HURON DAILY TRIBUNE, Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan Local obituaries for the week beginning December 3, 2006 Contributed 2006 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 representative 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, December 3, 2006 Ruth M. Roemer Ruth M. Roemer, 87, of Sebewaing, died Friday, December 1, 2006, at St. Mary's Regional Medical Center in Saginaw following a brief illness. She was born February 12, 1919 in Sebewaing Township., daughter of the late Herbert and Martha (Volz) Dressler. She was united in marriage to Walter C. Roemer on February 1, 1941 in Immanuel Lutheran Church in Sebewaing. Ruth was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church. She enjoyed gardening. Surviving beside her husband, Walter, are two daughters and their spouses, Carol and Jack Poppy, of Unionville, Janet and Kenneth Rink, of Sebewaing; one grandson and his spouse, Todd and Kathryn Poppy, of Brighton; one great grandson, Jerrett Poppy; one brother and sister-in-law, Victor and Beverly Dressler, of Sebewaing; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by one brother and sister-in-law, Harold and Doris Dressler. A funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. on Monday, December 4, 2006, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Sebewaing. Rev. Daniel Hahn will officiate with burial in the Silverlawn Cemetery. Visitation on Sunday will be from 9 a.m to 9 p.m. at the Dinkel-Juengel Funeral Home in Sebewaing. She will lie in state at the church from 10 a.m. until the service time on Monday. Memorials may be made to the Immanuel Lutheran Church or the donor's choice. Arthur W. Battel Arthur W. Battel, 89, of Cass City, died Saturday, December 2, 2006, in Tendercare Nursing Facility in Cass City. He was born January 14, 1917 at home in Elkland Township to John and Bessie (Sowden) Battel. He married Marjory Magdalene Schwegler on November 19, 1942 in the Cass City Evangelical United Brethren Church. Arthur was a livestock farmer, raising dairy cows and swine, as well as producing maple syrup on the family farm. At the time of his death, he was the oldest living member of the Fraser Presbyterian Church. His family members were founding fathers of the church. Arthur was a 4H member in his youth and a 4H leader as an adult. He was an active supporter of the Tuscola County Fair and the Michigan State Fair, and participated in both by exhibiting livestock. During his years as a member of Fraser Presbyterian Church, Arthur held various offices including serving as Elder since 1949; he also was a former Sunday School Superintendent. Arthur is survived by his wife, Marjory; children, John (Reba) Battel, of Dandridge, Tennessee, Mark (Diane) Battel, of Cass City, Margaret (Richard) Bethel, of Belmont; grandchildren, Michael (Andrea) Battel, Philip (Charise) Battel, Christopher (Kara) Battel, Robert (Sue) Battel, Brenda Battel, Daniel Bethel; great granddaughters, Laura, Elaina, Carla, Addy, Dori, Ella; sister, Lillian (Lawrence) Neaves, of Las Vegas, Nevada; sister-in-law, Betsy Sowden, of Vassar; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his foster brother, Morris Sowden. A funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, December 5, 2006, in Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City, with Rev. David Blackburn officiating. Visitation will be from 2-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. on Monday, December 4, and 10-11 a.m. on Tuesday, December 5, at the Kranz Funeral Home in Cass City. Interment will take place in Elkland Township Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Fraser Presbyterian Church or the Tuscola County Fair Association. Family and friends may share memories, prayers and stories with his family at www.kranzfuneralhome.com. Monday, December 4, 2006 Daniel J. Oswald Daniel J. Oswald, 42, of Port Huron, died Saturday, December 2, 2006, at Port Huron Hospital. Daniel was born November 11, 1964 in Port Huron, son of Dorothy (Klee) Oswald and the late Cline Oswald. He never married. He was a 1984 graduate of Port Huron High School and attended St. Clair County Community College, SC4, for two years. Daniel was a courier for Thorp Printing and Sarna Motor in Marysville retiring in 2002. He was a parishioner of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in Ruth. Daniel enjoyed collecting, concerts and being with his nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. He is survived by his mother, Dorothy Oswald, of Ruth; five sisters, Linda Splan and her husband, Frank, of Burtchville Township, Joyce Rodriguez and her husband, Roy, of Fort Gratiot, Dianne Teigeler, of Port Huron, Marjorie Kulman and her husband, Harold, of Port Huron, and Nancy Gilbert and her husband, Ron, of Smith Creek; many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews; and many aunts and uncles. A Funeral Mass for Daniel Oswald will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, December 6, 2006, at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Ruth. The Rev. Ronald Wagner, pastor of St. Mary Cathedral in Saginaw, will officiate. Burial will be in the Sts. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Ruth. Visitation will be from 1:30 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday at Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly, and from 10 a.m. until the Mass at 11 a.m. on Wednesday at the church. There will be a parish vigil service at 5 p.m. on Tuesday by Sr. Mary Ann Ankoviak at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the family discretionary fund. John Viterbo John Viterbo, 73, of Port Hope, passed away Sunday, December 3, 2006, at Harbor Beach Community Hospital. John was born on October 19, 1933 in Pennsylvania to the late Anthony and Jenny (Jako) Viterbo. He married Marjorie Bagnasco on November 7, 1954 in Detroit. John was a member of St. Germaine Catholic Church of St. Clair Shores. Surviving is his wife Marjorie; his son, Anthony Viterbo, of Port Hope, and his daughter Marjorie Viterbo, of Macomb. 2 grandchildren, Cindy Korber and John Viterbo, and 2 great grandchildren. A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, December 6, 2006, in the Ramsey Funeral Home, Harbor Beach, with burial in the New River Cemetery, Huron City. Visitation will be from 1 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday and on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Tuesday, December 5, 2006 – Pay $2.95 per obituary from 30-day archive. Format changed. Obituaries (or announcements of obituaries) for Harold A. Brown, Mary T. Hanson, Brenden J. Rathje, and John Viterbo were published on this date. Don't know which were just announcements that there would be an obituary at a later date but there is an obituary for Mary T. Hanson (on Thursday), Brenden J. Rathje (on Wednesday) and John Viterbo (on Monday) this week. The only one we don't have this week is Harold A. Brown so here it is: "Harold A. Brown, 102, of Spring Branch, Texas, formerly the owner of Reuters Bakery in Harbor Beach. Since 1990 he has resided with his son, William, in Spring Branch, Texas. He passed away Wednesday, November 15, 2006, in San Antonio, Texas. He was born August 4, 1904 in Harbor Beach to Harvey and Matilda Brown. He is survived by his son, William Brown and William's wife, Cathleen; grandson, Randall Brown; granddaughter, Heidi Myklebust and her husband, Richard; and great granddaughter, Valkyrie, all of Spring Branch and San Antonio, Texas; a nephew, James Grekowicz and his wife, Marge, of Macomb; a niece, Rita Sours and her husband, Robert, of Casa Grande, Arizona; and a cousin, Marian Fleming, of Harbor Beach, and Newport Beach, California. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Siertsema Brown. A Mass was conducted at St. Joseph Church-Honey Creek, Bulverde, Texas and interment was at Mission Park-North, San Antonio, Texas on Monday, November 20, 2006." Wednesday, December 6, 2006 James Richard Hanson James Richard Hanson, 76, of Bad Axe, passed away Thursday, November 30, 2006, at Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina. He was born May 6, 1930 in Verona Township, son of the late Bernard and Anna (Osentoski) Hanson. He married Shirley Britt Bannick on April 2, 1972. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bad Axe. He served in the U.S. Army in the Korean War where he received the Bronze Star. He was employed by Wil-Le Farms for 36 years. After retirement, he and his wife delivered the Detroit Free Press for many years. He was on the Verona Township Board of Review and the Planning Commission until resigning this fall due to declining health. He enjoyed woodworking and working in his flower and vegetable garden. He loved being with his family and playing with his grandchildren. Surviving are his wife, Shirley, of Bad Axe; one son, James A. Hanson, of Filion; one daughter, LaDona (Larry) Carder, of Fort Gratiot; four stepsons, Dale (Cathy) Bannick, of Bay City, Dean (Joyce) Bannick, of Bay City, David Bannick, of Saginaw, and Dennis (Tammy) Bannick, of Danville, Virginia; one brother, Robert (Margaret) Hanson, of Bay City; three sisters, Joan (Russ) LeCronier, of Bay City, Gloria (Pete) Flannery, of Bad Axe, and Sharon Isel, of Bad Axe; two sisters-in-law, Carol O'Brien, of Sellersburg, Indiana, and Harriet Britt, of Bad Axe; eight stepgrandchildren; four stepgreat grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by one son, Joseph Norman Hanson; and two brothers, Ray and David Hanson. A service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Thursday, December 7, 2006, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bad Axe. Officiating will be Fr. James Carlson, pastor. Interment with military rituals will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. today at the Kaufman Funeral Home in Bad Axe, and from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at 11 a.m. at the church. A scripture service will be offered at 7 p.m. today at the funeral home. Barbara J. Kitch Barbara J. Kitch, 69, of Sebewaing and formerly of Clio, died Monday evening, December 4, 2006, at her home following a seven-month illness. She was born December 19, 1936 in Mount Morris, daughter of the late John and Florence (Lawrence) Deal. Barb was a 1954 graduate of Mount Morris High School. She was united in marriage to Donald M. Kitch on September 21, 1957 in Mount Morris. Barb had been a surgical technician at St. Joseph Hospital in Flint for 43 years before retiring in 1994. She later had been employed part-time at Hills & Dales Hospital in Cass City for three years. She was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Sebewaing, Caseville Eagles Auxiliary No. 3690 and Loyal Order of the Moose in Caro No. 1049. She raced sports cars in Waterford and traveled with her husband, Donald, also a sports car racer. She enjoyed fishing, playing pool, camping, baking pies and traveling to Florida. She enjoyed watching NASCAR and socializing and being with friends and family, especially her grandchildren. Surviving are her husband, Donald; one daughter, Lisa and her husband, David Boulter, of Livonia, one son, Scott Kitch, of Ypsilanti; four grandchildren, Byron, Bari, Jenna and Christopher; also several nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends. She was preceded in death by one brother, Jack Deal, and two sisters, Shirley Nudell and Mary Williams. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11 a.m. on Friday, December 8, 2006, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Sebewaing. Fr. John Weis will officiate with burial in the church cemetery. A memorial service will be conducted at 7 p.m. today at the funeral home under the auspices of the Caseville Eagles Auxiliary No. 3690. A vigil service led by John Horny will be conducted at 7 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home. Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m. today and from 1 to 9 p.m. on Thursday at the Dinkel-Juengel Funeral Home in Sebewaing. She will lie in state from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday at the church. Memorials may be made to American Cancer Society or the Visiting Nurse Association Hospice of Bay City. The family would like to extend a special thanks and appreciation to the Visiting Nurse Association Hospice of Bay City for their excellent care and concern. Brenden J. Rathje Brenden J. Rathje, 16, of Elkton, died Sunday afternoon, December 3, 2006, in Oliver Township from injuries he received in an auto accident. He was born August 19, 1990 in Bad Axe to William Rathje and Kimberly (Brill) Clunis. Brenden grew up and lived in the Elkton area most of his life. He was a freshman at Bad Axe High School where he was on the Cross Country Track Team. He had also been very much involved in baseball and football. Brenden had been in the Elkton Cub Scouts and was in the Elkton Boy Scouts. He was a member of the Community Wesleyan Church and enjoyed fishing, snowmobiling, four-wheeling, paintball and loved music. Surviving are his father, Billy Rathje, of Bad Axe; his mother, Kim (Doug) Clunis, of Elkton; three brothers, Ryan, Austin and Zack; and two sisters, Heather and Madison, all at home. Also surviving are his grandparents, Nancy and Bob Bursick, of Bad Axe, William and Carol Rathje, of Standish, Ken and Sandi Brill, of Swartz Creek, Linda Robarts, of Bad Axe, and Doug Clunis Sr., of Elkton; great grandparents, Jim and Pauline Buchholz, of Mayville, Jim and Burgi Hockmuth, of Livonia, Ward and Loretta Sheldon, of Walled Lake, Mary Bursick, of Bad Axe, Arthur Brill, of Roscommon, Dick and Boots Abrams, of Swartz Creek; and many uncles, aunts and cousins. Preceding him in death was his stepfather, Richard Varty. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Thursday, December 7, 2006, at the MISSIONARY OUTREACH CENTER at the north end of Elkton. The Rev. Daniel Stone, pastor of the Community Wesleyan Church in Elkton, and the Rev. Jerry Sutton, pastor of the Bad Axe Free Methodist Church, will officiate with burial in Riverside Cemetery in Elkton. Visitation will be at the Champagne Funeral Chapel, Elkton, from 2 to 9 p.m. today and at the Missionary Outreach Center from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Thursday. Memorials may be given to the family. Words of condolence may be expressed at www.cfcelkton.com. Thursday, December 7, 2006 Gary J. Bismack Gary J. Bismack, 46, of Bad Axe, passed away Wednesday, December 6, 2006, at his home following a courageous battle with cancer. He was born May 26, 1960 in Bad Axe, son of the late Jacob and Agnes (Smalley) Bismack. He married Mary Pokora on June 6, 1981 in St. Mary's Catholic Church in Parisville. He was the owner-operator of the former Huron Ice Service in Bad Axe and also worked for Arctic Glacier Ice. He was a member of St. Columbkille Catholic Church and the Ubly High School Class of 1978. He was in the Knights of Columbus Ubly Council and was an active Cub Scout leader in Elkton. He enjoyed golf, camping, playing euchre and being with his family and friends. Gary is survived by his wife, Mary, of Bad Axe; three sons, David Bismack, of Bad Axe, and his girlfriend, Theresa Torres, of Pigeon, Aaron Bismack, of Bad Axe, and his girlfriend, Jill Swartzendruber, of Pigeon, and Eric Bismack, of Bad Axe; two brothers, Loyal (Linda) Bismack, of Bay City, and Ken (Mary Ann) Bismack, of Bad Axe; two sisters, Linda (Tom) Conner, of Sterling Heights, and Diane (Bill) Donnelly, of Shelby Township; mother-in-law, Dorothy Pokora, of Ubly; and several loving nieces, nephews, family members and friends. A service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 9, 2006, at St. Columbkille Catholic Church. Officiating will be Fr. Joseph Griffin, pastor. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Pallbearers will be Phil Peyerk, Wayne Gainor, Bob Mayworm, Jerry Dubs, Mark McAleer, Tom O'Connor, Kevin Damrow and Ked Miller. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. today, from 1 to 9 p.m. on Friday, and from 9 to 10 a.m. on Saturday at Kaufman Funeral Home in Bad Axe. A scripture service will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home. Memorials may be offered to the St. Columbkille Building Fund. Mary T. Hanson Mary T. Hanson, 68, long time resident of Marlette, died Saturday, December 2, 2006, at the Marlette Regional Hospital Hospice House. She was born May 8, 1938 in New York, daughter of the late Joseph and Catherine (Cody) Johnston. She married Jerome Hanson on June 4, 1982 in Sandusky. Mrs. Hanson attended the St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Marlette. She is survived by her husband, Jerome, of Marlette; six sons, Robert and Susan Romain, of Ubly, Doug and Deb Romain, of Marlette, Brian and Kara Wilson, of Brown City, Ken Romain, of Florida, Jerry and Rosie Hanson, of Katy, Texas, James and Kathy Hanson, of Houston, Texas; three daughters, Diane and Donnie Street, of Metamora, Dawn and Steve Christensen, of Katy, Texas, Jennie Romain, of Long Island, New York; one brother, Joseph Johnston, of Long Island, New York; 34 grandchildren; and 18 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents. A funeral service was conducted on Tuesday, December 5, 2006, at Marsh Funeral Chapel in Marlette with Fr. Andrzej Boroch, from the St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, officiating with burial in Marlette Cemetery in Marlette. Memorials may be donated to the United Hospice Service or the Thumb Area Dialysis Center. Christine L. Hughes Christine Louise Hughes, 59, of Cass City, died unexpectedly Monday, December 4, 2006, in Covenant Health Care System Harrison Campus in Saginaw. She was born August 15, 1947 in California to Walker and Alice (Guernsey) Matlack. Chris loved children and her home was often filled with her children and their friends. She was a foster parent for many medically fragile children. Chris loved to travel and took many trips to places around the world including Ireland, France, and Germany. She enjoyed and collected antiques. She worked hard and loved life. Chris worked very hard to come back after her stroke and heart problems and would not let them get the best of her. She was a great example to her children. Chris is survived by her children, Walker (Shannon) Aumann, of San Francisco, California, Aaron (Aubrey) Aumann, of Palm Dale, California, Charles Hughes, of Cass City, Alan (Trischia Gillespie) Hughes, of Vassar, Amber (Santana Elkhart) Hughes, of Cass City, Elizabeth Hughes, Rebecca Hughes, and Dillon Hughes, all at home; grandchildren, Desiree Hughes, Jaden Hughes, Draven Elkhart; sisters, Sherry Matlack, of Arizona, Liz Matlack, of Colorado; niece, Emily Matlack. She was preceded in death by her parents; children, Romel Hughes, Andy Hughes, Destiny Hughes, Olivia Moore, Henry Hanks. A private family memorial service will be conducted at a later date. According to Chris' instructions, her cremated remains will be scattered on her family property up north. 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. Arrangements by Kranz Funeral Home in Cass City. Friday, December 8, 2006 – No obituaries reported Saturday, December 09, 2006 – No obituaries reported 1