Bert Wylan

WYLAN, Bert
Of Kalamazoo, Michigan Died Wednesday, April 30, 2008, at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo. Bert was born in New York City on July 3, 1912, the son of the late William and Sarah Wylan. He attended James Madison High School in Brooklyn, New York, as well as Long Island University. With the hard times of the Depression, Bert put his higher education on hold to work and help his father with his business. He became a clothing designer and patternmaker, a career he would continue throughout his life.
After Pearl Harbor, his country called him to service and Bert answered - serving two terms in the Army, where he completed Officer's Candidate School and served in Italy and Africa before being discharged as a First Lieutenant, Medical Service Corps. In 1948, he met his wife, Madelyn, whom he married in June of that year. They were married for almost 56 years before Madelyn passed away in May of 2004. Shortly after their marriage, Bert and Madelyn lived in Staten Island and Philadelphia, before they moved from the east coast to Kalamazoo where Bert was employed as a clothing designer and patternmaker for Jolly Kids Togs of Kalamazoo, a manufacturer of children's clothing. Bert was a loving and devoted husband and father, as their family grew to include their son Roger and daughter Barbara. In 1989, he was blessed with a grandson, Graham Wylan Sefton, of Novi, Michigan. Bert was a man of many passions. He was far ahead of his time regarding the importance and means of living a healthy, physically active life. He played tennis, took walks, ice-skated, rode an exercise bike, and lifted weights well into his 80s. In his later years, he was surely one of the oldest students enrolled in physical education classes at Western Michigan University.
Many former residents of the Eastside have fond memories of ice-skating on the rink Bert made for many years in the front yard of his home. He was a member of the Kalamazoo Figure Skating Club, and an accomplished speed skater - competing at the local level. He also loved music - especially the opera of Puccini. One of his fondest memories was in sharing a performance of Puccini's LaBoheme with Madelyn at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City in 1948. Bert enjoyed and told stories of his early days in New York City, with favorite destinations being the Automat, Coney Island, Manhattan Beach, and the Hotel McAlpin, where he met his wife Madelyn at a dance. Bert was an accomplished photographer, with his own darkroom. He was especially proud of a photograph he took of the Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus from the Gilmore Brothers department store, where the picture hung for many years as a tribute to the couple. He also captured the life of his family in a treasured collection of black and white photographs that he leaves behind. None of Bert's passions was greater than his love of tennis. He played the game well into his 80's and was still practicing his serve in his back yard this spring. He regularly attended the Boy's National Tennis Tournament held at Stowe Stadium. He met many of the players and their families, and often gave gifts of photographs he had taken while they competed. Bert volunteered for several years at the West Michigan Cancer Center.
Bert and Madelyn were civically minded citizens, often attending township or school board meetings or supporting candidates for local office.
His parents, his brother Milt and his beloved wife Madelyn preceded him in death. He is survived by his brother Donald Lucille of St. Louis, Missouri, his children Roger Wylan, of Kalamazoo, and Barbara Wylan Sefton, of Novi, Michigan, as well as his grandson Graham Wylan Sefton, also of Novi.
Bert was a loving father and grandfather until the end of his life. He never complained and he never quit. He always said, "If you don't give up, anything is possible." He was grateful for the simple things in life, and humble. He will be greatly missed by those he left behind.
Bert was laid to rest on Friday, May 2, 2008 at Ft. Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, Michigan, where he received full military funeral honors.
Friends and loved ones will gather for a memorial in the near future.
Memorial contributions may be made to the West Michigan Cancer Center, Kalamazoo, Michigan.
Arrangements by Langeland Family Funeral Home; 343-1508; www.langelands.com