Before joining the board of the Benzie County Community Chest I thought I had some idea of the hardships faced by less fortunate families in Benzie County. Then I got involved in the work of the Community Chest and realized the overwhelming number of individuals that fall between gaps in services and the alarming number whose needs go unmet.
I am very proud to be a part of the work of the Benzie Community Chest. Our responsibility to address poverty and to support programs that improve quality of life contributes to a healthier environment for all of Benzie County.”
- John Rutherford, former board chairman
Jean Luedtke (co-president) is someone who always has a warm and friendly smile. Born in Flint, Michigan, Jean became a permanent part of the Benzie community in 1994. She graduated from Cheboygan Area High School and attended Northwestern Michigan College where she pursued an education in accounting. She has been a board member of Benzie County Community Chest since 1999.
Jean stays involved in numerous community activities . Some of her former roles include: treasurer of the Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, a member of the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers, former treasurer of “Support Our Students” Campaign, participation in the Christmas "Adopt-A-Family," member of the Band Boosters for the Frankfort - Elberta Area Schools, and youth group leader at Trinity Lutheran Church. Jean currently is treasurer of the Benzie County Ski Boosters for the Benzie Central and Frankfort-Elberta co-op ski team.
In her leisure Jean enjoys bicycling, hiking, sailing, and x-country skiing. Her claim to fame was a bike trip of 100 miles that toured Belle Isle in 1981. She also rode a 75-mile tour of Leelanau County in 1982.
Steve Kelly (co-president) grew up in the Flint area and graduated from Mott College with an associates degree in business. During this time, he also owned and operated a painting and sandblasting business, graduated from the Cooking and Hospitality Institute of Chicago with a degree in professional cooking and earned his real estate license.
After getting married to his wife Pam in 1992, they moved to Virginia and purchased a Subway Sandwich franchise. In 1999 they sold the original franchise and a second that they had built and moved to Frankfort with their son Jarred in order to be closer to their families and to search for a site to build an assisted living facility.
Upon arriving in Frankfort, Steve earned his builders license and in 2000 he and Pam built Frankfort Pines Assisted Living Apartments on Airport Rd in Frankfort.
Steve enjoys snowmobiling, golfing, boating and all of the outdoor activities that Michigan has to offer. He and Pam also have two dogs, Rudy and Elvis.
David Miles Boekeloo (vice president) is a life-long resident of Benzie County who shows a proven track record for giving back to his community.
The owner and operator of Boekeloo Financial Services in downtown Beulah, David brings to the Benzie County Community Chest over 12 year of experience in finance, including news and updates on the latest planned giving options. He is eager and enthusiastic about seeking innovative ways to build support for the organization.
David is married to Gretchen Johnson, owner and operator of the Roadhouse Mexican Restaurant in Benzonia. In his spare time he enjoys traveling to warmer climates, boating, biking, hiking and kayaking.
Nancy Coalter (treasurer) has been involved with the Benzie County Community Chest since January 2007 and is the treasurer of the board. She is the vice president and branch officer of the Honor State Bank and manager of the Benzie branch. Nancy has over 30 years of banking experience and is a recent graduate of the Robert Perry School of Banking.
Nancy is very active and interested in community service. She is a member of the Bear Lake Promoters and former treasurer of the organization. She has been an ambassador of the Manistee County Chamber of Commerce since 1992 and is a member of the “Old Heifer’s Club” as a volunteer of the Manistee County Fair.
Sheila Fitzgerald (secretary)has been involved in the work of the Benzie County Community Chest since 2001. She is currently employed as assistance vice president for the Central Bank and has had a career in banking since 1973.
Shiela’s involvement in community service includes volunteering for several non-profit agencies, among them, the Manistee Chamber of Commerce where she served as an ambassador for nearly 10 years for programs that helped to provide service support for residents in the Manistee community where she was born. Shiela also assisted in United Way Campaigns by helping collect donations. Her compassion for others continues to shine as she gathers with others over the holiday seasons to serve warm dinners to the homeless, the hungry and isolated.
In her leisure Shiela enjoys reading, gardening, continued education, and fitness activities.
Abby Jennex is a “new” member of the Benzie county community. Living in the area on and off for the past 10 years, she moved here permanently in 2004. In November of that year she signed on as an AmeriCorps Volunteer and has been serving in that capacity with the Benzie County MSU Extension ever since. Her work focuses mainly on serving the at-risk youth population through after school and mentoring programs.
Working from an assets-based philosophy, Abby believes that youth reach their ultimate potential by being involved in activities and outlets that tap into their passions. She has been thrilled with the amount of community involvement and collaboration she has experienced while working in Benzie County.
When not working, Abby enjoys singing (on stage or in the car with her kids), reading, writing and cooking. She also loves road trips and finding the best diners in which she can drink too much coffee and experience a great country omelette.
Gaylord Jowett (board member) Gaylord Jowett and wife Stephany came to Benzie County several years ago. A native of the Tri-Cities area, Gaylord's family owns and operates a funeral home and creamation center in the Flint area. An avid sportsman, Gaylord was looking for a business opportunity in Northern Michigan and has become co-owner of the McElduff-Jowett Funeral Homes in Frankfort and Benzonia. Gaylord and Stephany have become involved with a number of community organizations including the Benzie Sunrise Rotary and the Benzie County Chamber of Commerce and Frankfort-Elberta Chamber of Commerce.
Mary Weishaar (honorary board member) has been involved in the work of the Benzie County Community Chest since 1990. She is a certified CPA and owner and operator of The Tax Office in downtown Beulah, a tax service business that in 1999 was honored by the Better Business Bureau as being one of nine best companies providing community service among small companies in the northern Michigan region. She brings to the organization enthusiasm and vision for a better Benzie community.
A native of Benzie County, Mary graduated from Benzie Central High School and went on to attended both Northwestern Michigan College and Ferris State University where graduated with CPA honors.
In her spare time Mary devotes a great deal of service to her community. She is the board president of the Frankfort Rotary, has been a "Friend of 4-H," for Manistee and Benzie Counties, of which 10 years she was involved in Manistee 4-H livestock as a buyer. She has received numerous service awards and stays involved in programs that provide mentoring, training and job placement for students fresh out of college.
Mary is the proud mother of two grown children and a grandmother to two grandchildren. In her spare time Mary enjoys enjoying fishing, and spending time with family.
Heather Yanchus (board member) Bio and Photo to Come.
Jim Krebs (board member) Bio and Photo to Come.
Dave Yarnell (executive director) Dave holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Toledo in journalism, public relations, and higher education administration. He moved to Northern Michigan 20-some years ago to serve as public relations director for West Shore Community College, and after serving WSCC for 17 years he was director of the Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce for five years. He and his wife Mary live in Manistee where works at West Shore Medical Center and besides serving as BCCC Executive Director Dave substitute teaches and works part-time at the Manistee News Advocate.
