Welcome West Branch High School Alumni Association West Branch, Michigan

CLASS OF 1937

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A.F.Lucas, Supt.
Elizabeth Crozer, Class Sponsor
* * * * * *

Class of 1937
classof37.jpg

Dorothy Adams Carscallen **

Catherine Bartlett **

Helen Bennett McPherson **

Doris Diebold Rea **

Jesse Embury **

John Engel **

Gladys Fach Beseau

Pete Hegeman **

Wanda Holly Decker

Mary Hunteman Fillipis **

Donna Kennedy Pray **

Dewitt Lucas **

Ermail Ludwig Sheppard **

Lila McGowan Swanick **

Phyllis Miller Harcourt Hack **

Fred Minzer **

Barbara Moore Carscallen Nichols **

Lela Norris Wright

Gertrude Parliament Halvarson**

Vance Priest **

Ruth Poling Cook

Grace Rosebrough Ehinger**

Roy Rosebrugh **

Myrtle Schell Gage **

Robert Sheldon**

Marion Sheldon Matthews **

Jean Shiel **

James Shore**

Nelson Webster **

Corintha Weeks Lam **

Minnie Wiltse Moore **

Raola Wise Laske **

Beverly Wolfson Eisenberg **

Harold Zettle **

Howard Chestnut

Dorothy Bowen Chappelle

Richard Dumire **

Frances Couture Mann**

William Husted **

 

DECEASED **

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Received a message from Nancy Rae Griffin about the death of Frances Couture Mann...."She graduated with my Mom (Doris Diebold Rea) and they remained friends until my Mother passed away at age 50.

Frances Marie (Couture) Mann grew up in West Branch, Michigan, with 2 sisters and 3 brothers. She graduated from Michigan State University (MSU) in 1941 with a bachelors degree in Home Economics Education. Upon graduation from MSU, Frances taught Home Economics at Watervliet (MI) High School before returning to Lansing, MI, to aid in the war effort by working as a secretary for the Oldsmobile Division of General Motors. She then returned to West Branch to teach Home Economics at West Branch High School for 2 years. Frances enlisted in the Red Cross as Services to Armed Forces (SAF) - training for one month in Washington D.C. She was assigned to the Army-Navy General Hospital in Hot Springs, Arkansas, as a social worker counseling returning servicemen.



Eventually Frances returned to MSU and completed a masters degree program in Social Work before returning to work at the Red Cross Chapter in Lansing, MI. Frances then moved to Midland, Michigan, to work as a Home Economics teacher at Central Intermediate High School (formerly Grove Street School?). Shortly thereafter, Frances Couture met her future husband, Joseph R. Mann. Frances and Joe were wed in 1950 and over a 7-year period they had 5 children. Frances had enormous pride in, and derived great pleasure from, her children and grandchildren. She also had a love for sewing and design which began when she was 10 years old and continued until her death. Over the years she created many heirlooms for family members and friends, ranging from wedding dresses to innovative baby clothes to draperies and other home furnishings. Her taste and talents were unsurpassed.



Frans enormous contributions of time, talent, friendship and love will be sorely missed by her children and grandchildren and those who knew her. Fran would have wanted to express her gratitude to the caring staff at Kings Daughters who became her “later life family. Fran was preceded in death by her Mother and Father, Isabel and Otis Couture, as well as siblings, Robert Couture (who died in WW II as a bombardier), Jack Couture (Barb), Richard Dick Couture (Carolyn), Mary Corriveau (John), and twin sisters who died shortly after birth. Frances has one surviving sister Barbara Witzke (Ed) in Port Huron and sister-in-law Karolyn Couture in New Hampshire. Fran is survived by her children, Mary Nalon (Terry/deceased), Dr. Robert Mann (Melinda), Thomas Mann, James Mann (Candi) and Marcie Mabry (Gary). Fran is survived by all but one of her grandchildren (Jonathon Nalon). The Mann grandchildren include Kristen, Jennifer, Joe, David, Michael, Stephen, and Laura Beth. The Nalon grandchildren are Daniel and Mark and the Mabrys are Isabel and Benjamin.



The above obituary was written over 30 years ago over drinks at a Bar/Restaurant with Frances and her daughters. When the waitress asked what all the hilarity was about, she was told that we were writing Frans obituary, letting her have input and then torturing her with what we would really say, eliciting another round of laughing. May Frans eternal optimism and good humor be spread among all those who she has loved and lost to Heaven including but not limited to her beloved husband Joe Mann. You were the best Mother a kid could ever have and there will never be enough words to describe the tenacious and remarkable woman you were. Till we meet again, RIP Mom.





Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, services are private.



Those wishing to view the service live stream, click on the link that will be placed Friday morning below this obituary. Streaming to begin 15 minutes prior to the service. Service to begin and 11:00 Friday, May 1, 2020.



Individuals wishing to pay their respects may do so on Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the Alzheimer’s Association.

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Baldwin, Gladys
Nov 26, 1918 - Aug 8, 2017
Born in Rose City, MI. Retired from GM in 1974 and relocated to Sarasota, FL, where she continued her never-ending devotion to family, faith, and helping others. Gladys was loved by many and will be missed dearly by her surviving friends and family. In lieu of flowers please make donations to New Life Lutheran Church located at 8010 Fruitville Rd. Sarasota, FL 34240.

Lucille Mary Miller Combs
Class of 1937
***

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Lucille Mary Combs, age 94, passed away on Monday, June 15, 2015 at her home in West Branch, MI with her loving family by her side. She had lived in West Branch since 1933, formerly of Carleton, MI. Lucille was born to Thomas and Gertrude Miller on January 23, 1921 in Carlton, MI. She graduated from West Branch High School with the class of 1937, 

Lucille is survived by her children, Lorraine Engel of Perrysburg, OH, Charles (Lela) Combs of West Branch, MI, Donna (Ronald) Grocholski of Greenbush, MI, Dean (Linda) Combs of Perrysburg, OH, Patricia (Bill) Jonsson of Kawkawlin, MI, and Elaine (Raymond) Klosowski of Kawkawlin, MI; 20 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren, and 6 great great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, Robert C. Combs; sons, Donald and Richard; daughter, Mary Jane; and granddaughter, Janette Wakefield. 

Robert E. Sheldon
Died May 9, 2012

Robert Earl Sheldon, 94, died peacefully at home Wednesday, May 9, 2012 in Bullhead City, Ariz.

Robert was born April 14, 1918 in Paw Paw, and later moved to Ogemaw County. Robert graduated from West Branch High School in 1937. After graduation he attended the University of Detroit, majoring to become a chemist. He then married Dorothy “Dottie” Almas in 1940 and after he spent a brief stint in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II, they lived in Detroit, where he worked as a mechanic and co-owned a garage and gas station.

In 1959, Robert and Dottie moved to California, where he worked for the Orange County Road Commission for many years. They retired and moved to Bullhead City in 1980. He enjoyed bowling, bridge club, and pinochle into his 90s.

Robert leaves his children, Robert Sheldon of Auburn, Calif., and Cheryl (William) Hawke of Orange, Calif.; grandchildren, Colin (Kathy), Kevin (Susan), and Victoria; and great-grandchildren, Talia, Kaylee, and Owen. He is also survived by his sister, Ardath Church of West Branch and Alford, Fla.; nieces, nephews, and many friends.

He was predeceased by his wife, Dottie, in 2003; his granddaughter, Valerie; parents, Earl and Olive Sheldon; and sisters, Marian Matthews, Betty Bradley and Donna Rakestraw.

A memorial service was held May 19, 2012 at Dimond and Sons Silver Bell Chapel in Bullhead City, Ariz.

“Enjoy your life. I did!”

 

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royrosebrughobit.jpg


Unknown Address

Dorothy Bowen Chappelle
Wanda Holly Decker
Howard Chestnut

DECEASED CLASSMATES
 
Robert Sheldon
(May 9, 2012)
 
Roy F. Rosebrugh
(December 8, 2008)
 
Donna Kennedy Pray
 (July 3, 2008)
 
William Husted
(November 16, 2007)

Ermel Ludwig Sheppard
(12/06/2006)

Dorothy I. Adams Carscallen
(2/17/1990-Age 71)

Katherine Bartlett
(1996)

Helen M. Bennett McPherson
(4/14/1984-Age 63)

Doris A. Diebold Rea
(10/9/1970-Age 50)

Richard Dumire

Jesse Embury
(1993)

John G. Engel
(4/29/1982-Age 62)

William Pete Hegeman

Mary Hunteman Filippis

DeWitt Lucas
 (1989)

Lila Louise McGowan Swanick
 (5/12/1984-Age 64)

Phyllis Miller Hack
(1996)

Fred Minzer
(1987)

Barbara Moore Nichols

Vance Priest

Marian Sheldon Matthews
(September 15, 2002)

Myrtle Shell Gage

Jean Shiel
(1998)

Nelson Webster

Corintha Weeks Lam

Minnie Wiltse Moore
(1987)

Raeola Wise Lasky
(July 8, 2004)

Harold Zettle
 
Beverly Wolfson Eisenberg
 
Ermail Ludwig Sheppard
 
* * * * * *
Donna E. Pray
(June 10, 1919 - July 3, 2008)

Donna E. Kennedy Pray passed away July 3, 2008 at the West Branch Regional Medical Center with her children beside her, she was 89 years old.
Donna was born to Fermen and Margaret Kennedy on June 10, 1919 in West Branch, Michigan. She married Warren “Pat” Pray on September 20, 1941 and lived in Mt. Pleasant where she worked as a telephone operator.
In 1990 Donna and Pat moved back to West Branch to build a home and retire. She belonged to the First United Methodist Church of West Branch and the Pleasant Hill Garden Club.
She loved her family dearly and enjoyed the many visits with each of them.

Donna is survived by her two children Robert (Judy) Pray of West Branch and Linda Bodo of Lapeer. Four grandchildren Lori (Joe) Woolworth, Lisa (Rocky) Ramirez, Shelley Bodo, and Sean Bodo. Eight Great grandchildren, and a brother Henry (Jean) Kennedy of Lansing. There are also many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband Warren Pray, and sisters Doris Stephens, and Viola Adrian.

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William Husted
(August 28, 1917 - November 16, 2007)

 William Husted, age 90, of West Branch, passed away Friday, November 16, 2007 at his home. He had lived in West Branch for the past 25 years, formerly of Ypsilanti.

Bill retired from Ford Motor Company. He was a member of the Moose Lodge and he enjoyed the outdoors, baseball and helping people.

Survivors include his wife, Katharine Atkinson of West Branch, children; Billy Jane Smith, Margaret Husted, Robert Husted and John Husted, 30 grandchildren, several great-grandchildren and his sister, Molly Chedester of Omaha.

No services will be held per Bill's wishes.