Milestones

Milestones

Graduated

Cody Porche

Congratulations to Cody Porche (PIBHS Class of 2014) who graduated from Kent State University in December with a degree in Middle Childhood Education. Cody, who works summers as a dock master at the Crew’s Nest, believes he is the first person in his immediate family to graduate form a University. Cody is Dusty Dykeman’s grandson.

Obituaries

Doris Drake

Doris Katharine McKenzie Drake (March 15th, 1930 – November 23rd, 2018), a member of the Put-in-Bay community for over thirty years, passed on from this world after 88 years of living her best life on her own terms. Remembered for her years working at Skyway, the Colonial, Dockside, the Winter Bar, and Mossbacks – Doris never met a stranger. Marked by her quick (and most often gloriously inappropriate) wit, mischievousness, brilliance and magnanimous personality, she made an impact on everyone who knew her. She was a fiercely loyal (and stubborn) lady who loved her family, her friends, and her coworkers and always had a knack for making people laugh, feel validated and reassured, and for making people feel welcome no matter where she was. She was a one of a kind soul. Doris knew more about football, Western movies, John Wayne, and cooking than anyone I’ve ever met. She held true to her pride in her Ulster Scots heritage, and was known to swear like an Irish sailor, A daughter of the Appalachian Diaspora, she grew up in Lebanon, Ohio, where she had fond memories of swing dancing, small town antics, and memories that she held dear after moving North to Put-in-Bay in 1988.

She told the greatest stories – the kind that just pull you in – about growing up on Southern Ohio, visiting her grandparents on their farm in Kentucky as a child, and all the miscellaneous antics she got into both as an adolescent and as an adult. Doris is survived by her five children: Connie Drake (who has been her care taker) of Put-in-Bay, Russel Drake of Lebanon (formerly Put-in-Bay), Randy Drake of Kings Mills, Bobby Drake of Mason, and Cindy Castner of Milford – and preceded in death by her oldest son, Robert Wayne Drake. Doris also had more grandchildren and great-grandchildren than we can count. Myself (Cortney Drake) and my wife (Jennifer Knisley), Riley Drake, and Elyse Drake – who she all helped raise and were closest to her – and her children miss her horribly. She was our rock, our support system, and the best person I have ever met. She’ll live on in our hearts, our memories, and our stories. She did not want a service, so please honor her memory in celebrating her life, her smile, her personality, and her love of people in your everyday life.

Corlyn Lea Kindt

Corlyn Lea Kindt, passed away peacefully at 1:50 a.m. on December 4, 2018, with her loving family by her side. She was born in Port Clinton, Ohio on December 14. 1944. She was the daughter of late the Franklin “Fritz” and Amadea”Ab” (Eckert) Ohlemacher. She went to grade school at Put-in-Bay Island through 7th grade when her family moved off the island to Port Clinton, Ohio, where she graduated from Port Clinton High School in 1963. Corlyn worked at Put-in-Bay for her parent’s business, Island Pizza, next to Round House at an early age until it was sold in the fall of 1972. She was the grandmother to her niece Do-Dee Woodman. She married Robert “Bob” Kindt, May 9th, 1964 at Put-in-Bay Ohio, at Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church. After 38 years of marriage they divorced with the assistance of a legal expert like this divorce lawyer Utah in 2002, they have remained good friends and traveled together many times including trips to Mexico, Florida, and in 2016, Cuba. Corlyn was a homemaker, bookkeeper and business owner. She and Bob where business partners for many years starting with the Petersburg Lumber Company in Petersburg from 1965 to 1972. They bought there first rental house in 1965 and several more throughout the years. Together they developed and built homes on McNeil Dr. and Reflection Court and a storage rental business, Ida West Storage.

Corlyn loved spending time with her family and friends any chance that she got. She loved playing games especially euchre, cribbage and crossword puzzles. Corlyn was a member of the Moose Lodge and also belonged to the Dundee-Petersburg Area Woman’s Pool League, where she was Secretary/Treasurer for 15 years. In the last year she was battling with ailments, including bone marrow cancer. She fought for as long as her body would let her. In addition to her parents, her passing was preceded by her oldest sister Norma Joyce Woodman and her sister’s husband who was like a brother to her, Albert “Woody” Woodman. To cherish her memories, Corlyn leaves her childhood sweat-heart, companion and best friend, Robert “Bob” Kindt, a daughter of Michelle “Shelley” (Herry “Butch”) Iott, a son, Thomas “TJ” (Melissa) Kindt and feline friend, Joey. Siblings Franklin “Bud” (Irene) Ohlemacher Jr. and Lois Knipple. Grandchildren, Brian (Chelsea), Michael (Tiffany), Mason and Mitchel (Brittany) Iott and Chloe Curll. Great-Grandchildren, Shylee, Kaydance, Penelope and Michael. Also, many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, especially Becky McFellin whom Corlyn loved to travel with and spend time at her Lake Leelanau cottage. Memorial services were held at Capual Funeral Home in Ida, MI, on December 8th. The family invited everyone to a celebration of Colyn’s life at the Petersburg VFW immediately following the service where they shared a luncheon and memories. Contributions in Corlyn’s memory may be made to Arbor Hospice, 2366 Oak Valley Dr. Ann Arbor, MI. 48103.

Joe Dopps

Joseph Randolph Dopps, at the age of 66 years old, left this world to the heavenly gate on December 6, 2018. He was born to Eugene and Herma Dopps on September 22, 1952 in Mansfield, Ohio. Joseph graduated from Mansfield High School, attended Michigan Tech, majoring in forestry. He was a member of the Election Committee. Joseph served on the North Bass School Board for 39 years. He coached a North Bass softball team. Joseph was a pilot and flew his own plane. He was an outdoors man, enjoying fishing, four wheeling and most of all his love of beagles. Left to cherish his memory, his mother, Herma Dopps. Joseph was preceded in death by his father, sister and nephew. Services will be held at later date. Memorial contributions may be given to North Bass Chapel. P.O. Box 6, Isle Saint George, OH 43436.

Leonard H. Dodge

Lennard H. Dodge, 88, of Erie County, Ohio died at Meadows at Osborne Park, Sandusky on Tuesday, December 18, 2018. Lennard was born on Middle Bass Island on April 3, 1930 to Harold and Ruth (Girardin) Dodge. He attended school there. During WWII, he worked at Erie Ordinance Depo. For 31 years, Lennard worked at NASA, retiring in 1981. Mr. Dodge served in the US Army from 1951-1953. On June 27, 1954, he married Juanita Grunden. She preceded him in death on August 14, 1991. Surviving are two daughters, Louann Fahrney and Debbie (Bill) Papenfuss all of Sandusky. Three grandchildren; Dawn Michel, Denis Booth, and Kevin Fahrney, and four great grandchildren; Elizabeth Michel, Connor Michel, Addison Booth, and Lillyanna Michel also survive. His special companion, Betty Melton survive in Sandusky. Mr. Dodge was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Gerald “Jerry” Dodge and Harvey Dodge and sisters, Jean Fatiga and Naomi Swisher. Burial, with military honors was at Parkhurst Cemetery.

Thank you…

The family of Doris K. Drake would like to THANK everyone for their warm hugs, comforting words and thoughtful cards! She donated her body to Science in hopes of helping others! She didn’t want any type of service, but donations can be made to Children’s Leukemia or Put-in-Bay EMS. She’ll be missed dearly! Thank you all! – Connie Drake and family

As Seen in the January 2019 edition of the Put-in-Bay Gazette