|
Alumni Banquet Dinner Reservations 2021......
Bonnie Mitchell Miner
Richard Walsh
Maurene Hennen Schumann
Wanda VanWormer McNeill
Judy Norton Klemetti
Diane Munn Sappington
Jim Thompson
***
Chester Surline, Supt.
Hollis Miner, Principal
Ron Keith, Class President
Alan Murray, Class Advisor
Jim Strohmer, Class Advisor
* * * * * *
Doris Elaine Jackson Perkins, age 77, passed away on Monday, June 21, 2021 at The Villa at West Branch surrounded by her family.
She was born on September 12, 1943 in West Branch to Clare and Marjorie (Bedtelyon) Jackson. Doris lived in West Branch her
entire life.
Doris graduated from West Branch High School with the class of 1961,and was employed with the Unemployment Agency for
over 30 years, retiring in 2002. She enjoyed quilting, baking, reading, going on casino trips and playing scratch offs. She
especially loved spending time with her family and granddaughter.
Doris is survived by her daughters, Gail (Frank) Howey and Mary (Robert) Bell both of West Branch; granddaughter, Aubrey;
sisters, Clara (John) Pasko of Bay City and Mildred Jackson of AL; and several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death
by her parents, husband, Delbert, and sisters, Barbara and Janet.
The family would like to extend a heartful thank you to the Seton Center, MidMichigan Medical Unit, The Villa at West
Branch and Compassus Hospice.
Visitation at Steuernol & McLaren Funeral Home in West Branch will begin on Friday, June 25, 2021 from 3:00 to 8:00
p.m. The funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, June 26, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. with visitation starting
at 10:00 a.m. Deanna Bennett will officiate.
* * * * * *
Beatrice Kay Walters Banning, class of 1961.. 78 years of age, passed away on Sunday, April 11, 2021 at The Villa at West
Branch.
She has lived in West Branch all of her life. Kay was born on March 4, 1943 in Boston, MA. On October 10, 1964, she married
Eugene Banning in West Branch.
Kay was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. She worked as a beautician for over 50 years. She started her career working
for her mother at Joan’s Beauty Shop, which later became Kay’s Kountry Kurl. Kay loved her husband, children
and granddaughter very much.
Kay is survived by her loving husband of 56 years, Eugene Banning of West Branch; sons, Brent Banning and Jason Banning,
both of West Branch; and granddaughter, Macy Kay Banning.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Wendell and Joan (Wangler) Thompson and brother, Larry Bruce Walters.
***
David James Golden, 76, passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by his wife and children, on May 22, 2019 in West Branch,
Michigan. He was born April 11, 1943 to Philip and Virginia (Demerest) Golden.
Dave spent the majority of his career in partnership with Ruth as owners and operators of Golden’s Men’s
Shop, a retail clothing store that was founded by his father in 1950. After closing the store in 1992, he continued in retail
management with the Brooks Brothers company. He retired from Steuernol & McLaren Funeral Home in 2007, where he took pride
in being a familiar face to members of the community in their time of grief.
Dave had a love of music from an early age. He played piano, and also played trumpet in the high school band. He was active
in the Ogemaw Community Players musicals and was a cantor at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Dave was also an avid photographer.
His passion for photography started with his involvement in the high school yearbook and continued throughout his life, capturing
numerous memories of family, friends, and events. Over the years, Dave was active in many organizations and enjoyed volunteering
in the community. Most recently he served as a board member and treasurer of the Ogemaw County Museum and as treasurer of
the West Branch High School Alumni Association. Dave was also a lifelong Detroit Tigers fan.
Dave is survived by his wife Ruth of 54 years, his three children, Michelle (Robert) Clark, Jill (Kevin) Roragen, and
Robert (Trisha) Golden, six grandchildren, Sarah (Adam) Crowell, Jared Clark (fiance’ Sydney Riekse), Olivia and
Philip Roragen, Mia and Mason Golden, and his sister, Sandra Golden. He is preceded in death by his parents, Phil and Virginia,
and his in-laws, Robert and Viola Warren.
Visitation at Steuernol & McLaren Funeral Home in West Branch will begin on Tuesday, May 28, 2019 from 3:00 p.m. to
8:00 p.m. A Celebration of Life Memorial Mass will be held on Wednesday, May 29, 2019 at the St. Helen Catholic Church at
11:00 a.m. with visitation starting at 10:00 a.m. Father Wayne Dziekan and Sister Barbara Matievich O.P. will officiate.
Memorial Contributions can be made to the Ogemaw County Museum, St. Helen Catholic Church, and the Vaibhav Sahai Research
Fund for Pancreatic Cancer at U of M at https://victors.us/davidjgolden or by calling 734-764-6777.
* * * *
Obituary for Dennis Wayne Woughter
Dennis Wayne Woughter, age 75, passed away on Tuesday, April 17, 2018 at his home in West Branch, MI. He was born on January
28, 1943 in West Branch to Victor and Erma (Harris) Woughter. Denny married Jolene Austin in Flint on June 16, 1979. He enlisted
in the Army and served in Germany from 1961-1964. When he returned home from the service, Denny worked in Flint for General
Motors as a fork truck driver and after retiring from General Motors, he moved back to West Branch. He was a member of the
St. John Lutheran Church in West Branch and the American Legion Post #0103. Denny grew up in church, where he was baptized
and confirmed. He was a history buff and enjoyed snowmobiling, canoeing, camping, and loved spending time with his family.
Denny is survived by his loving wife of 38 years, Jolene Woughter of West Branch; children, Brenda (Mark) Blanchard of
San Antonio, TX, Aric (Kerrey) Woughter of Traverse City, MI, Jamie (Sarah) Woughter of Flint, MI, Jodi (Joseph) Doherty of
Flint, MI, and Nicholas Woughter of Davison, MI; 13 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren; and brothers, Larry (Mary) Woughter
of Flint, MI, Daniel (Judy) Woughter of Harrison, TN, James Woughter of West Branch, and Mark Woughter. He is preceded in
death by his parents and brother, Jerry.
*********************************************************
Emery Egan, Class of 1961 West Branch High School, was born on January 12, 1942 and passed away on Tuesday, February 21, 2017.
Emery was a resident of Bay City, Michigan at the time of his passing. He was married to Laura. Funeral services will be on
Friday February 24, 2017 at Bible Baptist Church in Pinconning at 11 am with Pastor Jeff Link presiding.SERVICE Friday 24
Feb 11:00 AM - 11:00 AM Bible Baptist 300 South Arthur St Pinconning, Michigan 48650. The family is requesting for no flowers
to be sent to church.
Ronald
Lee Keith, age 74, passed away on Thursday, April 27, 2017 at his home in West Branch, MI with his family by his side. Ron
was born to Ben and Henrietta (Hartman) Keith on November 4, 1942. He lived in West Branch for his whole life. In 1963, he
joined the Navy. Upon his returning home, he worked for his parents at the family business, The West Branch Greenhouse. On
April 20, 1968 he married the love of his life, Shelda “Jeanie” Robinson. They spend 49 wonderful years together. In
1975, Ron and his brother Wayne bought the family business. Ron, Jeanie, Wayne and Kathy worked the business until 1995. Ron
then went on to sell Real Estate for Dunbar-Bell. In 1997, he started driving school bus for the West Branch Rose City Schools
until he was forced to retire due to a medical reason in 2012.
Ron is survived by his wife, Jeanie; son, Ronald II; brother, Wayne (Kathy) Keith all of West
Branch; sisters in law, Sheila “Tootie” Webber of West Branch, Sharon “Miki” Curfman and Kenny Faiver
of Lansing, MI; brother in law, David “Butch” (Mary) Robinson of West Branch; nieces and nephews, Karrie, Ketha,
Karla, Kelly, Kirsten, Kimberlee, Ben, Sheila, Jami, Kristina, Vicki and their families; and sister in heart, Pat Sweet. He
is preceded in death by his, son, Douglas Benjamin Keith, parents, Ben and Henrietta Keith, and in laws, Doug & Shirley
Robinson. ***
Obituary for Ralph A. Graham
Graham, Ralph A.
Rose City, MI
Ralph Allen Graham, Jr. age
72, passed away January 10, 2016 at the Villa at Rose City. Ralph was
born in Bay City to Ralph and Cecelia Graham on July 26, 1943. His
family moved to Selkirk in 1949 where he attended the one-room Red
School and later the West Branch High School; graduating from Bay City
Handy in 1961. Ralph joined the Michigan State Police in 1968 and
served posts in Battle Creek, Lapeer and Manistique; retiring from the
West Branch post in 1993.
Upon retirement, Ralph obtained his
private pilot’s license and loved to fly his 182 Cessna with friend
Monty Antcliff. Ralph purchased a horse farm in 1986 where he bred and
raced standardbred horses, driving more than just a few into the
winner’s circle. Ralph enjoyed golfing with his partner, Larry Boncher,
and also loved to hunt especially with his friends at Tamarack Camp.
He was a guide at Paradice Hunt Club for about 4 years. He was also an
avid fisherman. Ralph’s favorite vacation spot was his deer camp in the
Upper Peninsula which he shared with his son. Many late nights were
spent there trying to euchre the wives just one more time.
Ralph
is survived by his wife, Linda; son, Allen (Sheri) of Bessemer, MI;
daughter, Gina of Sanford, NC; grandchildren Catherine Brody and family
of Lehigh Acres, Fl; Jessica Graham of Eugene, OR; Todd Cardoza
(Jessica) and family of East Jordan,MI; Justin Graham of Burlington, VE;
and Christopher Morris of Beulah, MI. He also leaves eight great
grandchildren. He is also survived by sisters Nancy Francisco of Boyton
Beach, FL; Geraldine Schorn of Grand Rapids,MI, half-sister, Kathy (Ben)
D’Arcy of West Branch, MI, half-brother Tim (Sonja) McPeck;
sister-in-law, Kathy Layman and brother-in-law, Paul Layman all of
Fairview, MI. He leaves many nieces and nephews who will greatly miss
“Uncle Sonny”. He also leaves his beloved dog, Missy.
Ralph was a
member of Trinity United Methodist Church and enjoyed the old fashioned
hymns. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother-in-law, Jim
Francisco, sister-in-law, Karen Grant, in-laws, Ernest & Martha
Layman; nephew, Michael Grover and several aunts and uncles.
DECEASED CLASSMATES
Ralph
Graham (1/10/16)
Phyllis Ann Schmitt Ostrander (9/11/14)
Fred Benjamin
(February 28, 2013)
Arnold Dunbar
(2011)
Marilyn Tennant McCoy
(April 27,2010)
Elwyn "Slider" Steuernol
(June 8, 2010)
Janet Reimer Monson
Jim Alley
(1987)
William Bohlinger
(January 13, 2004)
Gary Buck
Raymond L. Bunting
(November 27, 1972)
Karen Crecine Reed
(June 23, 1983)
James Egon
(1999)
Tony Ehinger
(1999)
Ronald Morris
(April 5, 2004)
Gary Robinson
(1999)
George L. Schaiberger
Jr.
(May 28, 2002)
Carolyn Sue Valley Soltys
(1999)
Jack Winter
Richard C. Carscallen
(September 5, 2005)
Terry Dent (October 14, 2014)
Rodger Reinke (March 8, 2014)
Rodger was born on April 16, 1943 and passed
away on Saturday, March 8, 2014.Rodger was a resident of North Branch, Michigan at the time of his passing. He is survived by his wife Marjorie Kartes Reinke Class of 1965 ****************
Phyllis Ann Schmitt Ostrander
(March 30, 1943 - September 11, 2014)
Class of 1961
 Phyllis Ann Ostrander, age
71, passed away on Thursday, September 11, 2014 at her home with her loving family by her side. Phyllis has lived in West
Branch for her entire life. She was born to Russell and Theresa “Irene” (Green) Schmitt in West Branch, MI on
March 30, 1943. Phyllis loved spending time with her family and friends and was known by many people as “Aunt Philly”.
Phyllis is survived by her husband, Dallas Ostrander of West Branch; daughter: Susie (Chuck)
Hammontre of West Branch; son: Danny (Allison) Ostrander of West Branch; grandchildren: Jordyn, Justin, Caleb, and Dylan;
brothers: Thomas (Janet) Schmitt of West Branch and James (Diane) Schmitt of West Branch; brother in law: Edwin (Yvonne)
Ostrander of West Branch; and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents. Visitation
at the Steuernol & McLaren Funeral Home in West Branch will begin Sunday, September 14, 2014 from 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
with a Scripture Service at 7:00 p.m. On Monday, September 15, 2014, Phyllis will lie in state at the St. Joseph Catholic
Church beginning at 10:00 a.m. until the Celebration of Life Mass at 11:00 a.m. Father Patrick Maher will officiate. Burial
will follow at the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.
| |
| Shirley Schubert Rau |
|
|
| Class of 1955 St.Joe |
Shirley Schubert Rau, age 79 of West Branch passed away Tuesday July 19, 2011 with her
family by her side.
Shirley was born in West Branch on June 29, 1932 to Russell and Gertrude Schubert. She married Gerald Rau on
June 16, 1951. Gerald and Shirley farmed in Edwards Township until 1987 with their two daughters and son.
Shirley enjoyed her grandchildren, playing cards with her friends, going to the casino, and watching Wheel
of Fortune. She baked chocolate chip cookies for her grandkids which they loved.
Shirley is survived by her daughters, Julie Rau of Ithaca and Jeri (Sam) Orlando of West Branch. She is also
survived by her grandchildren Shannon Orlando, Samuel Orlando, Rebecca Rau and Emily Rau. Also surviving is her sister, Marilyn
(Tom) Bydalek, brothers, Dean (Shirley) Schubert and Ron (Nancy) Schubert, sisters in law Maxine (Adrian) Dantzer and Kathleen
(Bernard) Groulx and her brother in law Robert (Lyla) Rau. Shirley is also survived by many nieces and nephews who spent time
with Shirley and Gerald at the farm. Also her grand-dog Rusty.
********************************** 
The
Rev. Elwyn Slider Steuernol, pastor of St. Agatha Catholic Church in Southeast Portland for nine years, collapsed and died Tuesday during a priests' retreat at Mount Angel Abbey.
He was 66.
Steuernol, the only married priest to serve in the Archdiocese of Portland, had been a Presbyterian pastor since 1975 and had served Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church in Fairview from 1981-94. He was ordained in the Catholic Church on Nov. 30, 1996, in St. Mary's Cathedral in Northwest Portland, in the presence of his wife and children.
His ordination sparked some controversy
among the Catholics he was joining and the Presbyterians he was leaving. Some Catholics argued that priests should be unmarried
and celibate, while others wanted to open the priesthood to more married men and to women. Some Presbyterians saw Steuernol's
conversion as a sign of growth and change in his human spirit, but others said he didn't know what he was getting into.
In
a 1996 interview, Steuernol said he had visited Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Trappist abbey in Lafayette several times, looking for a "supernatural thing in worship."
"As Protestants,
we tend to be rational in our worship," he told The Oregonian. "As a pastor, I got tired of feeling like the success of worship
was based on how well I preached."
Steuernol said he found what he was looking for in the Mass, in which Catholics
believe bread and wine become the body of Christ. "The Eucharist is like an altar call," Steuernol said. "You go forward and
offer yourself as a living sacrifice."
Steuernol announced his conversion publicly in 1993. Cardinal William J. Levada,
archbishop of Portland from 1986-95, helped Steuernol receive permission from the late Pope John Paul II to be ordained in
the Catholic Church. At the time, the archdiocese expected Steuernol to serve only as an assistant pastor, said Bud Bunce,
spokesman for the archdiocese. But a shortage of priests led to him functioning as pastor at St. Agatha's.
"It's a
very tight community down in Sellwood," says Pat Hainley, a lifelong member of the parish. Steuernol and his wife "fit in
from Day One," he says. "I'm sure there was a little skepticism: A married priest -- what is that all about? But he overcame
whatever reservations people had. He was that kind of person."
Steuernol was born on July 17, 1943, in New Martinsville,
W. Va., to Wynne J. and Imogene E. Slider Steuernol. He attended the University of Michigan from 1961-63. He later said that
he became a Christian while at Michigan. He graduated from Wheaton College in Illinois in 1965. He lived in England for three
years, evangelizing university students. He met his wife, Jacqueline, who is English, in France in 1968 and they married in
1969. He attended Princeton Theological Seminary and graduated with a Master of Divinity in 1973. After his conversion, he attended Mount Angel Seminary and graduated with another master's in 1997. He was a deacon at St. Henry Catholic Church in Gresham in 1996 and appointed to St. Agatha's in 2001.
Steuernol collapsed about 2:30 p.m. Tuesday
as he played racquetball during a recreation break at the priests' retreat. No one on the scene was able to revive him, said
Nick Scovill of Raleigh Hills, who has been married to Steuernol's sister, Jane, for 40 years. Scovill said he had seen his
brother-in-law a week ago and he seemed to be in good health.
"We're all still in shock," Scovill said.
Steuernol
is survived by his mother; sister; his wife; three children, Ashli of Damascus, Kristi of Redwood Valley, Calif., and Tim
of Los Angeles; and six grandchildren.
Vigil will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday at St. Agatha's, 7983 S.E. 15th Ave. Mass of
Christian burial will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Mary's Cathedral, Northwest 18th Avenue and Couch Street. Burial arrangements,
which will be at a Portland Catholic cemetery, are pending. Remembrances are suggested to the scholarship fund at St. Agatha
Catholic School, 7960 S.E. 15th Ave., Portland, OR 97202. Wilhelm's Portland Memorial Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Don Beck, class of 1961,
shares a passion of his in rebuilding guns. A
22CAL./20 GA. SHOTGUN OVER AND UNDER I REBUILT **********
LOOKING BACK...
AFTER GRADUATING IN 61 I WORKED FOR VERN
WANGLER FOR SUMMER OF 61 THEN WORKED THE WINTER FOR THE GALLAGHER
FARM . SUMMER OF 62 WENT BACK TO WANGLERS . THAT FALL I MOVED TO
FLINT MI. WORKED AS A RIVETER AND A TACK WELDER FOR A STEEL COMPANY . IN JUNE
MARRIED A FARM GIRL FROM GLADWIN [LINDA FOOR] IT WILL BE OUR 52ND ANNIVERSARY
JUNE 15 TH.
WENT TO WORK FOR GM [FISHER BODY GRAND BLANC , MI .
WORKED PRODUCTION FOR 6 YEARS WHILE TAKING REFRESHER COURSES IN MATH. GOT ON
SKILLED TRADES ON AN APPRENTICESHIP. WENT TO MOTT JR. COLLEGE
AND GOT A DEGREE IN MAINTENANCE ENGINEERING.JUST A BIG NAME FOR USEING LARGE
MACHINERY –SETTING AND LEVELING PRESSES—USING TRANSITS-CRAIN REPAIR – IN
1986
THEY PUT ME OUT ON A DISABILITY FOR I GOT MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY AND I DID A LOT OF
CLIMBING WHICH SOME TIMES WE WERE IN THE AIR QUITE HIGH . AT THIS TIME WE WERE
LIVING IN LAPEER COUNTY. WE SOLD OUR HOUSE AND MOVED TO BEAVERTON, MI. BUILT A
HOUSE AND LIVED THERE FROM 1986 TO 1996 . WE HAD 4 CHILDREN –DONALD
NORMAN
B 10-5-64
DAWN MARIE B 9-29-65 AND TWIN BOYS 7-9-69 .ONE WENT TO MICHIGAN TECH IN
HOUGHTON ,MI. AND GOT A JOB IN FORESTRY AND EVENTUALLY WE ALL MOVED TO THE
UP . WE LIVE BY EWEN AND BRUCE CROSSING. BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY .
I
HAVE HAD SEVERAL
HOBBIES I WAS A FLAG FOOT BALL COACH FOR 2 YEARS AND LITTLE LEAGUE BASE
BALL COACH IN LAPEER COUNTY-BOW HUNTED-DEER AND BEAR HUNTED-FISHED-ATV RIDING –
HORSE BACK RIDING AND PLAYED HOCKEY.
I AM IN A WHEEL CHAIR NOW SO MOST OF THOSE THINGS I CAN NO LONGER DO
SO I HAVE TONED IT WAY DOWN. I STILL HUNT OUT OF OUR HUNTING CAMP ON OUR 40
ACRES – CROSSBOW HUNT A LITTLE. PLAY CARDS AND MY MAIN PASSION RE DOING SHOT
GUNS AND RIFLES. I ALSO BELONG TO ONTONAGON SPORTS MAN CLUB WHICH I SHOOT IN
COMPLETION ONCE A YEAR AND HAVE JOINED WHITE TAILS UNLIMITED PLUS I ENJOY MY LAP
TOP .
THE LORD HAS BLESSED US SEVERAL TIMES IN SPITE OF THE
PASSING OF A GRAND CHILD , OUR OLDEST SON ,AND A GREAT GRAND CHILD.
WE
ALL HAVE
TRAGEDIES IN OUR LIFE BUT FAITH IN THE LORD KEEPS US GOING. IT HAS BEEN A
LONG ROAD SINCE WEST BRANCH .
DONALD BECK
CLASS OF 61 *****************************
|
