HURON DAILY TRIBUNE, Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan Local obituaries for the week beginning August 6, 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 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 6, 2006 - No obituaries reported Monday, August 7, 2006 Arlan "Jack" Hartwick Arlan "Jack" Hartwick, 67, of Cass City, died Sunday, August 6, 2006, at home with his family at his side. He was born March 16, 1939 in Kalamazoo to Arlan and Lucy (McLarty) Hartwick. He married Sharron VanAllen on December 30, 1960 in Cass City. Jack graduated from Cass City High School. He worked for Cass City Grain Elevator for many years. Jack was a volunteer fireman for the Elkland Township Fire Department since 1964 until his last call in 2005. During his many years with the fire department, he served many positions including chief. He also served on the Cass City Ambulance for more than 10 years. Jack was a former Deacon at Novesta Church of Christ. He enjoyed woodworking, fixing cars, fishing, playing with his dog and especially spending time with his grandchildren. Jack is survived by his wife, Sharron; children, Janie (Dale) Kus, of Cass City, Arlan "Scott" (Julie) Hartwick, of Grand Blanc, Robert (Susan) Hartwick, of Cass City, Carol Janos, of Marlette, Kevin Hartwick, of Cass City; grandchildren, Jordan Kus, Tessa Kus, McKenzie Kus, Michael Hartwick, Zachary Hartwick, Brandon Hartwick, Brooke Hartwick, Collin Hartwick, Jacklyn Janos, Kirsten Janos; sisters, Kay (Rich) Armstrong, of Manistee, Cathy (Bob) Williams, of Virginia Beach, Virginia; brothers-in-law, Doug (Hilda) VanAllen, of Cass City, Ron (Doris) VanAllen, of Troy, Dave (Kim) VanAllen, of Canton; several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents and sister, Sharlene. A funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, August 9, 2006, in Novesta Church of Christ with Chuck Emmert officiating. Interment will be in Novesta Township Cemetery. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. today, from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday at the Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City, and from 10 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday in the church. Memorials may be made to Elkland Township Fire Department, United Hospice of Marlette, or Novesta Church of Christ. Family and friends may share memories, prayers and stories with the family at www.kranzfuneralhome.com. Tuesday, August 8, 2006 Helen Misaras Helen Misaras, 89, died Saturday, August 5, 2006. She was known as the "cake" lady who baked over 400 cakes for charity and was a member of the U & I Club in Port Austin. Wife of the late George; mother of George Taylor (Dawn), and William Misaras; grandmother of three, and great-grandmother of eight; sister of the late George Lazar and Violet Wood; survived by several nieces and nephews. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, August 9, 2006, at Lynch & Sons Funeral Home, 1368 N. Crooks Road (between 14 – 15 Mile Roads). Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Patricia Kervin Sheffield Patricia (Kervin) Sheffield, 67, of Garner, North Carolina passed away Tuesday, July 25, 2006. She was born March 30, 1939 in Bad Axe to Helen M. Kervin of Pigeon and the late Charles R. Kervin. She was married to Giles Sheffield for 43 years. Patricia graduated from Bad Axe High School in 1957 and Michigan State University. She was a retired educator who taught in Raleigh, North Carolina and Stone Mountain, Georgia. She is survived by her children, David G. Sheffield and his wife, Deborah, of Columbia, South Carolina, Allen C. Sheffield and his wife, Lisa, of Smithfield, North Carolina; three grandchildren; and brother, Richard C. Kervin and his wife, Linda, of West Barnstable, Massachusetts. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 11 S. Boylan Avenue, Raleigh, North Carolina 27603. Roy Otto Ollila Roy Otto Ollila, 71, of Vassar, died unexpectedly on Monday, August 7, 2006, in Caro Community Hospital. He was born January 15, 1935 in Royal Oak to Otto and Saimi (Onkala) Ollila. He married Helen H. Penfold Kelley on June 8, 1974 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Roy served in the US Army. He was stationed in Germany. After returning to the states, he worked as a heavy equipment operator for Bernthal Sand and Gravel of Vassar and later Waterland Sand and Gravel of Waterford. Roy enjoyed leather craft, woodworking, tinkering with cars, and fishing. Roy is survived by his wife, Helen; daughter, Ronda (Bud) Benjamin, of Caro; grandchildren, Devin Benjamin, Lisa (Matt) Neal, Vicky (Rob) Morris, Candi (Norm) Brown, Jamie Benjamin, Josh Benjamin; great grandchildren, Brad, Brady, Benjamin, Riley, Elizabeth, Christina, Christopher, Dakota; sister, Gertrude (Lee) Matthews, of Mayville; brother, Matt (Garnet) Ollila, of Vassar; sister-in-law, Bette Ollila, of Las Vegas; stepchildren, Jerry (Norine) Kelley, Jim (Kelly Searles) Kelley; several step-grandchildren and step-great grandchildren. Roy is preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Barbara Box; and twin brother, Ray Ollila. The funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Thursday, August 10, 2006, in Kingston Wesleyan Church with the Rev. Ken Sanderfur officiating. Interment will take place in East Dayton Cemetery. Military honors will be under the direction of Kingston Amvets Post No. 1072 and the U.S. Army. Visitation will be from 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday at Kranz Funeral Home, Kingston, and from 10 to 11 a.m. on Thursday in the church. Memorials may be made to Kingston Wesleyan Church. Family and friends may share memories, prayers and stories with the family at www.kranzfuneralhome.com. Wednesday, August 9, 2006 Sylvia M. Janowiak Mrs. Sylvia M. Janowiak, 88, of Ubly, passed away Tuesday, August 8, 2006, at the Lapeer Regional Medical Center. She was born December 27, 1917 in Minden City, the second oldest of 13 children. She was the daughter of the late Leo and Matilda (Olszowy) Osantowski. She married Arthur "Red" Janowiak on April 13, 1940 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Argyle. He preceded her in death on June 16, 1988. Sylvia lived in Ubly for almost 60 years and was a school bus driver for many years for the Ubly Community Schools. She owned the Ubly Dragway for 43 years. She was a former owner of the Argyle Bar. She was Co-Grand Marshall of the Ubly Homecoming. She was a parishioner at St. John Catholic Church in Ubly, where she was a member of the St. John Christian Mothers Circle No. 1, St. Ann's. She was a member of the Daughter of Isabella Fidelis Regina Circle No. 608 and a member of the T.V.O. No. 1 Auxiliary. She was a member of the Ubly Community Club and food coordinator for the Ubly Homecoming. She loved baking, cooking, canning, gardening, and sewing. Sylvia is survived by her children, Sandra Robinson and her husband, Philip, of Cass City, Shirley Parks, of Holly, Donald Janowiak and his wife, Barbara, of Ubly, Dennis Janowiak and his wife, Linda, of Ubly, Jane Ogozaly and her husband, Douglas, of Fenton; eight grandchildren, Annette (Robert) Brown, of Oxford, Gary Robinson, of Cass City, Edward (Valerie) Robinson, of Cass City, Connie (Jerry) Ezell, of Fletcher, North Carolina, Vicky Robinson and her friend, Eric H., of Holland, Brian and Nicholas Janowiak, of Ubly, Michael (Tiffany) Parks, of Holly; four step-grandchildren, Richard Haas, Robert Brown Jr., Trish and Jeremy Brown; seven great-grandchildren, Brent Robinson, of Howell, Hailie Robinson, of Caro, Austin, Rylee and Brianna Parks, of Holly, Derick Robinson and Timothy Ezell, of North Carolina; four step-great-grandchildren, Shawna and Jasmine Johnson, Alexandra and Audrey Brown; one brother, Leo Osantowske; four sisters, Beatrice Prang and her husband, George, Olave Bukoski, Christine Ulfig and her husband, John, Grace Willis and her husband, Jack; three sisters-in-law, Irene Kowalski, Marie Oleksiak, and Magdalene Janowiak; one brother-in-law, Herb Janowiak and his wife, Bernie. She was preceded in death by her infant daughter, Audrey Jane Janowiak; one son-in-law, Earl Parks; one step-grandson, Andy Haas; brothers and sisters, Adam Osantowske, Mildred Osantowske, Calvin Osantowske, Leonard (Virginia) Osantowske, Gertrude (Joe) Stockman, Esther (Chester) Konka, Elizabeth "Betty" (Frank) Ertman, Betty Osantowske, Robert Bukoski; brothers and sisters-in-law, Clements Janowiak, Irvin Janowiak, Eugene and Mary Janowiak, Eleanor and Roman Smith, Al Oleksiak. A Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, August 11, 2006, at St. John Catholic Church in Ubly. The Rev. Patrick O'Connor, pastor of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Essexville, will officiate. Burial will be in the St. John Catholic Cemetery in Ubly. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. today, from 1 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, and from 9 to 10 a.m. on Friday at the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home of Ubly. There will be a Christian Mothers rosary at 8 p.m. on Wednesday evening. On Thursday there will be a service by the Thumb Veterans Organization No. 1 Auxiliary at 6:30 p.m., a parish vigil service at 7 p.m. and a Daughters of Isabella Rosary at 8 p.m. All services will be at the funeral home. Gary M. Schafer Gary M. Schafer, 44, of Sebewaing, died unexpectedly Monday, August 7, 2006, at his home. He was born June 20, 1962 in Saginaw, son of Alex "Sonny" and Joanne K. (Doepker) Schafer. He had been self employed. Gary was a graduate of the University of Florida. He served 5 1/2 years in the United States Navy. He was of the Catholic faith. He enjoyed golf, Nascar and was an avid sports fan, especially for the "Gators." Surviving are his parents, Alex "Sonny" Schafer and Joanne Schafer, both of Saginaw; two sisters, Lori (Steven) Sella, of Unionville, and Brenda Schafer, of Sebewaing, his grandmother, Katie Schafer, of Caro; nieces and nephews, Ryan and Tabatha Sella, Nicole Sella, and her special friend, Bryce; Jordan and Tyler Heckroth; great-niece, Laikyn Sella; great-nephew, Alexander Sella; several aunts and uncles; also his two cats, Spook and Scooby. He was preceded in death by one sister, Leanne Schafer. The Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11 a.m. on Friday, August 11, 2006, at Holy Family Catholic Church. Fr. John Weis will officiate with burial in Roselawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Saginaw. Visitation will be from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday at the Dinkel-Juengel Funeral Home in Sebewaing. He will lie in state from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday at the church. Memorials may be made to Juvenile Bi- Polar Research or the Family Discretionary Fund. "Remember not the sorrow of life, but rather the joys, and know that I am at peace." Gary will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Leroy Patrick Stapleton Leroy Patrick Stapleton, 81, of Gagetown, passed away Monday, August 7, 2006, at his home. Born to Patrick and Margaret (Kastner) Stapleton at the family home in Gagetown on September 11, 1924, Leroy graduated in 1943 from Gagetown High School. He served with the United States Navy as a petty officer carpenter's mate during both World War II and the Korean Conflict, where he crossed the equator as well as the Panama Canal. On May 4, 1957, he was united in marriage to Eleanore Fournier at St. Agatha Catholic Church in Gagetown. She preceded him in death on May 2, 1999. Leroy began building at age 15 and was a self-employed licensed builder in the construction business from 1963 until his retirement in 1997. He was a lifetime member of the VFW Pigeon Post No. 2236, a member of the Knights of Columbus West Huron Centennial Council No. 8042 and a former member of the Gagetown Village Council. He was a member of the St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church in Pigeon, where he served on the Parish Council and was caretaker for many years. He is survived by a daughter, Jane L. Stapleton, of Gagetown; a son, James P. Stapleton, of Gagetown; a sister-in-law, Isabelle Fournier, of Gagetown; and several cousins. He also leaves behind his special tomcat friend, Fluffy. He was preceded in death by an infant son, Michael. A Funeral Mass will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Thursday, August 10, 2006, at St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church in Pigeon, with Fr. John Weis and Sister Marcia Andrews, I.H.M., officiating. Burial will be in the St. Agatha Cemetery. The wake service will be at 5 p.m. today and the Knights of Columbus Rosary will be at 7 p.m. Both services will be at the Meyersieck-Bussema Funeral Home in Pigeon. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home and at 10 a.m. on Thursday at the church. Memorials may be directed to Heartland Hospice. Loraine Mazzoni Loraine Margaret Mazzoni, 79, resident of Kinde, and former co-owner of Grindstone Bar & Grill, passed away Tuesday, August 8, 2006, at the Huron County Medical Care Facility. According to her wishes, there will be no services or visitation. Arrangements are being handled by MacAlpine Funeral Home-Gage Chapel, Kinde. Cremation has taken place. Thursday, August 10, 2006 Dennis D. Koch Dennis D. Koch, 57, of Sebewaing, died Tuesday, August 8, 2006, at Scheurer Hospital in Pigeon following a lengthy illness. He was born June 27, 1949 in Pigeon, son of the late Clarence W. and Delores N. (Glomb) Koch. He had been employed for Exxon- Mobile and later for Northwest Tire in Saginaw. Dennis served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. He loved casinos, gambling and fishing. Surviving are four sons and their spouses, Bryan (Marie) Koch, and Brad Koch, all of Gagetown, Nick (Rachel) Koch, and John Koch, all of Cleveland, Tennessee; two grandchildren, Bryce and Kaylee Koch; one sister, Sharon Healy, of Cass City; three brothers and their spouses, Roger (Kathy) Koch, of Bay Port, Thomas Koch, Richard and Renee Koch, all of Sebewaing; two uncles, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by one son, Kevin. The funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. on Friday, August 11, 2006, at the Dinkel-Juengel Funeral Home in Sebewaing. The Rev. Raymond Orth will officiate with cremation to follow at Country Roads Crematory in Hemlock. Friends may call at the funeral home in Sebewaing from 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday and from 9 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday. Iva A. Ramseyer Iva A. Ramseyer, 82, resident of Poway, California, died Thursday, August 3, 2006, at home in Poway. She was born April 29, 1924 in Huron County to the late Roy and Mary (Spalding) Tomlinson. Iva Tomlinson and Wendell Ramseyer were married on July 6, 1946 in the Bad Axe Methodist Church. Iva was a graduate of Kinde High School and Grace Nursing School in Detroit. Iva worked over 40 years in nursing, retiring as Surgical Supervisor. Iva was instrumental in establishing Pomerado Hospital in Poway, California. Iva was very active in the Rancho Benardo Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego. Iva Ramseyer is survived by her husband, Wendell; daughter Debra Fisk, of Valley Center, California; and sister, Ollie Smith, of Pigeon. She was preceded in death by three brothers, Ivan, Lee and Roy Tomlinson; three sisters, Delma Tomlinson, Doris Daslock, and Katherine Harder. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 12, 2006, at Knoblock Funeral Home in Kinde. Burial will be in New River Cemetery in Port Austin. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to Silverado Hospice in care of Wendell Ramseyer, 12815 Indian Trail, Poway, California 92604. Friday, August 11, 2006 Mary Beth Mihlethaler Mary Beth Mihlethaler, 89, formerly of Harbor Beach, passed away Wednesday, August 9, 2006, in the Heather Hills Care Center near Grand Rapids. Born in Harbor Beach on May 21, 1917, she was the daughter of the late Darius and Allie J. (Jenks) Mihlethaler. She was a graduate of the University of Michigan and was a teacher in the Detroit Public Schools for more than 30 years, retiring in 1977. Beth is survived by several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Bella and Keith Mihlethaler, and by a sister, Esther Mihlethaler. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. today in the Ramsey Funeral Home, Harbor Beach, with the Rev. Theresa Cutler, pastor of First Presbyterian Church, officiating. Burial will be in the Rock Falls Cemetery. Visitation was from 11 a.m. until the time of the service today at the funeral home. Emma Mitts Emma R. (Adams) Mitts, 87, of Bay City, died Wednesday, August 9, 2006. A memorial service will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 12, 2006, at St. Agatha Catholic Church in Gagetown. Arrangements are being handled by the Dinkel-Juengel Funeral Home in Sebewaing. Victoria Wilson Victoria Wilson, 80, of Harbor Beach, passed away Thursday, August 10, 2006, at the Shelby Nursing Center, Shelby Township. Arrangements are incomplete and a complete obituary will be in Sunday's Huron Daily Tribune or by viewing RamseyFH.com. Ramsey Funeral Home, Harbor Beach is handling arrangements. James Whelihan James Whelihan, 80, of Rapson, passed away Thursday, August 10, 2006, at his home following a long illness. He was born January 25, 1926 in Detroit, son of the late John and Lois (Tuskey) Whelihan. He married Dorothy Miller on June 26, 1948 in the parsonage of St. Felix Catholic Church. He was a longtime Bloomfield Township farmer and enjoyed collecting toy tractors. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rapson and served in the United States Army during World War II. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy, of Rapson; one son, Michael John Whelihan, of Costa Rica; two daughters, Patricia (Robert) Schenk, of Bad Axe, and Brenda Tice, of Essexville, and her friend, Jack Fuller; one brother, John Kenneth Whelihan, of Santa Clara, California; one sister, Joyce (Bill) Chapdelaine, of Paonia, Colorado; six grandchildren, Shannon Schenk, of New York, Aaron Schenk, of Bad Axe, Ryan (Kristen) Schenk, of Bad Axe, Jennifer Whelihan, of Tampa, Florida, Dustin Tice, of Kalkaska, and Courtney Tice, of Hamtramck; several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by one brother, Donald Whelihan; and one sister, Jean Whelihan. Services will take place at 11 a.m. on Monday, August 14, 2006, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rapson. Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. on Sunday at the Kaufman Funeral Home, and from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at 11 a.m. on Monday at the church. Memorials may be offered to St. Joseph Catholic Church. 1