Associate Brother Albert Harper, Jr.

Associate Brother Albert Harper, Jr.,  SSG USMC, Ret.,  age 71, 1549 Tennyson Avenue, Dayton, OH, 45406, died January 31, 2012. Born in Saginaw, Michigan, he had been a resident of Dayton since 2004. He maintained his associate membership in Michigan’s General Pritchard Camp No. 20 since 2003. A descendant of a slave, he was never able to identify a Civil War ancestor. He was also an active member of the U.S. Colored Troops Living History Association. Brother Harper was preceded in death by his oldest daughter, a baby girl, and a brother. Albert leaves to cherish his memories: the joy and love of his life, Jacqueline Lawrence, two children, a sister, a step-son and -daughter, 10 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and friends. Funeral services were held February 9, 2012 at the House of Wheat Funeral Home, Inc., in Dayton.  Interment was at the Dayton National Cemetery. Online condolences may be expressed at houseofwheat@woh.rr.com.  Personal condolences may be sent to Ms. Jackie Lawrence and the Harper family at the home address, above.

Brother Stanley R. Heldreth

Brother Stanley R. Heldreth, a member of Michigan’s Gen, Benj. Pritchard Camp No. 20 in Kalamazoo, died August 15, 2012 Lawton, MI. He was born January 11, 1942, in Normal (McLean Co.), IL. He lived at 1344 Second Street, Schoolcraft, MI 49087, with his wife, Kathryn, who survives.

Brother Heldreth was a member of the SUVCW by virtue of his Great Grandfather, Isaac Heldreth, Co. E, 1st Missouri Engineers. He was a decorated veteran of the Vietnam War, a member of American Legion Post 207 in Portage and a member of the Kalamazoo Antique Auto Restorers Club.

He earned an MBA at MSU and had a career as a CPA. Arrangements were by the Adams Funeral Home, Paw Paw. Share a memory or condolence online at www.adamspawpaw.com.

Burial was at Fort Custer National Cemetery, Augusta, MI on August 20 with military honors.

Brother Roger E. Church

Brother Roger E. Church, age 85, of 4705 N. 19 Road, Mesick, MI, passed away at his home, Friday, January 20, 2012.  He was born January 20, 1927, in Lansing and he married the former Nita Peterson May 29, 1948.

Roger served U.S. Army during World War II. He was employed at General Motors for 30 years, retiring in 1978. He was a member of UAW No. 652, coached Little League and was a Pioneer leader in the Lutheran Church in Lansing before moving to Mesick. He was an avid fisherman and had traveled to the Arctic Circle for fishing. He was also a deer hunter, an avid bowler, a member of the F&AM Lodge No. 466 in Mesick. 

Brother Church was a member of Robert Finch Camp No. 13, Traverse City by virtue of his G-G-Grandfather, Pvt. William H. Church, Co. F, 7th Vermont Infantry. For two years, he served as Worshipful Master of the Masonic Lodge, was a member of the Scottish Rite and received a Red Hat. He was a member of the Shriners and the Order of the Eastern Stars, and was Grand Chaplain of Michigan Odd Fellows.

Brother Church is survived by his wife, Nita, three sons, and a daughter, eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; a brother and a sister. He was preceded in death by a brother.

Funeral services were held January 23, 2012, at the Mesick United Methodist Church. A graveside service was January 24, 2012, at the Deepdale Memorial Gardens in Lansing. Memorial contributions may be directed to a charity of one’s choice.