Dr. Bradford Strong Foster, age 85, of Petoskey, Michigan, died Wednesday, November 21, 2018 from natural causes after a heart procedure. Born December 23, 1932, in Genesee County Michigan, and raised in Charlevoix, Michigan, he was the son of the late Bradford Vane Foster and Alfreda Taylor (Strong) Foster. He was preceded in death by his parents, infant brother Danny Foster, and brothers Jerry Foster and Richard Foster.
Brad was a medical doctor and General Practitioner in Petoskey for many years in private practice and at the Lockwood MacDonald Hospital. He also practiced in Bedford, Indiana, as a Family Practitioner at the Bedford Regional Medical Center and as an occupational health Physician at General Motors Central Foundry. He was a long-time member of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Petoskey and Bedford, Indiana where he was very active in various leadership capacities and community-focused activities for many years.
Several civic organizations were important to him. In particular, the Masonic Lodge and Kiwanis Club of Petoskey, where Brad and Hugh Winnell installed thousands of 911 emergency address signs throughout Northern Michigan. Brad placed a high value in developing personal and professional relationships and is remembered as a selfless, caring, and compassionate individual.
Many also recall his sense of humor. His children and grandchildren particularly acknowledge the positive values and life lessons they were able to learn by watching his daily activities. Brad is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Joyce Ilene (Wyma) Foster.
They met in college and are both graduates of the University of Michigan. He is also survived by sisters-in-law Nancy Foster of Hessel, Michigan, and Beryl Haisma of Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is also survived by his children Mike (Nancy) Foster of Bedford, Indiana; Tom (Jackie) Foster of Kendallville, Indiana; Bob (Jean) Foster of Muskegon, Michigan; Anne (Rick Jorgensen, deceased) Foster of Petoskey, Michigan; and Janice (Tim) Swanson of Gibson City, Illinois.
He was particularly proud of his grandchildren and is survived by Josh (Nicole) Foster of Belgrade, Montana; Andrew (Kim) Foster of Marysville, Washington; Bryan (Katie) Foster of Brooklyn, New York; Elizabeth (Madhuram) Ribeiro of Petoskey; Katie (Michael) Houlmont of Petoskey; Jamie Foster of Kendallville; Nicholas Maragioglio of Petoskey; Joanna Foster of Kendallville; Samantha Foster of Muskegon; Noah Swanson of Gibson City; Nathaniel Foster of Muskegon; Danielle Foster of Kendallville; Jesse Swanson of Gibson City; Rosetta Foster of Muskegon; Emma Swanson of Gibson City; Steffanie Foster of Muskegon; and Christina Foster of Muskegon. Funeral services will be held on December 1, 2018 at First Christian Church in Petoskey at 2:00pm, with Pastor Jeff Watton officiating. The family will greet all friends and family on Friday November 30, 2018 at Stone Funeral Home from 5:00pm to 7:00pm and at First Christian Church on Saturday December 1, 2018 from 1:00pm-2:00pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in his memory be made to YMCA Petoskey (gtbayymca.org/yum), Masonic Home of Michigan (masonicpathways.com), or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org). Donations may be made to: YMCA Petoskey MI 49770 Web: www. gtbayymca.org/yum Masonic Home of Michigan Web: www.
masonicpathways.com St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis TN 38105 Tel: 1-800-822-6344 Web: shop. stjude.org/GiftCatalog/donation. do?
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