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 26, 1999 John Whear John P. "Hook" Whear, 67, of Normal, Ill., died Sunday, Sept. 19, 1999, at his home. He was born June 1, 1932, to the late Clayton and Sarah K. (McDonald) Whear in Bad Axe. He married Virginia Vandergraft in 1959 in McLean County, Ill. She preceded him in death in 1989. John was a journeyman/lineman for IBEW Local 51 in Illinois for 45 years. He was a member of the VFW and Moose Lodge. He served in the U.S. Army as a paratrooper during the Korean War. Surviving are two daughters, Paula Small and her husband, Norm, of Downs, Ill., and Kathy Nye and her husband, Frank, of Argyle, Iowa; two sons, Steven Whear and his fiance, Luanne, of Normal, Ill., and Rick Whear and his wife, Missy, of Bloomington, Ill.; four sisters, Doris Gilbert and her husband, Edward, of Sand Point, Judy Smith and her husband, Vern, of Bad Axe, Peggy Ahearn and her husband, Tom, of Bad Axe, and Millie Bowers and her husband, David, of Flint; one brother, William Whear and his wife, Annette, of Detroit; one half-brother, Ray Stoecker and his wife, Sandy, of Towanda, Ill.; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by an infant son and one brother, Harold. A prayer service was conducted on Sept. 22, 1999 at Beck Memorial Home in Bloomington, Ill. Father Tom Maloney officiated. John was cremated. Memorials may be made to OSF Franciscan Hospice of Central Illinois. Stella Koss Stella Koss, 87, of Port Austin died Sunday, Sept. 26, 1999, in her home. She was born on Jan. 23, 1912, in Hamtramck, daughter of the late Albert and Angela (Dudek) Gorzelski. She and Thomas Koss were married on April 23, 1932 at Our Lady Queen of Apostles in Hamtramck. He preceded her in death on Oct. 31, 1974. Stella and her husband, Thomas, moved to Port Austin from Detroit in 1971. She was a parishioner of St. Michael's Catholic Church in Port Austin. She is survived by three sons, Frank D. Koss of Santa Anna, Calif., Edward S. Koss and his wife, Marlene, of Hazel Park and Thomas M. Koss of Tennessee; 10 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. Mass of the Resurrection will be conducted at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 30, 1999, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Port Austin. The Rev. Michael J. Bell, pastor, will officiate. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will take place from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. today at the Knoblock Funeral Home in Kinde. Mary Popp Mary Popp, 90, of Ypsilanti died Monday, Sept. 27, 1999, at Whitehall Convalescent Center. Funeral services will be conducted at noon on Thursday, Sept. 30, 1999, at the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home of Ubly. Burial will be in Valley Cemetery in Ubly. Visitation is from 10:30 a.m. until the time of the service on Thursday. Bertha Ertman Bertha Ertman, 94, of Cass City died Monday, Sept. 27, 1999, at Hills & Dales General Hospital. She was born Nov. 6, 1904 in Parisville to Joseph and Antoinette (Peruski) Peplinski. She married Walter A. Ertman on Nov. 25, 1924 in Parisville. He died Nov. 24, 1983. Bertha was a member of St. Pancratius Catholic Church and St. Pancratius Women's Council. She was very active in church. She enjoyed canning, polkas and bingo. Bertha is survived by her daughters, Lillian Wisniewski and her husband, George, of Warren, Lorraine Danielak and her husband, Jack, of Houghton Lake, Janice Braun and her husband, Donald, of Pensacola, Fla., Marilyn Klco and her husband, Alan, of Cass City; sons, S. Elmer Ertman and his wife, Bernice, of Tyre, Donald Ertman and his wife, Penny, of Sandusky, Melvin Ertman and his wife, Theresa, of Minden City; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; sisters, Gertrude Ertman of Imlay City, Alice Matthews of Warren, Eleanor Skrzypinski of Warren; brothers, Matthew Peplinski and his wife, Lillian, of Eastpointe, Bernard Peplinski of Westland; many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her sons, Ernie and Bernard; sisters, Emma Peplinski and Victoria Burns; brothers, Clements, Alfred, Edward, Henry, Cassimer and Norman Peplinski. Funeral services will be conducted at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 29, 1999, in St. Pancratius Catholic Church with the Rev. Paul Bala officiating. Interment is in St. John Cemetery in Ubly. A scripture service will be offered at 7:30 p.m. tonight in the church. Visitation is from 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. today and 3 to 4 p.m. Wednesday in the church. Memorials may be made to St. Pancratius Catholic Church Woman's Council. Arrangements are being handled by the Kranz Funeral Home in Cass City. Elaine Melick Elaine M. (Grocholski) Melick, 42, of Auburn died at her home Monday, Sept. 27, 1999, after a brief illness. She was born in Bay City on March 15, 1957 and resided in Auburn all her life. She was preceded in death by her parents, Florian V. Sr. and Julia S. (Baran) Grocholski, Sr., in 1977 and 1975, respectively. Elaine was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Auburn and served as an instructor in the church's CCD program for many years. She worked at the Midland County Board of Realtors. She was a member of the Western High School Booster Club and the Ladies Auxiliary of the Auburn Williams Fire Department. She was a volunteer of Western High School. She enjoyed bowling in the Midway Mixers Bowling League at Valley Lanes, bingo, polka music and camping at the Lost Valley Campground. For many years she played bass guitar in the family polka band, Floyd Grocholski's Li'l Naturals. She strongly supported the athletic programs at Western High School. On April 30, 1982, Elaine married William J. "Bill" Melick in St. Joseph Catholic Church in Auburn. He survives her. Also surviving are twin daughters, Sara and Kimberly Melick, both at home; two sons, William "Bill" Melick Jr., at home and Chad Melick of Bad Axe; six brothers, Florian Grocholski and his wife, Veronica, Robert Grocholski and his wife, Marilyn, Gary Grocholski and his wife, Tina, Steven Grocholski and his wife, Sheri, and Gregory Grocholski and his wife, Luanne, all of Bay City and Daniel Grocholski of Kawkawlin; four sisters, Jeannine Maurer and her husband, James, of Ubly, Diane Ruch and her husband, Joe, of Grand Haven, Christine Yax and Annette Grocholski of Kawkawlin; father and mother-in-law Ira and Beverly Melick of Harbor Beach; brother-in-law Todd Melick and his wife, Kathy, of Algonac; sister-in-law, Julie Hernandez and her husband, Alberto, of Florida; 23 nieces and nephews; many aunts and uncles; special friends, Mike and Jane Sugar of Auburn; and many more friends and relatives. Elaine was also preceded in death by her grandparents and by a sister-in-law, Marsha Melick. The funeral liturgy will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 30, 1999, at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Auburn. The Rev. Fr. Thomas E. Sutton will officiate with burial in the Pine Grove Cemetery. There will be a parish wake service at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the church. Visitation will be from 6 until 8 p.m. today, at the Auburn Chapel of the Cunningham-Taylor Funeral Home, Inc., from 1 until 8 p.m. Wednesday and 9 a.m. until the time of liturgy Thursday morning at the church. Memorials may be offered to Pardee Cancer Treatment Center of Midland, the St. Joseph Catholic Church Building or School's Endowment Fund. Florence Young Florence M. Young, 79, of Port Hope, passed away Sunday, Sept. 26, 1999, in the long-term care unit of Harbor Beach Community Hospital following a short illness. She was born on Aug. 20, 1920 in Port Hope to the late Charles and Stella (Hoffman) Schave. She and Edwin Young were married on Sept. 2, 1944 in Port Hope. He preceded her in death on Dec. 7, 1993. She was a former employee of the United States Postal Service in Port Hope and Unell Manufacturing. She was an active member of the St. John Lutheran Church in Port Hope and a former choir member and Sunday School teacher for 40 years. She was also a member of the Port Hope Retirees Club. She is survived a daughter, Alana Danko and her husband, Robert, of Fairfax, Va.; two sons, Galen Young and Shawn Young, both of Port Hope; a brother, Earl Schave and his wife, Hilmuth, of Port Hope; and three sisters, Mildred Pochert and her husband, Ted, of Port Hope, Dorothy Binkle and her husband, Ralph, of Port Hope, and Alma Stange of Warren; many nieces and nephews. Mrs. Young is preceded in death by a brother, Lawrence Schave, and a sister, Margaret Ender. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 30, 1999, in St. John Lutheran Church in Port Hope. The Rev. Albert Bahr, former pastor of St. John Church, will officiate with burial in the Lakeview Cemetery. A scripture service will be conducted by the Rev. L. W. Nutzmann at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 29, 1999, in the Ramsey Funeral Home, a Golden Rule Funeral Home, in Harbor Beach. Visitation is from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, 1 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home and noon until the time of the services Thursday at the church. Gertrude Beyer Gertrude Elizabeth Beyer, 86, of Lake Township near Caseville died Saturday, Sept. 25, 1999, at Lourdes Nursing Home in Waterford following a short illness. She was born Sept. 28, 1912, in New York City to the late Karl and Anna (Gerrullis) Kuhne. Mrs. Beyer moved to Monroe at the age of eight and to Pontiac at the age of 15. There she met Henry Beyer. They were married Jan. 11, 1939, in Pontiac. He preceded her in death on April 14, 1998. Mrs. Beyer was employed by Federal Department Stores for 25 years, retiring in 1971. In 1972, she and her husband moved to their cottage in Lake Township, which they had been coming to since 1949. She was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Sand Point and a past member of the Caseville Retirement Club. Surviving are her daughter, Suzann Hutchinson and her husband, Robert, of West Bloomfield; 10 grandchildren: Elizabeth, Jeff, Robert, Jean, Johanna, John, Janet, Kristen, Brian and Nicole, and 13 great-grandchildren: Matthew, Anthony, Caleb, Meredith, Kevin, Ian, Calvin, Megan, Lauren, Jesse, Danielle, Katherine and Christian. She was preceded in death by a son, Kurt; a daughter, Marlene Cunningham; and two brothers, Kurt and Charles Kuhne. A private memorial service will be conducted at the Lourdes Nursing Center Chapel in Waterford with burial in Riverside Cemetery in Elkton. Arrangements are being handled by Champagne Funeral Chapel in Caseville. Memorials may be made to Lourdes Nursing Center. Florine Tait Florine C. Tait, 97, of Pinnebog, died Sunday, Sept. 26, 1999, at Scenic Convalescent Home in Pigeon. She was born July 28, 1902 at the home of her parents, the late Julius and Flora (Mclntyr) Pechette in Chandler Township, the home that her son, Bud, now lives in. After graduating from Bad Axe High School, she went on to receive her teaching degree at Central Michigan University. She taught at Sheridan School No. 4 and the Sharred Grade School near Owendale. On May 16, 1925, she was united in marriage at St. Felix Church in Pinnebog to Charles "Leroy" Tait, a farmer and truck driver. He preceded her in death on Aug. 12, 1965. She lived alone at her home in Pinnebog until her health failed three months ago. Mrs. Tait was the oldest living member of St. Felix Church and a charter member of the Altar Society. She was also a charter member of the Women's Study Club, having served as president, secretary and treasurer many times during the 52 years she belonged. Surviving are five sons, James Tait and his wife, Eleen, Bud Tait and his wife, Jeanine, Dave Tait and his wife, Sue, all of Caseville, Leon Tait and his wife, Phyllis, of Kawkawlin, and Robert Tait and his wife, Norma, of Kinde; daughter, Catherine Leitch and her husband, Don, of Pontiac; 21 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and four great-great- grandchildren. Preceding her in death were twins, Gerald and Geraldine, who died the day of their birth in 1928; a grandson, Thomas; a brother, Edward Pechette; two sisters, Marie Pechette and Helen LaBelle, and two nephews, Orville Tait and Bill LaBelle. In keeping with her wishes, there will be no visitation. A private funeral mass will be conducted at St. Felix Catholic Church for the family. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Arrangements are by the Champagne Funeral Chapel in Caseville. Memorials may be given to the church. Martha Haataja-Neal Mrs. David Martha Haataja-Neal, 68, of Caseville died Wednesday, Sept. 22, 1999, at Bay Medical Center in Bay City. A memorial service with the family took place Saturday, Sept. 25, 1999, at the Elo Cemetery near Houghton. Arrangements by the Champagne Funeral Chapel in Caseville. Clare Becker Reed Clare Becker Reed, 69, of Bay Port died Tuesday, Sept. 21, 1999. She was a graduate of Penn Yan Academy, Class of 1948, and Syracuse University. Clare lived many years in Bay Port with her husband, Harold, who preceded her in death on Sept. 24, 1997. She is survived by her stepdaughter, Gail Reed and step grandson, Julian Torres-Reed of Havana, Cuba; sister, Nancy B. Palmatier of Newark, N.Y.; four nephews and two nieces and their families; dear friends Bud and Lucia Wheeler of Penn Yan. A memorial service will be conducted at Bay Port United Methodist Church at 1 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 4, 1999. Memorials may be given to the Bay Port United Methodist Church. MacAlpine Funeral Home of Bad Axe is handling the arrangements. Eleanor B. Izzo Eleanor B. Izzo, 105, died Thursday, Sept. 23, 1999, at Drews Spring Place in Hillsdale following a brief illness. She was born July 6, 1894 in Elkton, the daughter of the late Emil J. and Emelia J. (Jahnke) Karau. She was united in marriage to Joseph A. Izzo in 1919 in Saginaw. He preceded her in death in 1963. Eleanor taught in rural elementary schools for several years. Later she and her husband operated an electrical contracting company in Saginaw. She then entered the sales field and began teaching during World War II, which she did until the age of 70. Mrs. Izzo then moved to Sebewaing to live with her son, Joseph, until 10 years ago when they moved to Florida. In 1995, she moved to Hillsdale to be near her other son, Herbert. She was a former member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Sebewaing and a member of the Rebecca Lodge of Saginaw. Among her favorite interests were dancing and traveling. She went to Europe and had traveled extensively throughout the United States. She also enjoyed quilting and china painting. Surviving are two sons, Herbert John Izzo and his wife, Olga, of Ann Arbor, and Joseph Robert Izzo of Port Charlotte, Fla.; four grandchildren, Victoria, Alexander, Sylvia, and Daniel; two great-granddaughters, Felicia and Victoria; many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by one infant son, one infant daughter, three brothers, and three sisters. The funeral service will take place at 2 p.m. today at Trinity United Methodist Church in Sebewaing. The Rev. Richard Kriesch will officiate with burial in Silverlawn Cemetery. Visitation is from 9 a.m. to noon today at the Dinkel-Juengel Funeral Home in Sebewaing. She will lie in state from 1 p.m. until the time of the service at the church. Bruce A. Hazard Bruce A. Hazard. 60, of Highland and formerly of the EIkton area died Friday, Sept. 24, 1999, at Huron Valley Hospital in Commerce. He was born Jan. 15, 1939, at the home of his parents, William and Catherine (Devroye) Hazard. On Aug. 28, 1965, he was united in marriage to Judy Elaine Hansen in Farmington Hills. After graduating from Elkton High School in 1958, Bruce served in the Navy and was on the lead destroyer during the Cuban Missile Crisis. After this time, Bruce and his wife moved to Detroit. He then took a position with the Grand Trunk Railroad transferring to Holly, then to Ionia for 21 years. They moved to Highland in 1988. Bruce retired in 1994 for health reasons after 30 years. He was a member of the American Legion of Holly and the Thumb Two-Cylinder Club. Surviving are his wife, Judy; his mother, Catherine Hazard, of Bad Axe; three brothers, Donald Hazard and his wife, Beverly, Russell Hazard and his wife, Erma, and Kinsey Hazard and his wife, Phyllis, all of Bad Axe; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Carl and Helen Hansen, of Farmington Hills; a brother-in-law, Harold Hansen and his wife, Laurie, of Coaldale, Colo.; 11 nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 27, 1999, at the Champagne Funeral Chapel in Elkton. The Rev. Larry Salsbury, pastor of the Elkton Missionary Church, will officiate with burial in the Colfax Cemetery Mausoleum in Bad Axe. Visitation is from noon to 9 p.m. today and after 10 a.m. Monday. Memorials may be given to the Elkton Missionary Outreach Center. 1