Mildred Kretchman

Mildred O. Kretchman Age 91 of Cheboygan
died Saturday, July 29, 2017 at home,

She was born September 24, 1925 in Cheboygan
to Roy and Irene (Stines) Jewell.

Mildred started teaching Sunday School at the age of 15. She enjoyed
teaching the little children about God. She continued teaching for many
years. She also loved to sing and she and her sisters sang in church as
children. She continued singing in the Indian River United Methodist
Church choir until 2016, a total of 76 years.

At 17, Mildred began working at Doc Neuchterlien Photography Studio in
St. Joseph, oil painting black and white high school senior graduation
pictures, She married Frederick Neal Kretchman on September 21, 1946
and they shared their love for 69 years. Neal was an avid farmer and
Mildred was right there beside him planting and harvesting crops,
canning and baking. She was instrumental in organizing the first Home
Economics group in Scottdale, Michigan, She was also instrumental in
starting the Cheboygan Area Snowmobile Club and Top O Michigan Organ
Society, Mildred enjoyed singing the old melodies every Saturday at the
Cheboygan Tendercare. Mildred enjoyed her grandchildren and great
grandchildren and played cards until she could no longer hold the cards.
She was an avid artist in both oil paints and acrylics, her preference

was painting churches, birds and landscapes.

She is survived by:
2 daughters, Linda (Donald) LaClair of Shreveport, LA and
Darleen (Edward) Beauchamp of Cheboygan;
son, David (Theresa) Kretchman of Boyne City;
12 grandchildren, Randall Carlson, Kelly Leonard, Diana Euler,
Tracee Beauchamp, Nancy Milkamp, Bailey Swenor,
Cathryn and Amanda Rowland, Mike LaClair,
Lisa Williams, Denice Baker, Kevin LaClair and
their spouses;
23 great grandchildren;
9 great-great grandchildren;
2 brothers, Allen Jewell and Dale Jewell;
2 sisters, Marjorie Nitz and Marlyn Milnickel; and
several nieces and nephews,

Mildred was preceded in death by:
her husband, Neal;
3 brothers, Willard Jewell, Graydon Jewell, and Scott Jewell;
3 sisters, Oneita Jewell, Sally Gast, and Barbara Ruppel; and
a granddaughter, April LaClair.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August Sth, 2017, at the
Indian River United Methodist Church. Friends may visit from 10:00 a.m.
through time of her celebration at 11:00 a.m. A luncheon will follow
the service,

Memorials may be given to the music department at the Indian River
United Methodist Church in memory of Mildred Kretchman,