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1919 - 2012
Dr. Clifford Joseph Bedore, Jr., age 93 of Greenville, died Friday, November 30, 2012 at Spectrum Health United Memorial United Campus. He was born July 24, 1919 in Highbridge, WI, the son of Clifford Joseph Bedore, Sr. and Charlotte Evelyn (Heideman) Bedore. On June 14, 1941, he married Ruth Myra Paddock. Dr. Bedore proudly served his country in the United States Army during World War II, serving in the Pacific with the 503rd Parachute Regimental team and in Japan with the 11th Airborne Division; he was discharged as Captain in 1946. He graduated from Gogebic Junior College in 1939 with an Associate of Arts degree and Northern State Teachers College in 1941 with a Bachelor of Science degree. He went on to earn his Master of Arts degree from the University of Michigan in 1951 and Doctor of Education degree from Michigan State University in 1968. He served in a variety of educational capacities throughout his long career. He taught chemistry, physics, biology and general science and coached tennis, skiing, basketball, and football. He served on the staff of the Bay Cliff Health Camp. He was appointed Superintendent of Soo Township Schools in 1960. He was the founding Business Manager of Montcalm Community College from 1965 to 1970, when he began serving as interim President. The interim title was removed shortly thereafter, and Dr. Bedore served as President of MCC from 1971 to 1978, where he assisted in the accreditation of the college. He also volunteered in a variety of capacities, including as Chairman of the Montcalm County Commission on Aging for many years. He enjoyed athletics, and enjoyed deer hunting, playing golf, bowling, rock collecting and photography. He spent many summers at the family cottage in Traverse City, fishing and watching the loons nest. More than anything, Cliff was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who loved spending time with his family. He will be deeply missed, especially by his loving wife of 71 years, Ruth of Greenville; children, Dana Bedore Phillips of Pittsburgh, PA, Clifford (Bonnie) Bedore, III of College Park, MD, Marian (Dan) Bedore Lilly of Greenville, Howard (Julie) Bedore of Traverse City, and Melanie Bedore of Greenville; eight grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; seven step-great-grandchildren; three adopted great-grandchildren; and sister, Priscilla Bedore Gass of Ironwood, MI. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Donagene Bedore. Dr. Bedore was a longtime member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Greenville. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 PM Sunday, December 9, 2012 AT HURST FUNERAL HOME (NOTE LOCATION CHANGE) with the Rev. Fr. John R. Kirkman will serve as officiant. Military honors will be rendered under the auspices of the Lester J. Sitts VFW Post 5065, Sheridan. Memorial contributions may be given to the Montcalm Community College Scholarship Fund or to a charity of ones choice.
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There are currently 23 condolences.
patricia pappas mccullough
Wednesday January 30, 2013 at
6:55 AM
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Dearest Ruth and family,,Montcalm & Olsen streets do not seem all that long ago,,when we were neighbors,,and your Cliff was going to school,,and you we worked at United Memorial. You & yours, were blessed to have Cliff these many years,,,know you are thought of and remembered,,patricia
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Kathleen Freeland Heidel
Tuesday January 1, 2013 at
10:37 PM
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Dear Mrs Bedore, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Mr Bedore was a wonderful man. I have many fond memories of your beautiful family. Thank you so much for your friendship to my mother. Please give Melanie a hug from me. In deepest sympathy, Kathy
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Bob & Margo Smith
Thursday December 13, 2012 at
1:37 PM
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Dear Mrs. Bedore and Family,
We will miss visiting with your husband and father at the WBHS Alumni banquets. What great memories we both have of him as a teacher, coach and times at the Ogemaw Hills Ski Park. He was a teacher that made going to school an enjoyable and exciting learning experience.
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HELEN HASTY JENNINGS
Monday December 10, 2012 at
6:36 PM
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I am saddened to hear of Mr Bedore`s passing. He was very involved in running Ogemaw Hills Ski Park where most of us learned to ski. We will miss him and remember him at the WBHS Alumni banquet in the spring. My best to Patty and the family,, Helen Jennings
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Jeffrey D. Murph
Monday December 10, 2012 at
11:56 AM
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May he, with all the faithful departed, through the mercies of God, rest in peace. God bless him and his family and give each of them comfort in their loss.
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Larry, Susan, & Lukus Anstett
Friday December 7, 2012 at
4:54 PM
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We want all of you to know how much we enjoyed visiting with Mr. Bedore. He was so interesting to listen to and such a happy fellow. A reflection of his entire family. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Your family is close and very much admired by the Anstetts. Mr. Bedore will be greatly missed.
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John D. Graham
Friday December 7, 2012 at
4:51 PM
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Dear Ruth and family;
My thoughts and sympathy go out to you all. Ive often wondered what became of you folks. After 50 years it's sad that I now know by notice of Cliff's demise. Those were good years at Soo Twp. Schools and Malcolm Ortopedic Room. Sincerely; John Graham, Soo Twp School Board member.
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Frank & Marilyn Stankey
Friday December 7, 2012 at
9:29 AM
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Our deepest sympathy to you and your family.
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Jim and Paula Hurst
Thursday December 6, 2012 at
6:20 PM
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Dear Danielle and family,
Please know that we feel blessed to have known Grandpa Bedore through you. The gatherings at your home were enhanced greatly by his presence. He struck us as a man of great character and humility. Our condolences to you, Grandma Bedore, and all those who loved him so much.
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Thursday December 6, 2012 at
1:41 PM
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I was greatly saddened to learn of Mr. Bedore's death. I well remember being in his biology classes which,I am certain, had a great deal of influence in my choice of becoming a Biology teacher. Although his time in West Branch was not mentioned, I know he held it in a place in his heart, for he was very frequently in attendence at our West Branch High School Alumni Association annual banquets. Therefore, my husband Bob and I will be making a donation in Cliff's memory to the West Branch High School endowment fund which gives scholarships to our local high school graduates. We will miss seeing him this coming May. Please accept our condolences.
Nancy (Rea) and Bob Griffin
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Barry Wilkinson
Wednesday December 5, 2012 at
11:18 AM
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Very sorry for the families loss. Mr. Bedore was my teacher at West Branch High School back in 1953. He was a great teacher and I will miss seeing him at the yearly reunion.
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Nancy Balcome Nichols
Tuesday December 4, 2012 at
10:09 PM
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Dear Marian and family
I am truly sorry to hear of your loss. Your father was a great man. Please give my condolences to your mom and sweet little
Melanie. Love always...
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Les and Vesta Morford
Tuesday December 4, 2012 at
3:34 PM
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As we will be in Florida, we regret not attending services for Clifford.
I recall going to the Dept of Educ in Lansing with Cliff. He went from office to office, calling everyone by first name. When I asked him later how he knew all these guys, he told me that, in the upper peninsula where he was raised, a male high school graduate either went in the mines or in education.
The lives of many folks benefited from Cliff's choice of education.
I will also always remember the quality licorice he kept in his bottom desk drawer. Often business had to wait briefly as licorice took precedence.
Part of my pleasant memories of MCC is working for and working with Cliff. MCC is better, as are all of us, thanks to this gentleman
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Jerry and Judy Duran
Tuesday December 4, 2012 at
2:49 PM
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We were very sorry to learn of Cliff's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire family.
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Jeanette Christensen/Emmons
Tuesday December 4, 2012 at
2:40 PM
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Ruth - sending my sympathy in the loss of your gracious husband and praying God will grant you peace in this time of sorrow.
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Jeanette Christensen/Emmons
Tuesday December 4, 2012 at
2:39 PM
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Zoe Dethlefsen Mantlo
Tuesday December 4, 2012 at
2:21 PM
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So sorry for your loss.Thinking of you and the family.
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Chuck Laper
Monday December 3, 2012 at
3:23 PM
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Cliff truly enjoyed life and people. It was always fun to interact with him during bowling, as well as elsewhere. He loved to smile and laugh. The world is a better place for Cliff having been here. Condolences and peace.
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Glenn and Penny Dora
Monday December 3, 2012 at
9:52 AM
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Thinking of your family and sending our most sincere condolences to all of you. You have been in our thoughts and prayers. With much love to you all, Glenn & Penny
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Candace Larkin
Sunday December 2, 2012 at
10:39 PM
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Cliff was a great friend to my Dad, Wallie Jaehnig---he really enjoyed his Sunday night bowling team with Cliff and Melanie. Our community is better because of the Bedores. My sincere condolences to you all.
Candace (Jaehnig) Larkin
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John & Mary Ellen Rice & Mary Stafford
Sunday December 2, 2012 at
8:38 PM
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Dear Ruth & family,
We are sorry to hear of Cliffs passing. We will never forget the nice visit we had with you a few weeks ago. He was an outstanding man of great character. You have our deepest sympathy.
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John & Mary Ellen Rice & Mary Stafford
Sunday December 2, 2012 at
8:29 PM
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Richard & Kay Barnes
Sunday December 2, 2012 at
10:02 AM
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We are very saddened to learn of Cliffs passing, our deepest symphathy to all his family. Cliff was indeed the personification of a gentleman and a scholar , we are all better off for having known him. He will be sorely missed.
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