Obituaries

Retired Wyandotte Principal Alfred DeFran Dies at 82

A scholarship is awarded annually to Wilson Middle School students in DeFran's honor.

Alfred DeFran, a retired principal of , died Tuesday, Nov. 1. He was 82.

DeFran began his career with in 1953, teaching social studies, geography, history and arithmetic at the former Lincoln Junior High School.

From 1957 to 1960, he taught fourth through sixth grade at the former Madison Elementary School.  In 1960, he returned to Lincoln and in 1961, he went back to Madison.

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In 1965, he was promoted to principal of the former Woodruff Elementary School. Five years later, he became principal of the former Labadie Elementary School.

In 1973, he was named principal at Wilson Middle School until it closed in 1982.  At that time, he became principal at . Wilson reopened in 1986 and he returned there until his retirement in 1989.

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Since that time, Wilson has given the Alfred DeFran Outstanding Student Award each year in recognition of one boy and one girl who demonstrate outstanding leadership and academic excellence. Every child receives $250 and a trophy, along with his or her name engraved on a plaque that hangs inside the school.

DeFran, of Trenton, is survived by his wife of more than 60 years, Pauline; children, Donna, Michael and Stephen DeFran; grandchildren, Allison (John) Irwin and Stephen, Andrew & Kailyn DeFran; great granddaughter, Ashley Irwin; and three brothers.

A memorial gathering is set for 10 a.m. Saturday at . The funeral service will follow at 10:30 a.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alfred DeFran Scholarship at Wilson Middle School, 1275 15th Street, Wyandotte, MI 48192.


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