HURON DAILY TRIBUNE, Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan

Local obituaries for the week beginning January 11, 2004


Contributed 2004 by Carol Morrison for use in the USGenWeb Archives.

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Sunday, January 11, 2004


Opal Hund 
Mrs. Opal G. Hund, 90, of Ubly, passed away Thursday morning, January 8, 2004, at the 
Courtney Manor in Bad Axe after a lengthy illness.    She was born October 13, 1913 in 
Argyle to the late Benjamin and Ellen (Boag) Peters. Opal attended Argyle Country 
School and was a graduate of Ubly High School.   She was united in marriage to Francis 
A. Hund on September 27, 1934 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Argyle and lived most 
of her married life in Ubly.   Opal worked for a time at the local Ubly IGA and later was 
employed as a teacher's aide at the Ubly Community Schools. In addition to raising seven 
children, she enjoyed baking, gardening, crocheting, canning, sewing and spending time 
with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was a member of St. John 
the Evangelist Church in Ubly where she served as a Eucharistic minister and as a 
minister of communion to the sick. Opal was also a member of the Christian Mothers 
Circle #3, Mary Magdalene and the Daughters of Isabella Fidelis Regina Circle #608 of 
Bad Axe.   Opal is survived by her beloved husband of 69 years, Francis A. Hund; her 
children, Ferris S. Hund and his wife, Patricia, of Shelby Township, Robert F. Hund and 
his wife, Shirley, of Sterling Heights, Joan M. Bieniek and her husband, Ron, of Macomb 
Township, Janet M. Ericson and her husband, Charles, of AuGres, Mary Jane Sweeney 
and her husband, Kenneth, of Ubly, James A. Hund and his wife, Mary Ellen, of Hastings 
and daughter-in-law, Maureen Hund Scully, of Sandusky, in addition to 24 
grandchildren; and 38 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by one brother, Glen 
Peters and his wife, Lorraine, of Ubly; and one sister, Marion Boyer and her husband, 
Bill, of Perryville, Missouri.   Opal was preceded in death by an infant daughter, 
Margaret Ann; her son, Mark S. Hund; two brothers, Wade and Wencil Peters; two 
sisters, Joy Niece and Erma Peters; one grandson, Steven Hund; one great-grandson, 
Francis Hund.   A funeral mass will be at 10 a.m. on Monday, January 12, 2004, at St. 
John Catholic Church of Ubly. The Rev. T.J. Fleming, pastor, will officiate. Burial will 
be in the church cemetery.   Visitation will be at Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home of 
Ubly from 1 to 9:30 p.m. today and from 8 to 9 a.m. on Monday. There will be a parish 
vigil service at 7:30 p.m. today and joint rosary by the Daughters of Isabella and St. John 
Christian Mothers at 8:30 p.m. Both services will be at the funeral home.   Memorial 
contributions may be made to the Francis and Opal Hund Scholarship Fund at Ubly 
Community Schools, the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association. 

Agnes Schultz 
Agnes Janet Schultz, 72, of Bad Axe, died Friday, January 9, 2004, at the Huron County 
Medical Care Facility in Bad Axe.   Agnes was born July 28, 1931 in Port Hope to the 
late Michael J. and Sara (Huntly) Glasgow.   She married Elmer Schultz on August 1, 
1969.  He preceded her in death on April 20, 1974.   Agnes was employed at the Huron 
County Medical Care Facility for 36 years as a nurses aide. She retired in 1990. She was 
a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Bad Axe. Agnes enjoyed baking, gardening 
and visiting with family and friends.   Agnes is survived by one daughter, Barbara 
Schultz, of Bad Axe; one daughter-in-law, Yvonne Schultz, of Watsonville, California, 
and nieces and nephews.   She was preceded in death by one step-son, Arnold Schultz; 
two brothers, Mitchell and Thomas Glasgow; and one sister; Thersa Sheperd.   Funeral 
services will be conducted 11 a.m. on Monday, January 12, 2004, at Our Savior Lutheran 
Church of Bad Axe. The Rev. Kenneth Lueke will officiate. Burial will be at New River 
Cemetery.   Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. today at the MacAlpine Funeral Home of 
Bad Axe and 10 to 11 a.m. on Monday at the church.   Memorials may be made to Our 
Savior Lutheran Church Building Fund. 

Wanda Burns 
Wanda M. Burns, 84, of Cass City, died Thursday, January 8, 2004, in her home.   A 
funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Monday, January 12, 2004, in Kingston 
Wesleyan Church with the Rev. Ken Sandefur officiating. Interment is in Kingston 
Cemetery, Kingston.   Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. today at Kranz 
Funeral Home in Kingston and from 10 to 11 a.m. on Monday in the church.   Memorials 
may be made to the Kingston Wesleyan Church. 

Doris Golding 
Doris Alice Golding, 77, of Cass City, died Friday, January 9, 2004, in Tendercare 
Nursing Facility.   Funeral services will take place at 1 p.m. on Monday, January 12, 
2004, in Shabbona United Methodist Church, Decker, with the Rev. Fred McDowell, 
DASU Parish, officiating. Interment will be in Evergreen Township Cemetery, Shabbona.   
Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. today at the Kranz Funeral Home in Cass City and 
from noon to 1 p.m. on Monday at the Shabbona United Methodist Church, Decker.   
Memorials may be made to Alzheimers Association. 

Marc Van Rutherford 
A memorial for Marc Van Rutherford will be conducted at 7 p.m. on Monday, January 
12, 2004, at Port Hope United Methodist Church, 4521 Main St., Port Hope. 

Monday, January 12, 2004


Isabella Dunning 
Isabella G. "Ella" (Duncan) Dunning, 83, of Lake Township near Caseville,. died 
Saturday afternoon, January 10, 2004, at Huron Medical Center, Bad Axe.   She was born 
September 16, 1920 in Detroit to the late John and Davina (Cromie) Adamson.   On 
August 31, 1946, she was united in marriage to George Duncan in Detroit.   He preceded 
her in death on September 11, 1975.   Isabella was the assistant manager of 
Manufacturers Bank (now Comerica) in Redford for seventeen years retiring in 1979.   
On November 17, 1984, she married Harold F. Dunning in Detroit. They moved to their 
Lake Township home in 1985.   She is a member of the Nankin Chapter No. 238 Order of 
Eastern Star, the Caseville Library Club and the Caseville Retirement Club and enjoyed 
bowling and golf.   Surviving are her husband, Harold; three children, David Duncan and 
his wife, Carolyn, of Plymouth, Pamela Duncan Kaliszewski, of Novi and John Duncan 
and his wife, Catherine, of Livonia; 13 grandchildren; one great-grandson; and her 
brother, Robert Adamson and his wife, Erna, of Greenville, South Carolina.   Preceding 
her in death was a sister, Anne Lightfoot.   Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. 
on Thursday, January 15, 2004, at the Harry J. Will Funeral Home, Livonia.   Visitation 
will be from 2 to 8 p.m. today at Champagne Funeral Chapel, Caseville, and from 2 to 9 
p.m. on Wednesday at the Harry J. Will Funeral Home in Livonia. Burial will be in 
Acacia Park Cemetery, Beverly Hills.   Memorials may be directed to the American Lung 
Association.   If you are unable to attend, you may sign the guest book at 
www.CFCcaseville.com. 

Mary Fisher 
Mrs. Mary Katherine Fisher, 88, of Ubly, died Saturday, January 10, 2004, at Sunny 
Acres Nursing Home in Bad Axe.   She was born March 23, 1915 in Minden City, 
daughter of the late Henry and Susan J. (Michalski) Heilig, Sr.   She married Sylvester J. 
Fisher on June 1, 1936 at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Ruth. He preceded her in 
death on September 6, 2002.   Mary was a graduate of Charleston Elementary School. 
She worked on the family farm. She was a waitress and cook at Cross Roads Restaurant, 
Silver Star and Gillis Hotel. Mrs. Fisher worked at Mid West Rubber, Clements 
Manufacturing in Minden City for many years.   She was a parishioner of St. Mary 
Catholic Church in Parisville from 1936 until 1973 and a parishioner of St. John Catholic 
Church in Ubly since 1973. Mary was a member of the St. John Christian Mothers, Circle 
No. 3, Mary Magdalene.   Mrs. Fisher enjoyed cooking, canning, baking, gardening, 
flowers, soap operas, cards, crocheting, attending garage sales and visiting with family.   
She is survived by two daughters, Marjorie (Marge) Kiehl, of Ubly, and Shirley Mulrath, 
of Reese; one son, John Fisher, of Findlay, Ohio; former daughter-in-law, Barbara 
Gordon and her husband, Lee, of Hadley; 10 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; 14 
nieces; 16 nephews; one sister, Stella Cook, of Florida; two brothers, Henry Heilig and 
his wife, Leona, of Minden City, and Herbert Heilig and his wife, Evelyn, of Sanford; 
two sisters-in-law, Betty Heilig, of Harbor Beach and Virginia Kroetsch, of Minden City.   
Mary was preceded in death by her son, William Fisher; her son-in-law, LaVerne Kiehl; 
four brothers, Joe, Arthur, John, and Ray Heilig, Sr.   Funeral mass will be 10 a.m. on 
Wednesday, January 14, 2004, at St. John Catholic Church in Ubly. The Rev. T.J. 
Fleming, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery.   There will be a 
rosary by the St. John Christian Mothers at 7 p.m. on Tuesday and a parish vigil service 
at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, both at the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly.   
Visitation will be from 1:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home and from 9 until 
the mass at 10 a.m. on Wednesday at the church.   

Tuesday, January 13, 2004 – No obituaries reported


Wednesday, January 14, 2004


Alvira Siewert 
Alvira Siewert, 96, of Pigeon, passed away Monday, January 12, 2004, at Scheurer 
Hospital Long Term Care, Pigeon.  She was born in Lincoln Township near Bad Axe on 
July 29, 1907, daughter of the late Thomas and Annie (Tetreau) Eden. On January 10, 
1932, she was united in marriage to Henry J. Siewert in Saginaw. He preceded her in 
death on June 30, 1984.   Mrs. Siewert worked at the Waigle Cannery in Pigeon during 
the 1940's and in the 1950's she and Mr. Siewert owned and operated the Siewert 
Grocery. During the 1960's she worked as an aide at the Scenic Convalescent Home in 
Pigeon. She was also a homemaker throughout her lifetime. She was a member of St. 
John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Berne, the Scheurer Hospital Auxiliary and the 
Pigeon Senior Citizens. She enjoyed playing cards, crocheting, quilting and caring for 
others.   She is survived by a son, Marvin J. Siewert, of Pigeon; two daughters, Joyce 
House and her husband, Rodda, of Sebewaing and Doris Schuette and her husband, 
Harvey, of Pigeon; six grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; a brother, Willard Eden, of 
Livonia; a sister-in-law, Edith Sparks, of Clio; and several nieces and nephews.   She was 
preceded in death by an infant daughter, Marilyn; a sister, Lillian E. May; and five 
brothers, William, Joshua, Garnet, August and Clifford.   The funeral service will be 
conducted at 11 a.m. on Friday, January 16, 2004, at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran 
Church, Berne, with the Rev. James A. Gorsegner, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in 
the church cemetery.   Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. on Thursday at Meyersieck-
Bussema Funeral Home, Pigeon, and from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday 
at the church.   Memorials for Mrs. Siewert may be made to Scheurer Hospital Auxiliary 
or Long Term Care or St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church music program. 

Thursday, January 15, 2004


Arlene Gersky 
Arlene M. Gersky, 71, of Harbor Beach and formerly of Port Hope, passed away 
Wednesday, January 14, 2004, in Mercy Hospital, Port Huron, following a short illness.   
Born in Harbor Beach on February 14, 1932, she was the daughter of the late William 
and Henriette (Steckley) Gerstenschlager.   Arlene married Melvin Schulte on February 
19, 1955 in Harbor Beach and he preceded her in death on January 21, 1980. On 
February 14, 1983, Arlene married Joseph Gersky in Port Hope. He preceded her in death 
on October 4, 1988.   Arlene was a former employee of the Harbor Beach Community 
Hospital, working for more than 14 years. She was a member of Our Lady of Lake Huron 
Catholic Church in Harbor Beach and a member of the AmVets Post Ladies Auxiliary of 
Port Hope and the American Legion Auxiliary of Harbor Beach. Besides being a busy 
mother, Arlene enjoyed playing cards and bingo.   Surviving are children, James Schulte, 
of Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, Dennis Schulte, of Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, Denise Pionk 
and her husband, Ed, of Port Hope, William Schulte, of Port Hope, Ann Hanson and her 
husband, Bob, of Filion, George Schulte and his wife, Pam, of Leesville, Louisiana, Tom 
Schulte and his wife, Kathy, of Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, Ron Schulte and his wife, 
Lisa, of Black Creek, Wisconsin, Rhonda Trafelet, of Ubly, Carol Welton and her 
husband, Joe, of Ubly, and Cathy Booms and her husband, Rob, of Bad Axe; 30 
grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.   She was preceded in death by a sister, 
Doris Cloutier.   Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Saturday, 
January 17, 2004, in Our Lady of Lake Huron Catholic Church in Harbor Beach with Fr. 
Gerald Kukla, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. A White Clover 
Ceremony conducted by the AmVets Auxiliary will be conducted at 7:30 p.m. today in 
the Ramsey Funeral Home, Harbor Beach. A parish vigil service will be conducted at 
7:30 p.m. on Friday in the funeral home.   Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. today and 
from 1 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home and from 10 a.m. until the 
time of the service on Saturday at the church. 

Dorothy Gilbert 
Dorothy A. (Filion) Gilbert, of Pigeon, died Wednesday afternoon, January 14, 2004, at 
Scheurer Hospital Long Term Care.   She was born in Filion at the home of her parents, 
the late Ishmael and Agnes (Brinker) Filion.   Dorothy was a 1928 graduate of Bad Axe 
High School and went to college in 1933 for a year. She was employed with the 
American Red Cross as a case correspondent. In 1943, she was assigned to the Armed 
Forces and stationed overseas, first in Hawaii and then the Philippines, Germany, Japan 
and Okinawa. In 1953, she was assigned to the Naval Air Station in Minneapolis where 
she met Bradbury Gilbert. They were united in marriage at the Bad Axe First United 
Methodist Church on April 12, 1958. In 1971, having attained the rank of major, she was 
attached to the local Red Cross and retired in 1975. In 1989, they moved to Lake 
Township and to Pigeon in 1999.   She is a member of the First United Methodist Church 
of Pigeon and had enjoyed traveling with her husband.   She is survived by her husband, 
Bradbury; her brother, Charles Filion and his wife, Helen, of Applegate; and several 
nieces and nephews.   There will be no service or visitation at this time.   A memorial 
service will be announced at a later date. Friends and family may sign the guest book at 
www.CFCcaseville.com. 

Charles Grady 
Charles L. Grady, 66, of Bad Axe, died Wednesday, January 14, 2004, at his residence 
after a long illness.   He was born August 15, 1937 in Gagetown, son of the late Charles 
T. and Mary (Mullin) Grady.   Charles Grady and Nancy Alexander were married 
October 22, 1954, in Ohio.   He was a technician for Ameritech, retiring in 1992. He was 
a member of the Ubly Fox Hunters, the National Rifle Association, the Telephone 
Pioneers of America, the United States Trotting Association, the Michigan Harness 
Horsemen's Association and the Michigan Northern Fair and Race Association.   The 
deer Charlie bagged in 1994 remains the largest registered buck taken in Huron County, 
scoring 159 3/4 on the Boone and Crockett scale.   He is survived by his wife, Nancy; 
two sons, Richard Grady, of Westland and Ronald Grady, of Bad Axe; four daughters, 
Mrs. Debra Talaski and her husband, Roger, of Bad Axe, Mrs. Phyllis Baxter and her 
husband, Robert, of Bad Axe, Mrs. Pennie Rienas and her husband, Russ, of Deford, and 
Mrs. Theresa Chapman and her husband, Ron, of Poplar Bluff, Mississippi; 11 
grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.   One son, 
Rodney Grady, preceded him in death in 1975.   Services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on 
Saturday, January 17, 2004, at the H. W. Weitenberner Funeral Home, Bad Axe. The 
Rev. William R. Wright, pastor of the Bad Axe First United Methodist Church, will 
officiate. Private burial will follow in Grant Township Cemetery.   Visitation will be from 
7 to 9 p.m. today, from 2 to 9 p.m. on Friday and from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the 
service on Saturday at the funeral home.   Memorials to the family's discretionary fund 
would be appreciated. 

Friday, January 16, 2004


Eva Hoagg 
Eva Marie Hoagg, 94, of Decker, died Thursday, January 15, 2004, in Hills and Dales 
General Hospital, Cass City.   She was born March 13, 1909 in Evergreen Township to 
Louis and Mary (Bullis) Travis. She married Andrew Hoagg on November 24, 1926 in 
Cass City.  He died June 12, 1989.   Eva farmed with her husband and worked at Hills 
and Dales General Hospital. She was a member of Hay Creek Ladies Aid and Shabbona 
Bunko group. Eva was a member of Shabbona United Methodist Church. She enjoyed 
gardening, dancing, canning and playing cards.   Eva is survived by her son, Dean Hoag, 
of Cass City; grandchildren, Terry Rilett and her husband, Richard, of Grandville, Alesia 
Ferris and her husband, Randy, of Fowlerville, Rick Hoag, of Caro, Rusty Hoag and his 
wife, Mary, of Bradenton, Florida, Daryll Hoag and his wife, Lisa, of Kansas City, 
Kansas; grandchildren, Joel Hoag, of Saginaw, Andy Hoag, of Toledo, Ohio; great-
grandchildren, Karen Rilett, Ellen Rilett, Tyler Ferris, Jill Ferris, Leann Ferris, Cody 
Hoag, Jeremy Hoag, Tony Hoag, Jordan Hoag, and Amanda Hoag; many nieces and 
nephews.   She was preceded in death by son, Merle; grandson, Hal; sisters, Blanche 
Hirsh and Zelda Vatter.   A funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Saturday, 
January 17, 2004, in Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City, with the Rev. Ellen Burns, of 
Shabbona United Methodist Church, officiating. Interment will take place in the spring 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 Shabbona United Methodist Church. 

Walter Kundinger 
Walter C. Kundinger, 85, of Akron and formerly of Kilmanagh, died Thursday morning, 
January 15, 2004, at the Bay Medical Care Facility in Essexville following a three-year 
illness.   He was born April 21, 1918 in Kilmanagh, son of the late Otto and Alma 
(Thede) Kundinger.   Walter had been a farmer in the Kilmanagh area for many years and 
also had been employed at Michigan Sugar Company in Sebewaing for 30 years working 
during the campaigns.   He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Kilmanagh.   
Surviving are two daughters, Marlene Shalashnov and her husband, Charles, Jr., of 
Akron, Bernice Hale and her husband, Jeffery, of Concord, North Carolina; eight 
grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; three sisters, Ethel Lutz, of Pigeon, Aldine 
Quick, of Sebewaing, and Beatrice Elenbaum, of Unionville; and several nieces and 
nephews.   He was preceded in death by one daughter, Cheryl Litzner and one sister, 
Eunice Kundinger.   The funeral service will take place at noon on Saturday, January 17, 
2004, at the Dinkel-Juengel Funeral Home in Sebewaing. The Rev. Lee C. Wenskay will 
officiate with burial in St. John Lutheran Cemetery in Sebewaing.   Visitation will be 
from 5 to 9 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday at the funeral 
home in Sebewaing.   Memorials may be made to the Family Discretionary Fund. 

Sherian Mohr 
Sherian Ann Weaver Leppan Mohr, 51, of Sherman Township near Harbor Beach passed 
away Thursday, January 15, 2004, at her home with hospice care.   Born in Detroit on 
June 21, 1952, she was the daughter of the late John S. and Julia Lee (Yates) Cheney.   
Sherian is survived by her husband, Philip H. Mohr, of Harbor Beach; children, Danny K. 
(Laura) Weaver, Jr., Danielle M. (Isaac) Livingston, Eva (Ed) Lappin, Patricia (Mike) 
Mohr; grandchildren, Jennifer, Jackie, Jordan, Tony, Kayla, Patty Cake, Madison, 
Brandon, and Sara; sisters, Patricia, Judy, Joy, Jean, Jan; and brothers, Charles, Mike and 
Johnny.   She was preceded in death by a sister, Kathy.   Following Sherian's wishes, 
there will be no services and she was cremated in Sunset Valley Crematory in Bay City. 
Ramsey Funeral Home, Harbor Beach is handling arrangements. 

Helen Schenk 
Helen Ann Schenk, 66, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, January 14, 2004, at St. 
Mary's Medical Center in Saginaw.   She was born in Ubly on September 23, 1937 to 
John and Pearl Pyrzewski.   She was a member of Juniata Baptist Church, a volunteer for 
Hospice, and an election inspector for Vassar Township. She was a wonderful wife, 
mother, grandmother and a friend to all and will be greatly missed.   Survivors include 
her husband, Clare Schenk, whom she married on November 26, 1955; seven children, 
Pamela Raymond and her husband, William, Jr., of Mayville; Victoria Schenk, of 
Kingston; Edwin John Schenk and his wife, Molly B., of Nashville, Tennessee; Paula 
Raymond and her husband, Daniel, of Mayville; Michael T. Schenk and his wife, Lisa 
Duke, of Vassar; James C. Schenk and his wife, Katherine R., of Cass City; Juliann 
Holmes and her husband, Brian C., of Caro; 21 grandchildren; brother, William 
Pyrzewski and his wife, Nancy, of Morley; sister, Connie Davis and her husband, Ed, of 
Munising.   She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Chester Pyrzewski.   
The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 17, 2004, at Juniata Baptist 
Church.  Dr. Rick Flanders will officiate. Cremation will follow services.   Visitation will 
be from noon to 8 p.m. today at Penzien-Steele Funeral Home/Hanlin Chapel, 149 N. 
Main St., Vassar. She will lie in state from 10 a.m. until service time on Saturday at the 
church.   Memorial contributions can be made to Juniata Baptist Church and Christian 
School. 








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