Firefighter newcomers start off with a blaze

By Alicia Noragon

REGION-. The fire that wreaked havoc early June in Crawford County was one heck of an introduction for two local firefighter volunteers.

John Karalunas and Christian Towers are with the South Branch Township Fire Department and took part in helping contain the fire that spread over an estimated 2400 acres.

John has been with the department for 16 months. His first call ever was assisting in the tornado in Gaylord in the spring of 2022.

Christian is a wildland firefighter for Camp Grayling and has been with the department only 10 months.

Fire Chief for South Branch Township Michael Umphrey says they are “both great assets to us and the community.”

FLOWERS AND BERRIES

– Fairview Berry and Flower Farm recently opened for the season. The U-Pick farm has some strawberries, raspberries and grapes, along with a variety of flower gardens. New owners, Teddy and Kailee Saylor, are planning an expansion of the operation for next year, but currently the flower component sports an abundance of Fox Glove and Lilies. Teddy said the growth of everything else is a little behind because of the dry weather in May. There are also walking trails around the property as well as a gift shop featuring work from local artisans. The farm is located at 3788 Mast Road in Fairview. Fairview Flowers and Berries is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. For information call 989-745-1037.

~ Photo by Tracy Constance

Robert Marvin Schleben, Sr., 79, Roscommon, passed May 19

Carrie M. Primel, 94, St. Helen, passed May 19

Mary Ann Jones, 94, St. Helen, passed May 22

Donald Preston Murray, 61, Roscommon County, passed May 18

Bernard J. Malkowski, 90, Houghton Lake, passed May 22

Stewart 'Boone' McNeill, 87, AuSable, passed May 15

Norma Jean Parker Mielke Holmes, 76, Sand Lake, passed May 19

Helen McMillan, 80, Gladwin, passed May 20

Lorena Mary (O’Rourke) Balconi, 83, Gladwin, passed May 21

Ralph Frederick Stiles, 83, Roscommon, passed May 21

Paul Edward Oschmann, 79, Saint Helen, passed May 21

Gerald James 'Wojo' Wojtylko, 78, Roscommon, May 23

Ronald Bruce Gair, 72, Houghton Lake, passed May 22

Perry H. Brown, 71, Au Gres, formerly Clio, passed, May 23

Helen McMillan, 80, Gladwin, passed May 20

Richard 'Dick' Fassett Sr., 90, Beaverton, passed May 19

Ann Golden, 56, Gladwin, passed May 21

Thomas Arthur Meir, 61, West Branch, passed May 25

Diane C. Wright, 83, Standish, passed May 25

Beverly W. Diment, 85, Oscoda, passed May 17

Dr. Rod Russell Wright, 67, Tawas City, passed May 20

Raymond 'Chip' Botkin, Jr., 60, East Tawas, formerly Mio, passed May 22

Roxie Elizabeth Fernelius, 97, Roscommon, passed May 19

Robert Edward Bloye, 84, Lewiston, passed May 25

Kenneth 'Ken' Milliron, 71, Oscoda, passed May 23

Bonnie Barbara (McLatchie)

Buckelew, 82, Tawas, passed May 24

Norman Stanley Lorence, 83, Pinconning, passed May 28

Margaret Welch, 92, Gladwin, passed May 25

Robert Duncan Leland, 90, Roscommon, passed May 23