Richard Bolander Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Richard Lee Bolander, longtime resident of Sault Ste. Marie, and currently, Mackinac Island, died at the age of 86 on May 21, 2022, in Petoskey, Michigan. He was born in Elliston, Ohio, to Elmer and Marie (nee Stump) Bolander. Richard grew up in Elliston, Ohio. He attended Harris-Elmore High School. He graduated from Bowling Green State University with a degree in Education. He also obtained a master's degree from Eastern Michigan University. In 1959 Richard met Jacquelyn Battung, a fellow teacher in Euclid, Ohio. Ten months after they first met, they were married, settling in the Detroit, Michigan area. In the mid 1960's Richard became the Superintendent of School on Mackinac Island. They then moved to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan where Richard was a school administrator, principal and elementary school teacher until his retirement in 1991. Richard and his wife bought their retirement "Dream Cottage" on Mackinac Island, the special place he loved. He worked part-time for several years at the Mackinac Island Public Library, where he enjoyed talking with tourists and Islanders alike. Richard was a member of People to People and traveled to Japan several times throughout the years through the Michigan-Shiga Sister City cultural exchange program. Richard and his wife enjoyed traveling, especially on cruises. His favorite trip was with his wife when they traveled to Uganda, Kenya, and Liberia, Africa. Richard's interests included bowling, softball, square dancing, gardening, playing card games, and wii bowling and golf. He also enjoyed home projects-his favorite was painting. Richard is survived by his daughters, Amy and Paul Ellinger of Whitmore Lake, Michigan and Ellen and George Booker of Parsippany, New Jersey; grandchildren, Jackson and Parker Ellinger and Maxwell and Jasmine Booker; brother, James and Dodie Bolander; sisters-in-law, Jeanne Sierka of Arizona, Jill and Larry Myers of Arizona, and Janet and Jerry Borac of Ohio; brothers-in-law, Jay and Mary Battung of Ohio and Robert Myers of Ohio. Richard was preceded in death by his wife, Jacquelyn "Jackie" in March of 2022; his parents; sister-in-law, Judee Myers and brother-in-law, Dr. Ray Sierka. Funeral services will be held for Richard and his beloved wife, Jackie, on June 28, 2022, at St. Anne's Catholic Church on Mackinac Island, Michigan with the viewing at 10am and mass at 11am. Immediately following there will be a graveside service at St. Ann's Cemetery on Mackinac Island, Michigan. Memorial contributions may be directed in Richard's honor to the Mackinac Island Community Foundation, P.O. Box 1933, Mackinac Island, MI 49757 (https://www.micf.org/make-a-gift-now.htm) or the Mackinac Island Arts Council, P.O. Box 1834, Mackinac Island, MI 49757 (https://www.mackinacartscouncil.org/donate ). Galer Funeral Homes & Cremation, of Pickford, Michigan, is serving the family. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.galerfuneralhomes.com.

Richard Bolander

December 27, 1935 - May 21, 2022