Showing Love for Walkerville

<September 2, 2016> The Walkerville band/music department now has a new audio system thanks to a grant provided by the Walkerville Public Schools Fund of the Community Foundation for Oceana County. A gift of $800 was given to the Fund in memory of Kathleen Marie Cole Houghteling by her three daughters, Beth Van Der Veer of Hesperia, Fran Paxson of Whitehall and Marla Kay Houghteling of Harbor Springs.

“As a Foundation, one of our favorite jobs is helping people show love for their community,” said Tammy Carey, executive director.

Although the Houghteling family moved away from Walkerville in the late 1950’s, her daughters decided to honor their mother’s musical legacy with this gift.

“Our mom always had an abiding loyalty toward the village and is buried in Fairlawn Cemetery. We were all born in Walkerville, so it is nice way to stay connected. We know mom would be very pleased with the use of these funds to support music in Walkerville schools” reflected Marla. Music teacher April Keith remarked on how this gift could not have come at a more welcomed time “my equipment was on its last leg and I’ve been searching for a way to replace it. We will use the equipment every day and are so appreciative of this generous donation.”

Kathleen was born in Walkerville in 1924, graduating from Walkerville High School and was part of a musical family. In 1942, she married Jack Houghteling and they lived on several U.S. military bases after Jack was drafted during WWII.  After the war, they settled in Walkerville and she helped run two family grocery stores – Walkerville Meat Market and the School Section Lake Store, while raising their daughters.

“There was always a piano in their house, sometimes an organ, too.  She made sure us girls took piano lessons, and now some of her granddaughters are continuing the legacy,” said Marla.