HURON DAILY TRIBUNE, Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan Local obituaries for the week beginning December 22, 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, December 22, 2002 Mary Pallas Mary L. Pallas, 69, of Decker passed away Thursday, Dec. 19, 2002, at Tendercare in Cass City. She was born on Sept. 12, 1933 in Detroit to Wilford and Mary (Schweitzer) Caister. She married Herbert Pallas on July 14, 1951 in Cass City. Mrs. Pallas was a member of the Deford Community Church. She was also a member of the National Bible Society. Mrs. Pallas taught Bible study at Tendercare in Cass City for over 20 years. She is survived by her husband, Herbert Pallas; two daughters, Judith Boyce and her husband, James, of Cass City, Sandra Widdis and her husband, Daniel, of Jenison; one son, Wayne Pallas of Decker; two brothers, Arthur Caister and his wife, Marjorie, of Cass City, Derald Caister and his wife, Janet, of Elkton; two sisters, Joanne Beachy and her husband, Eldon, of Caseville, Janet Schwanneckee and her husband, Thomas, of Saginaw; 13 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews and other relatives. She was preceded in death by one daughter, Karla Sue Pallas; and one nephew, Brian Matthew Caister. The funeral service will be at 3 p.m. today, Dec. 22, 2002, at Hacker Funeral Parlors in Sandusky. Pastor David Mercer of Deford will officiate. Burial will be in the Moore Township Cemetery in Snover. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until the time of service at 3 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Deford Community Church or The American Bible Society. Dorothy Sparling Dorothy M. Sparling, 82, of Vassar died Thursday, Dec. 19, 2002, at her home. Dorothy was born Aug. 15, 1920 in Bad Axe, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William and Lydia (Etzler) McIlhargie. She and Vaughn "Bud" Sparling were united in marriage on Aug. 3, 1946 in Bad Axe. Dorothy graduated from Saginaw Business Institute. She then went to work as an accountant at Huron County Department of Social Services. Dorothy was promoted and served as director for 10 years before her retirement in 1964. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Bad Axe and attended the Vassar First Baptist Church after moving to Vassar. She enjoyed needle work and was an avid reader. Surviving are her husband, Vaughn "Bud" Sparling; daughter, Barbara Dobulis and her husband, John, of Charlevoix; five grandchildren, Michael Dobulis and his wife, Julie, David Dobulis, Stephanie Engelman and her husband, Jeff, Katie Still and her husband, Joe, John Lashuay and his wife, Kara; seven great-grandchildren, Crystal, Karl and Rebekah Still, Stephan, Jonathan and Jared Engelman, Benjamin Dobulis; sister, Marjorie Saldana of Saginaw. She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Sandra; brother, Clayton; three sisters, Hazel, Gertrude and Mildred. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 23, 2002, at the Vassar First Baptist Church with Pastor Douglas Stockwell officiating. Burial will be in Colfax Township Cemetery in Bad Axe. Visitation will be from 2 to 6 p.m. today at the Martin Funeral Home, Clark Chapel, top of the hill in Vassar and from 10 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m. Monday at the church. Memorials may be made to Millington Library, Hospice of Hope or Vassar First Baptist Church. Envelopes are available at the funeral home or at the church. Friends may share a memory with the family at the funeral home or online at www.martinfuneralhome.com. Monday, December 23, 2002 Dale Bowron Dale W. Bowron, 81, of Flint died on Friday, Dec. 20, 2002, at McLaren Regional Medical Center. Dale was born on July 3, 1921 in Bad Axe, the son of Otis and Violet Bowron. He served his country during World War II in France, Italy and Germany and was discharged with the 106th Infantry Division in October 1945. He married Gertrude Snider on June 1, 1946 in Elkton. Dale was a member of the Independent Foresters and Michigan Bell Retiree Breakfast Club and served many years on the Credit Union Board of Michigan Bell. Mr. Bowron was a Deacon and Elder of the Fleming Road Presbyterian Church for many years. He was an avid outdoorsman, great mechanic and loved woodworking. Mr. Bowron was a great friend, loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He will be sadly missed by his family, relatives and many friends. Mr. Bowron retired from Michigan Bell with 42 years of service. Surviving are wife, Gertrude "Snider" Bowron of Flint; children, Scott Bowron and his wife, Melissa, of Grand Rapids, Sandra Kay Dean and her husband, Philip, of Swartz Creek, and William Bowron and his wife, Debra, of Traverse City; grandchildren, Coral, April and her husband, Mike, Philip II, Jeffery and his wife, Jennifer, and Christopher; great- grandchildren, Michaela, Madeline, Mackenzie and Madison. He was preceded in death by his parents. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 23, 2002, at West Flint Church of God, 1013 Hughes, in Flint, with Pastor Allen R. Campbell officiating. Interment of cremains will be at Crestwood Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until the time of service today at the church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Heart Association. Tuesday, December 24, 2002 Robert Conger Robert J. Conger, 78, of Harbor Beach passed away Saturday, Dec. 21, 2002, at the Bon Secour Nursing Center in Sterling Heights following a short illness. Born in Detroit on Nov. 3, 1924, he was the son of the late Alpheus and Zerelda (Stockton) Conger. He was a veteran of World War II serving in the US Army Air Corps. Robert attended Wayne State University in Detroit and was a pioneer in FM radio and television in the country. He opened his own advertising agency in 1976 and successfully created radio, television, magazine and billboard advertising for a variety of clients. After his retirement in 1990 to Harbor Beach, he became active in Zion Lutheran Church. He served as an elder and was teaching a Bible class until two years ago. Robert is survived by his three sons, Douglas Conger and his wife, Linda, of Sterling Heights, Dwight Conger and his wife, Jackie, of Grosse Pointe Woods, the Rev. Kevin Conger and his wife, Lois, of Jacksonville, Ark.; seven grandchildren, Claudia Yamasue and her husband, Jotaro, Martin Conger, Catherine Conger, David Conger, Elizabeth Conger, Amanda Conger, Timothy Conger; one great-granddaughter, Alyssa Grace Yamasue. Private family services will be conducted in the Ramsey Funeral Home in Harbor Beach with the Rev. Mark Girardin, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Harbor Beach, officiating. Burial will be in the Rock Falls Cemetery of Harbor Beach. A memorial service will be conducted in the St. Thomas Lutheran Church in Eastpointe in January. Memorials may be given to Zion Lutheran Church through the Ramsey Funeral Home, who handled arrangements. Shirely Garber Shirely A. Garber, 65, of Roseville died on Dec. 23, 2002 in Sterling Heights. She was born on June 19, 1937 in Sand Beach. Shirely retired from Better Made Potato Chips in Detroit. She was an avid bowler. She is survived by her children, Robby, Keith, Jannie Locklear and her husband, Lee; seven grandchildren, Jessica, Lee III, Leah, Cady, Emma, Joshua, Jacob; mother, Emma Lemanski; two brothers, Oarie Lemanski and his wife, Lenore, and Don Lemanski. Funeral services will be at noon on Friday, Dec. 27, 2002, at Resurrection Funeral Home, 40800 Hayes in Clinton Township. Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home. Alice Heinrich Alice L. Heinrich, 75, of Harbor Beach passed away Monday afternoon, Dec. 23, 2002, in Port Huron Hospital following a short illness. She was born in Detroit on Nov. 21, 1927. Alice and Ernest E. Heinrich were married on June 4, 1966 in Detroit. She enjoyed sewing and gardening very much. Alice is survived by her husband, Ernest E. Heinrich of Harbor Beach; step-daughter, Carol Liske of Alpena; three brothers, Dale Riopelle of Bad Axe, Ralph Riopelle of Warren, Clyde Riopelle of Oakland; one sister, Donna Klofta of Sylvania, Ohio; three grandchildren, Kevin, Kraig, and Kelly. Funeral services for Alice will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 28, 2002, in the Ramsey Funeral Home of Harbor Beach with the Rev. Gerald Kukla, of Our Lady of Lake Huron Catholic Church, officiating. Burial will follow in Rockfalls Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday and from 10 a.m. until the time of services on Saturday at the funeral home. Eleanor Sahr Eleanor O. Sahr, 87, of Reese passed away Saturday evening, Dec. 21, 2002, at the Frankenmuth Care Center. She was born on Oct. 4, 1915 in Auburn, daughter of the late Thomas and Helen (Pfund) Foerster. She attended Reese schools and married Erwin Felske in 1934. He preceded her in death on June 20, 1958. She married Walter G. Sahr in 1960. Eleanor was a former member of St. Michael's Lutheran Church in Richville and a current member of Christ Lutheran Church in Reese. Mrs. Sahr enjoyed traveling and spent the winter months in Florida. Eleanor and Walter lived in Bad Axe for 24 years before moving to Reese in 1989. She is survived by her husband of 42 years, Walter; children, John T. Felske and his wife, Shirley, of West Haven, Conn., Marliyn D. Crete of Frankenmuth; grandchildren, Dawn Hauffe of Bonita Springs, Fla., David Lewis of California, Shari and David Ehlers of Prescott, Ariz., Scott Felske and his wife, Karen, of Antioch, Tenn.; great-grandchildren, Logan and Jacob Felske, Sara Lewis and Max Nagy; a sister, Dorothy Fitch of New Port Richey, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Elaine Lewis; and a brother, Harold Foerster. Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2002, from Christ Lutheran Church in Reese. The Rev. Rod J. Vereb will officiate with burial to follow in St. Michael's Lutheran Cemetery in Richville. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday at the Ware-Smith-Woolever Funeral Home, 9940 Saginaw Street in Reese, and from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday at the church. Memorials may be made to Christ Lutheran Church or St. Michael's Lutheran Church. Wednesday, December 25, 2002 – Christmas Day. No obituaries. Thursday, December 26, 2002 Donald Jex Donald Robert Jex, Capt.USN ret., 78, of Middletown, died at his home Monday, Dec. 23, 2002. Born in Port Huron on June 9, 1924, he was the son of the late Greta Lucille (Roberts) Jex. He was the husband of Bess (Yeanopoulos) Jex, who survives him. Captain Jex graduated from Port Huron High School in 1942 and from the United States Naval Academy in 1946. He was a Newport, R.I. resident for several years, having served as executive officer of the destroyer Barry (DD-933), on the staff of the commander destroyer force, the Atlantic Fleet, commanding officer of the destroyer escort Dealey (DE-1006), student and subsequent member of the staff at the Naval War College and was awarded a master of arts degree in international affairs from the George Washington University. He was commanding officer of the frigate Willis A. Lee (DL-4) prior to his duty as the head of Policy Control Branch, Bureau of Naval Personnel, in Washington, D.C. He was commanding officer of the USS Hermitage (LSD-34). Capt. Jex received orders to Korea as chief of staff and aide to Commander Naval Forces, Korea in Seoul, Korea. He then went back to the United States as commander of Destroyer Squadron 22. He served on the staff of the supreme allied commander, Atlantic, and then ordered as executive officer-senior aide to the supreme allied commander, Atlantic-commander in chief, Atlantic-commander in chief Atlantic Fleet. After retiring from the United States Navy, he worked briefly as a stock broker in Virginia Beach, Va.; then came back to the Newport area in 1994. He enjoyed his home and working around it. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Bess; a niece; two nephews; three great-nieces; and great-great-nieces. His funeral will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2002, in Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, R.I. Burial will be in Newport Memorial Park in Middletown. Robert Siemen Robert R. Siemen, 75, of Harbor Beach passed away Monday, Dec. 23, 2002, at his home with hospice care and his family at his side. Born in Harbor Beach on Jan. 31, 1927, he was the son of the late Anthony and Mary (Gusa) Siemen. Robert was a veteran of World War II serving in the US Army. On Nov. 10, 1951, he was united in marriage to Geraldine Yaroch in Port Austin. He was a retired Sand Beach township farmer and was a former employee of the Holdwick Tiling Co. of Harbor Beach where he worked 40 years. Robert was a member of St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Helena where he was a member of the Men's Club and was a former usher. He was a member of the VFW Post No. 5740 of Parisville. Bob enjoyed playing euchre, especially with his grandchildren. Surviving are his wife, Geraldine Siemen of Harbor Beach; children, Diane Curran and her husband, Gerald, of Bad Axe, Cindy Shaw and her husband, Glenn, of Elkton, Linda Birchfield and her husband, Ronald, of Kinde, Duane Siemen and his friend, Jan, of Harbor Beach, Rich Siemen of California, Lori Campbell and her husband, Kim, of Arkansas, Beverly Burkhard of Harbor Beach, Dale Siemen and his wife, Patsy, of Howell, Jeannette Falk and her husband, Steve, of Garden City; 27 grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two brothers, Charles Siemen and his wife, Norma, of Hartland, Harry Siemen and his wife, Pat, of Harbor Beach; two sisters, Margaret Nowicki of Harbor Beach, Clara Laban and her husband, John, of Roseville; two sisters-in-law, Beatrice Siemen and Catherine Siemen both of Harbor Beach. He was preceded in death by his parents; infant granddaughter, Alexandria Burkhard; two brothers, Bernard and Leonard Siemen; three sisters, Stella Siemen, Marie Geiger and her husband, Leroy, Genevieve Winkel and her husband Irvin; and a brother-in-law, Norman Nowicki. A funeral mass will be conducted at 10 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 27, 2002, at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Helena with Rev. Andrzej Boroch, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. A parish vigil service will be conducted at 7:30 p.m. today and a Men's Club rosary at 8:30 p.m. at the Ramsey Funeral Home in Harbor Beach. Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home and from 9 a.m. until the time of services on Friday at the church. Graveside military rites will be conducted by the VFW Parisville Post No. 5740. Edward Wolford Edward H. Wolford, 78, of Bay City and formerly of Pigeon, passed away Monday evening, Dec. 23, 2002, at his home. He was born May 19, 1924 in Flint, the son of the late Freddie H. and Mildred M.L. Stellhorn. On Feb. 22, 1948, he was united in marriage to Ellen L. Larkin in Negaunee. Ed and Ellen were married for more than 54 years. He graduated from Otter Lake High School, and after serving as a submariner in the United States Navy in the Pacific during World War II, he attended and graduated from Northern Michigan University in 1953. He later earned his Masters Degree from Central Michigan University. "Coach" Wolford taught and coached at Pigeon High School and Laker High School and retired after 34 years. Ed is survived by his wife, Ellen; three children, Linda Johnson of Bay City; Russell Wolford and his wife, Maggie, of Leander, Texas, Jean Webber and her husband, Robert, of Bay Port; a niece, Janet Heck and her husband, Roger, of Plano, Texas; 16 grandchildren and step-grandchildren; two sisters, Dorothy Snyder and her husband, William, of Zephyrhills, Fla. and Doris Nearing of Midland; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Judy, in 1950. The funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2002, at First United Methodist Church in Pigeon with the Rev. Ken Dietzel officiating. A Masonic Service will be conducted at 7 p.m. on Friday evening at the Meyersieck-Bussema Funeral Home in Pigeon. Visitation from noon to 9 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home and at 10 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday at the First United Methodist Church in Pigeon. Memorials for Mr. Wolford may be made to the Laker Athletic Boosters or the charity of the donor's choice. Friday, December 27, 2002 Genevieve Innes Genevieve Margaret Innes, 87, of Snover and formerly of Ruth, passed away Wednesday Dec. 25, 2002, at her residence. Genevieve was born Aug. 11, 1915 in Ruth to the late Henry and Christina (Wolschleger) Terbrack. She married Gordon Innes on July 13, 1963 at the Baptist Church of Cass City. He preceded her in death on July 28, 1991. Genevieve attended the Ss. Peter and Paul Elementary School in Ruth. She farmed some with her husband and was a homemaker. She was an accomplished accordion player. She loved her cat of fifteen years, Putsy. She was a generous person and loved gardening and zinnias. Genevieve is survived by one daughter, Betty Mausolf and her husband, Robert, of Harbor Beach; two sons, Alvin Messing Sr. of Ubly, Paul Messing and his special friend, Kathy, of Cass City; 15 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren. Genevieve was preceded in death by her daughter, Doris Goniwicha, on July 2, 1996; three brothers, Laverne, Lawrence and James Terbrack. The funeral service for Genevieve Innes will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2002, at the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home Chapel in Ubly. Burial will be in the Moore Township Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. tonight and from 10 a.m. until the service on Saturday. Frank Mattice Frank Mattice, 80, of New Haven, Ind., passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2002, at home. He was born on May 20, 1922 in Bad Axe. Frank was a farmer and also a truck driver for Western Auto for 17 and a half years retiring in 1975. He also was a yard person for Hall Lumberyard in Convoy, Ohio for 26 years retiring in 2002. He was a member of First Missionary Church in Fort Wayne, Ind. He is survived by his wife, Melly Mattice, of New Haven, Ind.; son, Daniel L. Mattice, of Columbia City, Ind.; daughter, Debra Mattice, of Chapel Hill, N.C.; sister, Eldora Richardson, of Sebring, Fla.; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2002, at E. Harper and Son Funeral Home, 740 IN 930 E, New Haven, IN. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday at E. Harper and Son Funeral Home and at 9 a.m. until the time of the service on Tuesday. Burial will be in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery in New Haven, Ind. Memorials may be made to Cancer Services of Allen County or Christian Homemakers Class of First Missionary Church. 1