Clifford Kortman
1927 - 2017Clifford Robert Kortman age 89 of Rogers City
passed away February 14, 2017 at Golden Beach Manor
He was born on the family farm in Ocqueoc on May 26, 1927
to Robert and Lydia (Wiemert) Kortman,
Cliff graduated from Onaway High School in 1947. After graduation he
worked on the farm until taking a job with the Department of U. S. Fish
and Wildlife at the Hammond Bay Biological Station doing Sea Lamprey
research, He was drafted into the United States Army and was stationed in
Austria during the Korean War as a cook, Upon returning home, he
married Mae Proctor at Trinity Lutheran Church on May 10, 1958.
He continued working at Hammond Bay until his retirement in 1987,
In 1968 he purchased Minelli’s Restaurant and renamed it Kortman’s
Restaurant. He and his wife, Mae, ran the restaurant until they sold in
2006. Cliff enjoyed collecting all things “C”, cars, clocks, coins and
chicken candy dishes. He also enjoyed drawing and painting wildlife
pictures, He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and the Rogers
City VFW Post 607. Cliff had a huge heart and when he saw a
need he was there to lend a helping hand
Clifford is survived by
the love of his life, Mae;
2 children, Robert (Lisa) of Rogers City and
Linda (Larry) Johnson of Grand Rapids;
4 grandchildren, Richard Kortman,
Jeremy (Caitlin) Kortman, Leilani Kortman, and
Amanda (Justin) Menkveld;
3 great grandsons, Emmett Menkveld,
Lincoln Menkveld and Phineas Menkveld;
3 sisters, Lydia Baller, Loreen Peek, and Betty Wenzel;
4 step grandchildren, Chris (Gloria) Johnson, Anthony (Tiffany) Johnson,
Hillary (Mike) Waters and Josh (Stephanie) Johnson; and
7 step great grandchildren, Christina Johnson, Sereena Johnson,
Jasper Johnson, Fayth Waters, Logan Waters, Jonas Johnson and
Andee Richards.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Lydia;
siblings, Caroline Kortman, Esther Appleberg, Ida DeWyre,
August Kortman, Dorothy Phillips and Bob Kortman.
Friends may visit at the Beck Funeral Home on
Thursday from 3:00 until 8:00 p.m. where
the Rogers City VFW will offer a military tribute
at 6:45 followed by a prayer service at 7:00 p.m.
Visitation will resume on Friday at TrinityLutheran Church
in Ocqueoc from 12-Noon through time of funeral at
1:00 p.m, with Pastor Lloyd Ziebarth officiating,
Interment will take place at the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery.
Memorials may be given to Trinity Lutheran Church, Glawe School,
or Hospice of the Sunrise Shore in memory of Cliff Kortman.