Brother Merle J. "Sie" Hagerman died Saturday December 2, 2006 at his home at in Kalamazoo. He was the grandson of Charles F. Hagerman, Co. M, 1st Michigan Cavalry and was a member of the Gen. Benjamin Pritchard Camp No. 20 in Kalamazoo. Brother Hagerman was born September 20, 1921 in Kalamazoo. During WW II, he served in the U.S. Army. He was a 32-Degree Mason. He is survived by four of his five children, six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Brother James C. Wood died October 28, 2006 in Grand Rapids, MI. Burial was in Riverside Cemetery, Alma. Brother Wood was born February 15, 1935 in Big Rapids. He was a member of Alexander French Camp No. 28 based on his Great Grandfather, PVT. William Dix Everdon, 3rd PA Heavy Artillery. Brother Wood served his camp as Historian, Jr. Vice Commander, Secretary and a member of the Camp Council. He will be remembered for organizing and implementing the placement of Civil War and Spanish-American War panels at the Veterans’ Memorial, Mecosta County Court House in Big Rapids.

Brother George V. Holland

Life Member George V. Holland, Russell A. Alger Camp No. 462, Michigan Camp-at-Large died Oct. 22, 2006 in Macomb Twp. Brother Holland was born in Detroit, MI, on May 13, 1918. He served in the U.S. Navy attaining the rank of Lieutenant Sr. Grade (LT). A Ford Motor Car retiree, George was active in Boy Scouts, receiving the coveted Silver Beaver Award for his years of dedicated service. He was also an avid stamp collector, co-founding the Great Lakes chapter of Scouts on Stamp Society, International.

Brother Holland is survived by his wife, Marjorie Holland-Wyss (7031 Carriage Creek Drive, Washington, MI 48094), two sons, eight grandchildren, two great grandchildren, a brother and a sister. The family requested donations be sent to either Hospices of Henry Ford or Christ Lutheran Church in Warren. Interment was at Glen Eden Memorial Park, Macomb Twp.

The Department of Michigan regrets to announce the death of its oldest member, both by age AND membership, Past Department of Michigan Commander (1949) DONALD E. HOCH. PDC Hoch joined Austin Blair Camp No. 7 in 1937 and was a Life member of the SUVCW. His membership honored his Grandfather, Samuel E. Bailey, a private in Co. H., 15th Michigan Infantry. During Camp 7’s lean years, he and PDC Thayne LaBanta kept the camp alive and both were able to see it resurrected to a very high degree of membership and activity.

Brother Hoch was born in Jackson, MI, on August 14, 1908 and died there May 21, 2006. He was buried in Hillcrest Memorial Park. He resided at 1080 Pringle Ave., Jackson, MI 49203. He is survived by three daughters, 18 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren and 7 great-great grandchildren, a brother and a sister. His wife of 66 years and a son preceded him in death.

Brother Hoch’s life accomplishments and his dedication to our Order only add to our appreciation of the man whom we now honor at the time of his passing into eternity.