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Chester Surline, Supt.
Hollis Miner, Principal
Shirley J.Maxam, Class President
Elyse Heinecke, Sponsor
Alan Murray, Sponsor
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Marlene Abbott Caverly
Richard Bachelder
Josephine Bailey Neubecker
Lois Baldwin Brindley
Vernon Beckwith
Frances Biltoft Davis
Shirley Bradley Bennett
Mary Jane Brewer Nagy
Ann Burkett Sass
Elton Clayton
Sally Cooper
Florine Copeland Antcliff
Richard Couture
Margie Dack Horner
Vivian Dent Gage
Russell Dotson
Caroline Egon Oyster
John Gustafson
Fred Hamann
Delaphine Harris Fuller
Helen Hasty Jennings
Ronald Hughey
Joe Kelly
Irene LaRoque Chabot
Don Martin
Shirley Maxam Behrens
Delores McCall Hamm
Barbara McCallum Murphy
Thomas Melrose
Phyllis Morrison Bach
Irene Myas Bosworth
Thomas Palm
George Partlo
Leo Payne Jr.
Betty Perkins Blaisus
Paul Poling
Tom Poling
Alan Richardson
Dennis Richardson
Norman Ritter
Carolyne Rosenthal Farrand
Georgianna Scott Mackey
Marilyn Smith Zick
Dale Spencer
Ronald Sutton
Elizabeth Toutant Guy
Ray Valley
Jack Weir
Don Winslow
Geraldine Withey Gwyn
William Daws
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Helen Hasty Jennings, lifelong resident of West Branch, 89, devoted wife, loving mother, doting Yaya and great Grandmother,
passed away peacefully in her sleep on May 6, 2021, at the Brook in West Branch with her family close by. Helen will be most
remembered for her inspirational and remarkably selfless, unwavering and compassionate, lifelong commitment to her family
and friends
Helen was born on January 22, 1932 at Tolfree Memorial Hospital in West Branch as the first child of Dr. Earl and Mildred
Hasty of Whittemore. The Hasty family moved to West Branch when Helen was in elementary school in order that Dr. Hasty could
practice medicine closer to the Tolfree Hospital. Helen spent the remainder of her life in West Branch. She and her siblings,
Marge and Jim, spent Summers at Sand Lake in Tawas and eventually as a camper and camp counselor at Camp Maqua in Iosco County.
She graduated from West Branch High School in 1950 and enrolled at Michigan State College where she was a member of the Alpha
Chi Omega sorority. She graduated from MSC in 1954 with a degree in education.
She married William P. Jennings, Sr. on October 15, 1954 in West Branch, where Bill was practicing law. For the next 50
years Bill and Helen were fixtures in the West Branch community and they remained happily married for over five decades.
Helen was at her happiest and proudest raising four boys in West Branch and living at their 234 North 3rd Street. Over
the next 20 years, Helens was in her glory with boys and their neighborhood friends, teammates, classmates and families. Mom
loved to have the house and yard filled with kids and cherished the wiffle ball games, a swimming pool full of kids, the years
at the West Branch Little League field, skiing at Boyne Mountain, and later Ogemaw Heights basketball games and MSU football
tailgate parties. She was always there to prepare snacks, bandage skinned knees and bruises, and celebrate wins and to console
kids in losses. She was never happier than having a house full of boys watching the Lions or the Tigers in her den. She never
missed a game that her sons played and never complained about washing uniforms, sleepovers, cooking late night dinners and
wiping away tears.
Helen loved every part of being a Mom. She considered all the kids in the neighborhood to be part of her family. She welcomed
each and every one as if they were her own. More than anything, she loved being with Bill and her family and friends celebrating
the events of the day and having laugh and a hug.
Helen soon welcomed in to her family four wonderful daughters in law and celebrated over 100 years of marriage with her
boys. She adored each of the grandchildren.
Her sons’ activities soon gave way to her becoming the world's greatest Yaya to her nine grandchildren. Her
parenting skills were reborn again and she showered her grandchildren with the same affection as her boys. Yaya traveled the
country and abroad to spend time with her grandchildren and was she loved the chance to hold another baby and watch a basketball
game in the backyard again. In 2020 Yaya became great grandmother for the first time to a baby girl.
Both as Mom and Yaya, Helen devoted her life to her husband and her family and friends, especially making sure kids of
all ages felt cared for, cared about and loved.
Helen was predeceased by her husband, William P. Jennings, Sr. and son William P. Jennings Jr, parents, Earl and Mildred
Hasty, siblings Marge Hasty Fletcher and Jim Hasty.
She is survived by Jim (Jenny) Jennings, Pete (Martha) Jennings, Chris (Kathy) Jennings, Sue Jennings, Grandchildren Pete,
Sarah, Alex, Gretchen (David) Bruner, Spencer, Gus, Beau (Paige), Annelise and Marielle Jennings. And one great grandchild,
Sierra Bruner.
On Tuesday, May 7, 2019, Geraldine Ann Withey Gwyn (Gerry) went to be with the Lord at the age of 86. Gerry was born on June
19, 1932 to Charles and Florence Withey in Churchill Township, Michigan. She worked as a dental hygienist and an office manager
for Maas Brothers. On September, 1, 1951, she married V. T. Gwyn and raised four sons, David, Rick, Ron, and Ralph.
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Gerry loved hiking, square dancing, Bingo, and traveling. She was known for her red hair, her smile and her love for her
children and grandchildren. She loved life and the Lord and never met a stranger. She lived life to the fullest and was always
on the go.
Gerry was preceded in death by her father and mother, her husbands V.T. and John Martin. She is survived by her husband
Neal Dawson, her sons David, Rick, Ron and Ralph, her grandchildren, Melissa, Joshua, Rachel, Mike and Avi, her brother Duane
Withey and her sister Berdella Mandler.
A memorial service will be held on June 22 at 11:00 AM in the chapel at Ocala West United Methodist: 9330 SW 105th St.,
Ocala Florida 34481. There will be a reception after the service for family and friends. In lieu of flowers please make donations
to Blue Skies Ministries. https://www.blueskiesministries.org/
Florine Luella Maud Copeland Antcliff
Gladwin, MI
Florine, age 87, passed away May 24, 2020. She was born July 16, 1932 in Cass City Michigan to the late Howard and Margaret
(Newel) Copeland. She retired from the West Branch Rose City School District after 29 years of service as a bus driver. Florine
had a big love of music and played in a family and friends band all of her life, playing music at the county fairs and night
clubs around the area. One of her biggest requests was the auctioneer song; also played the accordion and always sang at all
family events.
She had a big love of Bingo and her bingo family. In recent years, loved to go to the casino with her partner Bruce.
She was also a painter and home decorator throughout the years. Always enjoyed traveling all over the U.S. with Don and Lois
Brindley on their motorcycles and loved flying with her husband in their private plane. A very fun-loving woman, Florine loved
life and always had a smile on her face. She loved her children and grandchildren very much and always had a funny story to
share. Entertaining her family and friends with her music, many also enjoyed her joking personality. Surrounded by her family,
Florine went home to her final resting place and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. A celebration of life
will be held at a later date.
Florine is survived by her daughter, Deborah Rosebrugh; sons, Mont (Jeannie) Antcliff and Todd Antcliff; grandchildren,
Eric (Lynn) Brindley, Pam Brindley, Jessica (Kevin) Zettle, Tony (Becky) Rosebrugh, Todd (Stacy) Rosebrugh, Wendy Tuttle;
great grandchildren, Janelle, Kelby, Hayden, Britney, Mariah, Allison, Juliann, Camila, Breann, Landen, Lillyann; great-grandchildren,
Miley and Kaison; many step-grandchildren; sister, Betty Anderson; sister-in-law, Susan Copeland, brother-in-law, Andy Anderson;
and her special companion of 13 years, Bruce Bentley. She was predeceased by her husband of 42 years, Calvin Antcliff; daughter,
Monette; grandson, Troy Brindley; brother, Duane Copeland; sister, Charlotte Anderson; son in-law, Tom Rosebrugh; grandson-in-law,
William Tuttle; mother-in-law, Hattie Antcliff; sister-in-law, Joy Antcliff; brothers-in-law, Arbor Antcliff and Roa Antcliff;
special cousin, Marquieta Sheppard; many special nieces and nephews.
To sign online guestbook, visit www.cremationsocietymidmi.com Arrangements made with Cremation Society of Mid Michigan
*****************************************************
Ronald Hughey, 87, of Port Charlotte, Fla., former longtime resident of West Branch, passed away June 12, 2019.
Ronald was born Aug. 30, 1931, to John and Fay Hughey. He attended West Branch High School and lived in the area from
1966-1989.
He will be missed by his wife, Helen Irene Hughey; brothers, Tom, Gary, Doug, Roger and Ken; children, Cecilia, Linton,
Morris, Steve, Wayne and Amanda; several grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.
He was predeceased by one brother, Richard; and a daughter, Debbie.
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Vivian Gage, 84, of Prescott
passed away at her home surrounded by her family on Sunday, April 3, 2016. Vivian
enjoyed playing cards and dice with family and friends. She
is survived by her daughter, Cindy (Ted) Middleton; son-in-law, Larry McElroy; daughters-in-law, Joan Gage and Linda Gage;
siblings, Claudia (Ken) Summons, Joann (Jack) Sharrow, Marjorie (Tom) Ball and Kurt (Connie) Dent; grandchildren, Edward,
Tammy, Jim, Amber, Stacy, Joshua, Venessa, Justin, Devin, Brittany, Daniel III, Julieann and Lincoln; and many great-grandchildren,
nieces and nephews. She
was preceded in death by her husband, Daniel; children, Kitty, Gary and Daniel II; her parents, Bob and Thelma Dent; and
brother, Terry Dent. *********
Jeannine Marie Nienaber Jeannine Marie Resteiner, 83, passed away June 9, 2016, with her
family by her side at the La Siena Senior Living Community in Phoenix, Ariz. Jeannine was born June 15, 1932,
in Rose City to William and Emma (Benjamin) Nienaber. She enjoyed a large extended family of grandparents, aunts, uncles and
cousins while growing up in West Branch. After graduating from West Branch High School with the class of 1950 she worked
for the Bell Telephone Company in Detroit. On a visit home to West Branch she met her future husband Walter
Resteiner, who was home on leave from the Korean War. They were married Dec. 27, 1952. This would be the beginning of a great
adventure for both of them, living and loving life together. In 1964 they left West Branch and moved to Colorado,
where they owned and operated several businesses throughout the state. Jeannine was very involved in running the family businesses
that included the Dunes Motel, the Lamplighter Motel and the Dairy Queen in Alamosa, the El Mar Motel in Lamar and the Skipper’s
Carwash in Monte Vista. Jeannine’s love of Jesus her Savior, love for others and her passion for life
was a great example of a life well lived. She enjoyed sailing, skiing, golf, reading and spending time with children and grandchildren.
She volunteered at church, Assistance League and animal shelters. Jeannine was preceded in death by her parents;
her brother, Ed “Bud” Nienaber; and her husband, Walter. Jeannine is survived by son, Craig (Bonnie)
Resteiner; daughters, Melissa (Tom) Taylor, Ann Resteiner and Jeannine (Paul) Citoli; grandchildren, Jayme (John Rose) Catalano,
Mandy (Jon) Edeen, Sarah Schwartz, Nicolas Resteiner and Emily Resteiner. A memorial celebration was held
at La Siena on June 26, and a private family graveside service was held in Cottonwood, Ariz., on June 27, 2016.
Stan Firkser (now Norman) Died June 16, 2014 ************
Stan Norman, formerly Stanley Roy Firkser,
82, of Auburn, formerly of Essexville, passed away on Monday, June 16, 2014. He was born
in Bay City on March 23, 1932, to Dorothea (Kaplan) and Norman Firkser. He resided in Prescott until the family moved to West
Branch where Stan attended high school. He was an avid tennis player and was a Michigan high school state semi-finalist. He
also played basketball and football. He had a life-long passion for tennis and University of Michigan football. In his senior
year, when his father became ill, Stan left school to take care of his father and to run the family business, at that time,
known as S.N. Weinberg & Co. Stan renamed the store ‘Norman’s’ after his father. He became a successful
businessman and built the company into a thriving enterprise with multiple stores throughout the mid-Michigan area. Stan was
a loving uncle and cousin. Stan was predeceased by his sister, Larraine Weissman. He
is survived by his nephew, Michael Weissman; his niece, Michele Weissman; his grand nephew, Tyler Weissman; his cousins, Bette
Entin and Irwin Robinson. ****************
Mary Jane Brewer Nagy
April 8, 2014
***
Mary Jane Nagy, age 81, passed away with her loving family by her side on Tuesday, April 8, 2014 at St. Mary’s
of Michigan Standish Hospital. Mary Jane lived in Sterling, MI for most of her life. She was born to Bryan and Theresa (Winter)
Brewer on February 22, 1933 in West Branch, MI. Mary Jane married Art Nagy on December 27, 1952 at St. Joseph Catholic Church
in West Branch. She was a school teacher where she primarily taught for over 30 plus years at Standish-Sterling Schools. Mary
Jane was a member of the MEA Retired and St. Stephens Catholic Church. She enjoyed square dancing, casino trips, and spending
time with family, especially her grandchildren. Mary Jane helped her husband, Art, on the farm and she also enjoyed gardening,
traveling, playing cards, and was known for her great sense of humor.
Mary Jane is survived by her loving children: Connie (Bill) McBride of Standish, Bryan (Pamela) Nagy of Sterling,
Peter (Kelly) Nagy of Sterling, Amy (Andrew) Thorner of Wayne; grandchildren: Benjamin, Jonathan, Katie, Nolan, Aaron, Jacob,
Danitra, Cliff, Christi, Kayleigh, Andrew; 19 great grandchildren; and sister-in-laws: Doris Brewer of Tawas, and Marion Brewer
of West Branch. She is preceded in death by her husband, Artur, in 2013, brothers: Edsel and Ben Brewer; and parents: Bryan
and Theresa Brewer.
***
Ray Clare Valley, 80, of Haslett, was born June 29, 1932, in West Branch, the son of Clare F. and Catherine M. (Craft)
Valley, and passed away very early March 11, 2013.
Ray attended the West Branch Public Schools and graduated in 1950. He was in the U.S. Army from early 1952 to late 1953,
and served with the Army Intelligence Corps in Japan. He was assigned to Korea in November 1952, where he spent many months
on the front lines, including one of the big battles for Port Chop Hill. He was honorably discharged in the fall of 1953.
After returning from the service, Ray married Emma Jean Ouderkirk in 1954, and that fall they settled into married housing
at Michigan State University, where he pursued his higher education. On April 9, 1956, he enlisted in the Michigan State Police
(MSP), and after his graduation from training was assigned to the Clinton Post. His tour of duty with the MSP included promotions
and transfers to posts in Centerline; East Lansing (Organized Crime Unit); Alpena; and the Community Relations/Juvenile Section,
Headquarters; and then closing his MSP career on April 9, 1978, as a lieutenant and assistant commander of the Training Division.
Over the years he completed his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at MSU.
Ray began a second law enforcement career in 1978 as a special investigator in Attorney General Frank Kelly’s Medicaid
fraud unit, and retired from that position early in 1995.
Through the years, he was actively involved in the Community of Christ, Rose Lake Congregation. He was an ordained minister
(Seventy, which is a missionary) and served as pastor and co-pastor of the congregation. He always placed a great emphasis
on the care and protection — physically or spiritually — of the people he was called to serve.
Ray was a loving father to Dr. Martin R. Valley and his wife Dawn; and grandfather to granddaughters Morgan, Lane, and
Jordan.
He is survived by his wife, Emma; son, Martin (Dawn); and granddaughters; and his brother, Dick; brother-in-law, John (Patricia)
Ouderkirk; aunts, Nellie Globke and Frances Valley; as well as nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of friends (some of his
fellow officers and friends were “almost brothers and sisters” in the joys and friendships they shared).
***
UNKNOWN ADDRESSES
Sally Cooper
Marlene Barton Abbott
Shirley Bradley Bennett
DECEASED CLASSMATES
Vivian Dent Gage (April 3, 2016)
Ray Valley
(March 11, 2013)
John Gustafson
Don Winslow
(June 22, 2009)
Caroline H. Egon Oyster
(January 11, 2008)
Dick Bachelder
Vernon Beckwith
Frances Biltoft Davis
(February 2002)
Ann Burkett Sass
(2001)
Richard Couture
(2000)
William Daws
(March 2005)
Frederick Hamman
Delaphine Harris Fuller
Barbara McCallum Murphy
(1996)
George Partlo
Marilyn Smith Zick
(1991)
Dale Spencer
Ronald Sutton
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Don S. Winslow, age 78,
Class of 1950.. of West Branch, passed away Monday, June 22, 2009 at his home after an extended illness. Don had lived
in West Branch for all of his life. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, the Odd Fellows Lodge #377, the
Rebekah Lodge #137 and the Independent Order of Foresters. Don delivered home heating oil, installed and maintained furnaces
in the West Branch area for 30 years.
Don is survived by his wife Margaret of West Branch, children, Brett (Janet) Winslow of West Branch and Brenda (Jeff) Chadwick
of Tawas and grandchildren, Andy, Aaron and Michael. Also surviving are his sisters, Phyllis Seloom of Sanford, Janet Sayranian
of Royal Oak, Marjorie (Curtis) Meuller of Alaska and his brothers, Larry (Victoria) Winslow of Au Gres, Duane (Dorothy) Winslow
of Sanford and Roger (Janey) Winslow of Midland. He was preceded in death by his sister, Dorothy Meiser and brother, Keith
Winslow.
Memorial Contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church, West Branch.
Ben Tom Poling, age 80, of West Branch, class of 1950, passed away Thursday, January 19, 2012 with his
family at his side. Tom had lived in West Branch most of his life and graduated from West Branch High School. He attended
Michigan Tech in Marquette and served in the U.S. Army, stationed in Washington, DC during the Korean Conflict as a military
policeman. He was a member and past Master of the Masonic Lodge and past patron of the Order of Eastern Star; as well as,
a member of the Trinity Episcopal Church in West Branch. He was a former insurance agent and retired from the U.S. Postal
Service after 30 years. Tom enjoyed bowling, playing cards, golfing and was a practical joker.
Tom is survived by his wife Carolee Poling, (class of 1954) of West Branch, children Steven (Ok Pun) Poling of Standish,
Todd (Edna) Poling of Marietta GA and Tanya (Mark) Twigg of Windsor, Ontario, 8 grandchildren, Ryan, Jeremy, Travis, Martina,
Claudio, Emily, Allison and Ashley. Also surviving is his sister, Mary Ida Poling Jackson (Class of 1948),, sisters in
law, Marlene Bamfield,class of 1951) Jean Lucas and Joan Poling all of West Branch and Elaine Lucas of Alger, brother
in law, David (Nona) Lucas , (class of 1959)of West Branch and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his
son Gregory Troy Poling, his parents Stacey and Lena Poling and brothers, Stacey Poling and Paul Poling.
In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions may be made to Trinity Episcopal Church
****************************************************************************
Paul A. Poling
Paul A. Poling, age 78 of West Branch, passed away Tuesday, August 2, 2011. Paul graduated from
W.B.H.S. in the class of 1950, He served on the Tolfree Memorial Hospital Board of Directors for many years, was a member
of the Moose Lodge, the Kiwanis Club and the West Branch Country Club.
Paul is survived by his daughter, Janis Fontenot of Rose City, grandsons, Paul, Josh and Jordon and 2
great-grandchildren.
Also surviving are his brother Thomas, Class of 1950, and and Tom's wife Carolee Lucas, Class
of 1954,and his sister Mary Ida Poling Jackson, class of 1948.. He was preceded in death by his wife Barbara and his 2 children,
Michael Poling and Jill Fournier and his brother Stacey Poling.
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Paul Poling Establishes Scholarship Fund
Paul Poling committed years of his life to strengthening West Branch Regional Medical Center. Now, even
after his death, he will do so through a scholarship outlined in his will to help residents pursue health-related careers
and return home to serve the community
The Paul A. Poling Memorial Fund is being established at the Tolfree Foundation to grant annual scholarships,
beginning in 2012.
The scholarship fund is being created through a significant donation, which Poling left to the foundation.
The final amount will be determined when his estate is settled sometime
next year.
The former Board Member for West Branch Regional Medical Center and founder of the Medical Arts Center,
died
August 2, 2011 at the age of 78.
Poling had a passion for the West Branch area and the people who live here. He was born in Rock Bridge,
Ohio, and moved to West Branch in 1934, at the young age of two. He grew up here and went on to serve in the U.S. Air
Force before returning home and putting himself through insurance training. Upon the death of Ester Diebold, he bought her
Diebold Insurance Agency and operated it from 1956 to 1983, when he retired and sold the business to Kevin Elliott.
"He wouldn't think of living anyplace else," said his sister Mary Jackson, also of West Branch. "This
was his home."
Having been raised on a tight budget, the youngest of four children, Poling worked hard to earn the money
he lived on. He has donated generously to the West Branch High School Alumni Association for scholarships.
One of the reasons he left money to the foundation is to
provide funds for kids to go to medical school, with the idea they would then come back to West Branch.
Paul was concerned about having enough doctors in the community. He wasn't seeing an influx of doctors into the area to replace
the doctors who are retiring.
This is Paul's way of giving back..
********************
G. Troy Poling, age 50 of West Branch, passed away Tuesday, November 30, 2010 at his home. Troy had lived
in West Branch for all of his life. He was a member and past Master of the West Branch Masonic Lodge #376. F & AM, and
a member of Bikers for Kids. Troy enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and riding motorcycles. He was also a member of the Bay
City Consistory.
Troy is survived by his parents, Carolee and Ben Tom Poling of West Branch, brothers, Steven (Ok Pun) Poling
of Standish and Todd (Evie) Poling of Marietta, GA and his sister, Tanya (Mark) Twigg of Windsor Ontario, Canada. His aunts,
Marlene Bamfield, Mary Ida Jackson, Joan Poling, Jean Lucas, all of West Branch and his aunt Elaine Lucas of Alger; his uncles,
Dave(Nona) Lucas and Paul Poling all of West Branch and many, nieces, nephews and cousins. Also surviving is his former wife/best
friend Charon Poling, her two sons Zach and Eathan and grandson Gavin.
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