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 January 13, 2002


Sunday, January 13, 2002


Olive Freiburger 
Mrs. Olive E. Freiburger, 83, of Argyle Township passed away Friday, Jan. 11, 2002, at 
her home.  She was born March 23, 1918, in Menomonie, Wisc., to the late Caleb and 
Alta (Forster) Sundby. She married Leslie Peterson in Wisconsin and he preceded her in 
death in 1953. She then married Arlee Freiburger on March 4, 1957, in Newport Richie, 
Fla.  Olive was a graduate of a country school and Menomonie High School. She 
attended an agricultural college in Wisconsin for two years before moving to teach in 
Colfax Township for 13 years. In 1957 she moved to the Argyle area and taught at 
Argyle School for four years. She then taught in Deckerville for 14 years before retiring 
in 1980. She was a parishioner at St. Joseph Catholic Church since 1957. She enjoyed 
needlework and spent 15 winters in Mesa, Ariz.  Olive is survived by her husband, Arlee 
Freiburger, of Snover; two daughters, Linda Peterson of Mount Pleasant, and Mary 
Eavey and her husband, Mike, of Burton; three grandchildren, Joshua, Jeremy, and 
Jennifer Eavey of Burton; and one sister, Erma Quilling of Menomonie, Wisc.  She was 
preceded in death by one sister, Esther Holzheiter, and one brother, Willis Sundby.  
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 14, 2002, at St. Joseph 
Catholic Church of Argyle. The Rev. Kevin Maksym, associate pastor, will officiate. 
Burial will be in the church cemetery.  A vigil service will be held at 7:30 p.m. today at 
the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home of Ubly.  Visitation will be at the funeral home from 
1:30 to 9:30 p.m. today, and 9 to 10 a.m. Monday. 

Thelma Rueger 
Thelma A. (Bothe) Rueger, 76, of Auburn died Thursday morning, Jan. 10, 2002, at 
Auburn Care Center after an extended illness.  Thelma was born the daughter of the late 
Ernest and Inez (Hartley) Bothe on Oct. 2, 1925 in Monitor Township where she resided 
all her life. She was on the Webster School Board Planning Commission, a 4-H leader, 
member of the PTA, and a member of St. Bartholomew Ev. Church, Kawkawlin. She 
loved polka dancing and playing cards.  On June 16, 1945, she married Harold W. 
Rueger. He predeceased her on March 16, 1997.  She is survived by three children, 
Donald and his wife, Penny, of Auburn, Joyce Kiehl and her husband, Richard, of Bad 
Axe, and Arlene Eichman and her husband, Roger, of Bay City; seven grandchildren, 
Brian Rueger and his wife, Mieka, Kelly Helmreich and her husband, Roger, William 
Basner II, Jennifer and Joel Kiehl, and Sabrina and Gregory Eichman; two great-
grandchildren, Jacob and Carl Helmreich; four sisters, Lillian Klopf and her husband, 
Howard, of Bay City, June Jezowski and her husband, Steve, of Auburn, Elaine Witbrodt, 
and Lucille Hardy and her husband, LeRoy, all of Bay City, and many nieces and 
nephews.  Thelma was also predeceased by one grandson, Jason Kiehl; one brother, 
Verne Bothe; and one sister, Betty Fischhaber.  Funeral and committal services will be 
held at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 14, 2002, at St. Bartholomew Ev. Church, Kawkawlin. The 
Rev. Fred P. Zimmerman will officiate. Burial will be in Pine Grove Cemetery, Auburn.  
Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. today at the Auburn Chapel of the Cunningham-Taylor 
Funeral Homes, Inc., 312 W. Midland Road in Auburn, and from 10 a.m. until the time of 
service Monday at the church.  For those planning an expression of sympathy, envelopes 
for St. Bartholomew Ev. Lutheran Church and Heartland Hospice will be available at the 
funeral home. 

Omer Schulz 
Mr. Omer F. Schulz, 79, of Sebewaing passed away Friday morning, Jan. 11, 2002, at his 
residence at Rose Island.  He was born in Unionville on May 8, 1922, to Fred and Anna 
(Ewald) Schulz. On December 10, 1949, he married Ruth Pearl Rievert. She passed away 
Oct. 1, 1977. He then married June Backus on Aug. 28, 1981.  Mr. Schulz had farmed in 
the Gagetown area, and was owner and operator of O.F. Schulz Ford Sales in Unionville 
for many years. He was a member of St. Peter Lutheran Church at Columbia Corners.  He 
was an avid golfer and fisherman and enjoyed spending time with his family. Omer 
served with the U.S. Army during WWII as a tank commander with the 820th Tank 
Destroyer Battalion, earning several medals and awards including the Purple Heart. He 
was also a member of the Unionville Volunteer Fire Department and had served on the 
village council.  Surviving along with June, his wife of 20 years, are his children, Gary 
Schulz of Bellerose, N.Y., John Backus and his wife, Terri, of Sebewaing, Gerald Backus 
and his wife, Lucy, of Superior, Wisc., Marlene Cole and her husband, Thomas, of Bay 
City, and Diane Zoffchak and her husband, Gary, of Sebewaing; his grandchildren, Jason 
Cole, Kelly Cole, David Sigmund, Danielle Sigmund, John, Jessica, Karsyn, and Hunter 
Backus, and Clifford Kuzmierz; and one sister, Gertrude Arnold of Unionville.  He was 
preceded in death by a grandson, Dale Sigmund; brothers Martin and Roland Schulz; and 
sisters, Doris Kuzhaus and Erna Utkins.  Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. today, 
Jan. 13, 2002 at St. Peter Lutheran Church. The Rev. Ronald F. Fuller will officiate. 
Burial will be in the St. Peter Cemetery.  Visitation will be at Unionville Funeral Chapel 
at the church from 2 p.m. until the time of service today.  The family has suggested 
memorials be made to the donor's choice. 

Monday, January 14, 2002

Amanda Goudie 
Mrs. Amanda Goudie, 86, of Reese died early Saturday morning, Jan. 12, 2002, at The 
Lutheran Home of Frankenmuth.  She was born Nov. 19, 1915, in Manistee, daughter of 
the late Hans and Genevieve (Guimond) Henrichsen and graduated from Manistee High 
School. On April 10, 1943, she was married to Robert Goudie in Troy, Ala. He preceded 
her in death on April 7, 1993.  Mrs. Goudie was a resident of Bad Axe from 1946 until 
moving to Reese in 1966. She was a member of the Reese United Methodist Church, the 
Reese Senior Citizens, and enjoyed bowling, bingo and collecting teddy bears.  She is 
survived by two daughters, Sharol Brechtelsbauer and her husband, Gene, of Reese, and 
Bonnie Gursh and her husband, Jeffrey, of Scottsdale, Ariz.; two grandchildren and their 
spouses, Amanda and Nathan Madsen of Grand Rapids and Kellie and Michael Mutton of 
Ludington; a brother, Marlan Henrichsen and his wife, Esther, of Manistee; two nieces 
and their husbands, Marla and Brian Baker of Holland and Carol and Rex Droit of Texas; 
and her special friend, Kathryn Yankee of Manistee.  She was preceded in death by her 
parents; and a sister, Arietta Carlson.  Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. Tuesday, 
Jan. 15, 2002, at the Reese United Methodist Church. Pastor Ray Wightman will officiate 
with burial to follow in the Eastlawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery.  Visitation will be 2 
to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. today at the Ware-Smith-Woolever Funeral Home in Reese, and 
from 10 a.m. until the time of services Tuesday at the church.  Memorials may be made 
to the Reese United Methodist Church or The Lutheran Home of Frankenmuth. 

George Ann Kahlert 
George Ann Kahlert, 77, of Port Austin, formerly of Flint, died Sunday, Jan. 13, 2002, at 
Huron Medical Center in Bad Axe.  Mrs. Kahlert was born Feb. 22, 1924, in Flint, 
daughter of the late Raymond and Mae West. She graduated from Flint Central High 
School in 1942 and was a member of the Eddy Chorus. She married Thomas Kahlert in 
1955 and he preceded her in death on May 15, 2000.  Mrs. Kahlert served on the Huron 
Memorial Hospital Auxiliary.  She is survived by a daughter, June Stapleton and her 
husband, John, of Port Austin; three grandchildren, Jan Armstrong and her husband, 
Wesley, Jennifer Stapleton and Jeff Stapleton; six great-grandchildren; and a sister, June 
Grossbart of Bloomfield Hills.  Funeral services will take place at 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 
17, 2002, at the Brown Funeral Home, 1616 Davison Road in Flint with Pastor Jim 
Rupert officiating. Burial will be in the Avondale Cemetery.  Visitation will be 7 to 9 
p.m. Wednesday and from 11 a.m. until the time of services Thursday at the funeral 
home.  Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association. 

Tuesday, January 15, 2002

Lucy Coulston 
Lucy A. Coulston, 87, formerly of Harbor Beach passed away Saturday, Jan. 12, 2002, in 
the Leelanau Memorial Health Center in Northport.  She was born on Oct. 12, 1914, in 
Port Hope to the late George and Ruby (Tinsey) Hubbard. She was a graduate of the Port 
Hope High School.   Lucy and Melvin Coulston were united in marriage on Oct. 21, 
1937, in Port Hope. Melvin preceded her in death on March 13, 2001.   Lucy was a 
member of the First Presbyterian Church in Harbor Beach.   She is survived by a 
daughter, Janice Gorrell and her husband, Jerry, of Glen Arbor; two sons, Dale Coulston 
and his wife, Patti, of Suttons Bay and Wayne Coulston and his wife, Marilyn, of 
Perrysburg, Ohio; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Doris 
Christick and Bea Burns.  She was preceded in death by a brother, Everett Hubbard.   
Funeral services will take place at 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18, 2002, in the Ramsey Funeral 
Home in Harbor Beach with the Rev. Theresa Cutler, pastor of First Presbyterian Church 
officiating. Burial will be in the Rock Falls Cemetery in Harbor Beach.  Visitation will be 
from 1 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday and from noon until the time of services Friday 
at the funeral home.   In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Leelanau Memorial 
Health Center in Northport or First Presbyterian Church in Harbor Beach, or the charity 
of the donor's choice. 

Nancy Rupprecht 
Nancy Jane Rupprecht, 61, owner of the Carriage House Flowers and Gifts, died Sunday 
morning, Jan. 13, 2002, at Huron Medical Center in Bad Axe.  She was born April 9, 
1940, in Alliance, Ohio, to the late Jay and Fern (Wartluft) Lutz.  After high school, 
Nancy went on to Capital University in Columbus, Ohio, receiving her bachelor's degree 
in elementary education. She taught in Ohio for a year. On Aug. 1, 1964, she was united 
in marriage to William A. Rupprecht in Paris, Ohio. They moved to Elkton in 1965 and 
she taught at the Kingston School that year. The next school year she began teaching at 
Elkton Elementary, staying with the Laker school system until June 1976. In July 1976, 
she and her husband opened the Carriage House Flower and Gifts store in Bad Axe. Bill, 
also a teacher at Lakers, died Sept. 6, 1986. Nancy continued operating the store until 
April 2000, when her health began to fail.  She was a member of St. John's Lutheran 
Church, Berne. She loved to quilt and hand made many beautiful quilts, only to give them 
to someone less fortunate. She also enjoyed gardening, cooking and baking, and was 
always aware of the importance of literacy to young children.  Surviving are her brother, 
Jay Lutz, Jr., of Bad Axe; two sisters, Joy Armstrong and her husband, Bill, of Bad Axe 
and Charlene Grimminger and her husband, Lerane, of Paris, Ohio; her sister-in-law, 
Nancy Dean and her husband, Ken, of Howell; three nephews, Mike Grimminger and his 
wife, Melinda, Daniel Grimminger, and Craig Dean and his wife, Lisa; two nieces, Carrie 
Meod and her husband, Jim, and Melissa Dean; and two great-nieces, Julia and Angela.  
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 17, 2002, at St. John's 
Lutheran Church in Berne. The Rev. James Gorsegnor, pastor will officiate with burial in 
Cross Lutheran Cemetery in Pigeon.   Visitation will be 2 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at 
Champagne Funeral Chapel in Elkton and after 10 a.m. Thursday at the church.  
Memorials may be given to the Accelerated Reader Program at Laker Elementary. 

Patricia Carson 
Patricia R. Carson, 74, of Caseville passed away Monday, Jan. 14, 2002, at her home.  
Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2002, at the First 
United Methodist Church in Pigeon.  Visitation will be 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday at 
the church.  Arrangements are being handled by the Meyersieck-Bussema Funeral Home 
in Pigeon. 

Wednesday, January 16, 2002

Mary Castle

Mary Lois Castle, 72, of Coldwater went to be with her Lord on Monday, Jan. 14, 2002, 
when she died peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family.  Beloved mother and 
grandmother, Mrs. Castle worked in advertising at various newspapers in Coldwater, 
Sturgis, and Bad Axe. In addition, she substitute taught at all grade levels in the Thumb 
Area Schools. She was an avid reader, an accomplished pianist and organist, and had 
recently developed her talent in painting and watercolors. She was a member of the St. 
Charles Boromeo Catholic Church.  Born Mary Lois LaRocque in West Branch on Aug. 
10, 1929, she was the daughter of the late Felix and Teresa (Carpenter) LaRocque. She 
graduated from St. Joseph High School in West Branch and received her Bachelor of Arts 
degree in journalism in 1951 from Marygrove College in Detroit. She married the love of 
her life, James E. Castle on Sept. 1, 1951. He preceded her in death in April 1995.  Mr. 
and Mrs. Castle worked and raised their children in Elkton and Bad Axe, making 
Coldwater their home in 1981.  Mrs. Castle is survived by four sons, Jeffrey Castle and 
his wife, Donna, of Harbor Beach, Mark Castle and his wife, Eileen, of Flagstaff, Ariz., 
John Castle and his wife, Helyn, and Timothy Castle and his wife, Susan, all of 
Coldwater; one daughter, Mary Beth Lancaster and her husband, Kent, of Sturgis; nine 
grandchildren, Kim Gray and her husband, Andy, Bill Castle and his wife, Jill, and Adam 
Castle, all of Harbor Beach, Patrick, Michael, and Mary Castle of Coldwater, Matthew 
Castle of Coldwater, and Grant and Lauren Lancaster of Sturgis; and many nieces and 
nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, James; and two brothers, 
Richard and Leon LaRocque.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on 
Thursday, Jan. 17, 2002, at St. Charles Boromeo Catholic Church in Coldwater, with Fr. 
Robert Creagan and Fr. Brian Stanley officiating. A Rosary will be conducted at 7:30 
p.m. Wednesday at the Kolcz Funeral Home in Bronson.  Visitation will be from 5 to 8 
p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 16, at the funeral home.  Attending Mrs. Castle as pallbearers are 
Patrick Castle, Kurt Miller, Robert Parsons, Steve Brown, Mike Perry, and Jack Gay.  
Contributions in memory of Mrs. Castle may be made to the Community Health Center 
Foundation.  Obituary also at www.kolcz.com where messages may be left for the family. 

Thursday, January 17, 2002 - None

Friday, January 18, 2002

Dorothy Green 
Dorothy Green, 96, of Decker died Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2002, at Caro Community 
Hospital in Caro.  She was born Feb. 22, 1905, in St. Albans, England, the daughter of 
the late John and Annie (Voyce) Roberts.  Dorothy married William Moore Green in July 
1930. He died in 1961.  She moved to this area six years ago from St. Clair Shores. She 
was an active member of the St. Clair Shores Red Cross.  She is survived by two 
daughters, Patricia Kaczynski and her husband, Raymond, of Decker and Joyce Stack of 
St. Clair Shores; a brother, Arthur Roberts and his wife, Evalyn, of Canada; six 
grandchildren, Raymond, Renee, Melanie Nikel, Bob, Sherry and Laura; and six great-
grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her brothers, William, Percy and Herbert; 
and sisters Lillian, Nellie and Margaret.  Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. 
Saturday, Jan. 19, 2002, at Marsh Funeral Home Chapel in Sandusky with the Rev. Mark 
Morningstar officiating. Burial will be in the Moshier Cemetery in Hemans.  Memorials 
may be made to the Caro Adult Day Care or the charity of the donor's choice. 

Gary LaLonde 
Gary LaLonde, 59, a lifelong Bad Axe area resident, died at home under hospice care on 
Thursday, Jan. 17, 2002, following a long battle with cancer.  He was born on Oct. 4, 
1942, in Port Huron to Marjorie (Westbrook) and the late Bert LaLonde.  Gary and Karen 
Buck were united in marriage on April 4, 1964, in Marine City.  He was a 1960 graduate 
of Port Huron High School. He then attended the Easter College of Commerce in Port 
Huron for three years. Gary worked as an auditor for the State of Michigan. He was a 
Lions Club member for 30 years and enjoyed golf, billiards and shuffleboard.  Gary is 
survived by his wife, Karen; his mother, Marjorie; four sons, Robert LaLonde and his 
wife, Renee, of Deerfield, Steve LaLonde and his wife, Sherrie, of Bad Axe, Michael 
LaLonde and his wife, Christy, of East Lansing, and Eric LaLonde and his wife, Jadie, of 
Bay City; a brother, Lyle, of Port Huron; a sister, Joyce Fry and her husband, James, of 
Marysville; a niece, Nicole; a nephew, D.J.; and 10 grandchildren, Christopher, Nabi, 
Issaac, Lydia, Hannah, Noah, Erica, Kayla, Cody and Cassey.  Funeral services will take 
place at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, 2002, at MacAlpine Funeral Home in Bad Axe. Fr. 
John Killop will officiate.  Visitation will be 2 to 9 p.m. today and 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday 
at the funeral home.  Memorials may be made to the Lions Club, the American Cancer 
Society, or hospice. 

Mary Ann "Mae" Tyll 
Mrs. Mary Ann "Mae" Tyll, 87, of Ubly passed away Thursday morning, Jan. 17, 2002, 
at Courtney Manor of Bad Axe.  She was born on Sept. 8, 1914, in Detroit to the late 
Andrew and Frances (Owedyk) Ciupka. She married Edward John Tyll on May 25, 1935, 
at St. Stanislaus in Detroit. He preceded her in death on Feb. 23, 1998.  Mae was a 
graduate of St. Stanislaus High School. She worked at Midland Steel in Detroit. She was 
a parishioner of Assumption Grotto and St. Raymond Catholic Church, both of Detroit. 
She moved to Ubly in 1956 and became co-owner of Tyll's Bowling Bar. She was a 
parishioner at St. John's Catholic Church of Ubly and was an honorary Christian Mother. 
In 1980, she and her husband retired and moved to Zephyrhills, Fla., and resided there 
until October 1995 when they moved back to Ubly. She participated in the Alabama 
Jubilee productions for a few years.  Mae is survived by two sons, Ronald Tyll and his 
wife, Marge, of Ubly and Conrad "Connie" Tyll and his wife, Estella, of Florida; six 
grandchildren, John Tyll and his wife, Sharon, of Colorado, Mickey Tyll Uqhardt and her 
husband, Tracey, of Virginia, Tina Tyll McPherson and her husband, Russell, of 
Sandusky, Terry Tyll and his wife, Tami, of Ubly, Rex Tyll of Ubly, and Ron Tyll and 
his wife, Sheila, of Bay City; and 11 great-grandchildren.  Mae was preceded in death by 
three brothers, Walter, Joe and Vincent Ciupka; and three sisters, Josephine 
Lewandowski, Clara Osentoski and Theresa Blitz.  The funeral mass will take place at 11 
a.m. Monday, Jan. 21, 2002, at St. John's Catholic Church in Ubly. The Rev. T.J. 
Fleming, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery in Clinton 
Township.  There will be a Christian Mothers rosary at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at Zinger-
Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly.  Visitation will be 2:30 to 9:30 p.m. Sunday and from 
9 to 10 a.m. Monday at the funeral home. 

Jerry Watson 
Jerry Watson, 56, of Caseville died this morning, Jan. 18, 2002, at Heartland Health Care 
in Bridgeport after a long battle with health problems.  Arrangements are incomplete and 
are being handled by Champagne Funeral Chapel in Caseville. A complete obituary will 
appear in Sunday's Huron Daily Tribune. 





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