HURON DAILY TRIBUNE, Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan Local obituaries for the week beginning August 24, 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, August 24, 2003 Charles Shubitowski Charles Victor Shubitowski, 85, of Lincoln Park, died on Wednesday, August 13, 2003. He was born November 22, 1917 in Harbor Beach, the son of Michael and Mary Loretta (Brown) Shubitowski. He was a graduate of Harbor Beach High School, Class of 1934. He was a sailor on the Great Lakes on the Pittsburgh Steamship Co. ore carriers. During World War II, he served in the Merchant Marines. He later was employed by the City of Detroit on a fireboat on the Detroit River, and at the Detroit House of Correction. Charles and Ruth Corby were married January 15, 1955, in Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, Detroit. He is survived by his wife, Ruth Shubitowski, of Lincoln Park; son, Joseph Shubitowski and his wife, Jacqueline, of Los Angeles, Calif.; daughters, Jeannine Little and her husband, John, of Allen Park, Michele Shubitowski of Berwyn, Ill., Judith Ivacko and her husband, Thomas, of Ann Arbor, and Colleen Buchanan and her husband, Gary, of Farmington Hills; six grandchildren; two brothers, Edward Shubitowski, of Conneaut, Ohio, and Anthony Shubitowski and his wife, Rose, of Clinton Township; two sisters, Mary DeLong, of Rome, N.Y., and Ann Wagner and her husband, David, of Harbor Beach. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Joseph Shubitowski, in 1923, Jerome Shubitowski, in 1971, Bernard Shubitowski, in 1992, and James Shubitowski, in 1995; a sister-in-law, Anerva Shubitowski; and brother-in-law, Alvin DeLong. Funeral services were conducted at Christ the Good Shepherd Church, Lincoln Park, with burial in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Arrangements were by the John K. Solosy Funeral Home in Lincoln Park. Monday, August 25, 2003 Margaret Begg Margaret J. Begg, 100, passed away on Thursday, August 21, 2003, at Masonic Pathways, Alma. She was born September 22, 1902 in Aberdeen, Scotland to the late George and Anna (Moir) Park. In 1923, she traveled to America, to be with her sister, Mary, who lived in Detroit. While there, she met her future husband, Arthur S. Begg. They were married February 9, 1924. He preceded her in death on October 21, 1996. Margaret was a homemaker most of her life; however, she was a clerk in card shops after her husband retired. She was very active in the churches, where she was a member. Margaret was a lifetime member of the Daughters of Scotia and Eastern Star. Also, she was a member of Degree of Honor, she held many elected offices in these organizations. Surviving are three sons, Donald and his wife, Nancy, James and his wife, Elizabeth, and Earl and his wife, Virginia; ten grandchildren; six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by three sons, Arthur, Eric, and Douglas; a granddaughter, Tracy Begg; a sister; three brothers; nieces and nephews. Cremation has taken place as she requested. A memorial service will be conducted at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, August 31, 2003, at the Vassar First Presbyterian Church. Memorials may be made to the Vassar First Presbyterian Church or Masonic Pathways in Alma. Xavier Palach Mr. Xavier Palach, 98, of Ubly, passed away Sunday morning, August 24, 2003, at Courtney Manor Nursing Home of Bad Axe. Xavier was born September 26, 1904 in Parisville, to the late Peter and Agnes (Oparka) Palach. He married Agnes Laba on November 24, 1941 at St. Michael's in Port Austin. She preceded him in death on December 21, 1977. Xavier attended a country school. He worked and farmed in Paris Township and was a lifelong member of St. Mary Catholic Church of Parisville. Xavier is survived by two sons, Clements (Nettie) Palach, of Escanaba, Virgil Palach, of Ubly; three daughters, Genevieve Kondziolka and her husband, Stanley, of Warren, Christine Jaworski and her husband, Edwin, of Filion, Josephine Kleiner and her husband, Jerry, of Warren; 11 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; one sister, Gertrude Block, of Ubly. Xavier was preceded in death by one son, Clarence Palach; two brothers, August and Robert Palach; four sisters, Emma Lemanski, Martha Kalka, Mary Cook and Theresa Osentoski. Funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, August 26, 2003, at St. Mary Catholic Church of Parisville. The Rev. Andrzej Boroch, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 9:30 p.m. today and from 9 to 10 a.m. on Tuesday at Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home of Ubly. Tuesday, August 26, 2003 William Burley William R. Burley, 91, of Ypsilanti and formerly of Sebewaing, died early Monday morning, August 25, 2003, at the Tuscola County Medical Care Facility in Caro following a lengthy illness. He was born July 6, 1912 in Detroit, son of the late Delbert and Mary (Ryndress) Burley. He was united in marriage to Theda B. Fantham on December 31, 1936 in St. Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Bill had owned and operated grocery stores in Owosso and Tecumseh and also the Dairy Queen in Caseville from 1956 to 1974. He also was a meat cutter at Luke's Market in Sebewaing from 1957 until his retirement in 1979. He is survived by his wife, Theda; three sons and two daughters, Clayton Burley and his wife, Gloria, of Vassar, Beverly Reilich and her husband, Donald, of Ubly, Pat O'Connor and her husband, Gary, of Caro, Wilbert Burley and his wife, Geraldine, of Plymouth, Edward Burley and his wife, Dana, of Ypsilanti; 18 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Betty Doggrell and her husband, Noel, of Scarborough, Ontario; one brother, Fulton Burley and his wife, Terry, of Studio City, Calif.; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two sisters and five brothers, Autta Craddock, Mary Martin, Al, Ned, Clayton, Jack and Orrie Burley. The funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, August 27, 2003, at the Dinkel-Juengel Funeral Home in Sebewaing. Burial will take place in the Sebewaing Assembly of God Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. until the time of service on Wednesday at the funeral home. Wednesday, August 27, 2003 Ruth Bouck Ruth A. Bouck, 81, of Rossman Road, Kingston, went to be with the Lord on Friday, August 22, 2003. Ruth was born on January 22, 1922 in Detroit. She graduated from high school in Detroit and on July 1, 1944, the former Ruth Eckl married Roy "Bill" Bouck. He preceded her in death on January 24, 1990. She was a resident of the City of Detroit until 1968, when she and her husband moved to South Lyon until retiring to Kingston. She was a homemaker, an avid Bible reader, and was known around the Wal- Mart and restaurant circuit as the "God bless you lady" because of the familiar greeting. Ruth attended the Kingston Wesleyan Church. She is survived by one daughter, Ms. Aline Heckroth; one granddaughter, Ms. Shana Heckroth; two aunts, Mrs. Helen Wilson and Mrs. Dorothy Terry; good friend and sister-in-law, Mrs. Ruth (Bouck) McComb; several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her only brother, Warren John Eckl, on June 23, 2003. The funeral service was conducted at the Kingston Wesleyan Church on Monday with Pastor Kenneth Sandefur officiating. Burial was at Kingston Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Kingston Wesleyan Church. Funeral arrangements were made by the Collon Funeral Home, Caro. Mary Diem Mary Diem, 87, passed away Tuesday, August 26, 2003, at Harbor Beach Long Term Care. She was born November 2, 1915 in Sigel Township, daughter of the late William Walter and Mabel (Stickney) Rogers. She married Earl Diem of Carsonville on October 18, 1933 at her parent's home in Rapson. He preceded her in death January 6, 1970. She was a graduate of Bad Axe High School in 1932. She and her husband farmed at Carsonville until 1960. They moved to Sandusky and opened the Diem Convalescent Home. She moved to Harbor Beach in 1972. Mary was an active member of the Community of Christ Church. She was also a member of Harbor Beach Senior Citizens, Port Hope Retirees and was the president of the Harbor Beach Birthday Club. She enjoyed being with her family, especially the grandchildren and great-grandchildren, playing games and telling them stories. She is survived by one daughter, Lorene Dillon, of Harbor Beach; two sons, Roger Diem and his wife, Marjorie, of Bad Axe, Edward Diem and his wife, Mattie, of Lampasas, Texas; seven grandchildren; 14 great- grandchildren; sister, Sarah Diem, of Independence, Mo.; brother, Fredrick Rogers, of Attica; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a brother, John Rogers; a son-in-law, John Dillon. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, August 29, 2003, in Ramsey Funeral Home, Harbor Beach, with Evangelist William Wells officiating. Burial will be in Washington Township Cemetery in Carsonville. Visitation will be from 1 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday and from 10 a.m. until the service time at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Community of Christ Church. Virginia Tait Virginia Antoinette Tait, 73, lifelong resident of Bad Axe, died Tuesday, August 26, 2003, at the Huron County Medical Care Facility after a long battle with cancer. She was born October 3, 1929 in Royal Oak, daughter of the late John Clinton and Caroline Marie (Irwin) Sullivan. Virginia Sullivan and Archibald (Jack) Leitch were married February 3, 1951 in Bad Axe. He preceded her in death on April 5, 1971. She married Orville R. Tait on April 29, 1972 in Bad Axe. He preceded her in death on April 20, 1999. Mrs. Tait was a 1948 graduate of Elkton High School and worked in sales for Sageman Jewelry, Buckley Shoes and Leitch Refrigeration until her retirement in 1992. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Bad Axe. Surviving are three children, Mrs. Bev Richards and her husband, Dave, of Manistee, Mrs. Barb Eden and her husband, Fred, of Bay Port, and Jerry Leitch and his wife, Deb, of Bad Axe; four step-children, Mrs. Mindy Robinson and her husband, Bob, Tim Tait and James Tait, all of Bad Axe, Tammy Popour and her special friend, John Bender, of Port Hope; five grandchildren; three-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Mrs. Ruth Morgan, of Auburn, Washington, and Mrs. Gratta Grigg, of Bad Axe; special cousin, Marion Shuart and her husband, Rick, of Bad Axe; one aunt, Evelyn Irwin, of Bad Axe; one sister-in-law, Sylvia Sullivan, of Bad Axe; and several step-grandchildren, step-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by one sister, Gretta Smith; one brother, Dick Sullivan; and twin infant brothers, Billy and Bobby Sullivan. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Friday at the H. W. Weitenberner Funeral Home in Bad Axe. The Rev. Michael Sawicki, pastor of Salem United Methodist Church in Pigeon, and the Rev. Richard Shuart of Colfax Methodist Church, will officiate. Private burial will follow in Colfax Township Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday and from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Friday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, Diabetes Association or to the family's discretion. Stella Hartman Stella G. Hartman, 86, of Pigeon and formerly of Detroit, passed away on Monday, August 25, 2003. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, August 28, 2003, at Meyersieck-Bussema Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the service time on Thursday at the funeral home. Thursday, August 28, 2003 Harold Ballagh Harold Ballagh, 80, of Cass City, died Wednesday, August 27, 2003, at Select Specialty in Saginaw. He was born July 18, 1923 at home in Huron County to William J. and Mabel (Smith) Ballagh. He married Fay O'Letta Wills on November 4, 1944 in Fay's parents' home in Bad Axe. Harold graduated from Cass City High School in 1943. He farmed for a few years and then spent 19 years with Bauer Candy Company. He worked for Cass City Public Schools as Custodian Supervisor retiring after 15 years. Harold was a member of Fraser Presbyterian Church for over 50 years and currently served the church as an elder. He was also a member of Good Sams Trailer Club. He and Fay spent about 6 months a year in Florida for the last 17 years. Harold enjoyed woodworking, camping and traveling throughout all 50 states. Harold is survived by his wife, Fay; daughters, Judy Brown and her husband, Jim, of Cass City, Betty Stieg and her husband, Dale, of LeRoy, Linda Bellingar and her husband, the Rev. Robert, of St. Petersburg, Fla., Ann Swanson and her husband, Mark, of Cass City, Karen Nicol and her husband, Jerry, of Cass City; 14 grandchildren; brother, James Ballagh and his wife, Stella, of Ubly; sisters-in-law, Marge Ballagh, of Palm Springs, Calif., Lorraine Wills, of Ubly; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Earl (Virginia) Ballagh, and Clare Ballagh; sisters, Ella Mae (Gerald) Wagner and Beatrice (Lawrence) McDowell; brother-in-law, Gerald Wills. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 30, 2003, in Kranz Funeral Home in Cass City with the Rev. David Blackburn, of Fraser Presbyterian Church, officiating. Interment is in Elkland Township Cemetery. Active pallbearers for Mr. Ballagh are Christopher Stieg, Eric Brown, Andrew Stieg, Nicholas Swanson, Jared Stieg and Evan Stieg. Honorary pallbearers are Kyle Swanson and Ethan Nicol. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. tonight and from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday. Memorials may be made to Fraser Presbyterian Church or American Cancer Society. Helen Fuller Helen Fuller, 91, of Kinde, died Wednesday, August 27, 2003, at Huron Medical Center in Bad Axe. She was born in Huron Township on September 26, 1911, daughter of the late George A. and Margarett (McDonald) Day. She was married to Frank Fuller on September 4, 1937 in Croswell. He preceded her in death on December 28, 1993. Mrs. Fuller was a member of Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints, Harbor Beach. She belonged to the Grindstone Port Hope Retirees. She attended Country School, Port Huron High School, Huron County Normal and Central Michigan University, where she earned a bachelor of science degree. She was a member of the Teacher's International Alpha Delta Kappa Sorority and the Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel. She taught at various elementary schools including Gore School in Port Austin. Helen enjoyed cooking, gardening, crocheting, reading, traveling, and visiting with friends and family. Together with her husband, they organized and built Fuller's Grove, a popular center for reunions and family gatherings. Mrs. Fuller is survived by one daughter, Mary Lee Cove, of Kinde; one granddaughter, Susan May, of Bad Axe; one sister, Mary Molly Day, of Grand Blanc; and three great-granddaughters, Brittany Parks, Michael Parks, and Christine May. She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank; one grandson, Chris Cove; three brothers, William Day, Sherman Day, and Murdoch Day; and two sisters, Beatrice Day and Elizabeth Fabian. Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. on Saturday, August 30, 2003, at the MacAlpine Funeral Home - Gage Chapel in Kinde. Elder Archie Dickinson and Elder Dale Day will officiate. Burial will be in New River Cemetery near Huron City. Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. on Friday and from 11 a.m. until the time of service at 1 p.m. on Saturday at the funeral home. Memorials may be offered to the charity of the donor's choice. Martha Heleski Martha C. Heleski, 97, resident of Bad Axe and former resident of Bingham Township, died peacefully in her own home on her birthday, Tuesday, August 26, 2003, due to natural causes. She was born August 26, 1906 in Elkton, daughter of the late Charles X. and Julia (Osantoski) Bukoski. Miss Martha Bukoski and Edward Heleski were united in marriage on November 8, 1927 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Smith's Corner. They observed their 50th wedding anniversary in August 1977. Edward preceded his wife in death on February 20, 1985. Mrs. Heleski was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bad Axe. She belonged to the Daughters of Isabella, Fidelis Regina Circle No. 608. She was also a member of the Huron County League of Catholic Women. She attended Kelly Rural Country School, Bingham Township. Her many interests included quilting, crocheting, cooking, gardening, traveling and visiting with family and friends. She also enjoyed the company of her small dog, "Curly." Martha is survived by five daughters, Dolores Berger and her husband, Carl, of Grosse Pointe Woods, Shirley Heleski, of Grosse Pointe Woods, Marlene Menicke and her husband, Warren, of Horse Shoe Bay, Texas, Joyce Regen, of Naples, Fla., Katherine Lowe, of Sedona, Ariz.; two sons, Clement Heleski and his wife, Betty, of Shelby Township, James Heleski and his wife, Emilie, of Ubly; five granddaughters, Debra Waterhouse and her husband, Steve, of Amelia, Ohio, Jean Anello and her husband, Frank, of Farmington, Karen Brostrom and her husband, Marc, of Coalville, Utah, Carmen Henderson and her husband, Mark, of Somerville, Mass., Kimberly Lowe, of St. Paul, Minn.; four grandsons, Eric Berger and his wife, Melanie, of Grosse Pointe Woods, Thomas Berger of Alexandria, Va., Paul Heleski and his wife, Cathy, of McKinney, Texas, Gregory Heleski, of Clarkston; one great-granddaughter, Victoria Berger; four great-grandsons, Nicholas Berger, Demitrius Berger, Alexander Heleski, Grant Heleski; one sister, Florence Lubeski, of Bad Axe; many nieces and nephews; and caregiver and special friend, Debbie Roulston. Mrs. Heleski was preceded in death by her husband, Edward; four sisters, Veronica Maurer, Susan O'Henley, Agnes Roll and Ann Essenmacher; and four brothers, Stanley Bukoski, Adam Bukoski, John Bukoski and Joseph Bukoski. Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 10 a.m. on Saturday, August 30, 2003, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Fr. James Carlson will officiate. A Scripture service will be at 7 p.m. and a rosary service, presented by the Daughters of Isabella, at 8:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. on Friday at MacAlpine Funeral Home in Bad Axe and from 9 to 10 a.m. on Saturday at the church. Memorials may be offered to Heartland Hospice. T. David Marsh T. David Marsh, 69, of Port Hope, passed away August 27, 2003, in Port Huron Mercy Hospital following a short illness. Born in Champaign, Illinois on May 17, 1934, he was the son of the late Baird and Virginia (Maxey) Marsh. He was a veteran of the Korean War serving in the U.S. Air Force and was a graduate of the University of Southern Florida earning his Master's Degree in education. He is a retired teacher with the Pinellas County, Fla. school district. On December 18, 1982, David and Bernadine "Bernie" Matczak were united in marriage in Detroit. Together they own and operate the 4 Seasons Cafe in Port Hope. He was a member of the Elks Club of Pinellas, Fla., the American Legion of Atlantic Beach, Fla., the Bad Axe Moose Lodge and the AmVets Post 115 of Port Hope. David is survived by his wife, Bernie Marsh, of Port Hope; two daughters, Cheryl Elliott and her husband, Bob, of Kansas City, Kansas, and Teri Rollar and her husband, John, of Gilbert, Ariz.; three grandchildren, Karli, Casey and Kyle; brother, Peter Michael Marsh and his wife, Tudy, of Eugene, Oregon; sister-in-law, Lori Roberts, of Harbor Beach; and a special God child and niece Alison Roberts, and a special nephew, Chad Toms; and many other nieces and nephews. Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be next Saturday, September 6, 2003, at 11:30 a.m. in the Ramsey Funeral Home, Harbor Beach. Interment will follow in the New River Cemetery, Huron City, where military honors will be conducted by the AmVets of Port Hope. Visitation will be from 10:30 a.m. until the service time on Saturday. The family requests that instead of flowers, memorials be given to the charity of the donor's choice. Henry Muraszewski Henry Muraszewski, 76, of Warren, passed away Monday, August 25, 2003, at his residence after a long illness. He was born March 7, 1927 in Hamtramck to the late Walter and Mary (Rutkowski) Muraszewski. He married Patricia Biniecki on August 22, 1986 at Ascension Parish in Warren. Henry attended the St. Florian Elementary School of Hamtramck. He served in the U.S. Army. He worked for Chrysler at the Lynch Road Plant in general labor. He also worked at Consolidated Gas and for Mercy Hospital doing maintenance for the last nine years. He was a former parishioner at St. Florian Parish in Hamtramck. He was a parishioner at Ascension Parish of Warren for 17 years and St. John Chrysostom Catholic Church of Forestville. He enjoyed reading and nature programs. He is survived by his wife, Patricia Muraszewski, of Warren; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. A funeral mass will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 30, 2003, at St. John Chrysostom Catholic Church in Forestville. The Rev. Paul Bala, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 1:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Friday and from 9 to 10 a.m. on Saturday at the Smigielski Funeral Home on Cass Ave. in Minden City. There will be a parish vigil service at 7 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home. H. James Veryser Dr. H. James Veryser, 87, of Northville, died Tuesday, August 26, 2003, in Livonia. He was born February 2, 1916 in Detroit. Dr. Veryser graduated from Detroit's Eastern High School in 1935. He attended the University of Michigan as an undergraduate student, and later graduated from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry. He served in the armed forces as a major in the Dental Corps of the United States Army. A prominent dentist on the east side of Detroit from 1943-1969, he also had a private practice in Ubly. Dr. Veryser was also an adjunct faculty member at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry. He later retired to Port St. Lucie, Fla., where he spent 18 years with his wife prior to returning to Northville in 1998. He was a life member of the Michigan Dental Association and a member of the OKU National Dental Honor Society. He was also a member of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Northville. He is survived by his wife, Shirley; his son, Dr. Thomas Veryser and his wife, Karen, of Plymouth; grandchildren, Jeffrey Veryser and his wife, Kiesha, of Manistee, and Renee Johnson and her husband, Jeremy, of Royal Oak; and his great-granddaughter, Kamryn Veryser. A memorial mass will be conducted at 11 a.m. on October 11, 2003 at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, 47650 N. Territorial, Plymouth. Arrangements are entrusted to the Schrader-Howell Funeral Home in Plymouth, (734) 453-3333. Memorial contributions may be made to the Capuchin Soup Kitchen, 1740 Mt. Elliott Avenue, Detroit, MI 48207. Friday, August 29, 2003 Ray Periso Ray Periso, 67, of Cass City, died Wednesday, August 27, 2003, in Tendercare Nursing Facility, Cass City. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Sunday, August 31, 2003, in Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City, with the Rev. Doug Bassett, Heartland Hospice Chaplain, officiating. Interment is in Novesta Township Cemetery. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. tonight and from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Saturday. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or American Lung Association. 1