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Obituaries

Eugene (Gene) Kufskie

Eugene (Gene) Kufskie

April 17, 1940 January 27, 2024 Eugene Michael Kufskie, 83, of Belleville, Illinois and Maple City, Michigan passed away at home in Belleville with his immediate family at his bedside on January 27, 2024. Gene worked as a rate analyst for Union Pacific and Missouri Pacific Railroads for over 40 years. 07/24/2024 03:46 PM

Popp Services Set

Popp Services Set

A funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, Aug. 2 at Lake Leelanau St. 07/24/2024 03:46 PM

Kenneth Joseph Wigton

Kenneth Joseph Wigton

Kenneth Joseph Wigton, age 103, passed away on July 22, 2024 in Traverse City, MI. Ken was born on April 6, 1921 to the late Calvin Wigton and Wilhelmina “Minnie” (née Edwards) in Detroit, MI. Ken’s brother, Donald, was born two years later, just days before Calvin died unexpectedly. Following Calvin’s death, Minnie and her sons moved back to her childhood home in Manchester, England for a few years before permanently emigrating to Detroit where she opened a boarding house. Growing up, Ken often spent time with his Aunt Millie and Uncle Billy Bates, who were the gatekeepers for the Gate Lodge at Meadow Brook Hall in Rochester, MI, which was the Dodge family estate. When he was ten years old, Ken lived at the Gate Lodge and attended fifth grade at the nearby one room schoolhouse. It was there that Ken first met the love of his life, Marie (Smith). Marie lived on the neighboring farm that her father managed for Charles Fisher of Fisher Body. Ken graduated in 1939 from the High School of Commerce in Detroit, where he excelled on the baseball and basketball teams, and was named “All American Boy.” After graduating, Ken missed his tryout with the Detroit Tigers in order to enlist in the Army Air Forces as the US entered WWII. Ken served in General Eisenhower’s headquarters as a stenographer in Europe and North Africa. On May 15, 1942, Ken and Marie were married during a short leave in Wilmington, NC. When Ken returned from WWII, they moved into a house on Third Street in Rochester, MI where they lived for 62 years and raised their eight children. Ken worked briefly as a fashion buyer for Waite’s Department Store before spending the majority of his career as an engineer at General Motors Truck and Coach. 07/24/2024 03:46 PM

Bonnie J. Engle

Bonnie J. Engle

Bonnie Jo Engle, lovingly known as “BJ”, was welcomed to her heavenly home on Wednesday, July 10, 2024 at the age of 75. Her passing was peaceful during an afternoon nap, recovering from heart surgery and breathing complications. 07/24/2024 03:46 PM

Dr. Albert Béla Janko

Dr. Albert Béla Janko

Dr. Albert Béla Janko died peacefully on July 15, 2024, surrounded by his family, at his home in Carmel, CA. 07/24/2024 03:46 PM

Dowler Services Set

Dowler Services Set

Thomas F. Dowler and Susan G. Dowler, of St. Petersburg, Florida, formerly of Leelanau County, passed away on January 23, 2024. The visitation will be held from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, July 23 at the Martinson Funeral Home in Suttons Bay. 07/17/2024 05:06 PM

William S. Bolinger

William S. Bolinger

Died July 15, 2024 LELAND – William S. Bolinger, 86, of Leland, passed away Monday, July 15, 2024 at the Northport Highlands with his family at his side. 07/17/2024 05:06 PM

Beverly Ann Kober

Beverly Ann Kober

Beverly Ann Kober, age 83, of Lake Leelanau passed away peacefully on July 6, 2024. Beverly was born on January 27, 1941, in Worcester, MA to Majorie and Eugene Wood. 07/17/2024 05:06 PM

John W. Travis

NORTHPORT- John W. Travis, 94, passed away peacefully at home on July 10, 2024, just 11 days shy of his 95th birthday. 07/17/2024 05:06 PM

Robert Jr. Whitall

Robert Jr. Whitall

Robert Jr. Whitall, April 14, 1948 - April 25, 2024, acclaimed blues music magazine publisher, photographer, artist and historian Robert Wood Whitall, Jr. of Glen Arbor, MI passed away April 25, 2024 at the age of 76. Better known as Robert Jr. or Junior, he was born on April 14, 1948, in Ambler, Pennsylvania. A direct descendent of the founders of Whitall Tatum, one of the first glass factories in the United States, Robert’s family relocated to Michigan during his high school years. During the Vietnam War he served in the Army then studied at Eastern Michigan University upon his discharge. A videographer in Detroit during the early rock and roll and punk rock era, Whitall established Detroit Blues Magazine with former Creem Magazine founder Charles Auringer in 1995. At the urging of Buddy Guy, the scope was changed from regional to international and rebranded as Big City Rhythm & Blues Magazine. The magazine has won many awards including the coveted Keeping the Blues Alive award from The Blues Foundation in 1998 and has been actively ‘keeping the blues alive’ to this day. In 2017 Junior was the recipient of a kidney donated by his wife affectionately known as Sugar, whom he married at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park on 9/11/1999. A lover of all things New Orleans, Whitall has been attending the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival for the past 39 years that began when he was a driver for the late renowned activist John Sinclair, manager of the MC5. He and Sugar also sailed on over 40 Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruises. A champion of unknown and underappreciated musicians, he was friend, confidante, promoter and adviser to some of the greatest musicians and personalities who crossed his path within his lifetime, a list too numerous to mention. To this end, Junior and Sugar started a non-profit, Gimme Five, that assisted musicians and music-related individuals during times of need. He was also famous for his ‘intoxicatingly delicious’ cookies – Cooper Snaps – that were craved by his celebrity musical family. In spite of declining health over the past decade and a half, Robert Jr. began work as an artist in 2010 during extended hospital stays in Detroit, influenced by Frida Kahlo. His first art exhibit was at the New Orleans Museum of Art during the 2011 Jazz & Heritage Festival. Since that honor, his unique, musician-inspired artwork has been exhibited at various museums and venues around the country. 07/17/2024 05:06 PM

Baumberger Services Set

Baumberger Services Set

Graveside services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 20 at Leelanau Township Cemetery in Northport for Carl E. 07/17/2024 05:06 PM

Reincke Services Set

Reincke Services Set

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. with visitation one hour prior at 10:00 a.m. at Keswick United Methodist Church on Saturday, July 20 for Marjorie L. Reincke, 84, of Traverse City, who died June 15, 2024. 07/17/2024 05:06 PM

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