HURON DAILY TRIBUNE, Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan Local obituaries for the week beginning July 24, 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, July 24, 2005 Leonard Lautner Leonard Lautner, 85, of Punta Gorda, Florida, passed away Thursday, July 21, 2005. He was born September 24, 1919 in Palms and moved to Florida from Ubly three years ago. Mr. Lautner was a retired Merchant Seaman and after retirement, he worked as a farmer in Ubly. He served in the Navy during World War II. Survivors include his wife, Margaret; daughters, Karen Gekle, of Punta Gorda, and Linda Krumenacker, of Ubly; sons, Robert Gekle, of Lansing, and Ronald Gekle, of Holt; a sister, Ordean Michalski, of Ubly; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Walter, Clarence, Floyd, John Jr., Fred, and Frank; and by a sister, Lillian Woodcheski. Memorial services will be held at a later date in Michigan. Memorial donations may be made to your local hospice, or the American Cancer Society. Earl E. Schave Earl E. Schave, 90, of Port Hope, passed away Thursday, July 21, 2005, in Courtney Manor Nursing Center, Bad Axe, under hospice care. Born in Port Hope on May 15, 1915, he was the son of the late Charles and Stella (Hoffman) Schave. On March 8, 1951, Earl and Hilmuth Krueger were united in marriage in Port Hope. Earl was a retired Rubicon Township farmer and was the sexton of the Lakeview and Forest Bay Cemeteries for many years. He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Port Hope. Surviving are his wife, Hilmuth Schave, of Port Hope; and his children, Joann Cove and her husband, Robert, of Bad Axe, Bryce Schave, of Port Hope, Wanda Srebinski and her husband, Ron, of Sandusky, Lyle Schave, of Port Hope, Carol Schave-Wicker and her husband, John, of Commerce Township, and Charlene Sharrard and her husband, Martin, of Port Huron; nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren; two sisters, Dorothy Binkle, of Port Hope, and Alma Stange, of Warren. Earl was preceded in death by a great-granddaughter, Jodie Marie Emerick; brother, Lawrence Schave; and three sisters, Marguerite Ender, Florence Young, and Mildred Pochert. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 24, 2005, in St. John Lutheran Church, Port Hope, with the Rev. Gregory Eilers, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the Port Hope Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until the time of services today at the church. Gracia Frances Hergenreder Gracia Frances Hergenreder, 92, of Kingston, died peacefully in her home with her family at her side on Friday, July 22, 2005. A funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 26, 2005, in Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City, with Lecil Sullivan officiating. Burial will be in Kingston Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. today, and from 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the United Hospice of Marlette. Family and friends may share memories, prayers and stories with the family at www.kranzfuneralhome.com Monday, July 25, 2005 Mary J. Weltin Mary J. Weltin, 82, of Ubly, passed away Sunday, July 24, 2005, at her residence. She was born on December 3, 1922 in Berlin, New Hampshire to the late Joseph and Elizabeth (Drotar) Goda. She married Aaron J. Weltin on May 2, 1959 at St. Agatha Catholic Church in Gagetown. He preceded her in death on July 5, 1992. Mary attended school in Gagetown. She was employed at Burroughs in Detroit and General Cable in Cass City. She also farmed with her husband for many years in the Ubly area. She was a former member of Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church of Smith Corners and attended St. John Catholic Church of Ubly. She was an avid reader. She loved playing cards and visiting the casinos. She enjoyed polkas and country music. Mary is survived by a special nephew, Michael, and his wife, Carol Kubacki and their family of Ubly; two sisters, Rose Osentoski, of Cass City, and Anna Kubacki, of Ubly; five sisters-in-law, Claire Grifka, Joan Mahoney, Marion Weltin, Ilene Franzel, Irene Fodo; one brother-in- law, John T. Maurer. She was preceded in death by her parents, Elizabeth (Drotar) Rusnak and Joseph Goda; her step-father, Michael Rusnak; mother and father-in-law, Joseph and Lylan Weltin; four brothers, John, Joseph, Paul, and Frank Goda; two sisters, Margaret Walters and Elizabeth Csernyik; five sisters-in-law, Sylvia Goda, Caroline Goda, Helen Maurer, Lylan Messing and Marie Abraham; 11 brothers-in-law, Enoch Osentoski, Raymond Kubacki, Fritz Csernyik, Stanley Walters, Wilfred Messing, Paul Abraham, Clarence Grifka, Dan Mahoney, James Weltin, Alfred Weltin, and Calvin Weltin. A Funeral Mass will be 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 27, 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 2:30 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday and from 9 to 10 a.m. on Wednesday at Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly. Memorials may be made to the Sleeper Public Library in Ubly or the Huron Medical Care Recreation Program. Eugene D. Nicholas Eugene D. Nicholas, 56, of Cass City, passed away on Thursday, July 21, 2005, at his home. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 27, 2005, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Cass City with the Rev. Cameron Steele, of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Caro, officiating. Interment will be in Elkland Township Cemetery with military honors under the direction of the Cass City VFW Post No. 3644. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. today and from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday at the Kranz Funeral Home in Cass City. Memorials may be made to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Cass City. Family and friends may share memories, prayers and stories with the family at www.kranzfuneralhome.com. Garry H. Randall Garry H. Randall, 60, of Cass City, passed away on Saturday, July 23, 2005, at Covenant Health Care System, Cooper Campus in Saginaw. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, July 27, 2005, at Kranz Funeral Home in Cass City with Chuck Emmert, of Novesta Church of Christ, officiating. Interment will be in Elkland Township Cemetery. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. today and from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday. Memorials may be made to Novesta Church of Christ. Family and friends may share memories, prayers and stories with the family at www.kranzfuneralhome.com. Tuesday, July 26, 2005 Raymond A. Wolschlager Raymond A. Wolschlager, 88, of Bad Axe, a lifelong Sheridan Township farmer, passed away on Sunday, July 24, 2005, at Huron Medical Center in Bad Axe. He was born August 11, 1916 in Sheridan Township, son of the late Frank and Agnes (Depcinski) Wolschlager. Mr. Wolschlager was a lifelong Sheridan Township farmer. He was a member of the Michigan Milk Producers Association. He was a parishioner of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Bad Axe, where he also was a member of the 50 and over club. He was a member of the Bishop Babcock General Assembly 4th Degree Knights of Columbus Council No. 1546 Bad Axe. He attended the Becking Rural Country School where he later served as a board member. For many years he was a Sheridan Township Trustee. He was a member of the family hunting club at Alpena. He enjoyed fishing, traveling, calling square dances in his early days, and visiting with family and friends. He is survived by four brothers, Stanley Wolschlager and his wife, Josephine, of Bad Axe, Melvin Wolschlager and his wife, Lorraine, of Bad Axe, Kenneth Wolschlager and his wife, Audrey, of Bad Axe, Elgin Wolschlager, of Lowell; one sister, Evelyn Ochoa and her husband, Henny, of Detroit; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great- nephews. He was preceded in death by a sister, Ernestine Hessling; three brothers, Archie Wolschlager, Wilmer Wolschlager and infant brother, Joseph; two brothers-in- law, Elmer Hessling and Ralph Volmering; two sisters-in-law, Marion Wolschlager and Mary Jane Wolschlager. A Mass of Christian burial will be 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 28, 2005, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Bad Axe. Fr. James Carlson, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Bad Axe. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. today, from 1 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, and from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on Thursday at MacAlpine Funeral Home in Bad Axe. There will be a wake scripture offered at 7:30 p.m. followed by a rosary at 8 p.m. by the Knights of Columbus Council No. 1546 on Wednesday. Memorials may be offered to Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the Family Discretionary Fund. Wednesday, July 27, 2005 Melvin L. Kuisel Melvin L. Kuisel, 87, of Sebewaing, died Tuesday, July 26, 2005, at his home. He was born August 6, 1917 in Sebewaing, son of the late Henry J. and Katherine (Jacobi) Kuisel. He was united in marriage to Dorothy A. Currey on October 12, 1940. Melvin owned and operated Kuisel Plumbing and Heating for several years. Surviving are his wife of 64 years, Dorothy, of Sebewaing; two daughters, Carolyn Kelcher and her husband, Don, of Sebewaing, Shirley Lupton and her husband, Norman, of Caro; six grandchildren: Steven Kelcher and his wife, Elizabeth, Mark Kelcher, Michelle Bolzman and her husband, Michael, all of Sebewaing, Matthew Kelcher and his wife, Elizabeth, of Freeland, Kevin Lupton and his wife, Amy, of Howell, and Brian Lupton and his wife, Jackie, of Huntington Woods; six great-grandchildren, Rachel, Andrew, Rebecca Kelcher, Brandon, Brianna Bolzman and Kendall Lupton; one brother, Harold Kuisel, of Hartland. He was preceded in death by one sister, Aldine Greth. The funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 29, 2005, at Dinkel-Juengel Funeral Home. The Rev. Arthur Stone will officiate with burial in the Memorial Park cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. on Thursday. Memorials may be given to Trinity United Methodist Church of Sebewaing or Bay Shore Camp. Keith L. McTaggart Keith L. McTaggart, 81, of Bad Axe, passed away on Saturday, April 30, 2005, at the Blake Medical Center in Bradenton, Florida following a short illness. He was born on July 6, 1923 in Bad Axe, son of the late Russell and Mabel (Kerr) McTaggart. He married Bertha Lutz on September 28, 1946. He served as an MP in the U.S. Army Air Corps, participating in the India and China Theaters during World War II. He was a 1941 Bad Axe High School graduate, a 1949 graduate of Michigan State University and long- time Spartan fan. He was in education for 35 years, teaching agriculture at Elkton High School, serving as high school counselor at Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port High School, and closing out his career as vocational education director of the Huron Intermediate School District. He was a member of the Bad Axe First Presbyterian Church, the Elkton Lions Club, and a lifelong resident of Huron County living on the McTaggart centennial farm. Keith and Bertha have spent the last 10 winters in Bradenton, Florida, enjoying the warm weather and their many friends. Keith enjoyed travel, camping trips, golfing, yard work, and taking kids of all ages on wagon rides around the farm. He and Bertha loved visiting and entertaining their family and many friends. He is survived by his wife, Bertha McTaggart, of Bad Axe; three daughters, Julee McTaggart and Marc Veneroso, of Vancouver, Washington, Janice Kanters and her husband, Rudi, of Rotterdam, The Netherlands, Melinda Stone and her husband, David, of Birmingham; one son, Jim McTaggart and his wife, Lisa, of Elm Grove, Wisconsin; three granddaughters; and four grandsons. A celebration of life memorial service will be conducted at 1:30 p.m. on July 30, 2005, at the Bad Axe First Presbyterian Church. Officiating will be the Rev. Jan G. Dykshoorn, pastor, and retired pastor and family friend, The Rev. Don Remillard, of Sterling Heights. A visitation period will be conducted with the family in the church activity hall immediately following the services. Memorials may be offered to Huron Technical Center-CTSO or the Bad Axe First Presbyterian Church. To view an online tribute and to offer your tribute to Keith McTaggart, see www.pacifier.com/~mctaggart. Arrangements are by Kaufman Funeral Home in Bad Axe. Betty Marion Wilson Betty Marion Wilson, 76, of Caseville, formerly of Flint, died July 26, 2005, at United Hospice Residence in Marlette after a brief illness. Betty was born September 28, 1928 in Flint to the late Peter and Anna (Hritz) LaBoskey. She graduated from Flint Northern High School in 1945. From 1945 to 1956, she worked as a secretary at the Flint Police Department. On September 29, 1956, she married William Ralph Wilson of Flint in Toledo, Ohio. In 1968, they moved to Caseville. She was a devoted wife and homemaker, and she enjoyed reading and her flowers. Betty is survived by her husband, William Ralph; step-son, William Ralph and his wife, Miriam, of Saline; grandchildren, Jennifer, Melanie, and Luther William and his wife, Michel; great-grandchildren, Aaron and Ethan; brother, John LaBoskey and his wife, Janet, of Grand Blanc; brother-in-law, Wayne C. Hoffmeyer, of Texas; sister-in-law, Catherine LaBoskey, of Florida; and 11 nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Donald P. and William J.; and sisters Cecilia, Marie and Theresa. A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 29, 2005, at St. Roch Catholic Church with Fr. Ken Yaroch presiding. Friends are welcome to begin gathering at the church at 10 a.m. on Friday. Memorials may be made to the Scheurer Hospital. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Champagne Funeral Chapel of Caseville. Condolences may be shared online at www.cfcCaseville.com. Thursday, July 28, 2005 Arthur L. Klass Arthur L. Klass, 83, of Sebewaing, died Tuesday, July 26, 2005, in Scheurer Hospital, Pigeon. He was born November 9, 1921 in Bay City, the son of the late Lawrence and Frances (Smaglinska) Klass. He married Miss Angeline A. Cabala on July 1, 1950 in Bay City. Mr. Klass owned and operated Klass Boat Livery for several years. He enjoyed feeding and watching birds, and other wildlife around his home. He is survived by his wife, Angeline, of Sebewaing; one brother, Lawrence Klass and his wife, Roberta, of Alabama; one sister, Mary McIntyre and her husband, Donald, of Bad Axe; brothers and sisters-in-law, Stanley and Frances Oldinski, Julia and Eugene Mazurwski, and Joan Spencer, all of Bay City, Daniel and Roma Cabala, of Linwood and Al and Charlene Cabala, of Bay City; special nephew, Robert Oldinski, along with many nieces and nephews; and special friends, Charles Frank and George Fry; and special neighbor and friend, Joyce Simmons. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Sylvester, Harold and Frederick; and two sisters, Mrs. Irene Nelke, and Mrs. Dorothy Rytlewski; and step- mother, Mrs. Barbara Blust. A Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 30, 2005, in Holy Family Catholic Church. Father John Weis will officiate. Burial will be in St. Stanislaus Kostka Cemetery, Bay City. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. on Friday in the Dinkel-Juengel Funeral Home in Sebewaing. Memorials may be given to Holy Family Catholic Church. Katherine M. Lenz Katherine M. Lenz, 81, of Sebewaing, died Wednesday, July 27, 2005, at Bay Regional Medical Center in Bay City following a six-month illness. She was born June 8, 1924 in Merritt Township, Bay County, daughter of the late Fredrick J. and Dorothy (Eckhart) Brinkman. She was united in marriage to Norman J. Lenz on December 4, 1943 in Sebewaing. Katherine had been employed at Caro State Hospital for 16 years before retiring June 30, 1984. She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Sebewaing, the Ladies Aid, Mary Martha Guild, Birthday Club, Farm Bureau, Sebewaing V.F.W. Auxiliary Post #293. Surviving besides her husband, Norman, are two daughters and their spouses, Jean Kay and Gene Seibel, of Gaylord, Sandra Lynn and Roger Jenkins, of Northville; four grandchildren and their spouses, Christine and Scott Steensma, Matthew Seibel, Jennifer Jenkins, Jessica and Mike Hans; one great-granddaughter, Eowyn Steensma; several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by five sisters, Dorothy Fisher, Marie Culbert, Alma Davis, Molly Schneider, and Esther Klein; three brothers, Fredrick, Alex and Harold Brinkman. The funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 29, 2005, at Immanuel Lutheran Church. The Rev. Daniel Hahn will officiate with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the Dinkel-Juengel Funeral Home in Sebewaing. She will lie in state from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Friday at the church. Memorials may be made to Immanuel Debt Reduction Fund, Stephen Ministry or Radio Mission Fund. Mary Kathleen Quinn Mary Kathleen Quinn, 72, of Caseville, died Wednesday, July 27, 2005, at St. Mary's Medical Center in Saginaw from injuries received in an automobile accident on July 11, 2005. Mary K. was born July 1, 1933 in Saginaw to the late Frank and Martha (Schultz) Cherry. She grew up in Carrollton and graduated from St. Andrew High School in 1951. She attended Mercy College in Detroit and Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant, from which she received a master's degree. She taught briefly in Sebewaing and spent 32 years teaching in Caseville Schools retiring in 1994. Mary K. married Robert D. Quinn in February 1954. Bob died July 20, 2005 of injuries from the same car accident that claimed Mary K.'s life. Mary K. was a member of the Caseville American Legion Auxiliary, Caseville Community Arts Council, Caseville Historical Society, MEA and NEA, and the past president of the Thumb Meet of Champions. She was an active member of St. Roch Catholic Church, where she was a religious education teacher and had been the organist for many years. Mary K. was the definition of a teacher, completely dedicated to the children of the community and in seeing to it that each child knew she thought they were special. She spent many hours tutoring children, attending school sporting events and helping to make sure that the school yearbook was well put together, free of any grammatical errors. Mary K. is survived by her sons, Daniel and his wife, Rhonda, of Caseville, Mark and his wife, Karen, of Naperville, Illinois, and Timothy, of Caseville; grandchildren, Katherine, Shawn, Kyle, Lauren, Matthew, Ryan, Kristen and Kevin; brother, Michael Wisniewski, of Ontonagon; sister-in-law, Barbara Quinn, of Caseville; and brother-in-law, Loton Eastman, of Port Huron; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bob; daughter, Mary Theresa (Teri); brothers, Roy Cherry and David Wisniewski; and sisters, Nancy MacDonald and Joan Eastman. A Funeral Mass will be at 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 30, 2005, at St. Roch Catholic Church with Fr. Ken Yaroch presiding. Burial will be in St. Roch Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 to 8 p.m. on Friday at the Champagne Funeral Chapel of Caseville, and from noon on Saturday until the time of Mass at the church. There will be a scripture service at 7 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Caseville Education Association Scholarship Fund. Condolences may be shared online at www.cfcCaseville.com. Ada Wood Ada Wood, 87, mother of Ken and Linda (VanValkenburgh) Wood, of Pigeon, died Wednesday afternoon, July 27, 2005, at the Huron County Medical Care Facility. Funeral services will be conducted Monday, August 1, 2005, in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Local arrangements by Champagne Funeral Chapel, of Elkton. Friday, July 29, 2005 Irene Brimberry Irene T. Brimberry, 92, of Bad Axe, and a resident at Scenic A.F.C. Home, Pigeon, died Thursday, July 28, 2005, at Scheurer Hospital, Pigeon, after a long illness. She was born February 4, 1913 in Ubly, daughter of the late Louis and Appolina (Woychowski) Dropiewski. She married Edward T. Brown on October 31, 1933. He preceded her in death. She later married Virgil Brimberry on April 26, 1969. He also preceded her in death. Mrs. Brimberry was a parishioner at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Bad Axe. Surviving are two sons, Donald E. Brown, of Stuart, Florida, and Richard Brown, of Yuma, Arizona; two daughters, Mrs. Geraldine Gosdzinski and her husband, Frank, and Mrs. Marilyn Wisenbaugh and her husband, Ed, all of Bad Axe; one daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Brown, of Port Austin; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; and one sister, Grace Fiori, of Arizona. She was preceded in death by one granddaughter, Cynthia Brown; one grandson, Gerald Wisenbaugh; seven brothers, John, Joseph, Harry, Michael, Peter, Marshall and William; and four sisters, Catherine Carey, Lucy Czewski, Agnes Skipinski, and Mary Franzel. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. on Monday, August 1, 2005, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bad Axe. The Rev. James Carlson, pastor, will preside. Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery in Ubly. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. on Sunday at the H.W. Weitenberner Funeral Home in Bad Axe, and from 10:30 a.m. until the time of services at 11 a.m. on Monday at the church. A parish scripture service will be conducted at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home by Fr. Carlson. Janet M. Chocianowicz Janet M. Chocianowicz, 42, of Waterford, died suddenly on July 26, 2005. Janet made people smile wherever she went. Her laughter brightened a room. She was the proud mother of Andrew; loving daughter of Thaddeus Chocianowicz and the late JoAnn Bruce-Dropiewski; dear step-daughter of Robert Bruce; loving sister of Michael Chocianowicz, Cathy Geiger, and Steven Hutch; step-sister of Victoria Menard and Sheri Cushman; and aunt of Anthony and Timothy Geiger. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Saturday at Elton Black & Son Funeral Home in White Lake, 1233 Union Lake Road. Visitation will be conducted from 2 to 8 p.m. today. Memorial contributions may be made to the donor's choice. June Rose Hill June Rose Hill, 75, of Black Lake, passed away on July 25, 2005, at her home. She was born on March 15, 1930 in Detroit to William and Helen (Kozfka) Brazier. She married Walter Hill on October 8, 1949. He preceded her in death in 1990. In the mid-1980's, June retired from her position as office manager at Express Freight. June was an active member and volunteer of the Onaway VFW Ladies Auxiliary and served as junior vice. She was a member of St. Paul's Catholic Church in Onaway and also helped Bearinger Township with voter registration. June loved to spend the day with her lady friends going to the casino and out for dinner. She enjoyed outings with the Red Hat Society. She is survived by her daughter, Kathy Ingersoll and her husband, Ed, of Fowlerville; son, Bruce Hill and his wife, Carol, of Taylor; grandchildren, Lauren, Michael, Allen, and Kristen; great-granddaughter, Gabrielle; and brother, William Brazier Jr., of Las Vegas. A funeral Mass was celebrated today at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Onaway. Fr. Clarence Smolinski presided. Interment was in St. Paul's Catholic Cemetery in Onaway. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Onaway ambulance service or the VFW Ladies Auxiliary in Onaway. 1