HURON DAILY TRIBUNE, Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan Local obituaries for the week beginning May 9, 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, May 9, 2004 Bruce Raymond Clark Bruce Raymond Clark, 76, lifelong resident of Elkton, passed away on Friday, May 7, 2004, after an extended illness. Bruce was born to William and Irena (Witherspoon) Clark on July 6, 1927 in Macomb County, Van Dyke, Michigan. He was baptized at Calvary Lutheran Church in Van Dyke. His confirmation took place at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Kinde on April 6, 1941. He married Ruth M. Klemp on September 1, 1951 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Port Hope. Bruce was a self- employed farmer and carpenter for numerous years, retiring in 1986. He was a member of St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Kinde, serving as an elder and usher for many years. He enjoyed ice-fishing and spending time with his grandchildren. Bruce is survived by his beloved wife, Ruth; eight sons, Gary and his wife, Diane, of Sebewaing, Donnie and his wife, Carol, of Harbor Beach, Larry and his wife, Karen, of Filion, Mark and his wife, Donna, of Elkton, Randall, of Harrison Township, Kenneth and his wife, Diane, of Bad Axe, Dale and his wife, Tracy, of Caseville, Ricky, of Elkton, and his friend, Kim, of Harbor Beach; two brothers, Lester, of Caseville and Melvern, of Lake. Bruce was the grandfather of 13 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by four sisters, Sharon Eissinger, Buelah Hass, Doris Hass and Wilma Clark; three brothers, Arthur, Merlin and Eldon. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. on Monday, May 10, 2004, at the St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Kinde. The Rev. David Putz, pastor, will officiate. Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. on Sunday at the MacAlpine Funeral Home in Bad Axe and from noon to 1 p.m. on Monday at the church. A tribute to Bruce also may be viewed at www.macalpine.yourtribute.com/BruceClark. Memorials may be offered to the St. Peter's Lutheran Church or to the Family Discretionary Fund. Catherine F. Harwood Catherine F. Harwood, 96, of Harbor Beach, passed away on Saturday, May 8, 2004, in Courtney Manor Nursing Center in Bad Axe. Born in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, she was daughter of the late Anthony and Katherine (Wertzler) Lang. Catherine and Norman Harwood were united in marriage on June 9, 1934 in Harbor Beach. He preceded her in death on May 24, 1997. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Harbor Beach and a member of the Order of the Eastern Star in Ubly and past Grand Matron. Catherine was a retired employee of the Harbor Beach Community Schools, working as the librarian for 25 years in the downtown library, and she enjoyed playing bridge. Surviving are her two sons, Thomas Harwood and his wife, Barbara, of Harbor Beach, and Robert Harwood and his wife, Sally, of Williamston, Michigan. She was preceded in death by brothers, George Wertzler and Anthony "Curly" Lang; and two sisters, Elizabeth Avery and Aletha Bergin. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 11, 2004, in the First Presbyterian Church of Harbor Beach with the Rev. Theresa Cutler, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the Rock Falls Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. on Monday in the Ramsey Funeral Home, Harbor Beach, and from 10 a.m. until the service time on Tuesday at the church. Edward Marentette Sr. Edward James Marentette Sr., 77, resident of Bad Axe, passed away on Friday, May 7, 2004, at St. Mary's Medical Center in Saginaw. He was born October 19, 1926 in Royal Oak, son of the late Arthur and Izetta (Schwartz) Marentette. He married Tammy Matelski on October 25, 2001. Edward served in the United States Navy. He was a member of the American Legion and the Moose Lodge. He enjoyed motorcycles. He worked as an electrician. He built and owned Din Witty Golf Course. Edward is survived by his wife, Tammy Marentette; two daughters, April Frank and her husband, Stephen, of Bad Axe, Carol Humbarger of Glendale, Arizona; two sons, Edward Marentette, Jr., and his wife, Lynn, of Charlotte, North Carolina, Thomas Marentette and his wife, Lori, of Port Austin; two brothers Charles Marentette, of Harbor Beach, Arthur Marentette, of Harrisville; 12 grandchildren; three great- grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be at noon on Tuesday, May 11, 2004, at the MacAlpine Funeral Home in Bad Axe. The Rev. Jerry Sutton, pastor of the Bad Axe Free Methodist Church, will officiate. Cremation will follow at Sunset Valley Crematory in Bay City. Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. on Monday and from 10 a.m. until the service time on Tuesday at the funeral home. A tribute for Edward can be viewed at: www.macalpine.yourtribute.com/EdwardMarentette Memorials may be offered to the Family Discretionary Fund. Monday, May 10, 2004 James Friedland James Dean Friedland, 38, of Port Hope, passed away Sunday, May 9, 2004, at his home with his family and hospice at his side. Born in Harbor Beach on August 28, 1965, he was the son of Willet and Joyce (Green) Friedland. He was a graduate of Port Hope Public School. He was an employee of Top of the Hill Collision in Harbor Beach where he had worked for 20 years. James was a member of the St. John Lutheran Church in Port Hope and enjoyed motorcycling and hunting. Surviving are his parents, Willet and Joyce Friedland, of Port Hope; his brother, Anthony M. Friedland, of Port Hope; grandparents, Everett and Gladys Green, of Bad Axe; godparents, Debra Bush and Gregory Burkhard; aunts, Dorothy Woychowski, of Harbor Beach, and William Green and his wife, Maxine, of Sandusky; and several cousins. Funeral services for James will be at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, May 12, 2004, in St. John Lutheran Church in Port Hope with the Rev. Gregory Eilers, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the Marquardt Cemetery. A scripture service will be at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday in the Ramsey Funeral Home, Harbor Beach. Visitation will be from 1 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home and from noon until the time of service Wednesday at the church. Memorials may be given to St. John Lutheran Church, United Hospice, or to the donor's choice. Iris Kritzman Iris B. Kritzman, 90, of Decker, died Saturday, May 8, 2004, in Tendercare Nursing Facility. She was born June 14, 1913 at home in Sanilac County to John and Sadie (Darling) Connell. She married Harvey Kritzman on November 24, 1934 in Sandusky. He died April 7, 1993. Iris helped Harvey on their farm. She did housecleaning for many people for many years. Iris liked to crochet and work in her garden. Iris is survived by her children, Bob Connell, of Deckerville, Henry Kritzman and his wife, Marlene, of Lake Orion, Phyllis McFarlane, of Snover, Barbara Spencer and her husband, Harold, of Deford, Shirley Periso, of Deford, Sharon Kritzman, of Decker; 21 grandchildren; 42 great-grandchildren; 11 great- great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by a granddaughter, Belinda Konrady; grandson, Jim Heilborn; sisters, Pauline Woodward, Laverne Darling; brother, Jeff Darling. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 11, 2004, in Kranz Funeral Home in Cass City with Pastor Davie Edwards, of Cass City Missionary Church, officiating. Interment will be in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City. Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Alzheimer's Association, Greater Michigan Chapter, Mid-Michigan Region. Pallbearers for Mrs. Kritzman are Gary Spencer, Kenny Periso, Scott Loss, Rick Loss, Steven Konrady, and Jim Sullivan. Theresa Yaroch Theresa A. (Betteridge) Yaroch, 78, of Port Austin-Caseville, died Saturday evening, May 8, 2004, at Tendercare in Cass City. She was born January 22, 1926 in Detroit to the late Louis and Catherine (Knaus) Pechette. Theresa grew up in the Pinnebog area and graduated from Pinnebog High School in 1944. She then went to the Bay City Business College for a year. While living in Bay City, she worked at Monitor Sugar Company in the bookkeeping department. On October 22, 1955, she was united in marriage to Carl Betteridge at St. Felix in Pinnebog. She returned to Huron County to help on his family farm and raise her family. Carl preceded her in death on December 20, 1965 of complications following a car accident. Theresa worked at the Bella Vista for a time, then began a job at Caseville Lumber in the office retiring in 1988 after 16 years. In November of 1979, she married Louis Yaroch in Kinde. He also preceded her in death in September 1980. After his death, she moved to Port Austin. She was a past member of St. Felix Catholic Church and a member of St. Michael's of Port Austin and the U & I Club of Port Austin. She enjoyed playing cards, traveling and visiting with friends and family. Surviving are her son, Mike Betteridge and his wife, Tracy, of Elkton; two granddaughters, Kyra and Tori; two sisters, Helen McCormick and her husband, Leo, of Redford, and Jean Casey and her husband, Jim, of Livonia; her brother, John Pechette and his wife, Mildred, of Pinnebog; sister-in-law, Mavis Pechette, of Chandler Township. Preceding her in death were a son, Kim; and a brother, Frank Pechette. Funeral services will be conducted by Fr. Joe Schabel at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 11, 2004, at the Champagne Funeral Chapel, Elkton. Visitation will be from 2 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Ernest V. Wisneski Ernest V. Wisneski, 72, of Houghton Lake and formerly of Bad Axe, passed away on Saturday, May 8, 2004, at Mercy Hospital in Grayling. He was born on March 20, 1932 in Grindstone, son of the late Valentine and Matilda (Goretski) Wisneski. He married Evelyn Scott on May 21, 1976. Mr. Wisneski had lived in the Houghton Lake area for the past 15 years where he was a member of the Houghton Lake Moose Lodge. He is survived by his wife, Evelyn Wisneski, of Houghton Lake; two sons, Richard Wisneski, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Brian Wisneski, of Caro and his fiancee, Pam Barker; six daughters Rosemary Wisneski, of Jackson, Connie Mattice and her husband, Don, of Bad Axe, Bonnie Wisneski and friend, James Smith, of Bad Axe, Brenda Wisneski and her friend, Don Musal, of Detroit, Cindy Yox and her husband, Walter, of Deckerville, Kathy Jo Hodgkin and her husband, George, of Houghton Lake; one stepson, Tony Brown and his wife, Pam, of Goodells; three brothers, Alger and Raymond Wisneski, of Detroit and Everett Wisneski, of Texas; two sisters, Virginia Morris, of Detroit, Marjorie Harwood and her husband, Vernon, of Bad Axe; 13 grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services took place on Monday, May 10, 2004, at the Kaufman Funeral Home in Bad Axe. Fr. James Carlson, pastor of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, officiated. Burial was in the Rock Falls Cemetery in Harbor Beach. Eula Byers Eula Ann Byers, 88, of Silverwood, died Friday, May 7, 2004, in Marlette Community Hospital, Marlette. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 11, 2004, at Kranz Funeral Home, Kingston, with the Rev. Richard Whittenburg, of First Baptist Church of North Branch, officiating. Interment will be in Kingston Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. today and from 9 to 10 a.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Michigan Chapter, Inc., or the American Lung Association of Michigan. Henry "Hank" Geyer Henry "Hank" Geyer, 97, resident of Kinde, passed away on Saturday, May 8, 2004, at the Huron County Medical Care Facility while under hospice care. Henry was born September 12, 1906 in Meade Township to the late Max and Emma (Loss) Geyer. He married Evelyn Hunter on August 5, 1930 in Bowling Green, Ohio. Evelyn preceded Henry in death on February 14, 1986. Henry lived a long, active life and saw many changes in his 97 years. He sailed the Great Lakes and had numerous jobs in the Detroit area before moving back to Meade Township where he resided for the last 72 years. He farmed for many years while also working at the Huron County Road Commission. He helped build M- 25 from Oak Beach to Caseville. He retired as shop foreman from the road commission in 1970. Henry was an avid fisherman, including ice fishing, and hunting. He was successful at turkey and deer hunting in 2003 at age 97. He also enjoyed telling stories and entertained his grandchildren and great- grandchildren with stories of his life experiences. He was a member of the Kinde First Presbyterian Church. Henry is survived by one son, Al Geyer, and his wife, Nancy, of Saginaw; four daughters, Dorothy Drummond and her husband, Lee, of Bad Axe, Lorraine Robinson, of Hope, Patricia Davis and her husband, Al, of Kinde, Diane Hyzer and her husband, David, of Bad Axe; one son-in-law, Bob Lindberg, of East Lansing; 16 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; one sister, Edna Haldane, of Bad Axe. He was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn; one daughter, June Lindberg; one son-in-law, Frank Robinson; two granddaughters; one great-granddaughter; three brothers, Russ, Roy and Bill Geyer; two sisters, Mabel Reiker and Helen Brown; and a special friend, Elinor Wilson. Funeral Services will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 12, 2004, at the Kinde First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Larry McMellen officiating. Interment will be at the Colfax Cemetery Mausoleum. Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday at the MacAlpine Funeral Home-Gage Chapel in Kinde and from 10 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday at the church. Memorials may be made to the Kinde First Presbyterian Church or the Heartland Hospice. A web tribute to Henry can be visited at www.macalpine.yourtribute.com/HenryGeyer. Tuesday, May 11, 2004 Harry J. Gorney Harry J. Gorney, 89, of Bad Axe, passed away on Monday, May 10, 2004, at the Huron Medical Care Facility in Bad Axe. He was born on October 19, 1914 in Parisville, son of the late Frank and Mary (Kowalski) Gorney. He married Irene Talaski on February 14, 1938 in St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rapson. Mr. Gorney moved to Bad Axe with his wife following his retirement in 1979 as a long-time Sigel Township farmer. He was the former Sigel Township Supervisor. He enjoyed ice fishing and hunting. He is survived by his wife, Irene Gorney, of Bad Axe; three sons, Daniel Gorney and his wife, Beverly, of Bad Axe, Arnold Gorney and his wife, Rose, of Sterling Heights, Kenneth Gorney, of Bay View; two daughters, Janet Gorney, of Bad Axe, Carol Oman and her husband, Eric, of Saginaw; 14 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one son, Gary Gorney; one grandson, Duane Gorney; two brothers, Edward and Felix Gorney; and one sister, Gertrude Prange. A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 12, 2004, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Officiating will be Fr. James Carlson, Pastor. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery in Rapson. A vigil service will be offered at 7 p.m. today at the Kaufman Funeral Home in Bad Axe. Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home, and from 10 a.m. until the service time at 11 a.m. on Wednesday at the church. Memorials may be offered to Heartland Hospice or the Huron Medical Care Facility. Sister Gracelia Grekowicz, IHM Sister Gracelia Grekowicz, Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, 80, died Monday, May 3, 2004, at Mercy Memorial Hospital. Born on December 2, 1923 in Harbor Beach, she was the daughter of Frank and Lucy (Cook) Grekowicz. She was given the name Marie. She entered the IHM community in 1942, taking the religious name Sister Gracelia. A teacher, she worked for 27 years at St. Mary, Wayne; St. Cecilia and St. Raymond, Detroit; St. Patrick, Carleton; St. Thomas, Ann Arbor; St. Mary, Mount Clemens; St. Michael, Miami, Florida; St. Lawrence, North Miami Beach, Florida; St. Felicitas, Chicago; Holy Cross, Marine City, and Our Lady of Lake Huron, Harbor Beach. From 1971 until 2002, she was involved with various ministries. She drove health care center residents of the Motherhouse; taught for a year and worked with the aging for four years in Arizona; was a support staff member and store manager at Immaculate Heart of Mary High School, Westchester, Illinois, and assisted for four years with the outreach program at St. Rose Senior Center, Detroit. She was actively retired at the Motherhouse until her death. Sister Gracelia attended Eccles Elementary School and Our Lady of Lake Huron High School, Harbor Beach. She earned a bachelor's degree from Marygrove College, Detroit, and a master's degree from the University of Detroit. Surviving are a brother, William; and three sisters, Aileen Graff, Margaret Fain, and Georgene Gorzen. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Jack and Joseph; and four sisters, Theresa (Sister Marie Arnold, IHM), Esther McLean, Ellen Young and Mildred Smith. Memorials may be made to the IHM retirement fund, 610 W. Elm Avenue, Monroe, Michigan 48162. Linda M. Louis Linda M. Louis, 83, of Unionville, died Sunday, May 9, 2004, at Willow Tree Haven AFC near Gagetown following a lengthy illness. She was born on June 21, 1920 in Sebewaing, daughter of the late Albert and Clara (Schmidt) Sting. She was united in marriage to Marvin F. Louis on September 20, 1941 in Sebewaing. He preceded her in death on August 13, 1992. Linda was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Unionville. She was a former 4-H leader and member of St. Paul's Ladies Aid. Surviving are two daughters, Nancy Layher, of Sebewaing, Pat Studer and her husband, Al, of Shelby; three grandchildren, Michael Layher and his wife, Michele, of Granger, Indiana, Lisa Gremel and her husband, Michael, Michele Schember and her husband, Brian, all of Unionville; seven great- grandchildren, Jacob, Dylan, Noah, and Brady Layher, Jessica and Kayla Gremel, Nichole Schember; one sister-in-law, Ilah Bell, of Unionville; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by one brother, Alson Sting, and son-in-law, Kenneth Layher. The funeral service will take place at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, May 12, 2004, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Unionville. The Rev. Michael Allen will officiate with burial in Northlawn Cemetery in Sebewaing. Visitation will be from 1 to 8 p.m. today at the Dinkel-Juengel Funeral Home in Sebewaing, and from 11:30 a.m. until the time of service on Wednesday at the church. Memorials may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Alzheimer's Association, Heartland Hospice or the charity of the donor's choice. William H. Madison William H. Madison, 80, of Caseville, died Monday afternoon, May 10, 2004, at his home while under hospice care. He was born December 5, 1923 in South Fork, Pennsylvania to the late Raymond and Elizabeth (Childers) Madison. William moved to Detroit after high school, and then joined the army during World War II. Upon his return to Detroit, he became an auto mechanic working for Evans Manufacturing. He was forced to retire in his late 20s after suffering a crippling cerebral hemorrhage. In 1971, he moved to Florida where he remained until the fall of 1993, when he came to Caseville to live with his son for health reasons. Surviving are two sons, Thomas Madison and his wife, Donna, and Robert Madison, both of Caseville; two grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Private services will be conducted at Riverside Cemetery, Elkton. Arrangements by the Champagne Funeral Chapel, Caseville. Clarence Peters Mr. Clarence Joseph Peters, 93, of Austin Township, passed away Saturday afternoon, May 8, 2004, at Tendercare Nursing Home of Cass City. He was born on February 25, 1911 in Tyre, son of the late Louis Benedict and Mary Margaret (Morell) Peters. He never married. Clarence attended Freiburg Country School. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the Army Air Corp for more than three years. He farmed until 1968. He was a heavy equipment operator at Sargent Construction in Saginaw, now known as Saginaw Asphalt. He was a parishioner at St. Ignatius Catholic Church of Freiburg. Clarence is survived by one sister, M. Marge Zawilinski and her husband, John, of Cass City; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by four sisters, Marie Roberts, Viola Flannery, Vernetta Flannery, and Ellen McCormick; five brothers, Jerry, Edwin, Louis, Mark and Raymond Peters. Funeral service will be 10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 12, 2004, at the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home Chapel. The Rev. T.J. Fleming, pastor of St. Ignatius Catholic Church, will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 1:30 to 9 p.m. today and from 9 to 10 a.m. on Wednesday at the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home of Ubly. Memorials requested to the St. Ignatius Cemetery Fund. Jane Sulkowski Jane J. Sulkowski, 81, resident of Verona Township, died Sunday, May 9, 2004, at Huron County Medical Care Facility. She was born on June 17, 1922 in Plymouth to the late Thomas Gaffney and Emma (Friese) Gaffney. She and Samuel Sulkowski were united in marriage on April 4, 1959 in Farmington. Jane was employed by Northville Downs Racetrack, Northville State Hospital and the Medical Care Facility. She enjoyed gardening, camping, drawing, horses, going fishing and visiting with her family and friends. Jane is survived by her husband, Samuel; one son, Dan Sulkowski and special friend, Karen Kiehl; special friend, Marlene Miller; three grandchildren, Steven and Aaron Sulkowski, and Willie Kiehl; as well as several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by one infant daughter, Cheryl Sulkowski; four brothers, Tom Gaffney, Ed Gaffney, Frank Gaffney, and Bill Gaffney; two sisters, Margaret Kohnke, and Eunice Smith Cove. Funeral services will be conducted at 3 p.m. on Thursday, May 13, 2004, at MacAlpine Funeral Home, Bad Axe. The Rev. Jan Dykshoorn, pastor of Bad Axe First Presbyterian Church, will officiate. Visitation will be from noon until the time of the service at 3 p.m. Burial will take place at Verona Cemetery. Memorials may be offered to the Family Discretionary Fund. Please visit the web tribute for Jane at http://www.macalpine.yourtribute.com/JaneSulkowski. Wednesday, May 12, 2004 Dolores I. Ackerman Dolores I. Ackerman, 75, resident of Bad Axe and North Port, Florida, died Tuesday morning at St. Joseph's Hospital in North Port. She was born May 6, 1929 in Filion, daughter of the late Norman and Lydia (Mayer) Simmons. She married Arnold "Bud" Ackerman on June 15, 1956. Mr. Ackerman preceded his wife in death on August 18, 1998. Dolores was a member of Verona Golf Course and enjoyed playing euchre. She retired from Ackerman Bookkeeping in 2002 after 50 years with the company she founded in 1952. She is survived by one son, Barry Ward and his wife, Colette, of Bad Axe; one step-son, Leland Ackerman and his wife, Kay, of Escanaba; one brother, Clifford Simmons, of Bad Axe; and four grandchildren, Jennifer Ward, of Iowa, Ashley, Steven, and Brian Cox, of Bad Axe. Funeral arrangements are being handled by the MacAlpine Funeral Home of Bad Axe. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be conducted at a later date. The web tribute for Dolores may be viewed at macalpine.yourtribute.com/DoloresAckerman. Bernadine M. Jansen Bernadine M. Jansen, 64, of North Fort Myers, Florida, passed away on Saturday, May 8, 2004, at Southwest Florida Regional Medical Center in Fort Myers, Florida. She was born on January 25, 1940 in Ubly. She married Robert D. Jansen on November 7, 1959 in Ubly. He preceded her in death on September 5, 1987. She is survived by her children, Dena Jansen-Yee and her husband, Chris, of Muskegon, Patricia Wenzler and her husband, Mike, of Springboro, Ohio; and dearest friend and companion, Larry Desjarlais; five grandchildren; sisters, Stasia Fisher and her husband, Marvin, of Fort Myers, Florida, Gloria Shelke, of Ubly, Linda Tate and her husband, Bob, of Pigeon; brothers, Henry Grifka, of Ubly, Mike Grifka and his wife, Helen, of Ubly, and William Grifka, Jr. and his wife, Sandy, of Ubly. Burial will be at White Chapel Cemetery in Troy. A funeral mass service will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 14, 2004, at St. Dennis Catholic Church in Royal Oak with Fr. John P. Christ officiating. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. on Thursday at Sawyer-Fuller Funeral Home, 2125 W. 12 Mile Road, in Berkley. Mrs. Jansen will lie in state from 10 a.m. on Friday until the time of mass at 10:30 a.m. at the church. Eleanor Radford Eleanor (Iseler) Radford, 80, of Croswell, passed away on Monday, May 10, 2004, at Hills and Dales General Hospital in Cass City. She was born on September 12, 1923 in Meade Township, daughter of the late Dennis and Otillia (Greyerbiehl) Ducharme. She married Lee Iseler in 1944 in Georgia. He preceded her in death in October of 1967. She married John Radford on December 31, 1971. She is survived by her husband, John Radford, of Croswell; one son, Lee Iseler, of Bad Axe; two daughters, Kristen Pettit and her husband, Bill, of Filion, Gail Guster and her husband, Mitch, of Caseville; one brother, Pete Ducharme and his wife, Carol, of Riverview; two sisters, Delores Kazmierczak and her husband, Stan, of Warren, Betty Whitekus, of Madison Heights; 19 grandchildren; 12 great- grandchildren; four step-daughters, Sharlene Curry and her husband, Roscoe, of Oregon, Diane Radford, of New Mexico, Sandra Draper and her husband, David, of Marysville, Debbie Belling and her husband, Wes, of Jeddo. She was preceded in death by one granddaughter, Holly Pettit; one step-son, Gordon Radford. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 13, 2004, at the Kaufman Funeral Home in Bad Axe. Officiating will be the Rev. Kenneth Lueke, pastor of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Bad Axe. Burial will be in Colfax Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. today or from 10 a.m. until the service time at 11 a.m. on Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials may be offered to the Salvation Army. Thursday, May 13, 2004 Thomas Cass Leppek Mr. Thomas Cass Leppek, 59, died on Saturday, May 8, 2004, at his home in Bakersfield, California. He was born on June 5, 1944 in Ruth, the son of Chester and Martha (Grifka) Leppek. He married Charlotte Dixon on July 16, 2002. Tommy came to Bakersfield in 1966 at the age of 22. He was educated in Michigan; he was a 1961 graduate of Harbor Beach High School and attended St. Clair Community College in Port Huron. Tommy was owner and operator of Leppek Excavating for 32 years. He was a member of the Elks, Moose and Druids. He was a very unique individual and never met a stranger, always had a smile on his face, kind words from his lips, arms wide open and a heart as large as the universe. Family and friends will truly miss him. Tommy's first love was his wife and family and his second love was golf. He is survived by his wife, Charlotte, of Bakersfield; his parents, Chester and Martha Leppek, of Ruth; step-daughter, Lisa Townsend, of Phoenix, Arizona; sister, Carol Diehl and her husband, Richard, of Pensacola, Florida; brother, Doug Leppek and his wife, Debbie, of Safford, Arizona; sister-in-law, Judy Durden and her husband, Denny, of Salinas, California; two step- grandchildren; two nieces; two nephews; and two great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister, Nancy Leppek. A funeral mass will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 15, 2004, at St. Mary Catholic Church in 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. on Friday and from 9 until 10 a.m. on Saturday at the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly. There will be a parish vigil service at 7 p.m. on Friday and a rosary by the St. Mary Men's Club at 8 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the St. Mary's Church. Paul A. Mitchell Paul A. Mitchell, 55, of Bad Axe, passed away on Tuesday, May 11, 2004, at the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor. He was born on August 12, 1948 in Detroit, son of Arthur and Doris (Tewksbury) Mitchell. He married Denese Murphy on March 7, 1971 in Rose Center. Mr. Mitchell was a former employee of Tower Industries in Elkton and enjoyed participating in local bowling leagues. He served in the U.S. Army. He is survived by his wife, Denese Mitchell, of Bad Axe; one son, Jeffrey Mitchell and his wife, Sonia, of Nashville, Tennessee; one daughter, Angela Slavko and her husband, Scott, of Mt. Clemens; parents, Arthur and Doris Mitchell, of Rogers City; one brother, Michael Mitchell and his wife, Jean, of Hartland; his favorite sister-in-law, Karrie Baslock and her husband, Ken, of Bad Axe. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 14, 2004, at the Kaufman Funeral Home in Bad Axe. Officiating will be the Rev. Jay Barsaleau, pastor of the Bad Axe First Baptist Church. Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. today and from 10 a.m. until the service time at 11 a.m. on Friday at the funeral home. Memorials may be offered to the Leukemia Foundation. Venetta Schobert Venetta Schobert, 87, of Sebewaing, died Wednesday morning, May 12, 2004, at Bay Regional Medical Center in Bay City following a brief illness. She was born July 8, 1916 in Sebewaing, daughter of the late Frederick and Nellie (Reed) Kothe. She was united in marriage to Donald S. Schobert on June 20, 1936 in Saginaw. He preceded her in death on February 23, 1991. Venetta owned and operated Diane's Beauty Shop in Sebewaing for 40 years before retiring five years ago. She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Sebewaing and the former Order of Eastern Star, Sebewaing Chapter. She is survived by one son, David Schobert and his wife, Janice, of Oscoda; one daughter, Diane Menzel and her husband, James, of Unionville; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two sisters, Ethel Roemer, of Fullerton, California, Betty Taylor, of Caseville; one brother, Donald Kothe and his wife, Ann, of Sebewaing; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by one granddaughter, Sue Lynn Schobert; four sisters, Dorothy Smith, Eva Schmeltz, Mabel Deeg, Eldine Meyer; and one brother, William Kothe. The funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 14, 2004, at the Dinkel-Juengel Funeral Home in Sebewaing. The Rev. Ray McGee will officiate with burial in Silverlawn Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. until the time of service on Friday at the funeral home in Sebewaing. Memorials may be made to Bay Shore Camp, Humane Society or the charity of the donor's choice. Friday, May 14, 2004 John J. Ney John J. Ney, 88, of North Port, Florida and formerly of Bad Axe, died Wednesday, May 12, 2004, at his Florida residence after a long illness. He was born September 3, 1915 in Detroit, son of the late Joseph and Elizabeth (Eiselman) Ney. John Ney and Elizabeth (Peachy) Ignash were married September 28, 1946 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Dwight. He was the former owner of John's Bar, Bad Axe, and a former distributor for Schlitz Brewery, a U.S. Army veteran of World War II serving from 1941 to 1945, past president of the Michigan Beverage Association, past member of the Bad Axe Lions and past member of Verona Hills Golf Club. Surviving are his wife, Peachy; two sons, John Ney, Jr., of Strongsville, Ohio, and Joseph Ney and his wife, Nancy, of Bad Axe; two daughters, Elizabeth Taylor and her husband, Bobby, of Palm Coast, Florida, and Tracy Barnes and her husband, Jim, of North Port, Florida; six grandchildren, Alissa King, of Bad Axe, Courtney and Brennan Ney, of Ubly, Joshua and Jeffrey Ney, of Bad Axe, and Korri Barnes, of North Port, Florida; and three sisters, Betty Graham and Katherine Smith, both of Fort Gratiot, and Anne Kling, of Bad Axe. Preceding him in death were two brothers, Joseph and Matt Ney; and one grandson, Jason Ratliff. Funeral services will be conducted in Florida followed by cremation. A memorial service will be conducted in Bad Axe through the H. W. Weitenberner Funeral Home at a later date with burial to follow. Stephen R. Schneeberger Mr. Stephen R. Schneeberger, 46, of Cass City, passed away Wednesday, May 12, 2004, in Saginaw. Stephen was born September 9, 1957 in Flint, the son of Clarence and June (Webber) Schneeberger. He was assistant manager for 30 years at Schneeberger's, was an Elder at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, loved his family, watching his kids play sports, and loved hunting. Stephen is survived by his wife, Jalaine; children, Marisa, Kayla, and Kyle, all of Cass City, Sheri Kamdeur and her husband, Robert, of Indiana, Laura, of Cadillac and Anton, of Constantine; parents, Clarence (Opal) and June Cannon; siblings, Travis, of Saginaw, Sherry Nakamura and her husband, Bryce, of Hawaii, Connie Gillette and her husband, Steve, of Indiana; step-sisters, Tanya Engelson and Susan Rohm, of Florida; and many loving nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and other relatives. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 15, 2004, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church with Pastor Gerald Meyer officiating. Burial is in Novesta Township Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at the Thabet Funeral Home, 6255 Main Street, Cass City. Memorials may be made to the Family Discretionary Fund. Charles Kimmel Charles Kimmel, 87, of Elkton, died Friday morning, May 14, 2004, at his home while under hospice care. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 17, 2004, at the Community Wesleyan Church, Elkton. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. on Sunday at Champagne Funeral Home and after 10 a.m. on Monday at the church. A complete obituary will appear in the Sunday edition of the Huron Daily Tribune or at www.champagnefuneralchapel.com. 1