Obituaries Week of September 10, 2000, Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan Copyright © 2000 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 10, 2000 Frank Turner Frank A. Turner, 91, of Lake City, Fla. and summer resident of Port Hope passed away on May 8, 2000, in Lake City following a long illness. He was born on July 10, 1909, in Volcun the son of the late Omer and Verbina (Collins) Turner. He and Edith Frazer were married on Sept. 26, 1940, in New York. She preceded him in death on Feb. 28, 1979. The were visitors to the Deitikers Cabins Resort in Port Hope for more than 40 years. He was an employee of Wonder Bread Co. in Detroit, retiring in 1974. He was a veteran of World War II. He served in the U.S. Army as a medic on a hospital ship in England, Africa and Germany. He was a member of the V.F.W. and American Legion in Melbourne, Fla. Frank is survived by a daughter, Marlene Weaver and her husband, Donald, of Fairview; four grandsons, Allen Turner of Arizona, Frank Turner of West Virginia, Lawrence Turner of California, Donald Weaver Jr. of Cummings; five great- grandsons; sister, Charlotte Snyder of California. A graveside service will be conducted at noon on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2000, in the Rock Falls Cemetery. The Rev. Theresa Cutler will officiate. Hilda Schmidt Hilda "Joyce" Schmidt, 73, of Bad Axe died unexpectedly Thursday, Sept. 14, 2000, at Huron Memorial Hospital. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 18, 2000, at the MacAlpine Funeral Home in Bad Axe with the Rev. Kenneth Lueke officiating. Visitation is from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, 2000, 1 to 9 p.m. Sunday and 9 a.m. until the time of the service Monday at the funeral home. A complete obituary will appear in the Sunday edition of the Huron Daily Tribune. Charles Roberts Charles Edwin Roberts, 82, of Elkton and a lifelong resident of Huron County, died Wednesday evening, Sept. 13, 2000, at the Huron County Medical Care Facility in Bad Axe. He was born May 11, 1918, in Bad Axe. He was the son of the late William and Bertha (Hollingshead) Roberts. Mr. Charles Roberts and Miss Evelyn Whitchurch were married on May 20, 1940. They had been married for more than 55 years. She preceded him in death on March 31, 1996. During his lifetime he worked at Berne Enterprises in Pigeon, The Pickel Plant in Bad Axe, Evan's in Gagetown, Active Industries in Elkton and the Defoe Shipyard. After his retirement Charles kept busy playing bingo, making baked goods, especially pies and cookies, playing his harmonica, listening to polka music and getting together with the Bad Axe Senior Citizens. He is survived by his son, Douglas Roberts and his wife, Sherry, of Caseville; six daughters, Vera Wark and her husband, Larry, of Akron, Betty Law and her husband, LeRoy, of Elkton, Linda Law and her husband, Garold, of Vassar, Lila Maurer and her husband, Donald, of Elkton, Janet Harris and her husband, Harold, and Ruth Vuillemot and her husband, John, of Elkton; 25 grandchildren; 59 great-grandchildren; one sister, Pearl Arnott of Bad Axe; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two sons, David and Kenneth Roberts; two brothers, William and Clifford Roberts; and one sister, Lula Arnott. Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, 2000, at the MacAlpine Funeral Home, Bad Axe, with the Rev. Larry Salsburey, pastor of the Elkton Missionary Church, officiating. Burial will follow at the Colfax Township Cemetery. Visitation will be 7 to 9 p.m. today, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, and from 9 a.m. until the time of services at the funeral home. Neil Maurer Neil Joseph Maurer, 84, died Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 12, 2000, at Huron Memorial Hospital after a prolonged illness. Neil was born Sept. 15, 1915, to the late John and Emma (Heilig) Maurer of Paris Township. In his youth, Neil attended the Maurer School through the eighth grade and served Mass at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church for 17 years. He also was a member of the Holy Trinity Progressive baseball team for which he played catcher. As a young man, Neil worked on the family farm and later worked at Michigan Lumber Co. in Detroit where he learned the carpentry trade. During World War II, Neil served in the Army Air Corps 806th Medical Air Evacuation Squadron as a surgical technician. He entered the service on Jan. 13, 1942, and spent two months in basic training in Camp Atterbury in Indiana. For most of the war, Neil was stationed in Belfast, Ireland, where he tended the sick and wounded, flying from the battlefield to the base hospital in C-47s and in his spare time playing baseball. On Dec. 20, 1945, Neil was released from the service as a staff sergeant with the decorations of American Theater Ribbon, EAME Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal and Victory Medal World War II. On Nov. 16, 1946, Neil married Elizabeth "Betty" Pulcer at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church. Later, they took over the Pulcer family farm, turning it into a grade-A dairy operation. During this time Neil enjoyed hunting and playing horseshoes when time away from the farm allowed. He bowled on the Brahmer Oil and Gas of Ubly bowling team. He also was a member of the Huron County Zoning Board for many years and a member of the Michigan Milk Producers Association. Neil retired from farming in the mid-80's but remained active in agriculture and carpentry while in good health. Neil was a member of the VFW Post of Parisville, the Holy Name Society, and a lifelong member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church of Smiths Corners. Neil also was a member of the Tip-of- the-Thumb Dance Club. Surviving are his wife, Betty, of Ubly; his son Randy Maurer and his wife, Pamela, of Ubly; his grandchildren Nicole Champagne and her husband, Christopher, of Charlotte, and Miranda Maurer of Saginaw; three brothers, Ed Maurer and his wife, Margaret, of Harbor Beach, Fred Maurer and his wife, Grace, and John Maurer and his wife, Joan, both of Ubly; one sister, Emma Mazure of Ubly; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by three sisters, Kate True, Helen Oberski and Clara Polk; and three brothers, Raymond, Tony and Elmer Maurer. Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 15, 2000, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Smiths Corners, with burial in the church cemetery. Military graveside services will be presented by the Parisville VFW Post 5740. Wake services will be conducted at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly. Visitation will be 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. today, from noon to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, and from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. Glenn Kirsch Glenn Edwin "Whitey" Kirsch, 79, of Caseville passed away Monday, Sept. 11, 2000, at his home following a short illness. He was born on Dec. 7, 1920, in Detroit, the son of the late Edwin and Bertie (Pohl) Kirsch. On Oct. 20, 1951, he was united in marriage to Marion G. Elliott in Redford. She survives him. Glenn was a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was Past Commander of the Caseville Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 8382 as well as Past Commander of Sebewaing Post No. 4115. He was past president of the Caseville Fraternal Order of Eagles No. 3690 and past chairman of District 5. For more than 30 years, he was a member of Eagles Aerie No. 2495 in Eastpointe. His survivors in include his wife, Marion G. of Caseville; two sons, Harold Kirsch and his wife, Alice, of Lapeer and Randall Kirsch of South Lyon; his daughter, Judy; two granddaughters, Julie and Jill Kirsch of Grand Blanc; and a niece, Debbie Kirsch. He was preceded in death by a brother, Robert. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 15, 2000, at Cross Lutheran Church, Pigeon, with the Rev. Raymond E. Orth, pastor, officiating. VFW Post No. 4115 of Sebewaing will post military honor guards at the service and present the flag to the family and offer a 21-gun salute following the service. Burial will be at Glen Eden Cemetery, Livonia, on Saturday. The FOE Ritual will take place at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Meyersieck-Bussema Funeral Home, Pigeon. Visitation will be 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. today and 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home, and from 10 a.m. until the time of services Friday at the church. Memorials may be made to Huron Memorial Hospice. Edmund Champagne Edmund P. Champagne, 55, of Sebewaing died Monday afternoon, Sept. 11, 2000, in Brian's House in Essexville following an eight-month illness. He was born Jan. 19, 1945, in Bad Axe, son of Virginia (Heleski) Champagne and the late Edmund F. Champagne. He was united in marriage to Sondra E. Dutcher on Aug. 8, 1964, in Bad Axe. Ed was employed at Acme Roll Forming in Sebewaing for 21 years and later at Metal Technologies, Northern Tube Division, in Pinconning for 15 years. He was an attendant on the Sebewaing Ambulance for many years and also was on the Sebewaing Fire Department. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and loved playing with his three grandchildren. Surviving are his wife, Sondra, of Sebewaing; two sons, Edmund P. Champagne, Jr., and his wife, Kathy, of Owendale, and Kevin M. Champagne and his friend, Katherine Kelley, of Fairgrove; his mother, Virginia Barker of Bad Axe; three grandchildren, Edmund Grant, Hunter Lee and Janel; one sister, Deanna Braun and her husband, Richard, of Gaylord; three brothers, Gerald Champagne and his wife, Michaeline, Bill Champagne and his wife, Patty, all of Bad Axe, and Eugene Champagne and his wife, Betty, of Elkton; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 14, 2000, at the Dinkel-Juengel Funeral Home in Sebewaing. The Rev. Alice Sheffield will officiate with burial in the Silverlawn Cemetery in Sebewaing. Visitation will be 7 to 9 p.m. this evening, from noon to 9 p.m. Wednesday and from 9 a.m. until the time of services Thursday at the funeral home. Karl Weippert Karl H. Weippert, Sr., 86, of Cass City died Monday, Sept. 11, 2000, in Hills and Dales General Hospital, Cass City. Funeral services will take place at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2000, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Cass City, with the Rev. Gerald Meyer officiating. Interment will be in Elkland Township Cemetery. Visitation will be 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. Wednesday at the church. Memorials may be made to the Family Discretionary Fund. Robert Buerker Robert B. "Bob" Buerker, 68, of Pigeon passed away Sunday, Sept. 10, 2000, at Scheurer Hospital in Pigeon. He was born on Oct. 27, 1931, in Bad Axe, the son of the late Albert and Emma (Maier) Buerker, Sr. On April 7, 1956, he was united in marriage to Clara L. Marshke at St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church, Pigeon. She survives him. Mr. Buerker farmed for many years. He also worked for the Cooperative Elevator Co. in Pigeon until his retirement in 1981. He was a member of St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church in Pigeon. He is survived by his wife, Clara; a sister, Dolores Greyerbiehl and her husband, Donald, of Rochester; nieces and nephews; and several cousins. He was preceded in death by brothers Carl and Albert. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2000, at St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church with burial in the church cemetery. There will be a rosary at 7 p.m. and a vigil service at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, both at Meyersieck-Bussema Funeral Home in Pigeon. Visitation will be 6 to 9 p.m. this evening, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, and from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be given as Mass offerings or to the charity of the donor's choice. Thomas Johnston Thomas William "Bill" Johnston, 71, of Cass City, died on Saturday Sept. 9, 2000 in VA Medical Center in Saginaw. He was born Jan. 19, 1929 in Gagetown to Harold and Theresa (McCarthy) Johnston. He married Shirley Ann Damm on Oct. 13, 1950 in Cass City. She died Nov. 14, 1986. Bill owned and operated Bill's Barber Shop in Cass City for over 30 years. He was a member of St. Pancratius Catholic Church. He was a charter member of the Cass City Lions Club and also had belonged to Cass City Rotary and Cass City-Gagetown Knights of Columbus. Bill served in the United States Army at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri during the Korean War. He was an avid fisherman and hunter. He is survived by his daughters, Lynn Griffith and her husband, Bob, of Los Angeles, Calif., Kathy Arcurio and her husband, Tony, of Newport Beach Calif.; granddaughter Madelyn Arcurio of Newport Beach Calif.; brother, Harold Johnston and his wife, Bette, of Alma; sisters Margaret Generous and Marion Carroll of Gagetown; and brother-in-law, Jay C. Pitcher of Sebewaing; friend and close companion, Deloris Leiterman of Gagetown; several nieces and nephews. He was proceeded in death by his sister, Madelyn Pitcher; brothers-in-law, Alger Generous and Richard Carroll. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday Sept. 11, 2000 at St. Pancratius Catholic Church, Cass City with the Rev. Paul Bala officiating. Scripture service will be at 7 tonight at the Kranz Funeral Home in Cass City. Visitation will be from 2 to 5 pm. and 7 to 9 pm. tonight at the funeral home and from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday in the church. Memorials may be given to the VA Medical Center #135, Saginaw. Esther Thumme Esther M. Thumme, 83, of Elkton passed away Friday morning Sept. 8, 2000, at Courtney Manor in Bad Axe. She was born Nov. 26, 1916 in Sebewaing at the home of her parents, the late John and Amanda (Schumacher) Liken. On June 21, 1941 she was united in marriage to Kenneth C. Thumme in Sebewaing. He preceded her in death on Dec. 29, 1987. Mrs. Thumme was a homemaker and lived in Elkton most of her married life. She was a member of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church and Ladies Aide, Elkton and long time bloodmobile volunteer. She enjoyed gardening and her family, especially her grandchildren. But mostly Esther showed love to God for saving her by showing love and kindness to others. Surviving are her son, Ken Thumme and his wife, Kay, of Elkton; two daughters, Annette O'Farrell and her husband, Mike, of Cantonment, Fla., Lynn Groth and her husband, Don, of Greendale, Wisc.; seven grandchildren, Kimberly, Kevin, Kyle, Kari, Kortney, Brian and Steve; five great grandchildren, Davis, Lauren, Bailee, Logan and Madison; her sister, Marie Liken; her brother, Carl Liken; and her sister-in-law, Florence Liken, all of Sebewaing. She was preceded in death by three brothers, John, Art and Ted Liken; and a sister-in-law, Doris Liken. Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. Tuesday Sept. 12, 2000 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Elkton. The Rev. Elton Bickel,, pastor, will officiate with burial in Riverside Cemetery, Elkton. Visitation will be 4 to 9 p.m. today at Champagne Funeral Chapel in Elkton, and after 10 a.m. Tuesday at the church. Memorials may be made to the Trinity Lutheran Church or the American Diabetes Association in honor of her granddaughter, Kimberly. Violet O'Neil Violet Ann O'Neil, 75, of Harbor Beach passed away Saturday, Sept. 9, 2000, in the Long Term Care Unit of Harbor Beach Community Hospital following a long illness. Born on Dec. 16, 1924, she was the daughter of the late Anthony and Flora (Mausolf) Schroeder. She and Morris (Bud) O'Neil were married on Dec., 10, 1943, in Harbor Beach. Together they owned and operated the O'Neil Bike Shop in Harbor Beach from 1970 to 1997. Bud O'Neil preceded her in death on Aug. 19, 1990. Vi was a member of Our Lady of Lake Huron Catholic Church and the Altar Society in Harbor Beach, the American Legion Auxiliary of Harbor Beach, and she was on the Huron County Board of Canvassers for 25 years, retiring in 1995. She is survived by eight sons, Gerald O'Neil and his wife, Joan, of Ashland, N.H., Timothy O'Neil and his wife, Toni, of Port Hope, Kenneth O'Neil and his wife, Mary, Patrick O'Neil and his wife, Susan, Michael O'Neil and his wife, Peggy, Dennis O'Neil and his wife, Nancy, all of Harbor Beach, Robin O'Neil and his wife, Brenda, of Frankenmuth, and Thomas O'Neil and his wife, Patty, of Port Hope; three daughters, Kathleen Hickey and her husband, Gene, of Clio, Sharon O'Neil of Port Huron, and Beth Cole and her husband, Al, of Harbor Beach; 32 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Ruth Schott of Harbor Beach and Doris Bader of Ohio. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Adele Banker and Beatrice Plaut; and by four brothers, Arthur, Jerome, Leland and Robert Schroeder. Mass of Christian Burial for Violet O'Neil will take place at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2000, in Our Lady of Lake Huron Catholic Church with Fr. Gerald Kukla, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. An American Legion Auxiliary Memorial will be conducted at 7:30 p.m. and a parish vigil service will be conducted at 8 p.m., both tonight at the Ramsey Funeral Home in Harbor Beach. Visitation will be 1 to 9 p.m. today and 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to Our Lady of Lake Huron Catholic School. 1