August 13, 2015: Ted Ayers Barn

Here’s a photo of the Ayers Barn on the corner of Center and Swaney Roads, near the Lighthouse. I’ve always loved the vines covering this barn. It’s owned by our friend Dennis Bee now, but I still think of it as Ted Ayers’ barn (Dennis is Ted’s grandson).

If you were around in the 1960s and took cherries to Gleason & Co., you know who Ted Ayers is. He passed away in 1980, and his wife, Gladys, passed away in 2001 at the age of 93. In fact, I looked up her obit in the Record-Eagle:

Gladys A. Ayers; April 27, 2001

OLD MISSION PENINSULA – Gladys A. Ayers, 93, a longtime resident of the Old Mission Peninsula, died on Friday. Gladys was born on Oct. 11, 1907, in Divernon, Ill., daughter of Thomas W. and Leah (Wakefield) Bee. In 1941 she married Theodore J. Ayers, who preceded her in death.

Gladys was an honorary member of the Catholic Daughters of America, a longtime member of the Old Mission Women’s Club and a member of the St. Joseph’s Altar Society. Gladys is survived by her adoptive son, Thomas (Barbara) Bee of Old Mission; five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; one sister, Leah (Thomas) Bateman of West Palm Beach, Fla.; a very special niece, who is like a daughter to her, Maxine Hamrick of Traverse City; and many other nieces and nephews, who she loved dearly.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Theodore Ayers, who died in 1980; one brother, Thomas H. Bee; two sisters, Mary (Raymond) Weiler and Garnet Bee.

Visitation will be held on Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m. with a Rosary service at 7 p.m. at the Traverse City Chapel of Covell Funeral Homes. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday at 11 a.m. at the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Mapleton. The Rev. Patrick Barrett will officiate. Interment will be in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery in Mapleton.

Memorials may be directed to the Peninsula Volunteer Fire Department or Mass Intentions. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Traverse City Chapel of Covell Funeral Homes.