HURON DAILY TRIBUNE, Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan

Local obituaries for the week beginning June 15, 2003


Contributed 2003 by Carol Morrison for use in the USGenWeb Archives.

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Sunday, June 15, 2003


Bertha Osentoski 
Mrs. Bertha J. Osentoski, 88, of Ubly, died Thursday evening, June 12, 2003, at her 
residence under hospice care.   She was born March 17, 1915 in Austin Township, 
daughter of the late Albert and Mary (Pollum) Grifka.  She married Stanley Osentoski on 
April 21, 1934 at St. John Catholic Church of Ubly.  He preceded her in death on Jan. 10, 
1997.   She was a graduate of the Country School.  She was a parishioner of St. John 
Church and a member of Circle #3 Mary Magdaline Christian Mothers.  She enjoyed 
quilting, gardening and baking.  She loved being at home and having visits from her 
children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.   She is survived by three sons; Henry 
(Hank) Osentoski and his wife, Ruth, of Ubly; Elmer Osentoski and his wife, Helen, of 
Ubly; John (Jack) Osentoski and his wife, Mary, of Ubly; four daughters, Jane Maurer 
and her husband, Richard, of Ruth; Patricia Maurer and her husband, Ronald, of 
Frankenmuth; Mary Alice Greene and her husband, Jeff, of Rodney; Lorraine Kzinowek, 
of Essexville; 39 grandchildren; 86 great-grandchildren; one brother, Marshall Grifka and 
his wife, Frances, of Ubly; two sisters, Grace Puvalowski, of Ubly and Merrie 
Watchowski and her husband, Leonard, of Sand Point; many nieces and nephews; sisters-
in-law, Clare Grifka, of Ubly; Jeanette Grifka, of Florida; Irene Wozniak, of Harbor 
Beach; Regina Ekquist, of Delaware.   She was preceded in death by her brothers, Mike, 
August, Enoch, Robert, Leo, Clarence, Stanley, Albert, Henry, Martin and Harry; sisters, 
Clara Wonsowicz and Lucy Pilch; one great grandchild, Cory Joseph Osentoski.   Funeral 
Mass will be on Monday, June 16, 2003, at 10 a.m. at St. John Catholic Church in Ubly. 
Rev. T.J. Fleming, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in the church ceremony.   
Visitation will be at the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home of Ubly on Sunday from 1-9:30 
p.m. and on Monday from 8 to 9 a.m. There will be a Parish Vigil Service on Sunday at 
7:30 p.m. at the funeral home.   

Laura Pearsall 
Laura M. Pearsall, 90, of Sebewaing, died Friday, June 13, 2003, at the Tuscola County 
Medical Care Facility in Caro.   She was born June 18, 1912 in Sebewaing, daughter of 
the late Frederick and Carrie (Finkbeiner) Currey.   She was united in marriage to Alvin 
Harold Pearsall on Feb. 3, 1951 in Pontiac. He preceded her in death on July 1, 1989.   
Laura was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Sebewaing, and had been a 
member of the choir for many years, the Alpha Delta Class, the Joy Group, the 
Sebewaing Chapter of Order of Easter Star #407 and the Unionville-Sebewaing Area 
senior citizens group. She enjoyed cooking, gardening and especially her church 
activities. She also was an avid antique collector.   Surviving are one sister and brother-
in-law, Dorothy and Melvin Kuisel, Sebewaing; two sisters-in-law, Maureen Currey, 
Rochester Hills; Vernita Currey, Sebewaing; also one stepson, James A. Pearsall, 
Concord, Calif.; several nieces and nephews.   She was preceded in death by one sister, 
Verna Nietzke, and two brothers, Melvin Currey and Carlton Currey.   The funeral 
service will take place at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 16, 2003, at Trinity United Methodist 
Church in Sebewaing. Rev. Fredrick Wilson, senior ministry pastor, will officiate with 
burial in Memorial Park Cemetery in Sebewaing.   Visitation at the Dinkel-Juengel 
Funeral Home in Sebewaing from noon to 9 p.m. on Sunday and she will lie in state at 
the church from 10 a.m. Monday until the time of service.   Those planning an expression 
of sympathy are asked to consider Trinity United Methodist Building Fund, Bay Shore 
Camp or the charity of the donor's choice.   

Monday, June 16, 2003


Bonnie Bekaert 
Bonnie M. Bekaert, 72, of Port Hope near Lighthouse Park,  passed away Wednesday, 
June 4, 2003, at her home following an extended illness.   Graveside service for Bonnie 
will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 18, 2003, at New River Cemetery, Huron City. 
Richard Crisman will officiate.   Ramsey Funeral Home in Harbor Beach is handling 
arrangements. 

Harold Dettloff 
Harold "John" Dettloff, 76, of Cass City, died Sunday, June 15, 2003, in Tendercare 
Nursing Facility in Cass City after a long illness.   Funeral service will be conducted at 1 
p.m. on Wednesday, June 18, 2003, in Kranz Funeral Home in Cass City with Pastor J.T. 
Mabe of Mizpah Missionary Church officiating. Interment is in East Dayton Cemetery in 
Caro.   Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. tonight and from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. on 
Tuesday at the funeral home.   Memorials may be made to the Family Discretionary 
Fund. 

Allen Hurren 
Allen C. "Buster" Hurren, 77, of Harbor Beach, passed away Sunday, June 1, 2003, in the 
Harbor Beach Community Hospital.   Born in Harbor Beach on Oct. 28, 1925, he was the 
son of the late Loren and Edna (Durkee) Hurren.   On June 15, 1946, Allen and Virginia 
Minton were united in marriage in Harbor Beach.   Allen was a veteran of World War II 
serving in the U.S. Navy.   Buster was a retired employee of the City of Harbor Beach 
working in the Water Treatment plant for over 30 years. He retired in 1982.  He was a 
former owner of the Hurren's Boat Livery of Harbor Beach.   Buster was a life member of 
the American Legion Post 197 of Harbor Beach and was a past commander. He enjoyed 
fishing, traveling out west and panning for gold.   He is survived by his wife, Virginia, of 
Harbor Beach; two daughters, Virginia Schulmier and her husband, Roy, of Texas and 
Louise McNeil and her husband, Earl Jr., of Texas; one brother, Robert Hurren, of 
Saginaw; four sisters, Ruth Ignash, of Port Huron, Viva Minton, of Indiana, Sally Long 
and her husband, Melvin, of Harbor Beach and Verda Hurren, of Florida; six 
grandchildren; six great-grandchildren.   Buster was preceded in death by a brother, 
Archie Hurren; and a sister, Barbara Tenbusch.   Cremation has taken place and a 
military graveside service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 21, 2003, in 
Rock Falls Cemetery conducted by American Legion Post 197 and VFW Post 9344. 
Ramsey Funeral Home in Harbor Beach is handling arrangements. 

William Scott 
William Thomas Scott, 57, resident of Bad Axe, died Saturday afternoon, June 14, 2003, 
as a result of a farming accident.   He was born on Jan. 3, 1946 to the late Willis and 
Arlie (Rapson) Scott.   William married Karen Stanton on June 10, 2000. She survives 
him.   Mr. Scott was a 1964 graduate of Harbor Beach High School. He enjoyed trucks, 
tractors and farming. He worked as a self-employed truck driver for 20 years.   William is 
survived by his wife, Karen Scott; two sons, Todd Scott, of Dallas, Texas and Kevin 
Scott, of Bad Axe; one daughter, Vicki Wisenbaugh and her husband, Michael, of Bad 
Axe; one step-daughter, Donna Wolschleger and her husband, Kerry, of Ruth; one 
brother, James Scott and his special friend, Faye, of Kinde; two grandchildren, Blake and 
Shelby Wisenbaugh; two step-grandchildren, Christopher Stacer and Amber 
Wolschleger; several nieces and nephews.   He was preceded in death by two brothers, 
John "Jack" and Robert Scott.   Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, 
June 17, 2003, at MacAlpine Funeral Home in Bad Axe. Burial will be in Verona 
Cemetery.   Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. today and from 10 to 11 a.m. on Tuesday 
at the funeral home. 

Olive Smith 
Olive Diane Santhony Smith, 65, of Alger, passed away Sunday, June 8, 2003, in 
Saginaw.   She was born on Dec. 12, 1937 in Highland Park.   The former Olive D. 
Santhony married Warren Smith on July 13, 1956 in Warren.   She was a member of the 
Faith Lutheran Church and the Moose Lodge in Skidway Lake and served as a Sterling 
Nursing Center Volunteer.   She is survived by her husband, Warren; four children, 
Brian, of Shelby Township, Lori Merrich and her husband, Robert, of Cheboygan, 
Rebecca Daley and her husband, Martin, of Shelby Township, Janett Wagner and her 
husband, Ric, of Gaylord; mother, Mable Santhony, of Alger; one sister, Elaine 
Kutrowski and her husband, John, of Washington.   She was preceded by her father, 
Stanley Santhony.   Funeral services were conducted at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 11, 
2003, at the Faith Lutheran Church in Skidway. Pastor Virgil Bening officiated with 
burial in New River Cemetery in Port Austin. Arrangements are being handled by R.O. 
Savage Funeral Chapel in Standish.   

Tuesday, June 17, 2003 – No obituaries reported


Wednesday, June 18, 2003


Eugene Maitrott 
Eugene "Gene" Maynard Maitrott, 73, of Cass City and formerly of Rochester, died 
Tuesday, June 17, 2003, in Marlette Hospice Residence.   He was born on March 29, 
1930 in Pontiac to Maynard and Lucretia (Kerr) Maitrott.   He married Jean Marie 
Weldon on Sept. 12, 1959 in Rochester.   Eugene graduated from Michigan State 
University. He served in the U.S. Air Force. Gene worked as a Certified Public 
Accountant at Ernst and Ernst in Detroit, Tolley International in Bloomfield Hills and had 
his own private practice. He retired in 1992. He was a member of the Knights of 
Columbus Council No. 8892 and St. Pancratius Catholic Church in Cass City, the 
Rochester Elks Lodge No. 2225, and the American Institute of Certified Public 
Accountants. He was also a member of the Thumb Area Antique Auto Club and the East 
Side Model A Club. He owned a '29 Model A Roadster, a '56 Buick and a '63 
Thunderbird.   Eugene is survived by his wife, Jean Marie; daughter, Dr. Susan and son-
in-law, Dr. William Weadock, of Ann Arbor; and granddaughter, Claire.   Funeral 
services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 19, 2003, in St. Pancratius 
Catholic Church in Cass City with the Rev. Steve Fillion officiating. Interment is 10 a.m. 
on Friday in Mt. Avon Cemetery, Rochester. There will be a vigil service at 8 p.m. today 
at the Kranz Funeral Home, 6850 Main St., Cass City.   Visitation will be from 2 to 5 and 
7 to 9 p.m. today at Kranz Funeral Home and from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday in Pixley 
Funeral Home, 322 W. University Dr., Rochester.   Memorials may be made to the 
American Heart Association. Military services under the direction of Cass City V.F.W. 
Post No. 3644. 

Margaret Strye 
Margaret Sophia Strye, 77, of Lake Township near Oak Beach, died Monday afternoon, 
June 16, 2003, at the Huron County Medical Care Facility in Bad Axe.   She was born on 
Oct. 25, 1925 in Essexville to the late Leo and Margaret (Morin) Badour.   On Nov. 10, 
1945, she was united in marriage to Edwin Woys and raised their family in Bay City. He 
preceded her in death on Dec. 5, 1974.   Later she met William Strye and they were 
married on June 17, 1977, at St. Boniface in Bay City and then moved to Harper Woods. 
After retiring in 1983, they moved to their retirement home in Lake Township.   Margaret 
was a member of St. Michaels Catholic Church in Port Austin, the Caseville Eagles 
Auxiliary, Caseville Retirement Club and the Caseville Library Club. She enjoyed 
gardening, sewing, quilting, playing cards, square dancing and especially enjoyed 
spending time with her family.   Surviving are her husband, William; five children, Jerry 
Woys, of Bay City, Margaret Ervin and her husband, Bruce, of Bay City, Donna 
Gasparich and her husband, Victor, of Flint, James Strye and his wife, Victoria, of San 
Antonio, Texas, Carol DeLand and her husband, Alvin, of Marysville; 15 grandchildren; 
13 great-grandchildren; brother, Anthony Badour and his wife, Virginia, of Essexville; 
three sisters, Emma Gohr and her husband, Melvin, of Saginaw, Marion VanOchten, of 
Linwood, Joan Faustin and her husband, Robert, of Essexville.   Preceding her in death 
were two brothers, Leo and Francis Badour.   A funeral mass will be conducted at 11 a.m. 
on Thursday, June 19, 2003, at St. Roch Catholic Church in Caseville. The Rev. Fr. Bob 
Pare, pastor of St. Michael's, will officiate with burial in St. Patrick Cemetery in Bay 
City. A rosary service will be conducted at 7 p.m. at the Champagne Funeral Chapel in 
Caseville.   Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral chapel and after 10:15 
a.m. on Thursday at the church.   Memorials may be given to the Michigan Parkinson 
Foundation.   Friends may sign the guest book at www.CFCcaseville.com. 

Mary Thayer 
Mary Helen "Mary Ellen" Thayer, 80, of Caseville and formerly of Clawson, passed 
away Tuesday, June 17, 2003, at Courtney Manor in Bad Axe.   She was born in Port 
Crescent on Nov. 12, 1922, daughter of the late Francis John "Frank" and Louise (Smith) 
Clancy.   She was a 1941 graduate of Harbor High School in Ashtabula, Ohio.   On April 
10, 1944, she was united in marriage to Charles G. Thayer at Bad Axe and reconfirmed 
their wedding vows at St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church in Pigeon. They retired to 
Caseville in 1988 and recently celebrated 59 years of marriage.   Mrs. Thayer loved her 
family and grandchildren, and was a homemaker throughout her lifetime. She enjoyed 
crafting and fishing. She also enjoyed bowling, and bowled at Biff's in Kinde with the 
same team for 17 years. She was a member of the Caseville Eagles #3690 Auxiliary.   
She is survived by her husband, Charles, of Caseville; daughter, Sheila Thayer, of 
Kalkaska; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; two sisters, Frances Souva, and 
Grace Cilc and her husband, Joe, both of Caseville; and several nieces and nephews.   
She was preceded in death by a son, Charles F. Thayer; and a daughter, Sharon Ann 
Root.   The funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 20, 2003, at the 
Meyersieck-Bussema Funeral Home in Pigeon, with the Fr. Kenneth E. Yaroch, pastor of 
St. Roch Catholic Church in Caseville, officiating. Burial will be in the Caseville 
Township Cemetery.   Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. on Thursday and from 10 a.m. 
until the time of service at 11 a.m. on Friday.   Memorials may be made to the charity of 
the donor's choice. 

Thursday, June 19, 2003 – No obituaries reported


Friday, June 20, 2003


Cletus Bursick 
Cletus Bursick, 89, of Bad Axe, passed away on Thursday, June 19, 2003, at the Huron 
Medical Care Facility following an extended illness.   He was born on June 6, 1914 in 
Elkton, son of the late Frank and Lenora (Lemanski) Bursick.   He married Mary Ligrow 
on Nov. 25, 1946 in St. Edward Catholic Church in Kinde.   He was employed by the 
Hercules Corporation in Harbor Beach for 36 years, retiring in 1980. He enjoyed 
gardening, traveling and tending to his yard.   He is survived by his wife, Mary Bursick 
of Bad Axe; three sons, Eugene Bursick and his wife, Bobbie Lee, of Houston, Texas, 
Bob Bursick and his wife, Nancy, of Bad Axe, Jim Bursick and his wife, Bev, of Grand 
Rapids; two daughters, Marie Humphrey, of Bad Axe, Elizabeth Glasgow and her 
husband, Samuel, of Bad Axe; eight grandchildren, Bill Rathje, of Bad Axe, Gary Rathje 
of Akron, Ann Vicaro and her husband, Tom, of Houston, Texas, Jenny Wickman and 
her husband, Ted, of Portland, Maine, Kim Hernandez and her husband, Jim, of 
Colorado, Melissa Cook and her husband, Chris, of Saginaw, Danielle Glasgow, of 
Mount Pleasant, Carol Fitzgerald and her husband, Jim, of Houston, Texas; and several 
great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by one grandson, 
Anthony Currie; four brothers, Joe, Alex, Carl and Bill Bursick; five sisters, Kay 
Hallberg, Betty Divine, Lucy Barry, Margaret Bursick and Gertrude Petrik.   A mass of 
Christian Burial will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 23, 2003, at Sacred Heart 
Catholic Church in Bad Axe. Burial will be in the church cemetery. A parish scripture 
service and rosary will be offered at 7 p.m. on Sunday at the Kaufman Funeral Home in 
Bad Axe.   Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home and from 10 
a.m. until the service time at 11 a.m. on Monday at the church. 

Eleanor Hodges 
Eleanor (Enderle) Hodges, 65, passed away on Sunday, June 15, 2003, in Sarasota, Fla.   
Eleanor was born on Oct. 12, 1937 near Owendale to Anton and Mary (Pavlichek) 
Enderle.   She was a 1955 graduate of Owendale High School.   She is survived by her 
husband, Richard, of Sarasota, Fla.; sisters, Mary Ann Grasel and her husband, Bob, of 
Frankenmuth and Punta Gorda, Fla., Janet Enderle, of Anoka, Minn.; brothers, Tony 
Enderle and his wife, Pat, of Owendale, Robert Enderle and his wife, Pat, of White Lake; 
and several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.   She was preceded in death by 
her parents; and a sister, Theresa Catania.   Cremation has already taken place. Interment 
of her cremated remains will take place at the family farm at a later date. 

Dolores MacMillan 
Dolores Margaret MacMillan, 73, resident of Bad Axe, died Thursday evening, June 19, 
2003, at home under hospice care surrounded by family and friends.   MacAlpine Funeral 
Home in Bad Axe is handling the arrangements. They are incomplete at this time.   A 
complete obituary will be published in Sunday's edition of the Huron Daily Tribune. 

Gayle Vobbe 
Gayle R. Vobbe, 89, a 26-year resident of Almont and formerly of Toledo, Ohio, passed 
away on Wednesday, June 18, 2003, at Port Huron General Hospital.   Gayle was born on 
July 13, 1913 in Toledo, Ohio, the son of William Henry and Beatrice (Mollenkopft) 
Vobbe.   He married Jeanne Forrest on April 3, 1930 in Toledo, and she preceded him in 
death in September 1989.   Along with his father, they owned "Vobbe's Grocery" located 
at Cherry and Page Street in Toledo until 1962. Upon moving to Almont, Gayle was a 
longtime member of the First Congregational Church of Almont. His hobbies included 
being with his family and friends and golfing.   Gayle is survived by his children, 
Katherine Eschenburg and her husband, Don, of Almont, John "Jack" Thomas Vobbe, of 
Bad Axe, and Frederick Richard and his wife, Debra, of Lima, Ohio; nine grandchildren; 
6 great-grandchildren; caregiver, Joan Bristol.   He was preceded in death by his brother, 
Carleton in 1993.   Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 21, 2003, 
at the First Congregational Church of Almont with burial to follow in Furguson 
Cemetery.   Arrangements are being handled by the Henry M. Malburg Funeral Home in 
Romeo.   Memorials may be made to the Parkinson's Foundation or to the First 
Congregational Church of Almont. 



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