Obituaries Week of February 27, 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 for the Week of February 27, 2000 Leota Demo Leota A. Demo, 94, of Sebewaing died early Friday morning, March 3, 2000, at Scheurer Hospital in Pigeon following a brief illness. She was born Dec. 12, 1905, in Sebewaing, daughter of the late William and Ella (Stock) Zobel. She was united in marriage to Walter Hornbacher on Sept. 23, 1923, in Sebewaing. He preceded her in death on Aug. 10, 1960. She then married Lyle Demo on June 23, 1967, in Sebewaing. He died Dec. 2, 1986. Leota was a life member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Sebewaing, a member of the Lutheran Women's Missionary League, a charter member of the Sebewaing Garden Club and a former member of the American Legion Auxiliary of Unionville. Surviving are one daughter, Elaine Buchholz and her husband, Raymond, of Pigeon; two grandsons and their wives, Randall and Cynthia Buchholz and Kevin and Nancy Buchholz, all of Pigeon; five great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a brother, Carl Zobel. The funeral service will take place at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 5, 2000, at the Dinkel-Juengel Funeral Home in Sebewaing. The Rev. Albert Barr will officiate with burial in the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be 3 to 9 p.m. Saturday and from 9 a.m. until the time of services Sunday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church or the Immanuel Radio Mission Fund. Joseph Stepka Mr. Joseph Stepka,73, of Frieburg died Tuesday evening, Feb. 29, 2000, in St. Mary's Medical Center in Saginaw. He was born Aug. 19, 1926, in Austin Township. He was the son of the late Anthony and Mary (Krumenacker) Stepka, Jr. He married Emma Grenier on Sept. 10, 1955, at St. Stephen's in Port Huron. He attended Frieburg School. He served in the U.S. Army for the Korean War. He worked at Deckerville Die Form for 20 years and he also farmed. He was a parishioner of St. Ignatius all his life. He also was a member of the Ubly VFW Post. Joseph is survived by his wife, Emma, of Frieburg; two sons, Daniel Stepka and his wife, Donna, of Ubly, and Anthony Stepka at home; two daughters, Lynn Agnello and her husband, Robert, of Avon, N.Y., and Mary Kenny of Sandusky; five grandchildren, Joseph and Justin Stepka, Robert Jr. and Ben Agnello, and Tyler Kenny; and two sisters, Olive Grifka of Snover and Mavis Roberts and her husband, Clarence, of Deckerville. He was preceded in death by a sister, Erma Osantowski; and three brothers, infant twin brothers and Mark Stepka. Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 4, 2000, at St. Ignatius Catholic Church of Frieburg. The Rev. Anthony Wozniak, pastor of St. Ignatius, will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery in the spring. There will be a parish wake service by Fr. Wozniak at 8 tonight at Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly. Visitation will be from 6:30 to 9:30 tonight and 1 to 9:30 p.m. Friday at the funeral home, and from 9 a.m. until the mass at 10 a.m. Saturday at the church only. Carol McCormick Carol Frances McCormick, 62, resident of Hume Township in Pinnebog, died Saturday morning, Feb. 26, 2000, at Scheurer Hospital in Pigeon. She was born April 4, 1937, in Saginaw, daughter of the late William and Minnie (Gaertner) Schramke. She was a graduate of North Huron High School and attended Jordan College. Miss Carol Schramke and Mr. Donald Lawrence "Larry" McCormick were married June 11, 1955, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Bad Axe, with Msgr. Charles A. Roark officiating. They had been married for over 44 years. Carol enjoyed playing cards, going to the casino, reading books, sewing, watching wrestling on TV, and mostly she kept everyone together, inspiring them with hope. Carol was a parishioner of St. Felix Catholic Church in Hewelton. She is survived by her husband, Donald Lawrence "Larry" McCormick; four sons, David McCormick of Filion, Mark McCormick and his wife, Cindy, of Byron, Garret McCormick and his wife, Sue, of Caseville, and Timothy McCormick and his wife, Dena, of Kinde; seven grandchildren; four brothers, Ed Schramke and his wife, Frances, of Shields, William Schramke and his wife, Rita, of Freeland, Don Schramke and his wife, Ann, of Cranberry, N.J., and Richard Schramke and his wife, June, of Frankenmuth; six sisters, Marcia Glaza and her husband, Donald, Jean Smithers and her husband, Tom, both of Ubly, Irene Yeska and her husband, John, of Saginaw, Judy Nowaczyk and her husband, Duane, of Saginaw, Ellen Jennings of Boyce, La., and Alice Larson and her husband, James, of Midland; and several nieces and nephews. Mass of Christian Burial was conducted Tuesday, Feb. 29, 2000, at St. Felix Catholic Church, Hewelton, with the Rev. Fr. Joseph A. Schabel, former pastor, officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery. Esther Calabrese Esther Mata Calabrese, 89, of Lake Township near Caseville, died Tuesday morning, Feb. 29, 2000, at Courtney Manor, Bad Axe. She was born Sept. 27, 1910, in Utica to the late Henry and Louise (Feeblecorn) Mamrow. She married Daniel Calabrese on July 25, 1927, in Utica. They celebrated their 70th anniversary. He preceded her in death on Dec. 15, 1997. She and Daniel moved from Utica to their home in Lake Township in 1976 after he retired. She enjoyed their family, loved to cook and embroidery. She was an active member of St. Roch Catholic Church and Altar Society and the Caseville Retirement Club. Surviving are three sons, Daniel of Swartz Creek, James and his wife, Diane, of Sterling Heights, and Robert and his wife, Betty, of Crossville, Tenn.; a daughter, Donna Berry of Macomb Township; 22 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; and 10 great-great-grandchildren; She was preceded in death by two daughters, Elizabeth Stanislowski and Mary Woodin; a son, William; a grandson, Kevin Woodin; and a great-granddaughter, Elizabeth. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, March 3, 2000, at St. Roch Catholic Church in Caseville. The Rev. Fr. Dennis Kucharczyk will officiate with burial in St. Roch Church Cemetery. Visitation will be 3 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Champagne Funeral Chapel, Caseville, and after 10 a.m. Friday at the church. Helaneh Kabban Helaneh E. Kabban, 67, of Harbor Beach passed away Monday, Feb. 28, 2000, in St. Mary's Medical Center, Saginaw, following a brief illness. She was born Dec. 5, 1932, in Ramallah, Palestine, to the late Shukri and Nijma (Warah) Farhat. She and Elias Kabban were married in 1946 in Palestine. They moved to Harbor Beach in 1981 and helped their family operate the Foodtown Store. He preceded her in death on May 13, 1987. She is a member of Our Lady of Lake Huron Catholic Church, Harbor Beach. Helaneh is survived by four sons, Salim Kabban and his wife, Lily, Sami Kabban and his wife, Lubna, George Kabban and his wife, Nabila, all of Harbor Beach and Sameer Kabban and his wife, Samar, of Grand Rapids; a daughter, Samia Shieb and her husband, Jacoub, of Grand Rapids; 16 grandchildren; one sister, Naimeh; and two brothers, Hannah and Norman. She was preceded in death by a sister, Yassmien; and four brothers, Farhat, Geriess, Najeeb and Jamel. Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 2, 2000, in Our Lady of Lake Huron Catholic Church, Harbor Beach, with the Rev. Edward Konieczka, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. There will be a parish vigil service at 8 p.m. Wednesday in the Ramsey Funeral Home, Harbor Beach, a Golden Rule Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. tonight and 3 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Jeanette Peruski Loving wife, mother, sister and grandmother, Jeanette (Precious) Leona Peruski, 64, of Minden City went to meet our Lord on Monday, Feb. 28, 2000, after a long battle with cancer. She was born on Oct. 18, 1935, in Paris Township, daughter of the late Marshall and Rose (Ulfig) Briolat. She married John (Jack) M. Peruski on June 1, 1957, at St. Mary's Catholic Church of Parisville. She attended St. Mary's School of Parisville and the Ubly Community Schools. She worked at Clements of Minden City, at home raising her nine children and then at Trim Trends of Deckerville for 14 years and retired from there in 1997. She was a parishioner of St. Mary's Catholic Church of Parisville and was a life member of the St. Mary's Rosary Sodality. She loved cooking and baking, gardening, flowers, crafts and quilting. She belonged to The Happy Quilters quilting club of Harbor Beach. She bowled in Minden City for many years. She is survived by her husband, Jack, of Minden City; six sons, Paul and his wife, Terry, of Ubly, Kenneth and his wife, Mary Lou, of Bad Axe, Russell and his wife, Kay, of Cass City, Kirt and his wife, Deb, of Ubly, Rick of Ruth and Jeff and his wife, Denise, of Minden City; three daughters, Joyce Cleland and her husband, Douglas, of Ubly, Laurie Messing and her husband, Steve, of Minden City and Beth Peruski and her fiance, Mark Lemke, of Ubly; 14 grandchildren; three brothers, Eugene Briolat and his wife, Geraldine, of Ubly, Marshall Briolat and his wife, Cathy, of Flushing and Harold Briolat and his wife, Renea, of Clio; four wonderful sisters, Delphine Peruski and her husband, Jim, of Deckerville, Christine Peruski and her husband, Richard, of Ubly, Glorie McCarty and her husband, Michael, of Ubly and Jean Anthony and her husband, Kevin, of Ubly; and 37 nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by an infant son, Wayne, and two brothers, Melvin and Mark. Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 2, 2000, at St. Mary's Catholic Church of Parisville. The Rev. Charles Hammond, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery in the spring. There will be a joint rosary by the St. Mary's Rosary Sodality and the St. Mary Men's Club at 8 p.m. tonight and a parish wake service at 8 p.m. Wednesday, both at Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly. Visitation is 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. tonight, from 1 to 9:30 p.m. Wednesday and from 8 to 9 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Helen Stoeckle Helen C. Stoeckle, 102, of Sebewaing died early Monday morning, Feb. 28, 2000, at The Carriage House in Bay City following a three-year illness. She was born Dec. 31, 1898, in Hemlock, daughter of the late Frank and Pauline (Jubinski) Filipiak. She was married to Leon Czernik in 1916 in St. Charles. He died in 1948. She then married Henry Stoeckle in 1959 in Sebewaing. He preceded her in death on June 20, 1967. Helen was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Sebewaing and the American Legion Auxiliary, Sebewaing Post No. 293. Surviving are one son, Donald Czernik and his wife, Barbara, of Tawas City; one daughter, Berniece Shuster of Monrovia, Calif.; 10 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Victoria Burgess of Saginaw; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Virginia Boettcher, seven sisters and six brothers. The funeral service will take place at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 1, 2000, at the Dinkel-Juengel Funeral Home in Sebewaing. The Rev. Fr. George Serour will officiate with burial in Holy Family Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be 1 to 9 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. until the time of services at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Holy Family Catholic Church, American Legion Auxiliary, Sebewaing Post No. 293 or the charity of the donor's choice. Margaret Whear Margaret L. Whear, 88, resident of Colfax Township in Bad Axe, died Saturday, Feb. 26, 2000, unexpectedly at her home. She was born June 26, 1911, in West Virginia. She was the daughter of the late Thomas and Frances (Miller) Daugherty. Miss Margaret Daugherty and Mr. Clayton Whear were married April 23, 1944, in Bowling Green, Ohio. He preceded her in death on May 18, 1990. Margaret liked sewing quilt tops, crocheting, baking and visiting with her family and grandchildren. She is survived by four daughters, Helen Haley of Bad Axe, Judy Smith and her husband, Vern, of Bad Axe, Mildred Bowers and her husband, Dave, of Flint, and Peggy Ahearn and her husband, Thomas, of Bad Axe; one stepson, William Whear and his wife, Annette, of Inkster; one stepdaughter, Doris Gilbert and her husband, Ed, of Sand Point; one brother, Thomas Daugherty and his wife, Lorraine, of Standish; 31 grandchildren; 39 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two stepsons, John and Harold Whear; five brothers, Wesley, Ray, Howard, Charlie and Jack Daugherty; and two sisters, Mary Wilderson and Frances King. Funeral services will be conducted at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 28, 2000, at the MacAlpine Funeral Home in Bad Axe, with the Rev. Don Stroud officiating. Burial will take place in Colfax Cemetery. Visitation is 1 to 7 p.m. today at the funeral home. Casper Miller Our father, Casper J. Miller, 83, went home to be with his Lord on Thursday evening, Feb. 24, 2000, after a one-year illness. God looked around his garden and found an empty place. He then looked down on the earth and saw your tired face. He put his arms around you and lifted you to rest. It broke our hearts to lose you but you didn't go alone. For part of us went with you the day God called you home. He was born Jan. 17, 1917, in Chicago, Ill., son of the late Casper and Dorothy (Eurich) Miller. He was united in marriage to Lorene L. Hartz on June 12, 1948, in Port Hope. Casper was employed at the Sebewaing Light and Water Department for 22 years before retiring in 1979. He also was a commercial fisherman for many years. He served in the U.S. Army in the medical corps during World War II. He was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Sebewaing. Surviving are his wife, Lorene L. Miller of Sebewaing; four daughters, two sons and spouses, Carol Krenz and her husband, Robert, of Reese, Larry Miller of Bay City, Connie Green and her husband, Gregory, of Detroit, Lynn Miller of Ontario, Calif., Sheila Miller of Philadelphia, Pa., and Christopher Miller of Royal Oak; four grandchildren; two sisters, one brother and their spouses, Elizabeth Eichinger and her husband, Herbert, of Bay City, Katherine Bowns of Saginaw, and David Miller and his wife, Frances, of Chicago, Ill.; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a brother, Fred Miller; and three sisters, infant Mary Miller, Ann Clauss and Dorothy Wildman. Funeral services will take place at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 27, 2000, at the Dinkel-Juengel Funeral Home in Sebewaing. The Rev. Charles Kuhl will officiate with burial in the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation is from 9 a.m. until the time of services today at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church Radio Mission Fund or the charity of the donor's choice. Christine Starkey Christine B. Starkey, 51, of Ubly and formerly of Lancaster, Calif. died Thursday Feb. 24, 2000, at her parents' residence after a long illness. She was born July 23, 1948, in Highland Park, the daughter of Enos and Marjorie (McClellan) Cook. She was a graduate of Troy High School. She was a short-order cook for the Clock Restaurant chain for many years in the Detroit area. She was an advertising salesperson for newspapers in Vista, Calif. and Lancaster, Calif. She was a certified public accountant, an adjuster and agent for Farmers Insurance in California. She was a certified evaluated nurses assistant in Michigan. She worked at Sunny Acres Nursing Home and Four Seasons Healthcare for a few years. She attended the Church of the Nazarene in Bad Axe. She is survived by three sons; Charles Parry and his wife, Melody, of Winston Salem, N.C., Gregory Starkey of Ariz., Geoff Starkey of Vista, Calif.; one daughter, Melissa La Cavalier of Lancaster, Calif.; five grandchildren, Corey La Mont and Brittany La Mont, Anna Maria La Cavalier, Aundrea Shae and Zachary Parry; her parents, Enos and Marjorie Cook, of Ubly; five brothers, Michael Cook of Ubly, George Cook and his wife, Patti, of Townsend, Tenn., Robert Cook of Sterling Heights, Alex Cook and his wife, Debbie, of Almont, Frank Cook and his wife, Susan, of Marysville, Tenn.; two sisters, Virginia Westphal and her husband, David, of San Bernardino, Calif. and Carrie Dove and her husband, Gary, of Houghton Lake; many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 28, 2000, at the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly. Pastor Gordon Gossman of the Church of the Nazarene in Bad Axe will officiate. Burial will be in the spring. Visitation will be at 12:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Monday. Homer Kretzschmer Homer L. "Goose" Kretzschmer, 83, of Owendale passed away Friday Feb. 25, 2000 at Courtney Manor in Bad Axe. He was born in Brookfield Township on Oct. 6, 1916, the son of the late William F. and Mary Jane (Thompson) Kretzschmer. On Sept. 21, 1941, he was united in marriage to Beaulah V. Kain at the Methodist Church in Grant Township. She survives him. Mr. Kretzschmer graduated from Owendale High School in 1935. He farmed in Huron County throughout his high school career, retiring in 1980. From 1934 to 1980, he also owned and operated Kretzschmer Electric. He was a life member of the Cass City F&AM Tyler Lodge No. 317. From 1935-1999, he was active with the Owendale Fire Department and received the President's Award from the Huron County Firefighters Association in 1995. Mr. Kretzschmer was a member of the Owendale United Methodist Church. He is survived by his wife, Beaulah, to whom he was married for more than 58 years; a daughter, Marsha J. Kretzschmer of Bay City; a son, Alan W. Kretzschmer and his wife, Brenda, of Owendale; two grandchildren, Karen and "hired-man" Kendall; a sister, Harriet Emery and her husband, Norman, of Florida; three sisters-in-law, Rosella, Elizabeth and Carol Kretzschmer; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Alta Lucille Kretzschmer; three sisters, Alice Alexander, Bernadine Good and Alta Kretzschmer; five brothers, Russell, Rolland, Rolla, Lloyd and William. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 28, 2000, at the Owendale United Methodist Church, with Rev. Alice Sheffield, pastor officiating. The Masonic Service will be at 3 p.m. and the Fireman's Service will be at 7 p.m. today at the Meyersieck-Bussema Funeral Home. Burial will be in Grant Township Cemetery. Visitation is from 1 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home and 1 p.m. until the time of the service Monday. Memorials may be made to the Owendale United Methodist Church, the Owendale Fire Department or the charity of the donor's choice. To contact the Huron Daily Tribune, send us E-mail at tribune@hdtinfo.com 1