The Dexter Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Obituaries
PUBLISHED: April 17, 2008
Marjorie Drake Travis
Holland
Marjorie Drake Travis of Holland passed away April 12, 2008 at the Inn at Freedom Village, Holland, MI after a long illness.
The daughter of Orabelle A. and Samuel L. Drake, she was born in Tazewell, Va., in 1921. She married William B. Travis in Hopewell, Va., and they shared 50 years together before his death in 1993. A graduate of Mt. Sinai Hospital School of Nursing in Philadelphia, she had a long professional career and retired from U of M Hospital in Ann Arbor.
She was preceded in death by her husband; a daughter, Ann Pedler; and granddaughter, Jane Magennis.
She is survived by daughter Janet and Steven Magennis of Holland, MI; son-in-law, Richard Pedler of Elkhart, IN. Her grandchildren are Collin and Beth Magennis and Kristin Magennis of Holland, MI, Jeffrey Miller and Julie Tyrakowski of Edwardsburg, MI; step-grandchildren Stephaney and Michael Nay of Goshen, IN and Elizabeth and Brent Kattau of Elkhart, IN. She enjoyed great-grandchildren Erin and Kyle Magennis, Cade Tyrakowski, Evan and Reagan Nay and Layla and Marley Kattau. She was the last of six siblings and is survived by sisters-in-law Anna Drake and Catherine Drake, as well as her nieces and nephews.
Always a child of God and a believer in social justice, she was formerly a member of Calvary Community Reformed Church in Southgate, MI and St. Paul United Church of Christ in Chelsea. She joined First Presbyterian Church in Holland when she retired to Freedom Village. Her children recall her dedication to their education, including musical training. She organized a nursery school and was active in PTA and teaching church school, the Chelsea Womenís Club, and Jackson Fez Club. She composed hundreds of short, original poems for friends and family, shared in birthday and holiday cards. Her grandchildren recall summer visits spent harvesting and canning green beans from her garden. She enjoyed traveling and held U of M football tickets for several decades. As her memory faded she enjoyed the view from her window overlooking the pond by Windmill Island, and so appreciated the loving care of the staff at the Inn at Freedom Village.
A memorial service will be held Thursday, April 17, 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 659 State St., Holland, MI. Burial will be at Merchants Hope Memorial Gardens, Hopewell, Va.
Memorial gifts may be given to the First Presbyterian Church in Holland, MI or Greater Michigan Alzheimerís Association.
Arrangements by Cole Funeral Chapel, Chelsea.
Madeline C. Ottoman
Chelsea
Madeline C. Ottoman of Chelsea passed away Thursday, April 10, 2008 at the Chelsea Retirement Community, Towsley Village. She was 84.
She was born April 13, 1924 in Salyersville, Ky., the daughter of Wick and Elsie (Minix) Howard. Madeline had worked as an inspector for Federal Screw Works for many years. On Nov. 26, 1949 she married Walter J. Ottoman in Bunker Hill Township, Michigan, and he survives. She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Chelsea. She loved sewing, cooking and the outdoors. She was a person who saw the good in people and never said anything bad about anyone.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by six siblings: Rella Fetterly of Salyersville, Ky., Calvin (Ruby) Howard of Eaton Rapids, Bethelene Nawrock of Stockbridge, Mary Alice Allene (James) Fletcher of Stockbridge, Linda (Carroll ëJRí) Clark of Stockbridge, and Judy (Dale) Leach of Hanover-Horton. Also surviving is one sister-in-law Barbara Howard of Stockbridge, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by two sisters, Mareda OíBrian and Annette Sigler, and two brothers, Clyde Howard and Larry K. Howard.
Funeral services were held on Monday, April 14, 2008, at St. Mary Catholic Church, Chelsea with the Rev. Dr. William J. Turner officiating. Burial followed at Mt. Olivet Cemetery.
The family received friends at the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary Catholic Church.
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