Mortensen Funeral Homes

Shirley Kay McDowell went to be with the Lord on November 21, 2025, in The Villages, Florida. Since 1987, she and her loving husband, Paul, made The Villages their home while always carrying with them the deep roots they planted in Central Lake, Michigan. As the matriarch of her family, Shirley's greatest pride and joy were her three sons - Dodd, Chance, and Colt. As the years passed, her family grew, and so did her love for the many grandchildren and great-grandchildren who followed. Shirley began her career as a registered nurse, a role that cultivated the compassion she carried throughout her life. She later embraced many talents, becoming a designer, florist, and a natural in...

Anne Cowley, passed on November 19, 2022. Online guestbook www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com.

John Hayden Lignell, 88 of Charlevoix died peacefully in his home surrounded by his children on Friday, November 18th. Dr. Lignell served the Charlevoix community for 50 years as a Family Physician at Charlevoix Area Hospital from 1963- 2013. He had a gift for healing and patient relationships that spanned generations. John was very active outside of work as well, serving as a founding member of the Lions Club, sharing his love for music participating in multiple choirs, barbershop quartets, and musicals. He loved playing the piano. Dr. Lignell was an active member of Christ Episcopal Church. He was born May 25th, 1934 in Detroit, Mi. John graduated from Albion College in Pre-Medicine in...

Janice Kay Coan, 82, of Elmira, MI, went home to her eternal rest with Our Lord on Saturday, December 11, 2021. Born on April 14, 1939, in Olney, IL, the daughter of Damon and Charlene (Brookfield) Peters. Janice graduated from Richland County High School in 1956, Olney, IL, and three years later, on November 23, 1959, married her childhood sweetheart Lawrence Coan. She loved "her honey" from the time she was in third grade. She lived her motto throughout her marriage with her husband "A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter; He who finds one finds a treasure." (Sirach) Lawrence was her life's treasure. Janice and Lawrence moved to northern Michigan in 1972, owning and operating L & R...

William (Bill) Rae Carey, 91, of Charlevoix, passed Thursday, December 9 with his bride and best friend of almost 48 years at his side. Bill was born a Charlevoix Rayder on February 8, 1930 to Leo and Marion (Emrey) Carey. A 1947 graduate of Charlevoix High School, Bill was a standout on the Rayders' vaunted football and basketball teams of the day. The 1947 football squad completed their third consecutive season without a defeat, outscoring their opponents 689-24 during the unmatched stretch. Bill's 1947-48 basketball team followed an undefeated 1946-47 regular season with another unblemished campaign, advancing to the state tournament semifinals in East Lansing, before dropping a 34-36...

Marcia Ann Emery, 60, of Traverse City, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, December 8, 2021. She was born on November 20, 1961 in Charlevoix, MI, the daughter of James McCann Sr. and Elizabeth Wabanimkee. After high school, Marcia earned her certification as an executive secretary. Over the years, Marcia did clerical work for several different companies. She also babysat for many families throughout the years all while taking care of her own children. Marcia enjoyed perusing yard sales and antique shop aisles, and shopping. More recently in life, Marcia enjoyed visiting casinos. The highlight of her life was her children and grandchildren; she soaked up every minute she could...

Jeryl Esther Murdick, 74, of Charlevoix, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 19, 2021 at Meadow Brook Medical Care Facility in Bellaire. She was born on June 14, 1947 in Detroit, MI, the daughter of F. Jerold and Esther (Kerr) Murdick. Jeryl graduated from Charlevoix High School in 1965, and she then began working at her parents' candy store, Murdick's Famous Fudge (which is now the home of Harwood Gold). She and her brother, Gary, inherited the business in 1977, which they ran successfully until they retired in 2012. When she wasn't making candy, Jeryl enjoyed crocheting, reading mystery novels, and playing with her cats. Jeryl is survived by her brother, Gary Murdick. She was...

Christopher Peter Carson, 84, of Charlevoix, passed away at his home on November 18, 2021. Chris was born on May 19, 1937 in Detroit, Michigan. He served in the Navy from 1955-1959 as an Airborne Radio Operator for the 1116th Air Transport Wing. After service, he met his wife Joan, and they were married on September 16, 1961. They made the move from Detroit to Charlevoix in 1967. Chris was a builder his entire life, first working for local construction companies before obtaining his contractor license and starting his own business. His craftsmanship and pride of work was evident in his attention to detail in the homes he built and remodeled. Chris was knowledgeable in all facets of...

Barbara Clemons Bump of Charlevoix passed away on November 15. She was born on August 16, 1927 In Lansing, MI, the daughter of Velma Clemons Gibb and Maurice J Clemons. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Robert M Clemons. Barb graduated from JW Sexton High School, attended Milwaukee Downer College, and graduated from The University of Michigan where she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta. She did her graduate work at Michigan State University. Barb taught 6th grade at Foster Elementary School in Lansing before moving to Charlevoix in 1970 to continue her teaching career, retiring in 1990. She enjoyed playing bridge, traveling, reading, swimming, crossword puzzles and...

Barbara Clemons Bump of Charlevoix passed away on November 15. She was born on August 16, 1927 In Lansing, MI, the daughter of Velma Clemons Gibb and Maurice J Clemons. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Robert M Clemons. Barb graduated from JW Sexton High School, attended Milwaukee Downer College, and graduated from The University of Michigan where she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta. She did her graduate work at Michigan State University. Barb taught 6th grade at Foster Elementary School in Lansing before moving to Charlevoix in 1970 to continue her teaching career, retiring in 1990. She enjoyed playing bridge, traveling, reading, swimming, crossword puzzles and...

Barbara Clemons Bump of Charlevoix passed away on November 15. She was born on August 16, 1927 In Lansing, MI, the daughter of Velma Clemons Gibb and Maurice J Clemons. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Robert M Clemons. Barb graduated from JW Sexton High School, attended Milwaukee Downer College, and graduated from The University of Michigan where she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta. She did her graduate work at Michigan State University. Barb taught 6th grade at Foster Elementary School in Lansing before moving to Charlevoix in 1970 to continue her teaching career, retiring in 1990. She enjoyed playing bridge, traveling, reading, swimming, crossword puzzles and...

On Saturday, November Thirteenth, 2021, Adam Kendall and Kate Leese perished in a commercial plane crash landing on Beaver Island, Michigan. It was a flight they had taken dozens of times since moving to the remote island thirty miles northwest of Charlevoix to start a vineyard on an old farm five miles from the lone town of Saint James. The vineyard was a final stop for the couple who had embarked six years earlier on a wandering lifestyle in a refurbished airstream in search of new horizons. They loved each other dearly, crisscrossing the great American west, sleeping on public land, armed with more Verizon wifi accounts than they cared to admit from which they ran a successful disaster...

Adam Wolford Kendall was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan on November 5, 1984, to LeeAnn Wolford Kendall and Robert T. Kendall, III. On November 13, 2021, Adam and his lovely wife, Kate Leese, were returning to their home on Beaver Island, when the plane they were traveling in crashed at the airport. Adam (37) and Kate (35) left this life together, along with their cherished dogs, Baker and Frank. Adam was a loyal and steadfast man to his friends and family. Any task Adam faced, he mastered. His grandfather, who narrowly survived World War II, said on many occasions that Adam was the kind of man you wanted next to you in a pinch. Growing up in Jackson, from an early age Adam showed a...

On November 11, 2021, Dr. Richard H. Wakulat, Jr. joined his parents Richard and Elizabeth Wakulat, Sr. leaving his wife of 56 years Patsy, son Paul (Jenny), daughters Carrie (Gary) Leitner, Elizabeth, sister Mary Beth, and six grandchildren, Kelli, Kylie, Emily, Catherine, Madden, and Liliann. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, physician, and friend. Dick graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School in Internal Medicine and his love for Michigan football had no bounds. He believed his son's first words were "Go Blue." His hobbies were building RC model airplanes, classical music, boating, gardening, and driving family and friends in his 1929 Ford Model A. Dick...

Stanley John Whitley, age 87 of Charlevoix passed away on November 10, 2021 at home surrounded by loved ones. He was born on December 21, 1933 in Charlevoix, the son of Stanley Sr. and Irene (Hull) Whitley. Upon graduating from Charlevoix High School, Stanley went on to serve his country in the United States Army. Upon returning home, he married Patricia Clausen just a month later on July 21, 1956 at the Church of God in Charlevoix. He worked for nearly 40 years as a painter at Harbor Industries - formerly known as Freedmans Industries. Stanley was a true outdoorsman; he spent many hours hunting for deer, elk, and his favorite, bear. He also enjoyed both open water fishing and ice...

How do you say goodbye to a legend? Jeannine Wallace earned her release and gained her wings on November 6, 2021. Born in Grand Rapids, MI, to Ed and Maurine (Spence) Loop, Jeannine graduated from South High School and attended MSU. She married Larry Wallace on September 8, 1962. He predeceased her in 1979. Jeannine was fortunate to summer in Charlevoix as a child, and her first job was at the Fairbanks Bakery in town. She fell in love with Charlevoix and became a permanent resident in 1953. Jeannine gave back to her city in so many ways: As an entrepreneur, she owned the Shop of the Gulls - a retail gift & clothing store - for almost 40 years! She often called herself the "Old...

Sally J. Saunders, 91, of Charlevoix, passed away on November 6, 2021 at Munson Charlevoix Area Hospital. Sally was born on March 9, 1930 in Boyne City, MI, the daughter of James and Flora (Davis) McNeal. Following graduation from Boyne City High School, Sally went on to attend Davenport College. She then worked as a secretary before she began farming chickens and cattle with her husband, Wayne. After retiring from farming, she worked as a bank teller for Huntington Bank in both East Jordan and Charlevoix before fully retiring. She was a member of the Charlevoix County Farm Bureau, the Ravishing Red Hatters of East Jordan as well as the Barnard United Methodist Church where she served...

Nancy Jean Whitley, age 71, of Charlevoix passed away peacefully on November 3rd, 2021. Nancy was preceded in death by her Mother and Father, Bill & Ella Hoffman, and two husbands, Jerome "Jigs" Whitley and Jack Balchik. Nancy is Survived by her Sister Kathy (Rick) Luther of Vacaville, CA, Brother Ron (Mary) Hoffman of Greensboro, NC, her three children and grandchildren, Jessica (David and Enzo) Bertinelli, Ben (Maya and Kai), and Lukas (Merissa) Whitley. "I Couldn't Love You More" Those were some of the last words my Mom said to me during her final days here on Earth. I thought those words were a beautiful encapsulation of her life, and the way she lived it. Her Love for family...

Fredrick C. Steuer, 81, of Boyne City, passed away on November 1, 2021 at McLaren Northern Michigan in Petoskey. Fred was born on October 5, 1940, in Rock Island, IL, the son of George and Emma (Clark) Steuer. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and lived in various places throughout his life. He especially enjoyed Alaska. Surviving are his children, Carl (Kim) Steuer, Victoria Payne Steuer, Chris (Debbie) Steuer, Jerry Steuer, David Steuer, Jackie Janton, several grandchildren and great-grandchildren and a sister Nancy Steuer. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Walter Steuer, a sister Norma Steuer and 2 children, Cindi Cherven, and Matt Steuer. Visitation will be on...

Our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Gunnar Lundteigen, passed away peacefully at the Hiland Cottage in Petoskey on October 28, 2021. He was born on June 16,1926 in Drammen, Norway, the son of Martha (Bratan) and Nils Otter Lundteigen. As a child Gunnar helped work on the family farm and attended primary and secondary school in Drammen, graduating from Drammen's Latin School. In 1949 he was sponsored by his uncle, who lived in Detroit, Michigan and immigrated to the United States. While working at General Foods in Battle Creek he met his wife, Doris June Lewis. After he returned to Norway, they began a long-distance courtship that eventually brought Doris to Norway where they were...

Robert T. Morgridge passed away on Tuesday, October 26, 2021. He was born on April 11, 1937, the son of Robert and Myrtle (Warder) Morgridge. Robert attended school in Portland, Michigan. In 1960 he married Mary Ellen Stump. In 1967, he graduated from Michigan State University with an MA degree in Latin American History. Bob was a graduate assistant in the history department and was a member of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi and the International Honor Society in History - Phi Alpha Theta. In 1967 he started his teaching career with the Boyne City Public Schools. In 1996, Bob Morgridge retired from teaching at Boyne City High School after twenty-nine years. For twenty-six years...