Doyle Bancroft

Doyle Bancroft was a quiet and unassuming man whose actions spoke volumes of his character. He had an incredible respect for his country and for the people in his life, and he never hesitated to use his many skills for the greater good. Doyle was a man who cared for everyone he knew, and he expressed this care through the generosity and willingness to always lend a helping hand.

Doyle entered the world in the middle of the Roaring Twenties, a time of excitement and energy in the United States. He was born on August 29, 1925, in Clinton County, Michigan to Walter and Iva (Cox) Bancroft. The second of five children, Doyle enjoyed a typical childhood for the time, growing up with his two sisters, Joyce and Carol, and two brothers, Norman and Dale. Their father provided for their family working for General Motors. He also farmed though and the family lived on various farms throughout Clinton County, which he cultivated and raised crops.

Doyle received most of his education in the Ovid Public Schools, but went on to graduate from Rodney B. Wilson High School in St. Johns in 1943. Shortly thereafter, he followed the same patriotic calling of other young men of the time, and enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He proudly served his country during World War II aboard the USS La Porte in the South Pacific, which was part of the Philippine Liberation Force. Upon his discharge in 1946, Doyle returned home and went to work for Forrest Swatman at the Standard Gas Station in St. Johns.

Doyle was a big outdoorsman and enjoyed fishing at his favorite watering hole on Douglas Lake and hunting with his buddies in the Upper Peninsula. In fact, it was on a fishing trip to Little Manistee River with some friends that Doyle met the love of his life, Hilda Anderson, who came along as a babysitter for his friend. The two hit it off and soon began dating. After a whirlwind courtship of only a few months, Doyle and Hilda were happily married on September 17, 1955. The newlyweds settled into married life together lived in a few different apartments around St. Johns before they moved into their first home on Sickles Street in 1961. Here, Doyle and Hilda raised their two beautiful daughters together, Cheryl and Brenda, who brought them great pride and joy. Doyle was a true family man, devoted to his girls and providing faithfully for them. He had a quiet strength that his family knew they could always count on.

Most people think of retirement as slowing down and taking things easy – not for Doyle. After leaving the Standard Gas after 20 years of service, he went to work for a few years with a carpenter before returning to his alma mater, Rodney B. Wilson High School, as a custodian. But Doyle wasn’t all work and no play. He loved to participate in the Civil War re-enactments with the 24th Michigan Infantry and attending the muzzleloader competitions. Doyle traveled all over Michigan and Ohio with this unit and enjoyed every minute of it. Of course, Doyle continued to enjoy hunting and fishing whenever possible, and when at home, he loved to play Solitaire on the living room coffee table or Euchre with whoever happened to come by for a visit. In his quieter moments, Doyle liked to read one of Louis L’Amour’s latest western novels. Life was good for Doyle and there were only two things that had to be perfect in his life – his hair and his lawn.

Doyle’s happiest moments always involved the time he spent with his beloved wife, Hilda. They shared 54 wonderful years together, and rarely spent them apart. They attended the First Congregational Church. Hilda enjoyed baking homemade pies and cookies for Doyle, who loved anything she made. Doyle wasn’t a man of a lot of words, but his loved ones knew how much they meant to him by his actions of love and devotion. As little girls, his daughters remember climbing up next to their father on the couch and holding his big, weathered hand with its gentle, loving touch. It is a huge heart that remembers to do the small things.

Family and friends will remember Doyle not for the things he did, but for the reason he did them. His presence will be greatly missed, but the memories he created with his loved ones will always be remembered.

Doyle Bancroft died on Thursday, June 24, 2010, at the age of 84. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Hilda (Anderson); their daughters, Cheryl (Duane) Haviland, Brenda (Kevin) Griggs; grandchildren: Douglas (Renae) Haviland, Rebekah (Ryan) Gilroy, Joel (Esther) Haviland and Rachel (Jimmie) Harps; great grandchildren: Dillan, Miah, Josiah, Clara, Benjamin, Bridger, Jazmine and Tori; sisters, Joyce (David) Swanson, Carol (Merle) Baese, and brother, Norman Bancroft. Preceding him in death are his parents and brother, Dale Bancroft.

Funeral Services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, June 28, at Osgood Funeral Home with Pastor Ryan Gilroy officiating, burial at Lowe Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday, June 26, from 6-8 p.m. and Sunday, June 27, from 2-4 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Doyle to the family and they will choose a charity of their choice. Please visit Doyle’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com/memories/59981, where you may share a memory or photo with his family or sign his online guest book.