Sylvia M. McWatters

Sylvia M. McWatters, 86, of Traverse City, formerly of Central Lake, passed away on March 27, 2026.

She was born Sylvia Loukinen on July 18,1939 in Stanton Township, Houghton County, Michigan to Uno and Helmi (Kuosa) Loukinen. She was raised on a farm in the upper peninsula with four siblings. While young, a family friend took her to church. Eventually the whole family attended.

A member of the National Honor Society and a reporter for the school newspaper, she graduated from Ontonagon High School in 1957. The quote next to her senior picture in the yearbook says “she does not have to speak, what she does speaks for her”. She loved talking to people and did not know a stranger. 

After high school she attended North Central Bible College in Minneapolis, MN. This is where she met her husband, Richard McWatters. They married on June 16,1962 in Ontonagon. They celebrated 62 years of marriage before Richard’s passing in September 2024. 

Over the years, as Richard pastored mostly small congregations, Sylvia helped out teaching Sunday school, youth groups, occasionally helping with praise and worship playing the guitar and typing and printing the Sunday bulletin on a mimeograph machine. She also worked outside of the home as well as raising a family. She has always been very detailed oriented and organized. She kept notes and paperwork for everything.She loved playing games and cooking and baking. She was always looking for new recipes to try and volunteer taste testers.

Sylvia is survived by 3 children, Tom (Beth) McWatters of Niceville, Fl, Cheryl (Jeff) Bass of Edmore, MI, Peggy McWatters of Traverse City, MI, 9 grandchildren, Billy (Nakayla)Werner of Alamosa, CO, Christina (Johnny) Casias of Sanford, CO, Tony (Taylor) Werner of Wasilla, AK, Taycie (Derell) McCoy of Sanford, CO, Dane Markey of Traverse City, MI, Kyle McWatters of Niceville, FL, Sarah (Christian) McWatters Santiago of Okinawa, Japan, Rachel (David) Keicher of Crestview, FL, Brian McWatters of Niceville, FL, 24 great grandchildren, and 2 siblings, Robert (Naomi) Loukinen of Little Falls, MN and Norman (Maneertana) Loukinen of San Antonio, TX.

Preceding her in death are her parents, a sister, Ruth Ristola, a brother Ernie (Karin) Loukinen and 2 great grandchildren.

Funeral services will take place on April 11th at 11 am at Mt Zion Family Worship Center, 4950 Silver Pines Rd, Traverse City , MI 49685 with Pastor Dan Skirvin officiating. Visitation will be from 10 am to time of service.

Arrangements are in the care of the Central Lake Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes.

Online guestbook www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com