Former MAB Board President Charles D. Mefford passed away December 6th in Naples, Florida following a brief illness.

Mr. Mefford - known to many as "Chuck" - was a long-time manager, shareholder and partner in Mid-West Family Broadcast Group. Mr. Mefford joined the group as Program Director at WISM in Madson, Wisconsin and was responsible for its successful Top 40 format through the early 60's.

In 1964, Mefford bought WMRT in Lansing and transformed it into WITL - Michigan's first full-time country music station and one of the most successful country stations in America. He was also active with Mid-West Family's real estate activities.

Chuck Mefford served as President of the Michigan Association of Broadcasters in 1989 and was elected to the MAB Hall of Fame in 2005. Following the sale of the Lansing stations in 1989, he and his wife Diane retired to Florida.

Mr. Mefford is survived by his wife, Diane, of Naples, Florida and several children: Tracy Caldwell Franklin, of New York; Tina DeGroot, of Green Bay, Wisconsin; Jennifer Mefford, of Royal Oak; Wendy Feusse, of Powell, Ohio; Charles Mefford, of Dallas; Craig Mefford, of East Lansing; and Amy Mefford, of Lansing. He is also survived by many grandchildren.

No services are planned at this time. The Mefford family has requested that memorial donations be directed to the following:

MAB Foundation
Attn: Charles D. Mefford Scholarship Fund
819 N. Washington Ave.
Lansing, Michigan 48906
PH: 800-968-7622
FX: 517-484-5810