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 May 12, 2002 Sunday, May 12, 2002 Esther Gettel Esther M. "Billie" Gettel, 89, of Sebewaing died late Friday evening, May 10, 2002 at Bay Shores Nursing Care Center in Bay City following a brief illness. She was born Jan. 4, 1913 in Sebewaing Township, daughter of the late William F. and Emma A. (Hornbacher) Gettel. Esther had been employed as a dietitian at the Flint School for the Deaf and Blind for 40 years before retiring and moving from Fenton to Sebewaing. She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Sebewaing. She enjoyed traveling and golf and loved wild birds, nature, and gardening. Surviving are one sister, Harriet Ryan, of Sebewaing; one sister-in-law, Marion Gettel, of Venice Fla.; nieces and nephews, Pat Ryan Pyne, of Allentown, Pa., Helen Moser and her husband, Robert, of Farmington Hills, Kathy Gettel Hardy of Clarkston, Kenneth Terrill of Escondido, Calif., and Charles Ryan of Sebewaing. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Ralph and Fredrick Gettel; one sister, Ruth Terrill; a niece, Marquita Willoughby; and one nephew, Carl Hardy. The funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. Monday, May 13, 2002, at the Dinkel-Juengel Funeral Home in Sebewaing. The Rev. Ray McGee will officiate with burial in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1-9 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home, and from 9 a.m. until the time of service Monday. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider Trinity United Methodist Church or Bay Shore Camp. Christina Groombridge Christina Groombridge, 32, of Cass City died Thursday, May 9, 2002, in St. Mary's Medical Center in Saginaw as a result of a brain aneurysm. She was born April 12, 1970, in Caro, to Victor and Rosemary (Trisch) Matuszak. She married Matthew Groombridge on Aug. 21, 1999, in Cass City. Christina graduated as valedictorian in 1988 from Caro High School. She received her bachelor of arts in education from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Her masters in education was earned at Saginaw Valley State University. Christina taught school at Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor and was completing her 10th year of teaching for the Bad Axe Public Schools, teaching math to seventh and eighth graders. She was a member of the Michigan Education Association and St. Pancratius Catholic Church in Cass City. Christina loved teaching, collecting Barbie dolls and Snowbabies. She enjoyed doing crossword puzzles, karaoke, NASCAR and attending music concerts. She was very generous and loved doing things for other people. Christina is survived by her husband, Matt; stepdaughter, Heather Baker of Cass City; parents, Victor and Rosemary Trisch Matuszak of Caro; brother, Brian Matuszak of Clawson; her grandparents, Wayne and Mary Rabideau, and Donna Groombridge; her father-in-law, James Groombridge and his wife, Arlene, of Cass City; step-father-in-law, Alan Klco and his wife, Marilyn, of Cass City; sisters-in-law, Jennifer Groombridge and Katie Klco; two nieces; godparents, Connie and Mike Enos of Caro; brothers-in-law, Andrew Klco and Mitchell Ertman; several aunts, uncles and cousins; and her two dogs, Knock-Knock and Woofer. She was preceded in death by her mother-in-law, Terri Klco; grandparents, Lloyd and Leona Trisch, Steve and Patricia (Morgan) Matuszak, and Wellington Groombridge. Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. Monday, May 13, 2002, at St. Pancratius Catholic Church, Cass City, with the Rev. Steve Fillion officiating. Interment will be in Elkland Township Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Brian Matuszak, Mike Enos, Dave Steely, Jeff Frick, Dale Wright and Brian Rutkoski. There will be a vigil service at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at Kranz Funeral Home in Cass City. Visitation will be 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home, and 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at the church. Memorials may be made to the Family Discretionary Fund. William "Bill" Kuhn William Joseph "Bill" Kuhn, 61, of Kinde, died Dec. 19, 2001 at Lawnwood Medical Hospital, Fort Pierce, Fla., following a long illness. He was born in Bad Axe on March 1, 1940, to Clara (Santhany) Kuhn and the late William Kuhn. Bill graduated from Kinde High School and attended Michigan State University where he received an Ag Sales and Service degree. On Aug. 18, 1968, he was united in marriage to Lorna Maxwell at St. Mary's, Dwight. Bill had been the Monsanto plant operator in Kinde for a number of years. He became a salesman for AO Smith in Huron and Sanilac counties. Later, he became a self-employed farmer and a Super-Crost seed dealer until 1980 when he established and operated Kuhn Farms Market in Pinnebog. It closed in 1997 due to health reasons. Bill was a charter member of the Kinde Fire Department Board. He was best known for his kind heart and his wonderful sense of humor. He enjoyed visiting with family and friends, collecting antique farm equipment and building horse-drawn wagons. He is survived by his wife, Lorna; three sons, Martin Kuhn and his wife, Ann, of Fairhaven, Allen Kuhn and his wife, Stephanie, of Port Austin, and Eric Kuhn and his wife, Heidi of Woodinville, Wash.; grandson, Collin; mother, Clara Kuhn of Umatilla, Fla.; sister, Mary Day and her husband, Ron, of Umatilla, Fla.; aunt, Mary Lupinski of Arizona; mother-in-law, Elizabeth Maxwell of Port Hope; several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. A memorial service will take place Tuesday, May 14 at St. Felix Catholic Church, Pinnebog. Rev. Fr. Joseph Schabel and Sr. Mary Schwartz will officiate. Memorials may be given to the donor's choice. Words of tribute or condolence may be sent to: www.champagnefuneralchapel.com. Thomas M. McGee Thomas M. McGee, 54, of Prescott Valley Ariz., and formerly of Elkton, died Friday, May 3, 2002 at his home. He was born Nov. 27, 1947 in Elkton, to the late Martin and Marie (Gelnaw) McGee. Tom graduated from Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port High School in 1965 and was inducted into the U.S. Army a short time later. He served in Vietnam and retired from service on a disability. Tom worked for Jim Colgan at the funeral home part- time, and was a charter member of the Elkton Ambulance Service when it started in 1973. Surviving are his wife, Diana (Stahl) McGee; two sons, Thomas and his fiancee, Jen, of Bay City, and Patrick and his wife, Heather, of Sterling Heights; grandson, Matthew; brother, Daniel, and his wife, Marianne, of Bradenton, Fla.; four sisters, Mary Ann Kinasz and her husband, Don, of Saginaw, Marlene Bass and her husband, Ron, of Shelby Township, Eileen McGee of Elkton, and Kathy McGee of Flushing; a host of relatives and friends. A memorial mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 14, 2002 at St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church, Pigeon. Rev. Fr. Eoin Murphy will officiate. Burial of his cremains will be near his parents in St. Francis Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Caseville American Legion or the Elkton VFW. Words of tribute and condolence may be sent to: www.champagnefuneralchapel.com Wanda Smith Wanda A. Smith, 92, of Pigeon died Friday morning, May 10, 2002, at her home in Country Bay Village, Pigeon. She was born March 5, 1910, in Sebewaing, daughter of the late Michael and Caroline (Lebrecht) Renn. On Jan. 23, 1932, she was united in marriage to Norbert J. Smith in Elkton. He preceded her in death June 25, 1977. Mrs. Smith was a member of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Elkton, and past president of the Ladies Aide. She was an avid golfer and was a member of Scenic Golf Club, Pigeon, for over 50 years. Surviving is her son, John Smith and his wife, Cheryl, of Boca Raton, Fla.; 13 grandchildren, John, Aaron, Jessica, and Sarah Smith, Jane Christner, Tom Barry, Patricia Schulze, Sheila Leitch, Kay Tait, Colleen Braun, Shivan Forster, John Barry, and Jackie Schulz; 19 great-grandchildren and eight great-great- grandchildren; three brothers, Fred Renn and his wife, Olga, of Pigeon, Karl Renn and his wife, Irene, of Lincoln Park, and Harry Renn and his wife, Marilyn, of Elkton; and her sister, Clara Reid, of Pigeon. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Arlene Barry, Jan. 17, 1996; two brothers, Leonard Renn and Michael Renn; three sisters, Sophie Metzger, Helena Fietzer, and Ida Mae Thompson. A funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday, May 14, 2002, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Elkton. The Rev. Eldon Bickel, pastor, will officiate with entombment in the Colfax Cemetery Mausoleum. Visitation will be from 2-9 p.m. Sunday at the Champagne Funeral Chapel, Elkton, and after 10 a.m. Monday at the church. Memorials may be given to Trinity Lutheran Church or the Elkton Ambulance Service. Visit www.champagnefuneralchapel.com Jean Terbrack Jean M. Terbrack, 68, of Harbor Beach, passed away Friday morning, May 10, 2002, at Covenant-Cooper Hospital in Saginaw following a short illness. Born in Ferndale on July 15, 1933, she was the daughter of the late Whitlow and Margaret (O'Neil) Reid. Jean and Marvin Terbrack were united in marriage on Feb. 13, 1965 in Harbor Beach. Marvin preceded her in death on Dec. 26, 2000. She was a member of the Our Lady of Lake Huron Catholic Church in Harbor Beach and the Altar Society and the Legion of Mary. Jean is survived by two brothers, Louis Reid of Harbor Beach and Joseph Reid of Norfolk, Va. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a sister, Mabel Moeller, and a brother, Jim Reid. A funeral mass will be held at 11:30 a.m. Monday, May 13, 2002 in Our Lady of Lake Huron Catholic Church, Harbor Beach, with burial in the church cemetery. A parish vigil service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Sunday in the Ramsey Funeral Home where visitation will be from 1-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Sunday, and 10-11 a.m. Monday. Roy Boomer Roy E. "Ned" Boomer, 68, died Thursday, May 9, 2002 at his home in Pointe Aux Barques. Arrangements are incomplete and MacAlpine Funeral Home of Bad Axe is handling services. A complete obituary will appear in Monday's Huron Daily Tribune. Monday, May 13, 2002 – None Tuesday, May 14, 2002 Elizabeth Berchtold Elizabeth Berchtold, 86, of Charlotte, formerly of Harbor Beach and Pennsylvania, died Sunday, May 12, 2002, at the Hospice House of Mid-Michigan in Lansing. Mrs. Berchtold was born Aug. 2, 1915, in Philadelphia, Pa., the daughter of Arnold and Clara (Schellenberg) Tiernan. She was employed as a newspaper reporter for the Delaware County News in Pennsylvania and also worked for the Catholic Cemeteries in Philadelphia. While in Harbor Beach, she was a member and Eucharistic Minister of Our Lady of Lake Huron Catholic Church and also served on the Altar Society. She was a member of the Harbor Beach Seniors Group, the Garden Club, the Historical Society and an associate member of the AmVets. She most recently was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Charlotte. Surviving are two sons, John Berchtold and his wife, Brenda, of Charlotte and William Berchtold and his wife, Linda, of Darby, Pa.; a daughter, Elizabeth Laurence and her husband, Harold, of Havertown, Pa.; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Berchtold; a son, Vincent Berchtold; and a daughter, Mary Anne Berchtold. At Mrs. Berchtold's request, cremation took place. There will be no visitation. A memorial mass will take place at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 15, 2002, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Charlotte with the Rev. Fr. Denis Spitzley officiating. Memorials may be made to the Charlotte District Library. Arrangements were handled by the Burkhead- Green Funeral Home in Charlotte. Thelma Bigham Thelma C. Bigham, 84, of Port Austin died Sunday, May 12, 2002, at Huron Medical Center in Bad Axe. She was born March 16, 1918, in Moran to the late Charles and Caroline (Cummings) Emerson. Thelma and Raymond Bigham were united in marriage on Aug. 7, 1940. He preceded her in death on April 15, 1989. Thelma enjoyed baking bread, sewing and making doughnuts, and she loved to be at her home. She is survived by one son, Richard Bigham and his wife, Dorothy, of Ontario, Calif.; one daughter, Frances Jean of Port Austin; five grandchildren, James Bigham of Amarillo, Texas, Michelle Bigham of Port Austin, Anne Blanco of Ontario, Calif., Scott Bigham of Corona, Calif., and Christopher Bigham of Tucson, Ariz.; and seven great-grandchildren. Funeral services will take place at 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 15, 2002, at Verona Cemetery with the Rev. Robert Garrett officiating. McAlpine Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Clara Kuhn Clara M. Kuhn, 90, formerly of Port Austin died Saturday, May 11, 2002, at the home of her daughter, Mary Day, in Umatilla, Fla., after an extended illness. She was born on April 3, 1912, daughter of the late Nelson and Mary Jane Santhany. Clara married William M. Kuhn, who preceded her in death on Jan. 23, 1999. Clara taught school for many years at several country schools in Huron County and was an elementary principal and teacher at North Huron Elementary School in Kinde. She is survived by one daughter, Mary Day; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her son, William J. Kuhn, on Dec. 19, 2001. Cremation has taken place. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 1, 2002, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Port Austin. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Arrangements are being handled by the Knoblock Funeral Home in Kinde. Frank Lis Frank A. Lis, 72, of Kingston died Monday, May 13, 2002, in St. Mary's Medical Center in Saginaw after a short illness. Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 16, 2002, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Wilmot with the Rev. Rick Bokinski and Sr. Ruth Adamites officiating. Burial will be in St. Michael's Cemetery in Wilmot. A vigil service will take place at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 15, 2002, at Kranz Funeral Home, Kingston. Visitation will be 7 to 9 p.m. this evening and 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Family Discretionary Fund. Wednesday, May 15, 2002 Pearl Moran Pearl Maureen Moran of Port Austin and Sun City Center, Fla., died peacefully May 11, 2002, at her Oak Beach home. She was the beloved wife of the late Donald Moran; the loving mother of Douglas Moran and his wife, Roseann, of Canton and Daniel Moran and his wife, Randi, of Fullerton, Calif.; dearest grandmother of Patrick and Alan and Abbey and T.J. She also is survived by a dear sister, Nell Benchoff; and many loving nieces and nephews. Memorial services will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 25, 2002, at Mariners Church of Detroit, and at 4 p.m. Sunday, May 26, 2002, at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Bad Axe. Memorials may be given to the Mariners' Church in Detroit. Thursday, May 16, 2002 - None Friday, May 17, 2002 Lucille Bolda Lucille Mae Bolda, 77, of Kinde died Thursday, May 16, 2002, at Courtney Manor after a long illness. She was born Sept. 9, 1924, to the late Edith and Bill Gage. Lucille was a lifelong resident of Kinde. She enjoyed playing cards, polka dancing and spending time with her family and friends. Surviving are her son, Raymond Furness and his special friend, Doris Powell, of Kinde; four daughters, Betty Pangborn of North Carolina, Linda Ward of South Carolina, Norma Smith of Owendale and Mary Atkinson and her husband, John, of Polk City, Fla.; nine grandchildren; 23 grandchildren; and her special friend Leonard Bolda. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Charles and Floyd Gage; and four grandsons. Cremation took place. Arrangements were handled by McAlpine Funeral Home. Sharon Fisher Sharon Lynn Fisher, 47, of Pinnebog died Wednesday evening, May 15, 2002, at her home while under hospice care after a long battle with Lupus. She was born Oct. 1, 1954, in Pigeon to James and Carolyn (Drummond) Pedler. Sharon grew up in the Pinnebog area and was a 1972 Laker High School graduate. She worked at the Huron County Medical Care Facility right after high school. She married Philip M. Fisher on Nov. 6, 1976, at St. Felix Catholic Church in Pinnebog, where they were faithful members. If any words describe Sharon the most, they would be kind, selfless, teacher and servant. Her one passion in life was to help people. For over 14 years, she worked at Sunny Acres Nursing Center where she took very good care of her elderly residents. She had been there for her family every step of the way. Thanks to her, they have been taught many great things. One of her many talents was cooking. She is survived by her husband of 25 years, Phil; a dear and wonderful mother to Amy Muether and her husband, Allen, of Pigeon, Helen Kociba and her husband, Michael, of Rochester Hills, Kimberly Rapson and her husband, Albert, of Bad Axe and Jacquelynn Fisher of Pinnebog; Nana to Allison, Alexis, Brendon and Ashley; daughter of Jim and Carolyn Pedler of Caseville; sister to Dennis Pedler and his wife, Laura, of Jeddo, Cheri Peyerk and her husband, Ron, of Bad Axe and Doug Pedler and his wife, Lynette, of Caseville; her in-laws, Rita Sizik, Ruth Ann Moore and her husband, Ed, Veronica Haldane, Madalyn O'Connor, John Fisher, James Fisher, Irene McLean and her husband, Dave, and Kay Fisher, aunt to Andy, Kevin, Adam, Ryan, Amber, Jason, Jill, Jodi, Laurie, Beth, Jim, Laurie, Peg, Mike, Lynn, Mark, Amy, Heather, Lisa, Dana and Greg. A funeral mass will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 18, 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. A parish scripture service will take place at 7 p.m. this evening at Champagne Funeral Chapel in Elkton. Visitation will be 2 to 9 p.m. today and 9 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to St. Felix Church or the family. Words of tribute or condolence may be sent to: www.champagnefuneralchapel.com. Margaret Hecht Margaret Edith "Margie" Dufty Hecht, 95, died Monday, May 13, 2002, at Pisgah Manor in Candler, N.C. She was born on April 30, 1907, in Caseville and was the daughter of the late Francis Edith "Ada" McElmurry Dufty and Thomas Dufty. Margie attended Rush Lake Elementary School in Huron county and high school at Adelphian Academy. Margie and her sister, Gerry, both graduated from the nursing program at Washington Sanitarium and Hospital in 1931. Margie married Hermann Hecht in 1953. Hermann had a daughter from a previous marriage named Elizabeth Wood, but he and Margie had no children of their own. Margie was a school nurse for the Los Angeles City Schools for many years until she retired. She moved to North Carolina in 1991 to be near her brother- in-law and sister, Dr. and Mrs. Orville MacAlpine. She was a member of the Foster Seventh Day Adventist Church in Asheville, N.C. She had six brothers and sisters, Leta Grace Dufty Osborne, Violet Ethel "Viva" Dufty Eidt, William James "Bill " Dufty, Geraldine Evelyn "Gerry" Dufty Dirkes, Leone Dufty MacAlpine and Roy Leonard Dufty. She is survived by her sisters Gerry, now 92, and Viva, who is now 97 years old. Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Margaret Hecht Memorial Fund at the Foster Seventh Day Adventist Church, 375 Hendersonville Rd., Asheville NC. Arrangements were handled by Thos. Shepherd and Son Funeral Directors in Hendersonville, N.C. Elwyn Kirsten Col. Elwyn Kirsten, retired, 87, of Peoria, Ariz. and formerly of Harbor Beach, passed away Wednesday, May 14, 2002, in Glendale, Ariz. He was born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada on July 11, 1914, to the late William and Maude (Johnson) Kirsten. He and Annice Hargreaves were married in Harbor Beach. Elwyn was a retired Colonel of the U.S. Army serving in World War II. He was a graduate of the West Point Academy in 1937 and retired from the U.S. Army in 1960. He worked and retired from Burroughs, now known as Unisys. He was a member of the West Point Club of Sun City. Surviving are his wife, Annice, of Peoria, Ariz.; children, Kay Kirsten Weaver and J. Kirsten King. One brother, Gardner Kirsten; his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A graveside service will be conducted on Monday, May 20, 2002, at 1 p.m. in the Rock Falls Cemetery in Harbor Beach with the Rev. Theresa Cutler officiating. Military honors will be provided by the VFW Post of Harbor Beach. Ramsey Funeral Home of Harbor Beach is handling arrangements. Christine Wolfe Christine Wolfe died Wednesday, May 15, 2002, at St. Joseph Hospital in Mount Clemens. Mass of Christian burial will take place at 11 a.m. Monday, May 20, 2002, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Port Austin. Fr. Surman will officiate. A rosary service will be conducted at 7 p.m. Sunday by the Holy Rosary Sodality at the MacAlpine Funeral Home-Gage Chapel in Kinde. Visitation will be 1 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. A complete obituary will appear in Sunday's Huron Daily Tribune. Murial Soule Mrs. Murial Soule, 87, of Austin Township passed away Thursday, May 16, 2002, at Hills and Dales General Hospital, Cass City. Arrangements are being handled by the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly. A complete obituary will appear in Sunday's Huron Daily Tribune. 1