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 June 23, 2002 Sunday, June 23, 2002 Betty Avery Betty J. Avery, 74, of Applegate, formerly of Cass City passed away Friday, June 21, 2002 in Mercy Hospital in Port Huron. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Monday, June 24, 2002 at the Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City with Dr. Philip Rice of Cass City United Methodist Church, officiating. Internment is in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City. Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Cass City United Methodist Church. Byron Groff Byron I. Groff, former owner of Groff General Store at Gotts Corner, died Friday morning, June 21, 2002, at his home in Caseville. He was born Aug. 18, 1912, in Bay City to the late Carl and Helen (LaRocque) Groff and grew up in the Bay City area. On May 21, 1934, he was united in marriage to June Peterson in Bay City. In 1946, he moved to Gotts Corner and opened the grocery store, operating it until its closing in 1969. He then worked at General Cable in Cass City until retiring in 1977. They moved to Bay City in 1980 and returned to Caseville in 1991. He was a past member of St. Felix Catholic Church, Pinnebog, 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus, former member of the Elkton Rotary Club and served on the Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port School Board as treasurer for 12 years. Surviving are his wife, June; his children, Julie Daly of Mesa, Ariz., and Mike Groff and his wife, Dianna, of Caseville; four grandchildren, Pam Maas, Beth (Mark) Sheffer, Katherine (David) Lecznar and Peter Groff; six great- grandchildren, Doug, Adam Christopher, Brandon, Kyra and David, and his sister, Bernice Hertel of Corona, Calif. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday, June 24, 2002, at the Champagne Funeral Chapel in Caseville. The Rev. Fr. Joseph Schabel will officiate with burial at Floral Garden Cemetery, Bay City. Visitation will be from 2-8 p.m. today, and after 10 a.m. on Monday at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to the Parkinson's Foundation or the Leukemia Foundation. Words of condolence or tribute may be sent to www.CFCcaseville.com. Jean Michalski Jean M. Michalski, 65, of Port Hope passed away Thursday evening, June 20, 2002, at St. Mary's Medical Center, Saginaw, following a brief illness. Born in Port Hope on Feb. 24, 1937, she was the daughter of the late Marcus and Erma (Ramsey) Michalski. She and Joseph Michalski were united in marriage on Aug. 27, 1955, in Harbor Beach. Joseph preceded her in death on April 30, 1997. Jean was a former employee of Huron Memorial Hospital, Harbor Beach Community Hospital and continued to operate the Michalski Water Hauling business since her husband's death. She was a member of Our Lady of Lake Huron Catholic Church in Harbor Beach. Jean is survived by her children; Mary Jean Michalski of Port Hope, Steve and Debra Michalski of Caro, Jerry and Charlene Michalski of Harbor Beach, George and Mary Jane Michalski of Port Hope, Joseph and Diane Michalski of Saginaw, and Bonnie Michalski of Columbia, S.C.; nine grandchildren; one brother, Larry Siemen of Port Hope; and a sister, Marie Alisoglu of Harbor Beach. Funeral mass will be at 11 a.m. Monday, June 24, 2002 at Our Lady of Lake Huron Catholic Church with the Rev. Gerald Kukla, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. A vigil service will be at 7:30 p.m. today in the Ramsey Funeral Home. Visitation is from 1 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. today and from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Monday at the funeral home. Rosemary Pomella Rosemary M. Pomella, 90, of Caseville died Friday evening, June 21, 2002, at her home while under hospice care. She was born Oct. 20, 1911 in Detroit to the late William and Margaret (O'Donoghue) Barnes. On June 15, 1936, she was united in marriage to Francis "CAP" Pomella in Bowling Green, Ohio. He preceded her in death March 29, 1986. She and Cap raised their family on the west side of Detroit and had been visiting Caseville since they were married. They moved from Westland to live here permanently after her husband retired in April 1973. Rosemary had been a very active member of St. Roch Catholic Church and Women Society. She liked to travel, dance and visit with friends and family. Surviving are two children, Carolyn of Clinton Township, and David of Brighton; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and two brothers, William Barnes, and Jack Barnes and his wife, Marilyn, all of Livonia. Preceding her in death were her son, Jon; a sister, Patsy Page; and a brother, Charles Barnes. A funeral mass will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 25, 2002, at St. Roch Catholic Church in Caseville. The Rev. Fr. Kenneth Yaroch, pastor, will officiate with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will be after 10 a.m. Tuesday at the church. Memorials may be given to United Hospice. Words of condolence may be sent to www.CFCcaseville.com. Rita Simmons Rita Simmons, 72, of Argyle Township, passed away Friday, June 21, 2002 at her son's residence in Argyle under hospice care. She was born on June 4, 1930 in Highland Park to the late John and Rita (Vanderbosch) Emberger. She married George W. Simmons on Nov. 30, 1963 at St. Joseph Catholic Church of Argyle. He preceded her in death on June 6, 1989. Rita attended Argyle Country School and was a 1948 graduate of Sandusky High School. She was a life long parishioner of St. Joseph Catholic Church of Argyle and a member of St. Joseph Altar Society. She worked at Snover Stamping for 10 years. She enjoyed gardening, spending time with her granddaughter, solitaire, cooking and baking. Rita is survived by five sons, Richard of Argyle, Delmer, Roger, Max, Jonathon and his wife, Lorri, all of Snover; one granddaughter, Laken; two step grandchildren, Lauren and Brian. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Monday June 24, 2002 at St. Joseph Catholic Church of Argyle. Rev. T.J. Fleming will officiate. Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery of Port Sanilac. Visitation will be at the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home of Ubly from 1:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, and from 8 to 9 a.m. on Monday. There will be a parish vigil service at 7:30 tonight at the funeral home. Monday, June 24, 2002 Nancy Cech Nancy Cech, 60, of Cass City died Saturday, June 22, 2002 in Bay Medical Center, Bay City. Funeral services will take place at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 25, 2002 at St. Pancratius Catholic Church, Cass City with the Rev. Steve Fillion officiating. Interment will follow at 1:30 p.m. in Resurrection Cemetery, Clinton Township, Macomb County, Michigan. Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. today at Kranz Funeral Home in Cass City, and from 9 to 10 a.m. Tuesday in the church. Memorials may be made to the Michigan Parkinson Foundation. Condolences may be sent to John at nanjon@avci.net. Tuesday, June 25, 2002 Kenneth Perdue Kenneth Munroe Perdue, 84, life-long resident of Huron Township, died Sunday, June 23, 2002 at his home. He was born March 11, 1918 in Huron Township, the son of the late James and Jeannette Sophia (Munroe) Perdue. Ken and Gertrude McDonald were married Dec. 11, 1943 in Washington, Mich. She preceded him in death in 1990. He owned Ken's Market and Hardware where he was a plumber for over 20 years. He also farmed during that time. He worked the gate at Pointe Aux Barques. Ken enjoyed bowling, playing cards, hunting, and fishing. He was a handyman who liked to "tinker". He built his own house from timber he milled himself. He is survived by one son, Ken, and his wife, Rosemary, of Huron Township; one daughter, Joyce Caudron of Huron Township; two sisters, Lucille Gallerno and her husband, Fred, of Bad Axe, Donna Woods of Mayville; one son-in-law, Larry Johnston; a sister-in-law, Alma Perdue; 10 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Ken was preceded in death by a son, Edward Perdue; two daughters, Sharon Johnston, and Emma Perdue; one brother, Roy Perdue; and one sister, Emma Perdue. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 26, 2002 at MacAlpine Funeral Home-Gage Chapel in Kinde. The Rev. Robert Garrett will officiate. Visitation will be Tuesday from 2 to 9 p.m. and Wednesday from 10 to 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in New River Cemetery in Port Austin. Memorials may be offered to Marlette Hospice. Wednesday, June 26, 2002 Robert Hagen Jr. Robert J. Hagen, Jr., 72, died Sunday, June 9, 2002, at Genesys Regional Medical Center in Grand Blanc after a year and a half battle with cancer. He was born to the late Robert and Ann Elizabeth Hagen on January 4, 1930, in Bad Axe. He graduated from Ubly High School and served in the Army in Germany from 1953-59. He worked for the Bad Axe Grain Co. in Ubly and later with Bankers Dispatch. He retired in 1997 from Pony Express as a courier driver. He enjoyed music and spent a lot of time listening to tapes. He also enjoyed visiting friends at the senior citizen home where he lived in Davison. Survivors include two brothers, Murray Hagen of Port Charlotte, Fla. and Merrill Hagen of Caro; two sisters, Gertrude Hurford of Sebewaing and Kathleen Schuler of Port Huron; many nieces and nephews; good friends; and his caregivers, Jenny and Keith Muntz of Davison. Cremation took place and a memorial service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 5, 2002, at the First Presbyterian Church in Ubly. The Rev. George Gillette, a former minister at the Ubly church, will officiate. Interment will be in the Ubly Valley Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Ubly Presbyterian Church. Karrer-Simpson Funeral Home, Inc., of Port Huron was in charge of arrangements. Dennis McArdle Mr. Dennis P. McArdle, 50, of Holt passed away on Sunday, June 23, 2002. He was born on September 21, 1951, in Bad Axe to Robert and Dorothy (Leckenby) McArdle. He was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, was a General Motors employee as a machine repairman and a member of U.A.W. Local No. 602. He is survived by his wife, Marla; two daughters, Jacklyn Marie and Jessica Ann; parents, Robert and Dorothy McArdle of Bad Axe; sister, Linda Oeschger and her husband, Dale, of Bay Port; nephews, Corey and Christopher Oeschger; and mother-in-law, Bernice Fidler of Owosso. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 27, 2002, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. Rite of Christian burial will follow in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Visitation is from 2 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday at the Estes-Leadley Holt/Delhi Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or the American Diabetes Association. Angela Lynch Angela Fauri Lynch, 98, of Bad Axe died Tuesday, June 25, 2002, at home. She was born April 1, 1904 in Mansfield Township in Iron County. She was the daughter of the late Joseph and Angela Fauri. She attended the Mansfield School and graduated from Crystal Falls High School in 1921. She earned her bachelor of science degree from Western State University and her masters degree in library science from the University of Michigan. She taught in Republic, Ironwood, Crystal Falls, Port Austin, Bad Axe and Harbor Beach. She retired in 1969. Her career in education spanned 42 years. Miss Angela Fauri married Richard W. Lynch on Aug. 5, 1929 in Crystal Falls. He preceded her in death on Nov. 6, 1978. She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Bad Axe, the American Association of University Women, and the Michigan Education Association. She enjoyed reading, was an avid bridge player, and was well traveled. Mrs. Lynch is survived by her two sons, Richard F. Lynch and his wife, Rosilind, of Spring Lake and Patrick J. Lynch and his wife, Patricia, of Columbia, Md.; one granddaughter, Judith Ann of Muskegon; two grandsons, Michael R. and his wife, Tracey, and Michael P. and his wife, Toni; great-grandchild Michael; and several nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death was a son, John F. Lynch; sister Lodovine Fauri Burling; four sisters and two brothers. A mass of resurrection will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 28, 2002, at Guardian Angel Catholic Church in Crystal Falls. Fr. Ray Zeugener will officiate. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Burial will be in Evergreen Memorial Cemetery in Crystal Falls. Arrangements are being handled by MacAlpine Funeral Home. Allen Beach Mr. Allen R. Beach passed away Feb. 2, 2002. A memorial service will be conducted on Tuesday, July 2, 2002, at 2 p.m. at the Caseville United Methodist Church. A reception will follow the service. (See February 24, 2002 for a complete obituary.) Thursday, June 27, 2002 Amanda Bergman Amanda M. Bergman, 87, of Sebewaing passed away Wednesday, June 26, 2002, at her home following a lengthy illness. She was born Aug. 19, 1914 in Sebewaing to the late Oscar and Maria (Gall) Reinhold. She was baptized at Immanuel Lutheran Church on Sept. 13, 1914 and confirmed on April 1, 1928 by the Rev. L. List. Amanda was united in marriage to Hilbert Bergman on Aug. 21, 1954 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Sebewaing. He preceded her in death on Dec. 30, 1986. She was employed as a clerk at the U.S. Post Office in Sebewaing for more than 30 years. She was a life-long member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, it's Ladies Aid, Lutheran Layman's League, and Lutheran Women's Missionary League. She sang in the church choir for more than 50 years and was also a long-time Sunday school teacher. Amanda was also a member of the Lutheran Home Auxiliary in Frankenmuth. Surviving are brothers-in-law; sisters-in-law; and their spouses; Erich Bergman of Clearwater, Fla., Betty Bergman of Temecula, Calif., Henry and Delia Bergman of Manistee, Leona Knoll of Mount Clemens, Fred and Marlene Bergman of Orange, Calif., Retha and Philip Gravel of Roseville; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by one brother, Arnold Reinhold; one sister, Leona Buehler; and brother-in-law Louis Buehler. The funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 29, 2002, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Sebewaing. The Rev. Albert Bahr will officiate with burial in Northlawn Cemetery. Visitation is from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, noon to 9 p.m. on Friday, and she will lie in state at the church from 10 a.m. Saturday until the time of the service. Memorials may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church. Carmen A. Biederman Carmen Biederman, 91, of Hume Township, died Wednesday, June 26, 2002 at Huron Medical Center in Bad Axe. She was born Feb. 27, 1911 in Trento, Italy, daughter of the late Albert and Virginia Agusta (Cinci) Pomarolli. She is survived by her son, Wayne Biederman of Port Austin; five grandchildren, Karen Caiozzo, John Biederman, Lori Antonelli, Cheryl Chaben and Bridget Soldan; eight great-grandchildren, Steve, Nick, Alix, David, Emily, Vinnie, Dallas, and Andrew; and one brother, Eli Pomarolli of Okeechobee, Fla. She was preceded in death by a son, Gary Biederman, and a sister, Delphine Fritz. A funeral service will be conducted on Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Knoblock Funeral Home in Kinde. Fr. Robert Pare' will officiate. Burial will follow in the Port Austin Township Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 9 p.m. on Friday and from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday at the funeral home. J. Wilford Hyzer Mr. J. Wilford Hyzer, 90, lifelong resident of Port Austin, died Monday, June 24, 2002 at Nottingham Place in Grand Blanc. He was born December 1, 1911 in Bad Axe to the late Robert A. and Mary Mable (Mayhew) Hyzer. Wilford married Virginia R. Hebert at St. Mary's Cathedral in Saginaw in 1934. They were married 64 years until her death in 1998. He lived as a farmer in Hume Township all of his life after leaving the foundry in Saginaw in the late 1930's. He was the Huron County dog warden, a Marine officer, and a Pigeon town police officer. He was also involved in the Leader Dog for the Blind program. Wilford loved music and dancing. He played fiddle and harmonica for dances and called square dances for many years. He loved baseball, especially the Detroit Tigers. He umpired many town teams and school games. Wilford was a little league coach and a Boy Scout leader. He served on the North Huron School Board in Kinde. He was a member of St. Felix Catholic Church in Pinnebog for sixty years. He sang in the choir for several years and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He is survived by three sons, Dale Hyzer and his wife, Monica, of Fairview, David Hyzer and his wife, Diane, of Bad Axe, Ron Hyzer and his wife, Deborah, of Port Austin; five daughters, Jacqueline Koroleski and her husband, Anthony, of Kinde, Mary Moore and her husband, Robert, of Burton, Catherine Rayl and her husband, Raymond, of Concord, Joan Opperman and her husband, James, of Portland, Beverly Stanley and her husband, Joseph, of Waterford; one brother, Robert Hyzer and his wife, Fredia, of Caseville; four sisters, Frances McBride of Caseville, Mildred Dreier of Plainwell, Margaret Wahl of Saginaw, Clara Mae King of Saginaw; brother-in-law Peter Hebert and his wife, June, of Bad Axe, two sisters-in-law, Florine Parkham and her husband, Ed, of Caseville, Winifred English of Lansing; 36 grandchildren and 62 great-grandchildren. Wilford was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia; one daughter, Sharon Smith; three grandchildren, one great-grandchild; two brothers, Harry and Donald, and one sister, Jean. Mass of Christian burial will be 11 a.m. Friday, June 28, 2002 at St. Felix Church in Pinnebog. Fr. Joseph Schabel will officiate. Rosary will be conducted by the Knights of Columbus at 7 p.m. Thursday at the MacAlpine Funeral Home-Gage Chapel in Kinde. Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, from 1 to 9 p.m. Thursday, and from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be in St. Felix Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Matthew Hyzer, Travis Opperman, Alan Koroleski, Duane Rayl, Logan Stanley, Edward Hyzer, Kenneth Hyzer, Ron Moore, and Steve Koroleski. Memorials may be offered to Kingwood Christ Ministries in Houston, Texas or Leader Dogs for the Blind. Friday, June 28, 2002 Cathryn M. Hess Cathryn M. Hess, 91, of Sebewaing died Thursday evening, June 27, 2002, at Scheurer Hospital in Pigeon. Funeral arrangements are incomplete. A complete obituary will appear in the Sunday edition of the Huron Daily Tribune. Arrangements are being handled by the Dinkel-Juengel Funeral Home in Sebewaing. Dorothy Sprague A memorial service for Dorothy Peterson Sprague will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday, July 1, 2002, at the United Protestant Church in Port Austin. Douglas Thane Douglas Gilbert Thane, 67, of Ubly died Thursday, June 27, 2002, at Courtney Manor in Bad Axe after a long illness. Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 3, 2002, at Kranz Funeral Home in Cass City with Dr. Philip Rice officiating. Interment is in Elkland Township Cemetery in Cass City. Visitation is from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday and 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Huron Memorial Hospice or the American Cancer Society. 1