More Honor Roll Members

Allen Thomas Sanders, age 86, of Albion, passed away Sunday, January 6, 2008 at Battle Creek Health Systems in Battle Creek, Michigan. He was born May 30, 1921 to Frank Lee and Anna (Porr) Sanders in Albion, Michigan. On October 14, 1948 in Angola, Indiana he married Doris M. Hall, who preceded him in death on January 19, 2005. Allen was a resident of the area all of his life. Allen was a 1941 graduate of Washington Gardner High School, and U.S. Navy WWII Veteran. He was a machinist at Harvard Industries, enjoyed gardening, hunting, and fishing.

Brayden William Plumb, age 90, of Gull Lake, died at his home, on Monday, October 22, 2007. He was born at home on February 19, 1917, in Millington, Michigan to the Rev. Earl J. and Lelah Belle (Titsworth) Plumb. He grew up in the Saginaw and Birch Run area. As the son of a Methodist minister, he spent many summers of his youth at the Methodist Camp in Midland Park at Gull Lake. He attended Arthur Hill Trade School in Saginaw and High School in Dimondale. Following high school, he worked at the Oldsmobile Plant in Lansing. On December 28, 1943, he married his childhood sweetheart, Velma L. Kees, and together they shared 59 years. Mr. Plumb is part of the vanishing group of WWII veterans. He served in the U.S. Army, beginning in 1941, spending two years in Puerto Rico, guarding air strips. He returned to the U.S. for antiaircraft combat and automatic weapons training. He spent 1944 and 1945 in France and Germany with the 910th Antiaircraft Artillery Weapons Battalion. He served under General George Patton during the Battle of the Bulge. In March of 1945, he was awarded the Bronze Star for establishing communications under fire. After returning to the States, he opened an automotive repair business. As a member of the Army Reserves, he was called back into service in 1950. After training in Tokyo, he shipped to Korea as part of the 24th Division, 19th Infantry. He was assigned to a motorpool emergency unit with combat medics. During the Korean Conflict, he was awarded two Bronze Stars. Following his military service, he went to work for the Kellogg Company in Battle Creek, where he remained for 32 years, retiring in 1982. He especially enjoyed get-togethers at his cabin in Rose City with the "Plumb Hollow Gang," his friends for over 20 years. He spent many happy vacation weeks with his family in Colorado and the West. He had a strong belief in Jesus Christ and was a member of the Gull Lake Bible Church, Hickory Corners, MI.

Charles E. "Chuck" Mead, 47, of Battle Creek, died Tuesday, December 11, 2007 at his home. He was born August 29, 1960 in Battle Creek, the son of Joel W., Jr. and Leona (DeZoete) Mead. He attended KCC and MIT, before entering the Air National Guard. Chuck was a skilled trade machinist working in several area factories and was also trained in all types of security equipment.

Clifford "Tater" Collier, age 91, of Battle Creek, MI, passed away Monday, December 31, 2007, at Evergreen Manor with family by his side. Clifford was born on August 19, 1916, in Dayton, TN, son of the late Jim Collier and Ida (Jenkins) Collier and stepson of James Elbert Hall. Clifford served in the Civilian Conservation Corps from 1935-1940 before serving in the Army for another five years through the end of WWII. He fought in the European Theater as a Heavy Machine Gunner, Sgt., and received several medals and ribbons before being honorably discharged in December 1945. Clifford was employed for 23 years at New York Airbrake (Hydreco) in Galesburg, MI, retiring in 1979 and was a long-time Union member. He had many pastimes but his most favorites were playing cards at various clubs and organizations and gardening. He had a zest for life and a great sense of humor.

Dennis Earl Sweet, 63, of Texas, formerly of Albion, passed away on Saturday, October 27, 2007, at Scott White Hospital in Temple, Texas. He was born November 30, 1943 in Northville to Willard Frederick and Florence Eileen (Swartz) Sweet. He graduated from Albion High School in 1961 and received an Associates Degree in Theater from Kellogg Community College. Dennis served his country in the U.S. Army in Germany, Korea, Vietnam, and Okinawa, eventually retiring in Texas. He married Chong Ac while in Seoul, Korea; this marriage ended in divorce. Dennis was a former member of First United Methodist Church in Albion.

Donald Francis Lang, 87, of Battle Creek, died peacefully at his home on Saturday, December 8, 2007. He was born in Des Moines, Iowa on January 19, 1920 the son of William F. and Blanche (Gullickson) Lang and graduated from Faribault, Minnesota High School in 1937. Donald served his country as a member of the United States Navy from 1938 to 1945 on the Battleship, USS California and the Seaplane Tender, USS Unimak. After being discharged in 1945, Donald served in the Veterans Administration Civil Defense and Defense Supply until his retirement in 1972.

Donald Lee Brace, 55, of Springfield, MI, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Saturday, January 12, 2008 at his home. He was born November 14, 1952 in Battle Creek, MI, the son of Kenneth Brace and Marjorie (Keener) Brace.Don had worked for Griswolds in Union City for 5 years and Flex-N-Gate as a fabrication welder in Battle Creek. Don married the former Debbie Sue Dilling on September 16, 2000 in Marshall. Don graduated from Colon High School. He served in the U.S. Navy during the VietNam conflict. He enjoyed golfing, reading, fly fishing, watching and attending U of M football games, and Detroit Lions football. He was particularly happy when he could spend time with his grandchildren, traveling with his wife, and having family gatherings.

Dr. Alan Martin Gardner died suddenly Saturday, December 29, 2007 in Ann Arbor, MI, where he was undergoing treatment for cancer. Born April 23, 1953 in Battle Creek, MI, he graduated from St. Philip's Catholic School in 1971. Upon graduation he attended Michigan State University, followed by medical school at the University of Michigan. He completed his residency in anesthesiology at the Medical College of Ohio, from 1980-1984 he served as a flight surgeon and physician in the United States Navy. He went on to work at the University of Michigan, University of Chicago, University of Kentucky, and Detroit Mercy Hospital. He participated in many charitable organizations, including Operation Smile, and as an adult leader with the Boy Scouts of America. He enjoyed photography, coin collecting, and college football on a Saturday afternoon. Throughout his life his warmth and generosity touched many people.

Dr. Douglas H. Castle- man, age 84, a longtime Hastings resident, and more recently of Battle Creek, died quietly at the Battle Creek Lifespan Good Samaritan Hospice Sunday, December 16, 2007. Born in Sandusky, Ohio April 16, 1923 to Henry and Helen (Clark) Castleman. He attended Sandusky Schools and graduated in 1941. He then went on to Ohio Wesleyan University, until he went in the Army during WWII, where he was a surgical Tech in Panama. Upon returning, he went to Ohio State University Medical School. He was married to Phyllis (Hoyer) and had five children, he later divorced and married Joyce (Richmond) Hubbard. Doug later went back to the University of Michigan to specialize in anesthesia. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed painting water colors. He had been a past president of the Thornapple Arts Council and past member of Hastings Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs. He loved people and especially enjoyed the socialization and his time at Northpointe Woods in Battle Creek.

Dr. Keith A. Phelps, 83, of Battle Creek, died Tuesday, November 13, 2007 at Calhoun Medical Care Facility. He was born on April 11, 1924 in Mayville, Michigan to Walter B. and Eleanor (Swailes) Phelps. The family lived in New Haven and then moved to St. Johns where he graduated from high school. Following high school graduation, he attended the University of Michigan for two years, where he excelled at playing varsity baseball. He then transferred to Ohio State University to attend dental school. He was also a member of the varsity baseball team and became one of two men to ever receive varsity letters from both schools. The two men were recognized for this feat at half-time during one of the Ohio State-Michigan football games. He was very proud of this accomplishment, but he remained a loyal Michigan fan throughout his lifetime. After serving in the United States Navy aboard an aircraft carrier during the Korean Conflict, he returned to Michigan to begin his practice in dentistry. He came to Battle Creek in 1952, where he served his patients until his retirement in 1986.