James P. Rokita

Died Oct. 25, 2014

SUTTONS BAY – James Patrick Rokita, 67, formerly of Howell, died on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014 at Tendercare of Leelanau with his wife, Mary Margaret, by his side.

  Jim was born March 23, 1947 the son of Jerome Frank Rokita and Beatrice Cecelia (Pethick) Rokita.  He married Mary Margaret Wise on Dec. 23rd, 1966.

  Jim retired from Ford Motor Company, Automatic Transmission Development Laboratories, in Livonia, MI, after 35 years of service.  He gave many years of service and support to his church, the Westland John Glenn High School Band Boosters, his friends and family.  His hobbies included anything Mickey Mouse, golf and travel.

  Jim is survived by his wife of nearly forty-eight years, Mary Margaret; three children, Sherry (Rev. Eric) Stone, Patrick (Michelle) Rokita, Scott (Dr. Jessica Paquette) Rokita; two brothers, Michael (Kim) Rokita, Richard (Vicki) Rokita; four grandchildren, Jacob and Julian Stone, Michael and Kathryn Rokita.

  Besides his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his brother, Gary William Rokita.

  A memorial service will be held at Howell First United Methodist Church, 1230 Bower St., Howell, MI 48843, on Monday Nov. 3rd 2014.  Visitation with the family will be at 10 am, the service at 11am, and a luncheon at the church at 12 noon.  The services will be officiated by Rev. George Lewis and Rev. Eric Stone.

  The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed in Jim's honor to United Methodist Church, Living Gifts: Heifer International (#982532), www.umcmissions.org or by mail to: Living Gifts: Heifer International,(#982532), Advance GCFA, PO Box 9068, New York, NY 10087-9068

 

 

 

Daniel E. Sohasky

Died Oct. 19, 2014

Daniel Edwin Sohasky, 59, of Suttons Bay passed away on Sunday, Oct. 19, 2014 at home surrounded by his loving family.

Dan was born June 20, 1955, in Muskegon, MI, the son of Frank and Helen (Slater) Sohasky.  On Sept. 3, 1983 at St. Denis in Lexington, MI, he married Laura M. Staudaker, who survives.

Dan was raised Muskegon, attended St. Michael’s School and graduated from Muskegon High in 1973.  Dan continued his education at Olivet College graduating with a degree in secondary education.  In 1981 Dan moved west to Casper, WY; married the love of his life, and they began their family there.  Dan came home to Michigan where they were blessed with a second son in 1988.  He was an accomplished stone mason and carpenter.  Dan was an active member in the community as both a school and 4-H volunteer.  As an avid outdoorsman and fisherman, Dan held a particular passion for fly fishing; a skill that he shared with local Suttons Bay School students.  All who knew him can recite at least one “Fishing with Dan” story.  Dan will be sorely missed at the lakes, river, streams, and woods.

In addition to his wife, Laurie, Dan is survived by his sons, Adam (Ashley) and Jason Sohasky; his mother, Helen Sohasky; brothers, Michael (Pam), Larry (Lynn), and Steve (Kim) Sohasky; sisters, Sandy (Ken) Robbins and Sue (Don) Deuling; and one grandchild on the way.

He was preceded in death by his father.

Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 24 with the Rosary to be prayed at 7 p.m. at the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay. The mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25 at St. Michael the Archangel Church of Suttons Bay. Father Leonard Paul will serve as celebrant.

Memorials may be directed to Suttons Bay Public Schools Elementary Library, P.O. Box 367, Suttons Bay, MI, 49682 and/or Mass Intentions.

Please share thoughts and memories with the Sohasky family at his online guestbook at www.martinson.info.

Thomas L. Anderson

Died October 11, 2014

 NORTHPORT – Thomas Leroy Anderson, 61, of Northport, passed away Saturday, Oct. 11, 2014 at his home.

  Tom was born Feb. 3, 1953 in Detroit the son of Erick Anderson, Sr. and Josephine (Wanageshik) Anderson.  On April 24, 2004, in Northport, he married Debra Two Crow, who survives.

  Tom graduated from Northport High School where he excelled in basketball and still holds records that are unbroken.  He attended Haskel College and Marquette and earned a degree in Social Work.

  He loved to garden, watch the sunset, and help family and friends with whatever they needed.  Tom was an avid and talented hunter and enjoyed teaching his grandchildren how to hunt when they came to visit.  He also enjoyed the outdoors, often walking through the woods for hours exploring and finding new places.  Tom loved his dogs, along with any animal that followed him when he went hunting or exploring.  He had an amazing sense of humor and always said, “You gotta keep the humor.”

  In addition to his wife, Tom is survived by his children, Monica and Jordan (Nina) Anderson; also Michelle, Daniel, Clay, Rose, Kc, Shawn, and Gerald; siblings, Valerie Maidens, Erick Anderson, Jr., Susannah Warrington, Faith Anderson; and many grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

  Visitation will be held Wednesday, Oct. 15 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Northport Indian Mission Church.  The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 16 also at the church.  Burial will follow at Leelanau Township Cemetery.  Pastor Tom H. John and Rev. Sam McClellan will officiate.

  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Northport Indian Mission Church, P.O. Box 17, Northport, MI 49670.

 

 

 

Dorothy D. Young

Died Oct. 11, 2014

 

NORTHPORT - Dorothy Donna Young, affectionately known as “Mops” to her family, passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, October 11, 2014, while in the company of family members.  She was 87.

  Dorothy was raised in Dimondale, MI, the daughter of Walter and Madonna Kempher Hummel.  After graduating from high school she lived and worked in Alaska, and later lived in California, before moving back to Dimondale and taking a job with the State of Michigan.

  She married George Young in 1958 and in 1973 they moved to Northport.  There, they were the primary owners and operators of Best Tackle Manufacturing Company.  After selling Best Tackle in 1994, Dorothy worked for several years at the Northport Bay Retreat.

  Dorothy loved living in the Northport community and gave freely of her time and energy to many charitable and civic organizations.  Both she and George were long time Lions Club members and both served as King Lion at different times.  Dorothy and George also loved to travel and Dorothy enjoyed playing all types of card and board games with her family and friends (her family suspects that she has already reunited with her sister, Norma, and brother, Ray, and got into a card game with them).

  Dorothy is survived by her sons, Gary Young, John (Linda Vieira) Young, Pete (Ellen) Govorchin, Steve Govorchin, and Tom Young; grandchildren, Peter, Jake, and Nick Govorchin, Jeremy and Jessie Young, and Calvin Korson; great-grandchildren, Jane, Cameron, and Jill Govorchin; siblings, Carl (Eulene) Hummel, JoAnn (Lee) Van Alstine, and Sandra (Dick) Maas; sister-in-law, Jo Hummel; and many nieces and nephews.

  She was preceded in death by her husband, George; a son, Chris; and her siblings, Norma Soules and Raymond Hummel.

  A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 25 at 1 p.m. at Trinity Church in Northport.  Pastor Karen Stokes will officiate.

  Memorials may be directed to Trinity Church UCC, PO Box 156, Northport, MI 49670 and/or to a disabled veterans organization.

Harvey E. Thomas

Died Sept. 6, 2014

NORTHPORT - Harvey (Harv) Edward Thomas, 93, of Northport, passed away on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2014 at Northport Highlands.
   Harv was born in Hinsdale, IL, the son of the late Roy Kehl and Pauline Grafton Thomas.
   Harv grew up in Hinsdale, IL. He was an honored athlete in football, basketball and track at Hinsdale H.S. He attended the Univ. of Illinois and Univ. of Michigan before enlisting in the Army Air Corps during WWII. He later became an insurance agent in Chicago before relocating to Northport 30 years ago. Harv was known for his quick wit, an infectious laugh, and a caring and generous heart for the less fortunate.
   He is survived by two sons, Timothy K. and Theodore E. Thomas; two daughters, Rachel Thomas Guzior and Louise Leuthner; 14 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; and two brothers, William G. and Phillip S. Thomas.
   Harv was preceded in death by a daughter, Katherine Thomas Fabin; brothers, Roy K. Jr. and Grafton M. Thomas; and sisters, Martha Woodhouse and Barbara Broberg.
   Private family services have been held.

Jacqueline G. Mebert

1929 ~ 2014

FLORIDA - Jacqueline Geraldine Mebert, 85, of Milton, FL, formerly of Suttons Bay, passed away peacefully on June 5, 2014 in Pensacola, FL, with her children at her side.

Jacqueline was born on Feb. 14, 1929 in Northport, the daughter of Louie and Fern (Charter) Jacob. On May 31, 1947 in Northport, she married Robert Roscoe Mebert who preceded her in death.

Jackie helped her husband run the Bingham Twp. Centennial Farm and had a long history with Suttons Bay Schools. She was a cook, bus driver, and worked with the migrant program. When she became head cook, she made cookies from scratch every day for the students. She continued to bake cookies when she retired to Milton, FL. Everyone loved her cookies and she will forever be remembered as the “Cookie Lady”.

Jackie enjoyed many past times including: Bingo, Bunco, Pinkio, golf, painting fishing, gardening, knitting, sewing, reading, traveling, and bowling. She bowled a perfect 300 game when she was 81 years old. Jackie was also a member of the Methodist church, Red Hatters, and RSVP’ers.

Jackie is survived by her son, Robert W. Mebert; daughters, Marcia (David) Perosino, Terrielyn (Davy) Anys; 7 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by two sisters and three brothers.

Graveside services at Keswick Maple Grove Cemetery have been held.

Please share memories with Jackie’s family at her online obituary at www.martinson.info.

Shirley L. Wheatley

Died Sept. 5, 2014

LELAND — Shirley L. Wheatley, 89, of Leland, passed away Friday, Sept. 5, 2014, at Effie’s Assisted Living of Leland.

Shirley was born Aug. 22, 1925, in Johnson City, New York, the daughter of Arthur Ray and Bernice Leah (Van Wormer) Lewis. On Dec. 29, 1962, in Campbell County, Kentucky, she married her loving husband of 41 years, Benjamin Edward Wheatley, who preceded her in death on July 31, 2004.

Shirley graduated from NYU and had a long career in occupational therapy, which ended in retirement in 1986.

Shirley is survived by her nieces, Shelley J. (James) Tanner and their daughter, Madeline, as well as Kelley R. (Robert) Venturo and their children, Clara and Quinlan. She is also survived by Ben’s three children, David W. (Evelyn) Wheatley, Christine L. (Jeff) Wheatley-Vilen and Katherine L. (Todd) Bloomfield and their children and grandchildren, not to mention other family and longtime friends.

In addition to her husband, Shirley was preceded in death by her brother, Marley Ray Lewis in 1997.

Interment will be held at a later date at Vestal Hills Memorial Park in Vestal, New York.

To leave a message of condolence please visit www.legacy.com and/or martinson.info.

Gary R. Nichols

Died September 29, 2014

MAPLE CITY – Gary Ray Nichols, 68, of Maple City, passed away on Monday, Sept. 29, 2014 at Munson Medical Center.

  Gary was born on April 27, 1946, in Detroit, the son of Stanley and Lillian (Sorna) Nichols.  On Oct. 4, 2003 at Leland Community United Methodist Church, he married Louise M. Patterson, who survives.

  Gary loved his career in the Navy and retired as a Chief Petty Officer after 21 years of service.  He loved his Lord, country, and family.  Gary enjoyed music, dancing, and cooking. His chicken quesadillas will be greatly missed.

  In addition to his wife, Gary is survived by his children, Gary M. Nichols, Susan Nichols Hartman, and Jamie C. (Dianna) Nichols; step-children, Aimee (Justin) Hennessy, Rebecca Patterson, and Katherine Patterson; seven grandchildren, Elizabeth (Michel) Murciano,  Christopher Arboleda, Ashley Arboleda, Alexander Hartman, Lily Nichols, Grace Hennessy and Ella Hennessy, one great-grandchild to be,  Fisher Murciano, sisters, Betty (Jerry) Leuenberger, Sherri (Todd) Gilbert; and a special uncle, Frank (Judy) Sorna.

  He was preceded in death by his first wife, Barbara Nichols.

  A memorial service will be held on Friday, Oct. 3 at 11 a.m. at the Leland Community United Methodist Church.  Pastor Daniel Hofmann will officiate.

  Memorials may be directed to a charity of one's choice.