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. Local obituaries for the week of September 2, 2001 Sunday, September 2, 2001 William Beadle William F. Beadle, 88, of Caseville died Friday morning, Aug. 31, 2001, at Tendercare in Cass City. He was born Feb. 17, 1913 at the home of his parents, the late Darling and Frances (Nicklos) Beadle, in Caseville. Bill lived in Caseville all his life. In June of 1942 he went into the U.S. Army and served in the South Pacific and Japan during World War II. On Sept. 19, 1953, he was united in marriage to Dorothy Frank in Pigeon. She preceded him in death on June 23, 1990. He retired from Caseville Lumber in 1975, where he worked as a carpenter. He was a member of St. Roch Catholic Church all his life, a life member of the Caseville American Legion #543 and the Pigeon VFW Post #2236. Surviving are five brothers, Tom Beadle, Bert Beadle and his wife, Lorraine, and Francis Beadle and his wife, Thelma, all of Caseville, Harold Beadle and his wife, Betty, of Florida, and Herbert Beadle and his wife, Jean, of Westland; four sisters, Marion Parent, Josephine Anderson, and Leona Langley and her husband, Fred, all of Caseville, and Jessie Otto and her husband, Don, of Pigeon; and sister-in-law Jeanette Beadle of Caseville. Preceding him in death was a sister, Geraldine Parent, and a brother, George Beadle. A funeral mass will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 3, 2001, at St. Roch Catholic Church in Caseville. The Rev. Fr. Kenneth Yaroch, pastor, will officiate with burial and veteran's honors in the church cemetery. A parish rosary service will be conducted at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday at the Champagne Funeral Chapel in Caseville. Visitation will be from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home and at the church after 10 a.m. Monday. Tammy Cutcher Tammy A. Cutcher, 39, of Pigeon died Thursday afternoon, Aug. 30, 2001, at St. Mary's Medical Center in Saginaw of injuries she received in an auto accident south of Ubly. She was born Dec. 15, 1961 to William and Patricia (Steemberg) Mierendorff in Port Huron. Tammy grew up in the Port Huron area and moved to the Elkton-Pigeon area in 1991. She was employed at Gemini Plastics, Ubly. She enjoyed NASCAR racing, playing pool, and had a unique love of animals. Surviving are four children, Charles Mierendorff of Elkton, Jeremy, Nick, and Beth, all at home; husband, Harvey Bland of Pigeon; her parents, Bill and Pat Mierendorff of Elkton; two sisters, Cindy Melnik and her husband, Ron, of Tyre, and Heidi Guigar and her husband, Robert, of Emmett; maternal grandmother, Isabell Steemberg of Port Huron; and nine nieces and nephews, Mike, Bonnie, Jason, Renee, Courtney, RJay, Hannah, Robert, Jr., and David. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2001, at the Community Wesleyan Church, Elkton. The Rev. F. Robert Tucker, pastor of the Potter House Christian Fellowship Church in Cass City, will officiate with burial in Riverside Cemetery, Elkton. Visitation will be at the Community Wesleyan Church from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday. Grete Renius Grete A. Renius, 102, of Caseville died Wednesday evening, Aug. 29, 2001 at Scheurer Hospital following a brief illness. She was born Oct. 21, 1898, in Bradow, Germany to the late Robert and Emilie (Krueger) Schwarz. On Aug. 14, 1920, she was united in marriage to Hans F. Renius in Zulcow, Germany. They immigrated to the United States in 1925 with two small children and settled in Detroit where they lived for many years. Following her husband's retirement from Chrysler Corporation, they moved to Lovells, Mich. Hans preceded her in death Nov. 24, 1992. She later moved to the Caseville area to be nearer her son. Besides being a great mother, grandmother, great, and great-great grandmother, and homemaker, she loved to sew, knit, crochet, and shop. Surviving are her son, Alfred and his wife, Violet, of Caseville; eight grandchildren, Carol Ann Gauther and her husband, Dale, of Lovells, Mark Renius and his wife, Sandra, of Temperance, Carl Renius and his friend, Ann Boyce, of Rochester, Craig Renius and his wife, Gail, of Grants Pass, Ore., Nancy Ahern and her husband, Dale, of Rochester Hills, Scott Szumanski and his wife, Karen, of Trenton, Leslie O'Dowd of Pasadena, Calif., and Debbie Peasley and her husband, Charles, of Yorba Linda, Calif. Also surviving are 13 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great-grandchildren. Preceding her in death was her daughter, Anneliese Szumanski, who died June 1, 1982. In keeping with her wishes, cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be conducted at noon Saturday, Sept. 8, 2001, at the Champagne Funeral Chapel, Caseville. The Rev. Fr. Robert Haener will officiate with burial in the Lovells Township Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Angela Hospice, 14100 Newburgh Rd., Livonia, Mich., 48154. Orville Snider Orville H. Snider, 88, long time Elkton-area educator died Friday morning, Aug. 31, 2001, at the Huron Medical Care Facility. He was born Nov. 27, 1912 on the banks of the Pinnebog River in Chandler Township at the home of his parents, the late George and Matilda (Hoffman) Snider. On Oct. 30, 1942, he was united in marriage to Ulla Farver at the Elkton Evangelical United Brotherhood Church Parsonage. Orville graduated from Elkton High School in 1931 and attended County Normal in Bad Axe one year to get his teaching certificate. His first teaching job was for six years at the Farver in Chandler Township. He then returned to school, receiving his bachelor's degree in education from Central Michigan University and his masters from the University of Michigan. On his return, he taught in Hume Township for three years before entering the U.S. Army. Returning in 1945, he went to the Elkton School system as a teacher and coach. In 1951, he became principal at Laker High School, retiring in 1972. He was a member of the Elkton United Methodist Church, Caseville American Legion Post #543, past master of Hubbard-Winsor Lodge #420 F & AM, and past president of the Elkton Rotary Club. Surviving are his wife of over 58 years, Ulla; his son, Terry Snider and his wife, Darlene, of Bay City; his daughter Kay Thumme and her husband, Ken, of Elkton; four grandchildren, Kari Briesmiester and her husband, Scott, Kortney Thumme, and Cory and Jordan Snider; two great-grandchildren, Logan and Madison Briesmiester; and his brother, Mervin and his wife, Phyllis, Snider of Elkton. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2001, at the Elkton United Methodist Church. The Rev. Pete Crawford, pastor, will officiate with burial in Riverside Cemetery, Elkton. Visitation will be at the Champagne Funeral Chapel, Elkton, from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday, 2 to 9 p.m. Monday, and at the church after 10 a.m. Tuesday. Memorials may be given to the Laker Athletic Boosters or the Elkton United Methodist Church. Monday, September 3, 2001 – None (Labor Day Holiday) Tuesday, September 4, 2001 James Clabuesch Early Saturday morning, Sept. 1, 2001, James Harley Clabuesch, beloved husband of 37 years, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully after a long illness, at home with his family. In his last days, he was also surrounded by many close friends. Throughout his life, Jim touched the lives of many, not only family and friends who knew him personally, but in everything he did. Jim served in the United State Navy for three years. For 16 years he served both as secretary and trustee on the Laker School Board, and was a dedicated member of the Pigeon Lions Club for 26 years. Jim was an electrical contractor and owner of Jim's Electric for 22 years. He was well known for his great attitude toward life, his sense of humor, and his love for a good debate. Jim was born in Bad Axe on Oct. 16, 1941, to Walter and Jewel (Pinkston) Clabuesch. He graduated from Pigeon High School in 1959 and Ferris State in 1967. On Sept. 11, 1964, he married Linda Marie Warren. They completed their family with three children, Jim and his fiancee, Carolyn Huettel, of Durham, N.C., Kathy Snyder and her husband, Mike, and their daughter Haylee, of Midland, and Ginger and her fiance, Brian Arnold, of Rochester. In addition to his immediate family, he is survived by his brother, Fred Clabuesch and his wife, Jan, of Pigeon; sister, Jewel Bos and her husband, John, of East Lansing; uncles, Werner Clabuesch and Wendolin Clabuesch and his wife, Gertrude, of Pigeon, Blaine Pinkston and his wife, Jeanette, of Swartz Creek; aunt Wilma Gall of Seattle, Wash.; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents. A celebration of his life will be conducted from 3 to 9 p.m. today, Tuesday, Sept. 4, at Scenic Golf and Country Club, 8364 W. Filion Road, Pigeon. The family asks that memorials be made to Leader Dogs for the Blind. Arrangements are conducted by the Meyersieck-Bussema Funeral Home, a Golden Rule Funeral Home, in Pigeon. Ronald Tennant Ronald S. Tennant, 42, of Charleston Heights, S.C. and formerly of Pigeon, passed away Saturday, Sept. 1, 2001, while at work of a probable heart attack. He was born on Jan. 28, 1959, in Pigeon to Robert D. Tennant and the late E. Jane Tennant. After graduating from Laker High School in 1977, he enlisted in the U.S. Marines. He served six years traveling to Panama and Okinawa. After his return to Pigeon in 1983, he moved to South Carolina. He worked as a plumber in residential and commercial construction in the Charleston area. Surviving are his daughter, Rebecca Eichler and her husband, Hans, of Pigeon; his grandson, Ethan; his father, Robert Tennant of Pigeon; three brothers, Robert Tennant of San Jose, Calif., Duncan Tennant and his wife, Mary Jane, of Aiken, S.C. and Steve Tennant of Pigeon. There will be no public visitation or funeral services, and burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in Elkton. Arrangements are being handled by the Champagne Funeral Chapel in Elkton. Francis Quinn Francis Quinn, 81, of Kinde passed away Saturday, Sept. 1, 2001, at St. Mary's Medical Center in Saginaw. He was born on Feb. 16, 1920, in Owendale, son of the late Thomas and Prudence (Mousseau) Quinn. He and Theresa Kozlowski were married on Nov. 8, 1941, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Port Austin. Francis was a member of St. Edward's Catholic Church in Kinde, a life member of the Kinde VFW and a World War II veteran. He worked for International Harvester for 40 years. He was considered by many to be the most knowledgeable bailer repairman in the state. Francis enjoyed spending time with his wife, traveling, fishing, camping, hunting, and playing cards. He also enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and always had something special to say about them. He was survived by his wife, Theresa; his children, Merrily Jimkoski and her husband, Robert, of Port Austin, Wayne Quinn and his wife, Joann, of Kinde, Gail Norris and her husband, John, of Powell, Tenn., Darlene Kanaby of Kinde, Ellen Rytlewski and her husband, Jerry, of Auburn, and Colleen Majeski and her husband, David, of Filion; 21 grandchildren; and 30 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one daughter, Eileen. A funeral mass will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2001, at St. Edward's Catholic Church in Kinde. The Rev. Mieczyslaw Oniskiewicz will officiate. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. A vigil service will be conducted at 7:30 p.m. today at the Knoblock Funeral Home in Kinde. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. Juanita Spencer Juanita Antoinette Spencer, 67, of Caro died Monday, Sept. 3, 2001, in Covenant Medical Center-Cooper in Saginaw. Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2001, at Kranz Funeral Home in Cass City with Dr. Rick Flanders of Juanita Baptist Church and Beaver Pilcher, Tribal Elder of the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe officiating. Interment is in Elkland Township Cemetery in Cass City. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association. Interment is in Elkland Township Cemetery in Cass City. Arrangements by Kranz Funeral Home in Cass City. Wednesday, September 5, 2001 Robert Phillips Robert L. Phillips, 81, of Peck died Saturday, Sept. 1, 2001, at his home. He was born on Aug. 24, 1920, in Peck, the son of the late Robert and Ella (Johnston) Phillips. He was a lifelong area resident, farmer and a 1938 graduate of Peck High School. Robert married Olive Davies on March 24, 1945, in Juhl. She died on Nov. 19, 1995, he then married Shirley Dowling on Oct. 19, 1996, in Sandusky. Robert attended the Sandusky Presbyterian Church. He served on the Peck Community School Board for many years. Besides farming, Robert enjoyed water skiing, camping and sailing. He is survived by his wife, Shirley; his daughter, Theresa Fletcher and her husband, Rick, of Bad Axe; daughter-in-law, Carolyn Phillips of Davison; three step-sons, Dan Dowling and his wife, Veronia, of Brown City, Dallas Dowling and his wife, Terri, of White Cloud, Jassen Dowling and his wife, Deanna, of Charlotte; step daughter, Sherry Channel and her husband, Tim, of Tenn.; sister, Leota Jenks of Calif.; four grandchildren; one great- grandchild; and nine step grandchildren. Robert was preceded in death by a daughter, Deborah Galinis, on Dec. 24, 1981; a son, Ron Phillips on Nov. 8, 1998; and sisters, Ila Hetchler, Mayne Lamson, Ruth Smith. Cremation took place at Sunset Valley Crematory in Bay City. A memorial service will be conducted at 11 a.m. today at the Sandusky Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Mark Morningstar officiating. Interment will be in Elk Township Cemetery. Memorial requests to United Hospice. Arrangements by Marsh Funeral Chapel in Sandusky. Gerald Roth Gerald C. "Jerry" Roth, 87, formerly of Elkton died of respiratory failure on July 2, 2001. He was born on May 8, 1914, to the late Joseph and Anna (Ewald) Roth. Jerry served three and a half years with the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II in Africa, Sicily and Italy. He was Honorably Discharged in October 1945. Surviving are his wife, Frances (O'Connor); a son, David; a daughter, Nancy Roth; grandchildren, Natalie and Bradley Roth; sisters, Opal Dufty, Beatrice Hill, Ruth Wegner; and nephews and nieces. Preceding him in death were his brother, Keith; sister, Arleta Forster and Joan Dean. Final arrangements are incomplete. James Haley Dr. James Lewis Haley died unexpectedly of a heart attack on Aug. 6, 2001, in California. You are invited to share your memories of him at a memorial service at 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 7, 2001, at MacAlpine Funeral Home in Bad Axe. Memorials may be made to the Bad Axe Public Library, Huron Memorial Hospital or the American Diabetes Association. Thursday, September 6, 2001 – None Friday, September 7, 2001 Margaret Esch Margaret "Maggie" (Wideman) Esch, 95, of Glendale, Ariz. died on Aug. 22, 2001, in Glendale. She was born on July 26, 1906, the fifth child of three sons and three daughters, to Menno and Lydia (Gascho) Wideman on a farm near Pigeon. She was married to Lewis C. Esch on Christmas Day, 1924. After 75 years of marriage, Lewis preceded her in death on April 2, 2000. Maggie and Lewis lived on a farm near Pigeon for 19 years and then built a house near Caseville where they lived for 21 years. Maggie was a member of the Michigan Avenue Mennonite Church in Pigeon, where she was active as a Sunday school teacher, summer bible school secretary, and helped with numerous church projects. She worked as a telephone operator for Pigeon Telephone Company in Pigeon for many years. She especially enjoyed being a homemaker and mother to her four children. She was skilled at baking, quilting and various other handicrafts, which were her hobbies. After their children were grown, Maggie and Lewis began to spend winters in Arizona. In 1974, they made their permanent home at the Glencroft Retirement Community in Glendale, Ariz. They were members of the Sunnyslope Mennonite Church and associate members of the Glencroft Community Church. Being a person who loved to give of her time and talents, Maggie was involved in several volunteer jobs at Glencroft. She also found pleasure in playing the piano and organ and shared this musical talent in church services. Surviving are her children, Clayton Esch and his wife, Freda, of Pigeon, Eldora (Dody) Eicher and her husband, Lloyd, of Littleton, Colo., Dwight Esch and his wife, Ofelia, of Valley Center, Calif., and Marilyn Ludwig and her husband, Jack, of Peoria, Ariz.; six grandsons; one granddaughter; eleven great-grandchilden; six great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death are three brothers and two sisters. A private graveside service was conducted at 9 a.m. on Aug. 28, 2001, at Resthaven Park Cemetery in Glendale, Ariz. A memorial service followed at the Glencroft Community Church, officiated by Pastor David Mann. Those wishing to send memorial contributions for Margaret Esch are asked to consider The Zion Fund, Glencroft Administration, 8611 North 67th Avenue, Glendale, AZ 85302. Arrangements were made by Chapel of the Chimes in Glendale. Nickolas Melcheck Nickolas Melcheck, 88, of Pigeon died Thursday morning, Sept. 6, at Tender Care in Cass City. He was born on Oct. 4, 1912, in Wilpen, Pa. to the late Michael and Kate Melcheck and moved to Huron County in 1923. In 1955 he was united in marriage to Harriet Rawson in Cass City. She preceded him in death in October 1998. Nick was a milk hauler in the Caseville area until he sold the business and joined the Army during World War II. Upon his return to Caseville he turned to farming, which he did until retiring in the early nineties. During the winter of his early farming years, he also worked at General Motors in Saginaw. Surviving is his brother, Charles Melcheck of Pigeon; and two nephews. Preceding him in death are two brothers, Pete in 1978 and Mike in 1998. A private service will be conducted today with burial in the Caseville Township Cemetery. Arrangements by the Champagne Funeral Chapel in Caseville. Louis Ouvry Louis L. Ouvry, 95, of Cass City died Thursday, Sept. 6, 2001, in St. Mary's Medical Center in Saginaw. He was born on June 24, 1906, in Ostende, Belgium to Aime and Leonie (Everate) Ouvry. He married Irma Mortier on Sept. 4, 1926, in Belgian Church, Our Lady of Sorrows in Detroit. They celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2001. Louis emigrated to the United States in 1920. Louis was a carpenter. He was a member of the St. Charles Beneficial Society, Local 337 (114) Carpenters Union and the Owendale-Gagetown Euchre Club. Louis was also a member of St. Pancratius Catholic Church. He was an avid deer hunter and truly enjoyed his gardens. Louis is survived by his wife, Irma; his son, Charles Ouvry, of Warren; 15 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren; daughter-in- laws, Phyllis Ouvry and Gloria Ouvry; sisters, Marcella DeMeyre of St. Clair Shores, Madelein Tiege of Belgium; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son and daughter-in-law, Aime and Mary Ouvry; son, George Ouvry, and son, Ken Ouvry; daughter-in-law, Mary Ouvry; great-great-grandson, Jonathan Erla; five brothers, Paul, Gustaf, Camial, Leo, Charles; and two sisters, Helena Dens and Augusta Timmeman. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 8, 2001, at St. Pancratius Catholic Church in Cass City with Father Steve Fillion officiating. Interment is in Elkland Township Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m. today at Kranz Funeral Home in Cass City and from 10 to 11 a.m. on Saturday in the church. Memorials may be made to the Capuchin Monastery in Detroit or Leukemia Society of America. Arrangements by Kranz Funeral Home in Cass City. Garnet Dean Garnet Dean, 100, of Pigeon passed away Friday morning, Sept. 7, 2001, at Scheurer Hospital in Pigeon. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time. A complete obituary will be available for the next edition of the Huron Daily Tribune. Meyersieck- Bussema Funeral Home, A Golden Rule Funeral Home of Pigeon, is conducting the funeral services. 1