Living

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Volume 20 of the STRIFFLER-BENKELMAN BROADCAST, dated September 2, 1957, reported that Harold D. Willard was graduated from Wayne State University on January 25, 1957, with a B.S. Degree in Education. He had continued at the University doing his graduate work, and was going to be an instructor at the University in 1958-1959.

Cass City Chronicle
Thursday, October 24, 1968

Last Rites today for Hal Willard

Funeral services for Harold D. "Hal" Willard, 36, who succumbed Monday from heart disease will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. at Smith Funeral Home in Port Huron.

Willard is a former resident of Cass City and was a star athlete at Cass City High School where he played end in football and was a member of the basketball team. Although still a young man, Willard had achieved athletic prominence and was widely known across Michigan.

He was a quarterback at Wayne State in 1954-55-56 and later served as coach and on the faculty at Wayne for 10 years.

He left WSU because of sports de-emphasis to become head football coach at Port Huron High School for two years. He was appointed athletic director by Port Huron Board of Education in July 1967, the post he held at the time of his death.

Willard was the fourth member of his family to die of heart disease at a comparatively young age.

Friends and associates have established a scholarship fund for the education of two children in the family and contributions in memory of Willard may be sent to Dr. Gerald S. DeGrow, superintendant of Schools, Port Huron.

Willard had received his BS and Master's degree from WSU and did post-graduate work at the University of Michigan. He was a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa, a national honor fraternity.

His wife is the former Joyce Fry of Cass City, who lives with their two children, Mark and Julie Ann, at 5294 Locustwood Ave, Port Huron.

Also surviving are two brothers, Harvey Willard and Louis Williard, both of Milford.

Burial will be in a Port Huron cemetery.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, June 2012)

Harold married Florence Joyce Fry on 27 Jun 1953 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. Florence (daughter of Robert Ellsworth Fry and Wilma Dorothy Striffler) was born on 29 Feb 1932 in San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo County, California; died on 24 May 2014 in Marysville, St. Clair County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Volume 13 of the STRIFFLER-BENKELMAN BROADCAST, published on September 4, 1950, reported that Joyce Fry, a granddaughter of Mrs. William D. Striffler, had graduated from Cass City High School.

An article from the Cass City Chronicle published in June 1950, and reprinted in "Down Memory Lane" on page three of the Friday, June 8, 155 issue, stated that Mrs. Wm. D. Stiffler, who was 80 years old last September, had four granchildren graduate from High School in June, 1950. They were Joyce Fry of Cass City, Doris Southworth of Elkton, Marjorie Orr of Pigeon, and Foster Striffler of New Baltimore.

Volume 14 of the STRIFFLER-BENKELMAN BROADCAST, dated September 3, 1951, reported that she was to attend Gale Institute in Minneapolis as a student for special training for Air Lines. Volume 15 of the same periodical reported she had completed her studies in December.

Obituary

Joyce Willard, age 82, of Port Austin and formerly of Port Huron died May 24, 2014 in Blue Water Hospice Home after a short illness. She was born February 29, 1932 in San Luis Obispo, California and was raised in Cass City, Michigan. She lived and worked in Port Huron for over 30 years, and for the past 25 years in Port Austin. She married Hal Willard on June 27, 1953 in Cass City. He preceded her in death on October 21, 1968.

Joyce worked as a school secretary for many years at Central High School, Woodrow Wilson, and Port Huron Northern. When her children were young, she established the Lakeport School Library and in retirement, enjoyed working at the Port Austin Twp. Library. She was Treasurer of the Broken Rocks Association in Port Austin for many years. She enjoyed living on Lake Huron. Joyce always welcomed friends, family and anyone who wanted to stop by to talk and enjoy her view. She was widely known for being strong, intelligent, independent, loving and generous.

Joyce leaves behind her children, Mark (Janet) Willard, and Julie (Mark) Maxwell, her 4 grandchildren, Jennifer (fiance' Jeffrey Richards) Maxwell, Brian Maxwell, Brandon Willard, and Brooke Willard, and a nephew Jon Edwards. She was preceded in death by a sister, Jessie Berriman.

A memorial service will take place at 11 AM Friday in the Smith Family Funeral Home - North, 1525 Hancock Street with The Rev. William Wright of the First United Methodist Church officiating. Visitation will be Thursday from 2-8 PM in the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Port Austin Twp. Library.

www.smithfamilyfuneralhome.com.

Notes:

Married:
The STRIFFLER-BENKELMAN BROADCAST, Volume 16, dated September 7, 1953, reported that Joyce Fry and Harold Willard were married in June, with their home to be Highland Park.

Cass City Chronicle
Thursday, July 2, 1958
Page Four
Willard-Fry Rites Told In Cass City

Miss Jessie Fry preceded her sister down the aisle Saturday night at Mrs. R. Joyce Fry became the bride of Harold D. Willard, all of Cass City, in a candlelight service in the Evangelical United Brethren Church.

Wearing a cocktail length gown with a lace bodice over satin falling into the orion overskirt resting on Satin, Miss Fry spoke her vows in front of the Rev. S. R. Wurtz.

Her maid of honor wore a cocktail length gown of blue tissue silk and a crown of blue carnations. Her bouquet was also of blue carnations.

Gerald Prieskorn was the best man.

Miss Fry is the daughter of Mrs. Wilma S. Fry of Cass City and the grom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. William J. Willard of Cass City.

A reception immediately followed the ceremony in the church basement.

The bridal couple both graduated from Cass City High School. The groom completed his studies in 1949 and the bride in 1950. Miss Fry graduated from the Gale Institute in Minneapollis. The groom served two years in the Air Force.

The couple will reside in Detroit, where the groom will continue his studies at Wayne State University and the bride will continue working in the department of communications of the General Motors Corporation.

Guests attending the wedding were from the Cass City area, Detroit, Grayling and Manistee.

Notes:

https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/VPQS-Y6C
Name: Robert Ellsworth Fry
Event: Death
Event Date: 02 Mar 1942
Event Place: San Luis Obispo, California, United States
Birth Date: 23 Nov 1904
Birthplace: California
Gender: Male
Father: Fry
Mother: Beavers
Collection: California, Death Index, 1940-1997

Cass City Chronicle
Friday, March 6, 1942
Page Four
Local News
Mr. and Mrs. W. D. Striffler received word Tuesday of the death of their son-in-law, Robert Ellsworth Fry, 37, of San Luis Obispo, California, who died Monday, Mar. 2. Mr. Fry, a former resident of Cass City, leaves his wife, the former Wilma Striffler, and two children, Joyce Florence, 10, and Jessie Helen, 8. Particulars have not been received.

Robert married Wilma Dorothy Striffler on 8 Nov 1930 in San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo County, California. Wilma (daughter of William David Striffler and Elizabeth Zinnecker) was born on 3 Aug 1905 in Argyle, Sanilac County, Michigan; died on 15 Jan 1970 in Port Huron, St. Clair County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The Cass City Chronicle
February 9, 1923
Local Happenings
Page Four
The high school annual is well under way, all plans being nearly complete. The staff...had been organized and working for several months with untiring enthusiasm: Business manager, Grant Pinney; assitant, Nila Burt; editor-in-chief, Bernice Wager; assitants, Wilma Striffler and Lilah Spurgeon...

Cass City Chronicle
Friday, Jun 8, 1923
Page One
Largest Class in H.S. History
The largest class ever to be graduated from the Cass City high school, 17 boys and 26 girls, will be presented with diplomas at the opera house next Thursday evening...the Class Day program included a class history, Irvine Striffler...class prophecy, Wilma Striffler...both were listed as member of the Class of '23

Cass City Chronicle
July 6, 1923
Page Four
Local Items
Miss Wilma Striffler is employed at the millinery shop of Mrs. Julia Gay.

Cass City Chronicle
Sept. 14, 1923
Page Four
Local Items
Dr. and Mrs. C. W. Clark of Caro, accompanied by Miss Wilma Striffler of this place, leave next Monday on a motor trip to California. Taking the Lincoln Highway route, they will camp along the way stopping to visit at the following places: Oriona, St. Louis, Mich., Lake Odessa and Gary, Indiana. They will spend the winter in California, Miss Striffler visiting at the home of her sister, Mrs. Geo. Southworth at Dinuba.

Cass City Chronicle
Oct. 19, 1923
Page Four
Local Items
A letter recently received by Mr. and Mrs. W. D. Striffler from their daughter, Miss Wilma Striffler, states that the motor party with which Miss Striffler is making a trip to California has advanced as far as Simeron, New Mexico. She also told of climbing to the summit of a mountain and viewing Pike's Peak. It is expected that by the time this paper reaches its readers that the young lady will be nearly to her destination.

Cass City Chronicle
March 27, 1925
Page Four
Local Items
Miss Wilma Striffler, who has been in Dinuba, California for some time, returned to her home her Tuesday.


Cass City Chronicle
August 20, 1926
Page Four
Local Items
Members of the Christian Endeavour gave a farwell party in the basement of the Evangelical church Tuesday evening, in honor of Mrs. Wilma Striffler. After an hour of games, ice cream and frosted cake were served. Mrs. A. A. Ricker, in presenting Miss Striffler with a scarf from C. E. members, commended her for faithfulness and efficiency in church work. Miss Striffler is expected to leave hear next Monday for Los Angeles, California, and later will go to San Luis Obispo, California, where her sister, Mrs. Geo Southworth, resides.

Cass City Chronicle
Friday, Oct. 4, 1929
Local Happenings
Page Two
Miss Wilma Striffler left Tuesday morning for Detroit where she visited her sisters, Mrs. William STURM and Miss Mary STRIFFLER, and left there Wednesday to return to her work at San Luis Obispo, California, after a month's visit with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. W.D. STRIFFLER.

Cass City Chronicle
Friday, October 14, 1932
Local Happenings
Page Six
Mr. and Mrs. W. D. Striffler, son Delmar, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Fry and little daughter of Cass City and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Orr and family of Pigeon spent Sunday at Whip-poor-will Harbor.

Cass City Chronicle
Friday, July 6, 1934
Local Happenings
Page Four
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Fry and two daughters left Wednesday morning for San Luis Obispo, California, where they will make their home.


Cass City Chronicle
Friday, July 7, 1939
Local Happenings
Page Four
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Fry and two daughters, Joyce and Jessie, of San Luis Obispo, California, will leave home today to make the trip to Michigan. They expect to spend two months with Mrs. Fry's parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. D. Striffler, and other relatives here.

Cass City Chronicle
Friday, July 28, 1939
Local Happenings
Page Three
Mrs. Robert Fry and children, Joyce and Jessie, of San Luis Obispo, California, Mrs. Ione Sturm of Detroit, and Mr. and Mrs. W. D. Striffler returned Thursday from a week's visit at the Orr cottage at Sunshine Beach. Miss Mary Striffler spent the week-end at the W. D. Striffler home in Cass City and returned to Plymouth Sunday with her sister, Mrs. Ione Sturm, of Detroit. Mrs. Sturm has spent a two weeks' vacation with her parents.

Cass City Chronicle
Friday, June 6, 1942
Local Happenings
Page Three
Mrs. Robert Fry and daughters, Joyce and Jessie, expect to leave San Luis Obispo, California, about June 9 for Cass City to make their home with Mrs. Fry's parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. D. Striffler.

Cass City Chronicle
Cass City, Michigan
Thursday, January 22, 1970
Vol. 63, No. 40

Mrs. Wilma Fry dies in Port Huron

Mrs. Wilma S. Fry, 64, succumbed Thursday, Jan. 15, in Port Huron Hospital where she had been a patient one day.

Mrs. Fry, former Cass City Village clerk and treasurer, had made her home in Port Huron for the past four years. Born in Argyle Aug. 9, 1905, she was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. William Striffler. She married Robert Fry in California and the couple made their home at San Luis Obispo. He died in 1942 and Mrs. Fry moved to Cass City that year. She was a member of Salem United Methodist Church and Zonita International--a charter member of the Cass City Club. Funeral services were held Saturday, Jan. 17, at Little's Funeral Home with Rev. Ira Wood, pastor of Salem Church, officiating. Burial was in Elkland cemetery.

Surviving are: two daughters, Mrs. Harold (Joyce) WILLARD of Port Huron and Mrs. Paul (Jessie) BERRIMAN of Ferndale, three grandchildren, one brother, Rev. Roy STRIFFLER of Ohio, and three sisters, Mrs. Ione STURM of Detroit, Mrs. George SOUTHWORTH of Elkton and Mrs. Edward GARDINER of Port Austin.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong)

(Research):Census Information:

1930 Census
California, San Luis Obispo County, San Luis Obispo

Wilma D. Striffler was listed as a lodger in the home of Lucy McBee, age 73. Wilma was shows as age 24, single, and a bookkeeper for a grocery store.

Notes:

Married:
Cass City Chronicle
Volume 25, Number 30.
Friday, November 7, 1930

Striffler-Fry

A pretty wedding will be solemnized Saturday, Nov. 8, when Miss Wilma Striffler of San Luis Obispo, California, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W.D. Striffler of this place, will become the bride of Robert E. Fry, also of San Luis Obispo.

The wedding will take place in their new home which has been furnished in the early American type of furniture. Ten young people, friends of the couple, will be present at the ceremony which will be read by Rev. Hart, pastor of the Presbyterian church of San Luis Obispo.

The bride will be attired in eggshell satin and lace with slippers to match.

A turkey dinner will be served after which Mr. and Mrs. Fry will leave to spend several days at Santa Barbara and will then be at home at 529 Sandercock St., San Luis Obispo.

Mrs. Fry was a graduate of Cass City High School with the Class of 1923 and has been in California since that time except for about two years when she returned to visit here.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, May 2008)