HURON DAILY TRIBUNE, Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan Local obituaries for the week of October 21, 2001 Sunday, October 21, 2001 Alice Luedtke Alice L. Luedtke, 79, of Pigeon passed away Friday, Oct. 19, 2001, at St. Mary's Medical Center in Saginaw. Mrs. Luedtke was born in McKinley Township on July 12, 1922, the daughter of Floyd and Achsah (Gwinn) Richmond. She attended Mud Creek grade school and was a graduate of Pigeon High School in 1940. On April 7, 1945, she was united in marriage to Arthur M. "Bud" Luedtke in Long Beach, Calif. He was a member of the Navy Air Corps at the time. Mrs. Luedtke was a homemaker throughout her lifetime. She was a member of the St. John's Lutheran Church, Berne, the St. John's Women's Society, Townliner's Extension Group, the Pigeon District Library Quilt Guild, and a former member of the Scheurer Hospital Auxiliary. She is survived by her husband, Arthur "Bud", to whom she had been married for more than 56 years; two daughters, Carol Buzzitta of Lansing and Janet Luedtke of Bloomfield Hills; a son, Alan and his wife, Shelia, of Millington; six grandchildren: Mark and Amy Buzzitta, and Kyle, Brandon, Kristen, and Chelsea Luedtke; a sister, Ann Marie Clabuesch of Pigeon; a sister-in-law, Marguerite Luedtke of Pigeon; a brother-in-law, Donald Dast of Pigeon; and nieces, nephews and cousins. The funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 22, 2001, at St. John's Lutheran Church, Berne, with the Rev. James A. Gorsegner, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 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 services on Monday at the church. Memorials may be made to St. John's Lutheran School or St. John's Lutheran choir. Etsel Wilcox Etsel Daniel Wilcox, 79, of Deford died Friday, Oct. 19, 2001, at his home after a long illness. He was born Jan. 1, 1922, in Kingston to William D. and Mary (Stickel) Wilcox. He married the love of his life, Margaret F. Shaver, and together they resided in the Kingston and Deford area for over 55 years. Etsel worked for the Kingston Elevator and did custom thrashing. He was a dairy farmer while working at Pontiac Motors. He worked for the Tuscola County Road Commission as a heavy equipment operator, retiring after 30 years. Etsel loved hunting, fishing and camping with family. He was a very active member of Deford Community Church, serving in many positions over the years, including trustee, church board member and a greeter up until his illness prohibited it. Etsel is survived by his wife, Margaret; daughter Etselene Dorland and her husband, Jim, of Deford; granddaughter Shelly Chambers and her husband, Bill, of Deford; step- grandchildren Ryan Dorland and Kyle Dorland; great-grandchildren Shane Bloomfield and Shania Chambers; step-great-grandchildren Nick Chambers, Heather Chambers and Tammy Chambers; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law Darold TerBush; and brothers Lester, Burwyn and Basil Wilcox. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 22, 2001, at Deford Community Church with Pastor David Mercer officiating. Interment will be in East Dayton Cemetery, Caro. Pallbearers for Mr. Wilcox will be Shane Bloomfield, Randy Shaver, Tim Shaver, Cliff Shaver, Barry Shaver and Jerald Shaver. Visitation will be 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. today at Kranz Funeral Home in Cass City, and 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at the church. Memorials may be made to Deford Christian Academy. Leitha Paladi Leitha M. Paladi, 78, of Cass City died Thursday, Oct. 18, 2001, in Hills and Dales General Hospital. Funeral services will take place at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 21, 2001, at Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City, with Pastor Gary Butterfield of Lamotte Missionary Church officiating. Interment will be in Novesta Township Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society. Monday, October 22, 2001 Robert J. Dubey, Sr. Robert Joseph Dubey, Sr., 82, of Bay Port died Saturday evening, Oct. 20, 2001, at Scheurer Hospital following a massive heart attack. Bob died like he lived, working. He was out grooming a neighbor's yard when the Lord called him home. Bay Port will be at a loss without him planting and caring for the flowers along Main Street. He was born Sept. 10, 1919, in Bay Port at the home of his parents, the late Arthur and Louise (Burger) Dubey. On Sept. 11, 1940, he was united in marriage to Phyllis Turck in Indiana. She preceded him in death on their 65th wedding anniversary in 1995. In 1944, he was called to serve in the U.S. Navy. While out in the Pacific on the USS Ommenay Bay, a carrier escort ship, they were fired upon by the Japanese and sank. He spent two days in the water before being rescued. After returning to Bay Port, he purchased the Bay Port Hotel and operated it for more than 38 years, selling it in 1972. At that time he took a position as weighman at the quarry, retiring in 1985. Since that time he never quit working, mowing lawns, doing yard work and just keeping Bay Port a nice place to live. He was a member of the Bay Port American Legion Post No. 533 and was retired from the Fairhaven Township Fire Department, having held various offices in his 42 years of service. Surviving are his son, John Dubey and his wife, Beverly, of Caseville; his daughter, Phyllis Babiszewski of Bay Port; 13 grandchildren, Beth, Steven, Kim, Todd, Dee Dee, Troy, Ricky, Chris, Amy, Candy, Becky, Erica and Ryan; 37 great- grandchildren; one great great-granddaughter; his brother, James Dubey and his wife, Diane; a sister-in-law, Irene Dubey; and his special friend, Rita Gase of Bay Port. He was preceded in death by two sons, Louie and Robert, Jr.; a grandson, Tony; a brother, John; and three sisters, Agnes Hoeh, Margaret Jerome and Genevieve Warner. A funeral mass will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2001, at St. Roch Catholic Church in Caseville. The Rev. Kenneth Yaroch, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in the New Bay Port Cemetery with military honors by the Bay Port American Legion Post. A prayer service will be conducted at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Champagne Funeral Chapel, Caseville. Visitation will be 7 to 9 p.m. this evening and 2 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home and after 10 a.m. Wednesday at the church. Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor's choice. Milford Stirrett Mr. Milford Stirrett, 86, of Hawkinsville, Ga., died Friday, Oct. 19, 2001, in Macon, Ga. He was a native of Huron County. He was a member of the Presbyterian faith. He was a horse trainer and was a member of the Horseman's Association. He is survived by his wife, Gerry Stirrett of Hawkinsville; two sons, Robert Stirrett of Hawkinsville and Albert Stirrett of Northfield, Ohio; a daughter, Faye Stirrett of Bad Axe; a daughter-in-law, Vian Stirrett of Hawkinsville; 11 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; three great-great- grandchildren; and five sisters, Vera Broomfield and Gloria Belew, both of Bad Axe, Dorothy Nugent of Weidman, Floy Alent of Lansing and Jane Klaska of Bay City. A memorial service will take place at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2001, in the Chapel of Clark Funeral Home in Hawkinsville with the Rev. Tim Lamb officiating. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the Collon Funeral Home, 302 S. State St., Caro MI 48723. Tuesday, October 23, 2001 – None Wednesday, October 24, 2001 Alberta Schubel Alberta Schubel, 97, of Port Austin died Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2001, at Courtney Manor in Bad Axe following a long illness. She was born May 24, 1904, in Alma, daughter of the late John and Bertha Gobel. She graduated from Alma College in 1926 and came to Port Austin that year as a teacher in the Port Austin school system. Alberta and Ted H. Schubel were married in 1931. He preceded her in death in 1986. After teaching many years in Port Austin, she completed her teaching career at Bad Axe High School. She was a former clerk of Pointe Aux Barques Township, postmistress of Pointe Aux Barques post office, member of the Port Austin Priscilla Club, Order of the Eastern Star and United Protestant Church, and she was a volunteer worker for many years in the Huron Memorial Hospital gift shop. She also served as organist for the United Protestant Church and Kinde Presbyterian Church. She was an avid reader, gardener and traveled extensively to all parts of the world. She is survived by two sons, John T. Schubel and his wife, Rebecca, of Port Hope and Jerry R. Schubel and his wife, Margaret, of Boston, Mass.; four grandchildren, Ted Schubel and his wife, Susan, of Fredericksburg, Va., Sally Arndt and her husband, Kevin, of Port Hope, Susan Liss and her husband, Anthony, of Breman, Maine, and Kathryn Schubel of Easton, Pa.; and eight great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, 2001, at the United Protestant Church. The Rev. Robert Garrett, pastor, will officiate. Burial will follow in the New River Cemetery. Visitation will be 1 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at Knoblock Funeral Home in Kinde, and from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the church. Thursday, October 25, 2001 Vernon Bush Vernon W. Bush, 76, of Caro died Monday, Oct. 22, 2001, in Hills and Dales General Hospital after a long illness. He was born Sept. 3, 1925, in Trout Lake to Westley F. and Elizabeth (Davy) Bush. He married Carol White on March 22, 1973, in Flint. Vern worked in roofing and construction for many years. He liked to cook, walk and travel. Vern was an animal lover, especially of cats. Vern is survived by his wife, Carol; sons Wesley Bush of Mount Pleasant and Kevin Bush of White Water, Wisc.; a sister, Darlene Vincent and her husband, Louis, of Iron Mountain; a brother, Harold Bush and his wife, Beverly, of Saginaw; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brothers Francis, Earl and Leonard; an infant sister, Audrey; and sisters Joyce Thompson and Lillian Briggs. Memorial services will take place on Thursday, Nov. 1, 2001, in Pickford United Methodist Church in Pickford. The Rev. Lynn Chappell will officiate. Interment will be in Lake View Cemetery in Trout Lake. Memorials may be made to the Family Discretionary Fund. Arrangements were handled by Kranz Funeral Home in Cass City. Friday, October 26, 2001 Wallace Czekai Wallace S. Czekai, 61, of Cass City died Monday, Oct. 22, 2001, in Barb's Adult Foster Care Home in Fairgrove after a short illness. He was born July 28, 1940, in Marlette to George and Doris (Greenleaf) Czekai. He married Ruthann C. Muntz on Sept. 24, 1959, in Cass City. Wally worked at General Motors for 34 years. He was a member of St. Pancratius Catholic Church and a former member of the Knights of Columbus. Wally enjoyed camping and gardening. Wally is survived by his wife, Ruthann; children Kim Williams and her husband, Tim, of Wayne, and Kevin Czekai and his wife, Jennifer, of Rotondo West, Fla.; sister-in-law, Dorothy Crawford of Caro; brothers Richard Czekai of Flint, Gary Czekai and his wife, Margaret, of Cass City; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents. Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 29, 2001, in St. Pancratius Catholic Church with the Rev. Steve Filion officiating. Interment will be in Elkland Township Cemetery in Cass City. Pallbearers for Mr. Czekai will be Harry Adams, Kevin Czekai, Richard Czekai, Mark Kawecki, Terry Muntz and Dave Deering. There will be a vigil service at 7 p.m. Sunday in Kranz Funeral Home in Cass City. Visitation will be 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home, and 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at the church. Memorials may be made to the Family Discretionary Fund. Geraldine Majeski Geraldine Majeski, 72, lifelong resident of Lincoln Township, died Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2001, at Covenant Medical Center Cooper in Saginaw. Geraldine was born to Frank and Mary (Vigenski) Wisneski on Nov. 1, 1928, in Detroit. Albin and Geraldine Majeski were united in marriage on Sept. 10, 1949, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Dwight Township. He preceded her in death on March 26, 1988. Geraldine was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church and the Altar Sodality. She retired from the Huron County Medical Care Facility in June 1995 where she was a dietitian for 12 years. Her hobbies included flowers and working in her garden. She enjoyed the companionship of her dog, Moses. Surviving are three sons, David Majeski and his wife, Colleen, of Filion, Richard Majeski of Oak Beach, and Ronald Majeski and his special friend, Darleen, of Filion; a daughter, Marge Hagle and her husband, Dale, of Filion; four brothers, Eugene Wisneski and his wife, Mary Ann, of Bad Axe, Harry Wisneski and his special friend, Mary Louise, of Essexville, Sylvester Wisneski and his wife, Mary, of Marine City, and David Wisneski and his wife, Jane, of Capac; three sisters, Virginia Ignash and her husband, Eugene, of Filion, Lillian Drake of Kinde, and Genevieve Fisher of Port Austin; eight grandchildren, Julie Herman of Kinde, Trisha Jimkoski of Filion, Ryan Hagle of Filion, Jason Majeski of Port Hope, Trevor Majeski of Filion, Jeremy Majeski of Kinde, Kristen Majeski of Grand Blanc, and Nicholas Majeski of Grand Blanc; six great-grandchildren, Tori Majeski, Matthew Majeski, Jonathan Majeski, Grant Herman, Rhiana Herman and Olyvia Majeski; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brother, Raymond Wisneski; and an infant sister. Mass of Christian burial will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, 2001, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Dwight Township with Fr. Mieczyslaw Oniskiewicz officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. There will be prayer vigil at 7 p.m. and a rosary at 7:30 p.m. tonight at MacAlpine Funeral Home-Gage Chapel in Kinde. Visitation will be 1 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to the Family Discretionary Fund or St. Mary's Catholic Church. 1