HURON DAILY TRIBUNE, Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan

Local obituaries for the week beginning July 20, 2003


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

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Sunday, July 20, 2003


Jacquelyn M. Lankey 
Jacquelyn M. Lankey, 78, of Caseville, passed away on Friday morning, July 18, 2003, at 
the Huron Medical Care Facility in Bad Axe.   She was born on March 24, 1925 in 
Pontiac to the late Herbert and Nell (Coons) Britten.   On July 8, 1944, she was united in 
marriage to Harold V. Lankey in Deland, Fla.  They raised their family in the Pontiac 
area and moved to Caseville in 1964.   Jackie had been the office manager at Campbell 
Cabinets in Caseville for more than 10 years, retiring in 2001.   Surviving are her 
husband, Harold; two daughters: Penny Reed and her husband, Rob, of Caseville, and 
Suzanne Lankey, of Brisbane, Australia; six grandchildren; four great grandchildren and 
her brother, Garner Britten, of San Fransico, Calif.   There will be no visitation or funeral 
services at this time. Memorials may be made to the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church or 
the family.   Friends and family may sign the guestbook at www.CFCcaseville.com. 

Marguerite A. Summers 
Marguerite A. Summers, 80, of Grant Township, passed away on Friday morning, July 
18, 2003, at her home while under hospice care.   She was born in Dearborn on Sept. 1, 
1922 to the late Charles and Marguerite (Stenske) Cummings, and moved to Gagetown in 
her youth.   On Oct. 3, 1942, she was united in marriage to Lawrence Summers in Royal 
Oak.  Marguerite worked at the Bed Franklin Store in Cass City for 17 years until she 
retired in 1976. She was a member of the Gagetown Church of the Nazarene and played 
the piano there for many years. Marguerite enjoyed gardening and spending time with her 
family.   Surviving are her husband, Lawrence; three children, Larry Summers and his 
wife, Carol, of Gagetown, Marilyn Pierce, of Gagetown, Gary Summers and his wife, 
Gwen, of Grayling; six grandchildren, Tom, Terri, Chuck, Christy, Jason and Clara; five 
great-grandchildren, Justin, Benjamin, Sydney, Dyllan and Lylian; two brothers, Harold 
Cummings and his wife, Doris, of Gagetown, Don Cummings and his wife, Sharon, of 
Gagetown; special friends, Andrew and Natalie Ellen and family.   Funeral services will 
be conducted at 11 a.m. on Monday, July 21, 2003, at the Gagetown Church of the 
Nazarene, with Rev. Don Ault Jr., pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the Grant 
Township Cemetery.   Visitation will be from 2-9 p.m. today at the Champagne Funeral 
Chapel in Elkton and from 10 a.m. until the service time at the church.   Memorials may 
be made to the Gagetown church of the Nazarene.   Friends and family may sign the 
guest book at www.CFCelkton.com. 

Monday, July 21, 2003


Boyd Tait 
Boyd F. Tait, 76, passed away suddenly on Saturday, July 19, 2003, at Caro Community 
Hospital.   Boyd was born March 2, 1927 in Caro, son of the late Worthy C. and Sarah H. 
(Shannon) Tait, Sr. After graduating from Caro High School in 1945, he attended the 
Merchant Marine Academy for two years, then he went to the Michigan Technological 
University, graduating in March 1951 as a metallurgical engineer. In August of 1951, he 
entered the U.S. Air Force Officer Training Corp during the Korean Conflict.   Boyd was 
united in marriage to Mabel K. Zemke on Dec. 26, 1951 in Caro.  Following his 
enlistment, he returned to Caro, where upon his father's death, he took over his father's 
business in real estate and auctioneering. He was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic 
Church in Caro. He enjoyed many activities, including showing horses, playing bridge, 
golfing and working in his large garden. Boyd will always be remembered as an avid dog 
lover, caring for many homeless animals.   Boyd is survived by his wife, Mabel; two 
daughters, Rebecca L. Stec and her husband, Randy, of Caro, and Sarah C. Tupper, of 
Metamora; one brother, Wayne Tait and his wife, Sylvia, of Caro; one sister, Alice Klein 
and her husband, Donald, of Louisville, Ky.; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.   
Preceding him in death are his parents; one sister, Frances Lee Light, in 1972; and three 
brothers, Ralph Douglas Devault, in 1992, Forest Tait, in 1999 and Worthy C. Tait II, in 
2001.   A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 22, 2003, 
at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Caro. The burial will be followed with military 
honors in the Novesta Twp. Cemetery.   Those planning an expression of sympathy may 
wish to consider memorial contributions to the Leader Dogs for the Blind, the Cass River 
Pet Friendz or the Tuscola County Humane Society.   The Ransford Funeral Home of 
Caro assisted the family with these arrangements. 

June Szappon 
June Laura Spencer Szappon, 73, of Cass City, died Sunday, July 20, 2003, in Saint 
Mary's Medical Center.   A funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, 
July 23, 2003, at Kranz Funeral Home in Cass City with Chuck Emmert, of Novesta 
Church of Christ, officiating.   Visitation is from 7 to 9 p.m. today and 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 
to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.   Arrangements are being handled by the Kranz 
Funeral Home in Cass City. 

Tuesday, July 22, 2003


Edward Champagne 
Edward James Champagne, 45, from Indianapolis, Ind., formerly of Huron County, 
passed away Sunday, July 20, 2003, from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident.   
He was born March 30, 1958 to Virginia Champagne Wing and the late Ervin 
Champagne.   Ed graduated from Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port High School in 1976. He also 
served in the United States Navy. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, riding his motorcycle and 
spending time with his sons.   Surviving are his three sons, Chad and his wife, Shalyn, 
Edward Jr., and Eric; one grandson, Ashton; his mother, Virginia; five sisters, Mary 
Nelson, and her husband, Tom, Connie Kuch and her husband, Ron, Kathy Champagne, 
Beverly Osentoski and her husband, Dean, Susie Ellery and her husband, Steve; two 
brothers, Richard Champagne and his wife, Margaret, and Joseph Champagne and his 
wife, Kathy; several nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles.   He was preceded in death by his 
brother, Ervin, his father, Ervin, and grandparents, Joseph and Martha Champagne and 
Joseph and Ann Redmond.   Funeral services will take place in Indianapolis.   Friends 
may sign the guest book at www.champagnefuneralchapel.com. 

Evelyn Easlick 
Evelyn A. Easlick, 69, died Sunday afternoon, July 20, 2003, at The Carriage House of 
Bay City following a 4 1/2 year illness.   She was born January 29, 1934 in Bay Port, 
daughter of the late Edward and Anna (Miller) Schuch.   She was united in marriage to 
Richard L. Easlick on Oct. 2, 1954 in Sebewaing. He preceded her in death on Jan. 11, 
1982.   Evelyn had been involved in the flower business for several years. She enjoyed 
the outdoors, gardening and painting.   Surviving are two sons, Richard Easlick, of 
California, David Easlick, of Florissant, Mo.; two daughters, Karla M. Easlick, of Bay 
Port, and Colleen Easlick, of Bad Axe; three grandchildren, Sean, Andrea and Kathleen; 
one sister, Barbara Ricker and her husband, Gary, of Sebewaing; two brothers, Donald 
Schuch, and his wife, Beverly, of Petoskey, and Edward Schuch and his wife, Carol, of 
Saginaw; several nieces and nephews.   The Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11 
a.m. on Thursday, July 24, 2003, at the Holy Family Catholic Church.  Fr. John Weis will 
officiate with burial in Memorial Park Cemetery.   Visitation will take place at the 
Dinkel-Juengel Funeral Home in Sebewaing from noon to 9 p.m. on Wednesday.  She 
will lie in state at the church from 10 a.m. Thursday until the time of service.   Those 
planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the Sebewaing Library, Lake 
Huron Community Arts Council or the charity of the donor's choice. 

William A. Ignatowski 
William "Bill" Ignatowski, 83, of Caseville, died Saturday, July 19, 2003, at Scheurer 
Hospital.   He was born Nov. 27, 1919 in Passaic, N.J. and moved to the Sebewaing area 
in his youth with his parents, the late Anthony and Anna (Filia) Ignatowski. Bill was the 
last sibling of 10 children in his family.   Bill worked at the sugar factory in Sebewaing 
until getting called to the service. He served in the U.S. Army during WWII and when he 
returned home, he went to Detroit to seek employment. He was hired at Dodge Main in 
Hamtramck where he retired in 1976 as a line inspector with more than 30 years of 
service.   While there, he met Anna Sapulich. They married June 18, 1955. They moved 
to Caseville in 1978. Bill was a member of St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church in Pigeon. 
He was an avid perch fisherman on the ice and the water. He also always maintained a 
wonder garden in the back of his home.   Surviving him are his wife, Anna; son, Richard 
Ignatowski, and his wife, Pam, of Caseville; daughter, Cheryl Shank, and her husband, 
Mike, of West Palm Beach, Fla.; and three grandchildren, Derek, Anna and Emily.   A 
funeral mass will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 23, 2003, at St. Francis 
Borgia Catholic Church in Pigeon with burial in the church cemetery.   Visitation will be 
at the Champagne Funeral Chapel from 2 to 9 p.m. today and from 9 to 10:30 a.m. 
Wednesday. A parish scripture service will take place at 7 p.m. tonight.   

Nicholas Johnson 
Nicholas Dougherty Johnson, 24, of Tinton Falls, N.J., died on Friday, July 18, 2003, at 
the Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank, N.J.   He was born June 15, 1979 to Dr. 
Samuel Johnson III and Gervasia Victoria "Vickie" Johnson.   Nicholas was a resident of 
Tinton Falls since 1991 and is formerly of Hawaii. He was a 1998 graduate of Monmouth 
Regional High School. He enjoyed basketball, Spanish, music, dancing, playing chess, 
drawing and always had an on-going game of Rummy 500 with his mother. He worked 
with AmeriCorp, Asbury Park.  He volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House, Long 
Beach and the Food Bank, Asbury Park.   He is survived by his parents; two sisters, 
Vickie Young and her husband, Timothy, of Bad Axe, Juanita Dougherty and her friend, 
Richard Curry, Jr., of Bad Axe; his parental grandfather, Samuel T. Johnson Jr., of 
Pasadena, Calif.; maternal grandmother, Henriette Martinez, of McGregor, Texas; nieces 
and nephews, Allen, Chealsea and Tina Young, with whom he loved spending time, as 
well as several loving aunts, uncles, cousins and many family friends.   Funeral services 
are being held today at the John E. Day Funeral Home in Red Bank, N.J.   The family 
requests that memorial donations in his memory be made to St. Judes Children's Research 
Hospital, 501 St. Judes Place, Memphis, Tenn. 38015, or the American Heart Association 
or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. 

Willard Young 
Willard "Tom" V. Young, 80, died Thursday, July 10, 2003. He was born March 13, 
1923 in Elkton.   Mr. Young was a member of Redeemer United Methodist Church and a 
veteran of WWII, serving in the U.S. Navy. He was an electrician for the Department of 
Public Health, State of Michigan, for 29 years, retiring in 1984.   He enjoyed hunting, 
fishing, golfing and the outdoors. Surviving are his wife of 52 years, Uleta M.; two sons, 
Larry, of Grand Ledge and Dale and his wife, Cindy, of Sparta; two daughters, Debra 
Nixon and her husband, John, of Lansing, and Sue Wood and her husband, David, of 
McGuire Air Force Base, N.J.; 11 grandchildren, Tom, Tim, Amy, Kelli, Sara, Amanda, 
Nicole, Michelle, Hannah, Alex and Nicholas; one sister, LaVerda Young of Elkton.   
Funeral services have already been conducted.   Those desiring may make contributions 
to the Redeemer United Methodist Church or Hospice of Clinton Memorial and Sparrow, 
P.O. Box 30480, Lansing, MI 48909 in memory of Mr. Young.   

Wednesday, July 23, 2003


Verne R. Elliott 
Verne R. Elliott, 81, of Harbor Beach, passed away Tuesday, July 22, 2003, unexpectedly 
at his home.   Born in Sigel Township on May 1, 1922, he was the son of the late Paul 
Roy and Anna Marie (Forthoffer) Elliott.   Verne and Dorothy Stephenson were united in 
marriage on Jan. 26, 1951 in Harbor Beach.   He was a former employee of the Hercules, 
Inc., of Harbor Beach for 19 years and a retired employee of Active Industries, of Elkton, 
retiring in 1987 after working for 19 years. In his leisure time, Verne enjoyed gardening.   
Verne was a veteran of WWII serving in the U.S. Army in Germany with Patten's Army.   
Surviving are his wife, Dorothy Elliott, of Harbor Beach; three children, Colleen Sari and 
her husband, Lee, of Port Huron, Lee V. Elliott, and Mark Elliott and his wife, Lori, of 
Harbor Beach; three grandchildren, Christopher Sari, Shane and Jessica Elliott; three 
sisters, Eleanore Iseler, of Bad Axe, Katherine Kramer, of Royal Oak, and Berniece 
Criner, of Taylor.   Verne was preceded in death by two sisters, Leona and Margaret; and 
two brothers, Lawrence and Harry Elliott.   Funeral services will be Thursday, July 25, 
2003, at 7 p.m. in Ramsey Funeral Home in Harbor Beach, with the Rev. Barry Sweet 
officiating. Cremation will follow at Sunset Valley Crematory in Bay City and interment 
will be in the Rock Falls Cemetery.   Visitation will be 1 to 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. until the 
time of the service Thursday at the funeral home. 

Marie Osentoski 
Mrs. Marie Osentoski, 68, of Ubly, passed away on Monday, July 21, 2003, at her 
residence.   Marie was born on May 28, 1935 in Kinde to the late Joseph and Mary 
(Polega) Schramski. She married Leonard Osentoski on Oct. 9, 1954 at St. Mary Catholic 
Church in Kinde. He proceeded her in death on Dec. 15, 1999.   Marie was a graduate of 
Kinde High School. She farmed with her family. She worked at various local companies 
for 13 years before beginning her own Adult Foster Care home in Sanilac County. She 
was a former member of St. Ignatius Alter Society. She enjoyed casinos, cards, 
gardening, flowers and visiting with her family.   Marie is survived by her four children: 
Loretta Supudowski and her husband, Floyd, of Fair Haven, Larry Osentoski, of Ubly, 
David Osentoski and his wife, Dorothy, of Ubly, Nancy Champagne and her husband 
Bryce, of Ubly; 11 grandchildren; three great grandchildren; three brothers, Joe 
Schramski and his wife, Ruth, of Centerline, Frank Schramski, of Port Austin, John 
Schramski and his wife, Helen, of Kinde; three sisters, Genny Peruski and her husband, 
Eugene, of Minden City, Martha Semrau, of Roseville, Regina Lasceski, of Filion; two 
brothers-in-law, Curtis Osentoski and his wife, Frances, of Ubly, Mark Osentoski and his 
wife, Bernice, of Kinde; three sisters-in-law, Mary Narring and her husband, Ted, of 
Warren, Helen Kociba, of Ubly and Delores Stacer and her husband, Jim, of Harbor 
Beach.   Marie was preceded in death by one granddaughter, Sara Jane Osentoski; one 
sister, Anna Lasceski; three brothers, infant brother Felix, Anthony "Tony", and Bernard 
"Ben" Schramski; brothers and sisters-in-law, Mike Lasceski, John Lasceski, Florence 
Schramski, Herman Kociba, Arthur Semrau, Theresa Schramski and Genevieve 
Schramski.   Funeral mass will take place at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 24, 2003, at St. 
Ignatius Catholic Church, of Freiburg. Rev. T.J. Fleming, pastor, will officiate. Burial 
will be in the church cemetery.   Visitation will be from 1 to 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday and 
from 9 to 10 a.m. on Thursday at the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly. There 
will be a parish vigil service at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home.   Memorials 
may be made to the Family Discretionary Fund. 

Thursday, July 24, 2003


Edward Horetski 
Edward Horetski, 82, of Port Austin, died Wednesday, July 23, 2003, at the Huron 
Medical Center.   Edward was born Oct. 29, 1920 to the late Edward and Agnes 
(Snazock) Horetski in Detroit. He moved to Port Austin in 1935.   Edward Horetski and 
Margaret Fischer were married Jan. 3, 1942. Edward was preceded in death by his wife, 
Margaret, on July 31, 2000.   Mr. Horetski was a member of St. Michael's Catholic 
Church in Port Austin. Edward worked at Port Austin Level for 35 years. He was a U.S. 
army veteran and served in Normandy during World War II as a radioman. Edward was a 
member of the Frank Horetski Post 449 in Port Austin for 56 years and a life long 
member of VFW Post 116. He also served on the Port Austin Village Council. Edward 
loved spending time with his family, a number one priority in his life. He enjoyed the 
sport of baseball, dancing, singing in the church choir and at special functions.   Edward 
is survived by two sons, Bob Horetski and his fiancee, Jan Voss, of Port Austin, and 
Larry Horetski and his wife, Jan, of Port Austin; one daughter, Linda Taylor, of Saginaw; 
three grandchildren, Shelly Koth and her husband, Kevin, of Kinde, Heather Toner and 
her husband, Brian, of Port Austin and Amy Horetski, of Port Austin; one great-
granddaughter, Madalynne Toner; one great-grandson, Brody Toner; several nieces and 
nephews; two sisters, Delores Tomaszewski and Amella Rieth, both of Detroit; a sister-
in-law, Betty Horetski, of Warren; and one brother, Arthur Horetski, and his wife Mary, 
of Detroit.   He was preceded in death by one sister, Bernice Gembarski, and two 
brothers, Raymond and Louie Horetski.   Mass of Christian burial will be conducted at 11 
a.m. on Saturday, July 26, 2003, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Port Austin. The 
Rev. Fr. Rob Pare, pastor of St. Michael's Catholic Church, will officiate. Burial will take 
place in the church cemetery.   Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. tonight, from 1 to 9 
p.m. on Friday, and from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday at MacAlpine Funeral Home - 
Gage Chapel in Kinde. A parish wake scripture will be at 7 p.m. on Friday.   Memorials 
may be made to the charity of the donor's choice. 

Elizabeth Louise Pomponio 
Gilbert Andrew Pomponio 
Elizabeth Louise (McCormick) Pomponio, 76, of Oak Forest, Ill., died Friday, February 
7, 2003.   Elizabeth "Betty" was born Oct. 26, 1926 in Huron County. Her parents were 
Patrick and Lena (Musselman) McCormick, of Pinnebog. Betty graduated from Pinnebog 
High School and attended Bay City Community College.   In 1950, Betty married Gilbert 
Andrew Pomponio, of Shamokin, Pa. The Pomponios lived in Detroit for a few years, 
then moved to Blue Island, Ill., and later to Oak Forest.   
Gilbert Andrew Pomponio, 76, of Oak Forest, Ill. died Tuesday, March 4, 2003, at the 
Lexington Health Care Center. Gil was born on Oct. 11, 1926 in Shamokin, Pa. to 
Anthony and Margaret Pomponio. Gilbert retired from Modern Drop Forge Company in 
Chicago.   Betty and Gil are survived by their children, Deborah Alice and Terrance 
Andrew Pomponio, both of Calumet City, Ill. Betty is also survived by her sisters, 
Patricia Murray and her husband, John, of Ubly and Christina Doreen Tomlinson and her 
husband, Leroy, of Marlette; and her brothers, Donald Lawrence McCormick, of 
Pinnebog, and R. Steven McCormick, of San Antonio, Texas, as well as many nieces and 
nephews.   She was preceded in death by brothers, Joseph, Bernard (Bun), and Franklin 
(Frank), and by her sister, Mary McIntosh, and an infant sister; sisters-in-law, Carol 
McCormick and Anne McCormick; and brother-in-law, Archie McIntosh.   Gil is 
survived by two half-brothers, Robert Palvich, of Coal Town, Pa. and Frank Palovich, of 
Sykesville, Md. Gil was preceded in death by his sister, Margaret, and his half-sister, 
Marjorie.   Cremation took place at The Wayside Chapel in Palos Park, Ill.   A memorial 
service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 26, 2003, at St. Felix Catholic 
Church in Pinnebog, 3515 Limerick Road, Kinde. Father John Weis, of Holy Family 
Catholic Church in Sebewaing (formerly of Most Holy Trinity at Smith Corners and St. 
Joseph at Rapson), will officiate. 

Friday, July 25, 2003


Michele Friday 
Mrs. Michele Lynn Bratland/Friday, 28, of Ubly, went to be with the angels in heaven on 
Wednesday evening, July 23, 2003, at Children's Hospital of Michigan due to a lengthy 
illness.   Michele was born on Jan. 1, 1975 in Bad Axe to Willard "Bill" and Susan "Sue" 
(Knudtson) Bratland. She married her loving husband, Kelly Friday, on Feb. 14, 1997 in 
Bad Axe.   Michele enjoyed collecting unicorns and whales. She loved word searches and 
spending time with her husband, children, family and friends. She also enjoyed delivering 
the Huron Daily Tribune in Ubly with her family.   Michele is survived by her husband, 
Kelly, of Ubly; two sons, Cody Thorpe, of Bad Axe and Colin Scott Friday, at home; two 
daughters, Chelsea and Chrysta Friday, both at home; her parents, Bill and Sue Bratland, 
of Ubly; two brothers, Jason Bratland, of Ubly; Chad Bratland and his fiance, Davina 
Maurer, of Ubly; one sister, Patty Bratland, of Benton Harbor; four half brothers, Roger, 
Paul, Philip and David Bratland, all of Wisconsin; her mother-in-law, Jane Friday, of 
North Branch; six brothers-in-law and wives; two sisters-in-law and husbands; several 
nieces and nephews; many aunts and uncles; one godchild, Daniel Smith, of Ruth.   
Michele was preceded in death by her father-in-law, Lloyd Friday, Sr., and her uncle, 
Dean Ray Knudtson.   Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 26, 2003, at 
the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly. Rev. Kenneth D. Lueke, pastor of Our 
Savior Evangelical Lutheran Church of Bad Axe, will officiate. Burial will be in Valley 
Cemetery of Ubly.   Visitation will be at the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home of Ubly 
today from 1:30-9:30 p.m. and on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.   Memorials requested 
to the Family Discretionary Fund. 

Erma E. Girard 
Erma E. Girard, 94, died Wednesday morning, July 23, 2003, at Bortz Health Care of 
Traverse City, in the company of her loving family. She fought a good fight against the 
debilitating effects of a stroke.   She was born on April 19, 1909 in Wyandotte, the 
daughter of Alvin and Emma (Ziesmer) Unger.   Erma was one of eight children and 
grew up working on the family farm. In 1932, she married Carl Wenzel. After four years 
of marriage, Carl died in 1935. In 1939, Erma married Lawrence Girard and the two were 
happily married for 63 years.   She was a happy, joyous person, who enjoyed nothing 
better than taking part in a breakfast table conversation. Erma was an avid gardener, 
golfer, bowler, euchre player and cook. She also loved to travel; but most of all, she 
enjoyed being with her family at the family cottage in Bay Port.   For many years, she 
served as chief cook for the family duck camp and over the years, she became well 
known for all the meals she served the family duck hunters.  Erma and Lawrence lived in 
Lincoln Park from 1939 to 1999. During this time, Erma was busy raising three sons, 
working primarily as a seamstress, and running the family home. In 1999, Erma and 
Lawrence moved to Traverse City to be close to their sons and their families.   Erma was 
a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and was blessed with a deep and undying faith in 
God. This faith she imparted to her entire family.   She is survived by her sons, David 
Wenzel and his wife, Patricia, Clifford Girard and his wife, Susan, Renne Girard and his 
wife, Lynette; eleven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.   Erma was preceded 
in death by her husband, Lawrence, in 2003; her parents; and three sisters.   Cremation 
has taken place.   A memorial service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church on 
Tuesday, July 29, 2003, at 3:30 p.m. The Rev. Dr. Paul Zimmerman will officiate.   In 
lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church.   The 
family is being served by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City. 

Alvin A. Williams 
Alvin A. Williams, 77, of Filion, passed away on Wednesday, July 23, 2003, at William 
Beaumont Hospital of Troy following a short illness.   He was born Aug. 19, 1925 in Port 
Huron, son of the late Ralph and Mary (Schmidt) Williams.   He married Caroline 
Schelke on Sept. 9, 1950 in the former Bloomfield Trinity Lutheran Church.   Mr. 
Williams was a longtime Filion area farmer. He was a member of Our Savior Lutheran 
Church in Bad Axe where he served as an usher. He enjoyed playing euchre with his 
family, making and fixing things for his children and grandchildren, and reupholstering 
furniture.   He is survived by his wife, Caroline Williams, of Filion; one son, Allan 
Williams and his wife, Jan, of Utica; one daughter, Shari Luttenberger and her husband, 
David, of Utica; one brother, Elmer Williams and his wife, Eleanor, of Bad Axe; three 
sisters, Mildred Steciak, of Bad Axe, Eleanor Bambach and her husband, Steve, of Bad 
Axe, and Irene Stirrett and her husband, Arnold, of Sterling Heights; two sisters-in-law, 
Mildred Pawlitz and her husband, Lloyd, of Port Hope, and Florence Schelke, of Harbor 
Beach; six grandchildren, Erica Williams and her fiance, Gerald Heinecke, Melanie, 
Adam and Alyssa Williams, and Heather and Sarah Luttenberger.   Services will be held 
on Sunday, July 27, 2003, at 2 p.m. at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Bad Axe.   
Officiating will be Rev. Kenneth Lueke, pastor. Burial will be in the Lakeview Cemetery 
in Port Hope.   Visitation will be at the Kaufman Funeral Home in Bad Axe on Saturday 
from 1-9 p.m., and Sunday at the church from 1 p.m. until the time of the service.   
Memorials may be offered to the Our Savior Lutheran Church Building Fund. 

Marie Riegel 
Marie (Bezemek) Riegel, 50, of Ortonville, formerly of Minden City, passed away 
Tuesday, July 22, 2003, following a long illness.   Marie was born June 14, 1953 to 
Ernest and Betty Bezemek of Minden City.   Marie is survived by her husband, Gary; one 
son, Richard; two daughters, Sara and Marie; one foster son, Ernie Bezemek, all of 
Ortonville; parents, Ernest and Betty Bezemek, six brothers, Edward and his wife, Val, of 
Argyle, Richard and his wife, Pam, of Deckerville, John and his wife, Nancy, of 
Carsonville, Ernie and his wife, Cathy, of Deckerville, Danielle and his wife, Janeen, of 
Minden City, Tim and his wife, Linda, of Bloomfield Hills; several nieces, nephews, 
aunts and uncles; mother and father-in-law, Betty and Howard Riegel, of Detroit.   Marie 
is preceded in death by two brothers, Gerry and Tom.   Funeral services are at 11 a.m. 
Saturday, July 26, 2003, at Seymour Lake United Methodist Church in Ortonville.   
Memorials may be made to the National Kidney Foundation in her name. 

Frank P. Lyon 
Frank Paul Lyon, 85, of Bad Axe, and a retired Michigan State Trooper, died Thursday, 
July 24, 2003, at the Huron County Medical Care Facility after a long illness.   Visitation 
will be at the H.W. Weitenberner Funeral Home in Bad Axe on Monday from 2-4 p.m. 
and 6-9 p.m. Cremation will follow.   Memorial services are scheduled for 11 a.m. 
Tuesday.   A complete obituary will appear in Sunday's Huron Daily Tribune. 

Barney Paulin 
Barney Paulin, 80, of Harbor Beach, passed away Friday morning, July 25, 2003, at St. 
Mary's Medical Center in Saginaw.   Arrangements are incomplete and are being handled 
by the Ramsey Funeral Home of Harbor Beach.   A complete obituary will be in Sunday's 
Huron Daily Tribune or by viewing www.ramseyfh.com. 



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