HURON DAILY TRIBUNE, Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan Local obituaries for the week beginning March 14, 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, March 14, 2004 Dorothy Beachy Dorothy J. Beachy, age 74, of Pigeon, passed away on Friday evening, March 12, 2004, at her home after a short bout with cancer. She was born January 28, 1930 in the Cass City area at the home of her parents, the late Ray and Laura (Wooley) Kilbourn. On November 28, 1953, she was united in marriage to Vernon Beachy in Detroit. They lived in Detroit for a short time, moving to Gagetown in 1954, then to Bay Port and later to Pigeon, where they made their home for most of their lives. Dorothy worked as a secretary many years for Kraft, Inc. in Pigeon and then several years for Active Feed Company, retiring in 2003. She was a member of the Michigan Avenue Mennonite Church in Pigeon where she had been a member of the Friendship Circle, served on various committees and was church treasurer in past years. Dorothy was an avid golfer and especially enjoyed her family and spoiling her grandchildren. Surviving are her husband, Vernon; five children, Benny Beachy and his wife, Laura, of Bay Port, Lenny Beachy and his wife, Linda, of Hendersonville, Tennessee, Kenny Beachy, of Caro, Jill Champagne and her husband, John, of Elkton, and Brad Beachy and his wife, Denise, of Sebewaing; 12 grandchildren, Benny, Alex, Braden, Jonathan, Jack, Christopher, Mitch, Allison, Andy, Kendra, Jacob and Savannah; a great granddaughter, Ashlynn; four brothers: Fred, Harold, Joe and Pete Kilbourn; two sisters, Geraldine Blank and Irene Probe; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Jennifer, and a sister, Margaret. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 15, 2004, at the Michigan Avenue Mennonite Church, Pigeon. Rev. Scott Wilson, pastor, will officiate with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. on Sunday at the Champagne Funeral Chapel, Elkton, and from 10 a.m. until the time service on Monday at the church. Memorials may be made to the Michigan Avenue Mennonite Church Building Fund, the Gideons International, or Heartland Hospice. Guests may sign the register book at www.CFCelkton.com. Louis Geiger Louis Geiger, 83, of Marlette and formerly of Deford, passed away on Friday morning, March 12, 2004, at the Marlette Community Hospital. Louis was born June 27, 1920 in Harbor Beach to the late Joseph M. and Martha (Michalski) Geiger. He married Josephine Jeanguenat on June 28, 1941 at Assumption Grotto Catholic Church in Detroit. She preceded him in death on January 20, 1979. He then was remarried to Emma Tschirhart Bugai on October 6, 1979 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Smith Corners. Louis was an eighth grade graduate of Ubly Elementary School. He was a World War II Veteran. He served in the U.S. Army for 1941 until 1945. He lived in the Novi area and was employed at Ford Motor Company in Wixom for 25 years as a relief engineer in the Power House. He retired in 1982 and moved to Deford. He was a former parishioner at Holy Family in Novi. He was a former parishioner and usher at St. Michael's in Deford. Louis is survived by his wife, Emma, of Marlette; two step-sons, Marvin and Frank Bugai, both of Hamtramck; one brother, Raymond Geiger, of Oscoda; one sister, Angeline Deachin, of Ubly and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two brothers, LaVern Geiger on November 26, 1984, and Rudolph Geiger, in 1926; one sister, Bertha Geiger, in 1920; two step-sons, John Bugai and David Bugai. Funeral mass will be at 1 p.m. on Monday, March 15, 2004, at St. John Catholic Church in Ubly. Rev. Paul Bala, pastor of St. Mary Catholic Church in Port Sanilac, will officiate. Burial will be in the St. Francis Assisi Cemetery in Lewiston in the spring. Visitation will be from 1 to 8 p.m. today at the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly and from noon until the service time on Monday at the church. Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor's choice in Louis E. Geiger's name. Albert Clifford Martin Albert Clifford Martin, 97, of Cass City, passed away on Friday, March 12, 2004, at Hills and Dales General Hospital. He was born September 26, 1906 in Grant Township to Albert and Jennie (Doerr) Martin. He married Hazel Merchant on November 1, 1931 in Cass City. She preceded him in death on December 1, 1992. Clifford was a dairy farmer. He was a member of the Cass City Presbyterian Church and a lifetime member of the Masonic Lodge No. 90. He was very affectionate and caring man willing to help when needed. He enjoyed yard work and was an avid Detroit Tigers fan. He also enjoyed playing cards. He is survived by his daughter, Jean Ewald and her husband, Bill, of Cass City; daughter-in-law, Kathryn Martin, of Cass City; four grandchildren: Phillip Martin and his wife, Jeanie, of Cass City, David Martin, and his wife, Rose, of Cass City, Lori DeVries and her husband, Michael, of Grand Rapids, Paula VanderStel and her husband, Brian, of Grand Rapids; seven great grandchildren; Andrew Martin, Amelia Martin, Eric Romain, Adam and Brianna DeVries, Kendra and Erika VanderStel; sister-in-law, Erma Martin, of Caro; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son, Fredrick, on May 18, 1992; siblings, Howard Martin, Hazel Blair and her husband, Haskett, Edith Harris and her husband, Louis, Gertrude Beyete and her husband, Earl, Claude Martin and his wife, Mary, Eva Moore and her husband, Phillip, Grace, Charter and her husband, Herman, Beatrice Miljure and her husband, Donald. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. today, March 14, 2004, at Kranz Funeral Home in Cass City with Rev. Dale Byers officiating. Interment is in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City. Memorials may be made to the Gideon Bibles International or the charity of the donor's choice. Woodwrow Schweitzer Woodwrow W. "Gus" Schweitzer, 88, of Bay Port, passed away Saturday morning, March 13, 2004, at Scheurer Long Term Facility in Pigeon following a lengthy illness. He was born October 9, 1915 in Fairhaven Township, son of the late Arthur and Minnie (Symon) Schweitzer. Gus had been employed for Ford Motor Company in Detroit in the 1930's for several years and later was an installer of electric lines in South Bend, Indiana. He then came back to Bay Port and farmed and had a sand and stone trucking company. He also worked at the Michigan Sugar Company in Sebewaing during many campaigns. He was united in marriage to Hildred Collins on September 29, 1938 in South Bend, Indiana. She preceded him in death on August 29, 2001. He was a member of Kilmanagh United Methodist Church. Surviving are two sons, three daughters and their spouses; Tom Schweitzer and his wife Annette, Curtis David Schweitzer, Bad Axe; Mary Lou and her husband, Larry, Adam, of Sebewaing, Janet Truemner and her husband Lee, of Pigeon, Ella May Schweitzer, of Saginaw; 12 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren; one sister and brother-in-law, Isabelle Herford and her husband, Armond, of Elkton; sister-in- law, Jessie Schweitzer, of Caseville; one brother-in-law, Bill Cox, of Dayton, Indiana; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Jo Ann Schweitzer, two brothers, Richard and Howard Schweitzer, and one sister, Ruth Cox. Funeral Services will be at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, March 16, 2004, at the Dinkel- Juengel Funeral Home in Sebewaing. Rev. Douglas Mater will officiate with burial in Memorial Park Cemetery in Sebewaing. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. on Monday and from 9 a.m. until the service time on Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Scheurer Hospital Long Term, Bay Shore Camp, or a charity of the donor's choice. Walter Stecker Walter "Bud" Stecker, 84, of Sebewaing and formerly of Unionville and Bay City, passed away Saturday morning, March 13, 2004, at Tendercare of Cass City following a lengthy illness. He was born June 25, 1919 in Saginaw, son of the late Nicholas and Pauline (Kretchmer) Stecker. He was united in marriage to Miriam Beckman on August 30, 1940 in Unionville. She preceded him in death in August 1987. Budd had been employed for General Motors at Steering Gear Plant No. 1 in Saginaw until retiring in 1982. He served in the U. S. Navy during World War II, as an interpreter in charge of German prisoners. He was a life member of the Masonic Lodge and a member of the Hubbard Winsor No. 420 F & AM. He also was a member of the Unionville American Legion Post No. 421. He enjoyed music and was an avid dancer. His wonderful sense of humor and smiling face will always be remembered by his family and many friends. Surviving are one son, one daughter and their spouses; Leon C. and Alice Stecker, Unionville; Paula and Edward Pelts, Beverly Hills, Michigan; four grandchildren: Jeffrey Stothard, and his wife, Maureen, of Essexville; Kevin Stecker and his wife, Kristy, and Joy Stothard, all of Bay City; Patrick Stecker and his wife, Kari, of Sebewaing; four great-grandchildren: Laura Koenig, Haley Stothard, Megan Stecker and Emma Stecker; one sister, Lynda Otherson, of Unionville; one sister-in-law, Normagene Delaney, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan; a special friend Betty Eckstorm, of Bay City; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by brothers: Rhiney, Carl and William Stecker; three sisters, Elsie Heyza, Sally Dickinson and Lydia Barrigar. Funeral services will take place at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, March 16, 2004, at Dinkel-Juengel Funeral Home in Sebewaing under the auspices of the Hubbard Winsor Lodge No. 420 F & AM. Burial will be in the Columbia Township cemetery near Unionville. Visitation will be from 3 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, noon to 9 p.m. on Monday and from noon until the time of service on Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Masonic Lodge, American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, United Hospice or The Humane Society. Monday, March 15, 2004 Denis Wolschleger Denis H. Wolschleger, 78, of Harbor Beach, passed away Sunday evening, March 14, 2004, in Courtney Manor Nursing Center in Bad Axe following a short illness. Born on December 13, 1925 in Harbor Beach, he was the son of the late Michael and Anna (Booms) Wolschleger. Denis and Rosemary Capling were united in marriage on February 15, 1947 in Harbor Beach. He is a veteran of World War II serving in the Navy. Denis worked 27 years for Juth Chevrolet of Harbor Beach; he then worked for the Harbor Beach Community Schools from which he retired in 1987. He was a member of Our Lady of Lake Huron Catholic Church in Harbor Beach, a life member of the American Legion Post 197 and the VFW Post 9344, of Harbor Beach, where he was a charter member and a past commander, and a life member of the DAV. Surviving are his wife, Rosemary Wolschleger, of Harbor Beach; children, Gerald Wolschleger and his wife, Deanna, of Ruth, Karen Wilkowski and her husband, David, of Harbor Beach, David Wolschleger and his wife, Sally, of Minden City, and Denise Grates and her husband, David, of Harbor Beach; nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; brothers, Edward Wolschleger, of Charlevoix, Norman Wolschleger and his wife, Doris, of Harbor Beach, Albert Wolschleger and his wife, Helen, of Harbor Beach, Ben Wolschleger and his wife, Vange, of Harbor Beach; sister, Marie Kubacki and her husband, Irvin, of Bad Axe; sisters-in-law, Mary Wolschleger, of Harbor Beach, Gertrude Wolschleger, of Harbor Beach, Della Wolschleger, of Ruth; brother-in-law, Melvin Ziskie, of Lexington. Denis was preceded in death by three brothers, Jerome, Leonard and Vincent Wolschleger; and sister, Leona Ziskie. A funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, March 17, 2004, at 11:30 a.m. in Our Lady of Lake Huron Catholic Church in Harbor Beach with Fr. Jerry Kukla, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. A parish vigil service will be at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday in the Ramsey Funeral Home, Harbor Beach. Visitation will be from 1 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home and from 10 a.m. until the time of services on Wednesday at the church. Tuesday, March 16, 2004 Larry Scheuerlein Larry W. Scheuerlein, 67, of Utica, passed away on Sunday, March 14, 2004. Larry Scheuerlein and Donna M. Balko were married on June 14, 1958 in Saginaw. Mr. Scheuerlein was born and raised in Freeland. He graduated from Michigan Lutheran Seminary High School in 1954 and graduated from Concordia Teachers College in River Forest, Illinois in 1958; he received a double masters degree from Central Michigan University in education and supervision. He served as principal of Christian Lutheran Schools for 12 years. He taught for 14 years in junior high with Utica Community Schools. He graduated from the police academy in 1979 and served 10 years as a police officer and police chief in Kinde. He served as a park ranger at Metro Beach in Harrison Township. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Utica for 30 years. He is survived by his wife, Donna M. Scheuerlein; children, Kimberly Juszczyk and her husband, Robert, Mark Scheuerlein and his wife, Laura, Jeannine Konesko and her husband, Brian, Scott Scheuerlein and his wife, Jackie; grandchildren, Sarah, Shanna, Bethany, Caitlin, Emily and Jenna; brothers, Ralph Scheuerlein and his wife, Elaine, and Roy Scheuerlein; and a sister, Elaine Weiss. He was preceded in death by brother-in- law, Floyd Weiss. The funeral will be at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 17, 2004, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 45160 Van Dyke, Utica, with the Rev. Philip Scharnitzke officiating. Interment will be at the Christian Memorial Cultural Center, Rochester Hills. Visitation will be from 1 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. today at the William Sullivan and Son Funeral Home, 8459 Hall Road., Utica. Memorials have been suggested to Trinity Lutheran Church or Beaumont Hospice. Wednesday, March 17, 2004 Robert Bondy Robert A. Bondy, 87, of Pigeon, died Tuesday morning, March 16, 2004, at Tender Care, Cass City. He was born January 15, 1917 in Detroit to the late Mark and Estella (Pilon) Bondy. On June 23, 1945, he was united in marriage to Muriel M. Jahn at St. Benedix Catholic Church, Highland Park. Mr. Bondy was a tool and die maker for many years before becoming the warehouse manager of Fleetwing in Detroit, a position he had for 12 years before retiring in 1979. He and Muriel moved to Caseville in the mid-1970's from St. Clair Shores. After Muriel's death on August 4, 1988, Bob stayed in Caseville until the upkeep of his home became too much, when he moved to an apartment in Pigeon. He was a member of St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church, the Caseville Retirement Club and the Caseville Eagles. He is survived by his daughter, Patricia Nader, of Bradenton, Florida; two grandchildren, River Leon and Jessica Nader, both of Bradenton; three brothers, Norm Bondy and his wife, Mary Jean, of Royal Oak, Ken Bondy, of Beverly Hills, and Bernard Bondy and his wife, Donna, of Mystic, Connecticut; sister, Rosemary Champion, of Edgerton, Wisconsin. Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. on Thursday at the Champagne Funeral Chapel, Caseville. Burial will be in St. Francis Borgia Cemetery, Pigeon. There will be no funeral service. Ruth E. Murphy Ruth Elizabeth Murphy, 86, of Bad Axe and formerly of Milford, died Monday, March 15, 2004, at Courtney Manor after an extended illness. She was born February 5 1918 in Brighton to Earl and Martha Phillips. Ruth and John Thomas Murphy, Jr. were united in marriage on November 17, 1938. He preceded her in death on May 25, 1999. Mrs. Murphy was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and former member of the Milford United Methodist Church. She is survived by her children, Dennis J. Murphy and his wife, Dianne, of Lexington, William E. Murphy and his wife, Patricia, of Petoskey, Denese E. Mitchell and her husband, Paul, of Bad Axe, Karrie L. Baslock and her husband, Ken, of Bad Axe; nine grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren. Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. on Thursday at Lynch and Sons Funeral Home, 404 E. Liberty, Milford. The Rev. Gregg Mayberry will officiate. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery, Milford. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the time of service on Thursday. Memorial contributions may be made to the Courtney Manor Family Council. Thursday, March 18, 2004 – No obituaries reported Friday, March 19, 2004 Mary E. "Betty" Bach Mary E. "Betty" Bach, 88, of Sand Point, died Thursday morning, March 18, 2004, at her home while under hospice care. She was born October 20, 1915 in Bad Axe to the late Warren and Mary (Sturtridge) Slack and lived in Huron County all her life. On August 18, 1942, she was united in marriage to Arthur M. Bach in Duluth, Minnesota. Mr. Bach was the Circuit Court Judge in Huron County many years. She was a long time member of St. John's Episcopal Church, Sand Point. Surviving are two daughters, Judith Dixon and her husband, Michael, of DeWitt and JoAnn Mills and her husband, Robert, of Lansing; grandson, Timothy Dixon, of East Lansing and her sister, Nancy Kruger and her husband, Paul, of Watertown, Massachusetts. Preceding her in death was her step- mother, Gladys Slack. Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. on Sunday, March 21, 2004, at St. John's Episcopal Church. The Rev. Raymond Orth will officiate with burial in Caseville Township Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3 to 6 p.m. on Saturday at Champagne Funeral Chapel, Caseville, and after noon on Sunday at the church. Memorials may be given to Scheurer Hospital or the church. Friends may sign the guest book at www.CFCcaseville.com. Patricia Dailey Patricia Dailey, SSGT, USAF, RETD, 46, passed away Tuesday, March 16, 2004. She was born in Detroit to the late Stanley and Virginia (Zimmerman) Polowski. Patricia retired from the Air Force and moved to Nashville, Tennessee. She received her bachelor's degree from Tennessee State University. Funeral services with full Military Honors will be conducted at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 20, 2004, at Hibbett and Hailey Funeral Home, 429 Donelson Park., Nashville, Tennessee; (615) 883-2361. Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Linda Klemmer Linda Lou Klemmer, 54, of Filion, passed away on Wednesday, March 17, 2004, at her home following an extended illness. She was born on December 2, 1949 in Bad Axe, daughter of Robert and Georgina (Toner) Running. She married Larry Klemmer on October 5, 1968 in the Bad Axe First United Methodist Church. She was a member of the Bad Axe First United Methodist Church, and she enjoyed camping and being with her grandchildren. Linda is survived by her husband, Larry "Yogi" Klemmer, of Filion; one son, Robert Klemmer and his wife, Susan, of Bad Axe; two daughters, Sheila Wells and her husband, Dan, of Bad Axe, Michelle Boyce and her husband, Dennis, of Bad Axe; mother, Georgina Running, of Bad Axe; mother-in-law, Agnes Klemmer, of Bad Axe; one sister, Lesa Gusa and her husband, Bernard, of Filion; five grandchildren, Zoe Klemmer, Mya Klemmer, and Nicholas Wells, all of Bad Axe, Michelle Wells, and Stephanie Wells, both of Bay City. She was preceded in death by her father, Robert Running. Services will be conducted on Saturday, March 20, 2004, at 11 a.m. at the Kaufman Funeral Home in Bad Axe. Officiating will be the Rev. William Wright, pastor of the Bad Axe First United Methodist Church. Burial will be in Colfax Cemetery. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. today and from 10 a.m. until the service time at 11 a.m. on Saturday at the funeral home. James Kreh James L. Kreh, 80, of Caseville, died at 7:15 a.m. on Thursday, March 18, 2004, at his home after a six-month bout with pancreatic cancer. He was born November 22, 1923 at the home of his parents, the late Herbert and Bertha (Koehn) Kreh in Caseville Township. After graduating from Pigeon High School, he went to Detroit and worked for Walsh Sheet Metal for a while and also at the Bomber plant. He enlisted in the U.S. Marines in January of 1944 and served in the South Pacific and Hawaii during World War II returning home in June of 1946. Later that year, he bought the family business from his father, Greenview Poultry Farm, continuing to hatch and raise laying hens. In 2001, he retired after 55 years in business. On January 29, 1971, he was united in marriage to Priscilla C. (Stasinski) Schramski in Caseville. Jim was an avid golfer, holding the title of "Club Champion" at both Scenic Golf and Country Club and Verona Hills Country Club in 1974. He was also club champion several more times at Scenic. Surviving are his wife, Priscilla; eight children, James Kreh, of Norcross, Georgia., John Kreh and his friend, LuAnn, of Caro, Larry Kreh and his friend, Clara, of Luxembourg, Lori McComb and her husband, Paul, of N. Chili, New York, Patti Kreh and her husband, Alex Panasiuk, of Clinton Township, Veronica Haefner and her husband, Eric, of Novi, Leonard Schramski, of Caseville, and Cathy Haefner and her husband, Peter, of Lowell; eleven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; brother, Alvin Kreh and his wife, Georgina, of Kinde; sister, Arlene Hilton, of Fort Myers, Florida. Preceding him in death were two sisters, Helen Mott and Grace Smith. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 20, 2004, at the Champagne Funeral Chapel, Caseville. The Rev. Fr. Joseph Schabel will officiate with burial in St. Roch Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. today and after 10 a.m. on Saturday at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to United Hospice. If you are unable to attend, you may sign the guest book at www.CFCcaseville.com. Michael L. Soper Michael L. Soper, 61, of Bad Axe, passed away on Wednesday, March 17, 2004, at Huron Medical Center in Bad Axe following a long illness. He was born on September 13, 1942 in Bad Axe, son of Russell and Beatrice (Burke) Soper. He married Marilyn Jandereski on April 2, 1966 in Detroit. Mr. Soper was an avid deer hunter and a motorcycle fan. He especially enjoyed being with his children and grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn Soper, of Bad Axe; two daughters, Kristie Forster and her husband, Steven, of Bad Axe, Miki Chaplinski, of Port Austin; mother, Beatrice Stirrett, of Bad Axe; four brothers, Dale Soper and his wife, Barbara, of Clio, Thomas Soper, of Sterling Heights, Tim Soper and his wife, Gail, of Bad Axe, Terry Soper and his wife, Vicki, of Bad Axe; two sisters, Linda Wharton and her husband, Bill, of Durand, Patti Kautz and her husband, Randy, of Durand; four grandchildren, Nichole Forster, and Eric Forster, both of Bad Axe, Kayla Chaplinski, and Hunter Chaplinski, both of Port Austin; two step-brothers, Terry Stirrett and his wife, Joanne, and Al Stirrett; six step-sisters, Janice Blatt and her husband, Gerald, Nancy Bambach and her husband, Bill, Faye Stirrett, Bertha Jock, Ginny Stirrett, Connie Bacschmidt and her husband, Warren. He was preceded in death by his father, Russell Soper; step-father, Max Stirrett; and daughter, Michelle Soper. In keeping with his wishes, there will be no service or visitation. Arrangements were conducted by the Kaufman Funeral Home. 1