HURON DAILY TRIBUNE, Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan Local obituaries for the week beginning December 12, 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 12, 2004 Arlene D. Eaglen Arlene D. Eaglen, 82, of Bad Axe, joined the angels in heaven on Friday, December 10, 2004, after her passing at Huron Medical Center, Bad Axe. She was born May 23, 1922 in Little Rock, Arkansas to the late James and Tillabelle (Hutchinson) Denton. Arlene spent her life caring for others in the healthcare profession. She received her LPN degree at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and then worked there for more than 30 years, retiring in the late 1970s. After retiring she moved to near Huntsville, Alabama, where she did volunteer work at the Upjohn Clinic until 1995. In September 1995, she moved to Huron County to be near her family. She enjoyed playing bingo and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Surviving are three daughters, Peggy Rush and her husband, Larry, of Whitmore Lake, Grace Goniwicha and her husband, Dennis, of Owendale, Mary Denton and her friend, Terry Dockett, of Standish; three sons, Joe Eaglen and his wife, Sharon, of Gurley, Alabama, Dale Eaglen of Reidsville, North Carolina, and Doyle Eaglen, of Grand Rapids; 16 grandchildren and eighteen great- grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a grandson, Matthew Eaglen, and a sister, Ara Lucille Denton. An evening service will be conducted at 7 p.m. on Sunday, December 12, 2004, at the Champagne Funeral Chapel, Elkton, with the Rev. Fr. T.J. Fleming officiating. Friends may call from 3 to 9 p.m. on Sunday. Burial will be at 1 p.m. on Monday, December 13, 2004, in Washtenong Memorial Park, Ann Arbor. Memorials can be made to the American Cancer Society. See www.cfcElkton.com for more information. Wildonna J. Herrington Wildonna J. Herrington, 80, of Bad Axe, passed away Thursday, December 9, 2004, at the Huron County Medical Care Facility. She was born at the family home on Scott Road in Verona Township on November 15, 1924 to the late Norman Lee (Pete) and Margaret Maude (Lackie) Scott. Her mother was born years earlier in the same bed, in the same home. Wildonna Jane Scott was united in marriage to Donald Wilson Herrington on July 15, 1950 at the First United Methodist Church, Bad Axe. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Bad Axe since 1944. She was a Sunday school teacher and also taught at several country schools, including Swaze, Dam, Argyle, Carsonville, Harbor Beach, Elkton and Ubly, and was a substitute teacher at Ss. Peter and Paul in Ruth before she retired. Wildonna "Willy" graduated from Bad Axe High School in 1942 as salutatorian of her class. She also pursued undergraduate studies at Bay City Junior College and achieved senior status at Central Michigan University. She worked in Detroit in the 1940s at Michigan Bell and received many promotions. Wildonna enjoyed her church, family, social events, poetry, reading, family genealogy (not only her own family, but all of Huron County), bowling, ice skating, sewing, cooking and loved animals. She always felt it was better to give than to receive, and insured the less fortunate and elderly were taken care of and looked after. She enjoyed bringing love, compassion and cookies to shut-ins. Willy was a true pioneer in spirit and soul, insisting on strong family ties and religious following. She always had words of encouragement for those around her, inspiring them to succeed. She is survived by her husband, Donald Herrington, of Verona Township; one son, Peter L. Herrington and his wife, Deanna, of Washington, Michigan; two daughters, Katherine M. Herrington, Bad Axe, and Gary Stockoski, Kinde, Sheila Herrington-Prill and her husband, Terrylee, of Bad Axe; two sisters, Harriet Hanson, of Haslett, and Carol Piligian and her husband, Dr. John, of Rochester; 11 grandchildren, including three step-grandchildren, Rochelle Krueger and her husband, Kirk, of Filion, Jill Crowell and her special friend, Joe Fouladbash, of Rochester Hills, Shania Prill, of Bad Axe, Kyle Herrington, of Bad Axe, Tiffany, Jeffery, Danielle and Eric Herrington, all of Washington, Michigan; step-grandchildren, Jennifer, Amanda and Jesse Prill, all of Taylor; six great-grandchildren, Dakota Hulbert-Crowell, Zachary, Alicia and Madison Krueger, all of Filion, and JayLen Postestivio and Julian Fouladbash, of Rochester Hills. Services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Monday, December 13, 2004, at the First United Methodist Church, Bad Axe. Pastor William Wright will officiate. Burial will take place at Verona Cemetery. Visitation was from 6 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, and will continue from 2 to 9 p.m. on Sunday at the MacAlpine Funeral Home, Bad Axe, and from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Monday at the church. Memorials may be offered to the Family Discretionary Fund. Isabel B. McCloskey Isabel B. McCloskey, 89, of Cass City, died after a short illness on Wednesday, December 8, 2004, in Covenant Medical Center Cooper Campus, Saginaw. The funeral service was conducted at 10 a.m. on Saturday, December 11, 2004, in St. Pancratius Catholic Church with the Rev. Steve Fillion officiating. Isabel will be buried next to her mother on Monday, December 13, 2004, in St. Hedwig Cemetery, Dearborn Heights. Memorials may be made to St. Pancratius Catholic Church. Visitation was held on Friday, December 10, and Saturday, December 11. Monday, December 13, 2004 Irene Stein Mrs. Irene Stein, 89, of Harbor Beach, passed away Sunday morning, December 12, 2004, at Courtney Manor in Bad Axe. Irene was born on March 6, 1915 in Ruth to the late Joseph and Frances (Artman) O'Neil. She married Edwin A. Stein on September 15, 1934 at Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Ruth. After 68 years of marriage, he preceded her in death on February 21, 2003. Irene was a graduate of St. James High School in Ferndale. She farmed and was a homemaker. She was a parishioner at Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Ruth where she was an honorary member of the Ss. Peter and Paul Christian Mothers. She was a former member of the Daughters of Isabella. For 28 years, Irene and her husband spent six months a year in Zephyrhills, Florida. Irene is survived by three sons, Roy Stein and his wife, Evelyn, Richard Stein and his wife, Florence, Dale Stein and his wife, Marjorie, all of Harbor Beach; one daughter, Carol Roggenbuck and her husband, Carl, of Port Hope; 17 grandchildren; 33 great- grandchildren; two brothers, Harold O'Neil and his wife, Betty, of Harbor Beach, Warren "Tim" O'Neil and his wife, Jackie, of Lapeer; and one sister, Kay Langford. Irene was preceded in death by one daughter, Judy, in 1954; five sisters, Mildred Trombly, Loretta Force, Rita Ullman, Mary Maurer, Dorothy Bieth; and one brother, George O'Neil. A Funeral Mass will be 11 a.m. on Wednesday, December 15, 2004, at Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Ruth. The Rev. Steven Gavit, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday at the Zinger- Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly, and from 10 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday at the church. There will be two services on Tuesday as follows. There will be a Christian Mothers rosary at 4 p.m. and a parish vigil service at 5 p.m. Both services will be at the funeral home. C. Lee Stirrett C. Lee Stirrett, 86, of Pigeon, passed away Saturday, December 11, 2004, at the Scheurer Hospital Long Term Care Unit in Pigeon. He was born in Chandler Township on December 6, 1918, son of the late Earl and Rose (Steinman) Stirrett and graduated eighth grade from the Chandler No. 6 School. During World War II, he was a member of the United States Army stationed in Okinawa and the Panama Canal Zone. On January 3, 1947, he was united in marriage to Marie Dast at Angola, Indiana. She preceded him in death on July 5, 1997. Mr. Stirrett retired from Pigeon Manufacturing after working there more than 20 years, and prior to that he delivered dry cleaning for Eicher's Cleaners. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Pigeon, the Hubbard Winsor Lodge No. 420 F & AM, a life member of the VFW Pigeon Post 2236, where he was District 10 Commander 1971-1972, as well as a former member of the Pigeon Lions Club, where he was a charter member. He is survived by a daughter, Judy Markham and her husband, Ed, of Bad Axe; a son, "Stu" Jerry Stirrett and his wife, Kathy, of Owendale; six grandchildren, Stu Stirrett and his wife, Laura, Jeff Welther and his wife, Beth, Debbie Highway and her husband, Brian, Chad Stirrett and his wife, Renee, Jeremy Volz, and Bryan Volz; four step-grandchildren, Michael Markham and his wife, Zoe, Aaron Markham and his special friend, Tara, Sarah Fritz and her husband, Zach, and Bridget Stirrett; seven great-grandchildren; two sisters, Lena Wing and her husband, Vern, of Traverse City, and Jean Stanton and her husband, Merle, of Owosso; two brothers, Leonard Stirrett and his wife, Lucille, and Allen Stirrett, all of Bad Axe; a sister-in-law, Maxine Stirrett, of Pigeon; a special friend, Esther Schweitzer, of Pigeon; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Clifford and Donald. The funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, December 14, 2004, at the First United Methodist Church in Pigeon, with the Rev. Margaret Passenger, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Grand Lawn Cemetery with military honor guard. A masonic service will be offered at 7:30 p.m. today at the Meyersieck-Bussema Funeral Home, Pigeon. Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. today at the Meyersieck-Bussema Funeral Home, Pigeon, and from 10 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m. on Tuesday at church. Memorials for Mr. Stirrett may be made to First United Methodist Church, Scheurer Hospital, Country Gardens, or Scheurer Hospital Long Term Care. Tuesday, December 14, 2004 Harold R. Guerne Harold R. Guerne, 91, of Harbor Beach, passed away Sunday, December 12, 2004, in the Harbor Beach Community Hospital. Born in Detroit on May 8, 1913, he was the son of the late Edward and Rose (Schnell) Guerne. Harold was a veteran of World War II serving in the U.S. Marines for over two years in various places including Okinawa. He was a member of the American Legion Post 197 of Harbor Beach and a member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Harbor Beach. On August 10, 1940, Harold and Margaret Sowerby were united in marriage in Detroit. He was a retired employee of Chrysler Corporation, working at the Jefferson Assembly Plant in Detroit for 37 years and retiring in 1971. Harold was a stamp collector and a gun collector and enjoyed doing oil paintings. Surviving are his wife, Margaret Guerne, of Harbor Beach, and his children, Edward Guerne and his wife, Grace, of Harbor Beach, Kathleen Puckett and her husband, Patrick, of Thornton, California; nine grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. Harold was preceded in death by a daughter, Patricia Guerne, on November 3, 1978, and by a brother, Earl Guerne. Memorial services will be conducted at 1 p.m. on Saturday, December 18, 2004, in Zion Lutheran Church of Harbor Beach with the Rev. Mark Girardin, pastor, officiating. Cremation has taken place at Sunset Valley Crematory in Bay City. Military honors will be conducted by the American Legion Post 197 of Harbor Beach. Visitation will be from noon until the service time at the church on Saturday. Ramsey Funeral Home of Harbor Beach is handling arrangements. Ruth Marie Rakowski Ruth Marie Rakowski, 88, of Bad Axe, died Sunday, December 12, 2004, at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing. She was born October 28, 1916 in Mt. Pleasant, daughter of the late Edward and Clara (Schohl) Voisin. Ruth Voisin and Florian "Rocky" Rakowski were united in marriage on April 26, 1947 in Mt. Pleasant. Florian preceded his wife in death on March 8, 1989. Ruth was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bad Axe. She graduated from Sacred Heart Catholic Academy in Mt. Pleasant. She worked for 30 years as a cashier at Dibbles store and managed the M-53 Drive-In Theater Concession. Ruth enjoyed visiting family and friends, playing bingo, meeting friends for coffee at McDonalds, and being a member of the "Over 50 Club" at Sacred Heart in Bad Axe. She is survived by two sons, John Rakowski and his wife, Beverly, of Eaton Rapids, and Jim Rakowski and his wife, Vicki, of Lansing; one daughter, Patricia Sweeney and her husband, Frank, of Lansing; five grandchildren; three great- grandchildren; two brothers, Walter Voisin and his wife, Kate, of Mt. Pleasant, and Leo Voisin, of Delafield, Wisconsin; three sisters, Rita Deni, of Mt. Pleasant, Dorothy Sheahan and her husband, Jerry, of Mt. Pleasant, and Lillian Webster, of Mt. Pleasant. She was preceded in death by a brother, Joseph Voisin; and a sister, Irene Edwards. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, December 16, 2004, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bad Axe. Officiating will be Fr. James Carlson, pastor. Burial will be at Sacred Heart Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday and from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on Thursday at MacAlpine Funeral Home in Bad Axe. On Wednesday there will be a parish scripture service and rosary at 7 p.m. Memorials may be made to Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bad Axe. Wednesday, December 15, 2004 - No obituaries reported Thursday, December 26, 2004 – No obituaries reported Friday, December 17, 2004 Thomas Lawrence Ahearn Thomas Lawrence Ahearn, 30, of Filion, left his earthly home on Sunday, December 12, 2004, to find eternal peace with his heavenly father. Tom was born April 3, 1974 to Lawrence and Lillian (Page) Ahearn of Kinde. He graduated from North Huron High School in 1992. Tom completed the Pennsylvania Airline School and then worked as a dairy herdsman in Wisconsin. Tom never lost his childhood love for farming, spending much of his life working in the agricultural field. Tom enjoyed playing cards, bowling, and watching sports. Tom will be remembered by his gentle, tolerant nature and easy, boyish grin. Tom will be greatly missed by his parents; two brothers, Steven Cove and his wife, Uschi, of Germany, and Jim Ahearn and his wife, Lori, of Kinde; two sisters, Deb Mosack and her husband, John, of Benton, Tennessee, Kathy Schulte and her husband, Tom, of Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, Janis Picard and her husband, Ron, of Kinde, and Patricia Moyers and her husband, Ron, of Benton, Tennessee; 18 nieces and nephews; and many aunts, uncles and cousins. Tom was preceded in death by an infant sister, Mary Lynn Cove, and his grandparents, James and Emma Ahearn and David and Christina Page. A Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 18, 2004, at St. Edward's Catholic Church in Kinde. Officiating will be the Rev. Mieczyslaw Oniskiewicz, pastor. Cremation will follow. There will be visitation from 5 to 9 p.m. today and from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday at the Knoblock Funeral Home in Kinde. Memorials may be made to the "Yellow Ribbon Chapter" SSOS, P.O. Box 8024 Saginaw, Michigan 48608-8024. Roy Collison Roy Collison, 87, of Bay Port, passed away on Thursday, December 16, 2004, in Bay City. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and are being conducted by Meyersieck- Bussema Funeral Home, Pigeon. A full notice will be available in Sunday's edition of the Huron Daily Tribune. Lucille A. Geiger Lucille A. Geiger, 83, of Harbor Beach, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, December 16, 2004, at St. Mary's Medical Center, Saginaw. A Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, December 20, 2004, in St. Anthony's Catholic Church, Helena, with Fr. Andrzej Boroch officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. on Saturday at the Ramsey Funeral Home, Harbor Beach, and from 1 to 9 p.m. on Sunday and from 9 to 10 a.m. on Monday. St. Anthony's Altar Society will have a rosary at 7 p.m. on Saturday and a parish vigil service will be at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home. A complete obituary will be in Sunday's Huron Daily Tribune or by viewing RamseyFH.Com. 1