SpeedshifterS Summer Show and Party

Guy Picketts: Honorary Member of the SpeedshifterS

Guy Picketts Sr.

Guy and his wife Annette have been constant supporters of the SpeedshifterS Wheel Club and our events for a few years now. We are deeply saddened at the loss of a good friend, father to one of our own and a helluva grandfather.
We will be posting more photos soon.

Guy was born on April 4, 1949 in Longview, Texas to Leonard S. and Elaine J. (Howard) Picketts II. Guy moved with his family to Marshall, attended Marshall Schools and was a 1967 graduate of Marshall High School.
Upon graduation Guy enlisted in the U.S. Navy on Oct. 10, 1967. He served as a Radio Operator serving on the USS John F. Kennedy and was based in Rota, Spain for a time. He was honorably discharged on August 3, 1971 and returned to Marshall.
Guy was married to Annette M. Gordier on September 28, 1968 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Marshall. The couple enjoyed a loving and fruitful partnership of 42 years together, creating a family that was the center of their lives.
Guy started his career in law enforcement in January of 1978 when he became an officer with the Marshall Police Department. There he served as a dispatcher and also meter enforcement officer.
He earned his Police Officers Certification at Kalamazoo Community College and in April 1983 became a Deputy Sheriff with the Calhoun County Sheriff Department. Guy served as an Animal Control Officer and also within the Law Enforcement Division, the Traffic Safety Unit and Road Patrol until November 1993.
Guy then worked as an Undercover Officer with the Southwest Enforcement Team until July 1997.
Upon returning to duty at the Calhoun County Sheriff Department he was promoted to Detective. Guy served as the department's only detective from then until his retirement on August 28, 2008 after 25 years of service. After his retirement he accepted the position of Code Enforcement Officer for the City of Marshall. He served there until his ill health forced his retirement.
During his professional career he earned numerous awards. He was recognized with the Citation for Professional Excellence from the Michigan State Police in April 1998, in 1999 he was Law Enforcement Officer of the Year, and was a nominee in 1999 for the Michigan Sheriff's Association's Presidential Citation Award in 1999.
He also received the Professional Excellence Award, Distinguished Service Award, Department Unit Commendation in 2004 from the Sheriff.
Guy always strove to serve the public as best as he could and in the course of that continued his professional education during his career. He earned certificates in Tactical Driving and Pursuit Skills, Criminal Profiling, Radar Operator Training, United States Department of Justice FBI Sniper School, Michigan State Police Motor Carrier Enforcement, Michigan Justice Training for Jail Supervision, Tri County Regional Training Consortium, Officer Survival Training, Reid Method of Criminal Interviews and interrogation plus various courses in firearm training.
Upon his retirement he was honored by the Calhoun County Board Of Commissioners with a Resolution that noted his instrumental involvement in solving numerous difficult cases in Calhoun County.
Guy was a member of Moose Lodge #676 and the National Rifle Association. He was a true outdoorsman who hunted and fished during his life with a respect for nature's gifts. This was a love he passed on to his sons who hunt and fish with the same respect. On the morning of his death he met son Guy after Guy tracked the buck he shot and helped his son load it into his truck. Everyone will remember Guy's great sense of humor.
In the early 1980's Guy also served his community as a Part-Paid Marshall Firefighter and member of the Marshall Firefighter's Ambulance.
Guy's life was a full and useful one professionally and personally. He and Annette placed their children's and grandchildren's needs always above their own. A dedicated parenting team, they have produced a family that will live lives as full, useful and fulfilling as Guy's was.
Guy is survived by his wife Annette, their daughter Michele K. Smith of Marshall, their sons Guy H. (Jennifer) Picketts Jr. of Battle Creek and Matthew B. Picketts of Marshall; their grandchildren Trevor Smith, Nathan Smith, Rachel Picketts, Aubrey Picketts, Logan Picketts and Elias Picketts; his parents Leonard and Elaine Picketts II of Marshall; and his sisters Lisa (John Whitney) Picketts and Julia Jenkins both of Marshall. He was preceded in death by his brother Leonard "Sonny" Picketts III.

The past few weeks have been painful for our club... We'll miss you Guy.

This is what we are all about...

More updates to come... been some changes in this club but if it weren't for the leadership of the man in this photo it wouldn't be what it is today. Thanks brother.

SpeedshifterS Summer Party, Car and Bike Show- Rumble at the Dump!

That's right! On September 11th. the SpeedshifterS will once again be hosting THE summer party to attend at the legendary landfill pavillion! Car and motorcycle show, music, food, beer, games and much more!
Check the flyer below for our:

"Rumble at the Dump" Car and Motorcycle Show.

For $5 per person you get:

All you can eat hog and fixins, while it lasts; To participate in or watch both the Burnouts
& The Kegtoss; Watch a few good bands and camp out for the night if you need to
(AND WE HIGHLY SUGGEST IT).
To register your Car, Truck or Cycle is an extra $5. If you win, you get cool hand-made trophies and braggin' rights. So, fuck it - it's worth 5 extra bucks.
Some snacks and beverages are available through the whole day for very little cabbage out of pocket as well.
We will have door prizes and giveaways from our awesome sponsors - by the way, please check our friends list on our website: http://www.speedshifters15.com/  to check out those who support us and have given us help in the past!
This year's show rules:
* Car or Truck must be 1975 or older
*Motorcycle can be any year, but it is advised to be heavily customized or chopped in some sort way; preferably from 1920 to 1979. Notice is taken of old stockers, too.
See Maps and Directions Below for September 11th's "The Rumble at the Dump"

This is the I-94/I-69 Interchange. From 69 to Exit #42, "N Drive"

From the N Drive exit, turn left (West). In about 1 mile (at Cornwell's Turkyville USA, a blinking yellow light) turn right (North). The destination is at the triangle, where 15 mile rd and 15 1/2 mile road meet.

Signs from I-69, Cornwell's as well as the destination will be visible19725 15 Mile Road North

Marshall, MI 49068

Bands for the show will be as follows:

Verona - Marshall, MI


The Cobains - Wisconsin


The Aquaholics - Wisconsin


Out of Favor Boys - Kalamazoo, MI

P.S. - One of the SpeedshifterS will be "Tying The Knot" at the show at about 4:30 p.m. So be there to witness the ceremony and wish them well!  

Hope to see you all there!

Corby's Fifty-One Poncho Circle Track Hot Rod

Corby Howk took his 'ol '51 Pontiac and made a circle track car outta it and raced it at Springport Speedway last month! Pretty cool to see vintage iron out on the track- way to be Corby!

Corby would like to thank: The Dark Horse Brewing Co., The SpeedshifterS Wheel Club, T&N Dairy Creme, Walt Obrinski and Son Excavating, Fogles Color Connection, Pro One Cycle, Marshall Tire "Thanks Nick!"

 Mex, Kyle, Cody, Scotty F., Knowlton and Tannis.

BIG Thanks to Bob Garrett!

Thanks to Derek Ketchum for these great photos!

Look for Corby at Springport again on September 12th.!

This is a SS Special Bulletin...

... Some not so secret developments at SS Central... stay tuned kids... ;-)

The stunningly well coordinated (and soon to be) Mr. and Mrs. Mad Johnny!

Woot-Woot!

The Relix Hot Rodders Ball

Our good friends and fellow wheel club The Relixs threw a bash and a few of us went- good times with good peoples!

On the road to Grand Rapids

Karma raise's it's ugly head as Corby Receive's a near fatal leg burn...

After tearing our shit up we fixed it.

Couple's that bowl together- stay together...

X-Rated Car art- our favorite kind!

All Photos: Rose Anne