Grand Traverse County
Deaths & Obits

Surnames R


Traverse City Record Eagle
December 14, 1999
JOHN F. 'JACK' RACZKOWSKI, 88, of Manistee, died Monday, Dec. 13, 1999, at Manistee County Medical Care Facility in Manistee.

Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday with evening prayers at 8 p.m. at Herbert Funeral Home in Manistee. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Manistee. Burial will follow in Mount Carmel Cemetery in Manistee.

Contributed by Sharon Compton Baatz

Traverse City Record Eagle
December 29, 1999
JACK T. RAINES, 75, of Kalkaska, died Sunday, Dec. 26, 1999, at his home. He was born in Charlotte on June 4, 1924.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Wolfe Funeral Home in Kalkaska. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home; burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery in Kalkaska.

Contributed by Sharon Compton Baatz

Traverse City Record Eagle
December 24, 1999
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Major Eugene W. Reaves III (USAF, Ret.)
Died December 23, 1999
MAPLE CITY - Major Eugene W. Reaves III, 77, of Maple City, died Thursday at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City.

Born July 1, 1922, in Detroit, he was the son of Eugene W. and Trease (Holmes) Reaves II. On Oct. 19, 1949, in Toledo, Ohio, he married the former Norma Jean Schmunk.

Eugene was a retired major from the U.S. Air Force and had been a B-52 pilot. He was a member of Grace Episcopal Church, Masonic Lodges in Empire and Tampa, Fla. and a member of Lake Leelanau VFW.

He is survived by a son, Lt. Col. Eugene W. "Chip" (Lori) Reaves IV of Dothan, Ala.; daughter, Nancy Jo (Harold) Feigel of Cedar; grandchildren, Eugene W. Reaves V of Dothan, Ala., Genel (Robert) Glase of Maple City and Harold E. "Butch" Reaves II of Traverse City; and five great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Norma Jean, in February 1994.

Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 26, at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 27, at Grace Episcopal Church with Rev. Catherine Woods Richardson officiating.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Glen Lake Schools girls athletics.

Contributed by Sharon Compton Baatz

Traverse City Record Eagle
December 26, 1999
MAJ. EUGENE W. REAVES III, 77, of Maple City, died Thursday, Dec. 23, 1999.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Grace Episcopal Church.

Contributed by Sharon Compton Baatz

Traverse City Record Eagle
December 21, 1999
George Willard 'Bill' Reece
Died December 19, 1999
SOUTH BOARDMAN - George Willard "Bill" Reece, 71, of South Boardman, died Sunday evening at his home.

He served in the U.S. Navy for many years and retired in 1966. He later worked as a meat cutter, most recently for Kimball's Market in Fife Lake. He was a member of the Church of Christ, American Legion, Fleet Reserve Association and Campbell Masonic Lodge in Marshall, Ark. George enjoyed golf and his family history.

Born in Marshall, Ark., on Oct. 23, 1928, he was the son of Wayne and Irene Willingham Reece. George married Janiece Opperman in Berryville, Ark., on July 8, 1966.

Surviving are his wife, Janiece; two sons, Bryan Wayne Reece of South Boardman and Joseph Anthony Reece of Blue Eye, Mo.; a brother, Woodrow Jack Reece of Yellville, Ark.; a sister, Lorene Peden of Oak Grove, Ark.; five grandchildren, Joshua and Sarah Reece, Heidi and Daniel Roussel, and April Dawn Reece; and several nieces and nephews.

No local services will be held.

Funeral services will be held at the Roller-Coffman Funeral Home in Marshall, Ark., with burial in Redhill Cemetery, Local arrangements by Wolfe Funeral Home in Kalkaska.

Contributed by Sharon Compton Baatz

Traverse City Record Eagle
December 16, 1999
DONALD G. RICHARDSON, 77, of Frankfort, died Wednesday, Dec. 15, 1999, at his residence.

No visitation is planned at this time. A private family service will be held at a later date. The family was served by the Frankfort Chapel, McElduff Funeral Homes. A full obituary will appear in Friday's Record Eagle.

Contributed by Sharon Compton Baatz

Traverse City Record Eagle
December 17, 1999
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Donald George Richardson
Died December 15,1999
FRANKFORT - Donald George Richardson, formerly of St. Clair Shores, and a resident of Frankfort since November 1982, died early Wednesday morning at his residence with his family near him, at the age of 77.

Donald was born Dec. 8, 1922, in Detroit, the son of Arthur J. and Mable (Ryan) Richardson. He was united in marriage to Jacqueline Joyce Miner on Aug. 31, 1951 at St. Mark's Catholic Church on Harsens Island.

Donald had served his country honorably in the U.S. Navy. He was employed with Detroit Edison for 32 years in the customer accounts department, retiring in the early 1980's. He always lent a helping hand whenever it was needed as a little league coach and even the campfire girls when they had their candy sales. Although he enjoyed helping others, what was most important to him was his family.

Donald is survived by his wife, Jackie, of Frankfort; daughters, Julie (Gary) Castro and Janet Kimbler - both of St. George, Utah; sister, Virginia Lahodny of Marine City; sister-in-law, Alice Richardson; grandchildren, Darin (Marcie) Kimbler, Kara Kimbler and Amy Kimbler; and two great-grandchildren. Also surviving are nieces, Deborah Lahodny, Leslie and nephew Larry.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, Arthur J. Richardson, Jr. and Patrick Richardson in infancy.

Private family services will be held with burial in the Gilmore Township Cemetery. Those planning an expression of sympathy in memory of Donald may wish to consider the Grand Traverse Area Hospice, 1105 6th Street, Traverse City, MI 49684.

The family was served by the Frankfort Chapel, McElduff Funeral Homes.

Contributed by Sharon Compton Baatz

Traverse City Record Eagle

December 1, 2012
Ethel V. Golden-Ringler

KALKASKA — Ethel V. Golden-Ringler, age 104, of Kalkaska, very peacefully went to be with the Lord early Tuesday evening, Nov. 27, 2012, surrounded by her family.

The daughter of Mary L. Stebbins and William W. Ball, she was born in Grayson, Carter County, Ky., on Sept. 17, 1908. Ethel came to this area by rail with her grandparents when she was three years of age. She grew up during the lumber era and lived in several of the lumber camps as her mother was a cook and seamstress, and her father worked as a cord wood cutter, strip boss, scaler and many other jobs in the lumber camps.

Later years, she had to ride a train into town and stay at a boarding house to attend school. Ethel graduated high school then attended County Normal to earn a teaching certificate. She then took teaching classes through Central Michigan University to eventually earn her Bachelor of Science Degree and a Permanent Teaching Certificate.

Teaching was Ethel's passion, and she taught in many of the one-room country schools in Kalkaska County. When they annexed to Kalkaska she taught in Fife Lake Elementary School and then in the Kalkaska school system teaching second grade. Since Ethel thought everyone should learn a foreign language, she taught her second graders a little Spanish. After her retirement she did substitute teaching at Crawford School, the only country school still in operation in this area.

Ethel also loved music and could play many instruments. One of her favorite things to do was to have a family sing-a-long with her at the piano. Traveling was another of her interests, as she went overseas several times, traveling to England, Africa and Spain.

Ethel was preceded in death by her parents; four sisters; three brothers; her first husband and the father of her children, Howard; and her second husband.

Surviving are her five sons, Clifford A. (the late Barbara) Golden, Richard A. Golden, Gary A. (Melba) Golden, Ronald H. (Gloria) Golden and Kenneth W. (JoyceAnn) Golden; three daughters, D. Joyce (the late Gene) Tanner, B. Joan Hall, MaryLou (Jesse) Stuck, all of the Kalkaska area; 29 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren; and 43 great-great-grandchildren.

Visitation for Ethel will be held today, Dec. 1, 2012, from 5 to 8 p.m., at Wolfe-O'Neill Funeral Home. A celebration of her life will be held on Sunday at 2 p.m. at the funeral home, with a luncheon following.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to The Kalkaska Area Educational Fund in Memory of Ethel V. Golden-Ringler, PO Box 565, Kalkaska, MI 49646.

Condolences may be left on-line at www.wolfeoneill.com.

Arrangements were made by Wolfe-O'Neill Funeral Home, our family serving yours.

Traverse City Record Eagle
December 31, 1999
Paul D. Robinson, Sr.
Died December 30, 1999
MIDLAND - Paul D. Robinson, Sr., 85, of Midland, died Thursday at his home.
He was born Jan. 11, 1914, in Coldwater, the son of the late Frank Edward and Annie Laurie (Wiley) Robinson.

Paul grew up in Mt. Pleasant and graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School and Central Michigan University. On Aug. 29, 1936, he married Frances Harrett and in 1940 they moved to Midland. Paul worked for the Dow Chemical Company from 1936 until his retirement in 1979. He was an active member of St. John's Episcopal Church and Grace Episcopal Church in Traverse City. He was active in scouting, junior achievement and was a past president of the Midland Chapter of Central Michigan University Alumni Association. He was also an avid supporter and fan of girls basketball and track. Paul and his wife, Frances, raised seven children, and to them, the most important thing was family.

He will be deeply missed by his children, Hazel Robinson, David (Terri) Robinson - all of Midland, James (Karen) Robinson of Saginaw, Phillip (Margie) Robinson of Troy and Rick Robinson of Midland; brothers, Charles Robinson of Venice, Fla. and Homer Robinson of Holiday, Fla.; 11 grandchildren, Michael D., Kristina, Emily, Thad, Lindsay, Kyle, Timothy, Michael J., Daniel, Eric and Molly; and one great-grandson, Zackery.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Frances; two sons, Kevin and Paul, Jr.; and brothers, Roy, Francis and Lawrence.

Paul's family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Ware-Smith-Woolever Funeral Home, 1200 West Wheeler Street, Midland and from 10 a.m. until the time of service Monday at St. John's Episcopal Church. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the church with The Rev. Bruce McNab and The Rev. Joan T. McNab officiating.

Graveside burial will take place at 2 p.m. Monday in Riverside Cemetery in Mt. Pleasant.

Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider the Salvation Army.

Contributed by Sharon Compton Baatz

Traverse City Record Eagle
December 26, 1999
RUTH RODRIGUES, 63, of Traverse City, died Friday, Dec. 24, 1999, at home.

A memorial service is being planned for a later date. A full obituary will appear in a future edition of the Record-Eagle. Arrangements are being handled by Hibbard Funeral and Cremation Service.

Contributed by Sharon Compton Baatz

Traverse City Record Eagle
December 29, 1999
Ruth Rodrigues
Died December 24, 1999
TRAVERSE CITY - Ruth Rodrigues, 63, died peacefully Friday surrounded by her loving family at her home.

Born Aug. 9, 1936, in Traverse City, she was the daughter of Leroy and Clarissa (Duell) DeWitt. On Dec. 10, 1961, in Traverse City, she married Joseph S. Rodrigues.

Ruth was a lifelong resident of Traverse City. She retired from United Technologies after many years of employment. She was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Cherryland Post No. 2780.

Survivors include two children, Debra (Vincent) Kulawiak of Thompsonville and William (Bonnie) Carsten of Traverse City; a sister, Patricia Stratton of Cedar; a brother, Milo DeWitt of Traverse City; nine grandchildren, Greta and Tara Kulawiak of Thompsonville and William, Randall, Melissa, Stephanie, Mathew, Jeremy, and Joey Carsten - all of Traverse City; and several nieces and nephews.

Ruth was preceded in death by her first husband, William J. Carsten, in 1955, her husband Joseph Rodrigues in 1990, and a brother, Fred DeWitt.

Memorial services will be held at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 5, at the VFW hall on Veterans Drive in Traverse City.

Burial will be in Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens.

Memorial contributions may be directed to VFW Cherryland Post No. 2780.

Arrangements are by Hibbard Funeral and Cremation Service.

Contributed by Sharon Compton Baatz



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