Obituaries

Leah Suzanne LaVanture, age 47, of Traverse City, Michigan, passed away on April 17, 2026.
Leah was born on September 20, 1978, and grew up in Empire, Michigan. She carried her love for northern Michigan throughout her life, finding joy in its woods, rivers, and quiet beauty.
Leah will be deeply missed by her loving...

Karen Elizabeth Krawczyk, 36, of Traverse City, passed away on April 17, 2026, in Fort Collins, Colorado, while attending a healing and meditation convention that was deeply meaningful to her, alongside her husband, brother and father.

Karen was born on April 2, 1990, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to Robert "Bob" and...

Donald "Don" Mikowski, 96, was born and raised in Traverse City, died Saturday, April 11, 2026 at French Manor Terra, in Traverse City. He was born, July 30, 1929, in Traverse City, the son of Frances and Peter Mikowski.
Don was in the Coast Guard in Sault Ste. Marie, in 1948 and after his discharge he moved to...

Kevin, most recently of Bellaire, MI, passed away on December 1st, 2025, after an extended illness. He was born in Grand Rapids, MI on November 8th, 1950, to Ken and Jane O'Meara. He was raised in Holland, MI graduating from Holland High School in 1968. Kevin was an educated gentleman, earning degrees in geography,...

Kathryn Elizabeth Daniel, 61, of Traverse City, died Saturday, April 11, 2026. She was born on August 22, 1964 in Royal Oak, the daughter of Richard Arthur and Jeanette Elizabeth (Bedson) Daniel.

Kathryn's father was in the military, and the family lived in many different places throughout the world. She graduated...

LeRoy D. Schlagel, 91, passed on April 13, 2026.
LeRoy led a wonderful faith filled life. He was born on September 12,1934 in Napoleon, OH to Henry J and Amelia Schlagel. He was baptized at St Paul in Napoleon. The family moved to Traverse City, MI in 1939 and transferred to Trinity Lutheran Church where LeRoy was...

Virginia "Ginny" Yvonne Johnson, 94, passed away April 10 in Traverse City. Virginia was the daughter of Ira and Lela Mack of Harlan, Michigan. She graduated from Mesick high school in 1949 and attended Northeastern School of Commerce, Bay City, Michigan in 1950.
Virginia married her high school sweetheart, Arden...

Tamara Ann Dunklow, 67, passed away peacefully at her home after a brief battle with cancer leaving behind emptiness that can never be filled.
Tami was born in Flint, Michigan on 7/13/58 to Bernard and Evelyn Johnson. Her family moved to Traverse City in '65 where Tami grew up on Long Lake, attended TCSF and...

Gary Edward Marek died in the early morning hours of April 2, 2026, at French Manor Terra in Traverse City. He was born on November 20, 1946 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, to Ed and Kay Marek. (No doubt his birth in Ann Arbor was a crucial factor in his lifelong support for the Michigan Wolverines. He used to say he was in...

Randy William Cairns, 72, Sebring, Florida passed away on March 21, 2026, at HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital in Fort Pierce, Florida with his family by his side. Randy was born on December 3, 1953, in Traverse City, Michigan to his parents Leonard Cairns and Margaret (Hoyt) Cairns. Randy and his family moved to...

It is with profound grief and sorrow that the family of Hope Cartwright announce her sudden and unexpected death at the age of 23. Hope was born on May 6, 2002 and died by a hit-and-run in Richmond, Virginia while walking a crosswalk on her way from her office in the late afternoon of February 16, 2026.

Preceding...

Steven Jon Anderson, "Stevie Ray", to his family and friends, age 70, of Kingsley, Michigan (formerly of Interlochen, Michigan), passed away peacefully on April 4, 2026, at home surrounded by family as they watched the U of M / Arizona NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, which Michigan won. GO BLUE!
Steve was a...