HURON DAILY TRIBUNE, Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan Local obituaries for the week beginning February 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 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, February 15, 2004 Leonard Niebel Leonard F. Niebel, 87, of Pigeon, passed away Friday, February 13, 2004, at Scheurer Hospital Long Term Care, Pigeon. He was born in Pigeon on January 18, 1917, son of the late Frederick and Salome (Tschumi) Niebel and graduated from Pigeon High School in 1935. In 1947, he was united in marriage to Virginia Elenbaum in Pigeon. She preceded him in death in 1971. Leonard served with the United States Army in the South Pacific during World War II and was a member of the VFW Pigeon Post 2236. During his working career, he worked at the Pigeon A&P, operated a hardware store, and worked at the Pigeon IGA with his brother, Stanley, from whom he later purchased the business. He then owned and operated the business by himself for 34 years. In his earlier years, he was a member of the Scenic Golf & Country Club, and was a member of the Pigeon Lions Club for more than 20 years. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Pigeon. Leonard especially enjoyed being with and visiting with his family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is survived by a daughter: Linda Walsh and her husband, John, of Pigeon; a son, Dane Niebel, of Pigeon; six grandchildren: Joely Chandonnet and her husband, Rob; Laniel O'Connor and her husband, Ken; Ginny Trost and her husband, Mark; Sean Walsh and his wife, Sally; James Niebel and his wife, Kelly; and Jaime Niebel; seven great-grandchildren: Austin and Jaylee Chandonnet, Curtis and Chloe O'Connor, Jordan and Nicholas Trost, and Lindsey Pobanz; a sister: Gladys Spence, of Pigeon; a brother: Ralph Niebel and his wife, Naomi "Peach," of Pigeon; a sister-in-law, Maxine Niebel, of Caro; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Loren and Stanley. The funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Monday, February 16, 2004, at the First United Methodist Church in Pigeon with the Rev. Margaret Passenger, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Grant Township Cemetery. Visitation will be from noon to 9 p.m. today at the Meyersieck-Bussema Funeral Home, Pigeon, and from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Monday at First United Methodist Church. Memorials for Mr. Niebel may be made to First United Methodist Church, Scheurer Hospital or the Veterans Memorial Home for Children. Monday, February 16, 2004 Willard Dobbs Willard J. "Tom" Dobbs, 81, of Alma and formerly of Cass City, died Monday, February 16, 2004, in Masonic Pathways of Alma. He was born April 25, 1922 in Frederick, South Dakota to Willard and Lila (Chinnock) Dobbs. He married Verna M. Emeigh on May 1, 1943 in Bad Axe. She died September 18, 2001. Tom served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He worked as a driver-salesman for Schaeffer's Wholesome Bread Company. Tom was a member of the DAV, Cass City United Methodist Church, formerly Cass City Trinity Methodist Church, a life member of Cass City OES and a Past Master of the Masonic Tyler Lodge #317 in Cass City. He enjoyed making crafts, and made beautiful baskets. After his retirement, he participated in bazaars across the state. Tom is survived by his children, Dr. William D. Dobbs and his wife, Janice, of Holland, Pam Barnes and her husband, Tim, of Kawkawlin; grandchildren, David Dobbs and his wife, Sue, Dennis Dobbs and his wife, Laura, Daniel Dobbs and his wife, Sue, DeAnn Dobbs, Joshua Barnes, Brandi Barnes; great-grandchildren, Danielle, Andrew, Derek, Kimberly, Jared and Tyler Dobbs. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, February 18, 2004, in Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City, with the Rev. Dr. Dennis Paulson, of First United Methodist Church of Ferndale, officiating. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday. Memorials may be made to Masonic Pathways of Alma or Hospice of Michigan. Mr. Dobbs will be interred in Croswell Cemetery, Croswell, next to his wife. William Hicks William "Bill" Hicks, 77, of Lynden, Washington, died Tuesday, February 10, 2004, after a long illness. He was born November 26, 1926 in Bad Axe, son of the late Leroy E. Hicks and Clara Broomfield Hicks. He married Edna Quan of Oahu, Hawaii in 1947. He graduated from Bad Axe High School in 1944. He served in the United States Army as a counter Intelligence Agent in the European theater of the war. After the end of World War II, he served in Oahu, Hawaii as a Narcotics Agent for the government. He later was transferred to Blain, Washington as a Customs Agent for the government. Surviving are his wife, Edna; one daughter, Christine Chang and her husband, Jerry; two grandchildren, Tina and Jeff, of Lynden, Washington; one brother, James Hicks, of Bad Axe; and one sister, Genevieve (Hicks) Todd, of Bad Axe; and several nieces and nephews. Mr. Hicks requested that he be cremated, and to have his remains interred in the state of Washington. Julia Lopez Mrs. Julia Lopez, 62, of Gagetown, passed away Sunday morning, February 15, 2004. She was born in Tioga, Texas on June 18, 1941, the daughter of Alfonso and Francesca (Arzola) Salinas. Julia was a member of St. Agatha Catholic Church and its alter society, and was a former member of the Society of Guadalupe. Surviving are her children, Paul Lopez, Jr. and his wife, Rita, of Gagetown, Joe Lopez and his wife, Julie, of Brighton, Tina Kowalczyk and her husband, Joseph, Jr., of Trenton, Marsha Salcido and her husband, Carlos, of Lincoln Park; grandchildren, Trace Lopez, Eddie, Leo, and Luke Lopez, Sydney, Samantha and Sierra Kowalczyk, and Allison and Carlos Salcido, Jr.; brothers, Alphonso Salinas and his wife, Gloria, of Ft. Worth, Texas, Chang Salinas and Pedro Salinas, both of Benbrook, Texas; sisters, Yolanda Cervantes, of Benbrook, Texas; special sister-in-law, Joan Lopez, of Gagetown; Julia's former husband, Pablo R. Lopez, Sr., of Burton. She was preceded in death by a brother, Carmel Salinas. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, February 18, 2004, from St. Agatha Catholic Church, with Fr. Steve Filion officiating. Burial will be in St. Agatha Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. today, from 2 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, at Gagetown Funeral Chapel, and from 10 a.m. until the time of mass on Wednesday at the church. The family has suggested memorials to the church or the Heartland Health Care. James Schumacher James C. Schumacher, Sr., 80, of Harbor Beach, passed away Sunday, February 15, 2004, at his home near Harbor Beach. Born in Harbor Beach on January 12, 1924, he was the son of the late John and Josephine (Kramer) Schumacher. Jim was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving in World War II. On October 8, 1955, Jim was united in marriage to Lillian Wisenbaugh in Harbor Beach. He was a retired Great Lakes Sailor retiring from the Cleveland Cliffs Company, Marine Division, after 35 years of sailing. Jim was a member of the Our Lady of Lake Huron Catholic Church in Harbor Beach, a 54-year member of the American Legion Post 197 of Harbor Beach, an Honorary Life Member of The Knights of Columbus of the Bad Axe Council, and a member of the Two Cylinder Club. Surviving are his wife, Lillian Schumacher, of Harbor Beach; one daughter, Valerie See and her husband, Jon, of Harbor Beach; three sons, James Schumacher, Jr. of Ypsilanti, Eric Schumacher and Thomas Schumacher, both of Harbor Beach; four grandchildren, Michael Dahlke and his wife, Rebecca, of Harbor Beach, Charles Dahlke and his wife, Jamie, of Owendale, Michele Dahlke, of Westminster, Colorado, Daniel Klama, of Harbor Beach; four great-grandchildren, Bridgett, Lauren, Michaela, and Brett Dahlke, of Harbor Beach; two brothers, Marcus Schumacher and his wife, Betty Lou, of Harbor Beach, W. Lee Schumacher and his wife, Edna, of Lupton; two sisters, Rosemary Donovan and her husband, J. Pat, of Dearborn Heights, Eleanor Platte and her husband, Fred, of Harbor Beach; sister-in-law, Nancy Sherman and her husband, Allen, of St. Clair Shores; two brothers-in-law, Roy Wisenbaugh, Jr., of Arizona and John Schave, of Port Hope; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a son, David Schumacher; a grandson, Dennis Dahlke; and a sister, Louise Schumacher. A funeral mass will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, February 18, 2004, in Our Lady of Lake Huron Catholic Church, Harbor Beach, with burial in the church cemetery. A parish vigil service will be on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in the Ramsey Funeral Home, Harbor Beach. Visitation will be from 1 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. A military graveside service will be conducted by the American Legion Post 197. Tuesday, February 17, 2004 Walter A. Schember Walter A. Schember, 87, of Elkton, died Monday afternoon, February 16, 2004, at Tender Care in Cass City. He was born September 7, 1916 at the home of his parents, the late Alfred and Lydia (Staehli) Schember, in the stone quarry near Bay Port. On December 28, 1938, he was united in marriage to Eleanor Lucht in Pigeon. They worked his father- in-law's farm in Winsor Township until his father-in-law passed away. Then they bought the farm and continued working it until 1965. In 1965, he began working for the Elkton- Pigeon-Bay Port School District as a custodian at the Elkton School, retiring in 1981. Eleanor preceded him in death on May 11, 1971. In November of 1971, he moved to Elkton. On June 16, 1973, he married Thelma (Dafoe) Burk in Bad Axe. She preceded him in death on May 26, 1998. He was a member of the Elkton Missionary Church and has been very active in town during the summer planting and caring for the flowers around town and the gazebo since 1989. Surviving are four sons, Darold and his friend, Judy, of Caro, Clare and his wife, Eva, of Gagetown, Duane and his wife, Marie, of Pigeon, Edwin and his wife, Sue, of Bad Axe; a daughter, Josephine Rockefeller and her husband, Larry, of Owendale; a stepson, Howard Burk, of Bad Axe; a stepdaughter, Phyllis Miller, of Detroit; 20 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; two great-great- grandchildren; 20 step-grandchildren; 34 step-great-grandchildren; five step-great-great- grandchildren; seven brothers, Clarence and his wife, Kate, of Lapeer, Earl and his wife, Doris, of Gagetown, Ken and his wife, Lucille, Robert, and Edward, all of Elkton, Jerry and his wife, Jane, of Goodells, and Wayne and his wife, Joanne, of Pigeon; two sisters, Evelyn Haley, of Owendale and Alene McCracken, of Bad Axe. Preceding him in death was his son, Dale; a stepdaughter, Faith Riches; a brother, Olin; and four grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Thursday, February 19, 2004, at the Elkton Missionary Church. The Rev. Reggie Courliss, pastor, will officiate with burial in Grandlawn Cemetery, Pigeon. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday at Champagne Funeral Chapel, Elkton, and after 10 a.m. on Thursday at the church. Memorials may be given to the Elkton Missionary Church. Wednesday, February 18, 2004 Wilton L. "Bud" Sternberg Wilton L. "Bud" Sternberg, 70, of Birch Run, died Monday, February 16, 2004, at Aleda E. Lutz VA Medical Center in Saginaw. He was born July 16, 1933 in Ubly to the late Arno and Alma (Dankenbring) Sternberg. He served in the U.S. Army in Germany during the Korean War. He was employed at Carling Brewery (later Heileman Brewing Company) in Frankenmuth for more than 30 years. One of his favorite hobbies was working on and rebuilding cars. Wilton is survived by a daughter, Anita Mohr and her husband, Rick; two sons, Martin Sternberg and Dean Sternberg and his wife, Dee; a sister, Marie (Sternberg) Green; a brother, Vic Sternberg and his wife, Marlene; a sister- in-law, Marion Sternberg; 11 grandchildren; one great-grandson; and several nieces and nephews. Wilton was also preceded in death by his sister, Bernice; a brother, Lowell; a grandson, Stephen; in-laws, Martin and Lorene Putzig; brother and sister-in-law, Dave and Faye Wilson. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Friday, February 20, 2004, at the O'Guinn Family Funeral Home in Birch Run. Pastor Alan Sikes will officiate. Burial will be in Valley Cemetery in Ubly. Visitation will be from 1 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home. The online guest book can be signed at www.oguinnfh.com. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. Thursday, February 19, 2004 Milton Breakie Milton Ardell Breakie, 90, resident of San Juan, Texas and former resident of Port Huron, died Monday, February 16, 2004, at Rio Grande Regional Hospital in McAllen, Texas. He was born June 28, 1914 in Port Huron to the late Archie and Elizabeth (Arnott) Breakie. He married Leila Badgley on June 26, 1937. She preceded him in death in 1992. Milton married Graciela Espinoza in 1996. Milton was dearly loved by his wife, family and friends. He was always helping people in need. He was a member of the Bad Axe First United Methodist Church. He owned Breakie Brothers Meat Market in Port Huron for 45 years. He is survived by his wife, Graciela E. Breakie; step-son, Nico Espinoza; and several nieces and nephews, Marybeth, Oethal, Joy, Glenda, Cheryl, Gary, Richard and Paul. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Leila Breakie; and two brothers, Jack and Glen Breakie. A service was conducted on Wednesday, February 18, 2004, at Kreidler Funeral Home in McAllen, Texas. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Friday, February 20, 2004, at Gage-Chapel-MacAlpine Funeral Home in Kinde. The Rev. William Wright, pastor of Bad Axe First United Methodist Church, will officiate. Visitation will be from noon until the time of service. Burial will be at New River Cemetery in Port Austin. Memorials may be offered to the charity of the donor's choice. Marie Dufty Marie C. Dufty, 73, of Caseville, died Wednesday morning, February 18, 2004, at Tender Care Nursing Center, Cass City. She was born December 11, 1930 in Alma to the late Roy and Thelma (Beattie) Miles. On December 12, 1949, she was united in marriage to William Dufty. He preceded her in death on May 19, 1990. Marie was a cook at several area restaurants for a while and later served as park ranger at Sleeper State Park a number of years, retiring in 2000. She was a fun person and loving mother who enjoyed having her family around. Surviving are three sons, William Dufty, of Lake Orion, Daniel Dufty and his wife, Roxanne, and Timothy Dufty and his wife, Barbara, all of Caseville; five daughters, Cynthia Smith and her husband, Fritz, D'Ann McLean and her husband, Richard, LaDonna Dufty, all of Caseville, Jan McCrimmon and Teresa Humphrey, both of Cheboygan; 23 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. There will be no visitation or funeral service at this time. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Alma. Friends and family may sign the guest book at www.CFCcaseville.com. Friday, February 20, 2004 Mary Kay Branske Mary Kay (Baranski) Branske, 97, of Port Austin, died Wednesday, February 18, 2004, at the Huron County Medical Care Facility in Bad Axe. She was born on December 29, 1906 in Port Austin, daughter of the late Joseph and Mary (Ignash) Baranski. Mary owned and operated Rose Kaye Dress Shop in Ferndale for many years. She enjoyed reading and playing cards. Mary was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church in Port Austin. Mary is survived by four nieces and nephews, Barbara Allen, of Munising, David Baranski, of Naperville, Illinois, Connie Baranski, of Port Austin, and John Baranski, of Elkton; and several great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her sister, Angeline Baranski; and three brothers, Tony, John, and Sylvester Baranski. A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, February 21, 2004, at 11 a.m. at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Port Austin. Officiating will be the Rev. Robert Pare', pastor. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. today and from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday at the Knoblock Funeral Home in Kinde. There will be a vigil at 7 p.m. today at the funeral home. Bernard Heilig Bernard Heilig, 84, resident of Cass City, died this morning, Friday, February 20, 2004, at Hills and Dales General Hospital in Cass City. Arrangements are incomplete at this time. They are being handled by MacAlpine Funeral Home. A complete obituary will be published in Sunday's edition of the Huron Daily Tribune. Beatrice Huntersmarck Beatrice Huntersmarck, 82, resident of Bad Axe, died this morning, Friday, February 20, 2004, at Huron Medical Care Facility in Bad Axe. Arrangements are incomplete at this time. They are being handled by MacAlpine Funeral Home. A complete obituary will be published in Sunday's edition of the Huron Daily Tribune. 1