Welcome West Branch High School Alumni Association West Branch, Michigan

CLASS OF 1948

Reservations for Alumni Banquet 2021

Ruth Romancky Myers

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Gordon Ferguson

Gordon K. Ferguson, age 91, of West Branch, Michigan, passed away on June 14, 2020. He was born May 30, 1929 in Ogemaw County to the late Owen & Leita (Bunker) Ferguson. Gordon drove truck for Short Freight Lines for many years, he loved being behind the wheel it didnt matter the destination. In his early years he enjoyed hunting, later he enjoyed feeding and watching the deer. Gordon is survived by his wife Patricia, daughter; Karen Ferguson, Sons; Cary Ferguson, Chris (Julie) Ferguson, daughters; Kathy (Dan) Beltz, Kim Cozad (special friend Andy), Step-children; Chris (Paul) Taber, Fred Manor (special friend Kim), Mike Manor, numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, a sister-in-law; Carol Milstead of Kentucky, and brother-in-law; Larry Mann of Sterling. He was preceded in death by his brothers and two sisters-in-laws; Wendell Ferguson, Bryce & Dorothy Ferguson, and Max & Alice Ferguson.
In accordance to Gordons wishes cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held Saturday June 27, 2020 at 2 pm from the Churchill United Methodist Church with Pastor Brenda Klacking presiding. Arrangements entrusted to Lee-Ramsay Funeral Home- PINCONNING CHAPEL.

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Betty Jane Candy Robinson, age 89,class of 1948, passed away on Thursday, September 19, 2019 at The Horizon Senior Living in West Branch. She was born on January 26, 1930 in West Branch to Delbert and Estella (Towner) Candy. Betty lived in West Branch for her entire life. She graduated from West Branch High School in 1948 and attended County Normal in Standish in 1949 to receive her teaching certificate. Betty was a retired school teacher and taught at Pleasant Hill from 1949-1953, Miller Country School 1954-1955, Geroy Country School 1960-1961, Edwards Country School, 1961-1962, Rose City Elementary 1962-1967 and Surline Elementary 1967-1988. She attended Central Michigan University and received her bachelors in 1959 for teaching. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in West Branch, Eastern Star, Rebekahs and the Ogemaw Genealogical Society.

Betty is survived by her daughter Karen (George) Dickson of Boyne City; brother Bobby Dean Candy of Mexia, TX; step-grandchildren Marianne (Hugh Pasika) Dickson of Oregon and Elizabeth (Ben) Levine of South Carolina; step-great grandchildren Scarlett and Harrison; sister-in-law Linda Candy of South Dakota; and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband Leon, brothers Delbert Jr., Bill, and Allen, and sister- in-law Barbara Candy.

A Memorial Service will be held at the First United Methodist Church in West Branch on Friday, September 27, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. with visitation starting at 12:30 p.m. Pastor Tim Dibble will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Hospice Compassus, Horizon Senior Living in West Branch, or First United Methodist Church.
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Thelma Jane Whitchurch Tuck,class of 1948, born August 13, 1930, in Saginaw, Michigan to Thomas and Estella (Matteson) Whitchurch, passed away on Sunday, September 1, 2019.

Thelma married Lawrence David Tuck on May 31, 1952, in her parents home in Houghton Lake, Michigan, one year after having met at the roller-skating rink. Their love of roller-skating/roller-dancing touched the lives of many throughout the years. They taught numerous youth the art of roller-dancing on weekly trips back to Houghton Lake, followed by carloads of teens eager to learn.

Thelma's first job was at Michigan Bell as an operator,number please... Upon moving to Gaylord in 1958, Thelma and Larry owned and operated the Gaylord Producers Dairy and Dairy Bar and later went on to own and operate Lakeside Food Products. Thelma and Larry purchased their farm, Sturgeon Valley Ranch, in 1964 and raised 200+ registered Herefords and a few horses. Thelma also worked alongside Larry in their businesses, Gaylord Lawn Care and Maintenance and Gaylord Snow Plowing. In a venture uniquely her own, Thelma opened Material Things; a yarn and material shop in Gaylord, specializing in authentic Swiss materials for Alpenfest clothing. Thelma also managed and ran the ski clothing shops at Otsego Club and the Yodeler shop in Gaylord. Thelma is likely best known for her 10 years at Helens Hallmark. Thelma knew her customers and had a gift for knowing what her clientele wanted. She catered to their needs and established many long-term customers and friends throughout her years there. Thelma was a true female entrepreneur long before the phrase became popular.

Thelma's interests throughout her life included teaching downhill and cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, farming, belonging to a horse club (though she wasn't successful at riding them, she sure enjoyed the social aspect), traveling and was an avid bowler for many years. Thelma initiated the Gaylord Community Church Choir program which brought numerous church choirs together for a yearly concert. Thelma and Larry were fortunate to enjoy many years of camping and traveling with their children and Thelma also had the opportunity to travel abroad with family and friends after Larry's death.

Thelma was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 50 years, Larry Tuck; brother-in-law, Donald Tuck; sister-in-law, Mildred Frantz, and nephew, Timothy Tuck of Traverse City.

Thelma is survived by her sister, Maryanne (Whitchurch) Tuck of Houghton Lake; children, David (Linda) Tuck of Houghton Lake, Tom (Gale) Tuck of Elmira, and Linda (John) Gall of Gaylord, nephews Craig Tuck, Chris Tuck, Ken Frantz, nieces Kerrie and Julie (Frantz)...

Thelma was blessed with the love of 9 grandchildren, Amy (Mark) Dreffs, Jason Tuck, Dawn (Dustin) Williams, Logan Tuck, Dani, Kara, and Bryce Holland, Rachel (Todd) Ferrell, Lauren (Ryan) Kukulka; 8 great-grandchildren, Hayden Dreffs, Corey York. Alyssa and Paige Williams, Livia Pearson, Ella, and Owen Ferrell, and Brayden Kukulka.

A Memorial Service will take place on Tuesday, September 10, 2019, at the First United Methodist Church, 215 S. Center Ave, in Gaylord. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. with a memorial service being held at 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial donations be made to Hiland Cottage Hospice House, 1 Hiland Dr., Petoskey, MI 49770, or through the Nelson Funeral Home, PO Box 1548, Gaylord, MI 49734, in Thelma's memory.

The family is asking friends and family to write any memories they may have of Thelma and Larry and send them to Linda Gall at 2750 Wilkinson Rd Gaylord 49735. These stories will be compiled into a memory book for the family as a keepsake.
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Hallie Beatrice McCord, 88, left this life Tuesday, July 3, 2018.

Hallie was born March 30, 1930, to Grover McCord and Hallie Curry. Hallie was the sister of Marian, Edna, Wayne, Grover and Don. After high school graduation in 1948, Hallie left for the big city of Flint. She shared an apartment with her best friend Grace Voorhees, worked at the A.C. Spark Plug factory, became a dental hygienist and married Clinton LeRoy Cockerton. Her first child, Michael Lee, was born in 1952, and her second child, Leora Fae, was born in 1955.

Hallie was awarded a degree in education from the University of Michigan — Flint in fall 1968. Hallie began her remarkable education career with a teaching position at the Reid Road Elementary School, part of the Grand Blanc Unified School District, in 1969. Hallie would teach and contribute to education the rest of her life. Hallie contributed as a classroom teacher, principal and curriculum director in Alaska, Arizona, Palau, New Mexico and Michigan.

Hallie loved to travel and would bring family and friends with her on worldwide adventures. Some of her favorite trips were to China, Peru, Tonga, Cambodia, Spain, Ireland, Egypt, Tanzania and the Czech Republic. Hallie had several favorite charities she frequently supported including the Heifer Project, Habitat for Humanity, the Sierra Club and the World Wildlife Fund.

A memorial will be held Aug. 4, 2018, beginning at 2 p.m., located at the Norvel Owens Mortuary in Flagstaff, Ariz.
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Alfred Bruce Cosand, 88, passed away Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, at The Villa at Rose City.



He had lived in Lupton since 2011, formerly of Eastpointe/East Detroit. Alfred was born April 13, 1929, in Lupton to Albert and Hattie (Small) Cosand. He was a graduate of West Branch High School in 1948. Alfred served in the Navy from 1949-1953 on the USS Salem for four years during the Korean War. He worked for Consumers Energy for 42 years and eight months. He was a member of the Lupton Friends Church and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6782 in Eastpointe. Alfred enjoyed fishing, watching his birds at the birdfeeder and hunting. Deer season was the biggest event of the year. He took rides on the backroads to see wildlife and stop by the Rifle River Recreation Area. Alfred was a Detroit Tigers fan and loved reading. He would eat lunch at Sunrise Café and dinner at Ponderosa daily and he considered them part of his family.



Alfred is survived by his son, John (Donna) Cosand of Camden; cousins, Dan Korman of Lupton, Dave Korman of Lansing, Bob Small of California and Jean Small of California; nieces and nephews, Sally Lewis of Leesburg, Fla., Lyle Selman of Harrisville, Lesley Selman of Bradington, Fla., Nancy Selman of Weirsdale, Fla., Millie Selman of Winter Haven, Fla., Margaret LaCusta of Sarasota, Fla., Sharon Bell of Lupton, Janis Card of Shepard, Debbie Krysmalski of Cummings, Ga., and Donna Cosand of Cummings, Ga.



He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen “Jackie” Cosand; parents, Albert and Hattie Cosand; sisters, Lela Selman, Gertrude Kalmback and Eva Belle Cosand; and brothers, Lester, Everett, Arthur, Earl and Ralph.



Visitation at Steuernol & McLaren Funeral Home in Rose City will begin Monday, Dec. 18, 2017, from 4-9 p.m. The funeral service will be at the funeral home Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017, at 11 a.m. with visitation starting at 10 a.m. Pastor Mel Killinger will officiate. Burial will follow at Lane Heights Cemetery.



Memorial Contributions can be made to Lupton Friends Church. Online condolences can be shared at www.steuernolmclaren.com.

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Augustoff "Gus" T. Sanders
(November 23, 1930 - January 20, 2013)  

Augustoff T. “Gus” Sanders, age 83 of Alger, graduate of West Branch High School with the class of 1948.. passed away at his home on Sunday, January 20, 2013. Gus had lived in Alger for all of his life. He was a Veteran of the Korean Conflict, serving in the U.S. Marine Corp. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and being outdoors working in his garden.

Gus is survived by his wife Mary Sanders of Alger, daughters; Diane and Linda, several grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Also surviving is his special nephew Paul Walerych of Pontiac. He was preceded in death by his parents Edward and Olga Sanders, his brothers, George, Bob, Fred and Emil Sanders and his sisters, Millie Pettit, Matilda Meier, Hilda Miller, Dottie Reece, Evelyn Walerych, Helen Hanes and Lydia Martin.

Visitation at the Steuernol & McLaren Funeral Home in West Branch will begin on Tuesday, January 22, 2013 from 2-4 p.m. The funeral will be at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. Chaplin Randy Brokaw will officiate. Burial will take place at Edwards Township Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Hospice Advantage

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Russell Trout

June Ostrander Schafer

Thelma Whitchurch Tuck and Chuck Behrens

Nine years old ( Behren's store at Wildwood).)

Diane Demay Hofmann

"Bud" Neinaber...

Mavis attended this year's Alumni Banquet, May 24th..just two weeks before her passing.. Although it was difficult for her to get around and speaking was hard for her, she wanted to be with her classmates. Her son, Bill, attended with her...

Mavis VanSickle Rau, Class of 1948

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A memorial service is planned for Erma I. Crawford Kuykendall, 76, who passed away January 19, 2008, in Clarkston, Washington, following a brief illness.
The service will take place at noon Saturday, June 28, at the home of Don and Carla (Kuykendall) Fritz, 1156 W.Sage Lake Road, West Branch, 989-685-2650. A luncheon will be served.

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Russ and Joyce Morris Trout...

Thelma Whitchurch Tuck and Bob Small Class of 1948

October 2007 - Carson City, Nevada

Chuck Behrens and Thelma Whitchurch Tuck

Fall of 2007

Betty Candy, Erma Crawford, Mary Goulder

Senior Trip...Class of 1948