HURON DAILY TRIBUNE Obituaries, 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 August 29, 1999 Robert Cartwright Mr. Robert M. Cartwright, 79, of Unionville passed away Wednesday evening, Sept. 1, 1999, at Bay Medical Center. He was born in Unionville on July 22, 1920, the son of Harry O. and Mildred I. Morford Cartwright. On March 30, 1943, he married the former Helen Marie Lenhard in Gagetown. She preceded him in death in 1995. Mr. Cartwright served with the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a member of Unionville Moravian Church. Following his graduation from Michigan State University, he was a teacher with the Unionville and Gagetown school systems, and then became principal at Akron-Fairgrove public schools and Unionville-Sebewaing Area Public Schools. He was also athletic director and coach at Unionville and USA schools. He was a proud member of the Michigan Coaches Hall of Fame, the USA Schools Hall of Fame, the Michigan Sports Sages and for a number of years hosted a WKYO Radio program entitled, "Let's Talk Sports." He was a member of the American Legion Post 421, Unionville, a member of the Masonic Lodge, Caro, and was very active in the Thumb Meet of Champions and an avid golfer. For many years he was a member of the Country Gospel Orchestra. He is survived by his son, Larry Cartwright and his wife, Berta, of Charlotte; daughters, Kathie Abke and her husband, Lynn, of Bad Axe, Colleen Schoenfeldt and her husband, David, of Macomb, Holly Geurts and her husband, Dan, of Gladstone, Bonnie Kauffold and her husband, Randy, and Tracy Kemp and her husband, Paul, of Sebewaing; 17 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m Sunday, Sept. 5, 1999, at the Unionville Moravian Church with the Rev. Terry Weavil officiating. lnterment will be in Columbia Township Cemetery. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. today and 2 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the Unionville Funeral Chapel. Mr. Cartwright will also lie in state from 1 p.m. until the time of the services on Sunday at the church. Memorials may be made to the Unionville Moravian Church or the charity of the donor's choice. Mary Day Mary E. Day, 92, resident of Port Hope died Thursday, Sept. 2, 1999, at the Harbor Beach Long Term Care Unit. She was born Sept. 9, 1906 in Huron Township, the daughter of the late Frank and Rebecca (Thompson) Fuller. On Oct. 10, 1925, she was united in marriage to Murdoch Day. He preceded her in death Feb. 8, 1992. Mary and her husband were very active church members of RLDS Church of Harbor Beach. They enjoyed working the church booth at the Michigan State Fair in Detroit. She also enjoyed crafts and was an excellent baker and loved to cook. Her survivors include three daughters: Betty Weisenbach and her husband, Don, of Port Austin, Bea Wellman of Port Hope, Bertha May Broyles and her husband, John, of Bates City, Mo.; three sons, Art Day and his wife, Delores, of Port Austin, Charles Day of Chesterfield Township, Grant Day and his wife, Rhoda, of Bates City, Mo., 12 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, and eight great-great- grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and five sisters-in-law, Helen Fuller, Dorothy Fuller, Elizabeth Fabian, Mary I. Day and Eva Day. She was preceded in death by eight brothers; two sisters; a son-in-law, Ward Wellman; and grandson-in-law, Danny Rapson. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 6,1999, from the Gage Chapel MacAlpine Funeral Home of Kinde. Archie Dickerson and Dale Day will officiate. Visitation will be from 1 until 9 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the donor's choice. Winifred Andrews Winifred M. Andrews, 86, a homemaker of Decker and formerly of Marlette, died Tuesday, Aug. 31, 1999, at Marlette Community Hospital. Mrs. Andrews was born Feb. 11, 1913 in Pinnebog, daughter of the late John and Mary (O'Connor) Champagne. Winifred graduated from Bad Axe High School and married Ernest Andrews on June 16, 1945 in Roseville. He passed away Aug. 7, 1979. She was a founding member of the St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Marlette. She is survived by a son, James Andrews and his wife, Nancy, of Kingston; 2 step-daughters, Frances Waun and her husband, Max, of Snover and Joy Lordson and her husband, Francis of Vermonville; brothers, Peter Champagne and his wife, Susan, of Bad Axe and Ervin Champagne and his wife, Alice, of Caseville; a sister Grace Rau of West Branch; two grandchildren, Michelle Wilcox and her husband, Stan, of Marlette and Michael Andrews and his wife, Lori of Huron, Ohio; special friends, Lanny and Vivian Janes, Joseph and Myra Navarro all of Decker; five step-grandsons; five step-granddaughters; 26 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Sept. 3, 1999 at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Marlette with Fr. Richard Bokinskie officiating. Burial will be in the Moshier Cemetery in Hemans. A scripture wake service will be conducted at 6:30 p.m tonight at the funeral home. Visitation is from 1 to 9 p.m today at the Marsh Funeral Chapel in Marlette and from 10 a.m until the time of the service Friday at the church. Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor's choice. Eleanor Talaski Eleanor B. Talaski, 80, of Harbor Beach passed away unexpectedly at her home Tuesday, Aug. 31, 1999. She was born Oct. 23, 1918 in Paris Township of Huron County to the late Fabian and Mary (Abraham) Susalla. She attended the Filmore School and St. Mary's Catholic Church as a child. She and Frank Talaski were married Oct. 23, 1937 in St. Mary's Catholic Church in Parisville. Together they farmed in Sigel Township until their retirement in 1985. She was a member of Our Lady of Lake Huron Catholic Church in Harbor Beach, the Altar Society and the Rapson Sportsman Club. She especially enjoyed baking, cooking, playing cards and spending time with her children and grandchildren. She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Frank Talaski, Sr. of Harbor Beach; five sons, Frank Talaski, Jr. and his wife, Elaine of Bad Axe, Richard Talaski and his wife, Ilene, of Jeddo, LaVern "Taco" Talaski and his wife, Jean, of Harbor Beach; Eugene Talaski and his wife, Diane "Til", of Bad Axe and Fred Talaski and his wife, Julie, of Harbor Beach; 16 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; one brother, Jacob Susalla, of Ubly; five sisters, Frances Koceba and her husband, Isadore, of Bad Axe, Irene Eden and her husband, Gordon, of Filion, Agnes Gorkowski and her husband, Eugene, of Filion, Beatrice Kubacki and her husband, Clarence, of Ubly and Patricia Vogel and her husband, Herbert, of Ruth; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by two brothers, William and Arthur Susalla; two sisters, Theresa Skipinski and Margaret Susalla and two great-grandchildren, Mathew and Tiffany Talaski. Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 4, 1999, at Our Lady of Lake Huron Catholic Church in Harbor Beach with the Rev. Edward Konieczka, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. A parish scripture service will be conducted at 7:30 p.m. on Friday in the Ramsey Funeral Home, a Golden Rule Funeral Home, in Harbor Beach. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. today and from 1 to 9 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. John Knowlton John A. Knowlton, 52, of Caro passed away suddenly Saturday afternoon, Aug. 28, 1999. He was born Dec. 21, 1946 in Monroe, the son of the late William and Elizabeth (Turner) Knowlton. He came to Tuscola County with his parents as a child. He graduated from Cass City High School and moved to Caro in 1968 and has lived there since. He had been employed at Delphi Saginaw Steering Gear for 31 years, retiring on Oct. 1, 1996. For most of his adult life, one of his great pleasures was horses and their training. After his retirement from Delphi, horse training became his full-time occupation. He was a member of the Living Waters Chapel in Caro, the American and the Michigan Quarter Horse Associations, the Palomino Horse Association, the Blue Water Pleasure Horse Association and the UAW Loca1 699. He married Val Furness on June 24,1967 in Cass City. She survives him. He is also survived by one daughter, Michelle Robinson and her husband, Chris, of Caro; two sisters, Charlotte Rabideau of Cass City, Ruth Ann Hnatiuk of Arizona; three brothers, Robert Knowlton of Arizona, William Knowlton of Virginia and James Knowlton of Marlette; a very special aunt and uncle, Loretta and Walter Turner of Caro; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 1, 1999, at the Living Waters Chapel in Caro. The Rev. James Solomon, pastor, will officiate and burial will be in Indianfields Township Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m and 7 to 9 p.m today at the Ransford Funeral Home in Caro and from 10 a.m until the time of the service Wednesday at the church. Memorials may be made to Teen Ranch of Marlette or the Living Waters Mission Fund. The family was assisted with these arrangements by the Ransford Funeral Home of Caro. Arthur E. Nimtz Arlene M. Nimtz Arthur E. and Arlene M. Nimtz died as a result of an automobile accident near Bay City on Friday, Aug. 27, 1999. Arthur was born March 18, 1918 in Kilmanagh, son of the late Richard Frederick and Katherine Minnie (Stueck) Nimtz, Sr. He was married to Arlene Margaret Schnitker on June 7, 1941 in Kilmanagh. He had been employed at the former Michigan Milk Producer's Dairy in Sebewaing for 34 years. He also farmed in the Sebewaing area. Art was a member of New Salem Lutheran Church and served as an elder. He was a member of the Teamsters, a life member and deputy of the Arbeiter Hall, and a life member of the Sebewaing Sportsmen's Club. He was also an avid carpenter and woodworker. Surviving are two sons, Roger Nimtz and his wife, Betty Lou, of South Bend, Ind., and Terry Nimtz and his wife, Michelle, of Bay City; one daughter-in-law, Margaret Baur of Unionville; 12 grandchildren, Sherri, Rodney, Dawn, Vickie, Wendy, Jodie, Scott, Peter, Daryl, Tiffany, Jennifer and Caitlin; five great-grandchildren, Kathryn, Kristopher, Rachel, Marissa and Brandon; one sister, Mildred Kain and her husband, Emerson, of Owendale; three brothers, Wilmer Nimtz and his wife, Helen, of Sebewaing, Walter Nimtz and his wife, Vernita, of Kilmanagh, Richard Nimtz, Jr. of Port Austin and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by one son, Rennis Arthur Nimtz and one sister, Lucille Elbing. Arlene, 76, was born May 27, 1923 in Pigeon, daughter of the late George and Balinda Lydia (Strieter) Schnitker. She had been employed by the Jewell T. Coffee Company, Active Industries, Pine Tree Gift Shop, Log Cabin Restaurant in Sebewaing, Best Tackle and Ensminger's Pension Lodge. She also loved to crochet, made ceramics, played the steel guitar and doted on her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Surviving besides her children, grandchildren and great- grandchildren are one sister-in-law, Doreen Schnitker of Sebewaing and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by one son, Rennis Arthur Nimtz; one sister, Dorothy Diener; two brothers, Francis and Curtis Schnitker. Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 31, 1999, at New Salem Lutheran Church in Sebewaing. The Rev. William L. Mayhew will officiate with burial in St. John Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation is from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today at the Dinkel-Juengel Funeral Home in Sebewaing. They will lie in state from 9:30 a.m. Tuesday until the time of the service at the church. Memorials may be made to New Salem Lutheran Church or the charity of donor's choice. Monica Osak Monica Curylo Osak, 79, of Ubly and former owner of Monica's Beauty Salon in Bad Axe, died Thursday evening, Aug. 26, 1999, at her residence after a long illness. She was born Jan. 30, 1920 in Codogen, Penn., daughter of the late Thomas and Agnes (Sczymanek) Curylo. She married William F. Osak on Dec. 2, 1939, in Hamtramck. She was one of five siblings and orphaned in her early teens. She attended Hamtramck High School and then attended Virginia Farell Beauty School in Detroit. She worked in New York and in Detroit before moving to Ubly in 1948 to own and operate Monica's Beauty Shop. In 1958, she opened Monica's Beauty Salon in Bad Axe with her husband and operated it until 1992. Monica had a full and robust life, working successfully as a hairdresser for over 50 years, loving life, color, music, her home and all her family to the fullest. She will be remembered fondly for her ability to never forget the memorable events with timely cards or gifts in each of her loved one's lives. She was a former officer and member of the Hairdressers Association and a member of St. John's Parish of Ubly since 1948. She is survived by her husband of almost 60 years, William F. of Ubly; one son, William L. Osak and his wife, Dorothy, of Visalia, Calif.; two grandsons, Bryan and Robert Osak, of Visalia, Calif.; one sister, Bernice Czajkowski of Largo, Fla.; and one brother, Edward Curylo of Sterling Heights. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Thomas and Eugene and one sister, Julie Jablonski. A memorial service will take place at 11 a.m. Wednesday Sept. 1, 1999 at the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home of Ubly. The Rev. Thomas J. Fleming, pastor, of St. John Parish of Ubly, will officiate. Burial will be in St. John Cemetery. Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. Richard A. Pedigo Richard A. Pedigo, 77, of Caseville, died Saturday, Aug. 28, 1999, at Hills & Dales Hospital in Cass City. He was born Sept. 30, 1921 in Russell County, Ky. to the late Joseph and Zelia (Wilson) Pedigo. On March 19, 1940, he was united in marriage to Evelyn Marie Wilson in Jamestown, Ky. After returning home from the service, they moved to the Madison Heights area where he worked as a mechanic at several area Chrysler dealers, including Leo Atler Chrysler for 17 years. In 1974, he took a position at General Motors retiring after 10 years for health reasons. After retiring, they began spending summers at their place in Caseville and wintered in Florida, enjoying fishing, playing cards and shooting pool. Mr. Pedigo was in the U.S. Army during all of World War II, serving all over Europe and was at the invasion of Normandy. He was a member of the VFW Post No.10210 in Sebastian, Fla., and a charter member of the Madison Heights Eagles Aerie No. 3206. Surviving are his wife of 59 years, Evelyn; his daughter, Gloria Beadle and her husband, Jeff, of Caseville; his son, Richard, Jr. of Madison Heights; four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Preceding him in death were a daughter, Rita, in 1943; a grandson, Jimmie, in 1964; a son, Jimmie, in 1992; and five sisters. Funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 2, 1999, at the Champagne Funeral Chapel in Caseville with burial in Riverside Cemetery in Elkton. An Eagle Ritual will be conducted at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday and a veteran service Thursday morning by the Caseville American Legion. Visitation is from 2 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and after 10 a.m. Thursday. Memorials may be given to the Kidney Foundation or the Cancer Society. Willard Johnson Willard Johnson, 68, of Harbor Beach passed away Sunday, Aug. 29, 1999, in the Four Season's Healthcare Center in Bad Axe following a long illness. He was born April 21, 1931 in Lapeer. Willard was a worker at the Thumb Industries in Bad Axe and participated in the Michigan Special Olympics. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 1999, at the Ramsey Funeral Home, a Golden Rule Funeral Home, in Harbor Beach. The Rev. Theresa Cutler, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, will officiate. Interment will take place in Forest Bay Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the services on Wednesday at the funeral home. Anna Florence Murawski Anna Florence Murawski, 77, of Port Austin, died Friday, Aug. 27, 1999, at the Huron County Medical Care Facility in Bad Axe. She was born on Dec. 25, 1921 in Rapson, daughter of the late August and Magdeline (Polega) Miller. Anna married Albin Murawski on April 21, 1945 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rapson. Anna, a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother will be eternally united with her beloved husband, Albin, who preceded her in death on April 20, 1998. The two resided near Port Austin, where they farmed for most of their lives. They liked to travel together. As a homemaker, Anna dedicated her life to raising her children. She enjoyed life, in particular her family, baking, cooking (especially Polish foods), gardening, and Polka music. She was also a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church in Port Austin. Anna is survived by four daughters; Patricia Ignash of Port Austin, Mary Gottschalk and her husband, Ronald, of Port Austin, Geraldine Murawski of Kinde, and Christine Koth and her husband, Everett of Filion; six sons; Lawrence Murawski of Port Austin, Albin Murawski and his wife, Kimberly, of Bad Axe, Walter Murawski and his wife, Verna, of Kinde, Joseph Murawski and his wife, Vicky, of Port Austin, Augustine Murawski and his wife, Michelle, of Port Austin, Kenneth Murawski and his wife, Donna, of Port Austin; several grandchildren; Pamela Pechin and her husband, Donald, Joseph, Jerald, and Jennifer Ignash, Tina, Renee, Tracy, and Brian Gottschalk, Megan and Nicholas Koth, Todd, Michael, Andrew, Matthew, Sara, David, Stephanie, Mark, Nicole, Anthony, and Bradley Murawski; two great-grandchildren; Zachary and Cassie Pechin; two sisters; Genevieve Mackezyk of Ruth and Helen Peyerk of Gagetown; a step-sister, Mary Jane Baranski and her husband, Chester, of Port Austin; a step-brother, Joseph Hudo of Filion; a sister-in-law, Lucille Miller; one uncle and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her son, Stanley Murawski; her sister, Theresa Peruski; four brothers; Edward, Cassimer, Raymond, and Harry Miller; her step-mother, Cecilia Miller, and a step-brother, Edmund Hudo. Mass of the Resurrection was conducted at 11 a.m. today, Aug. 30, 1999, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Port Austin. Rev. Michael J. Bell, pastor, will officiate. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. A Parish Scripture Service was conducted Sunday at Knoblock Funeral Home in Kinde. William D. Maxson William D. Maxson, 63, of Kingston, died Thursday, Aug. 26, 1999, in Scheurer Hospital in Pigeon after a long illness. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 30, 1999, in Kranz Funeral Home in Kingston with Rev. Gerald Meyer of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Cass City, officiating. Interment is in East Dayton Cemetery in Caro. Visitation is from 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. today. Memorials may be given to Christ the King Lutheran Church in Kingston. Leo S. Ware Leo Stanley Ware, 90, of Cass City, died Friday, Aug. 27, 1999, in Hills & Dales General Hospital. He was born May 3, 1909 in Ellington Township to William Henry and Gertrude (Deming) Ware. He married Mardell N. Starr on July 3, 1930 in Lapeer. Leo worked for Nestles Food Company and Pontiac Motors. In 1944 he and Stanley McArthur began Mac and Leo Service, which he ran until his retirement in 1979. Mr. Ware was a former Lions Club member and former Cass City councilman. Leo attended Novesta Church of Christ. Leo loved his work. He enjoyed people. He loved caring for and took pride in his lawn. Leo is survived by his wife, Mardell; children, Ferris Ware and his wife, Carol, of Shelbyville, Ind., James Ware and his wife, Joan, of Cass City, Gordon Ware and his wife, Pat, of Otter Lake, Donna Nye of Cass City, David Ware and his wife, Judy, of Cass City; 18 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; brother-in-law Stanley McArthur and his wife, Pauline; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by granddaughter, Lisa Ware; grandson, Ted Ware; daughter-in-law, Ella Jean Ware; and son-in-law, Ken Nye. Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Monday, Aug. 30, 1999, in Novesta Church of Christ with Chuck Emmert officiating. Interment is in Novesta Township Cemetery. Pallbearers for Mr. Ware are his grandsons. Visitation is 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. today at Kranz Funeral Home in Cass City and noon to 1 p.m. Monday at the church. Memorials may be given to Novesta Church of Christ or Rawson Memorial Library. Luetta Clarabell Pierce Luetta C. Pierce, 81, of North Muskegon, died Thursday, Aug. 26, 1999, in Mercy Hospital in Muskegon. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 31, 1999, at the graveside in Elkland Township Cemetery with Sr. Ruth Adamites of St. Michael Catholic Church in Wilmot officiating. Visitation is from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday. Arrangements are being made by Kranz Funeral Home in Cass City. 1