HURON DAILY TRIBUNE, Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan Local obituaries for the week beginning September 8, 2002 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. Sunday, September 8, 2002 John Depner, Sr. John Depner Sr., 89, beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, friend, and lifelong Caseville area farmer, died Friday morning, Sept. 6, 2002, at the Scheurer Hospital emergency room. He was born Aug. 21, 1913 in Lake Township at the home of his parents, the late John and Sophia (Zopp) Depner. He attended and graduated from Rock City School near his home on State Park Road. On Aug. 6, 1938, he was united in marriage to Mary L. Pelant at her parent's home in Caseville Township. John grew up, lived, and farmed in Lake Township all his life, still working in the fields this summer. He loved being with his family and also spending time each morning with his friends at Walt's Restaurant. Other interests included auction sales, antique cars and tractors, fiddle music and solving puzzles. John was a faithful member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Sand Point, and practiced his faith in his daily life. He lived a simple and contented life. Because the Lord was his Shepherd, he had everything he needed. Surviving are his wife of 64 years, Mary; two sons, John Depner and his wife, Ruth, and Michael Depner, all of Caseville; two daughters, Alaine Beck and her husband, Todd, of Bangor, and Ivoughn Depner of Caseville; and three grandchildren, Eric, Daniel, and Chelsea. He was preceded in death by a son, Gary, in 1953; a brother, Michael; and two sisters, Sophia Depner and Sarah Hill. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 9, 2002, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Sand Point. The Rev. James Nihiser, pastor, will officiate with burial in Caseville Township Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. today at the Champagne Funeral Chapel, Caseville, and at the church after 1 p.m. Monday. Memorials may be given to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, or Bibles through the Gideons International. Funeral information also can be viewed at www.CFCcaseville.com. Sylvester Fisher Mr. Sylvester J. Fisher, 87, of Ubly passed away Friday night, Sept. 6, 2002 at Sunny Acres Nursing Home. Sylvester was born on Feb. 17, 1915 in Minden City to the late Joseph and Agnes Kucharczyk. He married Mary Heilig on June 1, 1936 at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church of Ruth. Sylvester was a graduate of the West Minden Grade School. He farmed until 1940 when he began working in road construction as a cement finisher. He worked for Lasky Construction for 10 years before retiring in 1978. He was a member of the Ubly Fox Hunters Club and a former member of the Moose Lodge. He was a parishioner at St. John's Catholic Church of Ubly for the last 28 years. He was a former member of St. Mary Catholic Church of Parisville from 1936 to 1973. He loved gardening, music, flowers, and making soup. Sylvester is survived by his wife, Mary, of Ubly; two daughters, Marjorie (Marge) Kiehl of Ubly, and Shirley Mulrath of Reese; one son, John Fisher, of Findlay, Ohio; 10 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; a former daughter-in-law, Mrs. Barbara Gordon and her husband, Lee, of Hadley; two sisters, Sylvia Block and her husband, Herman, of Caro, and Beatrice Jogodzinski of Saginaw; two sisters-in-law, June Fisher of St. Clair Shores, and Emma Fisher of Ubly; 16 nieces and 17 nephews. Sylvester was preceded in death by one son, William Fisher; one sister, Lucy Fisher; two brothers, Robert and Philip; and one son-in-law, LaVerne Kiehl. Funeral mass for Sylvester Fisher will be at 10 a.m., Monday, Sept. 9, 2002, at St. John Catholic Church of Ubly. The Rev. T.J. Fleming, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 1:30 to 9:30 p.m. today at the Zinger- Smigielski Funeral Home of Ubly, and from 9 to 10 a.m. Monday at the church. There will be a parish vigil service at 7:30 p.m. today at the funeral home. Clayton Meinke Clayton Meinke, 72, of Port Austin died Friday, Sept. 6, 2002 at Bay Medical Center. He was born on Oct. 15, 1929 in Detroit, son of the late William and Louise (Belky) Meinke. Clayton married Jeannine McGlynn on Feb. 26, 1949 in Detroit. He and his wife were summer residents of Port Austin since 1960, and moved permanently to the area in 1992 from Glen Arbor. Clayton enjoyed fishing, boating, carpentry and golfing. He was an avid hunter and was a member of NRA and the Macomb County Sportsman Club. He is survived by his wife, Jeannine, of Port Austin; two daughters, Caryn Bruyneel and her husband, Douglas, and Christine Voss and her husband, John, all of Dryden; five grandchildren, Hannah, Mac, Jake, and Joe Voss, and Sarah Grigg and her husband, Todd, all of Dryden; and one brother, Charles Meinke of St. Clair Shores. He was preceded in death by a brother, William Meinke, and a sister, Geraldine Kruse. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Sept. 21, 2002, at the Holy Redeemer Lutheran Church in Dryden. Cremation has taken place. Arrangements are being handled by the Knoblock Funeral Home, Kinde. Monday, September 09, 2002 - None Tuesday, September 10, 2002 Harold Bowron Harold J. Bowron, 85, of Bad Axe died Monday, September 9, 2002, at Huron Medical Center in Bad Axe. He was born on Oct. 2, 1916, in Ubly to the late Allen and Ethel (Snodden) Bowron. Harold and Dorothy Schram were united in marriage on Nov. 26, 1955. Harold was raised on a farm and attended Ubly schools. He owned Allen Bowron and Sons, an Allis Chalmers dealer, from 1945 to 1959. He also worked for Thumb Oil and Gas for seven years and for Osentoski Farm Equipment Co. until his retirement in 1978. Harold is survived by his wife, Dorothy; his stepson, Clark Edwards and his wife, Edie, of Bad Axe; son, Jerry Bowron of Bad Axe; daughter, Marilyn Orlowski and her husband, Richard, of Caro. He was preceded in death by a stepson, Ralph Edwards; a son, Wilford Bowron; two brothers, Floyd and Delmar Bowron; sister, Esther Taylor. According to Harold's wishes, a private service was conducted on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2002, at MacAlpine Funeral Home in Bad Axe with the Rev. Jan Dykshoorn officiating. Entombment will be in Colfax Cemetery Mausoleum. Memorials may be offered to the Family Discretionary Fund. Terrance Bucholtz Terrance Robert Bucholtz, 45, of Pigeon died Monday, Sept. 9, 2002 at Scheurer Hospital. He was born Sept. 24, 1956 in Bad Axe to John David and Audrey (Edwards) Bucholtz. Terrance and Linda Smith were united in marriage Jan. 25, 1986. Terrance enjoyed deer hunting, NASCAR, and country music. He was a member of the Northern American Hunting Club. Terrance is survived by his wife, Linda; his mother, Audrey Bucholtz, of Bad Axe; his father, John Bucholtz, of Bad Axe; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Elma and Henry Smith of Bad Axe; three sons, Henry and Daniel Bucholtz of Pigeon, and Robert Bucholtz and his wife, Amanda, of Akron; one daughter, Elma Bucholtz, of Pigeon; a brother, John David Bucholtz Jr., and his wife, Robin, of Bad Axe; two sisters, Linda Evans and her husband, Jeff, of Bad Axe, and Brenda Hurren and her husband, Bob, of Bay Port; four step-brothers, David Bucholtz and his wife, Becky, of Caro, Charlie, Shane, and Dwayne Bucholtz of Detroit; two brothers-in-law, Bob Smith and his wife, Karen, of Kinde, and Roy Smith and his wife, Julie, of Mount Pleasant; two sisters-in-law, Cindy Ferris and her husband, David, of Elkton, and Lois Genis and her husband, John, of Harbor Beach; one aunt, Lorraine Edwards of Bad Axe; one uncle, Jim Edwards, of Bad Axe; five cousins, Kim Edwards of Bad Axe, Sue Edwards of Pigeon, Chris Edwards of Lapeer, Michelle and Jason Edwards of Clawson; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his twin brother, Jerry Bucholtz, in 1987. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 12, 2002, at MacAlpine Funeral Home in Bad Axe. The Rev. DeWeerd Smith will officiate. Burial will be at Colfax Township Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, and from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials may be offered to the Family Discretionary Fund. Wednesday, September 11, 2002 Rev. Wesley Briggs The Rev. Wesley Briggs, 90, lifelong resident of the Vassar and Millington area, went to his heavenly home on Monday, Sept. 9, 2002, with his family at his side while at Genesys Hospice Care Center in Goodrich. He was born March 17, 1912, in Vassar to Douglas and Mary (Crooks) Briggs. He was one of ten children. Wesley and Eileen Franzel were united in marriage Feb. 25, 1931, in Toledo, Ohio. They shared 71 years of marriage together. Wesley was a farmer until 1965 when he was called into the ministry. He pastored for more than 24 years. He retired in 1989 from the Vassar First Baptist Church. After retirement, he served from church to church as interim pastor. He and Eileen have four children, 28 grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren and 13 great-great grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, Eileen; children, John "Jack" Briggs and his wife, Janice, of Millington, Mrs. Joan Harrington and her husband, Gerald, of Millington, Mrs. Marlene McMahan and her husband, Harry, of Mt. Morris, and Mrs. Glenda Kirt and her husband, Robert, of Mt. Morris; two brothers and their wives, Carl Briggs and his wife, Jean, of Houghton Lake, and Robert Briggs and his wife, Eleanor, of Flint; and many relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his brothers Harold, Raymond, Nelson, Clark and Ronald; sisters, Madolin and Ruth. Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 12, 2002, at Vassar First Baptist Church. Pastors Douglas Stockwell and Cyril Haines will officiate. Burial will be at the Tuscola Township Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. today at Hanlin Funeral Home in Millington and from 11 a.m. until the time of the service Thursday at the church. Memorials may be offered to the First Baptist Church. Herman Gottschalk Herman Gottschalk, 86, of Filion passed away at home Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2002, under hospice care. He was born Sept. 25, 1915, in Mount Clemens to the late Ferdinand and Martha (Kleist) Gottschalk. He and Regina Krajenka were united in marriage May 17, 1941. Herman, a graduate of Kinde High School, retired from farming in 1987. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, his garden and fruit trees. Mr. Gottschalk is survived by his wife, Regina; five daughters, Elaine Field of Kalamazoo, Frances Szymanski and her husband, Thomas, of Port Austin, Virginia Gottschalk and her husband, John, of Hemlock, Pauline Booms and her husband, Ronald, of Ruth and Alice Neesley and her husband, Dan, of Glendale, Wisc.; one daughter-in-law, Debra Gottschalk of Wheeling, W. Va.; 20 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and longtime dear friend, Henry Geyer. Herman was preceded in death by one son, Frederick Gottschalk; three brothers, Lawrence, Ollie and Louis Gottschalk; one sister, Loretta Steinbach; one grandson, George Burnett. Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 13, 2002, at MacAlpine Funeral Home - Gage Chapel in Kinde. Sr. Judy O'Brien will officiate. Burial will be at St. Edward's Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. Thursday and from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor's choice. Jack Hysinger Jack L. Hysinger, 74, of Minden City and formerly of Dearborn Heights, went home to be with Jesus on Monday, Sept. 9, 2002. He was born on July 6, 1928, in Cleveland, Tenn. He was employed by Michigan Consolidated Gas Co. for 31 years before retiring in 1983. He and his loving wife, Fay, attended Deckerville Bible Church. He loved to travel and listen to gospel music. Most of all, he loved his family. Jack is survived by his wife, Fay; three sons, Mark and his wife, Dawn, of Byron, Michael of Long Beach, Calif., and Stephen and his wife, Kimberly, of Livonia; daughter, Jacqueline Darr and her husband, Steven, of Ypsilanti; two grandchildren, Ryan and Stephanie Hysinger; brother, Bill Hysinger of Savannah, Ga.; two sisters, Dorothy Solomon and her husband, Joseph, of Harper Woods and Pat Kean and her husband, Don, of Dearborn Heights; father-in- law, Robert Leonard of Farmington Hills, Mr. and Mrs. William Berry of Livonia, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Leonard of Farmington Hills, Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Teeter of St. Ignace and Mr. and Mrs. Jack Pattee of South Lyon, various nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Francis (Haeflinger) Hysinger, and his brother Oscar Jr. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 13, 2002, at the Apsey Funeral Home in Deckerville. Pastor Jay Chambers will officiate. Burial will be in Parkview Memorial Cemetery in Livonia. Visitation will be 2 to 9 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Bay Area Hospice or Gideons International. Betty Schmitt Betty Jean Schmitt, 77, of Meade Township passed away on Monday, Sept. 9, 2002, at Sunny Acres Nursing Center following a short illness. She was born on Nov. 21, 1924, in Meade Township, daughter of the late Arthur and Elizabeth (Wengert) Mosey. She married Clayton Joseph Schmitt on Oct. 18, 1947, in the St. Felix rectory. He preceded her in death on April 28, 1993. She was a member of St. Felix Catholic Church, where she served as a Eucharistic minister and as a past president and vice president of the altar society. She was a member of the Bad Axe senior citizens meal site. She is survived by a daughter, Shirley Rink and her husband, Ted, of Port Hope; four grandchildren, Ted Rink Jr. of Port Hope, Tami Rink of Mount Pleasant, Cheryl Rink and Kristal Rink, both of Lansing; one niece, Sharon Cregeur and her husband, Gerald, of Bad Axe; one great- niece, Ami Talaski and her husband, Bryan, of Bad Axe; two great-nephews, Todd Cregeur and his wife, Nancy, of Kinde and James Cregeur of Minnesota; several cousins. She was preceded in death by one brother, Franklin Mosey. Services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 13, 2002, at St. Felix Catholic Church. Officiating will be retired pastor Fr. Joseph Schabel. Burial will be in the church cemetery. A vigil service will take place at 7 p.m. on Thursday at the Kaufman Funeral Home. Visitation is from 7 to 9 p.m. today, 1 to 9 p.m. Thursday and from 9 to 10 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Huron Memorial Hospice, St. Felix Cemetery fund or the Huron County Relay for Life. Thursday, September 12, 2002 Wayne Kundinger Wayne F. Kundinger, 64, died early Wednesday morning, Sept. 11, 2002, at his home following a two-month illness. He was born Feb. 17, 1938, in Sebewaing, son of the late Frederick and Olga (Brechtel) Kundinger. He was a 1956 graduate of Sebewaing High School. He was united in marriage to Marian N. Nagy on July 13, 1963, in Fairgrove. Wayne was a licensed master plumber and mechanical contractor. He was co-owner of Kundinger & Kroll of Sebewaing where he had been employed from 1958 until his retirement in March of 2000. He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, serving for many years as trustee, usher, and also was chairman of the building committee. He also was a charter member of the Sebewaing Jaycees, Sebewaing Lions Club, had served on the Sebewaing village council, and belonged to the Thumb Area Plumbers. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed traveling and golf. Surviving besides his wife, Marian "Mike"; one son, Brent Kundinger of Big Rapids; two daughters, Margaret Eickhoff and her husband, Michael, of Three Rivers, and Janna Hopak and her husband, Ryan, of Hollywood, Calif.; four grandchildren, Alex Kundinger and Melanie, Madalyn, and Claire Eickhoff; two sisters, Sylvia Oeschger and her husband, Willet, of Sebewaing, and June Churchman and her husband, James, of Midland; one brother, the Rev. Brian Kundinger and his wife, Janet, of Oshkosh, Wisc.; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by an infant son, David W. Kundinger, in 1966. The funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, 2002, at Trinity United Methodist Church. The Rev. Ray McGee will officiate with burial in the Silverlawn Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at 8 p.m. Friday at the Dinkel-Juengel Funeral Home in Sebewaing under the auspices of the Sebewaing Lions Club. Visitation will be from 4 to 9 p.m. Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. He will lie in state from 9:30 a.m. Saturday until the time of service at the church. Memorials may be made to the Trinity United Methodist Church Building Fund, United Hospice, or the Sebewaing Library. Patricia Westerby Patricia C. Westerby, 75, of Caseville and formerly of Sebewaing, died Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2002, at Bay Regional Medical Center in Bay City following a four-month illness. She was born March 17, 1927, in Howell, daughter of the late Peter and Rosella (Polonia) LaRosa. She was united in marriage to Wilson Westerby on Sept. 15, 1951, in Howell. He preceded her in death on Dec. 31, 1986. Patricia loved to crochet and play solitaire. Surviving are two daughters, Alexandria Jordan of Caseville and Rosella Westerby of Lincoln Park; four loving grandchildren, Thurman Westerby and his wife, Mitzi, of Caseville, Pricilla Westerby of Fairgrove, Victoria Jordan of Sebewaing, and Dorothy Jordan of Caseville; three great-grandchildren; one sister, Mary Renaud of Congress, Ariz.; two brothers, John LaRosa and his wife, Katherine, of Fla., and Frank LaRosa and his wife, Mary, of White Lake; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by one sister, Vera Gage. The funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 13, 2002, at the Dinkel-Juengel Funeral Home in Sebewaing. The Rev. Michael Quayle of the Caseville United Methodist Church will officiate with cremation to follow at Sunset Valley Crematory in Bay City. Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. Thursday and 9 a.m. until the time of service Friday at the funeral home. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the Family Discretionary Fund. Friday, September 13, 2002 Carolina Fealko Carolina M. Fealko, 92, of Harbor Beach passed away on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2002, at her home following an apparent heart attack. She was born on July 10, 1910, in Sand Beach Township near Harbor Beach, the daughter of the late Theodore and Elizabeth (Schmucker) Schoech. She was married to Frank Fealko on Oct. 19, 1928, in Harbor Beach. He preceded her in death on Feb. 13, 1977. Together they operated the roller rink in Harbor Beach for many years. Carolina was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church in Harbor Beach, the Ladies Aid and the Women's Missionary League. She enjoyed quilting, bingo, and playing competitive games of euchre and cribbage. She played in many tournaments throughout the area. Carolina is survived by her son, Frank Fealko Jr. and his wife, Julie, of Flint, daughters Lillian Langolf of Port Huron, Rosalie Burns and her husband, Ronald, of Las Cruces, N.M. and Carol Jeffers of Frankenmuth; 11 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a son, Leroy Fealko; three brothers, William, Ernest and Theodore Schoech; sister, Rose. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 16, 2002, at Zion Lutheran Church in Harbor Beach with the Rev. Mark Girardin, pastor officiating. Burial will be in the Forest Bay Cemetery in Harbor Beach. A scripture service will take place from 7:30 p.m. in the Ramsey Funeral Home in Harbor Beach. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. on Saturday and from 1 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home and from 10 a.m. until the time of the service Monday at the church. Erma Lawrence Erma A. Lawrence, 92, of Caseville passed away Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2002, at the Home Sweet Home Retirement Manor in Pigeon following a short illness. She was born on Dec. 1, 1909, in Oakland County, the daughter of the late Daniel and Julia Mallet. She and Robert Lawrence were united in marriage on July 2, 1952, in Black River, Ontario, Canada. Together they operated Bob's Toggery Store in Caseville. Bob preceded her in death on Nov. 23, 1959. Erma was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church in Caseville. She is survived by a daughter-in-law, Lorna Lawrence of Vassar, a granddaughter, Lisa Robinson and her husband, Calvin, of Saginaw; five great- grandchildren. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2002, in the Calvary Baptist Church in Caseville with the Rev. Michael Goforth, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the Caseville Township Cemetery. Visitation will be at 11 a.m. until the time of the services Saturday at the church. Arrangements are being handled by the Meyersieck-Bussema Funeral Home in Pigeon, a Golden Rule Funeral Home. William Weiskotten William Richard "Chili" Weiskotten, 48, of Caseville died Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2002 at his home. He was born March 11, 1954 in San Francisco to the late Robert and Sarah (Sappington) Weiskotten. He grew up in California and came to Michigan in 1974. In 1980 he went back to California and returned to Caseville in 1990. On March 11, 1994, he was united in marriage to Barbara (Hanes) Johnson in New York City. Chili was a member of the Caseville Eagles and was very active with the Special Olympics. He was self-employed as a residential painter and handy man. He truly enjoyed the out of doors, his garden, and nature. Surviving are his wife, Barbara Johnson-Weiskotten; a son, Jeremy, at home; step-children, Lisa and Scott Thies of Caseville, Sandra and Jeff Pehak of Mt. Home, Ark., and Brenda and Thomas Sattler of Unionville; and five step- grandsons, Kiefer, Kilian, Brandon, Logan and Aaron. Funeral services will be conducted at 5 p.m. today, Sept. 13, 2002, at the Champagne Funeral Chapel, Caseville. The Rev. Michael Quayle, pastor of the Caseville United Methodist Church, will officiate with cremation to follow. Visitation will be from 2 p.m. until the time of service. Memorials may be directed to the family. 8