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MCE-Custer High School Alumni, 2727 E. First Street, Custer, MI (2026)

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.

06/01/2026

MCE Class of 2007
Richard Zigmund Stepka, 37 of Ludington, passed away on Monday, May 25, 2026.

Richard, affectionately known as Ricky or Slick, was born on December 16, 1988, in Ludington, to Richard A. Stepka and Pamela S. (Sandlin) Gilbert. Ricky graduated from Mason County Eastern High School in 2007 and went on to earn his journeyman status in welding. He worked for 16 years at Great Lakes Casting.

Ricky was a chief steward of UAW Local 1464 and a member of the Oceana Eagles.

Known for his outgoing, generous, loving, fun, kind, and fiercely passionate nature, Ricky touched the lives of many around him.

Ricky’s love for his children was unparalleled, but closely following was his passion for baseball. He was an active member of several teams, including the Burnouts, Bateson Oil, and the Michigan Hype state team. His enthusiasm for the sport also led him to participate in numerous tournaments such as Cancer Crushers and CAN/AM (which is a Canadian and American team), showcasing his competitive spirit and camaraderie.

Beyond the baseball diamond, Ricky was an avid outdoorsman. He cherished the times he could engage in deer hunting, whether it was with a bow, rifle, or muzzleloader, embracing the tranquility and challenge of the outdoors.

He will be deeply missed by his daughters Alexis and Briana; mother and stepfather Pam and Todd Gilbert; brother Alan (Jennifer Segelstrom) Stepka and their children; stepbrother Sean (Kali) Gilbert and their two boys; stepsisters Noel (Eric) Shafer and their three kids and Maura Gilbert and her 3 kids; as well as numerous other family members and friends.

Ricky was preceded in death by his father Richard A. Stepka and his sister Kaleena Ray Stepka.

A celebration of Ricky’s life will be held on Saturday, June 6, 2026, from 4:00pm until 8:00pm at Powell Memorial Park (also known as Eagles Park), 3300 N. Sherman Road, Ludington, MI 49431.

Arrangements were entrusted to Grace Funeral Home and Cremation Services. www.GraceCremations.com

05/27/2026

Custer High School, Class of 1958
Richard Allen Miller, 85 of Ludington, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 23, 2026.

Born July 13, 1940, in Ludington, MI, Richard was the son of the late Emery and Margaret (Ott) Miller. He graduated from Custer High School in 1958. On March 14, 1959, he married Ruth Irene Rozell and they shared 55 years together before Ruth’s passing in 2014.

Richard had dedicated 40 years of his life working as a pipe fitter at Packaging Corporation of America until his retirement in 1999.

He was known for his vibrant storytelling and his knack for jokes. His supportive and family-oriented nature enriched the lives of those around him. A true outdoorsman, Richard relished in hunting, fishing, camping, and traveling. He and his wife, Ruth, spent seven years traversing the United States in their motorhome, with Alaska holding a special place in his heart. Richard was also an avid dancer, with the twist being his favorite dance. In his last years he enjoyed time spent with his special friend, Helen Woirol.

He took joy in coaching his children’s sports teams and cherished moments spent with his grandchildren. Richard's legacy of love and laughter will be fondly remembered by his family, friends, and all who knew him.

He will be greatly missed by his son Harvey (Linnea) Miller of Ludington; his daughters Laura (Jerry) Edmondson of Manistee and Margaret (Kris) Shoemate of Reese, MI; grandchildren Aric (Jeanne) Miller of Ludington, Lindsey (Davis) Bolster of Chapel Hill, NC, Alex (Katherine) Edmondson of Cincinnati, OH, Sarah (Mark) Gilson of Carver, MN, Brent (Jenny) Shoemate of Frankenmuth, MI, Kristen Shoemate of Reese, MI, and Matthew (Alesha) Shoemate of Sioux Falls, SD; great-grandchildren Avery and Camden Miller of Ludington, Caitlyn Gilson of Carver, MN, Iain Edmondson of Cincinnati, OH, Hannah and Drew Shoemate of Frankenmuth, MI, Theo Shoemate of Reese, MI, and Eleanor and Blair Bolster of Chapel Hill, NC; his sister Carol Stark of Ada, MI; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

In addition to his wife and parents, Richard was preceded in death by his brothers Donald, Robert, and Roger Miller; his sisters Mary (DePeel) Miller and Judy (Miller) Underwood; and his great-grandson Brody Miller.

A funeral service for Richard will be held on Monday, June 1, 2026, at 1:00 PM at Grace Funeral Home, with visitation beginning at 11:00 AM. He will be laid to rest at South Victory Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Elara Caring Hospice, Scottville Library, or the Alzheimer's Association, honoring Richard’s memory.

Arrangements were entrusted to Grace Funeral Home and Cremation Services. www.GraceCremations.com

05/27/2026

MCE Class of 2007 Richard "Ricky" Stepka has passed away. update: At 5:05am Wednesday, May 27th, 2026 Sheriff Kim Cole sent an updated release with the following to his original press release: "Richard Stepka, 37 of Ludington, has been identified as the individual killed in a motorcycle crash on Stiles Road and Marrison Road, in Mason County’s Riverton Township."
Very sad news from the Mason County Sheriff's Department in regards to a motorcyclist found and pronounced deceased hours after a crash overnight. "On Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at 12:30 PM, emergency crews were called to the area of Stiles Road and Marrison Road in Mason County’s Riverton Township regarding a single vehicle motorcycle crash.
Emergency personnel found the driver, and lone occupant, deceased at the scene. It appears the cyclist crashed during the night but was not discovered until the following day at 12:30 PM.
Currently the driver is only being identified as a 37-year-old Ludington MI man.
The case remains under investigation by the Mason County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Crash Reconstruction Team."

05/08/2026

MCE- Class of 1967
Larry Jay Feister, age 76, passed away on May 1, 2026. He was born June 24, 1949, to Ivan and Jane Feister.

Larry spent his childhood on the family farm in Crystal Valley, Michigan, where he developed a strong work ethic and learned the value of honesty that would define his life. He was a proud graduate of Mason County Eastern High School, Class of 1967.

Larry honorably served in the Army National Guard from 1968 to 1974. He later dedicated nearly 38 years of service to Howmet Aerospace before retiring.

Larry had a gift for making people feel welcomed and happy. He loved music, especially classic country, and he found joy in life’s simple moments. He was known for his extraordinary generosity — tipping graciously even when it wasn’t expected, paying more than the asking price at yard sales simply to help someone out, and always looking for ways to brighten another person’s day. Whether through a compliment, a funny joke, or a friendly conversation, Larry genuinely wanted to make life better for those around him.

He enjoyed many hobbies throughout his life, including fishing, gardening and wood-burning, but nothing meant more to him than his family and close friends. He especially cherished sharing his love of the outdoors with his grandson Alex. Larry also treasured the countless hours spent playing cribbage with his step-son Matt, and his weekly “touring with Dan” adventures brought him tremendous happiness.

To know Larry was to know kindness. He never met a stranger and could strike up a conversation with anyone. His warm heart, playful spirit, and willingness to help others left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know him.

Larry will be remembered for his fun-loving nature, his honesty, his curious mind, and his ability to make others smile. More than anything, he will be remembered as a man who made the world a little brighter through his silliness, kindness and love.

Larry leaves behind a family who loved him deeply and will miss him tremendously: daughters, Jane (Denny) Weaver, Christy Kaledas, and Lori Feister; beloved grandchildren, Marina, Mira, Amelia, Margo, and Alex; step-granddaughter, Marissa Smith and her son Remy; sister, Carolyn (Tim) Courtemanche; sister-in-law, Laurene Feister; as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

Larry was preceded in death by: his parents, Ivan and Jane Feister; brothers, Curtis Feister and Gary Feister; and step-grandson, Devon Smith.

A Celebration of Life honoring Larry will be held at 1:00pm, Saturday, June 20, 2026, at 4055 W. Shelby Road, Shelby, Michigan 49455. Family and friends are invited to gather, share memories, and celebrate the joy and kindness Larry brought into so many lives.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests you do something kind or tip generously in his memory.

Harris Funeral Home, in Shelby, is assisting with arrangements.

MCE-Custer High School Alumni

08/01/2026

07/07/2026

07/05/2026

06/23/2026

06/17/2026

06/15/2026

06/01/2026

05/27/2026

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05/08/2026

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