HURON DAILY TRIBUNE, Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan Local obituaries for the week beginning November 13, 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, November 13, 2005 Ruth Buehler Ruth Buehler, 83, of Sebewaing, went home to be with her Savior Friday morning, November 11, 2005. She was born March 14, 1922 on the home farm near Sebewaing, daughter of the late William and Frances (Nimtz) Kuhl. She was united in marriage to Carl F. Buehler on April 15, 1939. He preceded her in death on May 22, 1984. She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Sebewaing. Surviving are one daughter, Elaine Schwartz, of Fairgrove; one son, Jack Buehler, of Sebewaing; two grandsons, David Schwartz, of Unionville, and Jerry Schwartz, of Fairgrove; two sisters, Helen Stoeckle and Grace Weeks; one brother, William Kuhl, Jr., all of Sebewaing; three sisters-in-law, Mabel Kain and Edna Schaper, both of Owendale; Dorothy Ruby, of Detroit; one special niece, Betty (Earl) Crabtree, of Sebewaing; and many relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by one son-in-law, Gerald Schwartz; one sister, Frances Brenner and five brothers, Floyd, Arnold, Donald, Silven and Sonnie Kuhl. The funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. on Monday, November 14, 2005, at Immanuel Lutheran Church. The Rev. Daniel Hahn will officiate with burial in St. John Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. today at Dinkel-Juengel Funeral Home in Sebewaing, and from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Monday at the church. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider Immanuel Debt Retirement or the charity of the donor's choice. Donald Osgood Donald R. Osgood, 84, of Fort Gratiot, passed away from natural causes in his residence on Friday, November 11, 2005. He was born to Lee and Mae Osgood on October 27, 1921 in Port Huron, attended the Port Huron schools, and graduated from Port Huron High School in 1940. Don was a veteran of World War II, serving with the U.S. Navy aboard the U.S.S. Relief in the Pacific Campaign. On September 10, 1945, he married RoseMarie Montaldi in Chehalis, Washington. He worked at Chrysler Corporation for 47 years until his retirement. Don was a long-time member of the Blue Water Lapidary Society and was a mechanic who could fix anything. He loved pets and enjoyed the outdoors, especially gardening, hunting, fishing and camping with his family. He is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, RoseMarie Osgood; his four children, Karen Gordon, of Grosse Pointe Park, Gayle (John) Ferris, of Bad Axe, Dawn Hopkins, of North Lakeport, and Geoffrey (Deborah) Osgood, M.D., of Grosse Pointe Farms; eight grandchildren, Dr. Cynthia and Sarah Gordon, Julienne, Geoffrey and Jillian Ferris, Adrian Hopkins and Olivia and Geoffrey Osgood II; his sister, Loreen Malaxa, of New Jersey; and many nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death were his brothers, Darryl, Earl, Lloyd, Roland, Melvin, and Allen Osgood, and a sister, Novia VandeWarker. The funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, November 16, 2005, in the Smith Family Funeral Home - North, 1525 Hancock Street in Port Huron. Pastor John H. Arnold, of Westhaven Baptist Church, will officiate. Burial will follow in Lakeside Cemetery under the direction of the St. Clair County Allied Veterans Council. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, and from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Wednesday at the funeral home. Contributions may be made in Don's memory to the St. Clair County Allied Veterans Council. To send condolences and messages of sympathy, visit smithfamilyfuneralhome.com. Raymond Lemanski Raymond Alexander Lemanski, 63, devoted husband, father, grandfather and brother, was involved in an accident at his residence in Harbor Beach and unexpectedly passed away Thursday, November 10, 2005. He was born June 29, 1942 in Harbor Beach, the son of the late Alexander and Elizabeth (Glaza) Lemanski. Ray married Janet Helen Essenmacher on May 30, 1964 in St. Mary Catholic Church, Parisville. Raymond was a graduate of the Filmore Country School and attended Harbor Beach High School. Ray co-owned a dairy operation with his brother, Richard, retiring after 30 years. They were former members of the Michigan Milk Producers Association. He also worked for 43 years at Tower Automotive, formerly Active Industries, as a hi-lo operator. Raymond was a lifelong parishioner of St. Mary Catholic Church. He enjoyed Euchre with family and friends and was known for his integrity and ingenuity in repairing all types of mechanical devices for friends and neighbors. He was lovingly known as Mr. Fix-It. He was extremely giving to everyone of his time and talent. Ray took pleasure in providing for the college education of his five children. Raymond is survived by his wife, Janet, of Harbor Beach; two daughters, Brenda Musacchio and her husband, James, of Lawton, New York, and Wendy Stokan and her husband, Richard, of Rochester Hills; and three sons, Timothy Lemanski, of Waterford, Christopher Lemanski and his wife, Tracy, of Auburn, and Eric Lemanski, of Bay City; six grandchildren, Jasmine and Nicholas Stokan, Alexandria, Jonathon and Collin Lemanski, and Andrew Musacchio; three brothers, Richard Lemanski and his wife, Irene, of Harbor Beach, Clarence Lemanski, of Sterling Heights, and Frank Lemanski, of Ubly; one sister, Mary Ann Kelp and her husband, David, of Coldwater. A funeral mass will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Monday, November 14, 2005, in St. Mary Catholic Church of Parisville. The Rev. Andrzej Boroch, pastor, will officiate. Cremation will take place at Sunset Valley Crematory of Bay City. Visitation will be from noon to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. today at the Zinger- Smigielski Funeral Home of Ubly, and from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Monday at the church. There will be a parish vigil service at 7:30 tonight at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to St. Mary Parish. Ralph Niebel Ralph E. "Ernie" Niebel, 80, of Pigeon, passed away on Veterans Day, November 11, 2005, at Scheurer Hospital in Pigeon. He was born in Pigeon on July 12, 1925, son of the late Frederick and Salome (Tschumi) Niebel, and graduated in 1944 from Pigeon High School. During World War II, he served with the United States Navy in the Pacific. On September 9, 1950, Ralph was united in marriage to Naomi "Peach" Collon at the Wisner Methodist Parsonage. She survives him. Mr. Niebel enjoyed fishing and watching parades as well as marching in them. In his earlier years, he enjoyed bowling and playing poker. He was a member of the Pigeon First United Methodist Church and a Life Member of the Pigeon V.F.W. Post 2236. In addition to his wife of more than 55 years, Naomi "Peach" Niebel, of Pigeon, he is survived by two children, Denise Niebel and her friend, Mike Particka, of Ubly, and Allen Niebel and his wife, Dana, of Owendale; seven grandchildren, Melissa, Stephanie, Kamie, Kristen, Michael, Amy and Bryan; three great-grandchildren, Brady, Chelsea and Ashton; a sister, Gladys Spence, of Pigeon; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Stanley, Loren and Leonard. The funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Monday, November 14, 2005, at Pigeon First United Methodist Church, with the Rev. John J. Britt, pastor, officiating. Burial with military honors will be in Grand Lawn Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. today at the Meyersieck-Bussema Funeral Home in Pigeon, and from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Monday at the church. Memorials for Mr. Niebel may be made to Heartland Hospice, the American Heart Association, or Pigeon First United Methodist Church. Stanley Trzemzalski Stanley Trzemzalski, 81, of Kingston, died unexpectedly Thursday, November 10, 2005, in his home. The funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Monday, November 14, 2005, in St. Michael Catholic Church, Wilmot, with the Rev. Reginaldo Salcedo and Sr. Riccardina Silvestri officiating. Interment is in St. Michael Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. today in the Kranz Funeral Home, Kingston, and from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Monday at the church. Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association. Monday, November 14, 2005 - No obituaries reported Tuesday, November 15, 2005 Kenneth J. Tschirhart Kenneth J. Tschirhart, 65, of Noblesville, Indiana, passed away on Thursday, November 10, 2005, at St. Vincent Hospice in Indianapolis. He was born January 28, 1940 in Bad Axe, son of the late Clem and Leona (Kramer) Tschirhart. Ken graduated from Bad Axe High School in 1958. He joined the U.S. Air Force after high school. He enlisted on September 15, 1958 and was released on March 20, 1962. He received his undergraduate and MBA degrees from Central Michigan University. He was the major stockholder and CEO of Kemco Logistics, Kemco Expedite, and Kemco Transit in Marion, Indiana. Ken is survived by his brothers and sisters, Ronald (Carole) Tschirhart, Gerald (Carol) Hart, Cheryl (Dick) DeChone, Darlene Davis, Linda (Bill) Steinman, and Terry (Annette) Tschirhart; nieces and nephews, Ron (Molly) Tschirhart, Jr., Kerrie (Jim) Yuchuck, Brian DeChone, Kelly (Kevin) Baker, Jayme (Lauren) Hart, Stacy Hart, Kristin (Mike) Hoard, Kathy Davis, Jeff (Katie) Steinman, Ryan Steinman, Daniel Tschirhart, and Amanda Tschirhart; as well as many relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his mother and father. There will be no visitation. A memorial service celebrating his life will be conducted at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 19, 2005, at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Noblesville, Indiana. Services entrusted to Shirley Brothers Fishers-Castleton Chapel in Fishers, Indiana. Wednesday, November 16, 2005 Mildred G. Ballagh Mildred G. Ballagh, 88, of Gotts Corner near Caseville, died Monday evening, November 14, 2005, with family by her side, at Three Rivers Area Hospital in Three Rivers. She was born August 20, 1917 at the home of her parents, the late Joseph and Rosalia (Witherspoon) McBride near Caseville. She attended the Rock City School and graduated at age 15. On May 20, 1939, she was united in marriage to William J. Ballagh at the Kinde Presbyterian Manse. Bill preceded her in death February 1, 1998, after celebrating 58 years together. Mildred was a very active woman, raising a family, helping her husband on the farm, and worked at Michigan Sugar for a time. She was well known as a correspondent and writer for the Elkton Advance, Pigeon Progress, and the Huron Daily Tribune for more than 50 years. She was a member of the Chandler Presbyterian Church, serving as treasurer, elder, Sunday school teacher, and Women's Guild. While in Three Rivers the past six years, she attended the Three Rivers Church of the Nazarene. She also was a member of the Rush Lake Farm Bureau, coordinator of many Rock City School reunions, loved her family, flower gardening, cooking, and was known as the family historian. Surviving are four children, Marilyn (Gary) Gascho, of Chula, Georgia., William (Janet) Ballagh, of New Lothrup, Sally (Tony) Lopez, of Holt, and Mary (Fred) Grunert, of Three Rivers; and nine grandchildren, John Gascho, Laura Provost, Bill Ballagh, Lisa Clothier, Andy Ballagh, Sonya Ridge, Chris Lopez, Dana Nichols, and Fred Grunert. Also surviving are 13 great-grandchildren, John Joseph Gascho, Andrew and Katie Grace Provost, Amanda, Bill, Daniel and Joseph Ballagh, Kelli, Katie and Cole Clothier, Ava Ballagh, and Kiah Nichols and Allison Grunert; her brother, Robert (Irene) McBride, of Standish; and two sisters-in-law, Frances McBride, of Caseville, and Eva Ballagh, of Bad Axe. Preceding her in death were three brothers, William, Kenneth, and infant, Forest McBride; and two sisters, Marguerite Rodgers and Clara Laming. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 19, 2005, at the Chandler Presbyterian Church. The Rev. Robert Anderson, pastor of Three Rivers Church of the Nazarene, will officiate with burial next to her husband in Colfax Township Cemetery. Friends may call at the Champagne Funeral Chapel in Elkton from 2 to 9 p.m. on Friday, and at the church after 10 a.m. on Saturday. Memorials may be given to the Chandler Presbyterian Church or the Three Rivers Church of the Nazarene. Those unable to attend may sign the guest book at www.cfcElkton.com. Albert Carlson Albert Carlson, 80, of Deckerville, passed away this morning at the Deckerville Community Hospital. Arrangements are being handled by the Smigielski Funeral Home in Minden City. Thursday, November 17, 2005 Earl Manley Barker Earl Manley Barker, 63, of Rhodes, passed away on Tuesday, November 15, 2005, at the Veteran's Administration hospital in Saginaw. He was born December 23, 1941 in Bad Axe to the late Newton O. and Marjorie F. (Turner) Barker. He is survived by his son, Daniel W. (Denise) Barker; three grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; and two sisters, Fay Bullock and Terry. Visitation will be at the Penzien-Steele Funeral Home, located at 608 N. Madison Avenue in Bay City, (989) 892-8531, from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. on Saturday at which time the Bay County. Veterans Council will conduct military rites. Private burial will be at the Great Lakes National Cemetery. Marie Evelyn Pionk Mrs. Marie Evelyn Pionk, 72, of Ubly, passed away Wednesday, November 16, 2005, at Courtney Manor in Bad Axe. She was born October 31, 1933 in Parisville to the late John and Minnie (Glaza) Shemka Sr. She married Archie A. Pionk on May 1, 1954 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Parisville. He preceded her in death on January 13, 2005. Marie attended and graduated from St. Mary Elementary School and attended Ubly High School. She lived in Ubly for more than 50 years. She worked at Hamill Manufacturing for more than 15 years. She was a parishioner of St. John Catholic Church in Ubly. She was a rug weaver for many years. She loved to work in her garden and visit with family and friends. Marie is survived by two sons, Michael Pionk and his wife, Donna, of Hermitage, Tennessee, and Marvin Pionk and his wife, Barbara, of Bad Axe; five grandchildren, Matthew Pionk, of Houghton, Kimberly Pionk, of Bad Axe, and Hayley, Luke, and Julia Pionk, of Hermitage, Tennessee; one brother, LaVerne Shemka and his wife, Mary, of Port Hope; one sister, Jeanette Lemanski, of Madison Heights. She was preceded in death by two brothers, John Shemka Jr. and Harry Shemka. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 19, 2005 at St. John Catholic Church in Ubly. The Rev. Joseph Griffin, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 1:30 to 9 p.m. on Friday at the Zinger- Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly, and from 10 to 11 a.m. on Saturday at the church. Memorials are requested to St. John Catholic Church or Courtney Manor. Sandra Lou Sauer Sandra Lou Sauer, 61, of Caseville, passed away on Wednesday, November 16, 2005, at Autumnwood Nursing Home in Deckerville of complications from a recent stroke. Sandy was born January 10, 1944 in Grand Rapids and lived there for most of her life until moving to Caseville in 2000. She was an active member of the Caseville Historical Society and had served as the museum curator. Sandy is survived by her son, James (Kimberly) VanIterson, of Port Austin; daughter, Kathy (Wes) O'Brien, of New York; and step-daughter, Liz Sauer, of Grand Rapids; grandchildren, Nicole, Suzanne, and James O'Brien, and Danielle and Amber Sauer; her mother, Polly DeGraff; brother, James (Pat) Euchre, of Grand Rapids; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law and best friends, Karen and Gene Sauer, of Caseville. A memorial service will take place at 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 26, 2005, at the Champagne Funeral Chapel of Caseville. Friends may begin gathering at 1 p.m. Condolences may be shared online at www.cfcCaseville.com Friday, November 18, 2005 –No obituaries reported 8