Wells, Carlton Frank

Wells, Carlton Frank
Ann Arbor, MI

Age 96, died Sunday, December 4, 1994 at Glacier Hills Nursing Center. He was born April 30, 1898 in Vicksburg, MI, the son of Frank W. and Anna H. Wells. After graduation from Western State Normal High School in Kalamazoo, he entered the University of Michigan from which he received his bachelor’s degree in 1920 and his mater’s degree in 1922. Professor Wells joined the faculty at U of M in 1921 as an instructor and taught in the English Department until his retirement in 1968. He served as chairman of Freshman English in the Literary College from 1935 to 1949. He was faculty advisor to foreign students from 1922 to 1929. Toward the close of World War II and immediately thereafter, he served as chairman of the Michigan Committee of Americans for Poland. Professor Wells was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, the National Council of Teachers of English and the Michigan Council of Teachers of English. He was co-editor of several texts for Freshman English and in 1962, he published, with a colleague, The Recognition of Emily Dickinson. For 10 years following his faculty retirement, he served as secretary-treasurer of the U of M Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa. Professor Wells had been a member of the First Congregational Church of Ann Arbor since 1916. He was Michigan State Amateur Golf Champion in 1922, 1923, and 1925 and in the 1950s, served as faculty advisor to the University’s Evans Scholars. Professor Wells married Cecilia Dolenga in 1927 and she preceded him in death in 1986. He is survived by a daughter, Eugenia McGaw of Hanover, NH; a son, Jan Wells of Dearborn, MI; 10 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Martha Wells Usher in 1955 and a son, Lt. Robert D. Wells in 1972. A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, December 10, 1994 in the Sunshine Room at Glacier Hills with the Rev. Terry N. Smith officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made to the First Congregational Church of Ann Arbor. Arrangements by the MUEHLIG CHAPEL.