Greater West Bloomfield Historical Society

Columbarium

GWBHS — Sat, 10 Jul 2004 07:00:00 +0000

Columbarium – located at the top of the driveway near the upper parking lot, built by the association in 2006.

Beckley-Amaya, Myles

GWBHS — Fri, 09 Jul 2004 07:00:00 +0000

Beckley-Amaya, Myles. Life size bronze statue captures the spirit of this little boy’s life which came to a tragic end from a horseback riding accident while on vacation in 2008. Actual size and life like, note the curly hair of this child born to a Jamaican mother and Swedish father. The “thumbs up” on his hands is the personal signature of this lively little boy. Section F-45

Carl Cuban’s headstone

GWBHS — Thu, 08 Jul 2004 07:00:00 +0000

Nearby, see engineer Carl Cuban’s headstone, cast in the shape of a book.

Van Arnem plot

GWBHS — Wed, 07 Jul 2004 07:00:00 +0000

Van Arnem plot. Note this family’s tall obelisk memorial marker in Section H-O. Daughter Heidi Van Arnem died in 2001 at age 35. She was a quadriplegic since age 16 from a gunshot wound which severed her spinal column. She was the founder andCEO of iCan, an online community that “provides information and services to 54 million people living with disabilities in the US.” She also served as commissioner for disability concerns for the state of Michigan.

Kyle family plot – Father David

GWBHS — Tue, 06 Jul 2004 07:00:00 +0000

Kyle family plot – Father David was the founder of the cemetery’s Association. Section C.

Stickley marker

GWBHS — Mon, 05 Jul 2004 07:00:00 +0000

Stickley marker at OC 79-1. Note the names of his three wives, all sharing the same headstone. Section OC-79-1. There are 11 Stickley plots in the cemetery.

Armenian – Bardizbanain family (Vanta and Paul)

GWBHS — Sun, 04 Jul 2004 07:00:00 +0000

Armenian – Bardizbanain family (Vanta and Paul) also paid tribute to the many “perished in the 1915 Armenian Genocide” on the headstone. Note the stylized Armenian cross, seen in several headstones in the cemetery. Section OS

Whitmer Family – (Claude)

GWBHS — Sat, 03 Jul 2004 07:00:00 +0000

Whitmer Family – (Claude) This prominent family donated the large American-made Herschede chiming hall clock to the township, now in the GWBH museum. Claude started the first WB zoning board in 1941. Section E-30.

John F. Greer

GWBHS — Fri, 02 Jul 2004 07:00:00 +0000

John F. Greer – Died 1897. Significance of tree trunk design with large anchor at the base of this tall cast cement headstone is unknown, although anchor is a symbol of faith at cemeteries. Family had prominent role in WB politics and development. There are 20 family plots in Section OC.

Potters Field

GWBHS — Thu, 01 Jul 2004 07:00:00 +0000

Potters Field – Old North section – originally established by the township for burial of indigents. No visible headstones of markers are seen.