HURON DAILY TRIBUNE, Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan

Local obituaries for the week beginning October 26, 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, October 26, 2003


Alberta Jackson 
Alberta E. Jackson, 87, of Harbor Beach, passed away Friday, October 24, 2003, at her 
home with hospice care following a short illness.   Born November 20, 1915 in Sorrento, 
Illinois, she was the daughter of the late Freeland "Stonewall" and Alma (Gempel) 
Jackson.   She retired back to Harbor Beach from Missouri and enjoyed living near the 
lake.   She is survived by a sister-in-law, Phyllis Gillen, and several cousins including, 
Marie Periard, Blanche Weiderhold, Margaret Meo, Jane Detloff, and Dorothy Woodson.   
A burial service will be held in Rock Falls Cemetery, Harbor Beach, at 2 p.m. Sunday, 
October 26, 2003.   Ramsey Funeral Home, Harbor Beach, is handling the arrangements. 

Jean Hanna 
Jean L. Hanna, 92, of Pigeon and formerly of Caseville, passed away Sunday, October 
19, 2003, at the Scenic Home in Pigeon.   Per Mrs. Hanna's wishes, cremation has taken 
place and no services will be held. Arrangements were conducted by the Meyersieck-
Bussema Funeral Home, Pigeon. 

Monday, October 27, 2003 – No obituaries reported


Tuesday, October 28, 2003


Jean Bowen 
Jean Marie Bowen, 70, of Bad Axe, died Sunday, October 25, 2003, at Huron Medical 
Center in Bad Axe.   Jean was born December 8, 1932 in Pigeon, daughter of the late 
Merritt R. and Mary (Thiel) McBride.   Jean McBride and John Robert Bowen were 
married February 4, 1956 in Detroit. Mr. Bowen preceded his wife in death on January 
11, 1981.   Jean was a 1951 graduate of Bad Axe High School. She was employed at 
Active Industries, Hamill and was a cook for the Huron County Sheriff Department for 
many years. She enjoyed knitting, reading and sewing.   Mrs. Bowen is survived by three 
daughters, Sherrie Smith and her husband, Melvin, of Bad Axe, Judy Ales, of Unionville, 
Patty Bowen and David Schemansky, of Bad Axe; one sister, Patricia Webber, of Bay 
Port; six grandchildren, Robert Smith and his wife, Laura, of Lake, Tami Smith and her 
fiance, Nathan Mausolf, of Bad Axe, Christine Smith, of Bad Axe, Richard Ales and 
Stephanie, of Essexville, Samantha Barrett and her husband, Dave, of Sebewaing, Jeana 
Schemansky, of Bad Axe; one great-granddaughter, Taylor Renee Ales, of Essexville; 
and four nieces and nephews.   She was preceded in death by one brother, Richard 
McBride; and one granddaughter, Andrea Schemansky.   Graveside services will be 
conducted at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 29, 2003, at Sacred Heart Catholic 
Cemetery. The Rev. Jerry Sutton will officiate. MacAlpine Funeral Home is handling the 
arrangements.   Memorials may be offered to the Family Discretionary Fund. 

Wednesday, October 29, 2003


Wayne Bolzman 
Wayne R. "Smokey" Bolzman, 57, of Sebewaing, died on Saginaw Bay off Sebewaing 
on Saturday, October 11, 2003.   He was born November 22, 1945 in Detroit, son of the 
late Raymond and Frances (Smolak) Bolzman.   He was a 1963 graduate of Elkton-
Pigeon-Bay Port High School.   He was united in marriage to Rhoda C. Hornbacher on 
February 19, 1966 in St. John's Lutheran Church in Kilmanagh.   Wayne had been 
employed at Dow Plastic Line Pipe in Bay City for 33 years before retiring in October 
2002. He served in the U.S. National Guard for six years.   He was a member of St. John 
Lutheran Church in Kilmanagh, was an elder, served on the stewardship board, 
evangelism committee, youth group and bible study. He also was an avid fisherman and 
hunter.   Surviving are his wife, Rhoda; four sons, Chris Bolzman and his wife, Anna, 
Michael Bolzman and his wife, Michelle, Joel Bolzman and his wife, Amanda, all of 
Sebewaing, and Matthew Bolzman and his wife, Gina, of Pigeon; one daughter, Angela 
Mandich and her husband, Michael, of Owendale; nine grandchildren, Kelsey, Luke, 
Logan, Lyndsey, Brandon, Brianna, Lauren, Michael, and Madison; one sister, Louise 
Coe and her husband, Dr. Dalton, of Sebewaing; special goddaughter, Jenny Martinez, of 
Sebewaing; and several nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles.   He was preceded in death by 
an infant grandson, Aaron Bolzman.   The funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. on 
Saturday, November 1, 2003, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Kilmanagh. The Rev. Lee 
C. Wenskay will officiate with burial in the church cemetery.   Visitation will be from 6 
to 9 p.m. on Thursday and from noon to 9 p.m. on Friday at the Dinkel-Juengel Funeral 
Home in Sebewaing. He will lie in state at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the 
service on Saturday.   Memorials may be made to St. John Lutheran Church general fund 
or the charity of the donor's choice. 

Burton A. Filion 
Burton A. Filion, 88, a lifelong Dwight Township resident, passed away on Tuesday, 
October 28, 2003, at Scheurer Hospital in Pigeon.   He was born on October 9, 1915 in 
Dwight Township, son of the late Alexander and Mamie (Smith) Filion.   He married 
Mary E. Sturm on October 29, 1949, in the Kinde First Presbyterian Church. She 
preceded him in death on April 10, 1985.   Mr. Filion was a member of the Port Austin 
High School Class of 1933 and a member of the Kinde First Presbyterian Church. He was 
an avid fisherman and enjoyed country music, playing euchre, wildlife and nature, and all 
sports, especially baseball. He farmed in Dwight Township his entire life.   He was 
survived by one son, Kerm Filion and special friend, Georgina, of Grindstone City; one 
daughter, Paula Kent and her husband, Dave, of Kinde; one brother, James Filion and his 
wife, Leona, of Filion; three grandchildren, Todd Filion and his special friend, Hazel, of 
Port Austin, Paul Kent and his wife, Jill, of Lake Orion, Melissa Filion, of Elkton; two 
great-grandsons; two step-grandchildren; 4 step-great-grandchildren; and several nieces 
and nephews.   Services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Friday, October 31, 2003, at the 
Kaufman Funeral Home in Bad Axe. Officiating will be Mr. Michael L. Gage. Burial will 
be in Port Austin Township Cemetery.   Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. today, from 1 
to 9 p.m. on Thursday and from 10 a.m. until the service time at 11 a.m. on Friday at the 
Kaufman Funeral Home. 

Thursday, October 30, 2003


James Castor 
James N. Castor, 53, of Sand Point, died Sunday, October 26, 2003, at his home from 
complications of his diabetes.   He was born April 30, 1950 at Grace Hospital in Detroit, 
to Gertrude F. (Hanlon) Castor and the late Nicholas J. Castor.   Jim was diagnosed with 
diabetes when he was 6-years-old and grew up in the Detroit area. He had been employed 
at Dikar Tool in Southfield several years until his health forced him to retire in 1983. He 
was only five when he and his family began coming to Caseville, and in 1983, he made 
Sand Point his home.   Jim was a friendly guy who loved mechanic work and enjoyed 
working on and restoring old cars, he also enjoyed gardening.   Surviving are his mother, 
Gertrude Castor, of Sand Point; his brother, Dr. Robert Castor and his wife, Lindsey, of 
Franklin, Tennessee; two nieces, Jennifer Tiller and her husband, Rick, of Santa Monica, 
California and Nancy Buppert and her husband, William, and their children, Nathan and 
Olivia, of Nashville.   Private graveside services will be conducted at the Caseville 
Township Cemetery. 

Ralph Kain 
Ralph Junior Kain, 69, of Prescott and formerly of Owendale, passed away Tuesday, 
October 28, 2003, at Bay Specialty Care in Bay City after a short illness.   He was born in 
Brookfield Township on November 8, 1933, the son of the late Eliza (Crouch) and 
Wesley Kain. He served with the U.S. Air Force from 1952 to 1956, and was a member 
of the Pigeon V.F.W. Post 2236 as well as the Sebewaing American Legion Post 293.   
Ralph was a former school bus driver for Owen-Gage Schools, a former truck driver for 
Active Feed Co., and had worked at the Pigeon Shell gas station for many years. He also 
previously served with the Owendale Fire Department. He owned and operated Ralph's 
Tavern in Owendale for 14 years, and made friends with everyone who walked through 
his doors. He retired in 1999.   He was a member of the Pigeon Lions Club, the Pigeon 
Conservation Club, the Caseville Eagles and the ABATE motorcycle team. For many 
years, Ralph was a flagman at the Owendale and Cass City Speedways.   He is survived 
by six daughters, Sandra Wible and her husband, Charles, of Pinconning, Ronda Reil and 
her husband, Dave, of Owendale, Jean Wible and her husband, Jamie, of Sebewaing, 
Tammy Klemkowsky and her husband, Pete, of West Virginia, Janice Murawski and her 
husband, Felix, of Texas, and Jackie Archangeli and her husband, Rocky, of Bay City; 
two sons, Timothy Kain and his wife, Ruth, of Owendale and Scott Kain and his wife, 
Diane, of Sebewaing; his former wife, Virginia Elsesser Kain, of Owendale; 17 
grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; five sisters, Beaulah Kretzschmer, of Owendale, 
Joyce Kain, of Bad Axe, Virginia Roeber and her husband, George, of Bay Port, Mildred 
Kain, of Cass City, and Marvel Reivert and her husband, Kenneth, of Sebewaing; and 
several nieces and nephews.   He was preceded in death by two brothers, Edward and 
Maurice; four sisters, Olive Gooch, Shirley Rothfuss, Ruby Meissner, and Carol Dexter.   
The funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Friday, October 31, 2003, at the 
Kilmanagh United Methodist Church with the Rev. John Heim officiating. Burial will be 
in St. John 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 service at 11 
a.m. on Friday at the church.   Memorials may be made at the funeral home. 

Friday, October 31, 2003


Albin Matelski 
Albin Edward Matelski, 85, of Kinde, died Wednesday evening, October 29, 2003, at 
Courtney Manor in Bad Axe.   He was born December 12, 1917 in Dwight Township, 
son of the late Edward and Martha (Byarski) Matelski.   Mr. Matelski and Lydia Brade 
were united in marriage on August 23, 1941 in Detroit. She survives him.   Albin 
graduated from Kinde High School in 1937. He was a well-known area carpenter. He 
especially enjoyed fishing.   Mr. Matelski is survived by his wife, Lydia; one son, 
Edward Matelski, II, of Wichita Falls, Texas; two sisters, Virginia Indo and her husband, 
Daniel, of Kinde, Genevieve Bresky and her husband, Edward, of Kinde; three 
grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.   Funeral services 
will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 1, 2003, at MacAlpine Funeral Home - Gage 
Chapel in Kinde. Pastor David Putz from St. Peter Lutheran Church in Kinde will 
officiate. Burial will be in Colfax Township Cemetery.   Visitation will be from 2 to 9 
p.m. today at the funeral home.   Memorials may be offered to a charity of the donor's 
choice. 

Jean Mellendorf 
Jean I. Mellendorf, 67, of Owendale, died Thursday morning, October 30, 2003, at 
Crittenton Hospital in Rochester Hills.   She was born September 15, 1936 in Bad Axe to 
the late Stanley Seely and Bonnie (Loucks) Seely. Jean Seely married Milton K. 
Mellendorf on April 26, 1958. He preceded her in death on April 23, 1975.   Jean enjoyed 
spending time with her granddaughter, visiting garage sales, drinking ice tea, cooking and 
attending family gatherings.   She is survived by her daughter, Elizabeth Garascia and her 
husband, Michael, of Lake Orion; one granddaughter, Tricia Anderson, of Lake Orion; 
her mother, Bonnie Fritz, of Owendale; three sisters, Maxine Becker and her husband, 
Robert, of Owendale, Bonnie Vennevy, of Owendale, Arvilla Hobson and her husband, 
Colin, of Marlette; two brothers, Elmer Schram, of Sandusky, Alfred Schram, of 
Caseville; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.   Mrs. Mellendorf 
was preceded in death by seven brothers, Ilo Seely, Roy Schram, Jr., Earl Schram, Carl 
Schram, Ervin Schram, Arthur Schram, Nelson Schram; two sisters, Joyce Isaac, Delores 
Schram; one brother-in-law, Edward Mellendorf; and one sister-in-law, Thelma 
Mellendorf.   Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, November 3, at St. Paul's 
Episcopal Church in Bad Axe. The Rev. Elsa A. Pressentin will officiate. Burial will 
follow at Grant Township Cemetery in Gagetown.   Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. on 
Saturday, and from 2 to 9 p.m. on Sunday at MacAlpine Funeral Home, Bad Axe.   
Memorials may be offered to the American Cancer Society. 

Bradley Talaski Dubs 
Bradley Thomas Talaski Dubs, 22, of Kinde, died Thursday, October 30, 2003, in Huron 
Township.   He was born April 4, 1981 in Bad Axe, son of Anthony and Lori (Talaski) 
Dubs.   Bradley was a member of Grindstone Sportsman's Club in Port Hope. He enjoyed 
the outdoors, hunting, fishing, playing euchre and pool, and spending time with his 
friends.   He is survived by his parents; two brothers, Zachary Dubs, of Northville, 
Jeramie Dubs, of Northville; one sister, Stazy Rutkowski and her husband, Faron, of 
Utica; and his grandparents, Elmer and Darlene Talaski, of Rapson and William and 
Valeria Dubs, of Port Hope.   Mass of Christian burial will take place at 2 p.m. on 
Monday, November 3, 2003, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Dwight. Fr. John Weis will 
officiate. Cremation will follow. A parish scripture service will be conducted at 7 p.m. on 
Sunday at the MacAlpine Funeral Home - Gage Chapel in Kinde.   Visitation will be 
from 4 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, from 2 to 9 p.m. on Sunday, and from 12 to 1:30 p.m. on 
Monday at the funeral home.   Memorials may be offered to the Family Discretionary 
Fund. 



1