Glen Curtis

Glen Curtis of West Branch, passed away at his home in Edwards Township on July 29, 2005. Glen died from heart complications while fishing at his favorite place behind his home. He was born July 23, 1924 in West Branch to the late Ira Glen Curtis and Edwyn Stillwagon Curtis. He graduated from West Branch High School in 1943 and attended Northeastern School of Commerce after leaving the military. He was employed by the Coca-Cola Company for ten years and spent the next 26 years servicing the West Branch area as a State Farm Insurance Agent. A veteran of the US Army, Glen served during World War II from 1944-1946 in the European Theatre and was a member of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars in West Branch. He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus Council #2022 for over 50 years. He was a past Grand Knight and also a member of the 4th Degree. He served for many years on the 1st Degree team initiating young men into serving the West Branch area as christian gentlemen. Glen was also a member of the Kiwanis Club for forty years. He was a proud past president of this organization as well. Glen served as a board member for the St. Joseph School and was also active in the St. Joseph Church as usher and lecture. Glen was a competitive man throughout his life. He bowled on the Tuesday night league at Ogemaw Lanes for over thirty years. He was an excellent baseball player and played the game he loved until he was forty years old. He coached his sons in the area Little League and helped start Pony League baseball for the youth of West Branch. He loved his Detroit Tigers and followed them all his life. He spent his winters and springs in Lakeland, Florida so he could watch his beloved team during spring training. He would always return to Michigan overly optimistic for the upcoming season. Glen often talked about listening to the 1945 World Series in Paris on Armed Force Radio. Most of all, Glen loved his many fishing trips with his brothers and sons to their cabin in WaWa, Canada. Glen was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was fortunate to be active, doing so until the time of his death. Glen is survived by his wife of 55 years, Joan Rosetta (Illig) Curtis, children, Randy (Mary Jo)Curtis of Rose City, Glenda (Thomas) Grafton of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Ronald Curtis and Richard (Kristy) Curtis both of West Branch. He is also survived by 6 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, his brothers, George (Mel), Virgil (Jeanne), Carl (Elaine) and David (Carol) all of West Branch; sisters, Dorothy (Jim) Clayton, Geraldine (Adam) Oliver and Mary (Gerald) Lucas all of West Branch and Betty (Bob) Coleman of Washington. He was preceded in death by his brother Leith. Visitation at the Steuernol & McLaren Funeral Home in West Branch will begin Sunday July 31, 2005 from 6-9 P.M. and Monday August 1, 2005 from 12-9 P.M. A Scripture Service will be held Monday evening August 1, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. followed by a Knights of Columbus Rosary at 7:30 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Joseph Catholic Church on Tuesday August 2, 2005 at 11:00 A.M. with Father Robert Bissot officiating. Immediately following the Funeral Mass, a Veterans Service and burial will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Memorial Contributions may be made to the St. Joseph School Building Fund, the American Heart Association or the Gift of Life.