HURON DAILY TRIBUNE, Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan Local obituaries for the week beginning August 21, 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, August 21, 2005 Barbara Piazza Mrs. Barbara (Gillis) Piazza, 59, of Mt. Morris, passed away Friday, August 19, 2005, at Hurley Medical Center in Flint. Barbara was born January 3, 1946 in Deckerville, daughter of the late John and Ila (Noble) Gillis. She married Jerry Piazza in November of 1996. She was an avid NASCAR fan and a very loving wife, mother and grandmother. Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Jerry, of Mt. Morris; five sons, Michael Kowalski and his wife, Lucinda, of Seattle, Greg Kowalski and his wife, Tara, of Flint, Steve Sobczak, of Wellborn, Florida, Terry Piazza, of Desert Hot Springs, California, Tracy Piazza, of Mt. Morris; one daughter, Tricia Piazza, of Bitely; 11 grandchildren; six sisters, Mary Hassler and her husband, Don, of Waterford, Marge Bennett and her husband, Leo "Buzz", of Harbor Beach, Lou Ann Reinelt and her husband, Bob, of Snover, Sheila Edwards and her husband, Ben, of Bad Axe, Lisa Bischer and her husband, Paul, of Holly, Laura Klee and her husband, Tim, of Ubly; four brothers, John Gillis Jr., of Bay City, Jerry Gillis, of Deckerville, Jim Gillis, of Minden City, Joe Gillis and his wife, Carie, of Sandusky; and many nieces and nephews. Barbara was preceded in death by her parents and son, Jeff Kowalski. A funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, August 23, 2005, at the Miles Martin Funeral Home in Mt. Morris. Burial will be in the Crestwood Cemetery in Mt. Morris. Visitation will be from 4 to 9 p.m. today, 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 9 p.m. on Monday, and 8 a.m. until the time of service on Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be directed to the Family Discretionary Fund. Local information provided by the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral home of Ubly. Milton Rhodes Milton Devere Rhodes, 81, was received in the arms of his Lord Thursday, August 18, 2005, at his home. Milton was born October 14, 1923 at home in Unionville to Clyde Oliver Rhodes and Edna Belle Wright Van Wagoner Rhodes. Milton married Leora Faye Town on September 30, 1950. He was a farmer for most of his life. He also worked at the State of Michigan Caro Regional Center for 25 years. He was also a licensed builder for many years. He loved working in his garden and sharing his produce with his many friends. He was a lifelong member of Colwood United Brethren Church. He is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years, Leora Faye Rhodes; six children, Barbara Rhodes Maxwell, Shirley and Richard Tuckey, Donna Rhodes, Debra Rhodes Lowe, Charles and Jeanne Rhodes, Clyde and Lynn Rhodes; 13 grandchildren; 12 great- grandchildren; one sister, Loretta Thane, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, seven brothers and five sisters. The funeral will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Monday, August 22, 2005, at the Colwood United Brethren in Christ Church. Pastors Phil Whipple and Rocky Spear will officiate. Burial will be at Ellington Township Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 9 p.m. today at Collon Funeral Home, and from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Monday at the church. Memorials may be made to the Colwood United Brethren in Christ Church, the Hospice of Hope or the Gideons. Friends and family can share thoughts and memories at www.collonfuneralhome.com. Giuseppe "Joe" Todaro Giuseppe "Joe" Todaro, 61, of Bad Axe, died Wednesday, August 17, 2005, in Tendercare Nursing Facility, Cass City. He was born May 27, 1944 in Detroit to Giuseppe and Vita (Guastella) Todaro. He was married to Helen Langley on October 2, 1991 in Bad Axe. Joe worked for Ford Motor Company and Duggan's Family Campground in Port Austin. He was a member of Victory in Christ Community Church and a reverend in Forgotten Man's Ministry, Bad Axe Chapter. Joe enjoyed hunting and fishing. Joe is survived by his daughter, Kimberly Todaro, of Muskegon; his mother, Vita "Vera" Todaro, of Madison Heights; twin sister, Joann Frederick and her husband, Ronald, of Warren; sister, Josephine Cerrone and her husband, Steve, of Troy; step- daughters, Sara Herek, of Bad Axe, Roxana Langley, of Bad Axe, Margaret Langley, of Bad Axe; eight grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Giuseppe. A memorial service will be conducted at noon on Monday, August 22, 2005, in Victory in Christ Community Church, Bad Axe, with the Rev. Stewart Justin officiating. Interment is in White Chapel Cemetery, Troy. Memorials may be made to the Family Discretionary Fund or the American Cancer Society. Family and friends may share memories, prayers and stories with the family at www.kranzfuneralhome.com. Monday, August 22, 2005 Barbara M. Mazure Barbara M. Mazure, 72, of Harbor Beach, passed away on Saturday, August 20, 2005, in her home following a courageous battle from cancer. She had hospice care and her family by her side. She was born on June 23, 1933 in Harbor Beach to the late Clarence and Laura (Scholtz) Booms. Barb and Ray Mazure were united in marriage on February 20, 1954 at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Helena. She was an active member of Our Lady of Lake Huron Catholic Church in Harbor Beach. Her involvement included serving as a religious education teacher, lector, Eucharistic minister, and participating in the scripture group. Barb also served as recovery group leader for Recovery, Inc. Barb is survived by her husband, Ray, after a beautiful marriage of 51 years; six children, Jeffrey Mazure and his wife, Mary Lee (Mixter), of Traverse City, Lori Romzek and her husband, James, of Harbor Beach, Michael Mazure and his wife, Dianne (Balk), of Jenison, Morris "Jay" Mazure, of Gardnerville, Nevada, and his fiance Mary Legaspina, of Tagudin, Phillipines, Ellen Rapson and her husband, David, of Traverse City, Brenda Levaine and her husband, John, of Kinde; and 19 grandchildren; five brothers, James Booms, Robert Booms, Gene Booms and his wife, Emily, all of Harbor Beach, Albert Booms and his wife, Nenita, of Georgia, and Warren Booms and his wife, Anna, of Saginaw; five sisters, Marilyn Essenmacher and her husband, Lloyd, Charlotte Kranz and her husband, Lawrence, Matilda Messing and her husband, Dan, Clarice Siemen and her husband, Ron, all of Harbor Beach, Ramona Bell, of Texas; and sister-in-law, Delphine Booms, of Harbor Beach. She was preceded by her father, Clarence Booms; her mother, Laura Booms; brothers, Kenneth and Stephen; sister, Judy; brother-in-laws, Robert Talaski and Mack Bell; and sister-in-laws, Shirley Booms and Mary Louise Booms. Funeral services will take place at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, August 24, 2005, at Our Lady of Lake Huron Catholic Church in Harbor Beach. The Rev. T.J. Flemming, pastor, will preside. Burial will be in the church cemetery. A parish vigil service will be at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the Ramsey Funeral Home in Harbor Beach. Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. today, from 1 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, and from 10 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. As Barb requested, memorials may be directed to Recovery, Inc., Heartland Hospice, or Our Lady of Lake Huron Catholic Church instead of flower arrangements. Tuesday, August 23, 2005 James Morrison Morley James Morrison Morley, 36, of Paden, Oklahoma, died suddenly on October 7, 2004 after a long illness. A memorial service will be conducted at 10 a.m. on Saturday, August 27, 2005, at the First Presbyterian Church in Bad Axe with interment at Colfax Township Cemetery, Bad Axe. Wednesday, August 24, 2005 Patricia Ann Leneway Patricia Ann Leneway, 72, of Bad Axe, passed away on Tuesday, August 23, 2005, at Courtney Manor Nursing Center in Bad Axe. She was born on September 28, 1932 in Gilmore Township in Isabella County, daughter of the late Harold A. and Ada Grace (Brasington) Sherman. She married Edward L. Leneway on October 24, 1959 at the Kinde Presbyterian Church. They lived in Kinde for 30 years, moving to Bad Axe in 1989. She taught home economics for North Huron schools from 1955 to 1964. She taught in the Ubly schools for a year before starting a teaching position in the Filion schools. She received her teaching certificate for handicapped children and was the last teacher in Filion. She helped plan the Huron Learning Center from which she retired in 1988. She is survived by her husband, Edward L. Leneway, of Bad Axe; one son, Donald E. Leneway, of Elkton; one daughter, Darcie L. Finan, of Grindstone City; one brother, Albert Sherman, of Flint; four grandchildren, Mike, Keith, and Kenzie Williams, and Matt Finan, all of Grindstone City. Patricia was preceded in death by one sister-in- law, Mary Lou Sherman; and two nephews, Terrance J. Sherman and Allen Sherman. Services will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, August 25, 2005, at the Kaufman Funeral Home in Bad Axe. Burial will be in Colfax Township Cemetery, Bad Axe. Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. until the time of the service at 11 a.m. on Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials may be offered to the Bad Axe Library, North Huron Schools library, Port Austin Township Library, or the Huron County Special Olympics. Frank Mergucz Frank Mergucz, 60, of Port Austin, died Monday, August 22, 2005, at the Huron Medical Center in Bad Axe. He was born on January 26, 1945 in Elbert, West Virginia, son of the late John and Anna (Yanesh) Mergucz. Frank and Mary Ray were married on April 12, 1968 in Wise, Virginia. Frank was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church in Port Austin. He served in the United States Marine Corps in Vietnam, where he was a Military Police officer and a member of the United States Tank Battalion. Frank is survived by his wife, Mary, of Port Austin; two children, Tina Hoody and her husband, Brian, of Port Austin, and Frank Mergucz Jr., of Port Austin; five grandchildren, Nikki, Courtney, and Shannon Mergucz and John and Bradley Hoody; and one brother, John Mergucz and his wife, Doreen, of Cheboygan. He was preceded in death by his son, John Mergucz; and three sisters, Margaret Muscatello, Frances Mergucz, and Julie Kay Mergucz. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Friday, August 26, 2005, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Port Austin. Presiding will be the Rev. Robert Pare', pastor. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. today, from noon to 9 p.m. on Thursday, and from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on Friday at the Knoblock Funeral Home in Kinde. There will be a vigil at 7 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home. Thursday, August 25, 2005 Jill Elizabeth Alexander Jill Elizabeth Alexander, of Williamston and formerly from Bay Port, passed away on Monday, August 15, 2005, in her home after an 18-month battle with cancer. Jill's family and many friends will celebrate her life at 3 p.m. on Saturday, August 27, 2005, at the Bay Port Methodist Church. Friday, August 26, 2005 Bernice Florence Hilton Mrs. Bernice Florence Hilton, 75, of Ubly, passed away Wednesday, August 24, 2005, at the Huron Medical Center of Bad Axe. She was born August 10, 1930 in Parisville, daughter of the late Sylvester and Rose (Pawlowski) Dropeski. She married George Hilton on January 10, 1953 at Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Ruth. Bernice was a graduate of Ubly High School. She was a mother and homemaker for more than 43 years. She was a member of the "Women of the Moose." She was a parishioner at St. John Catholic Church and the St. John Christian Mothers, Circle 4, Queen of Angels. She was a former parishioner at St. Robert Bellamine Parish of Redford. She moved to Ubly in September of 1994. Bernice is survived by one daughter, Marilyn Virant and her husband, Charles, of Garden City; four granddaughters, Jennifer Virant, Dawn Eisenscher and her husband, Doron, Kimberly and Deborah Virant; two great-grandchildren Asha and A.J.; one sister, Lillian Blaine and her husband, John, of Milford; special friend, Ira Leppek, of Las Vegas, Nevada. She was preceded in death by her husband, George, on October 21, 1996. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Monday, August 29, 2005, at St. John Catholic Church in Ubly. The Rev. Joseph Griffin, pastor, will preside. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, 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 Christian Mothers rosary at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and a parish vigil service at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday. Both services will be at the funeral home. Joyce C. Schave Joyce C. Schave, 68, of Port Hope, passed away Thursday, August 25, 2005, in the long- term care unit of the Harbor Beach Community Hospital following a short illness. Born in Port Hope on December 25, 1936, she was the daughter of Caroline (Pleiness) Reinke and the late Carl Reinke. Joyce and Gary Schave were united in marriage on September 11, 1971 in Port Hope. She was a former employee of Huron County Bank for 30 years and worked for Harbor Beach Federal Credit Union for the last 14 years. She was an active member of the St. John Lutheran Church in Port Hope. Her activities included being on the finance board and a member of the Lutheran Womens Missionary League. Joyce is survived by her husband, Gary Schave, of Port Hope; her mother, Caroline Reinke, of Port Hope; sister, Betty Leese and her husband, Herb, of Port Hope; three brothers, William Reinke and his wife, Ramona, Richard Reinke and his wife, Susan, and Larry Reinke and his wife, Kathie, all of Port Hope; brothers-in-law, Kenneth Schave and his wife, Janet, and Robert Schave and his wife, Linda, all of Port Hope; sister-in-law, Nancy Schave, of New York; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, Carl, and a brother-in-law, Donald Reinke. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. on Saturday, August 27, 2005, at St. John Lutheran Church, Port Hope, with the Rev. Gregory Eilers, pastor, officiating. Burial will be at the Lakeview Cemetery in Port Hope. A scripture service will be at 7:30 p.m. on Friday at the Ramsey Funeral Home in 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 11:30 a.m. until the time of services on Saturday at the church. Edna Peyerk Edna Peyerk, 94, of Bad Axe passed away on Thursday, August 25, 2005, at Courtney Manor in Bad Axe. A complete obituary will be published in Sunday's edition of the Huron Daily Tribune. Arrangements are being handled by the Kaufman Funeral Home in Bad Axe. 6