In recognition of our friend, "Bud" Israels, the Portage-Schoolcraft Eagles Club has decided to sponsor an annual scholarship award in his honor. The scholarship will be awarded to eligible high school seniors for the purpose of offsetting the rising costs of college tuition and book fees.

Cletus "Bud" Israels was born in Colfax, Wisconsin in 1924. One of 11 children, he was raised on a farm and worked it all of his younger life. Bud had five brothers who ventured to Michigan to find work in the Tool and Die industry. Bud following in the footsteps of his siblings, he came to Kalamazoo in 1951.

Bud had a long and successful life in the Tool and Die industry and in 1965, he started his own shop, eventually retiring in 1981. During his late working years, Bud joined the Schoolcraft Eagles #3531, which was located just a few blocks from his home. After three years of membership, the lodge began to have difficulty making the mortgage payments on the newly acquired facility. Because of Bud's involvement and great interest in the success of the organization, he was able to help the lodge financially resulting in the continuation of the club we all know and love. Bud continued to support the Club and remained an active member until his death in 2003. Bud loved the Eagles organization and was a very active member with the encouragement and love of his wife, Goldie.

Bud Israels was a man of great honesty, integrity, and a friend to everyone he met. Bud was a tremendous asset to our organization and remains to this day in very high regard to all who knew him.

It is our expectation that anyone applying for the Cletus "Bud" Israels Scholarship possesses the same qualities of honesty and integrity as the scholarship's name sake.