K.C. Norman
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We’re saddened by the loss of K.C. Norman, age 104, who passed away on June 24, 2024, in Sandusky, MI. K.C. was born on April 7, 1920, in South Carolina. He was married to Mamie Norman for 74 years until her passing in 2017.
K.C. served his country with honor as an Air Force veteran, stationed at Selfridge Air Force Base in Mt. Clemens, Michigan. His military career spanned three major conflicts: World War II, the Korean Conflict, and the Vietnam War. After his service, he continued to contribute to his community as a Controller for Chrysler Corporation in Marysville, MI, and worked in the tank arsenal until his retirement.
K.C.’s voice was a familiar presence in many homes as he hosted his own program on WHLS and WSAQ, interviewing ordinary people with extraordinary stories. His passion for community service was evident in his role as a Deacon at Zion Tabernacle Church, President and life-time member of the NAACP, and the founder of the Memorial Wall at the Leonard Center. He founded the Port Huron Men’s Club and was an advocate for children in their education. He served as a Board Member at Port Huron Hospital. He was also an integral part of the committee for the St. Clair County Department of Veterans Affairs.
K.C. survived by his children Ginette Craig and Cynthia (Anthony) Jiggetts. His grandchildren Letitia Norman, Chevis B. (Bonita) Spratt, and Nicole (Randolph) Cobian, and great-grandchildren Jonathan Norman, Brelan Whittaker, Bilal Whittaker, Chevis Spratt IV, Xavier Spratt, and Evelyn Spratt. K.C. was predeceased by his mother Isabell Norman, his siblings Lawrence Burch, John Norman, and James Norman, his daughter Marian Norman, his son Anthony Norman, his granddaughter Kimberly Norman, and his great-granddaughter Bria White.
Memorial gifts may be made to the Community Foundation of St. Clair County.
John Joseph Foster
John Joseph Foster, age 76, of Burtchville Township, passed away on Monday May 20, 2024. He was born April 5, 1948, to John and Mary J. Foster. He married Mary Ann Kilbourn on September 21, 1973.
John attended Port Huron Northern High School and then proudly served in the U.S. Army and in the Merchant Marine. He enjoyed his 45-year career as a millwright at the Ford Motor Romeo Engine Plant. John retired on April 1, 2023, 4 days shy of his 75th birthday. In his spare time, he enjoyed working on classic cars and attending car shows and was a fan of river rafting in West Virginia. John was a charming man with an easy-going personality and witty sense of humor.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Mary; son, Alan J. Foster; granddaughter, Athena, and Athena’s mother, Karrie Foster; sisters, Judy Spadafore and Marcia Fairman; sisters-in-law, Gayle and Jane “Cathy” Kilbourn; brother-in-law, Chuck Kilbourn; and many nieces and nephews.
Memorial gifts may be made to the Betty Kearns Cancer Fund.
Barbara Thomas Price
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We are deeply saddened by the loss of our close friend Barbara Thomas Price, age 92, of Port Huron, who passed away on May 18, 2024.
She was born on August 23, 1931, to Andrew L. and Eleanor Thomas. She married Douglas N. Price on August 22, 1953.
Barbara loved Lake Huron, especially the beach in Sherman Woods subdivision. She was an active member of the St. Clair County Garden Club, Port Huron Town Hall, Port Huron Golf Club, Women’s Initiative, and Beacon Society, and was a lifelong member of Grace Episcopal Church. She cherished her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She is survived by her husband of 70 years, Douglas; children, Thomas D. (Holly) Price and Mary Ann (Alan) Whitehall; three grandchildren, Emma (Trevor) Forde, Madeline (Robert) Romzek and Andrew (Julia) Whitehall; two great grandsons, Jack Robert Romzek and Colin Thomas Forde; several nieces and nephews.
Memorial gifts may be made to the Community Foundation of St. Clair County.
Lavadus “Lee” Aplin
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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
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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
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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
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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.