Ervin H.A. Stahl, Associate Member of Curtenius Guard Camp No. 17, Lansing/Sunfield, died January 18, 2010 in Haslett, MI. Brother Stahl was born in Seymour, IN on September 21, 1924. A retired Professional Engineer, he served in the U.S. Navy on the destroyer “USS Roy O. Hale” during World War II. His remains were interred in the Great Lakes National Cemetery, Holly, MI.

Brother Paul Mills MacDonald, Henry E. Plant No.3, died at home in Fremont, MI, on January 1, 2010. Brother MacDonald was born in Fremont on August 26, 1929. He was a member of the SUVCW by virtue of the service of his Great Grandfather, Pvt. George A. Mills, 149th NY Infantry. 

He served in many camp offices, including Patriotic Instructor, JVC, SVC and Camp Council. An engineer for the CSX Railroad, he was also active in the NRA, Nat’l Muzzle Loading Rifles Assoc., New-Ocea Free  Trappers, Muskegon Seaway Gun Club and CW Artillery Re-enactors.

The home address is: 5460 W. 56th Street, Fremont, MI 49412-9259. Cremation has taken place.

Dwight Clinton Kennard, Jr., PCC

PCC Dwight Clinton Kennard, Jr., died December 10, 2009, in De Bary, FL.  Born 3 September 1913 in Santa Rosa, CA, Brother Kennard served as Camp Secretary/Treasurer 1988-90 in Robert Finch Camp No. 14, Traverse City, MI, before being elected to Camp Commander 1997-99.

He honored his grandfather, PVT Owen Kennard, Co. F, 7th Regiment Minnesota Volunteer Infantry.

Holding a Masters Degree in Aeronautical Engineering from M.I.T., Brother Kennard finished his career with NASA, working on unmanned spaceflights. In addition to the SUVCW, he was a member of several professional and historic associations.
Although his wife of 65 years preceded him in death, he is survived by a son, three daughters, a sister, four grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

Cremation has taken place in Florida, but a memorial service will be planned for the summer in Traverse City. A more detailed obituary was printed in the Traverse City “Record-Eagle” on December 12, 2009.

Brother Arvis Leroy Dawson

Brother Arvis Leroy Dawson, Russell A. Alger Camp-at-Large No. 462, died November 13, 2009 in West Bloomfield, MI.  Brother Dawson was born May 11, 1925 in Clinton, MS.  He has been a member of the SUVCW  by virtue of his Great Grandfather, 1st Sgt. Oliver Dawson, Co. I, 52d Infantry Regt., USCT.

Additional information can be obtained by contacting his niece,  Ms. Rachel Eickemeyer, 5564 Haverhill, W. Bloomfield, MI 48322, phone 248/538-8973

Brother John M. McFeters

Brother John M. McFeters of Austin Blair Camp No. 7, Jackson, MI, died May 13, 2009 following a massive heart attack. A member of Camp No. 7 since January 2003, John served as Camp Secretary, Patriotic Instructor, JVC and SVC. He also served as Department Guide in 2008. He was a member of the SUVCW by virtue of being the descendant of 1st Sergeant George Felix Myers, 9th Indiana Light Artillery. Born in Albion, MI May 4, 1947, John and his wife, Karen, reside in Jackson, MI. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on May 16th at the First Presbyterian Church, 201 Hanover St., Concord, MI. Members of the SUVCW are asked to gather at 10:00 a.m., preferably in uniform or appropriate funeral attire. Burial will be in Napoleon, OH. In addition to the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, John was a member of the Horton Lions Club and the Cascades Civil War Muster Committee. A Vietnam War Veteran, he was also a Cub Scout Leader and active with MHSSA Girls Volleyball and Soccer. In lieu of flowers or other gifts Karen has requested donations to the Cascades Humane Society.

Brother James T. Lyons
Past Department Commander

James T. Lyons, formerly of Lansing, age 78 passed away March 11, 2009 in Grand Rapids. He was born March 9, 1931 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to James G. and Alice Lyons. He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Catherine V. Chapin. Also surviving are daughters, Elizabeth (Marley) Hilts of Sunfield, Susan (Phil) Brunell of Allendale, and Jennifer (Brian) Snover of St. Johns; grandchildren, Jay and Darrin Hilts along with Sarah and Brian Snover; as well as his sister, Pat Krueger of Racine, Wisconsin. James was a veteran of the U. S. Army, serving during the Korean Conflict in the Signal Corps of the 25th Infantry Division: Tropic Lightning. He was also a member of the Michigan Society of the Sons of the Revolution, the Michigan Department of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War; and many other historical groups. He was a historian and genealogist. There will be a memorial service held 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at the Deepdale Memorial Gardens Chapel, 4110 Lansing Road., Lansing, Michigan. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Ann’s Home in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Boy Scouts of America, or Girl Scouts of America.

Brother Ray E. Shedd
Charter Member of General Israel B. Richardson Camp No. 2

Ray E. Shedd Age 88, of West Bloomfield, passed away peacefully on January 20, 2009. Beloved husband of the late Pauline for 49 years. Loving father of Lawrence (Linda) Shedd, and Cynthia (Roy) Itami. Loving and proud gramps of Ryan Shedd. Also survived by many nieces and nephews. Graduated from Michigan State University and member of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity. Ray was a proud WWII Army Veteran, stationed in England. Retired from Manufacturers Bank as Senior Vice President, he remained active in the retiree’s breakfast group. Ray was a charter member of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. He enjoyed coin collecting, reading, the Spartans, travel, golf and tracing his family history. Ray touched many lives and will live on in our hearts. Funeral Friday 11 a.m. at McCabe Funeral Home, 31950 W. 12 Mile Rd., Farmington Hills. Visitation Thursday 2-8 p.m. Interment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association. www.mccabefuneralhome.com

Brother Fred L. Knoodle

Fred L. Knoodle, 68, of Harbor Springs and formerly of Mount Morris, died Aug. 21, 2008, while bicycling near Harbor Springs.

The funeral service was 1 p.m. today, Monday, Aug. 25, at the First Presbyterian Church in Harbor Springs. The Rev. James Pollard officiated and interment followed in Lakeview Cemetery in Harbor Springs. Visiting hours were 4-8 p.m. Sunday at Stone Funeral Home in Petoskey.

Fred was born March 27, 1940, in Flint, to Fred D. and Margaret (Lawrence) Knoodle. He grew up in Mount Morris where he attended school. He also attended Mott Community College for several years.

On June 24, 1961, he married the former Jimmie Wordlaw in Mount Morris and the couple made their home in Clio.

Fred worked as a materials manager for the Service Parts Organization division of General Motors for 30 years, retiring in 1997.

He was a member of the  First Baptist Church, and a member of the Jaycees and Big Brothers of Mount Morris.

In 1997, Fred and Jimmie moved to Harbor Springs.

He was a member of the Civil War Roundtable and the Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War-Traverse City Chapter. He enjoyed genealogy, gardening and bicycling and was a member of the League of Michigan Bicyclists. He was a former marathon runner and had run in the Boston Marathon on two occasions. One of his latest projects was being on the committee to restore and dedicate the Confederate Civil War cannon recently placed in Petoskey.

Fred is survived by his wife Jimmie; his daughter, Shelley Knoodle, of Troy; and his son, David and his wife, Sharon, of Harbor Springs. Also surviving are his two granddaughters, Sarah and Abbey, of whom he was very proud and who were extremely dear to him; a sister, Kathleen Irish, of Mount Morris; a brother, Jerry and his wife, Pam, of Davison; an uncle, Russell Knoodle, of Oscoda; and many close friends in the Flint area and Northern Michigan.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes donations be made to the Petoskey Confederate Cannon Fund, c/o Neal Breaugh, 10230 E. San Remo Blvd., Traverse City, Mich. 49684.

See the following article courtesy of the Petoskey News-Review

BROTHER CLAIR "BUD" TALLMAN

Bud was a very active Life Member in Austin Blair Camp No. 7 since 1998. He also was a veteran of WWII serving in the Pacific Theater. Bud retired from Consumers Energy and was a long time member of the Napoleon Lions Club. During the 1980’s Bud and his wife Barb volunteered for the National Parks Service in Yellowstone and Mount Rushmore. Brother Bud served Camp No. 7 as Treasurer and was a current member of the Council. He was also the recipient of the Thayne LaBanta Award in 2003 and the Austin Blair Award in 2007. Surviving are his wife Barb of 57 years. Three sons; Tom Tallman of Muskegon, Jim (Mary) Tallman of Jackson and Rick (Kathy) Tallman of Jackson. Twin daughters; Sally (Bob) Shaughnessy of Jackson and Pat (Mark) Heath of Jackson. Ten grandchildren; Liz, Michael, Greg, John, Christopher, Matt, Chrissy, Darius, Sabrina and Joe. One great grandson; Luke. A sister; Jean Spencer of Howell and many nieces and nephews. Bud was preceeded in death by his parents Clair and Elma Tallman and brother Dean.

Brother John H. Peck of the William A. Kent Camp No. 83 in Greenville, MI passed away on August 23, 2007