HURON DAILY TRIBUNE, Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan Local obituaries for the week beginning January 5, 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, January 5, 2003 Bernice Caswell Bernice Caswell, 76, of Deckerville, passed away Thursday, January 2, 2003, in the Deckerville Community Hospital. She was born March 15, 1926 in Caro, the daughter of the late Anthony and Mary Malkowski. She married Eugene Kloc in 1945. He proceeded her in death in 1963. She then married Arthur Caswell on Aug. 20, 1977. Bernice was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Palms and a member of the Polish National Alliance. She also loved to sew. Mrs. Caswell is survived by her husband, Arthur; one son, Edward J. Kloc, of Greenville, N.Y.; five daughters: Caroline Rutkoski and her husband, Ronald, of Decker, Theresa Woodward and her husband, Rusty, of Bad Axe, Elaine Fase and her husband, Scott, of Waterford, Helen Wozniczka, of Pigeon, and Jeanette O'Conner, of Caro; 16 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; one brother, Roman Malkowski, of Pigeon; three sisters, Mrs. Hope Wisniewski, of California, Mrs. Irene Tweedie, of Caseville, and Mrs. Genevieve Middleton, of Mayville; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by one son, James Kloc, in 1969; three brothers, Frederick Malkowski, in 1932, Leon Malkowski, in 1999 and Anthony Malkowski II, in 2001; one sister, Mrs. Helen Yuhas, in 1940. Funeral Mass will be conducted at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Palms, Fr. Steve Gravit and Sr. Betty Zeestraten will officiate. Burial will be at 3 p.m. at St. Michael's Cemetery, Kingston. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. today in the Apsey Funeral Home, and 9 a.m. until the time of the services at the church on Monday. Memorials may be given to the Deckerville Community Hospital or St. Patrick Building Fund. Lorraine Kudlak Lorraine Maattie Kudlak, 72, of Harbor Beach, as of Friday, January 3, 2003, is in the presence of her generous and almighty Savior, Jesus Christ. Lorraine was born February 1, 1930 in a sod house near the prairie close to Thurman, Colo. She was the daughter of the late Levi and Mamie (Schrock) Schlabach. She was a retired employee of the Harbor Beach Community Schools and a member of the First Baptist Church of Harbor Beach. Her life was synonymous with her faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Surviving are her loving family and many close friends. Her children are: Kirby Kudlak and his wife, Beth, of Esterbrook, Wyo., and Kelly Veldhuis and her husband, Doug, of Holland; three grandchildren: Aaron Kudlak and his wife, Veronica, Abraham Thomas and Quenta Thomas; great-grandchild, Calab Kudlak; a brother, Douglas Schlabach and his wife, Judy, of Richmond; three sisters, Virgie Russo of Grosse Pointe, Irene Kosal and her husband, Raymond, of Davison, and Clara Schlabach of Detroit. Lorraine was preceded in death by two brothers, Lloyd and Clyde Schlabach. A memorial celebration will take place at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2003, in the First Baptist Church of Harbor Beach with Rev. Andrew Willis, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the Rock Falls Cemetery. Visitation will be at the Ramsey Funeral Home, Harbor Beach, from 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. on Monday and from noon until the time of the service Tuesday at the church. Monday, January 6, 2003 Neva Fliegel Neva C. Fliegel, 94, of Sebewaing, died Saturday afternoon, January 4, 2003, at Covenant Health Care, Harrison, in Saginaw following a lengthy illness. She was born February 21, 1908 in Chaska, Minnesota, daughter of the late Herbert A. and Caroline (Kemp) Fliegel. She was a graduate of Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant and taught special education in Ionia for three years. She also was a taxi cab driver in Dearborn for 20 years. She then taught special education in Filion for seven years before retiring many years ago. Neva was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Sebewaing and also a member of the Unionville Sebewaing Area senior citizens group. She is survived by two nephews, Paul Bach and his wife, Charlotte, of Bay City, Herbert Bach and his wife, Gwendolyn, of Saginaw; one niece, Celia Bach of Bay City; and grand nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by three sisters, Elsa Bach, Camilla Remter and Lenda Halstead. As per her request there will be no visitation or service. A committal service will take place at 11 a.m. on Friday, January 10, 2003, at the Dinkel-Juengel Funeral Home in Sebewaing. The Rev. Daniel Hahn will officiate with interment in the Silverlawn Cemetery in Sebewaing. Memorials may be made to Bethesda Home or Immanuel Lutheran Building Fund. Andrew Lambert Andrew L. "Andy" Lambert, 64, of Caseville, died Saturday, January 4, 2003, at Pontiac Osteopathic Hospital, while under hospice care. He was born October 9, 1938 in Detroit to the late Frank and Caroline (Wagner) Lambert. Andy worked at Hudson Motor Company for three years after high school and then at C & J Venetian Blind in Detroit for eight years. In the mid 1960s, he owned his own cab in Detroit until moving to Caseville in the 1970s. He worked at Active Industries in Elkton until retiring several years ago for health reasons. He was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Caseville. He is survived by his brother, Frank Lambert and his wife, Betty, of Flushing; sister-in-law, Barbara Lambert of Clarkston; and several nieces and nephews. In keeping with his wishes, there will be no visitation or funeral services. Burial will be next to his parents and uncle at Riverside Cemetery in Elkton. Memorials may be sent to the Elkton Ambulance Service. Tuesday, January 7, 2003 Irwin Marquardt Irwin Walter Marquardt, 91, of Petoskey, formerly of Bad Axe, died on January 5, 2003 at his home. He was born on June 18, 1911 to the late Fred and Albertina Marquardt in Port Hope. Irwin married Elinore Nugent on July 5, 1937. He graduated from Ingram Country School. He taught at Lawitzki Country School from 1931 to 1939. From 1939 to 1974, he was employed at Detroit Edison. Irwin was a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Bad Axe. He was an Edison Club president, Lutheran Church president, and served as secretary and treasurer for the Chamber of Commerce. He was the president of the Lion's Club, from which he received a 50-year Lion's pin. He served as Justice of the Peace at Verona Township from 1942 to 1947. He was a member of the Florida's Citrus Mountain Civic Association for 26 years. For the past three years, Irwin resided with his wife at Independence Village in Petoskey. He is survived by his children, Trudy Marquardt, of Santa Rosa, Calif., Marla Iacaboni, of Leminster, Mass., Julie Rogers and her husband, Philip, of Muskegon, and Randy Marquardt and his wife, Joyce, of Harbor Springs; grandchildren, Jim Rogers and his wife, Martha, Andrew Rogers and his wife, Jacquie, Dale Rogers and his wife, Michelle, Frankie and Monique Iacaboni and Anthony Iacaboni, Alan and Robert Barreca, Paul, John, Kari Marquardt and Lacy and Peter Tippett; great-grandchildren, John, Kate, Austin, Alyssa, Irwin, Reagan, Carter and Jackson Rogers, Isabella, Alessandra and Anina Iacaboni and Peter Tippett; sisters, Leona Hind, Alma Dickinson. He was preceded in death by Martha, Fred, Ed, Bill and Otto. Arrangements are being handled by MacAlpine Funeral Home in Bad Axe. Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2002, at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Bad Axe. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. tonight and from 1 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Colfax Cemetery. Jack Shuart Jack Dale Shuart, 73, of Bad Axe, passed away Sunday, January 5, 2003, at Huron County Medical Care Facility after an extended illness. He was born November 28, 1929 in Chandler Township, the son of the late Jack Shuart and Edna Blanche (Gilbert) Mette. He was the proprietor of two local service stations and retired from Thumb Ecological in Bad Axe. He was an avid deer hunter and enjoyed Detroit Lions football and Tiger baseball. Jack served in the United States Army during World War II where he was stationed in Germany. He was a member of the American Legion Post 0499 for 52 years. He is survived by four daughters, Darnell Shuart Schoen and her husband, Paul, of Covington, La., Denise Carriveau and her husband, Tom, of Caseville, Darla Vegenski and her husband, Mike, of Brandon, Fla., Devry Shuart of Mandeville, La.; five grandchildren, Chad Carriveau and his wife, Melissa, of Bad Axe, Jordan Carriveau of Ann Arbor, Michael and Brandon Vegenski of Brandon, Fla., Elizabeth Blanche Schoen of Covington, La.; two great-grandchildren, Britani Nicole and Matthew Thomas Carriveau; one brother, Pete Shuart of Bad Axe; one sister, Donna McElroy of California. He was preceded in death by one sister, Arla Faye McConnell. Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. on Thursday, January 9, 2003, at MacAlpine Funeral Home in Bad Axe with the Rev. Kenneth Lueke officiating. Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Disabled Veterans or Huron Memorial Hospice. Renee Hillerman Renee A. Hillerman, 72, of Bad Axe, long time resident of Port Austin, died Sunday evening at Bay Medical Center in Bay City. In keeping with her wishes, there will be no visitation or funeral services. Memorials may be given to the Salvation Army. Wednesday, January 08, 2003 – No obituaries reported Thursday, January 09, 2003 Dorothy Ahrens Dorothy A. Ahrens, 76, of Harbor Beach, passed away on Wednesday, January 8, 2003, at her home under hospice care. She was born on March 6, 1926 in Harbor Beach, the daughter of the late Leroy and Lina (Stevens) Breathour. Dorothy was a retired employee of Thumb Distributing in Bad Axe. She enjoyed playing golf, cards and playing in the pool league. Dorothy is survived by her two sons, John Ahrens and his wife, Barb, of Harbor Beach, Jeff Ahrens and his wife, Judy, of Sebewaing; eight grandchildren, Torrey Ahrens, Jessie Ahrens, Richard Ahrens and his wife, Nancy, Kris Peterson and her husband, Scott, Robbie Ahrens and his wife, Kim, Jennifer Hahn and her husband, Todd, Madie Maki and her husband, Michael, Erin Ahrens; nine great- grandchildren, Madison, Tyler, Kilian, Jacob, RJ, Savannah, Austin, Chad, Justin; a step- brother, John Lermont of Harbor Beach. She was preceded in death by one son, Jamie Ahrens on June 16, 1975; two sisters, Marie Blanchard and Julia Pacholke. In staying with Dorothy's wishes, there is no visitation or funeral service. Cremation took place at Sunset Valley Crematory of Bay City and interment will take place in Rockfalls Cemetery. Ramsey Funeral Home in Harbor Beach is handling arrangements. Ruth Stromske Ruth Stromske, 88, of Harbor Beach passed away on December 16, 2002 at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak following a short illness. She is survived by her daughter, Nancy Montgomery and her husband, Alfred, of Detroit; son, John Masterton and his wife, Penny, of Huntington Beach, Calif. Memorial services for Ruth will be at 1 p.m. on Saturday, January 11, 2003, in the First Presbyterian Church of Harbor Beach. The Rev. Theresa Cutler will officiate and interment will be in the Rockfalls Cemetery. Cremation took place in the Evergreen Cemetery in Detroit. Visitation will be from noon until the time of service on Saturday at the church. Ramsey Funeral Home in Harbor Beach is handling arrangements. Friday, January 10, 2003 Dorothy Diebel Dorothy A. Diebel, 107, of Sebewaing, passed away Wednesday morning, January 8, 2003, at Scheurer Hospital in Pigeon following a brief illness. She was born on March 5, 1895 in Dayton, Ohio, daughter of the late Frederick and Phoebe A. (Gingrich) Crake. She was united in marriage to William B. Diebel in North Branch. He preceded her in death in August 1959. Dorothy was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, the Alpha Delta Sunday School class and had been in the choir. She also was a charter member of the Sebewaing Garden Club and was an avid gardener and quilter. She is survived by three daughters, Thelma Connely of White Lake Township, Lila D. O'Hara and her husband, Jay, of Livonia, Valta D. Nienstedt and her husband, F. William, of Mesa, Ariz.; six grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews, grand nieces and nephews; and very special friend, Connie Maxson, of Gagetown. She was preceded in death by one daughter, Lillian Ellen McLean; three sisters, Ida Rhode, Leta Harley, Catherine Thompson; two brothers, Reinhart Crake and Jennings Crake. The funeral service will take place at 1 p.m. on Saturday, January 11, 2003, at the Dinkel-Juengel Funeral Home in Sebewaing. The Rev. Fredrick Wilson will officiate with burial in the Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. tonight and from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Bay Shore Camp. Arlee Freiburger Arlee Freiburger, 91, of Cass City, and formerly of Argyle Township, passed away Wednesday, January 8, 2003, at Northwood Meadows in Cass City. Arlee was born March 3, 1911 in Snover to the late Jacob and Anna (Treadeau) Freiburger. He married Olive Sundby Peterson on March 4, 1957 in Newport Richie, Fla. She preceded him in death on January 11, 2002. Arlee was a 1928 graduate of Sandusky High School. He farmed with his family. He spent his winters from 1980 to 1996 in Mesa, Ariz. He enjoyed motorcycles and owned Scotty's Indian Sales. He was a musician, enjoyed genealogy, and was a local historian and writer. He was a lover of birds and trees. Arlee is survived by two daughters, Linda Peterson of Mount Pleasant, Mary Eavey and her husband, Mike, of Burton; three grandchildren, Joshua, Jeremy, and Jennifer Eavey of Burton; two sisters, Wilhelmina Des Jardins of Port Huron, Madeline O'Connor, of Sandusky. Funeral mass for Arlee Freiburger will be 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 11, 2003, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Argyle. The Rev. Steve Fillion, pastor of St. Pancratius Catholic Church of Cass City, will officiate. Burial will be in the St. Ignatius Cemetery in the spring. Visitation will be from 1:30 to 9:30 p.m. tonight and from 9 to 10 a.m. on Saturday at the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home of Ubly. There will be a parish vigil service at 7:30 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home. Floyd O'Parka Floyd O'Parka, 87, of Ubly, passed away Wednesday, January 8, 2003, at Courtney Manor in Bad Axe after a long illness. He was born on January 1, 1916 in Minden City to the late Stanley and Teckla "Tillie" (Ertman) O'Parka. He married Lucy (Lemanski) Konkel on October 27, 1945 at St. Mary Catholic Church of Parisville. She preceded him in death on April 27, 1997. Floyd attended the McMillan country school in Paris Township. He farmed most of his life and worked at the Nestle milk plant in Ubly for 17 years. After his retirement, he worked as a security guard for Great lakes Security for a few years. He was a lifelong member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Parisville. Floyd enjoyed gardening, playing cards, and loved Polish music. He played the concertina in his younger days. Floyd is survived by his daughter, Verna Booms and her husband, Harry, of Harbor Beach; one step-daughter, Evelyn Brown and her husband, Orval, of Kingston; two step-sons, Raymond Konkel and his wife, Doris, of Eastpointe, Alexander Konkel and his wife, Shirley, of Windsor, Ontario; five grandchildren; nine step-grandchildren; 16 step-great-grandchildren; 3 step-great-great-grandchildren; two brothers, Ted O'Parka and his wife, Theresa, of Warren and Raymond O'Parka of Bad Axe; one sister, Leona Peplinski of Parisville; two sisters-in-law, Gertrude O'Parka of Ubly and Irene O'Parka of Tyre. Floyd was preceded in death by his wife, Lucy; two step-children, Angeline and Clarence Konkel; one step-grandson, William Konkel; one step-great-granddaughter, Shelley Konkel; six brothers, Frank, Casimer "Cass", Joseph "Joe", Bernard "Ben", Isadore "Pete", and Aloise O'Parka; one sister, Angeline Osentoski. Funeral mass for Floyd O'Parka will be 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 11, 2003, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Parisville. The Rev. T. J. Fleming, pastor of St. John Catholic Church of Ubly, will officiate. Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery. There will be a parish vigil service at 8 p.m. on Friday at the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly. Visitation will be from 1 to 9:30 p.m. tonight at the funeral home and from 10 to 11 a.m. on Saturday at the church. Berniece Sternberg Berniece Joyce Sternberg, 70, resident of Bad Axe, passed away Thursday, January 9, 2003, at Huron Medical Center in Bad Axe. She was born March 10, 1932 in Ubly to the late Arno and Alma (Dankenbring) Sternberg. Berniece was a member of Our Savior Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bad Axe. She was a member of the Lutheran Ladies League. Berniece attended Rural Country School. She enjoyed her doll collection and watching television. She is survived by three brothers, Wilton Sternberg of Birch Run, Victor Sternberg of Battle Creek, Lowell Sternberg of Sacramento, Calif.; one sister, Marie Green of Las Vegas, Nev.; two aunts, Leona Tuttle of Naples, Fla., and Louella Kemp of Haslett; several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. on Saturday, January 11, 2003, at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Bad Axe. The Rev. Kenneth Lueke will officiate. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. tonight at MacAlpine Funeral Home and from 12 to 1 p.m. on Saturday at the church. Burial will take place at Valley Cemetery in Ubly. Memorials may be offered to Our Savior Lutheran Church. Waldron Knechtel Waldron "Sim" Knechtel, 87, of Pigeon, formerly of Elkton, passed away on Friday, January 10, 2003, at Scheurer Hospital. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, January 13, 2003, at Elkton United Methodist Church. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. on Sunday at the Champagne Funeral Home and from 10 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 11 a.m. at the church. A complete obituary will be in Sunday's edition of the Huron Daily Tribune or by viewing www.CFCelkton.com. Yvonne Lindland Yvonne Lindland, 74, of Harbor Beach, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, January 9, 2003, at Harbor Beach Community Hospital. Arrangements are incomplete and are being handled by the Ramsey Funeral Home in Harbor Beach. A complete obituary will be in Sunday's edition of the Huron Daily Tribune or by viewing the RamseyFH.Com website. Carmen Martin Carmen "Betty" Martin, 96, of Kingston, passed away Thursday, January 9, 2003, in Marlette Community Hospital. Funeral services will be conducted at 3 p.m. on Sunday, January 12, 2003, at Kranz Funeral Home, Kingston, with Pastor David Mercer of Deford Community Church officiating. Interment is in Novesta Township Cemetery, Cass City. Visitation will be from 2 to 6 p.m. on Saturday. Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor's choice. 1