HURON DAILY TRIBUNE, Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan Local obituaries for the week beginning January 18, 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, January 18, 2004 – No obituaries reported Monday, January 19, 2004 Thelma "Mary" Easton Thelma "Mary" Easton, 84, of Port Huron, died Saturday, January 17, 2004, in Faith Medical Center. She was born November 17, 1919 in Badgley Corners, Huron County, to the late Stephen and Margaret Badgley. She married Clifford Easton on January 21, 1939 in Indiana. He died February 21, 1994. Mrs. Easton was employed in the food service industry for many years and also was bookkeeper for her husband's business, Heat-Well Automatic Heating. She was involved with the Rebekah Lodge for more than 40 years and treasured the many friendships she made there. She was the Past Noble Grand of the Golden Link Companion Rebekah Lodge No. 516, I.O.O.F. in Warren in 1972 and Past Noble Grand of Oakleaf Rebekah Lodge No. 113 in Port Huron in 1989 and 1991. She also served as the lodge representative to the Rebekah Assembly of Michigan several times, was director of the drill team for Lodge No. 516, past treasurer of District Office No. 5 and played the piano at many activities. She enjoyed crafts and visiting the homebound. She is survived by a son, Daniel Easton and his wife, Sharon, of Algonac; a daughter, Donna Cisneros, of Sterling Heights; two grandsons, John and Joseph Cisneros; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a grandson, David Allen Cisneros, in 1979; four sisters, Mae Hunter, Gladys Cornish, Ruth Munroe and Lillian Benson; and four brothers, Harvey, John, Earl and Clarence Badgley. Funeral services will be at noon on Tuesday, January 20, 2004, in Pollock-Randall Funeral Home, Port Huron, with visitation from 10 a.m. until the time of service. The Rev. Ralph T. Barteld will officiate. Burial will be in Kinney Cemetery. Memorials may be made to St. Clair County Humane Society. To send condolences and messages of sympathy visit, www.pollockrandallfuneralhome.com. Edwardene "Eddie" Filion Edwardene "Eddie" Filion, 85, of Bad Axe, passed away on Saturday January 17, 2004, at the Huron County Medical Care Facility in Bad Axe. She was born on October 24, 1918 in St. Ignace, daughter of the late Edward and Lesta (Benson) Reavie. She married Robert L. Filion on December 9, 1959 in the manse of the Bad Axe First Presbyterian Church in Bad Axe. Mrs. Filion taught school for several years. She enjoyed traveling and various craftworks. She was a member of the Bad Axe First Presbyterian Church and the Retired Teacher's Association of Michigan. She is survived by her husband, Robert L. Filion of Bad Axe; one daughter, Judith Harbin and her husband, James, of South Branch; one son, Edward Lee Parks and his wife, Elva, of Tamworth, New Hampshire; three grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one brother, Kress Reavie, and two sisters, Thelma Warmington and Anise Eldredge. Services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, January 21, 2004, at the Kaufman Funeral Home in Bad Axe. Officiating will be the Rev. Jan G. Dykshoorn, pastor of the Bad Axe First Presbyterian Church. Interment will be in Colfax Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday and from 10 a.m. until the service time at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Memorials may be offered to the Bad Axe First Presbyterian Church, Heartland Hospice, the Huron Medical Care Facility, or Huron Medical Center. Jacqueline "Jackie" Freiburger Jacqueline "Jackie" Freiburger, 77, of Cass City, died Saturday, January 17, 2004, in University of Michigan Hospital, Ann Arbor. She was born July 8, 1926 in Flynn Township to O'Connell Miles and Vida (Byrne) Sullivan. She married Elden Bernard "Barney" Freiburger on June 8, 1946 in St. Roch Catholic Church, Sandusky. They made their home in Cass City where Barney had a grocery and creamery business. Jacqueline was a teacher for more than 38 years for Sandusky, Deford, Caro and Cass City Public Schools. She taught five years in Cass City and then served as elementary principal for 21 years in the Campbell Elementary School. While at Campbell, she was elementary co- coordinator of Deford and Evergreen schools. She served as the Chapter 1 director, Special Education director, County Child Abuse Council and represented the district on the REMC Media Center Board. She belonged to the County, Regional and State Elementary Principal Association. As a member of MEMSPA, she served as secretary, among other offices. She was voted Outstanding Principal of Region 11 for 1987-1988. She retired in August of 1988 as Principal at Campbell Elementary School in Cass City. Jackie was active in many community activities over the years. She was a Boy Scout den mother, Girl Scout leader and Neighborhood Chairman for Cass City on the county level. She was a charter member of the AAUW. She was a member of the Hills and Dales Hospital Auxiliary and served on the St. Pancratius Catholic Church Council and Women's Altar Society. A major goal of life for Mrs. Freiburger was to successfully fulfill the role as wife and mother. Taking care of the children's health, moral training and helping them to seek their educational goals in life was of prime importance. Seeing them all safely through college and settled in their professions brought her a sense of joy and of achievement. Further joy was brought to her by her eight grandchildren and six great- grandchildren. Mrs. Freiburger is survived by her husband, Bernard; children, Linda Bailey and her husband, Homer, of Cass City, Bernard "Butch" Miles Freiburger and his wife, Joyce, of Lake Orion, Kurt Freiburger, of Wyoming; grandchildren, Lisa Kamrad, Laura Edwards, Leana Edwards, Scott Freiburger, Jeff Freiburger, Heather Freiburger, Kimberly Freiburger, Christopher Freiburger; great-grandchildren, Alexa, Tyler, Kennedy, Makenna, Nicholas, and Cassaundra; brother, Leo Sullivan and his wife, Lucille, of Marlette; sister, Eleanor Sullivan, of Grand Blanc; sister-in-law, Barbara Sullivan; many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brother, Robert Sullivan. The funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, January 21, 2004, in St. Pancratius Catholic Church with the Rev. Steve Fillion officiating. Interment will be in St. Elizabeth Cemetery, Marlette. Pallbearers for Mrs. Freiburger are Butch Freiburger, Kurt Freiburger, Homer Bailey, Scott Freiburger, Jeff Freiburger, Christopher Freiburger, Nicholas Edwards and Jonathan Messing. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. today and from 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday at the Kranz Funeral Home in Cass City, and from 10 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday in the church. Memorials may be made to American Diabetes Association or American Cancer Society. Tuesday, January 20, 2004 Barbara Damrow Barbara L. Damrow, 75, of Montevideo, Minnesota and formerly of Vassar, died Wednesday, January 14, 2004, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Barbara Lee was born May 20, 1928 in Flint where she received her education, graduating from Flint Technical High School. She married Arnold Damrow in Flint in 1954. He preceded her in death in 1996. Following their marriage, they moved to Detroit where Barbara worked as an administrative assistant for an insurance company. Upon retirement, the couple moved to Vassar. Barbara moved to Montevideo, Minnesota in 2001. Survivors include her brother, Richard H. Lee, of San Diego, California; many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on May 1, 2004 at MacAlpine Funeral Home in Bad Axe. Burial will be in Valley Cemetery in Ubly. Memorials may be offered to Avera McKennan Foundation/Hospice Residence Fund, 800 E. 21st St., Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57105. Frederick Renn Frederick "Fred" W. Renn, 82, of Pigeon, passed away Sunday, January 18, 2004, at Scheurer Hospital in Pigeon. He was born in Bad Axe on May 19, 1921, son of the late Michael L. and Caroline (Lebrecht) Renn. He graduated from eighth grade at Flowing Well School, and served with the United States Army during World War II. On June 3, 1944, he was united in marriage to Olga Lydia Schuette at Cross Lutheran Church in Pigeon. Mr. Renn farmed throughout his lifetime and was a life member of the Farm Bureau. He was a Chandler Township Trustee since 1971, and a former member of the Conservation Club as well as the Pigeon V.F.W. Post 2236. He was a member of Cross Lutheran Church in Pigeon, and a very active member of the Cross Lutheran School Board, serving on the building committee. In addition to Olga Renn, his wife of nearly 60 years, Mr. Renn is survived by five children, Bill Renn and his wife, Sandra, of Pigeon, Karen Anklam, of Elkton, Joyce Jarvis and her husband, David, of Anaheim, California, Debra Armbruster and her husband, Tom, of Pigeon, Kent Renn, of Emmett; son-in-law, Jerry Porter, of Placentia, California; 15 grandchildren; 14 great- grandchildren; a sister, Clara Reid, of Port Austin; two brothers, Karl Renn and his wife, Irene, of Lincoln Park, and Harold Renn, Sr. and his wife, Marilyn, of Elkton; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Betty Porter; a grandson, Martin Herman; four sisters, Sophie Metzger, Wanda Smith, Helena Fietzer and Ida Mae Thompson; and two brothers, Michael Renn, Jr. and Leonard Renn, Sr. The funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, January 21, 2004, at Cross Lutheran Church, Pigeon, with the Rev. Dellis Hudson, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. today at Meyersieck-Bussema Funeral Home, Pigeon, and from 1 p.m. until the time of service at 2 p.m. on Wednesday at Cross Lutheran Church, Pigeon. Memorials for Mr. Renn may be made to Cross Lutheran Church or Cross Lutheran School. Warren Wilson Warren A. Wilson, 82, of Caseville, died Saturday, January 17, 2004, at Covenant Harrison, Saginaw. He was born February 7, 1921 in Cadillac at the home of his parents, the late Faye and Gertrude (Schultz) Wilson. Mr. Wilson moved to the Thumb area in his youth and in 1940, with his father, he started Wilson Studio and Camera Shop in Caro. In 1944, he joined the U.S. Army and served in Paris and Europe during World War II. When he returned home, he continued his work at the studio in Caro, retiring in 1980. During that time period, he helped his father start Wilson Trap Club near Port Austin. On June 2, 1956, he was united in marriage to Jacqueline F. Earl in Saginaw. They retired to Caseville in 1980. She preceded him in death on September 11, 2003. Warren lived a very active life from being a pilot to racing hydroplanes, shooting, hunting, motorcycling and boating on the Great Lakes and in Canada. He was a member of the Caseville American Legion, past president of the Exchange Club in Caro and past president of the Caro Rotary Club. Surviving are three sons, Brian Wilson and his wife, Sharon, of Valencia, California, Kimball Wilson and his wife, Susan, of Battle Creek and Charles Wilson and his wife, Yvonne, of Port Austin; five grandchildren; and five great- grandchildren. In keeping with his wishes, there will be no visitation or funeral service. Graveside military honors and interment with his wife will be in Fort Custer Cemetery, Battle Creek. Friends and family may sign the guest book at www.CFCcaseville.com. Joseph "Joe" Wolfram Joseph "Joe" Paul Wolfram, 94, of Pigeon, passed away Monday, January 19, 2004, at Scheurer Hospital Long Term Care, Pigeon. He was born in Pigeon on September 15, 1909, son of the late Albert and Matilda (Jaster) Wolfram. On November 30, 1935, he was united in marriage to Mary L. Hartman at St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church, Pigeon. She preceded him in death on October 14, 1999. Mr. Wolfram was a charter member of the Knights of Columbus Third Degree 8042, and was an honorary life member of the West Huron Centennial. He was a member of St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church, Pigeon. He is survived by a daughter, Julie A. Wolfram, of Pigeon; a son, Ronald Wolfram and his wife, Carmen, of Pigeon; a son-in-law, John Fleming, of St. Charles; 11 grandchildren, Linda Wolfram, Tammy Bechler, Stephen Wolfram and his wife, Tami, Kevin Wolfram and his wife, Shanon, Jay Fleming and his wife, Debbie, Pat Preston and her husband, Joe, Pam Corey and her husband, Jud, Nancy Fleming, Mary Ann Fleming, Bob Fleming, and Sara Fleming; 12 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Delores Fleming; a son, Robert; three brothers, Frank, Albert, Jr., and Martin; and three sisters, Mary Vollmer, Clara Bernard, and Martha Eisengruber. The funeral mass will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Thursday, January 22, 2004, at St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church with Fr. John Weis officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The scripture service will be at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at the Meyersieck-Bussema Funeral Home, Pigeon. Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home and from 9 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m. on Thursday at the church. Memorials for Mr. Wolfram may be made to Scheurer Hospital Long Term Care or the charity of the donor's choice. Peter Ozarko Peter L. Ozarko, 75, of Caseville, former owner of the Blue Water Inn, died Saturday morning, January 17, 2004, at Medilodge in Sterling following a long illness. A funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, January 21, 2004, at the Champagne Funeral Chapel, Caseville. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Holy Trinity Catholic Cemetery, Naaticoke, Pennsylvania. Friends may sign the guest book at www.CFCcaseville.com. Lawrence "Larry" Pagel Mr. Lawrence "Larry" Edwin Pagel, 89, of Palms, passed away Saturday, January 17, 2004, at his residence under hospice care. A funeral service will be at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, January 21, 2004, at St. John Lutheran Church of Palms. Henry B. Malone, pastor, will officiate. Cremation will take place at Sunset Valley Crematory of Bay City. Visitation will be from 12:30 to 1 p.m. on Wednesday at the church. Arrangements are being handled by Smigielski Funeral Home of Minden City. Memorials are requested to St. John Lutheran Church or United Hospice of Marlette. Wednesday, January 21, 2004 Patricia Bland Patricia L. Bland, 57, lifelong resident of Bad Axe, died Tuesday morning, January 20, 2004, at Courtney Manor in Bad Axe. She was born May 27, 1945 in Huron County to the late Harvey Harold and Eva (Rifenbark) McMullen. Patricia married Marion Bland on December 30, 1980. He preceded his wife in death on July 7, 1988. Patricia worked at General Motors and Caro Manufacturing. She enjoyed traveling, shopping and listening to music. Patricia is survived by three sons, Harvey George Bland, of Pigeon, Ivan Esco Gingrich and his wife, Wendy, of Elkton, Ernest Lee Samerick, of Bad Axe; two sisters, Evelyn Erb, of Elkton, and Barb Reese, of Elkton; three granddaughters, Stephanie Gingrich, Hope Gingrich, and Shania Gingrich, all of Elkton; one grandson, Brian Bland, of Pigeon; and special friend, Bill McClain, of Bad Axe. Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. on Thursday, January 22, 2004, at MacAlpine Funeral Home in Bad Axe. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Burial will take place at a later date in Verona Cemetery. Memorials may be offered to Seton Cancer Center, 2780 Main Street, Marlette, Michigan 48453. Edward Smukala Edward K. Smukala, 81, of Port Austin, died Monday, January 19, 2004, at Courtney Manor in Bad Axe. He was born on March 25, 1922 in Hume Township, son of the late Theodore and Bernice (Heikkila) Smukala. Edward married Bridget Yaroch at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Port Austin. Edward worked for the family farm before moving to the Upper Peninsula to be a carpenter's apprentice to his maternal grandfather. He served in the U.S. Navy in World War II where he and his Construction Battalion (SeaBees) prepared airstrips for the Allies to land in the Philippines. He was an avid fisherman and hunter. Edward was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church in Port Austin and of the American Legion Frank Horetski Post No. 499 in Port Austin. Edward is survived by his wife, Bridget, of Port Austin; four daughters, Lois Lower, of Virginia, Margaret Herrington, of Florida, Debra Rice, of Oxford, and Donna Gagne, of Port Austin; two sons, David Smukala, of Chesterfield Township and Michael Smukala, of Oxford; 13 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; sister, Arlene Scott; and his brother, Melvin Smukala. He was preceded in death by his brother, Raymond Smukala. A funeral mass will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, January 24, 2004, 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 conducted from 2 to 9 p.m. on Friday and from 9 to 9:30 a.m. on Saturday at the Knoblock Funeral Home in Kinde. There will be a vigil at 7 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home. Contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to the American Diabetes Foundation or the American Cancer Society. Thursday, January 22, 2004 Dorothy Gilbert Dorothy Gilbert died January 14, 2004. A memorial service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 24, 2004, at the First United Methodist Church, Pigeon. Memorials may be directed to the American Red Cross or the church. Arrangements are being handled by Champagne Funeral Chapel. Friday, January 23, 2004 Travis Booms Travis Joseph Booms, newborn, went to Heaven to see Jesus, on Wednesday, January 21, 2004. He is survived by his parents, Kevin J. and Farrah (Walsh) Booms, of Harbor Beach; sister, Brooke Blanchard, of Harbor Beach; paternal grandparents, Carl and Marjorie Booms, of Harbor Beach; maternal grandparents, Larry and Carol Walsh, of Bad Axe; paternal great-grandmother, Beatrice Sieman, of Harbor Beach; maternal great- grandmothers, Maxine Heilig, of Minden City and Louise Walsh, of Ubly; maternal great-great-grandfather, Theodore Heilig, of Howell; and several aunts, uncles and cousins. Private services will be conducted on Sunday, January 25, 2004, at the Kaufman Funeral Home in Bad Axe. Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery in Parisville. Charles Haynes Charles Ray Haynes, 73, of Caseville, died Thursday morning, January 22, 2004, at his home. He was born July 15, 1930 in Springton, West Virginia to the late Walter Ray and Mary (Thomas) Haynes. Charles married Beth Rapson Wollenzien on June 1, 1985. Mr. Haynes served in the U.S. Navy as an electrician for 4 years. He was a Chrysler model builder for 30 years. He was Union Steward for the UAW Local 412. He retired in 1983 and moved to Caseville in 1986. He wintered in Key West, Florida. Charles was a member of the Caseville Eagles, the O-Ki-Zu Hunt Club, Key West American Legion and a lifetime VFW-Key West member. He enjoyed deep-sea fishing, hunting, bird watching and traveling throughout the United States. Charles is survived by his wife, Beth; one son, Charles Ray Haynes and his wife, Nora, of Chesterfield; five daughters, Vickie Messinger and her husband, Clyde, of Croswell, Sharon Gerald and her husband, Larry, of Fairhaven, Lani Coyle, of Mt. Clemens, Jo Elyn Ensroth and her husband, Jeff, of Harper Woods, Dawn Colpaert, of Denver, Colorado; one sister, Jo Ann Hurst and her husband, Bill, of Beckley, West Virginia; 13 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Sherlene Shoda and Nancy Mariotti. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 24, 2004, at MacAlpine Funeral Home in Bad Axe. Pastor Douglas Mater from Bay Port United Methodist Church and Hayes United Methodist Church will officiate. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. today and 10 to 11 a.m. on Saturday at the funeral home. Cremation will take place at Sunset Valley Crematory. Memorials may be offered to the American Cancer Society or Hayes United Methodist Church. Bobby J. Janas Bobby Joseph Janas, 46, of Forestville, passed away Thursday, January 22, 2004, at Harbor Beach Community Hospital following an apparent heart attack. Born in Detroit on April 3, 1957, he was the son of Joseph and Helen (Prosowski) Janas. On March 11, 1981, he and Judith Lemanski were united in marriage in Detroit. He was employed by Forward Shell in Sandusky for the past three years. Bobby enjoyed family, especially being Papa for his grandson. Surviving are his wife, Judith Janas, of Forestville; his children, Robert Janas and Patricia Janas; one grandson, Zachary J. Vahovick; brother, Joseph Janas, of Mt. Clemens; and a sister, Delores Ambrowitze, of Warren. Funeral services will be Sunday, January 25, 2004, at 2 p.m. in the Ramsey Funeral Home, Harbor Beach, with Check Emmert, of the Novesta Church of Christ in Cass City, officiating. Burial will be in the East Delaware Township Cemetery in Forestville. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. on Saturday and from 1 p.m. until the time of services on Sunday. Marion Keating Marion Lucille Keating, 93, of Southgate and formerly of Sault Ste. Marie and Harbor Beach, passed away on Wednesday, January 21, 2004, in the Camelot Hall Nursing Center in Livonia. Born in Harbor Beach on March 8, 1910, she was the daughter of the late Walter and Anna (McKinnon) Capling. Marion and Daniel A. Keating were united in marriage in Harbor Beach in 1935. Daniel preceded her in death in 1973. Surviving are her two sons, Walter Keating, of Southgate and Thomas Keating, of Florida; two daughters, Mary Ellen Cosenza, of Florida and Patti Linstrom, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; seven grandchildren; two sisters, Anne Humphries, of Plymouth, and Rosemary Wolschleger, of Harbor Beach; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Hilda Capling and Genevieve Jenks; and by four brothers, Leo, Kenneth, John and Joseph Capling. A funeral mass will be on Monday, January 26, 2004, at 11:30 a.m. in Our Lady of Lake Huron Catholic Church, Harbor Beach, with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. on Sunday in the Ramsey Funeral Home, Harbor Beach. 1