HURON DAILY TRIBUNE, Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan Local obituaries for the week beginning July 3, 2005 Contributed 2005 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, July 3, 2005 June M. Leiterman June M. Leiterman, 80, died Friday, July 1, 2005, at Bay Regional Medical Center in Bay City following a lengthy illness. She was born November 22, 1924 in Detroit, daughter of the late Michael and Sadie (Zahringer) Retzler. She was united in marriage to Peter J. Leiterman on May 10, 1947 in Sebewaing. June had been employed for several years as a cook as St. Agatha Catholic School in Gagetown and later at Hills and Dales Hospital in Cass City and at Sherwood on the Hill in Gagetown. She was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Sebewaing. Surviving besides her husband, Pete, are two sons, Peter M. Leiterman and his wife, Marilyn, of Gloucester, Virginia, and Donald R. Leiterman and his wife, Laura, of Vassar; one daughter, Cheryl J. Heinitz and special friend, Joseph Halasz, of Unionville; nine grandchildren and spouses, Peter Leiterman and his wife, Michelle, Stephanie Rockwell and her husband, Mark, Tracy Abbe and her husband, Chris, Pamela Ciszecky and her husband, Mike, Jamie Leiterman, Donnovan Leiterman, Paul Crum, and his wife, Renee; Marc'l Heinitz, and Shane Heinitz; four great-grandchildren; one sister, Margaret Galmish and her husband, Jim, of Unionville; two brothers, Richard Retzler and his wife, Joan, of Unionville, and Donald Retzler and his wife, Lillian, of Sebewaing; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by one sister, Barbara VanHoost, and one great-granddaughter, Emma Lynn Rockwell. The Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 5, 2005, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Sebewaing. Fr. John Weis will officiate with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. on Monday at the Funeral Home in Sebewaing and from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Tuesday at the church. There will be a rosary service conducted at 7 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the American Heart Association or the family discretionary fund. Marjorie Ann Richards Nilsen Marjorie Ann Richards Nilsen, 65, died March 20, 2005, of a pulmonary embolism following knee replacement surgery. Marjorie Ann Richards was born on her family's farm in Redmond on June 15, 1939. She and her siblings (Bob and Don Richards and Mary Lou Lively) all graduated from Harbor Beach High School. Margie put herself through Graceland College waiting tables at the Harbor Beach Resort. Graceland is where Marge met Tore Nilsen in Lamoni, Iowa in 1958. Marge and Tore were married in Harbor Beach on August 20, 1960. In 1973, after a year of living in Norway, Marge and Tore brought their young family back to Harbor Beach to raise their kids in a small town, close to family. Indeed, all of Marge and Tore's children (Erik, Karen, and Linda) graduated from Harbor Beach High School as their mother had. Marge had a full life. She owned and operated The Crooked Tree Nursery School. She worked for the Head Start Program for several years, and she ended her career in Harbor Beach working with the school district as a home-school consultant — a job she loved. While she was working and raising her family, Marge was a Cub Scout and Girl Scout leader, member of the Harbor Beach Board of Education, active member and clergy in her church, and a person who contributed to her community in many ways. In 1994, Marge attained one of her life goals and received her master's degree in religion from Park University in Kansas City, Missouri. By 1996, most of Marge's children (and all of her grandchildren) lived in Portland, Oregon. She and Tore could no longer resist the call to head west to be closer to their family. It didn't take Marge long to build community yet again in Oregon. She was very active with her church community and found being "in the big city" enjoyable in many ways, especially once she figured out how to get where she wanted without going on the freeways and bridges. Most importantly, she was able to share in field trips, piano recitals, plays, birthdays, tea parties, and just ordinary days with her grandchildren. Her entire immediate family and many others will be returning to Harbor Beach for a memorial service at 3 p.m. on Sunday, July 10, 2005, in the Harbor Beach High School cafetorium. Following the service will be a reception at Carl Roggenbuck's home, north of Harbor Beach. Marge's family is in the process of creating a foundation in her honor, dedicated to peace and justice with an emphasis on youth. Marge's family respectfully requests donations to the Mrs. Marge Foundation. More information can be found at www.mrsmargefoundation.com. Monday, July 4, 2005 – Independence Day Holiday Tuesday, July 5, 2005 Esther Marion Brown Esther Marion Brown, 83, formerly of Elkton and Bad Axe, died Sunday, July 3, 2005, at North Oakland Medical Center in Pontiac. Esther was born April 7, 1922 in Elkton to the late Joe and Lena (Ziegler) Roberts. She graduated from Elkton High School in 1940. She was a majorette in the Huron County Drum and Bugle Corps in 1938-41 and worked at the former Roberts Department Store in Elkton. She married Elwood Grannell of Bad Axe in San Francisco in 1942. Esther was a homemaker most of her life, having lived in Bad Axe, and later in the Detroit area. She was a member of the Sacred Heart Altar Society in Bad Axe in 1948-49. Recently she lived at the Bloomfield Hills Care Center where she made many friends. Esther is remembered as having a great sense of humor, bringing laughter to others, being quick and witty, full of spirit, trying to cheer up others, having a love of music, and playing the piano most of her life. She had a kind and sensitive heart. The family is most appreciative to all the family members, friends and acquaintances, and medical personnel, who showed kindness, patience, and understanding. Esther is survived by her five children, Jim Grannell, of Elkton, Nancy Powers and her husband, Robert, of Dunnellon, Florida, Kathy Barker and her husband, George, of Okemos, John Grannell, of Bad Axe, and Marlene Romzek and her husband, Tom, of Clarkston; 13 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren; a sister, Dorothy Gleffe and her husband, Robert, of Lake Marguerite; and a sister-in-law, Elaine Roberts, of Ann Arbor. She was preceded in death by her husband, Elwood; a brother, William Roberts; and a grandson, Mark Herdell. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 7, 2005, at the Champagne Funeral Chapel of Elkton. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery followed by a luncheon at the Elkton Civic Center. Visitation will be 2-8 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. Condolences may be shared online at www.cfcElkton.com. Richard Deering Richard Douglas "Dick" Deering, 62, of Bay Port, died Friday, July 1, 2005, at Covenant Hospital Harrison in Saginaw. He was born at home in Bay Port on November 27, 1942, son of Helen Deering and the late William Deering. He graduated from Elkton High School in 1960, and served with the United States Army in Korea. He loved all sports, especially baseball, and in his early years he enjoyed playing blooper ball. He also enjoyed bowling and woodworking. He worked as a truck driver for the Wallace Stone Quarry. He is survived by his mother, Helen Deering, of Bay Port; a brother, Gerald W. Deering, of Bay Port; two sisters, Joanne Kundinger and Janet Hydorn, both of Caseville; two aunts, Mary Durkee, of Sebewaing and Pauline Cherry, of Homosassa, Florida; several nieces and nephews; and many friends. He was preceded in death by his father, William, and a brother-in-law, Robert Kundinger. The funeral service will be conducted at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, July 6, 2005, at the Community of Christ Church in Bay Port, with Elder Ervin Haley, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in New Bay Port Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. today at the Community of Christ Church in Bay Port. Memorials for Mr. Deering may be made to the American Heart Association, the Kidney Foundation, or the Bay Port Community of Christ Church. Thomas Holland Thomas L. "Porky" Holland, 54, of Sebewaing, died Saturday, July 2, 2005, at Covenant HealthCare Harrison in Saginaw following a lengthy illness. He was born December 14, 1950 in Pigeon, son of the late Nelson and Ilene (Fritz) Holland. He attended the Sebewaing High School. He was united in marriage to Janice M. Pobanz on September 23, 1978 in Kilmanagh. Tom had been employed at American Hoist and Derrick in Bay City for 20 years and later owned and operated the Dairy Barn in Pigeon for several years. He enjoyed fishing and especially enjoyed people. Surviving are his wife, Janice, of Sebewaing; one son, Derrick Holland, at home; one daughter, Melinda Holland, at home; one sister, Linda Lister and her husband, William, of Ypsilanti; two brothers, Terry Holland and his wife, Carole, of Unionville, and Tim Holland and his wife, Terry, of Sebewaing; many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews; also a special friend, Jim Barcia. Cremation has taken place at Sunset Valley Crematory in Bay City. A memorial service will take place at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 6, 2005, at the Dinkel- Juengel Funeral Home in Sebewaing. The Rev. Daniel Hahn will officiate. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. until the time of service on Wednesday at the funeral home. Catherine Hurt Catherine C. Hurt, 90, of Caro, passed away on Saturday, July 2, 2005, at her grandchildren's residence in Buena Vista Township, Saginaw County. She was born on January 15, 1915 in Bingham Township, Huron County. She attended Sacred Heart Catholic School and was a 1933 graduate of Bad Axe High School. The former Catherine Krug married Bernard Hurt on April 21, 1941 in Ubly. He preceded her in death on March 24, 1994. Catherine was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, retired State Employees Association, Caro V.F.W. Auxiliary Post #4164 and the Ladies of Sacred Heart. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She liked to cook, hunt, and fish and for many years, she was an election worker. She is survived by two daughters, Kay Papineau and her husband, Don, of Downers Grove, Illinois, Holly Stevens, of Saginaw; three grandchildren, David E. Terry II and his wife, Amy, of Saginaw, Dawn Anderson-Meier and her husband, Dani, of Jackson, Arthur B. Papineau and his wife, Michelle, of Lakewood, Ohio; four great-grandchildren, Samantha K. Terry, Madison, and Owen Anderson, and Ezra Andermeier; siblings, Gertrude Quinn, of Bad Axe, Lodeema Lemkie, of Sault Ste. Marie, John Krug and his wife, Blanche, of Bad Axe, Luella Meyer and her husband, Robert, of Pontiac; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, Bernard, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Angus and Henry Krug. Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 6, 2005, at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Reese with Fr. Dennis Kucharczyk officiating. Burial will be at St. John's Catholic Cemetery, Ubly. There will be a VFW Auxiliary service at 7 p.m. and a scripture service at 7:30 p.m. today at the Collon Funeral Home in Caro. Visitation will be from 4 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home and from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass at 11 a.m. on Wednesday at the church. Memorials may be made to Caro V.F.W. Post #4164 or St. Elizabeth Catholic School. Funeral arrangements were made by the Collon Funeral Home in Caro. Wednesday, July 6, 2005 Loeda Murphy Loeda Murphy, 91, passed away Monday, July 4, 2005, at Sunny Acres Nursing Home. Loeda Errer was born to the late Anna (Binder) and Henry Errer in Linkville on June 22, 1914. Loeda married Edward "Ted" Murphy on September 5, 1933. He preceded her in death on July 19, 1992. Ted and Loeda owned and operated Murphy's Bakery for 22 years. They established it September 25, 1938, and sold it to Ray and Paul Streussnig in 1960. When Loeda and Ted retired, they spent winters in Bradenton, Florida, and summers in Bad Axe. They were known to decorate their bakery window and had children stop in for free cookies. Loeda was a very loving and caring person; she especially loved children. She enjoyed golfing, baking, crafts, china painting, and hoeing beans at the Shaw Farms. She also was a member of the Huron Medical Center Women's Auxillary. She is survived by one sister-in-law, Stella Errer, of Owendale, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ted; three brothers, Wilbur, Carl and Otto; six sisters, Edna Brittner, Tina Korman, Irene Heck, Lillie Pobanz, Florence Volmer and twin sister, Luella Shaw. A memorial service will be conducted at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 9, 2005, at First Presbyterian Church, Bad Axe. The Rev. Jan G. Dykshoorn, pastor, will officiate. There will be a visitation from 9 to 10 a.m. on Saturday at the church. MacAlpine Funeral Home is handling funeral arrangements. Interment will take place at Colfax Township Cemetery. Memorials may be offered to Huron Medical Center. Edna L. Will Edna L. Will, 99, of Harbor Beach, passed away at her home on Tuesday, July 5, 2005, following a brief illness. Born in Harbor Beach on October 20, 1905, she was the daughter of the late George and Sarah (Schlabach) Will. On June 25, 1923, Edna was united in marriage to Walter Will in Harbor Beach. Walter preceded her in death on February 23, 1974. Edna enjoyed many activities including crocheting, tatting and rug making, baking and cooking. She had a very positive outlook on life and would plan her day's activities, even until last week. She always sent cards on special occasions to her grandchildren. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Harbor Beach, the Women's Missionary Leaguer, and a charter member of the Harbor Beach Hospital Auxiliary and former member of the Birthday Club. Edna is survived by her three daughters, Nada Guess and her husband, John, of Camarillo, California, Joan Huber and her husband, James, of Holly, and Karen Wood, of Harbor Beach; 14 grandchildren; and 36 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter; a daughter, Iris Erdman, in 1983; a great-granddaughter, Deanna Barsaleau; and a brother, James Kimball. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 9, 2005, in Zion Lutheran Church, Harbor Beach, with the Rev. Mark Girardin, pastor, and the Rev. Lyle Calkins, of the Free Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be in the Rock Falls Cemetery. 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 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home and from 10 a.m. until the service time on Saturday at the church. Herbert A. Winkel Herbert A. Winkel, 93, of Harbor Beach, was called to his heavenly home Saturday, July 2, 2005. He died at Port Huron Hospital following a short illness. Herbert "Herb" was born on January 6, 1912 in Sand Beach to August and Anna Bertha (Papke) Winkel. He lived his entire life in Huron County. He married Ferne Bills at the Onaway Episcopal Church on January 19, 1941. The couple often commented on how thankful they were that their marriage was not as stormy as the day they wed. The minister almost did not make it to the church and Herb recalled that he had started the church furnace and shoveled the church driveway himself that day. On his last birthday, neighbors witnessed him using the snow blower to clear his driveway and that of a neighbor. Herb and his wife managed a combination dairy, crop farming operation on Learman Road until 1985 when they retired to their home in Harbor Beach. Herb had served on the school board of Cooper country school that had been located on M-142 near Finkel Road, and he was a member of the Michigan Farm Bureau for several years. He had been a member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Harbor Beach and a member of the Harbor Beach Retirees. He loved gardening and working in his yard until the last year when as he put it, "I'm not quite 100 percent," when asked about his health. Herb enjoyed playing cards and visiting with friends and neighbors. He had a good memory and loved to share stories about people and situations in his life. Survivors include Ferne, his wife of 64 years; and two children, Julie Elsenheimer and her husband, Jerry, of Troy, and Randall and his wife, Terry, of Shelby Township; four sisters-in-law; a brother-in-law; and many nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Ernest; and three sisters, Hilda Schulenburg, Gertrude Gessert, and Dorothy Anschultz. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 8, 2005, at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church with the Rev. Mark Girardin, pastor, officiating. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. on Thursday at Ramsey Funeral Home, Harbor Beach, and from 10 a.m. until the time of services on Friday at the church. A scripture service will be conducted at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Zion Lutheran Church, Zion Lutheran School and Harbor Beach Community Hospital. Thursday, July 7, 2005 Olive Clark Olive Josephine Clark, 87, of Kentwood, went to be with her Lord on Wednesday, June 29, 2005. Olive taught at Catholic Central High School from 1966 to 1992. She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Henry Clark; her children, Frank Clark and his wife, Pam, Leslie Ann Glaza and her husband, Mike, Donna Francisco and her husband, Richard, Mary VanStrien and her husband, Jack, Bob Clark and his wife, Vonnie, and Jim Clark and his wife, Roxanne; 34 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; niece, Margaret Essenberg and her husband, Richard; and nephew, Ralph Kottke. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Frank Kottke and Harry G. Kottke; and grandchildren: Frank Walter Clark, Brooken Clark, Joshua James and Mia Grace Clark. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Tuesday, July 5, 2005. The family will meet relatives and friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. on Saturday at the Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home, Wyoming South, 4031 Clyde Park SW, Wyoming. A vigil service will be conducted at 8 p.m. on Saturday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Cum Laude Scholarship Fund at Catholic Central High School, 319 Sheldon SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503. Condolences may be sent online to www.mkdfuneralhome.com. Friday, July 8, 2005 Sophie P. Gornowicz-Swartz Sophie P. Gornowicz-Swartz, 95, of Ubly, passed away Thursday, July 7, 2005, at her son's residence under hospice care. Sophie was born on May 20, 1910 in Harbor Beach to the late Peter and Frances (Miller) Wrubel. She married Vincent Gornowicz on April 29, 1929, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Parisville. He preceded her in death on July 7, 1975. She married Stephen F. Swartz on January 8, 1982 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Argyle. He preceded her in death on October 21, 1983. She attended the St. Mary Catholic School in Parisville. She was a parishioner at St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Freiburg and resided in Austin Township for over 70 years. She loved to play poker and euchre and cook for her family. She enjoyed gardening and growing her roses, dancing the polka and all kinds of other dancing. Sophie was known for always having a smile on her face. Sophie is survived by two sons, Roderick Gornowicz and his wife, Darlene, of Ubly, Dale Gornowicz and his wife, Ruth Ann, of Ubly; three step-children; six grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; 13 step-grandchildren; four step-great- grandchildren; one daughter-in-law, Eva Gornowicz, of Harrison Township; one brother, Stanley Wrubel and his wife, Evelyn, of Harrison Township; one sister, Martha Mathews, of Clinton Township; one sister-in-law, Helen Wruble, of Bad Axe. She was preceded in death by one son, Gerald Gornowicz; five brothers, Mike, Alex, Adam, Henry, and Edward Wrubel; two sisters, Bertha Hammock and Agnes Gornowicz. A Funeral Mass will be 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 9, 2005, at St. Ignatius Catholic Church of Freiburg. The Rev. Joseph Griffin, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. today and from 9 to 10 a.m. on Saturday at the Zinger- Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly. Memorials are requested to United Hospice of Marlette. Ruth McComb Ruth McComb, 84, of Caseville, died Friday, July 8, 2005, at Courtney Manor in Bad Axe. Arrangements are being handled by the Champagne Funeral Chapel of Caseville. A full obituary will appear in Sunday's Huron Daily Tribune edition. 1