Edward Albert Kropp
Born March 15, 1937, Edward Albert Kropp passed away from Covid-19 on Sunday, April 18, 2021. Ed retired from the State of Michigan and Tahquamenon Area Schools. He is preceded in death by his loving wife Allene Holbrook Kropp, whom he married on April 2, 1960; his parents Opal E. Minor and Elwin A. Kropp; sisters Marie and Joanne. Ed is survived by one brother and his children: Bob (Peggy), Tony, Enola (Jim), Barbara, Mike (Debbie), Willard (Toni), Tanis (Ed) and Nicole (Scott). He is further survived by several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Ruth Ann McCarney
Ruth Ann McCarney, 82, of Engadine, passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, April 23, 2021. Ruth was born January 11, 1939 in Monroe, daughter of the late Everett and Cecil (Vollmer) Westgate. Ruth met her husband William while snowmobiling in Engadine and was instrumental in organizing the Big Mac Snowmobile Club, going for long rides with 30 to 40 sleds on area trails. Ruth worked for the Department of Agriculture for 40 years, beginning in Monroe for six years and four years in the Ann Arbor office before being promoted as the County Executive Director for the Mackinac-Luce-Schoolcraft counties in 1996 based in Engadine until her retirement. This was her career and she loved her work and, after retirement, worked for the U.S. Census Bureau. Ruth was on a committee to get the first doctor in Engadine and, after she and her husband helped to get the community an ambulance which was a hearse from Manistique, she trained and was on the first ambulance crew where she volunteered for almost 20 years and trained many volunteers. Ruth was very active in the United Methodist Church in Engadine where over the years she served as Treasurer, Lay Reader, Membership Chairperson, Church Historian, representative to the Detroit Annual Conference, representative of God’s Country Cooperative and member of the United Methodist Women. She also was a Lay Minister filling in for Engadine, McMillan, Germfask, Grand Marais, Hulbert and Newberry. When she couldn’t get out much, she still made sure to call church members that were ill, visit and send birthday, anniversary and get well cards. Ruth loved to read, make jewelry, sew, do crafts and spend time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Ruth is survived by her children Laura (Robert) Cook of St. Ignace and William McCarney of Claremont, New Hampshire; brother Dean Westgate of Buffalo, New York; 15 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. Ruth is preceded in death by her parents, husband Willard McCarney, sister Reverend June Westgate and several nieces and nephews. She will be sadly missed by her friends and family. A gathering of family and friends will take place Thursday, April 29, 2021 at 2:00 pm at the pavilion at Mill Pond Park in Engadine with Reverend Jackie Roe officiating. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, masks and social distancing are required in accordance of the M.D.H.H.S. Interment will take place at a later date at the Engadine Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the family to assist with expenses and to be distributed to the various church charities Ruth was active in. Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com. Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
Rhys Carroll Wollam
On March 31, 2021, Rhys passed away at Ohio State Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, from complications of COVID-19. He was 29. Rhys was born December 27, 1991 in Toledo, Ohio. Rhys graduated from Newberry High School with the class of 2010. He worked as a steward at a casino in the Toledo area. Rhys had a special part of his heart saved for R/C cars, his family, and his special friend, Dalyn Dekruger, with whom he had many memories of their times together between Toledo, OH and East Tawas, MI.
Christine (Chrissie) Wollam
On April 8, 2021, Chrissie passed away at ProMedica Flower Hospital in Sylvania, Ohio, from complications of COVID-19. She was 31. Chrissie was born February 22, 1990 in Toledo, Ohio. She graduated from Newberry High School with the class of 2008. Chrissie worked various jobs helping disabled patients to caring for and helping children. Chrissie was always there to help her autistic brother, Rhys, after their parents passed on. Chrissie loved to travel with friends, go hiking, shop, and tend her garden.
Chrissie and Rhys were preceded in death by their parents, Cheryl Ann Wollam of Toledo, Ohio, and Mike Lee Wollam (WNBY) of Michigan. Chrissie and Rhys were survived by maternal Aunt Cindy Josefowicz of Holland, Ohio, and paternal Aunt Terry of LaSalle, Mich. Memorial services for Chrissie and Rhys will be held on May 15, 2021 at 1979 W. Stein Rd, LaSalle, MI 48145 Donations are being collected for the purchase and placement of headstones for Chrissie and Rhys, and for their cemetery plots. Donations can be mailed to:
Cindy Josefowicz
8319 Waterpark Dr.
Holland, OH 4352
