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 17, 2002


Sunday, February 17, 2002


Matthew Cantrell 
Matthew B. Cantrell, 42, of Gobles, following a lengthy illness, chose to join his son 
Lawrence in the presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Thursday, Feb. 14, 
2002, at the Allegan General Hospital.  Matthew was born Feb. 18, 1959, in Flint, son of 
James and Nora (Carson) Cantrell.  Surviving are his wife, Sheila (Fitch), whom he 
married on Feb. 21, 1982; two children, John Cantrell and his wife, Amy, of Gobles and 
Janet Larabell and her husband, Chris, of Mayville; one grandson, Christopher; one 
brother, Barry Cantrell and his wife, Debra, of Allegan; two sisters, Kathy Adkins of 
Florida and Nancy Cantrell of Flint; and several nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in 
death by his parents; and one son, Lawrence, in 1997.  Funeral services will take place at 
11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 18, 2002, at the Gorden Funeral Residence, Allegan Chapel, with 
the Rev. Barry Cantrell officiating. Cremation will follow with burial of cremains placed 
on his son's grave at Mallory Cemetery, Trowbridge Township.  Visitation will be 2 to 4 
p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.  Memorials may be made to the Allegan 
Chapter of the American Red Cross or Wings of Hope Hospice, Allegan County. 

Linda Leeson 
Linda W. Leeson, 58, of Cass City died Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2002, in Hills & Dales General 
Hospital in Cass City.  Memorial services will take place at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24, 
2002, at Cass City United Methodist Church, Cass City, with Dr. Philip Rice officiating.  
Visitation will be 1 to 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24 at the church.  Memorials may be made to 
the University of Michigan Cancer Center or the Cass City United Methodist Church.  
Arrangements are being handled by the Kranz Funeral Home in Cass City. 

Alfred Seeley 
Alfred L. Seeley, 76, of Cass City, died Friday, Feb. 15, 2002, in St. Mary's Hospital in 
Saginaw.  Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 18, 2002, at St. 
Pancratius Catholic Church with the Rev. Steve Filion officiating. Interment is in Elkland 
Township Cemetery, Cass City.  There will be a scripture service at 7 p.m. today at the 
Kranz Funeral Home in Cass City.  Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. 
today at the funeral home and from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at the church.  Memorials may 
be made to St. Pancratius Catholic Church. 

Monday, February 18, 2002     


Melvin Andrews 
Melvin C. Andrews, 83, of Port Hope and formerly of Harbor Beach, passed away on 
Sunday, Feb. 17, 2002, in Mercy Hospital in Port Huron following a brief illness.  He 
was born on Feb. 7, 1919, in Harbor Beach to the late Frank and Myrtle (Swackhamer) 
Andrews.  He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served during World War II.  He 
married Laura Brzezinski on Sept. 28, 1940, in Ubly.  He enjoyed hunting, fishing and 
trapping. In 1984, Melvin retired from Hercules, Inc. after 32 years of employment.  He 
was a member of Our Lady of Lake Huron Catholic Church in Harbor Beach, past 
commander of VFW Post 9344 and past commander of American Legion Post 197, both 
in Harbor Beach. He was a founding member of the Harbor Beach Credit Union and was 
a long-time Boy Scout leader and past president of Local 812 union.  He is survived by 
his wife, Laura Andrews; three daughters, Evelyn Gainor and her husband, Dennis, and 
Lorraine Wolford and her husband, Robert, all of Harbor Beach; Ruth Rosdail and her 
husband, Jay, of Knoville, Iowa; one son, John Andrews and his wife, Vonda, of Port 
Hope; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; one sister, Hilda Burns of Dundee.  
She was preceded in death by a brother, Clifford Andrews; a sister, Mary Pustey; 
grandson, Kurk Wolford.  A funeral mass will take place at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, 
Feb. 20, 2002, in Our Lady of Lake Huron Catholic Church in Harbor Beach with the 
Rev. Charlie Hammond officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with 
military honors.  A parish vigil service will take place at 8 p.m. on Tuesday at the 
Ramsey Funeral Home in Harbor Beach.  Visitation is from 7 to 9 tonight and 1 to 5 p.m. 
and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home and 10 a.m. until the time of service 
Wednesday at the church. 

Margery Peterson 
Margery A. Peterson, 73, of Indianapolis, Ind., and formerly of Deford, died peacefully 
on Monday, Feb. 11, 2002, in Methodist Memorial Hospital in Indianapolis.  A committal 
service will take place at her grave in Novesta Township Cemetery in Cass City in the 
spring.  Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor's choice. 
  
Tuesday, February 19, 2002


Alice Heiman 
Alice M. Heiman, 83, of Sebewaing died unexpectedly Monday morning, Feb. 18, 2002, 
at Bay Medical Center in Bay City.  She was born April 29, 1918, near Owendale, 
daughter of the late William and Emma (Ruppert) Hoffman.  She was united in marriage 
to Willard W. Heiman on July 28, 1941, in Napoleon, Ohio.  Alice was employed at the 
former Blue Line Dairy in Sebewaing, worked in a chicken hatchery and was a dairy 
hauler. She later was the assistant cook at the Sebewaing High School for 10 years before 
retiring several years ago.  She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in 
Sebewaing, was a Sunday school teacher and sang in the choir. She also enjoyed 
bowling.  Surviving are her husband, Willard, of Sebewaing; one daughter and son-in-
law, Lois Dutcher and her husband, Thomas, of Burton; three grandchildren, Thomas 
Dutcher and his wife, Catherine, of San Jose, Calif., Kelly Dutcher of Navota, Calif., and 
Daniel Dutcher and his wife, Nikki, of Brentwood, Calif.; four great-grandchildren; one 
sister, Mildred Priebe and her husband, Arthur, of Pigeon; one brother, Elmer Hoffman 
and his wife, Marcia, of Cass City; and several nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in 
death by a son, James Heiman, in 1968; a sister, Hannah Gardner; and a brother, Walter 
Hoffman.  Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 21, 2002, at 
Immanuel Lutheran Church. The Rev. Albert Bahr will officiate with burial in the church 
cemetery.  Visitation will be 7 to 9 p.m. today and noon to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Dinkel-
Juengel Funeral Home in Sebewaing. She will lie in state from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday at 
the church.  Memorials may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church. 

Virginia Kublinski 
Virginia Kublinski, 78, of Port Hope passed away Monday morning, Feb. 18, 2002, at 
Harbor Beach Community Hospital.  Born in Detroit on Aug. 25, 1923, she was the 
daughter of the late Cleah and Rilla (McKim) Downey.  Virginia was united in marriage 
to Felix Kublinski on July 1, 1969, in Port Hope. He preceded her in death on Aug. 18, 
1978.  She is survived by a daughter, Mary House of Port Hope; five grandchildren; 
seven great-grandchildren; and a sister, Maxine Knight of Mio.  She was preceded in 
death by a brother, Bill Downey; and a sister, Betty Cox.  Virginia's remains have been 
donated to the University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor and her wishes were 
to not have any services.  Ramsey Funeral Home in Harbor Beach handled arrangements. 

Wednesday, February 20, 2002


Agnes Kociba 
Agnes M. Kociba, 97, of Bad Axe died Monday, Feb. 18, 2002, at Sunny Acres Nursing 
Center.  She was born in Pinconning on Aug. 21, 1904, to the late Paul and Frances 
(Kalizewski) Shubert.  Agnes and John Kociba were united in marriage on Aug. 26, 
1924, in Parisville. He preceded her in death on June 16, 1957.  Agnes was a member of 
the Ladies Altar Society. She loved to sew, crochet and make quilts.  She is survived by 
two sons, Melvin Kociba and his wife, Juanita, of Montgomery, Ala., and Edwin Kociba 
of Cheboygan; two daughters, Anna Musto and her husband, Daniel, of Westland, and 
Virginia Holden and her husband, Oscar, of Redford; 11 grandchildren; 26 great-
grandchildren; and 16 great-great-grandchildren.  Agnes was preceded in death by four 
brothers, John, Leo, Theodore and Frank Shubert; and three sisters, Mary Nowiski, Anna 
Peruski and Susie Kozlowski.  Mass of Christian burial will take place at 10 a.m. 
Saturday, Feb. 23, 2002, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bad Axe. Fr. John Killop 
will officiate. Burial will be in Rock Falls Cemetery in Harbor Beach.  A parish wake 
scripture will be offered at 7 p.m. Friday and a rosary service will take place at 7:30 p.m. 
Friday at MacAlpine Funeral Home in Bad Axe.  Visitation will be 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday 
and from 1 to 9 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.  Memorials may be given to the Family 
Discretionary Fund. 

Dora Langenburg 
Dora Doris Langenburg, 87, of Snover and formerly of Black River, died Monday, Feb. 
18, 2002, at Autumnwood of Deckerville.  She was born Aug. 17, 1914, in Black River, 
daughter of the late Benjamin and Donelda (Pappane) LaVigne. She married William 
Langenburg on Nov. 25, 1946, at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Black River.  She was a 
graduate of St. Bernard High School of Alpena in 1935. She worked as a telephone 
operator for Michigan Bell Telephone in Detroit for a few years and the General Store in 
Black River before moving to the Sanilac County farm with her husband. She was Past 
President of the Sanilac County National Farmers Organization, a member of St. Joseph 
Catholic Church of Argyle since 1948, and a member of the Altar Society. She enjoyed 
gardening, cooking and playing cards.  She is survived by her husband, William, of 
Snover; two sons, Edward Langenburg of Howell and Paul Langenburg and his wife, 
JoAnn, of Snover; four daughters, Carol Lawler and her husband, Patrick, of Port Sanilac, 
Sharon Salowitz and her husband, Wayne, of Deckerville, Shirley Barry and her husband, 
David, of Denver, Colo., and Betty Miller and her husband, Kent, of Sandusky; 17 
grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; four sisters, Ann Schmidt and her husband, 
George, of Oscoda, Julie LaVigne of Bay City, Ethel Rasche of Black River, and Rena 
Hartley and her husband, Calvin, of Bay City.  She was preceded in death by one 
grandson, Steven Lawler; and two brothers and two sisters.  The funeral mass will take 
place at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 21, 2002, at St. Joseph Catholic Church of Argyle. The 
Rev. T.J. Fleming, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery in the 
spring.  There will be a vigil service at 8 p.m. this evening at Zinger-Smigielski Funeral 
Home in Ubly.  Visitation will be 1:30 to 9:30 p.m. today and 9 to 10 a.m. Thursday at 
the funeral home. 

Albert Verbrugge 
Albert Verbrugge, 84, of Sebewaing died Monday evening, Feb. 18, 2002, at his home 
following a one-year illness.  He was born Aug. 12, 1917, in Superior, Wisc., son of the 
late Constant and Zulma (Steen) Verbrugge.  He was united in marriage to Velma Sveller 
in Los Angeles, Calif., in 1942. She preceded him in death on Jan. 26, 1996.  Al was a 
commercial-residential painter in the Detroit area for many years before retiring and 
moving to Sebewaing in 1988.  He is survived by two sisters, Margaret Verbrugge of 
Belgium, and Jean Ryngaert and her husband, Eugene, of Clinton Township; one brother, 
Cyril Verbrugge and his wife, Florence, of St. Clair Shores; and several nieces and 
nephews.  He was preceded in death by one brother, Odiel Verbrugge; and one sister, 
Angelle Verbrugge.  Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 21, 2002, 
at the Dinkel-Juengel Funeral Home in Sebewaing. The Rev. Fredrick Wilson will 
officiate with burial in the Sebewaing Assembly of God Cemetery.  Visitation will be 2 to 
9 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. until the time of services Thursday at the funeral home. 

Thursday, February 21, 2002

Marjorie Pluto 
Marjorie M. Pluto, 79, of Sebewaing died Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2002, at Courtney Manor 
in Bad Axe following a lengthy illness.  She was born Dec. 6, 1922, in Bay Port, daughter 
of the late Chancy and Ada M. (Lobdell) Conger.  She was united in marriage to Daniel 
P. Pluto in 1942. He preceded her in death on June 7, 1980.  Marjorie was a member of 
the Community of Christ Church in Bay Port. She also enjoyed cooking and playing 
bingo.  Surviving are two sons and one daughter, William D. Pluto, Thomas Pluto and 
Mary Jo Goslin, all of Sebewaing; two grandchildren, Kimberly Pluto and Teri Goslin; a 
sister, Elizabeth Damm of Bay Port; two brothers, Gerald Conger and his wife, Lori, of 
Bridgeport and William Conger and his wife, Carol, of Bay City; and several nieces and 
nephews.  She was preceded in death by two brothers, infant brother Jack Conger and 
Glen Conger; and three sisters, Ruth Kohl, Irene Killinger and Helen Gaeth.  Funeral 
services will take place at 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 22, 2002, at the Dinkel-Juengel Funeral 
Home in Sebewaing. Elder Ervin Haley will officiate with burial in New Bay Port 
Cemetery near Bay Port.  Visitation will be from 4 to 9 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. until 
the time of services Friday at the funeral home.  Memorials may be made to Community 
of Christ Church of Bay Port or the charity of the donor's choice. 

Vera Syrakis 
Vera Syrakis, 88, of Harbor Beach passed away Tuesday evening, Feb. 19, 2002, at St. 
Mary's Medical Center in Saginaw.  Born in New Jersey on Nov. 17, 1913, she was the 
daughter of the late Perecles and Margaret (Demos) Troulinous.  She and George Syrakis 
were united in marriage on April 28, 1946, in Queens, N.Y. He preceded her in death on 
Nov. 14, 1966.  Vera attended the St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Saginaw.  
She is survived by her children, Michael Syrakis and his wife, Elizabeth, of Princeton, 
Fla., Margaret Cox and her husband, Allen, of Glasgow, Ky., Anthony Syrakis and his 
wife, Brenda, of Harbor Beach, and Marie Lao and her husband, Nestor, of Coral Gables, 
Fla.; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.  Private family services will take 
place on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2002, at the Ramsey Funeral Home in Harbor Beach with 
burial to follow. Fr. Mark Emroll of the St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in 
Saginaw will officiate.  Visitation will be 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the funeral 
home.  Memorials may be made to the Harbor Beach Community Hospital Long Term 
Care Unit or the Ramsey-Robertson Elementary School Library. 

Lola London 
Lola London, 80, of Owendale died Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 20, 2002, at Scheurer 
Hospital, Pigeon.  Lola moved to Owendale in 1971 and lived with John and Genevieve 
Abbe.  She enjoyed going to the Center for Community Living, riding her bike and 
watching television. She was a member of the Community of Christ Church, Owendale.  
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 23, 2002, at Champagne 
Funeral Chapel, Elkton.  Visitation will be 9 to 10 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. 

Friday, February 22, 2002

Eleanor Ahearn 
Eleanor M. Ahearn, 64, of North Road, N.H., died Friday, Feb. 15, 2002, at a 
Manchester, N.H., hospital.  She was born in Ecorse on July 20, 1937, the daughter of 
Andrew and Sophia (Boguszewski) Nota.  She had lived in Raymond, N.H., before 
moving to Candia, N.H., five years ago.  Mrs. Ahearn was past president of the Raymond 
Lioness Club. She enjoyed bingo and was a devoted mother and grandmother.  Survivors 
include her husband of 46 years, George Ahearn, formerly of Huron County; two sons, 
James Ahearn of Candia and Thomas Ahearn of Raymond; a daughter, Colleen Forsythe 
of Raymond; six grandchildren; a brother, Eugene Nota of Belleville; a sister, Delores 
Jean Mahood of Washington state; several nieces and nephews; a brother-in-law, Robert 
Ahearn and his wife, Sharon, of Kinde; and sisters-in-law Pat Decker and her husband, 
Frances, of Caro, Mary Ellen Horbes of Port Huron, Cora Lovik of Port Huron, and 
Sharon Wahl and her husband, Glenn, of Port Austin.  She was preceded in death by a 
son, Steven Ahearn, in 1964; and a daughter, Ann Marie Ahearn, in 1967.  A Mass of 
Christian burial took place on Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2002, at St. Paul Church in Candia 
with the Rev. Michael Kerper, pastor, as celebrant. Burial was in Holbrook Cemetery in 
Candia. 

Ray English 
Ray A. English, 97, of Colfax Township died Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 20, 2002, at 
Sunny Acres Nursing Center in Bad Axe.  He was born Dec. 26, 1904, in Colfax 
Township at the home of his parents, the late Albert and Anna (Marriott) English.  On 
Aug. 17, 1929, he was united in marriage to Fern I. Campbell at the Methodist parsonage 
in Elkton. That same year, they purchased the farm where he was residing until a few 
weeks ago. In addition to farming, Ray was a substitute mail carrier in rural Bad Axe for 
23 years. He served on the Colfax Township Board for 30 years, 27 of them as treasurer. 
He retired from farming in 1973. Fern preceded him in death on May 11, 1994.  Ray was 
a member of the Elkton United Methodist Church and Elkton Lions Club. He was a life 
member of the Verona Huron Masonic Lodge No. 365 in Bad Axe and the Elkton 
Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star No. 431, and a charter member of the Elkton Senior 
Citizens. He served on the board of directors of the Elkton Civic Center and was a 
member of the Huron County Farm Bureau for more than 50 years.  He is survived by 
two sons, Alan English and his wife, Linda, and Don English, both of Bad Axe; nine 
grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; his sister-in-law, Helen Schultz of Bad Axe; and 
several nieces and nephews.  Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 
23, 2002, at the Elkton United Methodist Church. The Rev. Pete Crawford, pastor will 
officiate with burial in Colfax Township Cemetery.  Visitation will be 3 to 8 p.m. today 
at the Champagne Funeral Chapel in Elkton and after 10 a.m. Saturday at the church.  
Memorials may be given to his church or the Elkton Civic Center. 

Henry Wieszbicki 
Henry "Harry" Wieszbicki, 86, of Rapson, formerly of Harbor Beach, died Thursday, 
Feb. 21, 2002, at the Huron Medical Center in Bad Axe.  He was born Sept. 29, 1915, in 
Parisville, son of the late Paul and Martha (Gwisdalla) Wieszbicki. He married Mary 
Sanderson. She preceded him in death.  He was a graduate of the Rapson Country School. 
He was a veteran of World War II and served in the U.S. Army overseas for many years. 
He worked in Detroit for Kelsey-Hayes Manufacturing for 30 years and retired in 1975. 
He moved to the Huron County area in 1985.  He is survived by his sister, Theresa 
Steshetz of Green Bay, Wisc.; a half-brother, Kenneth Vahovick and his wife, Alice, of 
Warren; and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary; one 
brother, Elmer Wieszbicki; and three half-brothers, Isadore, Bernard and Irvin Vahovick.  
Funeral services will take place at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 22, 2002, at the Zinger-Smigielski 
Funeral Home Chapel in Ubly. The Rev. Kevin Maksym, associate pastor of St. John 
Catholic Church of Ubly will officiate. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery in Rapson 
in the spring.  Visitation will be 4:30 p.m. until the time of service at 8 p.m. today at the 
funeral home. 







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