All Obituaries

On Tuesday, December 6th 2022, Lorraine Rose (Schmidtke) Hawley, (82),  of East Jordan died at Highland Cottage in Petoskey, Michigan. She arrived on the 2nd of August, 1940 in the Village of Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan to Otto Thomas and Virginia Lucille (Crooks) Schmidtke. She married her loving husband George Robert Hawley on May 9th, 1959, in Detroit, Michigan. By 1969, the couple moved to East Jordan, Michigan with their two young children. For many years Lorraine worked at...

  Gerald “Jerry” Fredrick Roberts, 89, died on Thursday, November 17, 2022, in East Jordan. He was born in East Jordan on April 29, 1933, the son of Julius Sr. and Matilda (Washburn) Roberts. On June 10, 1950, he married Ernestine Nixon and they raised 6 children together.   He taught his family, by example, to work hard, and to put the people you love first. He wanted his children to have more than he did growing up, and he worked hard to make that happen. He always...

Lyda Mae Hopkins Tisron was born on Nov. 24th, 2022 in Charlevoix, Michigan to her mother and father who loved her more than life.  In her short time with them, she knew only the incredible amount of love they poured into their every last moment with her.  Her mommy and daddy were grateful for and blessed with each squeeze of their finger, curl of her toes, tremble of her lip, furrow of her brow, breath and fuss she could muster.  Though her life was short, it was clear how...

  Michael Jason Wingo, 49, died Sunday, November 20, 2022 at home in East Jordan.   He was born on July 19, 1973, in Gaylord, the son of Walter Norman, Sr. and Beverly Mae (Parmer) Wingo.   Michael grew up in Gaylord and East Jordan.  He graduated from Gaylord High School.   He was a certified automobile mechanic and loved to restore old cars.   He is survived by his significant other, Gail Wingo; eight children, Katelynn Plank, Zach...

  Leona Irene Fuller, 84, a resident of Villa at the Bay, Petoskey and a longtime resident of Ellsworth, Michigan, joined her heavenly family on November 17th, 2022.   Leona was born on July 8th, 1938, in Wayne County, Michigan, the eldest child of Lewis J. and Eunice (Norton) Fowler.   Leona was a force to be reckoned with.  Small in stature, but large in presence.  She was quick witted, sharp tongued, and spunky!  An animal...

Junior Gordon Wright, 87, died Sunday, November 20, 2022, at his home in East Jordan.   He was born on June 5, 1935, in Davison, Michigan, the son of Claude and Vera (Barnes) Wright. He grew up in Davison.  He served in the United State Air Force from 1953 to 1956.   Junior worked for General Motors for 32 years and retired in 1998.   Junior is survived by four children, Laura (Joe) Mangine of Youngstown, Ohio, Gordon (Nicola) Wright of...

    Michelle R. Nowka, 59, went to be with her Lord, on Monday, October 24, 2022, in the presence of her family at her home in East Jordan.   She was born on October 25, 1962, in Detroit, Michigan.  She graduated in 1981 from Our Lady of Mercy High School in Farmington. She had attended Madonna College in Livonia.  She then worked at Wishing Well Manor, a nursing home owned by her parents.   Michelle later received a degree in Laboratory Technology and then...

  Arlene V. Wright, 93, of East Jordan, died October 27, 2022, in Grand Rapids.   She was born on February 13, 1929, in East Jordan, the daughter of William and Hazel (Morrison) Van Deventer.   On May 24, 1990, in Indiana, she married Darrell L. Wright.  He proceeded her in death on June 11, 2013.   She is survived by six children, Janice Andringa of Grand Rapids, Pauline Fielstra of Grand Rapids, Larry (Susan) Fielstra of Tulsa, Oklahoma; one daughter-in-law,...

Clarence Edmund La Cross, 77, died Thursday, November 3, 2022, at his home near East Jordan.   He was born on May 11, 1945, in Alpena, the son of Gordon and Dorothy (Edmonds) La Cross.   He graduated from Inland Lakes High School, Indian River, in 1966.  He served in the United States Army during the Vietnam Conflict.   On April 24, 1971, in Petoskey, he married Anne Kathryn Petrowski.   Clarence worked most of his life as a fabricator...

  Barbara Ruth Bretzke Sutton, 82, of East Jordan, passed away on Wednesday, October 19, 2022, in Charlevoix.   She was born August 4, 1940, in Flint, Michigan, the daughter of Edward and Mary Louise (Smith) Bretzke.   She studied education at Michigan State University and Wayne State University. Barbara enjoyed a long career of teaching at public schools alternative education programs.   She married Lawrence “Larry” Sutton on November 23, 1966. He...