Obituary
Former WJRT-TV and WEYI-TV News Anchor Passes
A former anchor who held on‑air roles at both WJRT‑TV and WEYI‑TV in Flint has passed away at the age of 85. Jerry Taff, who later became a fixture to Milwaukee, Wisconsin viewers for over 25 years passed away October 27 in his home state of Texas. He was 85.
Read MoreDetroit TV & Radio Legend Bob Hynes Dies at 93
Longtime Detroit TV and radio personality Bob Hynes died last Friday (10/17) in California, following a brief illness, according to a family spokesperson. The Saginaw native hosted his own morning show on WXYZ-TV for five years beginning in 1966.
Read MoreBroadcasting Legend Ray Lane Dies at 95
Legendary Detroit sports broadcaster Ray Lane died at age 95 this past Saturday (9/27). Lane served as sports anchor and director on Detroit television at WJBK-TV and WKBD-TV, but is best remembered for doing play-by-play with Ernie Harwell on Detroit Tigers radio broadcasts from 1967-72.
Read MoreWWTV/WWUP-TV’s Ben Scripps Passes
WWTV/WWUP-TV (9&10/Cadillac-Traverse City) Assistant Operations Manager Ben Scripps died September 20 at the age of 52. Scripps, who studied Broadcast and Cinematic Arts at Central Michigan University, joined WWTV/WWUP in 1996. Scripps had a lifelong dream to be on Jeopardy. In 2019 he took the online test, qualified to go to Chicago for the next step, were he was selected to be on the show.
Read MoreFormer MAB Hall of Famer Roger Ball Dead at 84
Your MAB is sad to pass along the news that former WZZM-TV (Grand Rapids) Master Control Room Supervisor Roger Ball passed away September 7 at age 84. Ball began his career at WZZM-TV in 1962, joining the station just two weeks after it launched.
Read MoreJerry Crandall: 1937-2025
The MAB has learned of the August 8 passing of former broadcaster Jerry Rolan Crandall. Crandall began his broadcasting career during high school at WCSR-AM (then WBSE) in Hillsdale as a DJ and sports commentator. After graduating high school in 1956, Crandall attended Hillsdale College. While attending, he was the news and sports director at station WTVB-AM in Coldwater.
Read MoreGary Burbank: 1941-2025
Art Vuolo, Jr. has shared news of the passing of one-time CKLW air talent Gary Burbank Burbank died early Thursday (8/28) at the age of 84. Born Billy Purser in west Tennessee, he worked at numerous radio stations which included: WMPS (Memphis), WNOE (New Orleans), WAKY and WHAS (Louisville) and CKLW in Windsor/Detroit. He is best known for his years at “The Big One” WLW-AM in Cincinnati.
Read MoreWZMQ-TV’s Trevor Forsythe Passes – Was 2024 MAB Scholarship Recipient
Lilly Broadcasting’s WZMQ-TV (Marquette) has announced the passing of photojournalist, director and colleague Trevor Forsythe. Forsythe passed away at 21 from complications of diabetes on August 21.
Read MoreSaginaw Radio Personality Terry Lenz Passes at 74
Your MAB is sad to pass word that longtime Saginaw radio personality Terry Lenz passed away August 6 at the age of 74. Lenz joined WSGW in 1978 and was the on-air personality for the “Four for the Morning” and “Terry and Dave in the Morning” shows, partnering with Dave Maurer. He also hosted “QuizLine” and “TradeLine”.
Read MoreRetired WKAR Public Media Trailblazer Ilene “Beany” Tomber Passes at 97
Retired WKAR Public Media Education Coordinator Ilene “Beany” Tomber passed away July 16 at her Arizona home at the age of 97. During her time at the Michigan State University-based public broadcasting station, Tomber created and led the corporate development division and launched and led numerous education and community engagement programs that continue to impact Michigan’s capital region community today. She retired from WKAR in 2017.
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