HURON DAILY TRIBUNE, Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan Local obituaries for the week beginning April 4, 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, April 4, 2004 Kathryn Brinker Kathryn (Wessels) Brinker, 62, of Detroit and formerly of Huron County, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, April 2, 2004, at Mount Clemens General Hospital in Mount Clemens. She was born on Mother's Day, May 11, 1941, in Plymouth Township, daughter of the late George Joseph and Ottelia "Tillie" (Brade) Wessels. She married Thomas T. Brinker on June 16, 1979 in St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rapson. He preceded her in death on December 20, 1999. She was employed by Comerica Bank in the Detroit area for 37 years and was an avid Detroit Tigers fan. She is survived by two brothers, George Wessels and his wife, Carol, of Harbor Beach, and Erich Wessels and his wife, Donna, of Bad Axe; three sisters, Jean Schember, of Sandusky, Sharon Elliott, of Warren and Wanda Rysberg and her husband, Warren, of Crystal Falls; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a sister, Patricia Ann Miller. Services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Monday, April 5, 2004, at the Bad Axe First Baptist Church. The Rev. Jay Barsaleau, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in Colfax Township Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. today at the Kaufman Funeral Home in Bad Axe, and from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Monday at the church. Joanne Hengy Joanne Elaine Hengy, 73, of Caseville passed away Thursday, April 1, 2004, at her home. She was born in Akron on February 14, 1931, daughter of Joseph E. and Marjorie A. (Cousins) Russell. She graduated from Midland High School in 1949, and Michigan State University, where she was a member of the homecoming court, in 1953. Following graduation, she worked for a television station in Louisville, Kentucky. On June 25, 1955, she was united in marriage to Willis Martin Hengy in Midland. Mr. and Mrs. Hengy established the Michigan Directory Company in Pigeon in 1976. Mrs. Hengy especially enjoyed golfing and was a member at Scenic Golf and Country Club. She also enjoyed decorating, traveling, playing bridge and, most importantly, being with her family, friends and especially her grandchildren and great-grandson. In addition to her husband, Willis M. "Bill" Hengy, she is survived by a daughter, Susan Sanders and her husband, Jim, of West Palm, Florida.; a son, Bill Hengy and his wife, Tammy, of Caseville; three grandchildren, Shar Mohr and her husband, Jason, Willis K. Hengy and Samantha Stowe; a great-grandson, Ethan Mohr; her mother, Marjorie A. Russell, of Cass City; and a sister-in-law, Joan Stawara and her husband, Frank, of Vero Beach, Florida. She was preceded in death by her father. The funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Monday, April 5, 2004, at the Meyersieck-Bussema Funeral Home, Pigeon, with the Rev. Jane Spencer, Dn., officiating. Burial will be in Caseville Township Cemetery. Visitation will be from 12:30 to 5 p.m. today, and from 9 a.m. until the time of service on Monday at the funeral home. Memorials for Mrs. Hengy may be made to the American Cancer Society. Gertrude Surbrook Gertrude Viola Surbrook, 96, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, April 3, 2004. She was born June 24, 1907 in Portage LaPrairie, Manitoba, Canada to John B. and Emma J. (Parks) Vance. Gertrude was raised in Cass City along with her siblings who have all predeceased her. She received her U.S. citizenship in 1957. She married Ernest M. Campbell on June 28, 1930 in Cass City. He died October 23, 1972. Gertrude married Clarence Surbrook on December 15, 1979. He died October 4, 1986. She has made her home at Hilty Memorial Home in Pandora, Ohio for the past two years. Gertrude was a member of the Lima Missionary Church in Ohio, previously a member of Bad Axe Free Methodist Church and the Missionary Society. She enjoyed tatting, sewing clothes and gardening. Gertrude's life was her children and grandchildren. She loved spending time with her family. Gertrude is survived by her children, Elizabeth "Betty" Lingenfelter and her husband, William, of Flint and Hallendale, Florida., Hilda Van Allen and her husband, Douglas, of Cass City, Edith Schott and her husband, J. Clement, of Lima, Ohio, Dr. Louis A. Campbell, of Charlotte, North Carolina, Graydon Campbell and his wife, Judy, of Bad Axe, Delores Kurtz and her husband, Harry, of Owosso and Beverly Ritter and her husband, Sheldon, of Sturgis; 20 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her grandson, James Douglas Van Allen, who died October 9, 1972; brothers, Neil, Malver, Dewey, Roy, Earl, Andrew and John Vance; sisters, Ethel Vance, Margaret Edwards, Bertha Schneider, Blanche Copeland and Gladys Sanfelippo. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 7, 2004, in Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City, with Dr. Louis A. Campbell and the Rev. J.C. Schott officiating. Burial will be in Novesta Township Cemetery, Cass City. Pallbearers will be David Campbell, Michael Campbell, Joshua Ritter, Ron Van Allen, Jeff Van Allen, Mike Van Allen and Bill Van Allen. Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, and from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Bethel College, Brown City Campground or Hilty Memorial Home. Monday, April 5, 2004 Geraldine "Jerry" Ballard Geraldine "Jerry" Rose Ballard, 85, died at her home in Sebewaing on Saturday, April 3, 2004. Geraldine was born on September 28, 1918 in Caseville to the late Arthur and Fern (Beaver) Henne. On June 20, 1938, she married John "Jack" Ballard. He preceded her in death on September 22, 1995. Geraldine is survived by five children, Lawrence Ballard, Brenda Ballard, Marjorie Little and her husband, Malcolm, Bev Ballard and John Ballard, Jr.; daughter-in-law, Marilyn Ballard; grandchildren, Deadra Hurley and her husband, Dan, Andrea Hacker, Scott Ballard and his wife, Clarrisa, Adrienne Little, Joshua Little and his wife, Tina; seven great-grandchildren, Joshua, Danielle, and Matthew Hurley, Amanda and Heather Warren, Cole Bailey and Jordan Little; one great- great-grandchild, Mikayla Warren; two sisters, Aileen Diller and her husband, Clayton, and Janet Henne; and one brother, Donald Henne. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her brother, DeVere Henne; and her sisters, Beulah Ballard, and infant Elaine Henne. Private graveside services were conducted on Monday, April 5, 2004, at the New Bay Port Cemetery. Arrangements were conducted by the Dinkel- Juengel Funeral Home Inc., Sebewaing. Memorials may be made to the Bay Port United Methodist Church. Robert E. Boyd Robert E. Boyd, 83, of Port Austin, passed away on Wednesday, March 31, 2004, at St. Mary's Medical Center in Saginaw. He was born on August 21, 1920 in Cambridge, Massachussets, son of the late Earl and Angie (Boyington) Boyd. He married Sally Lee Snyder on September 3, 1942 in Detroit. She preceded him in death on September 17, 1996. Mr. Boyd served in the U.S. Army during World War II as a radio operator in the Air Corps. He spent 45 years in the automobile business in all phases of retail sales. He moved to his summer home in Port Austin in 1989 and worked in real estate with the Osentoski Realty Company for more than 10 years. He enjoyed boating, hunting, fishing, dancing, and working with roses. He was a member of the VFW and the Rosarians. He is survived by two daughters, Pamela Sigren, of Marshall, Robin Boyd-Hamilton and her husband, Bobby, of Nashville; one son, Gordon Boyd and his wife, Lenka, of Roseville; one granddaughter, Joy Leona and her husband, Glen Siegel, of Lake Worth, Florida.; and two great-grandsons, Alex and Evan Siegel. In keeping with his wishes, there will be no visitation or service. Memorials may be offered to the First United Methodist Church in Birmingham through the Kaufman Funeral Home in Bad Axe. Tuesday April 6, 2004 Joanna H. Pearcy-Lyons Joanna H. Pearcy-Lyons, 38, of Macomb Township for one year and formerly of Royal Oak, died Wednesday, March 24, 2004, at Providence Hospital, Southfield. She was born September 8, 1965 in Royal Oak. Mrs. Pearcy-Lyons was a devoted wife, mother and homemaker. Surviving are her husband, Greg, whom she married January 29, 1990, in Las Vegas, Nevada; children, Jeremy, of Hazel Park, and Lynette, Elizabeth, Megan and Haley, all of Macomb Township; mother, Louise Pearcy; siblings, Terry Riden, of Madison Heights, and John Pearcy, of Owendale; grandmother, Louise Fitzthomas; and parents-in-law, Joy Fitzpatrick and Merton Lyons. She was predeceased by her father, Frederick; and a brother, David. Funeral services have already taken place at the William Sullivan and Son Funeral Home, 705 W. 11 Mile, Royal Oak. Memorials may be made to American Cancer Society. Wednesday, April 7, 2004 - No obituaries reported Thursday, April 8, 2004 Joseph Chumick Joseph Chumick, 83, of Bay Port, passed away early Wednesday, April 7, 2004, at Scheurer Hospital in Pigeon. He was born in Detroit on August 17, 1920, son of the late John and Maria Ann (Zaytsow) Chumick, and served with the Merchant Marines from 1942-1946, traveling throughout the world and receiving a Purple Heart. On July 7, 1960, he was united in marriage to Dorothiea Colvin at Columbus, Ohio. She preceded him in death on July 2, 1996. Mr. Chumick was a master of many trades, and an accomplished musician and entertainer to all who loved him and knew him. His constant sharing with all and unselfishness made him very special. He was the greatly loved father of Mary Anne Chumick of Chicago and David Monroe Chumick of New Jersey; stepfather to Yvonna Horn and her husband, William, of Lansing, Jack Timmons, of Utica, Ohio, and Jerry Timmons, of Tacoma, Washington; and very special friend to Linda and Donald Hillaker of Bay Port. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Ivan and William. A memorial service will take place at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 9, 2004, at the Meyersieck-Bussema Funeral Home, Pigeon, with the Rev. Alger T. Lewis officiating. Visitation will be from 6 to 7 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Scheurer Hospital or Scheurer Hospital Long Term Care. "God Watch You and Bless You, Joe." Emma Maher Emma Maher, 96, of Sandusky, died Monday, April 5, 2004, at Medilodge of Yale. She was born on June 29, 1907 in Port Hope to Henry and Clara (Friese) Detgen. She married Eugene Maher, who preceded her in death in 1954. Mrs. Maher was a homemaker. She was a member of the Sandusky Peace Lutheran Church and Peace Lutheran Ladies Auxiliary. She is survived by three sons, William Beauchamp and his wife, Betty, of Palms, George Maher and his wife, Patricia, of Lapeer, James Maher and his wife, Marjorie, of Deckerville; 10 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; three great- great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by one son, Richard Maher; one daughter-in-law, Dolores Maher; one grandson, Michael Maher; one granddaughter, Peggy Maher; and several sisters and brothers. A funeral service was conducted at 11 a.m. this morning, Thursday, April 8, 2004, at the Hacker Funeral Parlors in Sandusky. Pastor Richard Tino, of Sandusky, officiated. Burial will be in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Southfield. Memorials may be made to Sandusky Peace Lutheran Church or to the family wishes. Friday, April 9, 2004 June Groff June (Petersen) Groff, 92, of Caseville, died Thursday afternoon, April 8, 2004, at the Carriage House of Bay City with her family at her side. She was born June 12, 1911 to the late Peter and Katherine (Robinson) Petersen in Bay City. She grew up in Bay City and graduated from Central High School. In 1932, she graduated from Saginaw General Hospital as a registered nurse. On May 21, 1934, she was united in marriage to Byron I. Groff in Bay City. They lived in Essexville until 1946 when they bought the general store at Gotts Corner near Caseville and operated it until it closed in 1969. Mrs. Groff became the school nurse in Elkton in 1950 and retired from the EPBP Schools in 1976 with 26 years of service as a nurse and teacher of Health Careers. They moved to Bay City in 1980 and back to Caseville in 1991. Byron preceded her in death on June 21, 2002. She was a member of the Caseville United Methodist Church, past member of the Chandler Methodist Church, Worthy Study Club and had been very active in the PTA while at school. She also served as Lake Township Treasurer for 26 years. Surviving are two children, Julie Anne Daly, of Chandler, Arizona, and Michael Groff and his wife, Dianna, of Caseville; five grandchildren, Pamela, Beth, Katherine, David and Peter; six great- grandchildren, Doug, Adam, Chris, Brandon, Stephen, and Kyra; her sister, Addie Henry and her husband, William, of Traverse City; her brother, Jack Petersen and his wife, Rita, of Bay City; and sister-in-law, Marjorie Petersen, of Essexville. Preceding her in death were two brothers, Lowell and Charles Petersen. Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 10, 2004, at the Lighthouse Free Methodist Church, Bay City. The Rev. Fred Wilbert, pastor, will officiate with burial in Floral Garden, Bay City. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday at the church. If you are unable to attend, you may sign the guest book and leave words of condolence at www.CFCcaseville.com. Memorials may be given to the Parkinson Foundation. Joseph Swazey, Jr. Joseph L. Swazey, Jr., 52, of Port Hope, passed away Tuesday, April 6, 2004, at his home in Rubicon Township. Born in Detroit on August 12, 1951, he is the son of Joseph L. Swazey, Sr. and Bertha Gloria Baker. Joseph enjoyed fishing and the outdoors and served in the U.S. Marine Corps. He is survived by his children, Joey, James, Kelly and April; father and stepmother, Joseph L. and Donna Swazey, of Port Hope; three brothers, John, of Ferndale, Ken, of Oak Park and Mike Swazey, in Ohio; seven sisters, Sally Pullen, of Harbor Beach, Tina McCabe, of New Mexico, Marion Swazey, of Warren, Robin Coleman, of Ferndale, Sheri Richardson, of Warren, Alice McDaniel, of Port Hope and Gloria Brown, of Port Hope; and several nieces and nephews. Joseph was preceded in death by a sister, Nancy Swazey. Cremation has taken place at Sunset Valley Crematory in Bay City. A memorial service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 10, 2004, in the Ramsey Funeral Home, Harbor Beach, with Fr. Gerald Kukla, pastor of Our Lady of Lake Huron Catholic Church, officiating. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday. Archie Wolschlager Archie A. Wolschlager, 80, of Bad Axe, died Thursday, April 8, 2004, at Courtney Manor in Bad Axe. Arrangements are being handled by MacAlpine Funeral Home of Bad Axe and are incomplete at this time. A complete obituary will appear in Sunday's Huron Daily Tribune. 1