Two Chapel Locations
Tecumseh Chapel
Mgr. Nicholas F Handler Jr
313 W Pottawatamie Street
Tecumseh, MI 49286
(517) 423-2525
Clinton Chapel
Mgr. Craig K. Roe
302 N Jackson Street
Clinton, MI 49236
(517) 456-4164
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Obituary Details
Obituary For
Virginia C. Proctor
03/11/1923 - 02/13/2010
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Virginia Catherine Kulenkamp Proctor was born at her family's farm home on Ernst Rd. near Manchester, Mich. on March 11, 1923. She was welcomed by her parents, Will and Ruth Louise (Rawson) Kulenkamp, along with her sister, Ellen and brother Bill. After a lengthy illness due to CHF, she passed into the loving hands of Jesus, her husband Wesley and her hundreds of friends on Saturday, February 13, 2010.
Virginia (Ginny to her friends in school) and her family moved into Manchester and lived on "Ann Arbor Hill" when she was a girl. Her parents were active in community activities, something she carried with her throughout her life. She loved her many friends during school days and graduated on June 5, 1940 from Manchester High School. While going to school she began dating her eventual husband, Wesley George Proctor. Following graduation, Virginia attended Michigan State Normal College, known as Eastern Michigan University. She majored in Education, but dropped out after a year and a half to marry the only man she ever loved, Wesley on December 10, 1941. The Rev. John Bunney joined the couple in marriage at the "old" Manchester Methodist Church.
Virginia was a hard worker and was driven to excel by having had to endure difficult times on the farm where she and Wesley lived. They both began a tenure at the former Ford Plant in Manchester, then known as "The Bomber Plant", working separate shifts, but helping their country by working on airplane parts used during World War II. During this time, to them was born a daughter, Maryann Ruth and the three moved from their farm into the Village of Manchester.
Following the War, Virginia, despite her lack of a degree, began teaching in a country school in Sharon Township. Most of her students were poor, but Virginia lived a frugal life and developed a close bond with each one. She loved teaching there (3 years), later reminiscing about her students, remembering each and every one by name.
In 1948, the family grew again when Robert Proctor was added. By then, Wesley had secured a job with C.F. Smith Co. and he was asked if he'd take over the grocery chain's store in Clinton, something he quickly agreed to (located where the eastern half of Schmidt & Sons Pharmacy is now). In 1949 the family moved to Clinton. Wesley purchased the store outright from the Smith Co. and he enjoyed every minute while working there.
Virginia decided to continue her desire to become a teacher and returned to EMU for night classes and summer school. She also worked as a correspondent for the Adrian Telegram newspaper to help support her schooling. She kept busy, but found time to join the Clinton Woman's Club, transfer her membership from Manchester to Clinton in the Order of Eastern Star; stay active in the Clinton Methodist Church where she served in numerous capacities including president of the WSCS, providing music on the piano or organ and helping with the Senior and Junior choirs, among other tasks. She was able to read music, but was equally talented playing music "by ear".It was about this time that she was encouraged to start a hobby, having been given a doll from the 1850's by her family friend, Nellie Ackerson. Virginia later became known as "The Doll Lady", something she reveled in and never gave up. She and Wesley loved to travel and many of their trips were spent searching for just the right deal on a doll.She dearly loved playing cards and easily learned complicated games such as 'Bridge' and Pinochle among dozens of others. She and her husband played with card clubs for years and both were equally adept at the card table. Additional hobbies would have to include collecting antiques and after retirement she kept a booth at an antique mall at two Tecumseh locations. She and Wesley purchased a cabin in Lewiston, Mich. in 1968 and many happy hours were spent there over the years.
In 1959 she earned her BA in Education, something she had worked 19 years to obtain. She taught at Lancaster School on E. Michigan Ave. until Clinton Schools consolidated country schools in the area, Virginia was hired to work in the elementary building and then later in the middle school. She retired in 1982 after having taught for 30 ½ years.
Over time, Maryann was married and gave birth to three children and they survive to mourn their grandmother,including Janet Ruth Hilderley-Irvine and husband Robert of Chelsea, Virginia 'Ginny' Krauss (born on her grandmother's birthday) and husband Michael of Clinton, and Richard 'Rick' Hilderley and wife, Amy of Tecumseh. To their families, six children were added and they also survive including Salena M. Heimerdinger of Tampa, Florida, Spencer B. Krauss who resides in Albion where he attends college, Taylor R. Krauss of Clinton, Marlena L. Hilderley, Madison 'Madi' N. Hilderley and Melanie K. Hilderley, all of Tecumseh. Maryann and husband Carl Habrick are Clinton residents. Robert Proctor and wife Nancy reside in Adrian. Others who will miss her and cherish her memory are one sister, Ellen Pratt of Chandler, Arizona, formerly of both Manchester and Clinton; numerous nieces, nephews and friends, plus all of those former students. She was preceded in death by her parents, Will in 1960 and Ruth in 1964; her beloved Wesley in 2006; one brother and his wife, William and Aletta Kulenkamp; a brother-in-law, James Pratt three nephews, Roger, John and Gary Pratt; and an infant son, Ralph.
Visitation to be greeted by Virginia's family will be held Feb. 17, 2010 from 1-4 and 6-8p.m. at the Clinton Chapel of Handler Funeral Homes & Cremation Services. The funeral to celebrate Virginia's wonderful life will be Thursday, Feb. 18, 2010 at 1:00p.m. at the Clinton United Methodist Church with the Rev. Faye McKinstry handling the service. Virginia will be laid to rest at Riverside Cemetery next to Wesley.
Handler Funeral Homes was entrusted with arrangements and Floral Fantasy of Clinton did a fabulous job with the family's floral arrangements. Please consider making donations to the Clinton United Methodist Church in lieu of sending flowers.
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