Mazda Great Lakes Alumni

(Updated Wednesday, February 20, 2008)

 

Additions or corrections? Please send a note to: Doug Wenzel

Current News

June 2008 News   

  • Don Jones has had another stroke. He also had blood clots in both legs that went to his lungs. Barb Taggart went up to see him last night and said that he is in good spirits. He is unable to walk and speech a bit slurred but he understands everything. He will be going to Mary Free Bed soon for therapy. Barb said they had lots of laughs and he still has a good sense of humor. He is at Butterworth room 4281.  Please keep Don in your thoughts and prayers.

May 2008 News   

  • It is with sorrow that we inform you of the passing of Peter Cook’s wife Emajean “Pat” Cook.  She died peacefully at home on May 20 after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s.  Visitation will be on Thursday, May 22 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM.  A memorial service will be held Friday, May 23 at 11 AM at Grace Reformed Church, 3330 Burlingame Avenue SW, Wyoming, MI.  Mrs. Cook will have a private burial.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Grace Reformed Church Youth Program.

     

    Click here for a copy of the press release with more information.

     

    We appreciate your sympathy and concern for Peter at this time but we are requesting people to hold calls to his home and office if at all possible.  Thank you

February 2008 News   

  • Kirk Emlinger’s wife Elizabeth passed away 2/17, as the result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident.  There will be a memorial service this coming Saturday, February 23, 3 P.M.  at the Kingdom Hall – Jehovah Witnesses  3550 W. Michigan 79 Highway Hastings, MI  49058  No memorial designations have been made thus far.
  • Carolyn VanDorp (Ford) is a Grandma again! This time to twin girls born to her son (Tom) and his wife (Nikki) on February 7, 2008. After a little over a month stay at Spectrum (Butterworth), Nikki gave birth to identical twins born 12 weeks early. Katelin Olivia Ford was born at 8:23 pm weighing 2 lbs and 9 oz and measuring 15 inches long and Kiley Elisabeth Ford born at 8:23 pm weighing 2 lbs and 9 oz and measuring 14.25 inches long.  Both are doing fine, but will be staying in the hospital for 3 to 4 months depending on their progress. Mom is home recovering. Please pray as they will be commuting back and forth to the hospital every day.
  • Steve Lockwood has updated his contact information.  Please check it out at the Where are they now? page.

January 2008 News   

  • Judy Kidder has updated her contact information.  Please check it out at the Where are they now? page.
  • Laurie Grooters is now with the Downtown GR YMCA (the really nice one you can see from US-131)!
  • Gail Kober’s Mother passed away January 31.  I’m sure Gail could use everyone’s support and prayers during this tough time.

December 2007 News   

  • Peter Cook’s biography, “Sharing the Wealth,” is available for purchase on-line at www.bakerbookretail.com
  • Judy Kidder retires from Davenport University at the end of this month.  Her new e-mail address is jkidder30@charter.net and their new phone number is (269) 509-0313.
  • Gail Schouwink has left DPI and changed e-mail addresses.  New e-mail address is: gschouwink@sbcglobal.net
  • Paul Hoffman has FINALLY added his information to our site!  See the Where are they now? page for his information.

November 2007 News   

  • Peter Cook’s biography, “Sharing the Wealth,” written by Michael Lozon, has been published and is now available exclusively at Baker Book House.
  • Rich Jones has left 20 years of IT behind and took a position as Manager of HR Business Intelligence for Alticor Human Resources.  His new e-mail address is rich.jones@alticor.com  Congratulations Rich!
  • Tim Dooly, one of the MGL District Managers that went to MNAO has moved out West and is now the District Manager in Denver Colorado.  I hope you like to ski Tim!
  • Jim Chandler's mother passed away after a long battle with Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).  Her funeral was held in Waterford, MI on 11/30.
  • Peter Cook's pilot (George Kuker) lost his wife Joan this past Monday.  George’s address is: 5616 Deer Point Ct., Newaygo, MI 49337 for those who would like to send cards. Click here for the obituary:  http://www.legacy.com/grandrapids/DeathNotices.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=98689872
  • Dave Seeber has changed e-Mail addresses.  His new address is dseeber@gopmw.com

September 2007 News   

  • Judi Rabbai welcomed her 4th grandchild this month - Cooper Andrew Nicolas Rabbai arrived safely!  Judi was also the MC for her 50th class reunion at South High!  Keep up the good work Judi!

August 2007 News   

  • Tom Loftus has added his information to our site!  Check him out on the Where are they now? page.
  • Gayle Bishop has updated his information on the site.  Check him out on the Where are they now? page.

July 2007 News   

  • Paula Gundrum's son Jake, who is in the Marines, just left for Iraq.  Please keep him in your thought's and prayers!
  • Carolyn VanDorp has changed her e-mail address to sportsmom_43@yahoo.com  Also, keep her family in your prayers as her nephew (Matt Harris) died earlier this month in a traffic accident. He was 21 years old.
  • Kirk Emlinger has added his e-mail address to the MGL website.  planedriver5@cs.com
  • It is with great sorrow that I have to relay to you that Melode LaHuis' father has passed away from a sudden massive stroke. The Lord called him home 7/4/07 at about noon. The family is glad that the coma is over and he went very peacefully. Melode's  family would like to thank you for your thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time. He was a wonderful man and he will be missed dearly.
  • Join us on July 13, at 6:15pm for an MGL get together at The Loon's Nest.  Barb will have munchies and cold beer and mix. If you don’t drink beer, then bring your own bottle. The address is: 272 Arthur Street Marne, MI 49435. Take I-96 west (towards Muskegon) get off at Fruit Ridge Avenue. Turn right go 3 miles north to 6 Mile Road, turn left go 1.4 miles ( just past Kenowa - 6 Mile turns to Arthur) The Loon’s Nest is the first place on the left. There is a sign out front that says: Loon’s Nest 272. You can’t see the house from the road. There is plenty of parking in the driveway.

May 2007 News   

  • Peter Cook’s brother, Jim Cook of Holland, passed away May 1. Jim was diagnosed with lung cancer on March 13.  Click Here to read a nice article about Jim.
  • With the nice weather finally here, it's time for a Spring MGL Get-Together!
    When: This coming Friday May 4, at 5:30pm - 8:30pm
    Where: Downtown GR TGI Fridays on their outdoor seating area (hopefully it's as nice as this weekend was!)
    Can you believe it's been over 7 years since our little family has worked together?  Come join us for some fun!
  • Kim Peterson has a new e-mail address: Kim.Peterson@gfs.com
  • Rose Gutschow has a new e-mail address: Rose.Gutschow@gfs.com

April 2007 News   

  • Bette Nowicki's husband Rich passed away April 29. Bette and Rich were married for 50 years and I'm sure she would appreciate hearing from her friends at MGL during this tough time.

March 2007 News   

  • Paula Klein (Gundrum) has been working for Misys Healthcare Systems since October as a Client Implementation Specialist and she loves the job!  Her new e-mail address is paula.klein@misyshealthcare.com  Congrats Paula!
  • Terry Robrahn is currently looking for position with another company as he is no longer with CSC on the Foremost account.  If you know of an opportunity where his previous experiences and ability can be leveraged, please give him a call.  His e-mail address is tlrdlr@chartermi.net
  • Sunday March 18, Bruce Schut lost his battle with cancer. 
  • Steve Heiss is going to be a Grandfather again!  (Son Christopher, currently living in Spain will be the new father).  This will be number five.  Steve also has a new e-mail address: heiss2200@sbcglobal.net

February 2007 News   

  • Jim Richter talked to Hal. He's still 'house ridden' with the hip replacement.  Jim is still training the Isuzu Service and Parts field force as well as working with some private clients. 
  • Erv Lichterman's son Mike and daughter-in-law Mandy have a son!  Matthew Aaron Lichterman was born on February 1, 2007 weighing in at 8lbs. 9oz. and was 21 inches long.  Erv's other son Brian Lichterman has a daughter Abbey who recently celebrated her 2nd birthday!

January 2007 News   

  • Judy Dykstra's husband, Ken, passed away from cancer on Saturday, Dec. 30.
  • Melodie LaHuis has a new e-mail address: melolah@aol.com
  • David Hooker is now President and CEO of Frederik Meijer Gardens. 

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