HURON DAILY TRIBUNE, Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan Copyright © 2001 by Carol Morrison. This copy contributed for use in the MIGenWeb Archives. MIGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed MIGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the MIGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. HURON DAILY TRIBUNE, Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan Local Obituaries Week of September 12, 1999 Eugene L. "Bear" Mitchell Eugene L. Mitchell, 59, of Sebewaing died unexpectedly Wednesday, Sept. 15, 1999 in Bay Medical Center of Bay City. He was born Christmas Day, 1939, in Owendale to Harrison and Julia (Pavlichek) Mitchell. Gene served four years in the U.S. Navy after graduation from Owendale High School and after attending electronic school for one year. He retired from GM Buick in Flint on Oct. 1, 1993 after working in the Paint Department for 30 years. Bear played all sports all four years in high school and enjoyed watching high school sports. He was a member of U.A.W. Local No. 599. Gene loved hunting, fishing and Michigan football. Gene is survived by aunts, cousins and special friends, Roger and Jeanne McPhail and family, of Cass City. He was preceded in death by his parents. Memorial services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18, 1999 in Kranz Funeral Home in Cass City with the Rev. Mark Todd of Living Word Worship Center officiating. Gene's cremains will be interred at the foot of his mother's grave in Grant Township Cemetery in Gagetown. Visitation will be from noon to 1 p.m. Saturday in the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Owen-Gage athletic football department. Roy Edward Smithson Roy Edward Smithson, 89, of Cass City died Wednesday, Sept. 15, 1999, in Tuscola County Medical Care Facility after a short illness. He was born Aug. 18, 1910 in Cass City to Auzzie and Elsie (Winger) Smithson. He married Alice Robbins on June 10, 1932 in Cass City. Roy was the owner of Smithson Electric for more than 30 years. He was a member of the Salem United Methodist Church and Cass City United Methodist Church. He loved fishing. Roy is survived by his wife, Alice; children, R. Edward Smithson and his wife, Saralie, of Sandusky, Ilene Smith of Tecumseh, James Smithson and his wife, Joann, of Cass City; nine grandchildren; and six great- grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son-in-law, Russell Smith. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 18, 1999, in Kranz Funeral Home in Cass City with the Rev. Philip Rice of Cass City United Methodist Church officiating. Interment will be in Elkland Township Cemetery. Visitation is from 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. tonight at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Cass City United Methodist Church. Edgar Sommers Edgar L. Sommers, 75, of Pigeon and formerly of Monroe, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 14, 1999, at his home following a nine-year battle with cancer. He was born in Port Hope on Dec. 27, 1923, the son of the late Frank J. and Olga (Ender) Sommers. He was united in marriage to the former Gwendolyn Winchester of Gagetown on April 16, 1960 in Caro. She survives him. Mr. Sommers worked for a farmer in Huron County before moving to Detroit where he worked in factories. He also did roofing and siding work. During World War II, he served in the 8th Army in Tokyo. Mr. Sommers retired from Ford Motor Company in Monroe where he had worked for 30 years. He retnrned to Huron County in 1982. He especially enjoyed hunting, fishing and woodworking. Mr. Sommers was a member of the Faith Bible Baptist Church in Bay Port where he loved bible study and attending church services. He is survived by his wife, Gwen; three sisters, Alma Isler of Pigeon, Valinda Anderson of Bay City and LaDonna Engel and her husband, Herbert, of Kinde; a brother, Arthur Sommers of Adrian; two sisters-in-law, Ellen Sommers of Traverse City and Marlene Sommers of Tecumseh; a special brother-in-law and sister-in-law, June and Willis Farnum; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Fred, Gerald and Dewain; brothers-in-law, Edwin Isler, Arnold Isler and Clarence Anderson; and a sister-in-law, Ruth Sommers. Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18, 1999, at the Faith Bible Baptist Church in Bay Port with the Rev. Rich Randall and the Rev. James Combs, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Caseville Township Cemetery. Visitation is from 1 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Meyersieck-Bussema Funeral Home, a Golden Rule Funeral Home, in Pigeon and from noon until the time of the service Saturday at the church. Memorials may be made to Faith Bible Baptist Church or Friends for Life Hospice of Huron County. Ann Miller Ann Elizabeth Miller, 54, of Clio and formerly of Sebewaing, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 14, 1999, at McLaren Hospital in Flint following a brief illness. Funeral Services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 18, 1999, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Sebewaing. Visitation will be from 2 until 9 p.m. Friday at Meyersieck-Bussema Funeral Home, a Golden Rule Funeral Home, Pigeon and from 10 a.m. until the time of service Saturday at the church. Edna Bounting Edna E. Bounting, 93, of Sebewaing died Monday morning, Sept. 13, 1999, under the special care of Abby of Bay Area Hospice in Bay City following a brief illness. She was born March 28, 1906 in Unionville, the daughter of the late Henry and Catherine (Baur) Heinitz. She was married to Ivan H. Bounting on Oct. 22, 1927 in Detroit. He preceded her in death on Oct. 15, 1994. "Ma Bounting" co-owned and operated Bounting's Garage in Sebewaing for 54 years before retiring in 1993. She was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church and the Laugh-A-Lot Club. Surviving are one daughter, Marion Gremel and her husband, Donald, of Tucson, Ariz.; five grandchildren, Gary Gremel and his wife, Monica, of Manton, Janet Horst and her husband, Michael, of Sebewaing, Karen Wible and her husband, David, of Bardstown, Ky., Susan Gremel of Tucson, Ariz., Kathy Roberts and her husband, Stephen, of Bay City; ten great-grandchildren; five great- great-grandchildren; one sister, Mabel Hurles of Frankenmuth; one sister-in-law, Lily Jahr of Florida; a special friend, Florence Bakke of Sebewaing; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by two sisters; Leona Wolven and Ella Moser; one brother, Harold Heinitz; and one granddaughter, Judith Gremel. The funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 16, 1999, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Sebewaing. The Rev. Martin J. Hagenow will officiate with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation is from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday, at the Dinkel-Juengel Funeral Home in Sebewaing and she will lie in state at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Thursday. Memorials may be made to the Immanuel Radio Mission Fund, Hospice of Bay Area or the charity of the donor's choice. Leonard Tschirhart Mr .Leonard James Tschirhart, 81, of Ubly died Tuesday morning, Sept. 14, 1999, at St. Mary's Medical Center in Saginaw. He was born March 31, 1918 in Ubly, son of the late Louis and Veronica (Bukoski-Maurer) Tschirhart. He was a graduate of Bingham Country School. He farmed in the area before being drafted into the U.S. Army Tank Corps. He served overseas in Germany. He sailed the Great Lakes for a few years before returning to farm with his brother until 1982. He then retired to Ubly. He was a lifelong parishioner of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Smith Corners and was an Honorary Life Member of the Parisville V.F.W. Post #5740. He also was a member of the Ubly Senior Citizens group. He is survived by one brother, Marvin Tschirhart and his wife, Iva, of Ubly; three sisters, Madeline Wheaton and her husband, Robert, of Fort Myers, Fla., Emma Geiger and her husband, Louis, of Deford, Blanche Hunsanger of Harper Woods; two step-brothers, F. Ervin Maurer and his wife, Virginia, of Bad Axe, Linus "Mike" Maurer and his wife, Lila, of Ubly; four step-sisters, Blanche Rumptz and her husband, Archie, of Ubly, Norene Williamson and her husband, Edward, of Utica, Dorothy Zurek and her husband, Lawrence, of Mount Clemens, Leta Duda and her husband, George, of Mount Clemens; many nieces and nephews; and special friend, Wanda Weinard of Ubly. He was preceded in death by one sister, Bernice Bouverette. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 16, 1999, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Smith Corners with the Rev. John Weis, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Military graveside services will be conducted by the Parisville VFW Post #5740. A parish wake service will take place at 8 tonight at the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly. Visitation will be from 12:30 to 9:30 p.m. today and from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Lynn F. Jurgess Lynn F. Jurgess, 83, a lifelong resident of Sigel Township died Saturday, Sept. 11, 1999, at the Huron County Medical Care Facility in Bad Axe. Mr. Jurgess was born Dec. 17, 1915, in Huron County. He was the son of the late Louis and Ida (Carson) Jurgess. Lynn and Louise Koglin were united in marriage on Nov. 30, 1946. She preceded him in death. Mr. Jurgess worked on the family farm and was employed at Hercules in Harbor Beach. He retired from Hercules in 1975. Lynn served in the United States Army and received the American Theater Service Ribbon, the Asiatic- Pacific Theater Service Ribbon, the Good Conduct Medal 44 and the Victory Medal. He was a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Bad Axe. Mr. Jurgess enjoyed farming, working on old tractors and visiting with family and friends. Surviving are two daughters, Marie A. McNulty and her husband, Michael, of Eastpointe and Diann Jurgess of Hudson, Fla.; one son, Richard Jurgess of Port Hope; one sister, Welty Schadd of Meade Township; one brother, Lawton Jurgess and his wife, Marcella, of Harbor Beach; two grandchildren, Christy Rassey and Heather McNulty; two great-grandchildren, Christian Rassey and Melissa Rassey; four brothers-in-law, William Koglin and his wife, Florence, of Bad Axe, Gerald Koglin and his wife, Regina, of Port Hope, Albert Koglin and his wife, Elaine, of Port Hope and Edwin Koglin and his wife, Bernice, of Filion; and several nieces and nephews. Mr. Jurgess was preceded in death by two brothers, Elsworth and Floyd Jurgess, and one brother-in-law, Clarence Schadd. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 14, 1999, from Our Savior Lutheran Church with the Rev. Kenneth Lueke officiating. Burial will take place at Colfax Township Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. today at MacAlpine Funeral Home in Bad Axe and from 10 a.m. until the time of the service Tuesday at the church. Memorials may be made to Our Savior Lutheran Church. Felice D. Vermeersch Mrs. Felice D. Vermeersch, 77, of Unionville passed away Sept. 11, 1999. She was born in Unionville on Dec. 23, 1921, the daughter of Alfred and Lottie Fournier Goslin. On April 11, 1942, she married Frank Vermeersch. Together they farmed for many years until his death in November 1996. She was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church. Surviving are their children, Larry Vermeersch and special friend, Kristine, Roger Vermeersch and his wife, Gerry, Karen Bell and her husband, Jim, Margaret Gainforth and her husband, Kim, all of Unionville; grandchildren, Brent, Kurt and Kevin Vermeersch, Craig, Troy, Brandon and Amanda Vermeersch, Rodney and Tom Bell, Alicia Pavlichek and her husband, Lee, Tiffany and Keith Gainforth, and Jayson Dicks; sisters, Ila Seurynck and her husband, Leo, Helen Wood, Marianne BeeBee and her husband, Al, Jane Rhodes, and Connie Goslin. She was preceded in death by brothers, Al and Clarence Goslin, and sisters, Dorothy Goebel and Evelyn Greyerbiehl. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 15, 1999, at Holy Family Catholic Church with Fr. Paul Bala officiating. Interment will be in St. Joseph Cemetery in Unionville. There will be a Parish Rosary recited at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. Visitation is from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the Unionville Funeral Chapel and noon to 9 p.m. Tuesday. Mrs. Vermeersch will lie in state from 10 a.m. until the time of service Wednesday at the church. Memorials may be sent to ACW Ambulance, Holy Family Church or the charity of the donor's choice. Betty Rogers Betty O. Rogers, 71, of Harbor Beach, passed away Saturday, Sept. 11, 1999, in Huron Memorial Hospital, Bad Axe, following a long illness. She was born Jan. 25, 1928 in Palms to Alice (Schmidt) Teeple and the late Edmund Teeple. She was a 1945 graduate of Port Huron High School. She and Charles Rogers were married Oct. 12, 1946 in Port Huron. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Harbor Beach. Surviving are her husband of nearly 53 years Charles Rogers of Harbor Beach. One daughter, Betty Marie Cookson of Atlanta, Ga.; two sons, Richard Rogers and his wife, Dorothy, of Fort Myers, Fla., and James Rogers and his wife, Deborah, of Ortonville; six grandchildren, six great grandchildren; her mother, Alice Teeple of Hastings; and a brother, Eugene Teeple, and his wife, Betty, of Croswell; two sisters, Barbara Mancivech and her husband, Tony, of Lake City, Alice Rath and her husband, Grant, of Grand Rapids, and a sister-in-law, Delores Teeple of Bay City. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Mary Ellen Meade; a granddaughter, Jessica Lynn Rogers; and a brother, Frank Teeple. Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 13, 1999, at the Ramsey Funeral Home, Harbor Beach (a Golden Rule Funeral Home) with Rev. Clarence VonConnant, pastor of the United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be in the Rock Falls Cemetery. Visitation will be at the funeral home today from 1 until 5 p.m. and 7 until 9 p.m. and from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Monday. Cheyanne Turnbull Our hearts are broken, our arms are empty. Our daughter, Cheyanne Marie Turnbull, was born and died Wednesday, Sept. 8, 1999 in Huron Memorial Hospital, Bad Axe. As Cheyanne's parents, Deborah Lynn Powers and Larry Stephen Turnbull, we invite family and friends to visit with us and share our sorrow from 2 to 4 p.m. today at Kranz Funeral Home in Cass City. Cheyanne will also be missed by her brother, Brandon Turnbull; grandparents, Douglas and Rhonda Powers of Gagetown; aunts Katherine Powers of Gagetown, Teresa Hicks of Warren; and uncle, Jeffrey Turnbull of Pigeon. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Larry and Evelyn Turnbull. Cheyanne's funeral service will be at 4 p.m. today Sept. 12, 1999 in Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City, with Rev. Alice Sheffield of Owendale United Methodist Church officiating. Cheyanne's body will be buried on her grandparents grave in Elkland Township Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Family Discretionary Fund. Donald Phetteplace Donald O. Phetteplace, 64, of Port Austin, formerly of Ypsilanti, passed away Saturday, Sept. 11, 1999 at his daughter's home. He was born Nov. 9, 1934 in Ann Arbor, the son of Oakley and Nellie Phetteplace. On June 20, 1955, he married Alicia Pennisi in Ypsilanti and she survives. Prior to retiring, Donald owned The Keg Party Store. Surviving are three children, Debbie Piskor, and her husband, John, of Ypsilanti, Cindy Stefani, and her husband, Mike, of Plano, Texas, Scott Phetteplace and his wife, Lynne, of Ypsilanti, and four grandchildren, Nick, Zach, Jordan, and Matthew. A memorial visitation will take place from 2 until 8 p.m Wednesday, Sept. 15, 1999, at the Stark Funeral Service, Moore Memorial Chapel. 1