Arthur D. Underwood

Arthur D. Underwood, 79 of St.Ignace passed away Wednesday afternoon, November 24 at Mackinac Straits Health Center after struggling with health problems for over 3 years. He was born February 2,1931 in Morenci. Michigan.His parents were .Paul. Underwood, and Cora Palmer Underwood. After high school he enlisted into the United States Air Force and served from 1948 to 1952, and served overseas 2 years 7 months, and had a rank of Staff Sgt.He was discharged June 28,1952. He then entered Michigan State University and received a degree in Journalism and Far Eastern Studies. He first job was with a newspaper in Manistique called the Manistique News. He then served the Wire Service in Chicago for 7 years, and transfered to Detroit with the UPI. He was a writer for John Swainson who ran for Gov of Michigan, and covered the Constitutional Convention for UPI.He also served in Washington, Detroit, and Lansing for UPI, and was a staff writer for the Lansing State Journal from 1965 to 1985.He worked for a program also called " Save Our Roads" under John Swainson. He then retired and moved to St.Ignace, and worked for the St.Ignace News several years.He married Barbara Powers on January 26,1974 in Lansing and she died March 30,1991. He was a life member of the VFW, Past President and longtime member of St.Ignace Lions Club,and St.Ignace Yacht Club. and Greater Lansing Old Newsboys . He was Chairman of the City of St.Ignace Planning Commission, and was instrumental for the present City Master Plan. He was honored by Mayor Paul Grondin on May 17,2010 with a Proclamation for his years on the planning commission and assisting the City Assessor for 15 years.He was also influential in securimg 911 for Mackinac County. He had an astute knowledge of journalism and the ins and outs of government, both local and State of Michigan. He hunted and fished, and was known for fishing every state in the union, especially Brook Trout. He also hunted small birds. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him, and was a great conversationalist on a great many topics. On September 7,2007 he married Paula Jane McNamara and she survives. Also a son, Stephen Underwood, Lansing; a daughter & husband, Susan and David Goff, Gillette,, Wyoming; Step son, John & Julie McNamara, LosAngeles, CA; step daughter, Molly McNamara, Stevensville, MI; grandchildren, Rachel, Casey, David, Jonathon, Malcolm, Catherine and Annie and a great granddaughter, Khloe., He has 2 nieces, Mary Beth Mauer and Anne Powers. Visitation will be Monday, November 29 from 5 to 8 pm at Dodson Funeral Home. Parish prayers will be at 7:30 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, November 30 at 11 am at St.Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church where he was a member, wilh Fr. Pawel Mecwel officiating. Burial will be later in St.Ignatius Cemetery. Memorials may be diredted to the Animal Shelter or Mackinac Straits Health Center with envelopes available from Dodson Funeral ome who assisted the family with arrangements. Online condolances may be left at dodsonfh.com.

Tributes

Arthur D. Underwood

November 24, 2010