Granville Berry Cutler

Granville Berry Cutler, 88 years of age, died on Sunday April 13th from complications with pancreatic cancer. Born November 22, 1919, to Granville R. and Margaret A. Berry Cutler of Mattoon, IL, G. B. Cutler is survived by his wife of 62 years, Betty Erickson Cutler, a resident of Heritage Community-Kalamazoo; their daughter, Dr. Mary L. Cutler, Professor in the Dept. of Theatre Arts at the University of North Dakota; his sister, Ellen May Nathan Haase of Benton Harbor; their daughter, Natha Ann Martin Olds of Belleville, MI.; plus nieces, nephews, and grand nieces/nephews. Mr. Cutler served as principal of Plainwell High School from 1957-68 and then taught at Plainwell Middle School, until he retired from a forty-year-plus Michigan teaching career, including employment with Three Oaks, Holland, and Sheridan schools as an instrumental and vocal music/social studies teacher. He held degrees in music education and social studies from Western Michigan University where he was a member of the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity; graduate and specialist degrees from the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and University of Colorado in educational administration; and was a Benton Harbor High School graduate. He was a long-term member of the Michigan Education Association, and served as a union representative in his later career. In these several communities, he maintained enduring ties with retired colleagues and graduates from Three Oaks, also Sheridan and Plainwell Class of '68. "Colonel" Honorary Colonels of Louisiana Cutler was a 65 year Life member of the Lions Club of Michigan, and served in a variety of offices at the club--Plainwell, Sheridan, Holland, and Three Oaks--district, and statewide levels. His highest offices included Chairman, Deputy District Governor, and District Governor of 11 C-1, and the Board of Past District Governors. He was the recipient of the International President's Leadership Medal, Len Butler Awards for outstanding service as a District Editor, and the S. A. Dodge Distinguished Service Award -the highest award conferred upon a Lion from Multiple District 11--Lower Peninsula. He was also recognized by the Lions Clubs International Foundation as a Melvin Jones Fellow and posthumously was awarded the Ken Lautzenhizer Fellowship. His Lions' service is distinguished by dedicated service to the Boards of the Lions' All-State Band, Welcome Home for the Blind, and the Michigan Eye Bank. Granville was also a lifetime member of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars; he served as a tech sergeant in the 103rd Division of the US Army during World War II in their military band, and supported the 103rd Division's heritage organization. Serving many years as Chief Judge of Michigan in the All-American Drum and Bugle Corps and Band Assn., he adjudicated marching/maneuvering and musical contests throughout the US. With a family active in the Masons, Granville was life member of the Three Oaks Masonic Lodge #239 F&AM, and he attained the 32nd degree of Masonry. On April 21, 1946, Granville married Betty Erickson of St. Joseph, MI., a piano/organ teacher, and church musician at Saron Lutheran Church. Granville's instrumental tuba and bass and vocal music bass soloist and choir director talents drew them into a 62-year marriage, with a daughter born in 1950. As a couple, the Cutlers enjoyed music, their daughter's theatre career, educational opportunities, armchair football and basketball, their numerous civic organizations, and traveling across the country together. Funeral services will be held at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick in Kalamazoo on Monday, April 21st at 10:30am with interment at Fort Custer National Cemetery at 12 Noon. Visitation is scheduled at the Memorial Chapel on Sunday April 20, from 2-4 & 6-8 pm with a Masonic service at 7:30 pm under the auspices of the Kalamazoo Anchor Lodge, #22 F&AM. A service for Mrs. Cutler and family is scheduled for 2PM at Heritage Community. Memorials may be sent to the Michigan Eye-Bank, 4889 Venture Dr., Ann Arbor, MI 48108. Please go online at www.langelands.com to sign the register book and leave a condolence for the family.