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Duane Richard “Dewey” Torok
Duane Richard “Dewey” Torok, age 76, of Perrinton, passed away Friday June 16, 2023.
Dewey was born November 12, 1946 in St. Johns, the son of Victor and Dorothy (Rademacher) Torok. He was blessed to be born into a family that would grow to include 9 boys and 3 girls.
Throughout his life he was a devout Catholic and served as an altar boy, lector, Eucharistic Minister, catechism teacher and was in the choir. He graduated from O’Rafferty High School with the class of 1964. Dewey enlisted in the US Army and volunteered to serve his country in Vietnam where he served as a combat engineer with the 25th Infantry Division.
He married Peggy Ann Pennington on July 26, 1968 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Carson City. He was a member of St. Martin DePorres Catholic Church. Dewey was also a member of the Fowler VFW Post #3733 and was a past post commander. He was very proud of his military service and honored to participate in helping with military salutes for fallen veterans.
Most everyone knew Dewey from Dewey’s Trading Post. He and Peg opened the store in 1971 when they moved to Maple Rapids with their young family. Dewey made everyone feel welcome with his big smile, quick wit and playful teasing nature making many people laugh, brightening their day. Dewey quickly established himself as a butcher and people would come from around the state to shop at his meat counter. Dewey was an active civic leader and served on the Maple Rapids Fire Department. He and Peg were also quick to donate their time and resources to local school and community events.
He loved the outdoors and especially loved spending time at the family cabin working with his tractor. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, family camping trips and long road trips with his loving wife. Dewey also enjoyed playing cards with family and friends. He loved to cook and was known for the delicious cookies he made and shared with everyone.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years Peggy, children Laura Torok, Tom Torok, and Tim(Karen) Torok, grandchildren Samson Moore, Maggie Torok, Devin Perryman, Hannah Lutz, Sarah Lutz and Elizabeth Torok, siblings Judy Carn, Jim(Julie) Torok, Fred(Sue) Torok, Tina(Roger) Berg, Victor(Laurie) Torok, Steve(Diane) Torok, Bryan Torok, sister-in-law Carol Freund, numerous nieces and nephews, and lifelong friend Mike Hudson.
Dewey was preceded in death by his loving parents Victor and Dorothy Torok, siblings Connie Wight, David Torok, Don Torok, Philip and Mary Torok and sister in-law Mary Margaret Torok. He was also preceded in death by his beloved in-laws Lewis and Alice Pennington, Shirley and Frank Sheets and Dale Pennington.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, June 26, 2023 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church in Carson City, with Fr. Eddie Dwyer celebrating. Interment at a later date will be in Payne Cemetery. Visitation will be held Sunday from 2 to 8 p.m. at the Lux and Schnepp Funeral Home, Carson City and Monday from 10 a.m. until time of Mass at the church. A rosary service will be held Sunday at 1:30 prior to visitation and a prayer service will conclude visitation beginning at 7:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the DAV.
Anita Ann Welsh
Anita Ann Welsh, a resident of Ovid, native of Lansing, and former resident of Newberry, Portage, Kalamazoo, and DeWitt, Michigan, died on June 17, 2023 after complications from heart surgery. She was 54 years old. Anita was born on January 4, 1969, the first baby born that year in Mason, Michigan, the daughter of Richard Ensign Johnson and Ann Mabel (Terwilliger) Johnson. She grew up in Lansing and in Newberry, Michigan where she enjoyed living with her uncle Ron and aunt Joanne and where she became a proud Yooper. On August 20, 1994 she married Kevin Welsh, and in her words, she “loved him without end”.
Anita enjoyed working with Chart Hits Video for several years, and for the last seventeen years dearly loved her work as an office manager with Terry Kirby at K & S Appliance Repair in St. Johns. At home she loved crafting, music, dancing, watching old movies, and was amazing at ‘name that tune’ and citing random facts and movie quotes. She had a love for miniature collectibles and antiques, crafted Christmas stockings for friends, family, and her dogs, and will always be remembered for sending the best greeting cards and sentimental gifts. She was blessed with wonderful dogs through the years, including Boomer, Chico, and her current steadfast companion, Watson.
Anita had a dear group of friends, Diane, LeeAnn, Marty, Christa, Janie and Nancy, the “Breakfast Club”, with whom she enjoyed breakfasts, lunches, and many fun excursions including a special Vera Bradley shopping day last week with Diane and Sally.
Anita was ever strong and funny and her humor, quick wit, and one-liners she sent to family and friends will be dearly missed. How did Anita want to be remembered?: “I was strong, I was funny, I remembered stupid random facts, and I loved my husband without end.”
She is survived by Kevin, her beloved husband of over twenty-eight years; son, Geoffrey Welsh and step-daughter, Erica Arias; her mother, Ann Johnson; her brothers, Don (Eileen) Martini and Chris (Marci) Johnson; nieces and nephews, Jessica (Jaden) Harman, Angie (Nick) Candela, Amber (Tom) Stamatis, Matt (Candy Johnson) Rorai, Brian (Angie Hawkins) Rorai, Logan and Allyse Johnson; mother-in-law, Doris Jean Welsh; sisters and brothers-in-law, Heather Stringer, Debbie (Pat) Apostol, Marybeth (Hani) Bawarshi, Sally (Frank) Boyer, Richard (Deede) Welsh, Nancy (Jim Heinz), Tom Welsh and their families; Terry and Laura Kirby and many other dear friends, extended family members, and her beloved dog, Watson. She was preceded in death by her father, Richard Johnson, grandparents, Donald and Mabel Terwilliger, and father-in-law, Donald Welsh.
A Celebration of Life and gathering will be held at McGeehan Funeral Home, Keck-Coleman Chapel, 1500 Waterford Pkwy, St. Johns from 1-4 PM, time of sharing 2 PM, where Anita would encourage everyone to “dress casual, enjoy upbeat music, laughter, and perhaps a dance.”
Memorials may be made in her name to the American Cancer Society or to Reading Is Fundamental, rif.org, 750 First Street NE, Ste. 920, Washington, DC 20002 Attn: Development Department.
Elvan Reynold Halfmann
Elvan Reynold Halfmann, age 84 of Westphalia, MI, passed away Wednesday, June 14, 2023, at the Portland Assisted Living and Memory Center.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Fowler, MI at 10:30 A.M. on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, with Rev. Fr. Leon Martin presiding. Burial will take place at Most Holy Trinity Cemetery, Fowler, MI. Visitation will be held on Monday, June 19, 2023 from 2:00-8:00 P.M. with the family present from 2-4 & 6-8 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes – Goerge Chapel, Fowler, MI; with a Rosary being prayed at 7:00 P.M.
Elvan was born in Dallas Township, MI on December 27, 1938, the son of Martin and Florence (Smith) Halfmann. He married Rita L. Martin on November 28, 1964 in Fowler, Michigan. They were married for thirty years prior to her passing away on January 12, 1995.
Elvan enjoyed playing cards and keeping busy around the house. After retirement, he met friends for daily coffee visits. He retired from the State of Michigan on June 1, 1997, after thirty-eight years. Elvan will be remembered for his quick wit and humor. He served his country in the U.S. National Guard. Elvan was a member of the Fowler VFW Post #3733 and a past volunteer for the Dallas Twp. Fire Department.
He is survived by his son Kevin Halfmann; daughter Nancy Halfmann; daughter Lisa Harnick; grandchildren: Cassandra (fiancé’ Alex), James, Jacob, Caylie, and Joshua; and great-granddaughter Brynn; his sisters: Doris Goerge; Eileen and James Murphy; Janet and Clare Thelen. Elvan is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Elvan was preceded in death by his parents, wife, in-laws Sylvester and Julia Martin, son-in-law Ryan Harnick, sister and brother-in-law Marilyn and James Smith, brother-in-law Donald Goerge, and also his nephew Alan Simon.
The Halfmann Family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at the Portland Assisted Living and Memory Center for their exceptional care and compassion over the last two and a half years.
Memorials may be made to the wishes of the Halfmann Family. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Goerge Chapel, Fowler, MI.