HURON DAILY TRIBUNE, Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan Local obituaries for the week beginning February 1, 2004 Contributed 2004 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 01, 2004 Freeman Fankhauser Freeman W. Fankhauser, 82, of Harbor Beach, passed away Friday, January 30, 2004, at the Harbor Beach Community Hospital. He was born on August 20, 1921 in Port Hope, son of the late Albert and Agnes (Penner) Fankhauser. He married Alma Warczinsky on June 27, 1942 in St. John's Lutheran Church in Palms. Mr. Fankhauser was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Harbor Beach, and the Harbor Beach American Legion. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He is survived by his wife, Alma A. Fankhauser, of Harbor Beach; one son, Michael Fankhauser and his wife, Regina, of Alanson; one daughter, Sandra Heinz and her husband, David, of Lewiston; two sisters, Marion McGee, of Port Hope, and Shirley Dalton, and her husband, James, of Dearborn Heights; six grandchildren and four great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two grandsons. In keeping with his wishes, there will be no visitation. A memorial service will be hosted at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, February 3, 2004, at the Zion Lutheran Church in Harbor Beach. Officiating will be Rev. Mark E. Girardin, pastor. Interment will be in Marquardt Cemetery in Port Hope. Visitation will be at the Zion Lutheran Church on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until the service at 11 a.m. Arrangements are being handled by the Kaufman Funeral Home in Bad Axe. Charlotte Forge Charlotte Grace Forge, 88, of Bay Port, died Friday, January 30, 2004, at Bay Regional Medical Center in Bay City following a brief illness. She was born July 21, 1915 in Saginaw, daughter of the late Harvey and Luella (Scheurman) Light. She was united in marriage to Lewis "Chuck" Forge on July 21, 1934 in Bay Port. He preceded her in death on March 14, 1993. Grace was a member of the Bay Port United Methodist Church and also a life member of the Order of Eastern Star, Elkton Chapter #431. Surviving are two sons, William C. Forge and his wife, Janis (Magill), of Bay Port, and Robert L. Forge and his wife, Patricia (Pistro), of Wolverine Lake; six grandchildren, William C. Forge II and his wife, Janet (Dzendzel), Jeannine (Forge) Batterson and her husband, Ted, Bethany (Forge) Sprunk and her husband, Lt. Col. Richard Sprunk, Kimberley (Forge) Hurst and her husband, Eric, Robbin (Forge) Marsico and her husband Mark, Tina (Forge) Graves and her husband Mark; 15 great grandchildren, William C. Forge III, Jenna, Michelle Grace Forge, Philip and David Batterson, Havilah, Laura, Hannah, Nathanael and Emma Jane Sprunk, Daxton, Zackery and Bo Hurst, Cara and Robert Marsico; and her good canine friend, Bucky. One brother, Sidney Light, preceded her in death. According to Grace's wishes, cremation has taken place at Sunset Valley Crematory in Bay City. There will be no visitation or funeral. A memorial service will take place later this spring in Bay Port. Arrangements are being handled by the Dinkel-Juengel Funeral Home in Sebewaing. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider Bay Port United Methodist Church or Bay Hospice. Stanley Gascho Stanley L. Gascho, 78, of Pigeon, passed away Friday, January 30, 2004, at the Huron Medical Care Facility, Bad Axe. He was born in Pigeon on September 16, 1925 to the late Nicholas and Melinda (Brenneman) Gascho, and graduated from the Winsor School. He was united in marriage to Iva C. Swartzendruber at Pigeon River Mennonite Church on June 29, 1951. She preceded him in death on April 10, 1988. Stanley farmed throughout his lifetime and was a carpenter for many years. He owned and operated a number of rental properties in Saginaw as well. He was an active member of the Pigeon River Mennonite Church. He is survived by his daughter, June Ramos, of San Antonio, Texas; two sons, Eugene Gascho and his wife, Suzanne, Lee Gascho and his wife, Lana, all of Pigeon; six grandchildren, Jeremy, Kyle, Briana, Malea, Jalissa, and Kayleen; sister, Celesta Snyder and her husband, Kenneth, of Goshen, Indiana; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Gerald Gascho and Leon Gunden; and his stepmother, Mary Reber Gascho. The funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. today at the Pigeon River Mennonite Church with the Rev. Tom Beachy, pastor, and the Rev. Luke Yoder officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Arrangements are being conducted by Meyersieck-Bussema Funeral Home in Pigeon. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until the time of service at 2 p.m. today at the church. Memorials for Mr. Gascho may be made to Pigeon River Mennonite Church, Mennonite Disaster Service, or Habitat for Humanity. Frieda Rievert Frieda V. Rievert, 83, of Sebewaing, died Friday evening, January 30, 2004, at Huron County Medical Care Facility in Bad Axe following an extended illness. She was born November 15, 1920 in Kilmanagh, daughter of the late Frederick and Nathalia (Hessler) Nimtz. She was united in marriage to Elmer E. Rievert on November 24, 1938 in Kilmanagh. He preceded her in death on December 10, 2000. Frieda had been employed at Sebewaing Industries for many years before retiring in 1982. She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Sebewaing, the Ladies Aid and Lutheran Women's Missionary League. Surviving are one son, Darrell Rievert and his wife, Sally; one daughter, Janet Ewald and her husband, Dale; one sister-in-law, Elizabeth Nimtz, all of Sebewaing; seven grandchildren, Todd Rievert and his wife, Marci, of Bay Port, Kevin Rievert and his wife, Jamie, of Akron; Brian Rievert and his wife, Denise, Carmen Dressler and her husband, Duane, Randy Ewald and his wife, Kim, Renee Eurich and her husband, Tom, all of Sebewaing; Kristi Eimers and her husband, Lee, of Unionville; 13 great grandchildren, Drew, Benjamin, Brad, Michael, Sarah and Chase Rievert, Nicole and Jessica Dressler, Ashley and Justin Ewald, Connor and Preston Eurich, and Allison Eimers; several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by one sister, Clara Nitz, and one brother, Clarence Nimtz. The funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. on Monday, February 2, 2004, at Immanuel Lutheran Church. Rev. Daniel Hahn will officiate with burial in St. John Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be at the Dinkel- Juengel Funeral Home in Sebewaing from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. today. She will lie in state at the church from 10 a.m. on Monday until the time of the service. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider Immanuel Lutheran Church or the charity of the donor's choice. Gerald Roggenbuck Gerald E. Roggenbuck, 67, of Harbor Beach, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, January 30, 2004, near Harbor Beach in a farming accident. Born in Harbor Beach on September 7, 1936, he was the son of Magdalene (Holdwick) Roggenbuck and the late Henry Roggenbuck. Gerry was a member of the U.S. Army serving in Germany and was a parishioner of Our Lady of Lake Huron Catholic Church in Harbor Beach. He enjoyed baseball, especially the Tigers, and loved being with his family and farming his Sand Beach Township farm. Gerry is survived by six children, Tom Roggenbuck and his wife, Ellen, of Harbor Beach, Julie Essenmacher and her husband, Brad, of Harbor Beach, Colleen Guza and her husband, Ed, of Bad Axe, Kathy McCrossen and her husband, Dean, of Birmingham, Christine Olds and her husband, Mike, of Mission Viejo, California, and Janet Hull and her husband, Chris, of Macomb Township; his mother, Magdelene Roggenbuck, of Harbor Beach; 12 grandchildren, Thomas, Ali and Tessa Roggenbuck, Samatha, Nick and Curtis Essenmacher, Tyler, Seth, Nolan and Mitchell Guza, Trevor and Drew McCrossen; seven brothers, William Roggenbuck and his wife, Rose Mary, Barthol Roggenbuck and his wife, Eleanor, Robert Roggenbuck and his wife, Linda, Ronald Roggenbuck, Michael Roggenbuck and his wife, Pat, John Roggenbuck and his wife, Linda, all of Harbor Beach, and Joe Roggenbuck of Blacksburg, Virginia.; four sisters, Mary June Roggenbuck, of Maryland, Sr. Margaret Ann Roggenbuck, of Port Austin, Evelyn Stein and her husband, Roy, of Harbor Beach, and Jean Merkler, of Indiana. He was preceded in death by an infant brother. Funeral mass will be Tuesday, February 3, 2004, in Our Lady of Lake Huron Catholic Church of Harbor Beach, with Fr. Gerald Kukla, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the St. Anthony's Cemetery of Helena. A parish vigil service will be at 7:30 p.m. on Monday at the Ramsey Funeral Home of Harbor Beach where visitation will be on Monday from 1 to 9 p.m. and Tuesday at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the services. Martha Schultz Martha Louise Schultz, 106, of Bay City, passed away January 30, 2004, at Bay Medical Care Facility with her family and her pastor by her side. She was born in Blumfield Township on September 10, 1897 to the late Louis and Helena (Liedke) Lupcke. She married William T. Schultz in 1921 and he preceded her in death on June 22, 1965. She was the oldest member of Trinity St. James Lutheran Church. She is survived by four children, Wilfred Schultz and his wife, Erna, of Vassar, Leon Schultz and his wife, Clara, of Essexville, Bonnie Norrington, of Flint, and Helen Barcia and her husband, Chuck, of Bay City; 11 grandchildren; two step grandchildren; 23 great grandchildren; seven step great grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; three step great-great grandchildren; a brother, Carl Lupcke and his wife, Marie, of Munger; and a sister, Elsie Roth, of Munger. She was preceded in death by three brothers and three sisters. Funeral and committal service will be hosted at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, February 3, 2004, at Trinity St. James Lutheran Church. The Rev. Theodore E. Voll will officiate. Private burial will be at Floral Gardens Cemetery. Memorial tributes may be made to Trinity St. James Building Fund. Visitation will be at Penzien-Steele Funeral Home in Bay City today from 5 to 9 p.m., and on Monday from 2 to 9 p.m. She will lie in state at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. The family wishes to thank the staff of Bay Medical Care Facility 2 - West for their kind and compassionate care. Monday, February 2, 2004 Nancy Hamilton Nancy Ann Hamilton, 56, of Caseville and formerly of Clarkston, passed away on Friday, January 30, 2004. Nancy was a registered visiting nurse known to her patients as "Nurse Nancy". She was a longtime member of church choirs and a member of First Congregational Church in Clarkston. She was the beloved wife of Roy; dear mother of Katie Ford and her husband, Jeremy, and Kristen Carey and her husband, Brad; dear step- mother of Ami and Robyn Hamilton; loving daughter of Virginia and James Wallis and the late Richard Castle; dear sister of Linda Freeland and her husband, Michael, Richard Castle, Jr. and significant other, Barbara Austin; dear step-sister of Cheryl Lewis and her husband, James, Peggy Simonovic and her husband, Dennis, Laurie Collard and her husband, Mark, Janet Harrington and her husband, Lee, and Constance "Dottie" Bierschbach; loving grandmother of Lucas and Mason. A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, February 4, 2004, at First Congregational Church, 5449 Clarkston Road, Clarkston. Pastors Chris Richards and Brian McGookey will be officiating. Visitation will be from 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday at Coats Funeral Home, 3141 Sashabaw Road., Waterford, and from 10 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday at the church. Memorial donations may be made to The Salvation Army, The Humane Society or American Cancer Society. Envelopes are available at the funeral home. Tuesday, February 03, 2004 Basil Hughes Basil Neil Hughes, 77, of North Branch and formerly of Troy, passed away on Sunday, February 1, 2004. He was born on June 18, 1926 in Pontiac to Byron and Kate (Robinson) Hughes. Basil married Louise Foe on April 19, 1947 in Metamora. Mr. Hughes served his country in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was a member of the Cass City VFW Post #3644, a former member of the Troy Elks Club, and the Troy Fraternal Order of Eagles. Mr. and Mrs. Hughes enjoyed camping all over the State of Michigan. Basil was an estimating engineer for Tuffaloy Products. He is survived by his wife, Louise; sons, Wayne Hughes and his wife, Denise, of Columbiaville, Mark Hughes of Woodbridge, Virginia, and Kevin Hughes and his wife, Valerie, of Clifford; eight grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, Neil Andrew Hughes; and his parents, Byron and Kate (Robinson) Hughes. A military service will be conducted when his cremains are buried in the new National Cemetery in Holly. Muir Brothers Funeral Home, Lapeer, is handling the arrangements. William Pickerel William Rex Pickerel, 68, of Stanberry, Missouri, passed away on Saturday, January 31, 2004, at a St. Joseph hospital. Born June 2, 1935 in Stanberry, Missouri, he was the son of William Chilton and Lois Margaret (Shisler) Pickerel. He was preceded in death by his father. William retired from the Air Force. He was a member of the St. Peter's Catholic Church of Stanberry, Missouri. He is survived by five sons, Stephen Mayhugh, of Livermore, California, Patrick and Randall Pickerel, both of Pleasanton, California, David Pickerel, of St. Louis, Missouri., Michael Pickerel, of Ypsilanti; daughter, Suzanne Carpenter, of Brentwood, California; mother, Lois Margaret Pickerel, of Stanberry, Missouri; brother, James Pickerel, of St. Joseph; companion, Helen Gribble, of St. Joseph; and seven grandchildren. Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, February 4, 2004, at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Stanberry. A prayer service will be conducted at 6 p.m. on Tuesday at the Roberson-Polley Chapel, 5th and N. Alanthus, Stanberry, Missouri, with visitation to follow the prayer service. Friends may call anytime after 2 p.m. on Tuesday at the Chapel. Burial will be in High Ridge Cemetery, Stanberry, Missouri. Wesley Rujan Wesley Rujan, 68, of Caseville, passed away Sunday, February 1, 2004, in the Covenant Medical Center, Saginaw. Born on Dec. 19, 1935 in Detroit, he was the son of the late Adrian and Katie (Arsey) Rujan. Wes was a retired Lieutenant with the Redford Township Fire Department, retiring in 1988 after serving for 25 years. He also was a veteran of the U.S. Army during the Berlin Crisis. On Feb. 7, 1959, Wes and Patricia Bonser were united in marriage in Detroit. He was a member of the St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Linkville near Pigeon. Wes was a former Cub Scout Master and enjoyed duck hunting, fishing, woodcarving and painting. Surviving are his wife, Pat Rujan, of Caseville; his children, June Marie Schweitzer and her husband, Dale, of Pigeon, Wesley Rujan, Jr. and his wife, Cheryl, of Westland, Richard Rujan and his wife, Patrice, of E. Tawas, and Timothy Rujan and his wife, April, of Bay Port; seven grandchildren, Brian, Stephanie, Eric and Justin Rujan and Sara, Kayla, and Katie Schweitzer. Wes is also survived by one brother, Adrian Rujan, Jr. and his wife, Dee, of Troy. A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, February 4, 2004, in St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Linkville, with the Rev. Leo C. Wenskay, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the Grand Lawn Cemetery, Pigeon. A Firemen's Memorial Service will be at 7 p.m. today in the Meyersieck-Bussema Funeral Home, Pigeon. Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home and from 10 a.m. until service time on Wednesday at the church. Wednesday, February 4, 2004 – No obituaries reported Thursday, February 05, 2004 James "Jay" Laudicina James "Jay" V. Laudicina, 85, of Sand Point, died early Wednesday morning, February 4, 2004, at his home following a lengthy illness. He was born June 12, 1918 in Detroit, son of the late Vito and Rosa (DeVita) Laudicina. He was united in marriage to Delia A. Molina on April 23, 1960 in Clawson. Jay had been a building contractor for many years and constructed many homes in the Pontiac, Walled Lake area before retiring in 1990. He was a member of St. Roch Catholic Church in Caseville. He was an avid woodworker and also worked with stained glass. Surviving are his wife, Delia, of Sand Point; one grandson, Jeff Sundwall; also one brother and sister-in-law, Peter and Josephine Laudicina, of Southfield; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded by one son, Ray Laudicina; one daughter, Margie Sundwall; and many siblings. The funeral service will take place at 7 p.m. on Friday, February 6, 2004, at the Meyersieck- Bussema Funeral Home in Pigeon. Fr. Kenneth Yaroch will officiate with burial in Holy Sepulcher Cemetery in Southfield. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. today and from 2 to 7 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Heartland Hospice. Beverly Roe Beverly Ann Roe, 65, of Saginaw, passed away on Monday, February 2, 2004, at her residence under hospice care. Beverly was born May 6, 1938 in Detroit to Eleanor (Peplinski) Skrzypinski and the late Alfred Skrzypinski. Beverly attended Ubly Community Schools and graduated from St. Stanislaus in Detroit. She was a retired accountant for City Hall in Saginaw. She loved classic movies, reading and bowling. Beverly is survived by three daughters, Nicole Thomas, of Saginaw, Rae Lynn Mitas and her husband, John, of Holland, Shannon Roe, of Saginaw; three grandchildren, Brady, Kaitlyn, and Nala Mitas; her mother, Eleanor Skrzypinski, of Warren; one brother, Robert Skrzypinski and his wife, Dolores, of Warren; one cousin, Marian Schwartz, of Rochester Hills. Beverly was preceded in death by her father, Alfred Skrzypinski, in 1987; one grandson, Nathan M. Thomas, in 1992. A funeral mass will be at noon on Saturday, February 7, 2004, at St. John Catholic Church in Ubly. The Rev. T.J. Fleming, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in the St. John Cemetery in the spring. There will be a parish vigil service at 7 p.m. on Friday at the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home of Ubly. Visitation will be from 1:30 to 9 p.m. today, from 1 to 9 p.m. on Friday, and from 10 to 11 a.m. on Saturday at the funeral home. Memorials are requested to the Family Discretionary Fund. Friday, February 6, 2004 Kenneth Henne Kenneth J. Henne, 78, of Frankenmuth and formerly of Bay Port, died Friday morning, February 6, 2004, in Frankenmuth. Funeral arrangements are incomplete. A full obituary will be in the Sunday edition of the Huron Daily Tribune. Arrangements are being handled by the Dinkel-Juengel Funeral Home in Sebewaing. 1