Obituaries Week of March 12, 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, Michigan Local Obituaries Week of March 12, 2000 Phyllis Linderman Phyllis M. Linderman, 82, of Cass City died Thursday, March 16, 2000, after a short illness. She was born May 22, 1917, in Flint to Will and Gertrude (Chambers) Rogers. She married Harvey Linderman on Oct. 20, 1936, in Fairgrove. He died Jan. 28, 1965. Phyllis worked in the kitchen as a cook for Hills and Dales General Hospital for 16 years. She loved to crochet, making each child an afghan. She enjoyed reading, gardening and flowers. Phyllis was a member of the Cass City Church of the Nazarene. Phyllis is survived by her children, Marilyn Woodward and her husband, Bill, of Cass City, William Linderman and his wife, Verna, of Auburn Heights, Janet Roberts and her husband, Hazen, of Linwood, Norma Jean Craig and her husband, Jerry, of Salina, Kan., Helen Sprague of Essexville, and Harvey Linderman and his wife, Sue, of Cass City; a son-in-law, Ron Peters; 18 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; three great-great- grandchildren; brothers Harvey Scofield of Flint and Eldon Rogers and his wife, Dorothy, of Bay City; sisters Ethel Laverly of Mt. Morris and Frances Sawyer of Venice, Fla.; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her daughters, toddler Ruth Ann in 1960 and Nancy Peters in 1998; brothers Sam and Jim Scofield; and a great- granddaughter. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday, March 20, 2000, at the Cass City Church of the Nazarene. Interment will be in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City. Visitation will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, and 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Kranz Funeral Home in Cass City, and 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at the church. Memorials may be made to the Cass City Church of the Nazarene. Agnes Essenmacher Mrs. Agnes J. Essenmacher, 82, of Harbor Beach passed away at her home on Wednesday, March 15, 2000, surrounded by the things she loved most, especially her family. She was born June 26, 1917, in Harbor Beach, daughter of the late John and Anna (Nowiski) Koss. She married George H. Essenmacher on Oct. 9, 1937, at Our Lady of Lake Huron Catholic Church of Harbor Beach. He preceded her in death on Oct. 9, 1999. She was a graduate of Rock Falls Country School. She worked in the Detroit area and returned in 1945 to the Harbor Beach area. She worked at Clements in Minden City and at General Cable in Cass City until 1977. She was a former member of the Harbor Beach Senior Citizens and was a homemaker and avid quilter and card player. She was a parishioner of St. Anthony Catholic Church of Helena for 50 years and a former member of the Altar Society. She is survived by five sons, John Essenmacher and his wife, Nina, of Armada, George Essenmacher, Jr., and his wife, Josephine, of Birch Run, Jim Essenmacher and his wife, Viola, of Imlay City, Bruce Essenmacher and his wife, Linda, of Harbor Beach, and Steve Essenmacher and his wife, Sandy, of Mount Clemens; four daughters, Juliana Messing and her husband, Gordon, of Carsonville, Virginia Sadro of Bad Axe, Janet Lemanski and her husband, Raymond, of Harbor Beach, and Shirley Essenmacher of Shelby Township; 37 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Frank Koss and his wife, Bernice, of Port Huron, and Arthur Koss and his wife, Dorothy, of Harbor Beach; and a stepbrother, John Kudlak of Port Huron. She was preceded in death by two brothers, John and Raymond Koss; four half-brothers, Joseph, Floyd, Casimer and Clarence Wrubel; and her stepmother, Katie Kudlak. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 18, 2000, at St. Anthony Catholic Church of Helena. The Rev. Charles Hammond, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. tonight, from 1 to 9:30 p.m. Friday and from 11 a.m. until noon at Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly. Vivian Harwood Vivian Rosella Stern Harwood, 91, of Harbor Beach passed away early Tuesday evening, March 14, 2000, in Port Huron Hospital after being rushed to emergency on Sunday following a stay of more than one year in a Lexington retirement home. She was born on Sept. 14, 1908, in East China Township, daugther of the late Capt. William H. and Martha J. (Young) Stern. She was a graduate of Ohio State University in 1932 and moved to Harbor Beach to teach home economics for the next 35 years, retiring in 1974. Vivian and William Harwood, Jr., were married on Good Friday, March 22, 1940, at the First Presbyterian Church in Harbor Beach. Her lifelong friend and husband Bill preceded her in death on July 2, 1970. Mrs. Harwood loved her students and years later reflected on her many years of memories and enjoyment helping her "kids" realize their potential, to raise families and overcome life's challenges. Several of her students became lifelong friends. Vivian's unconditional love, understanding and fortitude are at the forefront of her character. She has earned the respect and admiration of many who have crossed her path. She was a truly devoted person to her family by helping raise her two grandsons, and to her friends and her Lord. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Harbor Beach, a life member of the Order of Eastern Star, Ubly Miriam Chapter and the Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel. Vivian is survived by her son, William James Harwood of Bad Axe; grandsons Scot Harwood of Belleville and Michael Harwood of Port Huron; granddaughter Sarah Thomas of Lexington; great-granddaughter Myleigha Harwood of Port Huron; one sister, Phyllis Hurley of Liverpool, N.Y.; and also by her extended family, Lisa Young, Kimberly and Dustin Rogers of Port Huron, Paul and Jeanette Ginther, Lorraine Kudlac and the Falkenbergs, all of Harbor Beach. She was preceded in death by two brothers, William Stern and Lorimore Stern. Funeral services will take place at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 18, 2000, in the First Presbyterian Church, Harbor Beach, with the Rev. Theresa Cutler, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Rock Falls Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday at Ramsey Funeral Home, Harbor Beach, a Golden Rule Funeral Home, and from noon until the time of services at 1 p.m. Saturday at the church. We bid her peace until we meet again. We love you, Mom and Grandma! Mark Pohl Mark O. Pohl, 71, of Harbor Beach, formerly of Livonia, passed away Wednesday, March 15, 2000, in the Harbor Beach Community Hospital following a short illness. He was born on April 15, 1928 in Detroit, son of the late J. Norman and Florence (Leahy) Pohl. Mark was a veteran of World War II and the Korean War, serving in the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Division. He played baseball with the Chicago White Sox farm club. He and Carolyn Crossen were married April 21, 1956, in Detroit. He was a retired employee of the American Motor Co. and Chrysler Corp., retiring after 23 years with the firms. He was a member of Our Lady of Lake Huron Catholic Church in Harbor Beach and the OLLH Knights of Columbus No. 11,423. He was a charter member of the Detroit Judo Club, having a black belt rating. Mark was an antique clock collector and repairman and was a member of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors. He also enjoyed researching his Irish genealogy. Mark is survived by his wife, Carolyn Pohl of Harbor Beach; two sons, Mark P. Pohl and his wife, Jill, of Dearborn and Brian Pohl of Austin, Texas; a daughter, Kathleen Murphy and her husband, Michael, of Port Hope; five grandchildren, Megan, Lauren, Connor, Sean and Morgan; three sisters, Patricia Moose and her husband, William, of Belleview, Wash., Marcella Courneya of Plymouth and Mary Pohl of Detroit; seven brothers, John B. Pohl of Birmingham, Donald Pohl and his wife, Jeanne, of Brighton, Harvey Pohl of Florida, Kenneth Pohl and David Pohl, both of Detroit, Phillip Pohl and his wife, Jeri, of Macomb Township, and Matthew Pohl and his wife, Pat, of Warren. He was preceded in death by a brother, Norman Pohl. Mass of the Resurrection will be conducted at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 18, 2000, in Our Lady of Lake Huron Catholic Church with the Rev. Edward Konieczka, pastor, officiating. Interment will be in the church cemetery. A parish vigil service will be conducted at 7 p.m. Friday in Ramsey Funeral Home, Harbor Beach, a Golden Rule Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 2 to 6 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday and from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home. John Tyrrell Mr. John "Jack" Tyrrell, 67, of Ubly died Tuesday evening, March 14, 2000, at St. Mary's Hospital of Saginaw. Arrangements are being handled by the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home of Ubly. Theodore "Ted" Buchalski Ted Buchalski, 85, of Caseville and formerly of Detroit, died Saturday evening, March 11, 2000, at Huron Memorial Hospital following a long illness. He was born April 19, 1914, in Detroit. On May 2, 1936, he was united in marriage to Clara Sosnowski at St. Stanislaus in Detroit. After earning a living in Detroit as a factory worker and small business owner, he retired and moved to Caseville in 1976. He was a member of the Lake Township Zoning and Planning Board for a period of 12 years. He served as chairman and secretary of that board. He was a charter member of the Caseville Fraternal Order of Eagles No. 3690 and a member of St. Felix Catholic Church in Pinnebog. Ted was an avid fisherman and Tigers fan. Surviving are his wife, Clara; two sons, Dennis Buchalski and his wife, Judy, of Stevensville, and David Buchalski and his wife, Eileen, of Warren; three daughters, Patricia Smith and her husband, Robert, of Caseville, Sandra Ward and her husband, Thomas, of Grand Haven, and Paula Ballard and her husband, Gerald, of Phoenix, Ariz.; 11 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; a sister, Regina Rogos of Warren; and a brother, Bernard Buchalski of Caseville. He was preceded in death by a brother, Florian Buchalski. The funeral mass will take place at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 15, 2000, at St. Felix Catholic Church, Pinnebog, with burial at St. Roch Cemetery in Caseville. An Eagles ritual will be conducted at 6:30 p.m. tonight and a prayer/rosary service will follow at 7 p.m., both at Champagne Funeral Chapel, Caseville. Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. tonight at the funeral home and after 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at the church. Helen Strong Helen Strong, 82, of Bay Port died late Sunday evening, March 12, 2000, at Bay Special Care Center in Bay City following a two-year illness. She was born March 22, 1917, in Cincinnati, Ohio, daughter of the late John and Anna Miller. She was united in marriage to Elmer Strong. He preceded her in death in 1963. Helen was employed at the Scenic Bar in Bay Port for several years. She was a member of the Sebewaing VFW Post No. 4115 Ladies Auxiliary and the Ladies Auxiliary of the Bay Port American Legion Post No. 533. She was an avid baseball player. Surviving are one daughter, Mary Ann Bieri and her husband, Edward, of Bay Port; two grandchildren, Tami Bieri of Sebewaing and Edward Bieri, Jr., of Bay Port; two great-grandsons, Korbin Bieri and Garrett Nuncio; two sisters, Elizabeth Bingham of Cass City and Mary Reed and her husband, Roy, of Bay Port; a brother, William Miller and his wife, Elsie, of Dunnelan, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a brother, John Miller. A memorial service will take place at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 16, 2000, at the Dinkel-Juengel Funeral Home in Sebewaing. The Rev. Alger Lewis, pastor of Kilmanagh United Methodist Church, will officiate. Cremation has taken place and inurnment will be in New Bay Port Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the time of the service Thursday at the funeral home. Ronald Affer, Sr. Mr. Ronald E. Affer, Sr., 63, of Minden City died Friday evening, March 10, 2000, at Covenant Healthcare in Saginaw after a long illness. He was born Dec. 27, 1936, in Detroit, son of the late Charles and Emma (Bingle) Affer. He married Patricia Partaka on Jan. 4, 1958, at St. Mary's Church of Parisville. He was a graduate of Lillybridge Elementary School and attended Southern High School in Detroit. He served in Korea as a U.S. Marine. He was a courier for Merrill Lynch Corp. in Detroit. He worked for Continental Motors and at the General Motors Technical Center in Warren. He was a truck driver for 10 years for Angelo Cartage. He moved to Huron County in 1980 and became a resident of Minden City in 1985. He enjoyed deer hunting, card playing and visiting with family and friends and enjoyed the old Western videos. He is survived by his wife, Patricia, of Minden City; five sons, Ronald Affer of Minden City, Mark Affer of Warren, John Affer and his wife, Gwen, of Warren, Michael Affer and his wife, Kim, of Bad Axe, and Edward Affer of Bad Axe; one daughter, Heide Terrasi and her husband, Carl, of Minden City; one brother, Daniel Affer of Detroit; nine grandchildren, Stephen, Patrick and Scott Gobie, Ashley, Stephanie and Samantha Warchuck, Nicole and Jordan Terrasi, and Austin Affer; one brother-in-law, Alex Wegner; sisters-in-law, June and Linda Affer; and his father-in-law, John Partaka. He was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Michelle Gobie on Oct. 17, 1999; granddaughter, Cristina Terrasi; a brother, Charles Affer; an infant sister, Patricia Affer; his mother-in-law, Isabel Partaka; and a brother-in-law, Edward Partaka. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 14, 2000, at the Smigielski Funeral Home of Minden City. The Rev. Ellen Burns, pastor of Minden City United Methodist Church, will officiate. Burial will be in the Minden City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 to 9:30 p.m. today and from 9:30 until the time of services at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Dorothy Cunningham Mrs. Dorothy Rose Rook Cunningham, 74, of Sebewaing and Key Largo, Fla., passed away Thursday, March 9, 2000, at Miami Baptist Hospital in Miami, Fla. She was born on July 25, 1925, in Sebewaing, the daughter of Alfred and Margaret Schulz Gaeth. Mrs. Cunningham was united in marriage to Arthur Rook and to Allan Cunningham. Both preceded her in death. She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Sebewaing, its Women's Bible Study, the Lutheran Women's Missionary League, the VFW Auxiliary, the Garden Club and Silver Belles of Silver Shores, Key Largo, Fla. Surviving are a son, Douglas Rook and his wife, Patricia, of Huntington Beach, Calif.; daughters Anita Mueller and her husband, Gordon, of Bay City and Elyse Rook of Grand Blanc; grandchildren Julie Ann Fisher and Rachel Mueller, both of Bay City; a sister, Marylyn Otto of Bonita Springs, Fla.; many special nieces, nephews and cousins; and loving friends in Sebewaing and Key Largo. She was preceded in death by a brother, Raymond Gaeth. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 15, 2000, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Sebewaing, with the Rev. Albert Bahr officiating. Interment will be in Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m Tuesday at the Unionville Funeral Chapel in Unionville, and from 10 a.m. Wednesday until the time of service at the church. Memorials made be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church Building Fund or its Broadcast Ministries. Edward Kolomak Edward Kolomak, 84, of Sherman Township near Harbor Beach passed away Sunday, March 12, 2000, in Port Huron following a brief illness. He was born on June 6, 1915, in Detroit, son of the late A. and Bernice Kolomak. He and Mary Renaud were married Oct. 24, 1936, in Detroit. She preceded him in death on April 4, 1996. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Navy. Edward was a retired employee of Chrysler Corp. He retired in 1980 after 47 years of employment. He was a member of the American Legion Post No. 197 of Harbor Beach and enjoyed gardening and other outdoor activities. Surviving are two daughters, Kathleen Estes and her husband, James, of Flint, and Cynthia Carley and her husband, Kenneth, of Harbor Beach; five grandchildren, Ronald Mitchell, Dale Mitchell and his wife, Cindy, Dawn Klassen and her husband, Michael, Heath Carley and Gareth Carley. He was preceded in death by a brother, Albert Kolomak. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 15, 2000, in the Ramsey Funeral Home, Harbor Beach, a Golden Rule Funeral Home, with the Rev. Edward Konieczka, pastor of Our Lady of Lake Huron Catholic Church, officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Military graveside services will be conducted by the American Legion Post No. 197 of Harbor Beach. Visitation will be from 1 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and from 10 a.m. until the time of services at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. John "Jack" Glaza John "Jack" William Glaza, 83, of Ubly died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, March 9, 2000, after a day of golf at Fort Meade, Florida. He was born on Feb. 20, 1917, in Ubly, the son of the late Frank Xavier and Teresa (Gwizdalla) Glaza. Jack retired in 1981 as chief engineer from the Thumb Electric Cooperative after 43 years of service and was a 55-year member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Jack as a life-long parishioner of St. John's Catholic Church and a member of St. Vincent DePaul of Holiday, Fla. He served on the Ubly Village Council for many years and was a member of the Ubly Fox Hunter's Club, an usher at St. John's church, member of the Ubly Senior Citizens Group and Bonita Men's Club of Holiday, Fla., and a former member of the Bad Axe Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed golfing, wine making, cards and visiting with family and friends. Jack is survived by his wife of 58 years, Doris (Priemer) Glaza; two sons, Gerald Glaza and his wife, Cindy, of Canton, and Michael Glaza and his wife, Beverly, of Ann Arbor; three daughters, Joan Smith and her husband, Ronald, of Lansing, Janet Williams and her husband, Donald, of West Bloomfield, and Diana Gover and her husband, Mark, of Lansing; nine grandchildren, Matthew, Julie and Jane Glaza, Justin and Andrew Smith, Blake Williams, Maxwell and Elle Gover, and Marcka Glaza; a brother, Edward Glaza and his wife, Edna, of Ubly; and four sisters, Marge Chinoski and her husband, Ambrose, of Parisville, Mildred Antos and her husband, John, of Shelby Township, Delores Dapkus and her husband, Phil, of Saline, and Genevieve Gorang and her husband, Ron, of Modesta, Calif. He was preceded in death by his brother, Stanley; and a sister, Susan Tschirhart. Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 15, 2000, at St. John's Catholic Church, Ubly. The Rev. T.J. Fleming, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery in the spring. There will be a parish wake service at 8 p.m. Tuesday at Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly. Visitation will take place from 1:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday and from 8 to 9 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Hazel Schlotta Hazel C. Schlotta, 81, of Harbor Beach and formerly of Port Hope, passed away Saturday, March 11, 2000, in Harbor Beach Community Hospital following a short illness. Daughter of late Bernard and Bertha (Kroll) Yambarske, she was born in Detroit on Dec. 1, 1918. She and George Schlotta were married May 8, 1948, in Detroit. He preceded her in death on Aug. 29, 1976. Hazel was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Harbor Beach. She is survived by cousins. She was preceded in death by a sister, Margaret Hopp and a brother, Bernard Yambarske. Funeral services will be conducted at noon Tuesday, March 14, 2000, at Zion Lutheran Church in Harbor Beach with the Rev. Mark Girardin, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the Lakeview Cemetery in Port Hope. A scripture service will be conducted at 8 p.m. Monday at the Ramsey Funeral Home in Harbor Beach. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. today, from 1 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at the funeral home, and from 11 a.m. until the time of services at the church on Tuesday. Leslie Raymond Simmons Les Simmons, 89, of Gotts Corner died Friday morning, March 10, 2000, at home following a long illness. He was born Jan. 4, 1911, in Grindstone City, at the home of his parents, the late William and Alice (Brinker) Simmons. On Oct. 5, 1932, he was united in marriage to Hazel Carson at his parents' home. Les had worked as a carpenter for Caseville Lumber for a time and also at Damm's Inc. in Pigeon as a mechanic. In 1955, he took a position as bus mechanic for the Elkton School. In 1966, he left there and started his own business "Simmons Service" at Gotts Corner, operating it for 33 years and never retired. He was a member of the Pinnebog United Methodist Church and the Caseville Retirement Club. Surviving are his wife, Hazel; two sons, Les Simmons and his wife, Bev, of Caseville, and Rich Simmons and his wife, Lisa, of Kinde; two daughters, Rose Stiebe and her husband, Robert, of Filion, and Donna Cross of Caro; 15 grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and five step-great- grandchildren. Preceding him in death were three sons, Henry, Raymond and Robert; one daughter, Myrtle Marie and three great-grandsons, David Wichert, Henry T. Simmons and Joshua Smith. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday, March 13, 2000, at the Pinnebog United Methodist Church. The Rev. Robert Garrett, pastor, will officiate with burial in the Colfax Township Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. today at the Champagne Funeral Chapel in Caseville, and after 10 a.m. Monday at the church. Memorials may be directed to the family. James Robert Sprunger Jim Sprunger, 53, of Owendale died Thursday, March 9, 2000, at Huron Memorial Hospital in Bad Axe after complications from surgery. He was born March 20, 1946, in Bad Axe to Oliver and Melba (Miller) Sprunger. His father preceded him in death on Nov. 17, 1996. Jim worked as a technician for Buick since he was 18 years old, retiring in 1996 after 32 years. He served in the Army for two years and was a Vietnam Era Veteran. He was a graduate of Owendale High School Class of 1964 and moved to Flint during his years with Buick. He was an avid deer hunter and enjoyed the outdoors. Surviving are his mother, Melba; his brother, Kenneth Sprunger and his wife, Jeannette, of Rhodes; his sister, Ruth Kain and her husband, Tim, of Owendale; five nephews, Ken Jr., Jason, Kyle, Nathan and Timmy. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. today, March 12, 2000, at the Champagne Funeral Chapel in Elkton. The Rev. Alice Sheffield, pastor of the Owendale United Methodist Church, will officiate with burial in the Caseville Township Cemetery. Visitation will be after noon today at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Owendale United Methodist Church or the family. To contact the Huron Daily Tribune, send us E-mail at tribune@hdtinfo.com 1