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 March 25, 2001 Sunday, March 25, 2001 George Fisher Sr. George S. Fisher Sr., 90, of Cass City died Thursday, March 22, 2001, at Covenant Health Care-Cooper in Saginaw. He was born on April 11, 1910, in Ellington Township to William and Almira (French) Fisher. He married Elizabeth Reitter on Sept. 7, 1935, in Unionville. She died on Sept. 30, 1963. He later married Ruth Hendrick Finkbeiner on May 18, 1968, in Cass City. George worked for the Frutchey Bean Co. in Cass City and New Greenleaf, retiring as manager after 40 years. He was a member of the Cass City First Baptist Church. After retiring, he worked as church janitor for 11 years. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and was an avid woodworker. George truly loved his family and enjoyed family gatherings. George is survived by his wife, Ruth; children, George Fisher Jr. and his wife, Norma, of Cass City, Arthur Fisher and his wife, Jean, of Cass City, Carole Ann Hartwick and her husband, Leslie, of Cass City, Kathleen Hartwick and her husband, Charles, of Cass City, Jeanne Shagena and her husband, John, of Cass City; step-children, Donald H. Finkbeiner of Cass City, Eugene Finkbeiner and his wife, Mary, of Sumter, S.C., Larry Finkbeiner and his wife, Sandra, of Caro; 17 grandchildren; 34 great- grandchildren; 14 step-grandchildren; 21 step-great-grandchildren; one sister, Phoebe Klinkman of Deford; sisters-in-law, Irene Tracy of Cass City, Isabelle Whittenberg of Cass City, Phyllis Kelly and her husband, Sherwell, of New Boston; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his grandsons, James Fisher and Brent Fisher; great-grandson, Scott A. Fisher; stepson, Timothy Finkbeiner; step-grandson, Clark Finkbeiner; brothers, Jonathon Fisher and Myron Fisher; stepdaughter-in-law, Judith Ann Finkbeiner, brothers-in-law, Arthur Klinkman, Don Whittenberg and Ivan Tracy. Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. on Monday, March 26, 2001, at Cass City First Baptist Church with the Rev. Eric Holmgren officiating. Interment is in Elkland Township Cemetery. Honorary and active pallbearers for Mr. Fisher will be his grandsons, Blake Fisher, Christopher Hartwick, George Fisher III, Scott A. Fisher, Larry Fisher, Aaron Fisher, David Fisher, Rick Hartwick, Jeff Hartwick, Eric Hartwick and Joel Shagena. Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. today at Kranz Funeral Home in Cass City and noon to 1 p.m. Monday at the church. Memorials may be made to Cass City First Baptist Church. Loren Sommerfeld Loren Conrad Sommerfeld of Schoolcraft and formerly of Bad Axe, died on Tuesday, March 20, 2001, after a short illness. Loren's life began on Nov. 7, 1935, in Bloomington, Ill. He was the son of Clarence and Selma Sommerfeld. He graduated from Bad Axe High School in 1953 and joined the United States Navy, serving on the U.S.S. Basilone. After his discharge in 1955, he attended Northeastern School of Commerce and received a diploma in 1957. Loren married Joyce Elaine Howard on Aug. 27, 1960, and they had three sons, Jeffrey, Troy and Lance. The start of Loren's business career began in 1969 when he purchased Brookhaven Care Facility in Kalamazoo. In 1989, Loren sold Brookhaven and pursued various interests in real estate. Loren retired in 1992 after a successful business career to enjoy life on Sugar Loaf Lake. Loren was actively involved in Portage Rocket football for 12 years. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed organizing the many fishing trips he took to Canada with his family and friends. From first ice until last ice, Loren could be found fishing on Sugar Loaf Lake. In warm weather, Loren devoted much of his time to improving his lake property. Over the years, his hard work changed a once mosquito-infested swamp into beautiful property of which he could be proud. Surviving are Loren's mother, Selma, of Clearwater, Fla.; his children, Jeff Sommerfeld and his wife, Pam, Lance Sommerfeld and his wife, Kathy, of Schoolcraft, and Troy Sommerfeld and his fiancee, Marni, of Texas Township; his sons' mother, Joyce Sommerfeld of Portage; his brothers, Owen and his wife, Deanna, of Lake Ann, and Lynn and his wife, Kay, of Grand Rapids; four grandchildren, Meagan Rae, Tanner Scott, Alexis Marie and Logan Lynn; and many friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Clarence, on April 23, 1988. There will be a graveside service at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 27, 2001, at Schoolcraft Cemetery for burial of cremains. Visitation is from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday at the Avink Funeral Home in Schoolcraft. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Salvation Army. Monday, March 26, 2001 - None Tuesday, March 27, 2001 - None Wednesday, March 28, 2001 Lucille Lounsbury Lucille Victoria Lounsbury, 87, of Cass City died Monday, March 26, 2001, at Hills and Dales General Hospital of Cass City. She was born on Feb. 23, 1914, in Almer Township to Adelbert and Rosie May (Hartsell) Thane. She married Leslie E. Lounsbury on March 16, 1934, in the parsonage of Sutton Sunshine United Methodist Church. He died July 7, 1998. Lucille graduated from Caro High School in 1932 and from Tuscola County Normal in 1933. She taught at the Hillsdale School in Elmwood Township from Nov. 1933 through Jan. 1935. Lucille and Leslie resided their entire married life on the family farm three miles west of Cass City. The farm became a centennial farm in 1985. Mrs. Lounsbury was employed 18 years as a social worker by the Tuscola County Department of Social Services retiring on Feb. 27, 1976. She was a member of Sutton Sunshine United Methodist Church, the National Republican Committee, Farm Bureau and a strong supporter of the National Rifle Association. Lucille is survived by her daughters, Joyce Schad and her husband, James, of Lake City, Elaine Bila of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Rosemary Lounsbury and her husband, Joseph Kompsi, of Mackinac Island; her sons, Carl Lounsbury and his wife, Ann, of Harrison, Thomas Lounsbury and his wife, Virginia, of Cass City; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; three great- great- grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Joan Marie in 1937; sisters, Freda Healy in 1971, Sarah McCollum in 1980, and Jessie Rohrbach in 1988; brothers, Melzer Thane in 1961, and E. Carl Thane in 1983; grandson, Larry Thomas Schad Sr. in 2000; and great-grandson, Larry Thomas Schad Jr. in 1982. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 30, 2001, at Kranz Funeral Home with the Rev. Ray A. Jacques officiating. Interment is in Elkland Township Cemetery. Pallbearers for Lucille will be her grandsons. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. tonight, and from 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday at the Kranz Funeral Home in Cass City. Memorials may be made to Sutton Sunshine United Methodist Church or Rawson Memorial Library. Kay Rutkoski Kay Marie Rutkoski, 59, of Cass City died suddenly Tuesday, March 27, 2001, at Hills and Dales General Hospital of Cass City. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Friday, March 30, 2001, at St. Pancratius Catholic Church with the Rev. Paul Bala officiating. A complete obituary will appear in Thursday's edition of the Huron Daily Tribune. Kranz Funeral Home of Cass City is handling the arrangements. Thursday, March 29, 2001 June Franzel Mrs. June V. Franzel, 76, of Argyle Township died Wednesday, March 28, 2001, at Hills and Dales Hospital of Cass City. She was born on June 11, 1924, in Sandusky to the late Ira and Vera (Holstine) Smith. She married Edward H. Franzel on July 5, 1941, in Sandusky. He preceded her in death on July 26, 1982. She attended the Frieburg Country School. She worked at the Deckerville Pickle Factory, Tusco Manufacturing Co., and Lyntex Manufacturing. She retired in 1984. She was a parishioner of St. Ignatius Parish since 1941 and a member of the Altar Society. She enjoyed bingo, traveling and visiting with her family. She is survived by four daughters, Penny Guigar and her husband, Archie, of Ubly, Bonnie Rumptz and her husband, Wayne, of Snover, Barbara Guigar and her husband, Robert, of Ubly, and Vicky Walling and her husband, Dennis, of Ubly; one son, John Franzel of Ubly; 13 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren; and one sister, Donna Walsh and her husband, Mike, of Ubly. She was preceded in death by one grandson, Todd Guigar; two great-great-grandsons, Raymond and Cory Osantowski; two brothers, Clem Smith and Jay Smith; and one sister, Isma Beaudoin. Mass of Christian burial will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 31, 2001, at St. Ignatius Catholic Church of Freiburg with the Rev. Stephen Fillion, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery in the spring. There will be a parish wake service at 8 p.m. on Friday at the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home of Ubly. Visitation will be from 12:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Friday and from 9 to 10 a.m. on Saturday at the funeral home. Leo Goretski Leo (Cooner) F. Goretski, 75, of Port Austin died Wednesday, March 28, 2001, at the Aleda E. Lutz Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Saginaw. He was born on March 15, 1926, in Port Austin, son of the late Leo and Anna (Horetski) Goretski. He and Josephine Parks were married on May 11, 1963, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Port Austin. Leo was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church in Port Austin, the American Legion Frank Horetski Post 499, and the Kinde VFW post 4003. He was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 75 and a life member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 514. While serving in the United States Army during World War II Leo received the Purple Heart. He is survived by his wife, Josephine; his daughter, Julie Taylor and her husband, Mel, of Midland; his granddaughter, Kayla; and one brother, Lawrence Goretski and his wife, Lorraine, of Centerline. He was preceded in death by three sisters, Mary Prange, Agnes Green, and Leona Green. Funeral mass will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 31, 2001, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Port Austin with the Rev. Michael J. Bell officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. A Parish Scripture service will be conducted at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday and from 1 to 9 p.m. on Friday at the Knoblock Funeral Home in Kinde and from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the church. Edward Kennedy Edward C. Kennedy, 74, of Bad Axe, passed away on Tuesday, March 27, 2001 at the Huron Memorial Hospital in Bad Axe following a long illness. He was born on Nov. 4, 1926, in Hume Township to the late Harry and Gertrude (Weiss) Kennedy. He married Leona Ratichik on June 26, 1948, in St. Mary's Catholic Church of Dwight. Mr. Kennedy was a longtime Hume Township farmer before he and his wife moved to Harbor Beach in 1983 where they operated Klumps Restaurant and Lounge for eight years. He managed the Admiral Faragut Apartments until 1997 when he retired to Bradenton, Fla. He was an honorary member of the Third Degree Knights of Columbus of Bad Axe and Harbor Beach, and a member of the Fourth Degree Bishop Babcock General Assembly and Color Corps. He was very active in community affairs as a member and past president of the Harbor Beach Lions Club, a director and past president of Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Huron County, and a member and past president of the North Huron School Board. He is survived by his wife, Leona, of Bad Axe; one son, Terrance Kennedy and his wife, Brenda, of Bad Axe; two daughters, Diane Peyerk and her husband, Phil, of Bad Axe, and Sharon Fisher and her husband, Tom, of Reese; 11 grandchildren, Dr. Jodi Kordyzon and her husband, Mark, of Ypsilanti, Heather Bendrey of California, Amanda Bendrey of Bad Axe, Aaron Peyerk of Bad Axe, Tenille Peyerk of Grand Rapids, Chad Fisher and his wife, Donna, of Reese, Jill Fisher of Freeland, Amy Fisher of Reese, Jennifer Kennedy of Big Rapids, and Justin and Joshua Kennedy of Bad Axe; and 3 great grandchildren, Ryan and Adam Fisher of Reese, and Ariana Peyerk of Grand Rapids. He preceded in death by one brother, William Kennedy. Mass of Christian burial will take place at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 30, 2001, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bad Axe with Fr. John Killop, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Our Lady of Lake Huron Catholic Cemetery in Harbor Beach. A parish scripture service will be offered on Thursday at 7 p.m. followed by a Knights of Columbus service at 8 p.m. at the Kaufman Funeral Home in Bad Axe. Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. today and from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on Friday at the funeral home. Anna Klakulak Anna Klakulak, 92, of Cass City, passed away on Tuesday, March 27, 2001, at Courtney Manor of Bad Axe. She was born on July 26, 1908, in Ostrow Komorowo, Poland to the late John and Ignacia (Kijtkowski) Ogonowski. She married Anthony Klakulak on August 29, 1925 in Hamtramck. He preceded her in death on Oct. 24, 1973. She attended the Our Lady Queen of Apostles School in Hamtramck and the Whyte School in Detroit. She worked at Borowicz Meat Market in Hamtramck and Ney's Restaurant in Bad Axe. She was a member of the Altar Society at Holy Trinity Church in Smith Corners for 32 years. She moved to Cass City in 1973 and became a member of St. Pancratius Parish of Cass City. She enjoyed bingo, cards, gardening, crocheting and visiting. She is survived by three daughters, Rita B. Edwartowski and her husband, Joseph, of Johannesburg, Christine P. Nowak and her husband, Anthony, of Warren, Judith A. Mausolf and her husband, Michael, of Harbor Beach; two sons, Joseph J. Klakulak and his wife, Bernice, of Sterling Heights, John Anthony and his wife, Hulda, of Washington, MI; 19 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson. She was preceded in death by three sons, John James Klakulak, Raymond R. Klakulak and Leonard R. Klakulak. Mass of Christian Burial for Anna Klakulak will be at 10 a.m. on Friday, March 30, 2001, at St. Pancratius Catholic Church in Cass City with the Rev. Paul W. Bala, pastor, and the Rev. Thomas Puzio, associate of St. Dorothy Parish in Warren officiating. Burial will be in the Mount Olivet Cemetery in Detroit. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 :30 p.m. today at the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly and from 9 to 10 a.m. on Friday at the church only. Memorials may be made to the Courtney Manor Activities Department or Friends for Life Hospice of Huron County. Ryan Koth Ryan E. Koth, infant, died at birth on Monday, March 26, 2001, at Covenant-Harrison Hospital in Saginaw. He was the son of Kenneth and Cheryl (Szymanski) Koth of Port Hope. He is survived by his parents; his big brother, Matthew G. Koth, age two; his grandparents, Elwin and Mary Lou Koth of Filion and George and Marge Szymanski of Port Austin; great-grandparents, Emil and Bessie Bucholtz of Port Hope, and Clematine Szymanski of Port Austin; several aunts and uncles, James and Carol Lemanski of Harbor Beach, Larry and Bev Leavine of Port Austin, Jacob and Vicki Naeyaert of Port Hope, Marty and Kim Baranski of Kinde, Kevin and Shelly Koth of Kinde, Greg Szymanski of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., Steve and Debbie Wahl of Bad Axe, Kelly and Jamie Szymanski of Port Austin, and Kristie Szymanski and her fiancee, Richard Koroleski, of Port Austin; and several cousins. A service of burial will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 1, 2001, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Port Austin with Father Michael Bell officiating. Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m. at the church, before time of service. MacAlpine Funeral Home-Gage Chapel of Kinde is handling the arrangements. Memorials may be offered to the family. Friday, March 30, 2001 Phoebe Lemanski Phoebe Lemanski, 83, life-long resident of Bad Axe, died Friday, March 29, 2001, at Huron Memorial Hospital in Bad Axe. She was born on Sept. 20, 1917, in Paris Township to the late Andrew and Martha (Peplinski) O'Parka. On April 24, 1937, Miss Phoebe O'Parka and Mr. Edward Lemanski were united in marriage at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Parisville. Mr. Lemanski preceded his wife in death on July 3, 1991. Phoebe was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bad Axe. She was employed for many years and retired from the Hamill Manufacturing Co. She enjoyed playing cards and shopping. She is survived by her three daughters, Elaine Talaski and her husband, Frank, Joyce Stirrett and her husband, Douglas, and Carol Majeski and her husband, Timothy, all of Bad Axe; one brother, Chester O'Parka and his wife, Jean, of Bad Axe; four sisters, Martha Goniwicha of Harbor Beach, Minnie Bismack of Minden City, Grace Peruski of Ubly, and Beatrice Lemanski and her husband, Victor, of Bad Axe; eight grandchildren, Trudy Gage and her husband, Daniel, of Bad Axe, Tamera Teasdle and her husband, David, of Bad Axe, Todd Talaski of Bad Axe, Tina Tolitsky of Shelby Township, Traci Warren and her husband, James, of Bad Axe, Thomas Tolitsky of the U.S. Marine Corps, Camp LeJeune, N.C. and Sean and Danay Majeski of Bad Axe; six great-grandchildren; and three step great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward; one grandson, Troy Stirrett; and two sisters, Teresa Lemke and Gertrude Zulka. Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Monday, April 2, 2001, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bad Axe with Father John Killop officiating. A Wake Scripture service will be offered at 7 p.m. on Sunday. Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. on Saturday and from 1 to 9 p.m. on Sunday at the MacAlpine Funeral Home in Bad Axe. Memorials may be offered to the family. Edna Paionk Mrs. Edna L. Paionk, 92, of Bad Axe died Thursday, March 29, 2001, at Courtney Manor of Bad Axe after a short illness. She was born Feb. 6, 1909, in Ubly to the late Benedict and Mary (Richards) Salowitz. She married Edward Paionk on Oct. 4, 1930, at St. John Catholic Church of Ubly. He preceded her in death on Nov. 13, 1981. She attended Bingham Country School. She worked in an area hotel and at a defense plant in Detroit for a few years. She returned to Bad Axe in 1972. She was a parishioner at Sacred Heart Church. She enjoyed crafts, needlework, and visiting with her family. She is survived by her three daughters, Marion Smaglinski and her husband, Frank, of Harbor Beach, Georgeana Guza and her husband, Meinard, of Bad Axe, and Andrea Piotrowski of Sterling Heights; 21 grandchildren; 67 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Marie Wrubel and her husband, David, of Warren; one brother, Frank Salowitz of Wisconsin.; two sisters-in-law, Bertha Cook and Phyllis Salowitz; and one brother-in- law, Sylvester Paionk. She was preceded in death by four brothers, Sylvester, Robert, Edward, and Benjamin Salowitz; and one son-in-law, James Piotrowski. Mass of Christian burial will take place at 2 p.m. on Monday, April 2, 2001, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bad Axe with Father John Killop, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in St. John Cemetery of Ubly. There will be rosary at 7 p.m. followed by a scripture service at 8 p.m. given by Father Marcus Guza Sunday at the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly. Visitation will be from 2 to 9:30 p.m. on Sunday and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home. Joseph Piorunek Joseph Piorunek, 73, of Lapeer died Wednesday, March 28, 2001. He was born on March 12, 1928, in Merrill to Mitchell and Anna (Pawlus) Piorunek. He married Barbara Thourlby on Sept. 6, 1950, in Detroit. She preceded him in death in 1990. Mr. Piorunek was a funeral director who started his career at Piorunek Funeral Home in Kinde. He finished out his career in Lapeer after 30 years. Joseph truly enjoyed cooking, fishing, hunting, and gardening. Most importantly he was a loving father and grandfather. He is survived by six daughters, Jeni Schlaud and her husband, Ken, of Iowa Park, Texas, Mary Billington and her husband, Gerald, of Waterford, Rebecca Newman and her husband, Dave, of Lapeer, Barbara Hobson and her husband, Roger, of Attica, Monica Flagg and her husband, Steve, of Auburn Hills, and Julie Somerville and her husband, Kim, of Attica; three sons, Leo J. Piorunek of Burton, James Piorunek of Davidson, and John Piorunek of Clifford; 15 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; four sisters, Ann McLellan, Mary Dreffs, Emily Filary, and Francis Brandon; and one brother, John Pronek and his wife, Lil. He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara; and his parents. The funeral will be conducted at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 31, 2001, at St. Louise Chapel of Immaculate Conception Church, 3477 S. Louise Road, Metamora, with Father Janusz Iwan officiating. Burial will be in Mount Loretto Cemetery. Visitation will take place from 2 to 8 p.m. today at the Muir Brothers Funeral Home, 1021 S. Main St., Lapeer. For more information, call the funeral home at (810) 664-8111. Memorials may be made to Immaculate Conception Church Building Fund, or the Elks Lodge in Lapeer. 1