Friends We Will Miss

Donald Hadley Myers died at his home in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan on April 8. He was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma on August 13, 1934 to his parents Hadley Myers and Dorothy Reinke Myers, who preceded him in death.

Don started coaching his daughter’s softball in Detroit at St Mary’s of Redford Grade School and then became Head Coach of the girls softball team at St Agatha High School in 1978. His college coaching career started at LSSU in 1989 with the women’s fastpitch softball team, alongside Karen Sutton Boger. He retired from coaching in 2010 after 21 years. Don loved coaching.

Don & Marilyn joined the First United Presbyterian Church in Sault Ste. Marie in 1994. In 2007 Don became a commissioned lay pastor. It was not unusual to see him as chaplain at the Presbyterian Point Camp, serving in the soup kitchen at church, or delivering the good news in the pulpit and at Freighterview Assisted Living. He also enjoyed conducting weddings and funerals and wrote monthly articles for The Chimes newsletter. Don is a lifetime member of the Elks Lodge 552.

During his time in the Sault, he loved the fresh water surrounding the Upper Peninsula and was fond of watching the constant marine traffic on the St Mary’s river as well as kayaking with his constant companion – Abby, his cocker spaniel. One of his greatest loves for the last 14 years was performing with the Northland Barbershop Chorus.

Don was a fierce competitor, a loyal friend and a loving father and husband. His presence in our lives will be greatly missed.

Beverly Jean (Gough) Barney ‘62, Sault Ste. Marie, formerly of Pickford and Mackinac Island, died April 4, 2018 at age 74. She was born November 9, 1943, in Flint, Michigan, to John Reginald “Jack” and Anna Margaret (Winberg) Gough. Beverly grew up in the Pickford area and in the summers lived on Mackinac Island. She graduated from Pickford High School in 1961, attended Lake State for one year, and graduated from Northern Michigan University in 1966, where she earned a bachelor degree in teaching. She married Lou LaLonde on June 26, 1965 at Pickford Church of the Nazarene. Early in their teaching careers, they taught school in Iron Mountain, Michigan, Utah, and Arizona before returning to Pickford. She began teaching 4th grade at Pickford Public Schools. In 1974, she was forced to leave teaching as illness had made it too difficult for her to teach. After a mutual family separation, she met Richard Barney, they married in 1979 and were married for 26 years.

Roy E. Bartholomew ’49, Elyria, Ohio, died November 25, 2017 at the age of 89. During the Korean war, Roy served as Commander in The US Army Sixth Tank Battalion in Korea, attaining the rank of Staff Sargeant in twenty one months.

Andrew Boyer ’13, East Jordan, age 28, died unexpectedly on May 16, 2019. Andrew was born February 24, 1991. He was never afraid of expressing his progressive opinions, and he had many. Andrew never sat still, and because of this, his death is rippling globally. From his modest house in his small hometown of East Jordan, he was on a mission to change just about everything that he felt was unjust. He worked briefly in social work but chose manual labor and city politics instead, expressing his proletarian views loudly and often. He worked tirelessly, as a dedicated leader, to improve humanity and make our country equitable for all people. Andrew excelled at LSSU, being awarded the Phillip A. Hart memorial scholarship and earning a bachelor’s degree in Sociology. He served as an East Jordan city commissioner for 5 years.

Scott Cooper ’17, Plymouth, Wisc. passed away unexpectedly March 18 in Neenah, Wisc. He was 27 years old. He is survived by his fiance’ Rachel Frey ’17. Scott earned a bachelor’s degree in fisheries and wildlife management at LSSU. He worked as a fish farmer and biologist for Plymouth Springs Fish Company, where he helped raise, process, smoke and sell fish. He loved what he did. Scott was a member of Superior AquaSystems Club, the LSSU Fish and Wildlife Club, the American Fisheries Society, the Michigan Aquaculture and the Wisconsin Aquaculture.

Raymond A. Coullard ’61, Rose City, died April 18 at McLaren Bay Region Hospital with his family at his bedside. Ray was born July 20, 1938, in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. and lived in the “Soo” until 1956. He attended St. Mary’s school and graduated from Loretto Catholic High School. He joined the Navy shortly after graduation, serving on the USS Pursuit AGS-17 from 1957 to 1959. He spent 2 summers in the Mediterranean off the southern coast of Turkey. Ray met the love of his life, Kathy, in 1960, married in 1962, and had four children. He attended Lake Superior State and graduated from Michigan State University in 1963. Ray started his career as a retail asset protection specialist at JL Hudson, working his way up to being responsible for facilities security at JC Penney and director of loss prevention at CVS Pharmacy to capstone his career. As he advanced through his career Ray and his family lived in Wisconsin, Georgia, California, Texas, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Michigan. Ray was a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus and was very active in the church. He loved spending time outdoors with his family and friends fishing, hunting, camping, gardening, and coaching his children’s sports teams. Ray is survived by his wife Kathy, sons Brent and Marcel, daughter Nicole, his 2 grandsons, his sisters Laura and Sharon.

Barbara (Follett) Cress ’72, Madison died March 31. Barbara was an elementary school teacher in Michigan and Minnesota. She was also an organist, piano teacher and a member of the American Guild of Organists. She taught many children and adults how to play the piano and she enhanced many worship services, weddings and memorial services with her music. She was a member of the Red Cross and a scout leader in the Girl Scouts of America.

Mildred Ellen (Gustafson) Fountain ’77, Cedarville, died March 16. Milly was the co-owner and bookkeeper for Fountain’s Transfer, a mail and freight delivery service.

James “Jim” C. Gilbo ’50, 84, of Leelanau County, died at Munson Hospice House on February 17, 2017. By his side were his son, Bob, and family friends. His wife Diane, and daughter Carol preceded him in death. His sisters Joan Lamorandier and Rose Mary Struble of Kalamazoo also preceded him in death. He is survived by his brother, Father Roberto P. Gilbo, a Holy Cross priest, of Calle Larga, Chile. Born and raised in Alpena, Jim attended LSSC and then graduated from Michigan Tech with a BS in civil engineering. After serving with the Army Corps of Engineers in Korea, he worked for the Michigan State Highway Department. Moving with his family to Traverse City in 1963, he became the managing engineer of the Leelanau County Road Commission, a position Jim held with distinction for nearly 30 years. Upon retirement, he enjoyed serving as a TART Trail Ambassador, and volunteered at the Leelanau County Historical Society, as well as being active in the Woodwinds Condo Association and the Leelanau Conservancy. Jim and Diane also enjoyed extensive travels in the U.S. and around the world, often accompanied by good friends.

Rebecca “Becky” Sue Golladay ’90, Sault Ste. Marie, died March 5 at the age of 55. Becky was a member of the Sault Tribe, and she enjoyed volunteering her time at various places.

Ronald Green ’59, Jackson, died January 1 at the age of 77.

Marian Elizabeth (Mitchell) Hamel ’56, Sault Ste. Marie, died April 8 in her room at Freighter View Assisted Living in Sault Ste. Marie, surrounded by her family. Beth attended Soo Tech for two years, then finished her bachelor’s degree in elementary education at Bob Jones University in South Carolina. She worked as an elementary teacher in Pickford for a year before moving to Cedarville where she taught until she retired. Beth was actively engaged with Child Evangelism Fellowship for more than 40 years, as well as being involved with First Union Church in Cedarville and Lighthouse Baptist Church in Hessel. She was an avid reader. Beth is survived by two sons, five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Frederick “Bob” Robert Hollyman ‘69, Toronto, died May 22, 2018. Bob was an athlete growing up, and a coach in later years. He was a devoted employee of Imperial Oil and Husky for over 35 years.

Darlene Elizabeth Holmes ’91, Sault Ste. Marie, died March 6 at the age of 72. Darlene moved to L.A. after college and lived there for more than two decades before moving back to Sault Ste. Marie to be closer to her family. She volunteered with Big Sisters at Hiawatha Behavioral Health.

Diane Helen (Swart) Knapp ’58, Ocala, Florida, died April 30 after a brief illness. She was born March 8, 1940 in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan. She attended LSSC and then graduated from Central Michigan University with a degree in education in 1965. She taught first grade for 33 years, retired in 1998 and moved to Ocala, Florida. Since moving to Florida she sang in her church choir, played bells in the Bell Choir, and enjoyed cross stitching. .She is survived by her husband, of 52 years Peter Knapp, and a sister, Mary Beth Benoit & husband, Craig; a brother, David Swart & wife, Edna; and their sons, Brian & Christopher. She is predeceased by a brother, Judson P. Swart (Bucky) and her parents, Judson P. Swart and Vyla V. Swart.

Clarence John Ojala ’61, Grayling, died February 17. Clarence graduated from Brimley High School. He was a veteran on the United States Army. Him and his wife raised two daughters in Grayling.

Don R. Ogle ’87, Brighton, died March 20 at the age of 72. Don started his career with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources as a fisheries biologist. During the latter part of his career, he worked as an immigration inspector with the U.S. Immigration Service at the Sault Sainte Marie post.

Leon “Lee” D. Olmsted ’62, age 73, a resident of Sidnaw, passed away January 13, 2018 at Bayside Village, L’Anse. He was born on April 10, 1944 in Lapeer, the son of the late Edgar and Myrtle (McAllister) Olmsted. Lee attended elementary and high school in Suttons Bay, graduating in 1962. He then attended Michigan Tech in the Sault and Houghton. Lee honorably served in the United States Army and fought in the Vietnam War. After his discharge, he worked the family cherry farm in Suttons Bay and also as a carpenter until he retired. He had always enjoyed hunting, fishing and trapping in the UP, and after retirement moved to Sidnaw, where he continued to enjoy the outdoors with his many friends in the area.

Anne Parker ’68, age 77, of Lakefield Township and a lifelong area resident, died on December 25, 2017 at Schoolcraft Long Term Care Facility in Manistique, surrounded by her family. Born in Newberry on April 7, 1940, she was a daughter of the late Leo G. & Aletha M. (Kerr) Smith. On January 10, 1957, she married the late James P. Parker and they made their home in Lakefield Township. Anne returned to school in the early 1970’s with her children to earn her high school diploma. She was employed as a clerk in the meat department at Red Owl Super Market in Newberry.

Junior A. Paul ’46, Swartz Creek, died October 20, 2018 at the age of 89. Junior was born in Escanaba and served in the United States Navy.

Idella Sledge ’75, Dayton, Ohio died January 4 in Dayton. Idella grew up in Detroit and remained a loyal Detroiter. She served in the U.S. Army from 1983-1986, serving as a medic in the U.S. and South Korea. Later she was employed for 23 years as a transit bus driver in Detroit and Washington, D.C.

Jennifer S. (Gard) Smiljanich ’67 of Linden died at home with her family on April 14.  Jennifer was born in Germany and graduated from Sault Area High School before attending Lake Superior State College. She married George Michael Smiljanich in 1970 and the two of them resided in the Linden area since 1977. Jennifer had been employed as a seamstress at Hudson/Marshal Fields for many years. She was an exceptional cook and quilter.

Beverly May Stevens ’72, Traverse City, died March 21 at War Memorial Hospital, Sault Ste. Marie. She was born in Northport and worked as a medical transcriptionist for Great Lakes Orthopedic Surgery before her retirement.

John E. Vaia ’79, Grass Range, Mont., died unexpectedly January 31, at the age of 57. John always enjoyed “the great outdoors”. He wrote articles about his exploits in Fur Fish and Game magazine. He also founded a fencing business and a guiding and trapping business. While a student at LSSC, John was a resident advisor and played basketball. His widow Diane said that he still had his old Laker basketball jersey and short shorts of the 1970s.

John Collyer White ’88, Sault Ste. Marie, died March 1, at the age of 70. John graduated from Soo High in 1967 and spent four years in the United States Navy. He taught at Bay Mills Community College.