Obituaries Week of July 30, 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 July 30, 2000 Anna Rogers Anna Marie Rogers, 38, of Olive Hill, Ky., formerly of Pigeon, died Wednesday evening, Aug. 2, 2000, at the St. Claire Medical Center, Moorehead, Ky. She was born Feb. 2, 1962, in Pigeon to Joan G. (McArdle) Blome and the late Donald Blome. Anna was a 1980 graduate of Laker High School and moved to Williamston near Lansing a short time later. In 1996, she moved to Moorehead, Ky., with her family and took a position at St. Claire Medical Center where she was a surgical assistant. She was a member of the Olive Hill Church of the Nazarene and a marvelous artist and poet. Surviving are her husband, Gary; two daughters, Sarah and Amanda, at home; her mother, Joan Blome of Pigeon; her brother, Tim Blome and his wife, Raynette, of Pigeon; and three sisters, Arlene Jamison and her husband, Ron, of Cass City, Marjorie Justin and her husband, Jim, of Bad Axe, and Donna Deering of Pigeon. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 7, 2000, at the Champagne Funeral Chapel, Elkton. Burial will be near her father in Grandlawn Cemetery, Pigeon. Visitation will be 3 to 9 p.m. Sunday and after 10 a.m. Monday at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to the family. Elsie Baur Elsie M. Baur, 99, of Unionville died Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2000, at Sunny Acres Nursing Home in Bad Axe following a brief illness. She was born March 7, 1901, in Akron Township, Tuscola County, daughter of the late John and Minnie (Becker) Miller. She was united in marriage to Norman Baur on July 19, 1928, in Unionville. He preceded her in death on Sept. 3, 1968. Elsie was a member of New Salem Lutheran Church in Sebewaing. Surviving are two daughters; Ruth Elston and her husband, Gerald, of Unionville and Arlene Sbresny and her husband, Ernest, Jr., of Sebewaing; one son, Elson Baur of Unionville; six grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; six step-great- grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by an infant son, Donald; one great-granddaughter, Felicia Sbresny; two brothers, Ferdinand and Laurence Miller; and one sister, Edith Eckfeld. The funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 5, 2000, at New Salem Lutheran Church. The Rev. William Mayhew will officiate with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will be 7 to 9 p.m. today, noon to 9 p.m. Friday at Dinkel-Juengel Funeral Home in Sebewaing, and from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the services Saturday at the church. Memorials may be made to New Salem Lutheran Church or the charity of the donor's choice. August LaCourse-Luttman August LaCourse-Luttman, the infant son of Sandra LaCourse and David Luttman, died Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2000, after just 20 hours of life. He is survived by one brother, Dustin; one sister, Madison; his maternal grandparents, Ed LaCourse and Terry Gambill; and his paternal grandparents, Lorraine and Frank Voss. A burial service took place at St. Michael's Catholic Church cemetery in Port Austin. Arrangements were handled by Knoblock Funeral Home in Kinde. Kennett McKay Kennett H. (Mac) McKay, 70, of Sanford and formerly of Pigeon, died Friday, July 14, 2000, in the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Ann Arbor, following a short illness. "Mac" McKay was born Feb. 28, 1930, in Lincoln Park to F. Harry and Bozena (Kennett) McKay. The family moved to Pigeon in 1937 when Mac's father bought Pigeon Lumber and Supply Co. Following military service in the Korean War, Mac graduated from Michigan State University. He worked at Pigeon Lumber until it was sold. He retired in 1999. Surviving are his daughter, Laurie Langschwager and her husband, Mark, of Bay City; two grandchildren, Scott and Katie; and a sister, Bonnie Kleinau of North Carolina. He was preceded in death by a son, Scott; and his parents. A memorial service took place on Thursday, July 20, 2000, at the United Church of Christ, Midland. Memorials may be made to the Aleda M. Lutz Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Saginaw. Esther Lehman Esther H. Lehman, 79, of Caseville died Thursday morning, Aug. 3, 2000, at Cherry Hill Haven, Traverse City, following a brief illness. She was born July 12, 1921, in Tonwanda, N.Y., to the late Frank and Rose (Gangler) Hahn and came to Michigan in her youth. On Feb. 28, 1952, she was united in marriage to Edward G. Lehman in Warren. He preceded her in death on July 6, 1984. They had been coming to the Caseville area for many years and retired here in 1980. She had been a cook with the Van Dyke School System for 30 years. She moved to Cadar, near Traverse City, several years ago to be close to her daughter for health reasons. Esther was a former member of St. Roch Catholic Church, the Caseville Eagles Auxiliary and a member of the Caseville American Legion Auxiliary. Surviving are four children, Gloria Batzer and her husband, William, of Cadar, Frank Hanley of Sterling Heights, Kimburrlyn Gifford and her husband, Joseph, and Edward Lehman and his wife, Pam, all of Algonac; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; her brother, Harry Hahn and his wife, Barbara, of St. Petersburg, Fla.; and her sister, Frances Facca of Margate, Fla. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 6, 2000, at St. Roch Catholic Church, Caseville. The Rev. Fr. John Weis will officiate with burial in Columbia Township Cemetery, Unionville. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the Champagne Funeral Chapel, Caseville, and after 1 p.m. Sunday at the church. Ruth Heck Ruth Marie Heck, 73, of Elkton died Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 1, 2000, at Huron Memorial Hospital, Bad Axe, after a short illness. She was born July 4, 1927, in Oliver Township at the home of her parents, the late Lester and Blanche (Scharr) Anderson. On April 27, 1946, she was united in marriage to Ernest Heck in Elkton. Ruth worked at General Cable for 14 years until 1974, but mostly she was a housewife and enjoyed life around Elkton. She especially loved playing cards and playing games with her grandchildren. Surviving are her husband, Ernest; three sons, Ronald Heck and his wife, Margaret, of White Lake, Terry Heck and Rodney Heck, both of Elkton; seven grandchildren, Jamie Lynn, Ronald Heck and his wife, Rhonda, Braden, Chelsea, Andrea, Thera and Meaghan; one great-grandchild, Abigail; a brother, Robert Anderson and his wife, Arlene, of Owendale; and her sister, Eldena Heck and her husband, Harold, of Elkton. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Jake and Bill Anderson; and one sister, Ethel Hill. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 5, 2000, at the Champagne Funeral Chapel in Elkton. Elder Ellis Gardner will officiate with burial in Riverside Cemetery, Elkton. Visitation will be 2 to 9 p.m. Friday and after 10 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Samuel Kling Samuel Kling, 76, of Bad Axe died Tuesday evening, Aug. 1, 2000, at Courtney Manor in Bad Axe. Samuel was born Feb. 11, 1924, in Sebewaing to the late Matthew and Margaret (Kemp) Kling. He and Anna Ney were married on May 29, 1948, in Kinde. He was a graduate of Sebewaing High School. Samuel was a truck driver for Draves Distributing and also worked as a barber. He served in the U.S. Marines during World War II. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bad Axe. Samuel was a member of the Bad Axe Moose Club, Ubly VFW Post No. 6965, Caseville Eagles Club and the Sebewaing O.I.N.K. Club. He also enjoyed shooting pool, golfing, reading and watching his grandkids participate in sports. Samuel is survived by his wife, Anna; four daughters, Margaret "Peggy" Bayer of Sedona, Ariz., Victoria Story and her husband, Randy, of Sebewaing, Bonnie Fritz and her fiancˇ, Alan Prich of Sebewaing and Sandra Wrathell and her fiancˇ, James Warju of Bad Axe; six grandchildren, Brian Bayer of Colorado, Samantha Fritz of Sebewaing, Donald Wrathell of Bad Axe, Christopher Wrathell of Bad Axe, Tyler Story of Sebewaing and Alyssa Fritz of Sebewaing; three brothers, Joseph Kling of Walled Lake, Michael Kling and his wife, Marilyn, of Mount Clemens and Jacob Kling and his wife, Frieda, of Okemos; one niece, Nancy Whaley of Gagetown; and three nephews, Ronald Walters of Fraser, John Ackerman of Warren and Roger Kling of Owendale. He was preceded in death by three sisters, Elizabeth Ackerman, Susan Walters and Marie Sawicki; and two brothers, Henry and Matthew Kling. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 7, 2000, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Bad Axe, with the Rev. John Ederer officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. A scripture service will take place at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the MacAlpine Funeral Home, Bad Axe. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, from 1 to 9 p.m. Sunday, and from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Monday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Huron Memorial Hospice or the charity of the donor's choice. Margaret Horetski Margaret "Maggie" Horetski, 80, of Port Austin died Monday morning, July 31, 2000, at her home. She was born Aug. 31, 1919, in Port Austin to the late Thomas and Cecelia (Horetski) Fischer. Margaret and Edward were married Jan. 3, 1942. She worked at Port Austin Level for 20 years and retired in 1984. She was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church and the Holy Rosary Sodality. Margaret loved her husband and family very much. She enjoyed her garden, the outdoors and especially her flowers. Margaret is survived by her husband, Edward; two sons, Bob Horetski and his fiance, Jan Voss, of Port Austin and Larry Horetski and his wife, Jan, of Port Austin; one daughter, Linda Taylor and her husband, Douglas, of Saginaw; three grandchildren, Shelly Koth and her husband, Kevin, of Kinde, Heather Toner and her husband, Brian, of Kinde and Amy Horetski of Port Austin; one great-granddaughter, Madalynne Toner; three sisters, Delphine Leavine, Louise Yaroch and Anastasia Laceski, all of Port Austin; one sister-in- law, Dorothy Fischer at Port Austin; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Leo and Paul Fischer; one sister, Rose Ventline and her husband, Pete; three brothers-in-law, Frank Leavine, Cass Yaroch and Gordon Laceski. A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 3, 2000, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Port Austin. The Rev. Fr. Michael Bell of St. Michael's Catholic Church will officiate. Burial will take place in the church cemetery. The Ladies Sodality will conduct a rosary at 8 p.m. and a scripture service will follow at 8:30 p.m. tonight at MacAlpine Funeral Home Gage Chapel in Kinde. Visitation will be 7 to 9 p.m. tonight, from 1 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor's choice. Clarence Merchant Clarence Leslie Merchant, 88, of Cass City died Sunday, July 30, 2000, in Huron Memorial Hospital, Bad Axe. He was born Aug. 15, 1911, in Greenleaf Township, Sanilac County, to William and Gertrude (Lundy) Merchant. He married Maxine J. DeLong on Oct. 28, 1939, in Cass City. She died May 24, 1995. Clarence was a crop and dairy farmer. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Order of the Eastern Star, Caro Royal Arch Masons, Cass City Council Tyler Lodge No. 317, and Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Bay City Consistory. Clarence enjoyed driving truck and tractor. Clarence is survived by his sons, D. Larry Merchant and his wife, Judy, of Cass City, and Grant Merchant and his wife, Vickie, of Gagetown; grandchildren, Mark, Kirt, Aimee, Michael and Rick Merchant; a sister, Margaret Law and her husband, Clinton, of Cass City; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brothers Charles and Frank Merchant; and sisters Jessie Merchant, Flossie Mitchel and Hazel Martin. Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2000, at the First Presbyterian Church in Cass City with the Rev. Mark Morningstar of Sandusky Presbyterian Church officiating. Interment will be in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City. Visitation will be 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. today at Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City. Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church or Rawson Memorial Library. Lawrence Smith Lawrence J. Smith, 85, of Cass City died Monday, July 31, 2000, in Hills and Dales General Hospital, Cass City. He was born Oct. 19, 1914, in Caro to Charles and Myrtle (Cross) Smith. He married Dorothy Pauline Hagerman on Sept. 28, 1941, in Carson City. She died Feb. 9, 1992. Lawrence farmed, worked for Tuckey Block Co., C.R. Hunt Construction, helped build houses and was a truck driver. He was a member of Colwood United Brethren Church. He enjoyed building dog houses and woodworking. Lawrence is survived by his daughter, Lorraine "Lori" Puskas and her husband, Donald, of Howard City; grandchildren Mirenda, Elizabeth, Joshua and Timothy Puskas; two brothers, Charles Smith and his wife, Jessie, of Flint, and Robert Smith and his wife, Isabelle, of Vassar; two sisters, Donna Parker of Cass City and Elaine Watson and her husband, Ben, of Caro; and numerous nieces and nephews. Mr. Smith was preceded in death by his brothers, Harland and Alger Smith; and sisters, Leona Sharp, Marguerite Huntley, Geraldine Carpenter, Venetta Montei and Arletta Smith. Funeral services will take place at 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 3, 2000, at Cass City Missionary Church, Cass City, with the Rev. Dave Edwards officiating. Interment will be in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City. Visitation will be 7 to 9 p.m. tonight and 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Kranz Funeral Home in Cass City, and noon to 1 p.m. Thursday at the church. Memorials may be made to the Family Discretionary Fund. LaDoris Hass LaDoris Rose Hass, 57, of Bad Axe, died Sunday, July 30, 2000, at her residence after a long illness. She was born Feb. 22, 1943, in Wyoming, daughter of John and Teresa (Wiest) Steffes. LaDoris was a parishioner of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, a 1965 graduate of Central Michigan University and a former speech therapist for the Huron Intermediate School District. Her greatest joy was being with her family and friends. Surviving are three sons, Jeff Hass and his wife, Jana, Dan Hass and his wife, Jody, and Jim Hass and his wife, Luann, all of Bad Axe; three grandchildren, Jacob, Diana and Charles; her parents, John and Teresa Steffes of Wyoming; and two sisters, Kathleen Steffes of Warren and Patricia McKean and her husband, Murray, of Atlanta, Ga. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2000, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Bad Axe. The Rev. Jack Leipert, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in Verona Cemetery. A parish scripture service will take place at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the H.W. Weitenberner Funeral Home in Bad Axe. Visitation will be 2 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and 8:30 to 10 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Bad Axe and North Huron elementary school's libraries. Elsa Kerr Elsa Elizabeth Kerr, 79, of Elkton died Sunday morning, July 30, 2000, at her home while under hospice care. She was born March 18, 1921, in Bingham Township at the home of her parents, the late August and Frances (Rothe) Rosenthal. Elsa moved to the Elkton area in her youth. She was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Elkton and the Women of Trinity. She also was a member of the Caseville Retirement Club and Tip of the Thumb Dance Club. She also enjoyed playing cards. Surviving are two sons, Randy Kerr and his wife, Kathy, of Elkton and Dale Kerr and his wife, Renae, of Vassar; two granddaughters, McKenzie and Courtney; three brothers, Joe Rosenthal and his wife, Florence, of Warren, Walter Rosenthal and his wife, Millie, of Pigeon and Martin Rosenthal and his wife, Jane, of Elkton; two sisters, Sophie VanHevel and her husband, Maurice, of Warren and Caroline Schuette and her husband, Carl, of Elkton. She was preceded in death by a brother, Art Rosenthal; and two sisters, Alvina Rosenthal and Martha Thayer. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2000, at the Trinity Lutheran Church, Elkton. The Rev. Elton Bickel, pastor, will officiate with burial in Riverside Cemetery, Elkton. Visitation will be 2 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Champagne Funeral Chapel in Elkton and after 10 a.m. Wednesday at the church. Memorials may be given to the church. Helene Letsche Helene P. Letsche, 70, of Sebewaing died Sunday, July 30, 2000, at the Shore Haven Nursing Home in Grand Haven following a six-month illness. She was born Aug. 14, 1929, in Ulm, Germany, daughter of the late Joseph and Pauline Herrmann. She was united in marriage to Werner Letsche on May 4, 1954, in Ulm, Germany. He preceded her in death on July 7, 1999. They had lived in Germany until moving to Sebewaing in 1958. Helene had been employed at Best Tackle Co. in Unionville for many years. She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Sebewaing. Surviving are one son, Kurt Letsche and his wife, Lisa, of West Olive; two granddaughters, Heidi and Rachel Letsche; two sisters, Ruth Dinkelacker and her husband, Hans, of Sindelfinger, Germany, and Lore Hausser of Blaustein, Germany; one brother, Hans Ginter and his wife, Ingrid Herrmann, of Munich, Germany; and several nieces and nephews. Cremation has taken place at the Sunset Valley Crematory and there will be no visitation. A memorial service will take place at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2000, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Sebewaing. The Rev. Charles Kuhl will officiate with inurnment in the church cemetery. Family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until the time of services at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the church. Memorials may be made to the Immanuel Radio Mission Fund. Arrangements are being handled by the Dinkel-Juengel Funeral Home in Sebewaing. Peter Karle Peter Karle Sr., 78, of Pigeon passed away as a result of a stroke on Friday, July 28, 2000, at his home. He was born in Logan, W.V., on May 14, 1922, the son of the late Martin and Fannie Karle. He was united in marriage to Mary Canter in Bad Axe on Nov. 26, 1944. He worked for Michigan Oven in Caseville from 1946 until his retirement in May 1984. Mr. Karle enjoyed making outdoor ornaments. He is survived by his wife, Mary; two sons, Peter Karle and his wife, Ella, of Owendale and Don Karle and his wife, Kathy, of Caseville; four daughters, Marie Rachuba and her husband, Barry, of Bay City, Rose Kelly and her husband, Harry, of Ortonville, Edna Adams and her husband, Pat, of Kinde and Norma Jaskowski and her husband, Ted, of Pigeon; 14 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; a brother, Frank; a sister, Elizabeth (Donald) McLeod; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Mary and Ann; and two brothers, John and Martin. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday, July 31, 2000, at the Meyersieck-Bussema Funeral Home, Pigeon, with Elder Ervin Haley, pastor of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Bay Port, officiating. Burial will be in Grand Lawn Cemetery, Winsor Township. Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. until the time of the service on Monday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to United Hospice of Marlette. Charles McEachin Charles M. McEachin, 70, of Sterling Heights and formerly of Ubly, died Saturday, July 29, 2000, at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Clinton Township. He was born Sept. 30, 1929, in Bad Axe. He was retired after teaching for 30 years in the Utica Community Schools. He taught at Disco Elementary, Eppler Junior High, Davis Junior High and Bemis Junior High. He was a member of the St. Lawrence Catholic Church, St. Lawrence Knights of Columbus Council No. 2950, the St. Lawrence Senior Citizens and the Utica Pioneers. Mr. McEachin also served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy; three sons, James McEachin and his wife, Heidi, of Sterling Heights, Ronald McEachin and his wife, Holly, of Minden, La., and Charles McEachin and his wife, Alanna, of Sterling Heights; two daughters, Laurie Williams and her husband, James, of Sterling Heights and Becky Kristin and her husband, Mike, of Macomb; three grandchildren, Brianna, Isabella and James; one brother, the Rev. Fr. Cornelius McEachin of Florida; two sisters, Angus McEachin of Florida and Flora Parker and her husband, Bob, of Ann Arbor. Mr. McEachin was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Megan; three brothers; and one sister. Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2000, at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Utica. Burial will be in St. Columbkille Cemetery, Sheridan Township. A rosary service will be conducted by the Knights of Columbus at 7:30 p.m. tonight and a parish scripture service will be conducted at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Wm. Sullivan and Son Funeral Home, 8459 Hall Rd., Utica. Visitation will be from 4 to 9 p.m. today and 3 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home and from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service Wednesday at the church. Memorials may be made to the St. Lawrence Educational Foundation, Inc. Claud Miller Claud S. Miller, 85, of Rochester Hills and formerly of Caseville and Oxford, died Friday, July 28, 2000. Mr. Miller was retired from Fisher Body divisions as a Zone Manager and was a Naval Veteran of World War II. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Auburn Hills, Caseville American Legion Post No. 543 and former president of Caseville Eagles Aerie No. 3690. Mr. Miller is survived by his grandchildren, Richard Beattie of Rochester Hills, Matt Beattie of Pontiac, Darrin Beattie and his wife, Stephanie, of Lapeer and Jessica Butler and her husband, Greg, of Lapeer; his great-grandsons, Jordan and Elijah; and his niece, Doris Zuhlke and her husband, Wes, of Lapeer. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Kathaleen; and a son, Lewis J. Beattie. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2000, at St. Mary's of Hannah Catholic Church in Hannah. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday. Memorials may be made to Cranbrook Hospice, 281 Enterprise Ct., Suite 300, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302. 1