Ann Setlock

Although she accomplished many things of which to be so proud, Ann Setlock was a humble woman whose greatest joy was found in the relationships she shared with others. She was a talented bowler whose love for the game was apparent in her continued success. Ann was driven and hardworking throughout her life - an inspiration to all who knew her. The memories she leaves behind will be forever treasured.

The decade of the 1920s is one of the most vibrant times in our nation’s history. Poised for greatness after the success of WWI in 1919, America was off to a new start. We celebrated the dedication of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. in 1927, which is the same year that home brewing became illegal under new prohibition laws. Broadway was at an all time peak, jazz music was all the rage, and the Charleston was the latest dance craze. This same year was greeted with great anticipation for a young couple, Jacob and Mary Setlock from McIntyre, Pennsylvania, as they were eagerly awaiting the birth of their new baby. Their wait was over on March 15th when the healthy baby girl they named Ann drew her first breath. Ann was one of eight children born to her parents, and she was raised in the family home in McIntyre, located in the central region of the state, during her earliest years where she attended local schools through the eighth grade. When she was 16 years old Ann moved to Detroit, Michigan, where she stayed with her sister, Antonette.

Settling into a new life in a new city and state came easy to Ann. She worked at Bohn Aluminum and Brass not long after moving to Detroit. A talented bowler right from the start, Ann started on the professional bowling circuit when she was just 18 or 19 years old. She put in long hours of practice at the bowling alley, but they were certainly not in vain. Throughout her professional career she won over 40 championships either as an individual, as a double, or in a team competition. Ann bowled a sanctioned 300 game and a dozen 700 - series including a high score of 776, which was a Michigan record at the time. At one time she was ranked as high as 7th at the World Invitational Tournament in 1958, and she was 10th at the same tournament in 1962. Ann was a member of two championship WIBC teams in both 1958 and 1959, which were the same years that she was Michigan match game champion. She was a member of the Michigan team champions in 1956, 1960 and 1963, and also Michigan all-events champion in 1967 and 1968. As a longtime resident of the Detroit area, Ann won numerous Detroit city titles through the years. Much of her traveling across the country as a professional bowler was done with her lifelong friend, Helen Baker, who was more like a sister to her than a friend.

In recognition of her accomplishments in bowling, Ann was inducted into five separate halls of fame including the Detroit Hall of Fame in 1970, Michigan State Women's Association Hall in 1978, Michigan Amateur Sports Hall of Fame in 1983, Polish American Sports Hall of Fame on June 9, 1983, and the Indiana, Pennsylvania Hall of Fame. After retiring at the age of 65 Ann instructed several bowlers at Garden Lanes in Garden City, Michigan.

Even though she never married or had children of her own, Ann’s family was her priceless treasure. She was close to her siblings including her brothers, Andrew, Todd, and Jack, and her sisters, Stella, Beatrice, Antonette, and Katherine. Many weekends were spent at the cottage on Perry Lake with her family and friends. Ann never missed any of the events that her nieces and nephews were a part of.

With a life that spanned times of war and times of peace, times of plenty and times of want, Ann Setlock created a brilliant mosaic of memories with her friends and family. She was a gracious woman who wholeheartedly applied herself to everything she did. A dear woman to many, Ann will be deeply missed and warmly remembered.

Ann Setlock died on February 18, 2013. Ann’s family includes her sister, Katherine Stercho; brother, Jack “Vern” Setlock; and several nieces and nephews. Ann was preceded in death by her sisters, Stella Mazzola, Beatrice Maleske, and Antonette Rokicsak; and her brothers, Andrew and Todd Setlock. Visit with Ann’s family and friends on Wednesday from 6-9 and Thursday 2-9 at Neely-Turowski Life Story Funeral Home, 45100 Warren Rd, Canton. A rosary service will take place Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday at 10:30 a.m. at St John Neumann Catholic Church, 44800 Warren Rd, Canton. In State from 10 a.m. until mass begins. Interment St Hedwig Cemetery. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a favorite memory or photo or sign the online guestbook.