Obituaries Week of December 26, 1999, Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan

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HURON DAILY TRIBUNE, Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan
Local Obituaries Week of December 26, 1999

Mary Nutt 
Mary C. Nutt, 67, of Bad Axe passed away on Friday, Dec. 31, 1999, at Huron Memorial 
Hospital.  There will be no visitation at this time. A complete obituary will appear in 
Monday's edition of the Huron Daily Tribune.  Arrangements are being handled by 
Kaufman Funeral Home in Bad Axe. 

Ruth Hensel 
Ruth H. Hensel, 84, of Sebewaing died on Wednesday, Dec. 29, 1999, at Brian's House 
in Essexville.  She was born on Dec. 31, 1914, in Kilmanagh, the daughter of Aaron and 
Helen (Rueger) Holland.  She was united in marriage to Norman C. Hensel on Aug. 13, 
1943, in Kilmanagh.  Surviving are her husband, Norman C. Hensel, of Sebewaing; two 
daughters, Pam Monson and her husband, Bruce, of Sarasota, Fla., and Jill Millerwise 
and her husband, Scott, of Sebewaing; two grandsons, Jeffrey Monson and his wife, 
Diane, of Gainesville, and Steven Millerwise and his wife, Tammy, of Akron; four great-
grandchildren, Courtney and Tyler Monson, Ryan and Matthew Millerwise; three sisters, 
Pearl Salter, Darlene Haist and her husband, Gerald, all of Sebewaing, Doris VanSkiver 
and her husband, Frederick, of Livonia; several nieces and nephews.  She was preceded 
in death by two brothers, Ralph and Nelson Holland.  The funeral service will take place 
at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 3, 2000, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Sebewaing. The Rev. 
David Petersen, vacancy pastor, will officiate, with burial in the church cemetery. 

John Morell 
Mr. John P. Morell, 83, of Ubly died Thursday, Dec. 30, 1999, of congestive heart failure 
at his home.  He was born July 22, 1916, in Austin Township and lived there for 73 years. 
He was the son of the late Isadore J. and Josephine (Osentoski) Morell. He married Ann 
Pulcer on April 16, 1940, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church of Smith Corners.  He is 
survived by his wife, Ann, of Ubly; six sons, Bernard Morell and his wife, Dorothy, of 
Ubly, Melvin Morell and his wife, Janice, of Rockford, Lynn Morell and his wife, 
Maureen, of Ubly, John Morell Jr. and his wife, Louise, of White Lake, Mark Morell and 
his wife, Anna, of Clarkston, Joe Morell and his wife, Tammy, of Ubly; eight daughters, 
Joyce Swartz and her husband, John, of Saginaw, Donna Lipskey and her husband, Ray, 
of Minden City, Maureen Morell of Phoenix, Ariz., Elaine Nading and her husband, 
Roger, of Livonia, Marjorie J. Hutson of St. Clair Shores, Audry J. Morell of Pompano 
Beach, Fla., Annette F. Siers of Washington Township, Lori Lasky and her husband, 
Richard, of Dearborn; 38 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren; three brothers, 
Arthur Morell and his wife, Pauline, of Ubly, Michael Morell of Onaway, Floyd Morell 
of Ubly; four sisters, Irene Guarnieri of Port Austin, Margaret Hey and her husband, 
Robert, of Pompano Beach, Fla., Genevieve Gracey and her husband, Roland, of Bad 
Axe, Bernice Witkowski and her husband, Stanley, of Saginaw.   He was preceded in 
death by one son, Kenneth Morell; one grandson and two sisters, Sophia Kubacki and 
Marie Morell.   Mass of the Resurrection will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 3, 2000, at St. 
John Catholic Church of Ubly. The Rev. T.J. Fleming, pastor, will officiate. Burial will 
be in the church cemetery. 

Glenn Roggenbuck 
Glenn A. Roggenbuck, 60, of Harbor Beach passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, 
Dec. 30, 1999, of an apparent heart attack.  He was born on Aug. 23, 1939, in Harbor 
Beach to the late Leo and Clara (Booms) Roggenbuck.  Glenn and Barbara Thompson 
were married on Jan. 11, 1969, in Bay City.  Glenn is survived by his wife, Barb 
Roggenbuck of Harbor Beach; four children, Carmen Messing and her husband, Terry, of 
Ubly, Greg Roggenbuck and his wife, Marcia, of Harbor Beach, Paulette Heleski and her 
husband, Perry, of Bad Axe, and Pam Hessling and her husband, Mike, of Harbor Beach; 
five grandchildren, Rachael, Leah, David, Leo and T.J.; six brothers, Charles 
Roggenbuck and his wife, Bertha, Vincent Roggenbuck and his wife, Phyllis, Orville 
Roggenbuck and his wife, Lucy, all of Snover, Carl Roggenbuck and his wife, Carol, and 
Harry Roggenbuck and his wife, Rochelle, all of Harbor Beach and Earl Roggenbuck and 
his wife, Brenda, of Bad Axe; five sisters, Edna Roth and her husband, Anthony, of 
Palms, Monica deYoung of Houston, Texas, Lula Clark of Montana, Rebecca Groll and 
her husband, Richard, of Littleton, Colo., and Anita Plummer and her husband, Scott, of 
Huntsville, Texas; and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by a sister, 
Aletha Romzek, and a brother, Jerome Roggenbuck.  Mass of Christian burial will be at 
11 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 3, 2000, in St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Helena with the 
Rev. Fr. Charlie Hammond, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. 

Charles Molascon 
Charles J. Molascon, 83, of Fulton, N.Y., and formerly of Ubly, died suddenly on Friday, 
Dec. 17, 1999, at home.  He was born on May 16, 1916, in Port Austin.  He is survived 
by his wife of 51 years, Myrtle (Blaylock) Molascon of Fulton; four sons, Michael 
Molascon of Caseville, Robert Molascon and his wife, Pam, of Ann Arbor, Edward 
Molascon of Richmond, Calif., and William Molascon and his wife, Claudia, of Fulton, 
N.Y.; three daughters, Margaret Kramer of Bad Axe, Mary Ditzer and her husband, Bill, 
and Laura Streeter and her husband, Scott, all of Fulton; one sister, Lorraine Andrich, of 
Port Austin; 12 grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.  Funeral services were 
conducted on Dec. 20, 1999, at the Sugar Funeral Home in Fulton by the Rev. Richard 
Thompson, pastor of Holy Family Catholic Church.  Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery 
in Ubly at a later date. 

Emily Podlaskowski 
Emily B. Podlaskowski, 81, of Elkton died Wednesday, Dec. 29, 1999, at Scheurer 
Hospital following an apparent heart attack.  She was born Dec. 2, 1918, in New York 
City to the late Hektor and Stella (Panka) Podlaskowski.  Surviving are her son, Conrad 
Podlaskowski and his wife, Phyllis, of Elkton; two granddaughters, Bridgett McCarty and 
her husband, Darcy, of Bad Axe and Kelly Podlaskowski of Sterling Heights.  In keeping 
with her wishes there will be no visitation or funeral services. A private service for the 
family will be conducted at St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church in Pigeon. 

William Shankin 
William Shankin, 100, of Boyton Beach, Fla., died Tuesday, Dec. 28, 1999, at his son's 
home in Oakland.  He was born on July 14, 1899, in Alpena, the son of the late John and 
Frances (Kaleta) Shankin. He and Agnes Glinski were married at St. Stanislaus Church in 
Detroit on June 29, 1927.  Surviving are his wife, Frances; five children, William 
Shankin Jr. and his wife, Lois, of Oakland, Donald Shankin and his wife, Dolores, of 
Ada, Kathleen Bonstrom and her husband, Charles, of St. Petersburg, Fla., Norbert 
Jerome Shankin and his wife, Joan, of Lake St. Louis, Mo., and Suzanne Hyatt and her 
husband, Norris, of Franklin, Wis.; 31 grandchildren; and 51 great-grandchildren.  A 
mass of Christian burial will be conducted at noon on Friday, Dec. 31, 1999, at St. 
Michael's Catholic Church in Port Austin. 

Donelda Kundinger 
Donelda Elaine Kundinger, 68, of Sebewaing passed away Tuesday, Dec. 28, 1999, at her 
home.  She was born in McKinley Township on Jan. 28, 1931, the daughter of the late 
Christopher W. and Anna (Wurst) Licht. On May 31, 1952, she was united in marriage to 
Gerhard W. Kundinger at Cross Lutheran Church in Pigeon. He survives her.  Her 
survivors include her husband, Gerhard; her children, Dale and Marcia Kundinger of 
Owendale, Dean Kundinger of Sebewaing, Arlowene and David Dunn of Bay Port, Arlen 
and Debra Kundinger of Sebewaing and Jalaine and Stephen Schneeberger of Cass City; 
12 grandchildren, Chad, Aaron, Laura, Lisa, Scott, Jason, Sarah, Brandon, Marisa, 
Matthew, Kayla and Grant; five step-grandchildren, Monica, Scott, Sheri, Laura and 
Anton; two step-great-grandchildren, Derek and Kaselyn; a sister, Verlene Stiefel and her 
husband, Robert, of Essexville; two brothers, Elmer Licht and Kenneth Licht and his 
wife, Betty, of Pigeon; and several nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by an 
infant son, Merle, a step-great-grandchild and a brother, Laverne Licht.  Funeral services 
will be conducted at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 30, 1999, at the St. John Lutheran Church 
in Kilmanagh with the Rev. David Lukefahr, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the 
church cemetery in Sebewaing. 

Helen Thompson Shupe 
Helen Luella Thompson Shupe, 87, of Elkton died Monday, Dec. 27, 1999, at her home.  
She was born Jan. 6, 1912, in Kilmanagh and was the daughter of the late Edward and 
Frederica (Gregor) Thompson.  Helen Luella Thompson and Lee C. Shupe were united in 
marriage June 3, 1939, in Ann Arbor. He preceded her in death on Jan. 12, 1986.  She is 
survived by one daughter, Marylyn Janowiak and her husband, James, of Bad Axe; one 
son, Thomas Lee Shupe and his wife, Bernice, of Elkton; nine grandchildren, Christopher 
Lee Shupe of Mendenhall, Miss., Peter Lee Shupe and his wife, Melissa, of Elkton, Paul 
Andrew Shupe of Elkton, Jonathan Lee Shupe of Sioux Center, Iowa, David Lee Shupe 
of Elkton, Aaron Paul Shupe of Elkton, Andrew Philip Shupe of Elkton, Judy Ann 
Janowiak of Spring Arbor and Mark Richard Janowiak of Bad Axe; one sister, Ruth 
Wiers of Eaton County Medical Care Facility.  She was preceded in death by one brother, 
Dr. Francis Thompson.  Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 31, 
1999, at the Elkton Missionary Church. The Rev. Larry Salsburey, pastor, will officiate. 
Burial will be at Colfax Cemetery. 

Beatrice Sobczak 
Mrs. Beatrice Sobczak, 75, of Bad Axe died Tuesday, Dec. 28, 1999, at her home.  She 
was born May 19, 1924, in Harbor Beach, daughter of the late John and Gertrude (Pyrek) 
Glaza.  She married Leonard F. Sobczak Sr. on May 27, 1943, in Detroit. He preceded 
her in death on May 24, 1977.   She is survived by five sons, John Sobczak and his wife, 
Bernice, of Clearcoke, Fla., Leonard Sobczak Jr. and his wife, Doris, of Ubly, Ronald 
Sobczak and his wife, Sharon, of Port Hope, Lawrence Sobczak of Marysville, Daniel 
Sobczak and his wife, Shirley, of Bad Axe; two daughters, Patricia Simmons and her 
husband, Harold, of Iffingham, Ill., Cynthia Zaremba and her husband, Bernard, of China 
Township; 21 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Susie Grifka of Ubly 
and Frances Kanaby and her husband, Larry, of Bad Axe; two brothers, Walter Glaza and 
his wife, Delores, of Ubly and Roman Glaza and his wife, Lucille, of Ubly.   She was 
preceded in death by two sisters, Edna Fisher and Grace Kosal.   Mass of Resurrection 
will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 31, 1999, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bad Axe. 
The Rev. Jack Leipert, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery in 
Parisville. 

Gerald McEachin 
Gerald F. "Bugsy" McEachin, 62, of Deckerville died Saturday, Dec. 25, 1999, in 
Deckerville Community Hospital.  He was born on March 10, 1937, in Pontiac, the son of 
Joseph and Elizabeth (O'Hanley) McEachin.  He married Marilyn Niedermeier on Nov. 
14, 1964, in Port Sanilac.  He is survived by his wife, Marilyn; one son, Brian "Bud" 
McEachin of Deckerville; four daughters, Christine McEachin, Annette "Net" McEachin, 
Nichole "Nicki" McEachin, all of New Hudson and Deanna "Dee Dee" of Brighton; one 
brother, Richard; one sister, Marilyn, both of Deckerville.  He was preceded in death by 
two sisters, Nancy McEachin on March 3, 1995, and Janice McEachin on Dec. 22, 1999.   
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 29, 1999, at the Apsey 
Funeral Home in Deckerville. Fr. Ronald Dombrowski will officiate. Burial will be in 
Downing Cemetery. 

Bernard Ulfig 
Bernard J. Ulfig, 54, of Globe, Ariz., and formerly of Harbor Beach, died on Sunday, 
Dec. 26, 1999, after a short battle with cancer.  He was born on June 21, 1945, the son of 
Julius B. and Mary A. (Van DePutte) Ulfig.  He married Madeline Pawlowski on June 
30, 1973, at Our Lady of Lake Huron Church.  He is survived by his wife, Madeline; one 
daughter, Wendy Kay Ulfig, of Globe; mother, Mary Ulfig; brother, Mark Ulfig, both of 
Harbor Beach; two sisters, Evelyn (Ulfig) Girardot and her husband, Kenneth, of Armada 
and Jennette (Ulfig) Pisha of Utica; 15 nieces and nephews; 22 grandnieces and 
grandnephews.  He was preceded in death by his father, Julius B. Ulfig in 1977; brothers 
Julius Ulfig Jr. in 1943 and Timothy C. Ulfig in 1960; and sister, Phyllis A. (Ulfig) 
Kramer, in 1981.  A memorial mass will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 30, 
1999, at Our Lady of Lake Huron Catholic Church in Harbor Beach. There will be full 
military honors following the mass at the V.F.W. Hall. 

Clarence Smalla 
Mr. Clarence Smalla, 78, of Bad Axe died Monday, Dec. 27, 1999, at Huron Memorial 
Hospital in Bad Axe.  He was born Aug. 23, 1921, in Ubly, son of the late Peter and 
Agnes (Salowitz) Smalla. He never married.  He is survived by one brother, Harry Smalla 
of Bad Axe.  He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Stanley and 
Michael Smalla.  Funeral services for Mr. Smalla will be at 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 30, 
1999, at the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly. The Rev. T.J. Fleming, pastor of 
St. John's Catholic Church in Ubly, will officiate. Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery. 

Mary Janowiak 
Mary M. Janowiak, 84, of Argyle, died Saturday, Dec. 25, 1999, at her home.  She was 
born Sept. 23, 1915, in Ruth to the late Charles and Mary Catherine (Setizer) Bischer.  
She married Eugene S. Janowiak on May 10, 1935, at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in 
Helena. He preceded her in death on June 12, 1956.  She is survived by two sons, James 
Janowiak and his wife, Marylyn, of Bad Axe, Kenneth Janowiak and his wife, Carolyn, 
of Argyle; one daughter, Irene Hill and her husband, Mark, of Macomb Township; nine 
grandchildren, Marlene Sadowy and her husband, Bill, of Applegate, Jeffery Janowiak 
and his wife, Sue, of Snover, Todd Janowiak of Argyle, Scott Janowiak of Clawson, 
Kevin and Brian Hill of Macomb Township, Judy and Mark Janowiak of Bad Axe; six 
great-grandchildren, Heather, Stephanie, Sarah and Brandon Sadowy of Applegate, and 
Garrett and Wyatt Janowiak of Snover.  She was preceded in death by her parents; 
husband; one daughter, Judy Ann Janowiak; one grandson, Rodney Eugene Janowiak; 
two brothers, Leo and Arthur Bischer; one sister, Annabelle Tehringer.  Mass of 
Resurrection will take place at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 29, 1999, at St. Joseph's Catholic 
Church in Argyle. The Rev. Anthony Wozniak will officiate. Burial will be in the church 
cemetery. 

Leo Rice 
Leo J. Rice, 94, of Kinde, died Saturday, Dec. 25, 1999, at Courtney Manor in Bad Axe.  
He was born July 10, 1905, in Kinde, son of the late James and Mary (Prange) Rice. He 
and Margaret Vigenski were married April 18, 1932, at St. Edward's Catholic Church in 
Kinde. She preceded him in death on March 9, 1980.  He is survived by two daughters, 
Arvella Majeski of Bad Axe and Joann Pierce and her husband, John, of Port Austin; 
eight grandchildren, Dennis Majeski of Bad Axe, Gary Majeski and his wife, Judi, of 
Pennsylvania, Tim Majeski and his wife, Carol, of Bad Axe, Kevin Majeski and his wife, 
Kim,of Bad Axe, Tammy Majeski of Bad Axe, Thomas Pierce and his wife, Tracee, of 
Indiana, Robert Pierce of Colorado, and James Pierce of Southfield; and nine great-
grandchildren, Eric, Jason, Jennifer, Janelle, Nathan, Sean, Danay, Nicholas and Jessica; 
three sisters, Gertrude Yaroch of Bad Axe, Agnes Murawski of Kinde and Josephine 
Hershelman of Roseville.  He was preceded in death by three sisters, Martha Rice, Hattie 
Kula and Veronica Ignash; and three brothers, John, James and Joseph Rice.  Mass of 
Christian Burial will take place at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 28, 1999, at St. Edward's 
Catholic Church in Kinde. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. 

Henry Sienkiewicz 
Henry F. Sienkiewicz, 76, of Lake Township, died Friday, Dec. 24, 1999, at his home 
following a long battle with cancer.  He was born April 20, 1923, in Detroit, the son of 
the late Felix and Helen (Gorgol) Sienkiewicz.  He married Peggy Gaugh on Nov. 15, 
1947, at Corpus Christie Catholic Church in Detroit.  He is survived by his wife Peggy; 
three sons, Mike and his wife, Karen, of Caseville, Mark and his wife, Sherry, of Royal 
Oak, and Gary of Almont; one daughter, Pamela Colasanti and her husband, Don, of 
Southgate; and seven grandchildren.  A memorial service will be conducted 12:15 p.m. 
Sunday, Jan. 2, 1999, at St. Felix Catholic Church in Pinnebog. Burial will be in 
Riverside Cemetery in Elkton. 

Rev. Robert vonOeyen 
The Rev. Robert R. vonOeyen, 81, of Harbor Beach, passed away to be with the Lord 
Dec. 9, 1999, at Presbyterian Village in Redford after a lengthy battle with cancer.  He is 
survived by his wife Janet; a daughter, Barbara of Grand Rapids; five sons, Peter of 
Harbor Beach, Richard of Lee, N.H., Paul of Bloomfield Hills, David of Malibu, Calif., 
and Robert Jr. of Seoul, Korea; 12 grandchildren; two sisters, Ruth Kuyk of Fenton and 
Mary Ensroth of Bloomfield Hills; one brother, Paul F. vonOeyen of Southfield.  A 
memorial service was conducted Dec. 18, 1999 at the Presbyterian Village in Redford. 
Funeral services will be conducted 1 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 29, 1999 at the First 
Presbyterian Church in Harbor Beach, Rev. vonOeyen's son, the Rev. Robert vonOeyen, 
Jr., and the Rev. Dr. George Baird of the Lake Huron Presbytery will officiate with burial 
in the Rock Falls Cemetery. 

Kenneth Wildner 
Kenneth R. Wildner, 80, died Friday morning, Dec. 24, 1999, at the home of his son, 
Michael, near Unionville, following a brief illness.  He was born Dec. 16, 1919, in 
Unionville, son of the late Karl A. and Dora M. (Thrash) Wildner.  He married Gertrude 
E. Roth Sept. 5, 1958, in Reese. She preceded him in death Nov. 22, 1994.  Kenneth is 
survived by two sons, Kenneth Karl Wildner, at home, Michael Wildner and his wife, 
Cindy, of Unionville; three grandsons, Douglas Livingston, Daniel and David Wildner; 
two brothers, Orville Wildner, and his wife, Ilah, of Unionville, Clarence Wildner and his 
wife, Ethel, of Unionville; one sister, Amanda Nast, of Unionville; and several nieces and 
nephews.  He was preceded in death by four sisters, Martha Daniels, Ethel Kelley, Leona 
Wildner and Alta Simon.  Funeral services will take place 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 28, 
1999, at St. Peter Lutheran Church at Columbia Corners. The Rev. Mike Oakwood will 
officiate with burial in Hickory Island Cemetery. 

Gertrude T. Ertman 
Mrs. Gertrude T. Ertman, 88, formerly of Minden City, died Saturday evening, Dec. 25, 
1999, at Bortz Healthcare Center of Orion, Mich.  Funeral arrangements are being 
handled by Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly.  

William Kinney 
William A. Kinney, 67, of Port Huron passed away on Sunday, Dec. 26, 1999, at Mercy 
Hospital in Port Huron.  He was born on April 4, 1933, in Virginia to the late Elijah and 
Martha (Ferris) Kinney.  He and Elizabeth Wisenbaugh were married on Nov. 30, 1968, 
in Bad Axe.  He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Kinney of Port Huron; one son, 
William Kinney of Roscommon; a niece, Shawna Reinke of Port Huron; two brothers, 
Joseph Kinney of Detroit and Milton Kinney of Caro; one sister, Mary Roggenbuck of 
Port Huron.  He was preceded in death by a sister, Loretta Reinke, and a brother, Robert 
Kinney.  Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 30, 1999, at the 
Ramsey Funeral Home, a Golden Rule Funeral Home, in Harbor Beach with the Rev. 
Theresa Cutler officiating. Burial will be in the Rock Falls Cemetery.



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