Class of 1936

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Alton Edward LeDuc passed away on May 27, 2017 at the age of 98 years old with his beloved wife Alice and sons Kim and Kirk by his side. He was born in Luzerne, Michigan on September 21, 1918 to Edward and Edna (Hayworth) LeDuc. Alton was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother and uncle to his extended family. He is survived by his wife of 66 years Alice (Matchinski) LeDuc, two sons Kim and Kirk. He was the beloved grandfather of Tiffany Newman (David), Kellie Mchone (James), Kortney LeDuc, and Kristine Schneider (Robert). He also had the love of his great grandchildren Ethan, Oliver, and Isabelle Newman, Preston, Parker and Jameson Mchone, Andres, Hannah, Sophia, and Alice and Annabelle Schneider. He is predeceased by his parents, and brothers Edmond, Raymond, and sister Madeline Kennedy. He is survived by his brother Melvin, and sisters Shirley Clough, Natelle Gross, and Donna Hutchings. Born in Luzerne, his family was burned out and moved to West Branch in 1922 where they farmed dairy and poultry on 80 acres. Alton graduated High School in 1936 and was an early entrepreneur having a candy bar and peanut machine routes around center Michigan. Alton was drafted into the US Army in 1940 where he served as a company communications sergeant a.k.a. (runner). He actually hand delivered orders for his company commander on the front-lines during the battles. Sergeant LeDuc was with company C 47th infantry regiment, 9th division and fought in 7 of the 9th divisions 8 campaigns in Algeria, French Morrocan, Tunisian Silcilain, Normandy, Northern France, and the Rhineland and Central Europe. While serving he was awarded 2 bronze stars, the purple heart, 1 silver battle star and 2 bronze battle stars. Alton was the most decorated Veteran in Ogemaw County. After honorably and bravely serving his country he returned home to Michigan and moved to Yipsilanti where he bought and managed two apartment buildings and started his long career of construction work and land development. He met his wife Alice in Yipsilanti, but moved back to his hometown of West Branch to raise his two sons Kim and Kirk. In West Branch he built the Twin Pines Mobile Home Park, and Crapo Hills Golf Course (now Applevalley) and in Gladwin LeDuc Park Subdivisions 1,2 and 3. As a young man Alton enjoyed motorcycling and talked about his Harley and Indian motorcycles he had owned in the 30's before the war, which inspired his sons to later take up the sport themselves. He enjoyed camping with his family and traveling, pulling a trailer. Alton was an early snowbird having started going to Florida in the winter in the early 50's before it was popular and owning a home down there. He enjoyed fishing and golfing in Florida and built a few homes there to sell for something to do in the winters. Those that knew him will tell you there wasn't anything he couldn't fix or build and would be the first one to offer help to anyone who needed it. His honesty, kindness generosity and devotion to his family and friends will be remembered by all that knew him.

A memorial service for Alton will be held at 11:00am on Friday, June 2, 2017 at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in West Branch. Visitation will be from 10:00am until the time of the service. Fr. Patrick Maher will officiate with military graveside honors to follow at the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.