HURON DAILY TRIBUNE, Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan Local obituaries for the week beginning February 23, 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, February 23, 2003 Anne Lewandowski Anne "Dorothy" Lewandowski, 77, of Port Austin, died Friday, Feb. 21, 2003, at Huron Medical Center in Bad Axe. She was born June 30, 1925 in Hamtramck to the late Frank and Anna (Kuchinka) Vymazal. Anne married Joseph Anthony Lewandowski in Detroit on Feb. 6, 1945. He preceded her in death in June 1982. Anne enjoyed movies, shopping, cooking, crossword puzzles, and playing cards and board games. She worked at Castaways and the Level Factory in Port Austin. Anne is survived by one son, Joseph Lewandowski of Port Austin; three daughters, Carol Wojnarowicz and her husband, Ardel, of Melvin, Denise Hagle and her husband, Harvey, of Kinde, and Connie Shepherd and her husband, Ronald, of Warren; two sisters, Agnes Barron of Fraser, and Janice Gielecki or Roseville; one sister-in-law, Phyllis Vymazal; seven grandchildren, Anthony Wojnarowicz and his fiancee, Gina Emmi, of Yale, Jamie Gutierrez and her husband, Eric, of Virginia Beach, Va., Rebecca Smeckert and her husband, Alan, of Warren, Jeffry Wojnarowicz and his wife, Misty, of Lexington, Justin Hagle of Kinde, Ronald Shepherd and his fiancee, Tina Thibeault, of Roseville, and Alicia Shepherd of Warren; nine great-grandchildren, Mandy, Chelsea, Nicholas, Michael, Amanda, Allison, Andrew, Kelsey, and Ronald. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph; her brother, Frank "Jimmy" Vymazal; four sisters, Mary Petts, Frances Moran, Betty Reich, Susie Zavatsky; and a grandson, Douglas Hagle. Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 24, 2003, at MacAlpine Funeral Home-Gage Chapel in Kinde. The Rev. Morningstar will officiate. Burial will be in Port Austin Township Cemetery. A rosary will take place at 7 p.m. today at the funeral home. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorials may be offered to the Family Discretionary Fund. Jack Reinke Jack LeRoy Reinke, 71, lifelong resident of Bad Axe, died at home on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2003. He was born on Feb. 7, 1932 in Port Hope to the late Otto and Ida Lorretta (Lewis) Reinke. He married Yvonne Sommers on Jan. 6, 1968 in Port Hope. Jack served as a sergeant in the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1954. He was a member of the American Legion in Port Austin and Amvets in Port Hope. Jack is survived by his wife, Yvonne; one son, Christopher Reinke and his fiancee, Tricia Lasceski; four daughters, DeCarla Norman of Bad Axe, DeLilah Sheldon and her husband, Marshall, of Gagetown, DeShayla Reinke of Bad Axe, DeAnna Reinke and her fiance, James Smith, of Bad Axe; three sisters, Betty Wisneski of Bad Axe, Linda Bucholtz of Port Austin, and Sharon Barker and her husband, John, of Colorado; five grandchildren, Aaron Norman, Kortney Norman, Zachary Forbing, Krysta Forbing, Emily Sheldon; and his father-in-law, Wilford Sommers of Port Hope. He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Ernest, William and Gerald Reinke; grandson, Michael Norman; mother-in-law, June Sommers. A private service was conducted on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2003, at MacAlpine Funeral Home. The Rev. Craig Oosterveen from Port Huron Church of God officiated. Edwin Stein Mr. Edwin A. Stein, 93, of Harbor Beach, passed away Friday, Feb. 21, 2003, at the Marlette Community Hospital Hospice Residence. Edwin was born on Jan. 8, 1910 in Ruth to the late Edward J. and Elizabeth (Pickron) Stein. He married Irene O'Neil on Sept. 15, 1934 at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Ruth. Edwin was a graduate of the Pumpkin Center Sherman #1 Country School. He worked on the Great Lakes from 1930 to 1934. He farmed in Huron County before working in Detroit at Bohn Aluminum & Brass for seven years. He then returned to Huron County to farm and work as an engineer for Huron Milling Co. for 15 years. He then worked for Hercules for 15 years before retiring in 1974. He was an honorary life member of the Ruth Knights of Columbus Council #3823. He was a parishioner at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Ruth and St. Joseph Catholic Church in Zephyrhills, Fla. Edwin is survived by his wife, Irene, of Harbor Beach; three sons, Roy Stein and his wife, Evelyn, Richard Stein and his wife, Florence, and Dale Stein and his wife, Marge, all of Harbor Beach; one daughter, Carol Roggenbuck and her husband, Carl, of Port Hope; 17 grandchildren; and 32 great- grandchildren. Edwin was preceded in death by one daughter, Judy; and one brother, Leo. Funeral mass for Edwin Stein will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 24, 2003 at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Ruth. The Rev. Steve Gavit, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery. There will be a parish vigil service today at 3 p.m. by Fr. Steve Gavit, and a Ruth Knights of Columbus Rosary at 8 p.m. at the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly. Visitation will be today from 1 to 9:30 p.m. at the funeral home, and from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at the church. Dorothy Wissner Dorothy M. Fisher Wissner, 75, of Pigeon, passed away at home on Friday, Feb. 21, 2003, after a long battle with cancer. She was born on Feb. 6, 1928 in Kinde, daughter of Alex and Ida (Rehs) Kosinski. She and Walter Fisher were married on May 8, 1948 at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Port Austin. He preceded her in death on Nov. 20, 1955. Dorothy married Gerald Wissner on Feb. 1, 1964 at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Port Austin. Dorothy was a member of St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church in Pigeon, and the St. Francis Altar Society. She enjoyed gardening and washing her car, and loved and adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is survived by her husband, Gerald Wissner, of Pigeon; three children, David Fisher and his wife, Lonna, of Elkton, Donna Castle and her husband, Jeff, of Harbor Beach, and Kathie Bruce and her husband, Ted, of Frankfort; eight grandchildren, Wally Fisher, Wendy Breutsch and her husband, Tom, Todd Bruce, Kim Gray and her husband, Andy, Scott Fisher and his wife, Kelly, Bill Castle and his wife, Jill, Kirk Bruce and his wife, Heather, and Adam Castle; two great-grandchildren, Jacob Breutsch, and Camden Fisher; three sisters, Clara Moody, Lucy Kula, and Hattie Zapawa; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Kalee Joy Bruce; two sisters, Elizabeth and Mary Andreski; two brothers, Eugene and Rudolph Kosinski; and her parents, Alex and Ida Kosinski. The Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 24, 2003, at the St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church in Pigeon. Fr. Robert Shine and Sr. Theresa Fox, O.P., will officiate. Burial will be in St. Michael's Catholic Cemetery in Port Austin. The vigil and rosary service will be at 7 p.m. today at the Meyersieck-Bussema Funeral Home in Pigeon. Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home, and from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at the church. Memorials for Mrs. Wissner may be made to the Kalee Bruce Scholarship Fund or Huron Hospice. Monday, February 24, 2003 Charles Haley Charles Edwin Haley, 70, of Mikado, died Thursday, Feb. 20, 2003, at Tendercare of Tawas. He was born on Jan. 8, 1933 in Bad Axe. In 1958, he moved to Oscoda where he lived until moving to Mikado in 1974. On June 21, 1968, he married Edna J. MacDonald. Employed by the Oscoda School System as a custodian from 1967 to 1993, he also worked as a mason and in cement finishing and was a farmer. He was a life member of the Oscoda Lions and loved to hunt. He is survived by two daughters, Connie Francis and her husband, David, of Coal City, Ind., Brenda Gokey and her husband, Kenneth, of Loogootee, Ind.; four grandchildren, Anthony and Timothy Francis and Courtney and Adam Gokey; two sisters, Mary Ellen Miller of Bad Axe and Dorothy Hunter and her husband, Don, of Rohnert, Calif.; and brother, James of Bad Axe. He was preceded in death by his wife on Aug. 1, 2001; and a brother, Carl. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. on Friday, with the Rev. Edward Seward officiating. Burial will be in the Mikado Cemetery, Mikado. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. on Thursday at Gillies Funeral Home in Lincoln. Memorials suggested to Welcome Home For the Blind. Anna Humphrey Anna A. Humphrey, 82, of Bad Axe, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2003, at the Huron Medical Care Facility in Bad Axe. She was born on Sept. 30, 1920 in Huron County, daughter of the late James and Bridget (McGee) Casey. She married Clifford L. Humphrey on Feb. 3, 1945 in the rectory of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bad Axe. She worked at the former Northgate Men's Shop in Bad Axe for many years and was an avid bird watcher. She is survived by her husband, Clifford L. Humphrey, of Bad Axe; two sons, Patrick Humphrey and his wife, Dawn, of Clare, Paul Humphrey and his wife, Nancy, of Filion; two daughters, Jane Sorenson and her husband, Tim, of Ubly, Amy Rivard of Port Austin; a brother, James Casey and his wife, Joyce, of Kinde; a sister, Angela Otterbein of Bad Axe; three grandchildren, Jacob Sorenson of Bad Axe, Tim Sorenson Jr. of Lansing, and Ivy Humphrey of Mount Pleasant; several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Thomas and Patrick Casey; five sisters, Dorothy Faupel, Eleanor Peterson, Lucille Costello, Irene Boughner and Gertrude Glaspie. Services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Wednesday at the Kaufman Funeral Home in Bad Axe, with Fr. John Killop officiating. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. tonight, from 1 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, and from 10 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m. on Wednesday at the Kaufman Funeral Home. Orpha Tillman Orpha H. Tillman, 86, of Pigeon, passed away Sunday, Feb. 23, 2003, at Tendercare of Cass City. She was born in Pigeon on Aug. 26, 1916, the daughter of the late William Addison and Julia Ann (Hornbacher) Wing. She attended the Winsor School and graduated from Bad Axe High School. On Sept. 27, 1941, she was united in marriage to Albert E. "Bert" Tillman at Cass City. He preceded her in death on Feb. 9, 1984. Mrs. Tillman worked in the Pigeon box factory and picked beans during World War II. She was a member of the Salem United Methodist Church in Pigeon and the United Methodist Women. She is survived by a brother, Edward O. Wing and his wife, Edna, of Pigeon; several nieces and nephews, Fred Edler, Jerry Edler, Kay Joslin, Terry Wing, Cathy Krohn, Tom Wing, Lyle Wing and Clark Faist; several grand nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by four brothers, Wallace, Harold, Maurice, and Clare; two sisters, Freida and Stella. The funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2003, at the Salem United Methodist Church in Pigeon with the Rev. Michael T. Sawicki, pastor officiating. Burial will be in Grand Lawn Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday at Meyersieck-Bussema Funeral Home, a Golden Rule Funeral Home of Pigeon and from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Wednesday at the church. Memorials for Mrs. Tillman may be made to Salem United Methodist Church. Tuesday, February 25, 2003 – No obituaries reported Wednesday, February 26, 2003 Stella Girardot Stella Girardot, 82, of Harbor Beach and formerly of New Baltimore, passed away Sunday, Feb. 23, 2003, in Huron Medical Center near Bad Axe, while under hospice care. Born on Feb. 25, 1920 in Hull Quebec, Canada, she was the daughter of the late Andre' and Agnes (Barette) Blondin. On Nov. 17, 1938, she was united in marriage to Charles E. Girardot in Windsor Ontario. He preceded her in death in 1985. She was a retired employee for the Albert Stores in Windsor. Stella was a parishioner of St. John Catholic Church in Forestville. She is survived by her children, Charles Girardot of New Boston, Stella Miller of Harbor Beach, Christine Meurn of Long Island, N.Y.; 12 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren. Stella was preceded in death by 12 brothers and sisters. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 28, 2003, in the Ramsey Funeral Home, Harbor Beach, with burial in the Assumption Cemetery, Windsor, Ontario. A scripture service will be 7 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home. Visitation will be from 1 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday and from 10 a.m. until the time of services on Friday. Thursday, February 27, 2003 Kenneth Britt Kenneth E. Britt, 75, of Bad Axe, passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2003, at Kindred Hospital in Lincoln Park following an extended illness. He was born on Nov. 7, 1927 in Sebewaing, son of the late Earl and Margaret (Binder) Britt. He married Harriet A. Sageman on Aug. 21, 1948 in the parsonage of the Bad Axe First United Methodist Church. He served in the U.S. Army in World War II and was an avid sportsman. Kenneth is survived by his wife, Harriet Britt of Bad Axe; two sons, Tom Britt and his wife, Sally, of Bad Axe, Perry Earl Britt and his wife, Karen, of Bad Axe; one daughter, Judy Rinnert and her husband, Mike, of Elkton; two sisters, Shirley Hanson and her husband, James, of Bad Axe, Carol Ann O'Brien of Sellersburg, Ind.; eight grandchildren, Rob Dhont and his friend, Mary, of Ypsilanti, Jeff Dhont and his friend, Teresa Baur, of Bad Axe, Jeremy Britt and his friend, Michelle Blasky, of Bad Axe, Aaron Britt of Greenwood Township, Heidi Britt and her friend, Scott Bannick, of Bad Axe, Patrick Britt of Charlevoix, twins Olivia and Spencer Britt of Bad Axe; one great- grandson, Zachary Britt of Bad Axe; and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by one sister, Betty Britt; two stepbrothers, Harold and LaVern Britt; stepsister, Etta Sturm; and one granddaughter, Bailey Lynn Britt. There will be no visitation or service. Interment will be in Grant Township Cemetery. Arrangements are being conducted by the Kaufman Funeral Home in Bad Axe. E. Lynn Herman E. Lynn Herman, 61, died Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2003, in Clayton, N.Y. following a brief illness. He was born May 9, 1941 in Bay Port, the son of Frances (Ballard) Herman and the late Fred Herman. He was employed at the former Sebewaing Industries for several years before retiring and moving to New York 15 years ago. He loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. Surviving are one son, Darin Herman and his wife, Pam of Naples, Fla.; one daughter, Darcee Chappell, of Naples, Fla.; two granddaughters, Jacqueline and Michelle Chappell; mother, Frances Wyman of Sebewaing; very special friend, Cecelia Norfolk of Clayton, N.Y.; two sisters, Sally Rievert and her husband, Darrell, of Sebewaing, Sheryl Kuhl and her husband, John, of Bay Port; half sister, Susan Perry of Pigeon; two half brothers, Leslie Herman of Roseville, Calif., Eugene Wyman of Cass City. Cremation took place in New York and a committal service will be conducted at the Old Bay Port Cemetery near Bay Port in the spring. Local arrangements are being handled by the Dinkel-Juengel Funeral Home in Sebewaing. Friday, February 28, 2003 Bob Hunkins Bob E. Hunkins, 81, of Sebewaing, passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2003, at Courtney Manor in Bad Axe following an extended illness. He was born on Sept. 26, 1921 in Flint, son of the late Merle and Clara (Fuller) Hunkins. He married Virgie Tucker on July 3, 1940 in Flint. She preceded him in death. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was a member of the Greenhead Duck Club of Sebewaing, the Michigan Chapter of Ducks Unlimited, and the Michigan United Conservation Club. He is survived by two sons, Donald E. Hunkins and his wife, Deborah, of Midland, Ronald L. Hunkins and his wife, Ellen, of Sebewaing; one brother, William Hunkins and his wife, Betty, of Flint; one sister, Olive Marie Little and her husband, William, of Flint; one grandson, Brett Hunkins and his wife, Lisa, of Midland; one granddaughter, Tricia Tetzlaff and her husband, Todd, of Kalamazoo; one great-grandson, Jack Hunkins of Midland. He was preceded in death by one brother, Dick Hunkins. There will be no visitation or service at this time. Arrangements by the Kaufman Funeral Home in Bad Axe. Gene Leger Gene A. Leger, 65, died at 1:33 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2003. He was a native of Eunice, La. He moved to Holmwood, La. in 1943 and he lived there for 21 years. He was a graduate of Bell City High School, where he lettered in football, basketball and track. He served in the Air Force in Port Austin from 1958 to 1960. He was a farmer for 37 years before retiring. Survivors include his wife, Ruth Ann Courtney Leger of Lake Charles, La.; three sons, Joe Leger and his wife, Angie, of Iowa, Charlie Leger and his wife, Tonda, of Holmwood, La. and Mark Leger and his wife, Donna, of Lake Charles, La.; two daughters, Marie Wilde and her husband, Mark, of Ball, La. and Cindy L. Scharff and her husband, Gary, of Ardoin Cove, La.; one brother, Mike Leger and his wife, Edna Mae, of Holmwood; two sisters, Catherine Courville and her husband, John, Jackie Thibodeaux and her husband, Junior, all of Holmwood; 15 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Willy and Olive Leger. The funeral was conducted on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2003, in Louisiana. Edward Flannery Edward Flannery, 59, of Ubly, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2003, in Sterling Heights at his brother's residence under hospice care. Per his request there will be no visitation. Cremation took place. Local information provided by Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home. Frank Karle Frank Karle, 78, of Pigeon, passed away Thursday, Feb. 27, 2003, at the Huron County Medical Care Facility, Bad Axe. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and are being conducted by the Meyersieck-Bussema Funeral Home, Pigeon. 1