Theodore W. Kitchen

Died January 16, 2006

TRAVERSE CITY - Theodore W. "Ted" Kitchen, 81, of Traverse City and formerly of Kalkaska, died Monday, Jan. 16, 2006, at his home.

Ted was born Oct. 15, 1924, in Lincoln, Neb., the son of Theodore W. And Mabel (Pearson) Kitchen Sr.

Ted served our country faithfully as a member of the United States Marine Corps during World War II. Following his discharge from the service, he married Mary Elizabeth Riedel in September of 1952, in Richmond, Mich.

Ted had been employed as a lineman for Detroit Edison prior to his retirement. In 1974, he and Mary moved to the Kalkaska area to spend their retirement years.

His passion for flying carried over from his experience as a pilot while in the Marine Corps, and he continued to fly planes as his hobby. He also enjoyed flying radio controlled planes. He loved tinkering, enjoyed short wave and CB radios, and doing electrical work.

Survivors include his daughter, Barbara (Jim) Helfrich of Traverse City; three grandchildren, Jason, James and Kristen; and a sister, Shirley Jessup of South Lyon.

Ted was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Mary, who died in 2001; and a sister, Clara Asher.

Private family services are planned. Burial will take place in Cold Spring Cemetery near Kalkaska.

Rather than sending flowers, the family asks that Ted be remembered through a memorial contribution to New Hope Community Church Missions Ministry.

The family is being served by The Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home, where you may sign Ted's on-line guest book at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.

This obituary was originally published in the Record-Eagle.