HURON DAILY TRIBUNE, Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan Local obituaries for the week beginning June 1, 2003 Contributed 2003 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, June 1, 2003 Roger Bergman Mr. Roger A. Bergman, 53, of Vassar, passed away on Friday, May 30, 2003, at Covenant Health Care - Cooper. He was born in Pigeon on July 6, 1949. He was employed by Super Foods/Nash Finch and was an honorary member of the Cass City Fire Department. He enjoyed hunting, auction sales and spending time with his family. He was anxiously awaiting the arrival of his first grandchild. Roger will be missed and remembered by all. He is survived by his wife, Lorna Wurst; three children, Kristy Bergman, Carrie Bergman and Jason Bergman and his wife, Amy; his mother, Florence Bergman, of Frankenmuth; brothers and sisters, Ed Bergman Jr. and his wife, Deb, of Vassar, Norma Hartwick and her husband, Roger, of Millington, Jim Bergman and his wife, Brenda, of Gainesville, Fla., John Bergman and his wife, Julie, of Cass City, and Nancy Mallory and her husband, Rick, of Cass City; several nieces and nephews; and many brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Edward Bergman Sr.; and a sister, Mary Rucker. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 2, 2003, at Penzien-Steele Funeral Home/Hanlin Chapel in Vassar. Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society. Oscar Kurzer Oscar "Oakie" Kurzer, 76, of Caseville, passed away on Friday evening, May 30, 2003, at Scheurer Hospital in Pigeon following a long battle with lung cancer. He was born April 8, 1927 at the home of his parents, the late Oscar and Pearl (Chevailer) Kurzer in Sebewaing. Oakie grew up in Sebewaing and after high school, he enlisted in the Merchant Marines and served in the South Pacific during World War II. On Oct. 8, 1949, he was united in marriage to Lorraine Botwright in Bay City. After his service time, he returned to Sebewaing where he was employed at Sebewaing Motor Sales the next 17 years. In 1963, he opened OK's Leonard Service at the corner of Caseville Road and M-25 and moved his family to Caseville in 1964. The name of the business changed to OK's Boron Service before he sold the business in 1985. He continued to work there until he retired in February of 1990. He was a member of the Elkton United Methodist Church, the Caseville American Legion Post No. 543, and Hubbard-Winsor Lodge No. 420 F & AM. Oakie served on the Caseville Village Council for eight years. He was Sunday school superintendent and the church softball coach at the Sebewaing United Methodist Church for several years, chairman of the Advisory Board and trustee at the Caseville United Methodist Church for many years. He is survived by his wife, Lorraine; two children, Charles Kurzer and his wife, Penny, of Metamora, Cheryl Abbe and her husband, Dan Jr., of Elkton; six grandchildren, Jason, Joel, Shannon, Steffany, Tracy and Eric; six great-grandchildren; and his sister, Betty Fry, of Summerville, Ga. He was preceded in death by three brothers, William, Maurice and Wallace; three sisters, June Jones, Marion Cady and Barbara Wittman. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 2, 2003, at the Elkton United Methodist Church with the Rev. Pete Crawford, pastor, officiating with burial and graveside military honors in the Caseville Township Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. today at the Champagne Funeral Chapel in Caseville or at the church after 10 a.m. on Monday. Memorials may be given to the church or the Dr. Herb Ryan Scholarship Fund at Bay Shore Camp. Friends may sign the guest book at www.CFCcaseville.com Amelia Pincoski Amelia "Mickey" Pincoski, 87, of Bad Axe, passed away on Friday, May 30, 2003, at Huron Medical Center in Bad Axe. She was born on July 12, 1915 in Manistique, daughter of the late John and Mary (Bukavich) Gregurash. She married John Pincoski on June 17, 1935 in Our Lady of Lake Huron Catholic Church in Harbor Beach. He preceded her in death on Jan. 22, 1980. She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bad Axe, where she served as a Eucharist minister, and was active in the project of obtaining the church banners at Scared Heart. She was also a member of the Catholic League of Women. She was an avid reader and enjoyed baking and crafts. She was a graduate of Manistique High School. Mrs. Pincoski is survived by a daughter, Gayle Baslock and her husband, Ronald, of Huntsville, Ala.; a son, Gary Pincoski and his wife, Elizabeth, of Port Austin; two granddaughters, Beth Ann and Anita, of Huntsville Ala; one great-grandson, Hayden Pettie, of Huntsville, Ala.; one brother, Lawrence Gregurash, of Port Washington, Wisc.; one brother-in-law, Louis Stein, of Bad Axe; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by four brothers, Joseph, Frank, Edward and Elroy Gregurash; five sisters, Ann Meyer, Barbara Tiglas, Berniece DesJardins, Marian Stein and Angela Linderoth; and one granddaughter. A Mass of Christian burial will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 3, 2003, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bad Axe. Officiating will be Fr. John Killop. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. on Monday at the Kaufman Funeral Home in Bad Axe and from 10 a.m. until the service at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the church. Harry William "Bill" Walker Harry William "Bill" Walker, 79, of Bad Axe, passed away Friday afternoon, May 30, 2003, at St. Mary's Hospital in Saginaw. Mr. Walker was born in Detroit on June 2, 1923, son of the late Harry Edward and Margaret Ellen (McLeod) Walker. Bill married Allene Shuart on Oct. 4, 1947 in Owendale. They recently celebrated 55 years of marriage. She survives him. Mr. Walker graduated from Bad Axe High School. He served in the U.S. Navy aboard the U.S.S. Pennsylvania in the South Pacific during World War II. He retired from the Stein-Walker Paint store after 46 years, which he owned with partner Louis Stein. The Bad Axe Board of Education named Mr. Walker "Friend of Youth" at the Thumb Meet of Champions. He also received the Distinguished Citizen Award from the Jaycees. Bill was instrumental in starting the Bad Axe Little League program in the early 1950s. He served as president, manager, umpire and organizer. Bill was former president of the Bad Axe Chamber of Commerce, a past member of the Bad Axe Lion's Club, a member of the Parisville VFW, and an active member of the Ponderosa Hunt Club. Mr. Walker enjoyed hunting, fishing, collecting old Ford tractors, spending time with his children and grandchildren, his fish pond and birds. He is survived by his wife, Allene; two sons, Ed Walker and his wife, Nancy, of Bad Axe, Dick Walker and his wife, Louise, of Deckerville; one daughter, Barb Hilborn and her husband, Jim, of Okemos; one brother, Kenneth Walker and his wife Cynthia, of Mount Pleasant; seven grandchildren, Tammy Laskowsi and her husband, Shawn, of Bad Axe, Todd and Terri Walker, of Bad Axe, Michelle and Amanda Walker, of Deckerville, Ryan and Kylee Henry, of Okemos; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Melvin and Raymond Walker. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 3, 2003, at the Evangel Life Assembly of God Church in Bad Axe. Pastor Robert Smith will officiate. Burial will be at the Colfax Township Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Doug Bublitz, Bob McBride, Rich Cook, Don Schelke, Kurt Meyers, Anthony "Herman" Wood and Tom Wood. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 tonight and from 1 to 9 p.m. Monday at the MacAlpine Funeral Home in Bad Axe and from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the church. Memorials may be offered to the Bad Axe Little League. Gail McDonald Gail M. McDonald, 56, of Euless, Texas, passed away on Tuesday, May 27, 2003, at Baylor Hospital in Dallas, Texas. Funeral services will take place at 1 p.m. on Monday, June 2, 2003, at the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly. Burial will be in the St. John Catholic Cemetery in Ubly. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Monday at the funeral home. Monday, June 2, 2003 – No obituaries reported Tuesday, June 3, 2003 Thomas Baranski Thomas "Alze" Baranski, 86, of Kinde, died Saturday, May 31, 2003, at the Huron County Medical Care Facility in Bad Axe. He was born on March 3, 1917 in Dwight Township, son of the late Stanley and Stella (Butterwick) Baranski. He and Grace Gomoluch were married on June 5, 1942 in Rapson. She preceded him in death on Oct. 17, 1999. Thomas was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Dwight Township and the Bad Axe Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed farming, fishing, playing cards and spending time with his family and friends. He is survived by his daughter, Mary Baranski and her special friend, John Morozuk, of Oklahoma City; his son, James Baranski of Greenwich, N.Y.; his foster son, George Maul and his wife, Bev, of Kinde; his foster daughter, Sandra Jenkins, of Kinde; two grandsons, Ian Baranski, of New York City and Jimmy Baranski, of Atlanta, Ga.; three sisters, Regina Zmick, Julia Williams, and Bernice Clancy. He was preceded in death by 14 brothers and sisters. Funeral mass will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 4, 2003, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Dwight Township. The Rev. Mieczyslaw Oniskiewicz will officiate. Burial will follow in Rock Falls Cemetery in Harbor Beach. A vigil service will be conducted at 7:30 p.m. tonight at the Knoblock Funeral Home in Kinde. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. today and from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. Trevor Emming Trevor Robert Emming, infant son of Dean and Carrie Emming, was received into the arms of Jesus on Saturday, May 31, 2003, at Covenant Harrison Hospital in Saginaw. Born on May 31, 2003, he was the son of Dean and Carrie (Mausolf) Emming. He is survived by his loving parents; maternal grandparents, Mary and Terry Conklin, of Port Huron and Dale and Audrey Mausolf, Sr. of Port Hope; paternal grandparents, Robert and Arlene Emming, of Harbor Beach; maternal great-grandmother, Marian Mausolf; and several aunts, uncles and cousins. A family graveside service was conducted at Rock Falls Cemetery in Harbor Beach where burial took place. Ramsey Funeral Home in Harbor Beach handled arrangements. MaryEllen Gross MaryEllen "Mitzie" Gross, 73, died May 31, 2003, at St. John's Hospital in Detroit. She was born on April 17, 1930 to the late George and Viola Hack in Detroit. She was married on Feb. 5, 1949 to Gerald Gross in Eastpointe. They were lovers for 54 years. She was actively involved in "I Can Cope" Cancer Support Group in Schuerer Hospital in Pigeon, and Relay for Life. She was a lifetime homemaker, enjoyed flower gardening, feeding the birds, cooking and baking, having family get togethers and taking care of her grandchildren. She is survived by two daughters and one son, Maryrose Patrick and her husband, William, of Bad Axe, Marvin Gross of Hartland, Michelle Durham and her husband, Scott, of Orlando, Fla.; 11 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; one sister, Beverly Poole and her husband, Gordon, of Boca Raton, Fla.; one brother, Ronald Hack and his wife, Gloria, of Niles; many nieces and nephews and special friends. She was preceded in death by a son, Victor J. Gross II. Prayer services will be at 9:30 a.m. on Friday at SK Schultz Funeral Home, 21705 Gratiot Ave., Eastpointe. Mass will follow the prayer services at 10 a.m. on Friday at St. Veronica in Eastpointe. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesday and from noon to 9 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to St. Roch Food Pantry in Caseville, or "I Can Cope" Cancer Support Group at Schuerer Hospital. Eileen Noble Eileen M. Noble, 74, of Harbor Beach, passed away Monday, June 2, 2003, at her home with hospice care. Born in Harbor Beach on Jan. 11, 1929, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Ollie (Karg) Learman. On Dec. 4, 1948, Eileen and Raymond Noble were united in marriage in Harbor Beach. Eileen was the owner and operator of the Noble Beauty Shop in Harbor Beach for 52 years. She was a member of Our Lady of Lake Huron Catholic Church in Harbor Beach an active member of the American Legion Auxiliary of Post 197 in Harbor Beach and past president of the Harbor Beach Student Loan Foundation. Eileen is survived by her husband, Raymond, of Harbor Beach; children, Craig Noble and his wife, Angela, of Sumter, N.C., Lynn Zoll and her husband, Jim, of Harbor Beach, Tim Noble and his wife, Mary, of South Bend, Ind.; ten grandchildren, Arianna, Cameron, Benjamin, Samuel, Jacob, Daniel, Michelle, and Matthew Noble, and Jayson and Jessica Zoll; two sisters, Lynda Coulston and her husband, Ken, of Ada, and Gloria Cox and her husband, Jim, of Port Huron. Eileen was preceded in death by a son Charles B. Noble; two brothers, Earl and Harry Learman; sisters, Alice Coaster and Nancy Poppeck. A memorial service will take place at 2 p.m. on Thursday, June 5, 2003, in the Ramsey Funeral Home in Harbor Beach with Fr. Brian Spencer officiating. Cremation has taken place at Sunset Valley Crematory in Bay City and internment will be at the OLLH Church cemetery. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the time of the service on Thursday at the funeral home. Allen Hurren Allen C. "Buster" Hurren, 77, of Harbor Beach, passed away Sunday, June 1, 2003, in the Harbor Beach Community Hospital. Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be conducted this summer. Ramsey Funeral Home in Harbor Beach is handling arrangements. Wednesday, June 4, 2003 Shirley Hill Shirley Ann Hill, 55, died Monday afternoon, June 2, 2003, at Huron Medical Center in Bad Axe after suffering an apparent heart attack. She was born on Feb. 16, 1948 in Pigeon to the late Charles and Marie (Klee) Maxwell. Shirley has lived in Huron County all her life. She is a graduate of Port Austin High School. She made her living by providing home care as a nurse's aide. She was united in marriage to Rowland Hill in Pontiac, he preceded her in death on March 31, 1999. She was a member of the Caseville Eagle Auxiliary, and enjoyed playing cards and visiting friends. She is survived by two brothers, Fred Maxwell and his wife, Barbara, of Pigeon, Dale Maxwell and his wife, Betty, of Bad Axe; several nieces and nephews; special friend, Gary Horn; and six step-children. She was preceded in death by her sister, Delores Karle. Memorial services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 6, 2003, at the Champagne Funeral Chapel in Caseville. The Rev. Michael Quayle, pastor of the Caseville United Methodist Church, will officiate with burial in Grandlawn Cemetery in Pigeon. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday, or sign the guest book at www.CFCcaseville.com. Kenneth "Silo" Smith Kenneth W. "Silo" Smith, 67, died Tuesday morning, June 3, 2003, at his home following a brief illness. He was born Feb. 28, 1936 in Caro, son of the late Harland A. and Winona L. (Weaver) Smith. He was united in marriage to Joanne M. Layher on Oct. 18, 1958 in Sebewaing. Ken had managed the Sebewaing Cooperative Elevator for 17 years and later had been employed for Easlick Construction for 12 years and then Bayside Best Beans in Sebewaing before retiring 3 years ago. He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, had served on the Christian Board of Education; had served as Sebewaing village clerk, had been on the Sebewaing Fire Department for 23 years and also had been an ambulance attendant. He also was a former member of the Sebewaing Rotary Club. He is survived by his wife, Joanne; one daughter and two sons, Nancy Shackelford and her husband, Jon, of Mt. Pleasant, Dale Smith and his wife, Jody, of Unionville, David Smith and his wife, Tricia, of Lapeer; six grandchildren, Christine and Nicole Shackelford, Dustin, Courtney, Valerie and Maria Smith; two sisters and three brothers, Arlene Metzger and her husband, Joseph, of Essexville, Joyce Mill and her husband, Gene, of Kincheloe, Norman Smith and his wife, Mildred, of Boring, Ore., Lyle Smith and his special friend, Judy, of Houghton Lake, Dean Smith and his wife, Kay, of Hope; one sister-in-law, Delores Smith, of Sebewaing; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by one brother, James Smith; and his stepmother, Minnie D. Smith. The funeral service will take place at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, June 6, 2003, at Immanuel Lutheran Church. The Rev. Daniel Hahn will officiate with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. tonight, and from noon to 9 p.m. on Thursday at the Dinkel-Juengel Funeral Home in Sebewaing. He will lie in state from 11:30 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday at the church. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, Immanuel Radio Mission Fund or Hospice of Bay Area. Thursday, June 5, 2003 – No obituaries reported Friday, June 6, 2003 Bonnie Bekaert Bonnie M. Bekaert, 72, of Port Hope, passed away Wednesday, June 4, 2003, at her home with hospice care following an extended illness. Born in Detroit on Feb. 3, 1931, she was the daughter of the late Carl G.A. and Ethel (Ripple) Peterson. On Oct. 6, 1951, Bonnie was united in marriage to Donald Gulick in Flint. He preceded her in death on May 30, 1992. On July 2, 1996, Bonnie and Bernard Bekaert were united in marriage in Bad Axe. She was a life member of the Port Hope-Grindstone Sportsman's Club. Bonnie is survived by her husband, Bernard Bekaert, of Port Hope; a son, Christopher Gulick, of Port Hope; two grandchildren, Melissa and Jessica Tufford, of Clio; step- children, Mary Jo Trumble, of Pickney, William Bekaert, of Sherman, Texas, Betty Lou Bekaert, of Ann Arbor, and Fred Bekaert, of Marquardt. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Barbara G. Tufford. Cremation has taken place at Sunset Valley Crematory in Bay City and a memorial service will take place at a later date. Interment will take place in New River Cemetery. Ramsey Funeral Home in Harbor Beach is handling arrangements. Virgil Boss Virgil Allen Boss, 78, lifelong resident of Colfax Township, died Thursday, June 5, 2003, at Huron Medical Center in Bad Axe. Mr. Boss was born in Colfax Township on April 25, 1925, son of the late William and Pearl (Seely) Boss. Virgil was the sexton of Colfax Township Cemetery from 1950 to 1988. He liked to "tinker" with just about anything. He enjoyed gospel and country music, writing music and visiting with family and friends. Mr. Boss is survived by seven nieces and nephews, Sharon Sobczak and her husband, Richard, of Bad Axe, Dale Snay and his wife, Kathy, of Bad Axe, Betty Maxwell and her husband, Dale, of Bad Axe, Marcia Bills and her husband, Dennis, of Lapeer, Sandra Rapson, of Port Austin, Pat McCoy and her husband, Richard, of Bad Axe, and Barbara Armstrong and her husband, Paul, of Saginaw. Virgil was preceded in death by a brother, William Boss; and a sister, Pearl Snay. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 7, 2003, at MacAlpine Funeral Home in Bad Axe. The Rev. Jan Dykshoorn from Bad Axe First Presbyterian Church will officiate. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the time of the service at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Cremation will take place following the services, with final interment at Colfax Township Cemetery at a later date. Althea Lorencz Althea Geraldine Lorencz, 84, of Owendale, passed away Thursday morning, June 5, 2003, at her home surrounded by her loving family following a one-year battle with cancer. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 9, 2003, at the Colwood Church of the United Brethren in Christ. Visitation will be from noon to 9 p.m. on Sunday at the Meyersieck-Bussema Funeral Home in Pigeon. A complete obituary will be in Sunday's edition of the Huron Daily Tribune. 1