All Obituaries

Elaine Carol Drury, 79, of Charlevoix, passed away on Wednesday, December 4, 2019 at her home surrounded by loved ones.  She was born on May 19, 1940 in Sycamore, IL, the daughter of Jon and Grace (Sundly) Nachtigal. A full obituary will be posted in the near future. Arrangements are in the care of the Winchester Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes.  Please sign her online guestbook at www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com

Marjorie Beverly Spence, 72, a lifelong resident of Central Lake, died Monday, December 2, 2019 at her daughter Mary’s home.     She was born September 14, 1947 in Central Lake the daughter of James and Dorothy (DuBois) Harter and graduated Central Lake High School in 1965.  On August 2, 1969 she married Richard Spence who preceded her in death in 2007.    Margie received her Masters of Education from Central Michigan University and taught in the...

Mary E. Eggleston, 57, passed away on December 1, 2019 in Traverse City.  Mary was born March 30, 1962, the daughter of William and Eleanor (Booza) Hopp.  Mary grew up and went to high school in Central Lake where she excelled at many sports, including basketball, softball, and track.  After graduating from Central Lake, Mary and her husband Donavan Eggleston Sr. move to Fort Polk Army base in Louisiana where Donavan was stationed.  Following Donavan’s death in...

Edward Leroy Wilson Jr, 57 of Central Lake, died Friday, November 29, 2019.  He was born August 5, 1962 the son of Edward Sr. and Kay Ann (Duby) Wilson.    Edward was a truck driver and drove for several companies.  He took long trips all over the United States driving for them.  He enjoyed hunting and fishing in his spare time and he also liked riding motorcycles.  Edward had many tattoos that he was proud of.    Surviving Edward are his sons Eddie...

Jerry Dean Ordway, 51, of Mancelona passed away on Thursday, November 28, 2019.  He was born on September 5, 1968 in Owosso, MI, the son of Jerry and Carol (Corbin) Ordway. Jerry was always present in his son’s lives.  When they were young, he was active in their Boyscout troop, and eventually became the scout leader.  He loved hunting, fishing, kayaking, and watching NASCAR or his beloved New England Patriots.  He was at his best when he was doing any of these...

Jacob Paul Helwig, 25, of Traverse City, tragically passed away on Thursday, November 28, 2019 in Traverse City.  He was born on September 11, 1994 in Traverse City. Jake graduated from Bellaire High School in 2012.  Following graduation, he travelled across the United States –from Virginia to Oregon to Mackinac Island – and everywhere in between.  He had a zeal for life that was matched by few, and he loved his family more than anything else.  He will be...

Leroy Frank Udell, 87, of Mancelona, passed away on Wednesday, November 27, 2019 at Meadow Brook Medical Care Facility in Bellaire. The son of Frank and Zella, he was born in Bellaire on February 9, 1932. He married his wife, Marilyn (“Muggs”) on February 14, 1950. Leroy grew up on his family farm in Alden. He worked on Old Mission Peninsula, was a milkman, and then worked at Lamina until he retired after 40 years in 1995. He was a simple man who worked hard for his...

Esther Mae Jolliffe, 83 of Ellsworth, passed away November 24, 2019 at her home, surrounded by her family.  Esther was born May 3, 1936 in Ellsworth, MI to Henry Heeres and Gertrude (Vandenberg) Heeres.  She was a member of the Belltower Reformed Church in Ellsworth, as well as a volunteer at the Good Samaritan in Ellsworth for several years.  Esther enjoyed shopping, baking cookies, traveling, camping, and talking on the phone.  In 1997 Esther traveled to China to help...

Eileen Anona Edwards, 97, of Charlevoix, passed away on Thursday, November 21, 2019 at the American House in Charlevoix.  She was born on November 11, 1922 in Newaygo, MI, the daughter of Hugh and Chloe (McKinlay) Anderson. Eileen married Richard Edwards on November 28, 1942 In Kentucky.  Together, they owned and operated the Edwards IGA grocery store in Charlevoix, which is now a Goodwill.  Eileen enjoyed reading, playing bingo, going on walks, travelling, spending time with...

LaRue Kenney, 93 of Charlevoix, passed away November 21, 2019 at American House Charlevoix.  LaRue was born November 20, 1926 in Allegan, Michigan to Herman Leverenz and Edna (Hansen) Leverenz. In 1958 LaRue moved with her family to Charlevoix to run the Kit-Carson Lumber Company for many years. A known cardshark, LaRue excelled at Euchre, Canasta, Pinochle, Bridge and others.  She was an active woman, enjoying golf, skiing, bowling, and boating.  As well as taking her...