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Descendants of Lorinc Bendes


Generation No. 2


2. PETER2 BENDES (LORINC1)2 was born June 16, 1876 in ,,Hungary2, and died June 11, 1939 in Chesaning,Saginaw Co,MI3. He married MARY VARGO4 Abt. 1906 in Lorain,,Ohio5. She was born December 22, 1882 in ,,,Hungaria6, and died December 10, 1968 in Pontiac,Oakland Co,MI6.

Notes for P
ETER BENDES:
BIOGRAPHY: Discrepancy between Bendes Reunion History and Doris Bendes info. sheet. Bendes History has b. 19 Jun 1979 & d. 12 jun 1939.

DEATH: Died at Hurley Hospital in Flint,Genesee,MI.
BURIED: with Mary at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Chesaning, Saginaw, MI (on Ridge Road between Oakley and Chesaning).

1920 CENSUS Rush Twp, Shiawassee Co, MI:

#204 Peter Bendis head Renter Male White age 41 married immig. 1905 Alien
able to Read/Write & Speak English
            He and both parents born in Hungary & mother lan-
            guage was Magyar. Farmer Gen. Farm
Mary wife Female White age 38 married immig. 1905 Alien
            able to Read/Write & Speak English
            She and both parents born in Hungary & mother
            language was Magyar.
Lorentt (Lawrence?) son white age 13 single Att. school since 1 Sept 1919
            able to Read/Write & Speak English
Born in Ohio
John son white age 11 single Att. school since 1 Sept 1919
            able to Read/Write & speak English
Born in Ohio
Helen dau. white age 6 single Att. school since 1 Sept 1919
            able to Read/Write & Speak English
born in MI
Steve son white age 5 single born in MI
Frank son white age 4 1/2 single born in MI
Andy G. son white age 2 single born in MI

Have copy of this census on file (me).

Census 1910: Loraine County, Loraine Twp, Ohio:
found under name: Peter Gamdes Very faded & could not copy!

#119 Peter Bendes Head Male white age 31 m3 born Hungary Alien
mother language Magyar worked in a ? mill
Rented home
Mary Wife female Wh age 27 m3 born in Hungary immig 1905
Lawrence son male white age 2 single born in OH
John son male white NR single born in OH
Boarder male immig 1909 alien tongue Magyar laborer in mill
Boarder male immig 1908 alien tongue Magyar laborer in mill
Boarder male immig 1910 alien tongue Magyar laborer in mill

Have written sheet from this census (what I could read).

Peter had at least one brother and maybe some others. Doris recalled that Margaret had visited a brother of Peter's in New Jersey. According to the daughter of this brother whose name was Steve, her father printed a Hungarian book of some sort for those Hungarian families in New Jersey at the time.

Doris also recalled that when Peter came to America, he came alone and supposedly went back to Hungaria to get Mary Vargo possibly that same year (census records above have them both immigrating in 1905), however, Aunt Margaret recalls that per the NJ cousins, Mary and Peter did not know each other in Hungary. That they were from different places back there. Aunt Margaret believes they met and were married in the United States. Doris recalled that Mary Vargo once worked in Chicago, IL as a cook for a time.

Doris remembered that Mary had many sisters in Hungary.

Aunt Margaret also recalls her husband, John, telling her that Lawrence remembered sailing on the ship and being at a house in Hungaria with a big ditch out front when his mother, Mary, took Lawrence (age 4) and John (age 2) back to Hungaria (supposedly for a visit).

Aunt Margaret recalls that the family lived SW of Ovid,MI before moving to Rush Twp. (possibly St. Johns,,MI).



More About P
ETER BENDES:
Burial: Mt. Calvary Cemetery,Chesaning,MI
Fact 1: Buried: Mt. Calvary Cemetery,Chesaning,Saginaw Co,MI

Notes for M
ARY VARGO:
GENERAL: Doris Shephard Bendes mentioned in March 1998 conversation that Mary was a good woman and was very superstitious.

Mary had sisters who remained in Hungary after she immigrated. Doris recalls that Mary used to repair and send hand-me-downs over to her sisters but that one day they called to say that the customs people were no longer allowing them to pick up the items so they asked her to stop sending since they wouldn't receive it.

SSN: 381-46-2394 issued MI b. 22 Dec 1882 d. Dec 1968 in MI; last known residence Auburn Heights, MI 48057 according to Social Security Death Index.



More About M
ARY VARGO:
Burial: Mt. Calvary Cemetery,Chesaning,MI
Fact 1: Buried: Mt. Calvary Cemetery,Chesaning,Saginaw Co,MI
     
Children of P
ETER BENDES and MARY VARGO are:
  i.   LAWRENCE3 BENDES7, b. January 21, 1908, Lorain,,Ohio8; d. October 16, 1995, St Mary's Medical Center,Saginaw,,MI8; m. ANNA SOPHIE PIROCHTA9, May 27, 1933, Chesaning,Saginaw,MI10; b. May 15, 1912, ,,,Czeckoslovakia11; d. January 15, 2000, Adrian,,MI11.
  Notes for LAWRENCE BENDES:
BIOGRAPHY: Mass of Christian Burial took place 11 a.m., Thurs., Oct. 19 at SS Simon and Jude Catholic Church in Saginaw,Saginaw Co,MI. Rev. Fr. John Sarge officiated with burial in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. The body rested at Case Funeral Chapel where a wake service took place led by Fr. John Sarge and Sr. Mary Epple.

At the time of his brother, Andy's death in 1978, he lived in Flushing,,MI.

On the 1920 Census of Rush Twp, Shiawassee, MI, his name was written as Lorentt (possibly spelling from Hungary origins).

SSN: 380-09-6839 issued MI b. 21 Jan 1908 d. 16 Oct 1995; last known residence Saginaw, MI 48601 according to Social Security Death Index.



  More About LAWRENCE BENDES:
Burial: 1995, Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Saginaw, Saginaw, MI12
Fact 1: Occupation: Worked at General Mortors, Grey Iron Foundry (40 yrs.)
Fact 2: SSN: 380-09-6839
Fact 3: Last Known Address: 2661 South Street, Saginaw, MI 48601
Fact 4: Later worked at Hoyt Public Library as janitor/handyman
Fact 5: Buried: Mt. Olivet Cemetery,Saginaw,Saginaw Co,MI

  Notes for ANNA SOPHIE PIROCHTA:
1998: Living with Helen (daughter) in Adrian, MI.

DEATH: Died at Lynwood Manor, 15 Jan 2000 at age 87.

OBIT: Bay City Times

Anna S. Bendes
Age 87, of Adrian, passed from this life on Saturday, January 15, 2000, at Lynwood Manor.

Mrs. Bendes took great pride in being a mother and a housewife, working hard raising her loving family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, January 19, 2000, at St. Mary of Good Counsel Catholic Church in Adrian with the Rev. Fr. Thomas Helfrich O.S.F.S. officiating. Burial will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Saginaw next to her beloved husband. Friends and relatives may visit with the family from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday at Braun Everiss Wagley Funeral Home, Adrian, with a wake service at 7 p.m.

Mrs. Bendes was born May 15, 1912 in Czechoslovakia, the daughter of Anton and Apollonia (Janku) Pirochta. On May 27, 1933, she married Lawrence Bendes in Chesaning. He preceded her in death in 1995. They were married for 62 wonderful years.

She was a master gardener, caring for flowers and grooming her yard with great skill.

She was predeceased by: her husband; infant daughter, Dorothy Bendes; brothers, Tony and John Pirochta.

In the list of survivors, a sister-in-law was included: Alfrieda Pirochta (was most likely either wife of Tony or John listed above as predeceasing her).


  More About ANNA SOPHIE PIROCHTA:
Burial: January 19, 2000, Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Saginaw, Saginaw, MI

  ii.   JOHN CLARENCE BENDIS13, b. August 11, 1909, Lorain,Lorain Co,OH13; d. December 04, 1994, Flint,Genesee,MI13; m. MARGARET IVA LAUNSTEIN13, August 29, 1936, Oakley,Saginaw Co,MI13,14; b. June 05, 1913, Brady Twp,Saginaw Co,MI15.
  Notes for JOHN CLARENCE BENDIS:
MARRIAGE: The Owosso Argus Press Tuesday, 1 Sept 1936 Page 5
OAKLEY GIRL BRIDE OF CHESANING MAN - Oakley - Sept 1 1936
Miss Margaret Launstein, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ezra Launstein, of Oakley and John C. Bendis, son of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Bendis, of Chesaning Twp. were united in marriage Saturday morning at 10 o'clock at the Catholic rectory here by the Rev. John Grzybowski.
The attendants were the Misses Rose Sivak and Geraldine McClosky, Frank Bendis and Claude Launstein.
Following the ceremony, a wedding dinner was served to 35 guests at the home of the bride's parents and in the evening, a receiption was held in the Oakley hall. The bride has been employed in Flint and Oakley and the groom for 3 years was employed at the Chevrolet factory in Flint.
Out-of-town guests came from Saginaw, Chesaning and Henderson.

ANOTHER MARRIAGE CLIPPING: Found at Chesaning Public Library
Miss Margaret Launstein Wed to John C. Bendis
Only the immediate relatives and a few close friends witnessed the ceremony at St. Michael's rectory at Oakley on Saturday morning at ten o'clock, which united in marriage, Miss Margaret Launstein, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Erza Launstein of Oakley and John C. Bendis, son of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Bendis of Chesaning. The Rev. Fr. Gryzbowski read the service.
The bride wore a gown of white lace, made princess style, and carried an arm bouquet of snapdragons and bebe mums. Attending her as maid of honor was Miss Rose Sivak, who wore blue crepe with white accessories. Miss Geraldine McClosky served as bridesmaid and was attired in blue organza with white accessories. Both attendants wore corsage bouquets of summer flowers. Assisting the groom were Clyde Launstein and Frank Bendis. A wedding dinner was served to the immediate relatives at the home of the bride's parents and a reception was given in the evening at the Oakley hall. Mr. and Mrs. Bendis left for a trip in the east and upon their return will reside in Flint.

DEATH: Funeral notecard contained the Psalm 27.1 "The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The reverse of the card had the name of Rossell Funeral Home, 307 E. Main Street, Flushing,,MI.

BIOGRAPHY: John last attended school in the 7th grade at Henderson,Shiawassee,MI. He worked at Chevrolet Manufacturing as a Crane Operator.

PREVIOUS ADDRESSES:
Chesaning,Saginaw,MI 1936
Owosso,Shiawassee,MI 1940
Flint,Genesee,MI 1941
Flushing,Genesee,MI 1942 (6276 Clovis Avenue)

SSN: 379-07-3872 issued MI b. 11 Aug 1909 d. 4 Dec 1994; last known residence Flushing, MI 48433 according to Social Security Death Index.




  More About JOHN CLARENCE BENDIS:
Burial: Flint Memorial Park, Mt. Morris,,MI16
Fact 1: Buried: Flint Memorial Gardens,Flint,Genesee,MI

  Notes for MARGARET IVA LAUNSTEIN:
BIOGRAPHY: Margaret last attended school in the 10th grade at St. Charles, Saginaw Co, MI.

  iii.   HELEN BENDES16, b. March 15, 1912, St. Johns,Clinton,MI16,17; d. April 25, 1937, Owosso,Shiawassee Co,MI18; m. WILLIAM HAROLD WHALEN19, April 02, 1932, St. Michaels Church,Oakley,Saginaw Co,MI20,21; b. June 23, 1910, Oakley,Brady Twp,Saginaw,MI22; d. October 11, 1995, Owosso,Shiawassee Co,MI22.
  Notes for HELEN BENDES:
BIRTH: Death notice article in Owosso Argus Press Mon, 26 Apr 1937
YOUNG MOTHER DEAD AT OAKLEY...
Mrs. Helen Whalen is Taken By Illness...
Oakley, April 26 - Mrs. Helen Whalen, 25, wife of Harold Whalen, died suddenly Saturday at 12:45 pm at St. Mary's Hospital in Saginaw, where she had been under treatment for peritonitis. Death was caused by a clot of blood near the heart.
The funeral services will be conducted here at 10 o'clock Tuesday morning from St. Michael's Catholic Church of which she had been an active member. The Rev. Fr. John Grzybowski will officiate and interment will be made in the Chesaning Catholic Cemetery.
Mrs. Whalen was born on March 15, 1912 in St. Johns, the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Bendis. During her early years, she moved with her parents to various farms in Saginaw and Shiawassee counties. She later came with her parents to the Roy Cole farm, 1 1/2 miles W. of Oakley. On April 2, 1932, she was united in marriage to Harold Whalen and to this union, there are born three children. They are: Rosalie, James and Daniel. The latter child is 1 year of age.
The couple resided on different farms in the vicinity of Oakley after their marriage and about six months ago bought and moved into the Mrs. Ida Craught house here.
Surviving besides the husband and children are the parents, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Bendis of St. Charles Twp. and five brothers, Steve and Frank, who live with her parents; Lawrence of Saginaw; John of Flint and Andrew of Henderson.

SCHOOL: Found a Helen Bendes attending school in Henderson per book: Echoes of Yesteryears SHIAWASSEE COUNTY SCHOOLS FAIRFIELD AND RUSH TOWNSHIPS 1837-1987, Volume 6, purchased from Owosso Historical Society.

The book describes the school in Henderson:

In 1872, land was purchased in Section 23 from the Isham and Henderson families, pt. of the NW 1/2 of the NE 1/4, one-quarter acre. We believe this was a frame school which served until completely outgrown. With an attendance of around 90-100 pupils it was decided in 1900 to build a new two-room school in the hamlet not far from the first school. We believe that the land was given by the Henderson family as no deed could be found for the new school property. The old school had been called the Doolittle School, so named after P. H. Doolittle, the Township Clerk of 1856-57.

It goes on to explain many facts about attendance, etc.

There is a picture of the class of 1926 where we find Helen Bendes on page 72. She attended school with Frank and Bertha Sklinar, Charles Lyke, Ronald Seelhoff, Carl Henderson, Andy, John and Helen Chlebo, Tom Soule, Edna Hunt, Niles and Rosie Walter, Kathryn Sundquist Smith, Lillian Coy Smith, Doris Eshelman, Elsie Jones Stuart, Ellen Goodman, Letah George, Florence Lance, Dora Smith Felker, Beulah Bingham, Emily Coy, Marguerite Dean Girdwood, Isaac Loachridge, Lloyd Smith, Lyle and Marilyn Hunt, Don Freeman, Willard and Russell Coon, Kenny Eshelman. Their teacher was Hattie Roszman.



  More About HELEN BENDES:
Burial: Chesaning Catholic Cemetery,Chesaning,MI23
Fact 1: Buried: Mt. Calvary Cemetery,Chesaning,Saginaw Co,MI

  Notes for WILLIAM HAROLD WHALEN:
BIRTH: Son, James, reported that William was born 3 miles West of Oakley on Ridge Road.

DEATH: William "Harold" Whalen is buried at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Chesaning,Saginaw Co,MI. He is buried next to his wife, Helen Bendes, and in front of her parents, Peter and Mary Bendes. A statue of a boxer bulldog sits next to his headstone. The statue was given to him by his sister, Daisy Bazzett and it is named after his dog, Skip.

BIOGRAPHY: Helen died when Danny was 18 months old. Harold then married Doris who is now considered "part of the family" by all. Harold and Doris together had daughter, Ellen; and son, Eddie.

PARENTS: Mr and Mrs William Whalen - Oakley residents in 1937
Per article in Owosso Argus Press, Wed., June 30 1937
Oakley - Mr. and Mrs. William Whalen and grandson, Jimmy and Danny, left Tuesday for a vacation near Traverse City. John Banghart is acting as sub-carrier on the rural mail route while Mr. Whalen takes his vacation.


  More About WILLIAM HAROLD WHALEN:
Fact 1: Buried: Mt. Calvary Cemetery,Chesaning,Saginaw Co,MI

  iv.   STEVEN J BENDES24, b. February 13, 1915, .,,MI24; d. April 12, 1982, Pontiac,,MI24; m. VIRGINIA M HELSEL24, October 10, 1948, Pontiac,,MI in the Church of the Brethren25; b. June 27, 192526; d. November 08, 1995, Auburn Hills,,MI26.
  Notes for STEVEN J BENDES:
BIOGRAPHY: At the time of his brother, Andy's death in 1978, Steve lived in Pontiac,,MI (possibly 2036 Allerton Road per 1956 reunion notes location).

BIRTH: Per Bendes Reunion notes: He weighed 11 lbs.

DEATH: Per his funeral notecard, Steve's funeral was held on Thurs, 15 Apr 1982 at 11 a.m. at the First Church of the Brethren of Drayton Plains. Officiating the ceremony was Mr. Michael Rath.

The 23rd Psalm from the bible was on the inside of this funeral card.

SSN: 373-09-1619 issued MI b. 13 Feb 1915 d. Apr 1982; last known residence, Auburn Heights, MI 48057 according to Social Security Death Index.


  More About STEVEN J BENDES:
Burial: White Chapel,Troy,,MI26
Fact 1: Buried: White Chapel Cemetery
Fact 2: SSN: 373-09-1619

  Notes for VIRGINIA M HELSEL:
BIOGRAPHY: Virginia's last known address was 2036 Allerton Road, Auburn Hills, MI 48326. She was married to Steve Bendes.

SSN: 364-28-7478 issued MI b. 27 Jun 1925 d. 8 Nov 1995; last known residence Auburn Hills, MI 48326 according to Social Security Death Index


  More About VIRGINIA M HELSEL:
Burial: White Chapel,Troy,,MI26
Fact 1: SSN: 364-28-7478

  v.   FRANK BENDES26, b. November 16, 1916, St. Johns,Clinton Co,MI27; d. September 13, 199427; m. (1) VIRGINIA R BRADT28, August 16, 1946, St. Charles,Saginaw,MI29; b. August 06, 1909, St. Charles,Saginaw,MI29; d. June 25, 1966, Saginaw,Saginaw,MI29; m. (2) FLORENCE HESSION, December 29, 1973; b. December 28, 1921.
  Notes for FRANK BENDES:
BIOGRAPHY: At the time of his brother, Andy's death in 1978, Frank lived in St. Charles,,MI.

BIRTH: Possibly born in St. Johns, MI.

DEATH: Last known address associated with SSN was Center Line, MI (48015).

SSN: 369-14-7740 issued MI b. 16 Nov 1916 d. 13 Sep 1994; last known residence Center Line, MI 48015 according to Social Security Death Index.


  More About FRANK BENDES:
Fact 2: SSN: 369-14-7740
Fact 3: Last Known Address: 8539 Harding, Centerline, MI 48015

  Notes for VIRGINIA R BRADT:
OBITUARY INDEX - Public Libaries of Saginaw:
Virginia R. Bendes
Maiden Name: Bradt
Spouse's Name: Frank J.
Married: Friday, August 16, 1946
Age: 56
Date of Birth: Friday, August 6, 1909
Place of Birth: St. Charles, MI
Date of Death: Saturday, June 25, 1966
Place of Death: Saginaw, MI
Cemetery: Riverside (ST. Charles)
Leaves 4 daughters & 2 sons
Funeral Home: Kendall



  vi.   ANDREW GEORGE BENDES30, b. February 19, 1918, St. Johns,Clinton Co,MI30; d. September 13, 1978, Flint Osteopathic Hospital,Flint,Genesee Co,MI31; m. DORIS JANE SHEPHARD32, June 26, 1937, Henderson,Rush Twp.,Shiawassee,MI33; b. June 12, 1919, at Home in Henderson,Rush Twp,Shiawassee,MI33.
  Notes for ANDREW GEORGE BENDES:
DEATH: Although he and Doris lived most of their lives in the Henderson,,MI area, at the time of his death, he and Doris lived on Paula Lane in Mt. Morris,,MI.
SSN: 377-16-7786 per Broderbund Family Tree Volume
377-16-7786 issued MI b. 19 Feb 1918 d. Sep 1978; last known residence Mt. Morris, MI 48458 according to Social Security Death Index.

He had been ill for three months (cancer) prior to his death.

The funeral was held on a Saturday at Knapp & Smith Inc. Funeral Homes in Owosso,,MI at 2 p.m. with the Rev. H B Oliver officiating.
      Source: Andy's obituary 1978

OBITUARY: Sept 14 1978 (clipping found at Chesaning Public Library)
Andrew G. Bendes, 60, who formerly farmed in Henderson, died Wednesday at 3:30 a.m. at Flint Osteopathic Hospital, after having been ill for three months.
Mr. Bendes resided on Paula Lane in Mt. Morris. The funeral will be held at Knapp & Smith, Inc. Funeral Homes in Owosso Saturday at 2 p.m., with the Rev. H. B. Oliver officiating. Burial is to be in Riverside Cemetery. The body rests at the funeral home.
Mr. Bendes was born in St. Johns Feb 19, 1918 to Peter and Mary (Barga) Bendes. He attended school in St. Johns and had resided most of his life in the Henderson area. He was married to Doris Shephard June 26, 1937 in Henderson.
In addition to farming, Mr. Bendes had also been employed at the Coldwater Road Fisher Body Plant, Flint. He was a member of the Henderson Odd Fellows Lodge and the Flint Eagles. Surviving are: His wife,; one son, James of Henderson; two daughters, Mrs. Merle (Joyce) Arnold of Flint and Mrs. Carl (Judy) Lamphere of Henderson; four brothers, Lawrence of Saginaw, John of Flushing, Steve of Pontiac and Frank of St. Charles and nine grandchildren. He was predeceased in death by one son, Jack, in 1959, and one sister.



BIOGRAPHY: Andrew (Andy) attended school in St. Johns,Clinton Co,MI.

SCHOOL: Found Andy Bendes in the Henderson School in 1924 on page 71 of the book Echoes of Yesteryears, SHIAWASSEE COUNTY SCHOOLS, FAIRFIELD AND RUSH TOWNSHIPS, 1837-1987.



  More About ANDREW GEORGE BENDES:
Burial: Riverside Cemetery, East Side, Henderson, Shiawassee Co, MI34
Fact 1: Occupation: Farmer
Fact 2: Occupation: Factory Worker at Coldwater Road Fisher Body Plant in Flint,,MI
Fact 3: Buried: Riverside Cemetery,Henderson,,MI
Fact 4: Member of the Henderson Odd Fellows Lodge
Fact 5: Member of the Flint Eagles.
Fact 6: SSN: 377-16-7786

  Notes for DORIS JANE SHEPHARD:
BIOGRAPHY: Doris Bendes lived in Henderson,Shiawassee,MI at R.F.D. #1 Epton Road, Henderson, MI 48841. Her parents home was located between 7677 N. Smith Road and the neighbor's to the North. The home was taken down before her daughter Judy built their home at 7677 N. Smith Road. Jim and Anne Bendes, son of Doris, built the other home to the North. This was just around the corner and South of Doris' and Andy's home on Epton Road.

MARRIAGE: Owosso Argus Press July 3, 1937 article Page 5
Society - Recently Married Couples Honored...
The Misses Ella Mae Sawer and Bernice Rondo entertained Thursday evening in the home of the former for the pleasure of Mr. and Mrs. Leo Sparkia, whose marriage was an event of June 7, and Mr. and Mrs. A. Bendis of Henderson, who were married June 26. The time was spent playing games for which honors were awarded Mrs. Sparkia and Horace Hayt. Supper was served at midnight.

Doris and Andy also lived at these addresses: Dianne Trailer Park, Mt. Morris,,MI; and 135 Warren Avenue, East Tawas,,MI. The home in East Tawas was to have been their retirement home after retiring from the auto plant in Flint,,MI. Andy, however, passed away either shortly before or just after the home was completed. Andy died of cancer.

Doris wrote in September of 1997: I met my husband at a 4th of July celebration in Oakley,,MI. I told a cousin I was going to dance with him that night, I did and I married him a year later and was together for 42 years.

BIRTHDAY "80": June 12, 1999 - Doris threw herself another annual B-Day bash at her home in East Tawas on Tawas Lake. Doris was very pleased that for the first time in ten years or more, all of her grandchildren and their families as well as her own children were in the same place, at the same time. Joyce's children from Arkansas and Colorado all made the trip. You will find a list of those who were in attendance below. It was at this party that I was able to surprise Doris with a gift that I knew would be most meaningful to her. After many lengthy conversations with Doris over this past year in particular, I spent a considerable amount of time applying for a Centennial Farm marker for the farm on which we live, which was originally purchased by Doris' great-grandfather, William Ross in 1891. The NE 1/4 of the NE 1/4 of section 9 of Rush Township, Shiawassee County, MI was the parcel that met the centennial criteria. After having finally completed the application in early May of 1999, I called the Michigan Historical Commission in Lansing, MI on the Monday prior to her birthday to check on its status. A very helpful woman, after I explained my eagerness, discovered that the farm had in fact been certified as a centennial farm. She, in turn, offered to call one of her contacts at Consumer's Energy (they are the company who supplies the historical marker). She called a day later to inform me that she was having it shipped to the Owosso Consumer's Energy office and that I would be able to pick it up on that Thursday. How excited I was to have it in hand and my eagerness to present it to Doris was beyond explanation. She was asked to open it during her party and to my great delight had not a clue as to what was in that box. I was fortunate to capture this event on video and on film as well. Her surprise and emotion was worth the hours I have spent, the days taken off work and the ups and downs I experienced during the process. The Centennial Farm marker will be proudly displayed at our home on Smith Road in Henderson, MI, which is now part of the farm that includes the Centennial acreage. written by Barb Potter Lamphere
June 13, 1999

Those present her 80th birthday were:
Joyce & Mel Stokes (her daughter)
Their children and Doris' great grandchildren

Judy & Carl Lamphere (her daughter)
Their children, grandchildren and Doris' great granchildren

Jim and Anne Bendes (her son)
Their children, grandchildren and Doris' great grandchildren.

Also in attendance were over 100 friends and neighbors. The large pig which was roasted was delicious and traffic was backed up in her neighborhood throughout the afternoon.


  More About DORIS JANE SHEPHARD:
Cause of Death: cancer

  vii.   JAMES BENDES35, b. August 08, 1921, Rush Twp,Henderson,Shiawassee,MI35; d. August 08, 1921, Rush Twp,Henderson,Shiawassee,MI35.


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