Welcome West Branch High School Alumni Association West Branch, Michigan

CLASS OF 1959

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Alumni Banquet Reservations 2021

Richard Hamilton
Michael Blancher
Joyce Jameson Gildner

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Chester Surline, Supt.
Hollis Miner, Principal
Richard Buck, Class President
Karolyn Amble, Class Advisor
Clifford Bedore, Class Advisor
* * * * * *

Jimmy Stringer

Died March 14, 2019Jimmy Stringer, 79, of West Branch, passed away March 14, 2019, at Heartland Healthcare Center — Briarwood Manor.

Jimmy was born in Monticello, Ky., on March 8, 1940, son of the late Mose and Reada (Troxell) Stringer. He married Bertie Stringer on June 1, 1991, and she preceded him in death Sept. 1, 2001. Jimmy worked as a CPA in Kalamazoo and he loved to fish.

Jimmy is survived by his sister, Barbara (John) Hart; and nephews, John (Jenny) Hart and Jim Hart.

Cremation has taken place.

Stuart Bergsma Jr.

Knoxville - Bergsma, Stuart Jr.-Age 79 of Knoxville, TN passed away unexpectedly of natural causes at home on March 14, 2021. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mina and Stuart Bergsma Sr.; and his beloved wife Judy Garner Bergsma with whom he is now joyfully reunited. He is survived by his children, Bridget (Brian) Rieth and Michael Bergsma, both of Grand Rapids, MI; grandchildren Mackenzie (Victoria) Rieth and Elliot (Elissa) Rieth; sister Barbara Feiler; and her children and grandchildren.

Stuart was born in Detroit, MI on May 6, 1941. He and his sister were adopted together by Mina and Stuart and raised in Port Huron and West Branch, MI. Stuart graduated from West Branch High School class of 1959 and served in the U.S. Army for two years as a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne. He was a proud "Screaming Eagle" who made numerous jumps, which he claimed was his way of overcoming acrophobia. Next he worked as a ranch hand in the Superstition Mountains in Arizona. Returning to Michigan he met Judy, the love of his life, married, had children, and continued to follow his interests as a business owner, salesperson, college student, rancher, truck driver, respiratory therapist, and registered nurse. Both Stu and Judy worked as nurses in the Knoxville area in the later part of their careers.

Stu and Judy lived together in West Branch, Indianapolis, Mt. Pleasant, MI, and Livingston, MT, but spent their longest time as residents of Knoxville, TN, where they loved the mountains, mild climate, and friendly people. With a razor sharp intellect and wit, Stu was a lifelong explorer who sailed the Great Lakes, fished the great western rivers with hand-tied flies, climbed mountains, cooked a mean Bolognese, wrote a novel, and taught his family that you are never too old to learn more. At the age of 40 he returned to school to finish his degree, at 50 he took up surfing. At 70 he learned to play violin, and upon his passing had spent 806 consecutive days learning French on DuoLingo. He delighted in following the Tour de France, America's Cup, and any sport his grandchildren were involved in. Also football, basketball, baseball, golf, boxing, racing, the Olympics-really any sport was good with Stu.

Setting an excellent example, Stu always strove to learn about whatever interested him. What was in his head, generally came out of his mouth, and while not all opinions were welcome, his stories, conversations, and Captain Safety cautionary tales will be sorely missed by those of us who were lucky enough to be his family or friend. If you feel compelled to honor his memory, please tell your people how much you love them. Without fail, he told us every time we spoke.

Stuart's family will hold a private celebration of life at a later date.
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Sonya Miller Bennet
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The Marys
Class of '59
Left to Right
Mary Oberline, Mary Curtis, Mary Miles, Mary Klacking
 
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Picture Below
Left to Right
Miss Martin-Arnold Burger-Clara Jackson
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Picture Below
Left to Right
Margo Nelson, Roland Bunting
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Obituary of Grace Butterfield

Grace J. Butterfield, age 73, of Columbiaville died September 22, 2014 at Hurley Medical Center.

Grace was born March 19, 1941 in Pontiac, the daughter of the late Leon and Myrtle McKinstry. She later married Gerald R. Butterfield on December 28, 1984 in Oxford.

She was a lifetime member of the Ladies Auxiliary for the Lapeer County Voiture 1536 40&8. She also was a member of the Lapeer VFW Post 4139, and served as Past President locally and for the district for the Ladies Auxiliary. Grace truly enjoyed volunteering, she also liked to read, watch the butterflies and birds in her garden, and most of all spend time with family and friends.

Grace is survived by her husband Gerald, Children: Jeannette ( Tim ) Sloan, Mike Reno, Jack Hodges, Jerry Butterfield, Terry Butterfield, Gary Butterfield, Siblings: Rosemary ( Larry ) Dunnigan, Vern ( Melinda ) Williamson, and Fred Williamson.

She is also survived by 10 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Robert.
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Tom Scott 71, graduated from West Branch High School with the class of 1959.
 Tom passed away Thursday January 17, 2013 at McLaren- Bay Region with his family at his side following a complications from heart surgery.
He was born in Grandville, Michigan on March 31, 1941 to the later Ephriam  & Mary (Sharrow) Scott.  He married the former Bonnie J. Priddy on June 18, 1960 in West Branch, she survives him. 
Tom was a man that could do anything with his hands, welding, carpentry, farming, and truck driving. He was the owner/operator of Ogemaw Monuments in West Branch and the sexton for the Edwards Township Cemetery. He was an avid hunter, loved being out of doors and hunting with his sons.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years and their children  Suzanne & Randy Stillwagon, Troy & Bonnie Scott, Jon & Teresa Scott and Ted & Jenifer Scott; grand children Jennifer & Mark Stillwagon, Stevie, Troy, Lucretia, Jason & Jared Breece; Tommy Scott, Gabby, Taylor, Izzy, & Christian Scott; Sophie Frank; Evelyn & William Scott: 7 great grandchildren; Sister Pat & Gerry Munn; 2 brothers David & Ann Scott and Jerry & Cindy Scott; siter in laws Lucille & Hawley Rhew and Gail & Ron Evans. He was predeceased by 2 grand children.

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Mary Martin Miner

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Mary M.Martin Miner
(September 22, 1941 - June 2, 2009)

 
Mary M. Martin Miner (Class of 1959), died Tuesday, June 2, at her West Branch home with her family at her side after a brave fight with ovarian cancer. She was 67.

Mary was born Sept. 22, 1941, in Detroit, the daughter of Robert and Katherine Martin (later Morrison). After graduating from West Branch High School in 1959, she attended Albion College for two years before transferring to Michigan State University, which was the start of her life-long loyalty to the Spartans.

She married Hollis L. Miner in 1963 and they had three daughters. Mary taught full time off and on for a few years in West Branch and then was a frequent substitute teacher at Ogemaw Heights High School in the 1970s and ’80s.

More than anything, Mary loved being a wife and mother and she was darned good at both. She was an avid camper, an inconsistent-yet-determined bowler and was active in Girl Scouts. She was a troop leader, service unit director, Mitten Bay Council board member and Camp Wigwah Day Camp director.

Mary also spent several summers exploring the state with her metal detector, finding everything from bottle caps to silver coins to rings. In the 1990s, she started selling her garage-sale treasures on eBay – a pastime she found rewarding in many ways.

Mary also was involved in Ogemaw Township government with stints on the Board of Review and the Election Board, and she was a member of the township’s Downtown Development Authority.

She was a member of the First United Methodist Church.

Mary is survived by three daughters, Betsy Miner-Swartz (Robin) of Lansing, Holly Miner of Petoskey and Amy Covault of Clarkston; and two grandchildren, Madison and Joshua Covault of Clarkston. She also is survived by three brothers, Richard (Dorene) Martin of Midland, Brian (Arlene) Martin of West Branch and Arthur Morrison of San Francisco; and several nieces and nephews. In addition, she is survived by sister-in-law Barbara (Robert) Nicolini, of Clearwater, Fla., and brother-in-law Don (Bonnie) Miner of West Branch.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Hollis, in 2006, and her parents, Robert Martin in 1953 and Kaye Morrison in 1996.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Helping Hands in West Branch or the First United Methodist Church of West Branch.

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Mary Martin Miner

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HENRY L. FULLER

Henry L. Fuller, 68, of Snover, Michigan passed away Monday, May 4, 2009 at Maricopa Integrated Health in Phoenix, AZ.

He was born January 12, 1941 in Alger, Michigan the son of the late Sidney and Dorothy (Yorkey) Fuller. He married Karen Smith of Marlette, Michigan in 1965. He graduated from West Branch High School in 1959 and then served in the U.S. Army for 2 years. He was an accomplished heating and air conditioning businessman in the Thumb for over 20 years, before retiring in 2001. He and his wife spent the last eight years splitting time between Michigan and Arizona. As a member of the Michigan Supreme Travelers RV club he and Karen visited many areas. He especially enjoyed their RV trip to Alaska and his salmon fishing there. He loved to play pranks and tell stories. He was an avid golfer, fly fisherman, and tinkerer.

He is survived by his wife Karen, two sons; Mark (Denise) Fuller of Canton, MI and their children Caleb, Rachael, and Ben, and Jeff (Kristin) Fuller of White Lake, MI and their children Marissa, Micah, and Mikayla, one brother; Darrel (Patsy) Fuller of Zephyrhills, FL, one sister; Francis Brick of West Branch, MI. He was preceded in death by siblings Marie, Tom and Wayne.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 23, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at First United Methodist Church of Marlette with Rev. Dan Bowman officiating.

Visitation will take place at the church immediately prior to the memorial, beginning at 9:30a.m.

Memorials may be donated to Heaven Sent Ministries, Marlette, MI, a local ministry that provides food and clothing to those in need. For information regarding arrangements, call the church at 989-635-2075.

 

DECEASED CLASSMATES

Gerald E. Reetz
1/8/2015
 
Frances Page Walton
12/28/2009)
 
Mary Martin Miner
 (June 2, 2009)
 
Henry Fuller
(5/4/2009)
 
Eltheida Grace Adolph
 (10/31/08)
 
Eldon Adolph
 (10/20/06)
 
Carol Sheick Schumacker
 (3/21/06)
 
Helen Meir Reetz
 (7/31/05)
 
Richard McKenney
(7/20/03)
 
James Hayes
(1962)
 
Nancy McClaren Morrison
 
Ronald Meiser
(May 26, 1980)
 
Sonya Miller Bennett
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Grace McKinstry Butterfield
Class of 1959
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Nancy Towner Culbertson
Class of 1959
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Mary Curtis Lucas...
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A Mary Moment
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Mary Curtis Lucas has shared some photographs of her family...click on this link....

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1947 & 1948 1st & 2nd Grade Overflow
Miss Mary Daugherty, Teacher
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1946-1947 Kindergarten
Miss Alice Ferson, teacher
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1955 Junior High
Basketball Team
Mr. Clifford Bedore, Coach
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Elthieda Grace Adolph
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Elthieda G. Adolph, age 69 of West Branch passed away Friday, October 31, 2008 after an extended illness. She had lived in West Branch for all of her life.
 
She graduated from West Branch High School in the class of 1959.

Elthieda is survived by her niece, April Kennedy.

Elder Ed White and Kevin White will officiate with burial following, November 3, at Brookside Cemetery, West Branch.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Hospice of Helping Hands, West Branch.

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Sally Behrens James would like to hear from old friends...
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Elden Adolph
Elthieda Adolph
Tim Adrian
Ralph Bearss
Roger Bearss
Sally Behrens James
Rolland Benjamin
Stuart Bergsma Jr.
Michael Blancher
Janis Bolyard Leak
William Brown
Richard Buck
Roland Bunting
Arnold Burger
Judy Chadwick
Mary Curtis Lucas
Margaret David Davis
William DeFresne
Phil Foltz
Douglas Fritz
Henry Fuller
Ruth Gingell
Earl Grezeszak
Richard Hamilton
James Hayes
Beverly Helphenstine Roache
Rachel Hunt McLaren
Eugene Hutchins
Clara Jackson Pasko
Joyce Jameson
Eugene Kauffman
Mary Klacking Hughes
Helen Klein Burger
Gerald Lehman
David Lucas
 Marianne MacKinnon Gray
Richard McKenney
Grace McKinstry Butterfield
Nancy McLaren Morrison
Mary M. Martin Miner
Helen Meir Reetz
Ronald Meiser
Mary Miles Gleb
Sonya Miller Bennett
John Monson
Donald Miner
Ronald Mumy
Margo Nelson Smith
Robert Novak
Mary Oberlin Duthler
Frances Page Walton
Kay Pickens Osborn
Donald Power
Cathy Pray Sullivan
Leroy Prentice
Gerald Reetz
David Rosevear
Thomas Scott
Robert Schliter Jr.
John Schneider
Joyce Schneider
Linda Schumann Zimmer
Carol Sheick Schumacker
Beverly Short Stockton
Penelope Smith Schneider
Harold Stephens
Sally Stephens Reed
James Stringer
Nancy Towner Culverston
Keith VanWormer
Robert Williams
Jacquelyn Dunnill Converse

UNKNOWN ADDRESSES
 
Linda Schuman
Mary Oberlin Duthler
 
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DECEASED CLASSMATES
 
Elthieda Grace Adolph
(10/31/2008)
 
Carol Sheick Schumacker(3/21/06)

James Hayes (1962)

Richard McKenney (July 20, 2003)

Nancy McLaren Morrison

Ronald Meiser

Sonya Miller Bennett

Joyce Schnieder

Helen Jean Meir Reetz (July 31, 2005)

 
Eldon Adolph (October 20, 2006)