Benedict Stanley Fleis

Benedict Stanley Fleis, age 96 of Traverse City, died Friday, December 21st at Bortz Health Care of Traverse City. Benedict was born March 21, 1916 to Paul and Katherine (Cygn) Fleis in Traverse City, MI. Benedict joined the Army during WWII. He was with the 101st Airborne Division “The Screaming Eagles”, and participated in the Seige of Bastogne and the Normandy Invasion.

He was a self-employed watch and clock repair technician, a farmer in Kingsley, and an attendant at the State Hospital. On May 1, 1971 he married Bertha A. (Wells) Orlaskiin Traverse City at the First Church of the Nazarene. He was a lifetime member of the VFW Post #2780 of Traverse City, a member of the Civilian Conservation Corp in Munising, MI., in his youth, and enjoyed old cars, guns, and antiques.

He is survived by his wife of 41 years Bertha “Bea”, and son Stanley (Marcie) Fleis of Kingsley. Children from a previous marriage include: Monique (Kneal) Brownson of Traverse City, Larry (Marilyn) Fleis of Grawn, and Mark (Jane) Fleis of Buckley, and son in law Joe Morgan of Kinglsey. Also surviving are sisters Dorothy Zimmerman of Cedar, Virginia Brazes of Colorado, brother Frank Flees of Cedar, 13 grandchildren, many great grandchildren, 1 great-great grandson, son in law Joe Morgan, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Jacquelin Morgan, great grandson Nicolas Couture, brother in law Bill Brazes, sister in law Ruth Flees, niece Gloria Brazes, and brother in law Frank Zimmerman.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 28th at 1:00 p.m. at the Covell Funeral Home, 232 East State Street, Traverse City, with Military Honors presented. Visitation at the funeral home will be held on Thursday, Dec. 27th from 5-8 p.m. and on Friday beginning at Noon. Interment in the spring will be at Solon Twp. Cemetery. Memorial contributions appreciated to the Alzheimers Association for research through the Covell Funeral Home.