HURON DAILY TRIBUNE, Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan Local obituaries for the week beginning December 5, 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 represent- ative 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, December 5, 2004 Elizabeth Leiterman Elizabeth Leiterman, 89, of Redford Township and Gagetown, died Thursday evening, December 2, 2004, at the Garden City Hospital in Garden City following a brief illness. She was born May 15, 1915 in Brookfield Township, daughter of the late Peter and Anna (Keller) Leiterman. She had been employed as a shipping clerk in Detroit for 47 years before retiring in 1982. Elizabeth was a member of St. Agatha Catholic Church in Gagetown. Surviving are seven sisters and two brothers, Rose Kunst, Margaret Finkbeiner, both of Redford Township, Anna Kothe and her husband, Donald, Lillian Retzler and her husband, Donald, all of Sebewaing, Emma Mitts and Marion Hamlin, both of Bay City, Peter Leiterman and his wife, June, of Unionville, Katherine Avery, of Reese, John Leiterman, of Oscoda; and many nieces and nephews; also a special nephew, Everett Finkbeiner and his wife, Debbie. She was preceded in death by two infant sisters, Frances and Esther Leiterman. The Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11 a.m. on Monday, December 6, 2004, at St. Agatha Catholic Church in Gagetown. Fr. Steve Fillion will officiate with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 to 8 p.m. today at Dinkel-Juengel Funeral Home in Sebewaing. She will lie in state at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Monday. Memorials may be made to St. Agatha Catholic Church. Jerry Osentoski Mr. Jerry Osentoski, 72, of Ubly, died Thursday night, December 2, 2004, at his residence under hospice care after a brief illness with pancreatic cancer. Jerry was born May 20, 1932 in Ubly to the late Casimer and Irene (Glaza) Osentoski. He married Audrey Kuntze on October 25, 1958 at St. Columbkille Catholic Church at Sheridan Corners. He was a graduate of a country school. He farmed from childhood until 1975. He worked at Tower Automotive (formerly Active) for 42 years. He was a lifetime member of St. Columbkille Catholic Church at Sheridan Corners. Jerry's favorite pastimes included maintaining yard work, riding his 4-wheelers, and traveling to Michigan casinos. He also enjoyed purchasing, maintaining, and detailing new vehicles throughout his life. Jerry is survived by his wife, Audrey, of Ubly, one son, Mark Osentoski and his wife, Linda, of Kokomo, Indiana; one daughter, Tammy McKnight, of Reese; four grandchildren, Aaron (age 14) and Erica (age 12) Osentoski, and Elliott (age 11) and Oliver (age 9) McKnight; one daughter-in-law, Jennifer (Parker) Osentoski, of Charlotte, North Carolina; two brothers, Norman Osentoski and his wife, Irene (Levine), of Sterling Heights, Kenneth Osentoski and his wife, Sue (Archer), of Otisville; one sister, Marlene Peters and her husband, Bill, of Lake Orion; one sister-in-law, Loreane Holz, of Ubly. Jerry was preceded in death by one son, Brian; one brother, Melvin; and one brother-in-law, Duey Holz, Sr. A Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. on Monday, December 6, 2004, at St. Columbkille Catholic Church at Sheridan Corners. The Rev. Joseph Griffin, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m. today and from 8 to 9 a.m. on Monday at the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly. There will be a parish vigil service at 7:30 tonight at the funeral home. Memorials are requested to Heartland Hospice or the St. Columbkille Building Fund. Monday, December 06, 2004 Ora Rosetta Dearing Ora Rosetta Dearing, 85, of Saginaw, formerly of Sebewaing, died Saturday morning, December 4, 2004, at St. Mary's Regional Medical Center in Saginaw following a brief illness. She was born April 1, 1919 in Pawnee, Illinois, daughter of the late Elmer and Lula (Christenbury) Edwards. She was united in marriage to the Rev. John Dearing on May 5, 1941 in St. Louis, Missouri. He preceded her in death on August 21, 1995. Rosetta and her husband pastored at the Sebewaing Assembly of God Church for 10 years and she has been attending the First Assembly of God Church in Saginaw for the past nine years. She was active in the Tuesday morning Bible Study group at Lakeside Apartments. She also was active in missions and her gifts and talents were encouraging people. She has just recently completed her memoirs. Surviving are three daughters, Ann Weidman, Deborah Weidman and her husband, Gary, all of Saginaw, Sharon Haley and her husband, Michael, of Madison Heights; nine grandchildren, Scott Weidman and his wife, Suzi, Gregory Weidman and his wife, Jamie, Jodi Weidman, Debbie Schlitts, Kimberly Reis and her husband, Brian, Gary Weidman II and his wife, Susie, Angela Gradinariu and her husband, Isac, John Haley, Michael E. Haley; eight great- grandchildren, Jacob Dupius, Casey Schlitts, Brittany Reis, Brandon Reis, Valarie Weidman, Jessica Schlitts, Gary Lee Weidman III, Nathan Weidman; two sisters, Helen Chandler, of Tracey, California, and Marie Wilson, of Peoria, Illinois; and many special nieces, nephews, and many wonderful friends. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Madge Brewer and Anna Strode. The funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, December 8, 2004, at the Sebewaing Assembly of God Church. The Rev. Robert T. Cholette will officiate and assisting will be the Rev. Fred Smolchuck, Jr. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. today, from 1 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday at Dinkel-Juengel Funeral Home in Sebewaing. She will lie in state from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service on Wednesday at the church. Memorials may be made to Sebewaing Assembly of God Church or Light for the Lost. Minnie Kile Minnie Kile, 80, formerly of Brown City, died Saturday, December 4, 2004, in Caro. She was born October 28, 1924 in Fostoria to Dee and Etta Blackmer. She married George Kile on January 15, 1943. A housewife, mother, grandmother and great- grandmother, she delighted in her family. When her health was good, she had attended the Clifford Baptist Church. She is survived by seven children, Delores McIntyre and her husband, Doug, of Caro, Doris Muxlow and her husband, Jim, of Imlay City, Devona Malkowski and her husband, Roman, of Pigeon, Georgina Kile, of Caro, George Kile and his wife, Iris, of Marlette, Larry Kile and his wife, Sandra, of Texas, Jerry Kile and his wife, Connie, of Marlette; 16 grandchildren; and 36 great-grandchildren; a sister, Beatrice Hopson; and two brothers, Martin and Donald Blackmer. She was preceded in death by her husband, George; six brothers, Jake, Neal, Sam, Amos, Dave, and Charlie; and three sisters, Ruby Smith, Mary Boyle and Ella Baker. A funeral service will be at 1 p.m. on Tuesday at Carman Funeral Home in Brown City with burial in Rich Township Cemetery. A gathering for family and friends will be from 2 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society. Clarence Henry Cox Clarence Henry Cox, 95, of Deford, died Saturday, December 4, 2004, in Tendercare Nursing Facility. Funeral services to be conducted at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, December 7, 2004, in Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City, with the Rev. Terry Butters, from Kingston United Methodist Church, officiating. Interment will take place in Kingston Cemetery, Kingston. Military honors will be under the direction of Cass City VFW Post #3644. Family and friends may share memories, prayers and stories with the family at www.kranzfuneralhome.com. Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to The Salvation Army. Tuesday, December 7, 2004 Belva G. Lockard Belva G. Lockard, 85, of Elkton, died Monday morning, December 6, 2004, at the Huron County Medical Care Facility, Bad Axe. She was born March 25, 1919 in Marion Township, Sanilac County, to the late Reuben and Jenny (McColl) Rich. On June 17, 1943, she was united in marriage to Hector Lockard in Deckerville. They lived and farmed near Deckerville until he passed away in August of 1966. She later became a quality control inspector at Trim Trends in Deckerville, retiring in 1984, and moved to Elkton shortly thereafter. Belva was a member of the Elkton Senior Citizens, Huron Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and a past member of the Order of Eastern Star. Surviving are her son, Richard Lockard and his wife, Jean, of Elkton; three grandchildren, Kim, Jeff, and Andrew; five great-grandchildren, Kaitlin, Stefany, Adam, Jakob, and Jonah; and a brother, Ray Rich, of Tennessee. Preceding her in death were two sons, William, an infant, and Robert, at age 6; three brothers, Hugh, Lorne, and Guy Rich; and a sister, Mabel Cole. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Thursday, December 9, 2004, at the Apsey Funeral Home, Deckerville, with burial in Downing Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. today at Champagne Funeral Chapel in Elkton and from 3 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday and after 10 a.m. on Thursday at Apsey Funeral Home, Deckerville. Memorials may be given to the Safetyville Program. To leave condolences for the family, go to www.cfcElkton.com. Dennis P. Shaltry Dennis P. Shaltry, 48, of Saginaw, beloved brother and uncle, passed away suddenly Wednesday, December 1, 2004. The son of the late John Laurence and Frances Mary (Cashin) Shaltry, Dennis was born December 18, 1955 in Saginaw. He graduated from St. Stephens High School in Saginaw and later Michigan State University with a degree in criminal justice. Dennis was employed by the State of Michigan Family Independence Agency for over 14 years as a child protective services director. He was of the Catholic faith and enjoyed fishing, cooking and helping others who were in need. Surviving are five sisters, four brothers and their spouses, Marianne and Edward Gehring, of Harbor Beach, Jacqueline Knudson, of Suisun, California, Gerald Shaltry, of Fairfield, California, Thomas and Sharon Shaltry, of Williamston, John and Sue Shaltry, of Big Rapids, Therese and Tom Luplow, of Zilwaukee, Kathy and Mike Gunther, of Saginaw, Susan and Jed Batcke, of Saginaw, Michael Shaltry, of Antelope, California; and many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews. Dennis enjoyed family visiting with nephews and nieces, Edward Gehring, Jr., Connie and Terry Kramer and children, Robert J. Gehring, William and Lenai Gehring and family, Paul and Tracy Gehring and family, Jean and Tom Booms and family, Mark and Francine Gehring, of Antiock, Tennessee, and Joseph and Rhonda Gehring and family. Dennis was preceded in death by an infant sister, Patricia Shaltry; a brother, Joseph Shaltry; and nephews, Baby Gunther and Michael J. Gehring. A funeral service was held at 11 a.m. today, December 7, 2004, at The Snow Funeral Home, 3775 N. Center Road, in Saginaw. The Rev. Father Thomas E. Sutton officiated with entombment in Mt. Olivet Mausoleum. Memorials may be made to the Saginaw Underground Railroad. Gerald Torey Gerald Torey, 71, of Bad Axe, passed away on Thursday, December 2, 2004, at his home. A complete obituary will appear at a later date in the Huron Daily Tribune. Arrangements are being handled by the MacAlpine Funeral Home, Bad Axe. Wednesday, December 08, 2004 Thad L. Pearl Thad L. Pearl, 86, of Big Rapids and formerly of Dearborn, died Friday, December 3, 2004, at his residence. He was born March 18, 1918, the son of Thaddeus and Edith (Stafford) Pearl. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific Theatre aboard the destroyer escort USS Corbesier. Following his discharge, he moved to the Detroit area where he was an insurance agent for the John Hancock Life Insurance Company for more than 25 years. Thad was a former member of the First United Methodist Church in Dearborn. He enjoyed various crafts, especially woodworking and stained glass work. He was an accomplished carpenter as well. In 1947, he married Verna Putikka, who preceded him in death in 1988. Surviving are three daughters, Karen Bailey and her husband, Bruce, of Big Rapids, Debbie Taulbee and her husband, Don, of Bad Axe, and Donna Olinzock and her husband, Tom, of Taylor; and five grandchildren, Sarah and Matthew Bailey, Anna Ferrell and her husband, Jon, and Carolyn and Michael Taulbee. The funeral service was conducted on Sunday, December 5, 2004, in Big Rapids. Entombment will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, December 12, 2004, at Grand Lawn Cemetery in Detroit. Memorial contributions in Thad's name may be made to the Mecosta County General Hospital Cardiac Rehab Unit, 405 Winter, Big Rapids, Michigan 49307. Thursday, December 9, 2004 Jecks L. Richardson Jecks L. Richardson, 51, of Port Austin, died Tuesday, December 7, 2004, at Scheurer Hospital in Pigeon. Jecks was born November 18, 1953 at Travis Air Force Base in California, son of the late Richard and Ercell (Lock) Richardson. He and Ruth Reinke were married January 5, 1974 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Port Hope. Jecks graduated from Port Austin High School in 1971. He was a superintendent for G. Williams Construction in Sandusky. He enjoyed baseball, was a member of the Bird Creek Golf Course and loved golf. (He will finally break par in 2005.) He is survived by his wife, Ruth; one son, Reid, of Port Austin; and one daughter, Jennifer Ellis and her husband, Scott, of Wayne; three grandchildren, Aaron, Gavin, and Jaden; and one sister, Sue Richardson, of Union Grove, Wisconsin. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 11, 2004, at the Knoblock Funeral Home in Kinde. There will be visitation from 1 to 9 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home. Lydia E. Schmidt Lydia E. Schmidt, 88, of Port Huron and formerly of Port Hope, passed away Wednesday, December 8, 2004, in Marwood Nursing and Rehab Center after a lengthy illness. Born in Port Hope on August 2, 1916, she was the daughter of the late Fred and Emma (Liedke) Engel. Lydia was united in marriage to Erwin Ender in August 28, 1937 in Port Hope. He preceded her in death on February 26, 1973. On June 22, 1974, she was united in marriage to Henry Schmidt and he preceded her in death on August 22, 1994. Lydia was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Port Hope. She is survived by her daughter, Marjorie Landschoot and her husband, Richard, of Port Huron; grandchildren, Stacey DeVeny and her husband, Kenneth, of Goodells, Penny Walters and her husband, John, of Smith Creek, and Gregory Lanschoot and Cherie DeLong, of St. Clair; great- grandchildren, Kenneth R. DeVeny and Courtney DeVeny; two sisters, Bertha Leese and Esther Leese; and brother-in-law, Lester Ender and his wife, Arline, of Port Hope. Lydia was preceded in death by two brothers, Walter and Robert Engel; and four sisters, Martha Moeller, Ida Shultz, Anne Gentner and Helen Steinbis. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 11, 2004, in St. John Lutheran Church, Port Hope, with the Rev. Gregory Eilers, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the Lakeview Cemetery, Port Hope. A scripture service will be at 7:30 p.m. on Friday at the Ramsey Funeral Home, Harbor Beach. Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home and from 10 a.m. until the time of services on Saturday at the church. Mildred Vatter Mildred Vatter, 83, of Snover and Sandusky, passed away Tuesday morning, December 7, 2004, at the Sanilac Medical Care Facility. She was born March 23, 1921 in Marlette to the late Lloyd and Austa Mac (Wills) Tucker. She married Elwyn "Al" N. Vatter on December 20, 1938 in Angola, Indiana. She has now gone to be with Al, who preceded her in death on August 26, 1996. Mildred graduated from the eighth grade at Sandusky Schools. She was a parishioner at both St. Joseph Catholic Church in Argyle and St. Joseph Catholic Church in Sandusky. She was an avid fan of the Detroit Tigers. She loved working on her lawn, gardening, playing cards, and spending time with her family. Mildred is survived by one daughter, Sharon Hanson, of Ubly; one granddaughter, Katherine Hanson and her significant other, Dennis Peruski, of Snover; one step- grandson, Lloyd Hanson and his wife, Dawn, of Norwood, North Carolina; two great- granddaughters, Autumn Grifka and her significant other, Scott Michalski, of Decker, Shana Hanson and her significant other, Robert Walker, of Davison; five great-great- grandchildren; three sisters, Elva Graves, Marjorie Licht, and Eilleen Searman and her husband, Alfred "Bud", all of Sandusky; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by an infant grandson; one infant brother, Ivan Tucker; and two brothers-in-law, Frank Graves and Anthony "Tony" Licht. A Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, December 10, 2004, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Argyle. The Rev. Joseph Griffin, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 2:30 to 9 p.m. today and from 9 to 10 a.m. on Friday at the Zinger- Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly. There will be a parish vigil service at 7:30 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorials are requested to the Alzheimer's Unit at the Sanilac County Medical Care Facility or the Family Discretionary Fund. Nancy L. Stafford Nancy Lorene Stafford, 96, of Delaware Township, passed away in the Harbor Beach Community Hospital Long Term Care unit on Wednesday, December 8, 2004. Cremation has taken place at Sunset Valley Crematory in Bay City and interment will take place in the Barnes Cemetery, Stewart, Tennessee in the spring. Arrangements are being handled by the Ramsey Funeral Home, Harbor Beach. Friday, December 10, 2004 George W. Merideth George W. Merideth, 80, of Caseville, passed away Thursday, December 9, 2004, at Courtney Manor in Bad Axe. He was born in Monette, Arkansas on August 8, 1924, son of the late William B. and Virginia (Goff) Merideth. He served in the Navy during World War II, and was in Normandy on D-Day. On June 16, 1951, he was united in marriage to Annalee M. "Lee" Jennings in Flint. She survives him. Mr. Merideth retired from the Consumers Power Company in 1982 after 35 years and moved from Flint to Caseville in 1983. He then worked at Beadle Bay Marina on Sand Point. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Pigeon, and a former member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Flint. In addition to Lee Merideth, his wife of more than 53 years, he is survived by a daughter, Gail Muchler and her husband, James, of Honor; a son, Darrel Merideth, of Flint; four grandchildren, Scott Slosser, of Hale, Tim Slosser and his wife, Tina, of Herron, Jim Muchler and his wife, Sue, of Mesick, and Tracy Muchler and his wife, Amanda, of Gregory; one great-grandson, Eric M. Slosser; step-great- granddaughter, Allison Bishop; one niece, Bonnie Rogers and her husband, John, of Georgia; two nephews, Jack Harris and his wife, Faith, and Donald Harris and his wife, Kathy, both of South Carolina. He was preceded in death by a son, Dennis G. Merideth, in 1977; four brothers, Charles, Earl, Leo, and Bobby; and two sisters, Pauline Harris and Laverne Van Allsburg. The funeral service will be conducted at 1 p.m. on Saturday, December 11, 2004, at the Meyersieck-Bussema Funeral Home, Pigeon, with the Rev. Margaret Passenger officiating. Burial will be in the Caseville Township Cemetery. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and from noon until the time of the service at 1 p.m. on Saturday at the funeral home. Memorials for Mr. Merideth may be made to the Dennis G. Merideth Cancer Research Fund at Wayne State University. Arlene Eaglen Arlene Eaglen, 82, of Owendale, died Friday, December 10, 2004, at the Huron County Medical Care Facility in Bad Axe. A scripture service will be at 7 p.m. on Sunday at the Champagne Funeral Chapel in Elkton. Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home. A complete obituary will be in Sunday's edition of the Huron Daily Tribune or by viewing cfcElkton.com. Wildonna J. Herrington Wildonna J. Herrington, 80, of Bad Axe, passed away on Thursday, December 9, 2004, at the Huron County Medical Care Facility. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Monday, December 13, 2004, at the First United Methodist Church. Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, from 2 to 9 p.m. on Sunday at MacAlpine Funeral Home, Bad Axe, and from 10 a.m. until time of service on Monday at the church. Burial will take place at Verona Cemetery. 1