Brother Robert H. LaPoint

Brother Robert H. LaPoint, Gen. Benjamin D. Prichard Camp No. 20, Kalamazoo, died July 15, 2011 at his home, 4105 Rivington Street, Kalamazoo 49008. He was a member of the SUVCW by virtue of the service of his grandfather, Sgt. Joseph Gardner, Co. E, 30th Indiana Infantry. Born in Kalamazoo on March 20, 1923, brother LaPoint served in Europe during WW II in an Anti-Aircraft Battalion attached to the 102d Infantry Division, earning two battle stars.

Robert worked for 33 years for Conrail, retiring in 1984. This past October, he and his wife, Minnie, celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary.

He is survived by his wife, Minnie, a son, Dennis, a daughter, Yvonne Hackenberg, 7 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. Per his wishes, a Memorial Service was held July 20, 2011 at the First Presbyterian Church, 321 W. South Street. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the First Presbyterian Church Building Fund or Special Olympics.

Brother Clarence F. Rabach

Brother Clarence F. Rabach, 93 of 7454 Hawthorne Dr. Plainfield, Ind., formerly of Charlevoix County, passed away June 30, 2011. Born November 14, 1917 in Sturgeon Bay, WI, he was a U.S. Coast Guard Veteran of World War II. Clarence worked as the County Clerk in Charlevoix County. In addition to his membership in SUVCW Robert Finch Camp No. 14, Traverse City, he was a member of the VFW, American Legion, Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Kiwanis. His Civil War ancestor was a Great Grandfather, Pvt. Henry C. Knudson (Knutzen), Co. F., 32d Wisconsin Infantry.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Marie Ikens Rabach. Survivors include his daughter, Madelyn (Hugh Delaney) Harwood; two grandchildren, two great grandchildren, and a brother. Graveside services will take place at a later date in Charlevoix. Online condolences may be offered @ www.usherfuneralhome.com.

Brother Weldon Petz

Dr. Weldon Petz. Weldon died April 28, 2011, in Farmington Hills, MI, after an extended illness. He is survived by his wife, Shirley, two children and four grandchildren. He was a member of the SUVCW by virtue of an uncle who was in the 5th NY Art. Band.  The musical gene was passed down to Weldon who served in the 8th USAAC Special Services Band during WW II, then as a musician in the Jimmy Dorsey Band. He recorded with such notables as Ella Fitzgerald and Glen Miller. 

Although a teacher and school principal  in Farmington and Detroit, he as best known as an eminent Lincoln scholar, collector of Lincolnia, writer and lecturer. His enthusiastic stories about touring Michigan and collecting pictures and histories of Lincoln-related sites and monuments fascinated all who heard him speak. His efforts were put into book form in “Seeking Lincoln in Michigan” and “Michigan Remembers Lincoln”. He donated his extensive collection of Lincoln memorabilia to the Plymouth Historical Museum prior to his death.

Brother Petz was a Life Member of Sgt. John S. Cosbey Camp No. 427, having transferred there after US Grant Camp No. 101 disbanded. He was also an Honorary Companion of MOLLUS.   Interment took place May 3 in the Franklin (MI) Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association or Franklin Community Church, 26425 Wellington, Franklin, MI 48025

Brother Richard Floyd Haver

Brother Richard (“Dick”) F. Haver, LeValley-Huested Camp No. 255 at Mayville, MI, died Sunday, March 27, 2011 in Caro, MI.  He was a member of the SUVCW by virtue of the service of his grandfather, Pvt. Edward Haver, Co. H, 1st Michigan Cavalry. 

An Order of Eastern Star and Masonic service followed by a Service of Remembrance was held, Saturday, April 2, 2011, with Pastor Kay Leitelt officiating. Burial at Watertown Township Cemetery with Military Honors conducted by the Mayville American Legion Post #181 and the Mayville/Vassar VFW Post #10884. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of choice or the Rebekah Lodge #120 of Fostoria, Order of Eastern Star #390 of Millington, Caro MT Moriah #226 F & AM, or the Fostoria United Methodist Church.

Richard “Dick” was born December 16, 1919 to Floyd and Vera (Culver) Haver in Saginaw, MI. He married Maxine Adams Williams in 1951 in Flint, MI. They were very happily married for 53 years until Maxine’s death in 2004. Dick graduated in 1938 from Fostoria High School and served in the United States Marine Corp Second Regiment of Second Marine Division from December 1941 to September 1945. He was a life member of the Second Marine Division Association. Dick had many occupations during his lifetime including working in the General Motors Financial Department, owning a Hardware Store in Fostoria, and working for the U.S. Postal Service. He retired as Postmaster of the Fostoria Post Office in 1980. Dick attended the Fostoria United Methodist Church and was a member of the Order of Eastern Star #390 of Millington, Rebekah Lodge #120 of Fostoria, Caro MT Moriah #226 F & AM, Life Member and Past Master of Mayville Masonic Lodge #394, The LeValley-Heusted Camp #255, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, Past Noble Grand Fostoria IOOF Lodge #22, and the Scottish Rite Valley of Bay City. He also enjoyed hunting, gardening, and woodworking. Dick built and carved many beautiful pieces for his family and friends.

He is survived by his sister-in-law and brother-in-law; Jean (Theodore) Wilson of Wickenburg, AZ, nieces and nephews and their families; Richard Haver of IN, Dorlis Haver of Lapeer, MI, Nan Haver of PA, Craig Wilson of FL, Patti Giovanini of AZ, Eleanore Miller, Garry Adams, David Adams, Larry Adams of Byron, MI, and Mary Ann Adams of Troy, MI. Richard was preceded in death by his wife; Maxine, his parents, brother and sister-in-law; Edward (Hulda) Haver, brother-in-law and sister-in-law; Keith (Geraldine) Adams, and niece; Kay Chapman. The family would like to recognize and thank the Heritage Hill Assisted Living and the Home & Hospice Advantage Caregivers for the loving care they gave Uncle Dick. Friends may share an on-line condolence at www.avramfuneralhome.com. Arrangements by Avram Funeral Home 6028 Lincoln St., P.O. Box 130, Mayville, MI

Ivan “Ike” Lee Rockwell, a new member of Robert Finch Camp No. 14, Traverse City, passed away Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011. He was born Nov. 3, 1941, in Battle Creek. Ike joined Camp 14 by virtue of his Great Grandfather, Jerome Spaulding, PVT, Co. H, 8th N.Y. Heavy Artillery.

Ike retired from the Michigan DNR, Parks Division, in 1997 after 36 years service. He was one of the founders of the Grand Traverse Lighthouse Foundation.

He earned his Boy Scout Eagle Badge as a young man and continued to serve the Boy Scout Organization throughout his life. He was also a member of the Lions Club and the Michigan Association of Governmental Employees.

Ike is survived by his wife of 49 years, Mary Ann, three children, and four grandchildren. Condolences may be addressed to 5347 Barney Road, Traverse City, MI 49686.
A memorial gathering will be held Saturday, Feb. 19, 2011, at the Covell Funeral Home in Traverse City from 2 to 5 p.m. Cremation has taken place and inurnment will take place in the spring at Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given in Ike’s name to Scenic Trails Council, Boy Scouts of America, 1499 Business Park Drive, Traverse City, MI 49686-8741, to be used for scout scholarships.

Carl Becker, D.O., of General Israel B. Richardson Camp # 2 died January 21, 2011.

A resident of Clinton Township, Michigan, he is survived by his wife, Del, three children and two grandsons. He served 34 years on the Board of Trustees of the Mt. Clemens Regional Medical Center, as the longest-standing president. In addition to the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, he was also a member of the Mt. Clemens Rotary Club and was an avid game hunter. Carl served honorably in the U.S. Army.

Dr. Becker’s Civil War ancestor was John Beutel who served 1862-65 in Co. G, 22nd Michigan Infantry. Beutel was wounded at Chickamauga and is buried in the Kukuk Cemetery, Sterling Heights, Michigan.

Condolences can be addressed to 21035 Balfour Street, Clinton Township, Michigan 48036. The funeral service was held Tuesday, January 25, 2011 at the Lee-Ellena Funeral Home, 46530 Romeo Plank Road, Macomb, Michigan. Cremation has taken place.

Percy Ira Wilson, Jr. of Nash-Hodges Camp No. 43, Department of Michigan, SUVCW, passed away at his home on Saturday, January 15, 2011 following a brief hospitalization. Brother Wilson was born August 15, 1931 in Adrian MI, and, after his marriage, he lived in Blissfield, MI, the rest of his life. Preceded in death by his wife, he is survived by two daughters and two granddaughters. Percy was the father-in-law of Camp No. 43 Secretary/Treasurer Harold F. “Butch” Miller, PCC.

Percy served in Korea at a young age in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. In addition to the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, He was also a member of the AmVets, DAV, VFW and American Legion.

His ancestor was Private Ira Wilson who served in Co. F, 1st Michigan Engineers & Mechanics, died April 5, 1862, and was buried in the Lebanon National Cemetery in Kentucky.

Condolences can be addressed to 311 Jipson St., Blissfield, MI 49228-1333. Services will be held Tuesday, January 18 at the Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel at 301 S. Lane St., Blissfield.