Isabella County Republican August 8, 1957

Centennial Issue

Courtesy of Mrs. Merita Van Vranken
 
 




Area Early Settlers

Taken from a history of the county written in 1884, loaned by Mrs. Lillian Hartford. These men settled in Coe, Lincoln, and Chippewa Townships.

Benjamin A. Cohoon 1861

Joseph Miser 1858

Jesse J. Struble M.D.

L.D. Estee 1855

Perry Estee 1855

Edward Drum 1864

Richard Floy 1355

Chauncy Kyes 1856

Charles Barden 1862

Hiram T. Hill 1870

William B. Bowen 1854

Levi B. Quick 1877

Edward Alvord 1869

Michael Roberts 1855

Joseph Higgins 1865

Ellis G. Faunce 1877

Stephen P. Murtha 1855

Charles E. Coon 1865

Ransom Kyes 1855

George Murtha 1856

George Atkin 1855

Andrew J. O'Boyl 1874

William T. Wonch 1860

Joseph B. Walton 1855

William Adams 1857

Edward C. Ney 1880

Frank Williams 1860

Andrew P. Childs 1853

Ansen Davenport 1375

James Wilsey 1864

Peter Gruber 1867

Ezra Plowman 1854

Merritt Leonard 1869

Elijah Moore 1864

Webster T. Ross 1863

George Gruber 1865

James M. Kinter 1859

Michael O'Boyle 1870

Samuel Kennedy 1863

Joshua J. Upton 1864

Charles W. Sawyer 1864

Joseph Myers 1855

Wm. D. McFarren 1861

Frank Davis 1858

David Tucker 1881

James J. Campbell 1867

George Gould 1865

Allen J. Struble M.D. 1867

Isaac Ingersoll 1856

Jesse D. Frost 1876

Free Estee 1865

George H. Freeman 1872

William M. Williams 1860

Herbert Soper 1876

David C. Vroman 1857

Ephraim A. Salisbury 1866

Charles Taylor, minister 1853

William H. Kinter Salt River Hotel

William R. Robbins 1855

Albert C. Vredenburg 1865

William L. Faunce 1865

Thomas Hannett 1872

Nathaniel W. Struble 1868

Richard Wonch 1854

David Williams 1868

Conrad Hook 1853

John T. Landon 1862

Allen S. Pay 1865

Jesse I. Richmond 1866

John Morrison 1882

Lafayette Oathout 1874

Solomn 1867

George W. Howorth 1856

Joseph J. Struble 1863

Benjamin Wing 1875

Philip Servoss 1866

Charles M. Forbes 1872

John C. Hardgrove 1867

Charles J. Ayling 1862@

Charles A. Richardson 1865

George Fouts 1867

Adam Hance 1865

Jacob Kratz 1878

George W. Simpson 1879

David Hance 1865

Jacob Kratz 1878

John Wagner 1881

Joseph Rudler 1876

George F. Goll 1868

Ira M. Potter 1877

William Tomlinson 1865

Charles T. Puckert 1875

Henry B. Coleman 1880

William H. Simonds 1865

Lewis Green 1864

Martin Z. DeHart 1876

Edward Bellinger 1861

Ransley Sutliff 1873

Amos E. Wooden 1865

Harriet A. (Marvin) Hawkins 1859

James Ayling 1867

Lewis Stringer 1868

Albert Hance 1865

Phineas J. Jakeway 1866

Peter Sanford

William Simmons

Edward DuBois 1864

Amos D. Mattison 1865

George W. Cole 1866

Henry Burr 1869

Samuel Earl 1879

George Sanford 1870

Daniel Burdick 1865

Cyrenus Kinter 1859

Frank C. Crego 1878

This list was taken from an Atlas printed in 1874

S.C.Brown 1868

Jacob Best 1869

J.L. Cohoon 1861

Daniel Childs 1859

Perry H. Estee 1854

E.K. Fowler 1361

Andrew Girven 1868

P. E. Hibbard 1871

Richard Hoy 1855

J. M. Hilton 1866

C.O. Halliday 1864

Isaac Ingersol 1856

S.G. Leonard 1865

W. H. Middaugh 1854

Joseph Miser 1858

James Olger 1872

Nelson Robbins 1854

John Ritchie 1877

L.A. Struble 1875

S. W. Sawyer 1864

J.J. Upton 1865
 
 

Courtesy of Merita VanVranken

Scrapbook of Mrs. Clarence Myers

 
 

Perry Allen

Perry Allen has gone to the Shanty Beyond. Those sparkling eyes, those rattling spoons, that tambourine tapped so fetchingly on his bald head with a fringe of grey, those red and green dancing shoes are now but memories in the minds of many American sportsman. For that master showman, Perry Allen will not be forgotten soon by the thousands who were entertain by him, from Washington to Washington he was known as "That clever little Michigan Lumberjack". He has been on the radio from St. Louis to New York. He has played stage shows in Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Philadelphia, Washington, Chattanooga, and New York. He had swapped yarns with Freddie Dowling, New York producer, had stomp danced with Benton, the Missouri artist, had sung for Alan Lomax of the library of Congress, had been praised by Stith Thompson of Indiana.' Traverse City introduced him to the highway engineers of America, E.C. Beck ran his picture in Songs of the Michigan Lumberjack, Judge Belding of Dearborn made him the subject of a poem, "That little Scotch lumberjack" had a host of important friends in and out of Michigan.

When Perry Allen died Sunday evening, May 11, 1947, he merely went from this world in person. He will not die among Michigan sportsman for many years.

Perry Allen was born in Noble County, Indiana, April 18, 1859; as a child he moved to the Clinton County. For the remainder of his long life he lived in Michigan except for four years when he managed a plantation in Georgia. Of pioneer stock and energy, he cut timber, cleared land, tilled crops and raised a family.

He married Emma L. Brubaugh in Gratiot County 64 years ago, May 6, raised six children, all of whom were at home at the time of his death. The children are Millie Haas of Alma, Harvey of Shepherd, Sarah Colvin of Flint, Benjamin of Midland, R.B. of Williamsburg, Kentucky, and Clinton of Shepherd. fie also

leaves his wife and eighteen grandchildren and ten great grand-children.

Funeral services were held at the Garber Funeral Home in Shepherd, Wednesday, May 14th, at two o'clock, Rev. W. Ho Bell officiating/ Interment was made in the Salt River Cemetery,

Judge George A, Belding of Dearborn has a poem about Perry Allen that is fitting to quote:
 
 

Merry little man with a twinkle in your eye,

Indeed you hold my envy and I will tell you why,

I envy you the golden days you have seen-

You who trod the northland when it was new and green,

You who swaggered down the Valleys that led to Saginaw;

In a hundred townships was heard your crosscut saw-

You knew such giants as Fournier and Silver Jack--

The bullies of the railways beside the forest track-

Wild caulkshod men of the pinewoods and the streams;

While I have known them in Books alone-or dreams-,

Merry little man with a twinkle in your eye,

Indeed you hold my envy and now you know just why.
 
 

by Judge George A. Belding




Newspaper clipping in possession of Merita Van Vranken.

Winnie Faunce

Mrs. Winnie Faunce of Harbor Springs, formerly of Shepherd was born in Paulding County, Ohio November 20, 1884, died at the Ionia Memorial Hospital in Ionia January 21, 1971.

Funeral services were held at the Methodist Church at Harbor Springs, Michigan, January 23, 1971 at 2:00 p.m. Rev. Phillip Howe officiating. The internment was in the Lakeview Cemetery, Harbor Springs.

She is survived by her husband, Mr. A.J. Faunce, two daughters: Mrs. Alice Wheaton of Ionia and Mrs. Helen Luce of Coldwater, one son, Mr. Dale Faunce of Kalamazoo; two sisters: Mrs. Lucille Norris of Lansing and Miss Jennie Myers of Shepherd, four brothers: Mr. John Myers of Tampa, Florida, Mr. Irvin Myers of Detroit, Mr. Donald G. Myers of rural Shepherd and Mr. Clarence Myers of Shepherd.
 
 

From the scrapbook of Alice (Mrs. Clarence) Myers

Courtesy of Merita VanVranken Source unknown
 
 

Irvin E. Myers

Irvin Eugene Myers, son of George and Sarah Myers, was born in Napoleon, Ohio, December 13, 1862, and departed this life Christmas Day, December 25, 1929, aged sixty-seven years and twelve days.

He was married in 1883 to Miss Etta Montroy. They lived in Ohio until 1892, then moving to Shepherd where they lived until about nineteen years ago when they moved to their farm home where they have since resided.

Those left to mourn their loss are his faithful wife, his children, Mrs. A.J. Faunce of Harbor Springs, John and Irvin of Detroit, Mrs. Manley Davis and Clarence of Shepherd, Jennie, Donald, Lucile and a grandson, Gale, who are still at home, Also five other grandchildren and two sisters, Mrs. Nina Long of West Unity, Ohio, and Mrs. Alvira Stainfield of Antwerp, Ohio,

Funeral services were held from the First M.E. church at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, December 28, 1929, conducted by Rev, E. Mayhew of Mt. Pleasant, assisted by Rev. C. J. Kendall and Rev. Mullet, and he was laid to rest in the family lot in Salt River cemetery.

From the scrapbook of Mrs. Alice Myers.

Courtesy of Merita VanVranken

Source unknown
 
 


Katheryn Marie Myers

Katheryn Marie Ebnit Myers, 45, wife of Donald G. Myers, was born at Bluffton, Indiana, January 11, 1905 and passed away at the Saginaw Ostepathic hospital, July 7, 1950.

She was the daughter of Adolph and Rosa Ringenborg Ebnit.

She has been a resident of the community for 35 years and

was a teacher in the rural schools of Isabella County.

Surviving her are her husband, three children: Donald, Clare Laverne, and Mary Catherine all at home, her parents, three sisters, Edith Arbogast of Breckenridge, Mrs. Violet Alward of St. Louis and Mrs. Dorothy Harrison of Wheeler, five brothers, John Ebnit of St. Louis, Donald Ebnit, Ithaca, Harvey, Alfred and Walter all of Alma.

Funeral services were held Monday July 10 at 2 p.m, at the Pleasant Valley church with prayer service at Garber Funeral home at 1:30, Rev. Myron Clement officiating.

Interment was made in the Salt River cemetery.
 

from the Scrapbook of Mrs. Clarence Myers (Alice)

Courtesy of Merita Myers VanVranken

Source unknown
 
 

Margereta Etta Montroy Myers

Margereta Etta Myers, daughter of John and Jae Montroy, was born in Brandford, Canada, May 26, 1865, and departed this life December 3, 1945, at the age of 80 years six months and eight days.

She was married in 1883 to Irvin Eugene Myers. They lived in Ohio until 1892, then moved to Shepherd and lived here until her death.

Those left to mourn their loss are her eight children, Mrs. A.J. Faunce of Harbor Springs, Mrs. Manley Davis, Mrs. Robert Norris and John Myers of Lansing, Irvin of Detroit, Jennie, Clarence, and Donald of Shepherd, and one sister Eva Montroy and Ed Montroy both of Sherwood, Ohio, also 13 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren,

Funeral services were held Wednesday at the Methodist Church and interment in the Salt River cemetery.

from the scrapbook of Mrs. Alice Myers

courtesy of Merita Myers

source unknown
 
 

Carl Piatt

Carl Piatt, son of Charles Addison and Florence Piatt, was born near Shepherd June 24, 1884, and passed away November 28, 1945, at the Carson City hospital where he had been taken a few hours earlier when his condition became worse, He had been ill for eight weeks but until the sudden change in his condition was thought to be recovering,

February 4, 1914, he was married to Miss Pearle Cline and they established their home where they now live. Be spent most of his life in this community.

Surviving him are his wife, his aged mother, Mrs. Florence Piatt, a foster daughter Norma Jan Weese, One sister Mrs. Florence Barnes, two brothers, Will Piatt and Leslie Piatt, all of this community, also three nephews Charles Piatt of Alma, Jack Barnes with the armed forces in Italy and Bob Barnes of Shepherd,

Funeral services were held December first at the Garber Funeral home, Rev. George Bolitho, pastor of the Methodist church, officiating, and assisted by Rev. Mayhewa former pastor and -friend.

Pall bearers were Glen Oren, Ralph Nilson, Claude Stump, Frank Moore, Dale Fultx and Robert Adams.

Interment was made in the Salt River cemetery.

From the scrapbook of Mrs. Clarence Myers

Courtesy of Merita VanVranken

Source unknown
 
 


Catherine Ann Purtill




Catherine Ann Purtill, age 69, was born August 23, 1880, and died at the Smith Memorial hospital in Alma, Sunday evening April 9th. She had been ill for the past year.

Funeral services were held at the St. Vincent de Paul church Wednesday, April 12th, at 10 a.m. with burial in the Calvary cemetery at Mt, Pleasant. Rev. Fr. Thomas J. Bolger officiated. Rosary services were held Tuesday evening at 8 p.m. from the Garber Funeral home.

She leaves to mourn her loss, three sons, Cecil of Shepherd, with whom she made her home for sometime, Ed of Mt. Pleasant, and Emet of Elwell, one brother, Joseph Cuthbert of McMillan, Michigan, one sister, Mary Ellen Torpey of Mt, Pleasant, and a half sister, Elizabeth Fowler of Mt. Pleasant.

Mrs. Clarence Myers (Alice) scrapbook

Courtesy of Merita VanVranken
 
 


Rosabelle Epler Slates

Rosabelle Epler was born in Leesport, Berke County, Pa., Sept. 10th, 1852, and departed this life March 27, 1919, aged 66 years, 6 months, and 17 days.

In the year 1871, October 26, the deceased was united in marriage to Jacob Slates of Gibsonburg, Sandusky County, Ohio. To this union were born seven children, three girls and four boys. Lizzie Shaffer of Lansing, Cordeila Taylor of Bentley, Lyda Kennedy of Lansing, Ira Slates of Mt. Forest, Vannel Slates of Alma, Benjamin Slates of Otisville, and Raymond Slates of Shepherd, all of Michigan.

After a four years residence in Ohio, Mrs. Slates with her husband moved to Michigan, taking up their residence at Summerton, After a four years residence at this place, they moved on an unimproved farm located two and one half miles south west of Salt River. This farm Mr. Slates cleared and was their home twenty- one years. In 1899, Mr. and Mrs. Slates moved to St. Louis, and after a residence there of one and one-half years they came back to the vicinity of Shepherd, and have since made this community their home,

While in Ohio, Mrs. Slates made the good confession and united with the United Brethren Church, Thirty one years ago Mrs. Slates identified herself with the Christian Church of Shepherd, remaining in full fellowship until her Master bade her "to come up higher".

Besides her seven children she leaves to mourn their loss, two Sisters, eight grandchildren and a host of friends. Funeral services were conducted Sunday afternoon at the Christian Church by G.W. Rowlizon of Shepherd. Burial in Salt River cemetery,

Newspaper clipping in possession of Merita Van Vranken.
 
 

Mr. and Mrs. Grant Curtiss


Paper dated Wed., Sept. 21, 1960

Mr. and Mrs. Grant Curtiss will celebrate their Golden Anniversary with "Open House" Sunday, October 2nd, from 2:00 to 5:00 P.M.

Mr. and Mrs. Curtiss were married October 3, 1910 at the First Methodist Church Parsonage in Mt. Pleasant. Mrs. Curtiss was the former Luella Bellinger, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Bellinger of Winn.

Mr. Curtiss was engaged in farming until 1937. Since then he has owned and operated a gas station and was with the Plant Protection Dept. at Dow Chemical in Midland.

Newspaper clipping in Possession of Merita Van Vranken.
 
 

Mrs. George W. Johnson

SHEPHERD, FEB. 27-Mrs. George W. Johnson, nearly 72 years old, and a pioneer of this part of Isabella County, succumbed to an illness of several months at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Clarence Myers, Thursday afternoon at 1 o'clock. She was born in England.

The funeral will be held Saturday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, from the daughter's home, and interment will be made in the Salt River cemetery. The Rev. C.W. MacKenzie of Mt. Pleasant will officiate.

Two sons survive with the daughter named.

Newspaper clipping in possession of Merita Van Vranken.

Newspaper and date unknown.

DR. EDWARD FRITCH TO LEAVE SHEPHERD TO OPEN LANSING PRACTICE

Dr. Edward A. Fritch, D.O. who has been associated with the Shepherd Clinic for the past five years, will open an office at 3140 Pennsylvania Avenue, in Lansing, April lst.

Before coming to Shepherd he had made the acquaintance of many people in this area through his internship at Carson City Hospital. Dr. Fritch was born in Detroit and attended high school at Howell, Michigan where he graduated at the head of hiss class in 1946. He received his BS Degree from MEU in 1950 and entered Kirksville College of Osteopathy and Surgery at Kirksville, Mo., from which he graduated in 1954 with a D.O. degree.

After his internship at Carson City Hospital he joined Dr. Howard Dearing in the operation of the Shepherd Clinic. He has been Secretary of the Department of Obstetrics at the Carson City Hospital for the past two years and served as Secretary of Central Michigan Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons for the same length of time.

Dr. and Mrs. Fritch are the parents of three children. The family will move to Lansing in the very near future.

During the five years the Fritch family have been residents of Shepherd, they have established many warm friendships which they will leave with regret and it is equally sure that they will be missed for their friendly demeanor to everyone. To the many who have come to know and trust Dr. Fritch as a man of medicine who was always ready and willing to extend himself to relieve sickness and suffering, the news of his departure from our community will leave a void.

We are certain that hundreds of Shepherd area people will join us in wishing the Fritch family great success in their new efforts.
 
 

Newspaper clipping, in possession of Merit& Van Vranken.

Newspaper and date unknown.

Smalley-Enochs

The Mifflin Avenue Church of the Nazarene in Lansing was the scene of a lovely wedding recently when Corporal Technician Mary Elizabeth Smalley became the bride of Staff Sergeant Lloyd Enochs.

Corporal Smalley is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Russell Smalley of Lansing ,, formerly of Mt. Pleasant, and her husband is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Corby Enochs of Greenville, Ohio.

The ceremony was performed at high noon by Rev. C.A. Bruch, pastor of the church, in the presence of 125 guests. The altar of the church was decorated with pink roses and palms.

Preceding the ceremony Miss Lois Everett of Lansing, sang "Always" and "I Love You Truly," accompanied by Mrs. C.A. Bruch who also played the processional and recessional for the wedding party.

The bride, given in marriage by her father, was gowned in a white rose swirl marquisette, fashioned with a sweetheart neckline, long fitted sleeves tapering to points over the wrists and a long train, Her veil was fingertip length and she carried white carnations.

As maid of honor, Miss Luella Strouse of Saginaw, wore a floor length dress of pink satin with net overskirt. Her bouquet was of pink carnations.

Staff Sergeant Gorden Henderson of Battle Creek, acted as best man.

Mrs. Smalley wore for her daughter's wedding , a street length dress of black crepe, white accessories, and a corsage of gardenias and pink rosebuds.

Following the ceremony, a dinner was served at the home of the bridele parents to members of the bridal party and a few relatives and friends.

The bride was graduated from the Mt. Pleasant high school in 1941 and joined the service two years ago. She is serving with the Army Medical Corps at Percy Jones Hospital in Battle Creek.

The newlyweds are making their home at 22 Gould Street in Battle Creek.
 
 

Those attending the wedding from, Mt. Pleasant included Mrs.

Mary Acre and son, Melvin, Jr. and Mrs. John Smalley, Mr. and

Mrs. Lloyd Casner, Mr. and Mrs. Glen Smalley, Mrs. Nettie Jaka and

Arzetta Strouse.
 
 

Mrs. Clarence Myers' (Alice) scrapbook

Courtesy of Merita VanVranken
 
 


Rosabelle Epler Slates

Rosabelle Epler was born in Leesport, Berke Countyt Pa., Sept. 10th, 1852, and departed this life March 27, 1919, aged 66 years, 6 months, and 17 days,

In the year 1871, October 26, the deceased was united in marriage to Jacob Slates of Gibsonburg, Sandusky County, Ohio. To this union were born seven children, three girls and four boys. Lizzie Shaffer of Lansing, Cordeila Taylor of Bently, Lyda Kennedy of Lansing, Ira Slates of Mt. Forest, Vannel Slates of Alma, Benjamin Slates of Otisville, and Raymond Slates of Shepherd, all of Michigan.

After a four years residence in Ohio, Mrs. Slates with her husband moved to Michigan, taking up their residence at Summerton, After a four years residence at this place, they moved on an unimproved farm located two and one half miles south west of Salt River. This farm Mr. Slates cleared and was their home twenty-,f)V4i one years. In 1899, Mt, and Mrs, Slates moved to St. Louis, and after a residence there of one and one-half years they came back to the vicinity of Shepherd, and have since made this community their home,

While in Ohio, Mrs. Slates made the good confession and united with the United Brethren Church. Thirty one years ago Mrs, Slates identified herself with the Christian Church of Shepherd, remaining in full fellowship until her Master bade her 'home up higher".

Besides her seven children she leaves to mourn their loss, two sisters, eight grandchildren and a host of friends. Funeral services were conducted Sunday afternoon at the Christian Church by G. Rowlizon of Shepherd. Burial in Salt River cemetery,

Iva Stilgenbauer

Mrs. Iva Stilgenbauer, wife of Walter M. Stilgenbauer, passesd away Friday at her hom following a weeks illness.

A stroke the previous Friday had left her unconscious and she remained so until her death.

She has been a. resident of Shepherd and vicinity her whole life. She, with her husband have been of the town having started in the furniture business and undertaking business in 1907 and with the exception of brief periods of time spent in farming and other work continued until Stilgenbauer was known for her kindness to all and brought comfort to many throughout the long years of assisting her husband in his work.

She was a member of the Coe Chapter, Order of Eastern Star.

She woe born September 15, 1878 in Coe Township to Mr. and Mrs. Seymour McFarren and was married to Mr. Stilgenbauer in 1900. They celebrated their Golden Wedding, in 1950 and with the help of their children and friends.

Funeral services were held Monday at the Garber Funeral

Home with Rev. Charles Ross officiating. Interment was made in the Salt River Cemetery.

Surviving her are her husband, two daughters, Mrs. Bernard Breidenstein of Boyne City; Mrs. Tom Carey, of Detroit; and one son Maynard, of Abuquerque, New Mexico. Also three grand-children and two great grandchildren.
 
 

Walter Stilgenbauer


Walter Stilgenbauer, former resident was found dead Saturday afternoon in his room at the Park Hotel in Mt. Pleasant, by employees who had been checking his room during the day as he had fainted Saturday morning.

Death came as the result of a seef indicted shotgun wound according to officers investigating. Mr. Stilgenbauer had been in ill health for several months.

He was a life time resident of this community coming, here as a small boy with his parents from Ohio. One brother Fred preceded him in death a year ago. He lived on a farm for a number of years and came to town in 1909 to become co-owner of the mill with Horace Fields. Later during World War I he worked on the railroad and in an elevator in Flushing and Owosso returning to Shepherd to the farm in 1922 and during this tire was manager of the Co-ops in Shepherd. He later returned to town and was engaged in undertaking for fifteen years before his retirement in 1945.

Mr. and Mrs. Stilgenbauer celebrated their Golden Wedding in 1950 and Mrs. Stilgenbauer preceded him in death in 1953. Since her death he had made his home with his daughter Mrs. Nora Carey in Detroit during the winter, returning to this vicinity in the summer.

Walter M. Stilgenbauer was born April 8th, l876 at Wriesburg, Ohio and passed away July 21st, 1956 at Mt. Pleasant, Michigan.

Surviving him are one son Maynard of Albuquerque, New Mexico, two daughters, Mrs. Tom Carey of Detroit and Mrs. Bernard Briedenstein of Boyne City, three grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Funeral services were held at the Garber Funeral Home Tuesday afternoon at two o'clock with Rev. H. Bell officiating.

Interment was made in the Salt River Cemetary, by the side of his wife.

Van Vranken-Travis

In a lovely candlelight service solemnized Saturday evening in the First Methodist Church at M. Pleasant, Yvonne Van Vranken, daughter of Mr. and Ms. Milo Van Vranken, became the bride of Cecil Dwight Travis, son of Mr. and Firs. Chester Travis, all of Shepherd.

Dr. Charles W. McKenzie read the double ring service before an altar graced with bouquets of white snapdragons and aqua carnations flanked by palms and cathedral candles in candlelabras.

White Satin bows with aqua lilies of the valley marked the pews.

The bride, who was given in marriage by her father, wore a gown with shirred bodice, scoop neckline, with full skirt of tulle and lace with chapel length train. Her fingertip veil was held by a cap trimmed with pearls and sequins. She carried a cascade of orchids and stephanotis and pink frenched enchantress blossoms with ivy.

Miss Mary Ellen Smalley sang, "Because" and "I Love You Truly" preceding the ceremony and the Lords Prayer" as the couple knelt. Mrs. Agatha Swenson presided at the organ.

Preceding the bride down the aisle were Mrs. Linda Workman, as matron of honor, Mrs. Clarice Decker and Miss Marylin Wilson as bridesmaids. They wore identical ballerina length gowns of aqua net over taffeta and French caps of net and pearls with aqua nose veils. They carried cascades of aqua carnations and ivy.

Christine Workman, flower girl, wore a floor length gown of aqua net and carried a basket of carnation petals. Reginald Teegarden, served as ringbearer carrying the rings on a heart shaped pillow.

Richard Moore was beet man and James Decker and Turner were groomsmen. Gale Travis and Darryl Johnson were ushers.

Mrs. VanVranken chose a pink lace sheath dress with pink and white accessories and corsage of Stephanotis and enchantress blossoms. Mrs. Travis wore aqua with pink accessories and similar corsage.

A reception was held at the Hotel Chieftain, immediately after the ceremony, with three hundred guests present. Faye Zook was in charge of the guest book and hoetessess were Mrs. Mary VanVranken-Travis Bailey, Miss Claudette Lentz, Miss Bonnie Van-Auker, Mrs. Theo

Grace, Miss Adonia Freeman, Miss Mary Francis, Mrs. Zora Salisbury, Mrs. Myra Moore and Miss Suzanne Rummel.

The bridal table was centered with a five tiered cake flanked with aqua candles in candelabra decorated with pink and white snapdragons. Garlands of smilex sugar bells on the pink and silver cloth completed the decorations.

Mrs. Travis wore a blue dress with matching jacket with pink accessories and corsage of flowers identical with her wedding cascade.

They will make their hope on a farm east of Shepherd. The bride is employed at Field Services at Central Michigan College and the groom is employed at Dow at Midland.

Out of town guests came from, Florida, Detroit, Ionia, Lancing, Midland, Alma, St. Louis, Saginaw, Jackson and Flint.
 
 

Newspaper clipping in possession of Merita Van Vranken.

Newspaper unknown and no date.

Mable Whitmore

Mrs. Mable Whitmore was born March 28th, 1888 in Ionia County, and passed away June 10, 1958 at the Community Hospital in Mt. Pleasant. She was the daughter of Ella Galloway and Lelwelen Kendall and was married to John Whitmore December 23, 1908-Surviving her are her husband, John, sons, Edwin and Morris of rural Shepherd, William of Fenwick, Robert and Grant of Lansing, Blaine of Santa Rosa, California, daughters, Marjory Smith of Greenville, Mary Louise Jones of Charlotte, and Virginia Wilson of rural Shepherd. Also surviving are 28 grand-children, one great grandchild, two brothers, Roy and Eldon Kendall of Ionia.

She had been a resident of this community for 35 years and was a member of the Methodist church, and the Helping Hand Club.

Funeral servdcee will be held Friday, June 13th at the Shepherd Methodist church at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Dean Rohrer officiating, assisted by Rev. Bell.

Interment will be made in the Salt River Cemetery.
 

.

Newspaper and date unknown.

John R. Williams

Death again entered the village and took John R. Williams, Saturday after a long illness.

Mr. Williams, 68, has been associated with the village of Shepherd as a business man over a long period of years.

He was born at Shepherd and has been a lifelong resident. He with E.O. Wilson, conducted a grocery where the Men and Boys Store is located, later taking over the entire business when Mr. Wilson retired.

After retiring from the grocery business Mr. Williams was engaged in insurance and continued in that work even after ill health curtailed his activities.

He was a life member of the Salt River Lodge 280 , also a member of the Order of Eastern Star and the Shepherd Rotary Club, and was an active participant in many of the Village affairs, serving on the council over a period of years and was always ready to do his share in any way he possibly could.

John R. Williams was born to David 0. and Lillian Campbell Williams July 20, 1885 in Shepherd and passed away at his home June 19th, 1954.

Funeral services were held Tuesday at 2 p.m. at the Garber Funeral Home with Rev. W.H. Bell officiating.

Burial was made in the Salt River Cemetery under the auspices of the Masonic Lodge.

Surviving him are his wife Nellie, two daughter, Mrs. Lillian Bergey of Ionia, Mrs. Velma Volpel of Princeton, Wisconsin, one son, Rex of Shepherd, two sisters, Mrs. Gertrude George of Flint and Berdena Stafford of Jamestown, New York, two brothers, D.O. Williams of Berkeley and Harold of Jacksonville, Florida and four grandchildren.

 

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