HURON DAILY TRIBUNE, Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan Local obituaries for the week beginning August 15, 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, August 15, 2004 Joseph E. Bouvrette Sr. Joseph E. Bouvrette, Sr., 94, of Harbor Beach, passed away Saturday, August 14, 2004, in the long term care unit of Harbor Beach Community Hospital. He was born in Filion on September 14, 1909, the son of the late Delmo and Louise (Allen) Bouvrette. Joe was a graduate of the Kinde High School, and Coyne Electrical School in Chicago. He was the owner and operator of Bouvrette Electric in St. Clair Shores from 1942-72. On January 30, 1933, Joe and Eleanor Goniwicha were united in marriage in St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Rapson. He was a member of Our Lady of Lake Huron Catholic Church in Harbor Beach and a member of the Local 58 of the IBEW in Detroit for over 50 years. Joe enjoyed fishing, power boating and doing woodworking projects. Joe is survived by his wife of 71 years, Eleanor Bouvrette, of Harbor Beach; his children, Beverly (Mitzie) Muter and her husband, John, of Port Hope, Mary Louise Peyerk and her husband, Donald, of Kinde, and Joseph Bouvrette, Jr. and his wife, Judy, of Ortonville; eight grandchildren, John Muter, Jr. and his wife, Shawn, of Riley Township, Jill Gold and her husband, Michael, of Huntington Woods, Jamie Muter and his wife, Renee, of Troy, Russell Peyerk and his wife, Beth, of Romeo, Ronald Peyerk and his wife, Julie, of Bruce Township, Michelle Murphy and her husband, Tim, of Macomb Township, Darcell Miller and her husband, Dale, of Washington, Christy Sweeney and her husband, Jay, of Ortonville; 17 great-grandchildren, Duncan and Colin Muter, Joseph, Mary, David, Daniel, Joshua and Elizabeth Muter, Michael and Kaitlyn Peyerk, Jessica and Jake Peyerk, Donald and Ashlyn Murphy, Alivia Miller, Austin and Taylor Sweeney; brother, Willard Bouvrette, of Kinde; many nieces and nephews. Joe was preceded in death by a grandson, Joseph T. Bouvrette; two brothers, Ernest and Herman Bouvrette; and his parents, Delmo and Louise Bouvrette. A funeral mass will be conducted at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, August 17, 2004, in Our Lady of Lake Huron Catholic Church in Harbor Beach, with Fr. T.J. Fleming officiating. Burial will be in the Ss. Peter & Paul Church Cemetery in Ruth. Visitation will be from 1-9 p.m. Monday at the Ramsey Funeral Home in Harbor Beach, and from 8 a.m. until the time of service on Tuesday at the church. A parish vigil service will be at 7:30 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Irma Herman Irma Eileen Herman, 94, of Minneapolis, passed away August 11, 2004. Irma was born in Gladwin on August 12, 1909, and grew up in Bad Axe, graduating from Bad Axe High School in 1927. Irma spent all of her summers at Oak Beach through 1996. During her long and rich life, she positively influenced countless people, young and old. Following graduation from Eastern Michigan University, Irma pursued a teaching career, spanning over 40 years beginning in a one-room school house. During the 1960s her innovative program of art, drama and music in the Flint Public Schools was copied in numerous school systems across the state. Her creation, "The Sun Rise Singers," remained a tradition in the Flint schools for decades. Irma was a life-long member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and enjoyed writing poetry and reading in her later years. She will be greatly missed by her numerous friends and admirers. Irma is survived by her son, Dean Herman, his wife Sandra, granddaughter, Chauncey, all of Minneapolis; nieces, Pat Ann White and Sharon Frances; nephew, Curt Rice. Irma is preceded in death by her husband, Dean Herman, Sr.; her parents, Herbert and Effie Dow, of Bad Axe, siblings Edson, Ethel, Veva and Russell. A graveside service will take place at 10 a.m. on Monday, August 16, 2004, at Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis. Memorials may be made to Hennepin Avenue Methodist Church. Regina K. Smith Regina K. Smith, 86, of Bad Axe, passed away Friday, August 13, 2004, at the Huron Medical Care Facility in Bad Axe. She was born on January 15, 1918 in Youngstown, Ohio, daughter of the late John and Bertha (Rothe) Schneider. She married Fred T. Smith on April 18, 1936 in Pigeon. He preceded her in death on February 22, 1987. Mrs. Smith was a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Bad Axe. She is survived by one daughter, Elaine Jipson, of Davison; two sons, Ronald and his wife, Sally, of Bad Axe, Gerald and his wife, Nancy, of Bay City; five grandchildren, Karen Smith, of Bad Axe, Kathy Lotter, of Fenton, Larry Smith and his wife, Sharon, of Bad Axe, Kevin Lotter and his wife, Pam, of Burton, Nichole Smith and her husband, Brian, of Bay City; four sisters, Matilda Gintner, of Elkton, Rose Volz, of Sebewaing, Lena MacCallum, of Sebewaing, Irene Particka, of Ubly; 10 great-grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one brother, Joseph Reimann; one sister, Mary Finkbeiner. Services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Monday, August 16, 2004, at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Bad Axe. Rev. Kenneth Lueke will officiate. Burial will be in Colfax Cemetery. Friends may call at the Kaufman Funeral Home in Bad Axe from 1-9 p.m. today, and from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Monday at the church. Memorials may be made to Our Savior Lutheran Building Fund. Virginia A. Smith Virginia Ann (Piper) Smith, 48, of Clinton Township and formerly of Harbor Beach, passed away at her home in Clinton Township on Thursday, August 12, 2004. She was born in Harbor Beach on February 14, 1956, the daughter of Charles Piper and the late Rose Mary (Kramer) Piper. On November 30, 2000, Virginia and Steven Smith were united in marriage in Las Vegas. She is survived by her husband, Steven, of Clinton Township; a daughter, Sandra Abercrombie and her husband, Walter, of Warren; a son, Michael Mosey, of Warren; grandchild, MacKenzie; father, Charles Piper, of Harbor Beach; brother, Clifford Piper and his wife, Judy, of Harbor Beach; sister, Marilyn Dimick and her husband, Donald, of Rogers City. Virginia was preceded in death by a brother, John Piper; and her mother, Rose Mary Piper. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, August 17, 2004, in the Ramsey Funeral Home in Harbor Beach, with Rev. Mark Girardin, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church, officiating. Burial will be in Rock Falls Cemetery. Visitation is from 6-9 p.m. today, from 1-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. on Monday, and from 10 a.m. on Tuesday until the time of service at the funeral home. Selma S. Sommerfeld Selma S. Sommerfeld, 99, former resident of Bad Axe and Largo, Florida, passed away Wednesday, August 11, 2004, in Hastings. She was born May 21, 1905 in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota to John and Louise Schultz. On June 5, 1930, she married Clarence Sommerfeld of Echo, Minnesota. Clarence and Selma moved to Bad Axe in the late 1940s. While in Bad Axe, she was a member of the First United Methodist Church and enjoyed singing alto in the church choir for 20 years. Selma was a secretary and housewife in Bad Axe. She and Clarence then moved to Florida in 1969 to enjoy their retirement years. Selma enjoyed playing piano at church and also being in a "kitchen band" in Florida for many years. She is survived by two sons, Owen Sommerfeld and his wife, Deanna, of Lake Ann, Lynn Sommerfeld and his wife, Kay, of Wyoming; one sister, Della Cunningham, of Sleepy Eye, Minnesota; three grandsons; and four great- grandchildren. Selma was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence; one son, Loren; and two brothers. In keeping with her wishes, cremation has taken place. A graveside memorial service will be conducted in Bad Axe in September. Monday, August 16, 2004 Theresa Flannery Theresa Flannery, a resident of Bad Axe since 1946, passed away on Monday, August 16, 2004, at her home under hospice care. She was born in Port Austin on October 18, 1925, the daughter of the late Edwin and Lucy (Goretski) Mayes. She graduated from Port Austin High School in 1943 and she attended Sienna Heights and Michigan State College. Theresa Mayes and Marcus Flannery were married October 12, 1946, by her uncle, Father Carl Mayes. Mrs. Flannery was a parishioner of Sacred Heart Church where she taught CCD classes, worked in the food pantry and served on the funeral luncheon committee. She was a Girl Scout leader, a long time member of Lost Lake Woods Club and the Thumb Arts Guild and served on the Bad Axe Library Board. Surviving are her husband of 57 years, Marcus; two daughters, Susan Moorman and her husband, Patrick, of Clinton Township and Jane Hayes and her husband, William, of Milford; three grandsons, Matthew Moorman, Brent Hayes and his wife, Dawn, and Ryan Hayes; one sister, Venice Finan; two brothers, Edwin and his wife, Jane, and Raymond and his wife, Lynne, all of Port Austin; two sisters-in-law, Betty Mayes, of Port Austin and Sally Mayes, of Mount Pleasant. Two brothers, Harold, of Port Austin, and Carl, of Beal City, preceded her in death. A mass of resurrection will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, August 18, 2004, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bad Axe by Father James Carlson. Interment will take place at Sacred Heart Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Sacred Heart Food Pantry or the Bad Axe Public Library. Donald M. Mousseau Donald M. Mousseau, 43, a resident of Bay City, died Saturday, August 14, 2004, in Bay City. He was born in Bad Axe on September 24, 1959 to Maurice and Deloris (Krinkie) Mousseau. Mr. Mousseau was a member of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Bay City. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Bad Axe Council No. 1546. Mr. Mousseau also served in the United States Army. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, golf, music and playing the guitar. Donald is survived by his parents, Maurice and Deloris Mousseau, of Kinde; one son, Joseph Sefton, of Mackinaw City; two sisters, Yvonne Clancy, of Clinton Township and Patricia Weber and her husband, Dennis of Filion; two nieces, Brenda Szalka and her husband, Ron, of Armada, Dr. Sheri Weber, of Royal Oak; one nephew, Paul Weber and his wife, Shannon, of Fenton; one great-niece, Acadia Szalka. Mass of Christian burial will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, August 18, 2004, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Dwight. Fr. Mieczyslaw Oniskiewicz will officiate. Burial will be in the St. Edward's Catholic Cemetery, Kinde. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. today, from 2 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday and from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the MacAlpine Funeral Home Gage Chapel in Kinde. A parish wake scripture service will be conducted at 7 p.m. on Tuesday followed by a rosary at 8 p.m. by the Knights of Columbus at the funeral home. Memorials may be offered to the Family Discretionary Fund. Tuesday, August 17, 2004 – No obituaries reported Wednesday, August 18, 2004 Richard M. Dilleree, Sr. Mr. Richard M. "Dick" Dilleree, Sr., 74, of Pigeon and formerly of Millington, passed away early Monday, August 16, 2004. Richard M. Dilleree, Sr. was born on August 10, 1930 in Flint, the son of Owen and Neddie (Bellman) Dilleree. As a youngster, he grew up in the Millington area. Richard married Miss Velma Kern. He and Velma celebrated 44 years together before she passed away in December 1993. Dick worked for 39 years with General Motors in the maintenance department of the Chevy V-8 Plant, retiring in 1987. Dick was very devoted to his family. He loved spending time with them as much as possible. He loved hunting, fishing, bowling, and when he was young, he played softball. He played for a number of years for the Millington Herald team. Dick was also very devoted to his Lord and before he became ill, he actively attended the Pineview Mennonite Church. Dick leaves to cherish his memory his family, extended family, and many friends. He is survived by two sons, Richard Dilleree, Jr. and his wife, Sharon, of Caro, Larry Dilleree and his wife, Shirley, of Bay Port; five grandchildren, Tammy Parker and her husband, Tim, David Dilleree, Clifford Dilleree and his wife, Kandi, Sarah Kocher and her husband, Brian, and Joseph Dilleree; two great-granddaughters, Kaylee and Kaitlyn Dilleree; one sister, Virginia Kern and her husband, William "Bill", of Vassar; and several nieces, nephews, extended family and many friends. Dick was preceded in death by a half brother, Everett Bellman, and his parents. Funeral services for Richard will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Thursday, August 19, 2004, at the Pineview Mennonite Church, located north of Millington on Swaffer Road east of M-15. Burial will follow at the Pineview Mennonite Cemetery. Pastor Roger Hazen will be officiating the funeral and burial services. Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. today at the Hanlin Funeral Home in Millington. Richard will lie in state from 10 a.m. until the hour of the services on Thursday at the church. Memorial gifts of remembrance can be directed to the Pineview Mennonite Church or to the Scheurer Hospital Long Term Care Unit. Hanlin Funeral Home in Millington has been assisting the Dilleree family with funeral arrangements for their father Richard. Thursday, August 19, 2004 Lillian McGathy Lillian Wilhelmina McGathy, 83, of Bay Port, passed away Wednesday, August 18, 2004, at her home. She was born in Winsor Township on March 1, 1921, daughter of the late August and Emma (Buck) Naffien. On October 19, 1940, she was united in marriage to Charles Edwin McGathy, who preceded her in death on June 30, 1991. For 15 years Mrs. McGathy worked at Walt's Restaurant in Caseville with her family. She enjoyed gardening, sewing, cooking, and caring for her sons and their families. She was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Linkville. She is survived by three sons, Charles McGathy and his wife, Suzanne, of Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina, Roy McGathy and his wife, Kathy, of Imlay City, and Ray McGathy, of Bay Port; 10 grandchildren, Charles McGathy, Kim Goss and her husband, Matt, Mary Klein and her husband, Norm, Darin McGathy and his wife, Susie, Matt McGathy and his wife, Kathy, Thad McGathy, Joely Chandonnet and her husband, Rob, Laniel O'Connor and her husband, Ken, Ginny Trost and her husband, Mark, and Meghan McGathy; 15 great-grandchildren, Cody, Cassidy, Alison, Ben, Shawna, Brittney, Katie, Austin, Jaylee, Curtis, Chloe, Jordan, Nicholas, Taylor, and Collin; three sisters, Alma Harder, of Bay Port, Helen Samczyk, of Sandusky, and Mabel Herman, of Sebewaing; a brother, Elmer Naffien and his wife, Eleanor, of Sebewaing; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by three brothers, John, Albert, and Walter; and two sisters, Clara Kipfer and Dorothy Dufty. The funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 21, 2004, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Linkville, with the Rev. Lee Wenskay, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Caseville Township Cemetery. A prayer service will be conducted at 7:30 p.m. on Friday at the Meyersieck-Bussema Funeral Home, Pigeon. Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. today and from noon to 9 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home and from 10 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m. on Saturday at the church. Memorials for Mrs. McGathy may be made to the Autism Society or the American Cancer Society. Friday, August 20, 2004 Erhardt Bauer Mr. Erhardt Bauer, 89, of Ubly and Zephyrhills, Florida, beloved and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, died early Thursday morning, August 19, 2004, at the Huron Medical Center in Bad Axe. He was born May 14, 1915 in Reese, son of the late Ernest and Mary (Breiter) Bauer and attended Michigan State University and GMI. He married his wife of 40 years, the former Ruth Englehardt, of Reese, on October 24, 1938. After his marriage to Ruth, they moved to their farm in Vassar in 1939. She predeceased him February 12, 1978. Erhardt was employed by Saginaw Steering Gear (now Delphi) as an overhead crane operator, retiring in 1979 after 30 years of service. He was fortunate to find love for a second time and on November 22, 1980, he married his devoted wife, Madeline Zulauf, who survives him. During the winter months, he and Madeline resided in their winter home in Zephrhills, Florida and enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and Europe. Mr. Bauer was a member of the St. Michael's Lutheran Church in Richville, attended Our Savior Lutheran Church in Bad Axe, and was a member of the Local No. 699 for more than 30 years. He was a dedicated Tiger baseball fan and enjoyed attending baseball games during spring training in Lakeland, Florida. In addition to his wife, Madeline, surviving are his children and their spouses, John Bauer and his wife, Zhi Hu, of West Bloomfield, Mary Ann Bauer, of Farmington Hills, and Beverly Cottrell and her husband, Robert, of Merrill; six grandchildren and their spouses, Ruth Garcia Bauer and her husband, Fernando, Mary Jean Bauer-Belcher and her husband, William, Joseph Simon and his wife, Michelle, Martin Simon, Robert J. Cottrell, and Aaron Metiva and his wife, Gwen; two great-grandchildren, Samuel Simon and Emilee Metiva; his brother, William Bauer; and his sister, Martha Daenzer. In addition to his parents and his first wife, Ruth, Erhardt was predeceased by two daughters, Barbara Metiva and Joan Bauer; six brothers and sisters, Albert, Oscar, Elmer, and Richard Bauer, Alma Petzold and Helen Haubenstricker; and his half brother, Norman Bauer. Funeral services will take place at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, August 24, 2004, from the St. Michael's Lutheran Church in Richville. The Rev. Robert Gadeken will officiate will burial to follow in the St. Michael's Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home of Ubly, from 2 to 5 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Ware-Smith-Woolever Funeral Home, 9940 Saginaw Street, Reese, and from 10:30 a.m. until the time of services on Tuesday at the church. Memorials may be given to Heartland Hospice, St. Michael's Lutheran Church, Richville, or Our Savior Lutheran Church in Bad Axe. You may share your thoughts with the family at the funeral homes, the church, or through waresmithwoolever.com. Estelle Bottke Estelle Bottke, 88, of Sebewaing, died Friday, August 20, 2004, at Tendercare of Cass City. Funeral arrangements are incomplete. A full obituary will be in the Sunday edition of the Huron Daily Tribune. Arrangements are being handled by the Dinkel-Juengel Funeral Home in Sebewaing. Robert Bouwman Robert G. Bouwman, age 75, of Sand Point, died Thursday morning, August 19, 2004, at the Huron County Medical Care Facility. He was born August 9, 1929 in Ferndale to the late William and Ella (Honnink) Bouwman. On February 14, 1959, he was united in marriage to Mary Crisan in Ferndale. Bill was employed at Detroit Engineering for 25 years, retiring in 1976. That year they moved to their cottage on Sand Point. He then worked the fall campaign at Michigan Sugar in Sebewaing for nine years. Bill enjoyed living on Sand Point's south shore, being out on the water and fishing with his neighbors and friends. He was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Sand Point, a Korean War Army Veteran, a member of the Caseville American Legion, life member of the VFW Post 4115, Sebewaing, and a charter member of the Caseville Eagles Club. Surviving are his wife, Mary; his son, Tom Barlow and his wife, Karen, of Birmingham; a daughter-in-law, Susan Barlow, of Birmingham; and a granddaughter, Stephanie Barlow. Preceding him in death were three brothers, William, Harry and Jack Bouwman; and a sister, Dorothy Lemm. In keeping with his wishes, there will be no visitation or services at this time. Memorials may be given to the Caseville Eagles Scholarship Fund. Friends and family may sign the guess book at www.champagnefuneralchapel.com. Franklin Flannery Franklin L. Flannery, 68, former resident of Bad Axe, passed away Friday, August 20, 2004, at Silver Cross Hospital in Joliet, Illinois. Funeral services will be conducted at a later date. A complete obituary will be published in Monday's edition of the Huron Daily Tribune. MacAlpine Funeral Home, Bad Axe, is handling the arrangements. 1