Welcome West Branch High School Alumni Association West Branch, Michigan

CLASS OF 1969

Alumni Banquet Reservations 2021...

Marianne Bartlett

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Mike Colecchio passed away unexpectedly March 22, 2021 at Cadillac Munson Hospital. He was 70 years old.

Michael Anthony was born on December 19, 1950 to Carl and Patricia (Young) Colecchio. He was the oldest of four children. After graduating from Ogemaw Heights High School, class of 1969, he began a fifty plus year career in the forging industry as a die sinker. Mike enjoyed his chosen profession, rarely missing a day of work. He was especially talented at his craft and made many lifelong friends along the way.

On April 20, 1974 he married Rosemary Duggan in West Branch, Michigan. Shortly after, the family moved to Lake City where they raised their family. During the early years Michael enjoyed spending time with his children, watching them excel in athletics and spending time on Lake Missaukee during the warm summer months. It was a good life, filled with many laughs, good Italian food and a cold (or warm) beer shared amongst family friends.

He will be missed by his wife Rosemary, children: Brett (Sara) Colecchio, Nicole Colecchio and Melissa (Wes) Brown. He also leaves behind his grandchildren who he was especially proud of; Lucas Colecchio, Collyn Colecchio, Caedyn Frever, Carter Brown, Kaitlyn Root, Kyler Root, Kory Root and great-grandchildren, Wyatt and Anna. He is also survived by his brother: Russell Colecchio, and sisters, Carla Hower and Adine Colecchio.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Patricia Colecchio and his in-laws, William and Mabel Duggan.

At Mike’s request there will be no funeral or memorial service. In honoring Mike’s wishes a Celebration of Life will be planned for sometime this summer.
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Kathy Marie Coates Schaiberger passed away at 5:53 a.m., Monday, January 18, 2021, in her home in Rye, CO, in the presence of her sisters, Denise and Cheryl; daughter, Susan and husband, John.

She was predeceased by her parents, Don and Eleanor Coates; brothers, Dick, Donnie and Kenny (VietNam) Coates; George L Schaiberger, Sr; George L Schaiberger, Jr.

She is survived by husband, John; sisters, Denise (Keith) Rubin, Cheryl (Cal) Neubecker; brothers-in-law, Chris(Gwen), Paul(Dianna), Tom(Terry), Peter(Jenny); mother-in-law, Elizabeth L Schaiberger (George, Sr); sister-in-law, Betty Meir and numerous dearly loved friends, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Additionally, and most importantly, and the reasons for her multi-year and valiant battle (most people would not have guessed that there was anything wrong with her), she is survived by her beloved and treasured daughter, Susan (Javy) and grandchildren, Gabriel Mason and Victoria Elizabeth Lozano. Thanks to them, we received many wonderful additional years of her being a major part of our lives.

Kathy's life began rather fortuitously on August 22, 1951, when her future father-in-law (Dr. George Sr) delivered her at Tolfree Memorial Hospital in West Branch, MI; wherein he immediately began negotiating with Eleanor and Don to trade her for one of his six sons. Well, eventually she became a daughter, anyhow, just 18 years later. On April 11, 1970, she and John were married in West Branch, and led to ensuing lives in Mt Pleasant/Shepherd, MI for 10 years; back to West Branch, MI for five years; and then the move to Rye, CO in 1985. Everywhere, she developed close and permanent friendships which existed for the rest of her life. Along the way, she developed and demonstrated skills and abilities which blossomed into appreciable artistic productions. She actually mostly enjoyed the various jobs she had, including St Mary-Corwin Hospital and San Isabel Electric. She loved and enjoyed many varied activities, including snow skiing, waterboarding, the ocean (actually, all outdoor waters), her cats (which began as ferals, but did't appear feral when they were with her;how many people do you know that go on daily walks with feral cats, and/or dogs and horses, no leashes saddles, etc.?), dogs (especially Midget and Stinky), her She Shed, vacations with her sisters and loved ones, and her friends. But she especially loved her Susan, Gabe and Tori we will miss that love-and her-immeasurably.
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Sarah Jane Worden Oliver, age 69 passed away peacefully on Saturday November 21, 2020 at Mid-Michigan Medical Center -West Branch. She was born July 18, 1951 in West Branch MI to Robert and Elizabeth Worden, and she lived in West Branch all her life. She enjoyed going to Disney World, going on trips, playing cribbage and cards at the senior center, and going to church on Sundays, the thing she enjoyed the most was spending time with her family.



Sarah is survived by her son, Jeff (Terri) Oliver; grandchildren, Jacob (Drew) Oliver, and Katelyn Oliver; great-grandchildren, Jordon Oliver and Jeremiah Oliver; siblings, Barbara (Paul) Niffenegger and David (Trina) Worden;nieces, Deedee (Chris) Arbutina, Tammy (Scott) Watson, Lisa (Dennis) Niffenegger lee, Susan Niffenegger, and Lauren Buck; nephews, Bobby (Marti) Leslie, Will Worden, John Niffenegger, and Jed Niffenegger; and many great-nephews and nieces. Sarah was preceded in death by her husband Bob Oliver; parents, Robert and Elizabeth Worden; and sister, Connie Leslie. Honoring Sarah wishes, cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at a later date. To sign online guestbook, visit www.cremationsocietymidmi.com Arrangements made with Cremation Society of Mid Michgian.

Susan Kaye Thompson Conyer, age 66, class of 1969 West Branch High School, passed away on Sunday, April 8, 2018 at MidMichigan Medical Center in West Branch. She was born on November 23, 1951 in West Branch to Howard and Jean (Lally) Thompson and lived in West Branch her entire life. She married Jerry Conyer on October 19, 1974 in West Branch, where they made their home and raised their family. Sue was a longtime volunteer for the West Branch Little League and could be found working in the concession stand. She enjoyed cooking, doing crossword… puzzles, watching the Detroit Tigers and was a MSU fan. She adored her grandchildren and spending time with them.







Sue is survived by her husband, Jerry Conyer of West Branch; children, Kimberly (Eric) Hornbacher of Grand Rapids, Kraig (Maria) Conyer of Chicago, IL, Kurt (Emily) Conyer of Long Island, NY, and Kory (Jamie) Conyer of Kalamazoo, MI; grandchildren, Lindsay and Christian Hornbacher, Juliana, Joseph, and Jaclyn Conyer and Maile and Evan Buccigross; brothers, Patrick Thompson and Todd (Mindy) Thompson; nieces and nephews, Heather, Dustin, Eleisha, and Logan; and a special bond with niece, Ashley (Cody) Buck; and many extended family members. She is preceded in death by her parents, Howard and Jean and siblings, Trudy, Randy and Judy Thompson.







Visitation at Steuernol & McLaren Funeral Home in West Branch will begin on Wednesday, April 11, 2018 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The Funeral Service will be at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 12, 2018 at the funeral home. Rev. Timothy Dibble will officiate. Burial will follow at Brookside Cemetery.