HURON DAILY TRIBUNE, Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan Contributed 2002 by Carol Morrison for use in the USGenWeb Archives. USGENWEB 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 USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. Local obituaries for the week beginning September 1, 2002 Sunday, September 1, 2002 Brook Stock Brook Ann Stock, 54, died Friday, Aug. 30, 2002, at Bay Regional Medical Center in Bay City following a 17-month-long illness. She was born on Jan. 13, 1948, in Bay Port, daughter of the late DeVere A. Sr. and Bette J. (Farmer) Henne. She was a 1966 graduate of Elkton-Pigeon Bay Port High School and later attended Northeastern School of Commerce in Bay City for two years. On Dec. 2, 1967, she was united in marriage to Brian A. Stock at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Sebewaing. Brook was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Sebewaing. She served on the board of trustees and was a member of the Lutheran's Women's Missionary League. She was an active member and supporter of Ducks Unlimited. She was also an avid collector of Longaberger baskets. Brook enjoyed spending her time baking monster cookies for her children and grandchildren. She was a loving and caring mother and grandmother who will be truly missed. Surviving are her husband, Brian; two sons, Troy Stock and his wife, Pam, of Kalamazoo and Blaine Stock and his fiancee, Danyiel Serviss, of Portage; five grandchildren, Kalsie, Emily, Towne, Grace and Toby; one sister, Marceline Fox and her husband, Charles, of Sebewaing; two brothers, Ralph Henne of Lansing, and DeVere Henne Jr. and his wife, Annette, of Pigeon; mother-in-law, Evelyn Stock of Sebewaing; brother-in-law, Keith Stock of Sebewaing; many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by one nephew, Larry Chester Herman; three uncles, Harry Simmons, William Farmer and John Ballard. The funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2002, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Sebewaing. The Rev. Gerald Meyer, vacancy pastor, will officiate with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation is from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and noon to 9 p.m. Monday at the Dinkel- Juengel Funeral Home in Sebewaing, and from 10 a.m. until the time of the service Tuesday. Memorials may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church or the American Cancer Society. Mathew Ventline Mathew Martin Ventline, 89, died on Friday, Aug. 30, 2002, at St. John Hospital and Medical Center in Detroit. He was born on Nov. 14, 1912 in Kinde where he was a farmer. He moved to Detroit to work for the Budd Company where he was a machine operator for 31 years until he retired on June 1, 1973. He married Agnes on May 3, 1953, at St. Josaphat Catholic Church in Detroit. She preceded him in death in January 2002. He was a very active supporter of St. Josaphat Catholic Church, assisting with maintenance and financial donations. Mathew Ventline was a gentle soul, good listener and steady believer in God and people's goodness. A gentle man always, he was a supporter of Detroit and the Detroit City Airport which he lived near for 49 years. Many family members live in the Port Austin area. He is survived by stepbrothers, Leo, Joseph, and Harry Ventline of Port Austin, and Edward Leavine of Port Austin; numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and one grandnephew. He was preceded in death by stepbrothers, Peter and John Ventline, and Toni Leavine, and half sister, Delores Osantowski. Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2002, at St. Josaphat Catholic Church at 691 E. Canfield and I-75 Service Drive in Detroit. Mr. Ventline's nephew, Fr. Lawrence M. Ventline, will preside. Visitation is from 3 to 9 p.m. today and from 2 to 9 p.m. Monday at the Clyne and Sobocinski Funeral Home at 22121 Kelly Road in Eastpointe, and from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at the church. Monday, September 2, 2002 – Labor Day Holiday Tuesday, September 03, 2002 Lawrence Respondek Lawrence J. Respondek, 73, lifelong resident of Bad Axe, died Saturday morning, Aug. 31, 2002, at his home. Lawrence was born May 19, 1929, in Bad Axe to the late Xavier and Sophie (Lemanski) Respondek. He was united in marriage to Betty Hunt on Nov. 18, 1950. Lawrence was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Sacred Heart 50 and Over Club, Knights of Columbus, and McDonald's Food and Family Center Coffee Clutch. He served in the U.S. Army in Panama and Greenland. He was employed with Active Industries for more than 35 years. He loved his family, playing cards, crossword puzzles, fishing, bowling, bingo calling and woodworking. Lawrence is survived by his wife, Betty; two daughters, Sharon Jensen of Bad Axe and Patricia Stephenson of Bad Axe; two sons, Lawrence Respondek and his wife, Constance, of Whittemore and Gary Respondek and his wife, Rose, of Bad Axe; 11 grandchildren, Shawn, Anthony, Renee, Tyrone, Jacob, Ryan, Sarah, Michael, Christopher, Jason and Jeremy; four great- grandchildren, Chandler, Laken, Samantha and Ryan; one sister, Rita Champagne of Bad Axe; one aunt, Connie Mageski of Croswell; one uncle, George Lemanski of Bad Axe; and several nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial took place at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2002, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Fr. Killop officiating. Burial was in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery. Memorials may be offered to Sacred Heart Catholic Church or Huron Memorial Hospice. Richard Rutledge Jr. Richard A. Rutledge, Jr., 93, a former long-time resident of Detroit, Frankenmuth and Mt. Clemens, died peacefully Sunday evening, Sept. 1, 2002, in Church of Christ Care Center in Clinton Township. Richard was born in Glasgow, Scotland, on Oct. 22, 1908, a son of the late Richard and Agnes (Aiken) Rutledge. He immigrated to Canada on April 25, 1926, with his parents and four siblings and eventually came to the USA, becoming a citizen and living in Detroit. He was united in marriage to his wife, Elizabeth McKinlay, on Dec. 31, 1929, in the Rutledge home in Detroit. The couple made their home in Detroit until 1953, when they moved to Mt. Clemens until 1970. They moved to Frankenmuth and then to Fraser in 1993. The couple loved their property at Lighthouse Park in the Thumb area. Richard was a charter member of the American Lutheran Church of Mt. Clemens, served as chief and deputy royal chief of the Scottish Clan Mackenzie, the highest honor bestowed on a clansman. He was a member of the Bridgeport Masonic Lodge. Richard retired in 1975 from the R.C. Mahon Co. of Warren where he had worked for 48 years as a supervisor. He taught the sheet metal layout trade in the evenings at Fitzgerald High School in Warren for many years. Richard is survived by his devoted wife, Elizabeth; his loving children, Richard III of Fraser, Elizabeth M. Owens and her husband, Robert, of Sterling Heights, Patricia A. Gillett and her husband, Roger, of Mt. Clemens, and Malcolm T. and his wife, Patricia, of Florida; his brother, David, of Florida; sister, Ellen, of Canada; eight grandchildren; and 19 great- grandchildren. Richard was preceded in death by his brothers, Malcolm and Andrew, and his sister, Violet. Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 6, 2002, at the American Lutheran Church of Mt. Clemens, 38795 Mulberry, Clinton Twp. Burial services will be at Rock Falls Cemetery in Harbor Beach at 4 p.m. Friday. Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Faulmann and Walsh Golden Rule Funeral Home, 32814 Utica Road, Fraser and from 10:30 a.m. until the time of services Friday at the church. A guest book is available at www.legacy.com. Mathew Ventline Mathew Martin Ventline, 89, died Friday, Aug. 30, 2002, at St. John Hospital and Medical Center in Detroit. He had lived near the Detroit City Airport 49 years. "Persons who live and practice truth and charity, love and generosity are a rare breed in today's culture," nephew Fr. Lawrence Ventline said. "He was a listener, sturdy, stable, strong and proactive, knowing how to not react to what others say." Mathew was born November 14, 1912 in Kinde where he was a farmer before moving to Detroit to work for 30 years at the Budd Company. He retired June 1, 1973. Mathew is survived by stepbrothers Leo, Joseph, and Harry Ventline and Edward Leavine; many nieces and nephews, grand-nieces and a grand-nephew. He was preceded in death by his wife, Agnes, in January 2002; brothers Peter and John Ventline; half brother Toni Leavine; and half sister, Delores Osantowski. Rite of burial mass was at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2002, at St. Josaphat Church in Detroit, with Mathew's nephew, Fr. Lawrence M. Ventline, presiding. "A gentle soul who longed to be with his wife, Agnes, who died two years ago, Uncle Mat was a solid rock Christian - a model example of virtue," Fr. Ventline said. "He will be missed intensely by this guy who could depend on him to be there in a world of instability and greed. Uncle Mat loved." Wednesday, September 4, 2002 Gerald Irion Gerald A. Irion, 77, of Sebewaing died Monday, Sept. 2, 2002 at Bay Regional Medical Center in Bay City following a brief illness. He was born April 21, 1925, in Sebewaing, son of the late Franklin and Maria (Mueller) Irion. He was a 1942 graduate of the Sebewaing High School. Gerald was united in marriage to Leona Lois Strieter on Oct. 10, 1951 in Sebewaing. He had been employed as a truck driver for many years before retiring in 1986. He served in the U.S. Air Force in Italy from 1942 to 1945. Gerald was a member of Sebewaing American Legion Post No. 293, Sebewaing V.F.W. Post No. 4115, and the Sebewaing Conservation Club. He was also an avid hunter and fisherman. Surviving are his wife, Leona Lois Irion of Sebewaing; three daughters, Candice Huddleston and her husband, Richard, of Spokane, Wash., Kathy Irion of Pace, Fla., and Vicky Irion of Unionville; two sisters, Doris Beers of Caro, and Carol Brunell and her husband, Melvin, of Reese; one sister-in-law, Madeline Irion of Sebewaing; several nieces and nephews; and a special friend, John Sigmund of Sebewaing. He was preceded in death by one brother, Clemens Irion. As per Mr. Irion's request, there will be no visitation or service. Cremation will take place at Sunset Valley Crematory in Bay City. Arrangements are being handled by the Dinkel-Juengel Funeral Home in Sebewaing. John McGuigan John J. McGuigan, 51, of Port Austin and formerly of Detroit, died Monday, Sept. 2, 2002, at St. Mary's Medical Center in Saginaw as a result of injuries sustained in a traffic accident. He was born on Jan. 22, 1951, in Detroit, son of the late John and Rollanda (Devine) McGuigan. John married Joyce Trevino on Aug. 13, 1983, in Plymouth. Upon his retirement, they moved to Port Austin in 1999. John was a best friend, partner and beloved husband to Joyce; he is survived also by three daughters, Laura McGuigan of Livonia, Lynn Facione and her husband, Jay, of Redford and Colleen Albany and her husband, Steve, of Howell; one son, Jesse Maples and his wife, Jolene, of Dearborn; eight grandchildren, Justen, Austen, Jacob, Josephine, Jessika, Gabrielle, Alyssa and Grace; one brother, James McGuigan and his wife, Linda, of Pinckney; three sisters, Margaret Troia and her husband, Joe, of Livonia, Annette Kimball and her husband, Gregg, of West Branch and Sara McGuigan of Key West, Fla. Cremation took place. An Irish wake will take place at noon on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2002, at the Knights of Columbus Hall at Ann Arbor Trail and Mill Street in Plymouth. A service will be conducted in Port Austin at a later date. Arrangements are being conducted by Knoblock Funeral Home in Kinde. Paul Lesoski Paul P. Lesoski, 79, of Elkton died Tuesday evening, Sept. 3, 2002, at Courtney Manor in Bad Axe. He was born June 30, 1922, in Port Austin to the late Thomas and Lucille (Prill) Lesoski. On Feb. 20, 1961, he was united in marriage to Diane Elsesser at St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church in Pigeon. They moved to Elkton from Owendale in 1965. Paul was employed at the canning factory in Pigeon and sugar factory in Sebewaing before starting at Active Industries in 1954. He retired in 1987 after 33 years of service. He was a member of St. Columbkille Catholic Church in Ubly. During his retirement he enjoyed fishing, garage sales, and just running the roads looking for deals. Surviving are his wife, Diane; his son Paul and his wife, Becky, of Bad Axe; two daughters, Pam Lesoski of Ortonville, and Pauline Krohn and her husband, Dale, of Snover; six grandchildren, Nathan, Kendra, Adam, Emanual, Charlene, and Tiffany; and a brother, Ben Lesoski, of Caro. Preceding him in death were two brothers, Stanley and Alex Lesoski. In keeping with his wishes there will be no funeral or visitation at this time. A memorial service will be conducted at a later date. Arrangements are being handled by the Champagne Funeral Chapel, Elkton. Words of condolence or tribute may be left at www.CFCelkton.com. William Studer William C. Studer Jr., 35, of Bad Axe passed away Monday, Sept. 2, 2002, at Huron Medical Center. Bill was born Jan. 5, 1967, in Highland Park to William Sr. and Karen (Quarters) Studer. He married Andrea Habitzruther on Oct. 16, 1995, in Bad Axe. Bill was a graduate of Ferndale High School. He served in the U.S. Army in the Gulf Crisis and South and Central America. He lived in Palms until he moved to Bad Axe in 1995. He worked for Tower Automotive for the last five years and for Hill Top Nursery for the last year and a half. He was a former member of St. Patrick Church of Palms. He enjoyed landscaping, fishing, woodworking and drawing. Bill is survived by his wife, Andrea, of Bad Axe; five children, all at home: son Conner Studer, daughter Jordyn Studer, step-son Cory Block, two step-daughters Ashley and Seana Block; parents, William Sr. and Karen Studer of Palms; three sisters, Lisa (John) Flood of Palms, Wendy (Mitchell) Smith of Deckerville and Heather (Rodney) Franzel of Deckerville; paternal grandmother, Virginia Weatherburn of Tawas; in-laws, Arthur and Patricia Habitzruther of Coleman, and Dorothy and Meyer Zieldorff of Bad Axe. Funeral service for William Studer Jr. will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 6, 2002, at the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home of Ubly. Sr. Betty Zeestraten of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Palms will officiate. Burial will be in Snay Cemetery with military honors. Visitation will be from 12 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday and from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. Memorials requested to the family discretionary fund. James Tait James L. Tait, 76, of Pinnebog died Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2002, in the loving comfort of his family at home. He was born on May 26, 1926, at the home of his parents in Lake Township across the road from what would become his farm. He was the son of the late Charles "Leroy" and Florine (Pechette) Tait. After graduating from Pinnebog High School in 1944, he served in the United States Army in the Philippines during World War II, returning home in December 1946. On Jan. 25, 1947, he was united in marriage to Eleen Florence at St. Felix Catholic Church in Pinnebog. That summer, they moved to the farm in Chandler Township. He furthered his education studying agriculture under the GI Bill. Jim helped his dad with his trucking business and farm, as did his brothers. While farming, he worked also at Reimann Bros. Excavating of Filion, the Kinde Cooperative, Elkton Box Factory, Goretski Excavating and with John Champagne at Pinnebog Electric for five years. After retiring from farming, he worked for the Village of Caseville part time until October 2001. Soon after his marriage, he joined the Knights of Columbus No. 1546 of Bad Axe and the Elkton VFW becoming a life member of both as well as the National Rifle Association. He was a member of St. Felix Catholic Church in Pinnebog serving on the board and as an usher. He was a past member of the Michigan Dairyman's Association. He joined the American Legion serving as commander, adjutant, chaplain, service officer and member of 40/8 for many years. He served as seventh district commander of the Legion, past commander and service officer of the VFW, past commander and adjutant of the Huron County Allied Veterans Council and served on the Huron County Veteran's Affairs Board. He was part of the Blue Devils Drill Team and took part in statewide competitions and assisted at more than 100 military funerals. Jim enjoyed farming, maintaining his home and landscape, helping others, and traveling. Jim and Eleen have been in 49 states and in Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara, Mexico. They've been to Quebec, Niagara Falls and took a train to Hearst, Canada. They spent three winters in Florida and 11 in Texas. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Eleen; children, Jim and his wife, Millie, of Lapeer, Kathy Henderson of Caseville, Chuck and his wife, Ruth, of Bay City, Terry Blair of Caseville, Ruthie and her husband, Bruce, Margie Torrey and her husband, Mark, of Texas, Don of Titusville, Fla., Mary Pryor and her husband, Brian, of Owendale and Paulette Braun and her husband, Duane, of Elkton; 29 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; four brothers, Bud and his wife, Jeanie, of Caseville, David and his wife, Sue, of Caseville, Leon and his wife, Phyllis, of Kawkawlin and Bob and his wife, Norma, of Kinde; sister, Katie Leitch of Pontiac; many nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by twin siblings, Gerald and Geraldine. A funeral mass will be conducted at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 6, 2002, at St. Felix Catholic Church in Pinnebog. The Rev. Fr. Joseph Schabel and Sr. Mary Schwartz will officiate with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation is from 2 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Champagne Funeral Chapel in Elkton and after 10:30 a.m. Friday at the church. Memorials may be given to the family discretionary fund. Thursday, September 5, 2002 Janet Dittel Janet M. Dittel, 62, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2002. Janet grew up in Huron County the first 20 years of her life. She's the beloved wife of Bernard; dear mother of Matt and his wife, Martha, Dennis and his wife, Rita, and Ed and his wife, Maryann; grandmother of seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; sister of Martha Thuemmel. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 6, 2002, at the R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Home, 31551 Ford Road, Garden City. Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Friday, September 6, 2002 John Depner John Depner, 89, lifelong Caseville area farmer, died Friday, Sept. 6, 2002, at the Scheurer Hospital emergency room. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 9, 2002, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Sand Point. Visitation is from 2 to 9 p.m. on Sunday at the Champagne Funeral Chapel in Caseville. A complete obituary will appear in the Sunday Huron Daily Tribune or may be seen at www.CFCcaseville.com. 1