HURON DAILY TRIBUNE, Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan

Local obituaries for the week beginning February 13, 2005


Contributed 2005 by Carol Morrison for use in the USGenWeb Archives.

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Sunday, February 13, 2005


Elmer Grifka 

Mr. Elmer Grifka, 55, of Argyle, passed away Thursday, February 10, 2005, at the United 
Hospice Residence in Marlette.   He was born June 23, 1949 in Bad Axe to the late Enoch 
and Selma (Pionk) Grifka and lived in Sanilac County all his life.   Elmer attended Ubly 
School. He worked road construction all his life and was a member of the Labor's Union 
Local No. 1191. He belonged to a pool league for many years. He enjoyed playing cards 
and watching NASCAR.   Elmer is survived by one daughter, Carmen Grifka and her 
fiance, Chris Doyle, of Ubly; two sons, Robert Grifka and special friend, Julie 
Puvalowski, of Cass City, and Brandon Leppek, of Ubly; one granddaughter, Jessica 
Krist, of Snover; special friend, Cindy Baxter, of Argyle; his siblings, Beatrice Ross and 
her husband, Cliff, of Ubly, Eleanor Franzel, of Ubly, Joe Grifka and his wife, Bernice, 
of Ubly, Richard Grifka and his wife, Beverly, of Ubly, Alice Pallas and her husband, 
Fred, of Ubly; several nieces and nephews.   He was preceded in death by two brothers-
in-law, Jerome Franzel and Mark Peters.   A Funeral Mass will be at 12:30 p.m. on 
Monday, February 14, 2005, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Argyle. The Rev. Stephen 
Fillion, pastor of St. Pancratius Catholic Church in Cass City, will officiate. Burial will 
be in the St. Ignatius Cemetery in the spring.   Visitation will be from 2:30 to 9 p.m. 
today at the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home and from 11:30 a.m. until Mass time 
Monday at the church.   There will be a parish vigil service at 6 p.m. on Sunday at the 
funeral home. 


Mildred Kraft 

Mildred M. (Van Effen) Kraft, 88, of Pigeon and formerly of Escanaba and Flat Rock, 
died Friday, February 11, 2005, at her home at Country Bay Village in Pigeon.   She was 
born August 23, 1916 in Gladstone to August and Lena (Hambeau) Van Effen, the oldest 
of 15 children. Mildred was married to Art Beauchamp of Flat Rock. They owned and 
operated their dairy farm until Art's passing. Later, she met Erich Kraft, of Pigeon, and 
they married on Valentine's Day, February 14, 1953, at St. John's Lutheran Church on 
Berne Road, Pigeon.   Millie enjoyed helping others at Country Bay Village.   Mildred is 
survived by six sisters, Mary Jane Vermullen, Betty Tryan and her husband, Louis, Sr., 
Rita Caron and her husband, Herbert, Irene Bassett, Carol "Midge" Wallin and her 
companion, Duane Cohoon, and Susan Lombardi, all of Escanaba; two brothers, Kenneth 
Van Effen and his wife, Ellie, and Harold Van Effen and his wife, Doris, also of 
Escanaba; two aunts, Bernice Dumas, of Chicago, and Edna Swanson, of Escanaba; 
numerous nieces and nephews; her step-son, Lowell E. Kraft and his wife, Nancy, and 
her step-daughter, Naomi E. Wichert and her husband, Gilbert, all of Pigeon.   Grandma 
Millie is missed and was loved by her grandchildren, David Kraft and his wife, Sherri 
(Fritz), of Sand Point/Pigeon, Susan (Wichert) Weir and her husband, Dr. James, of 
Saginaw, Carol (Kraft) Nelson and her husband, Joel, of Muskego, Wisconsin, Daniel 
Kraft and his wife, Elizabeth (Wylegala), of Williamston, and Dean Wichert, of Lago 
Vista, Texas. They all adored their Grandma Mille for her great cooking and baking, the 
trips they took with Grandma and Grandpa, and sleepovers in Grandma's nice big house 
on S. Main Street, as well as later at their home on E. Michigan Avenue in Pigeon.   Also 
surviving are great-grandchildren, Alissa (Kraft) Eisbrenner and her husband, Matt, of 
Georgetown, Texas, Stephanie (Kraft) McLean and her husband, Allan, of Rochester 
Hills, Julie (Wichert) McCrory and her husband, James, of Round Rock, Texas, Matthew 
Kraft of Evanston, Illinois, Jared and Alec Weir, of Alma, Sean Wichert, of Austin, 
Texas, Natalie Nelson, of New Ulm, Minnesota, Stuart Kraft, of Williamston, Eric 
Nelson, of Madison, Wisconsin, Lindsay Nelson, of Muskego, Wiscconsin, and Ella and 
Grace Kraft, of Williamston; one great-great-grandson, Dylan McCrory, of Round Rock, 
Texas.   She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Erich, on November 16, 
1994; her sisters, Marge, Leota, and Jackie; and her brothers, August, Jr., Raymond, and 
Gary; her beloved little dog and constant companion, Missy, who was with her until 
January 27, 2005, at the home they shared in Country Bay Village, where she and Erich 
were the first residents on May 14, 1994.   Services will be at 2 p.m. on Sunday, February 
13, 2005, at St. Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church, Berne, with the Rev. James A. 
Gorsegner, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be 
from 1 p.m. until the time of service today at the church.   Memorials may be made to St. 
John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Scheurer Hospital, or the Michigan Lutheran 
Seminary Foundation. 


Monday, February 14, 2005


Richard G. "Muffy" Buschlen 

Richard G. "Muffy" Buschlen, 62, of Pigeon, died Saturday afternoon, February 12, 
2005, at home with his family at his side.   He was born September 5, 1942 in Winsor 
Township at the home of his parents, Marie (Moore) Buschlen and the late Glenn 
Buschlen and lived in the Pigeon area most of his life.   Muffy had been employed at 
Boice/Bird Painting in Saginaw for 25 years until in 1996.  At that time, he began 
painting on his own, including water towers, churches and barns.   He was a member of 
the Pigeon Conservation Club and enjoyed fishing and spending time with his family and 
friends.   Surviving are three children, Connie Dubs and her husband, Roger, of Pigeon, 
Scot Buschlen and his wife, Nancy, of Owendale, and Kathy Muether and her husband, 
Jeff, of Elkton; seven grandchildren, Crystal, Whitney, Kyle, Kevin, Bryan, Sarah, 
Michael and special little guy, Kirk Spencer; his mother, Marie Buschlen, of Pigeon; two 
brothers, Roger Buschlen and his wife, Sally, of Pigeon, Gary Buschlen, of Caseville; and 
two sisters, Eleanor Adams and her friend, Larry Loil, of Bay City, and Ruth Ann 
Cresswell and her husband, Thomas, of Charlevoix.   Preceding him in death was his son, 
Brian, in 1978; and special friend, Judy Jarvis, in 2004.   Funeral services will be 
conducted at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, February 15, 2005, at the Salem United Methodist 
Church, Pigeon. The Rev. Michael Sawicki, pastor, will officiate with burial in 
Grandlawn Cemetery, Pigeon.   Friends may call at the Champagne Funeral Chapel, 
Elkton, from 2 to 9 p.m. today and at the church after 10 a.m. until the time of the service 
on Tuesday.   Memorials may be given to Meals on Wheels or the family.   Words of 
condolences can be left at cfcElkton.com. 


Tuesday, February 15, 2005 – No obituaries reported


Wednesday, February 16, 2005


Frances C. Thiel 

Frances C. Thiel, 93, of Pigeon, died Wednesday morning, February 16, 2005, at Tender 
Care in Cass City.   She was born September 29, 1911 in Oliver Township at the home of 
her parents, the late Stanley and Stella (Paulowsky) Kleido.   On August 31, 1935, she 
was united in marriage to John H. Thiel at St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church, Pigeon. 
They raised their family and farmed in Chandler and Oliver Townships all their married 
life. John preceded her in death on August 5, 1997.   She was a member of St. Francis 
Borgia Catholic Church, Pigeon.   Surviving is her daughter, Mary Thiel, of Cass City.   
Preceding her in death were two sons, Richard and Bernie Thiel; five brothers, Leo, John, 
Joe, Andrew, and Roy Kleido; and two sisters, Regina Tenczer, and Lucille Bucholz.   A 
Funeral Mass will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Thursday, February 17, 2005, at St. Francis 
Borgia Catholic Church, Pigeon, with burial in the church cemetery.   Visitation will be 
after 9 a.m. on Thursday at the church. Arrangements are through the Champagne 
Funeral Chapel, Elkton. 


Thursday, February 17, 2005


Mary Sadro 

Mrs. Mary Rose Sadro, 80, of Minden City, passed away Tuesday evening, February 15, 
2005, at Harbor Beach Long Term Care Facility.   She was born May 10, 1924 in Minden 
City to the late Walter and Sophia (Kulish) Kowalski. She married Marcus "Mark" Sadro 
on November 25, 1944 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Parisville. He preceded her in 
death on March 27, 2003.   Mary was a graduate of the Minden City High School.  She 
worked at Clements Wire and Cable for 15 years. She was a parishioner of St. Patrick 
Catholic Church in Palms. She made many crafts and did a lot of canning. She enjoyed 
playing bingo and cards and being with her family.   Mary is survived by her children, 
Joan Pitzer and her husband, Gene, of Moatsville, West Virginia, Patricia Horan and her 
husband, David, of Forestville, Linda Panula and her husband, Joseph, of Swartz Creek, 
David Sadro and his wife, Deanna, of Flint, Jean Santag and her husband, Orie Dale, of 
Palms, Susan Meyer and her husband, James, of Chesterfield, Elaine Loss and her 
husband, William, of Forestville, Richard Sadro and his wife, Debra, of Ubly, Dorothy 
Schwall and her husband, Charles, of Sarasota, Florida, Kathleen Gingas and her 
husband, James, of Clinton Township, Peter Sadro, of Minden City, Paul Sadro and his 
wife, Silvia, of Miami, Florida, Douglas Sadro and his wife, Vicky, of Burton, Steven 
Sadro and his fiance, Laura Root, of Caro, Melissa Block and her husband, Terrance, of 
Minden City; 32 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; one sister, Blanche Pawlosky; 
two brothers, John Kowalski and his wife, Eleanor, Chester Kowalski and his wife, Mary; 
two half-brothers, Thomas Grifka and Robert Grifka and his wife, Nikki.   Mary was 
preceded in death by one grandson, Michael Sadro; two brothers, Harold and Jerome 
Kowalski; one sister, Isabelle Kowalski.   A Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, 
February 19, 2005, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Palms. The Rev. Steve Gavit, pastor 
of Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Ruth, and Sr. Betty Zeestraten, pastoral 
administrator of St. Patrick's, will officiate. Burial will be in the St. Mary's Cemetery in 
Parisville in the Spring.   Visitation will be from 6:30 to 9 p.m. on Thursday and from 1 
to 9 p.m. on Friday at the Smigielski Funeral Home on Cass Avenue in Minden City and 
from 10 to 11 a.m. on Saturday at the church. There will be a parish vigil service at 7 
p.m. on Friday at the funeral home.   Memorials are requested to Heartland Hospice or 
the Harbor Beach Long Term Care Facility. 


Friday, February 18, 2005


Arla Eckensweller 
Mrs. Arla Matilda Eckensweller, 69, of Argyle, passed away Thursday night, February 
17, 2005, at her residence after a short illness.   She was born November 28, 1935 in 
Detroit to the late Edward and Frances (Uhl) Nelson. She married Clarence Eckensweller 
on August 27, 1960 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Midland.   Arla attended 
and graduated from Midland Senior High. She worked for the U.S. Post Office in Argyle 
for 10 years. She was a parishioner at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Argyle for 44 
years. She was a member of the Daughters of Isabella Fidelis Regina Circle No. 608. She 
loved playing cards and doing puzzles.   Arla is survived by her husband, Clarence, of 
Argyle; one daughter, Diana Lee, of Fort Wayne, Indiana; two grandchildren; two 
brothers, Lee Nelson and his wife, Jane, of Midland, and Lowell Nelson, of Midland.   
Funeral services will be at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 20, 2005, at St. Joseph's 
Catholic Church in Argyle. The Rev. T.J. Fleming, of Our Lady of Lake Huron Catholic 
Church in Harbor Beach, will officiate. Burial will be in the St. Ignatius Cemetery in the 
Spring.   Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. on Saturday at Zinger-Smigielski Funeral 
Home in Ubly and from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. on Sunday at the church.   There will be a 
parish vigil service at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday evening and a Daughters of Isabella rosary 
at 8:30 p.m. Both services will be at the funeral home. 


Francis W. Schmitt 

Francis W. Schmitt, 67, of Ubly, passed away Tuesday evening, February 16, 2005, at 
Covenant Cooper in Saginaw.   He was born February 25, 1937 in Bad Axe to the late 
John P. and Frances (Helewski) Schmitt. He never married.   He attended the Maurer 
Country School and helped out on the family farm. He was a life long parishioner of 
Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Smith Corners where he was a member of the Holy 
Names Society. He enjoyed riding snowmobiles, mopeds, and visiting with people.   
Francis is survived by one sister, Helen Decker and her husband, Lon, of Santa Clara, 
California; four brothers, Carl Schmidt and his wife, Joan, of Fallbrook, California, 
James Schmidt and his wife, Irene, of Ubly, John and Bernard Schmitt, both of Ubly.   He 
was preceded in death by one sister, Evelyn Heilig; three brothers, Clements, Gerald and 
Simon Schmitt.   Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, February 21, 2005, at Most 
Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Smith Corners. The Rev. James Carlson, pastor, will 
officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery in the spring.   Visitation will be from 1 to 
9 p.m. on Sunday 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 7:30 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral 
home. 


Linda Drake 

Linda Drake, 56, of Kinde, passed away on Thursday, February 17, 2005.   Funeral 
arrangements are being handled by MacAlpine Funeral Home in Bad Axe. A full obituary 
will be in the Huron Daily Tribune at a later date. 


Belva Pratt 

Belva Pratt, 87, of Bad Axe, passed away Friday, February 18, 2005.   Funeral 
arrangements are being handled by MacAlpine Funeral Home in Bad Axe. A full obituary 
will be in the Huron Daily Tribune at a later date. 






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