19 minute read
In Memoriam
If you have a loved one who has recently passed and would like to submit a memorial story in the next issue of the Wallooner, please let us know.
SANDRA ANN ANDREWS November 19, 1938 - March 2, 2022
Sandra Ann Andrews (nee Rusinko) of Walloon Lake and Boyne City/West Bloomfield, Michigan passed away March 2, 2022. Sandra was born on November 19, 1938, to Michael and Egla Rusinko in Cleveland, Ohio. She attended Holy Name High School in Cleveland, Ohio, followed by receiving a bachelors degree from Ohio University 1960, and Masters Degree from the University of Michigan 1969. Her professional life spanned 43 years as a teacher and counselor in Walled Lake schools. She was honored to be elected Walled Lake Education Association President; she was active in the teachers’ union as a contract negotiator. Sandra sponsored the Walled Lake Western High School class of 1982, was instrumental in bringing boys hockey to Walled Lake Schools, sponsored National Honor Society at WLW, and was the Michigan PTA Educator of the year for 1999-2000.
On October 26, 1963, she married Donald John at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Parma, Ohio. Sandra, a devout parishioner, was a long-standing member of St. William Parish in Walled Lake, Michigan. She never missed an opportunity to dedicate her talents as a school counselor to grant compassion with a listening ear or a guiding voice. Sandra treasured her summers spent on Walloon Lake (Willowloon) and welcomed many friends and family into her home. Trips around the world were always on Sandra’s list of fun things to do, right behind her passion for Days of Our Lives. Sandra was devoted to her family and nothing brought her joy like spending time with them for special events and holidays, especially the annual Feast of St. Tubbo de Pasta Maria. Her passing has left a void in the hearts of all who knew her, and she will be greatly missed by her loving family and dear friends.
Sandra was predeceased by her late husband of 40 years, Donald John Andrews; her mother, Egla Rusinko and father, Michael Rusinko.
Sandra is survived by her two sons Donald John II (Brook) and Michael Benjamin (Elena); by her three grandchildren Emma, Leah, and Anthony. Sandra is also survived by her sister, Carole Boyd and her brother, David Rusinko, and many nieces and nephews.
EDWARD FRANCIS CASTLEBERRY September 22, 1931 – March 17, 2022
Edward “Hap” Castleberry, beloved husband of deceased Susan Jane (nee Siddall) Castleberry. Son of dearly beloved John and Constance (nee Alf) Castleberry (deceased). Dear father of Kelly Castleberry of Missoula, Montana; Anne Castleberry, Bizzy (Martin) Driscoll, and Christine (Wayne) Lippert of Cincinnati. Loving grandfather of Kathleen and Clare Castleberry; Margaret, Bryant and Andrew Pund; Jacob and Lauren Driscoll; Lily, Holland and Trey Lippert. Brother of Connie (John) Sullivan of Ft. Wright, KY, brother of John “Jack” Castleberry, Jr (deceased) and Romola “NoNo” Allen of Cincinnati.
Hap attended The Summit Country Day School, graduated high school from Cincinnati Country Day School, graduated with a BA from Brown University and received his MBA from Xavier University. He was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity.
Hap’s mother and father instilled in him a hard work ethic, to believe in your passions and to give back to your community. Hap helped run the family business, Cedar Hill Farms Inc, a local dairy until it was sold in 1963. He started his career as entrepreneur in 1964. He proceeded to start and to purchase small businesses to grow and to develop. He successfully commanded, developed and sold more than twelve local companies in his career. (US Building Services, Inc, Coffee Break, Inc, Art Guild Book Bindery, Inc, Ohio Building Services, Inc, Ohio Coffee Services, Inc, E.F. Castleberry & Assoc, Inc, Imperial Adhesives, Inc, T-Shirt City, U.S Abatement Co.) He was very civic minded, and Hap volunteered, supported and marshaled by example over fifteen non-profits, business and academic organizations in Cincinnati. Founder of the Greater Cincinnati Business Hall of Fame was one of his favorite accomplishments. He delighted in helping young boys and girls learn business skills through Junior Achievement of Greater Cincinnati. Hap was a member of the Republican Party and supported the endeavors of the Hamilton County office.
When he wasn’t working or volunteering, you could find him playing tennis at the Cincinnati Tennis Club, The Indoor Tennis Club, the Cincinnati Country Club, The Racquet Club or clubs around Cincinnati, Florida and Michigan. His passion for tennis reaped many rewarding and longtime friendships, and hundreds of Winning Trophies; too many to count! He especially enjoyed spending his winters at The Ocean Reef Club and his summers on Walloon Lake with his grandchildren. His mother gave him the nickname “Happy” as a child, but he garnered the name “Hap” by his positive and friendly manner. He tried to create “Hap”iness wherever he hung his hat.
STEPHEN SLONEKER MARCUM October 28, 1957 – April 11, 2022
Stephen Sloneker Marcum was born October 28, 1957, in Hamilton, Ohio, to the late Sarah and Joe Marcum. Stephen, 64, died at home on Monday, April 11, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. Stephen had a lifelong love of music, art, and doodling. He created wonderful works of art that are treasured family heirlooms and delighted all with his various piano pieces. He was even in a band called, “OC and the Casual T’s.” They played on the Courthouse lawn, Stephen on the standup bass, Joe Marcum on the piano and Madalyn Lester on the drums. Great fun. Stephen was a devoted husband, father, businessman and community volunteer. He graduated from Vanderbilt University in 1980, Where he fell in love with Trudy McGraw, and they were happily married in January of 1981. They moved to Dayton where Stephen attended the University of Dayton School of Law. He graduated in 1983 and moved With his family to Hamilton. Stephen was an excellent attorney with Parrish, Marcum, and Trokhan in Hamilton, Ohio. Stephen is survived by his loving wife, Trudy, and four children, Matthew, Joe, Emma, and Annie (Jon Miller}, and two grandchildren, Lulu Miller and Alfie Miller. Also surviving Stephen are his caring sisters, Cam (Jeff) Lowe, Christy (Mike) Manchester, and Jenny (Milton) Shuffield. And he will be together again with his brother, Joseph Timothy, who passed in 1973.
LESTER A. HOEL February 26, 1935 – April 19, 2022
Lester A. Hoel died peacefully on April 19, 2022 in San Francisco. He was born during the Great Depression on February 26, 1935 to Norwegian immigrants, Johannes and Julie Hoel. He liked to joke that nobody “planned” to have children at that time and benefited greatly as part of the “scarce generation”.
Lester believed in education—for himself and others. Education allowed him to rise out of the Brooklyn tenement where he grew up to become one of the world’s foremost authorities on public transportation. He attended Brooklyn Technical High School, City College of New York, Polytechnic Institute of New York (now NYU), and the University of California at Berkeley (where he earned his Doctorate). He believed “a winner never quits and a quitter never wins” which enabled him to embrace any task enthusiastically. He was also known for saying, “If it is worth doing at all, it is worth doing well.”
Lester had a long and distinguished career as an educator and researcher. He was the L.A. Lacy Distinguished Professor of Engineering and served as the Director of Transportation Studies at the University of Virginia. From 1974 to 1989, he served as Chairman of the Department of Civil Engineering. Prior to Virginia, Lester was Professor of Civil Engineering and Associate Director of the Transportation Research Institute at Carnegie Mellon University. He retired in 2009 at the age of 74.
Lester was a prolific and influential writer in his field. He pioneered research that would influence the future of highway transportation. He wrote hundreds of papers and co-authored popular textbooks. Traffic and Highway Engineering and Transportation Infrastructure Engineering, A Multimodal Integration are staples in graduate and undergraduate university courses in transportation engineering. Through his “Professional Program in Urban Transportation”, Lester traveled the world, studying the transportation systems of Paris, London, Munich, Stockholm, Montreal, and more. His research and influence as a national authority have led to safer, more sustainable transportation systems to move people and connect communities throughout the world.
Lester received numerous awards, including a Fulbright Fellowship which allowed him to teach in his beloved Norway. At 54 years old, he became a member of the prestigious National Academy of Engineering, an honor earned for “outstanding contributions and leadership to urban public transportation research and education”. He was the first professor at the University of Virginia to receive the distinction while on the faculty. He was elected “Distinguished Member” of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)—one of only 200 members out of a membership of over 150,000. His office wall was covered with framed awards and plaques, a deep source of pride and humility that comes from a lifelong commitment to hard work.
Lester loved his violin and could play any song by ear. Fritz Kreisler and The Statler Brothers were his favorites, as he was passionate about both classical and country music. He loved playing duets with his piano playing friends. David McCullough, author of The Wright Brothers, The Paths Between the Seas, and The Great Bridge, was both his favorite author and friend, as he was passionate about the history of transportation. Lester was a loyal member of The Rotary Club in both Charlottesville and St. Helena. He began life as a Brooklyn Dodgers fan and later became a San Francisco Giants fan, and would never forget the day when he watched Matt Cain pitch a no-hitter in 2014. He believed in living “one day at a time” and practiced yoga and meditation each morning. He also enjoyed playing tennis and had a knack for hitting the ball to his opponent where it was just out of reach.
Lester truly loved and was loved by his friends, family, and students. He liked to connect deeply in conversation. He is remembered for his fantastic smile, amazing attitude, and wisdom. He continues to share that wisdom with the world with his book, I’ll Have to Remember That: Ten Ideas for Living. He loved to tell young people, “If you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there” and believed, “A soft answer will turn away anger.”
Lester moved with his beloved wife, Unni, to St. Helena, California to be closer to family in 2009, leaving Charlottesville, VA and Duck, NC behind. In 2016, he moved to the San Francisco Towers and spent the last few summers on Walloon Lake in Northern Michigan. In 1992, Lester survived quadruple bypass heart surgery and, thanks to his amazing medical team, the world got 30 more years with him.
Lester is survived by his wife of 63 years, Unni, his three daughters, Julie Bryan, Sonja Perkins, and Lisa Rafael, and his son-in-law, Jon Perkins. He was “Bestefar” to his four grandchildren, Tyler, Emma, and Jordan Rafael, and Jack Perkins. He is also survived by his nieces and nephew, Debbie Wasserman, Lauren O’Neill, and John Lester Dawson—the children of his beloved sister Maureen who passed away too early in 1977. His mother, Julie, who called him “Lester Darling,” and father, John, passed away long ago. Lester’s legacy lives on through all of the people whose lives he touched.
CARLIE ELLEN BROMAN STEELE Passed away on February 22, 2022
Carlie Ellen Broman Steele passed away peacefully at the age of 90 in Dunedin, Florida, on February 22, 2022. She was born in Petoskey, Michigan, the daughter of Ranghild and Arthur Broman. Carlie graduated from Petoskey High School and Western Michigan University, then began her days working at Detroit’s Ford Motor Company.
She was a secretary in the styling department at Chrysler when a friend popped his head into her office and said, “I know a fella who wants to meet you.” Bob Steele, an engineer, had noticed her in the cafeteria. They married and began life together in the suburbs, eventually moving to Birmingham where they raised two children, Susie and Rick, and enjoyed the neighborhood for 32 years. Carlie managed the home, loved gourmet cooking and golfing, and volunteered at church and her children’s schools.
After Bob retired from Chrysler, the couple spent summers in Petoskey and winters in Dunedin, where they ultimately settled and enjoyed entertaining a crew of lively, kind neighbors.
She had many talents in the creative arts, from writing short stories to drawing and painting. She was an avid seamstress; in her later years, neighbors came to her regularly for alterations and tailoring. She had a sharp eye for antiquing and finding hidden gems at thrift shops. For her grandchildren she crafted dozens of photo albums as the family historian. She was very proud of her Swedish heritage. She lovingly scrapbooked her family’s achievements, carefully clipping out newspaper articles and documenting other memorabilia. Carlie will be remembered for her kindness.
Carlie is survived by her husband of 64 years, Bob Steele; sister Janet Van Lente (Petoskey, MI, and Nokomis, FL); daughter Susan (Steele) and Jere L’Heureux (Grand Rapids, MI); son Richard and Wendy Steele (Clearwater, FL); and grandchildren Catie, Brian, Brooke, Jacob, Stephen, Alex, and Hailey.
JAMES HATCH August 1, 1938 - May 17, 2022
James L. Hatch (“Jim”), 83, of Petoskey, MI, died peacefully May 17, 2022 in Valparaiso, IN surrounded by his family. Jim is survived by his daughter, Julie Burk (Dennis), son Michael Hatch (Ellen), sisters: Mary Kotulionus (David) and Anne Campbell (Bill), one brother Greg Hatch, eight grandchildren living around the country: Jordan, Evan and Hanna Merz, Austin J. Hatch (Abby), James P. and Andrew Hatch, Maria Bowersock (Jason), Brittnee Burns (Jared), seven great grandchildren (with one more on the way), many brothers and sisters-in-law, and dozens of nieces and nephews whom he dearly loved.
Jim is preceded in death by the love of his life, wife Margaret A. (“Peg” O’Donnell) Hatch, son Stephen J. Hatch, daughters-inlaw Julie (Siwik) Hatch, Kimberly (Russo) Hatch, Grandchildren Lindsay and Ian Hatch, and Austin T. Neal.
Jim was born on August 1, 1938 in Saginaw, MI, the son of Frances (Schwannecke) and James Hatch, and grew up in Saginaw. He attended Catholic schools, participated in sports, Boy Scouts and earned the rank of Eagle Scout. After high school, Jim attended General Motors Institute (now Kettering), earning a B.S in Industrial Engineering then went on to earn both an MBA and MS in Engineering from the University of Michigan. He became a lifelong Michigan fan, a passion he passed along to his family.
Jim was a loving, dedicated husband, father, and grandfather whose main life’s purpose was to love God, practice his faith, adore his wife and family, live by example, work hard, play hard, explore and be curious, and to pass along Catholic Christian teachings and values.
In his early adult life, Jim served as a Boy Scout leader. He developed a liking for Jazz which he continued to enjoy throughout his life. Jim and Peg fell in love with Northern Michigan while they were still young parents. They bought their first cottage in Lake City, MI in the early 1970’s and in 1975, purchased the current property on Walloon Lake. The Walloon cottage was a labor of love, built with what Jim liked to call “sweat equity.” They traveled there almost every weekend to enjoy the lake, spend time together with family and friends, and participate in a myriad of activities including snow and water sports. Jim & Peg also traveled the world, taking in all of the sights, sounds and cuisine. They eventually retired and split their time between Walloon Lake and Fountain Hills, AZ, where they’ve left many close friends and where Jim retained a residence up to his death.
Jim was an early pioneer in the computer field in the 1960’s and had a distinguished career in information technology (IT). He was employed by General Motors (GM) starting with Saginaw Steering Gear Division and rose up to lead their data center. He then led other global IT departments for GM, including Packard Electric (Warren, OH), the GM Technical Center (Warren, MI), and ultimately became a Vice President of GM leading IT for the Assembly Division (Detroit, MI). He held similar positions at RJR-Nabisco (Winston-Salem, NC), where he served as VP of IT then became Chief Information Officer (CIO). He held several other CIO positions that also encompassed worldwide operations for Treasure Chest Advertising (Glendora, CA), J.I. Case (Racine, WI), Tenneco and Pactiv Corporations (WI and IL). In 2003, Jim was featured on the cover of Information Week magazine where he served as an editor, consistently advising CEOs and Boards on how to improve IT strategy coupled with business-process alignment.
Joseph Loren Brubaker, age 96, of Naples, FL and Walloon Lake, MI, formerly Tipp City, OH, passed away in Naples on Sunday, February 27, 2022. Joe was born in Tipp City, OH on February 1, 1926 to the late Hugh and Rachel (Studebaker) Brubaker. He graduated from Bethel High School and earned his BBA from the Ohio State University. Joe served in the U.S. Navy as an Officer on the USS Rockbridge. He retired as the President and Owner of H.E. Brubaker Elevators. Joe was a former member of Tipp City Rotary Club, Tipp City United Methodist Church, Troy Country Club, and Walloon Lake Country Club. He was a Life Master Bridge Player. Joe was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Olive Bradford Brubaker. He is survived by his daughter, Becky (Jim) Coughlin; son, Brad Brubaker (Paul Feakes); grandchildren, Joe Coughlin and Meredith Coughlin; sister, Sue Wunderlich Carroll.
ALICE “JANE” SMITH June 13,1924 - March 2, 2022
Alice “Jane” Smith passed away March 2nd in her sleep and at home, just the way she wanted it to be. After raising their family in Birmingham, she moved with her husband Al to their Walloon Lake cottage in 1973. It didn’t take long for her to be totally immersed in their new community. They were great friends to many, became veracious golfers, helped create the Walloon Lake District Library, were active members of First Presbyterian Church of Petoskey, searched out goodies through the Antique club, hunted morel mushrooms with the best of them, was a member of many book and bridge clubs throughout the years, and created a life many people only dream of.
She was a feisty, full of life woman who was always curious about the world around her and would never turn down a good party or bridge game. The recent political strife in our country upset her greatly and she loved talking politics.
Her smile and laugh were huge trademarks of how much fun she had in life with the people around her. There was rarely a phone call ended without her saying, “be a good girl or boy.”
She is survived by her 3 sons, David (Katherine), Douglas (Christy), Michael (Marcia), 6 grandchildren Jeffry, Sterling, Douglas, Blake, Kelly, and Lindsey and 13 great grandchildren.
JANE FERGER December 1931 - March 4,2022
Jane D. Ferger, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 4, 2022. Jane was born in Cincinnati, Ohio in December of 1931, the daughter of Sam and Jeanette Davis. She moved to Dayton, Ohio and then to Columbus where Jane graduated from Upper Arlington High School in 1949. She attended Stephens College and graduated from Denison University in Granville, Ohio, where she was a member of the TriDelta Sorority. She taught in the Grandview Heights school system before marrying Robert James Curie. They had two children, Robert D. Curie and Christie R. Curie, and resided in Upper Arlington, Ohio. They were active members at Trinity United Methodist Church, Young President’s Organization and the Rotary Club. Her husband were killed in a tragic airplane crash in 1974 that took the lives of many Columbusites. Jane served on the board of directors of many charitable organizations including Childhood League, the Art Gallery, The Ohio Theater, Riverside Hospital, and Hannah Neil Home for Children. Following her husband’s death, she served on the board of directors of Liqui-Box Corporation. In 1977 she married Stanley T. Ferger, who had three children, Trevor, Susan, and Steve, and they became dear stepchildren. Stan and Jane met at Ocean Reef, though they were both from Upper Arlington. In Columbus, they were active members of Scioto Country Club and Trinity United Methodist Church. They began to spend their winters in Key Largo, Florida at the Ocean Reef Club, eventually spending summers on Walloon Lake, Michigan where they were members of the Walloon Lake Country Club near Petoskey, Michigan. Jane and Stan had been married for 22 years when Stan passed away in 1999. Jane maintained a residence in Upper Arlington until 2003. Jane met Norman White, originally from Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, at Ocean Reef and they married in 2004. They spent ten happy years together. In the latter part of her life, after Norman’s death, Jane served for many years on the board of directors of Habitat for Humanity of the Upper Florida Keys, and she continued to be a generous benefactor of many organizations including Denison University, Stephens College, the Ocean Reef Medical Center, Baptist Health South Florida, the Ocean Reef Cultural Center, the Ocean Reef Art League, the Protestant Congregation at Ocean Reef, the Walloon Lake Conservancy, Tri Delta, and the McLaren Hospital in Petoskey, Michigan. She is survived by her daughter, Christie (Robert); her stepsons, Trevor Ferger (Pam) and Steve Ferger; and grandchildren, Rob Valdés, J.J. Valdés, Stan Ferger (Courtney), Martha Moriarity (Ryan), Susan Fortune (Casey); and two great-grandchildren, Oscar Ferger and Jack Moriarity. In addition, she is survived by a loving extended family that includes Yvette Valdés Smith (Jake, and step-great-grandchildren, Sebastian and Leo), Nate Zoba (Sheila), Ben Zoba (Christina), and Jon Zoba. She is also survived by her brother, Samuel B. Davis; and her beloved in-laws, John and Linda Curie and Jean Hiatt. Jane loved life and family and her many, many friends. She was the beloved matriarch of an extended, blended family. She enjoyed traveling, playing bridge and Mah Jongg, golf, tennis, fishing, boating, birdwatching, cultivating orchids, entertaining, and socializing at cocktail parties. She took a genuine interest in everyone she was privileged to meet.
The Wallooner is published three times per year in March/April, June/July and November/December, by the Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy, 4060 M-75 N Suite 102, P.O. Box 579, Walloon Lake, MI 49796 Phone (231) 535-6112 | Fax (231) 535-6114 E-mail wlac@walloon.org | Web www.walloon.org
©Copyright 2022 Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy
Post Office Box 579 Walloon Lake, MI 49796
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
President Mary Pat Goldich
Vice President Marty Makinen
Treasurer Russ Kittleson
Secretary Greg Adams Jan Antalis Marianne Barry Jennifer Buchanan Danny Fellin Bob Flynn John Marklewitz Terry Marrs Laurel McAteer George Peck Tom Saeli
Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage Paid Petoskey, MI Permit No. 110
