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/09dec01.txt Local obituaries for the week beginning December 9, 2001 Sunday, December 9, 2001 Virginia Nickles Virginia A. Nickles, 83, of Harbor Beach and formerly of Port Hope, passed away on the 60th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Friday, Dec. 7, 2001, in the Harbor Beach Community Hospital long term care unit. Virginia was born Sept. 14, 1918, in Manistee "just over the bridge" to the late John and Sophia (Nowak) Dahlkey. On April 18, 1936, she married Gerald Peter Nickles. They enjoyed 45 years of love and laughter before he died on June 17, 1981. Together they owned and operated Penny's Restaurant in Port Hope in the 1970s. She was an alumni of the Port Hope Community School and she will be remembered for the lunches she cooked and served there at the school. Virginia loved her country and was a long-time member of the Port Hope Am Vets Auxiliary. She was also a member of the Harbor Beach Lioness Club. Family and friends will remember Virginia for her storytelling, her sense of humor, her courage and her singing ability. She is the beloved mother of June McIntosh and her husband, Paul, of Rochester Hills, Linda Sehee of Wichita, Kan., Gerald Nickles Jr. and his wife, Carol, of Port Huron, Penny Guitar and her husband, Fred, of Harbor Beach. She was the treasured grandmother of Sharon Glass and her husband, Dean, Julie Aldo, John Speck, Michelle Watson and her husband, Scott, Tina and Tammy Young, Sean and Kevin Guitar, Andre Wiegand and Adrienne and Gerry Nickles, III. Virginia is also survived by five great- grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Jean Ann; two sisters Gertrude Wichtman and Cecile Clark. Funeral mass will be at 11:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 10, 2001 at Our Lady of Lake Huron Catholic Church in Harbor Beach with the Rev. Gerald Kukla, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. A White Clover Service by the Am Vets will be at 7 p.m., followed by a parish vigil service at 7:30 p.m. tonight, both at the Ramsey Funeral Home, Harbor Beach. Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home and from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at the church. Marion Oatley Marion M. Oatley, 83, of Allen Park died Thursday, Dec. 6, 2001, in her son's home in Ann Arbor. She was born May 28, 1918, in Cass City to Alexander and Mary (Brown) Milligan. She married Harold L. Oatley on Nov. 23, 1945. He died Dec. 10, 1988. Marion graduated from Central Michigan University and taught at Carsonville, Milan and Cass City Schools. She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Allen Park for 46 years and was very active in the United Methodist Women's group. Marion was a Girl Scout leader and a Cub Scout den leader. Marion is survived by her children, Jon Oatley and his wife, Diana, of Plymouth, Brian Oatley and his wife, Valerie, of Ann Arbor, Colin Oatley and his wife, Nancy, of Ann Arbor, and Ellen Wallace and her husband, James, of Seattle, Wash.; seven grandchildren, Betsy, Alex, Tom, Allison and Scott Oatley, and Ella and Caroline Wallace; a sister, Marjorie Karr of Gagetown; a brother, James Milligan and his wife, Pauline, of Cass City; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by two infant grandchildren, Daniel and Emma Oatley; and a brother-in-law, Leonard Karr. Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 10, 2001, at Trinity United Methodist Church, Allen Park, and 1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2001, at Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City with the Rev. Ronald Iris of Trinity United Methodist Church, Allen Park, officiating. Interment will be in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City. Visitation will be noon to 8 p.m. today at Weise Funeral Home, Allen Park, and noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday at Kranz Funeral Home in Cass City. Memorials may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, ALS Foundation or Arbor Hospice. 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 and her husband, John, 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. today at Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home of Ubly. Visitation will be 1 to 9:30 p.m. today, and from 8 to 9 a.m. Monday at the funeral home. George Lynch George E. Lynch, 70, of Cass City died Friday, Dec. 7, 2001, in Huron Medical Center, Bad Axe. Funeral services will take place at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9, 2001, at Kranz Funeral Home in Cass City with Dr. Philip Rice of Cass City United Methodist Church officiating. Interment will be in Elkland Township Cemetery. Visitation will be 1 to 2 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Bay Shore Camp or the American Cancer Society. Monday, December 10, 2001 – None Tuesday, December 11, 2001 James Bacca James Dean Bacca, 20, died Sunday, Dec. 2, 2001. He was born Jan. 29, 1981, in Butler County, Ohio. Survivors include his father and stepmother, Richard Louis Jr. and Mary Ann Bacca of Bay Port; his mother and stepfather, Mary Kay Moore and Allen Glen Koenig of Sunrise, Ky.; a special friend, Melissa Thompson of Sunrise, Ky.; a son, Dustin Hope Thompson; and two sisters, Cristina Bacca of Bay Port and Sarah Bacca Whittredge of Mount Clemens. Funeral services took place on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2001, at Ware Funeral Home in Cynthiana, Ky. Burial was in Harrison County Cemetery. Duane Rolph Duane G. Rolph, 74, of Elkton died Monday morning, Dec. 12, 2001, at his home while under hospice care. He was born Oct. 2, 1927, in Meade Township south of Pinnebog and moved to Elkton at age 6 with his parents, the late George and Estella (Jeroue) Rolph. He attended Elkton High School and was a 1947 graduate. After high school he was inducted into the U.S. Army and served during the Korean War. On April 2, 1956, he was united in marriage to Geraldine E. Jock at St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church in Pigeon. Duane was employed at Active Industries, Inc. in Elkton for 32 years as a security guard, retiring May 20, 1991. He was a member of the Tip of the Thumb VFW Post No. 2236 in Pigeon, attended St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church, and loved to hunt, fish and work in his yard. Surviving are his wife, Geraldine; four daughters, Becky Arntz and her husband, Larry, of Pinnebog, Denise Rolph of Cass City, Nanette Rolph of Grand Rapids and Mona Rolph-Ripley and her husband, David, of Sault Ste. Marie; eight grandchildren, Duane, Shelly, Jennifer, Ben, Alex, Lorelei, Amber and Jeremy; four great-grandchildren, Linsey, Kiersten, Kaydee and Christopher; and his sister, Wanda McIntyre of Venita Springs, Fla. He was preceded in death by his son, David; his brother, Eugene; and his sister, Elgeretta LeDuc. A memorial mass will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, 2001, at St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church in Pigeon, where the family will receive friends after 10 a.m. Fr. George Serour and Sr. Theresa Fox will officiate with burial at St. Felix Cemetery in Pinnebog. In keeping with his wishes, there will be no visitation. Arrangements are being handled by Champagne Funeral Chapel in Elkton. Memorials may be given to the church. Wednesday, December 12, 2001 – None Thursday, December 13, 2001 Jacinto Aguilera Jacinto B. Aguilera, 75, of Sebewaing died Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2001, at Bay Medical Center in Bay City following a one-month illness. He was born Aug. 22, 1926, in Castroville, Texas, son of the late Sabino and Jesusita (Botello) Aguilera. He was married to Jesusita Colunga in Castroville. She preceded him in death in 1971. They lived in Texas before moving to Sebewaing in 1966. He was employed at Michigan Sugar Co. in Sebewaing for 26 years before retiring in September 1991. Surviving are three daughters, Janie Lounsbury and her husband, Scott, of Cass City, Josefina Torres and her husband, Jose, of San Benito, Texas, and Isabel Besaw and her husband, Gary, of Burton; three sons, Jack Aguilera and Johnny Aguilera, both of Sebewaing, and Jesse Aguilera of Pigeon; one stepson, Rudy Colunga of Fayetteville, Ark.; one stepdaughter, Mary Martinez and her husband, Wello, of Sebewaing; 30 grandchildren; 45 great- grandchildren; three sisters, Beatrice Aguilera and Cruz Cuellar of Castroville, and Luisa Caserres of San Antonio, Texas; two brothers, Paul Aguilera and Cruz Aguilera, both of Castroville; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by one stepson, Leondro Colunga. Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, 2001, at the Dinkel-Juengel Funeral Home in Sebewaing. The Rev. Wayne Keim will officiate with burial in Sebewaing Assembly of God Cemetery. Visitation will be 7 to 9 p.m. this evening, noon to 9 p.m. Friday, and from 9 a.m. until the time of services Saturday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the American Kidney Foundation, the American Cancer Society or the charity of the donor's choice. Leah McKulsky Leah M. Oak McKulsky, 79, lifelong resident of Bad Axe, died Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2001, at the Huron County Medical Care Facility in Bad Axe. She was born May 10, 1922, in Ubly to the late Arnold Carl and Laura (Stanke) Emling. She was a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church of Bad Axe. She was employed as a secretary with several professional offices in the area. She also was employed with the Aid Association for Lutherans. She was an excellent seamstress, loved to knit and crochet, and enjoyed her Friday afternoon bridge group. Leah graduated from Ubly High School, Class of 1939. She attended the Bay City School of Commerce and earned a secretarial degree. Leah is survived by one daughter, Deborah Carter of Garden City; two granddaughters, Julie Espley and her husband, Matthew, of Brownstown and Christie Melange and her husband, Keith, of Livonia; four sisters, Marilyn Dowd and her husband, George of California, Charlotte Tyler and her husband, Barney, of Michigan, Dorothy Doering and her husband, Williams, of Oklahoma, and Judy Emling of Wisconsin; one aunt, Ena Kruger of Bad Axe; an uncle, Ernie Emling of Michigan; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Lewis Oak; and her second husband, Edward McKulsky Sr. Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, 2001, at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Bad Axe with the Rev. Kenneth Lueke presiding. Visitation will be 2 to 9 p.m. today at MacAlpine Funeral Home in Bad Axe and 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the church. Memorials may be given to the Michigan Cancer Society or Our Savior Evangelical Lutheran Church. Friday, December 14, 2001 Luella Born Luella Martha Born, 93, of Pigeon passed away Thursday, Dec. 13, 2001, at Tendercare of Cass City. She was born in Kilmanagh on Oct. 13, 1908, daughter of the late John Carl and Clara Mary Sara (Fritz) Pobanz. On Sept. 26, 1936, she was united in marriage to Clarence F. Born at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Linkville. He survives her. Mrs. Born was a farm wife throughout her lifetime, although in her earlier years, she worked as a housekeeper. She enjoyed quilting. She was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Linkville and was an honorary member of the Ladies Aid. In addition to her husband of 65 years, Clarence, she is survived by a daughter, Elaine C. Lokinski of Fairgrove; six grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; a daughter-in-law, Myrna Born of Pigeon; two sisters, Hazel Kuck of Sandusky and Dorothy Leitch of Warren; two sisters- in-law, Dorothy Rehberg of Eastpointe and Edna Yackle of Pigeon; a brother-in-law, Clarence Diebel of Gagetown; many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a son, Elmer, on Dec. 15, 1999, and two brothers, Olin and Arnold Pobanz. The funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2001, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Linkville with the Rev. Lee Wenasky, pastor officiating. Burial will be in the St. John Lutheran Cemetery in Sebewaing. Visitation is from 6-9 p.m. today and 1-9 p.m. Saturday at the Meyersieck-Bussema Funeral Home, a Golden Rule funeral home, in Pigeon and from 1 p.m. Sunday until the time of the service at the church. Memorials may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church. Jeannine R. Davidson Jeannine R. Davidson, 66, of Harbor Beach passed away Thursday, Dec. 13, 2001, in Harbor Beach Community Hospital following a brief illness. Born on March 6, 1935, in Harbor Beach, she was the daughter of Lionel and Marian (Schornack) Davidson. Jeannine received her bachelors and masters degrees from Central Michigan University in library science and in education. She was a retired employee of the Harbor Beach Community High School and was a former employee in various school districts including Bad Axe, Sandusky, Warren, and Rockford. She was a member of Our Lady of Lake Huron Catholic Church in Harbor Beach and the Harbor Beach Hospital Auxiliary Euchre Club. Jeannine is survived by her sister, Lynn Suida and her husband, Wayne, of DeTour; two nephews, Douglas Suida of Dearborn Heights and Michael Suida of Washington D.C. Funeral mass will take place on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2001, at 2 p.m. in Our Lady of Lake Huron Catholic Church in Harbor Beach with the Rev. Gerald Kukla, pastor officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. A parish vigil service will be at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in the Ramsey Funeral Home in Harbor Beach. Visitation will be 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home and 1 p.m. until the time of services Sunday at the church. Michael Flores Mr. Michael Flores Sr. 91, of Hastings and formerly of Owendale, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2001, at Tendercare Hastings. He was born in Leon, Mexico on Sept. 29, 1910, son of the late Antonio and Josefa Flores. On Jan. 23, 1943, he was united in marriage to Victoria Chavez in Pigeon. She preceded him in death on Dec. 1, 1986. Mr. Flores was a member of the St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church in Pigeon. He is survived by five daughters, Josephine Duimstra and her husband, Charles, of Grandville, Irene DuPont and her husband, Curt, of Wyoming, Rita Bryan and and her husband, Jeff, of Colorado, Mary Margaret Flores of Wyoming and Juana Dennis and her husband, Jim, of Rockford; a son, Michael Flores and his wife, Adale, of Santa Fe, N.M.; 15 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; a sister, Mary Bustos of Pontiac; several nieces and nephews; several step-sisters and step-brothers. He was preceded in death by a son, Jon Joseph and a great-grandson, Cory. The mass of Christian burial will be conducted at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 17, 2001, at St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church in Pigeon with Fr. George Serour and Sr. Theresa Fox, O.P. officiating. The scripture service will take place at 7 p.m. on Sunday at the Meyersieck-Bussema Funeral Home, a Golden Rule Funeral Home, in Pigeon with Sr. Theresa Fox officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation is from 2-9 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home and from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Monday at the church. Jason Fritz Jason Fritz, 24, of Pigeon passed away suddenly on Thursday, Dec. 13, 2001. The funeral service will be at 3 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 17, 2001, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Linkville. Visitation is from 1-9 p.m. Sunday at the Meyersieck-Bussema Funeral Home in Pigeon. A complete obituary will appear in the Sunday edition of the Huron Daily Tribune. Helen McKim Helen Esteen McKim, 88, of Bad Axe passed away Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2001, at the Huron County Medical Care Facility in Bad Axe. She was born March 3, 1913, in Huron Township to the late Edward and Florence (Badgley) Merchant. Helen and Stanley C. McKim were united in marriage on Oct. 14, 1930. He preceded her in death on May 12, 1976. Helen, a lifelong resident of Kinde and Bad Axe, treasured spending time with her family. She was a member of Michigan Farm Bureau and Auxiliary of the Gideons International. She enjoyed quilting and embroidery and donated her talents to work for Clothe-a-Child. Helen attended the Bad Axe Free Methodist Church and was a member of the Port Hope United Methodist Church. She is survived by a son, Stanley E. McKim of Sandusky; four daughters, Dorothy M. Holley and her husband, Peter, of Tennessee, Nancy L. Johnson and her husband, Donald, of Ohio, Barbara A. Chamberlain of Chicago, Ill., and Judith A. Jezewski of Bad Axe; a daughter-in-law, Kay McKim of Bad Axe; a sister-in-law, Ida Bucholtz of Port Hope; 15 grandchildren; 30 great- grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by two sons, an infant Clinton McKim in 1931, and Donald McKim in 1993; and a sister, Beatrice Brown in 1992. Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2001, at the Bad Axe Free Methodist Church. The Rev. Jerry Sutton will officiate. Burial will be in New River Cemetery in Port Austin. Visitation will be 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday and 2 to 9 p.m. Monday at MacAlpine Funeral Home in Bad Axe, and from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the church. Memorials may be made to the Auxiliary of Gideons International, Bad Axe Free Methodist Church or the Huron County Medical Care Facility. Stuart Noble Stuart Noble, 73, of Kinde passed away on Friday, Dec. 14, 2001, at the Huron Medical Care Facility in Bad Axe. A funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 17, 2001, at the Bad Axe First Presbyterian Church. Visitation is from 1-9 p.m. Sunday at the Kaufman Funeral Home in Bad Axe and from 10 a.m. until the time of the service Monday at the church. Lucille Patton Lucille Jeanette Patton, 76, of Caseville passed away Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2001, at Bay Medical Center in Bay City. She was born in Mount Clemens on March 6, 1925, daughter of the late Robert and Rose (Meier) Herron. On Jan. 11, 1941, she was united in marriage to Roy W. Patton in Napolean, Ohio. He preceded her in death on Jan. 8, 1992. Mrs. Patton worked for Ford Motor Co. from 1972 until her retirement in 1977. Prior to that, she was a bookkeeper for Goodyear Tire Co. as well as her husband's television repair business. She was an active member of the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church on Sand Point. She is survived by two daughters, Carol Rehder and her husband, Dennis, of Caseville and Sally Fosth of Warren; three sons, Robert Patton and his wife, Marilyn, of New Port Richey, Fla., Richard Patton of Jacksonville, Fla. and James Patton of Sterling Heights; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; a sister, Virginia Chamberlin and her husband, Irvin, of New Port Richey; one brother, Richard Charles Herron and his wife, Gloria, of Macomb Township; several nieces and nephews; a half sister; two half brothers. She was preceded in death by a grandson, Robert Scott Patton, a sister, Patricia and a brother, Kenneth. The funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2001, at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church with the Rev. James L. Nihiser, pastor officiating. Burial will be in Caseville Township Cemetery. Visitation is from 1-4 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. today at Meyersieck-Bussema Funeral Home, a Golden Rule funeral home, in Pigeon and from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at the church. Memorials for Mrs. Patton may be made to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. 1