Cadillac News

George Perry Akers passed on Thursday, January 26, 2023 being right where he loved to be -- surrounded by family. He was born to Rose & Donald Akers on July 24, 1944. George has been a storyteller his entire life. That was his greatest gift and arguably the thing that brought him the most joy. George had a knack for being able to start a conversation with anyone and make fast friends, whether they liked it or not. He could find a way to relate through storytelling, and always found common ground through conversation. George used this skill through his life as a truck driver (which took him to all the continental states), while in service abroad for the Korean war, while working in his...

Marian May Finnerty of Cadillac passed Tuesday away, January 24, 2023 at Cherry Grove Adult Foster Care. She was 84. Marian was born June 26, 1938 in Cherry Grove Township, Wexford County, Michigan to Albion and Laura (Hodges) Strom. In March of 1955, Marian met Robert Charles Finnerty. They were engaged in November of 1955 and were married the following year on June 23, 1956 at the parsonage of the First Covenant Church in Cadillac. They had two children together and were happily married for 62 years. She was a devoted wife and mother and dedicated her life to her family and home. She is survived by her daughter, Barbara (Tim) Haines; grandchildren: Lindsey Haines, Carrie (Bill)...

Linda Annette Puckett, 67, of Traverse City passed away unexpectedly, yet peacefully on Monday, January 23, 2023 at French Manor Extended Care in Traverse City where she had made her home for the last couple of years. Linda was born on Friday, March 4, 1955 to the late Leo LaVerne and Ruth Annette (Gillett) Harkert in Reed City. On Saturday, June 28, 1997, she married the love of her life, Raymond B. Puckett in Evart. Raised in Evart, she attended Evart Public Schools and graduated from there in 1973. She was a talented flautist and sat first chair in the high school band. She also was an excellent guitarist. She began her college career at Ferris State and then transferred to Central...

Michael Gordon Sundberg, of Cadillac, passed away on Monday, January 23, 2023 at his home after a courageous battle with cancer. He was 77. Michael was born on June 1, 1945 to Gordon and Mercedes (Cassabon) Sundberg in Laurium, Michigan. He was a graduate of Garden City High School. Michael proudly answered the call of duty serving in the United States Marine Corp during the Vietnam Era. On September 24, 1968, he entered into marriage with the former Veronica Curaba in Detroit, Michigan. Michael spent his career working as an automotive manager for 30 years, until his time of retirement. He later went on to work at Home Depot, where he used his skills as a master gardener to help people...

Glen Tanis, age 83, formerly of Lake City, Michigan passed peacefully into heaven on Thursday, January 21, 2023. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Hattie Tanis; his two infant sons both named Dennis Glen; his grandson, Justin Woodworth; brother, Wayne Tanis; sister, Noreta (Herbert) Nagelkirk and brothers-in-law, Herbert Nagelkirk and Elmer Kooienga. In 1957, he married Elizabeth Linda Kalee and they were together 65 years. Early on he served in the Army. During that time while stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri they suffered the loss of two infant sons. After his service they settled in Hudsonville and raised a family attending South Blendon Reformed Church. He...

James (Jim) Vernell Gilson, age 84 from Trufant, Michigan, (formerly of Lake City) passed peacefully into heaven on January 20, 2023. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. Jim was born on January 2, 1939, to Claire and Mary (Kushmaul) Gilson in Roseville, Michigan. He graduated from Clare High School in 1958 and married Carol Haggart on June 20, 1959 - his wife and best friend. They were happily married for 53 years until Carol passed away on July 12, 2012. Together, they raised five children. Cindy (David) Sanderson of Trufant, Tim (Pam) Gilson of Cadillac, Vicki (Mitch) Peterson of Adrian, Mark (Shelly Rosenberry) Gilson, of Cadillac, and Tracy (Steve)...

Barbara Jean Anstett, of Manton, passed away on Friday, January 20, 2023. Barbara was born on October 4, 1936, in Lowell, Michigan to the late John and Catherine (Bollock) Geiger. Barbara graduated from Belding High School in 1956. On July 3, 1964, in Traverse City, Michigan. She married the love of her life, Richard K. Anstett, who preceded her in death in 2017 after 53 years of marriage. Barbara enjoyed many occupations during her life. She was a dental assistant for Dr. John C. Mette, DDO, a factory worker, a clerk for the Michigan Unemployment Agency, and of course her favorite, owning and operating Kelly's Tavern in Manton, Michigan from 1981 until 1987. She cherished the times spent...

John Edward Koneska of Reed City passed away Thursday, January 19, 2023, at AlterCare of Big Rapids. He was 81. John was born Jan. 2, 1942 in Grand Rapids, to Edward and Mary (Gilbert) Koneska. John spent 25 years with Michigan State Police, serving in Bay City, Lapeer, Detroit, and Reed City. He served as a member of the MSP diving team and was a mentor to many young students. He retired as a sergeant in 1990. After retirement, he worked for Mecosta County Dispatch, and was instrumental in building the Meceola Consolidated Central Dispatch, where he worked as a 911 Director. John also sold cars for Babb Ford and enjoyed golfing in his spare time. He was an active parishioner at St....

Susan Kay DeHaan, age 69 of Marion, passed away at her home after a 10-year battle with cancer. Susan was born October 27, 1953 in Traverse City to Albert and Peggy (Olds) Bauer. She went to Hanna St. Mary's School and graduated from Kingsley High School. She had been employed at several factories until she started Highland Hills Adult Foster Care in her home and operated until her illness required her to care for herself. Susan was very energetic in her spare time, she loved to craft, go rock picking and polishing. She also was fond of hunting, fishing, wine making, shopping second hand stores and was a very good cook. Susan is survived by her husband; Dean DeHaan of Marion, son;...

Jill Elizabeth Ritter of Lake City passed away Wednesday, January 18, 2023 at Munson Healthcare Cadillac Hospital. She was 60. Jill was born August 17, 1962 in Dearborn, Michigan to Kenneth P. and Roberta Ann (Goolsby) Porter. She attended Bill Hixon's School of Floral Design in Ohio and had a passion for flowers and gardening. Jill worked at Patterson's Flowers for several years. Jill loved to spend time on the water, at the beach and traveling. She loved animals, especially her dogs, Sparky and Sassy. Jill loved her family; her greatest joy was spending time with her grandchildren. On June 11, 1983 she married Ward W. Ritter and he survives her along with their sons, Ward (Rachel)...

Ricky Jay Letts, of Lake City, passed away on Tuesday, January 17, 2023 at Munson Healthcare Cadillac Hospital. He was 74. Rick was born on December 20, 1948 to Harley and Leontine "Tina" (Byron) Letts in Cadillac, Michigan. He was a graduate of Manton High school, and married his high school sweetheart. He spent his career working for AAR, the former Brooks and Perkins, for over 28 years until his time of retirement. Rick was an incredibly talented mechanic and worked at several garages throughout his life, including Asshole's Garage, working on and fixing numerous vehicles. Rick's knowledge of cars and mechanics carried on long after he quit working, providing advice and knowledge for...

Kenneth E. Wiseley, of Mesick, passed away on Tuesday, January 17, 2023 at Symphony Linden Nursing and Rehab Center. He was 72. Ken was born on August 17, 1950 to Orville and Doris (Scott) Wiseley in Pontiac, Michigan. He proudly answered the call of duty serving in the United States Army during the Vietnam era. After serving his time in the military, he went on to academy police training. Ken spent his career working as a Police Officer serving the communities of Sylvan Lake Police Department, then Green Oak Twp. Police Department, and finally retired from Brighton City Police Department. On July 6, 1996 he entered into marriage with the former Terry Krager in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan....

Ken E. Wiseley, of Mesick, passed away on Tuesday, January 17, 2023 at Symphony Linden Nursing and Rehab Center. He was 72. Ken was born on August 17, 1950 to Orville and Doris (Scott) Wiseley in Pontiac, Michigan. He proudly answered the call of duty serving in the United States Army during Vietnam. After serving his time in the military, he went on to academy police training. Ken spent his career working as a Police Officer serving Sylvan Lake at Green Oak Township and the city of Brighton for many years until his time of retirement. On July 6, 1996 he entered into marriage with the former Terry LaTour in Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan. The couple relocated to Mesick, where they created a...

Michael Andrew Jaroche, 55 of Wolverine, passed away Tuesday, January 17, 2023 at Medilodge of Capitol Area in Lansing. Born in Petoskey, Michigan on February 23, 1967, he is the son of Michael R. and Carol Jo (Prokop) Jaroche. Michael graduated from Wolverine High School in 1985. During his youth he was a boxer, played basketball and baseball and was active in Cheboygan County 4-H. He received an ROTC scholarship with the help of then Senator Carl Levin and received a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Following graduation, he was commissioned a 2nd lieutenant in the United States Army. He had just finished winter war training...

Jose Zavala-Ruiz passed away on Monday, January 16, on is 88th birthday. He was born in Pinicuro, Guanajuato, Mexico on January 16, 1935. He was married to Eva Flores and had 6 children, Martin Zavala from Elsa Texas, Olga Cowles from Wyoming, Michigan, Erasmo Zavala from Donna Texas, Francisco Zavala from Rio Bravo, Mexico, Maria Socorro Corona from Wyoming, Michigan, and her twin sister Maria Carmen Chism from Grand Haven, Michigan. Jose drove industrial tractors in Mexico before coming to the United States, He worked as a migrant laborer. He married Betty Yokeum (Sparks) in 2004. They traveled extensively in Mexico and the United States. Jose loved to garden and construct flower...

Charles C. Jennings 77, of Lake Ann was called to his eternal home on Sunday Jan. 15, 2023. Charles graduated from North Adams High School Class of '63 and from Tri State University in 1966 with a degree in aeronautical engineering. He spent his engineering career in St. Louis, MO, Jackson, MI, Forest City, NC, and Cadillac, MI. Charles and his wife Bonnie made many, many friends along the way. He loved being a dad to three boys and enjoyed watching them play sports and, at times, even coaching them. After retiring in 2005, Bonnie and Chuck would often spend their winters in Florida and summers at their cabin on Bellows Lake, where you would usually find him fishing out on the lake....

Otto William Kalmbach, 87, of Cadillac, Michigan passed peacefully into heaven on Sunday, January 15, 2023. He was a beloved husband, father, and grandfather. Otto was born on August 20, 1935, to Otto and Hazel (Johnson) Kalmbach in Petoskey, Michigan. At age eight, his widowed mother married Louis Price. They moved to Bay Shore where he attended a single classroom schoolhouse. He attended Petoskey High School where he played football and played bassoon in the band. At the University of Michigan, he sang in the Michigan Men's Glee Club and received a degree in civil engineering. After college Otto completed an internship in Wyoming. As a summer job prior to his marriage, he helped build...

Dale Wayne Tessman, of Cadillac, passed away unexpectedly at home on Friday, January 13, 2023. He was 58. Dale was born on August 30, 1964, in Osceola County, Michigan. He grew up in LeRoy and became a graduate of Pine River High School. Dale answered the call of duty and entered into the United States Navy. He did his time at boot camp in Orlando before becoming stationed in Corpus Christi, FL. Dale returned to Michigan making his home in Cadillac, where he started his working years at Mercy Hospital Renal Center. He then went on to find employment with Walmart and moved into management for a number years before his health began to decline. Dale was instrumental in the Dart Club and...

Michelle Frances Parent of Cadillac passed away, Friday, January 13, 2023 at Munson Healthcare Cadillac Hospital. She was 56. Michelle was born October 28, 1966 in Saginaw to Francis Theodore and Chrystal Carey (Bloss) Parent. She graduated from Buena Vista High School in 1985. She moved to Lake City in 1987 and then later made her life in Cadillac. Michelle was a talented artist and loved to draw. Michelle was an avid sports fan and baseball card collector. In her younger years she enjoyed family road trips with her parents and sister. Michelle loved to be in the water swimming and playing with her nieces when they were young. She would smoke a pipe from time to time and that unique smell...

Nancy Ann Vander Woude, age 88, died at Story Point of Midland with her husband and daughters by her side. She was born on November 22, 1934, in Merritt, Michigan; one of four children of Arthur and Evelyn (Hughes) Miller. She met Carl F Vander Woude and they were married on July 23, 1955, in McBain, Michigan. He still survives her. Also surviving are her daughters Susan Arrants (Wayne), Carol Weymouth (Robert) and Betsy Wise (James); her grandchildren Jeffrey Arrants (Mary), Bryan Arrants, Eric Arrants (Courtney Jo), Benjamin Weymouth (Bobbie), Andrew Weymouth, Samuel Weymouth (Dominque), Aaron Wise, and Joshua Wise; her great-grandchildren Thomas Vander Woude Weymouth, Nathaniel Weymouth,...

Roberta (Bobbi) Lee Taylor, age 76 of Middle Branch Township passed away on January 12, 2023 at her home. Bobbi was born on September 20, 1946 in Lansing, MI to Robert and June (Burdick) Pratt. Bobbi enjoyed crafts. She crocheted, knitted, tatted and sewed. Bobbi was an avid reader. She was a huge fan of football, especially the Detroit Lions. Bobbi was a member of the Michigan Rebekah Lodges I.O.O.F., a volunteer fire fighter for the Cedar Creek Township Fire Department and active in her community. Bobbi was known for bringing family together. She spearheaded and hosted the annual family reunion to ensure we all knew our family. It was very important to her. Most of Bobbi's career was...