Obituaries Week of February 13, 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 February 13, 2000 Lela Walsh Lela F. Walsh, 77, of Belfast, Maine and Bad Axe, died Thursday Feb. 10, 2000, at Tall Pines Rehabilitation and Living Center in Belfast. She was born on Sept. 7, 1922, in Caro, the daughter of Joseph and Flora (Frost) Chambers. She was a graduate of Caro High School Class of 1940. A homemaker and bookkeeper, she retired from Allegheny Ludlum Steel Industries in Bad Axe in 1984, after 27 years of service. She is survived by a daughter, Sharron Walsh of Searsport, Maine; two sons, Michael Walsh and his wife, Jamie, of Sylvania, Ohio, Patrick Walsh and Lisa Kushner of Morrill, Maine; a granddaughter, Kimberly Walsh of Atlanta, Ga.; three grandsons, Jeffrey Walsh of Sylvania, Ohio, Silas Walsh and Jasper Walsh, both of Morrill, Maine; one brother, Carleton B. Chambers and his wife, Sadie, of Caro and Tavares, Fla.; one brother-in-law, Richard J. Walsh and his wife, Esther, of Gagetown; several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband of 13 years, Gerald J. Walsh of Gagetown; four sisters, Matilda Evans, Muriel McLeod, Goldie Hiter and Genevieve Tomlinson; and two brothers, Joseph Harold and Orel. A memorial service will be conducted in the Spring at the St. Agatha Parish Cemetery in Gagetown. Memorials may be sent to the Waldo County Child and Parent Council, 9 Field Street, Belfast, Maine 04915. Bernard Lesoski Bernard J. Lesoski Jr., 55, lifelong resident of Huron County, died Feb. 15, 2000, at his home in Bad Axe. He was born on April 30, 1944, in Pigeon, the son of Ben Lesoski Sr. and the late Rosellae Mae (Balasz). He was employed by Evans Products from 1966-1971 and General Motors in Grand Blanc from 1972-1992. He enjoyed hauling scrap iron, playing bingo and solving puzzles. He also liked to watch the Three Stooges and the Dukes of Hazard on television. Bernard is survived by three daughters, Tina Lesoski of Kentucky, Brenda Lesoski of Miami, Fla., Heather Kendall of Clio; one son, Raymond Lesoski of Kentucky; four granddaughters; one grandson; his father, Ben Lesoski, of Caro; six sisters, Betty Lesosky and her husband, Gary, of Mount Clemens, Josephine Rivard and her husband, Dave, of Gagetown, Geneivieve Burkett and her husband, Robert, of Kinde, Virginia Ziehm and her husband, Larry, of Gagetown, Nancy Ligrow and her husband, Merritt, of Kinde, Patricia Hurren and her husband, Don, of Pigeon; five brothers, Richard Lesoski and his wife, Nancy, of Cass City, David Lesoski and his wife, Mary, of Pigeon, Donald Lesoski and his wife, LouAnn, of Caro, Robert Lesoski and his wife, Kathy, of Bay Port, Ronald Lesoski and his wife, Ruth, of Gagetown; several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Feb. 19, 2000, at the Gage Chapel MacAlpine Funeral Home in Kinde. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. today and 1 to 9 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. until the time of the services at the chapel on Saturday. Memorials may be made to the family. Patricia Putman Patricia W. Putman, 75, of Mio died Feb. 3, 2000, at her home following a short illness. She was born Nov. 16, 1924, in London, England, daughter of the late John and Elizabeth Austin. She is survived by three sons, Jess Putman of Fenton, Pat Putman of Munger, Errol Putman of New York; one daughter, Gwendolyn, of North Carolina; 10 grandchildren, Tammy Bailey of Mississippi, Tracey Woodruff of Cass City, Jess Putman of Caseville, Rachael Putman of Fenton, Steven, Michael, Eric and Katie Putman of Munger, Alecia and Kim Putman of Detroit; six great-grandchildren. Her husband, Alton Putman, and one son, Brian Putman, preceded her in death. Orr Funeral Home in Mio is handling the funeral arrangements. Graveside services will be conducted in the spring. Alton Young Alton J. Young, 89, of Cass City died Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2000, in Tendercare Nursing Facility. He was born on May 15, 1910, in Grant Township to Joseph and Myrtle (Andrews) Young. He married Elva Heron on Nov. 27, 1935, in Lapeer. She preceded him in death on Aug. 18, 1970. Mr. Young attended Sharred Country School and graduate from Owendale High School. He attended Michigan Agriculture College. He played drums for several Thumb area dance bands. He did television and radio repair and later worked as a mechanic for Nicol Motor Sales in Marlette for several years. Alton enjoyed fishing and loved to tell and hear a good joke. He grew a large garden with beautiful berries. Alton is survived by his daughter, Harriet Peters and her husband, Larry, of Cass City; sister-in-law, Madelyn Rawlings, of Ortonville; several nieces and nephews, cousins and their families. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Leota Ashmore and Norma Parrish. A private graveside service will be conducted in the spring in Elkland Township Cemetery. Arrangements are being handled by the Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City. Memorials may be made to Tendercare Activities. Richard Angst Richard A. Angst, 35, of Caseville, formerly of Maple Grove Township, died suddenly on Monday, Feb. 14, 2000. He was born in Owosso on Feb. 23, 1964, the son of Dallas and Janice (Birchmeier) Angst. He graduated from New Lothrop High School in 1983 and resided most of his life in Maple Grove Township. He worked as a die setter for Tower Automotive, Inc. (formerly Active Industries, Inc.) in Elkton. He enjoyed cars, hunting and following sports. He is survived by his parents, Dallas and Janice Angst of Maple Grove Township; four sisters, Mary Jo Nix and her husband, William, of Texas, Cindy Hagle and her husband, Brian, of Sand Point, Cheryl Urban and her husband, Don, of New Lothrop, and Dottie Roy and her husband, Jeff, of Chesaning; two brothers, Albert Angst and his wife, Theresa, of Elkton, and Ralph Angst of Chesaning; one goddaughter, Heather Nix; his grandmother, Martha Birchmeier; 10 nieces and nephews; many aunts and uncles; and special friends Steve and Michelle Louwers. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Joseph and Hedwig Angst and Albert Birchmeier; and two cousins, Amy Jo Birchmeier and Rodney Angst. Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 17, 2000, at St. Michael Catholic Church in Maple Grove Township. Officiating will be Fr. Randy Kelly. Burial will be in St. Michael Cemetery. There will be a scripture service at 7 p.m. tonight at Whelpley-Martin Funeral Home in New Lothrop. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home and after 10 a.m. Thursday at the church. Frances O'Parka Frances O'Parka, 95, of Harbor Beach passed away Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2000, at the long-term care unit of the Harbor Beach Community Hospital following an extended illness. She was born Sept. 17, 1904, in Parisville to the late Joseph and Katherine (Peplinski) Klaski. She and Joseph O'Parka were married Oct. 19, 1925, in Parisville. He preceded her in death on Oct. 24, 1988. Frances was a member of Our Lady of Lake Huron Catholic Church and the Altar Society. She enjoyed quilting, bingo, playing cards, cooking and visiting with family and friends. She is survived by two sons, Jerome Parker and his wife, Madeline, of Harbor Beach and Calvin O'Parka and his wife, Phyliss, of Shelby Township; three daughters, Dolores Braun and her husband, Raymond, of Port Austin, Jeanette Lackowski and her husband, Ervin, of Warren and Lorraine Mazure and her husband, Dave, of Tampa, Fla.; a daughter-in-law, Elaine O'Parka of Harbor Beach; a sister, Emma Lemanski of Bad Axe; 18 grandchildren; 28 great- grandchildren; and four step-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Edith; two sons, Alfred and Billy; a sister, Constance Briolet; and brothers, Albert, Leo and Aloyze Klaski. Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 18, 2000, in Our Lady of Lake Huron Catholic Church, Harbor Beach, with the Rev. Edward Konieczka officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. There will be a parish vigil service at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the Ramsey Funeral Home, Harbor Beach, a Golden Rule Funeral Home. Visitation is 6 to 9 p.m. tonight, from 1 to 9 p.m. Thursday and from 10 to 11:15 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. Harry Smalley Mr. Harry Smalley, 85, of Bad Axe died Monday evening, Feb. 14, 2000, at Huron Memorial Hospital in Bad Axe. He was born Feb. 1, 1915, in Ubly, son of the late Peter and Agnes (Salowitz) Smalla. He never married. He attended Kelly Rural School. He farmed with his family. He was a parishioner of St. John Catholic Church in Ubly. He worked for 30 years at Chrysler Corp. as a spot welder. He is survived by his cousin, William LaBuhn and his wife, Rose, of Bad Axe. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Stanley, Michael and Clarence Smalley. Funeral services will be conducted at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 17, 2000, at Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly. The Rev. T.J. Fleming, pastor of St. John Catholic Church in Ubly, will officiate. Burial will be in St. John Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Edna Weiss Edna A. Weiss, 78, of Port Hope died Sunday, Feb. 13, 2000, at her home. She was born Sept. 20, 1921, in Kinde, the daughter of the late Louis and Agnes (Matelski) Ignash. Edna married Fred O. Weiss in St. Mary's Church, Kinde. He preceded her in death May 26, 1982. Edna was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, St. Rita's Altar Society, the Ladies Sodality and Right to Life. She loved teaching catechism and enjoyed the Ladies Help Line. Edna is survived by one daughter, Madelyn Weiss and her husband, Robert Leonard, of Leonard; two sons, Warner Weiss and his wife, Tamara, of Romeo and Randy Weiss of Port Hope; three brothers, Ervin Ignash and his wife, Audrey, Eugene Ignash and his wife, Virginia, and Arnold Ignash and his wife, Delphine, all of Bad Axe; two sisters, Theresa Duda of Mt. Clemens and JoAnn Kalka of Troy; five grandchildren, Marc Porter of Great Falls, Mont., Tom Porter of Washington Township, Ryan Porter of Leonard, Randy Weiss, Jr., of Washington Township, and Heidi Weiss of Romeo; and two great-grandchildren, Alexander Porter of Great Falls, Mont., and Kyla Zuehlk-Weiss of Washington Township. A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 17, 2000, at St. Joseph Catholic Church of Rapson. The Rev. Fr. John Weis will officiate. Burial will be at St. Edwards Cemetery. There will be a scripture service at 7 p.m. and a rosary service at 8 p.m. Wednesday at the MacAlpine Funeral Home-Gage Chapel, Kinde. Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. today and from 9 to 10 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, Glenary Mission or the Capuchin Soup Kitchen. Earl Buschlen Earl A. Buschlen, 84, of Elkton died Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2000, at Scheurer Hospital in Pigeon. He was born Oct. 14, 1915, at the home of his parents, the late Samuel and Ida (Ramseyer) Buschlen in Kilmanagh. Earl moved to his Oliver Township home with his parents in 1919, where he farmed all his life, retiring in 1998. On April 27, 1963, he was united in marriage to Doris Miller in Romeo. She preceded him in death on Feb. 7, 1997. He was a member of the Elkton United Methodist Church and a life member of the Hubbard-Winsor Lodge F. & A.M. He is survived by several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 17, 2000, at the Elkton United Methodist Church. The Rev. Pete Crawford, pastor, will officiate with burial in Grand Lawn Cemetery, Pigeon. Visitation is 3 to 9 p.m. today at Champagne Funeral Chapel in Elkton, and after 10 a.m. Thursday at the church. Memorials may be made to the Elkton United Methodist Kitchen Fund. Dennis Custer Dennis J. Custer, 83, of Caseville died Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2000, at Courtney Manor Nursing Center, Bad Axe. He was born Nov. 20, 1916, in Detroit to the late Dennis and Stephanie (Sealock) Custer. On July 1, 1944, he was united in marriage to Arline Buhr in Baltimore, Md. Dennis was a toolmaker for the Ford Motor Co. for 36 years, retiring in 1972. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was stationed in Europe. He and his wife moved from Mount Clemens to Caseville in 1978, where he enjoyed reading, playing cards, being on or near the water or just lying in the sun. Surviving are his wife, Arline; one son, Dennis Custer and his wife, Merris, of Clinton Township; three daughters, Pat Custer Denison and her husband, Louis, of Honor, Lois Haase and her husband, Dale, of Mount Clemens, and Amy Guster and her husband, Gerald, of Caseville; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 18, 2000, at the Champagne Funeral Chapel in Caseville. Visitation will be 3 p.m. until the time of services Friday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the St. Roch Food Pantry. June Jarrett June J. Jarrett, 75, of Snover, formerly of Ormond Beach, Fla., died peacefully Sunday, Feb. 13, 2000, in her daughter's home after a long illness. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2000, in Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City, with Debra Kranz, funeral celebrant, officiating. Military services will be under the direction of the Cass City VFW Post No. 3644. Interment will be in Mountain Home National Cemetery in Johnson City, Tennessee. Visitation will be 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Irving Kranz Irving Robert Kranz, 74, of Great Falls, Montana, died at his home on Friday, Feb. 11, 2000. He was born Nov. 6, 1925, in Harbor Beach. He attended school in Huron County and served with the 463rd Army Air Force base unit at Guger Field, Wash., as an air force engineer from 1945 to 1946. On Nov. 16, 1946, he married Jacqueline Olszewski in Hogeland, Montana. From 1947 to 1957, he drove truck for the Booms Silo Co. and later worked for the Heron Milling Co., both in Harbor Beach. He moved to Great Falls and worked for Buttrey Foods for 30 years. He retired in 1988. He was a truck driver and for the last two years was transportation manager. He was a member of the Teamsters Union and the Great Falls Transportation Club. He enjoyed camping and fishing with family and friends and he enjoyed traveling throughout the United States after retiring. He is survived by his wife, Jacqueline Kranz of Great Falls; two daughters, Pat Wyatt of Hamptstead, Md., and Mary Hartl of Santa Ana, Calif.; four sons, Jim Kranz of Columbia Falls, Don Kranz, Roger Kranz and Ken Kranz, all of Great Falls, Mont.; 10 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; a sister, Margaret Zinger of Harbor Beach; and a brother, Dennis Kranz of Harbor Beach. He was preceded in death by an infant son, Bernard Kranz. Funeral services will take place on Monday, Feb. 14, 2000, at Holy Family Church, Grand Falls, Mont., with burial in Mount Olivet Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Peace Hospice of Montana. O'Connor Funeral Home in Great Falls, Mont., handled arrangements. Paul Soini Paul David Soini, 93, former resident of Bad Axe and Port Huron, died Saturday, Feb. 12, 2000, at Cresmont Nursing Home in Fenton. He was born May 24, 1906, in New York City, N.Y. He went with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. David Soini, to Port Huron, where he spent his boyhood and graduated in 1923 at Port Huron High School. He became a copy boy with the Port Huron Times Herald on Jan. 24, 1924, where he worked for 47 years. He started as a reporter in November 1924. He was assigned in September 1925 to Bad Axe as Huron County Staff Correspondent, a position he held until he retired on June 1, 1971, the first of the month after his 65th birthday. From April 1944 to August 1946, he served as state, city, telegraph and Sunday editor of the Times Herald. He also wrote a column, "Huron Happenings," of persons and events in the Thumb and also of travels from September 1948 to September 1987. He was a lifelong Methodist, dating back to when the church was Methodist Episcopal to its present name of United Methodist. He served for five years, from 1956 to 1961, as chairman of the official board. He also was chairman of the pastoral relations committee for two years and chairman of the centennial committee in 1981. He was active for many years on the Crippled Children Society from 1963 to 1968. He was president of the Michigan Society for Crippled Children and Adults from 1963 to 1965 and of the Thumb Society from 1966 to 1970. He was a director of the Michigan Tuberculosis and Respiratory Disease Association from 1968 to 1973. He was chairman of the Huron County Building Authority from 1965 to 1986, during which time it constructed the Huron County Building, 1958 to 1965, the Third Floor addition to the Huron County Medical Care Facility, 1977 to 1978, and the Public Health Building 1986. He was Chairman of the Board of Huron County Mental Health Services from 1971 to 1986. He was a life member of the Verona Masonic Lodge No. 365, Bad Axe, since 1928, where he was a member for 70 years where he was worshipful master in 1935. He also was a member since 1984 of Hi-12 Club of New Port Richey, Fla. He was one of the members of the Board of Directors of Catholic Family Services of Bad Axe when it started in 1952. He served as president of the Board during 1964, the first Protestant to hold such a position. There have been many throughout the United States since that time. He was one of the incorporators of the Huron County Historical Society when it was established in 1966, and has been active since then and is a life member of the society. He married Frances Moore on Aug. 18, 1928, in Bad Axe. She preceded him in death on Sept. 12, 1991. Surviving are his son, William A. Soini and his wife, Carol, of Linden; a daughter, Alice Gibson and her husband, Ramon, of Jefferson, Iowa; two grandsons, Brian Gibson and his wife, Barbara, of Rochester, N.Y., and Christopher Gibson and his wife, Valarie, of Madrid, Iowa; five great- grandchildren, Stephany Gibson, Mitchell Gibson, Jacob Gibson, Nicholas Gibson and Derek Gibson; two brothers, Aino (Cap) Soini and Frederick (Sam) Soini, both of Port Huron; four sisters, Aila Germain of Howard City, Helen Soini of San Mateo, Calif., Elsie Teahan of Port Huron and Esther O'Sullivan and her husband, John, of Port Huron; and several nieces and nephews. In keeping with the wishes of the family there will be no visitation or funeral service at this time. A memorial service will take place in the spring. Burial will take place at Colfax Mausoleum, Bad Axe. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Bad Axe or to Huron Memorial Hospice in Bad Axe and mailed to MacAlpine Funeral Home, 302 N. Hanselman, Bad Axe MI 48413. Margaret Watson Margaret A. Watson, 87, co-owner of Evenheat Kiln, Inc., in Caseville, died Sunday morning, Feb. 13, 2000, at Scheurer Hospital, Pigeon. Margaret Kimball was born Dec. 18, 1912, in Jackson and on Aug. 6, 1938, was united in marriage to John C. Watson in Jackson. They moved to the Dearborn area where they started the Evenheat Kiln Co. in 1948. In 1956, they moved their operation to Caseville where they continued together until her husband's death on Sept. 27, 1980. She remained with the business along with their two sons until retiring in 1998. Mrs. Watson was a member of the Audubon Society, enjoyed bird watching and loved to paint. Surviving are her two sons, John Watson and his wife, Diane, of Sand Point and Jerry Watson of Pigeon. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2000, at the Champagne Funeral Chapel in Caseville. The Rev. Michael Quayle, pastor of the Caseville United Methodist Church, will officiate with burial in the Caseville Township Cemetery. Visitation is 2 to 9 p.m. today and after 10 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Harold Sosnoski Harold Sosnoski, 75, of Port Austin died Friday, Feb. 11, 2000 at St. Mary's Hospital in Saginaw. He was born Jan. 4, 1925, in Dwight Township, the son of the late Michael and Mary (Zimpkoski) Sosnoski. He and Dorothy Polega were married on Oct. 26, 1946, in St. Mary's Catholic Church of Dwight. She preceded him death on Jan. 29, 1964. He and Dolly Mae Reid (Pettit) were married on May 15, 1965, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Port Austin. Harold was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church in Port Austin, where he was a charter member of the Usher's Club. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, having served as Grand Knight twice and as District Deputy. He was also a member of the Port Austin School Board. Harold enjoyed deer hunting, perch fishing, golf, baseball and playing cards. He especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, giving them tractor rides and fishing in the pond. He is survived by his wife, Dolly; 12 children, Shirley Poisson and her husband, Richard, of Rockwood, Denise Taylor and her husband, Jerry, of Atlantic Mine, Marlene Jobe and her husband, Robert, of Rochester Hills, Sharon Sosnoski of Englewood, Colo., George Pettit and his wife, Joanne, of Port Austin, Mark Pettit and his wife, Clarice, of Lake Orion, Kevin Pettit of Dayton, Ohio, Michael Sosnoski and his wife, Faye, of Anaheim Hills, Calif., Kirk Pettit and his wife, Patricia, of Farmington Hills, Mary Gillis and her husband, Gary, of Englewood, Colo., Mark Sosnoski and his wife, Charlotte, of Moran, and Dierdre Turnbloom and her husband, Harold, of Bellbrook, Ohio; 20 grandchildren; two sisters, Agnes Baranski and her husband, John, and Helen Ignash, both of Port Austin; one brother, Raymond Sosnoski and his wife, Gustavia, of Bad Axe, three sisters-in- law, Florence Sosnoski of Warren, Mary Sosnoski of Port Austin and Vera Sosnoski of Kinde. He was preceded in death by one son, Dennis Sosnoski; three brothers, Stanley, Sylvester and Edwin; two sisters, Irene Koroleski and Gertrude Knoblock. Mass of the Resurrection will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2000, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Port Austin. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be today from 7 to 9 p.m., from 2 to 9 p.m. Monday, and from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Knoblock Funeral Home in Kinde. A rosary will be led by Knights of Columbus today at 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home. David Meyer David Lee Meyer, 48, of Hume Township died Friday, Feb. 11, 2000, at Huron Memorial Hospital in Bad Axe after a fight with cancer. He was born on May 26, 1951, in Detroit, the son of Joan Smith and the late Kerwin M. Meyer. Dave was the night bartender at Heck's Bar in Pinnebog for the last 15 years and served in the U.S. Army. He enjoyed playing games of chance in Mt. Pleasant and the Michigan State Lottery. He was especially fond of taking care of his farm animals and pets. He is survived by his life partner of 16 years, Elizabeth Heck of Hume Township; his mother, Joan Smith of Caseville; two brothers, Kerwin Meyer and his wife, Kathy, of Harbor Beach and Clayton Meyer and his wife, Cindy, of Algonac; two nieces, Jessica Hopkins and Jennifer Meyer; and one nephew, Kris Meyer. A memorial service will be conducted at 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 27, 2000, at the MacAlpine Funeral Home-Gage Chapel in Kinde with the Rev. Richard G. Wilson, pastor of St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Kinde, officiating. Memorials may be made to Huron Memorial Hospice or to St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Kinde. Rev. Howard Turnbull The Rev. Howard L. Turnbull, 77, retired pastor of the First Missionary Church in Bad Axe, passed away on Saturday, Feb. 12, 2000, at the Palms of Pasadena Hospital in St. Petersburg, Fla., following an extended illness. He was born on Oct. 30, 1922, in Deckerville son of the late William and Fern (Fritch) Turnbull. He married Valeria Laming on Nov. 6, 1943, in Deckerville. She preceded him in death on July 6, 1992. Rev. Turnbull retired as the pastor of the First Missionary Church in Bad Axe in 1992. He had previously farmed and was a farm implement dealer in the Deckerville area. He also had served as the Sanilac County Friend of the Court. He was a member of the Gideons International. He is survived by one son, Randy H. Turnbull of Royal Palm Beach, Fla.; one daughter, Yvonne Darlington and her husband, Donald, of Madeira Beach, Fla.; two granddaughters, Heather and Erin Darlington, of Atlanta, Ga.; and a brother, Maurice Turnbull and his wife, Lois, of Deckerville. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 17, 2000, at the First Missionary Church in Bad Axe. Officiating will be the Rev. Larry Salsburey, pastor of the Elkton Missionary Church, the Rev. Anthony Ferriell, pastor of the First Missionary Church of Bad Axe, the Rev. James Keller, district superintendent of the Missionary Church, and Alex Prill, Gideon representative. Burial will be in Downing Cemetery in Deckerville. Visitation will be 6 to 9 p.m. tonight and from 1 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Kaufman Funeral Home in Bad Axe and from 10 a.m. until the time of services at 11 a.m. Thursday at the church. Memorials may be given to the Gideons International, the First Missionary Church, Bluewater Youth for Christ or the Forgotten Man Ministries. To contact the Huron Daily Tribune, send us E-mail at tribune@hdtinfo.com