Lois Alvena Puckett
Lifelong Newberry resident, Lois Alvena Puckett, 86, died Saturday morning February 27, 2021 at Golden Leaves Living Center. Born March 4, 1934 in Newberry, daughter of the late Nels and Mildred (Marlett) Engman, Lois was a 1952 graduate of Newberry High School. Lois was as an attendant nurse at the former Newberry Regional Mental Health Center and also a homemaker raising her family. Lois was a member of Rebekah Lodge #437 and enjoyed knitting, crocheting, sewing, baking and spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents, Lois is preceded in death by her husbands Clifford Lehto and Dude Puckett; siblings John Engman, Fred Engman, Clifford Engman, Lenora Saunders, Shirley St. John and infant siblings Eldon (infancy) and Eric (child). Survivors include her loving children Martin (Diane) Lehto of Newberry; Cynthia (Ian) Smith of Helmer, Daniel Puckett of Newberry, Dana Massey of Alamogordo, New Mexico and Dustin Puckett of Escanaba; 12 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren; siblings Jerry (Lila) Engman of Comstock and Betty Gage of Curtis; numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Funeral services will be held in the spring of 2021 with interment following at East Lakefield Township Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Project Backpack, PO Box 569, Newberry, Michigan 49868 in her memory. Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com. Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
Wanda (Rosenthal) Kovar
It is with deep sadness that our mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, sister and lifelong Engadine resident, Wanda (Rosenthal) Kovar, affectionately referred to as Mandy or Midge passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 20, 2021.Wanda was born March 20, 1921 and was just one month shy of her 100th birthday. She was born in Engadine, Michigan to the late Julius and Juliana (Kirchner) Rosenthal. She was the fifth child out of seven siblings.Wanda was determined to complete high school and graduated from Engadine schools in 1939. Soon after, she moved to Detroit to help with the war efforts of building aircrafts. She was one of the famous, “Rosie the Riveter’s”; something she was proud of and talked about often. Wanda married Ervin Kovar on October 6, 1941 in Detroit and she resided there until 1946. After the war ended, Wanda and Ervin moved back to Engadine and purchased a farm where they raised their two sons. Wanda’s pride was in her boys. In 1970, she went to work at the former Newberry Regional Mental Health Center as an attendant nurse until her retirement in 1991, at the age of 70. She was a member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary and longtime member of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Engadine. Throughout her entire life she held an unwavering faith in God. Wanda faithfully cared for her family through delectable cooking and baking from scratch; everyone looked forward to, “grandma’s meals”! You could always count on homemade jam, a jar of pickles or her famous doughnuts waiting for the grandkids. Wanda also enjoyed crochet, making quilts, knitting, picking berries and gardening; Wanda and Ervin’s flower gardens were the best in town. She also enjoyed playing pinochle and rummy. Wanda was the heart of the Kovar family and often known as the adjudicator. Her advice and opinion were well respected by all. Wanda is survived by her sons Delmar (Debra) Kovar and David (Caryn) Kovar of Engadine; ten grandchildren, Angela (Robert) Cook, Bryan (Donna) Kovar, Andrea (Michael) Dominowski, Nicole Kovar, Adriane (Mitchell) Kovar-Oifoh, Shantel (Ben) Blevins, Shalan (Eric) Cornell, Michael & Maria Bartholomew and Kelsey Dawson-Veltkamp. She is also survived by 12 great grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren, her sister-in-law Ruth Ball of Benton Harbor and numerous nieces and nephews. Wanda’s family cherished her and her wisdom, robustness and her stories will be deeply missed but not forgotten. In addition to her parents, Wanda is preceded in death by her husband, Ervin on March 30, 2007; her brothers, William Rosenthal, and Arthur Rosenthal; her sisters Linda Fenske, Elsie Klobucher, Alvina Elsner, Hazel Toenneson and sister-in-law Violet (Frieda) Rosenthal. Funeral services will be held in the spring of 2021 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church with interment following at Garfield Township Cemetery in Engadine. Memorials may be directed to the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in her loving memory. Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
Lindsay Anna Neill
Lifelong Lakefield Township resident, Lindsay Anna Neill went into the arms of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior on Tuesday, February 23, 2021. Born October 17, 2010 she is the daughter of Gordon and Lisa (Brow) Neill. Lindsay was an excellent fifth grade student at Northstar Christian Academy and a recipient of several academic awards. In addition to being a student, she was a member and rising star of the Bible quiz team, an up and coming star athlete of the academy’s volleyball team and member of the school choir. In addition to attending the academy, Lindsay was a member of the Northstar Baptist Church where she was involved in the church choir, the Girls Afternoon Program (G.A.P.) and the Across the Miles Ladies Ministry. Lindsay was a lover of all animals, especially horses, and aspired to be a Veterinarian working for Dr. Pol’s Veterinary Service. Lindsay is survived by her loving parents, Gordon and Lisa, of Lakefield; brother Jacob of Lakefield; paternal grandparents Don Neill of Newberry and Jean Neill of Lakefield; maternal grandparents Elizabeth Brow of Hartley, Iowa, Rick (Denise) Marcott of Lakefield and Eugene (Judy) Plesscher of Lakefield; paternal great-grandmother Opal Kalnbach of Lakefield; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and special friends Lanie and Leah. Lindsay was a beautiful bright light. Everyone was drawn to her glowing smile and infectious laugh. She touched the hearts and lives of all that knew her. Lindsay truly loved the Lord, her family and friends with all her heart and her passing leaves a hole in all of our lives that can never be filled. A gathering of family and friends will take place at the Northstar Baptist Church on Wednesday March 3, 2021 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Services celebrating the life of Lindsay will follow at 3:00 pm at the church with Pastor Paul Williams officiating. Due to COVID-19, masks and social distancing are required in accordance to the State of Michigan DHHS. Interment will take place in the spring of 2021 at the East Lakefield Township Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the Northstar Baptist Church in her loving memory. Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com. Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
Amos Calvin Wittenmyer
Longtime Newberry resident, Pastor Amos Calvin Wittenmyer, 91, passed away peacefully Thursday afternoon February 25, 2021 at his residence in the presence and care of his loving family and North Woods Hospice. Born February 19, 1930 in Newberry, son of the late Alvie and Alice (Helberg) Wittenmyer, Pastor Amos was formerly employed as school bus driver and later in the Grounds and Transportation Department for the State of Michigan until his retirement in 1973. During his employment time, Pastor Amos served as a minister at the Newberry Pentecostal Tabernacle and later at the River of Life Worship Center both of Newberry with loving devotion to his congregations and the community for over 67 years. In addition to his parents, Pastor Amos is preceded in death by his spouses Joyce on October 23, 1993 and Etta on July 1, 2015; son Gary in 2011; granddaughter Marion in 2009; siblings Gracie, Esther, George and Alvin “Bing”; stepson-in-law Roger Sevarns. Survivors include his children Henry (Rachelle) Wittenmyer of Boyne City, Wanda (Calvin) Ruby of Newberry, Amos (Barbara) Wittenmyer of Newberry, Joline (Jerry) Hellwege of Calera, Alabama and Jeannine (Albert) Burton of Newberry; step-children Robert (Denise) Babcock of Iowa, Mike (Diana) Babcock of Sault Ste. Marie, Bruce Babcock of Maine and Florence Sevarns of McMillan; 28 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren; sisters Sarah Osborn of Findlay, Ohio, Rosetta (Dave) McKnight of Escanaba and Zadie Groh of Newberry. A gathering of family and friends will be held Monday March 1, 2021 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the River of Life Worship Center in Newberry. Funeral services celebrating the life of Pastor Amos will take place Tuesday March 2, 2021 at 1:00 pm at the church with Bishop Dan Skirven officiating. Due to COVID-19, masks and social distancing are required in accordance to the State of Michigan DHHS. Interment will take place in the spring of 2021 at Forest Home Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to River of Life Worship Center in his memory. Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com. Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
