Meet Our Honor Roll: Richard Robert Ponke

By Deborah Larsen Richard Robert Ponke Richard Robert Ponke was born in Royal Oak, Michigan, on September 22, 1923, the son of August and Wanda Magdowski Ponke. Richard grew up in Avon Township, where his family lived on Hamlin Road. In December 1942, Richard enlisted...

Meet Our Honor Roll: O.C. Martin

By Deborah Larsen O.C. Martin O.C. Martin was born in Perry, Michigan, on February 10, 1919, the son of Otto and Cleo Franks Martin. The Martin family moved to Avon Township when O.C. was a teenager, and he attended Rochester High School, graduating in the class of...