Welcome West Branch High School Alumni Association West Branch, Michigan

Class of 1935

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Florence Artman Sargent, widow of Jack Sargent, passed away April 22, 2021 at the age of 104. Florence attended St. Joe High School, graduating with the class of 1935.
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Mogle, Jr. , William Henry 1/15/1919 - 9/14/2019 William was the only child born to Maybelle and William Mogle, Sr in Detroit, MI. on January 15, 1919. Bill told everyone for as long as anyone can remember he would live to be 100 years old and that he did! Bill was raised above the grocery store his parents owned, with his aunt's being very involved in his life. Aunt Blanche was a school teacher, so Bill credited her with being able to skip the third grade, which was the grade she taught. Watching the Tigers has always been a passion of Bill's starting as a young boy when he was close enough to walk to Tiger Stadium on the dirt road to watch them play ball. Bill always spent time up north in St. Helen. Bill's parents bought lake property and built cottages there. He and his dad built 20 boats in Detroit, tested them on the Detroit River and sent them by rail up north to be used at the resort they named 'The Highlands'. Bill's dad had stake in boat engines that became known as Evinrude Motors. Bill's mother passed away from breast cancer when he was 12 years old. He helped care for her by changing her dressings. After her death he and his father moved to Lake St. Helen full time and help run the busy hunting resort. Education was important to Bill as he was always a very good student, graduating from West Branch High School at 16 years old, where he played football, basketball, and tennis. This is where he would meet his lifelong best friend Wynn Steuernol. Bill attended University of Michigan for one year and an avid "Go Blue!" fan was born. After a year at Michigan, Bill transferred to Albion College initially for medicine but he graduated in Chemical Engineering and was a member of Sigma Nu. Bill was very proud when 70 plus years later three of his great grandchildren were accepted to Albion College and could receive a small scholarship because he was an alumni. Bill married Justine Sheppard, who was a school teacher. Both of them enjoyed their family, playing cards, dancing, parties, completing puzzles, and spending time on the water. Bill played bridge as recently as last week and always had a game thanks to his son, Chuck and friends Jim Franklin, and Steve Christian. Bill had a private pilot license and owned his own plane for many years. When his great grandson, Joe received his different pilot licenses he passed on his pilot maps and books to him. His son, Chuck and grandson, Tony were also private pilots. Bill did not go to WWII because of his bad eye site. He instead worked at Willow Run Airport and x-rayed B-24 Bomber Airplanes to make sure they were built properly. Bill then took a job in Jackson at Anotreat where they did anodizing. This job lead to Bill opening Mogle Industries in 1960 that did plating, mainly for the car industry. Bill and Justine had two children Gayle and Charles whom they raised in Jackson, MI. Gayle and Chuck stayed in the Jackson area to raise their families with Chuck and his wife Pam working in the family business until its sale. Bill and Justine greatly enjoyed going to their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren's school activities and sports. Bill attending great grandchildren's activities this year. Bill and Justine also spent many winters in Key Colony Beach, Florida. Bill spent many hours fishing on their boat "Just Bill" (Justine/Bill), especially with his grandson, Tony. Bill's favorite time of the year his entire life was always Christmas and it was always spent with family. There was never a year without a perfectly decorated Christmas tree, his Santa hat and a gift from Santa. Bill always viewed Christmas from the eyes of a child. Bill was preceded in death by his wife Justine two months shy of their 70th anniversary, his brother and sister in- law Jack and Patt Sheppard, his grandson, Charles Jacob, and great granddaughter, Tess Taylor. He is survived by his daughter, Gayle (Daniel) Jacob and son, Charles and Pamela Mogle. Grandchildren, Jency (Joffray) Marcantel, Jr., Karyn (William) Taylor, Anthony (Kirsten) Mogle, Carey (William) Garrison, and his namesake, William Jacob. Great grandchildren Joffray(Megan) Marcantel, lll, Justine Marcantel, his wife's namesake, H. Ross Taylor, Ailsa Taylor, Connor Mogle, Maggie-Wallis Taylor, Matthew Mogle, Henry Garrison, and Charles Garrison. Great great grandchildren, Stella Marcantel and her sibling baby Marcantel who is on the way that Bill was excited about.
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Doris Marie Gildner, 101, passed away Friday, May 18, 2018, at The Horizon Senior Living in West Branch.

She was born March 29, 1917, in West Branch to Charles and Ethel (Strong) Cool. Doris graduated from West Branch High School in 1935. While in high school, she played for the varsity basketball team. Soon after high school, she worked for the local newspaper, now the Ogemaw County Herald. It was there that she meet her soon-to-be husband, the late Clifford Gildner, who came in to place a newspaper ad. Doris was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church and the Council of Catholic Women. She was member of the Moose Lodge in West Branch and she spent many years on a local bowling league. She also loved pottery, painting and hooking rugs. She was an excellent cook and loved to spoil her grandchildren. If you knew Doris, you knew she was faithful. She worked _every day_ for the past 75 years at West Branch Concrete. She was even working just weeks before she passed. Doris was the full owner after her husband Clifford passed away in 2001. She was very generous and donated many hours and products to the local community throughout the years, never wanting any recognition.

Surviving family include her son, Roger (Linda) Gildner of West Branch; and son, Alan (Marianne Bartlett) Gildner of West Branch. She has 13 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Clifford Gildner; daughter, Joyce Alley; grandson, Joseph; three sisters, JoAnn, Geraldine and Elizabeth Ann “Buff”; and brother, Ed “Twist” Oliver Jr.

Visitation for Doris will begin Wednesday, May 23, 2018, from 2-9 p.m. at the Steuernol & McLaren Funeral Home in West Branch. A rosary will be said by her good friend Sharon Fritz at 3 p.m. Wednesday. Her funeral Mass will take place Thursday, May 24, at 11:30 a.m. at the St. Joseph Catholic Church. Visitation at the church will be held one hour prior to Mass. Father Patrick Maher will officiate with burial to follow at the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions can be made to The Horizon Senior Living in West Branch or the Michigan Premier Hospice.
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  Mary Jane (McGowan) Borgioli was born in West Branch, MI on June 16, 1917 to the late Irving G. and Beatrice (Hutchins) McGowan. She passed away in Essexville, MI on April 27, 2016. Her husband, Edmond H. Borgioli, preceded her in death on December 6, 2000. Mary Jane graduated from West Branch High School and attended Marywood Academy in Grand Rapids. She was formerly a member of Grace Episcopal Church in Standish where she was in the choir and taught Sunday school. She has been a member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Bay City since 1955 and was formerly in its Altar Guild. She was a former member of the Order of the Eastern Star in Standish. She is survived by her daughter Katherine M. (Leo) Borrello and her beloved granddaughter Monica Borrello as well as a niece Janet Atton, a nephew Robert McGowan, two great nieces Charity Atton and Emily (Jonathan) Harmon, great-great niece Lily Atton-Doornbos, a great- great nephew Grayson Atton-Doornbos and a sister-in-law Evelyn Todtenhagen. She was preceded in death by two brothers: Robert C. and Richard I. McGowan.
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ANDERSON, Gladys V. August 11, 2012 Beloved wife of the late Frank P. Cherished mother of Lynn (Robert) Frech and the late Bonnie (George) Oliver. Adored grandmother of Daryl and Ryan Oliver. Proud great-grandmother of Matthew, Betsy and Jane. Loving sister of Lawrence and Wellesley Vogan. Four brothers and two sisters predecease her. Caring aunt to many nieces and nephews.
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SARGENT, Jack G. Sr. Passed away on Sunday, May 25, 2014 with his wife of 74 years, Florence, by his side. Jack was 97 years old.
 Jack was born in West Branch, MI on Jan. 21, 1917. He attended West Branch High School, graduating in the class of 1935.
 He was a WW II veteran and worked for Standard Oil until his retirement.
 Besides his wife, Florence, he is survived by son, Jack (Beth) of Michigan; daughter, Sue (Gary) Smith of Nebraska; eight grandchildren and seven great-grand-children. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday at 11am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Pinellas Park. He will be greatly missed by all.
                                               

Donald Morrison
Geraldine Tulloch Bertovick
Paul Chase
Kenneth Greer
Kenneth Sheppard
Cleo Priest Darling
Lucy Brindley
Benjamin Schlichter
Erma Burt
Rena Hadley Benjamin
Doris Cool Gildner
Marion Combs Link
Howard Densmore
Claudia Bell
 Horsell McLeod
Ernest Husted
Mary Jane McGowan Dorgioli
Helen McGowan Lennington
William Moyle
Genevieve Morse Clark
Nina Lee Nieman Corey
George Munson
Jack Parliament
Thelma Rosebrough Sheppard
Lois Pray Everette
Jack Sargent
Gladys Vogan Anderson
Fred Schliter
James Wier
Carvel Wolfson
Orlin Rakestraw
Mildred Withey Mason

Florence Artman Sargent St.Joe High School

Carvel Wolfson

 

Carvel Wolfson, 96, of Gladwin, passed away n Saturday, July 21, 2012. Carvel was born on Sept. 23, 1915, in Cleveland, Ohio, the son of Frank and Lottie (Pearlman) Wolfson. They resided in Central Michigan where he grew up and graduated from West Branch High School with the class of 1935.

Although he participated in many activities, such as basketball and football, Carvel was most proud of becoming an Eagle Scout. He attended Michigan State University. After that, he surveyed roads for the state highway department. While in West Branch he met Mildred Goldberg, a school teacher, and they married. When World War II began, Carvel signed up with the Army Air Force.

Returning from Europe after the war, the Wolfsons settled in Gladwin and he began a career working and later managing Goldberg’s Department Store. Carvel worked hard, as did Millie, raising three children. He loved sports and enjoyed them with his family and friends. Carvel and Millie were very civic minded.

Carvel did a tremendous amount of work for the community of Gladwin. He was a member of the school board for many years. He was on the MidMichigan Hospital Board and was instrumental in providing the area with a hospital, as well as being part of the Gladwin Development Corporation and Gladwin Heritage project.

Although Carvel was not a Mason, he received the Edgar A. Guest Masonic Award for Community Service in recognition of outstanding service to the community, which exemplifies the concern for the well-being of mankind and of belief in worldwide brotherhood of man. The Rotary and Lions Club also honored him for his service.

He and Mildred both received Certificates of Leadership from the United Way. The Michigan Veterans Trust Fund honored him for his loyal and unselfish dedication to our veterans and their families. So did the Central Michigan Jewish Community. Carvel was also presented “Man of the Year” by the Gladwin Chamber of Commerce for his outstanding service to Gladwin County.

As a parent, grandparent and great-grandparent, he was loving and encouraging, and did it all with a sense of humor.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mildred Goldberg Wolfson.

He is survived by his three children, Charles (Merle), Jane Poliakoff, and Sam (Randee); six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

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Mildred Withey Mason
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Mildred Mason, 94, of Midland passed away Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012, going peacefully in her sleep while surrounded by family and close friends at home. Born Mildred Withey in Prescott, Michigan on Jan. 29, 1917, she spent her life in Michigan, from working on the family farm with her siblings to being on the manufacturing line in Flint’s auto factories during World War II to having a family with her husband. On Feb. 13, 1944, she married Arnold Mason and then built their home in Skidway Lake, Michigan where they raised their three children, Douglas, Debra, and Dennis. Ever the strong and independent woman, after Arnold passed away in 1984, Mildred lived on her own in that same house for years where her children and their families visited regularly. She loved spending time with her loved ones, always welcoming her grandchildren and great-grandchildren in with a big smile and the promise of food. Always referring to herself in the third person as “Gramma,” many weekend mornings were spent with her grandkids cooking pancakes from scratch from her very own recipe. For the last five years of her life, she lived most of her time with her son, Douglas, in Midland, Michigan, and spent many winters with her daughter, Debra, in Florida. She loved recalling extraordinarily detailed stories about her life, which spanned nearly a century, and was even telling jokes up until her last day with us. She will be missed greatly by her surviving family: sisters, Edwina and Viola Hawley; sister-in-law, Twila May; son, Douglas Mason; daughter, Debra (Dale) Sova; seven grandchildren, Russell Mason, Ryan Mason, David Mason, Marissa Mason, Michael (Christina) Sova, Stephanie (Brian) Belanger, and Melissa Sova; two great-grandchildren, Jillian Sova and Patrick Belanger; and friend and caretaker, Linda L. Prince. Mildred was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Arnold, and her son, Dennis on Mar. 15, 1997.
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Orlin E. Rakestraw, 92 of Coldwater went to be with his Lord Sunday December 13, 2009 at Bronson Methodist Hospital Kalamazoo, MI. Orlin was born July 25, 1917 in Lupton Michigan to Ernest and Avice (Zellars) Rakestraw. He married Lorene V. Blackledge April 12, 1940 in Lupton MI.
He was a member of the Gideonfs and the Church of the Nazarene in Coldwater, he taught boys Sunday school for many years. He was Ovid Twp. Treasurer for many years also he was a driver for meals of wheels; He loved to walk, up to 4 or 5 miles a day. He once tried out for the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team, and he loved to watch all sports. Orlin farmed and sold real estate in Lupton MI. Orlin & Lorene moved to Coldwater in 1965 from Lupton. He worked for Michigan Animal Breeders of East Lansing and served the farmers in Branch Co. In 1974 he began work as a real estate salesman for Laney Realty and later Steffey Realty. He sold real estate in Branch Co. until he was 80 years old. He loved to help people and was a great Christian husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather.
Survivors include his wife Lorene, 5 Daughters: Carol (Rev. Duane) Rice of Canton OH, Virginia Weidinger of Louisville OH, Lorna (Gary) Putman of Saginaw MI, Ardis (Duff) Streeter of Lupton, MI and Neva (John) Lounds of Coldwater, MI. Several Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren. Preceded in death by a brother, sister, son-in-law and grandson.
Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. Wed. December 16, 2009 at the Church of the Nazarene in Coldwater, MI with Pastor Robert Tharp officiating. Visitation will be from 5-7p.m. Tues December 15, 2009 at the Gillespie Funeral Home, Coldwater, MI. Graveside services will be held 1:00 p.m. Thurs, December 17, 2009 at Lane Heights Cemetery in Lupton, MI. Memorials may be made to the Gideonfs 
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February 27, 2009
Orlin sent us a note of times past..
A nice way to remember him.
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I came in 1934 to stay with my Grandpa Orlin Rakestraw, County Treasurer. He died in 1934.
I drove from Lupton as a senior and hauled in other kids along the way.
I graduated in 1935.
I made some good friends along the way..
Sorry about Wynne Steuernol..he was a friend at all times.
Orlin
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A.F. Lucas, Supt
Mildred Blumenthal, Class Sponsor
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Jack Parliament...Class of 1935
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DECEASED CLASSMATES

Gladys Vogan Anderson
(8/11/2012)

Jack G. Sargent Sr.
(May 25, 2014)
 
Marion Combs Link
(July 2007)
 
Orlin Rakestraw
(December 13, 2009)
 
Kenneth Shepard
 (April 15, 2006)

Claudia Bell Horsell McLeod

Erma Burt
 (1998)

Paul Chase

Howard Densmore

Kenneth Greer

Ernest T. Husted
(12/11/1967-Age 52)

Donald Morrison
(January 28,2005)

Genevieve Morse Clark
(1990)

George W. Munson
(2/2/1974-Age 58-WW2 Veteran)

Jack Parliament
(1990)

Lois Pray Everitt
(12/26/1977-Age 60) 

Thelma Rosebrugh Shepard
(November 3,2004)

Fred Schliter
(1999)
 
James Weir
(1993)

Rena Bradley Benjamin
 (2003)
 
Helen McGowan Lennington