Wall of Fame

Clair Calkins, of Mancelona, who passed away in November, 2003- The Traverse Bay Chapter of MWTHA is deeply grateful to the Calkins family for the several hundred dollars donated to us in this very caring man’s memory. Clair was a longtime member of the chapter. We would also like to thank the Plano Molding Company for the very generous donation of turkey hunting gear in Mr. Calkins’ memory. We will not forget him, and his legacy, the wild turkeys of Area J, will live on through an endowment fund established in Clair's honor.

                                                                                                             Jim Maturen

 

 

 

We would like to thank those of you that have donated to the MWTHA. This page has been made to honor all that have contributed with donations of all types.
Dorval Simpson - Mancelona MI.  Dorval passed away in July, 1999, after a long, happy, and fulfilling life. A farmer for many years, Dorval loved the wild turkeys that became common in his area in the 1980's, and spent many cold winter mornings, well into his 80's, on his snowmobile making sure his birds had something to eat. As he told one member of MWTHA, the birds helped him by giving him a reason to get up and get dressed in the morning-and many hours of enjoyment. Even after his passing, Dorval continues to help our wild turkeys, with a memorial fund to help winter feeding programs established by Dorval's family in his name.

Randy Leece - Wolverine, MI.  Randy left this world far too early in 1998, leaving behind his wife, beloved children, and many, many friends. A teacher, Randy not only passed his knowledge on to the younger generation, but also his love of hunting and Michigan's wildlife.

Frank Fox, Johannesburg, MI.  Frank passed away of natural causes in 1998. An avid sportsman and hunter, Frank did much to promote the wild turkeys of Area J, selflessly devoting his time and energy to help unload, distribute, and feed many, many tons of shelled corn over a period of more than twenty years. A member of the Traverse Bay Chapter of MWTHA for many years, a memorial habitat and land fund is now being planned by the TB Chapter in Frank's name.

Robby Robbins, Fairview, MI.  Robby gave this area of Michigan it's well-deserved title of "Wild Turkey Capitol of Michigan". Robby's work with Michigan's wild turkeys not only paved the way for the excellent numbers we have here today in the lower Peninsula, but also Michigan's Upper Peninsula and Ontario, Canada.

Herb and Florence Reiley, Bellaire, MI.  Herb and Florence have dedicated themselves to public service for more than 60 years, serving on countless agricultural and conservation district boards, single-handedly planted more than 200,000 trees for the improvement of our wildlife habitat and contributed many years of their lives to serving district school boards and other civic organizations. Avid hunters, the Reileys were the integral factor in the DNR's decision to introduce wild turkeys to Antrim County, an area now boasting more than 6000 birds, and probably the best wild turkey hunting in the state. Members of the TB Chapter since the early 1980's, the Reileys continue to participate in chapter programs, annually distributing and feeding approximately 10 tons of shelled corn into the Bellaire area, and enjoying world travels in their spare time.

Keith Miller, Bellaire, MI.

Montcalm County Chapter of Pheasants Forever, Stanton, MI

Jim and Elaine Rodgers, Mancelona, MI

Gratiot County Chapter of Pheasants Forever, Gratiot County, MI

Arch Reeves, Wolverine, MI

Jay's Sporting Goods, Claire, MI