All Obituaries

Billie Jo Johnson,  77,  of LaPeer, passed away on April 2, 2020 at McLaren Hospital in LaPeer.   Graveside services will be held Wednesday, April 8, 2020 at 11 a.m. at Helena Township Cemetery in Alden.   The Bellaire Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes is handling the arrangements.

Kathleen Ann Dingman, 76 of Central Lake, went to be with the Lord April 1, 2020 at home.  She was born September 25, 1943 the daughter of Mondue and Wilma (Burlew) Thomas.  On September 3, 1961 she married the love of her life, Karl Dingman.    Kathy was strong in her faith in the Lord as her savior. She and Karl were members of the Church in The Hills in Bellaire.   Kathy enjoyed many activities with Karl through the years including flying, cycling and...

Bonnie L. Strauss, 80 of Bellaire, died peacefully, Monday, March 30, 2020 at Meadow Brook Medical Care Facility.  She was born August 16, 1939 in Bellaire the daughter of Howard Lewis and Gladys (Gorham) Carey.     On June 14, 1958 in Bellaire Bonnie married the love of her life Gordon D. Strauss who survives.  Also surviving are her children Douglas (Nancy) Strauss and Susan Strauss, her grandchildren Michael and Melissa Strauss and Ashley Culp, her sister Sally...

Kenneth G. Fortney,  79, of Mancelona, passed away on March 29, 2020 at his home.  At his request, there will be no services.  He will be buried in Hale, MI, along side his wife.  Arrangements are being handled by the Bellaire Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes.  Online guestbook www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com.

Gary Richard Way, 57, died peacefully in his sleep of an apparent heart attack on Saturday, March 28, 2020. He was born on May 26, 1962 in Charlevoix, Mi, the son of Richard and Lois Way. He is survived by his son, Brady Richard Way, his life partner Amy Donaldson, his two siblings, Ron Way, and Charlene Martin, their spouses, Jill Way and Scott Martin, four nieces, Madison (Peter) Beltz , Anna Way, Elizabeth (Winter) Romeyn, Grace Way, and one nephew, Mike (Laura) Martin.  Gary...

Beulah Barbara Polzin, 88, of Bellaire, passed away on Wednesday March 25, 2020.  She was born on August 11, 1931 in Flint, MI, the daughter of David and Marian (Callard) Azelton.  Beulah was a prime example of an excellent wife and mother.  On October 1, 1949, she married Mark Polzin in Birch Run, MI.  They moved to Bellaire in 1960, and it has been home ever since.  They purchased the Bellaire Hardware Store in 1969 and operated it together for 30 years. ...

Wilfred Joseph Tremblay, 70, of Mancelona passed away on March 25, 2020.  He was born on October 25, 1949 in Petoskey, MI, the son of Napoleon and Bernice (Weaver) Tremblay. Wilfred moved with his family to a farm in Mancelona from the Detroit area when he was in high school.  He graduated from Mancelona High School, and shortly after, he enlisted in the military during the Vietnam War.  Upon returning home, he raised his family in Mancelona, where he also worked as an...

Robert “Bob” Allen Cairns, 81 of Alden, died March 25, 2020 at Kalkaska Memorial Health – Eden Center.  He was born October 16, 1938, in Rochester, New York, the son of Allen and Alice (Tosch) Cairns.    Bob graduated from John Marshall High School in Rochester, NY in 1957 and enlisted in the US Army, serving for 7 years.  He served at Camp Drum in the Gypo Unit.  He attended Gogebic College in Ironwood, MI and then moved to East Lansing where he...

Margaret "Maggie" Wheeler, 87, of Antrim, passed away on Wednesday, March 25, 2020 at Meadow Brook Medical Care Facility.  She was born on March 27, 1932 in Antrim, MI the daughter of Hobart and Ola (Branam) Lee. No services are planned at this time.   Arrangements are in the care of the Mancelona Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes.  Please sign her online guestbook at www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com

Makayla Marie Barber,  13 of Alden, passed away at her home on March 23, 2020.    Makayla was born on July 10, 2006 the daughter of Barney and Jacklyn (Hammons) Barber.    She is survived by her parents, a sister Mystina Marie Barber of Germany (USAF), paternal grandmother, Marilyn Barber-Ciszewski (Chester Ciszewski) of Alden, aunt Candace Baker of Bellaire, uncles, David (April) Barber of Gaylord, Michael (Amanda) Hammons of Elmira as well as many great aunts and...