Welcome West Branch High School Alumni Association West Branch, Michigan

Class of 1965

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2012 SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED-PAGE 1
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Reservations for Alumni Banquet 2021

Joel Sheltrown
Linda Detzler Sherland
Michael Mezzano
Greg Kimball
Bill Artman
Brenda Simmons
Nancy Wachowski Reminder
Robert Dobler

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Chester Surline, Supt.
Hollis Miner, Principal
John Schaiberger, Class President
Louise Turner, Class Advisor
Michael Emlaw, Class Advisor
* * * * * *
Class Colors
Black and White
 
Class Flower
Lilac
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Carl G. Gildner
Camilla Sutton
Pamela Klacking
Richard Kruch
Larry Lacko
Cheryl Lail
Larry Lehman
Ronald Leslie
Chuck McDaniel
Ronald McPherson
Pat Gleason
Mary Ann Green Benjamin
Carmen de Luz
Gregory Hansen
Marjorie Kartes
Greg Kimball
Linda Kingen
Larry Neubecker
Gary Noffsinger
Thomas Noffsinger
Julie Nollsch
Rodney Orchard
Ann Parliament
Kathy Parliament
Luana Peter
Elden Peterson
Jean Priddy
Linda Priest
David Rabidue
Linda 'Lynn' Rau
Sally Raymond
Pam Reghi
Sheila Riley
Mark Rivard
Edward Royle
Sandy Schaefer
Sharron Scott
Jerome Weiler Jr.
Daniel Woughter
Bonnie Wangler
Dorothy Wangler
Nancy Wachowski
Brenda Simmons
Don Stephens
Phyllis Knephler
Marion Winter
Oka Utter
Robert Schubert
Karen Bragg
Peggy McKenna
Dorothy June
Rose Sappington
Mary Ann Thompson
John Thompson
Janie Steuernol
Joyce Neubecker
Jill Nelson
Darlene Morris
Joseph Mezzano
Mike Mezzano
Joy Meiser
David Matthews
Francis Masterson
Connie Martin
James Carroll
Mike Turner
Sylvia Awrey
Gail Muntz
Betty Jones
Pattie Gillis
Alice Hewson
David Draper
Julie Demerest
Sally Good Muzik
Randy Thompson
Joel Sheltrown
Richard Nelson
Donna Bohlinger
Barbara Bonnell Riley
Richard Cowles
Bill Davis
Randy Smith
Carol Ann Gillespie Winters
Bill Muzik
Tom Gavitt
Allen Cascadden
Bob Hutchins
Terry Chrivia
MaryAnn Green Benjamin

Scovill, Jane 64 May 10, 1947 Feb. 23, 2012 A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, March 1, 2012, at Beaverton FourSquare Church. Jane is survived by her husband, Nick; her four children, Heidi Golden, Wynne Scovill, Whitney Trombley and Stefanie Scovill; and four grandchildren.
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Josette (Miller) Biltoft, 70, of West Branch passed away Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2017, while battling cancer.
Josette was born Dec. 23, 1946, to Henry and Millie (Fox) Miller. She was a lifelong resident of West Branch, and grew up in Selkirk, Churchill Township. She graduated from West Branch High School with the class of 1965.
Jo is described by friends as being gentle and showing true humility to everyone; she had an energetic laugh and colorful spirit, was full of life and easily gave and received hugs, making a difference in the lives of others. She enjoyed friends and family, socializing, bonfires and Blatz.
Josette is survived by her daughter, April (Jim) Zettel; son, Raymond Biltoft; grandchildren, Steven (Sara) Zettel, Sara Zettel and Emily Jo (Kyle) Wangler; great-grandchildren, Jerimiha and Percy Zettel-Hodge and Landyn Jo Wangler.
She was preceded in death by Edgar Biltoft; and son, Edgar R. Biltoft.
A celebration of life service will be held at First United Methodist Church on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2017, at 11 a.m. Family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until the time of service. The Rev. Tim Dibble will officiate. Immediately following, a luncheon will be served at the church.
Josette and the family felt all the love and compassion from family and friends who came to visit her; and from those who kept us in your thoughts and prayers. We would also like to thank Dr. Levandowski for her service over the last couple years.

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Obituary for John "Randy" Randolph Thompson

Dr. John Randolph “Randy” Thompson, D.C., 68, of West Branch, Michigan passed away peacefully on the evening of Sunday, November 1 at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, in the company of his loved ones.

Randy was born on August 2, 1947 in West Branch, Michigan to Howard and Jean (Lally) Thompson. He graduated from West Branch High School in 1965, where he was a gifted athlete that excelled in basketball and football. A few years after graduating, Randy was called to action and served his country proudly in Vietnam for nearly a year. Upon his return, he enrolled at Central Michigan University, and in 1972, Randy graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree. In 1976 he furthered his studies by attaining a Masters in Education from Florida Atlantic University. But it wasn’t until 1983 that he found his true calling – to become a chiropractic physician – graduating Cum Laude from Life Chiropractic College in Marietta, GA. From here, Randy built a successful career as a chiropractor that began in Standish, Michigan and ended in Bay City, and spanned nearly 20 years. He loved helping to ease the pain of others, and he was beloved by his many patients.

On July 10, 1992, Randy married the love of his life, Kathy Wesolek Thompson. No one could make Randy laugh like Kathy, and the past 23 years were the happiest of his life. Randy and Kathy loved traveling the United States in their RV, making friends in every state, and ten years ago they decided to make Hilton Head, SC their winter home. Summer months were spent at their home on Clear Lake, just outside of West Branch, surrounded by friends and family.

Randy always loved the water and was an avid scuba diver and lobster fisherman in his younger years, when he resided in Florida. Later in life, he enjoyed spending his time above the waves, and one of his favorite things to do was take visitors out for a ‘toona’ ride on his beloved Clear Lake.

Randy loved to laugh and spend time with family and friends. He was an ardent sports fan (Go Blue!) as well as a zealous golfer, serving as a Ranger at The Nightmare golf course in West Branch. And, as all those who knew him would attest to, he liked to partake in the occasional chicken wing and Yuengling.

His friends and family will miss his infectious smile and the oftentimes mischievous twinkle in his eye, and his many signature sayings, such as “One more for the championship” and “God Bless America.” He was a good and kind man with a generous spirit and a beautiful soul, and as his friends will tell you, he never met a person he didn’t like. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, brother-in-law and friend, and those whose lives he touched will remember him always. He will live on forever in our hearts.
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50th Reunion
May 23, 2015

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Mary Ann Freel                                                         

Pinconning, Michigan

 

Mary Ann age, 66 loving wife, mother, and grandmother passed away Sunday, March 10, 2013 following a lingering illness.  She was born on November 29, 1946 in West Branch, Michigan to the late Clarence & Gertrude (Hershey) Finerty.She graduated from West Branch High School with the class of 1965.  She married Donald July 25, 1970 in Whitemore, Michigan. He survives her.  Mary Ann worked at Pinconning Laundry Mat for many years.  She enjoyed computer games, playing cards, crocheting, and reading but most of all spending time with her family.  She will be missed dearly at the round table at Annies. Surviving besides her husband of 43 years are their children Ann (Jim) Knaggs, and Brian (Kristy) Freel, grandchildren; Joey, Jillian, James, Tina, Jaylynn, and Jonathan, and a sister in law Nancy Finerty.  She was predeceased by a brother Donald.

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William J. Muzik
(February 4, 1947 - April 20, 2012)

 

William J. Muzik

William J. Muzik, age 65, passed away suddenly Friday, April 20, 2012 from complications of a stroke. Bill has been a resident of West Branch all of his life. He graduated from West Branch High School with the class of 1965.  Starting at the age of 18, Bill was a successful entrepreneur his entire life. He will be remembered as a hardworking, fun loving, honest man, with unlimited generosity. He married Wanda Barton in 1980. Bill was a member of the Churchill United Methodist Church. He served on the Ogemaw County Fair Board over 20 years and several years as president. He served as an Ogemaw County Road Commissioner for 18 years. The West Branch Chamber of Commerce presented Bill the “Person of the Year” award in 1988. He and Wanda enjoyed traveling with their trip to Alaska being his favorite.

Bill is survived by his wife, Wanda; Children: Mike, Peggy (Tony Martin) Graves, Tony (Becky) Rosebrugh, Todd (Stacey Kartes) Rosebrugh, and Wendy (Bill) Tuttle all of West Branch. Grandchildren: Michael, Kalynn, Kasey, Trisha, Devon, Britney, Megan, Kylie, Chase, Alexis, Ashley, Ayden, “Mr. Pete” & great granddaughter Brianna. Sisters: Jean (Mel) Minkin of Atlanta Georgia, Linda (Ron) Oldenburg of Aurora, Colorado. He was preceded in death by his parents John & Dorothy (Jackson) Muzik.

Bill unselfishly gave his final gift by donating his organs and tissues to “Gift of Life Michigan”. His lasting legacy lives on through others.

Visitation for William will be Tuesday, April 24 from 1-9 PM, Wednesday, April 25 from 1-4:30 PM with funeral service at 4:30 PM at the Steuernol & McLaren Funeral Home in West Branch. Pastors Janet Larner and Rev. Daniel Stoneback will officiate.

Memorial Donations are suggested to either The Ogemaw County Fair Board or American Diabetes Association.

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Carol Ann Gillespie Winters
(March 15, 1947 - April 16, 2012)

Carol Ann Winters

Carol Ann Gillespie Winters, age 65 of West Branch, passed away Monday, April 16, 2012 at Bortz Health Care in West Branch. Carol was born March 15, 1947 in West Branch, the daughter of Leon and Rosemary Gillespie. She graduated from West Branch High School with the class of 1965. She had lived in West Branch since 2009, formerly of Asheville, NC. Carol was a free spirit who enjoyed local Michigan history; especially train stations, lighthouses, and antiques. She also enjoyed taking pictures of train stations and old barns.

Carol is survived by parents, Leon (class of 1939) and Rosemary Gillespie of West Branch, brothers, Ron (Sandy) Gillespie of Midland, Brad Gillespie of Traverse City, niece, Michelle Gillespie of Apollo, FL and nephew, Jeff Gillespie of Waterford.

The family would like to express a special thank you to Luann, David, Pam, and Brenda. The angels that helped her during her three year battle with cancer.

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Ron McPherson
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Ron McPherson, class of 1965,
 passed away Friday, February 3, 2012 at Bortz Health Care in West Branch. He had lived in West Branch for all of his life. He enjoyed music, hunting, fishing and being outdoors.

Ron is survived by his wife Judy McPherson of West Branch, children Byron (Sherry) McPherson and Kelly (Maurice) McKim both of West Branch, grandchildren, Jazlynn McPherson, Nicholas McPherson, Michael McKim, Jerry Spress, Matthew Spress and Kaylee Bottini. He was preceded in death by his parents, Arvid (class of 1940) and Helen (Bennett) McPherson (class of 1937) and his sister Carol Ann McPherson.

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Visitation at the Steuernol & McLaren Funeral Home in West Branch will begin at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, February 6, 2012 until the time of the service at 2:00 p.m. Rev. Kim Chenoweth will officiate with burial following at Selkirk Cemetery, West Branch.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the family


UNKNOWN ADDRESSES
 
Terry Chrivia

Eldin E. Peterson
 
Richard Kruch
 
David Draper
 
Sharon Scott Wedel
 
Richard Cowles

Bill Davis

Pat Gleason Bitakes
 
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DECEASED CLASSMATES
 
Terry Chrivia

Mary Ann Finerty Freel
(March 10, 2013)
 
Ron McPherson
(February 3, 2012)
 
Randy Smith
(October 14, 2011)
 
Ron Leslie
(June 7, 1971)

I have been looking in the website and I saw Ron Leslie on your 1965 listing as deceased but I wanted to give you the date to add. He was killed in a car accident June 7, 1971 after he served in the US army 66-69 VietNam era. He was an MP for a 5 star general.

I am his baby sister, Jean Leslie, as a matter of fact I graduated from AuGres Sims High just a few days before he died. I hope you all remember him as he was an awsome guy. I have been looking for his Army picture in my pic file and have not found it yet . When I do you can put it in the military memories in your site that would be great. In looking at the listing of names I cannot believe that I actually remember some of his friends and the names as I was a child at the time.

Hope you all have a great time at your event. Just update the records please.

Thank You

Jean Leslie-Higgins


Barbara Fisher Lewinzdowski

Chuck McDaniels
(1991)

Gail Muntz Edgar

Sandra Schaefer Andrews
(December 31, 2003)

Jerry Walters
 
Rodney Orchard
 (November 30, 2007)
 
Julie Demerest Kimball
 
Carol Gillespie Winters

Randy Smith
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Class of 1965

Randolph Henry Smith, age 64, passed away suddenly Friday, October 14, 2011 in Mackinac County. Randy has been a lifelong resident of West Branch. Randy was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church, a Veteran of the United States Army as a Fire Fighter during the Vietnam War. He worked as a truck driver and enjoyed riding motorcycles.

Randy is survived by his son Randy Scott (Heather) Smith, Flatrock, Michigan and his four grandsons Skylar, Madison, Tom and Michael. He leaves his 3 brothers: Lyle (Irene) Smith, West Branch; Dave (Ellie) Smith, Henderson, Nevada; and Junior Smith, West Branch. Randy is preceded in death by his parents Donald & Olith Smith.

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Thanks to former teacher, Michael Emlaw..1962-1965...Class advisor  to the class of 1965... who sent these pictures taken at the Alumni Banquet this year 2010.

Michael Emlaw..Teacher...Cheryl Lail Johnson
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Randy Thompson
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Margaret Olds Emlaw wife of Michael Emlaw Teacher
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Loa & Alan Murray,Jim Strohmer, Alice Thompson
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Joel Sheltrown
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Connie Martin Roettger
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Mr. Emlaw and Jill Nelson Ammond
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Julie Ann Demerest-Kimball
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Class of 1965

Julie Ann Demerest-Kimball age 63 of West Branch, passed away Friday, May 28, 2010 at West Branch Regional Medical Center. Julie had lived in West Branch for all of her life. She graduated from West Branch High School in 1965. She loved being with her grandkids, playing with her pets and enjoyed interior decorating as a hobby.

Julie is survived by her children Gregory A. Kimball Jr. of West Branch and Kerrie (Bob) VanBelzen of Newaygo, grandchildren, Aleia Wright and Dennis Wright of Newaygo. Also surviving are two sisters, DeeDee (Gale) Sullivan of Bay City and Linda (Guy) Fisk of Ashville, NC, several cousins, nieces and nephews. Visitation at the Steuernol & McLaren Funeral Home in West Branch will begin on Monday, May 31, 2010 from 2:30 to 9:00 p.m. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday at St. Joseph Catholic Church in West Branch. Fr. Patrick Maher will officiate with burial following at St. Joseph Cemetery, West Branch.

Rodney F. Orchard
(January 10, 1947 - November 30, 2007)

(United States Veteran)

 Rodney Floyd Orchard, age 60, of West Branch, passed away suddenly on Friday, November 30, 2007 at his home. He had been a resident of West Branch for over 40 years.

Rodney is survived by 2 daughters, Rhonda (Dan) Griffith of St. Petersburg, FL, and Amy (Dean) Abner of Panama City, FL. 3 grandchildren and 2 sisters, Sandy (Robert) Williams of New Smyrna, FL, and Florine Sappington of West Branch.