Lavadus “Lee” Aplin
We are saddened by the loss of Lavadus “Lee” Aplin, age 89, of Port Huron, who passed away on April 2, 2024.
Born on April 8th, 1934 in Crestview, Florida, to Arnie and Mary Estelle Aplin.
He married Jo Uligian on August 11, 1962 in Pontiac Michigan. They lived in Long Beach, California until 1963, when they moved to Anaheim, California, where they lived until moving to Port Huron in January, 1970. They had two daughters, Leslie and Amy.
Lee served our country in the Army with the United States Army Finance Corps. He loved to fish, and enjoyed singing, reading and travel. He also enjoyed attending musical performances and plays. Lee and Jo traveled to Hawaii, the Caribbean islands, Europe, Australia, and the Canadian Rockies. They also went on a hot air balloon ride for their 45th anniversary.
Lee is survived by his wife of 61 years, Jo; his daughter, Leslie (Greg) Gagnon; his sisters, Jean (Bill, deceased) Terrell and Ruth (Bill, deceased) Moore, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Amy Aplin, brother Earl (Maris, deceased) Aplin, and parents Arnie and Mary Estelle Aplin.
Margery Caughell Guinther
We are saddened by the loss of our close friend Margery Caughell Guinther, age 81, of China Township, who passed away on March 31, 2024.
She was born March 13, 1943, to Manfred and Mabel Caughell.
Her marriage to Karl Guinther was one of her greatest joys. What started as a friendship grew into a relationship filled with love, laughter, travel, and faith.
A vision for a vibrant community guided Margery’s commitment to many of the organizations that she founded and supported. She devoted time, energy and financial support to make her hometown a better place for all who lived there. One of the projects closest to her heart was the Marine City Scholarship Foundation, which she established with gifts made in Karl’s memory.
Margery leaves behind countless friends and relatives who enriched her life.
Memorials can be made to the Marine City Scholarship Foundation Endowment Fund.
Stephen R. Wilhelm
We are saddened by the loss of Stephen Wilhelm, 61, of Port Huron, who passed away March 2, 2024.
He was born June 1, 1962, to Dr. Daniel J.L Wilhelm M.D. and Marcia A. Wilhelm.
Steve dedicated four years to the Intelligence Division of the United States Navy. Following his military service, he pursued his love for culinary arts. Steve loved to cook, entertain, and bring joy to others. He was also an avid golfer and could often be found on the greens. Above all, he was a devoted father to his two daughters who he loved dearly.
He is survived by his daughters, Elizabeth and Audrey; his father, Dr. Daniel J. (Susan) Wilhelm M.D.; his mother, Marcia A. Wilhelm; his brothers, Andrew (Michelle) Wilhelm, Daniel (Deborah) Wilhelm, and Michael Wilhelm; his sister, Mary Elizabeth (Christopher) Galvin; his niece and nephews, Veronika, William, and Jackson.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Sandra Lee Cantley-Wilhelm, and his brother James T. Wilhelm.
Memorials can be made to the James Wilhelm Memorial Scholarship.
David C. Whipple
The community will miss David Charles Whipple, a five-generation Port Huron resident and dedicated community member. Dave returned to the Blue Water Area after completing his undergraduate education at Michigan State University and obtaining his Juris Doctor from Cooley Law School. He practiced law in service of others for forty years, helping dozens of businesses and hundreds of people. With his thoughtful deliberation, wise advice, and heart-led counsel he was a force for good. He served the community more broadly as a servant leader, variously taking on the presidencies of the St. Clair County Bar Association, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Blue Water Council of Boy Scouts. He also sat on the Board of Port Huron Hospital (now McLaren), coached Little League, served on the Vestry of Grace Episcopal Church, and was Chairman of the Board of the St. Clair County Library System. Dave was loving, principled, and committed to his community. He was always trying to be a better man today than he was yesterday.
Dave is remembered across the Blue Water Area and around the world by family, friends, and clients. He thoughtfully invested in innumerable friendships throughout every part of his life, including his mischievous childhood friends, treasured band mates, trusted law partners, dear potluck friends, fellow hospital executives, business co-conspirators, and golf buddies. He enjoyed many parts of the Blue Water Area as he spent his childhood on Lake Huron beaches and his retirement boating the lakes with his wife of forty-five years, Janice. The Community Foundation is honored to collect contributions to the David Charles Whipple Fund in his memory. Funds are intended to support Dave’s final passion project: scaling up the distribution of chemo relief kits through and beyond the McLaren Hospital system.