John Grawn Milliken

TRAVERSE CITY — Dr. John Grawn Milliken of Traverse City passed away peacefully on Sept. 16, at Munson Hospice House.

Dr. Milliken was born on Jan. 30, 1920, the son of the late Senator and Mrs. James T. Milliken. He liked to say that he was a Traverse City native with the exception of the first few days of his life: His parents had taken the train to a Detroit hospital for his birth as it was the nearest hospital with anesthesia.

John grew up in Traverse City and graduated from the Traverse City High School on Seventh Street in 1938. He was elected the school's first student governor, earned six letters in track and basketball, and played violin in the high school orchestra. Outside of school, he sailed on both bays, rode his horse, King High, everywhere, and enjoyed tinkering with any gadget.

John knew he wanted to be a doctor from an early age. As a teenager, he was one of two people in Traverse City who could operate the X-ray machine at the State Hospital, sometimes being called out of the movie theater to do so.

John received his undergraduate degree from Amherst College in Massachusetts and then, in 1944, graduated from Wayne State University Medical School in Detroit. He interned at Baylor University Hospital in Dallas, Texas, and then spent nine months as a resident in internal medicine at the Alexander Blaine Clinic in Detroit. He was a Captain in the Army for two years during World War II, serving as a psychiatrist at Percy Jones Hospital in Battle Creek. Later, he was a resident internist and then a staff member at the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor.

John met his beloved wife and partner, Elnora Toldo of Chisholm, Minn., while he was a medical student at Wayne State University. They married in 1944 and had five children.

John returned to Traverse City in 1950 and began his private practice in the specialty of internal medicine. His solo practice expanded over the years into a nine physician clinic, the Milliken Medical Building, located next to Munson Hospital. John was a local pioneer in the practice of medicine as he was always interested in finding ways to better serve his patients. He created outreach programs using facsimile communications to read EKGs for hospitals as far away as those in the Upper Peninsula. His was one of the first practices to provide X-ray and lab services as a convenience for patients. John's medical practice was also one of the first in Traverse City to use computers.

John practiced medicine for 54 years. He continued for more years than usual because of his deep satisfaction and enjoyment in the practice of medicine. He always felt that it was a real privilege to meet and care for the many wonderful people that he saw over the years. As a colleague once commented, John was the only doctor he knew who was cheerful making house calls in the middle of the night. In 2000, John received the American College of Physicians' Laureate Award as recognition for being an outstanding physician in Michigan.

In addition to his medical practice and family, John gave generously of his time and talents. He was a member of the City Commission from 1961 to 1965. He cast the sole vote against building the power plant on the bay, saying the city would someday regret it. He helped wife, Elnora, found the Traverse City Symphony Orchestra, and the Traverse City Civic Players, which later became Old Town Playhouse. When Elnora learned that many area doctors had played instruments in high school, John helped her start the Milliken Medical Orchestra that still performs today. In 1950, while establishing his medical practice, he also ran a family business, Acme Line Manufacturing Co., saving it from bankruptcy.

John loved Traverse City for its natural beauty and was an ambassador for the city no matter where he traveled. John had great enthusiasm for sports, including downhill skiing, tennis and golf. He was an avid boater, having started at an early age and sailed regularly with his brother, Bill, when they were young. He particularly liked to explore Lake Michigan and the North Channel and was known to take off on a moment's notice for a boat trip.

Always progressive, confident, forward thinking and above all optimistic, John Milliken had the "can do" attitude. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends and patients. Instead of attending a wake, John would have wanted his friends to go for a boat ride, play some tennis or be with family.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Elnora; four children, Sherry (Bob) Reum of Chicago, Dr. James Milliken (Mary Beth) of Traverse City, Penny Milliken of Los Angeles and Dr. JP Milliken (Darcy) of Traverse City; and nine grandchildren. He is also survived by brother, Gov. William Milliken; and sister, Ruth Milliken Glen, both of Traverse City.

John was preceded in death by his daughter, Wendy, who died at age three.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Traverse Symphony Orchestra for the Elnora Toldo Milliken Founder's Endowment Fund at 300 E. Front Street, Suite 230, Traverse City, Michigan 49684; or to Munson Hospice House at 450 Brook Street, Traverse City, Michigan 49684.

The family was served by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home, Traverse City; www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.

The family wishes to thank the staffs at Munson Medical Center and Munson Hospice House for their tender care and support of Dr. Milliken.

The family of Dr. John Milliken truly appreciates all the love, support and caring ways extended to them by the community of Traverse City, which Dr. Milliken dearly loved. Your kindness will always be cherished and never forgotten. In recognition of his wishes a private celebration of his life will be held.

This obituary was originally published in the Record-Eagle.