Cadillac News

Dale Lee Peterson of LeRoy passed away, October 21, 2021 at his home. He was 75. Dale was born March 4, 1946 in Reed City to Robert L. and Evelyn M. (Ochs) Peterson and they preceded him in death. On October 31, 1968 in Syracuse, New York while he was stationed there for the Air Force, he married MaryKay Raven and she preceded him in death on May 6, 2021. He graduated from LeRoy High School in 1964. During his 25 plus year career with UPS Dale developed many life- long friendships. He was proud of his achievements, having earned the Circle of Honor for 25 years of safe driving. He was a package driver for the majority of his career, ending with driving semi before retirement. Dale was...

Marge (Smrekar) Witherspoon of Cadillac passed away Wednesday morning, October 20, 2021, at her home. She was 87. She was born on April 10, 1934 to Steve & Mary (Zakrajsek) Smrekar, in Harrietta, MI. Marge graduated from Cadillac High School in 1952 and married Dean Witherspoon on October 10, 1959, at St. Ann Catholic Church in Cadillac. After their marriage, they built their home in Cadillac, where they both lived out their remaining years, and raised their four children. Her favorite joy in the last 10 months had been the twin great-grandbabies, Olivia & Logan Scace--they lit up her world! Marge's growing up days in Harrietta were short-lived. At the age of 7, fire destroyed...

Diana M. Duncan of Cadillac passed away, Wednesday, October 20, 2021 at Detroit Receiving Hospital. She was 66. Diana was born August 3, 1955 in Farwell, Michigan to Charles and Dorothy Louise (VanBlaircum) Rodgers and they preceded her in death. Diana graduated from Cadillac High School. She then went on to attend Spring Arbor University where she earned her bachelor's degree and later her master's degree. She enjoyed ceramic, photography and playing the clarinet. Diana also liked going for rides in the evening and listening to the crickets and frogs. She loved her cat, George, but especially loved her grandchildren. On May 12, 1976 in Cadillac she married Ralph Jay Duncan and he...

David N. Robinson III David passed away on Tuesday, October 19, 2021 at the Robinson family home in Lake City with his wife and two daughters at his side. He was 74 years old. Dave was born May 11, 1947 in Pontiac to David and Madeleine (Walsh) Robinson. On February 5, 1970 Dave married the former Susan Sinda of Rochester. They were married for 51 years. They had two children, Amy (Jeff) Lyle and Beth (Bob) Pickford. Their family grew as the years went by to include grandchildren, Cecelia (Tyler) Staats, Cole and Anna Pickford, Jeramie, Jared and Anthony Lyle, great grandchildren, TJ, Baylee and Bennett Staats, Jace, Corbyn, Eve and Izabel Lyle. Dave loved being a...

Paul Dudley Murphey, born April 27, 1934, arrived "Home, Safe" October 18, 2021. Paul was born in Hollywood, CA to Earl James and Anna Dudley Woodhal Murphey. His parents and his brother Earl "Joaquin" Murphey and sister Doris Glenn Williams preceded him in death. His stepmother Vera Penrod-Murphey and stepbrother Wayne Murphey have also died. He was proud to serve his country in the US Army in Germany and Korea. Drafted out of high school in 1953, he reenlisted until being honorably discharged in 1963 with the rank of SP5. During his enlistment, he earned his Associate's Degree in psychology in 1961 from Glendale college. He lay-pastored a small church in Dwarf, KY, worked for General...

Henry Donald Beard of Cadillac passed away peacefully Sunday, October 17, at home, surrounded by his family. Henry was born on November 28, 1951, to Thomas and Margaret Beard and they preceded him in death. Henry graduated from High School and went into the Navy. He retired from Yoplait where he was a training coordinator and active in the Union. Henry enjoyed spending time with family, friends and his cat, reading, meditation, playing games and going to the casino. He was often a prankster and had a grand sense of humor. He is survived by his children: Jeffrey Beard (Kim), Pamela Boyd, Rachel Augustat (Jerry), Angela Cherney (Joe Jankowski); the love of his life, Linda Graham;...

Joan De Julian Linden of Cadillac passed away Sunday October 17, 2021 at her home. She was born the 6th of July, 1929, in Brookfield Township Ohio next to Sharpsville, Pennsylvania. Joan had a passion for the arts, travel, music, fine dining and cooking. She sang professionally in Detroit finest jazz clubs and was an in-house singer at the Cliff Bells in downtown Detroit. She also worked full-time at the Parke Davis pharmacy and then later pursued a degree in speech therapy at Wayne State University in Detroit. She traveled all over the world. Civic volunteering was also important to Joan. She belonged to many clubs, including singing in the USO. She was also president of the Music...

Pamela Joy Buchholz, age 62 of Marion, passed away on Sunday, October 17, 2021 at the Munson Healthcare Cadillac Hospital. She was born on June 7, 1959 in Garden City to Frank and Zona (Duffield) Osborne. She was united in marriage on March 21, 1998 to Bruce Buchholz at the Marion United Methodist Church. Pamela was co-owner of Evergreen Excavating, and had worked at Kevin Kelly's M-115 restaurant, and enjoyed many things, such as, being a mother, loving her dogs, being outdoors camping, fishing, and hunting. She as well enjoyed her gardens, going on road trips, and her horses. There wasn't much Pamela could not do. She is survived by her husband; Bruce Allen Buchholz of Marion, children;...

Benjamin Jay Eisenga, age 80, of Tustin passed away into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior on Sunday, October 17, 2021 at Munson Healthcare Cadillac Hospital surrounded by his family. He was born on January 22, 1941 in Riverside Township to Henry and Reka (Roede) Eisenga. On April 7, 1961 he married Nella Mae Lucas at the Lucas Rehoboth Reformed Church. Ben spent a lifetime of hard work on the dairy farm, as well served as the President of the Osceola Farm Bureau for several years, and was a member of the Lucas Rehoboth Reformed Church. In his earlier years he enjoyed bowling and playing softball, hunting and doing tractor-pulls. In most recent years he thoroughly enjoyed watching his...

Terri Louise Bessette, 62, passed away on October 16th, 2021 at Munson Hospice House in Traverse City, MI after suffering a stroke. She was born in Cadillac, MI in the spring of 1959 to Gary Bennett and Evelyn Engler and spent most of her life in the area. Terri made an impression on her classmates as someone who wouldn't take anything from anyone. She married William (Bill) Bessette in 1982 and had three children with him before they divorced. Over the years, she worked hard as a mom and tried to make other people's lives better. She helped grow Cadillac Community Food Pantry, helped others find inspiration and faith while working at the Gospel Bookstore and encouraged people with...

Clifford Eldon Carnahan, life long resident of Mesick, passed away on Saturday, October 16, 2021 at the Munson Medical Center in Traverse City. He was 84. Clifford was born on August 18, 1937 in Antioch Township to Floyd and Dorothy (Miller) Carnahan. On May 16, 1959 he entered into marriage with the former Lola Mae Graves in Antioch Township. Clifford spent his career working as a supervisor at Four Winns for many years until his time of retirement. In his spare time, he could often be found making special trips riding around on his Honda motorcycle with his wife on the back seat. He enjoyed carpentry and was played an instrumental part in putting together sound equipment at several of...

James D. Anderson of Boon passed away Saturday morning, October 16, 2021 at his home. He was 55. Jim was born on October 31, 1965 in Clarkston, Michigan to John D. & Phyllis J. (Roberts) Anderson and they preceded him in death. Jim attended Mesick schools and later joined the United States Army. After his service to our country he went to work for the State of Michigan MDOC and had been employed there for over 20 years. Jim's hobbies included wood working, his motorcycle and spending time with his grandchildren. On February 24, 1996 in Cadillac he married Angela J. Erickson and she survives him along with children: Aaron (Darcey) Anderson of Lucas Darrick Anderson of Marion and...

Timothy James Hammond of Cadillac passed away Friday, October 15, 2021 at his home. He was 64. Tim was born on May 17, 1957 in Owosso, Michigan to James L. & Patricia L. (Devereaux) Hammond. Tim attended school in the Owosso area and had worked various jobs in Florida and in Michigan. One of the things that Tim enjoyed was taking a trip to the casino. Survivors include his son, Jeremy (Meghan) Hammond of Pompano Beach, Florida; his mother, Patricia Hammond of Cadillac; Tim's siblings: Jeff (Michelle) Hammond of St. Johns, Michigan, Penny Shilling and Jodi (Chuck) Billett all of Cadillac as well as many nieces and nephews. Tim was preceded in death by his father, and a nephew,...

Jeanette S. Ide, age 91, of Traverse City, formerly of Lake City, passed away Friday, October 15, 2021 at the Cherry Hill Haven Assisted Living in Traverse City. Jeanette was born April 18, 1930 in Vest, Kentucky to Milton and Dora (Terry) Stacy. She was united in marriage to Richard Heck and he preceded her in death in 1993. She later married Robert Ide and he preceded her in death. Jeanette loved music and enjoyed playing the piano. She collected angel figurines and pictures and enjoyed playing Bingo. For nearly two decades she was a guest editorial writer for the Waterfront Newspaper in Missaukee County and the Cadillac Evening News. Jeanette was a kind soul, soft...

Jack William Scharlow was born September 15, 1934, in Reed City, Michigan to William & Eliese (Spierling) Scharlow. A graduate of Reed City High School in 1952, Jack served in the US Army for two years, and worked at TubeLite shipping & receiving for 30-plus years until his retirement. The last three years Jack resided in Extended Care at Reed City where he was lovingly cared for by the staff. The family is greatly appreciative to all his caregivers. Jack married Norma (Holmes) on July 18th, 1957, and together they had three children who survive. Daughter, Pat Reinert (Scott); son David Scharlow (Shelly); and daughter Kris Griffin (Dave). Also surviving are grandchildren, Monique...

Joyce L. Freese of Cadillac passed away Thursday morning, October 14, 2021 at Autumnwood of McBain. She was 83. Joyce was born on December 17, 1937 in Evart, Michigan to Elgin & Dorothy (Blake) Denslow. Joyce graduated from Evart High School and later attended Ferris State College. She loved to play the piano and played the organ at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Tustin where she attended. Joyce had many hobbies some of which were: crafts, sewing, gardening, flowers and Amateur radio. On May 30, 1964 at the Sylvan Methodist Church just outside of Evart she married Walter W. Freese and he survives her along with their children: Penny (Kerwin) Wondergem of Tustin and David Freese...

George Wilbur Eash, age 83, of Cadillac, passed away on Wednesday, October 13, 2021. He was born on March, 19, 1938 to Carl and Mary Ann (Yoder) Eash in Three Rivers, MI. On September, 2, 1961 he married the love of his life, Anabel. George graduated Mesick High School in 1957, he then proudly served in the United States Army. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, bowling and attending auction sales. He is survived by his children, Jeffrey (Rachel) Eash of Ionia and Julie (Marty) Kruzel of Ohio, sister, Luella Dassance; grandchildren, David Zawistowski, Todd Zawistowski, Chris (Kayla) Zawistowski and Seth (Emily) Zylstra; and great-grandchildren, Lillian, Marvin and Thomas. George was preceded in...

Dora E. Van Dyke of Cadillac passed away Wednesday, October 13, 2021 at Whispering Pines Senior Living near Lake City. She was 74. She was born February 27, 1947 in Cadillac, Michigan to William and Glendora (Gustafson) Sutton. Dora was a lifelong resident of Cadillac and was a day care provider. She loved her family; she was a great mom and loved her grandson very much. She is survived by her son, Casey (Danielle) VanDyke of Lake City; daughter, Melody VanDyke of Cadillac; her grandson, Blake VanDyke; siblings: Donna Fawcett, Devere Sutton, Duane Sutton, Keith (Bonnie) Sutton, William B. Sutton, Gordon (Barb) Sutton. Dora was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Duane VanDyke...

Mary Lou Bruske of Reed City passed away surrounded by her daughters on Wednesday, October 13, 2021 at Spectrum Health-Reed City Hospital. She was 88 years old. She was born January 10, 1933 in Fremont, of Newaygo County, Michigan to Albert and Vera (Bennett) Zahm. Mary Lou was raised in Midland and graduated high school in 1952. After high school, she was employed with the F.W. Woolworth Company at a local store in Midland. On October 26, 1957 she was married in Midland to Dennis Bruske at the St. Brigid Catholic Church. Together with Dennis, Mary Lou settled in the Reed City area to work the farm and raise their family. She was a longtime member of the St. Philip-Neri Catholic...

Joseph Ralph Dumont of Cadillac passed away Monday, October 11, 2021 at Curry House Assisted Living in Cadillac. He was 92. Mr. Dumont was born September 23, 1929 at the family farm in Mikado, Michigan to Amil Emmet and Amelia Mary (McGillis) Dumont. He graduated from Oscoda High School in June of 1948 and enlisted in the United States Army that August for three years. From the summer of 1950 to the spring of 1951 he served in the Korean War as a radar mechanic on B-29 bombers. Mr. Dumont extended his enlistment for an additional 11 months in the US Air Force and was discharged as a S. Sgt on July 1, 1952. Mr. Dumont went to college on the GI Bill and graduated from Michigan State...

Nancy A. Beyer, 83, of Alpena, Michigan, passed away at home on Monday, October 11, 2021. Nancy was born in Cadillac, Michigan on March 6, 1938 to Gerald and Rose (Heil) Bostick. She married Alfred Beyer on March 7, 1975. Together they raised three children and enjoyed 46 years of marriage. Nancy was a member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Herron, Michigan. Nancy is survived by her husband, Alfred; son, Lance (Terry) Monroe of Ypsilanti, Michigan; daughters Vicky (Mike) Kolnowski of Sterling Heights, Michigan and Wendy (Bret) Beebe of Granbury, Texas and five grandchildren. She is also survived a sister; Janice (Jerry) Wilcox of Cadillac. Two sisters, Carol Sue Bostick and Merri...