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Reservations for 2019 Alumni Banquet
Jim Strohmer
Donald Chaffee, former teacher at West Branch High School, passed away Friday May 11, 2018 at the age of 85. (No obituary
is available at this time.)
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Anna Louise (McKinney) Turner, 99, passed away peacefully Tuesday, April 9, 2019, at her home at Porter Hills Village in Grand
Rapids.
Sis was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who cherished her family and was an inspiration to all
who knew her. Sis was born Nov. 1, 1919, in Springfield, Ohio, to Otho and Louise Turner, who preceded her in death. She is
now reunited with her beloved husband of 33 years, Dr. Charle Turner, who passed away Feb. 6, 1976.
Sis will be lovingly remembered by her son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Peg Turner; her granddaughters and their husbands,
Amy and Nick Thole and Tracy and Bob Wolford; and her great-grandchildren, Alex, Drew, Lauren, Michael and Peter.
She was also preceded in death by her brother and sister-in-law, Admiral William and Hertha McKinney.
Sis was a graduate of Muskingum College in New Concord, Ohio, where she was the homecoming queen in 1939. She spent most
of her adult life in West Branch, where she was a teacher, guidance counselor and basketball and cheerleading coach at West
Branch High School, which later became Ogemaw Heights High School. She gave back to the community she loved as a volunteer
at the local library and hospital and as a board member at Kirtland Community College. Sis was a longtime, active member of
the First United Methodist Church of West Branch. She was a sports enthusiast who loved to golf and watch basketball. She
was an avid knitter, bridge player and reader. In her later years, Sis enjoyed Saturday evening wine and cheese parties with
her friends at Porter Hills.
family would like to express appreciation for the great care she received from the staff at Porter Hills Village and
Emmanuel Hospice. Arrangements for a celebration of life service at Porter Hills Village are pending. In lieu of flowers,
memorial contributions may be made to the West Branch Alumni Scholarship Fund, 3858 Miller Drive, West Branch, MI 48661; Porter
Hills Foundation, 4450 Cascade Rd. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546; or to Emmanuel Hospice, 2161 Leonard St. NW, Grand Rapids,
MI 49504.
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Frankenmuth, MI - Hildred Louva Moss, 99, passed away on July 3, 2017 at Independence Village, Frankenmuth, MI. She was born
on Nov. 10, 1917 and raised in Mayville, Michigan by her parents, Georgia & Harry Lester (editor of the Mayville Monitor).
Hildred married her high school sweetheart, Walter C. Moss, who passed away on July 18, 2001, one of nine siblings. She is
survived by their daughter Harriet (Warren) Hopkins of Northbrook, IL, brother, Harry Lester of Alger, Michigan and granddaughter,
Tiffany Carter of Westlake Village CA. Hildred and Walt's son, Tom Owen Moss, died when he was a baby. Hildred was preceded
in death by her sister, Cathryn Lester Fox, and brother, George (Joyce) Lester, plus devoted and loving Aunt to Cathryn's
children-- Alan, Ron and Paula Fox who lost their mother early in their lives. Hildred's baby brother (Harry) was born when
she started her first year of college at Western State University. She loved hearing about Harry and June's (deceased) three
children-Florie (deceased) Jonna and Mark and their families. Ron and Brenda Fox have been devoted caretakers during the last
three years plus frequent visits/stories/photos from Paula, Alan, Sue plus members of the Moss family, really brightened her
day. Hildred and Walt Moss lived in West Branch, MI for 51 years, then moved to Frankenmuth in 1997 after Walt retired from
his business. She was a beloved teacher for 23 years at West Branch High School and Ogemaw Heights. Hildred was a member of
a chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, member of Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel, and member of the United Methodist
Church of Frankenmuth, MI.
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Jerry Laycock Died January 11, 2016
Laycock,
Jerry Harold – died peacefully, Monday, January 11, 2016 at
McLaren – Flint. He was 81 years of age. Honoring his wishes, cremation
has taken place. A memorial service will be held at 11AM Thursday,
January 14, 2016 at Bethany United Methodist Church in Clio. Rev. Roger
Gedke officiating. Family will receive visitors at the church on
Wednesday from 3-8PM. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to
the Endowment Fund at Bethany United Methodist Church or the charity of
one's choice. Jerry was born May 25, 1934, in Ithaca, Michigan to the
late Harold and Rosel (Corey) Laycock. The family moved to Clio when
Jerry was four years old and he attended Clio schools where he lettered
in football, basketball, and baseball. He also played drums in the
marching band. Jerry was a half back for the 1951 Championship football
team and was a member of the 1952 Championship baseball team. He married
Marilyn Bass on June 9, 1956. Jerry spent 40 years in public education.
He taught and coached championship football teams at Almont High School
and Beecher High School. Jerry was a member of the Army National Guard.
He was the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum at Clio Schools.
Jerry was also Superintendent at Kingston High School, where he coached
JV football. He received football Hall of Fame honors in 1997. Jerry was
a member of Bethany United Methodist Church in Clio where he had held
several leadership roles over the years. He earned a Cum Laude
Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree from Central Michigan University
and a Doctorate from the University of Michigan, where he taught
graduate courses. He was a member of the Clio Lions Club and the Clio
Historical Society. The joys of his life were his daughters and
grandsons who gave him many great memories. He loved their special
relationships but also took great pride in their academic achievements,
sports, and other extracurricular school activities. Surviving are:
Wife, Marilyn Laycock; Daughters: Kathleen Laycock, Cheri (Todd) Zorn
and Karen (Pat) Bowdish; 4 grandsons: Grant Bowdish, Jake, Jesse and
Joey Zorn; Cousin, Sue Williamson; *********************
FIVE GENERATIONS OF THE BEDORE FAMILY WITH
MRS. RUTH BEDORE
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Obituary for Alan (& Loa)
MurrayMr. Murray loved the Alumni Association and always attended if he was able. He and Loa will be missed.
Loa passed away
Aug. 14, 2014 and Alan
passed away Sept. 29, 2014, both in Briarwood Assisted Living. Loa was born Feb.
8, 1927 in Covert the daughter of Broadwell and Maudie (Cutler) Smith. Alan was
born April 22, 1925 in Bloomingdale the son of Alton and Eunice (Loughlin)
Murray and they have lived in the Bloomingdale area for the past 34 years. They
were both members of the Bloomingdale Historical Society, and both were teachers
for many years in West Branch, MI. For both the most important thing was their
family. Survived by 4 children, JoAnn (Peter) VanOosten of Sierra Vista, AZ,
Robert Murray of Ypsilanti, Jean (Mark) Witzke of Richmond, CA, Gail (Carl)
Simpson of Bloomingdale; 13 grandchildren; 2 great grandchildren; Loa's brother,
Gailen (Wendy) Smith of Aspen, CO; Alan's brother, Lloyd (Florence) Murray of
Marcellus; and many nieces and nephews from both sides. Family who also have
passed away: a son, Douglas Murray; a sister of Loa, Barbara Taylor; brother of
Alan, James; and a sister of Alan, Donna Griffith. A memorial service for both
will be held at 5:00 PM, Saturday, October 25, 2014, at the Bloomingdale United
Methodist Church. Arrangements by the Bloomingdale Chapel, D. L. Miller Funeral
Home.
Reservations Made For 2014 Banquet
Jim Strohmer Ruth Bedore
***
Your "looked forward to" invitation to attend
the annual WBHS Reunion Banquet was received almost a month ago. It was set aside as Ruth and I had to decide if we were going
to take a trip to
Europe or not. The dilemma was that I had just come out of the hospital where I was held for a
week with a severe case of "C diff" that intestinal disorder (colitis) that tears up the bacteria in the intestines.
If I was not well enough to travel we would not go on the
trip. This week we determined that it would be wiser to put the trip off as my illness was not completely healed, although
the strength is coming back better each day.
At any rate, that means I will be free to attend the reunion,
and as it is the 50th of the class of '64 I will be more excited than ever to see many faces, some of whom I will have to
ask. "And you are?"...
So thanks for the invite and apply the enclosed funds to
the scholarship fund.
May this find you in good health and of course keeping all
the reservations sorted and tabulated.
See you in May..
Blessings..
Jim
You may have heard from Al Murray, and my last communication
from him is that they are planning to move to Chelsea so Loa will have good care and be closer to some of the family.
***
Tom Shaw, former WBHS teacher, is now
living in Texas with his wife Phoebe, and pets "Jocko the dog" and "Tigger the cat"..
His dry sense of humor hasn't changed over the years....
***************
Zale C. Miller, 90, of West Branch, passed away June 13, 2013.
Zale served in the United States Navy during WWII and was a school teacher in Michigan for 38 years.
Survivors include his wife, Williadean Miller; children, Gerald Miller, Julia Sliwiany, Marsha Arrieta and Monica
Miller; sister, Ruth Friskney; brother, Walter Miller; and seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
There will be a memorial service in Florida at a later date.
***
Dr. Clifford
Joseph Bedore, Jr.
1919 - 2012
Mr. Bedore was loved and respected by all who knew him at West Branch
High School, where he taught and coached for several years.
In 1950-51 he went to MSU on a grant
to be brought up to date in chemistry. Mr. Alan Murray related to us that Mr.Bedore said "they" had taken chemistry
way beyond him and he started working on an education MA. His first job after that was County Supt at the Sault. Then he got
his Drs and moved to Greenville as finance director- then Pres of the Comm College. I am thinking that he moved away from
WB in the early 60’s .
He and his wife Ruth and
daughter Melanie have attended many Alumni Banquets and it was hard to tell who enjoyed it more...him getting to renew
memories with us, or our getting to renew memories with him.
He will be greatly missed and remembered
by all.
*******
Dr.
Clifford Joseph Bedore, Jr., age 93 of Greenville, died Friday, November 30, 2012 at Spectrum Health United Memorial United
Campus. He was born July 24, 1919 in Highbridge, WI, the son of Clifford Joseph Bedore, Sr. and Charlotte Evelyn (Heideman)
Bedore. On June 14, 1941, he married Ruth Myra Paddock. Dr. Bedore proudly served his country in the United States Army during
World War II, serving in the Pacific with the 503rd Parachute Regimental team and in Japan with the 11th Airborne Division;
he was discharged as Captain in 1946. He graduated from Gogebic Junior College in 1939 with an Associate of Arts degree and
Northern State Teachers College in 1941 with a Bachelor of Science degree. He went on to earn his Master of Arts degree from
the University of Michigan in 1951 and Doctor of Education degree from Michigan State University in 1968. He served in a variety
of educational capacities throughout his long career. He taught chemistry, physics, biology and general science and coached
tennis, skiing, basketball, and football. He served on the staff of the Bay Cliff Health Camp. He was appointed Superintendent
of Soo Township Schools in 1960. He was the founding Business Manager of Montcalm Community College from 1965 to 1970, when
he began serving as interim President. The interim title was removed shortly thereafter, and Dr. Bedore served as President
of MCC from 1971 to 1978, where he assisted in the accreditation of the college. He also volunteered in a variety of capacities,
including as Chairman of the Montcalm County Commission on Aging for many years. He enjoyed athletics, and enjoyed deer hunting,
playing golf, bowling, rock collecting and photography. He spent many summers at the family cottage in Traverse City, fishing
and watching the loons nest. More than anything, Cliff was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather
who loved spending time with his family. He will be deeply missed, especially by his loving wife of 71 years, Ruth of Greenville;
children, Dana Bedore Phillips of Pittsburgh, PA, Clifford (Bonnie) Bedore, III of College Park, MD, Marian (Dan) Bedore Lilly
of Greenville, Howard (Julie) Bedore of Traverse City, and Melanie Bedore of Greenville; eight grandchildren; two step-grandchildren;
nine great-grandchildren; seven step-great-grandchildren; three adopted great-grandchildren; and sister, Priscilla Bedore
Gass of Ironwood, MI. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Donagene Bedore. Dr. Bedore was a longtime member
of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Greenville.
| Florence Martin Teacher |
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| Class of 1942 |
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