Obituaries

Jan 5, 2019

Don Errol Benz, 68 of East Jordan passed away suddenly on Saturday, January 5, 2019 at Munson Healthcare Otsego Memorial Hospital in Gaylord.

Don was born on June 21, 1950 in Bay Village, Ohio to Emil and Jeannie (Milinski) Benz.  Both parents and brother, Bruce, preceded him in death.  Don is survived by his wife of 42...

Jan 4, 2019

Ralph N. Nutter III, 80, of Gaylord, passed away Friday, January 4, 2019 at home surrounded by his family.  Born on June 20, 1938 in St. Louis, Missouri, Ralph was the son of Ralph II and Marion (Boneau) Nutter.

Ralph was an All American swimmer at Royal Oak High School and had a pool record that stood...

Jan 2, 2019

Frederick Lukaszewski, 72 of Petoskey, formerly of Elmira and Shelby Township, passed away at home on Wednesday, January 2, 2019.

Born in Detroit on July 13, 1946, Fred was the son of Konstanty and Angeline (Bembas) Lukaszewski.  After graduating from high school he served honorably in the U.S. Army from 1968-1970.

Fred returned to the...

Jan 2, 2019

Ethel May (Skidmore) Blanz, 84 of Petoskey, passed away on Wednesday, January 2, 2019 at American House in Petoskey.

Born on November 17, 1934 on Newark, Ohio, she was the daughter of Raymond Leon and Elton Elizabeth (Shoemaker) Skidmore.  After graduating high school, Ethel went on to attend Ohio State University, from where she received her  bachelor’s...

Dec 31, 2018

Diane Sue (Hallett) Demaree, 68 of Gaylord, passed away Monday, December 31, 2018 at Munson Healthcare Otsego Memorial Hospital. Born on May 7, 1950 in Wellsville, NY, Sue was the daughter of Leland and Alberta (Cornell) Hallett.

Sue and her former husband, Robert had a successful business together in the Oil and Gas Industry for many years. Together,...

Dec 30, 2018

Audrey A. Mero, 89 of Gaylord, passed away on Sunday, December 30, 2018 at Aspen Ridge Retirement Village.  In keeping with her wishes, her family will remember her privately at a family memorial service in the spring.  Those who wish are asked to consider memorial contributions to 4 Paws Love, P.O. Box 1641, Gaylord, MI  49734

Dec 25, 2018

Robert L. “Butch” Guthrie, 78 of Dickinson, ND and formerly of Gaylord, passed away Christmas Day, December 25, 2018 in Dickinson.

Born in Minot, ND on June 17, 1940, Butch was the son of Howard and Florence (Hendricks) Guthrie.  Growing up, Butch was childhood friends with Arlene Hoppman.  They were married in Surrey, ND on August 4,...

Dec 24, 2018

Stella Maeleen was born with her wings on December 24, 2018 to Steven and Jenny (Harlukowicz) Brown.

She is survived by her brothers, Gavyn, Chayse and Hunter and a large extended family.

"Little we knew that morning God was going to call you home. In life we loved you and in death we will do the...

Dec 23, 2018

John Duncan Wilson Jr., 54 of Alanson, passed away at home on Sunday, December 24, 2018.  Memorial services will be held at 12:00 noon Friday, January 4, 2019 at Emmanuel Evangelical Church, 620 Emmet Street, Petoskey, MI  49770

Dec 22, 2018

Megan Nicole DeForest, 33 of Petoskey, passed away at home on Saturday, December 22, 2018.  Complete arrangements and obituary information will follow at a later date.

Dec 22, 2018

Daniel Lee Wheeler, 74 of Gaylord, passed away at home on Saturday, December 22, 2018.  In keeping with his wishes, his family will remember him privately and interment will take place at a later date.

Dec 20, 2018

William A. Britton, 82 of Roscommon, passed away Thursday, December 20, 2018 at home surrounded by his family.

The family has chosen to remember him privately.

Dec 18, 2018

Russell “Pete” Shorkey, 95 of Gaylord and formerly of Livonia, passed away Thursday, December 18, 2018 at Aspen Rdige Retirement Village. Born on December 31, 1922 in Swissville, PA., Pete was the son of Cyprian “Russ” and Margaret (Kidder) Shorkey.

Pete proudly served in the United States Army during WWII. For many years he worked in communication...

Dec 17, 2018

Ronald H. Smith, 77 of Vanderbilt, passed away on Monday, December 17, 2018 at Munson Healthcare Otsego Memorial Hospital. Born in Detroit on July 28, 1941, Ron was the son of Henry Finn and Beatrice Elsie (Waynick) Smith.

Ron spent much of his youth in Ypsilanti and was a 1959 graduate of Ypsilanti High School.  After living...

Dec 17, 2018

Patricia Anne Pepin, 80 of East Jordan, passed away Monday, December 17, 2018 at Grandvue Medical Care Facility in East Jordan.  A family memorial gathering will be held at a later date.

Dec 17, 2018

Robert F. Taskey, 69, formerly of Gaylord, passed away Monday, December 17, 2018 in Gainesville, Florida.

He was born on March 3, 1949 in Gaylord, the son of Ben and Marion Taskey.

Bob worked many years at the Otsego County Road Commission before retiring.

He was married to Connie Taskey who preceded him...

Dec 16, 2018

Robert Mathew Nicol, 79, of Petoskey died at home on December 16, 2018 after a courageous battle with leukemia. His family was at his side.

On March 24, 1939 Bob was born in Saginaw, MI to Jane and Mathew Nicol. He married Mary Ellen (Ellie) Rea in 1962.

Bob graduated from Saginaw High School. He...

Dec 13, 2018

James Brewer, 86 of Kalkaska, passed away at home on Thursday, December 13, 2018.  At his request, his family will remember him privately.

Dec 9, 2018

Irving E. Manville, 89 of Gaylord, passed away Sunday, December 9, 2018 at Munson Healthcare Otsego Memorial Hospital.

Irving was born on June 22, 1929 in Kingsley, Michigan.

He is survived by his wife, Rose, married 70 years; children, Irving (Debbie) Manville of East Jordan, Charlotte (Joseph) Tebo of Wentzville, MO, Patricia (Dennis) Hartley Alexander...

Dec 7, 2018

Junis L. "Lee" Bird, 89 of Gaylord, passed away on Friday, December 7, 2018 at home.  Service arrangements are pending and will be announced later.