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 May 26, 2002


Sunday, May 26, 2002


Helen Casey 
Helen J. Casey, 61, of Redford passed away Thursday, May 23, 2002 at Providence 
Hospital in Southfield.  She was born on May 6, 1941 in Detroit, daughter of the late 
James W. and Gladys (Bushey) Casey.  She retired from Farmer Jack/A&P in 2000 
where she worked as a shipping clerk for more than 20 years. Helen belonged to the 
Retired Teamsters Association, St. Felix Catholic Church in Pinnebog and St. Christine's 
Catholic Church in Detroit.  Surviving are two sisters, Jean Casey and Mary Ann Casey, 
both of Redford; one brother, Jim Casey and his wife, Jean, of Port Austin; two nieces 
and two nephews.  A funeral mass will take place at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 28, 2002 at 
the St. Felix Catholic Church in Pinnebog. Officiating will be Rev. Joseph Shabel, Sr. 
Mary Schwartz, S.S.J. Pastoral Administrator. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. 
There will be a vigil at 7 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home.  Visitation will be from 2 
to 9 p.m. Monday and from 9 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Knoblock Funeral 
Home in Kinde. 

Clarence Gaeth 
Clarence A. Gaeth, 68, of Owendale, passed away early Saturday morning, May 25, 2002 
at his home following a brief illness.  He was born April 4, 1934 in Kilmanagh, son of the 
late Arthur and Lydia (Dorsch) Gaeth. He was a 1952 graduate from Owendale High 
School.  He was united in marriage to Bonnie MacCallum on Sept. 18, 1954 at St. John 
Lutheran Church in Kilmanagh.  Clarence had been employed as a cross country driver 
with St. Louis Freight Lines. He later was employed as a truck driver for the Huron 
County Road Commission for 26 years before retiring in 1996.  He was a member of St. 
John Lutheran Church in Kilmanagh. He was a member of the Owendale Fire 
Department for 20 years before retiring in 1988. He was a past president of the Huron 
County Firemen's Association. He was a Boy Scout Scoutmaster from from 1969 to 1973 
for Owendale Troop No. 524. He was known as the "bicycle repair man" around the 
village for years. He served his community by running the marker chains for the Owen-
Gage High School football games.  Clarence enjoyed wood working and always had a 
project going for his children and grandchildren. He also did crafts for use at church, 
bible school and Ladies Aid bazaars.  He is survived by his wife, Bonnie of Owendale; 
four sons, Mark Gaeth and his wife, Cindy, of Decatur, Ind., Michael Gaeth, and his wife, 
Connie, of Bay Port, Brian Gaeth and his wife, Rosemary, of Unionville, and Scott Gaeth 
and his wife, Karen, of Owendale; one daughter, Lori Gunden of Bay Port; 
grandchildren: Jennifer Shaukat and her husband, Fawad, of Ohio, Lisa and Rebecca 
Gaeth of Decatur, Ind., Kim, Brenda and Paul Gaeth, Eric and Jana Gunden, all of of Bay 
Port, Matthew and Aaron Gaeth of Owendale; two sisters, Dolores Elftman and her 
husband, Loren, of Pigeon, Brenda Orban and her husband, Don, of Joplin, Mo.; several 
nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his son-in-law, Dean Gunden.  Funeral 
services will take place at 11 a.m. Monday, May 27, 2002 at St. John Lutheran Church in 
Kilmanagh with the Rev. David Lukefahr officiating. Burial will be in the church 
cemetery.  Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. today at the Dinkel-Juengel Funeral Home 
in Sebewaing. He will lie in state at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service 
Monday.  Memorials may be made to the St. John Lutheran Church, United Hospice 
Service, Owendale Lions Club or the donor's choice.  

John Rice 
John Jerome Rice, 30, resident of Bloomfield Township, died Wednesday, May 22, 2002 
in Bloomfield Township.  John was born June 2, 1971 in Harbor Beach, the son of Gary 
and Sharon (Roggenbuck) Rice.  He graduated from North Huron High School in 1990. 
He attended St. Edwards Catholic Church in Kinde. John loved to hunt, fish, carpentry 
and spending time 'up north' in the Upper Peninsula.  He is survived by his parents, Gary 
and Sharon Rice; his companion, Susan Perdue; his grandmother, Ruby Roggenbuck of 
Harbor Beach; his sister, Jessica Rice of Reno Nev.; several aunts and uncles.  Mass of 
Christian burial will take place at 11 a.m. Monday, May 27, 2002 at St. Edwards Catholic 
Church. Fr. Robert Pare' will officiate. A scripture service will take place at 7 tonight at 
the MacAlpine Funeral Home-Gage Chapel in Kinde. Cremation will take place after the 
funeral services at the Sunset Valley Crematory.  Visitation will be from 2-9 p.m. today 
at MacAlpine Funeral Home-Gage Chapel in Kinde, and Monday from 9:30-11 a.m. at 
the church.  Memorials may be made to the Family Discretionary Fund. 

Violet Wintergerst 
Violet Elizabeth Wintergerst, 82, of Caseville passed away Friday, May 24, 2002 at the 
Huron Medical Care Facility in Bad Axe.  She was born July 26, 1919 in Pinnebog, 
daughter of the late William and Jessie (Langley) Etzler.  She married Ed McKulsky on 
April 9, 1938. He preceded her in death on March 2, 1988. She then married Anthony 
Wintergerst. He preceded her in death on Nov. 19, 2000.  Violet was a member of the 
Bad Axe First Presbyterian Church of Bad Axe and the church circle. She was a charter 
member of the Caseville Eagles Club and a member of the Caseville Retirees Club. She 
enjoyed fishing, traveling, and spending the winters in Florida.  Violet is survived by one 
daughter, Sharon Ellis and her husband, Jim, of Bad Axe; two sons: William McKulsky 
and his wife, Deanna, of Hale, Edward McKulsky and his wife, Catherine, of Oak Hill, 
Va.; nine grandchildren: Kelli Robinson and her husband, Wayne, of Caro, Jami Ritter of 
Bad Axe, Terri Ellis and special friend, Mike Fitzgerald, of Port Huron, Steve Ellis and 
his wife, Carmin, of Sandusky, Tammy Mock and her husband, Tim, of Novato, Calif., 
Mathew and Edward McKulsky of Oak Hill, Va., Mike McKulsky and his wife, 
Stephania, of Hale, Mark McKulsky and his wife, Tanna, of Hale; fifteen great 
grandchildren, Justin and Corey Robinson, Joshua, Andrew, Christopher and Megan 
Ritter, Sharon and Jessica Woostir, Cole and Caitlin Ellis, McKenzie and Madison Mock, 
Chandra Dane, and Karys and Kacey McKulsky; one step daughter, Connie Zahm and 
her husband, Robert, of Bad Axe; one step-son William Wintergerst of Chicago, Il.; three 
step-grandchildren, Andrea Zahm, Nicholas Wintergerst and Richard Wintergerst, all of 
Bad Axe; one step-sister, Winnie Bishop of Port Austin.  Violet was preceded in death by 
one daughter, Beverly McKulsky, and one grandson, Dustin Dane.  Funeral services will 
be 11 a.m. Monday, May 27, 2002 at the Bad Axe First Presbyterian Church with Rev. 
Jan Dykshoorn officiating. Burial will be at Colfax Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 1-9 
p.m. today at the MacAlpine Funeral Home of Bad Axe, and from 10-11 a.m. Monday at 
the church.  

Monday, May 27, 2002  - Memorial Day Holiday


Tuesday, May 28, 2002


Onalee Case 
Onalee Ellen Case, 88, of Prudenville died on May 23, 2002.  She was born on Aug. 26, 
1913, in Omer to Jeanette (Lockhart) and Zenos Amos Harder. She was the sixth of eight 
children, all deceased.  Onalee went to California in a Model T with her family when she 
was 10. She graduated from Bishop High School in Bishop, Calif. She moved to the 
Thumb area after graduation and later worked at the Pigeon Post Office. She moved to 
Bad Axe and worked as a bookkeeper for the Thumb Bottling Co. She worked as a 
bookkeeper for MacAlpine Funeral Homes in Bad Axe from 1957 to 1976.  Onalee 
married Spencer A. Case on March 1, 1935. They farmed and had three children. Spencer 
passed away on March 3, 1995.  She was a member of the Filion Baptist Church for more 
than 50 years, serving as treasurer for some of that time. She also taught Sunday school 
for 15 years. When the church closed, she attended Bad Axe Baptist Church until she 
started living with her son, Kenneth. She then attended First Baptist Church of 
Prudenville.  Onalee enjoyed reading, arts and crafts, playing scrabble, playing lap 
dulcimer and traveling.  She is survived by sons, Donald Case and his wife, Carol, of 
Bloomfield Hills and Kenneth Case and his wife, Kathy, of Prudenville; daughter, Phyllis 
Scott and her husband, Gene, of Dos Palos, Calif.; nephews Philip and Robert Case and 
Wayne Church. She and Spencer had six granddaughters, eight great-grandchildren and 
one great-great-granddaughter.  The funeral service took place Saturday, May 25, 2002 at 
the First Baptist Church of Prudenville. The Rev. John Pruden and the Rev. Virgil 
Endsley officiated.  

William Shuff 
William "Bill" Shuff, 70, of Showlow, Ariz. died May 23, 2002 at his home after a brief 
illness.  He was born in Ohio on Dec. 15, 1931 to the late Clifford and Florence (Vititoe) 
Shuff. He grew up in Bad Axe and Elkton.  William was united in marriage to Beverly 
Brown Jan. 24, 1955. He is survived by his wife, Beverly, of Showlow, Ariz.; two 
daughters, Patty at home, and Kathy of New York; six sons, Jerry of Showlow, Ariz., 
Gary of Bad Axe, Don of Battle Creek, Ron of Ohio, Bill of Idaho, and Jimmy of White 
Mountains Lake, Ariz.; several grandchildren; five sisters, Bette McGuire of Unionville, 
Shirley Lakies and her husband, Bob, of Bad Axe, Mary Cram and her husband, Bob, of 
Jackson, Phyllis Nichols and her husband, Delton, of Rives Junction, Mich., and Linda 
Ruhling and her husband, Dan, of East Jordan, Mich.; and three brothers, Fred of 
Unionville, David and his wife, Gloria, of Flint, and Larry and his wife, Georgeen, of 
Bad Axe.  Cremation took place May 24, 2002. 

Maryann Weber 
Mrs. Maryann Weber, 89, of Ruth died Saturday, May 25, 2002, at the Huron Medical 
Center.  She was born on Feb. 1, 1913, in Ruth, daughter of the late William J. and 
Louisa (Stein) Messing. She married Anthony Weber on June 15, 1932, at Sts. Peter & 
Paul Catholic Church in Ruth. He preceded her in death on May 7, 1989.  She was a 
graduate of the Sherman District No. 1 school. She worked at Clement Wire & Cable in 
Minden City for 17 years and retired in 1962. She was a member of the Daughters of 
Isabella Fidelis Regina Circle No. 608 of Bad Axe and was their flag bearer, member and 
treasurer of the League of Catholic Women, parishioner of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic 
Church in Ruth and member of their Christian Mothers. She enjoyed baking, playing 
cards, needlework, quilting and making rugs.  She is survived by her daughters, Dorothy 
Braden and her husband, Russell, of Bad Axe, Rita Kalaf and her husband, Maurice, of 
Forestville and Kay Schefka and her husband, Bernard, of Utica; sons, Raymond and his 
wife, Louise, of Minden City and Kenneth and his wife, Peggy, of Harbor Beach; 
daughter-in-law, Mary Ann Weber of Novi; 19 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren.  
She was preceded in death by her son, William Weber on Feb. 17, 1990; brother Clarence 
Messing; sister, Adele Vogel and baby sister, Ann.  The funeral mass will be conducted 
at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 29, 2002, at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Ruth. 
The Rev. Steve Gavit, pastor will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery. There 
will be a parish vigil service at 7:30 p.m. and a joint rosary by the Daughters of Isabella 
and the Christian Mothers at 8:30 p.m. tonight at the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home in 
Ubly.  Visitation is from 12:30 to 9:30 p.m. today at the funeral home and from 10 a.m. 
until the time of the service Wednesday at the church. 

Gladys Maharg 
Gladys Maharg, 94, of Mayville died Sunday, May 26, 2002, in Tuscola County Medical 
Care Facility in Caro.  Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 
29, 2002, at Kranz Funeral Home in Cass City with Pastor Keith Mead of People's 
Baptist Church in Columbiaville officiating. Interment is in Elkland Township Cemetery.  
Visitation is from 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorials may 
be made to Heartland Hospice. 

Shird Rife 
Shird R. Rife, 73, of Cass City died Monday, May 27, 2002, in his home after a short 
illness.  Funeral services will be conducted at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 29, 2002, at 
Kranz Funeral Home in Cass City with the Rev. James Vader of Pigeon Church of God 
officiating. Interment will be in Elkland Township Cemetery.  Visitation is from 2 to 5 
p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.  Memorials may be made to Heartland 
Hospice. 

Wednesday, May 29, 2002 

Leonard Polk 
Leonard J. Polk, 79, a former resident of Roseville for 35 years and Clinton Township for 
15 years, died Sunday, May 19, 2002, in Fraser.  He was born April 10, 1923, in Paris 
Township.  Mr. Polk retired in 1982 as a machine operator for Webster Engineering in 
Roseville. He was a former coach for Roseville youth sports and a member of Lakeshore 
Knights of Columbus in St. Clair Shores.  Relatives described him as a loving and active 
grandfather and great-grandfather.  He is survived by his children, Sharon Hall, Darlene 
Polk, Marilyn Doebler and her husband, Al, Richard Polk and his wife, Mary, Cynthia 
Nowakowski and her husband, Robert, and Gregory Polk and his wife, Kathleen; sisters 
Esther Cylkowski and Betty Stawicki; brother Virgil Polk; 16 grandchildren; and three 
great-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty.  A funeral service will 
take place at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, May 30, 2002, at St. Peter Church, 95 Market Street, 
Mount Clemens, with the Rev. Michael Cooney officiating. Burial will be in Resurrection 
Cemetery in Clinton Township.  There will be a rosary recital at 7 p.m. this evening at 
Kaul Funeral Home, 27830 Gratiot Avenue, Roseville.  Visitation is 2 to 9 p.m. this 
evening at the funeral home and 9 to 9:30 a.m. Thursday at the church.  Memorials may 
be made to Henry Ford Hospice. 

Herbert Siemen 
Herbert H. Siemen, 82, of Harbor Beach passed away Tuesday, May 28, 2002, at Port 
Huron Hospital following a short illness.  Herb was born on Nov. 20, 1919, in Harbor 
Beach to the late Henry and Emma (Mausolf) Siemen.  He married Mary LaMielle on 
Dec. 26, 1942, in Harbor Beach. She preceded him in death on June 15, 1964. Herb 
married Betty Grekowicz on Oct. 27, 1967, in Lexington.  Herb was a parishioner of Our 
Lady of Lake Huron Catholic Church in Harbor Beach and a member of the Port Hope-
Grindstone Sportsman Club. He loved to work at the sugar beet piling grounds, watch 
television, play euchre, tease his family and tickle his grandchildren.  He is survived by 
his wife, Betty Siemen of Harbor Beach; children, Pauline Browne and her husband, 
Tom, of Hershey, Pa., Jerry Siemen and his wife, Kathy, of Holland, Larry Siemen and 
his wife, Bonnie, of Harbor Beach and Sr. Pat Siemen, O.P. of Miami, Fla.; he's the 
beloved step-father of Mary Lee Kramer and her husband, Harv, of Fontana, Calif., Paul 
Grey and his wife, Mary, of Bellingham, Wash., Kathy Lido and her husband, Russ, of 
Sterling Heights, Michael Grekowicz and his wife, Maureen, of Midland, Steve 
Grekowicz and his wife, Cheryl, of Grand Rapids, Lori Weinlander and her husband, 
Steve, of Sebewaing, Chris Grekowicz and his wife, Michele, of Harbor Beach and Jody 
Sefovic and her husband, Tony, of Rockford; 36 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; 
three sisters, Gladys Suida of Harbor Beach, Irene Kramer of St. Clair Shores and 
Frances Tschirhart of Harbor Beach.  Herb was preceded in death by a sister, Helen 
Lawrence; and an infant brother.  A funeral mass will take place at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, 
May 31, 2002, at Our Lady of Lake Huron Catholic Church in Harbor Beach with the 
Rev. Gerald Kukla, pastor officiating. Burial will be in the St. Anthony's Cemetery in 
Helena. A parish vigil service will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday in the Ramsey 
Funeral Home in Harbor Beach.  Visitation is from 1 to 9 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral 
home and from 10 a.m. until the time of the services at the church. 

Frances Stroud 
Frances Irene Stroud, 84, of Bad Axe died at home on Monday, May 27, 2002.  She was 
born April 17, 1918, in Bad Axe, daughter of the late Roscoe and Minerva (Morrison) 
Haley.  Frances married Floyd Stroud on Sept. 1, 1945. He preceded her in death in 1993.  
She was a graduate of Bad Axe High School and a member of the Bad Axe Church of the 
Nazarene. During World War II, Frances worked as "Rosie the Riveter" in the tool crib at 
Stenson Aircraft in Detroit. She also drove a bus for Bad Axe Schools and the Sheltered 
Workshop. Frances was an avid quilter who taught quilting classes. She also enjoyed 
baking, needlepoint, ceramics, sewing and making clothes. She made her own wedding 
dress.  Frances is survived by three sons, Edward Stroud and his wife, Susan, of 
Southfield, Robert Stroud and his wife, Shelly, of Lake City, Fla., and the Rev. Donald 
Stroud and his wife, Debra, of Bad Axe; one daughter, Janet Williams and her husband, 
Matt, of Palm Dale, Calif.; a daughter-in-law, Robin Stroud of Benton, Ky.; 12 
grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.  She was 
preceded in death by a son, John Stroud.  Funeral services will take place at 1 p.m. 
Thursday, May 30, 2002, at MacAlpine Funeral Home in Bad Axe. The Rev. Brian 
Crampton from the Bad Axe Church of the Nazarene will officiate. Burial will be in the 
Colfax Township Cemetery.  Visitation will be 2 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.  
Memorials may be made to the Family Discretionary Fund. 

Franklin Volz 
Franklin A. Volz, 85, of Sebewaing died Tuesday, May 28, 2002, at Courtney Manor in 
Bad Axe following a four-month illness.  He was born April 6, 1917, in Sebewaing, son 
of the late Alfred F. and Sophia A. (Lutz) Volz.  He was united in marriage to Selma C. 
Koch on Sept. 14, 1941, in Bach.  Frank was a long-time farmer in the Sebewaing area. 
He also was employed at Michigan Sugar Co. in Sebewaing for 37 years before retiring 
in 1992.  He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Sebewaing, the Ushers 
Club, the LFA treasurer for many years, and a member of the Unionville-Sebewaing Area 
Senior Citizens and the Farm Bureau.  Surviving are his wife, Selma, of Sebewaing; two 
daughters, three sons and spouses, Nancy Nieschulz of Bay Port, Elaine Glaza and her 
husband, Stephen, of Ubly, Wayne Volz and his wife, Sue, of Midland, Ronald Volz of 
Akron and Gerald Volz of Sebewaing; 10 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; a 
sister-in-law, Ellen Volz; and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by a 
brother, Edward Volz; and a son-in-law, Delbert Nieschulz.  Funeral services will take 
place at 11 a.m. Friday, May 31, 2002, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Sebewaing. The 
Rev. Albert Bahr will officiate with burial in Silverlawn Cemetery.  Visitation will be 
noon to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Dinkel-Juengel Funeral Home in Sebewaing, and he will 
lie in state from 10 a.m. Friday until the time of services at the church.  Memorials may 
be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church, Radio Mission Fund or the charity of the donor's 
choice. 

Thursday, May 30, 2002

Laura Buchholz 
Mrs. Laura E.E. Buchholz, 90, of Saginaw, a loving mother, grandmother, great-
grandmother and sister, was called to her Lord on Wednesday, May 29, 2002, at 
Covenant Medical Center-Harrison. Laura Elizabeth Emma Voss was born Oct. 11, 1911, 
in Pigeon to the late John and Louisa (Stueck) Voss. She was married to Walter E. 
Buchholz on Oct. 21, 1933, in Bay City. He preceded her in death on May 5, 1985.  
Laura was a charter member of Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church, its Senior Citizens 
and His and Hers Club.  Surviving are her son, Gerald Buchholz and his wife, Marilyn, of 
Harbor Beach; five grandchildren, Gary Buchholz and his wife, Linda, Jeff Buchholz and 
his wife, Patti, all of Harbor Beach, Kevin Buchholz and his wife, Lisa, of Brighton, Lori 
Yegge and her husband, David, of Fenton and Brian Buchholz of Warren; four great-
grandchildren, Ashley, Brett, Holly and Tyler Buchholz; two sisters, Frieda Oblender and 
Eleanor Schlicker, both of Bay City; two brothers, Elmer Voss and his wife, Marilyn, of 
Caro, and Archie Voss and his wife, Joane, of Daytona Beach, Fla.; one sister-in-law, 
Virginia Voss of Hale; and many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by 
three brothers, Clarence, William and Leonard Voss.  Funeral services will take place at 
11 a.m. Saturday, June 1, 2002, at Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2405 Bay at 
Deindorfer in Saginaw. Pastor Michael S. Hahn will officiate with burial in Oakwood 
Cemetery.  Visitation will be 3 to 6 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Wakeman Funeral 
Home, 1218 N. Michigan Ave. in Saginaw, and from 10 a.m. until the time of services 
Saturday at the church.  Memorials may be given to Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church 
or Zion Lutheran School in Harbor Beach. 

Marion Hill 
Marion M. Hill, 91, a lifelong resident of Bad Axe, died Wednesday, May 29, 2002, at 
her home.  She was born Nov. 8, 1910, in Colfax Township. She was the daughter of the 
late James and Estella (Asher) Campbell.  Marion joined the Bad Axe First Presbyterian 
Church in 1946. She became a deacon in the U.P.C. in 1980. She was a member of the 
Women's Association, attended the Tuesday Noon Bible Study faithfully and helped with 
monthly fellowship dinners. She attended the Popple Rural County School. She was a 
housekeeper and was employed at the Huron County Road Commission, the Bad Axe 
Public Library, the former Bad Axe Grain Co. and the doctors' offices of Willett and 
Charles Herrington. She was a long-time employee of Murphy's Bakery and retired at the 
age of 80.  Marion enjoyed visiting with her family and friends, attending the Highland 
Games at Sarnia, Ont., traveling, her rose garden, cooking and baking pies.  Surviving are 
a daughter, Lillian McLeod and her husband, Alex, of Bad Axe; a son, the Rev. James 
Hill and his wife, Elizabeth, of Augusta; seven grandchildren, Alex McLeod, Jr. and his 
wife, Sharon, Allan McLeod and his wife, Lori, Cathy Clinton, Greg McLeod, Dr. 
Thomas Hill and his wife, Heidi, Daniel Hill and his wife, Bobbie Ann, and Marion Hill; 
eight great-grandchildren, James, Michael, Angela, Robert, Timmy, Emma, Elizabeth and 
Ruth; and a niece, Bonnie Schweitzer of Plymouth.  Marion was preceded in death by 
two brothers, Fred and Bill Campbell.  Funeral services will be conducted at 3 p.m. 
Friday, May 31, at the Bad Axe First Presbyterian Church. The Rev. Donald Remillard 
will officiate. Burial will be in the Colfax Township Cemetery.  Visitation will be 7 to 9 
p.m. this evening at MacAlpine Funeral Home in Bad Axe and 2 to 3 p.m. Friday at the 
church.  Memorials may be given to Bad Axe First Presbyterian Church or the 
Alzheimer's Association. 

Marian Strozeski 
Marian Grace Strozeski, 72, of Lewiston, formerly of Port Austin, died Wednesday, May 
29, 2002, at Huron Medical Center in Bad Axe.  She was born on Jan. 8, 1929, in Port 
Austin, daughter of the late Frank and Mary (Wisneski) Bolda.  Marian and Alex 
Strozeski were united in marriage on Jan. 4, 1947.  Marian enjoyed crocheting, 
gardening, cooking and baking. She worked for Hamill Manufacturing for many years. 
She was a member of St. Francis Church in Lewiston and a former member of St. 
Michael's Church in Port Austin.  She is survived by her husband, Alex; three sons, Ron 
Strozeski and his wife, Pat, of Lewiston, William Strozeski and his wife, Karen, of Port 
Austin and Dave Strozeski and his wife, Jamie, of Port Austin; three daughters, Janet 
Ratcliff and her husband, Roy, of Bad Axe, Sally Barnhart and her husband, John, of 
Warren and Mary Ellen Strozeski and her special friend, Keith Miller, of Roseville; 13 
grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.  Marian was 
preceded in death by a son, Carl Strozeski; and a brother, Harry Bolda.  Mass of Christian 
burial will take place at 11 a.m. Friday, May 31, 2002, at St. Michael's Church in Port 
Austin. Burial will be in St. Michael's Cemetery.  A rosary service will be conducted at 
7:30 p.m. this evening at McAlpine Funeral Home in Bad Axe.  Visitation will be 3 to 9 
p.m. today at the funeral home and from 10 a.m. until the time of services Friday at the 
church.  Memorials may be given to the American Cancer Society. 

Friday, May 31, 2002

Elizabeth Davidson 
Elizabeth M. "Bud" Davidson, 89, of Caseville passed away Wednesday, May 29, 2002, 
at the Huron County Medical Care Facility.  She was born on Jan. 28, 1913, in Caseville 
at the home of her parents, the late Charles and Pearl (Nuttel) Langley. In 1929, she was 
united in marriage to James Kelly in Bowling Green, Ohio and they made their home in 
Caseville. Mr. Kelly preceded her in death in 1965, and in 1966, she married Jay 
Davidson and they moved to San Diego. Mr. Davidson preceded her in death, also, in 
1980. A short time later, Bud moved back to Caseville to be near her family.  Bud was a 
homemaker all her life. She enjoyed traveling and spending time with her many friends. 
Her biggest joy was her family who will miss her very much.  She is survived by 
daughters, Shirley Kraft and her husband, Arliss, and Patricia Schwalm and her husband, 
Gale, all of Caseville; grandchildren, Sheryl Gross of Essexville, Debra and Rob Henne 
of Bay Port, Tim and Beth Kraft and Kevin Kraft, all of Roscommon, Cynthia and Kirk 
Langley of Port Austin, and Pam Christner of Caseville; great-grandchildren, Tiffany, 
Trevor and wife, Pam, and Tory Gross, Tara Manyen, Kiel and Kaitlyn Henne, Kim 
Kraft, Chris, Matt, and Jamie Langley, Jason, Rebecca and Kayla Christner; a great-
great-grandson, Jacob Manyen; two sisters, Beatrice Olson and Edith Wiese, both of 
Caseville.  Preceding her in death were a grandson, Randy Schwalm; and brother, Charles 
"Bill" Langley.  Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Monday, June 3, 2002, at 
the Champagne Funeral Chapel in Caseville. The Rev. James Nihiser, pastor of Good 
Shepherd Lutheran Church will officiate. Burial will be in Caseville Township Cemetery.  
Visitation is from 2 to 5 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday and after 9 a.m. Monday at the 
chapel.  Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation. Words of condolence 
may be sent to www.champgnefuneralchapel.com. 

Gerald Eckel 
Gerald F. "Jack" Eckel, 71, of Pigeon passed away on Thursday, May 30, 2002, at 
Scheurer Hospital in Pigeon.  He was born in Hadley on Oct. 7, 1930, son of the late 
William and Edith (Hauxwell) Eckel. On Oct. 15, 1955, he was united in marriage to 
Susan E. Snoblen in Lapeer. She preceded him in death on May 9, 1989.  He was a 1949 
graduate of Goodrich High School. During the Korean conflict, he served with the U.S. 
Army 101st Airborne Division as a fireman stationed at Fort Richardson in Anchorage, 
Alaska.  As a teenager in Hadley, Jack began working for International Harvester, and in 
1966, he began full-time work in Pigeon at International Harvester, now Osentoski 
Equipment, Inc. Most recently, he was working two days a week there.  Jack enjoyed 
gardening, playing cards and hunting. He collected International Harvester memorabilia 
and enjoyed working on his 1950 IH Cub tractor. Mr. Eckel was a life member of the 
Metamora Hadley No. 210 F&AM. He was a member of the Pigeon Conservation Club 
as well as a former member of the Pigeon Lions Club.  He is survived by a daughter, 
Judith Vollmer and her husband, Roger, of Bay Port; a son, Thomas Eckel and his wife, 
Kelly, of Pigeon; three grandchildren, Robin Rau and her husband, Michael, Seth Eckel 
and Peter Vollmer; a sister, Genevieve Coulter and her husband, Arden, of Lapeer; two 
sisters-in-law, Irene Eckel of Hadley and Margaret Eckel of Florida; a brother-in-law, 
Donald Bird of Davidson; several nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by 
three brothers, Lorain, Duane and Keith; a sister, Evelyn Bird.  The funeral service will 
be conducted at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 3, 2002, at the Meyersieck-Bussema Funeral 
Home in Pigeon with the Rev. Alger T. Lewis officiating. Burial will be in the New Bay 
Port Cemetery. The Hubbard Winsor No. 420 F&AM service will take place at 7 p.m. 
Sunday.  Visitation is from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, 1 to 9 p.m. Sunday and from 9 a.m. until 
the time of the service Monday at the funeral home. 

Gerald Fuhrman 
Gerald A. Fuhrman, 81, lifelong Bloomfield Township farmer passed away on Thursday, 
May 30, 2002, at Huron Medical Center.  Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. 
on Monday, June 3, 2002, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Port Hope. Burial will be in 
the Marquardt Cemetery.  Visitation is from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 9 p.m. Sunday 
at the funeral home and from 10 a.m. until the time of the service Monday at the church. 

Phillip Stanton 
Phillip L. Stanton, 43, of Bad Axe passed away Friday, May 31, 2002 at his home 
following a long illness.  Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time. MacAlpine 
Funeral Home of Bad Axe is handling the arrangements. A complete obituary will appear 
in Sunday's edition of the Huron Daily Tribune. 



 



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