Descendants of Peter Shriner
Traverse City Record-Eagle, Traverse City, MI, Jan 4, 2004
TRAVERSE CITY - Grace M. Kohn, 95, of Traverse City, formerly of Mesick, died Monday, Dec. 8, 2003, at Grand Traverse Pavilions. Born Feb. 9, 1908, in Marilla, she was the daughter of Albert and Della (Humes) Joseph. On June 7, 1936, in Onekema, she married Lloyd M. Kohn, and together they built their home in Mesick, in 1936. Grace graduated from Mesick High School in 1926, received her bachelor's degree from Central Michigan University, and her master's degree from Michigan State University. She taught school for Harrietta, Cadillac, and Mesick Schools for 35 years, and was elementary principal in Mesick for 18 years. Grace's parents started Joseph Supply in Mesick, and she helped in the office when her sister was not available, especially after her father passed away. Grace and Lloyd were part of the group that helped Roy and Ellen Brigman start Camp Roy-El, a camp for physically handicapped children. She helped the 40 years that it was active. Grace had many memberships including Munson Medical Center Auxiliary, Mesick Golden Agers, Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel, Michigan Association of Elementary Principals, NEA, MEA, Traverse City Business and Professional Women, Mesick Women's Club, and the Mesick Chamber of Commerce Women's Auxiliary. She was a member and treasurer at Mesick United Methodist Church, chairman of Mesick Centennial Committee until it changed its name to Mesick Historical and Museum Committee, and she co-chaired the publishing of the book on the history of Mesick. Grace loved to garden, read, and correspond with family and friends. With her correspondence, she was able to bring different branches of the Mesick family together at the Centennial in 1990, after which she kept in contact with many of them. She loved helping other people, especially driving them to and from appointments, and 'adopting' young people, encouraging them in a positive way. Grace is survived by her daughter, Deborah Sue Kohn of Traverse City; sister, Ruth Denison of Houston, Texas; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd, on Nov. 11, 1971; sisters, Wretha Brastrom, Lois Brastrom, Lucille Sprague, Verna Solarick, and Vera MacPhee; and a brother, Harry Joseph. Visitation will be held at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City, on Friday, Dec. 12, 2003, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held at Mesick United Methodist Church on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2003, at 1 p.m. The Rev. Jack Conklin will officiate. Burial will be in Sherman Mesick Cemetery. In remembrance of Grace, memorial contributions may be directed to Mesick Area Historical Museum or to Mesick United Methodist Church. |