HURON DAILY TRIBUNE, Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan Local obituaries for the week beginning February 20, 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, February 20, 2005 Linda Kay Drake Linda Kay Drake, 56, of Kinde, passed away Thursday, February 17, 2005, at her home in Lincoln Township. She was born September 12, 1948 to the late Emil and Lillian (Hartz) Reinke. Linda was united in marriage to Melvin Drake on December 2, 1967 at St. Edward's in Kinde. Linda graduated from Port Hope High School and worked as a bookkeeper at the Huron Daily Tribune for 29 years. She loved to quilt, go shopping and work in her garden, but she especially enjoyed being with her family. She is survived by her husband, Melvin, of Kinde; three daughters, Renee Guiger and her husband, William, of Ubly, Melissa Miller and her husband, Corey, of Reed City, and Jennifer Drake, of Clawson; one son, Joshua Drake, of Mt. Pleasant; five brothers, Kenneth Reinke and his wife, Cynthia, of Waterford, Norman Reinke and his wife, Gloria, of Flint, Emil Reinke and his wife, Yvonne, of Marne, David Reinke and his wife, Jean, of Mt. Morris, and Harlan Reinke and his wife, Ann, of Port Hope; three sisters, Dena Diehl and her husband, Clifford, of Harbor Beach, Dori Weber and her husband, Gary, of Port Austin, and Shirrell Felk, of Royal Oak; two grandchildren, and 22 nieces and nephews. Services will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, February 21, 2005, at St. Edward's Catholic Church in Kinde. Officiating will be the Rev. Mieczyslaw Oniskiewicz, pastor. Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. today at MacAlpine Funeral Home Gage-Chapel in Kinde. There will be a scripture at 7 p.m. and rosary at 7:30 p.m. Arla Eckenswiller Mrs. Arla Matilda Eckenswiller, 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 Eckenswiller 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, Julianna and Maleah; two brothers, Lee Nelson and his wife, Jane, of Midland, and Lowell Nelson, of Midland. A funeral mass will be at 2:30 p.m. today, 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 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. today at the Zinger- Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly. Eleanor Koss Mrs. Eleanor Ann Koss, 84, of Gagetown, passed away Friday afternoon, February 18, 2005. She was born in Ubly on March 12, 1920, the daughter of Edward and Agnes (Dropetski) Skipinski. Eleanor was a member of St. Agatha Catholic Church. Surviving are her children, Agnes Bye, of Snover, Richard Franzel and his wife, Charlene, of Swartz Creek, Bernard Franzel and his wife, Judy, of South Dakota, Leonard Franzel and his wife, Carole, of Florida, Veronica Oldham, of Burton, Barbara Goist and her husband, Robert, Bradley Franzel and his wife, Colleen, and Raymond Franzel and his wife, Sue, all of Florida, Edward Koss and his wife, Kim, of Flint, Peter Koss and his wife, Barbara, of Tennessee, Frances Szukala and her husband, Gregory, of Lapeer, William Koss, of Gagetown, and Tammie Guigar and her husband, Jeffrey, of Bad Axe. Also surviving are 33 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; her brothers, Joseph, Elmer and Ronald Skipinski; and sisters, Delores Ulfig, and Bernice Bechler and her husband, Armand, all of Ubly. Preceding Eleanor in death was a sister, Virginia Scherret. Funeral services will take place at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, February 22, 2005, at St. Agatha Church, Gagetown. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. today and 2 to 9 p.m. on Monday at the Gagetown Funeral Chapel, and from 1 p.m. until the time of service on Tuesday at the church. The family has suggested contributions to the Eleanor A. Koss Memorial Fund. 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 lifelong parishioner of Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Smith Corners where he was a member of the Holy Name 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. A 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. 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 7:30 p.m. today at the funeral home. Robert Wilson Robert Morell Wilson, 79, of Pinnebog, died Friday, February 18, 2005, at TenderCare in Cass City. He was born at home on January 12, 1926 in Chandler Township to the late Obed and Ossa (Morell) Wilson. Robert served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. After the war, he married Marie Ruth on November 25, 1950 at St. Felix Catholic Church in Pinnebog. Over his life he worked for the Village of Pigeon, Fairmont and Michigan Milk Haulers, he farmed for the Wakefield family and he retired from North Huron Schools as a bus driver and custodian in 1986. He enjoyed gardening, playing cards and visiting with his grandchildren. Robert is survived by his wife, Marie; sons, George Robert, of Port Hope, and Thomas J., of Pinnebog; daughters, Janice Ciesielski and her husband, Henry, of Cass City, Martha Shaw and her husband, Wayne, of Imlay City, and Michelle Murawski, of Kinde; grandchildren, Chad Wilson and his wife, Jeannette, B.J. Wilson, Jess Ciesielski, Joshua Shaw, Nicole Shaw, Kendall Shaw, Tony Murawski, and Brad Murawski; step-grandchildren, Jenelle Layer and her husband, Richard, and Eric Pye and his wife, Alli; great-grandchildren, Courtney Wilson, Madelyn Layer, Aubri Layer, Feleppi Santos and Lucas Pye; brothers, Gerald Wilson, of Unionville, and Vernon Wilson and his wife, Marleen, of Caro. He was preceded in death by his son, Dan, in 1996; and his siblings, John, James, Elmer and Eleanor. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, February 22, 2005, at the Gage Chapel of the MacAlpine Funeral Home, Kinde. The Rev. DeWeerd Smith, pastor of Community Wesleyan Church, Elkton, will officiate, with burial to follow in the St. Felix Cemetery in Pinnebog. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. on Monday, and from 10 a.m. to the time of service on Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Kidney Foundation. Marjorie L. Matthews Marjorie L. Matthews, 84, of Rochester, New York, and former long time resident of Sebewaing, passed peacefully on Thursday, February 17, 2005, in her home with her family at her side. She is survived by her daughter, Rora Rice, of Rochester, New York; brother, Robert Tinker and his wife, Ruth, of Florida; grandchildren, Judi Roemer- Ferries, Anne Woodruff, Don Roemer, Amy Mitrovits, Larry Roemer, Jim Rice, Beth Wiedrich; and several nieces and nephews, and great-grandchildren. A private memorial will be conducted at the Trinity Emmanuel Church in Rochester. Monday, February 21, 2005 Michael Thomas Cottick Mike (Coach) Cottick, 60, a Bad Axe business owner, died Saturday, February 19, 2005, under hospice care at his residence following a long illness. He was born September 14, 1944 in Cass City, son of the late Michael T. and Helen (Cilc-Banek) Cottick. Mike Cottick and Jean Yaroch were married November 9 1968 in Kinde. He owned and operated Cottick Radiator Shop in Bad Axe since 1967. Mike coached the Bad Axe Peewee football team to a five-year undefeated run in the early 1980s, later serving as assistant varsity football coach at Bad Axe and Ubly High Schools. An avid sportsman, Mike loved to hunt and enjoyed spending time with his family. He was a parishioner at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bad Axe. Surviving are his wife, Jean; two sons: Michael T. and his wife, Susan, of Northbrook, Illinois, and Matthew T. and his wife, Lauren, of Libertyville, Illinois; two grandchildren, Sarah and Nicholas Cottick; one brother: Stanley Cottick, of Pigeon; two sisters, Mrs. Mary Ann Gajewski and her husband, Leonard, of Harbor Beach, and Mrs. Beth Bouverette and her husband, Jerome, of Bad Axe; and his step-father, Tony Banek, of Bad Axe. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, February 22, 2005, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bad Axe. The Rev. James Carlson, pastor, will officiate. Private entombment at the Colfax Township Mausoleum will follow. Friends may call from 2 to 9 p.m. on Monday at the H.W. Weitenberner Funeral Home in Bad Axe and from 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday until the time of the service at the church. Memorials may be made to the Bad Axe High School Athletic Department, the Ubly High School Athletic Department, or to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church choir. Richard A. Raymo Richard A. Raymo, 81, of Sebewaing, passed away on Saturday, February 19, 2005, at TenderCare in Cass City. He was born October 23, 1923 in Detroit, son of the late James and Eleanor (Allen) Raymo. On November 23, 1944, he was united in marriage to Pearl M. Crinion at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Detroit. After returning from serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, Richard worked at Timken Roller Bearing in Detroit, leaving there in the late 1960s. A short time later, he took a position as warehouse manager for the Detroit Board of Education, retiring in 1988. They moved to Sebewaing later that year because of his love for the area he had visited so many years before. He was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church and enjoyed watching professional sports on TV, especially football and occasionally placing a wager on his favorite team. Surviving are his wife, Pearl; four children: Paul Raymo, of Warren, Michael Raymo and his wife, Debra, of South Lyon, Tom Raymo and his wife, Nancy, of Howell, and Marie Pierson and her husband, Rick, of Pontiac; two daughters-in-law, Shirley Raymo, of Sebewaing, and Elaine Raymo, of Dearborn; six grandsons, Jason and his wife, Sara, Christopher and his wife, Rachele, Bryan, David, Mark, and James; two great-grandsons: Kevin and Ryan; two sisters, Margaret Cameron, of Phoenix, and Rosemary Goga, of Coconut Creek, Florida, many nieces and nephews. He was proceeded in death by one son, Larry Raymo; one brother, Fr. John Raymo; and two sisters, Eleanor Addison, and Ann Owen. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, February 22, 2005, at the Holy Family Catholic Church in Sebewaing. Fr. John Weis will officiate with 2 p.m. committal at Holy Sepulchre Catholic Cemetery in Southfield. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. today at Dinkel- Juengel Funeral Home in Sebewaing. He will lie in state at the church from 9 a.m. on Tuesday until the time of the funeral Mass. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider Holy Family Catholic Church or Michigan Right to Life. Theresa Volmering Mrs. Theresa Volmering, 82, beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, of Ruth, went into the arms of Jesus on Saturday, February 19, 2005, at Northwood Meadows in Cass City after a short illness. Since her stay at Northwood Meadows in Cass City, the staff grew to love and care for her deeply as witnessed by family in her final days. She was born Theresa Koch on March 7, 1922 in Sherman Township to Joseph and Mary (Lautner) Koch. She married Alex Volmering on May 12, 1943 at Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Ruth. He preceded her in death on October 3, 1985. Theresa was a devoted mother and avid gardener. She was an eighth-grade graduate of a country school. She designed and sewed quilts for all her children and grandchildren. She was a member of Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Ruth and Ss. Peter and Paul Christian Mothers. She was a member of the Daughters of Isabella Fidelis Regina Circle No. 608 in Bad Axe. She enjoyed card playing with family and numerous groups. Theresa is survived by five daughters: Jan Morell and her husband, Mel, of Rockford, Mary Lou Pawlowski and her husband, Roy, of Millington, Joan Dodd, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, Louise Morell and her husband, John, of White Lake, and Carolyn Andrews and her husband, William, of Grand Rapids; four sons, Don Volmering, of Petaluma, California, Daniel Volmering and his wife, Ladonna, of Ruth, David Volmering and his wife, Linda, of Ruth, and Robert Volmering and his wife, Tammy, of White Lake; 22 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; one daughter-in-law, Janet Volmering, of Ruth; and one son-in-law, John Allen, of Swartz Creek. She was preceded in death by her husband, Alex; her parents, Joseph and Mary Koch; her son, Clifford; her daughter, Yvonne Allen, and her brothers, Wilfred, Lawrence, and John Koch. A Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, February 23, 2005, at Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Ruth. The Rev. Steve Gavit, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. today, 1 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, and 9 to 10 a.m. on Wednesday at the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly. There will a Christian Mothers Rosary at 8 p.m. on Monday, a Daughters of Isabella Rosary at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, and a parish Vigil Service, led by Fr. Steve Gavit, at 8 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the family discretionary charity or Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Ruth. Regina Zmick Regina Zmick, 98, of Armada, passed away on Tuesday, February 15, 2005. She was born on August 19, 1906 in Kinde, daughter of the late Thomas and Stella (Butterwick) Baranski. She retired in 1987 from St. Athanasius Catholic Church in Roseville, where she was a cook/housekeeper for 22 years. She is survived by her children, Stanley, of Roseville, Donald and his wife, Freddie, of Naples, Florida, Deatta Kassin and her husband, Robert, of Lexington, Janet Calomeni and her husband, Anthony, of Ray, Joseph and his wife Patricia, of Port Austin; 31 grandchildren; 55 great grandchildren; 26 great great grandchildren; siblings, Julia Williams, of California, Bernice Clancy, of Fraser. She was preceded in death by her husband, Casimer, 14 siblings, and grandchildren: Stephen Zmick, and Charles Kassin. The funeral services for Regina took place on Saturday, February 19, 2005, at Walter Scott Skuny Funeral Home and St. Athanasius Catholic Church in Roseville. Burial was in the Resurrection Cemetery in Clinton Township. Memorial contributions may be made to "Fair Acres Care Community", 22600 W. Main Street, Armada, Michigan 48005. Tuesday, February 22, 2005 Richard W. Lackowski Richard W. Lackowski, 73, of Beaverton and formerly of Roseville, died Saturday, February 19, 2005, at Gladwin Living Center after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease. He was born April 3, 1931 in Harbor Beach, the son of the late Frank and Julia (Kucharczyk) Lackowski. He has gone to rest with his love, Lottie Austin. Surviving are his children from his previous marriage to Genevieve (Peyerk) Hupfer, Kevin Lackowski and his wife, Robin, of Imlay City, and Lynnette Hyde and her husband, Paul, of Troy; grandchildren, Joseph, Daniel, Nicholas, and Noah Lackowski and Alexander and Rachel Hyde; sisters, Virginia Watchowski and her husband, Ernie, of Bad Axe, Evelyn Peyerk, of Filion, Sylvia Bartolatta and her husband, Chris, of Roseville, Frances Becking and her husband, Robert, of Bad Axe, Theresa Puvalowski, of East Pointe; brothers, Irvin Lackowski and his wife, Jeanette, of Warren, Franklin Lackowski and his wife, Shirley, of Clinton Township; sisters-in-law, Edna Lackowski, of Bad Axe, June Lackowski, of Ottawa, Francis Lackowski, of Bad Axe; and a host of nieces and nephews; Lottie's grandchildren, Fred Shields and his wife, Renee, of Alabama, Diane Boyer and her husband, Rodney, of Tennessee, and Paula Wessel and her husband, Robert, of Beaverton; and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by brothers, Ray and his wife, Gertrude, Ed, Walter and Cass Lackowski; sisters, Selma (George) Geiger and Rose (Martin) Collins; and brother-in-law, Elmer Peyerk. The funeral service will be at 1 p.m. on Thursday, February 24, 2005, at Hopcroft Funeral Home with burial at Oakview Cemetery in Royal Oak. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday at Hopcroft Funeral Home in Madison Heights. Henry C. Isbister Henry C. Isbister, 83, of Smiths Creek, passed away on Sunday, February 20, 2005, in Marwood Nursing and Rehabilitation following a long illness. He was born July 15, 1921 in Wales Township to James and Ella Dudd Isbister. He married Rosemary O'Neil on August 24, 1948 in Port Huron. Henry was a veteran of World War II serving with the U.S. Air Force. He worked at Mueller Brass Company for over 30 years retiring in 1986. He was a life member and past master of Memphis Lodge #142 F. & A.M., member of St. Clair Chapter #12 R.A.M., member of Port Huron Hi-Twelve Club #121, member of Noruh Grotto M.O.V.P.E.R., and member of Blue Water Scottish Rite Club, Valley of Detroit. He was also a member of Richmond Chapter #168 O.E.S., the Temple Shrine #28 W.S.J., and Washington Avenue United Methodist Church. He enjoyed playing golf and reading. Henry is survived by his wife of nearly 57 years, Rosemary J. Isbister; three children, Michael H. Isbister and his wife, Marie, of Bad Axe, and Ethel G. Ford and her husband, Ramon, and Carol A. Helmreich and her husband, Steven, both of Colorado Springs, Colorado; eight grandchildren, Kenneth Isbister and his wife, Beverly, of Lexington, Kentucky, Kevin Isbister, of Bay City, Caleb H. J. Ramon, Abigail M. and Hannah E. Ford, all of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Laura and Claire Helmreich, also of Colorado Springs, Colorado; three great-grandchildren, Shanna, Nick, and Bob; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Frank, Russell, and Roy Isbister; and a sister, Elizabeth Ball. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 26, 2005, in Smith Family Funeral Home-North, 1525 Hancock Street. The Rev. Nickolas Genoff, pastor of Washington Avenue United Methodist Church, will officiate. Burial will follow in Lambs Cemetery under the direction of Memphis Lodge #142 F. & A.M. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. on Friday in the funeral home and the Masonic Memorial Service will take place there at 7:30 p.m. Pallbearers will be Henry's lodge brothers and his grandsons will serve as honorary pallbearers. Contributions may be made in his memory to Memphis Lodge #142 F. & A.M. To send condolences and messages of sympathy, visit mithfamilyfuneralhome.com Katie L. Shetler Katie Leah Shetler, 96, of Pigeon, passed away Sunday, February 20, 2005, at Scheurer Hospital in Pigeon. She was born in Linkville on December 4, 1908 to John and Rachel Leah (Oesch) Kipfer. On October 8, 1930, she was united in marriage to Omar J. Shetler in Pigeon. He preceded her in death on September 12, 1985. Mrs. Shetler was a member of the Michigan Avenue Mennonite Church in Pigeon and the Michigan Avenue Mennonite Women's Friendship Circle. She enjoyed baking and making quilts and wall- hangings as well as crafting items for the church bazaar. She and her husband enjoyed hosting many visitors in their home, and she had the special gift of hospitality. She loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren very much. Her survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Lois J. and Dr. R. Michael Massanari, of Bingham Farms; a son and daughter-in-law, Lyle D. and Betty Shetler, of Pigeon; five grandchildren, Kent Shetler and his wife, Karin, Karla Nussbaum and her husband, Marlin, Debra Helmuth and her husband, Robin, Eric Massanari and Yolanda Kauffman, and Analisa Ficklin and her husband, Michael; nine great-grandchildren, Andrea, Eric, Allison, Nicholas, Kate, Kacy, Koty, Noah, and Soren; brother, Clarence Kipfer, of Bay Port; and sister, Iva McAlpine of Elkton. She was preceded in death by a son, Warren Lee, in 1958; a grandson, Ronald, in 1972; and two sisters, Laura Maust, and Flossie Steckley. The funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Thursday, February 24, 2005, at Michigan Avenue Mennonite Church, Pigeon, with the Rev. Scot Wilson, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. today and from 3 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday at Meyersieck-Bussema Funeral Home, Pigeon, and from 10 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m. on Thursday at Michigan Avenue Mennonite Church, Pigeon. Memorials for Mrs. Shetler may be made to Michigan Avenue Mennonite Church or the Gideons. Bertha B. Swartz Mrs. Bertha B. Swartz, 97, of Minden City, passed away Sunday, February 20, 2005, at the Huron Medical Care Facility in Bad Axe. She was born on April 11, 1907 in Parisville to the late Joseph and Ottilia (Gwisdalla) Trepkowski. She married Marshall Swartz on April 23, 1928 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Parisville. He preceded her in death on September 8, 1994. Bertha attended the Parisville Country School. She was a parishioner at St. Mary Catholic Church in Parisville and was a member of the St. Mary Rosary Sodality. She enjoyed playing cards, dancing, and sewing. She liked to entertain people and she loved to laugh. Bertha is survived by three sons, John Swartz and his wife, Joyce, of Saginaw, Ronald Swartz, of Hazel Park, James Swartz and his wife, Patricia, of Taylor; eight grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by five brothers, Julius, Ira, Joseph, Walter, and Leo Trepkowski; five sisters, Martha Jaroch, Laura Alent, Blanche Makowski, Margaret Klebba, and Clara Cook. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, February 23, 2005, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Parisville. The Rev. Andrzej Boroch, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery in the spring. Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly and from 9 to 10 a.m. on Wednesday at the church. There will be a rosary at 7:30 p.m. today by the St. Mary Rosary Sodality. Memorials are requested to the Huron Medical Care Facility. Wednesday, February 23, 2005 Ruth C. Morell Mrs. Ruth C. Morell, 85, of Cass City, passed away Monday evening, February 21, 2005. She was born in Harbor Beach on September 17, 1919, the daughter of George and Anna (Gainor) Steadman. On January 11, 1938, she married Stanley Morell in Lexington. Ruth was a member of Cass City Untied Methodist Church, and of the order of the Eastern Star Chapter #337, Cass City. She was an avid seamstress and enjoyed crocheting baby garments and afghans, designing clothes, cooking and canning and playing euchre. She had been a bookkeeper for Hills and Dales General Hospital for 14 years. Surviving along with Stan, her loving husband of 67 years, are their daughters, Joyce Neal and her husband, Jim, of Florida, Betty Laurie and her husband, Jack, of Gagetown, and Marilyn Dennis and her husband, Jim, of Caro; 11 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson. Preceding Ruth in death were a daughter, Shirley Houghton; a great-great-granddaughter, Hailey Rose Dennis; five sisters; and three brothers. Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. on Friday, February 25, 2005, at Cass City United Methodist Church, with the Rev. George Ward officiating. Interment will be in Elkland Township Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today and from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday at Gagetown Funeral Chapel and from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday at the church. The family has suggested memorials to the Cass City United Methodist Church. Thursday, February 24, 2005 John D. Alexander John "Jack" D. Alexander, 61, of Bay City, died unexpectedly Tuesday, February 22, 2005, in the University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor. He was born October 7, 1943 in Huron County to the late Nicholas and Alice (Kretzchmer) Alexander. He married Edna Miller on July 6, 1985 in Bay City Wesleyan Church, Bay City. Jack was a loan officer for Independent Bank. He loved his wife, children and grandchildren. He enjoyed camping and spending time with his family in Bad Axe. He loved hunting and his horses. He also enjoyed supporting and speaking with his friends at AA. He was a member of the U.S. Trotting Association and the Horsemen Association. Jack is survived by his wife, Edna; children, Vicki Wangler and her husband, Allen, of West Branch, Carmel Martin and her husband, Carl, Sr., of Bay City, Chris Alexander and his wife, Krissy, of Sebewaing, Ivan Miller II and his wife, Pam, of Bay City, Michelle Bischer and her husband, Jim, of Freeland, Carmala Goddard and her husband, Jeff, of Bay City; grandchildren, Trenton and Deon Martin, Reid, Ryan, and Alexis Alexander, Courtney and Ivan Miller III, Ashley and Bryan Bischer, Morgan and baby-to-be Goddard; two brothers, Willard Alexander and his wife, JoAnn, of Arkansas, Bob Alexander and his wife, Marvel, of Ubly; two sisters, Nancy Grady, of Bad Axe, Janet Todaro and her husband, Joe, of Bad Axe; brother-in-law, Frank Meininger, of Sebewaing; sisters-in-law, Nina Alexander, of Fenton, Martha Alexander, of Cass City; and many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Frank and J.D. Alexander; his sisters: Shirley Alexander and Mary Jane Meininger; and brother-in-law, Chuck Grady. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 26, 2005, in the W. A. Trahan Funeral Chapel in Bay City. The Rev. Betty Blair will officiate and cremation will follow according to Jack's wishes. Visiting hours with the family will be from noon until 8:30 p.m. on Friday, and after 10 a.m. on Saturday at the W. A. Trahan Funeral Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the American Heart Association. Friday, February 25, 2005 Donelda G. Meske Donelda G. Meske, 94, of Port Hope, passed away Thursday, February 24, 2005, in the Huron Medical Care Facility after a long illness. Born in Sheridan Township of Huron County on June 23, 1910, she was the daughter of the late Archie and Mary (Livingston) Walker. Donelda and Lee McIntyre were married in 1929 in Ubly and he preceded her in death in 1960. On October 24, 1964, Donelda was united in marriage to Ben Meske in Fenton. Ben preceded her in death on March 17, 2002. Donelda was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Harbor Beach and a life member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Mariam Chapter, of Ubly, where she was a past Matron and a active member for over 60 years. She is survived by two daughters, Mary Lou Harris and her husband, Robert, of Gladwin, and Bettie Hagen and her husband, Bryce, of Ubly; six grandchildren, Dennis and Sharlene Hagen, Mary Hagen, Ellen and Michael Moorman, E. James and Doreen Hagen, Connie and Ronald Gray, and Mark Williams; six great- grandchildren, Keith and Erin Hagen, Clint and Melissa Hagen, Bradley Hagen, Nicholas Hagen, Jennifer Hagen, and Joshua Williams; and three great-great-grandchildren, Dylan Hagen, Annabella Hagen, and Cole Hagen; sister, Leota McLean, of Pontiac; nephew, Alan Pankow and his wife, Darla, of Port Hope. Donelda was preceded in death by a brother, John Walker; and sisters, Ethel Robinson, Catherine Haliday, Aletha Schubel, and Christine Conkey. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, February 28, 2005, in the Ramsey Funeral Home, Harbor Beach, with the Rev. Theresa Cutler, pastor of First Presbyterian Church, officiating. Burial will be in the Colfax Township Cemetery, Bad Axe. Visitation will be from 1 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. on Sunday and from 10 a.m. until the time of services on Monday at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to the First Presbyterian Church or the donor's choice. Irene M. Schave Irene M. Schave, 96, of Harbor Beach, passed away Thursday, February 24, 2005, in the Huron County Medical Care Facility following an extended illness. Born on June 7, 1908 in Kinde, she was the daughter of the late Edward and Sophia (Weaver) Grannell. Irene and August Schave were united in marriage in 1932 in Bad Axe. August preceded her in death in 1977. She attended Huron County Normal School and was a rural school teacher and taught in Port Hope and Kinde for 21 years. She was a member of the Port Hope Retirees, Our Lady of Lake Huron Catholic Church in Harbor Beach and the Huron County Retired Teachers Association. Irene is survived by two daughters, Judith Ann Merleno and her husband, Mel, of St. Helen, and Joyce Sheehy and her husband, Richard, of Harrison Township; six grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a grandson, Patrick Sheehy; a son-in-law, Joseph Scheuer; and three sisters, Cathleen English, Marguerite Eisengruber, and Edith Quinn. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 26, 2005, in Our Lady of Lake Huron Catholic Church, Harbor Beach, with Fr. T.J. Fleming officiating. Burial will be in the Lakeview Cemetery, Port Hope. A parish vigil service will be at 7:30 p.m. today in the Ramsey Funeral Home, Harbor Beach. Visitation will be from 1 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home and from 10 a.m. until the time of services on Saturday at the church. Memorials may be given to Port Hope Retirees. Jack Currie Jack Currie, of Bad Axe and formerly of Harbor Beach, passed away Thursday, February 24, 2005, in the Edgewood Assisted Living Center, Saginaw. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time and are being handled by the Ramsey Funeral Home, Harbor Beach. A complete obituary will be in Sunday's Huron Daily Tribune or by viewing RamseyFH.Com. Beatrice Havrilla Beatrice Havrilla, 79, of Caseville, passed away on Friday, February 25, 2005. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. on Sunday, February 27, 2005, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Caseville. Arrangements are incomplete at this time and are being handled by the Champagne Funeral Chapel in Caseville. A complete obituary will appear in Sunday's edition of the Huron Daily Tribune or by viewing www.cfcCaseville.com. Eileen Patterson Eileen Patterson, 92, resident of Bad Axe, died Friday morning, February 25, 2005, at Courtney Manor in Bad Axe following a long illness. According to Mrs. Patterson's wishes, there will be no visitation or services. MacAlpine Funeral Home in Bad Axe is handling the arrangements. Memorials may be made to Bad Axe Public Library, Huron Medical Center Auxiliary, Huron County Historical Society or to Courtney Manor. A complete obituary will be published in Sunday's edition of the Huron Daily Tribune. 1