Obituaries Week of October 29, 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. This file is located at http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/huron/hdt/obitu ary/29oct00.txt _______________________________________ ______________________ HURON DAILY TRIBUNE, Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan Local Obituaries Week of October 29, 2000 William Flannery William J. Flannery, 78, of Caseville, formerly of Detroit, died Thursday, Oct. 26, 2000, in the Huron County Medical Care Facility in Bad Axe. William was born Jan. 12, 1922, in Tyre, son of William and Mae (McMan) Flannery and stepmother Florence. After graduating from Ubly High School, William became a seaman on the Great Lakes. On July 2, 1957, William married Clara (Winne) Roels in Detroit. William was retired as a Fire Sergeant on the Detroit Fire Department, a member of St. Roch Catholic Church in Caseville, Knights of Columbus, Eagles Club No. 3690, Loyal Order of Moose No. 1049 in Caro, American Legion in Caseville, Disabled American Veterans, AmVets No. 57 of Harper Woods, and he also served in the United States Marine Corps. William enjoyed watching sports, traveling and playing cards. Surviving are his wife, Clara; sons Todd Flannery and his wife, Maria, of Las Vegas, Nev., Gary Roels and his wife, Kaye, of Clinton Township, and Philip Roels and his wife, Suzanne, of Rochester Hills; daughter Irma Domeneck and her husband, Jerry, of Washington Township; sisters Audrey Sloane, Geraldine Rogers and Marjorie Watson; grandchildren Todd, William, Joseph, Michael, Amy, Julie, Timothy, Philip, Rebecca, Jerry, Jodie and James; and seven great- grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Robert and Richard. A funeral Mass took place on Monday, Oct. 30, 2000, in St. Isidore Catholic Church in Macomb Township with the Rev. Fr. Mike Hrydziuszko officiating. Memorials may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Michigan Chapter, 26111 Evergreen, Suite 100, Southfield, MI 48076. Opal Crumby Opal M. Crumby, 77, of Kingston died Nov. 1, 2000, in her daughter's home in Macomb Township. Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, 2000, at Kranz Funeral Home in Kingston with Dr. Phil Rice of Cass City United Methodist Church officiating. Interment will be in Kingston Cemetery, Kingston. Visitation will be 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Henry Ford Hospice St. Joseph or the American Cancer Society. Isabel Richards Isabel R. Richards, 93, formerly of Harbor Beach passed away Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2000, in Mariner Health Center in Inverness, Fla. She was born May 11, 1907, in Port Hope, the daughter of the late Royal and Mary (McNellis) Tice. She and Louis Krahenbuehl were married Sept. 16,1939, in Port Hope. He preceded her in death on March 25, 1978. Isabel married Harold Richards in Harbor Beach on Dec. 1, 1984, and he preceded her in death on Jan. 28, 1995. She was a former employee of the Packard Motor Car Co. in Detroit and was a member of the Harbor Beach United Methodist Church. Isabel is survived by a daughter, Lois Krahenbuehl of Inverness, Fla.; a son, John Krahenbuehl of Homosassa, Fla.; one granddaughter, Kelly Abraham and her husband, John, of Shelby Township; one great-granddaughter, Isabelle Grace Abraham; stepchildren Robert Richards and his wife, Nancy, of Virginia Beach, Va., Donald Richards and his wife, Genova, of Cass City, and Marjorie Neilson and her husband, Tore, of Portland, Ore.; 12 step-grandchildren; and 16 step-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by seven brothers, Albert, John, Evan, Percy, Gardener, Ernie and Arnold Tice; and a stepdaughter, Mary Lou Lively. Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 6, 2000, in the Ramsey Funeral Home, Harbor Beach, with the Rev. Clarence VanConant, pastor of the Harbor Beach Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be in the Oakview Cemetery, Royal Oak. Visitation will be 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, from 1 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday, and from 10 a.m. until the time of services at the funeral home. George Ventline George J. Ventline, 92, former resident of Kinde, died Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2000, at Courtney Manor Health Care Center in Bad Axe. He was born Feb. 2, 1908, in Grindstone City, the son of Frank and Josephine (Polega) Ventline. Miss Tekla (Tillie) Fisher and Mr. George Ventline were married Nov. 11, 1931. They were married for 68 years. George was a farmer and worked in construction. He liked to visit with family and friends and enjoyed animals, euchre and bingo. He was a member of the Kinde Senior Citizens, a member of the Holy Name, and a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church of Kinde. Surviving are his wife, Tillie; three daughters, Virginia Dropiewski of Ubly, Helen Rifenbark and her husband, Ralph, of Bad Axe, and Stella Gorkowski and her husband, Robert, of Filion; two sons, Clarence Ventline and his wife, Joyce, of Cass City and Joseph Ventline and his wife, Sandy, of Columbus, Ohio; four sisters, Mary Wegalsis and her husband, Albert, of Centerline, Margaret Novoch of Centerline, Sister Mary Bridgette of Livonia, and Bernice Zunde and her husband, Frank, of Detroit; one brother, Stanley "Steve" Ventline of Detroit; two brothers-in-law, Edward Lasceski of Kinde and Art LaBerte of St. Clair Shores; 23 grandchildren; 39 great-grandchildren; and two great- great-grandchildren. George was preceded in death by infant sons, Martin, James and George; two sisters, Gertrude Lasceski and Hattie LaBerte; and a sister-in-law, Mary Ventline of Detroit; one brother, Tofole Ventline. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, 2000, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Kinde. Fr. Oniskiewicz will officiate. Burial will be at St. Mary's Catholic Church Cemetery, Dwight. A scripture service will take place at 7 p.m. and a rosary by Holy Name will take place at 7:30 p.m., both tonight at the MacAlpine Funeral Home Gage Chapel, Kinde. Visitation will be 2 to 9 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to the charity of the donor's choice. Lynette Wenglikowski Lynette K. (Renn) Wenglikowski, 41, of Kawkawlin and formerly of Elkton, died April 19, 2000, in Tuscola County. She was born May 26, 1959, in Bad Axe to Dolores (Erb) Renn and the late Leonard Renn, Sr. Lynette was a 1977 Laker High School graduate. In 1985, she was united in marriage to Gary W. Wenglikowski in Bay City. He preceded her in death on Dec. 25, 1986. She had been employed at Beson Market, Kawkawlin. She enjoyed cooking, baking, garage-sale shopping and taking care of her daughter. She was a collector of milk glass glassware and various tins. Surviving are her daughter, Tera Wenglikowski of Bay City; her mother, Dolores Renn of Sebewaing; six brothers, Leonard Renn and his wife, Mary, of Lowell, Mass., Richard Renn and his wife, Elaine, of Elkton, Greg Renn and his wife, Jeanette, of Elkton, Brian Renn of Pigeon, Robert Renn and his wife, Candy, of Roseville, Calif., and Steve Renn of Sebewaing; her sister, Pam Baur and her husband, Fred, of Sebewaing; her mother-in-law, Marge Kotlewski; brothers- and sisters-in-law Larry, Sandy, Mike, Mark Wenglikowski, Joe Kotlewski and Christie Lupcke, all of Bay City; and several nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles. Funeral services will be conducted at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, 2000, at the Champagne Funeral Chapel, Elkton, with burial in Riverside Cemetery. Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the family discretionary fund. Betty Russell Betty J. Russell, 75, of Port Hope passed away Saturday, Oct. 28, 2000, at Harbor Beach Community Hospital following a long illness. She was born in Port Hope to the late Frederick and Laura (Williams) Brining on Aug. 25, 1925. Betty and Richard Russell were married on March 2, 1974, in Morley. She was a member of the Port Hope AmVets Auxiliary. Betty is survived by her husband, Richard Russell of Port Hope; her children, Joseph Baughman of Georgia, Delores Wontroba and her husband, Richard, of Redford, June Dow and her husband, Russell, of Port Hope, Patrick Russell of Livonia, Linda Russell of Redford and Dale Russell of Hamburg, Mich.; 13 grandchildren; 18 great- grandchildren; and a sister, Mary Lou Mendalski of Port Hope. She was preceded in death by a great-grandson, Damon Dow; two sisters, Irene Hackett and Joanne Brining; and two brothers, Gerald and Louis Brining. Funeral services will take place at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2000, in the Ramsey Funeral Home, Harbor Beach, with the Rev. Mark Girardin, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church, officiating. Burial will be in the Marquardt Cemetery near Port Hope. A White Clover ceremony by the AmVets will take place at 7:30 p.m. today at the funeral home. Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. today and from noon until the time of services Tuesday at the funeral home. Virginia Skorski Mrs. Virginia Skorski, 72, of Umatilla, Fla., died Saturday, Oct. 28, 2000, at the Florida Hospital Waterman. She was formerly of the Rapson area. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 2, 2000, at St. Joseph Catholic Church of Rapson. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be 4 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Thursday at the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly. Dorothy Fibranz Dorothy Fibranz, 86, died Saturday, Oct. 28, 2000, at Huron Memorial Hospital in Bad Axe following a lengthy illness. She was born Jan. 5, 1914, in Kilmanagh, daughter of the late Henry and Lydia (Heiman) Thede. She was united in marriage to Walter H. Fibranz on Dec. 23, 1936, in Caro. He preceded her in death on Dec. 13, 1970. Dorothy was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Sebewaing. Surviving are several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by one son, Gerald Fibranz; and one brother, Walter Thede. The funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2000, at the Dinkel-Juengel Funeral Home in Sebewaing. The Rev. Charles Kuhl will officiate with burial in Silverlawn Cemetery. Visitation is from 6 to 9 p.m. today, noon to 9 p.m. Monday and 9 a.m. until the time of service Tuesday at the funeral home. Steven Franzel Mr. Steven Meno "Baldy" Franzel, 73, of Ubly died Thursday, Oct. 26, 2000, at Huron Memorial Hospital. He was born on Dec. 30, 1926, to the late John and Annie (Geiger) Franzel. He married Lizzette Grenier on Sept. 2, 1961, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Argyle. They were married for 33 years. Steven attended a country school. He worked for the elevator in Ubly before moving to Warren. There he worked for Chrysler Corp. at the company's stamping plant. He retired in 1988, after 34 years of service. He returned to Sanilac County in 1989. He was a Golden Eagle Member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie No. 2437 in Warren. He was a member of United Auto Workers Local No. 869 in Warren. He also was an honorary member of the Ruth Knights of Columbus Council No. 3823. Steven is survived by one daughter, Karen LaFave and her husband, Kevin, of Skandia; two sons, Thomas Franzel of Warren and Steven Franzel of Eastpointe; special friend Margaret Bouverette of Bad Axe; four grandchildren, Elizabeth and Marty Franzel and Zachary and Rachel LaFave; two special grandchildren, Kayla and Sarah Osantowski; two sisters, Ruth Stanley and her husband, John, of Hazel Park and Marie Younglove of Bad Axe; two brothers, Cornelius Franzel of Snover and Robert Franzel of Ubly. He was preceded in death by one granddaughter, Brooke Theresa LaFave; six brothers, Martin Lincoln, Edward, Michael, Frank, Earnest and Henry Franzel; two sisters, Cecilia Pearson and Stella Peters. Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 30, 2000, at St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Freiburg. The Rev. Stephen Fillion, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery. There will be a parish vigil service at 7 p.m. and a rosary by the Knights of Columbus at 8 p.m. today at the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly. Visitation is from 2:30 to 9:30 p.m. today and from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Monday at the funeral home. Clyde Schlabach Clyde D. Schlabach, 77, of Elkton was promoted to glory on Friday, Oct. 27, 2000, at his home while under hospice care. He was born on March 28, 1923, in Thornton, Colo., to the late Levi and Mamie (Schrock) Schlabach. He moved to Huron County in 1932. In 1942, he enlisted in the Marines and served in the South Pacific during World War II. On Nov. 11, 1944, he was united in marriage to Elizabeth Coulston in Harbor Beach. Mr. Schlabach was employed at Hamill Manufacturing, retiring in the early 1980s. During his retirement, he spent much time with his grandchildren, as well as hunting, fishing, gardening and wood crafting. Surviving are his wife, Elizabeth; four sons, Jeffrey and Brent of Pigeon, Randy and his wife, Kathryn, of Acworth, Ga., and Robert of Fort Lupton, Colo.; four daughters, Priscilla Bruzzi and her husband, Vincent, of Acworth, Ga., Mary Lee Popham and her husband, Jim, of Bad Axe, Rebecca Nesbit and her husband, Earl, of High Springs, Fla., Elizabeth Maust and her husband, Redford, of Elkhart, Ind.; 16 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; two brothers, Lloyd Schlabach and his wife, Janette, of Powder Springs, Ga., and Doug Schlabach and his wife, Judy, of Richmond; four sisters, Virgie Russo, of Clarkston, Irene Kosal and her husband, Ray, of Flint, Lorraine Kudlak of Harbor Beach and Clara Schlabach of Detroit; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two grandchildren, Taera Marble and Travis Schaaf. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 30, 2000, at Community Wesleyan Church in Elkton. The Rev. DeWeerd Smith, pastor, will officiate with burial in Riverside Cemetery in Elkton. Visitation is from 2 to 9 p.m. today and after noon Monday at the church. Arrangements are being handled by Champagne Funeral Chapel of Elkton. Gerda Witherspoon Gerda E. Witherspoon, 75, of Port Hope passed away Thursday, Oct. 26, 2000, in Courtney Manor in Bad Axe following a short illness. She was born in Kattowitz, Poland on Jan. 14, 1925, the daughter of the late Fryderyck and Cecylia (Lukas) Klemenz. She and Arnold Witherspoon were married on Oct. 2, 1948, in Heidelberg, Germany. Together they owned and operated Huron Cable TV in Harbor Beach and Peachtree Cable TV in Gilbert, Ga. Arnold preceded her in death on Feb. 12, 1999. Gerda was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Port Hope. She is survived by her brothers-in- law, Richard Witherspoon and Robert Witherspoon, both of Port Hope; sisters-in-law, Arlene Brown of Port Hope, Jean Weiss of Saginaw, Diane Reinke of Sandusky, Karen Whitehead of Atlanta, Ga., and Gloria Witherspoon of Harbor Beach; several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a sister, Elizabeth and a brother, Henryk. Funeral services will be conducted at noon on Monday, Oct. 30, 2000, at St. John Lutheran Church in Port Hope with the Rev. Henry Malone, vacancy pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Rock Falls Cemetery in Harbor Beach. A scripture service will be conducted at 7:30 p.m. today at Ramsey Funeral Home in Harbor Beach. Visitation is from noon to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home and from 11 a.m. until the time of the service at the church Monday. 1