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/16dec01.txt Local obituaries for the week beginning December 16, 2001 Sunday, December 16, 2001 Jason Fritz Jason Lee Fritz, 24, of Pigeon passed away on Thursday, Dec. 13, 2001, at work in Sebewaing. He was born Nov. 30, 1977, in Bad Axe to Lonnie and Bobbi Jo (Ferrell) Fritz. Jason graduated from Laker High School in 1996. He then went on to graduate with honors and perfect attendance from ITT Technical Institute of Troy with an associate's degree in computer-aided drafting. While at ITT, he was inducted into the National Vocational-Technical Honor Society, the highest scholastic honor awarded for excellence. He was employed at Sebewaing Tool and Engineering Co. as a CAD designer and recently accepted a position there to include computer administrator. Jason loved life, his family, deer hunting and snowmobiling. He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Linkville. Jason is survived by his parents, Lonnie and Bobbi Jo Fritz; his sister, Melissa, of Southfield and her boyfriend, Bill; his grandmother, Kathy Ferrell of Palm Harbor, Fla.; his girlfriend of three years, Jennifer Irion of Pigeon and her parents, Rob and Mary Irion; several aunts and uncles, John D. and Sharyn Rockefeller of Gagetown, Garry and Janice McKellar of Gagetown, Lester and Mary Fritz of Cass City, Dale and Marcia Kundinger of Owendale, Van and Suzanne Fritz of Owendale, and Robert and Deb Nichols of Pontiac; as well as several cousins and many friends. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Oscar Farrell; and grandparents, Lester and Donna Fritz. Funeral services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Monday, Dec. 17, 2001, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Linkville, with the Rev. Lee Wenskay, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Grand Lawn Cemetery, Winsor Township. Visitation will be 1 to 9 p.m. today at Meyersieck-Bussema Funeral Home, a Golden Rule Funeral Home, Pigeon, and from 2 to 3 p.m. Monday at the church. Memorials may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Scheurer Hospital or Cross Lutheran Church. Martha Mary Hammerle Mrs. Martha Mary Hammerle, 89, of Ruth died Saturday morning, Dec. 15, 2001, at her residence under hospice care. She was born May 10, 1912 in Parisville, daughter of the late Adam and Rose (Warchuck) Helewski. She married Walter Hammerle on Sept. 24, 1929 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church of Smith Corners. He preceded her in death on Sept. 17, 1956. She was a graduate of the Maurer Country School. She farmed with her family and raised her children. She was a a lifelong parishioner and member of the Altar Society at Holy Trinity Church. She enjoyed playing cards, baking bread, quilting and gardening. She is survived by six daughters, Delores Talaski of Bad Axe, Mildred O'Parka and her husband, Irvin, of Ruth, Jeanette Danielski and her husband, Leo, of Ubly, Rose Ann Bollock and her husband, Jerry, of Ohio, Elaine Varosi of Sandusky, Darlene Gornowicz and her husband, Rodney, of Ubly; five sons, Harold Hammerle of Bullhead City, Ariz., Elwood Hammerle and his wife, Marlene, of Bad Axe, Kenneth and Wayne Hammerle, both of Ruth, Gary Hammerle of Ubly; 32 grandchildren; 36 great- grandchildren; one sister, Edna O'Shea of Ruth; one sister-in-law, Rita Helewski of Ubly. She was preceded in death by her son, Frank, and her daughter, Ardis Wrubel; three grandsons and one granddaughter; seven brothers, Mike, Pete, Joe, Anthony, Bill, Stanley, and Bernard Helewski; two sisters, Regina Schmitt and Frances Schmitt; her sister-in-law, Annie Schmitt. Funeral mass will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2001, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church of Smith Corners. The Rev. John Weis, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery. There will be a vigil service at 6 p.m. Monday at the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home of Ubly. Visitation will be from 12:30 to 9:30 p.m. Monday and 9 to 10 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Stanley B. McArthur Stanley Basil McArthur, 98, of Cass City, died unexpectedly Saturday, Dec. 15, 2001, in his home. He was born June 20, 1903, in Port Huron to Dougal and Lydia (Ball) McArthur. He is a lifelong resident of Cass City. He married Pauline Squiers June 4, 1927 in Flint. She died Oct. 18, 1999. Stanley worked at Nestle Milk for 22 years. In 1944, he and his brother-in-law, Leo Ware, began the Mac and Leo Service Station in Cass City, which they operated together for 20 years. Stanley was a very active member of the Cass City First Baptist Church. He became a member Feb. 6, 1921. Stanley loved family gatherings and had a wonderful sense of humor. Stanley is survived by his son, Robert McArthur and his wife, Joyce, of Cass City; grandchildren, Kathleen Daneault and her husband, Andre, Douglas McArthur and his wife, Brenda, and David McArthur and his wife, Angela, all of Cass City; great-grandchildren, Benjamin Adams, Andrew Adams, Joseph Daneault, Anthony McArthur, and Stacey McArthur; sister, Mardell Ware of Cass City; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Margaret; great-grandson, Philip Robert Adams; sisters, Martha Clement and Grace Law; and brother-in-law Leo Ware. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2001, at Cass City First Baptist Church with the Rev. Eric Holmgren officiating. Interment is in Elkland Township Cemetery. Pallbearers for Mr. McArthur will be Douglas McArthur, David McArthur, Andre Daneault, Benjamin Adams, Andrew Adams, Joseph Daneault, and Dave Ware. Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. today, and 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at the Kranz Funeral Home in Cass City, and from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the church. Memorials may be made to Cass City First Baptist Church. Arrangements made by Kranz Funeral Home. Stuart Noble Stuart Noble, 73, of Kinde passed away on Friday, Dec. 14, 2001, at the Huron County Medical Care Facility in Bad Axe. He was born on June 3, 1928, in Grindstone City, son of the late James and Jessie (Snoddon) Noble. He married Donna Motz on Sept. 25, 1954, in the Elkton Evangelical United Brethren Church. Mr. Noble was employed by Consumers Power Co. in Essexville for 29 years, retiring in November 1985. He was a member of the Bad Axe First Presbyterian Church where he served as a ruling elder on the Session, the Mission Strategy Committee and the Pastoral Search Committee. He was a member of the Thumb Two-Cylinder Club and was a former umpire for the Essexville Little League. He enjoyed watching basketball, football and the History Channel. He also was known for restoring antique John Deere tractors as a hobby. He served in the U.S. Army. He is survived by his wife, Donna Noble of Kinde; two sons, Bryan Noble and his wife, Rose, of Brooklyn and Bruce Noble of Grand Rapids; one brother, William Noble and his wife, Maxine, of Sierra Vista, Ariz.; one sister, Etta Quick and her husband, Kenneth, of Davison; three grandchildren, Justin Noble of Brooklyn and Sarah and Brandon Noble of Rockford. He was preceded in death by one brother, Leland Noble; and two sisters, Bessie Witherspoon and June Alton. Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 17, 2001, at the Bad Axe First Presbyterian Church. Officiating will be the Rev. Jan Dykshoorn, pastor, and Richard Shuart of the Colfax United Methodist Church. Burial will be in the Colfax Township Cemetery. Visitation will be 1 to 9 p.m. today at Kaufman Funeral Home in Bad Axe, and 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at the church. Memorials may be given to the American Heart Association or the Bad Axe First Presbyterian Church. Abby Thompson Abby Thompson, 81, of Sebewaing died Thursday morning, Dec. 13, 2001, at Bay Medical Center in Bay City. She was born July 5,1920, in Sebewaing, daughter of the late Otto and Waunetta (Roode) Eberlein. She was united in marriage to Manuel S. (Tommy) Thompson on March 20, 1946, in Sebewaing. He preceded her in death on Jan. 14, 1992. Abby was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Sebewaing, the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary Post No. 293 and was past president of the Sebewaing VFW Ladies Auxiliary Post No. 4115. Surviving are two daughters, Sandra Lee Lindeman and Judith Ann Schweitzer and her husband, Charles, all of Sebewaing; four grandchildren, Stacie Ann and William Isaac Lindeman, and Paul S. and Roy C. Schweitzer; one sister-in-law, Helen (Eberlein) Leppek of Bay City; two nieces, Linda and Kathy; and two nephews, Tom and Larry. She was preceded in death by one brother, Robert Eberlein. Cremation has taken place at Sunset Valley Crematory in Bay City. A service of remembrance will take place at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 29, 2001, at Trinity United Methodist Church in Sebewaing. The Rev. Ray McGee will officiate. Inurnment took place at Silverlawn Cemetery. Visitation will be 9:30 a.m. until the time of services Saturday at the church. Memorials may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church Building Fund, the American Heart Association or the charity of the donor's choice. Arrangements are being handled by the Dinkel-Juengel Funeral Home in Sebewaing. Monday, December 17, 2001 – None Tuesday, December 18, 2001 Grant Hutchinson Grant W. Hutchinson, 81, of Cass City died peacefully in his home on Monday, Dec. 17, 2001. He was born April 9, 1920, in New Greenleaf Township to Frank and Jennie (Leak) Hutchinson. He married Mary Kastraba on June 19, 1940, in Cass City. Grant farmed until he built Rolling Hills Golf Course which he ran for over 10 years. He also designed and built the back nine at Vassar Golf and Country Club and the back nine at Scenic Golf Course in Caseville. Previously, he had built and ran Rolling Hills Airport. He was a lifelong member of Cass City United Methodist Church and donated the land upon which the new church was built. Grant was a member of Masonic Tyler Lodge No. 317 and had served as Worshipful Master. He was known for his mechanical ability and for years restored Model A's. Lately he had started restoring old tractors. Grant is survived by his wife, Mary; sons Jim Hutchinson and his wife, Betty, of Vassar, and Bill Hutchinson and his wife, Prudence, of Northfield, Minn.; grandchildren Jeff Hutchinson and his wife, Christy, of Wayland, Lynn Hutchinson of Saginaw, Mike Hutchinson of Saginaw, and Sarah Hutchinson of Minneapolis, Minn.; great-grandson Jack; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son, Grant, in 1960. Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 20, 2001, at Kranz Funeral Home in Cass City with Dr. Philip Rice and the Rev. Robert Garrett officiating. Interment will be in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City. Visitation will be 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. There will be a Masonic service at 7 p.m. Memorials may be made to Cass City United Methodist Church Building Fund. Laurence Harris Laurence Harris, 78, of Bad Axe died Saturday, Dec. 15, 2001, at his home. He was born to the late David and Edith (Mattice) Harris on Oct. 6, 1923, in Verona Township. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II from 1942 until 1945. Laurence was united in marriage to Patricia Grimms in 1947. He later married Lydia Nirkla in 1965. She preceded him in death in 1995. Laurence is survived by his fiancee, Audrey Harris; two sons, Laurence Perry Harris of Dearborn Heights and William (Biff) Harris of Bad Axe; seven brothers, Willet Harris and his wife, Joyce, of Bad Axe, Leonard Harris of Bad Axe, Charles Harris of Bad Axe, Robert Harris and his wife, Louise, of Bad Axe, Donald Harris and his wife, Ingred, of Bad Axe, Frederick Harris and his wife, Margie, of Kinde, and James Harris and his wife, Karen, of Kileen, Texas; three sisters, Gertrude Webb of Howell, Lucille Anderson and her husband, Richard, of Au Gres, and Gloria Cook and her husband, Gene, of Cass City; a grandson, Dennis Harris; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a sister, Irene Sczewski. In keeping with his wishes, cremation has taken place and a memorial service will take place in the summer. MacAlpine Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Wednesday, December 19, 2001 August Kiehl August O. Kiehl, 87, of Bad Axe, a retired Sigel Township farmer, passed away Aug. 24, 2001, at Courtney Manor in Bad Axe following a long illness. He was born in Huron County to the late August and Martha (Strawer) Kiehl on Oct. 3, 1913. He and Ila Roberts were united in marriage in 1937 in Harbor Beach. She preceded him in death on March 14, 2001. August was a former member of the Verona Hills Golf Club near Bad Axe and the Seven Springs Golf Club in New Port Richey, Fla., where he and his wife spent many winters. August is survived by two daughters, Noreen Wright of Port Huron and Constance Kiehl of Bad Axe; two grandchildren, Jeffery Wright of Holland and Debra Wright-Fedchek of Madison, Wisc.; and a brother, Arnold Kiehl of Bad Axe. He was preceded in death by three sisters, Clara Rogers Christianson, Esther Kiehl and Freda Fuller; and by two brothers, John and Ernie Kiehl. Cremation took place at Sunset Valley Crematory in Bay City. A memorial service will take place at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 22, 2001, at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Bad Axe. The Rev. Kenneth Lueke, pastor, will officiate and interment will be in the Verona Township Cemetery. Visitation will be from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday at the church. Arrangements were handled by the Ramsey Funeral Home in Harbor Beach. Elwyn McNaughton Elwyn A. McNaughton, 78, of Cass City died peacefully in his home on Monday, Dec. 17, 2001. A memorial service will take place at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 21, 2001, at Cass City United Methodist Church with Dr. Philip Rice officiating. Interment will be in Elkland Township Cemetery. Visitation will be 10 to 11 a.m. Friday at the church. Memorials may be made to Cass City United Methodist Church or Heartland Hospice. Arrangements are being handled by Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City. Thursday, December 20, 2001 Kenneth Austrow Kenneth Peter Austrow, 84, of Bad Axe passed away Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2001, at Huron Medical Center in Bad Axe. He was born on July 16, 1917, in Kalamazoo to the late Charles and Lillian (Thiel) Austrow. Kenneth loved horses, checkers, bowling and baseball. He participated in the Special Olympics and was a big Detroit Tigers fan. He attended Bad Axe Church of the Nazarene and worked at Thumb Industries. Kenneth will be sadly missed by his foster family at the Bensinger AFC Home in Bad Axe and his friends at the Center for Community Living Program in Bad Axe. He is survived by one brother, Harold Austrow and his wife, Norma, of Clarkston; three nieces, Susan Ernst and her husband, Robert, of Wilmington, N.C., Sharon Austrow of Palm City, Fla., and Catherine Minor of Minneapolis, Minn.; one nephew, James Austrow and his wife, Donita, of Cincinnati, Ohio; one grand-niece, Michelle Minor of Minneapolis; and two grand-nephews, James and Gregory Austrow of Cincinnati. He was preceded in death by a sister, Erlene Carter; and a nephew, Steven Carter. Funeral services will take place at 2:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 21, 2001, at MacAlpine Funeral Home in Bad Axe. Pastor Gordon Gossman will officiate. Burial will be in Mount Ever-rest Memorial Park in Kalamazoo at a later date. Visitation will be from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Memorials may be offered to Area 10 Special Olympics. Donald Tracy Donald Tracy, 73, of Oak Beach, formerly of Cass City, died Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2001, in his daughter's home after a short-term illness. He was born Aug. 28, 1928, in Ann Arbor and was raised by foster parents John and Mae (Finley) Ross. He married Betty Jean McCallum on Sept. 4, 1948, in Croswell. Donald worked for Western Electric - now Lucent Technologies - for 30 years, retiring in 1975. Mr. Tracy also farmed part time. He was a member of the Men's Club in Buena Vista, Fla., and the Shuffleboard Club. He enjoyed snowmobiling with family and friends. Donald was an avid fisherman and hunter. Donald is survived by his wife, Betty; daughters Bonnie Topham and her husband, Bill, Kathy Morningstar and her husband, Bob, and Judy Keller and her husband, David; grandchildren Cindy Laur, Dawn Chandler and her husband, Kirk, Patty Humbach and her husband, Pat, Michael Morningstar and his wife, Krista, Melissa Mathewson and her husband, Jeff, Adrainne Keller and her fiancee, Justin Jamer, and Lesley Keller; great-grandchildren Jeff, Katie, Bobby, Randi, Brianna, Bryce, Zachary and Layna; special nephew Jimmy Fulayter and his wife, JoAnn; and many other nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son, William Tracy; foster sisters Arlene Brown, Helen Fulayter; and foster brother Tom Kimberlin. Funeral services will take place at 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 21, 2001, at Kranz Funeral Home in Cass City with Pastor David Edwards of Cass City Missionary Church officiating. Interment will be in Elkland Township Cemetery in Cass City. Pallbearers will be Mike Morningstar, Pat Humbach, Kirk Chandler, Jeff Mathewson, Justin Jamer and Jimmy Fulayter. Visitation will be 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Huron Memorial Hospice. Friday, December 21, 2001 Gertrude Webb Gertrude M. Webb, 80, of Howell died Thursday, Dec. 20, 2001, at McPherson Hospital in Howell. She was born July 26, 1921, in Verona to the late David Frederick and Edith (Mattice) Harris. She and Joseph E. Webb were united in marriage on July 12, 1941. J. Eric preceded her in death on April 18, 1996. Gertrude enjoyed arranging flowers and sewing. Gertrude is survived by one daughter, Jeri Spamer and her husband, Carl, of Howell; one son, Ron Webb of Bad Axe; seven grandchildren; two sisters, Lucy Anderson and her husband, Richard, of Au Gres and Gloria Cook and her husband, Gene, of Cass City; seven brothers, Willet Harris and his wife, Joyce, of Bad Axe, Charles Harris of Bad Axe, Leonard Harris of Bad Axe, Robert Harris and his wife, Louise, of Verona, Donald Harris and his wife, Ingred, of Verona, Fred Harris and his wife, Margie, of Kinde, and James Harris and his wife, Karen, of Texas. Visitation will be from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 23, 2001, at the MacAlpine Funeral Home of Bad Axe. Cremation will follow the visitation at Sunset Valley Crematory in Bay City. Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor's choice. George Layer George Layer, 62, of Harbor Beach passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, Dec. 20, 2001. Arrangements are incomplete and are being handled by the Ramsey Funeral Home in Harbor Beach. A complete obituary will appear in Sunday's Huron Daily Tribune. Deloris Leiterman Deloris A. Leiterman, 74, of Gagetown died Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2001, in St. Mary's Medical Center in Saginaw. Funeral services will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 22, 2001, at St. Agatha Catholic Church in Gagetown with Fr. Joseph Schabel and Sr. Joan Maher officiating. Interment will be in St. Agatha Cemetery. Visitation will be 3 to 9 p.m. today at Kranz Funeral Home in Cass City and 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday at the church. Memorials may be made to Rawson Memorial Library. William Kuhn William (Bill) Kuhn, 61, of Kinde died Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2001, in Florida following a long illness. In keeping with his wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Dr. George Waun Dr. George Glen Waun, 74, of Marietta, Ga., died Sunday, Dec. 16, 2001, in his daughter's home in Marietta. Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 22, 2001, at Cass City Missionary Church with the Rev. Terry Powell officiating. Interment will be in Elkland Township Cemetery in Cass City. Pallbearers will be Jason Waun, grandson; Jeff Weingartz, grandson; Michael Rollier, nephew; Stephen Rollier, nephew; Michael Shuert, nephew, and Justin Eaton, grand-nephew. Visitation will be 7 to 9 p.m. this evening at Kranz Funeral Home in Cass City and 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the church. 1