Obituaries

Barbara Lou Veliquette

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Barbara Lou Veliquette passed away July 18, 2022 in Spring Hill, Florida at the age of 96. Barbara was born April 4, 1926 to Andrew and Alice (Fultz) Patrick in Mancelona Township. 

Barbara married Theodore Dexter Veliquette on October 28, 1944. They celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary together in 2019. 
Barbara was preceded in death by her loving husband, Theodore, in July 2020 and by daughter Debra in January 1978. 

She is survived by her children, Sherry Veliquette, of Spring Hill, Florida; Valerie (Dave) Salenski, of Jefferson City, Missouri; Theodore Veliquette, of Kewadin, Michigan; Max Veliquette of Spring Hill, Florida; and Joshua Veliquette, of Traverse City, Michigan. She is also survived by several grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Graveside services are planned for Saturday, August 20, 2022 at 11 a.m. for both Barbara and Theodore at Milton Township Cemetery. Also planned is a gathering and luncheon following at Milton Township Hall in Kewadin.

Elizabeth “Betty” Chew Siebenthaler

Elizabeth “Betty” Chew Siebenthaler of Kewadin, Michigan, formerly of Ocean Reef Club, Key Largo, Florida and Dayton, Ohio, passed away peacefully in her home on beautiful Torch Lake on July 28, 2022 at the age of 103.

Betty was born on October 23, 1918 to the late James A. Chew and Jessie B. Chew in Xenia, Ohio. Betty graduated from Xenia High School in 1936, and then proceeded to attend Dana Hall for finishing school. Betty worked after school for her father at the Chew Newspapers. On May 18, 1946 she married the love of her life, the late William A. Siebenthaler in Xenia, Ohio, who passed away in 2009. 

Betty always loved to travel, starting at a very young age with her parents, taking a boat to Europe. Then later it was traveling to the East to visit her older sisters, either in Wellesley, Massachusetts or living in New York City where she took piano lessons on an organ in the basement of a church. That passion for travel continued throughout the years, including trips to the Middle East, Europe, Africa, China, etc. as well as within the United States. Betty loved boating as well, which led to the purchase of a boat in Florida, named the Lizalot, with their good friends, the Coughnours, and this ultimately led them to Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo, Florida. 

Betty was very involved with the golfing community at Ocean Reef, eventually joining The Niners, which she remained a member until selling her home in Florida. Betty was a member of the Colonial Dames along with her sisters. She was also a member of the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Elk Rapids, and prior to that the Episcopal Church in Oakwood, Ohio. When Betty and Bill purchased A- Ga-Ming Golf Course in 1978, Betty took a huge interest in the sport and enjoyed golfing over the years, not only in the leagues at A-Ga-Ming and Ocean Reef, but also all over the country, including a visit to St. Andrews Golf Course in Scotland. Betty did not care for winter; however, she did love knitting and needlepoint, and she could often be found in the ski lodges while Bill and the rest of the family were skiing, particularly at the Otsego Resort for their Dayton “ski week,” which continued with the grandchildren as well.

Betty is survived by her grandchildren, Wm. Alan (Jennifer) Siebenthaler of Lexington, KY; Jessica E. (Robert) Thompson of Kewadin, MI; Bryan A. (Maria) Terrell of Seattle, WA; Jeffrey D. Terrell of Traverse City, MI; Michael J. Terrell Jr. of Kingsley, MI; and Alissa K. (Matthew) Feldt of St. John’s, FL; 17 very special great grandchildren; her nephew, David Altick of Jacksonville, FL; and nieces and nephews in the Boston area as well as Arizona and California.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Bill, of 63 years; her daughter, Katharine A. Terrell; her son, William A. Siebenthaler Jr.; her sisters, Florence Chesterton and Katherine Collier; and by her parents.

The family would like to thank the amazing caregivers who helped Betty be able to spend the rest of her life in her Torch Lake home, especially Sue and Peggi, as well as many others.

In lieu of flowers, Betty would like contributions to be sent to Good Samaritan in Ellsworth, particularly the Moms and Tots Center, which is run by her friend, Gayle.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m., Friday, August 5, 2022, at Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, Covell-Elk Rapids Chapel. Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, Covell-Elk Rapids Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.