Harland Flutell Nye

Harland Flutell Nye, age 80 of Carlton Township, Barry County, passed away Saturday January 10, 2009 at his home. \r

He was born January 25, 1928 in Eaton Rapids, Michigan, the son of George Howard and Edith Rowena (Plantz) Nye.\r

He graduated from Delton High School in 1946, and earned a Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from Michigan State University. He spent 3 years with the 521st Air Force Band, leaving with a Staff Sergent rank.\r

He was married in 1946 to Nyla Jean Endsley, and they had two daughters. He was a public school music teacher for 30 years, mostly in the Fenton area , and also a licensed contractor. In addition he worked part-time for Marshall Music Company for several years after he retired.\r

He performed in the Post 701 V. F. W. National Championship Band, the Genesse Wind Symphony, and more recently with the Thornapple Wind Band. Together with his wife , he organized and conducted the Flint River Cluster Choir, whose highlight performance was at a National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio. He served as a trustee of the American Baptist Scholarship Society, including a term as President. He composed both choral and band music, including a march dedicated to the Miesenbach-Ramstadt (Germany) Community Band which was adopted as their official march.\r

He was a life member of the Nye Family Association of America, the Pioneer Memorial Association of Fenton and Mundy Townships (Genesee Co.), and the Barry County Historical Society.\r

In 1991 he and his wife moved to Carlton Township (her birthplace), where together the designed and built their present home. They celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary in July 2008. They attended the Grace Brethren Church of Lake-Odessa.\r

In the 1958-59 School Year they had a German exchange student (Gisela) in their home, and over the years she and her family have visited in America, as well as the Nye's visiting her home near Hamburg, Germany.\r

He was preceded in death by his wife Nyla; brothers Phillip and Ernest; a sister Howardine, both parents, and a daughter Nicholette.\r

Surviving are his daughter, Sharon Lee Zebrowski and grandson Chester Zebrowski III of Tampa , Florida, brother Kenneth (Emily) Nye of Dowling, several nieces and nephews.\r

Visitation will be held one hour prior to service time. Funeral services will be held Thursday January 15, 2009 at 11:00am at the Hastings First Baptist Church. Pastor Bruce Pawley officiating. Burial will be at Fuller Cemetery. Arrangements are by the Girrbach Funeral Home in Hastings. You may leave a message or memory to the family at (girrbachfuneralhome.net).