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 beginning July 7, 2002 Sunday, July 7, 2002 Alice Armbruster Alice L. Armbruster, 85, of Sebewaing died Thursday, July 4, 2002, at Heartland Hampton in Bay City under the care of Heartland Hospice. She was born in Brookfield Township on April 7, 1917, the daughter of the late Alfred D. and Amanda (Fibranz) Gettel. On Jan. 28, 1939 she was united in marriage to Carl Armbruster in Kilmanagh. He preceded her in death on Oct. 6, 1978. Mrs. Armbruster was a homemaker throughout her lifetime. She was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Sebewaing. She is survived by her children, Roger Armbruster and his wife, Loretta, of Sebewaing, and Joyce Schwartz of Unionville; seven grandchildren, Dawn, Lisa, Steven, James, Michael, Jessica, and Jennifer; two great-grandchildren, Danny and Kyle; and a sister, Beatrice Zittel of Saginaw. She was preceded in death by a son, Dale, and brother, Arthur Gettel. The funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Monday, July 8, 2002, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Sebewaing, with the Rev. Charles Kuhl officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today at the Dinkel-Juengel Funeral Home, Sebewaing, and from 10 a.m. until the time of service Monday at the the church. Memorials for Mrs. Armbruster may be made to Heartland Hospice of Bay City, the American Diabetes Association, or Immanuel Lutheran Church. Dorothy Conger Dorothy C. Conger, 76, of Harbor Beach died Friday, June 7, 2002 at Autumnwood of Deckerville following a long illness. Born Nov. 22, 1925 in Detroit, she was the daughter of the late Charles and Ida (Blaschke) Fuhrman. She and Robert Conger were united in marriage on June 1, 1945 in Detroit. Dorothy was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Harbor Beach. She is survived by her husband, Robert, of Harbor Beach; her children, Douglas Conger and his wife, Linda, of Sterling Heights, the Rev. Kevin Conger and his wife, Lois, of Jacksonville, Ark., and Dwight Conger and his wife, Jackie, of Grosse Pointe Woods; seven grandchildren, Claudia Yamasue and her husband, Jotaro, Martin Conger, Catherine Conger, David Conger, Elizabeth Conger, Amanda Conger, and Timothy Conger; one great-granddaughter, Alyssa Grace Yamasue. Burial has taken place in the Rock Falls Cemetery, Harbor Beach, and a memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, July 9, 2002, in Zion Lutheran Church in Harbor Beach. The Rev. Mark Girardin, pastor, will officiate. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until the time of the service, at the church. Ramsey Funeral Home, Harbor Beach, handled the arrangements. Robert Dinsmore Robert Dinsmore, 86, of Vassar, and formerly of Bad Axe, died Thursday, July 4, 2002, at the Frankenmuth Care Center in Frankenmuth. Robert was born July 19, 1915 in Highland Park, the son of Samuel and Nellie (Keller) Dinsmore. Living most of his life in the Bad Axe area, Robert operated the family farm and worked for Universal Engineering of Bad Axe. Robert married Virginia Schultz on Dec. 29, 1937. They were married for 64 1/2 years. He was active for some time in the Saginaw Valley Air Stream Trailer Club, and the Farm Bureau of Michigan. Robert is survived by his wife, Virginia, of Vassar; his children, Judy and David Hartt of Ortonville, Joan and Charles McBride of Vassar, Robert Laird and Kathy Dinsmore of Mayville, and James and Louise Dinsmore of Sanford; 13 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; one great-great granddaughter; several nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends. Robert was preceded in death by two sisters and two brothers. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 7, 2002, at the Hanlin Chapel for Funerals of Vassar. Pastor Steve Woodford will officiate. Visitation will be from noon until the time of services Sunday, at the chapel. Memorials may be given to the charity of the donor's choice. Helmuth Neumann Helmuth Arthur Neumann, 98, of Sebewaing died Thursday, July 4, 2002, at the Carriage House Nursing Home in Bay City. The funeral service will be conducted at 5 p.m. today at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Sebewaing. Visitation will be today from 4 p.m. to the time of service at the church. Arrangements are being handled by the Dinkel-Juengel Funeral Home, Sebewaing. Harold Piotter Harold O. Piotter, 86, of Bingham Township died Friday, July 5, 2002 at his home. He was born May 14, 1916 in Harbor Beach to the late Otto H. and Margaret (Dahlke) Piotter. He married Jean Logan on May 20, 1944 in Bad Axe. Harold was an electrician for many years. He worked for Michigan Oven and Active Industries, retiring in 1981. He graduated from Port Hope High School, Class of 1934. Harold attended the Coin Electrical School in Chicago. He was a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church of Bad Axe. Harold enjoyed gardening and repairing anything that needed his touch. He liked to invent tools to accomplish the work at hand. He loved people and spent much time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Harold is survived by his wife, Jean; four sons, William Piotter and his wife, Gail, of Bad Axe, Ronald Piotter and his wife, Susan, of Ubly, John Piotter, and James Piotter, both of Bad Axe; six grandchildren, Kathleen Piotter and special friend Ron of Bad Axe, Jo Lynn Piotter and special friend Jason of Bad Axe, Erin Kenny and her husband, Michael, of Kinde, Rebecca Piotter and special friend Darren of Ubly, Rachel Kent and her fiancee Sebastien Ivanec, of Paris, France, and Heather Kent of Boston, Mass; two great-grandchildren, Ashten Piotter of Bad Axe, and Cody Kenny of Kinde; and three brothers, Russell Piotter and his wife, Jeanette, of Kinde, Darell Piotter and his wife, Sandy, of Port Huron, and Everald Piotter and his wife, Shirley, of Harbor Beach; and several nieces and nephews. Two sisters, Elvera Lawitzke and Laura Piotter, preceded Harold in death. Funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 9, 2002, at Our Savior Lutheran Church of Bad Axe. The Rev. Kenneth Lueke will officiate. Burial will be at Colfax Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. Sunday and 2 to 9 p.m. Monday at the MacAlpine Funeral Home in Bad Axe, and from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the church. Memorials may be made to the Family Discretionary Fund. Charles Wilbur Charles A. Wilbur, Jr., 49, of Vernon, Ind., and formerly of Harbor Beach, passed away Thursday, July 4, 2002 in the Harbor Beach Community Hospital following a hay wagon accident. Born in Portsmouth, N.H. on Oct. 20, 1952, he was the son of Dorothy (Wartner) Wilbur and the late Charles Wilbur. He and Wanda Brandow were united in marriage in Bad Axe on July 7, 1978. Chuck was a former member of Our Lady of Lake Huron Catholic Church in Harbor Beach. He was an employee of Net Forge in Vernon, and enjoyed fishing, traveling on his motorcycle, working on his computer, and playing the billiards game Nine Ball. Chuck is survived by his wife, Wanda, of Vernon; his daughters, Barbara Cink and her husband, Jesse, of Harbor Beach, Paula Wilbur and Billy Jean Wilbur, both of Vernon; six grandchildren; five sisters, Helen Jurewicz and her husband, Mark, of St. Clair Shores, Linda Calabrese of Macomb, Mary Dennisuk of Hale, Elizabeth Giusti and her husband, Mike, of Reno, Nev., and Joy Essenmacher of Harbor Beach; his mother, Dorothy Wilbur, and mother-in-law, Mellissa Brandow, both of Harbor Beach. He was preceded in death by his father, Charles Wilbur; two sisters, Joan Guitar and Donna Wilbur; a nephew, Kevin Calabrese; a niece, Karen Ann Finley; and his father-in-law, Walter Brandow. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday in the Ramsey Funeral Home, Harbor Beach, with cremation to follow in Sunset Valley Crematory in Bay City. Visitation will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. today, and from 9 a.m. until the time of services Monday. Monday, July 8, 2002 Robert Kracker Robert Kracker, 95, of Harbor Beach passed away Sunday, July 7, 2002 in the long term care unit of Harbor Beach Community Hospital following a long illness. Born in Harbor Beach on Jan. 8, 1907 he was the son of the late John and Hattie (Ebert) Kracker. Bob was a retired Sherman Township farmer and was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Forestville. He is survived by a sister-in-law, Margaret Kracker of Harbor Beach and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brothers: Arthur, Edward, Carl, August, Walter, and Wilfred Kracker. Funeral services will take place at 1 p.m. Tuesday July 9, 2002 in the Ramsey Funeral Home, Harbor Beach with the Rev. Richard Wilson, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, officiating. Burial will be in the White Rock Cemetery. A scripture service will be at 7:30 p.m. Monday. Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday and from noon until the time of services on Tuesday at the funeral home. Harriet Schave Harriet H. Schave, 69, of Port Hope passed away Sunday, July 7, 2002 at her home following a year-long illness. Harriet was born March 30, 1933 to the late Harold Finkel and her mother Hazel (Young) Finkel in Port Hope. She and Walter Schave were married on July 8, 1952 in Port Hope. Harriet was an active member of the St. John Lutheran Church, the Lutheran Women Missionary League, St. John Choir, Harbor Beach Community Choir, the craft club, and various card clubs. She is survived by her husband, Walter; her mother, Hazel Finkel of Clio; two daughters, Cindy Chiotti and her husband, Randy, of Port Hope, and Julie Murphy of Beal City; one brother, William Finkel and his wife, Linda, of Lake Orion; two sisters, Marilyn Frizzle and her husband, Don, of Sturgis, Diane Roberts and her husband, Wally, of Clio; four grandchildren, Amy Faber and her husband, Kevin, Jenelle Layer and her husband, Richard, Erik Pye and his wife, Ally, and Alison Murphy; one great-grandson, Felippe Santos; five step- grandchildren, one step-great-granddaughter, and several nephews and nieces. Funeral services will be at noon on Wednesday in St. John Lutheran Church of Port Hope. The Rev. Gregory Eilers will officiate, with burial to follow in the Port Hope Cemetery. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. today, from 1 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday with a scripture service at 7:30 p.m. in the Ramsey Funeral Home of Harbor Beach, and from 11 a.m. until the time of services Friday in the church. Tuesday, July 9, 2002 Thomas Sutter Thomas A. Sutter, 70, of Cass City, died Sunday, July 7, 2002 in St. Mary's Medical Center, Saginaw. He was born April 15, 1932 in Detroit to Leo J. and Agatha (Fetzer) Sutter. He married Virginia L. Roose on June 27, 1953 in St. John Berchman's Catholic Church in Detroit. Tom began working in a bakery when he was 14. He worked in bakeries in Detroit and New Haven before coming to Cass City. He was the owner and baker of Sutter's Bakery. He has been a baker in Cass City for 33 years. Tom was a member of St. Pancratius Catholic Church and a former Rotary and Lions Club member. He enjoyed golfing and riding the tractor. Most of all he loved children and he loved his work. Often he put the two together, inviting classes of children to the bakery for demonstrations of his baking and decorating, with a cookie and milk to top off the experience. Tom is survived by his wife, Virginia L. "Ginny"; children: Dwain Sutter and his wife, Connie, of Caro, Brian Sutter and his wife, Cindy, of Madison, Ohio; Linda McMahan and her husband, Brian, of Cass City, John Sutter and his wife, Michelle, of Bad Axe, Robert Sutter and his wife, Wanda, of Fort Wayne, Ind., Jeanine Comment and her husband, Todd, of Pigeon; 19 grandchildren, one great-grandson; 10 brothers and sisters; many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by seven siblings. Funeral services will be at 3 p.m. Wednesday, July 10, 2002, at St. Pancratius Catholic Church, with the Rev. Steve Fillion officiating. Interment is in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City. There will be a vigil service at 7:30 p.m. today at Kranz Funeral Home in Cass City. Visitation is 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home and from 2 to 3 p.m. Wednesday in church. Pallbearers for Mr. Sutter are Dwain Sutter, Brian Sutter, John Sutter, Robert Sutter, Brian McMahan, and Todd Comment. Memorials may be made to NPH Orphanage, Mexico. Wednesday, July 10, 2002 John Jacobus, Jr. John Roy "Jake" Jacobus, Jr., 76, of Harbor Beach passed away Sunday, July 7, 2002 at War Memorial Hospital in Sault Ste. Marie following a short illness. He was born January 19, 1926 in Detroit to the late John R. and Annetta (Watling) Jacobus. He and Lori Shaw were married April 3, 1948 in Auburn, Ind. She preceded him in death in July 1996. He retired from the Detroit Edison Co., 17 years ago after 38 years of service. He served as a radioman during WWII in the Pacific Theatre. He was a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Loyal Order of the Moose, Fraternal Brotherhood of Eagles. He liked to travel and especially enjoyed visiting Saulte Ste. Marie. Surviving are his children, John Jacobus III, Linda Kirsch and her husband, Dick, Carol Lamb and her husband, Dennis, and Margaret Schneider, all of Harbor Beach, Lee O'Connor and her husband, Charlie, of Rose City, Jackie Klump and her husband, Randy, of Rogers City; 16 grandchildren, Richele Farnum, Rich and Ryan Kirsch, Mike and Amanda Lamb, Micki Banker, Pat and Matt O'Connor, DJ, Dana, and Deanna Schneider, Nikki Niemi, Lori McCann, Randi and Addi Roberts, and Christi Klump; four great- grandchildren; his brothers, Byron Jacobus of Houghton Lake and Vernon Jacobus of Prescott Valley, Ariz. A memorial service will take place at 1 p.m. Thursday, July 11, 2002 at the American Legion in Harbor Beach. Clara Kaufman Mrs. Clara Josephine Kaufman, 92, of Bad Axe and former long time resident of Minden City, passed away Tuesday, July 9, 2002 at Huron Medical Center of Bad Axe under hospice care. Clara was born June 13, 1910 in Minden City to the late August and Johanna (Gebhardt) Reiche. She married Walter C. Kaufman on June 11, 1932. He preceded her in death on June 7, 1955. Clara was a member of St. John Lutheran Church of Palms. Clara is survived by five sons, LaVern Kaufman and his wife, Mildred, of Ruth, Norman Kaufman of Minden City, Richard Kaufman and his wife, Kathy, of Troy, Gerald Kaufman and his wife, Carol, of Elkton, and Robert Kaufman and his wife, Janice, of Minden City; one daughter, Marilyn Pawlosky and her husband, Jim, of Bad Axe; one daughter-in-law, Jennie Kaufman of Commerce Township.; 34 grandchildren; 55 great-grandchildren; and a sister-in-law, Mildred Kaufman of Florida. Clara was preceded in death by her husband, Walter; two sons, Floyd and Marvin; one daughter, Ruth Ann Barker and her husband, Rick; her parents; two brothers, John Reiche and his wife, Rebecca, and Arthur Reiche and his wife, Isabell; three sisters, Martha Ogden and her husband, Edward; Louise Kemp and her husband, Regnald; Gertrude Schmidt and her husband, Herman; daughter-in-law Margie Kaufman. Funeral service for Clara Kaufman will be at 11 a.m. Friday July 12, 2002 at St. John Lutheran Church of Palms. The Rev. Henry Malone, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church, will officiate. Burial will be in the St. John Lutheran Cemetery of Palms. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Smigielski Funeral Home, Minden City, and from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday at the church. Memorials may be made to St. John Lutheran Church or St. John Lutheran Cemetery Fund. Lillian Longuski Mrs. "Florence" Lillian Longuski, 67, of Ubly passed away Tuesday, July 9, 2002 at Huron Medical Center of Bad Axe after a long illness. She was born May 3, 1935 in Croton to the late John and Ruth (Sheppard) Davison. She married Lawrence Longuski on Dec. 18, 1976 in Ubly. Florence was a 1953 graduate of Newaygo High School. She worked for Gerber Baby Foods for a few years. She moved to Harbor Beach in 1966. She was a nurse's aide at Harbor Beach Hospital and she worked at Fish & Things in Harbor Beach. She also worked at Hamill Industries of Bad Axe for a few years. She was the owner of Ubly Ceramics and taught ceramics for 10 years. She was a member of the Rose Society and the Saginaw Valley Orchid Society. She enjoyed ceramics, raising Yorkshire terriers, rose gardens, crafts, and visiting with her family and grandchildren. Florence is survived by her husband, Lawrence, of Ubly; one son, Niel Nielson and his wife, Diane, of Farmington Hills; two daughters, Stephanie Nielson of Ubly, and Julie Brandow and her husband, Rick, of Ruth; four grandchildren, Shannon Bailey of Port Huron, Dennis Bailey of Bad Axe, Amanda Brandow of Caro, and Justin Nielson of Farmington; two sisters, Marge Thomas and her husband, Stanley, of Newaygo, Joyce Davison and her husband, Marvin, of Holton; and one brother, Elmo Davison and his wife, Pat, of California. Florence was preceded in death by three brothers, David, John, and Lloyd Davison; two sisters, Jennie Kellogg and Evadene Griswold-Zanders. Cremation will take place at Sunset Valley Crematory of Bay City. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Zinger Smigielski Funeral Home. Memorials requested to the Family Discretionary Fund. Merville Rodda Merville M. Rodda, 83, of Harbor Beach passed away Monday, July 8, 2002 in Port Huron Hospital following a short illness. Born in Hastings on April 9, 1916, he was the son of the late Matthew and Christy Ann (MacGregor) Rodda. Merville and Dorothy Kriewall were united in marriage on Nov. 25, 1939 in Mount Clemens. She preceded him in death on May 9, 2000. He was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church and was formerly active in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary in Sebewaing and the U.S. Power Squadron. Merville was a retired employee of the Fisher Body of General Motors, retiring in 1974 after working for 26 years. He is survived by his children, Carol Noble and her husband, Jack, of Harbor Beach, Beverly West and her husband, John, of West Chester, Pa., and Robert Rodda and his wife, Donna, of Lapeer; nine grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and three sisters, Ruth Malak of Westland, Katherine Shay of Livonia, and Jean Aird of Farmington Hills. Merville was preceded in death by a son, Douglas Rodda, and a sister, Georgina Higginbotham. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday July 13, 2002 in Zion Lutheran Church, Harbor Beach, with the Rev. Mark Girardin, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the Rock Falls Cemetery. There will be a scripture service at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Visitation will be from 1 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. Friday in the Ramsey Funeral Home, and at 10 a.m. until the time of services Saturday in the church. Laura May Hunter Laura M. Hunter, 57, of Cass City passed away unexpectedly Sunday, July 7, 2002 at Hills & Dales General Hospital in Cass City. A memorial service will take place at 1 p.m. Monday, July 15, 2002 at Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City. Thursday, July 11, 2002 – None Friday, July 12, 2002 J. D. Alexander J. D. "Bear" Alexander, 61, of Decker passed away Tuesday July 9, 2002, in University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor. He was born Aug. 4, 1940, at home in Huron County to Nicholas and Alice (Kretzschmer) Alexander. He married Martha King on Oct. 16, 1985 in Kingston United Methodist Church, Kingston. J.D. was a self-employed mason for more than 35 years. He loved playing softball, playing cards (especially euchre), farming, and his horses. He was a member of the U.S. Trotting Association and the Horseman Association. J.D. loved his children and spending time with his family. J.D. is survived by his wife, Martha; children: Dean Alexander and his wife, Gayle, of Cass City, Faron Alexander and his wife, Jo Ann, of Cass City, Paula Alexander and her husband, Omar, of Denver, Colo., Krystal Alexander of Decker; grandchildren: Laura VanAllen and her husband, Jeff, Matthew Autry, Karin Autry, Melissa Autry; great- grandchildren: D.J., Cassie, Kyla, Kelsee, Katie, Kevin, Blake, and Baily; brothers: Bob Alexander and his wife, Marvel, of Ubly, Jack Alexander and his wife, Edna, of Bay City; sisters: Nancy Grady and her husband, Chuck, of Bad Axe, Janet Todaro and her husband, Joe, of Bad Axe; mother-in-law, Ruth King of Kingston; many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Frank Alexander; sisters: Shirley Alexander and Mary Jane Meininger. Funeral services will take place at 2 p.m. today, July 12, 2002, at Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City, with Chuck Emmert of Novesta Church of Christ officiating. Interment is in Evergreen Township Cemetery, Decker. Visitation is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at the funeral home. Pallbearers for Mr. Alexander will be Bob Baxter, Fred Alexander, Brent Alexander, Jim Brown, Dick Pusz, Doug DeRocco. Memorials may be made to Family Discretionary Fund. Betty Smith Betty J. (Thompson) Smith, 75, passed away Thursday, July 11, 2002 at Beaumont Hospital. She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond. Betty is survived by five children: Rick and Diane Smith, Rod and Sue Smith, Beth and Doyle Bunton, Bonnie and David Elliott, Ross and Danielle Smith; 13 grandchildren; five great- grandchildren. A graveside service will take place at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 14, 2002 at the New Bay Port Cemetery with the Rev. Alger T. Lewis presiding. There will be a celebration of Betty's life following the service at 9820 Lakeside Dr., Bay Port. Memorials may be made to the family discretionary fund at P.O. Box 28, Bay Port, MI 48720. Walter Willey Walter Lee Willey, 75, of Kinde died Thursday, July 11, 2002 at his home. He was born Nov. 13, 1926 in St. Clair Shores to the late Harris and Hulda (Grosinski) Willey. Walter married Margaret Bernier July 31, 1965. She survives him. Walter enjoyed fishing, hunting, playing cards, and trap shooting. He was an avid sports fan and a St. Clair Shores Sportsman Association life member. Funeral services will be Monday, July 15 at MacAlpine Funeral Home-Gage Chapel in Kinde. Interment will be at St. Edward's Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday from 3 to 9 p.m. and Monday from 10 to 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Memorials may be offered to the Family Discretionary Fund. 1