By William Meiners
Herald Staff Writer
For the better part of a decade, Fulton High School students have been researching and writing about local heroes, most of whom might be otherwise unsung, through the project “Understanding Service: Remembering Gratiot County Veterans.”
Jim Goodspeed, a Fulton teacher who retired last December, created the project in 2017 that he hoped would resonate with his 11th grade English students and throughout the community. He told The Herald last week that when he started the project, he “did so with the intention that students would choose a veteran they knew absolutely nothing about.”
Occasionally, Goodspeed has allowed a student to research the service of a family member, especially if it motivated them to finish a profile. The best takeaways, he figures, might be a former student, 30 to 40 years from now, telling a child or grandchild about the story they wrote about a World War II, Korean, or Vietnam veteran.
The reality is that people know fewer veterans these days. In citing the declining number of people who answered the call to serve, the Pew Research Center detailed that in 1980, about 18 percent of adults in the United States were veterans. That number dropped to 6 percent in 2022.
As more people become less connected to veterans in their own lives, those former soldiers and sailors may go unrecognized for their service and sacrifice. Goodspeed came up with the idea for the project several summers ago while traveling on a teacher program sponsored by National History Day and the American Battle Monuments Commission.
“I stood at the grave of a Flint man buried at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery at Nettuno, Italy,” said Goodspeed, who presented the Michigan man’s story and wondered about doing the same thing for Gratiot County veterans.
From his Italian hotel room, Goodspeed began sketching out a plan. He remembered that D.C. Furgason, an Ithaca man, had been buried at the same cemetery and was later sent home for burial in Breckenridge’s Ridge Lawn Cemetery. “By the time I got home from that trip,” Goodspeed said. “I knew that there was something that could be done about a few of the many deceased veterans we have here in the county.”
Goodspeed worked under three administrators throughout the project, all of whom gave him the leeway to teach students what it was about. “The types of writing involved, the research, and the goal of completing the project are all things students would be able to relate to or use later in life,” he said.
Goodspeed’s retirement at the end of 2023 hastened some schedule changes. “I had to push deadlines ahead and push students to finish their projects in early December instead of mid-January,” he said.
Additionally, since he was only teaching the class one semester, Goodspeed had about half the students on hand. Hence, they have 30 completed profiles instead of 50. The project’s end (or near end) was “bittersweet” for him, which he said, “came with the territory in terms of ending my teaching career at Fulton Schools.”
By Memorial Day, Goodspeed hopes to complete a “first look” at all of the veterans named in the Gratiot County All Wars Memorial in downtown Ithaca. There are six names to go.
Though the project isn’t wrapped completely. “One of my early ideas was to see if the Understanding Service work could genuinely become a community and county project,” Goodspeed said. “Could I find two people in each of Gratiot County’s townships, towns, or villages who want their veteran to be honored and remembered in 2025?”
Regardless of how the project might evolve, Goodspeed said the key rests with the community and those families looking to have a veteran honored.
Heading into Memorial Day weekend, The Herald is proud to highlight a handful of veterans from the “Understanding Service” project. Along with their faces and stories, you’ll see names of the Fulton High School students who worked to researched them.
Charles Archie Rodgers was born October 21, 1921, to Archibald and Alma May (Christ) Rodgers. He was born and raised in Alma, Michigan. In 1979, he moved to Kenai, Alaska, where he worked as a caretaker of the oil refinery work camp.
Charles attended Alma High School, as well as Alma College. He married his high school sweetheart, Helen Virginia McGee, on December 24, 1943.
Rodgers grew up on his parents’ farm, working to help his family. In September 1942, Charles enlisted in the Army Air Corps and spent time in Florida for training. It is unknown where he served officially, how long, and what he may have ranked. All that is certain is that his time was brief, as his father requested he come home to work on the family farm.
Charles and his wife, Helen, had five children: four sons and one daughter. Their two eldest sons, Chuck and Kirk, were inspired by their father and enlisted in the Army as soon as they were of age.
Charles Rodgers was an inspiration to many. While he may not have served very long in the Army, he spent his whole life serving his family.
Charles passed away on December 15, 2003 at the age of 82. He now rests at the Riverside Cemetery in Alma, Michigan.
Allysen Schneider did the research and wrote this story.
Mervin G. Boody, born on December 17, 1940, was the son of Harold and Kathryn Boody. His early years were spent on a farm outside of Ithaca, where he learned the values of hard work and perseverance that would later shape his military career.
At the age of 18, Mervin graduated from Ithaca High School in 1959. He then pursued mechanical engineering at the Illinois Institute of Technology, earning his degree while serving in the National Guard.
Boody enlisted in the military on September 26, 1959, a few months after his high school graduation. He was a private second-class (E-2) stationed at Fort Jackson in California. Mervin was later assigned to the USATC (United States Army Transportation Company) at Fort Jackson and served on active duty for six months.
After his initial training at Fort Jackson in California, Mervin transferred to the Illinois National Guard in Chicago in March 1960. His dedication and leadership were recognized, and he was promoted to the rank of sergeant. He later served at Fort Grayling, where he was classified as a sharpshooter and assigned as a Fire Team Leader.
Mervin was discharged from the National Guard and transferred to the Michigan Army Reserves on May 26, 1962. He was then put on standby orders due to the Vietnam War. He was assigned to Company D, 1st Battle Group, 125th Infantry. Boody remained at Fort Grayling until he was discharged.
On April 30, 1965, Sergeant Mervin Boody was honorably discharged from military service. Three years later, in 1968, he married Dora McCarthy. They then moved to St. Louis, Michigan, where they had three children. After being discharged, Mervin worked at many auto mechanic companies until he retired.
Mervin passed away on February 26, 2017, and was laid to rest in Ithaca Cemetery.
Addison Warnke did the research and wrote this story.
Richard Ayre “Dick” Lumsden III was born on April 24, 1923, in Emerson Township. According to the 1930 census records, he was the fourth of six children of Richard A. Lumsden, Jr., and Edith Snedecor. He served from May 19, 1941, to October 24, 1945.
Richard A. Lumsden graduated from Ithaca High School in 1941 and enlisted in the service that same year. He was sent to the Great Lakes Naval Training Station in Chicago, Illinois, where he would have been among the many men who trained there before and during World War II.
Later, he was sent to San Diego, California, for further training in the 417th Platoon. He was then deployed to the South Pacific and served as a United States Marine Technical Sergeant.
Lumsden worked as an airplane mechanic, specializing in the hydraulic systems involved with the folding landing gear and wings present on the planes of that time. It is unknown whether he saw combat, but it is possible that he worked on one of many “floating repair yards” to provide easy access for planes and naval ships in need of repair in the Pacific. He also served at other bases and locations during the war. Because Sergeant Lumsden did not talk much about his service after he returned home, not much is known about his service.
After the war, Ricard A. Lumsden III was self-employed as an automotive mechanic, which he did for most of his life. He also served as a volunteer firefighter for 25 years, 9 of which he was Fire Chief. He also helped build three Habitat for Humanity houses. Richard also served many years on the Prison Ministry and Keryx team. He sang with the Men’s chorus at the Ithaca United Methodist Church. He was survived by his wife of 41 years, Marilyn, and their combined families. Lumsden also enjoyed the outdoors. Grand Marais was his favorite camp place with his family in the Upper Peninsula. He also enjoyed hunting in Newberry.
Richard passed away on September 5, 2016, at Woodland Hospice in Mt. Pleasant at the age of 93. His service occurred at the Ithaca United Methodist Church, and he was laid to rest at the Ithaca Cemetery.
Korbin Marecek researched and wrote this story.
Over 150,000 American women served in the Women’s Army Auxillary Corps during World War II. Many of these women go unrecognized. Wenonah Louise Butterworth-McGhee is a great example.
Wenonah was born in Muskegon, Michigan, on December 22, 1897, to Cyrus and Helen Butterworth. She was the oldest of three children and attended Muskegon High School, where she was part of a literary course. Wenonah contributed many stories to the school magazine “Said and Done.” Wenonah was on the honor roll and earned the honorary title of “Summa Cum Laude.” After graduating, she attended Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida, where she became part of the Red Cross.
Wenonah married Robert L. McGhee at the age of 22. Together, they had two children, Robert and Helen. They divorced thirteen years later. After obtaining a divorce, she and her two children moved to Alma, Michigan, before taking on a new adventure.
That new adventure occurred when Wenonah enlisted in the Women’s Army Auxillary Corps (WAAC) at Fort Des Moines, Iowa, on August 20, 1942. Those women who served as WAACs were vital in supplying the needed resources, baking, providing medical care, driving, and doing clerical jobs. In time, Wenonah was in charge of the mess hall and helped feed up to 200 people at a time. She was eventually promoted to third officer and then first lieutenant in the same year.
Wenonah likely gained her captaincy after transferring to serve at the base in Los Alamos, New Mexico, where scientists were testing the first atomic bomb. On January 7, 1946, Wenonah was discharged from the Army.
Wenonah was a brilliant and outstanding woman. She spoke seven different languages fluently and became a deaconess in her later years.
After moving to live with her son, Robert, Wenonah died in Temple, Texas, on February 10, 1992, at 94. She was buried in Oakwood Cemetery in Muskegon, Michigan.
Gracelynn Schneider did the research and wrote this story.
Duane R. Torok was born November 12, 1946, to Victor and Dorothy Torok. He was from a family of twelve children. Duane, also known as “Dewey,” was born in Lansing and resided there until he moved to Maple Rapids and the Rainbow Lake area.
At an early age, Duane was a paperboy, but his job after that involved learning to be a grocer and cutting meats at the Trading Post in Maple Rapids. Later, he went on to buy what is now known as Dewey’s Trading Post. Duane was the owner and meat cutter there for 45 years.
Duane married Peggy Ann Pennington in Carson City on July 26, 1968. They had three children. Torok also belonged to St. Martin DePorres Catholic Church, was a Fowler VFW Post #3733 member, and served as past post commander.
Torok was a generous, kind, easy-going, loving guy who was always ready for a good laugh. He loved being outdoors at his cabin, hunting, fishing, and cooking. If he was with his family, he was a happy person. Duane also served as a civic leader by being part of the Maple Rapids Fire Department.
Duane Torok was a Vietnam veteran. He was part of the 65th Engineers Battalion Regiment and a combat engineer with the 25th Infantry Regiment. Torok was very proud of serving and honored that he had the chance to participate in helping the military salute fallen soldiers. He was proud of his past and the things he had done.
Instead of being drafted, Duane volunteered in May 1966. Before being deployed, he trained at Fort Rucker, Alabama, and Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Torok arrived in Vietnam in December 1966 and was there for a year. He served in the Central Highlands as a combat engineer working on roads. Still, he was occasionally helicoptered into the jungle to help prepare landing zones.
This work was an exceedingly heartfelt project. My veteran, Duane Torok, went through a lot, like being in different types of battles.
Duane Torok passed away on June 16, 2023, and now rests in Payne Cemetery.
Baeley Vandervest did the research and wrote this story.
R.V. “Bob” Roof was born in Bannister, Michigan, on June 11, 1924. His parents were William and Earma (Palmer) Roof. Bob was one of six children. His brothers included Oliver, Waldo, Paul, and William. His sisters were Helan and Leleand. On April 8, 1948, he married Coralee (Demaray) in St. Johns, Michigan, and they had one son.
Bob attended Rodney B. Wilson High School in St. Johns, Michigan. At age twelve, he worked on Louie Scholar’s fruit farm in Ashley. After graduation, Bob worked at Willow Run Airport, where he worked on planes and eventually obtained his pilot’s license.
Bob Roof was inducted into the Army on March 31, 1943, and began active service on April 7, 1943. At some point in his service, before he went to Europe, he was transferred and served as a clerk. As a Technical Sergeant, when he went overseas, Roof was a Combat Engineer for the 256th, 1257th, and 1265th Battalion, and he saw action in the Rhineland and Central Europe campaigns.
Bob Roof received different awards during his service, including the Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Ribbon, World War II Victory Medal, American Theater Ribbon, and an EAME Theater Ribbon with two Bronze Stars.
Roof retired from Seal Power in St. Johns and was a life member of the St. Johns VFW.
On September 14, 2010, Bob Roof passed away and was laid to rest in Chapel Hill Cemetery in Lansing, Michigan.
Jaci Canfield researched and wrote this veteran’s story.
Millard Morton was born to Thomas and Gertrude Morton in Alma on June 5, 1920. He had seven siblings: five brothers, Jack, Duane, Phillip, and Harry, and two sisters, Irene and Lucille. His mother, Gertrude, and his father, Thomas, lived in Alma, Michigan. The Morton family owned a small trucking company in Alma, and most of the boys worked there before the start of World War II.
Millard attended Alma High School and received his diploma while in service. He married Evelyn Daily on May 11, 1942, and they had two children. Morton served in the Pacific and was part of the 503rd Paratroop that made the first drops onto Lae, New Guinea airfield. He also served in Korea during the Korean War. His awards included multiple citations, the Air Medal with 1st and 2nd Oak Leaf Clusters, the Korean Service Medal, two Bronze Stars, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Medal, the Combat Infantry Badge, and the American Defense Service Medal.
On February 15, 1954, Captain Morton died at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, from injuries sustained in a plane crash while flying a reconnaissance plane. Millard was not supposed to fly that day. However, his buddy wanted a day off, and Morton agreed to trade days. The accident occurred five months earlier, and Morton never fully regained consciousness during the time before he passed.
Captain Morton was brought home and laid to rest at Riverside Cemetery in Alma. He left behind a young wife and two children.
Ian Lamkin researched and wrote this story.
Douglas E. Uribe was born March 11, 1952, in St. Johns, Michigan, to G.R. and Belen Uribe. He was the eleventh child of fifteen, with seven brothers and seven sisters. Doug grew up in Ashley, Michigan, where he spent his childhood.
As a young boy, Doug loved spending most of his time outside with his siblings, playing games with whatever they could find. He attended grade school at Ola Schools and later attended Ashley High School, where he played football and basketball. In his spare time, Doug played baseball with his siblings in the yard; however, it never interested him enough to play in high school.
After high school, Doug was drafted into the Army. He was sent to Fort Knox, Kentucky, where he underwent training and education with non-commissioned officer-lance corporal (NCO-LPC) and indirect fire infantry crewman (INF IND Fire CRMN) skills. After his basic training in 1970, Doug went to Baumholder, Germany. He was in the tanks division and part of the reconnaissance team there.
Uribe’s final duty assignment in the Army was with the 39th Infantry Regiment, where he held the rank of Major Command. After his time in the Army, he worked at different jobs.
Doug Uribe later passed away after dealing with cancer years after his discharge. His funeral took place on April 17, 2021. He rests in Jacksonville National Cemetery in Duval County, Section 42W, Row A, Site 19.
Kaya Canfield researched and wrote this story.
Alva Henry Cook was born March 12, 1895, in Sumner, Gratiot County, Michigan. His parents were Henry L. and Dinah Frances Cook. When Alva was born, his mother, Dinah, was 21, and his father, Henry, was 30.
It is not clear what school Alva attended. However, he lived near Ithaca and did not attend past the eighth grade. Before entering World War I, Alva helped his father on the farm in Sumner, but he was treated very poorly. Alva’s father expected Alva to work from sunrise to sunset. Alva went to work for other farmers in the area because they treated him better.
When he was twenty-two, Cook entered the military on September 21, 1917. Alva was sent to Camp Custer, Battle Creek, Michigan. He first joined the 160th Depot Brigade, 9th Company, 3rd Battalion. Alva then became attached to Company K, 125th Regiment, 32nd Division. Cook’s job as company runner meant that he took messages from one location to another, often leaving the safety of the trenches to do so.
While deployed to Juviginy, France, Alva was severely wounded on August 29, 1918, taking a machine gun bullet in his left abdomen and right arm while storming a German machine gun nest. He remained on the battlefield for twelve hours before he recovered and received treatment. Cook was sent home, arrived in Detroit on April 6, 1919, and was soon transferred to USA General Hospital No. 28 at Fort Sheridan. After facing several surgeries and lengthy stays in hospitals for two years, Cook was officially discharged from the Army.
Cook received the French Croix De Guerre, a Silver Star, and the Order of the Purple Heart for his service. After returning to Gratiot County, Alva Cook was involved in veteran organizations and represented disabled veterans. He was commander in three different organizations in Gratiot County at one time. These included the American Legion, VFW Post 1454 Alma, and Michigan Chapter #30 Disabled American Veterans (which Alva founded and served 32 years as commander). Throughout his life, Alva Cook campaigned tirelessly for the benefit of wounded veterans, and he contributed for over man 100 years while serving these organizations.
On June 23, 1923, he married Ruby Belle Wright, and they had three children, one of whom died in infancy and is buried with them. Alva Cook passed away on July 19, 1994, and was laid to rest in the Ithaca Cemetery.
Sahara Johnson researched this story.