HURON DAILY TRIBUNE, Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan Local obituaries for the week beginning September 21, 2003 Sunday, September 21, 2003 Theresa Briesmiester Theresa J. Briesmiester, 81, of Caseville, died unexpectedly Thursday afternoon, September 18, 2003, at Port Huron Hospital Emergency of a massive stroke while visiting family in the area. She was born April 14, 1922 at the home of her parents, the late Sam and Eva (Neiss) Guster, in Chandler Township. She grew up in the Caseville area. On July 13, 1940 she was united in marriage to Nelson Briesmiester at St. Roch Catholic Church and lived in Caseville most of her married life. He preceded her in death September 21, 1974. Mrs. Briesmiester was a cook at Walt's Restaurant for 22 years retiring in 1984. She was a member of St. Roch Catholic Church and enjoyed cooking and baking goodies for her family. Surviving are three sons, David and his wife, Cathy, of Caseville, Dan and his wife, Bonnie, of Elkton, and Dale and his wife, Tina, of Port Huron; two daughters, Eva Karle, of Caseville, and Sharon Bailey and her husband, Don, of Bad Axe; 29 grandchildren; 51 great- and great-great-grandchildren; her brother, John Guster and his wife, Jean, of Caseville; and her sister, Bertha Dondineau and her husband, Gordon, of Kinde. Preceding her in death were her daughter, MaryAnn, and three brothers, Robert, Mike and Sam. A funeral mass will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Monday, September 22, 2003, at St. Roch Catholic Church, Caseville. The Rev. Fr. Kenneth Yaroch, pastor, will officiate with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. today at the Champagne Funeral Chapel, Caseville, and at the church after 10 a.m. on Monday. Friends may sign the guest book or leave words of condolence at www.CFCcaseville.com. Memorials may be directed to the family. Ruby Jo "Jo Mama" Gielow Ruby Jo "Jo Mama" Gielow, 61, died Sunday, August 31, 2003, at Providence Extended care in Anchorage, Alaska after a short illness. Ms. Gielow was born October 23, 1941 in Mount Clemens to Thomas and Clara Struth. She came to Alaska in 1986, first living in Anchorage for 10 years and then Willow for the past seven years. She had worked for Hope Cottages of Anchorage and Mat-Su Services of Wasilla. Her family wrote: "Jo Mama was a believer in the Lord. She loved rabbits of all kinds and enjoyed helping others. Jo Mama loved working with people with disabilities, especially children. Jo Mama had a big, loving heart, and her family was very important to her. She was very proud of all of them. Between her red hair, big smile, and prominent laughter, she could always bring a smile to your face." Ms. Gielow is survived by her sons and daughters- in-law, Donald and Carmen Wren, of Regina, Saskatchewan, and Charles "Chuck" and Mary Gielow, of Sutton, Alaska; daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Robert Nelson, of Anchorage; grandchildren, Emilie Wren, William and Heather Burke, Sarah Nelson, Johnathan Babcock and wife, Jennifer, Marcy Farris and husband, Mike; great- grandchildren; Kaleb Babcock and Brielle Farris. Memorial contributions may be made to Friends of Pets, P.O. Box 240981, Anchorage, Alaska, 99524. A memorial service was conducted Saturday at the Baxter Bible Church. The Rev. Bob Mather officiated. A memorial service will be today at Hillcrest Cemetery in Bossier City, Louisiana. Cards may be sent to Susan Nelson, P.O. Box 230305, Anchorage, Alaska, 99523. Ms. Gielow made her own arrangements with Kehl's Forest Lawn Mortuary and Crematory. Charlotte Horner Charlotte Evelyn Horner, 89, of Cass City, died unexpectedly on Thursday, September 18, 2003, in Hills & Dales General Hospital. She was born June 23, 1914 in Deford to Robert Lincoln and Elizabeth May (Walker) Warner. She married Audley E. Horner on January 1, 1938 in Cass City. He died October 18, 1997. Charlotte lived in the Highland/Milford area for 14 years. She worked as a doctor's secretary for 12 years. She was a member of Novesta Church of Christ. For many years, Charlotte served her church through her music as organist and pianist. She also served as organist and pianist at Elizabeth Lake Church in Pontiac. She enjoyed needlework and making afghans for many family members. Charlotte had a passion for reading. She was well loved by everyone who knew her. Charlotte is survived by her children, Marilyn L. Lester and her husband, Duane, of Cass City, Charlotte "Ann" Agemy, of Rochester Hills, Louis Horner and his wife, Janice, of Clarksville, Catherine Hayes and her husband, Patrick, of Shelbyville, Tenn., and Geraldine "Geri" Suzor and her husband, Gary, of Cass City; 15 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; a son-in-law, William Barnfather; and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her daughter, Roberta Jean Barnfather; a sister, Lucille Warner; brothers, Hilton B. Warner and Harold Warner. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, September 22, 2003, at Novesta Township Cemetery in Cass City. Pallbearers for Mrs. Horner are her grandsons. Visitation was Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m., and will be today from 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City. Memorials may be made to Novesta Church of Christ or Great Lakes Christian College. Edward Oeschger Edward Arthur Oeschger, 83, of Bay Port, passed away on Thursday, September 18, 2003, at the Huron Medical Care Facility, Bad Axe. He was born in Bay Port on April 2, 1920, son of the late Wesley and Clara (Gettel) Oeschger. He graduated in 1936 from Sebewaing High School and studied agriculture for two years at Michigan State University. On September 6, 1942, he was united in marriage to Mildred H. Armbruster in Pigeon. Mr. Oeschger was a general insurance agent specializing in life insurance for the Farm Bureau Insurance Company for more than 40 years, retiring in 1994. He received numerous awards as an insurance agent and was a member of the Million Dollar Roundtable Achievement Club for several years. He was also a Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) licensee. He was a member of the board of directors of the Michigan Livestock Board for more than 25 years, as well as a school board member with the Kilmanagh School District and the Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Schools for more than 28 years. He was a former member of the Pigeon Lions Club. Mr. Oeschger was an active member of Kilmanagh United Methodist Church, serving as finance chair and Sunday School treasurer. In addition to Mildred, his wife of more than 61 years, he is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Robert Oeschger and his wife, Candace, of Port Hope, and Dale Oeschger and his wife, Linda, of Bay Port; five grandchildren, Tracey Schenk and her husband, James, of Bad Axe, Tara and Tyler Oeschger, of Port Hope, and Corey and Christopher Oeschger, of Bay Port; one great-grandson, Owen Schenk; two sisters, Lucille Peacock and her husband, Jack, of St. Clair Shores, and Alice Leonard, of Bad Axe; one brother, Willet Oeschger and his wife, Sylvia, of Sebewaing; and several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Monday, September 22, 2003, at the Kilmanagh United Methodist Church with the Rev. Alger Lewis and the Rev. Richard Peacock officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, Sebewaing. Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. today at the Meyersieck- Bussema Funeral Home, Pigeon, and from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Monday at the church. Memorials for Mr. Oeschger may be made to Bay Shore Camp or Kilmanagh United Methodist Church. Bernadette Young Bernadette Anita Cecilia Gorkowski Young, 59, of Capac, died Friday, September 19, 2003, at her home after a battle with cancer of unknown origin. She was born April 27, 1944 in Filion, daughter of the late Peter and Cecilia (Maday) Gorkowski. She married her high school sweetheart, Jay A. Young, on June 25, 1966. In 1968 the family bought a home in Washington Township and there they raised eight children. In 1995, after all of the children left home, Bernadette and Jay bought a home in Capac where they planned to live out their retirement. Bernadette enjoyed traveling, making several trips overseas. She also made thousands of rosaries over her lifetime that were shipped to missionaries all over the world. Surviving are her husband, Jay Young; eight children, Grace Lallmann and her husband, Scott, of Warren, Victoria Thuemmel and her husband, Mark, of Sterling Heights, Dean Young and his wife, Christine, of Ashburn, Virginia., Laura Young, of Rochester, Matthew Young and his wife, Bonnie Sue, of Sterling Heights, Martha Raines and her husband, Joel, of Inman, South Carolina, Donald Young and his fiancee, Monica Plese, of Ball Ground, Georgia., and Peter Jay Young and his wife, Margaret, of Columbia, South Carolina; 17 grandchildren, Cecilia, Madalynn, Zachary, Stephanie, Amanda, Meghan, Allyson, Marissa, Michael, Robert, Rachel, Ryan, Savannah, Hayden, Alexander, Nathan, and Lucus. She is also survived by three brothers, Peter Gorkowski and his wife Joanie, of Rapson, Eugene Gorkowski and his wife, Agnes, of Filion, and Robert Gorkowski and his wife, Stella, of Filion; and three sisters, Irene Ignash and her husband, Alger, of Warren, Christina Rutkowski and her husband, Clarence, of Ubly, and Delphine McEachin, of Ubly. A funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, September 23, 2003, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Dwight Township. Fr. William Rutkowski will officiate. Burial will follow in Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Huron Township. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. today, 2 to 9 p.m. Monday, and 9 to 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday at the Knoblock Funeral Home in Kinde. A rosary will be led at 7 tonight, and a vigil will be at 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Monday, September 22, 2003 Reginald Hurren Reginald Edwin Hurren, 72, of Pigeon, passed away Sunday, September 21, 2003, at the home of his son following a brief illness. He was born in Harbor Beach on June 16, 1931, son of the late Clarence E. and Naomi E. (Essenmacher) Hurren, and was a graduate of Harbor Beach High School. On March 1, 1952, he was united in marriage to Grace Mary Koss at the Harbor Beach Baptist Church. She preceded him in death on June 5, 2000. Mr. Hurren served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict, and was a member of the V.F.W. Pigeon Post 2236. He was employed with the Cooperative Elevator Company for 20 years, retiring in 1981. He enjoyed traveling to Florida with his wife, Grace, as well as hunting, fishing and his C.B. radio. He is survived by six children, Donald Hurren and his wife, Patricia, of Pigeon, Mary Lesoski and her husband, Dave, of Pigeon, Ruth Lesoski, of Gagetown, Robert Hurren and his wife, Brenda, of Pigeon, Doug Hurren and his wife, Faye, of Pigeon, and Edwin Hurren, of Pigeon; 16 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; five brothers and sisters, William Hurren, Shirley Hurren, Anna Mae Catanzaro and Lucille Breathour, all of Michigan, and Ronald Hurren, of Tennessee; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two infant children; five brothers and sisters, June Guitar, Kenneth Hurren, Russel Hurren, Dorothy Detgen and Richard Hurren. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, September 24, 2003, at the Meyersieck-Bussema Funeral Home, Pigeon, with the Pastor Mike Goforth, of Calvary Baptist Church in Caseville, officiating. Visitation will be from 3:30 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday and from 9 a.m. until the time of the service at 11 a.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials for Mr. Hurren may be made to Heartland Hospice. Norman Kretchman Norman C. Kretchman, 73, of Harbor Beach, passed away on Sunday, September 21, 2003, in St. Mary's Medical Center of Saginaw following a brief illness. Born in Harbor Beach on May 6, 1930, he was the son of the late Alfred and Emma (Lacey) Kretchman. On Nov. 12, 1949, Norman and Betty Forstner were united in marriage in Harbor Beach. Norm was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving during the Korean Conflict. He was a retired mason-brick layer in Harbor Beach. Norman was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church serving in many capacities including trustee and elder for many years. He also was a member of the American Legion Post 197 of Harbor Beach and the Harbor Beach Gun Club. Surviving are his wife, Betty Kretchman, of Harbor Beach; children, Howard Kretchman and his wife, Caroline, of Killeen, Texas, Kathie Orr and her husband, Randy, of Harrisville, Diane Kretchman, of Harbor Beach; six grandchildren, Darrell, Howard Jr., Justin, Drendon, Lucas and Brandi; two brothers, Earl Kretchman and his wife, Pat, of Kinde, and Jerry Kretchman and his wife, Deborah, of Grand Blanc. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. on Thursday, September 25, 2003, in Zion Lutheran Church, Harbor Beach with the Rev. Mark Girardin, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the Rock Falls Cemetery, Harbor Beach, with military honors by the American Legion. A scripture service will be at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday in the Ramsey Funeral Home of Harbor Beach. Visitation will be from 1 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home and from 11 a.m. until the time of services on Thursday at the church. Mildred Schumacher Mildred "Millie" Schumacher, 97, of Bad Axe, passed away on Saturday, September 20, 2003, at the Huron County Medical Care Facility in Bad Axe. She was born on September 9, 1906, daughter of the late Samuel and Mabel Burke. She married Arthur J. Schumacher who preceded her in death in February of 1980. Mrs. Schumacher was a former teacher in Verona and the Pigeon Public School. She was a member of the Michigan Retired Teacher's Association and the Bad Axe First Presbyterian Church. She is survived by one son, James Schumacher and his wife, Janet, of Pigeon; one sister, Betty M. King, of Bad Axe; one sister-in-law, Helen Garthe, of Bad Axe; one granddaughter, Maria Schumacher, of London, England; and a number of nieces and nephews. Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by one brother, George I. Burke. Services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, September 23, 2003, at the Kaufman Funeral Home in Bad Axe. Officiating will be the Rev. Jan G. Dykshoorn, pastor of the Bad Axe First Presbyterian Church. Burial will be in St. John's Lutheran Cemetery in McKinley Township. Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m. today and from 10 a.m. until the service time at 11 a.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be offered to the donor's discretion. Tuesday, September 23, 2003 Frances Hall Frances Hall, 77, died Saturday, September 20, 2003. She is survived by her children, William and his wife, Mary, Patrick and his wife, Lynn, Dennis and his wife, Margaret, Deborah Shaw and her husband, Larry, Marsha Jenkins and her husband, Jim, and Marilynn Fattore and her husband, Robert; 18 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; sister, Catherine Buhl; brother, Edward Yost. She was preceded in death by her husband, William. The funeral mass will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, September 24, 2003, at St. Basil the Great Church, 22860 Schroeder, Eastpointe. Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. today at the A.H. Peters Funeral Home, 20705 Mack Ave. at Vernier, Grosse Pointe Woods. A Scripture service will be at 7 p.m. tonight, and visitation from 9 a.m. until the time of service Wednesday at the church. Wednesday, September 24, 2003 Marjorie Cove Marjorie Cove, 77, of Sebewaing and formerly of Detroit, died Tuesday, September 23, 2003, in the Huron County Medical Care Facility. She was born on July 31, 1926 in Dearborn to Fred and Stella (Wichman) Waun. She married Alfred J. G. Cove on May 26, 1951 in Detroit. He died February 12, 1999. Marjorie worked in homecare for many years, caring for many elderly in the Detroit area. She worked as a cook for Nativity Lutheran School in Detroit for six years. She was an active member of her church in Detroit and their Ladies Aid and a current member of New Salem Lutheran Church, Sebewaing. Marjorie enjoyed driving, traveling and shopping. Marjorie is survived by her children, Donna Ballard and her husband, Brad, of Sebewaing, Dennis Cove, of Detroit; grandchildren, Angela Ballard, Aaron Ballard, and Nichole Cove; sisters, Lucille Warner, of Hudson, Fla., Mae Wilbert, of Dearborn; brother, Robert Waun, of Hudson, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 25, 2003, at Dinkel Juengel Funeral Home, Sebewaing, with Rev. William Mayhew, of New Salem Lutheran Church, officiating. Interment is in St. Johns Cemetery, Sebewaing. Visitation will be from 9 to 11:30 a.m. on Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society. Evelyn VanValkenburgh Morin Evelyn VanValkenburgh Morin, 75, of Pinnebog, passed away Monday evening, September 22, 2003, at her home while under hospice care. She was born on March 22, 1928 in Detroit to the late Alfred and Thelma (Fitchett) Perkins and moved to the Elkton area in her childhood. She moved to Howell after graduation where she met and married James VanValkenburgh in 1946. He died in 1969. She returned to the Elkton area in 1966 and has lived near Pinnebog the past 35 years. In 1970, she married Jack Morin in Bad Axe. He passed away in 1986. Evelyn enjoyed working with her hands, crocheting, woodcrafts and sewing, she especially loved making and doing things for her 17 children and their families. She is survived by nine sons, Robert VanValkenburgh, of Pinnebog, Randy and his wife, Lori, of Port Austin, Tom and his wife, Carol, of Decatur, Texas, Ray and his wife, Dawn, of Elkton, Doug, of Filion, Steve, of Pinnebog, Mike and his wife, Tammy, of Deckerville, Jim, of Pinnebog and John and his wife, Gina, of Caseville; six daughters, Judy Bannister and her husband, Lewis, of Snover, Bobbie Churchhill and her husband, Skip, of Cass City, Laura Stauffer and her husband, Jim, of Pinnebog, Linda Wood and her husband, Ken, of Pigeon, Chris Swartzendruber and her husband, Marv, of Pigeon, Kathy Birchfield and her husband, Mike, of Elkton; three step-children, Jim, of California, Ervin and his wife, Barb, of Howell, Janet Wilton and her husband, Carl, of Brighton; 39 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; two daughters-in-law, CJ and Linda; three brothers, Bill Perkins and his wife, Gerry, of Redford, Bud Perkins and his wife, Delores, of Elkton, and Jerry Perkins and his wife, Sandy, of Lansing. She was preceded in death by two sons, Bill and Rick; four sisters, Irene Fucci, Shirley Wilson, June Coke, and Doris Griffith. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Thursday at the Champagne Funeral Chapel, Elkton. The Rev. Deweerd Smith, pastor of the Community Wesleyan Church, will officiate with burial in Chandler Township Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. today and after 10 a.m. on Thursday. Memorials may be directed to United Hospice or the American Cancer Society. Della Seltz Della I. Seltz, 85, of Ruth, passed away Monday, September 22, 2003, at the long term care unit of the Harbor Beach Community Hospital following a short illness. Born in Harbor Beach on January 31, 1918, she was the daughter of the late Herman and Ida (Arndt) Koehn. On June 19, 1948, Della and Edwin Seltz were united in marriage in Zion Lutheran Church, Harbor Beach. Edwin preceded her in death on October 18, 1972. Della was a former employee of the Huron Milling Co. of Harbor Beach and farmed with her husband in Sherman Township. She also worked in retail stores in Bad Axe. Della was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church in Harbor Beach and the Lutheran Women's Missionary League. She is survived by her daughter, Elaine Miller and her husband, Archie, of Richmond, Va.; brother, Frederick Koehn and his wife, Vera, of Farmington, Minn.; sister, Gladys Koehn, of Harbor Beach; two grandchildren, Oksana and Nicholas; and by nieces and nephews. Della was preceded in death by a brother, Arthur Koehn. Funeral services will be at noon on Friday, September 26, 2003, in Zion Lutheran Church, Harbor Beach, with the Rev. Mark Girardin, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the Rock Falls Cemetery, Harbor Beach. A scripture service will be at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday in the Ramsey Funeral Home, Harbor Beach. Visitation will be from 1 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home and from 10:30 a.m. until the time of services on Friday at the church. Thursday, September 25, 2003 Violet Eidt Violet (Dufty) Eidt, 97, of Mill Valley, California, died Friday, September 19, 2003. She was a former elementary teacher, starting her career at the age of 18 in a one room schoolhouse (the Rock City school) in Huron County where she even taught her own brother. She taught in Belding during World War II, moving to St. Clair Shores in the 1950s where she taught for the Lakeshore School District, Highland Park Schools and retiring in 1965 from the Grosse Point Schools. After a short retirement, she and her husband of 62 years, Earl, joined the American Schools Overseas, and accepted positions in Mexico, Taiwan and Hong Kong. Retiring to Sun City, Arizona and eventually in California, she led an active retirement with golf, tutoring English language students, and had a passion for bridge. Her generosity helped support numerous charitable causes. Shirley Kubacki Shirley Ann Kubacki, 60, resident of Ubly, died Tuesday evening, September 23, 2003, at Tendercare in Cass City. She was born on January 26, 1943 in Bad Axe, daughter of Beatrice (Matelski) Dobson and the late Joseph Dobson. Shirley graduated from Bad Axe High School. She was a member of St. John's Catholic Church in Ubly. She worked for many years at Hamill Manufacturing and Walbro. Shirley enjoyed music, reading, dancing, polkas, flowers and baking. Shirley is survived by her mother, Beatrice Dobson, of Bad Axe; one son, Larry Kubacki, of Auburn; one daughter, Lori Kubacki, of Sandusky; one brother, Ronald Dobson, of Bad Axe; one sister, Rose Marie Pletcher and her husband, Robert, of Fostoria, Ohio; one nephew, Jason Pletcher and his wife, Karen, of Virginia; two nieces, Tammy Nold and her husband, Chris, of Findlay, Ohio, Twanya Pletcher, of Fostoria, Ohio; two great-nephews, Jas Pletcher, of Virginia, Jordan Nold, of Findlay, Ohio; two great-nieces, Mackayla and McKenzie "KK" Pletcher, of Virginia; and many aunts and uncles. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 1 p.m. on Saturday, September 27, 2003, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bad Axe. Fr. James Carlson will officiate. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, from 1 to 9 p.m. on Friday at MacAlpine Funeral Home in Bad Axe and from noon to 1 p.m. on Saturday at the church. Scripture wake service will be 7 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home. Memorials may be offered to the Family Discretionary Fund. Edward Maurer Edward W. Maurer, 93, of Harbor Beach, passed away Wednesday, September 24, 2003, in Courtney Manor Nursing Center, Bad Axe, following a long illness. Born in Parish Township on September 4, 1910, he was the son of the late John and Emma (Heilig) Maurer. On September 24, 1934, Edward was united in marriage to Minnie Puvalowski in Parisville. She preceded him in death on April 24, 1978. On October 18, 1980, in Harbor Beach, Edward was united in marriage to Margaret (Booms) Geiger. Ed was a retired Sigel Township farmer moving to Harbor Beach in 1973. He was a member of the Farm Bureau, Our Lady of Lake Huron Catholic Church, Harbor Beach, and a former member of Most Holy Trinity Church and Choir in Smiths Corner. Ed also was a former trustee for the Sigel Township Board, and played baseball in the Huron County Progressive League. He was also a third and fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus of the Bad Axe Council. Ed is survived by his wife, Margaret Maurer, of Harbor Beach; children, Wilfred Maurer and his wife, Betty, of Mt. Morris, Ronald Maurer and his wife, Pat, of Frankenmuth, Jane Messing and her husband, Richard, of Harbor Beach; 13 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; sister, Emma Mazure, of Ubly; brothers, Fredric Maurer and John Maurer, both of Ubly; step-children, Carol Mazure and her husband, James, of Harbor Beach, John Geiger and his wife, Joyce, of Bad Axe, Bob Geiger and his wife, Donna, of Grand Prairie, Texas, Harvey Geiger and his wife, Rose Marie, Peggy Weber and her husband, Ken, Paulette Wehner and her husband, Paul, Warren Geiger and his wife, Barb, Della Wolschleger and her husband, Don, all of Harbor Beach, Nona Parak and her husband, Dennis, of Shelby Township, Julie Messing and her husband, Dave, of Deckerville; several step-grandchildren; and great- grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his children, Donald Maurer, Joan Maurer and Jean Oberski; brothers, Raymond, Anthony, Cornelius, Elmer Maurer; sisters, Katherine True, Helen Oberski, Clara Polk; and a step-daughter, Linda White. Funeral mass will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, September 27, 2003, at Our Lady of Lake Huron Catholic Church, Harbor Beach, with the Rev. James Carlson officiating. Burial will be in the Most Holy Trinity Church cemetery, Smiths Corner. A parish vigil service will be at 7:30 p.m. and a K of C rosary and chalice service at 8 p.m., both in the Ramsey Funeral Home, Harbor Beach. Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home and from 9 a.m. until the service time on Saturday at the church. Steven Morris Steven Larry Morris, 45, resident of Bad Axe, passed away on Tuesday, September 23, 2003, at Covenant Cooper Hospital in Saginaw. He was born in Bad Axe on December 3, 1957. Steven attended First Baptist Church in Bad Axe and Saint Clair Community College. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and spending time with friends and family. Steven is survived by one brother, Michael Morris, of Bad Axe; and two nephews, Scott and William Morris, of Bad Axe. Cremation has taken place. The family will be having a private service at a later date. Arrangements were handled by MacAlpine Funeral Home. Friday, September 26, 2003 Anna Kretchman Anna Theresa Kretchman, 83, resident of Port Hope since 1947, died Wednesday evening, September 24, 2003, at Huron Medical Center in Bad Axe. She was born July 2, 1920 in Dwight Township, daughter of the late Max and Josephine (Lasceski) Prange. Anna married George Kretchman on March 24, 1947. He preceded her in death on June 21, 1966. Anna was a member of Port Hope United Methodist Church where she was a Lady's Aid. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, gardening and flowers. She was a foster grandparent for three years. She enjoyed the company of her pet dogs, Sassy, Lady and Walker. Mrs. Kretchman is survived by two daughters, Mary Wirgau, of Bad Axe, Lori Eggert and her husband, Erwin, of Bad Axe; seven grandchildren, Theresa Kaufman and her husband, Mark, Eugene Wirgau Jr., Michael Wirgau, Tammy Wirgau, Joe Liss and his wife, Natalie, Melissa Liss and her fiancé, Ryan Dahlman, Scott Eggert; one great-grandson, Jacob Kaufman; several nieces and nephews. Anna was preceded in death by her husband, George; one son, Albert Kretchman; one son-in-law, Eugene Wirgau Sr.; five brothers, Steve, Frank, George, Adam, and Edward Prange; three sisters, Ceila Prange Koroleski, Mary Prange, Martha Prange Schipinski; two brothers-in-law, Steve Koroleski and Pete Schipinski. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, September 29, 2003, at Port Hope United Methodist Church. Pastor Clarence VanConant will officiate. Burial will be in Marquardt Cemetery in Port Hope. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. on Sunday and from 10 to 11 a.m. on Monday at MacAlpine Funeral Home in Bad Axe. Memorials will be offered to the Family Discretionary Fund. William Smith William J. "Bill" Smith, 78, resident of Bad Axe, died on Thursday, September 25, 2003, at Courtney Manor in Bad Axe. Arrangements are being handled by MacAlpine Funeral Home of Bad Axe. They are incomplete at this time. A complete obituary will be published in Sunday's edition of the Huron Daily Tribune. Minerva E. VanErkel Minerva E. VanErkel, 95, of Bad Axe and formerly of Harbor Beach, passed away Thursday, September 25, 2003, in the Huron County Medical Care Facility in Bad Axe following an extended illness. Born in Grand Haven on October 9, 1907, she was the daughter of the late Henry and Francis (DeKemp) Witt. On February 14, 1927, Minerva and George VanErkel were united in marriage in Grand Haven. He preceded her in death on November 17, 1973. Minerva is survived by three daughters, Marilyn McCann, of Ludington, Jean Armstead, of Harbor Beach and Carole Koehn and her husband, Don, of Bad Axe; 10 grandchildren; two brothers; two sisters. She was preceded in death by a son, George VanErkel, who died March 29, 1978. Cremation has taken place at Sunset Valley Crematory in Bay City. Interment will take place in the Rock Falls Cemetery in Harbor Beach. Ramsey Funeral Home in Harbor Beach handled arrangements. 1