HURON DAILY TRIBUNE, Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan

Local obituaries for the week beginning April 25, 2004


Contributed 2004 by Carol Morrison for use in the USGenWeb Archives.

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Sunday, April 25, 2004


Gladys Auslander 
Gladys M. Auslander, 92, of Cass City, passed away on Saturday April 24, 2004, in Hills & Dales 
General Hospital, Cass City.   She was born December 11, 1911 at home in Greenleaf Township to 
William and May (Watson) LePla. She married Clark C. Auslander on July 27, 1934 in Flint. He died 
August 31, 1998.   Gladys was a member of Shabbona United Methodist Church, County Extension and 
the Elmwood Quilters. Gladys and Clark spent 17 winters in Lakeland, Florida.   Gladys is survived by 
her sisters-in-law, Marie Osontoski and her husband, Chuck, of Flushing, June MacDonald and her 
husband, Jim, of Troy, Jean Cohen, of Flint; brother-in-law, Arthur Itchue, of Fraser; several nieces and 
nephews and cousins.   She is preceded in death by her son, Richard Clark Auslander, in 1956, and 
brother, Wilford LePla.   The funeral service will be at 1 p.m. on Monday, April 26, 2004, at the 
Shabbona United Methodist Church with Rev. Ellen Burns, of Shabbona United Methodist Church, 
officiating. Interment will be in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City.   Visitation will be from 2 to 5 
p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. on Sunday and from 12 to 1 p.m. on Monday at the church.   Memorials may be 
made to Shabbona United Methodist Church Building Fund. Arrangements are being handled by the 
Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City. 

Marjorie Russell 
Marjorie Arlene Russell, 94, of Sand Point and West Palm Beach, Florida, passed away on Thursday, 
April 22, 2004, at Tendercare in Cass City.   She was born in Wisner on November 24, 1909, the oldest of 
four beautiful girls born to Bessie and Shelby Cousens. She attended Bay City High School.   On May 10, 
1930, she married her soul mate, Joseph E. Russell, in Bay City. They celebrated their 70th wedding 
anniversary shortly before his death in 2000.   During their married life, they lived in Bay Port, Chicago, 
Midland and eventually retired on Sand Point, where they resided for more than 30 years. While living 
there, they vacationed during the winters with their many close friends in West Palm Beach, Florida.   A 
loving and generous wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great-great grandmother, she is 
survived by a son-in law, Bill Hengy, Sr., of Caseville; a granddaughter, Susan Marjorie Sanders and her 
husband, Jim, of West Palm Beach, Florida; a grandson, Bill Hengy, Jr. and Tammy, of Caseville; three 
great-grandchildren, Shar Mohr and her husband, Jason, Willis K. Hengy and Samantha Marjorie Stowe; 
a great great-grandson, Ethan Mohr; a sister, Bettie Fournier and her husband, L.Z., of Davison.   She was 
preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her daughter, Joanne E. Hengy; and two sisters.   Mrs. 
Russell was exceptional at cooking and entertaining. She enjoyed gardening and golfing, and was a 
member at Scenic Golf and Country Club in Pigeon. She and her husband remodeled many homes 
together and also enjoyed fishing, snowmobiling and deer hunting. She will be remembered for her 
unconditional love of family and friends.   Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. today, April 25, 2004, at 
Dorsey E. Earl Smith Memory Gardens Funeral Home and Cemetery of Lake Worth, Florida.   There will 
be a celebration of her life gathering in Caseville next month.   Local funeral arrangements were 
conducted by the Meyersieck-Bussema Funeral Home, Pigeon. 

Beatrice Tenbusch 
Beatrice Lillian Tenbusch, 93, of Ruth and formerly of Minden City, passed away on Friday evening, 
April 23, 2004, at her daughter's residence under hospice care.   She was born May 24, 1910 in Minden 
City, daughter of the late George and Helen (Turk) Halifax.   She married Alphonse J. Tenbusch, Sr. on 
July 25, 1928 at St. Matthew's Catholic Church in Detroit. He preceded her in death on December 28, 
1991.   Beatrice attended Kelly School of Minden City. She was a parishioner of Ss. Peter and Paul 
Catholic Church in Ruth and a former member of the St. Mary's Rosary Sodality of Parisville. She was a 
homemaker all her life and enjoyed bingo, playing cards and crocheting.   She is survived by five sons, 
Gerald Tenbusch and his wife, Joanne, of Northport, Florida, Donald Tenbusch and his wife, Annie, of 
Middleburg, Florida, Gaylord "Butch" Tenbusch and his wife, Faye, of Chesapeake, Virginia, Charles 
"Bill" Tenbusch and his wife, Marge, of Northport, Florida, Richard "Dick" Tenbusch and his wife, Carol, 
of Deckerville; three daughters, Loraine McCoy and her husband, Frank, of Marlette, Marlene Peruski 
and her husband, Michael, of Northport, Florida, Karen Gentner and her husband, Dennis, of Ruth; 39 
grandchildren, 75 great-grandchildren and 17 great-great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Geraldine 
Tenbusch, of Ruth; son-in-law, Frank Molloy, of Deckerville; brother-in-law, Edward Tenbusch, of 
Grosse Pointe.   Beatrice was preceded in death by one daughter, Joan Molloy; one son, Alphonse 
Tenbusch, Jr.; two granddaughters, Donna Tenbusch and Sheila Moore; one great-grandson, Cody 
Ruchgy; four sisters, Mabel Bochek, Cecilia Moore, Emma Schumacher, Laura Deike; two brothers, 
William Halifax and Charlie Halifax.   Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, April 26, 2004, at Ss. 
Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Ruth with the Rev. Steven Gavit officiating. Burial will be in the St. 
Mary's Cemetery in Parisville.   Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. today and from 9 to 10 a.m. on 
Monday at the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly. There will be a parish vigil service at 3 p.m. on 
Sunday by Rev. Steven Gavit at the funeral home.   Memorials may be made to the Marlette Hospice or 
Ss. Peter & Paul Church in Ruth. 

Gayleen Williams 
Gayleen (Lindquist) Williams, 70, of Ubly, passed away on Thursday, April 22, 2004, at the Sanilac 
Medical Care Facility in Sandusky surrounded by her family.   She was born on May 17, 1933 in Exeter, 
Missouri, daughter of the late Virgil and Ambline (Sanders) Williams. She married August Lindquist on 
February 25, 1955 in Hazel Park. She had been employed by the Chrysler Corporation in Detroit and as a 
hospital aide, as well as bookkeeper at the Farmer's Elevator and Minden City Oil and Gas. She started a 
girls's softball league in Ubly in the 1970s and was a cadet leader with the Girl Scouts and Brownies. She 
enjoyed crafts, gardening and was an accomplished seamstress.   She is survived by one son, Dan 
Lindquist and his wife, Connie, of Ubly; three daughters, Tracey Foster and her husband, Tony, of Ubly, 
Connie McCoy, of Minden City, Kelli Dreger and her husband, Robert, of Ubly, grandchildren, Jamie, 
Jodi, Jessica, Jenna and Jacki McCoy, Kyle and Nick Lindquist, Jacob Booms, Kaitlyn, Rebekka and 
Ethan Foster; six great grandchildren; one brother, Leo Williams and his wife, Deanna; two sisters, Ruth 
Cunningham, Barb Daniels and her husband, Mel; several nieces and nephews, great nieces and great 
nephews.   She was preceded in death by an infant brother and sister.   Private services and interment took 
place at Argyle Township Cemetery. Officiating was Rev. Jerry Sutton, pastor of the Bad Axe Free 
Methodist Church.   Memorials may be offered to the Alzheimers Association. Arrangements were 
handled by the Kaufman Funeral Home in Bad Axe. 

Monday, April 26, 2004

Drew DeLong 
Drew L. DeLong, 22, of Kingston, died suddenly on Saturday, April 24, 2004, in a car accident with his 
cousin, Michael Wark, in Huron County.   He was born November 20, 1981 in Pigeon to Duane and 
Denice (Parker) DeLong.   Drew graduated from Kingston High School in 2000. He attended Central 
Michigan University one year following high school. He worked at Northwood Modular Homes and later 
with Zito's Excavating Company.  Drew was an outdoors enthusiast, enjoying hunting and fishing. He 
also enjoyed many sports, including football, basketball, baseball and wrestling. He loved his hound dogs.   
Drew is survived by his parents, Duane and Denice DeLong, of Kingston; siblings, Dennis DeLong and 
his wife, Melissa, of Kingston, Dana DeLong and his wife, Nadeene, of Kingston, Dirk DeLong and his 
wife, Misty, of Cass City, Denelle DeLong and her special friend, Todd Falko, of West Bloomfield, 
Davon DeLong, of Kingston; grandparents, Donald and Geraldine Parker, of Mio; nieces and nephews, 
Samantha, Allison, Kendra, Jennifer, Newt, Jade, Jake, Kelly, Ryan; aunts and uncles, Vickie Merchant 
and her husband, Grant, of Gagetown, Becky Obermiller and her husband, Tim, of Mio, Francis DeLong 
and his wife, Sharon, of Cass City, Connie Benitez and her husband, Manuel, of Cass City, Donna 
Lenhard, of Cass City, Robert DeLong and his wife, Kathy, of Cass City, Richard DeLong, of Cass City; 
several cousins, special friend, Alicia Nicol.   He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Donald and 
Lucille DeLong; cousins, Paul DeLong and Noah Obermiller.   A memorial service will be conducted at 
10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 28, 2004, in Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City, with the Reverends Ron and 
Darlene Kuenzli of Caro Community of Christ Church.   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 funeral home.   Memorials may be made to Paul 
DeLong Memorial Fund. 

Clarence Heilig 
Clarence A. Heilig, 92, of Port Hope, died Saturday, April 24, 2004, at the Huron County Medical Care 
Facility.   He was born December 13, 1911 to the late William and Margaret (Oswald) Heilig. Clarence 
married Helen Muter on November 26, 1956 at the Port Hope Lutheran Parsonage. Helen preceded 
Clarence in death on March 27, 1996.   Clarence was a lifelong farmer. He retired from farming in 1971. 
He was a member of St. Johns Lutheran Church in Port Hope. He was a member of the Grindstone Port 
Hope Sportsmans Club. He enjoyed his John Deere tractors, gardening, hunting, and fishing.   Clarence is 
survived by five step-children, John Muter and his wife, Mitzie, of Port Hope, Inez Frye and her husband, 
Jim, of Kewadin, Ervin Muter and his wife, Shirley, of Bad Axe, Fred Muter and his wife, Joann, of Port 
Hope, and Tracy Friedland and her husband, Ken, of Macomb; 12 grandchildren, Jack Muter and his wife, 
Shawn, of Riley, Jill Gold and her husband, Michael, of Huntington Woods, Jamie Muter and her 
husband, Renee, of Troy, Jim Frye and his wife, Sue, of Beverly Hills, John Frye, of San Francisco, 
California, Jeff Frye and his wife, Dena, of Rochester, Don Muter, of Bad Axe, Bonnie McKee and her 
husband, Mac, of Gagetown, Myton Muter and his wife, Theresa, of Port Hope, Renea Maron and her 
husband, Randy, of Lake Orion, Ken Friedland and his wife, Lisa, of Chesterfield Township, Julie Hartz 
and her husband, Brent, of Chesterfield Township; 15 great-grandchildren; 16 brothers and sisters, Mark 
Heilig, Gert Cerveny and her husband, Sam, Ralph Heilig and his wife, Jean, Kathleen Stewart, Ben 
Heilig and his wife, Odelia, Jeneve Mitoff, Beatrice Drake, Bill Heilig and his wife, Doreen, Nick Heilig, 
Winifred Sageman, Wilfred Heilig and his wife, Pat, Gerald Heilig and his wife, Fran, Jeanette Heilig, 
Harold Heilig and his wife, Darleen, Lucy Hintz and her husband, Kenneth, Regina Koglin and her 
husband, Gerald; and many nieces and nephews.   Clarence was preceded in death by one grandson, 
Richard Muter; two brothers, Paul and Bernard Heilig; two sisters, Nona Harris and Margaret Peyok.   
Funeral services will be at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 28, 2004, at St. Johns Lutheran Church in 
Port Hope with the Rev. Eilers officiating.   Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. today and from 1 to 9 p.m. 
on Tuesday at the MacAlpine Funeral Home - Gage Chapel in Kinde and from 11 a.m. until the service 
time on Wednesday at the church. A scripture service will take place at 7 p.m. on Tuesday. Burial will be 
in New River Cemetery. 

James Morell 
James "Jimmy" Morell, 16, of Bad Axe, passed away on Saturday, April 24, 2004.   He was born on June 
1, 1987 in Bad Axe, son of James A. and Susan (Stokan) Morell.   Jimmy was in the 10th grade at Bad 
Axe High School where he was a member of the football team. He was a member of the Bad Axe First 
Presbyterian Church and the Huron County Hockey Association. His hockey team, the "Stone Cold", 
were this year's champions.   He is survived by his mother, Susan Morell, of Bad Axe; father, James A. 
Morell, of Ubly; maternal grandparents, Richard and Judy Stokan, of Bad Axe; maternal great-
grandfather, Elton Stokan, of Port Huron; paternal grandparents, Arthur and Pauline Morell, of Ubly; 
special friend, Rebecca DeGrandt, of Bad Axe; aunts and uncles, Larry and Sally Ryckman, of Mount 
Pleasant, Richard and Wendy Stokan, of Rochester Hills, Larry and Cindy Morell, of Ubly, Joe and 
Roseanne Emming, of Ruth, Jim and Janice Peyerk, of Cass City, Diane Kingsland, of Cass City, Jerry 
and Jane Noto, of Alpena, Gerry and Linda Zittel, of Vassar, Ted and Peg Robinson, of Fairgrove; and 
several great-aunts, great-uncles, and cousins.   Services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, 
April 28, 2004, at the Bad Axe First Presbyterian Church. Officiating will be the Rev. Jan Dykshoorn, 
pastor. Burial will be in Colfax Cemetery.   Visitation will be from 2 to 10 p.m. on Tuesday at the 
Kaufman Funeral Home in Bad Axe or from 10 a.m. until the service time at 11 a.m. on Wednesday at the 
church. 

Martha Timm 
Martha A. Timm, 92, of Bad Axe, passed away on Saturday, April 24, 2004, at Huron Medical Care 
Facility in Bad Axe.   She was born on December 28, 1911 in Alpena, daughter of the late John and 
Augusta (Heidemann) Huber.   Mrs. Timm farmed in Sheridan Township from 1938 to 1960 and worked 
as a nurse's aide at the Huron Medical Care Facility. She also worked at the former Fritch's Chicken 
Dinners. She was a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Bad Axe where she served on the 
Women's League. She was an avid horseback rider and motorcyclist, and enjoyed traveling and music.   
She is survived by one son, Larry Timm and his wife, Norma, of Bad Axe; one sister, Beata Mearsheimer, 
of Bad Axe; one granddaughter, Linda Haire and her husband, Walt; five great-grandsons; two great-
great-granddaughters; and several nieces and nephews.   She was preceded in death by one son, Dale 
Timm; two brothers, Lawrence and Henry Huber; and four sisters, Dorothy Huber, Hattie Huber, Clare 
Krist, and Anna Domke.   Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 27, 2004, at the 
Kaufman Funeral Home in Bad Axe. Officiating will be the Rev. Kenneth Lueke, pastor of Our Savior 
Lutheran Church. Burial will be in Colfax Cemetery.   Visitation will be from 4 to 9 p.m. today and from 
10 a.m. until the service time at 11 a.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home.   Memorials may be offered to 
Our Savior Lutheran Church Building Fund. 

Michael Wark 
Michael S. Wark, 19, of Cass City died Saturday, April 24, 2004, from injuries sustained in an automobile 
accident in Huron County.   Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 28, 2004, 
in Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City, with Pastor JT Mabe, of Mizpah Missionary Church, officiating.   
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 Kranz 
Funeral Home, Cass City.   Memorials may be made to the Family Discretionary Fund. 

Tuesday, April 27, 2004

LeRoy Kretzschmer 
LeRoy H. Kretzschmer, 69, life long Caseville area farmer, died Sunday morning, April 25, 2004, at St. 
Mary's Medical Center, Saginaw.   He was born May 11, 1934 at the home of his parents, the late Wesley 
and Pearl (Geiger) Kretzschmer, in McKinley Township.   LeRoy joined the U.S. Army in 1956.   He 
served as a paratrooper and received a Honorable discharge in 1958. On August 16, 1958, he was united 
in marriage to Sophie Jean Sorrell in Angier, North Carolina and they made their home in Caseville 
Township. Jeannie preceded him in death on July 26, 1991. On July 20, 2002, he was united in marriage 
to Gloria J. (Kopah) Smith in Caseville.   He farmed with his family all his life, never really retiring. He 
always enjoyed working in the soil and raising animals of all kinds, including incubating pheasant eggs 
and raising the birds for release. His garden was also important to him, and he already had it plowed for 
spring planting.   LeRoy was a member of Caseville United Methodist Church, Caseville Eagles and the 
Pheasant Club. Though not a hunter, he loved to shine deer, something he and Gloria did almost every 
night.   He is survived by his wife, Gloria; his son, Tony Kretzschmer and his wife, Renita, of Caseville; 
his daughter, June Marie Kretzschmer, of Ann Arbor and Gela May and her husband, Randy, of Oxford; 
two grandchildren, Wesley and Shana Kretzschmer; four step-sons, Todd Smith and his special friend, 
Linda Clark, of Bay City, Troy Smith and his wife, Tina, of Owendale, Terry Smith and his wife, Starr, of 
Caseville, Jeff Smith and his wife, Jill, of Pigeon; six step-grandchildren, Steven, Jonathon, Rachel, Scott, 
Michael, and Jared; three brothers, Harold Kretzschmer, of Pigeon, Dale Kretzschmer and his wife, 
Lorraine, and Leon Kretzschmer and his wife, Donna, all of Caseville; four sisters, Ruth Damm and her 
husband, Fritz, of Bay Port, Joyce Dietzel and her husband, Eldon, of Owendale, Carol Ruzala and her 
husband, Ray, of Midland, and Janet Kretzschmer, of Caseville.   The funeral service will be conducted at 
11 a.m. on Thursday, April 29, 2004, at the Caseville United Methodist Church.   Visitation will be from 
7 to 9 p.m. today and from 2 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday at Champagne Funeral Chapel, Caseville, and after 
10 a.m. on Thursday at the church.   Memorials may be given to St. Jude's Children's Hospital or the 
Make-a-Wish Foundation.   Friends may sign the guest book at www.CFCcaseville.com. 

Clayton Mattice Sr. 
Clayton Alger Mattice, Sr., 75, of Bad Axe, died Sunday, April 25, 2004, at Huron Medical Center in Bad 
Axe.   He was born January 8, 1929 in Harbor Beach to the late Robert and Cora Mae (Hughes) Mattice. 
He married Ileen Arntz on July 1, 1955 in Harbor Beach. She survives him.   Clayton worked 23 years at 
Michigan Lumber in Elkton. He also worked for Liberty Tool in Bad Axe. As a teen, he served as a 
fireman on ships in the Great Lakes for two years. He served in the U.S. Marines from 1946 until 1952. 
He boxed in the Golden Gloves as well as in the Marines. Mr. Mattice was a member of the Veterans of 
Foreign Wars Post No. 446 in Muskegon. Clayton enjoyed spending time with his family, watching 
sports, playing horseshoes, and playing cards. He will be greatly missed.   Clayton is survived by his wife, 
Ileen; three sons, Patrick Mattice and his wife, Judy, of Bad Axe, Clayton Mattice, Jr. and his wife, Maria, 
of Bad Axe, Kevin Mattice and his wife, Becky, of Bad Axe; one daughter, Vicky Lawrence and her 
husband, Bill, of Montana; nine grandchildren, Crystal, Matthew, Jason, David, Caitlyn, Samantha, 
Renan, Camilla, and Alex; five great-grandchildren, Taylor, Bryan, Angelina, Nicole, and Julia; and 34 
nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by seven brothers, Roy, Ray, Robert "Leslie", Leland, 
Lloyd, Warren, Richard "Lester"; and four sisters, Lillian "Viola", Mary "Leona", Dorothy "Mae", and 
Cora.   Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be conducted at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, April 
28, 2004, at MacAlpine Funeral Home in Bad Axe. The Rev. Jerry Sutton will officiate.   Visitation will 
be from 9 a.m. until the time of service at 3 p.m. on Wednesday.   Visit the web tribute for Clayton at 
www.macalpine.yourtribute.com/ClaytonMattice. 

Wednesday, April 28, 2004

Theodore Lange 
Theodore H. Lange, 90, of Port Hope, was called to his heavenly home on Saturday, April 24, 2004. He 
died while hospitalized at William Beaumont Hospital in Troy after a long illness.   Theodore, "Ted" was 
born on August 17, 1913 in Bloomfield Township, Port Hope, where he resided all his life, to the late 
George and Mary (Eggert) Lange.   He married Bertha Pleiness on June 16, 1937 in Port Hope.   Ted, a 
retired farmer, used to truck cattle to stockyards and called sawing lumber at his mill his winter hobby. He 
liked to fish and enjoyed playing cards and bowling, but mostly he loved "being with the people". He had 
served on the Swayze Country School Board, was a former Sunday school superintendent at the 
Bloomfield Lutheran Church, an Elder and Usher at St. John Lutheran Church in Port Hope and was a 
current member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Harbor Beach. He also was a member of the Port Hope 
Retirees.   His survivors include his loving wife of 66 years, Bertha Lange, of Port Hope; four children, 
Norman Lange and his wife, Bernice, of Harbor Beach, Harold Lange and his wife, Elaine, of Clinton 
Township, Joann Yott, of Bad Axe and Diane Diehl and her husband, George, of Troy; four 
grandchildren, Duane Lange and his wife, Sue, of Marlette, Deborah Weidman and his wife, Troy, of 
South Lyon, Jeffrey Diehl and his wife, Melissa, of Macomb, and Michael Lange and his wife, Dawn, of 
Mount Clemens; ten great-grandchildren, Garrett, Jenna and Kolby Lange, Zachary, Conner and Nathan 
Weidman, Ryan, Morgan, Carter and Alexis Diehl; one sister, Margaret Weippert and her husband, 
Harold, of Castle Rock, Colorado and several brothers-in-law, sister-in-law, nephews, nieces, and cousins.   
Ted was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Albert, Reinhold, and Arthur Lange; and a 
sister, Mildred Marquardt.   Funeral services will be at noon on Saturday, May 1, 2004, in Zion Lutheran 
Church, Harbor Beach. The Rev. Mark Girardin, pastor, and the Rev. Eugene Koessel, former paster, will 
officiate. Burial will be in the Lakeview Cemetery, Port Hope. A scripture service will be at 7:30 p.m. on 
Friday in the Ramsey Funeral Home, Harbor Beach.   Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. on Friday at the 
funeral home and from 11 a.m. until the service time on Saturday at the church.   Memorials may be given 
to the Zion Lutheran Church School or Preschool or East Huron Ambulance Service. 

William Dinsmoore Sr. 
William J. Dinsmoore Sr., 56, of Unionville, died Tuesday, April 27, 2004, at his home.   Funeral service 
will take place at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 30, 2004, at the Dinkel-Juengel Funeral Home in Sebewaing. 

Jeff Fox 
Jeff R. Fox, 47, of Owendale and formerly of Cass City, died Sunday, April 25, 2004.   Funeral services 
will be conducted at 4 p.m. today at Thabet Funeral Home, 6255 Main St., Cass City.   Visitation will be 1 
to 4 p.m. today. 

Thursday, April 29, 2004

Herbert S. Blackburn 
Herbert S. Blackburn, 89, of Caseville, passed away Wednesday, April 28, 2004, at his home.   He was 
born in Detroit on January 25, 1915, the son of the late Earl and Clarissa (Wilcox) Blackburn.   He served 
with the United States Army in the Pacific during World War II.   In 1974, he was united in marriage to 
Mildred Marceau in Las Vegas. She preceded him in death in 1997.   Mr. Blackburn worked as a welder 
for 30 years with the Ford Motor Company. Throughout the years, he enjoyed sightseeing, camping, and 
gardening.   His survivors include two daughters, Clarissa "Chris" Leipprandt and her husband, Marty, of 
Caseville, and Carol Perkins, of Macomb County; three sons, Earl Blackburn and his wife, Jan, of 
Pinkney, Herb Blackburn and his wife, Sue, and Kenny Blackburn, all of Caseville; a step-daughter, Lynn 
Larkin, of Texas; 37 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and sister, Edith Browner, of Brighton.   The 
funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 30, 2004, at the Meyersieck-Bussema 
Funeral Home, Pigeon, with the Rev. Michael Quayle, pastor of Caseville United Methodist Church, 
officiating. Burial will be in Caseville Township Cemetery.   Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time 
of service at 11 a.m. on Friday at the funeral home.   Memorials may be directed to the Caseville United 
Methodist Church. 

Barbara L. 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 on 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 Saturday, May 1, 2004, at MacAlpine Funeral Home in Bad Axe.   Visitation will be from 10 a.m. 
until the time of service at 11 a.m. on Saturday. The Rev. William Wright, pastor of Bad Axe United 
Methodist Church, will officiate. Burial will be in Valley Cemetery in Ubly.   Memorials may be offered 
to Avera McKennan Foundation/Hospice Residence Fund, 800 East 21st Street, Sioux Falls, South 
Dakota 57105.   Visit the web tribute for Barbara at www.macalpine.yourtribute.com/BarbaraDamrow. 

Otto F. Dembowski 
Mr. Otto F. Dembowski, 89, passed away April 22, 2004, at his residence in Unionville.   He was born in 
Pigeon, on October 24, 1914, the son of Gustav and Emelia (Kendzora) Dembowski. Otto married the 
former Donna Guenther on March 7, 1937. She preceded him in death on August 12, 2003.   During his 
working life, he assisted in farming, worked with Defoe Ship Builders in Bay City, and was retired from 
Resistant Welders Corporation. He was also a lifelong member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Unionville, 
and an honorary member of United Steel Workers of America.   He is survived by his son, Thomas 
Dembowski and his wife, Carolyn, of Chesnee, South Carolina; daughter, Susan Georgi and her husband, 
Steven, of Irvine, California; grandchildren, Julie Epperson, Terri Trickel, Bobbi Nelson, Susan 
Betancourt, Heidi Pletsch, Jody Ferguson, Jamie Lewis and Tony Wilson; 19 great-grandchildren; 
brothers, Carl and his wife, Clarys, and Ernest.   Otto's family would like to extend a very special note of 
thanks to his neighbors, Walter and Marilyn Lattimer, for their love, friendship, and care given to him.   
He was preceded in death by his brothers, Arnold and William; and sisters, Helen Reece and Margaret 
Colling.   Funeral services will take place at 1 p.m. on Friday, April 30, 2004, at St. Paul Lutheran 
Church, Unionville, with the Rev. Michael Allen officiating. Burial will be in Columbia Township 
Cemetery.   Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. today at Unionville Funeral Chapel and from noon until 
the service time on Friday at the church.   The family has suggested memorials to St. Paul Lutheran 
Church. 

Helen Farley 
Helen Leone Farley, 77, of Caseville and formerly of Metamora and Imlay City, passed away Monday, 
April 26, 2004.   Helen was born February 3, 1927 in Detroit to Melville and Evelyn (Wardell) Campbell.   
She married Lawrence Allen Farley on April 19, 1947 at the Waterworks Park in Detroit.   Helen was 
employed by the Imlay City Schools as a playground aide at Weston Elementary School from 1973 to 
1991.   Helen is survived by her husband, Lawrence Farley, of Caseville; daughter, Karen Czapiewski and 
her husband, Larry, of Dryden; sons, Michael Farley, of Caseville and Shawn Farley and his wife, 
Debbie, of Imlay City; five grandchildren, Stacey Abromaitis and her husband, Paul, Michael Lawrence 
Czapiewski and his wife, Andrea, Michael J. Farley and his wife, Lisa, Patrick T. Farley and his wife, 
Crystal, and David Ice; four great-grandchildren, Christopher Farley, Mia Farley, Paige Abromaitis, and 
Jackson Abromaitis.   Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Melville Albert, in 1975, and Evelyn 
Marie Campbell, in 1996; brother, Private First Class Victor Campbell, who was killed in World War II's 
European Theater.   Funeral services were conducted this morning, April 29, 2004, at White Chapel 
Cemetery, Troy.   Memorials may be made to St. Mary's Hospital Foundation, 800 S. Washington, 
Saginaw, Michigan 48601, or Michigan Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis, 21311 Civic Center 
Drive, Southfield, Michigan 48076.   Funeral arrangements were made by Muir Brothers Funeral Home, 
225 N. Main Street, Imlay City. 

Lamar Moncus 
Lamar Moncus, 83, of Lake Township, died Monday, October 6, 2003, in Albany, Georgia.   He was born 
on Jan. 31, 1920 to the late Charlie and Mary Lou (Daniel) Moncus in Dawson, Georgia.   After serving 
in the Army during World War II, he returned home to Detroit. There he met and was united in marriage 
to Pauline Nichols on April 14, 1951. She preceded him in death on February 20, 1989. He later married 
Elizabeth Howell on March 19, 1997 in Phoenix City, Alabama. They made their winter home in Albany, 
Georgia.   He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth; his daughter, Virginia McMullen, of Warren; three 
grandchildren, Terry, David, and Michael; a great-grandson, Patrick; a brother, Foye Moncus and his 
wife, Reba, of Leesburg, Georgia; three sisters, Jessie Wills, of Parrot, Georgia, Annie Wheeler, of 
Dawson, Georgia, and Mary Lou Hart, of Eastpointe.   A brother, Carlton Moncus, preceded him in death.   
Visitation and funeral services were conducted on Thursday, October 9, 2003, at the Hall & Hall Funeral 
Home in Albany, Georgia.   A memorial service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 1, 2004, 
at Riverside Cemetery, Elkton. His cremains will be interred next to Pauline.   Words of condolence may 
be left at www.champagnefuneralchapel.com. 

Friday, April 30, 2004

Charlotte Marie LaPeer 
Charlotte M. LaPeer, 82, of Cass City, died Thursday, April 29, 2004, in her home.   She was born March 
23, 1922 at home in Huron County to Manley and Alta (Turner) Fay.   She married Gaylord George 
LaPeer on March 5, 1938 in Lapeer. He died October 7, 1997 after 59 years of marriage.   Charlotte 
started her schooling at Rescue School and then Heron School through eighth grade. She attended Cass 
City School through tenth grade. Charlotte returned to school in 1941 attending and graduating with her 
daughter, Charlene.  Art Holmberg gave her information about the University of Indiana and Charlotte 
took correspondence classes in history and English. Charlotte played guitar and piano. She was a member 
of the MSU Extension for more than 50 years including the area council and Sanilac County council.   
She and Gaylord were members of the Euchre Club for more than 50 years, truly enjoying the fun and 
fellowship. Charlotte enjoyed golfing, quilting and especially dancing. She worked on many quilts, 
several of which were for the battered women's shelter and Cass City Hospital Auxiliary. Charlotte 
received the International Poet of the Year Award in 2002. She was a prolific writer and poet. She was a 
member of the Cass City OES Chapter.   Charlotte was a longtime member of Cass City First Presbyterian 
Church and helped with church activities including the biannual rummage sale. She served as Sunday 
School teacher and as a deacon. She was part of adult bible study for many years.   Charlotte worked on 
the farm with Gaylord, also gardening and canning for their family. She worked in Dr. McRae's office in 
Cass City, and then for Walbro for about six years. Beginning in 1970, Charlotte drove to Bad Axe to 
work on the Helpline, which she did for several years. She was a member of the Hills and Dales General 
Hospital Auxiliary since 1985. Charlotte enjoyed helping in the community and loved the people in the 
Cass City community.   Charlotte is survived by her son, Lynwood LaPeer and his wife, Jeanette, of Cass 
City; grandchildren, Debbie Curry and her husband, Lyle, Patti Fritz and her husband, Brent, Randy 
LaPeer, Daryl LaPeer and his wife, Eva, Sheree LaPeer, Shelly Wiederhold and her husband, Michael; 
great-grandchildren, Hailie Curry, Jesse Wiederhold, Nathan LaPeer, Michelle Charlene Larson and her 
husband, Jeremy, Stephen LaPeer, Lynette Kinsel and her husband, Steve, Belinda LaPeer, Calin LaPeer, 
Arianne LaPeer; great-great-grandchildren, Victoria and Makenzie Kinsel, Taylor Larson; brother, 
Stanley Fay and his wife, Beverly; sister-in-law, Frances LaPeer; many nieces and nephews.   She is 
preceded in death by her daughter and son-in-law, Charlene Fay and Steven T. Timmons; brothers, 
Manley L. Fay, Jr. and toddler, Gerald A. Fay; sister, Marjorie T. Fay; brother-in-law, Arnold LaPeer.   
The funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 3, 2004, in Cass City First Presbyterian 
Church with the Rev. David Blackburn officiating. Interment will be in Elkland Township Cemetery, 
Cass City.   Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. on Saturday and from 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. on 
Sunday at Kranz Funeral Home and from 10 to 11 a.m. on Monday in the church.   Memorials may be 
made to Cass City First Presbyterian Church or United Hospice of Marlette. Pallbearers for Mrs. LaPeer 
are her grandchildren, Randy LaPeer, Daryl LaPeer, Sheree LaPeer, Shelly LaPeer, Debbie Curry, and 
Patti Fritz.   

Bertha Mary Messing 
Bertha Mary Messing, 83, of Minden City, went home to the Lord on Thursday, April 29, 2004, at Harbor 
Beach Community Hospital Long Term Care unit where she has resided for the last seven and a half 
years.   Bertha was born November 10, 1920 in Huron County to the late Philip and Katherine (Stelmack) 
Gatza of Ubly.   Bertha married Raymond Messing on June 3, 1941 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in 
Parisville. They were married for nearly 63 years.   Bertha resided with her husband on their farm in 
Minden City for 56 years. She loved all her family, gardening, baking, flowers, dancing, playing cards, 
and tapping her foot to the wonderful music her family played.   Bertha attended St. Mary's Catholic 
school and the McMillan country school until the eighth grade. She worked at the Bad Axe bean plant and 
as a waitress in Port Huron.   Bertha attended St. John's Chrysostom Catholic Church of Forestville where 
she was an altar society member. She attended the Knights of Columbus social nights with her husband 
and belonged to card clubs.   Bertha is survived by her husband, Raymond; and 11 children, John and his 
wife, Peggy "Evelyn", of Harbor Beach, Judy Booms and her husband, Angus, of Harbor Beach, George 
and his wife, Linda, of Akron, Donna Emming and her husband, Leo, of Ruth, Marie Gay, of Hopewell, 
Virginia, Florence Wolschleger and her husband, Richard, of Ruth, Alvin, of Minden City, Darlene 
Ornelas and her husband, Florenzio, of Beaverton, Betty Jane Frost and her husband, Randy, Sr., of 
Plover, Wisconsin, Bernard and his wife, Pauline, of Minden City, and Ivan and his wife, Lori, of Minden 
City; 34 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; 12 step-grandchildren; one sister, Jean Hollis, of New 
Baltimore; one brother, Gerald Gatza, of New Baltimore; and many nieces and nephews.   She was 
preceded in death by two grandchildren, Matthew Emming and Julie Ann Gay; one step-grandson, Ruben 
Ornelas; one daughter-in-law, Connie (Peyerk) Messing; one son-in-law, William Ben Gay; two sisters, 
Suzanne Urban and Rose Mazure; three brothers, Ernest, Martin, and Cass Gatza; one sister-in-law, Helen 
Gatza; three brothers-in-law, Steve Urban, Henry Mazure, and Richard Hollis.   Funeral services will be 
conducted at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 3, 2004, in Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Ruth, with Fr. 
Steve Gavit and Fr. Paul Bala officiating.  Burial will be at St. John's Cemetery in Forestville.   Visitation 
will be from 6:30 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, with rosary service at 7:30 p.m.; from 1 to 9 p.m. on Sunday with 
scripture service at 3 p.m. and from 9 to 10 a.m. on Monday at Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly.   
Memorials may be made to the Family Discretionary Fund. 

Agnes Schipinski 
Mrs. Agnes Schipinski, 85, of Filion, passed away Wednesday evening, April 28, 2004, at her residence 
under hospice care.   She was born September 30, 1918 in Port Austin, daughter of the late Joseph and Ida 
(Goretski) Kula.   She married Roy A. Schipinski on June 27, 1936 at St. Michael's Catholic Church in 
Port Austin.   Agnes attended a country school and farmed with her husband and sons until she retired. 
She was a parishioner at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rapson and was a member of the St. Rita Society 
at St. Joseph's. She enjoyed sewing, quilting, canning and gardening.   Agnes is survived by her husband 
of 67 years, Roy A. Schipinski, of Filion; three sons, Louis R. Schipinski and his wife, Norma, of 
Louisville, Kentucky, Robert G. Schipinski and his wife, Barbara, of Caro, Ronald J. Schipinski and his 
wife, Rita, of Hot Springs, Arkansas; six grandchildren, Michael S. Schipinski, of Louisville, Kentucky, 
Lucinda K. Rice and her husband, Kevin, of Georgetown, Kentucky, Star L. Rogers and her husband, 
Jeremy, of Georgetown, Indiana, Brenda M. Baker and her husband, James, of Campton, Kentucky, 
Rebecca L. Fowler and her husband, Daniel, of Millington, Laurie Anne Schipinski, of Honolulu, Hawaii; 
11 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.   Agnes was preceded in death by her parents; four 
brothers, Albert, Raymond, Junior, and Joseph; three sisters, Kathryn, Eleanor, and Veronica.   Funeral 
mass will be 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 1, 2004, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rapson. The Rev. John 
Killop, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery.   There will be a parish vigil service at 
5 p.m. today. There will be a rosary at 8 p.m. today by St. Rita's Society. Both services will be at the 
Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly.   Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home 
and from 9 to 10 a.m. on Saturday at the church.   Memorials are requested to Heartland Hospice or the 
Huron County Medical Care Facility.   

Kenneth Zdrojewski 
Kenneth Daniel Zdrojewski, 60, beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, and brother, went to heaven on 
Tuesday, April 27, 2004.   He was born on August 26, 1943 to Daniel and Louise (Essenmacher) 
Zdrojewski of Palms.   He married Michelle McGladdery on October 2, 1965 in St. Patrick Catholic 
Church in Palms.  They spent their entire married life happily in Cass City.   Ken loved his family above 
all, but he did enjoy his golf, Harley and woodworking. He spread happiness wherever he went and with 
everything he did. He made so many lovely pieces of furniture and gave so much away - there is a piece 
of him spread all over. He will be missed forever.   Ken retired from General Cable, where he worked for 
more than 38 years until its closing. He was an active member of St. Pancratius Catholic Church, being 
involved as Eucharistic Minister and usher. Ken was instrumental in the formation of the local Knights of 
Columbus Council No. 8892 as well as the purchase of their hall. He has been an officer for many years 
as well as elected Knight of the Year in 1999.   Ken is survived by his wife, Michelle. They raised three 
wonderful children, Jon Zdrojewski and his wife, Deidra, of Cass City, Dana Cooley and her husband, 
Marty, of Roseville, and Douglas Zdrojewski and his wife, Shannon, of Muskegon. His grandchildren will 
miss him terribly. They are Brandon Vargo of Connecticut, Lauren and Erin Zdrojewski of Cass City, 
Samantha and Elizabeth Cooley of Roseville, Dylan and Rachel Zdrojewski of Muskegon. He is also 
survived by his parents, Dan and Louise Zdrojewski, of Palms; brothers, Roger Zdrojewski and his wife, 
Nannette, of Minden City, Bill Zdrojewski of Coleman, Phillip Zdrojewski and his wife, JoAnn, of Palms; 
mother-in-law, Germaine Thompson, of Minden City; brothers-in-law, Guy McGladdery and his wife, 
Dawn, of Negaunee, and Craig Thompson and his wife, Donna, of Columbus, Ohio; and many nieces, 
nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins, and he leaves countless good friends.   Funeral services will be 
conducted at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 1, 2004, in St. Pancratius Catholic Church, Cass City, with the 
Rev. Steve Fillion officiating.   Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. today at Kranz Funeral 
Home. There will be a Knights of Columbus Rosary service at 7 p.m. and a 7:30 p.m. vigil service today 
at the funeral home. Interment of Mr. Zdrojewski's cremated remains will take place at a later date.   
Memorials may be made to the Family Discretionary Fund. 

Milo E. Brown 
Milo E. Brown, 78, of Harbor Beach, passed away unexpectedly Thursday, April 29, 2004, at the Harbor 
Beach Community Hospital.   Funeral services will be Monday, May 3, 2004, at the Ramsey Funeral 
Home, Harbor Beach.   Visitation will be from 1 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home. 
A complete obituary will appear in Sunday's Huron Daily Tribune or by viewing RamseyFH.com. 
 




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