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In Memoriam

Wellington Wilsen "Wells" Fuller - Class Of 1935

Wellington Wilsen "Wells" Fuller, son of Fred Nelson (1892-1983) and Clara Edna (Tyrrell) (1896-1980) Fuller, was born 8 August 1915, Midland, Midland County, Michigan.  He graduated in 1935 from Okemos High School and went on to study vocal music at Michigan State University.

Marshall Evening Chronicle (Marshall, Michigan) Saturday 28 September 1935

SKELETON FOUND ON RIVER BANK

REMAINS OF UNKNOWN 20-YEAR OLD YOUTH DISCOVERED NEAR M.S.C. CAMPUS

East Lansing, Sept. 28 - State police today sought to identify the skeleton of a young man described as about 20 years of age which was found late yesterday on the banks of the Red Cedar river, southeast of the Michigan state college campus.

The body, completely decomposed, was found by Wellington Fuller, a student at the college, as he walked along the banks of the stream seeking his lost canoe.  The skeleton was hidden by a clump of high weeds and is believed to have lain there for a period to exceed six months.

State police and Coroner Ray Gorsline said the only means of identification found with the skeleton was a class ring bearing the letters "HBS" on the outside and "ELS" on the inside.  They also found his wallet, but no marks of identification were found on it.

Dr. LeMoyne Snyder, state police examiner, determined the proximity of his age by teeth and bone formations.  Coroner Gorsline said there was no visible sign of foul play.

From pieces of cloth and other articles found with the skeleton it was determined he was clad in summer raiment.  He wore white sport shoes, a pair of sport paints with a wide belt at the top, and a light shirt.

Wells married Lorene Florence Robb 30 March 1939, Lansing, Ingham County, Michigan.  Lorene was not listed as his wife in Wells' obituary.

Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Friday 7 April 1939

MARRIAGE ANNOUNCED

Miss Lorene Robb, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Sam Robb of Mt. Vernon avenue, East Lansing, and Wellington Fuller, son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Fuller of Mason, were united in marriage on March 31 by the Rev. W.S. Ross at the South Baptist church parsonage in Lansing.  Mr. and Mrs. Fuller are at home to their friends at 2119 Rundle street, Lansing.

Wells was a award winning salesman who never retired.

Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Sunday 12 August 1973

Wellington Fuller of Williamston recently shared "Man-of-the-Year" honors with a San Francisco representative as top salesman for Verd-A-Ray Corp., Toledo based subsidiary of North American Philips Lighting Corp.

And, for his pleasure and those around him, Wells sang for many years in local weddings, church choirs and with the Lansing Orpheus Club.

Wells died 26 August 1993, Lansing.  He was interred Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, DeWitt, Clinton County, Michigan. His first wife, Lorene, born 7 December 1919, died, 24 October 2004, under the surname of Little.  She was also interred Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens.

Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Saturday 28 August 1993

WELLINGTON W. "WELLS" FULLER

DEWITT, MI

Age 78, passed away on August 26, 1993.  Mr. Fuller was born in Midland, MI on August 8, 1915 to Fred N. and Clara (Tyrell) Fuller,  He graduated from Okemos High School in 1935.  For 7 years after high school, Wellington studied vocal music under Dr. Killean at Michigan State College.  He chose to utilize his vocal training by singing in the Lansing area church choirs and as a bass in the Lansing Orpheus Club for 19 years.  Most friends knew "wells" as an avid fisherman, hunter and trapper.  Mr. Fuller was employed by Fisher Body Corp., Nash-Kelvinator and Motor Wheel Corp.  His sales career began with Nehi and Royal Crown Cola of Lansing in 1945.  He was then employed by Cudahy Packing Co. for 6 years.  His 31 year career with Verd-A-Ray Corp. started in 1956 where he repeatedly earned numerous awards; top sales representative, salesman of the month and year member of the President's Club, and the Million Dollar Club.  In 1987 he became Sales Manager for Service Lamp Cor., where he continued to work, never retiring.  Forty-five years ago, Mr. Fuller co-founded the Bird Dog Club, a private Lansing businessman's organization involving 22 members representing a cross-section of all businesses.  Wellington is survived by wife, Mary Jane; daughters, Margo (Garry) Wieber of Jackson, Janeen (Dan) Little of Roscommon; step-daughter, Susan Clifton of Winston-Salem, NC; son, John W. Clifton of Pueblo, CO; mother-in-law, Olga Bowlander of Genoa OH; 3 grandchildren, Kristin (Ben) Garrison of Columbus, OH, Heather Little of Roscommon, Sgt. Marc L. Wieber of the American Embassy of Madrid, Spain.  Great-grandchildren include, Alexa and Benny Garrison; very special friends, Todd and Bonnie Hendricks and children, Leah and avid of Grand Ledge, and Charlie and Natalie Thelen and children, Zachary and Zabin of St. Johns.  Mr. Fuller was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Clara Fuller; and 3 brothers, Gerald R., Robert R. and Wendell G.  Religious services will be conducted by the Rev. Dr. Mary A. Hansen of People Church of East Lansing at 1 p.m. Monday, August 30, 1993 in the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel, with interment in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens.