ROGER ANGER - Roger Anger’s name is synonymous with Mancelona Township, Mancelona cemeteries, history and family roots. Roger worked for Mancelona Township for 43 years, retiring in 2018. He was Cemetery Sexton, Airport Manager, Deputy Treasurer for 40 years, and assisted in other departments - the senior center, building and grounds and library - all under the Mancelona Township umbrella. As Cemetery Sexton, Roger dug into the history of the people who are buried in Fairview and St. Anthony’s Catholic cemeteries. He most enjoyed working with and helping people who sought information about their ancestors. He filled requests for historical information, something he says was the best part of his job. Roger is described by his former co-workers as a very caring and giving person, someone who is all about family history. He was cooperative, helpful and detail oriented at work, and a pleasure to be around. Now retired, Roger is a resident of Mackinaw County, and still has a home in Mancelona. /2023
MIKE ALLISON - Mike moved to the Mancelona area in the 1970’s and became a resident of the Village in the 1980’s. He was President of Mancelona Rotary Club for two years, and served on the Village Council in the late 1980’s. His job took him on the road, so he left the Council, but returned after his retirement in 2013. Mike was appointed President Pro-Tem, and later elected President. Mike served on Antrim County EDC, the Downtown Development Authority, 131 North Committee, Mancelona Area Water & Sewer Authority, and Co-Chair of Community Resource Development. He worked with Rotary Charities and the Department of Agriculture Rural Development to secure funding for grant writing. Mike was instrumental in securing numerous grants for Mancelona, such as MSHDA Neighborhood Enhancement that improved 15 village homes, and a blight grant. Mike continues to be an advocate for Mancelona, and is in his 10th year as Village President. /2023
CHUCK JOHNSON is a lifelong resident of Mancelona, a 1968 graduate of Mancelona High School, and served in the U.S. Army. Chuck retired from Antrim County Road Commission and is currently the Head Bus Driver at Mancelona Public Schools. Chuck served on the Mancelona Ambulance Service, Mancelona Village Council and Village President, Antrim County Board of Commissioners, and is currently the Mancelona Township Supervisor. In addition, he serves on Mancelona Area Water and Sewer Authority, Community Resource Development, Explore 131 North, Joint Planning Commission for Mancelona Village and Township, and is a member of Mancelona Rotary Club. Chuck continues to advocate strongly for the Mancelona community, township, and school system. /2023
EMIL JOHNSON - (1886-1963) ) Documents show that Emil started taking pictures in Mancelona around 1906. He and his family were living on Maple Street, and he had a photography studio. Through his photography, Emil preserved the history of townspeople, farmers, businesses and school children. He photographed the roads and festivals. Beginning early 1910, Emil took class photos for Mancelona High School. The school burned in 1946 and class photos were destroyed. When Emil died in 1963, his house was sold along with everything in it. The Mancelona Area Historical Society was able to acquire Emil’s photography equipment. His camera, equipment and hundreds of photos and thousands of glass plate negatives are on display in the museum. The Historical Society used Emil’s glass plate negatives to reproduce many of the class photos that were destroyed in the fire. The Historical Society published a book, Emil Johnson - Light Messenger: A Pictoral History of People and Places from Mancelona. It is available at Mancelona Twp. Library.
ELMER GRODY - (1924-2018) Elmer Grody was a lifelong resident of Mancelona. He served our country in the U.S. Army during World War II. Elmer was a tool and die maker for Standard Products in Gaylord. Elmer was very involved in the Mancelona community. He was a member of the Mancelona Fire Deparment for 51 years, and was Fire Chief for many of them, and volunteered with the White Pine Stampede. Elmer was a driver for Mancelona Ambulance Service. He served the Village of Mancelona as a councilman for "eons," and volunteered each year at the annual kids' fishing day at Johnson's Pond on opening day of trout season. In 2015, Elmer was named Mancelona Bass Festival's Grand Marshal.