Obituaries Week of May 14, 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 Obituaries Week of May 14, 2000 Esther Fisher Mrs. Esther Fisher, 73, of Parisville died Thursday evening, May 18, 2000, at the Huron County Medical Care Facility. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10 a.m. Monday, May 22, 2000, at St. Mary's Catholic Church of Parisville. A parish wake service will take place at 8 p.m. Sunday at the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly. A complete obituary will appear in Sunday's Huron Daily Tribune. Esther Henry Esther M. (Saliard) Henry, 72, of Luzerne and formerly of the Bad Axe and Detroit areas, died on Wednesday, May 17, 2000, at her home. She was born Sept. 14, 1927, in Detroit and was raised in Bad Axe. She married LeRoy L. Henry on March 14, 1953, in Angola, Ind. She lived for 10 years in Luzerne, moving there from the Warren-Dale area of Detroit. She enjoyed crafts and flowers, and loved being a wife, mother and grandmother. She is survived by her husband, LeRoy L. Henry; seven children, Sheree Jantovsky and her husband, Larry, Denise Beno and her husband, Mike, Larry Henry and his wife, Debra, Dennis, Lester, John and Dale Henry, all of Howell; eight grandchildren, Sharna, Amy, Heather, Jason, Mary, Wayne, Timmy and Johny; three great-grandchildren, Shaele, Mikey and ShyAnna; and one brother, John Saliard. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Erime Saliard; one grandson, Larry Jantovsky Jr.; and a sister, Corrine Smith. Funeral services will take place at 2 p.m. Friday, May 19, 2000, at the Orr Funeral Home in Mio. Officiating will be Pastor William Jones of the Mio Church of God. Memorials may be made to the Hospice of Helping Hands in West Branch. Al (Koch) Karafa Al (Koch) Karafa, 67, of Oak Beach succumbed to a long illness Tuesday, May 16, 2000, at Bay Medical Center in Bay City. He was born on Aug. 5, 1932, in Detroit, son of the late Albert and Stefania (Lewicki) Karafa. He and Maryann (Berezik) were married on May 14, 1955, at St. Cyril's and Methodius Catholic Church in Detroit. Al, Maryann and their family quietly celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary on May 14, 2000. Al and Maryann owned and operated Hiawatha Trailer Park in Oak Beach. He served in the Korean Conflict and was honored with two bronze service stars and was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Al was an avid golfer, active in the Boy Scouts of America, and he was a semi-pro bowler. He is survived by his wife, Maryann; three children, Dennis Karafa of Port Austin, Paula Karafa Spencer and her husband, Michael, of Lake Orion, and Allan Karafa of Rochester; five grandchildren, Michael and Ana Spencer, Christopher Karafa, and Jolene and Charles Karafa; his brother, Robert Karafa and his wife, Karen; his sister, Marlene D'Hulster and her husband, George; his brother-in-law, Phil Berezik and his wife, Elizabeth; two sisters-in-law, Gerry Berezik and Susan Tomon and her husband, Max; 12 nieces and nephews; and nine great-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother and father-in-law, Phil and Ann Berezik; and three nephews. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 20, 2000, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Port Austin. Msgr. Francis Murray will officiate. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. A parish scripture service will take place at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Knoblock Funeral Home in Kinde. Visitation will be 4 to 9 p.m. Friday at the funeral home and from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services at the church. Elizabeth Stockoski Elizabeth M. Stockoski, 75, of Port Austin died Tuesday, May 16, 2000, at her home. She was born on Dec. 19, 1924, in Kinde, the daughter of the late John and Ida (Wisneski) Rice. Miss Elizabeth Rice and Raymond Stockoski were married in 1946 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Dwight. The couple were married for 54 years. She was a parishioner of St. Michael's Catholic Church in Port Austin. She enjoyed cooking, gardening, flower gardens and working. She is survived by her husband, Raymond "Roman" Stockoski of Port Austin; two daughters, Linda Kozlowski and her husband, Dave, of Filion, and Karen Stockoski of Detroit; two sons, Kenneth Stockoski of Port Austin, and Gary Stockoski and his special friend, Katherine Herrington of Bad Axe; three grandchildren, Kristi and Dawna Kozlowski, and Kyle Herrington; one sister, Agnes Majeski; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by five sisters, an infant, Connie Sczatkowski, Rose Matelski, Mary Horetski and Helen Goretski; and four brothers, Benjamin Rice, Edward Rice, George Rice and Val Rice. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11 a.m. Friday, May 19, 2000, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Port Austin. Father Surman will officiate. Burial will take place in St. Michael's Cemetery. A rosary service will take place at 7:30 p.m. tonight at the MacAlpine Funeral Home Gage Chapel in Kinde. Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. today and from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Huron Memorial Hospice. Russell Higdon Russell R. Higdon, 69, of Caseville died Saturday, May 13, 2000, at his home following a long illness. He was born Nov. 26, 1930, in Des Moines, Iowa, to the late James and Sadie (Reese) Higdon. He married Vivian Townley in Montreal, Canada. She preceded him in death in 1995. Mr. Higdon served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. After the service, he moved to California, where he worked as an auto mechanic. He retired in 1980 for health reasons. Several years ago, he moved to Caseville to be near two of his children and his grandchildren. He is survived by three sons, James Higdon of California, Ronald Higdon and his wife, Janet, of Caseville and Frederick Higdon and his wife, Nanette, of Bay Port; 10 grandchildren; two brothers, Ronald Higdon and his wife, Amilia, of San Diego, Calif., and Larry Higdon of Ridgecrest, Calif. A funeral service will be conducted at 8 p.m. Thursday, May 18, 2000, at the Champagne Funeral Chapel in Caseville. Visitation is from 2 to 8 p.m. Thursday. Memorials may be made to the family. Thomas Kahlert Thomas D. Kahlert, 70, of Port Austin died Monday, May 15, 2000, in Bad Axe. Mr. Kahlert was born October 15, 1929, in Flint. He married George Ann West on May 14, 1955. He was an electrical engineer for Consumers Power Company and Detroit Edison. He was member of the Eddy Male Chorus and sang with several barber shop quartets. He is survived by his wife, George Ann Kahlert of Port Austin; daughter, June Ann Stapleton of Des Moines, Iowa; grandchildren, Jan Armstrong and her husband, Wes, of Canada, Jennifer Stapleton of Port Austin, Jeff Stapleton of Port Austin; six great- grandchildren; two nephews, William and Mark Blair. Mr. Kahlert was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Clara Kahlert; and by his sister, Ann Blair. Funeral services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Thursday, May 18, 2000, at the Brown Funeral Home in Flint. Rev. Grant H. Wessel will officiate. Burial will be in the Avondale Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Sadie Dunlap Sadie Livingston Dunlap, 94, formerly of Sheridan Township, died on Saturday, May 14, 2000. Burial will be Tuesday, May 16, 2000, at the Mikado Cemetery in Mikado. Marcus Siemen Mr. Marcus J. Siemen, 79, of Harbor Beach died Thursday morning, May 11, 2000, at Harbor Beach Long Term Care Facility after an extended illness. He was born Feb. 20, 1921, in Harbor Beach, son of the late William and Anna (Geiger) Siemen. He married Ferry Weber on May 29, 1943, at Our Lady of Lake Huron Catholic Church in Harbor Beach. He was a graduate of the Pumpkin Center Country School. He worked at Mueller Brass of Port Huron and at Booms Silo. He retired from farming in 1981. He was a lifelong parishioner of Our Lady of Lake Huron Parish and a former member of the Michigan Milk Producers Association. He was the owner of Siemen Saw Mill for many years. He wintered for years in Florida. He is survived by his wife, Ferry; five sons, Don and his wife, Agnes, of Harbor Beach, Carl and his wife, Susan, of Harbor Beach, Tom and his wife, Joy, of Kissimmee, Fla., Jim and his wife, Lillian, of Harbor Beach and Dale and his wife, Nancy, of Harbor Beach; eight daughters, Patricia Tenbusch and her husband, Allen, of Jonesboro, Ind., Linda Hill and her husband, Dennis, of Harbor Beach, Shirley Klaska and her husband, Mark, of Bad Axe, Christine Veldman and her husband, Dave, of Jeddo, Janet Nowiski and her husband, Marc, of Harbor Beach, Sheila Hagedon and her husband, Paul, of Harbor Beach, Jean Burkhard and her husband, Richard, of Harbor Beach, Lisa Sweet and her husband, Larry, of Harbor Beach; 48 grandchildren, Allen Tenbusch III, Audrey and Tom Nielson, Stanley and Shelly Tenbusch, Donald Jr. and Kim Siemen, Robert and Judy Siemen, Richard and Jennifer Siemen, Kenneth and Michelle Siemen, Diane Siemen, Christopher Siemen, Lance and Tammie Siemen, Darren and Lynn Siemen, Mark and Connie Siemen, Amy and Steve Prater, David and Kathy Hill, Jennifer and John Kubicki, Sherri and Steven Brandt, Tamie Hill, Matthew Hill, Jessica Hill, Joe and Lori Holdwick, Julie and John McBride, Shelley and Frank Ahearn, Jesse and Hope Klaska, Jamie Klaska, Duane Siemen, Kerri and Andy Bailey, Julie Siemen, Brian Siemen, Kurt Siemen, Paul Siemen, Eric Siemen, Laurie Siemen, Daniel Siemen, Jason and Jodi Veldman, Adam Veldman and Chad Veldman, Steven Nowiski, Pamela Nowiski, Cory Nowiski, Kyle Nowiski, Michael Hagedon, Kevin Hagedon, Melissa Hagedon, Theresa Burkhard, Rachael Burkhard, Nathan Sweet, Aaron Sweet, Sara Sweet; 32 great-grandchildren; three brothers, La Vern Siemen of Harbor Beach, Clements Siemen and his wife, Marge, of Harbor Beach, Allen Siemen and his wife, Mabel, of Marion; two sisters, Alma Woycehoski of Harbor Beach and Doreen Hagedon of Harbor Beach. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Sylvester Siemen and Raymond Siemen and by two sisters, Lillian Essenmacher and Mildred Siemen. Mass of Christian burial for Marcus Siemen was conducted at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May, 13, 2000, at Our Lady of Lake Huron Catholic Church of Harbor Beach. The Rev. Edward Konieczka, pastor, officiated. Burial was in the church cemetery. There was a parish wake service Friday at the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly. Clara Sting Clara Erva Sting, 78, died Saturday, May 13, 2000, at her home following a two-month illness. She was born on July 15, 1921, in Sebewaing, the daughter of the late Robert and Bertha (Ristow) Nitz. She was married to Arnold Sting on Aug. 23, 1947, in Ohio. He preceded her in death on April 23, 1991. Clara was a member of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Bach. Surviving are four sons, John M. Sting and his wife, Janice, of Unionville, Frank Sting and his wife, Shirley, of Genoa, Ohio, Ronald Sting and his wife, Sherri, of Crump and James Sting and his wife, Angie, of Gagetown; four daughters, Diane Kline and her husband, James, of San Bernardino, Calif., Pearl Parsell and her husband, Gene, of Fairgrove, Bonnie Fletcher and her husband, Ted, of Sebewaing and Donna Mikolon of Gagetown; 20 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Esther Schwalm of Yale and Hattie Heinitz of Caro; several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by one infant son, Ferdinand Sting; six sisters, Alma Janke, Laura Gaeth, Lucy Fritz, Martha Nitz, Rose Nitz and Rose Nitz; six brothers, Paul Nitz, Bernard Nitz, Robert Herman Nitz, Ernst Nitz, Emil Nitz and Harry Nitz. The funeral service will take place at 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 17, 2000, at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Bach. The Rev. Ernest C. Wendt will officiate with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation is from 7 to 9 p.m. today, noon to 9 p.m. Tuesday and 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Dinkel-Juengel Funeral Home in Sebewaing. She will lie in state at the church from 11:30 a.m. until the time of the service Wednesday. Memorials may be made to St. Peter Lutheran Church, Hospice of Bay Area or the Lutheran Hour. William Perlick William F. Perlick, 74, of Harbor Beach passed away Friday, May 12, 2000, at Harbor Beach Community Hospital. Born on Oct. 4, 1925, in Harbor Beach, he is the son of the late Fred and Marie (Kuschel) Perlick. He is a veteran of World War II, having served in the U.S. Air Force. Bill was a retired employee of the city of Mt. Clemens, retiring in 1986 after working for 20 years. His hobby was restoring tractors, especially Maxi- Harris and Minneapolis-Moline tractors. He also enjoyed participating in tractor pulls. Bill was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Harbor Beach, the Grindstone-Port Hope Sportsman Club and the American Legion Post 197 of Harbor Beach. Bill is survived by his wife, Barbara Perlick, of Harbor Beach; a daughter, Sharon Bianga of Roseville; a son, Bryan Perlick and his wife, Collette, of Macomb; four grandchildren, Autumn and Aubrey Bianga, Lorianne Liptak and Samantha Perlick; his son-in-law, Loren Liptak of Port Austin; a brother, Fred Perlick of Harbor Beach; and four sisters, Gertrude Danielski and Dorothy Burkhard and her husband, Harold, all of Harbor Beach, Mabel Bridgeford of Boynton Beach, Fla., and Margaret Edmons of Livonia. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Karin Liptak; a son-in-law, Ronald Bianga; a sister, Marion Fowler; and a brother, Clarence Perlick. Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Monday, May 15, 2000, at Zion Lutheran Church with the Rev. Eugene Koessel, former pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the Rock Falls Cemetery with military honors by the American Legion Post 197. A scripture service take place at 7:30 tonight at the Ramsey Funeral Home, a Golden Rule Funeral Home, in Harbor Beach, with the Rev. Mark Girardin, pastor of Zion Lutheran, presiding. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home and from noon until the time of the services Monday at the church. 1