All Obituaries

John D. Friedly passed away on February 14, 2019 at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City. A casual memorial gathering will take place on Saturday, February 23rd from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Winchester Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes. A full obituary will be posted in the near future. Arrangements have been handled by the Winchester Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes.  Please sign his online guestbook at www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com  

Charles Johnson, 84 of Bellaire, died peacefully, Monday, February 11, 2019 at Meadow Brook Medical Care Facility.  He was born June 22, 1934, in Shelby, MI, the son of Guy and Marguerite (Sorenson) Johnson. Charlie was very proud of his service in the U.S. Army, where he witnessed several atomic bomb tests in the Nevada desert, and fell in love with the Las Vegas area. After his discharge he vacationed there as often as possible for many years.  But he was most proud of his 52...

Robert E. Lee, 96 of Mancelona passed away February 10, 2019 at McLaren Northern Michigan in Petoskey.  He was born September 30, 1922 in Pellston the son of Robert and Virgie (Barrow) Lee.    Robert proudly served in the US Army during WWII and he was a member of the American Legion and VFW.  He was a trucker all his life working for Gulf and Western and retiring from Dura Automotive.  In his retirement years he drove truck for Virgil LaVanway...

Christina L. Fisher,  50, of Ellsworth, passed away on February 9, 2019 at her home.  No services are planned at this time.  Arrangements are being handled by the Hastings Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes.

John Allen Elzinga, 86 of Charlevoix, passed away unexpectedly Friday, February 8, 2019.    He was born April 25, 1932 in Banks Township the son of Albert and Gertie (Veenstra) Elzinga.  John graduated from Ellsworth High School in 1950 and upon graduation took over the family centennial farm in Atwood. John with his wife Phyllis owned and operated Elzinga’s Farm Market for over 40 years.    John was an active member of the Atwood Christian Reformed...

Helen E. Ritchie, 62, of Central Lake passed away on February 7, 2019. Helen was born in Detroit Michigan on July 28, 1956 to Donald & Betty (Parker) Ritchie. Her family moved to Ellsworth, where Helen attended school. Helen lived at the family farm for many years, eventually moving to Central lake with her siblings.  Helen worked at Shanty Creek for many years, but spent the majority of her life chasing her favorite nieces and nephews and enjoyed being a special GREAT aunt to the...

Elizabeth Marie (Betty) Bedell, of Bellaire, died February 6, 2019.  She was born to Herbert and Marie (Ludbrook) Purdy in August, 1927.  Her family lived on a farm near Central Lake in a stone house that was built by her father and uncle.  Not long before her birth, her family had moved to Michigan from Montana and other parts of the West to be close to her grandmother, Lily Merrill Ludbrook. In 1946 Betty married a World War II pilot from Bellaire, Gordon (Doc)...

William H. Ward,  85, of Charlevoix, passed away on Feb. 5, 2019, at the Meadow Brook Medical Care Facility in Bellaire. William (Bill) was born on July 28, 1933, in Charlevoix, the son of Bernie and Mae (Hall) Ward. As a young man, he worked at the family’s fishing and boat business, Ward Brothers Boats in Charlevoix. He not-so-fondly remembered picking night crawlers for a penny apiece to sell to customers. William served in the U.S. Navy and went on to become a successful...

James E. Johnson, Sr., 77, of Mancelona, passed away on February 4, 2019 at his home surrounded by his family.    Jim was born on April 13, 1941, in Muskegon, MI, the son of Clyde and Mabel (Hoffman) Johnson.    Jim had retired from General Motors and moved to Mancelona in 1993.  He enjoyed the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing.    On July 14, 1961, in Twin Lakes, MI, he married Sandra J. Choate who survives.  Also surviving are 4 children,...

Steven L. Adams,  61, of Mancelona, passed away on February 3, 2019 at the Medilodge of Gaylord.    Steve was born on March 6, 1957, in Owosso, MI, the son of LeRoy and Maxine (Tunnicliff) Adams.    Steve was an outgoing, hard working, big talker who could make friends with just about anyone.  He volunteered much of his spare time to be involved with his children and their sporting events.  He enjoyed hosting many gatherings for the neighborhood kids at...