HURON DAILY TRIBUNE, Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan Local obituaries for the week beginning May 22, 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, May 22, 2005 June J. Byarski June J. Byarski, 92, formerly of Bad Axe, passed away Thursday, May 19, 2005, at the Warren Manor Nursing Home in Alabama. She was born July 26, 1912 in Alpena to the late Clifford and Rose (Gardner) Naylor. June was united in marriage to Gordon H. Thompson. He preceded her in death in 1967. On August 6, 1978 she married Albin Byarski. June was the former owner of Thompson's Market in Bad Axe and was a health worker at the Huron County Medical Care Facility. She loved traveling and visiting with family and friends. She is survived by one son, Gordon Thompson and his wife, Sally, of Selma, Alabama; seven grandchildren, Robert Thompson and his wife, Ceceil, and Stephen Thompson, all of Ferndale, Joyce Thompson, of Pontiac, Mike Brown, of Selma, Alabama, Fran Moon and her husband, Jerry, of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Libby Brown, of Manchester, Tennessee, and Linda Nickles and her husband, Dock, of Selma, Alabama. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Gordon Thompson and Albin Byarski. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 23, 2005, at the MacAlpine Funeral Home in Bad Axe. Mike Gage will officiate. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. today and from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Monday. Burial will be in Colfax Township Cemetery. Memorials may be offered to the First United Methodist Church in Bad Axe. Thomas O. Donnelly Thomas O. Donnelly, a former resident of Port Austin, died Thursday, May 19, 2005, in Concord, California after an extended illness. He is survived by his parents, Pat and Bud Donnelly, of Harbor Beach; sisters, Deborah McClintock, of Bad Axe, Diane Hall, of Monroe, North Carolina, Patricia Donnelly, of Harbor Beach, Denise Reynolds, of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and Peggy Ostrom, of Walnut Creek, California; and brothers, Daniel, of Flint, and Michael, of Grand Rapids. Funeral services will be conducted Monday, May 23, 2005, at St. John Vianey Catholic Church in Concord, California. A memorial service in Michigan will be scheduled at a later date. A memorial donation to your local hospice would be appreciated. Norma E. MacNamara Norma E. MacNamara, 85, of Jeddo, passed away Friday, May 20, 2005, in Evangelical Home, Fort Gratiot, after a courageous fight with lung cancer. She was born February 12, 1920 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada to the late George and Virginia (Duncan) MacNamara. Norma was married to August Grayson, by whom her two daughters, Catherine and Patricia, were born. In 1944, she divorced August, and married Michael J. Gusky on July 25, 1947. He died in 1978. Norma worked for many years in the automotive accessories industry. Her factory work led her to membership and leadership in the labor union movement. She also began a family-owned business that provided custom-made embroidered goods — from bowling shirts to specialized work for Jacobson's and Mosley Corporation. An active member for more than 53 years in Alcoholics Anonymous, she was drawn to further education in the field of alcoholism and substance abuse, and nearly completed her degree in the field. She served as counselor for the majority of her 85 years at Harrison Hospital, Chesterfield; Port Huron Hospital, Port Huron; Otsego Memorial Hospital, Gaylord; and finally at Sacred Heart Rehabilitation Center of Memphis, Michigan. She first retired from Sacred Heart in 1990, and after nine more years of part-time service, really retired in 1999. She then went to live with her daughter, Catherine, in Port Sanilac. She is survived by her daughter, the Rev. Catherine W. Hiner; her sister, Helen Sears, of Riverview; granddaughter, Roberta Hiner and her special friend, Mary Goshe, of Nevada, Ohio; cousin, Hope Ross, of Sarnia; son-in-law, Thomas Fraser Sr., of Lansing; and granddaughter, Deborah Gross. Norma was blessed by more than just her immediate family. She also is survived by step- grandchildren Gretchen LoCricchio and her husband, Giovanni, Jennifer McCullah and her husband, Pete, Christine Kuester and her husband, Randy, David Hiner and his wife, Helene, Cindy and Bret Gross, Thomas Fraser Jr., and his wife, Mary Pat, George Fraser, and Kay Kiomento, and her husband, Dr. James; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, great-grandchildren and friends. Norma was preceded in death by her sister, Florence Cull; a brother, Harold; a daughter, Patricia Fraser; a grandson, Anthony Todaro; a son- in-law, Robert Hiner; a step-granddaughter, Mary Beth (Trombley) Fraser; and a step- grandson, James Fraser. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 23, 2005, in the Pomeroy Funeral Home, 5635 Main Street in Lexington. The Rev. Marvin H. McCallum will officiate. Burial will be the next morning at Cadillac Memorial Gardens East, Clinton Township. Visitation will be held from 2 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Monday, May 23, 2005 Robert K. Coulston Robert K. Coulston, 78, of Royal Oak and formerly of Harbor Beach, passed away Friday, May 20, 2005, in the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans following a long illness. Born in Harbor Beach on September 29, 1929, he was the son of the late Wilfred and Marion (Muter) Coulston. On March 19, 1954, Robert and Colleen Patricia Moore were united in marriage in Highland Park. She preceded him in death on March 15, 2005. Robert was a graduate of Michigan State University and was a retired employee of the Michigan Milk Producers Association and a retired employee of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving at the end of World War II. He enjoyed being outdoors planting trees, being in the woods and gardening. Surviving are his children, Jane Sturley and her husband, David, of Bloomfield Township, Keith Coulston and his wife, Lori, of Madison Heights, John Coulston, of Troy, and Dan Coulston and his wife, Margie, of Madison Heights; six grandchildren, Ben, Zach, Jaimie, Nate, Joe, and Jonathon; two brothers, Wilfred Coulston and his wife, Alveretta, of Lexington, South Carolina, and Kenneth Coulston, of Harbor Beach; two sisters, Janette Schlabach, of Kennesaw, Georgia, and Elizabeth Schlabach, of Bad Axe. Robert was preceded in death by a sister, Ila Thuemmel and a brother, Eugene Coulston. Funeral services will be at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 24, 2005, in the Ramsey Funeral Home, Harbor Beach, with the Rev. Theresa Cutler officiating. Burial will be in the New River Cemetery, Huron City. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of services on Tuesday in the funeral home. Tuesday, May 24, 2005 Ruth Barnhart Ruth Barnhart, 91, of Munising, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, May 21, 2005. She died peacefully in her sleep at her home. Ruth lived her entire life in Michigan. She was born on June 15, 1913 in Sault Ste. Marie to James and Mary Tomlinson. When Ruth was just a few months old, her family moved to Sugar Island, where her father made a living building log cabins for settlers. A few years later, her parents took Ruth and her brother and sister to Munising to live. They traveled from St. Ste. Marie on a sailing ship. Her father found work in Munising as a carpenter. When Ruth was five years old, the family moved again — this time to the Thumb area. They bought a farm and lived there for about 12 years. Around 1930, they moved to the Detroit area. Before long, Ruth met Oren Dean Barnhart and they were married on October 3, 1932 when Ruth was 19 years old. Ruth and Dean raised four children of their own and were foster parents to many more. They lived in Warren until Dean retired and they moved to Reed City. A few years after Dean's death in 1980, Ruth moved from Reed City to Munising. Her years in Munising were happy ones. Ruth loved gardening and planted beautiful perennial gardens around her home. She especially loved roses. She enjoyed caring for dozens of African violets and many other house plants. Her home was a comfortable haven that her grandchildren loved to visit. Ruth was a member of Faith Baptist Church in Warren where she sang in the choir and taught Sunday School for many years. After moving to Munising, she attended Munising Baptist Church. Her gardens provided many large, beautiful bouquets for the church altar. She is survived by her daughters: Pat Pietrzak and her husband, Frank, of Reed City, and Barbara Robb and her husband, Jim, of Coldwater; son, John Barnhart and his wife, Kathy, of AuTrain; three beloved grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Dean, in 1980; and her son, Bill, in 2001. Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. on Thursday, May 26, 2005, at the Knoblock Funeral Home in Kinde. Ruth will be buried in the Port Austin Township Cemetery beside her husband. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the time of the service on Thursday at the funeral home. Donations in Ruth's memory can be made to North Woods Home Nursing and Hospice of Munising. Mike Katshor Mike Katshor, 52, a long-time resident of Gainesville, Georgia, bravely passed away on May 23, 2005, from an extended illness. He was a member of Brocket Baptist Church. He was known for his intense love for his family, his ambition, his humor, and his quiet faith in God. He was always there to help those in need in the community. He was a man you could always depend on and trust. He was known for his strength of character. He was such a presence. Surviving are his wife of 20 years, Carol Katshor; his beloved sons, Ben Katshor and Damian Matthews; his beloved mother, Betty Crumpton; his sister, April Kingsbury and her husband, Bruce; brother-in-law, Robert Sharpe; step- mother, Nancy Sharp; niece and nephews, Melessa Gaeth and her husband, Kevin, and Bryan Kingsbury; his Aunt Bonnie; and good friend and cousin, Wade Wheat; his half- sisters, Michelle Proper and her husband, Carl, and Lisa Katshor; and half-brother, Jamie Katshor and his wife, Missy. He was preceded in death by his father, James Katshor; grandmother, Martha Morgan; grandfather, Avery Morgan; step-father, Earl Crumpton; and father-in-law, Robert Sharpe. Funeral services will be at noon on Thursday, May 26, 2005, at the Ingram Funeral Home Chapel with Henry Carlyle, Robert Martin, and Jeff Wilkie officiating. Interment will follow at Saunee View Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday at Ingram Funeral Home. Eva M. Morley Eva M. Morley, 89, of Bad Axe and formerly of Harbor Beach, passed away Monday, May 23, 2005, at St. Mary's Medical Center in Saginaw after a short illness. Born in Grindstone City on March 9, 1916, she was the daughter of the late Norman "Mac" and Barbara (Engelhart) Brown. On May 7, 1936, Eva and Joseph Morley were united in marriage in Port Huron. Joe preceded her in death on February 5, 1997. Eva was a former member of the First Baptist Church in Harbor Beach and a member of the Farther Lights Society. She is survived by seven daughters, Mary Jurges and her husband, Duane, of Bad Axe, Joan Maurer and her husband, Clayton, of Ubly, Ruth Ann Leese and her husband, Elmer, of Port Hope, Nancy Stewart, of Sarnia, Ontario, Susan Piotter and her husband, Ronald, of Ubly, Betty Arnott and her husband, Bob, of Bad Axe, and Jean Smith, of Bad Axe; 30 grandchildren; 67 great-grandchildren; and three great-great- grandchildren; two brothers, Nap Brown and his wife, Eleanor, of Harbor Beach,. and Charles Brown and his wife, Deloris, of New Boston; a brother-in-law, Lyle Morley, of Harbor Beach; three sisters-in-law, Lutisha Robinson, of Harbor Beach, Ruby Roggenbuck, of Harbor Beach, and Arlene Brown, of Port Hope; and several nieces and nephews. Eva was preceded in death by a daughter, Gloria June Morley; a grandson, Kenneth Robert Joseph Stewart; and a great-grandson, Micheal Duane Jurges. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, May 25, 2005, at the Ramsey Funeral Home in Harbor Beach with the Rev. Andrew Willis, of the First Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in the Rock Falls Cemetery, Harbor Beach. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. today and from 10 a.m. until the time of services on Wednesday. Anthony J. Tezak Jr. Anthony J. Tezak Jr., 62, of Ubly, passed away Sunday evening, May 22, 2005, at Hills and Dales Hospital in Cass City. He was born on March 19, 1943 in Royalton, Pennsylvania to the late Anthony J. and Henrietta E. (Lingg) Tezak, Sr. He married Lois Ertman on October 5, 1963 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Argyle. Tony was a graduate of Bishop McDevitt High School in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1961-1982 as a Sr. Chief electronic technician at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center in Illinois. He was a lifetime member of the Parisville VFW Post #5740. He was involved with the Boy Scouts. He was employed as a senior instructor at Chrysler Advance Technical Training Center in Detroit and at RWD in Auburn Hills. He retired in 1992 and moved from Auburn Hills to Bad Axe in 1995. He was a former parishioner of Sacred Heart Parish in Bad Axe and Sacred Heart Parish in Auburn Hills. He became a parishioner at St. Ignatius Parish in Freiburg in 1998 and moved to Ubly in 1999. He was a fan of John Wayne and Lois Lamore. Tony is survived by his wife, Lois, of Ubly; six sons, Anthony J. Tezak III and his wife, Francine, of Hawaii, Patrick A. Tezak and his wife, Helene, of New Baltimore, Michael Tezak and his wife, Nancy, of Sandusky, Steven Tezak, of Auburn Hills, Daniel Tezak and his wife, Rasheedah, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Christopher Tezak and his special friend, Nikki Robinson, of Auburn Hills; 13 grandchildren; one brother, Jack Tezak and his wife, Suzy, of Middletown, Pennsylvania; three sisters, Ann Marie Griffith, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Dorothy Louise Geib and her husband, Thomas, of Maryland, Mary Lou Haas, of Middletown, Pennsylvania, Aunt Janet Smoot, of Charlotte, North Carolina. He was preceded in death by two infant brothers. Funeral Mass will be 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 26, 2005, at St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Freiburg. The Rev. Joseph Griffin, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery with military honors by the Parisville VFW Post #5740. Visitation will be from 6:30 to 9 p.m. today, from 1 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, and from 9 to 10 a.m. on Thursday at the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly. There will be a parish vigil service at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials are requested to St. Ignatius Church. Virginia Wilcox Virginia Wilcox, 62, of Otisville and Harbor Beach, passed away Saturday, May 21, 2005, at Hurley Medical Center in Flint. Virginia was born to the late Dale and Dorothy June (Hooper) Wilcox in Detroit on April 14, 1943. She is a retired employee of General Motors in Pontiac and was a member of Local 594 and was a member of St. John's Catholic Church in Davison and the Eagles Lodge No. 2588 of East Tawas. Virginia is survived by her son, Jeff Wilcox, of Chicago; her friend, Kelly Pearce, of Otisville; two brothers, Dale Wilcox, of St. Helen, and Mike Hooper, of Clarkston; one sister, Glinda Poncey, of Marine City; two grandchildren, Jeremy and Lindsay; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a son, Daniel Elsila; and brother, Joel Wilcox. A funeral Mass for Virginia will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 26, 2005, at Our Lady of Lake Huron Catholic Church in Harbor Beach. The Rev. T.J. Fleming will preside, with cremation to follow. Visitation will be from 1 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday at the Ramsey Funeral Home in Harbor Beach and from 10 a.m. until the time of services on Thursday at the church. Special thanks to Dr. April Tyler and staff of Fenton Creative Healthcare for their compassionate care. Memorials may be given to Genesee County Humane Society. Wednesday, May 25, 2005 Richard J. Bushey Richard J. Bushey, 82, of Palm Harbor, Florida, formerly of Pinnebog and Midland, died on Friday, May 20, 2005, while under the care of Hospice of the Florida Suncoast at Manor Care Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Palm Harbor. He was born March 25, 1923 in Lake Township, Huron County, son of the late John and Elizabeth (Carpenter) Bushey. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Patricia Timmons Bushey; one daughter, Michelle B. Ivy and her husband, John, of North Miami, Florida; one son, Michael F. Bushey, of Deerfield Beach, Florida; four grandchildren, April M. Ivy, J. Brian Ivy, Matthew M. Bushey, and Emily Anne Bushey; and one sister, Florence Gilbert, of Bad Axe. He was preceded in death by his seven brothers, Johnny, Warren, Allen, Thomas, Max, Bernard, and Howard; and seven sisters, Blanche Meagher, Margurite Bush, Maria Walsh, Helen Barry, Elizabeth Jean, and Ellen and Mary LeVasseur. Mr. Bushey retired from the Dow Chemical Corporation in Midland in November of 1979. He has resided in St. Petersburg and Palm Harbor, Florida, since then. He enjoyed his family, hunting, fishing, traveling, and watching baseball. A memorial service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on July 30, 2005 at St. Felix Catholic Church in Pinnebog. Moss Feaster Funeral Home and Crematory in Palm Harbor, Florida handled the arrangements. Elvira M. (Schneider) Merlini Elvira M. (Schneider) Merlini, 78, of Ubly and previously of Warren, passed away Saturday, May 21, 2005, in Cass City after an extended illness. Elvira was born March 13, 1927 in Italy. She was a UAW member and had been employed by Daimler Chrysler at the Dodge Truck Plant at 9 Mile and Mound for 30 years as a quality assurance inspector. Elvira is survived by son, Frederick W. Schneider; daughter, Gloria Dodd and a close family friend, Philip East, of Bedford, Indiana; two grandchildren; and one brother, Gino Mario Merlini, of Genoa, Italy. Elvira was preceded in death by her husband of 30 years, William Schneider. Funeral services will be at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 26, 2005, at Muir Brothers Funeral Home, 225 Main Street, Imlay City. Deacon Tom Yezak will officiate. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home. Thursday, May 26, 2005 Gerry Michael Osantowski Mr. Gerry Michael Osantowski, 38, of Brown City and formerly of Madison Heights, passed away Wednesday, May 25, 2005, at his home from complications due to medical problems. He was born October 16, 1966 in Madison Heights to Daniel R. Osantowski and the late Gladys (Holdwick) Osantowski. Gerry was a 1984 graduate of the Lamphere High School in Madison Heights. He began as a high school co-op student at Shuert Industries in Sterling Heights and was employed there for 21 years. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening and visiting with family and friends. He is survived by his father, Daniel Osantowski, of Madison Heights; one daughter, Shyausea Osantowski; two brothers, Daniel Osantowski, Jr. of Madison Heights, Kevin Osantowski, of Whitmore Lake; two sisters, Tina Gracey and her husband, Gerald, of Warren, Renee Witse and her husband, Donald, of Warren; paternal grandmother, Joanna Piot, of Hazel Park. He was preceded in death by his mother, Gladys Osantowski. A Funeral Mass will be 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 28, 2005, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Parisville. The Rev. Andrzej Boroch, pastor, will officiate. Cremation will take place at the Sunset Valley Crematory in Bay City. Visitation will be from 1:30 to 9 p.m. on Friday at Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly and from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. on Saturday at the church. Dewane G. Lindland Dewane G. Lindland, 77, of Harbor Beach, passed away Thursday, May 26, 2005, in Autumnwood of Deckerville following a short illness. Arrangements are incomplete at this time and Ramsey Funeral Home, Harbor Beach, is handling the services. A complete obituary will be in Friday's Huron Daily Tribune or by viewing RamseyFH.Com. Friday, May 27, 2005 James C. Myers James C. Myers, 76, died Wednesday evening, May 25, 2005, at his home following a 19-year-long illness. He was born October 16, 1928 in Sebewaing, son of the late Elmer and Alice (Thede) Myers. He was united in marriage to Jean A. Kleinfeld on December 5, 1948 in Sebewaing. Jim had been a merchant marine on the Great Lakes and was later employed at the Sebewaing Brewery for 14 years and then for General Motors Grey Iron Foundry in Saginaw for 23 years before retiring due to disability in 1988. He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, former member of the Sebewaing Jaycees. He enjoyed hunting and fishing. He is survived by his wife, Jean; one daughter, Crystal Gaeth and her husband, Neil; one son, Scott Myers and his wife, Tari, all of Sebewaing; and seven grandchildren. He was preceded in death by infant sister, Peggy Ruth Myers; and one daughter, Peggy Schulz. The funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 28, 2005, at Immanuel Lutheran Church. The Rev. Daniel Hahn will officiate with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from noon to 9 p.m. today at Dinkel-Juengel Funeral Home in Sebewaing. He will lie in state from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday at the church. Memorials may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church, USA Grand Piano Fund, or the charity of the donor's choice. Thomas J. Yaroch Thomas J. Yaroch, 81, of Kinde, died Thursday, May 26, 2005, at Courtney Manor in Bad Axe after a long illness. A lifelong resident of the Kinde-Port Austin area, he was a World War II U.S. Navy veteran. He is survived by four daughters, Ann Shuey, Jean Cottick, Kay Eddinger, and Gail Reinert; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; three sisters, Josephine Schramski, Gertrude Jaworski and Agnes Krall; and two brothers, Ray Yaroch and Clarence Yaroch. He was preceded in death by his wife, Loretta; one daughter, Joyce; and two brothers, Louis and Ed Yaroch. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 28, 2005, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bad Axe. The Rev. James Carlson, pastor, will preside. Private burial will follow at St. Michael's Cemetery in Port Austin. At the family's request, there will be no viewing at the funeral home. Arrangements are being handled by H. W. Weitenberner Funeral Home in Bad Axe. Andrew T. Brown Andrew T. Brown, 18, of Cass City, died Wednesday, May 25, 2005, in a car crash in Tuscola County. Funeral services will be conducted at 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 29, 2005, at Kranz Funeral Home in Cass City with Pastor Gary Butterfield, of Lamotte Missionary Church, officiating. Interment will be in Elkland Township Cemetery. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. today, from 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, and from 2 to 3 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Family Discretionary Fund. Family and friends may share memories, prayers, and stories with the family at www.kranzfuneralhome.com. Richard L. Jarvis Richard L. Jarvis, 68, of Pigeon, passed away Thursday evening, May 26, 2005, at Scheurer Hospital Long Term Care. Funeral service arrangements are incomplete at this time and a complete notice will be available for Sunday's edition of the Huron Daily Tribune. Meyersieck-Bussema Funeral Home in Pigeon is conducting the arrangements. 10