Enthusiasm, recognition and awards for the Schoolcraft trapshooting team and athletes continued during its fall season.
Lakes Area Conservation Club (LACC) scholastic program director Neil Kreamalmeyer presented commemorative hunting combo knives to be used as Schoolcraft’s scholastic top gun trapshooting award, presented this year to Riley Reed. Reed won the shootout against some of Schoolcraft’s heavy hitters October 4, during league night at the LACC shooting facilities.
One of Schoolcraft’s experienced hitters, Hope Wright, scored a perfect 50X50, putting her into the top three female scholastic trap shooters in the state, Another of Schoolcraft’s scholastic trapshooting heavy hitters, Caden Fritts, tied for 1st place in the male division of the scholastic trap shooters.
Head Coach Chuck Fritts promotes discipline and sound mental mindset with his young athletes. The team is gaining respect on the state and national level. Colleges are beginning to take notice of particular athletes and Schoolcraft shooters have been recognized in PullUSA, a scholastic trap-shooting magazine. Interest in the team is growing — there is now a waiting list to join the team.
The season ends with a team banquet on November 5, Team parents will compete with their athlete to earn prizes.
Sarah Fedders, MDOT project manager, talked about the 131 project.
By Jef Rietsma
Details of a two-year, three-phase reconstruction project centering on U.S. 131 were provided by Michigan Department of Transportation officials Oct. 19 in Schoolcraft.
The $57 million 13.5-mile project will start in April in St. Joseph County, continue in spring 2024 north of Schoolcraft to Shaver Road, and conclude in summer 2024 with work concentrated in the village of Schoolcraft.
MDOT’s project manager Sarah Fedders, who oversaw a two-hour public open house at Schoolcraft Municipal Complex, conceded Schoolcraft residents will have their patience tested in 2024. But, she noted, as with any construction project, the benefits will far outweigh the inconveniences once work has concluded.
“There will be a number of safety features, the most obvious will be development of several indirect left turns, also known as ‘Michigan lefts,’” she said. “North of Schoolcraft, the reconfiguration of Shaver Road and U.S. 131 will be another big component of this project.”
The work in Schoolcraft – a phase projected to start in July 2024 – will include a full rebuild of U.S. 131, an upgraded left-turn phase at the Lyons Street traffic signal, and a pedestrian lane to be added at the Eliza Street signal. Work in the village will stretch from the railroad crossing north to Lyons Street.
A detour will involve XY Avenue, South Eighth Street and West U Avenue.
Fedders said the first phase of work will begin in April near Three Rivers.
“The plan is to start at Rocky River and go up to XY Avenue in 2023,” she said, indicating that portion of the project will likely cover the full, April-through-November construction season. “Then, in 2024, go from XY up to Shaver Road. The reconstruction job in the village of Schoolcraft would then happen after July 4 in 2024.”
Fedders said the St. Joseph County portion will involve removal of a top layer to be replaced by a fresh surface. Drainage issues will be addressed and guardrail improvements made at various points.
She said an additional amount of work will be done at U.S. 131’s intersection with Wilbur Road/North Main Street. It, too, will feature Michigan-left turns.
Both northbound and southbound routes of U.S. 131 will be narrowed to one lane in each direction while the St. Joseph County portion of the work is performed, she added.
Fedders said because of the work zone’s length and heavy traffic volume of the route, the project could fairly be considered a major undertaking.
“It’s more than 13 miles long, so that brings it up a level, and it’s a two-season project,” she said. “Some people believe because it’s not on an interstate it’s not a major project, but because so many people will be impacted by the work, it definitely could be considered a major project.”
At the north end of the project, Shaver Road will be a right-turn-only onto northbound U.S. 131. Traffic wishing to head south onto U.S. 131 will have to turn onto a Michigan left, which will be controlled by a traffic signal.
Commissioner John Gisler (in the red, white, and blue) addressed the village council’s questions.
By Rob Peterson
The Schoolcraft Village Council held two special meetings in October to discuss their frustration with the county’s process for awarding grants from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.
The village received none of the grant money. It hasn’t stopped trying.
Kalamazoo County received $51,485,963 in federal funds through ARPA, which is intended to assist in recovery efforts from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The county created subcommittees to review grant requests from local municipalities and organizations in six categories: Essential Worker Premium Pay, Negative Economic Impact, Provision for Government Services, Public Health, Services for Disproportionately Impacted Communities, and Water, Sewer, or Broadband. Of the $51 million, roughly $25 million was being granted to municipalities and organizations. The remainder was retained by the county.
Schoolcraft Village requested $14 million from the county: $10.5 million to install sewer lines and $3.5 million to replace lead-based water lines. The water-line replacement is an unfunded mandate from the State of Michigan.
The village invited Commissioner John Gisler, the county board of commissioners member representing parts of south Kalamazoo County, and the county administrator to a special meeting. Gisler attended. He indicated that the size of Schoolcraft’s request and its lack of local matching funds were the reasons that the grant request was denied.
Cheri Lutz, however, pointed out that other requests were approved without providing a local match.
“There was no indication that a match was required,” said a frustrated Lutz, “And no one called me to say that our application didn’t meet the requirements.”
When village council members questioned the process, Gisler replied “We were making it up as we went along. It was less transparent than it should have been.”
“Why didn’t the process stop when you realized that it wasn’t transparent?” asked council member Mike Rochholz. Gisler replied that there “seemed to be a sense of urgency” to the process, to which Rochholz answered, “There really wasn’t any process. It was negligent in how they allocated the funds.”
According to Gisler, the county paid $390,000 to a consultant to develop a process with a rubric for how applications would be selected.
“Do we have a report from the consultant on the process?” asked council member Kathy Mastenbrook. She said she has requested it through a Freedom of Information Act request.
“But I have yet to receive it,” answered Lutz.
“We didn’t have an administrator until May, and we were between finance directors,” explained Gisler, adding that the committees didn’t see the actual applications: A three-person administrative team reviewed the applications and put the information into a spreadsheet.
Gisler indicated that the county has $3 million left over because its consultant determined that some of the approved requests “wouldn’t pass muster with the feds.” He suggested that the village write a letter and request reconsideration.
Lutz has since attended county board Committee of the Whole meetings and expressed her dissatisfaction with the process to the board directly. She has requested reconsideration of their request, particularly the funds required to replace lead water service lines.
The county board has told her the request is under consideration.
“I’ll keep going back,” said Lutz. “I can be persistent.”
Charles A. AxtellDoris BurrRobert L. CooleyRonald Charles FeistMatthew Lee HammerTom IvensLarry C. KnowltonDolores Joan (Holroyd) LashRebecca MohneyDonald Eugene OverbeekDiane G. ParsonsClyde SpringerJacqueline “Jacque” M. WaldronJane Yaple-Möller
Charles A. Axtell, 66, Vicksburg, passed away at home surrounded by his family September 22, 2022. He was born in Kalamazoo on April 22, 1956, the son of Charles and Dolores (Ludwig) Axtell. Charles graduated from Vicksburg High School in 1974 and remained a lifelong resident of Vicksburg. He met Shirley Jenks in high school, and they were married on March 11, 1974. He worked in the gas department for Consumers Energy for many years. Charles had many hobbies including farming, hunting and football. He loved his grandchildren, and they talked on the phone for hours, spent entire summers together, and loved to ride with him on the tractor. Charles never missed one of his grandsons’ football and baseball games. One of his proudest moments was watching his grandson, Timmy, play football at Kalamazoo College. Charles is survived by his wife, Shirley Axtell; children Alicia Axtell (Jason VanderStratten), Charles (Amy) Axtell, Robert Axtell and James Axtell; grandchildren Timothy Axtell, Logan VanderStratten and Charlie Axtell; sister Cheryl Axtell; and his best friend since childhood, Miles Breece. Charles was preceded in his passing by his parents. Donations may go to Lung Cancer Research Foundation.
Doris Burr, 102, passed away peacefully September 22, 2022 at the Birch Adult Foster Care Home in Leonidas. She was born in Brady Township, Michigan on March 3, 1920, the daughter of the late Henry and Bertha (DeHoff) Metty. She attended the Harper, Carney, and Bond Country Schools, and graduated from Vicksburg High School with the class of 1938. While the family was share-cropping at the Oswalt farm on 37th Street, she met her future husband, Merle Burr. They fell in love and were married on May 1, 1943. They purchased a farm in 1948 where they raised their three sons and continued to farm for the next 40 years. She enjoyed canning, sewing, playing the piano and singing gospel music. Doris is survived by her sons, Delbert (Terry) Burr, Frank (Sharon) Burr and Roy (Kathy) Burr; grandchildren Allen (Sara) Burr, Wendy Burr, Matt Burr, Tracy (Mark) Thomas, Debbie (Ryan) Kemppainen, Ron (Amy) Vaughn, Julie (Jesse) Rose, and Jennifer (Kip) Vaughn; and 19 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Earl Metty; and by her husband, Merle in 2004. Services have been held. Donations may go to Kindred Hospice. Visit her page at eickhofffuneralhome.com.
Robert L. Cooley died suddenly September 2, 2022, surrounded by his wife and children. He was born June 21, 1950, to Charles (Jack) and Thelma Cooley at Franklin Memorial Hospital in Vicksburg. Bob grew up on his family farm in Vicksburg and graduated from Vicksburg High School in 1968. He married Judy Miller on November 27, 1971, and shortly after, they purchased their own small farm to raise their family. After many years of hard work and determination, Bob and Judy were able to build their dream home. Family meant a lot to Bob; some of his greatest memories were being able to go fishing in the backyard ponds with his grandkids. Bob enjoyed hunting with his friends and his sons and going to the cabin in Baldwin with Judy. Bob had many co-workers he considered dear friends and spoke of them often. Bob was preceded in death by both of his parents and his brother: Richard Cooley. He is survived by his wife, Judy; children Michael (Wanda Manson) Cooley, Christine Bailey, Chad (Jen) Cooley; sister Phyllis Taylor; grandchildren Breanna, Johnathan, and Owen Bailey, as well as Kendra, Madison, and Austin Cooley. Visit his page at amsfuneralhomes.com.
Ronald Charles Feist, 82, Vicksburg, went home to his Lord on September 4, 2022. Ron was born on July 29, 1940, in Grand Rapids, the son of Charles and Louise (Damstra) Feist. He earned the honor of Eagle Scout and followed these values throughout his entire life. Ronald went to Creston High School and graduated with the class of 1958. He later earned an associate’s degree from Grand Rapids Junior College. He married Gloria Fortuna on April 22, 1961. They eventually lived on Indian Lake where they enjoyed fishing, boating and water skiing. Ron worked for 40 years with General Motors. He also raced boats for nearly 12 years and in 1966 won 2nd place in his boat class at the U.S. Nationals. Ron and Gloria loved to travel and in later years they enjoyed going to the casinos. They were also active at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church. Ron’s family includes his children Ron (Robin) and Tim (Laurel); siblings Larry (Maryann Fortuna) Feist, Sue Luurtsema, and Nancy (Allan) Brown; brother and sisters-in-law Henry (Mary) Fortuna and Marcia Fortuna; as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by Gloria, his wife of 57 years, parents, daughter-in-law Kathy Feist, and his brothers-in-law Joey Fortuna and Bob Luurtsema. Visit his page at amsfuneralhomes.com. Donations may go to St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church.
Matthew Lee Hammer, 44, Scotts, passed away September 4, 2022. Matt was born April 30, 1978, in Superior, Wisconsin. He resided there until he moved to Michigan in 1999. Matt worked as a millwright for most of his professional career, working mostly in nuclear power plants all over the country. When he was not working, he enjoyed spending time working in his barn. He was always there to help others, and he enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Matt is survived by his parents, Bonnie Frisinger (Hendricks) and Bradley Frisinger; his older brother, Jason Hammer; his younger sister, Bobbi Coppock (Tom Coppock); and his son, Mason Nicholas-Hammer, and nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his father Donald Hammer and his grandparents. Visit his page at amsfuneralhomes.com.
Tom Ivens, Vicksburg, passed away on September 3, 2022. He was born in Worton, Maryland, son of the late Roger J. and Ula M. (Armstrong) Ivens. In 1945, his family moved to Kalamazoo, and Tom graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School in 1947. He worked for the Sutherland Paper Company and in 1993 retired after 46 years. On August 27, 1949, he married the love of his life, Ardis (Munson) Ivens. Along with Ardis, he is survived by his children, Gayle (Vince) Penar, Thomas (Bonnie) Ivens, Ronald (Christine) Ivens; grandchildren Stephanie Dunnick, Angela Griffin, Jack Griffin, Rodney Ivens, Tori Monroe, Mandy Slusher, Melissa Snyder, Shaina Ivens and Joshua Ivens; and 20 great-grandchildren, with two more on the way. He is also survived by sisters Ellen Havens, Cissy DeHaan and sister-in-law Liddy Ivens; as well as many nieces, nephews and friends. Tom was preceded in passing by his parents, brothers Elmer and Alvin Ivens; mother and father-in-law, Helen and (Harry) Vernon Munson and several brothers and sisters-in-law. Tom had a very close bond with his patient and helpful nephew, Doug Ivens. Donations may go to charity.
Larry C. Knowlton, 75, Vicksburg, passed away at his home on September 21, 2022. Larry was born March 12, 1947 in Allegan, the son of Johnie and Mary (Stoneburner) Knowlton. Larry graduated from Vicksburg High School in 1965. While in high school he played football, track, and basketball. Larry served in the US Army during Vietnam. He worked at Houghton Manufacturing. In the late 1990’s he purchased the business from his father-in-law, Glenn Houghton, and worked there until the end of his life. He married Linda Houghton on October 26, 1968. He had a passion for cars and also enjoyed watching NASCAR and football. Larry Knowlton is survived by his wife, Linda; sons Andy (Heidi) Knowlton of Zeeland and Doug (Michele) Knowlton, of Vicksburg; grandchildren Drew Downing and Waylon, Danica and Jocelyn Knowlton. He is also survived by his sister Susan Burns of Indiana and numerous nieces, nephews, and brothers and sisters-in-law. Larry was preceded in death by his parents and his in-laws, Glenn and Ruth Houghton. Visit his page at amsfuneralhomes.com. Donations may go to Centrica Care Navigators and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Dolores Joan (Holroyd) Lash, 87, Vicksburg, passed away on September 27, 2022. She was born in Kalamazoo on January 23, 1935, the daughter of Samuel and Marie (Dewey) Holroyd. She grew up on a farm in Mendon and graduated from Mendon High School in 1954. She worked at Upjohn Pharmaceuticals as a quality control inspector specializing in penicillin for 25 years. She married James Lash on November 26, 1976. Dee and Jim loved to travel on their motorcycle. She enjoyed knitting hats and blankets. Dolores was preceded in her passing by her parents and brothers Ronnie, Donnie, and Dan. She is survived by her husband, James Lash; children Jody Maher, Debra (Charles) Peterson, Shelly (Craig) Stevens, Victor Lash, and Jeffery Lash; grandchildren Chelsea (Jarrett) Cupp, Betsy (Troy) Huckendubler, Danielle (Marshall) Henschel, Jeffery (Melissa) Lash, Tommy Lash, and Kassi Lash; siblings Duane (Florence) Holroyd and Marsha (James) Beardsley; four great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. A celebration of her life will be held at Faith Fellowship Church on Saturday, October 8 at 11 a.m. Donations may go to Faith Fellowship Church’s Missionary Ministry. Visit her page at amsfuneralhomes.com.
Rebecca Mohney. If you asked my mother, she’d tell you she lived an extraordinary life. She was delivered by a midwife in a tent in the pouring rain on June 5, 1929. Her mother died when mom was nine, and she was shuffled from relative to relative until she was seventeen and landed in Kalamazoo, where she worked at Sutherland Paper Company. That’s where she met my dad, and Rebecca Ward became Rebecca Mohney in October of 1947. Then, three weeks before I was born in 1948, my parent’s farmhouse burned to the ground. They brought me home to live in the barn until the new house was built. My parents brought my sisters, Barbara Mohney and Janet (Scott) McCarty and me, Judy Mohney, now Judy Mohney-Jergens, to that new house where we grew up, and where my dad, Edwin, died in 1992. Mom loved Jesus, my dad, her girls, and her grandkids. If you asked, she’d say she lived a wonderful life. Mom passed away suddenly on September 3, 2022, in the loving arms of her friend Debbie at her home at The Birches in Leonidas. Mom has been cremated, and a celebration of her life is being planned. Donations may go to Leonidas Bible Church. Visit her page at amsfuneralhomes.com.
Donald Eugene Overbeek, 93, Long Lake in Pavilion Township, Michigan, passed away September 10, 2022, at Glenn Arbor Hospice. Don was born October 18, 1928, to Walter C. and Fannie (Workman) Overbeek. He graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School, got a bachelor’s degree from Kalamazoo College, and master’s, doctoral and law degrees from the University of Michigan. Don opened a general law practice in Portage, which he maintained for more than 40 years. Don enjoyed hunting in the Upper Peninsula. On June 6, 1953, Don married Mary Ellen Weessies, who survives. Also surviving are children, Todd Overbeek, of L’Anse, Michigan, Lori Overbeek, of Kentwood, Michigan, and Jill Sparacio, of Downers Grove, Illinois; grandchildren Aaron Overbeek, Jenna (Quinton) White, and Timothy Sparacio; great-grandchildren Tyler Overbeek, Christian Overbeek, Sadie Olznoi and Brooks White. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Peter, Clarence and Howard; sister Ardith Riley and son-in-law, Robert Sparacio. A memorial service will be held on October 8 at 1 p.m. at Bethany Reformed Church. Donations may go to Loaves and Fishes or Bethany Reformed Church. Visit his page at joldersma-klein.com.
Diane G. Parsons, 78, Vicksburg, passed away on August 30, 2022. Diane was born on June 17, 1944, in Kalamazoo. She was the daughter of Clinton and Freda (Wisser) James. Diane attended Kalamazoo Public Schools and Loy Norrix High School. She married Lloyd Parsons on February 21, 1966. Together they had four children, Lisa, Missy, Melanie and Tim. Because Lloyd worked hard to support his family, Diane was able to stay at home and raise their children. They enjoyed taking the children camping at local campgrounds. Sunday dinners were spent together as a family, and they all enjoyed Diane’s fried chicken. She will be remembered by her family as quiet, caring and selfless. She is survived by her children, Lisa (William Brockway) Cardiff of Three Rivers, Missy (Robert) Good, of Eaton Rapids, Melanie (Brian) DeMink of Vicksburg, and Tim (Sabrina Healy) Parsons of Mendon; eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She is also survived by siblings, Joan Moran of Plainwell and Larry James of Kalamazoo; and several nieces and nephews. Diane was preceded in death by husband Lloyd in 2014 and her sister, Helen Schuiteboer. Visit her page at amsfuneralhomes.com. Donations may go to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Eric Earl Skidmore, formerly of Vicksburg, died June 7, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska. He was born in Vicksburg to Milo and Maxine (Packer) Skidmore August 27, 1947. He graduated with honors from Vicksburg High School in 1965. He played the clarinet and won the John Phillip Sousa Band Award. Eric performed an unforgettable version of the Battle Hymn of The Republic during a Vicksburg Showboat. He was an outstanding cross country and track runner and held the Vicksburg High School 1/2-mile track record for several years. Eric graduated from Michigan State University majoring in music and minoring in archeology. In 1970, Eric joined the Peace Corps in South Africa. Afterward, Eric arrived in Alaska spending time on the Yukon River traveling by canoe from village to village. He settled in Alaska with a career in surveying. Eric kept up his love for running most of his adult life. He won many prestigious races in Alaska including winning the famous Alaskan Equinox Marathon in 1977. He was once considered the best runner in that state. More recently, Eric studied and learned the Dena’Ina local tribe language and was a finalist in 2016 in Alaska’s Got Talent by playing the concertina and singing “I’ve Been Everywhere” in Dena’Ina. Eric was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Tina Hayward.
Clyde Springer, 94, Schoolcraft, died September 8, 2022. Born August 25, 1928 in Lansing, he was the son of H. Gail and Jessie (Hicks) Springer. Clyde and Lois, his wife of 68 years, raised their children in Schoolcraft. He was a member of the Schoolcraft Presbyterian Church and the Lions Club. The family moved away in 1968, and after 30 years Clyde and Lois came back to the community they loved so much. Clyde was vice president of Michigan Farm Bureau and a senior leader of the American Egg Board. After he retired, he started Country Queen Foods, maker of pre-cooked eggs for wholesale use, and Festida Foods, maker of tortilla chips. In retirement, Clyde and Lois traveled extensively. He enlisted in the Michigan Army National Guard as a private in 1946 and retired as a major after 22 years of service. From 1964-1966 he was the Commander of B Company, 246th Tank Battalion in Three Rivers, and received the Draper Award, bestowed on the best tank company in the state. Clyde was a member of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, the General Society of Mayflower Descendants, and the Portage Chapter of the Eagles. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lois (Miller), son Steven, and sister Carolyn Knibbs. He is survived by a sister, Shirley (Robert) Azelton of Holt; children Jeff (Kathy) of Bel Air, Maryland and Laurel (Arthur) Andonian of Mattawan; and grandchildren Steven Springer of DelRay Beach, Florida, Lindsey Springer of Wake Forest, North Carolina, Alex (Teresa) Andonian of Novi, Michigan and McKenna Andonian of Charlotte, North Carolina. Services are pending. Donations may go to the Schoolcraft Presbyterian Church, Tunnels to Towers, or Centrica Care Navigators.
Marjorie Wahley, 93, Vicksburg, passed away on September 26, 2022. Marjorie was born to Guin and Gladys (Lyon) Sherman on July 14, 1929. She is retired from the Compliance Department of the Department of Agriculture. In her spare time, she liked to garden and take care of all her bird visitors. Margorie is survived by her son, Rodney (Marianne) Wahley; grandchildren Michelle (Clinton) Hostettler, and Nickolas (Jennifer) Wahley; great-grandchildren Olive, Milo, Lola, and Colton; and sister, Fern Skrzpek. Marjorie was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Robert Wahley; brothers Stanley Sherman and Karle Sherman. Visit her page at www.amsfuneralhomes.com.
Jacqueline “Jacque” M. Waldron, 65, Vicksburg, passed away on September 2, 2022. Jacque was born on May 28, 1957, in Kalamazoo, the daughter of Clifford and Geraldine (Zieler) Raifsnider. She graduated from Climax-Scotts High School. She became the mother of four children: Jamie, Erin, Travis and Barry. Jacque enjoyed sewing, crafting, reading, and bird watching. Her family will remember her as tenacious and caring. Jacqueline is survived by her children, Jamie (Rusty) Bennett of Vicksburg, Erin Matlock of Decatur, Travis (Faith) Baughman of Climax, and Barry Raifsnider-Waldron of Vicksburg; grandchildren Kohl, Noah, and Tessah Matlock and Haley, Madison, Alex, and Emma Moss; and great granddaughter Marie. Jacqueline is also survived by sisters Connie (Ed) Sturm of Scotts, Mary (Mike) Dee of Vicksburg, Donna (Jay) Nelson of Scotts, Diane (Mike) Stafford of Vicksburg and Karen (Bill) McGruder of Lawton. She was preceded in death by her husband, Michael Waldron and her parents, Clifford and Geraldine Raifsnider. Visit her page at amsfuneralhomes.com. Donations may go to South County Community Services.
Jane Yaple-Möller died August 6 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. She was born March 12, 1945, in Vicksburg, the daughter of Henry and Pauline Yaple, and graduated from Vicksburg High School with the Class of 1963. She was preceded in death by her husband, Hans. She is survived by a son, Derek Yaple-Schubert and a brother, Henry Mack Yaple of Washington.
It isn’t easy to locate and identify an unmarked grave in a small cemetery, but Virginia Mongreig, Schoolcraft township clerk, and Jane Crist, local volunteer, made it their mission to locate the grave of Enoch Robinson, an African American Civil War veteran.
As Crist worked her way through the various veteran’s graves last spring — cleaning and noting the absence or presence of appropriate flag holders and symbols — she was unable to locate Enoch Robinson’s site. Crist called Mongreig and the two began their research, scouring township records.
Mongreig remembered a very old book stored in the vault: Vicksburg Cemetery Schoolcraft Township Burial Records 1874-1935. This book documented the grave purchase and location.
The two then began searching for any information about the soldier: Crist obtained the obituary through census records at the Vicksburg Historical Society; Mongreig reviewed Dr. Arle Schneider’s book, “A Tale of One Village,” and found evidence of Enoch’s involvement in the community.
Crist met Mongreig and her husband, Chip, who measured, reviewed burials from township records, and probed the area, and Robinson’s gravesite was located. The next step: securing a veteran’s headstone. The markers are provided at government expense.
Mongreig contacted Gary Swain of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, whose group has made repairs in the old cemetery. Swain completed the application for a marker and forwarded the application along with a letter from Mongreig.
Swain last year provided more information about Robinson to station WMUK. Private Robinson served in the 15th U.S Colored Infantry Regiment. He was born in 1835, grew up in southern Ohio, enlisted in northern Tennessee and spent most of his enlistment in the Tennessee area. He died in 1891.
The marker arrived about 130 years later: October 13, 2021.
Mongreig and Crist are thrilled with the outcome: Enoch Robinson’s grave is now identified with a veteran’s marker, and Enoch Robinson will be honored with a traditional Civil War Memorial Service by the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War on September 17, 2022 at 11 a.m. in the north portion of the Schoolcraft Township Cemetery.
Left: Grace, Shannon, Margaret, Joe, and Tom Brady are the family behind the newly-reopened Bud’s Bar. Right: The outdoor patio at Bud’s Bar.
By Rob Peterson
“It’s going really, really well,” said Bud’s Bar owner Tom Brady, who purchased the Schoolcraft building and business and reopened the restaurant with his wife, Shannon. “We are doing double the volume from what we expected.”
Although they opened in August with a limited menu, the owners are adding items as their capacity grows. “We were overwhelmed with orders for nachos” when they were added to the menu, said Brady.
The best sellers so far are the smash burger and the chicken sandwich. “We use good meat for the burgers, and we hand bread the chicken at the restaurant,” said Brady. And they’re proud of the ribs. “Shannon’s baby back ribs are cooked for four hours with our own dry rub, then we cook them on the char broiler and serve them with a sweet and tangy BBQ sauce.”
Over the next month or so, they plan to add a Denver cut steak to the menu. They plan a fish fry on Fridays and prime rib on Saturdays.
Don’t expect them to be open for lunch yet, though; they are still struggling to find kitchen staff. To get the space ready, the owners installed new floors and repainted inside. They fixed the plumbing and the air conditioning, and remodeled the kitchen. “We wanted the place to be familiar but fresh.”
They are keeping the iconic Bud’s Bar sign, but it will cost $21,000 to get it to light up again. To help raise the money for that project, they’re planning to hold special events. Keep an eye on their social media for announcements.
“We’ve been taken back by the support we’ve received,” said Brady. “It’s really humbling to have people thank us just for opening.”
