This is from the Herald Times, Wednesday, Dec. 22, 1971 Issue,Page 3.
By Tammy Drouillard-Jozwiak


GAYLORD MAN KILLED IN HOLD-UP

Two Lansing area youths charged in the armed robbery-murder Saturday of Larry A. DROUILLARD, 37, Gaylord, remain in a Saginaw Hospital today, suffering multiple injuries received in the crash of their car following the robbery attempt.

DROUILLARD, of 708 N. Ohio Ave., died at 1:50 p.m. Saturday at Mercy Hospital in Grayling. Derek McEvers, Crawford County deputy medical examiner, said his death was the result of two .22 caliber bullet wounds, one which entered the stomach and the other which entered the head behind the left ear.

Funeral services for DROUILLARD were held Tuesday.

Randy HOLLAND, 17, of Holt, is in critical condition in intensive care suffering a broken leg and head injuries. His companion, James GHASTON, jr., 18, of Lansing, is in serious condition with a broken leg and other minor injuries. Both are in St. Mary's Hospital in Saginaw.

Otsego County Prosecutor Randall M. O'Rourke has issued warrants against the two, charging them with first degree murder, armed robbery and attempted armed robbery.

The robbery was reported to the Gaylord Post of the State Police at 7:24 a.m. Saturday by DROUILLARD, who told police over the telephone that he had been shot in a hold-up attempt. DROUILLARD, part owner of Murray's Marathon Service Station at the I-75 North Otsego Lake interchange since March, had arrived at the station to open for the day's business. When police arrived at the scene, they found DROUILLARD sitting on a snowmobile in front of the station.

He was able to give state police a description of the alleged robbers and also a description of the Vehicle they were driving. He was then taken to Grayling by Walker-Bates ambulance. He died hours later following surgery.

Just an hour after the description of the two men and their car was released, a vehicle answering that description was spotted traveling east on M-55 near the Ogemaw-Roscommon county line west of West Branch. State police gave chase. Police said the suspects lost control of the car about two miles west of West Branch and the car spun out of control off the road and broadside into a large tree. According to state police, the car was demolished.

Both men were taken to Tolfree Memorial Hospital, West Branch, for emergency treatment. They were later transferred to St. Mary's Hospital.

Police reported that no weapon was found in the wrecked automobile. No money was taken in the robbery attempt at the station, according to State Police.

KOREAN WAR VETERAN

Mr. DROUILLARD is survived by his wife, Margaret, and three children, Laurence Martin II, 10 Laura Ann, 8, and Tammy Lynn, 6. Born in St. Clair, he had lived in this area for most of his life. He married Margaret Ann MILBOCKER, Jan. 2, 1960, in Merrill. He is also survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Laurence M. DROUILLARD of Gaylord and a twin sister, Mrs. Kay SEFICK of Merrill.

He was a veteran of the Korean War and a member of the American Legion. He was also a member of the Eagles, the Northland Sportsmen's Club, and the order of Elks.

Funeral services were at the Walker-Bates Funeral Home Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. The body was then taken to St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church for a funeral mass. Burial was in St. Mary's parish (Resurrection) Cemetery.