HURON DAILY TRIBUNE, Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan Copyright © 2001 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/obituary/02dec01.txt Local obituaries for the week beginning December 2, 2001 Sunday, December 2, 2001 Archie Apley Archie "Ward" Apley, 58, of Bad Axe passed away on Friday, Nov. 30, 2001, at the University of Michigan Hospital following an extended illness. He was born April 29, 1943, in Bad Axe, son of the late Archie M. and Marion (Wressell) Apley. He married Shirley Keillor in April 1963 in Bad Axe. She preceded him in death. He married Judy Woolner in April 1971. Mr. Apley enjoyed cooking and crossword puzzles. He is survived by his stepmother, Alice Apley of Bad Axe; two sons, Kelly Apley-St. Andre of Texas, and Kevin Apley and his wife, Donna, of Bad Axe; two stepdaughters, Debbie DeLong and her husband, Eric, of Columbiaville, and Theresa Castle and her husband, Al, of North Branch; seven brothers, Frank Apley of Muskegon, Charlie Apley and his wife, Charlotte, Curtis Apley and his wife, Debbie, Max Apley and his wife, Sandy, Mark Apley, Richard Apley and Carl Apley, all of Bad Axe; and four sisters, Virginia Kipper of Waterford, Ava Hacker and her husband, Dave, Linda Apley and Hope Apley, all of Bad Axe. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Linda; a stepdaughter, Tammy Woolner; a sister, Joyce Apley; a granddaughter, Tabitha Woolner; a brother-in-law, Al Kipper; and his stepfather, Lyle Snay. Visitation will be 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday and 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at the funeral home. Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 3, 2001, at the Kaufman Funeral Home in Bad Axe. The Rev. Gordon Gossman, pastor of the Bad Axe Church of the Nazarene, will officiate. Burial will be in the Colfax Township Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the family. Goldie Gould Goldie Gould, 79, of Huron County passed away Friday, Nov. 30, 2001 at West Branch Regional Medical Center. Funeral services will be conducted at 3 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 3, 2001, at Meyersieck-Bussema Funeral Home, a Golden Rule Funeral Home, in Pigeon. Visitation is from 2 p.m. until the time of the services on Monday at the funeral home. Raymond Osentoski Mr. Raymond R. Osentoski, 81, of Ubly died Friday, Nov. 30, 2001, at the Huron Medical Care Facility. He was born on Nov. 23, 1920, in Austin Township, son of the late Peter and Laura (Grifka) Osentoski. He married Donna Franzel of June 17, 1950, at St. Ignatius Catholic Church of Freiburg. She preceded him in death on March 9, 1996. He was a graduate of the country school. He farmed in Austin Township and was a journeyman carpenter on road construction throughout the country for 10 years. He worked at General Cable in Cass City for 20 years, then retired in 1986. He was a lifelong parishioner of St. John Catholic Church of Ubly. He was a former member of the Knights of Columbus and former member of the United Steel Workers Union. He enjoyed woodworking, yard work and gardening. He attended auctions and enjoyed visiting with family and friends. He is survived by one daughter, Suzann Johnson of Lake Orion; five sons, William and his wife, Lynn, of Greeley, Colo., Carl and his wife, Deborah, Ubly, Dale and his wife, Karen, of Lake Orion, Dean and his wife, Beverly, of Owendale, Lee and his wife, Melissa, of Harbor Beach; three sisters, Irene Lee of Marlette, Minnie Cook and her husband, Walter, of Harbor Beach and Lucille Glowzinski of Ocala, Fla.; eight grandchildren. He was preceded in death by five brothers, Clarence, Floyd, John, Edmund and Louis; two sisters, Anna Tanton and Theresa Rumptz. A memorial mass will be conducted at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2001, at St. John Catholic Church in Ubly. The Rev. T.J. Fleming, pastor, will officiate. A parish scripture service will be conducted at 8 p.m. at the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly. Visitation is from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Monday at the funeral home and from 9:30 to 10 a.m. Tuesday at the church. Orville Yackle Orville Oswald Yackle, 84, of Pigeon passed away suddenly on Friday, Nov. 30, 2001, at Scheurer Hospital in Pigeon. He was born on Nov. 21, 1917, in Pigeon, son of the late Gottlieb and Helena (Kurzer) Yackle. He graduated from Pigeon High School in 1936. On Aug. 3, 1946, he was united in marriage to Hannah Jane Rogers at the Elkton E.U.B. Church. She survives him. In addition to farming the family farm, Mr. Yackle was a drainage contractor. He was a former member of the Co-operative Elevator board of directors for 18 years, where he ha also served as chairman for three years. Orville was a member of the Farm Bureau and enjoyed singing in the Pigeon Men's Community Chorus and various quartets in Pigeon and Florida. He was very creative mechanically. His hobbies included: scroll woodworking, motorcycle riding and flying as a private pilot. He and his wife wintered in Florida for 18 years. He was a faithful member of the Elkton Missionary Church. He is survived by his wife of more than 55 years, Hanna Jane; three children, Douglas Yackle and his wife, Dianne, of Pigeon, Phyllis Heckemeyer and her husband, Anthony, of Northville and Patricia Kraay and her husband, Robert, of Hickory, N.C.; seven grandchildren, Katrina Smith and her husband, Timothy, Amity Heckemeyer, Sarah Heckemeyer, Maria Kraay, Nathaniel Kraay, Gregory Yackle and Karianne Yackle; two great-grandchildren, Jackson and Hughston Smith; a sister, Beatrice Stange of Bay City; sister-in-law, Mae Yackle of Pigeon; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a sister, Alice Bedford, and a brother, Willis Yackle. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. today at Meyersieck-Bussema Funeral Home, a Golden Rule Funeral Home, in Pigeon, and Monday from 10 to 11 a.m. at the church. The funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 3, 2001, at Elkton Missionary Church with the Rev. Larry R. Salsburey, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Grand Lawn Cemetery in Pigeon. Memorials may be made to Elkton Missionary Church. Monday, December 3, 2001 Theresa Puwalowski Theresa Puwalowski, 88, of Dwight Township went to rest peacefully with the Lord on Sunday, Dec. 2, 2001, at her home. She was born on Aug. 13, 1913, in Dwight Township, daughter of the late Frank and Agnes (Ratajczak) Majeski. She and Theodore Puwalowski were married on Oct. 26, 1935, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Dwight Township. He preceded her in death on Feb. 16, 1996. Theresa was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Dwight Township, as well as a member of the Holy Rosary Sodality. She enjoyed spending time with her family, grandchildren and great- grandchildren. She also enjoyed playing cards. She is survived by two daughters, Gloria Yaroch and her husband, Clarence, of Port Austin, and Darlene Moore of Saginaw; 10 grandchildren, Pamela Turner and her friend, Jim, Charlene Barr and her husband, Steve, David Puwalowski and his wife, Beth, Gary Moore and his wife, Debbie, Karen Pawloski and her husband, Don, Kevin Yaroch and his wife, Valerie, Debby Sackrider and her husband, Patrick, Randy Yaroch and his friend, Gale, Rick Moore and his wife, Kristy, and Amy Lasceski and her husband, Richard; 22 great-grandchildren; a sister, Beatrice Lasceski of Kinde; and one sister-in-law, Clara Puwalowski of Holy Oak, Mass. She was preceded in death by one son, Andrew Puwalowski; and one brother, David Majeski. The Holy Rosary Sodality will lead a rosary at 7:30 p.m. this evening and a vigil service will take place at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday evening at Knoblock Funeral Home in Kinde. Visitation will be 6 to 9 p.m. this evening, 1 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, and 9 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. The funeral mass will take place at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2001, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Dwight Township. The Rev. Mieczyslaw Oniskiewicz will officiate. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Ronald Ceckowski Ronald F. Ceckowski, 53, of Cass City died Monday, Nov. 27, 2001, near his home in Cass City. Funeral services will take place at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2001, at Kranz Funeral Home in Cass City with Chaplain McNealy of the Detroit Fire Department officiating. Interment is in Novesta Township Cemetery in Cass City. Pallbearers for Mr. Ceckowski are fellow firefighters from the Detroit Fire Department. Visitation is 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Vietnam Veterans of America. Geraldine Coleman Geraldine R. Coleman, 88, of Deford died Saturday, Dec. 1, 2001, in Hills and Dales General Hospital. Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2001, at Kranz Funeral Home in Cass City with Pastor Nathan Renner of Vassar Seventh-Day Adventist Church officiating. Interment is in Novesta Township Cemetery. Visitation will be 7 to 9 p.m. this evening and 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Rawson Memorial Library. Tuesday, December 4, 2001 Robert Kennedy Robert McQueen Kennedy, 90, of St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, passed away Thursday, Nov. 29, 2001, at Linhaven Home for the Aged in St. Catharines. He was born in Glasgow, Scotland, on Feb. 5, 1911, to Henry and Agnes (McQueen) Kennedy and attended public school in Govan, Glasgow, Scotland. On Jan. 29, 1932, he was married to Jean Eaglesham in Govan. Mr. Kennedy joined the 5th Battalion Highland Light Infantry as a bugler in 1927. He was a veteran of World War II, having served in the 109th Company of Royal Engineers, being active in France at Dunkirk, in North Africa and also with the invasion of Italy. He was honorably discharged in 1945 with the rank of Company Quartermaster Sergeant. He was a member of the St. Columba Masonic Lodge in Govan. He emigrated to Toronto, Canada, with his family in 1954, and found work at his trade as a master plumber. He retired in 1972 after a successful career in the Ontario hospital systems maintenance department. He and his wife, Jean, were certified by the Royal St. Andrews Society of Scotland to teach Scottish country dance and were instrumental with the establishment of the New Smyrna Beach, Fla., Scottish Country Dance Club. Mr. Kennedy was a proud Canadian citizen and a loyal supporter of the United States. He is survived by his three children, Henry Kennedy and his wife, Martha, of St. Catharines, Crawford Kennedy and his wife, Ann, of Pigeon, and Elizabeth Ferguson and her husband, Ronald, of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada; five grandchildren, Andrew and Deb Kennedy of Santa Monica, Calif., Robert and Mary Pat Kennedy of Saginaw, Glen and Lisa Kennedy of Santa Monica, Dean and Tricia Ferguson of Tampa, Fla., and Debra Ferguson of Toronto; eight great-grandchildren; a sister, May McConnell; and two brothers, Jack Kennedy of Australia and William Kennedy of Glasgow. Besides his loving wife, Jean, Mr. Kennedy was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Elizabeth McGillivary and Ann McCleary; and two brothers, Christopher and Henry. Private services will take place. Memorials may be made to Scheurer Hospital in Pigeon. Arrangements are being handled by the Meyersieck- Bussema Funeral Home in Pigeon. Wednesday, December 5, 2001 Johnny Bernhardt Johnny Bernhardt, 73, lifelong Oliver Township farmer, died Monday evening, Dec. 3, 2001, at Scheurer Hospital, Pigeon. He was born March 10, 1928, at the home of his parents, the late John and Mary (Essler) Bernhardt, Jr. John grew up south of Elkton and was a 1945 graduate of Elkton High School. On Sept. 15,1951, he was united in marriage to Doris Shapow at St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church in Pigeon. They moved onto his grandfather's farm south of Elkton where they lived and farmed all of his life. He also drove a school bus for 15 years for the Laker district. He was very active in his church, St. Francis, serving as a Eucharistic minister, was on the cemetery board and was special projects chairman. He was a member of the Pigeon Conservation Club and helped organize the bingo program. John loved to fish with his buddy, Ed, enjoyed high school and Michigan State University sports and never gave up on the Lions. He helped in his community by volunteering his time on the street corner with the Knights of Columbus and Lions, even though he was not a member. He also fed his community by growing a huge garden, then giving it all away. Surviving are his wife, Doris; two daughters, Tina Marie Brill and her husband, Greg, of Murphy, N.C., and Linda Lou Bernhardt and her life partner, John Gingrich, of Belleville; his son, Randy John Bernhardt of El Paso, Texas; two brothers, Joe Bernhardt and his wife, Ruth, of Owendale and Pete Bernhardt and his friend, Inez Fischer, of East Tawas; and three sisters, Elsie Engelhardt, Sue Dinkel and Martha Braschil and her husband, John, all of Sebewaing. He was preceded in death by two daughters, Kathy Anne and Vicki Anne. A funeral mass will be conducted at 4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6, 2001, at St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church in Pigeon. Sr. Theresa Fox and Fr. George Serour will officiate with burial in the church cemetery. A parish scripture service will take place at 8 p.m. this evening at the Champagne Funeral Chapel, Elkton. Visitation was 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday evening and will be 2 to 9 p.m. today and 2 to 3:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Special Projects at St. Francis Catholic Church or the Michigan Heart Association. Merle Mosey Merle Mosey, 77, of Bad Axe passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2001, at St. Mary's Medical Center in Saginaw following a short illness. He was born on Jan. 2, 1924, in Harbor Beach, son of the late Frank and Catherine (Wengert) Mosey. Mr. Mosey served in the U.S. Army in the Korean War. He was employed for many years as a carpet layer at the former Reimann-Snyder Furniture Store in Bad Axe and also with Carmet Co., in Bad Axe until his retirement. He enjoyed fishing, being with his grandchildren, and visiting with friends at McDonald's Food & Family Center coffee shop. He is survived by two daughters, Charlotte Keys and her husband, William, of Marlette, and Connie Grifka and her husband, Duane, of Bad Axe; two sons, Kevin Mosey of Elkton and Keith Mosey and his wife, Denise, of Unionville; two brothers, George Mosey of Harbor Beach and Kenneth Mosey and his wife, Gladys, of Harbor Beach; one sister, Ruth Nowiski of Port Huron; and 10 grandchildren, Jason Keys of Grand Rapids, Jesse Grifka of Lansing, Cory Grifka and Kaitlyn Grifka, both of Bad Axe, Michael Mosey of Port Huron, Chad Mosey, Sheila Mosey, Holly Mosey, and Stacey Mosey, all of Bad Axe and Rachael Tanner of Unionville. He was preceded in death by a son, Mark Mosey. A memorial service will take place at noon on Saturday, Dec. 8, 2001, at the Kaufman Funeral Home in Bad Axe. Officiating will be the Rev. Jan Dykshoorn, pastor of the Bad Axe First Presbyterian Church. Burial was in Colfax Township Cemetery. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the time of services at noon Saturday at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to the American Cancer Society. Thursday, December 6, 2001 David Lorkowski David P. Lorkowski, 51, passed away Sunday, Dec. 2, 2001. He was the son of Olive and Joseph Lorkowski of Harbor Beach, both of whom are deceased. He is survived by his wife, Donna; his two children, David Lorkowski and Dawn Green; and one granddaughter, Aurora Green. David retired from Tower Automotive, where he was employed as an electrician for over 30 years. David's greatest love and best friend was his wife, Donna. They were married 27 years. David enjoyed camping, riding dune buggies, playing with his granddaughter, and watching sunsets over Lake Michigan. The family will have a private memorial service. Frederick Williams Frederick S. Williams, 75, of Port Austin passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2001, at Courtney Manor in Bad Axe following an extended illness. He was born on Aug. 2, 1926, in Bad Axe. He married Louisa Jane Shepherd on Aug. 12, 1983, in Bad Axe. Mr. Williams was a member of the Filion Church of the Nazarene. He enjoyed fishing, playing pool and traveling. He is survived by his wife, Louisa Jane Williams of Port Austin; four sons; one brother, Ervin Williams and his wife, Rita, of Indiana; two sisters, Ethel Wadsworth of Midland and Rosetta Ramage of Cass City; and two grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one brother, Chester Williams; and a sister, Pansy. Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 7, 2001, at the Filion Church of the Nazarene. Officiating will be the Rev. Donald Stroud, pastor. Visitation will be 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Kaufman Funeral Home in Bad Axe and 10 to 11 a.m. Friday at the church. Memorials may be made to the family. Friday, December 7, 2001 Aloise Oparka Mr. Aloise Oparka, 93, of Tyre passed away Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2001, at Huron Medical Center after a short illness. He was born July 31, 1908, in Parisville to the late Stanley and Teckla "Tillie" (Ertman) Oparka. He married Irene Ertman on July 15, 1933, at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church of Detroit. Aloise was a graduate of the country school. He moved to Detroit and worked at U.S. Rubber for 35 years. He retired in 1970 and moved to Tyre. He was a former parishioner and usher at St. Bartholomew Parish in Detroit. He was currently a parishioner at St. John Catholic Church of Ubly. He enjoyed gardening and playing cards with family and friends. Aloise is survived by his wife, Irene Oparka of Tyre; two daughters, Elaine Wodwaski of Parisville and Bernadette Schwalm and her husband, Robert, Sr., of Tyre; three sons, LaVerne Oparka and his wife, Angeline, of Madison Heights, Arnold Oparka and his wife, Rose Marie, of Algonac, and Timothy Oparka and his wife, Nancy, of Madison Heights; 26 grandchildren; 32 great- grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; three brothers, Floyd O'Parka of Ubly, Ted Oparka and his wife, Theresa, of Warren, and Raymond Oparka of Bad Axe; and one sister, Leona Peplinski of Parisville. He was preceded in death by four brothers, Cass, Joe, Bernard and Isadore O'Parka; and one sister, Angeline Osentoski. The funeral mass will take place at 10 a.m. Monday, Dec., 10, 2001, at St. John Catholic Church of Ubly. The Rev. T.J. Fleming, pastor will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery. There will be a vigil service at 8 p.m. Sunday at Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home of Ubly. Visitation will be 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, 1 to 9:30 p.m. Sunday, and from 8 to 9 a.m. Monday at the funeral home. Florian Szeszycki (Bill Fisher) Bill Fisher, 97, of Port Austin died Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2001, at St. Mary's Medical Center in Saginaw. Bill was born on May 7, 1904, in Grindstone City, the son of Anthony and Mary (Horetski) Szeszycki. He farmed in Dwight Township and also ran the projector at the Port Austin Theater for many years. He was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church and a member of the American Legion Frank Horetski Post No. 499. He is survived by two brothers, Stanley Fisher and his wife, Sally, of Port Austin, and Al Fisher and his wife, Pat, of Imlay City; three sisters, Regina Kowalski, Viola Ignash, both of Kinde, and Gertrude Thayer of Imlay City; nine nieces and nephews; and great-nieces and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by one sister, Frances Heifferon; and a brother, Walter Fisher. There will be a vigil service at 8 p.m. tonight at Knoblock Funeral Home in Kinde. Visitation will be 2 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home and from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the church. The funeral mass will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, 2001, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Port Austin. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. 1