HURON DAILY TRIBUNE, Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan

Local obituaries for the week beginning September 22, 2002

Contributed 2002 by Carol Morrison for use in the USGenWeb Archives.

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Sunday, September 22, 2002


Ruby Holladay 
Ruby Gladys Holladay, 88, of Cass City died Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2002, in Hills and 
Dales Hospital in Cass City.   Private services will take place.   Arrangements by Kranz 
Funeral Home of Cass City. 

Monday, September 23, 2002      


Vernon Ricker 
Vernon David "Vern" Ricker, 78, of Owendale passed away on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2002, 
at Tendercare of Cass City.   He was born in Owendale on July 9, 1924, the son of the 
late Vern and Ida (Diener) Ricker and was a 1943 graduate of Owendale High School. He 
married Edith Pfaff in 1943. He was united in marriage to Alice L. (Fox) LeValley in 
Cass City on May 24, 1975. She survives him.   Mr. Ricker farmed throughout his life 
and worked also at Walbro for 22 years. He was a member of the Owendale United 
Methodist Church and the Owendale Lions Club. He was also a Mason with the Cass 
City Council No. 90 R & SM.   His survivors include his wife, Alice Ricker of Owendale; 
daughter, Peggy Jovanovitz of Oxford; three sons, Alan Ricker and his wife, Susan, of 
Fenton, Gary Ricker and his wife, Barb, of Sebewaing and David Ricker and his wife, 
Draxie, of Clio; five stepsons, Paul LeValley and his wife, Debbie, of Petoskey, Bruce 
LeValley and his wife, Yvonne, Martin LeValley and his wife, Doris, Richard LeValley 
and his wife, Paula, all of Cass City and Alan LeValley and his wife, Tammy, of Bay 
Port; 15 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; sister, Beverly Bailey of Saginaw; 
brother, Jim Ricker and his wife, Dolly, of Pigeon; several nieces and nephews.   He was 
preceded in death by a brother, Duane.   The funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. 
on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2002, at the Owendale United Methodist Church with the Rev. 
John Heim, pastor officiating. Burial will be in the Grant Township Cemetery.   
Visitation is from 2 to 9 p.m. today at the Meyersieck-Bussema Funeral Home in Pigeon 
and from 10 a.m. until the time of the service Tuesday at the church.   Memorials for Mr. 
Ricker may be made to the Owendale United Methodist Church, the Owendale Lions 
Club, or Tendercare of Cass City. 

Tuesday, September 24, 2002

Mary Druminski 
Mary A. Druminski, 79, passed away Sunday, Sept. 22, 2002.   She was the beloved wife 
of the late William Druminski; loving mother of James, Amy, Lauri Reno, Bonnie 
Heitman and her husband, Peter, Susan and Diane Beaudin; grandmother of nine 
grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; two brothers.   Mass for Mary Druminski 
will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 26, 2002, at St. Joan of Arc Church at 21620 Mack St. 
in St. Clair Shores. Burial will be at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Felix Cemetery in Elkton. A 
rosary will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the St. Clair Shores Chapel of Bagnasco & 
Calcaterra Funeral Home, 25800 Harper Avenue in St. Clair Shores.   Visitation will be 
from noon to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. She will lie in state from 9:30 a.m. 
until the time of mass Thursday at the church.   Memorial contributions can be sent to St. 
John Hospice, 18303 10 Mile Road, Suite 300, Roseville, MI 48066. 

William Finkbeiner 
William Fredric Finkbeiner, 59, died at his home on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2002, in Palm 
Bay, Fla., due to complications of asthma.   He was born to Lloyd and Wilma Finkbeiner 
of Cass City on July 13, 1943.   He is survived by two sons, Matthew Paul Finkbeiner, of 
Milwaukee, Ore., and William Fredric Finkbeiner II of Holly; two grandchildren; five 
step-grandchildren; his mother, Wilma Finkbeiner, of Sebewaing; a sister, Pat Holland 
and her husband, Don, of Sebewaing; several nieces and nephews; and a special friend, 
Jane Dohlstrom.   He was predeceased by his father, Lloyd Finkbeiner, in 1995.   He was 
a U.S. Navy veteran, serving his country for three years. He was the "Lion of the Year" in 
Waterford in 1970. He was a very active member of the American Legion in Palm Bay.   
Golfing was his favorite leisure time activity. He enjoyed the outdoors and many sporting 
activities. He worked as a sales representative for the Rubber Seal Company of Dayton, 
Ohio, up until the time of his death.   He was a past member of the First Presbyterian 
Church of Cass City.   A memorial service is pending.   Memorials may be made to the 
charity of choice. 

Autumn Jorrey 
Autumn Marie Jorrey was born into the loving arms of her parents, Douglas and Jennifer, 
in Huntington, N.Y. on Aug. 30, 2000. After enduring surgery at birth and much pain 
during her short lifetime, she was received into the open arms of Jesus on Sept. 14, 2002.   
Autumn is now in heaven as the guardian angel of her loving and devoted parents, 
Douglas and Jennifer (Duraccio) Jorrey; her loving paternal grandparents, Keith Jorrey 
and his wife, Diana, and Debra Lowther and her husband, James; her loving maternal 
grandparents, Frank Duraccio and his wife, Madlene; and her great-grandparents, 
Marguerite Jorrey and Frank Snyder. She is also guardian angel for her uncles, Gerald 
and William, and her aunts, Kris, Anissa, Jaime, and Lisa.   Funeral services were 
conducted at the Faulmann & Walsh Golden Rule Funeral Home in Fraser on 
Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2002. Burial followed in Resurrection Cemetery in Clinton 
Township.   A guest book is available at www.legacy.com. 

John McCallum 
John R. "Bob" McCallum, 70, retired Teamster representative, of Caseville died on 
Friday, Sept. 20, 2002, at his home under hospice care.   In keeping with his wishes, 
cremation took place. The family will receive visitors from 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday at Bob's 
home , 600 Myrtelle Drive, one mile west of Sleeper State Park.   Words of condolence 
may be sent to www.CFCcaseville.com. 

Carl Renter 
The Rev. Carl A. Renter, 88, of Port Hope passed away on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2002, in 
Huron Medical Center in Bad Axe following a short illness.   He was born on May 24, 
1914, in Detroit to the late Frederick W. and Olga (Heinemann) Renter.   Carl was a 
graduate of Wayne State University with a bachelor of science degree. While a student at 
WSU, he served as the youth director at Woodward Avenue Baptist Church in Detroit. 
After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served in the Pacific Theatre 
during World War II.   After the service, he went to Oberlin Theology Seminary in 
Oberlin, Ohio and received a bachelor of divinity degree and later received a master of 
divinity from Vanderbilt University Seminary in Nashville, Tenn.   His first full-time 
pastorate after ordination was with the United Church of Christ in Goshen, Ind. While in 
Goshen, he served as executive secretary of the Council of Churches in Indiana.   He was 
called to the Evangelical Deaconess Hospital in Detroit as their full-time chaplain, 
receiving his accreditation from the University of Michigan.   Later he returned to the 
pastorate and served churches in Lawrenceburg and Wanatah, Ind., and Baroda and 
Buffalo, Mich. After retirement to Port Hope, Carl served the Ubly United Methodist 
Church. His final employment was as a greeter at the Bad Axe Wal-Mart, a job he truly 
enjoyed. The Rev. Renter served the United Church of Christ for 45 years.   Carl was a 
member of the Lions Club, Masonic Lodge and the Port Hope AmVets Post.   He is 
survived by his wife of 56 years, Virginia Renter of Port Hope; a son, Frederick W. 
Renter and his wife, Cathy, of Eugene, Ore.; five grandchildren, Carl J. Renter, Elizabeth 
Renter, Clair Renter, Karen Gust and Dewayne Gilbert; five great-grandchildren, Joseph 
Gust, Kylie Gust, Colin Gust, Ashley Gilbert and Grant Gilbert.   Carl was preceded in 
death by a son, Carl J. Renter Jr.; a daughter, Christine Bryce; two brothers, Frederick 
Renter and Franklin Renter; two sisters, Dorothy Forbes and Hildegard Adamson.   A 
memorial service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 27, 2002, in the United 
Methodist Church in Port Hope with the Rev. Clarence VanConant, pastor, officiating. 
Cremation took place at Sunset Valley Crematory in Bay City. Interment will be in the 
Port Hope Cemetery. Arrangements are by the Ramsey Funeral Home in Harbor Beach.   
Visitation is from 10 a.m. until the time of service Friday at the church.   Memorials may 
be given to the Crossroads Home for Children at P.O. Box 5156, Fort Wayne, IN 46897 
or the Port Hope United Methodist Church. 

Keith Schmidt 
O. Keith Schmidt, 70, died on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2002, in Sault St. Marie.   Funeral 
services were conducted on Sept. 21, 2002, at the United Presbyterian Church in Pickford 
with Pastor Milton Hoose officiating.   Burial was in Cottle Cemetery in Marquette 
Township. 

Wednesday, September 25, 2002

Myrtle Ahrens 
Myrtle I. Ahrens, 86, of Harbor Beach passed away Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2002, in Courtney 
Manor following a short illness.   Born in LaPorte, Ind. on March 1, 1916, Myrtle was the 
daughter of the late Charles and Louise (Speirs) Hartz.   On Sept. 14, 1940, Myrtle was 
united in marriage to Alfred Ahrens in Detroit. He preceded her in death on Sept. 26, 
1991.   Myrtle was a graduate of Deaconess Hospital of Nursing School and was a 
registered nurse. Her compassionate way and helping others was visible by her working 
in the offices of Dr. Philip Turner for 17 years and for Dr. Manuel Teves for 11 years. 
She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Harbor Beach and a former member of 
the Ladies Aide.   Myrtle is survived by her children, Marilyn Hazel of Harbor Beach, 
Donald Ahrens and his wife, Sue, of Garden City, and Richard Ahrens and his wife, 
Catherine, of Newberry; and eight grandchildren.   She was preceded in death by four 
brothers, Elmer, Robert, Carl, and Frederick Hartz; and by five sisters, Geraldine Steel, 
Leona Wallen, Louise Miller, Gertrude Berry, and Esther Rafield.   Funeral services will 
be at 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 27, 2002, at Zion Lutheran Church in Harbor Beach. The 
Rev. Mark Girardin, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in the Rock Falls Cemetery in 
Harbor Beach. A scripture service will be conducted at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the 
Ramsey Funeral Home in Harbor Beach.   Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. Thursday at 
the funeral home and from 10 a.m. until the time of service Friday at the church. 

Burr Eveleth Jr. 
Burr D. Eveleth Jr., 87, of Caseville and formerly of Corunna and Ubly passed away 
Monday, Sept. 23, 2002, at his home.   Mr. Eveleth was born on July 5, 1915, in Corunna 
to Burr D. and Eva (Edwards) Eveleth. He graduated from Corunna High School with the 
class of 1933. He also attended Chicago Technical College for drafting, design, and plan 
reading.   He married Lillian M. Ogle on July 15, 1939. The two were married for 63 
years.   Mr. Eveleth worked as a postmaster for the U.S. Postal Service. He was a past 
member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Corunna. He was a World War II Veteran and 
was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. He was a member of the Corunna post of 
the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Mr. Eveleth enjoyed bowling and sports of all kinds and 
also loved spending time with his family.   He is survived by his wife, Lillian M. Eveleth 
of Caseville; one son, Charles F. Eveleth and his wife, Judith, of West Bloomfield; three 
daughters, Estella M. Brown and her husband, Thorne J., of Grand Rapids, Sarah E. 
Jacobson and her husband, C. Michael, of Haslett, and Eva V. Kobes and her husband, 
Jerome J., of Holland; and 12 grandchildren, Deborah Donnellon, Bridget and Kristen 
Brown, Charles, Jill, and Timothy Eveleth, Maija Bentley, Amy and Laura Jacobson, and 
Ian, Evan, and Robyn Kobes.   Funeral services for Mr. Eveleth will be at 11 a.m. on 
Friday, Sept. 27, 2002, at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Corunna. The Rev. David 
Kulchar will officiate. Burial will follow in the Pine Tree Cemetery in Corunna.   
Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Smith Family Funeral Homes Corunna 
Chapel.   Memorials may be made to Huron Memorial Hospice. Online condolences can 
be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. 

James McGeachy 
James "Sam" McGeachy, 37, of New Boston died on Saturday Sept. 21, 2002.   Sam was 
employed by Sun Pipeline, Inc. of Taylor and was an Air Force veteran.   He is survived 
by his wife, Frances "Marie"; sons, James Vincent and Daniel John; daughter, Samantha 
Rose; Mother, Betty "Jean" McGeachy; sisters, Beverly O'Neill, Kathryn McGeachy, 
Vicky Ide and her husband, Eric, Brenda Bucata and her husband, Mike, Lori Mousseau 
and her husband, Mike and Amy Mascarello and her husband, Dean; 23 nieces and 
nephews; many aunts, uncles and friends.   He was preceded in death by his father, Alex.   
Funeral services were conducted today, Sept. 25, 2002, at Huron Memorial Funeral 
Home in Flat Rock. Interment with military honors was at Michigan Memorial Park. 

Thursday, September 26, 2002

Herbert Bittner 
Herbert A. H. Bittner, 86, of Harbor Beach and long time Elkton native, died Tuesday 
evening, Sept. 24, 2002, at Tendercare in Cass City.   He was born Sept. 17, 1916, near 
Elkton at the home of his parents, the late Gustav and Edna (Errer) Bittner.   On Oct. 11, 
1937, he was united in marriage to Marietta Souva at Hewleton.   In 1943, he joined the 
U.S. Navy and served his country in the South Pacific and Philippines during World War 
II. On his return, Herb owned and operated several businesses in Elkton, including Herb's 
Bar (now Bud's), the Elkton Dry Cleaners, and the Elkton Bowling Alley, at various 
times. In 1979, he retired from Smith Distributing where he had been employed over 15 
years. Two years later he and Marietta moved to a farm in Sigel Township.   Herb was a 
member of Our Savior Lutheran Church, Bad Axe, past president of the Elkton Rotary 
Club and Community Club, a charter member of the Sportsman's Club, a founder of the 
Elkton VFW Post, village assessor for 21 years, and served on the Elkton Village Council 
for many years. Herb was on the Elkton/Oliver Fire Department for 42 years, serving as 
chief for 28 years. He also showed free outdoor movies in many Thumb area towns 
during the late 1940's.   Surviving are his wife of 65 years, Marietta; his daughter, Joan 
Hanson and her husband, Al, of Grindstone; four sons, Ron Bittner and his wife, Carol, of 
Bridgeport, Jerry Bittner and his wife, Crystal, of Anchorage, Alaska, Bill Bittner and his 
wife, Diana, of Elkton, and Jim Bittner of Carlsbad, Calif.; 15 grandchildren, Cindy, 
Kelly, Roxanne, Peggy, Stacy, Ron, Norm, Amy, Steve, Chris, David, Deidra, Dan, 
Ryan, and Randi; 21 great-grandchildren; his sister, Ina Holcomb of Augusta, Ga; a 
brother, Arnold Bittner of Saginaw; and many nieces and nephews.   Preceding him in 
death were his granddaughter, Cheryl Bittner; three sisters, Hilda Schmidt, Wilma 
Werner, and Betty Lou Stensrud; and four brothers, Larry, Walter, Alvin, and Richard 
Bittner.   Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27, 2002, at Our 
Savior Lutheran Church, Bad Axe. The Rev. Kenneth Lueke, pastor, will officiate, with 
graveside military honors by the Elkton VFW post at Riverside Cemetery, Elkton.   
Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. today at the Champagne Funeral Chapel, Elkton, and 
from noon until the time of service Friday at the church.   Memorials may be given to his 
church, the Oliver Township Fire Department Memorial, or the family.   Words of 
condolence may be written at www.CFCelkton.com. 

Bernice Haley 
Bernice C. Haley, 84, long time resident of Bad Axe, died Monday, Sept. 23, 2002, of 
natural causes at her home in Berkeley, Calif.   Bernice was born in Tustin on March 22, 
1918. She earned her bachelor of science degree at Michigan State University before 
moving to Bad Axe in 1938 to teach home economics at Bad Axe High School. After 
moving to Bad Axe, she met G. Kirk Haley who she married on Christmas Eve, 1942, in 
Hot Springs, Ark., near where Kirk was stationed for basic training in the Army.   While 
Kirk was overseas during World War II, Bernice attended law school at the University of 
Illinois. She was elected to the Order of the Coif Honor Society and graduated with 
highest honors in 1945.   She was admitted to the Michigan Bar, and practiced law in 
partnership with her husband Kirk under the name "Haley & Haley" from 1945 until her 
retirement in 1986. She was the first woman to practice law in Huron County, and among 
the first in the state of Michigan.   Bernice was active in a number of charitable causes in 
the community and as a homemaker for her family. In 1992, after the death of her 
husband, she moved to California to be close to her sons and grandsons.   She is survived 
by one brother, Donald Cooper, of Jensen Beach, Fla.; one sister, Gert Perotti of 
Brighton; her son, George, and his wife, Theresa Thomas, of Berkeley; daughter-in-law, 
Sharon Haley, of Yosemite, Calif.; and two grandsons, Kirk Haley of Davis, Calif., and 
Brent Haley of Columbus, Ohio.   She was preceded in death by her husband and her son, 
James, and by one brother and one sister.   A memorial service will take place at 3 p.m. 
on Nov. 9, 2002, at the MacAlpine Funeral Home in Bad Axe.   Memorials may be made 
to the Bad Axe Public Library, 200 S. Hanselman Street. 

Steve Huszar 
Steve Huszar, 88, of Dearborn Heights died Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2002, at the Huron 
County Medical Care Facility in Bad Axe following a long illness.   He was born on Aug. 
27, 1913, in Hershey, Pa., son of the late Imre and Mary (Kato) Huszar.   He was united 
in marriage to Leona Cove, who preceded him in death in 1987.   Steve was employed as 
a fire marshal for General Motors in Detroit for many years before retiring in 1979.   He 
served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He enjoyed traveling.   He is survived by 
two nieces, Cathleen Richards Groninger of Boulder, Colo. and Donna Ballard and her 
husband, Brad, of Sebewaing; great-nieces and great-nephews.   The funeral service will 
take place at 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 27, 2002, at the Dinkel-Juengel Funeral Home in 
Sebewaing. The Rev. Ray McGee of Trinity Methodist Church in Sebewaing will 
officiate with entombment in Glen Eden Cemetery in Livonia.   Visitation is from 9 a.m. 
to 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. 

Cecelia Johnson 
Cecelia Marie Johnson, 101, of Saginaw, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2002.   Cecelia 
Marie Meisch was born March 3, 1901, in Saginaw to Victor and Theresa (Christ) 
Meisch. She married Louis Johnson on Sept. 28, 1924. He predeceased her on May 12, 
1986.   Mrs. Johnson was a former member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and was a 
member of St. Roch Catholic Church in Caseville.   Surviving are five daughters, 
Dorothy Schafer and her husband, Arnold, of Unionville, Joanne Maturen and her 
husband, Howard Jr., of Saginaw, Mary Lou Krueger and her husband, James, of 
Bradenton, Fla., Barbara Kelly and her husband, James, of Saginaw, and Margaret 
Morgan and her husband, Russell, of Saginaw; one son, William Johnson and his wife, 
Linda, of Lake Wales, Fla.; 15 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; four great-great-
grandchildren; one brother, Joseph Meisch; and many other loving family members and 
friends.   Along with her husband, she was predeceased by two grandchildren and three 
sisters.   The funeral service will take place 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 27, 2002, at the St. 
Roch Catholic Church in Caseville. Fr. Kenneth Yaroch will officiate with interment to 
follow at Caseville Township Cemetery. A prayer vigil will take place at 7 p.m. tonight at 
the Reitz Herzberg Funeral Home on Midland Road between Gratiot and State in 
Saginaw.   Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home and from 10 to 
11 a.m. Friday at the church.   The family would like donors to consider a memorial 
offering to St. Roch Catholic Church in Caseville or St. Francis Home, Saginaw. 

Leo Lemanski 
Mr. Leo Lemanski, 90, of Ubly passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2002, at the Huron 
County Medical Care Facility in Bad Axe after a long illness.   Leo was born on Nov. 22, 
1911, in Minden City to the late Peter and Susan (Sofka) Lemanski. He married Stella 
Booms on Nov. 19, 1940, at Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Ruth.   Leo worked 
for the Minden City Elevator for many years before retiring in 1960. He hauled milk and 
farmed for many years. He was a lifelong parishioner at St. Mary Catholic Church of 
Parisville.   Leo is survived by his wife, Stella, of Ubly; two sons, Leo Lemanski and his 
wife, Shirley, of Ortonville and George Lemanski and his wife, Edna, of Ubly; two 
daughters, Mary Volmering and her husband, Marvin, of Ruth and Rose Belleville and 
her husband, Larry, of Fife Lake; 15 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; three step-
grandchildren; two step-great-grandchildren; one sister, Agnes Abraham and her 
husband, August, of Minden City; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Floyd O'Parka of 
Ubly, Lucille Niemie of Detroit, Lauretta Guza of Harbor Beach, Lavern and Lucille 
Booms of Beaverton, Jerome Booms of Ruth, Harold and Clara Booms of Madison 
Heights, Leona and Kenneth Mausolf of Harbor Beach, Leo and Ruth Ann Booms of 
Warren, Irvin and Marlene Booms of Warren and Marlene and Marvin Mausolf of 
Harbor Beach.   Leo was preceded in death by two grandsons; one granddaughter; two 
brothers, Stanley and Adolph Lemanski; two sisters, Clara Block and Lucy O'Parka.   The 
funeral mass for Leo Lemanski will be at 10 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 27, 2002, at St. Mary 
Catholic Church in Parisville. The Rev. Andrzej Boroch, pastor will officiate. Burial will 
be in the church cemetery.   Visitation is from 1 to 9:30 p.m. today and from 8 to 9 a.m. 
Friday at the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly. 

Arnold Duda 
Arnold Paul Duda, 75, of Ypsilanti Township, died Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2002, after an 
extended illness.   He was born July 22, 1927, in Port Hope, the son of Anthony E. and 
Bertha (Kowalski) Duda.   On Oct. 22, 1950, he married Agnes H. Murawski in Port 
Austin and she survives him.   Mr. Duda was a member of St. John The Baptist Catholic 
Church and a member of the Leisure Club. He was an Honorary Life Member of the 
Knights of Columbus St. Lawrence Council No. 2950, Utica, and 4th Degree Member of 
St. John Neumann Assembly No. 0478, Utica. Mr. Duda was also a member of the 
Ypsilanti Township Senior Center.   Survivors besides his wife include three children, 
Kenneth Duda and his wife, Carolyn, of Plainfield, Ill., Karen Bryson and her husband, 
William, of Sadieville, Ky., and David Duda and his wife, Susan, of Ypsilanti Township; 
seven grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; two brothers, Edward Duda and his wife, 
Lou, of Troy, and Gerald Duda and his wife, Josephine, of Bad Axe; and one sister, 
Patricia Jock and her husband, Stanley, of St. James City, Fla.   He was preceded in death 
by his parents, one sister, and one grandson.   Rite of Christian Burial will be celebrated 
at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, 2002, at St. John The Baptist Catholic Church with the 
Rev. Fr. Edmond Ertzbischoff as celebrant. Burial will follow in the Christian Memorial 
Cultural Center, Rochester. There will be a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the 
Janowiak Funeral Home, Geer-Logan Chapel, 320 N. Washington St., Ypsilanti.   
Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. today, and 1 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at the 
funeral home, and from 9 a.m. until the time of mass Saturday at the church.   
Contributions in his memory may be made to the St. John The Baptist Catholic Church 
Building Fund. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. 

Mildred Rothe 
Mildred L. Rothe, 89, of Bad Axe received her crown of glory on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 
2002, at the Huron Medical Care Facility.   She was born on Aug. 10, 1913, in Pigeon, 
daughter of the late Frank and Anna (Fluegge) Einhardt. She married Julius Rothe on 
Aug. 21, 1937, in St. John's Lutheran Church in Berne. He preceded her in death on Aug. 
13, 1971.   Mrs. Rothe was a clerk for 30 years at the former Mill End Store in Bad Axe. 
She was a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Bad Axe, where she served as 
organist for 30 years as well as being active on the Women's League.   She is survived by 
two sons, Raymond Rothe and his wife, Darlene, of Bad Axe and Richard Rothe and his 
wife, Sharon, of Grand Haven; one daughter, Ruth Ann Gornowicz and her husband, 
Dale, of Ubly; one brother, Adolph Einhardt and his wife, Marian, of Pigeon; one sister, 
Emma Zabell of Saginaw; seven grandchildren, Lynette Long and her husband, Rick, of 
Bad Axe, Raymond Rothe II and his wife, Jenny, of Bad Axe, Vicki Williams and her 
husband, Chris, of Sebewaing, Roger Rothe of Bay City, Kimberly Rothe of Bad Axe, 
Jeff and Jessica Rothe of Grand Haven; one great-grandson, Aaron Rothe of Bad Axe.   
She was predeceased in death by one brother, Carl Einhardt; one sister, Ruth Einhardt, 
and one grandson, Randy Mark Rothe.   Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, 
2002, at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Bad Axe. Officiating will be the Rev. Kenneth 
Lueke, pastor. Burial will be in Valley Cemetery in Ubly.   Visitation will be from 7 to 9 
p.m. tonight and 1 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Kaufman Funeral Home in Bad Axe, and from 
10 a.m. until the time of service Saturday at the church.   Memorials may be offered to 
Our Savior Lutheran Church. 

Richard E. Schott 
Richard E. Schott, 67, of Plymouth and previously of Bad Axe, passed away Tuesday, 
Sept. 17, 2002, at Angela Hospice in Livonia.   Dick Schott was a resident of Plymouth 
for the past 14 years. He previously lived in Livonia and the Lansing area. He graduated 
from Kinde High School and obtained a bachelor of arts degree from Michigan State 
University. He worked for many years at State Farm Insurance, rising to the position of 
Divisional Claims Superintendent. He retired in 1998.   He served in the U.S. Army 
during the Korean Conflict, attaining the rank of sergeant.   Among his many hobbies, he 
practiced photography, and over the years he had earned many awards for his technique, 
including awards for hand-colored black and white prints. Recently, he received a first 
place in the beginning class from the Livonia Camera Club. His print was also voted 
"Photo of the Year" for the 2001-2002 season. Dick also enjoyed fly fishing and was a 
member of the Michigan Fly Fishing Club. He served as an usher at St. Edith Catholic 
Church. He also enjoyed cooking and sailing in his earlier years.   He belonged to several 
insurance organizations and was highly respected by all who knew and worked with him. 
Dick was a devoted and tremendous husband for 41 years to Sharon "Cheri", and raised 
three very successful, educated, and devoted children. He valued his family ties and 
wrote family histories for both sides of his family.   He is survived by his wife, Sharon, of 
Plymouth; daughter, Cynthia Thomason and her husband, Kevin, of Kalamazoo; sons 
Edward Schott and his wife, Vicky, of Holland, and Matthew Schott and his wife, Patty, 
of Kalamazoo; five grandchildren.   He is predeceased by his parents, Edward and Lottie 
Schott.   The funeral service was held September 21 at St. Edith Catholic Church. Burial 
was in Parkview Memorial Cemetery in Livonia.   Memorials are requested to Angela 
Hospice, 14100 Newburg Road, Livonia, MI 48154-5010. 

Friday, September 27, 2002 – None








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