HURON DAILY TRIBUNE, Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan

Copyright © 2001 by Carol Morrison. This copy contributed for use in 
the MIGenWeb Archives.  

 

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Local obituaries for the week beginning February 3, 2002


Sunday, February 3, 2002


Marcella Jurgess 
Marcella M. Jurgess, 68, of Harbor Beach passed away Thursday morning, Jan. 31, 2002 
at her home in Sigel Township following a long illness.  Born in Harbor Beach on Aug. 
15, 1933, she was the daughter of the late John and Stella (Grzybowski) Jock.  She and 
Lawton Jurgess were united in marriage on April 25, 1953 in St. Mary's Catholic Church 
in Parisville.  Marcella was a Parishioner of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Rapson and 
the St. Rita's Altar Society.  Surviving are her husband, Lawton Jurgess of Harbor Beach; 
children, Darlene Yaroch and her husband, Joseph, of Harbor Beach, Karen Pichla and 
her husband, Ron, of Brown City, Kenneth Jurgess of Ruth, Steven Jurgess and his wife, 
Betty, of Bad Axe, Mark Jurgess and his wife, Janet, of Brown City, Kevin Jurgess of 
Harbor Beach, Kimberly Sweeney and her husband, Francis, of Ubly, Roxanne Peruski 
and her husband, Daniel, of Ubly, Tom Jurgess and his wife, Colleen, of Fife Lake, 
Bonnie Damm and her husband, Paul, of Colorado Springs, Colo.; 26 grandchildren; two 
great-granddaughters; one step great-grandson; two brothers, Stanley Jock and his wife, 
Patricia, of St. James, Fla., and Delbert Jock and his wife, Carolyn, of Beaverton; and a 
sister, Shirley Fitchett and her husband, Ron, of Fla.; and several nieces and nephews.  
Funeral mass will take place at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2002 in St. Joseph's Catholic 
Church, Rapson. The Rev. John Weis, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in the Verona 
Township Cemetery. A parish vigil service will be at 5 p.m. Monday, and a St. Rita's 
Altar Society Rosary will be at 7:30 p.m. Monday in the Ramsey Funeral Home, Harbor 
Beach.  Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday and 1 to 9 p.m. Monday at the funeral 
home, and at 9:30 a.m. until the time of services Tuesday at the church. 

Russell Poisson 
Russell W. Poisson, of Southgate, formerly of Caseville, died Thursday, Jan. 31, 2002.  
He is survived by three daughters, Patricia Laginess and her husband, Richard, Pamela 
"Penny" Badolato and her husband, Anthony, and Patience Hampton and her husband, 
Brad; two sons, Richard Poisson and his wife, Shirley, and Gary Poisson and his wife, 
Yvonne; three sisters, Rita Rutherford, Dorothy Montie, and Betty Schratz; a brother, 
Richard Poisson; eight grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.  Russell was 
preceded in death by his loving wife, June, and a brother-in-law, Roy Montie.  A funeral 
service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 4, 2002 at the Girrbach-Krasun Funeral 
Home (Southgate Chapel), 15748 Fort Street, Southgate. 

Evelyn Spencer 
Evelyn A. Spencer, 72, of Deford died unexpectedly Friday, Feb. 1, 2002 in her home.  
She was born March 3, 1929 in Freeland to Floyd and Lora (Fox) Stevens. She married 
Mason E. Spencer July 14, 1948 in Caro. He died April 15, 1991.  Mrs. Spencer enjoyed 
crocheting, reading, and playing bingo.  Evelyn is survived by her children, Alice 
Nickerson and her husband, Orville, of Cass City, Floyd Spencer and his wife, Theresa, 
of Deford, and Donald Spencer and his wife, Deborah, of Deford; her grandchildren, 
Evelyn Wutzke, Michael Spencer, Tina Myers and her husband, Mike, Sheri Thorp, 
Tammy Purtill, and Donald Spencer II; 10 great-grandchildren; a brother, Dale Stevens, 
and his wife, Joyce, of Cass City; her sisters, June Szappon of Cass City, and Mary Lou 
Spencer of Deford; and many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by a sister, 
Shirley Periso.  Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 4, 2002 at Kranz Funeral 
Home, Cass City, with the Rev. J.T. Mabe of Mizpah Missionary Church officiating. 
Burial will be in the spring in Novesta Township Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 2-5 
p.m., and 7-9 p.m., Sunday at the funeral home.  Pallbearers for Mrs. Spencer will be 
Larry Stevens, Joe Stevens, Ryan Wutzke, Leo Spencer, Greg Peters, and Kevin Thorp.  
Memorials may be made to Family Discretionary Fund. 

Monday, February 04, 2002 – None

Tuesday, February 5, 2002    

Charles Dufty, Sr. 
Charles William Dufty Sr., 75, of Bay Port died Sunday, Feb. 3, 2002, at Scheurer 
Hospital in Pigeon from injuries sustained in an automobile accident near Bay Port.  He 
was born Feb. 17, 1926, in Caseville, son of the late Thomas and Margarite (McBride) 
Dufty.  He was married to Yvonne M. Wise on June 6, 1952, in Bay Port.  Mr. Dufty was 
employed at the Grey Iron Foundry in Saginaw for more than 30 years before retiring in 
February 1990.  He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and also served in 
the Merchant Marines.  He was a member of Faith Bible Baptist Church of Bay Port.  
Surviving are his wife, Yvonne, of Bay Port; five sons, Charles O. Dufty, Terry Dufty 
and his wife, Vickie, Chris Dufty and his wife, Karen, all of Bay Port, David Dufty and 
his wife, Kelly, of Sebewaing, and Mark Dufty and his wife, Sherrie, of Adrian; 14 
grandchildren; one sister, Barbara Myers of Caseville; three brothers, Thomas Dufty and 
Walter Dufty and his wife, Paulette, all of Caseville, and Joseph (J.C.) Dufty and his 
wife, Linda, of Florida; and several nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by a 
brother, Bill Dufty.  Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 7, 2002, at 
Faith Bible Baptist Church near Bay Port. The Rev. Jim Combs will officiate with burial 
in the New Bay Port Cemetery.  Visitation is 7 to 9 p.m. this evening and from noon to 9 
p.m. Wednesday at Dinkel-Juengel Funeral Home in Sebewaing, and he will lie in state 
from 10 a.m. until the time of services Thursday at the church.  Memorials may be made 
to Faith Bible Baptist Church. 

Etta Toner 
Etta L. Toner, 94, of Kinde died Monday, Feb. 4, 2002, at the Huron County Medical 
Care Facility in Bad Axe.  Etta was born June 8, 1907, in Chandler Township to the late 
Charles H. and Emma Jane (Hux) Ward. Etta and Francis Toner were married Feb. 20, 
1920, in Bad Axe. He preceded her in death in 1993.  She was employed at various 
businesses. She was a member of the Kinde Presbyterian Church. Etta enjoyed 
crocheting, flowers and visiting with family and friends.  Etta is survived by one 
daughter, Betty J. Badgely and her husband, Clayton, of Kinde; one son, Glen W. Toner 
and his wife, Ann, of Port Austin; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; one 
sister, Gertie Adams of Bad Axe; and several nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in 
death by one son, Harold Toner; one sister, Dorothy Klemmer; and two brothers, Fred 
and Chuck Ward.  Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 8, 2002, at 
the MacAlpine Funeral Home Gage Chapel in Kinde. Burial will take place in Colfax 
Township Cemetery.  Visitation will be 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, 2 to 9 p.m. Thursday and 
10 to 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home.  Memorials may be made to the Family 
Discretionary Fund. 

Donald Heiser 
Donald L. Heiser, 27, of Cass City died unexpectedly at a friend's home in Monroe on 
Sunday, Feb. 3, 2002.  Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 7, 2002, at 
Kranz Funeral Home in Cass City with Dr. Philip Rice of Cass City Methodist Church 
officiating. Interment is in Elkland Township Cemetery in Cass City.  Visitation is from 5 
to 9 p.m. Wednesday and noon to 1 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.  Memorials may 
be made the Courtney Lesoski Education Fund.  

Wednesday, February 06, 2002  

Brian Dutcher Sr. 
Brian S. Dutcher Sr., 34, of Sebewaing died Monday evening, Feb. 4, 2002, at St. Mary's 
Medical Center in Saginaw following a brief illness.  He was born March 27, 1967, son 
of Kenneth R. Dutcher Sr. and the late Mary H. (Ashmore) Dutcher.  Brian was 
employed at Tower Manufacturing in Sebewaing.  He enjoyed commercial fishing.  
Surviving are three daughters, Amanda, Vanessa and Kassandra Dutcher; one son, Brian 
S. Dutcher Jr., all at home; his father, Kenneth R. Dutcher Sr., of Sebewaing; two sisters, 
Brenda Ramsey and her husband, Donald, of Fort Worth, Texas, and Cynthia L. Dutcher 
of Sebewaing; one brother, Kenneth R. Dutcher Jr., and his wife, Julie, of Owendale; and 
several aunts, uncles, cousins and seven nieces.  He was preceded in death by his mother, 
Mary H. Dutcher, on June 19, 1971.  Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. Friday, 
Feb. 8, 2002, at the Dinkel-Juengel Funeral Home in Sebewaing. Brian Reinhardt, 
Christian Youth Director from Trinity United Methodist Church, will officiate. Burial 
will take place at the Sebewaing Assembly of God Cemetery.  Visitation will be 2 to 9 
p.m. Thursday and from 9 a.m. until the time of services Friday at the funeral home. 

Charles Nemeth Jr. 
Charles W. Nemeth, Jr., 86, of Cass City died Monday, Feb. 4, 2002, in Hills and Dales 
General Hospital.  He was born Feb. 18. 1915, in Detroit to Charles W. Sr. and Veron 
(Kocsis) Nemeth. He married Helen Gretz on Sept. 4, 1937, in Detroit. She died Aug. 19, 
1956. He married Florence Wichert Osborne on June 1, 1963, in Reese. She died Nov. 
28, 1972.  Charles worked as a metal fabricator for Active Industries. He retired in 1977 
after more than 20 years. He was a former member of the motor home club, Loners on 
Wheels. He enjoyed hunting, golfing and camping.  Charles is survived by his children, 
Charles W. Nemeth and his wife, Joann, of Caseville, and Gerry Jones and her husband, 
Richard, of Decker; grandchildren, Richard Jones and his wife, Chris, and Theresa 
Russell and her husband, Larry; step-grandchildren, Sue Phillips and her husband, Keith, 
and Ron Stolzman Jr., and his wife, Vickie; great-grandchildren, Adam, Braden, Clare 
and Nolan; step-great-grandchildren, Dustin and Kimberly; brothers Louis Nemeth of 
Cass City, John Nemeth and his wife, Marge, of Sacramento, Calif., Alex Nemeth of 
Virginia and Edward Nemeth and his wife, Wilda, of Kingston; and many nieces and 
nephews.  An infant son preceded him in death.  Funeral services will take place at 11 
a.m. Friday, Feb. 8, 2002, at Kranz Funeral Home in Cass City with the Rev. Gerald 
Meyer of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church officiating. Interment will be in Elkland 
Township Cemetery in Cass City.  Visitation will be 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday 
and from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home.  Memorials may be made to Good 
Shepherd Lutheran Church. 

Ida Thompson 
Ida M. Thompson, 81, of Pigeon died Tuesday evening, Feb. 5, 2002, at Scheurer 
Hospital in Pigeon.  She was born April 17, 1920, in Colfax Township to the late Michael 
and Caroline (Lebreacht) Renn.  On Nov. 10, 1944, she was united in marriage to Ervin 
D. Thompson at Trinity Lutheran Church in Elkton.  They moved to Roseville shortly 
after they were married, where they lived and raised their family, moving back to Huron 
County in 1998. They are former members of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Roseville 
and current members of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Elkton.  Surviving are 
three sons, Robert and Jeffrey of Roseville and Douglas and his wife, Karen, of East 
Pointe; three brothers, Karl Renn and his wife, Irene, of Lincoln Park, Fredreck Renn and 
his wife, Olga, of Chandler Township, and Harry Renn and his wife, Marilyn, of Elkton; 
and two sisters, Wanda Smith of Pigeon and Clara Reid of Port Austin.  She was 
preceded in death by two brothers, Leonard "George" Renn and Mike Renn; and two 
sisters, Sophia Metzger and Helena Fietzer.  Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. 
Friday, Feb. 8, 2002, at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Elkton. The Rev. Elton 
Bickel, pastor will officiate with burial in Riverside Cemetery in Elkton.  Visitation will 
be 2 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Champagne Funeral Chapel in Elkton and after 10 a.m. 
Friday at the church.  Memorials may be given to Scheurer Hospital Long Term Care 
Unit or Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church. 

Thursday, February 07, 2002  

Eleanor Russell 
Eleanor A. Russell, 78, died Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2002, at Luther Manor in Saginaw.  She 
was born on Feb. 3, 1924, to the late Henry E. and Eleanor (Hanley) Ahrens. She married 
Leland Russell on July 13, 1946. He preceded her in death on Jan. 16, 1965.  Eleanor was 
employed by Whitehead Office Supply Co. for many years until her retirement. She was 
a member of the Arthur Hill High School class of 1942 reunion committee. She received 
the AHHS Band Booster Award and the Junior Women's Club Women of the Year 
Award.  Eleanor was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Saginaw and was a past 
president of Zion Lutheran Church Women.  She is survived by three sons, Thomas H. 
Russell and his wife, Margo, of New Jersey, Chaplain Randall H. Russell and his wife, 
Kathryn, of Virginia and Dean H. Russell and his wife, Donna, of North Carolina; one 
daughter, Peggy Lee Russell Walz and her husband, William, of Sand Point; 
grandchildren, Keri and Jodi Russell, Tige and Tara Russell, Amy Lee and Curt Walz, 
Ryan, Kegan, Garrett and Elise Russell; one sister, Marijean Killmer and her husband, 
Howard; one brother-in-law, Bill Masterton; and an aunt, Loretta Hagarty.  She was 
preceded in death by a sister, Dorothy Masterton.  The funeral service will take place at 
noon on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2002, at Zion Lutheran Church at 1209 Hancock Street in 
Saginaw with the Rev. Betsy Khamphis officiating. There will be a private family 
committal service at Forest Lawn Cemetery.  Visitation is from 10 a.m. until the time of 
the service Saturday at the church.  Memorials may be offered to the Zion Sunday 
School, Valley Lutheran Library, or Immanuel-Sebewaing College Scholarship Fund. 

Dorothy Schramski 
Dorothy M. Schramski, 52, of Kinde died Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2002, at Beaumont Hospital 
in Royal Oak following a short illness.  She was born on Oct. 16, 1949, in Bad Axe, 
daughter of Felix and Frances (Kubacki) Polega. She and Donald B. Schramski were 
united in marriage on July 29, 1972, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Dwight Township, 
where she was a member of the Altar Society. She enjoyed playing cards, crocheting, 
quilting, gardening, camping and going to her children's sporting events. She was 
employed at the Farmers Cooperative Grain Elevator in Kinde.  She is survived by her 
husband, Don; four children, Jennifer of Shelby Township, Jamie of Lansing, Jessica of 
Shelby Township and Danny at home; her mother, Frances Polega of Kinde; three sisters, 
Marj Wehner and her husband, Clare of Memphis, Sue Toner and her husband, Ken, of 
Kinde, Diane Emming and her husband Eric, of Kinde; seven brothers, Fred Polega and 
his wife, Karen, of Shelby Township, Randy Polega and special friend, Joe, of Northville, 
Gary Polega and his wife, Sandi, of Harbor Beach, Marty Polega and his wife, Lisa, of 
Bad Axe, Greg Polega and his wife, Debbie, of Bad Axe, Terry Polega and his wife, Sue, 
of Owendale and Kevin Polega and his wife, Maria, of Lapeer; father-in-law, Ben 
Schramski of Port Austin; in-laws, Caroline and Dan Souva, Charlene and Ken Hatch, all 
of Port Austin and Joanie and Dave Morris of Shelby Township; many nieces and 
nephews.  Dorothy was preceded in death by her father, Felix and brother, Richard 
Polega.  A funeral mass will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2002, at St. 
Mary's Catholic Church in Dwight Township. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The 
St. Mary's Altar Society will conduct a rosary at 7:30 p.m. tonight at Knoblock Funeral 
Home in Kinde. There will be a vigil service at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.  
Visitation is from 7-9 p.m. tonight, 2-9 p.m. Friday and 9-10:30 a.m. Saturday at the 
funeral home. 

Friday, February 8, 2002

Rosa Donahue 
Rosa P. "Rosie" Donahue, 80, of Lansing died on Feb. 2, 2002.  Mrs. Donahue was born 
June 13, 1921, in Grindstone City, the daughter of Ira A. and Annabell (Mollison) 
Carpenter. Rosa was a resident of the Lansing area most of her adult life.  She is survived 
by four children, Terry L. and his wife, Heidi, of Arizona, Linda Ramsey of Higgins 
Lake, Sally Reeves and Harvey D. of Lansing; seven grandchildren; four great-
grandchildren; sisters, Jessie, Annabell (Ann) Margaret, Mary Ellen and Loretta; sister-
in-law, Mildred Carpenter of Redding, Calif.; many nieces and nephews. She will be 
missed by her family and many long-time friends.  She was preceded in death by her 
husband of 57 years, Harvey L.; her parents; sister, Helen Toner, brothers Gordon C. and 
most recently, Charlie, who died Jan. 14, 2002, and who would have been 90 years old on 
Feb. 4, 2002; three nephews; one niece; one son-in-law; six brothers-in-law.  A memorial 
service will be announced at a later date. Arrangements are being made by Garcline-
Runciman Chapel in Lansing. 

Mary Hall 
Mary M. Hall, 95, of Huron Township near Port Hope, passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 
6, 2002, at Huron Medical Center in Bad Axe following a short illness.  She was born on 
Dec. 9, 1906, in Port Hope, the daughter of the late Fred and Hilda (Hintz) Pochert. She 
and Fred Hall were united in marriage on Jan. 20, 1926, in Port Hope.  Mary was member 
of St. John Lutheran Church in Port Hope and the Senior Citizens Club of Port Hope.  
She is survived by her children, Clifford Hall of Port Hope, Virginia Thursham and her 
husband, Leland, of Royal Oak, Eleanor Hall of Port Hope, Delores Haist and her 
husband, Floyd, of Kinde and Kenneth Hall of Port Hope; six grandchildren; seven great-
grandchildren.  Mary was preceded in death by two sons, Melvin and Clarence Hall; 
sister, Margaret Marquardt; two brothers, Frank and George Pochert.  Funeral services 
will be at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 10, 2002, in the Ramsey Funeral Home in Harbor 
Beach with the Rev. Gregory Eilers, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church officiating. 
Burial will be in the New River Cemetery near Huron City. A scripture service will be 
conducted at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday in the funeral home.  Visitation will be from 7-9 p.m. 
today, 1-9 p.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m. until the time of the services Sunday. 









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