Harry Lewis Weller (born 1902 in Putnam, Ohio, died 1999 in Fenton, Michigan) worked at Buick Motor Car Company in 1919 and Durant Motor Company in 1925. He opened Harry Weller's Parts and Service in 1932, retiring in 1968. He also knew William C. Durant.

Jim Walkinshaw conducted this interview at the R. E. Olds Transportation Museum in Lansing, Michigan, on July 24, 1988.

A transcript has not been completed for this interview, but a summary is available.

Harry L. Weller (1988)

Edwyn Victor "Ed" Wight (born 1913 in Lansing, Michigan, died 1997 in Palm Beach, Florida) worked at Oldsmobile from 1931 to 1973 in Accounting, retiring as General Supervisor. He graduated from Lansing High School in 1930.

Jim Walkinshaw conducted this interview at Ed's home in Boynton Beach, Florida, on January 11, 1989.

A transcript has not been completed for this interview, but a summary is available.

Edwyn V. Wight (1989)

Dale E. Wilcox (born 1925 in Lansing, Michigan, died 2010 in Zephyrhills, Florida) worked at Oldsmobile from 1949 to 1981, retiring as Sheet Metal Assistant Superintendent. He also served for four years in the Navy.

Jim Walkinshaw conducted this interview at Dale's home in Zephyrhills, Florida, on January 27, 1989.

A transcript has not been completed for this interview, but a summary is available.

Dale E. Wilcox (1989)

Philip Franklin Workman (born 1930 in Detroit, Michigan, died 2021 in Traverse City, Michigan) worked at Oldsmobile from 1982 to 1992 as Manager of News Relations in Detroit for General Motors and later as Director of Public Relations. Philip graduated from Ohio State University in 1952 with a bachelor's degree in Journalism and from Wayne State University in 1960 with a master's degree in Political Science. He served in the Army from 1952 to 1954 and worked for The Detroit News for fourteen years before starting at Oldsmobile.

Jim Walkinshaw and Helen Earley conducted this interview at the Oldsmobile History Center on July 21, 1992.

A transcript has not been completed for this interview, but a summary is available.

Philip F. Workman (1992)

Harold Emerson Wright (born 1909 in Nashville, Michigan, died 1995 in Palm Beach County, Florida) worked at Oldsmobile from 1929 to 1966, retiring as Reliability Assistant Superintendent.

Jim Walkinshaw conducted this interview at Harold's home in Highland Beach, Florida, on January 13, 1989.

A transcript has not been completed for this interview, but a summary is available.

Harold E. Wright (1989)

Gordon Bert Zavitz (born 1911 in Wayne County, Michigan, died 2004 in Fort Myers, Florida) worked at Oldsmobile from 1934 to 1972, retiring as Plant Engineer Assistant Superintendent.

Helen Earley conducted this interview at Bert's home in Fort Myers, Florida, on March 6, 1989.

A transcript has not been completed for this interview, but a summary is available.

G. Bert Zavitz (1989)

William "Sonny" Pond was interviewed by Local History Librarian Heidi Butler. The interview took place in Lansing's Benjamin Davis Park during the Lansing Harmony Celebration on September 8, 2018. Mr. Pond moved with his mother from Illinois to Lansing in 1945 so she could work for General Motors. He was the first Black altar boy in the local Catholic diocese, at St. Mary's Cathedral. In this brief interview, he tells of walking home to the west side and witnessing the Cass building fire when he was in 3rd or 4th grade, his home at 811 Birch Street, fishing from a wooden bridge, a private air strip at Waverly and Holmes streets, and his experience with the military.

Because this interview was recorded at an outdoor event, bagpipe music can be heard in the background.

William Pond

Ellen Kern spoke with Local History Librarian Heidi Butler. The interview took place in Lansing's Benjamin Davis Park during the Lansing Harmony Celebration on September 8, 2018.

Ellen F. Holmes Kern was born in Lansing, Michigan, on April 26, 1927. She was educated through the 12th grade, worked as a secretary, and had two children. In this recording, she reads her essay "Everett School Memories" about her experiences growing up in the Holmes Road area and attending school there.

Because this was recorded at an outdoor event, some background noise is present.

Ellen Kern 1

Ellen Kern spoke with Local History Librarian Heidi Butler. The interview took place in Lansing's Benjamin Davis Park during the Lansing Harmony Celebration on September 8, 2018.

Ellen F. Holmes Kern was born in Lansing, Michigan, on April 26, 1927. She was educated through the 12th grade, worked as a secretary, and had two children. In this recording she reads her second essay called "Holmes Road" about the Holmes family and some of her family memories. Ellen Avenue in Lansing, which intersects with Holmes Road, is named for her. Her great-grand parents Robert Henry and Maria Holmes were early settlers in that area, which was eventually annexed into the city of Lansing.

Because this was recorded at an outdoor event, some background noise is present.

Ellen Kern 2

An oral history interview of Tony Benavides. Mr. Benavides moved to Lansing from Mexico at the age of 15 to work in migrant camps with his family. As an adult he served as director of the Cristo Rey Community Center, and worked for 33 years at Schmidt's (then L&L) grocery store. He was elected mayor of Lansing in 2003 and held the position for two years. The interview with Mr. Benavides was conducted by David Votta at an unknown location sometime in 2009.

Tony Benavides Oral History

Forest Parke Library & Archives (Local History) Collections at the Capital Area District Libraries, serving greater Lansing and Ingham County, Michigan USA.

Dale E. Wilcox (1989)

CADL_Localhistory

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