White Pines community mourns beloved principal, head of music at Muskegon Community College

GRAND HAVEN — Staff and students at White Pines Intermediate School in Grand Haven are grappling with two devastating losses within days of each other — tragically just before Christmas. 

Principal Michael Shelton, 55, died Sunday, Dec. 14, “peacefully surrounded by loved ones,” GHAPS Superintendent Kristin Perkowski.

Earlier this year, Shelton was diagnosed with a “swiftly-moving cancer," according to the district's statement.

“Mr. Shelton’s warm spirit brought light to everyone around him, and the impact he had on White Pines, our district, and generations of students will remain part of our community for years to come,” the statement read. 

Also over the weekend, Muskegon Community College Director of Music Dan Meyers died in a snowmobile accident in Mason County.  

Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole confirmed that Meyers, 65, was snowmobiling with friend Jason Aemmer, 49, on trails in Lake County; the pair were reported missing around 12:30 a.m. Sunday. 

Authorities recovered their remains around 4:30 a.m. from Round Lake on Sugar Grove Road.

Meyers was the husband of White Pines' fifth grade orchestra teacher Melissa Meyers.

Counseling staff and additional support personnel were made available at White Pines on Monday to support students and staff. 

“We are working closely with our support teams to plan for the day, the week, and beyond,” Perkowski said in the statement.  

Mosaic Counseling is being made available, regardless of financial ability, for families seeking additional support outside of school, according to the statement.

Mosaic Counseling can be reached at 616-842-9160.

The district also announced it was canceling all music program concerts at White Pines scheduled this week "out of respect, care, and empathy for all who have been impacted by these losses."

Lasting legacies

Both Shelton and Meyers had accomplished careers.

Shelton was known as a friendly force in the intermediate school and very much loved by those he knew. 

“Mr. Shelton’s warm spirit brought light to everyone around him, and the impact he had on White Pines, our district, and generations of students will remain part of our community for years to come,” the school's statement read.

Meyers had built an impressive career and was incredibly successful in his area of expertise. 

According to the college, Meyers taught music education there for 15 years, where he led the MCC Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble and Jayhawk Sound Pep Band. He also taught several humanities courses and served on various college committees.

College officials said Meyers was "a champion for higher education." 

Along with teaching, Meyers was a conductor and trumpeter who previously played in the University of Michigan Marching Band, along with their hockey and basketball teams. He was also the music director at St. John's Lutheran Church in Ludington.

Over his career, he performed at major events including the Bluebonnet Bowl, Super Bowl XVI and the Rose Bowl. 

He served as professor of music and Chair of Arts and Humanities at West Shore Community College for 18 years before working at MCC. 

Service arrangements were not yet available for Meyers or Shelton as of late Monday, Dec. 15. 

Tragedies follow death of young student

The deaths of Shelton and Meyer come just months after a White Pines student was killed in an ATV accident. 

Peyton Mackenzie Burkhart, 10, of Grand Haven, was killed on Oct. 17 in Mason County’s Freesoil after the ATV she was driving flipped and pinned her, while her 14-year-old sister was the passenger.

— Heather VanDyke covers northern Ottawa County for the Ottawa News Network. Contact her at hvandyke@ottawanewsnetwork.org.