by Justin Gibson | Dec 13, 2019 | Community, Vicksburg
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The First Methodist Church in Vicksburg as it looked in the early 1900s.
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Pastor Greg Culver at the pulpit of the historic sanctuary in the Vicksburg United Methodist Church. To his side are the anniversary celebration co-chairs Aileen Greanya and Vera Walker.
By Sue Moore
Still serving the greater Vicksburg community, the Vicksburg United Methodist Church kicked off a year-long 150th anniversary celebration Dec. 1. The church is located in the heart of downtown Vicksburg at 217 S. Main Street.
“Church elders made a definite choice to stay in the village when both of the more recent renovations were voted upon,” said Vera Walker, co-chair of the year-long event with Aileen Greanya. “We want to be the community church for all to use for the many events that take place here. It might have been cheaper to build new outside of town. Instead we added to the sanctuary and built a whole new gymnatorium for the community to utilize.”
“Our morning service on Dec. 1 highlighted upcoming events,” Walker said, including a monthly hymn sing starting in January. “We have some kind of celebration planned for each month, with the highlight on July 19. It will be a big community celebration of ‘Christmas in July’.” This was an event started by Rev. George Stanford in 1948 that even caught the attention of national news services. It’s is being revived as a big community celebration in the church building. A special service, a picnic with games, entertainment and other events will mark the observance. All of the community is being invited for lunch which will include a walk through the building with explanation of the two additions featured on a history wall organized by Nancy Fulton.
There will be monthly and weekly news clips of the church history in bulletins and the Visitor, the church’s monthly newsletter. Features will also be located on the church web page and on Facebook. Fulton with help from Bonnie Holmes and Diana Girolami plan to produce a history keepsake booklet for each decade.
Dignitaries from the larger church will include Michigan Conference Bishop David Bard, speaking and re-dedicating the building on April 26, and District Superintendent Dewayne Bagley speaking on May 3. Past ministers have been asked to return. There are seven ministers and two associates still alive including Dave Morton, Myron Williams, Lowell Walsworth, James Hulette, Isabelle Deppe, Jayna Lynn Almeda, Larry Wood, Kay DeMoss and Buff Coe. No dates have been set as yet for these visits. A video is being put together of the history and memories and stories of older members. Travis LaPoint is doing this project for his Vicksburg High video class under the instruction of Troy Smith. A time capsule will be buried for future generations to retrieve.
The church doors were first opened on December 1, 1870. It is believed that services in Vicksburg by the Methodists first began about 1843. For many years they were held in the ballroom of the old Finley hotel. The decision to build new was made on April 22, 1869 at the current location. The frame work was made of hewn beams on a barn frame design and erected at a “public raising” in which men with pike poles put the frame work into position on the sills. When the steeple was ready for the spire, John Schlamb ascended the steeple and stood on his head on the foot-square area, thrilling an audience of townspeople with the “hair-raising feat,” according to an official history of the church in Fulton’s archives.
by Justin Gibson | Dec 13, 2019 | Obituaries, Schoolcraft, Vicksburg
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Connie Marie (Rizzo) Armstrong.
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Cornelia “Connie” Badham.
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Donald George Braymer.
Connie Marie (Rizzo) Armstrong, 78, Vicksburg, passed away November 21. She was born January 20, 1941 in Kalamazoo, the daughter of Peter Joseph and Mary (Millek) Rizzo, and had been a lifelong resident of Kalamazoo and Vicksburg. Connie was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Eugene Armstrong of Kalamazoo. She is survived by six children, William (Shelly)Cornell; Melody Meyer, Kalamazoo; Michelle (Robert) Myers, Texas; Connie Sanders, Gladwin, Mich; Mark Sanders, Oklahoma; Leon (Tammy) Hough, Holland, Mich.; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She is survived by siblings Sharon (Rick) Mahoney, Kalamazoo, Peter (Bonnie) Rizzo and MaryLynn Wilcox (Roger), both of Vicksburg. A Mass of Christian Burial took place on Wednesday, November 27 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Kalamazoo. Please visit mccowensecord.com. Donations may go to St. Joseph Catholic Church.
Cornelia “Connie” Badham, 89, Schoolcraft, passed away November 20 in Three Rivers. Connie was born March 11, 1930 in Kalamazoo, the daughter of Sake and Ricka (Dykema) Vander Veen. She was a lifelong area resident, employed for many years with Gibson Guitar and then General Motors until her retirement in 1993. She was a member of the Schoolcraft United Methodist Church. Family was a very important part of Connie’s life. Surviving are three children, John (Audrey) Badham, Merrie Badham and Barbara Krizanic; five grandsons and several great-grandchildren. Connie was preceded in death by her daughter, Linda Reed, her parents and by all her siblings. Donations may go to Schoolcraft United Methodist Church. Please visit Connie’s personalized guestbook at langelands.com.
Donald George Braymer, 98, Vicksburg, passed away Oct. 31. He passed quietly of cumulative heart congestion with little pain and loving family members at his side. Don was born in Kalamazoo on May 5th, 1921 to George and Nelli Braymer. Don and his wife, Betty, lived the past 32 years on Sunset Lake in Vicksburg and resided the previous 28 years on Gourdneck Lake in Portage. They were married on August 8th, 1945 and were inseparable for nearly 74 years. Don was a loving husband and father, a friendly neighbor and was always willing to lend his considerable expertise to friends and strangers in need. Don grew up in the Kalamazoo area and joined the U.S. Navy shortly after the bombing of Pearl Harbor that brought the U.S. into World War II. Don spent time training at the Great Lakes Naval Station in Illinois and in St. Louis, Mo., where he met the love of his life, Betty Jane Zausch. During World War II, Don served his country in the Pacific Theater as a naval airplane mechanic and saw action on several pivotal islands including Guadalcanal. After the war, Don returned to the States, married Betty, moved back to Kalamazoo and began a long career at the Upjohn Pharmaceutical Company from which he retired in 1976. Don started in the mail room and worked his way up to become the head of the photography department. During his stay in the photography department, Don produced motion pictures for Upjohn. His team won recognition for several medical documentaries. Don and Betty belonged to a singing and performance group that visited the elderly for years until health issues prevented their participation. They were longstanding members of the First Congregational Church of Kalamazoo and regularly attended services there over the years. Don was preceded in death by Betty, who passed away this spring. They had four children: Don Jr. (Carol) Braymer, David (Kate) Braymer, Kathy (Charlie) MacDonald and Bill (Susan) Braymer. David Braymer preceded Don in death as he passed away 13 years ago. Don is survived by 13 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Visit his page at langelands.com.
Joyce Elaine Henderson, passed away peacefully on November 13 at Rose Arbor Hospice. Joyce was the daughter of Robert and Pearl (Rose) Nichols. She was born on August 10, 1936. Growing up, her parents owned the grocery store in Scotts. She married Jean Blodgett and together they had four children: Jeanine, Lori, Tracy and Brian. Soon after Brian was born, doctors discovered that Jean had a brain tumor. He passed away when all the kids were young. She worked many jobs to keep food on the table and provide for her children. Her favorite job was working at the greenhouses in Comstock. When Joyce met William Henderson, it wasn’t long before they were married. They enjoyed traveling together and fishing trips with friends. They purchased a travel trailer, as they both loved to camp, especially at Blue Lake in Climax. A lot of the Henderson family and friends gathered there. They called it “Hendersonville.” Joyce was a pretty happy person who only regretted one thing in her life – quitting school in 10th grade. She always said that she wanted to get her diploma, so she eventually went back and obtained her GED and graduated on the honor roll with all A’s and B’s and the highest grade in her class. Joyce is survived by her husband, William Henderson, and her four children, Jeanine (Al) Peake, Lori (Mark) Mastenbrook, Tracy (Ed) Blodgett, and Brian (Michelle) Blodgett. She leaves behind two step-grandchildren, Chris (Jim) Faas, Sarah (Dale) Olmstead and eight grandchildren, Samantha, Amanda, Brittany, Amber, Jamie, Trevor, Alecia and Abigail. She has one sister, Donna Gray. Donations may go to Rose Arbor Hospice.
Carole Locey, Vicksburg, passed away November 15. She was born on October 27, 1939 to Daniel Sr. and Donna (Saye) Conway. She contracted polio as a young girl and the experience contributed to Carole’s strength and resilience for the rest of her life. Carole will be forever remembered by her children, Ellen Fillingham and David Locey; a granddaughter, Autumn Locey; brother, Daniel Conway, Jr.; niece, Kelly (Rich) Stack; nephews Scott (Stephanie), Christopher (Laura) and Brian (Jacqueline) Conway, and their children. Carole was preceded in death by her parents and her sister-in-law, Patricia Conway. Visit her page at BetzlerLifeStory.com. Donations may go to Kalamazoo Community Chorale or Hackett Catholic Prep Athletics.
Mrs. Mary M. Lowe, Vicksburg, died November 20. Mary was born May 21, 1948 in Kalamazoo, the daughter of Donald and Margaret (Wolff) Phelps. She was a lifelong Kalamazoo area resident and was employed with Field’s Fabrics for over 15 years before retiring. On November 2, 1968, she was united in marriage to Ronald M. Lowe, who survives. Also surviving are a daughter, Michelle (Rob) Neville of Raleigh, N.C,; grandchildren Justin (Kasey) Lewis and Phebe Lewis and a great-granddaughter, Dakota. Donations may go to the West Michigan Cancer Center. Visit her page at langelands.com.
Patricia Jeanette Weinberg, passed away peacefully November 13. She was born to John and Doris Goldsmith on February 18, 1933 in Vicksburg. Patricia worked for the Vicksburg schools as a bus driver. She also worked in hospital administration. Patricia was preceded in death by her husband, Lyle Weinberg. Patricia is survived by her five children, Daniel and Kathy Weinberg, Patricia and Robert Parker, Michael and Debra Weinberg, Melinda and Bill Kiewiet, Matthew and Eden Weinberg, 17 grandchildren, and 23 great-grandchildren.
Rolland “Stub” J. Westfall, 98, Schoolcraft, passed away Nov. 28. He was born January 8, 1921 in Newberg Township to Leo and Lila (Jones) Westfall. He graduated from Three Rivers High School in 1940 and married Pearl Modert June 9, 1945. Rolland is survived by his wife of 74 years, Pearl; son Warren (Diane) Westfall, of Schoolcraft; daughter Janice (Jim) Altimus, of Three Rivers; grandchildren Jon Altimus, of Arkansas; Judy (Steve) Rupp, of Kalamazoo; Jeffrey (Danielle) Altimus of Arizona; and Shawn (Nicki) Westfall, of Schoolcraft; great grandchildren Emilie (Ryan) Boatright; Zacherie Altimus; Elaine Altimus, Ethan Rupp, Harrison Rupp, Faith Westfall, Keaton Westfall and great great grandchildren Miller, Kanon, and Konner Boatright. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Hubert McDonald, of Three Rivers; nieces, and nephews. Rolland was preceded in death by his parents; sisters Evelyn (Lorraine) Rice and Lucille (Owen) Hoak; granddaughter Robin Westfall; great great granddaughters Samantha and Elizabeth. Visit his page at mccowensecord.com. Donations may go to Kairos Dwelling, Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church, and South Kalamazoo County Fire Fighter Association.
Catherine Wurtzel, 84, Scotts, died November 15. She was born in Scotland to John and Catherine (Ellis) Friel on May 23, 1935. She came to the United States in 1957 and became the secretary to the vice president of Ford International. She met her future husband, Philip, and they were married in 1960 in Saginaw. Catherine’s family includes her children, Ann (Shawn) Gloden, Kathryn (Buck) Rauch, Philip (Darcye) Wurtzel, Steve (Angie) Wurtzel, and Ryan (Heather) Wurtzel; grandchildren Courtney, Nicole, Rebecca, Heather, Matthew, Jack, Liam, Maximus, Alexander, Madison and Mackenzie; a great-grandson, Jace; special friends Dr. Jim and Lori Stepanski, the Murray family, Paul and Mary Moscardini, Pete Noteboom and many wonderful nephews, nieces and friends. Catherine was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years; in-laws Mary (Sam) Healander, Fred Wurtzel, Alice (Frank) MacRae, Edmund (Sarah) Wurtzel, Arthur (Cile) Wurtzel, Bob (Kay) Kossak, Donald (Julie) Wurtzel, Dorothy (Joe) Murin, Joe (Patty) Wurtzel; and John (Jean) Murray – her Scottish family. Visit her page at BetzlerLifeStory.com. Donations may go to the Willis Foundation or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
by Justin Gibson | Dec 12, 2019 | Schools, Vicksburg
By Sue Moore
Vicksburg’s marching band, affectionately known as the “Big Red Machine,” will perform with eight other bands during halftime at the Sugar Bowl game in New Orleans on January 1. The top teams from the Big 12 and the SEC are scheduled to play in this game unless one or the other has been selected as a Top 4 in the college football playoffs.
Every two or three years, Band Director Ben Rosier likes to plan a trip out of state over the Christmas holidays, preferably to warmer weather. “These are the memories students take from high school as they are being “cultured” while experiencing life outside of Vicksburg,” Rosier said. “Only high-quality ensembles are asked to perform in these events. We will be stopping in Memphis on the way to New Orleans for our two jazz bands to perform at Alfred’s jazz club on Beale Street. Early Dawgs and Top Dawgs will play in one of the most famous places outside of New Orleans for jazz performances.
“We will perform with eight other bands for the halftime of the Sugar Bowl. Those bands are from Georgia (2), North Carolina, Alabama, Texas (3), and Kansas. We have the music and color guard choreography to practice. We have utilized the tutorial times at the high school to take advantage of group rehearsal times,” Rosier said. “We will also have a Natchez Dinner Cruise and attend a dance award ceremony for the participating bands where we will accept any awards from the competitions such as parade and field show.”
The half-time show will feature the women’s suffrage movement’s decades-long fight to win the right to vote for women in the United States. It took activists and reformers nearly 100 years to win that right, and the campaign was not easy. The halftime finale honors this 100-year anniversary and all those that worked so hard to make it happen. This select group of young musicians and dancers from across the United States will perform two iconic female superstars’ great hit songs highlighting the Women’s Suffrage 100th Celebration: Aretha Franklin’s “Respect” and Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off!”
Nearly 130 students out of 180 in the band will make the trip by motor coach over December 28 through January 2. They have raised the money themselves to make the trip along with the parent chaperones who will accompany them.
“We will do a community service project through Hands On New Orleans, which will be a great afternoon of revamping a park that has remained ‘dormant’ since the likes of Hurricane Katrina,” Rosier said. “When we went in 2010 the students talked about the community service project more than anything else and I’m excited to do that with them again.”
by Justin Gibson | Dec 12, 2019 | Schools, Vicksburg
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Camryn Rosier and Sophia Martin, students at Tobey, explain to the School Board about the traits it takes to be a National School of Character.
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The Tower Garden is teaching Tobey students about how things grow. Seeds for the garden were donated by JS Farms which is right across the street from the school. It was funded by a grant from the Vicksburg Community Schools Foundation.
By Sue Moore
Vicksburg School Board meetings rotate among each of its five buildings during the school year. This gives administrators a chance to highlight activities taking place in their buildings. In November, it was Tobey Elementary’s turn. The school is headed by Principal Mike Barwegen who loves to emphasize “the Tobey Way” in his report.
“We are working on becoming a National School of Character,” he told the board. “We emphasize character traits such as patience, integrity, honesty, having a safe and caring environment with a focus on kindness.” The school received a grant from the Vicksburg Community Schools Foundation to purchase a tower garden planter to demonstrate how food grows from seed to table. Two students were present to give a demonstration about the garden and its new plants that are just sprouting.
In other business, Food Service Director Sarah Dyer has instituted some new and helpful ways to make sure students do not go hungry and can learn more easily on a full stomach. She has instituted “grab and go” salad options at the high school similar to those she started at the middle school last year. For breakfast, kids can take their grab bag into class or eat in the cafeteria. A new slushie machine has been installed in the high school that dispenses 100 percent fruit juice that she said the kids really love.
Auditors from Plante & Moran were at the meeting to praise the financial position of the school system and in particular Assistant Supt. Steve Goss’ department for a clean audit for the last two years the firm has been retained. “You showed an increase in the fund balance at 10.5 percent of total spending,” an auditor said. “The state average is 13.9 percent. We would encourage you to aim for 15 percent but know it isn’t going to happen right away. Enrollment has held steady and that is a good thing.”
by Justin Gibson | Dec 12, 2019 | Schools, Vicksburg
Laura Chang.
A new group of 11 K-12 education leaders committed to professional growth will join the Saginaw Valley State University Gerstacker Fellowship program in 2020. Among them is Vicksburg’s Laura Chang, who was selected as Michigan’s teacher of the Year in 2018-2019.
As part of the initiative, the teachers, principals, and program administrators from across Michigan will receive concentrated leadership training over a one-year period. The experience will include a trip to Japan in June.
This trip will send participants to educational institutions, where participants learn about international educational systems and corporate settings. There, they discover how leadership plays out in different cultural and economic settings.
The program was established in 2005 with a $1.5 million endowment from the Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation of Midland. Participants are known as Gerstacker Fellows. They meet monthly on weekends.
Experts in the field instruct the group on subjects such as organizational leadership, ethics, finances, communication, human resources, entrepreneurship and education with a global perspective.
Travel costs to and from Saginaw for Chang are funded by a grant from the Vicksburg Community Schools Foundation’s Bardeen Teacher Incentive program.
by Justin Gibson | Dec 12, 2019 | Schools, Vicksburg
Pictured from left to right: Seth Crabtree, Luke Becker, Tristin Decker, teacher Lorrie Jancarz, Noah Haines, Jacob VanderBor, teacher Greg Mills, Collin Crandall and Benjamin Welch.
The totals are in. The week of November 18, was a very busy and productive week for the Computerized Manufacturing class at Vicksburg High School. Instructor Greg Mills’ students in the class were diligently bringing in many food and personal care items for the annual food drive for South County Community Services (SCCS). The National Honor Society sponsored the drive with hundreds of items collected.
The students answered the call for donations and brought in so many items that they took first place school wide. It was a head-to-head competition with other classes throughout the week. These students realized that there are many families that need assistance with food and personal care products. The students stepped up to the plate to make this food drive a success, according to Mills.
“We are very proud of this class for their generosity,” Mills said.
