake Breakfast.” Randy was also a member of the Leelanau County Land Bank Authority and Leelanau County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority hoping to preserve the beauty and productivity of Leelanau County.

Randy was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his loving wife of forty-seven years, Jo; his son and best friend, Peter Sean (Jill) Harmson; two siblings, Susan Marie (Keith) Corbin, Kathleen Diane (Stanley) Guy; two sisters-in-law, Taya Lawrence and Jody Crosbie; his nieces and nephews, Robert (Carrie) Hoppa, Jodi (Frank) Buzas, Kari (Jeff) Cottrell, Ryan (Angela) Corbin, Kelly (Sean) O’Connor, Ryan (Shannon) Lawrence, Kristen (John) Rose, Mindy (Jegar) Johansen, Cole Boulette; his great nieces and nephews, Jake Hoppa, Olivia Hoppa, Samantha Cottrell, Jared Cottrell, Maya Corbin, Sophia Corbin, Chloe O’Connor, Bridget O’Connor, Margot O’Connor, Gilbert Johnson, Jasper Lawrence, Iara Lawrence, Camryn Johansen and Cohen Johansen.

A special appreciation to the Munson Cowell Family Cancer Center for their compassionate and loving care for the duration of Randy’s illness and to the University of Michigan Adult Bone Marrow Transplant Unit.

A celebration of Randy’s life will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 26, 2020, at the Willowbrook Mill in Northport.

Memorials may be directed to Leelanau County Cancer Foundation, PO Box 266, Northport, MI 49670 and/or Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 38, 2423 Sybrant Road, Traverse City, MI 49684.

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"Rusty" Wanda J. Paruch

Wanda J. Paruch

Died January 20, 2019

CEDAR – Wanda “Rusty” Julia Paruch, 87, of Cedar, passed away Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020 at home surrounded by her loving family.

Rusty was born July 30, 1932 in Hamtramck the daughter of Jacob and Julia (Burdelski) Wolak.  In 1967 at St. Matthew’s Parish in Sterling Heights she married John Paruch who preceded her in death on April 22, 2006.

Rusty had a strong faith in Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior.  She had a strong passion for her family, baking, garage sales and a desire to beat her sons in a game of Rummy.  She is resting lovingly in God’s Kingdom.

Rusty is survived by her sons, Curt, Neal (Tina), Justin (Kristy), Jason; and her grandchildren, Brendan and Nathan.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and her husband John.

Graveside services in St. Rita’s Cemetery, Maple City, will be held in the spring.

Memorials may be directed to Mass Intentions.

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"Randy" Ella M. Brown, Died January 12, 2020

Join Zoom Meeting Graveside Service for Randy Brown on Friday, July 31 slightly before 3PM https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4299831981?pwd=R251Y0VkZmF4TGZrYlMxS3Y4RVRoZz09 Meeting ID: 429 983 1981 Passcode: Brown

 

“Randy” Ella M. Brown

Died January 12, 2020

LELAND – “Randy” Ella M. Brown, 90, of Leland passed away Sunday, January 12, 2020 at Munson Hospice House surrounded by her loving family.



Most friends and acquaintances did not know Randy wasn’t her given name and wondered how that was derived from Ella M., but not so surprising given her maiden name of Randall.



Randy was born April 8, 1929 in Chase, MI, the daughter of Earl Marvin Randall and Esther Louise (Wheeler) Randall.  She grew up on her parents’ dairy farm in Reed City, where they grew certified seed potatoes and beans, and she helped with the usual farm chores before graduating from Reed City High School.



Following her years of piano training and love of music, she attended the University of Michigan School of Music, where she met her future husband, Hugh Cameron Brown of Dearborn, MI, because he needed an accompanist.  After their marriage on June 17, 1950 at the Methodist Church in Reed City, Randy continued accompanying him for sixty four years until Hugh’s death in 2015.



Hugh’s work as an executive at Ford Motor Company led the family to reside in

Dearborn, MI, Greenfield, IN, and Ann Arbor.  In Ann Arbor Randy’s professional life focused on managing and opening several branches of the Huron Valley National Bank (now Comerica) prior to her retirement in 1987.  After Hugh’s retirement, he and Randy began their next adventure in Leland, MI, where they were drawn to the beauty of the area.



Among Randy’s passions in life were her family and music, and she was an accomplished seamstress and designer who made tailored clothing and custom upholstery and home furnishings and enjoyed working with other crafts.  She had many other interests, including gardening, watching U of M sports and Detroit Tigers baseball games, trying new wines, and architectural planning and design.  In retirement she volunteered her time with the Leland Community United Methodist Church and Women’s Civic Club.



Another interest was entertaining family and friends; it wouldn’t be Memorial Day without the first potato salad of the season, or Christmas without the standing rib roast and Yorkshire pudding.  And the annual presentation of her jars of love (jams and bread and butter pickles) were appreciated by all.



Randy was a force to be reckoned with who did whatever needed to be done, whether it was hitting grounders to her sons to prepare them for baseball games, or helping avoid a forfeit by filling in on her daughter’s softball team while wearing a business suit and borrowed sneakers, or designing and sewing a dress overnight for another daughter’s event.



If a movie were to be filmed of Randy’s life, it would be entitled “For Love of Piano,” because playing the piano was a constant from her earliest years until shortly before her death.  Music was essential throughout her life: Randy and Hugh began their journey together by performing in Gaslight Village in the Adirondacks, and with the Greenland Singers while in Indiana and the U of M Choral Union in Ann Arbor, as well as lending their voices to church choirs.



Based upon Randy’s research, she and Hugh traveled extensively to Europe, Great Britain, China and Hawaii, and for over 40 years they attended the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Ontario, Canada. She and Hugh also sang at cathedrals in Spain with the U of M Choral Union Festival Chorus and Randy cited a cathedral in Toledo, Spain, as her all-time favorite performing venue.  Throughout her life she served as the orchestra by playing piano for numerous high school musicals, and accompanied soloists and students for voice teachers.  While in Leland, Randy also sang or accompanied the Front Porch Singers, Village Voices, and Leelanau Follies.  Interlochen Radio was always on in the house if specific music selections were not playing.



Randy is survived by her four children, Archie (Barbara LaHood) Brown, Nancy (and late Michael) Flood, Randall (Carla) Brown, Kathryn “Kat” (James Blaszkowski) Brown; a sister, Jean (Henry) Brown, and a brother, David (Betsy) Randall; a sister-in-law, Margaret Sears; cousins Karen (Mary DeMassa) Wilkins, Pat Norton, and several cousins of the Wagner and Wheeler families; and many other cousins, nieces and nephews.



Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, January 17, at the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.  A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 18, at the Leland Community United Methodist Church, 106 N. Fourth Street, Leland.  The family will greet friends at 10 AM.  Rev. Daniel Hofmann will officiate.



In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to Leland Community United Methodist Church, PO Box 602, Leland, MI 49654.


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