MCE-Custer High School Alumni

09/25/2026

Custer High School, Class of 1957 Olive Catherine (Bryan) Davis, 88, lifelong resident of Eden Township passed away on Wednesday, September 23, 2026. Olive was born on June 18, 1938 in Eden Township, the daughter of Thomas J. and Viola Matilda Bryan and graduated from Custer High School in 1957. On September 26, 1959, she married the love of her life, Melvin L. Davis in a ceremony officiated by her uncle, Alonzo Bryan. Olive and Melvin would have celebrated 67 years together this weekend.

Family meant everything to Olive and she was a loving wife, mother, grandmother to her family and a cherished friend to many. Olive was preceded in death by her parents Foster and Viola; her daughter-in-law Virginia Davis; her brothers Nelson (Verla) Bryan, and Gilbert Bryan; and her sister Elaine Bryan.

Along with her husband Melvin, Olive will be greatly missed by her daughter Teresa and Brian Spinner; her son Melvin Davis; her grandchildren Jessica (James) Peters, Brian (Katie) Spinner, Ashley Davis, Amber Davis, Brooke (Waylin Coolman) Davis, and Jenna Davis; her great-grandchildren Ambriel (Caleb), Briann, Carlee, and Emmy; and her great-great-granddaughter Serenity.

A private family gathering will be held with burial at Lakeside Cemetery in Eden Township.

Please visit Olive’s memory page at www.wymanfuneralservice.com to share a memory or tribute of Olive with her family.

09/24/2026

Custer High School Grad, class of 1946

Irene (Jablonski) Wagner passed away peacefully on Monday, September 21, 2026 at the age of 98 after living a very blessed life. She was married for 62 years to the love of her life, Bernie, and was an amazing wife and mother whose life was defined by her clever wit, lively spirit, and selfless devotion to the people she loved.

Those who knew Irene will remember her for her warmth, generosity, beautiful smile and the countless ways she made the lives of others a little better. She leaves behind a lifetime of love and memories that will continue to live on in her family.

Her love for her husband, children and grandchildren was immeasurable, and she found a special kind of joy in being surrounded by her great-grandchildren with their boundless energy.

Born in 1928, Irene enjoyed the simple pleasures of life. She loved to knit, play board games, listen to music and sit by the lake. You could find her dancing with her husband to her favorite Arrow Road Band and always reading her beloved Ludington Daily News. She enjoyed winning a challenging game of Scrabble and to her family she was known as the Yahtzee queen. She treasured her family time, her friends and traveling with her husband creating memories together along the way.

She will be dearly missed by her children: Nancy, Karen, Ken (Carol), and Sue; her grandchildren: Larissa (DJ), Kayla (JD), Kristen (Mike), Brent, Matt, Erica (Lukas) and Jordan; and her great-grandchildren: Hendrik, Ethan, Helen, Elena, Addison, Lucas and Lily.

Funeral Services will be conducted at noon, Friday, October 2, 2026, at Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, Pere Marquette Chapel, with visitation being held prior to the service starting at 10 a.m. Please feel free to add purple to your attire as we come together to celebrate this beautiful woman and her 98 amazing years.

Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.

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08/30/2026

The MCE Class of 1986 had their 40th Class Reunion 8/29/2026.

We had some fun times together with many Smiles & Laughs!!

The festivities started with happy hour at 5pm & dinner at 6pm at the Bungalo in Manistee.

Then moved on to an After Party at Joe Michevich’s “Pond” in Fountain for the rest of the evening.

Our Class can’t say Thank You enough to Deborah Lundquist-Drake(We Missed You), Linda, Denise, and Lori for all you did putting this together for us plus to Joe Michevich for making you “Pond” available to us.

14 classmates with their +1

Becky Bostrom-Johnson, Becky Baker, Bruce Riffle, Linda DeVries-Smith, Beth Fenner, Kristen Genung, Christine Renee' Gross,
David Purple, Lisa Wing Miller, Lori Michevich-Cregg, Richard Martinchek,
Sheila Churchill-Paulus, Denise Forrester-Stalter , Deanna Gum-Purple

08/17/2026

MCE, Class of 1972
Raymond Dale Bates, 72, of Ludington, passed away Tuesday, August 11, 2026,in Scottville. He was born January 26, 1954, in Ludington, the son of Raymond and Wauneta (McDonald) Bates.

Raymond worked for over 25 years at Metal Works in Ludington until his retirement in 2003. In his spare time he was a passionate gardener who loved being outdoors, collecting coins and watching Star Trek. He was a proud sponsor of the Olympics and a member of the American Legion Auxiliary.

Raymond is survived by: his mother, Wauneta Bates; his brothers, Joe (Alma)Bates, and Jerry Bates; his sister, Linda Moore; his nieces and nephews, Susan (Mike)Regina, Sara (David) Burrell, Stacy (Billy) Mayse, Tonya (Cody) Kwiatt, Bryan Bates,Jerry Bates Jr., James Bates and Diamond Bates; and numerous aunts, uncles, great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins.

Raymond was preceded by his father, Raymond Jr. Bates.

The family would like to give a special thanks to Emily Sawyer and Emily Maynard from Elara Caring, and Jenny Nye and Katrina Genter from Northstar Hospice for their amazing care and compassion. Longtime caregivers Terry and Wendy Johnson.

Cremation has taken place and no services will be held at this time.Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, Pere Marquette Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

08/01/2026

We are the class of 1972 …Mason County Eastern Class Reunion
Thank you Rick and Cindy Gleason for hosting
Row 1 Rick Smedberg , Dave Saya, Betty Nash Hodges, Carol Holden
Row 2 Deb Laiskonis , Mike Bardos, Rick Gleason, Rick Deering, Bruce Bosley, Sandra Wendt Durfee, Dennis Miszewski, Mary Curran De Vries, Connie Zweigle Clark, Judy Stuart Sneigowski

07/07/2026

MCE, Class of 1961
Dean Devoie Lasley, 83, of Ludington, passed away on Wednesday, July 1, 2026.

Visitation will be held on Friday, July 10, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, Pere Marquette Chapel, 309 S. Washington Avenue, Ludington, MI, 49431, followed by a funeral service beginning at 1:00 p.m.

A Celebration of Life will be held following the funeral service at Fraternal Order of Eagles located at 108 South Harrison, Ludington, MI, 49431.

Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, Pere Marquette Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

For additional information, please visit Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service at www.beaconfh.com.

07/05/2026

MCE, Class of 1970
Ford Adelbert Taylor, 74, of Ludington, passed away on Wednesday, July 1, 2026. Ford was born on March 14, 1952 in Ludington, the son of Adelbert and Clare (Huff) Taylor and graduated from Mason County Eastern High School with the class of 1970. In 1986, he married Karolyn Wollschlager in Ludington and they would have celebrated 40 years together this month.

Ford worked for Acres Co-op in Scottville for 10 years before working at Straits Steel and Wire in Ludington for over 25 years. In his retirement he enjoyed being outdoors pursuing his love of archery and bicycling.

Ford will be missed by his wife Karolyn; his sisters Elizabeth (Thomas) Kluth and Charlene Taylor all of Fountain; his nephews Steven (Joanna) Kluth of Grand Rapids, and Gary (Tara) Kluth of Fountain and their daughter Hannah.

No services will be held for Ford at this time. Those who wish to remember Ford with a memorial donation are asked to please consider his family to assist with expenses.

Please visit Ford’s memory page at www.wymanfuneralservice.com to share a memory or tribute of Ford with his family.

06/23/2026

Former member of the Class of 1974 at MCE. Barb Keubler Granger.
(age 70) passed away Thursday, June 4th, 2026, at the Munson Hospice House in Traverse City, surrounded by her sisters. Barb was the daughter of Homer and Jean Kuebler, who preceded her in death. Barb graduated from Alanson Littlefield in 1974 and had a long career at the Petoskey News Review (35 years), the Best Western in Harbor Springs, and she spent many years working the elections for Alanson. Barb was an avid gardener, an accomplished seamstress and quilter, a fantastic cook and baker, and she had a very adventurous spirit and can-do attitude. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by George and Avis Granger and brothers-in-law Eric Hoffman, Phil Jones and Brian Granger. She is survived by her sons Kevin Granger of Portland, Oregon and Kyle Granger of Alanson, Michigan. She will be deeply missed by her five sisters (The Kuebler Girls); Pat Jones, Bev Boyer (Jim), Joyce Ransom, Jan Bevans (Dale Urbanski) and Marcia Hoffman (Bob Beresford). There will be a Celebration of Life luncheon at the Alanson Church of the Nazarene on Saturday, July 18th at noon. Donations in Barb's name can be sent to the Munson Hospice House, 450 Brook Street, Traverse City, MI 49684 or the Alanson Church of the Nazarene.

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06/17/2026

MCE, Class of 1971
Milford Curtis Duchenois age 73 of Custer passed away on Sunday, June 14, 2026. Milford was born on October 10, 1952 in Grand Rapids, the son of Curtis and Dora Mae (Larr) Duchenois and graduated from Mason County Eastern High School with the class of 1971. Following graduation, Milford began working for the Babb and Acker Sawmill, a job that lasted him for over 45 years. Through the years, Milford enjoyed hunting, especially the elusive Whitetail, but found his greatest joy in the company of his family.

Milford was preceded in death by his parents Curtis and Dora Mae; and his brother Leslie Duchenois. He will be greatly missed by his brother Derwin (Leah Roberts) Duchenois of Custer; his sisters Sheila (David) Bates of Scottville, and Lavonne (Dan) Vanderboegh of Branch; his nieces Lisa (Andrew) Barnett, and Jennifer Bates; his nephews Tyler Bates, Curtis (Gillian) Bates, Daniel (Maggie) Bates, and David Lee (Kristen) Bates; and his two special great nieces Riley and Haley.

Funeral services will be held for Milford at 11:00 am on Monday, June 22 at Wyman Funeral & Cremation Services – Stephens Funeral Home in Scottville with burial to follow at Riverside Cemetery in Custer. Visitation with his family will begin at 10:00 am until time of services.

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Milford Curtis Duchenois please visit our Sympathy Store.

Upcoming Events
Visitation
JUN 22. 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (ET)

Wyman Funeral & Cremation Services - Stephens Funeral Home

305 E. State St.

Scottville, MI 49454

(231) 757-3333

[email protected]

https://www.wymanfuneralservice.com

06/15/2026

MCE Class of 1967
Alvin R. VanSickle age 76 of Fountain passed away on Wednesday, June 10, 2026. Alvin was born in Ludington on July 14, 1949, the son of Robert L. and Dorothy (Budzynski) VanSickle and graduated from Mason County Eastern High School with the class of 1967. Alvin furthered his education at Ferris State College where he graduated with an A.A.S. degree in HVACR Technology. On August 17, 1968 he married Linda R. Long in a ceremony held at the home of lifelong friends on Ford Lake and celebrated 57 years together.

After graduation, Alvin went on to work at Ziehm L.P. Gas in Scottville and then started his own successful business, Al VanSickle Heating & Cooling where he became very respected in the area and surrounding counties. In 1979, Alvin and his family purchased H. Smedberg & Son Hardware in Custer and renamed it Custer Hardware. Alvin and Linda also owned and operated Allin Ice and Storage in Fountain for many years until their retirement.

Alvin was an avid hunter and enjoyed teaching his grandchildren the love of hunting. He found joy just spending time with family adventures traveling the western states, Florida and hunting out west with his son-in-laws. Alvin and Linda enjoyed their second home in the U.P. exploring all areas with their grandchildren, family and many friends. One of his favorite things was to pick his grandkids up every morning, take them to get breakfast treats and drive them to school. In his last years, he just loved watching his great grandchildren play and have fun.

Along with his wife Linda, Alvin will be greatly missed by his daughters Sue Ellen (Fred) VandeVoorde and Kelley (Troy) Cogle all of Fountain and Miranda (Darrell) Crawford of Custer, his grandchildren; Taylor VandeVoorde, Aaron (Kirstin) VandeVoorde, Brenna VandeVoorde, Kasey (Abby) Cogle, Kyle (Kaley) Cogle, Wyatt Crawford and Avery Crawford, his great-grandchildren; Aiden, Archer, Khloe, Ellie, and Liam, his brothers; Jim (Jeanne) VanSickle, and Charles (Julie) VanSickle, along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, and many longtime friends.

Alvin was preceded in death by his parents Robert and Dorothy, his brother Tom, sister Sue Ellen and In-laws, Edward and Edith Long.

A time of visitation with Alvin’s family will be held on Friday, June 19 from 4:00-6:00 pm at Wyman Funeral & Cremation Services – Stephens Funeral Home in Scottville with a luncheon to follow at Fountain Hall at 7:00 pm. Those who wish to remember Alvin with a memorial donation are asked to please consider his family.