HURON DAILY TRIBUNE, Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan

Local obituaries for the week beginning May 14, 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, May 14, 2006


Fredrick D. Ligrow 

Fredrick D. Ligrow, 84, of Dwight Township, passed away on Friday, May 12, 2006, at 
Bay Medical Center in Bay City. He was born January 15, 1922 in Hume Township to 
the late Fredrick and Marie (Kennedy) Ligrow. He was united in marriage on January 28, 
1942 to Hazel Elliot.   Mr. Ligrow graduated from Kinde High School in 1940. He served 
in the U.S. Army for three years and was part of the U.S. Army Pacific Theater. Before 
his retirement in 1979, he worked at the Kinde Creamery, and Bad Axe Bakery 
Department. He also kept up maintenance and was a bus driver for North Huron High 
School. Fred was a church member at St. Edwards Catholic Church. He enjoyed hunting, 
mowing the lawn, and playing cards.   He is survived by his wife, Hazel Ligrow, of 
Kinde; three daughters, Josephine (Clarence) Goretski, of Bad Axe, Bernice Peyerk 
(Donald) Yochim, of Port Austin, Ruth Ann (Mike) Clancy, of Detroit; five sons, Louis 
(Bonnie) Ligrow, of Bad Axe, Fred (Mary Jo) Ligrow, of Ubly, Kenneth (Diane) Ligrow, 
of Auburn, Donald (Karen) Ligrow, of Warren, and Merritt (Nancy) Ligrow, of Kinde; 
one sister, Mary (Cletus) Bersick, of Bad Axe; 23 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; 
many nieces and nephews.   He was preceded in death by one daughter, Kathy Ligrow; 
one brother, Daniel Ligrow.   Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, 
May 15, 2006, at St. Edwards Catholic Church. Officiating will be Fr. Robert Shine.   
Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. today at the MacAlpine Gage Chapel in Kinde, and 
from 10 to 11 a.m. on Monday at the church. There will be a scripture service at 7 
tonight. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery.   Memorials may be made to 
the Family Discretionary Fund. 


Nancy Jane Swiercz 

Nancy Jane Swiercz, 85, of Bad Axe, passed away on Friday, May 12, 2006, at the Huron 
Medical Center in Bad Axe.   She was born on May 9, 1921 in Detroit to the late Dan and 
Anne (Dorey) Callaghan. She married August Swiercz on October 4, 1941 at St. Agnes 
Parish in Detroit. He preceded her in death on July 8, 1991.   Nancy worked at the Huron 
County Extension Office. She was a seamstress for many years, sewing costumes and 
clothing for many families. She was a parishioner at Sacred Heart Catholic Church since 
1975, where she also volunteered to count money for Sunday collections.  Nancy is 
survived by two sons, Daniel V. Swiercz and his wife, Roberta, of Livonia, James P. 
Swiercz, of Bad Axe; one daughter, Gretchen Maj, of St. Clair Shores; eight 
grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren.   A funeral mass will be at 11 a.m. on 
Tuesday, May 16, 2006, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bad Axe. Rev. James 
Carlson will officiate. Burial will be in St. John Catholic Cemetery in Ubly.   Visitation 
will be from 1:30 to 9 p.m. on Monday at the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly, 
and from 10 to 11 a.m. on Tuesday at the church only. There will be a parish vigil service 
at 7 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home. 


Monday, May 15, 2006


Charles A. Roe 

Charles A. Roe, 68, of Caseville, died suddenly at his home Sunday, May 14, 2006.   
Charles was born April 23, 1938 in Fort Wayne, Indiana to the late Rolla and Beulah 
Roe. He graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Arts in engineering. 
Throughout his career, he has worked at the Newport News shipyard in Virginia, Lipe 
Rollway in Syracuse, New York, and U.S. Manufacturing in Bad Axe and Detroit. In 
1994, he bought what is now Todd's Snack Pak, 6389 State Street in Caseville, and has 
lived there since then. A member of the Fort Wayne Eagles, he enjoyed coin collecting, 
running his family business and visiting with customers.   Charles is survived by his son, 
Anthony; and his daughter, Mistie, both of Caseville.   He was preceded in death by his 
wife, Judith, on September 10, 2003; sister, Beverly; and brothers, Dwight and Dorl.   A 
private committal service will be conducted at Covington Memorial Gardens in Fort 
Wayne, Indiana at a future date. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Champagne 
Funeral Chapel of Caseville.   Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society. 
Condolences may be shared online at www.cfcCaseville.com. 

Tuesday, May 16, 2006


Joyce Marie Roberson 

Joyce Marie Roberson, 80, of Kingston, died Sunday, May 14, 2006, in her home with 
her family at her side.   She was born November 6, 1925 in Garden City to Dewey W. 
and Verda (Connors) Cowles. She married Donald R. Roberson on February 15, 1944 in 
Houghton Lake.   Joyce was the fifth child in the family of Dewey and Verda Cowles, 
which was made up of fourteen with two dying shortly after birth. Most of Joyce's first 
20 years were spent at Houghton Lake. Joyce worked at the Caro State Hospital for 
nearly four years and Kingston High School in the cafeteria for nearly five years, but felt 
it best to devote full time to her family and home. Joyce devoted much of her time 
helping care for her mother-in-law and father-in-law. She was a member of Kingston 
Wesleyan Church, Kingston Wesleyan Woman's Missionary Group, Senior Citizens 
Club and Dayton Wells Farmers Club. She is a very devoted person; to God, to children 
and to her husband.   Joyce is survived by her husband, Donald; children, Robert E. 
Roberson, of Mayville, Donald F. "Ted" Roberson, of Kingston, Jeanette (David) Kratz, 
of Kingston, Janet (Dean Clinesmith) Kratz, of Silverwood, David Roberson, of Kamia, 
Idaho; grandchildren, Diane Roberson, Lisa (Sam) Mosier, Shawn Roberson, Bobbi Sue 
Roberson, Todd (Lacey) Roberson, Amanda (Brian Austin) Roberson Austin, Katey 
Roberson, Amy (Jeff) Anderson, Jason "Jake" Roberson, Larry (Becky) Kratz, Leon 
Kratz; 11 great grandchildren; 4 great great grandchildren; siblings, Verda Hillaker, 
Esther Anderson, John (Lorna) Cowles, Tim (Martha) Cowles; many nieces and 
nephews. She was preceded in death by her grandson, Joshua Kratz; granddaughter, 
Teresa; siblings, Stanley Cowles, Mamie Cowles, Henry Cowles, Clyde Cowles, Roy 
Rogers Cowles, Junior "Dewey" Cowles, Isabella Foster, Ernie Cowles, Dick Cowles.   A 
funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 17, 2006, in Kingston 
Wesleyan Church with the Rev. Ken Sanderfur officiating. Interment will be in Kingston 
Cemetery.   Visitation will be from 4 to 9 p.m. today at Kranz Funeral Home in Kingston 
and from 10 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday in the church.   Memorials may be made to 
Kingston Wesleyan Woman's Group. Family and friends may share memories, prayers 
and stories with the family online at www.kranzfuneralhome.com. 


Wednesday, May 17, 2006


Margaret Ann Armbruster 

Margaret Ann Armbruster, 81, died after a month-long illness Tuesday, May 16, 2006, at 
Scheurer Hospital in Pigeon.   Born July 15, 1924, Margaret was the only daughter of 
Edward and Maybel (Carpenter) Jahr in Sebewaing where she lived most her life.    She 
devoted herself to her family and considered making a home for them her greatest 
calling. She also was an excellent cook and friends and family loved meals cooked and 
served by Margaret.   Her church was important to Margaret. It's where she taught 
Vacation Bible School and Catechism, as well as volunteering in other capacities 
throughout her life.   More recently, she enjoyed visiting with friends in the Thursday 
Morning Breakfast Club, remaining in touch with distant friends through e-mail and 
keeping fit through water exercise which she faithfully attended three times weekly.   
Margaret married the love of her life, Victor Armbruster, on March 2, 1946 and spent 
many happy years with him until his death in 1992. She is survived by three children, 
Michael (Cindy) Armbruster and their children, Aric and Jackie; Gay Lee (Doug) Henne 
and their daughters, Meredith and Louise; and Susan (Karl) Hass and their children, 
Alison, Adam, and Autumn.   A service of remembrance and celebration will be held at 
11 a.m. on Friday, May 19, 2006, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 513 Washington 
Street, with a dinner to share memories at Bay Shore Park's Family Center. Funeral 
arrangements are through the Dinkel-Juengel Funeral Home on Beck Street in 
Sebewaing.   

Thursday, May 18, 2006

Norman C. Ball 

Mr. Norman C. Ball, 85, passed away Tuesday afternoon, May 16, 2006.   He was born 
on December 27, 1920 in Gore, Ohio, the son of Josiah and Icle Mae (Nixon) Ball.   He 
married Mamie Southgate on January 31, 1942, and she preceded him in death on 
November 29, 1998. He married Beverly Allen on June 7, 2003. She preceded him in 
death on November 22, 2005.   Norm served with the U.S. Army during World War II in 
the Pacific Theater. He was a member of Wisner United Methodist Church, former 
member of the Unionville Masonic Lodge and Scottish Rite Bodies-Valley of Bay City. 
He had been a construction supervisor with Bechtel Corporation, retiring in 1982.   
Surviving are his sons, Terry Ball, of Sebewaing, Blaine Ball, of El Paso, Texas, and Tim 
(Ann Marie) Ball, living in Fairgrove; daughter, Patricia (Eric) Garlick, of Shelbyville, 
Illinois; grandchildren, Kim (Grant) Vermeersch, Jeremy (Kelly) Ball, Heather Ball, 
Jason (Angela) Ball, Jordan (Lacey) Ball, Sarah Ball, Rachel Garlick, Ryan (Angie) 
Garlick, and Evan Garlick; great-grandchildren, Lauren, Cameron and Morgan 
Vermeersch, Brennan, Raegan, Mackenna and Maddelyn Ball; brothers-in-law, Volney 
(Bonna) Southgate, and Paul Hunsaker; and sister-in-law, Elizabeth (Durward) 
Southgate.   Sisters Marjorie Hunsaker and Lethia Prinz are deceased.   The Rev. Bill 
Omansiek will officiate funeral services at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 19, 2006, at Wisner 
United Methodist Church. Interment will follow in Hickory Island Cemetery.   Visitation 
will be from 2 to 8 p.m. today at Unionville Funeral Chapel and from 10 a.m. until the 
service begins on Friday at the church.   Memorials may be made to Wisner United 
Methodist Church or Bay Shore Camp. 


John L. "Jack" Bruce 

John L. "Jack" Bruce, 80, of Elkton, died Wednesday afternoon, May 17, 2006, at St. 
Mary's Medical Center in Saginaw from a ruptured aortic aneurysm.   He was born 
August 7, 1925 in Chandler Township at the home of his parents, the late Alec and Laura 
(Mc Donald) Bruce.   Jack was inducted into the U.S. Army after high school and served 
during World War II in the Philippines. After he returned from the army, he married 
Bernadine M. Gelnaw on September 28, 1947 at St. Felix Catholic Church in Pinnebog. 
They made their home and raised their children on the family farm in Chandler 
Township. While farming, Jack also worked as a truck driver at Michigan Lumber 
Fabricators in Elkton. Bernie passed away July 26, 1971.   He married Patricia A. 
(LaCross) Kivel on August 24, 1973 at St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church in Pigeon and 
they moved to Elkton a short time later. Jack continued his work at Michigan Lumber 
until they closed in 1979. He then worked at Active Industries until retiring in 1989.   
Although retired, he worked part-time for Auto Color of Elkton and drove trucks for 
Herford Farms.   He was a member of St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church and the Tip of 
the Thumb VFW Post No. 2236 in Pigeon.   Surviving are his wife, Patricia, 11 children, 
John (Jenny) Bruce, of Pigeon, Ted (Kathy) Bruce, of Benzonia, Dan (Sally) Bruce, of 
Elkton, Jim (Harriett) Bruce, of Bay Port, Bill (Linda) Bruce, of Unionville, Lorie (Ray) 
Krohn, Kathy (Randy) Kerr, and Mike Bruce, all of Elkton, Dave (Edwinna) Bruce, of 
Capac, and Brad Bruce, of Clarkston; three step-children, Gary (Paulette) Kivel, of 
Lupton, Sherry Burns, of Cass City, and Kevin Kivel, of Elkton; 37 grandchildren; 15 
great grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Barb Herford, 
of Elkton; son-in-law, Paul Smith, of Lapeer; and a sister, Marge (Willard) Seley, of 
Elkton.   Preceding him in death were three children, Susan Bruce, Linda Smith, and Don 
Bruce; his granddaughter, Kalee Bruce; and four sisters, Kate Itchue, Angela Walsh, 
Genevieve Treen, and Ann Lincoln.   A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on 
Saturday, May 20, 2006, at St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church in Pigeon. The Rev. Fr. 
Joseph Schabel will officiate with burial at St. Felix Cemetery in Pinnebog.   A parish 
scripture service will be conducted at 7 p.m. on Friday at the Champagne Funeral Chapel 
in Elkton. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home and after 10 
a.m. on Saturday at the church.   Memorials may be given to St. Francis or to the family. 
Words of condolence may be left at www.cfcElkton.com. 


Doris Marie Herman 

Mrs. Doris Marie Herman, 75, of Cass City, passed away Tuesday, May 16, 2006, at 
Covenant Health Care in Saginaw.   Doris was born November 30, 1930 in Bad Axe, the 
daughter of the late Vernon and Gladys (Keller) Rosenberger.   She married Donald 
Herman on January 13, 1951 in Elkton. He passed away July 3, 1988. Doris was a 
homemaker, loving wife and mother, and a long time member of Cass City Missionary 
Church, where she was a deaconess and taught Sunday school.   Doris is survived by her 
sons, Richard (Janet) Herman, of Ft. Wayne, Indiana, James (Corinne) Herman, of 
Warren, and Robert (Lynn) Herman, of Milan; seven grandchildren; and six great-
grandchildren; brothers, Bert (Marilyn) Rosenberger, of Cass City, and Maurice (Betty) 
Rosenberger, of Gagetown.   Doris is predeceased by a brother, Virgil Rosenberger; and a 
sister, Donna (Bob) Dunn.   Pastor Robert Sweeney will officiate a service at 11 a.m. on 
Saturday, May 20, 2006, at Cass City Missionary Church, 4449 Koepfgen Road, Cass 
City.   Visitation will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday at the church and 
from 10 a.m. until the service begins on Saturday at the church.   Memorials may be 
made to the Cass City Missionary Church. Thabet Funeral Home in Cass City is handling 
the arrangements. Words of condolences can be left at www.thabetfuneralhome.com. 


Friday, May 19, 2006

Bette Ann Bruce 

Bette Ann Bruce, 85, of Caseville, died Thursday, May 18, 2006, at her daughter's home 
in Sterling Heights while under hospice care.   Bette was born July 6, 1920 in Lansing to 
the late Joseph and Alice (Murray) Clark. She grew up and finished school in Flint. She 
married Robert Bruce on January 4, 1941 at St. Michael Catholic Church in Flint. 
Together they moved to the Detroit area and raised their family. She worked in various 
positions in the medical field in the Detroit area. They retired to Caseville in 1980 after 
having vacationed there for many years. She was a member of St. Roch Catholic Church 
and the Caseville Eagle's Auxiliary. She enjoyed spending time with her family and 
playing cards with friends.   She is survived by her children, Julia (William) Peters, of 
Dryden, Clark (Sue), of Caseville, Michael (Linda), of Woodstock, Illinois, Anthony 
(Rama), of Caseville, Martha (James) Drysch, of Sterling Heights, and Robert (Karen), of 
Applegate; 17 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great-grandsons.   She 
was preceded in death by her husband, Robert, on August 9, 1998; a son, Robert II; a 
grandson, Mathew; and brothers, Charles and Joseph Clark.   A Funeral Mass will be at 
noon on Monday, May 22, 2006, at St. Felix Catholic Church in Pinnebog with the Rev. 
Ken Yaroch presiding. Interment will be at St. Roch Cemetery.   Visitation will be from 4 
to 9 p.m. on Sunday at the Champagne Funeral Chapel of Caseville and at 10 a.m. on 
Monday until the time of Mass at church. There will be a scripture service at 5 p.m. on 
Sunday followed by an Eagles' Ritual. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Michigan 
or American Cancer Society. Condolences may be shared at www.cfcCaseville.com. 


Coy L. Smith 

Coy L. Smith, 78, of Grand Blanc and Caseville, died peacefully at her home in Grand 
Blanc on Wednesday, May 17, 2006, after a lengthy illness.   Coy was born in Norfolk, 
Arkansas on October 1, 1927 to the late William H. and Helen (Hamilton) Barker.   She 
married Richard D. Smith on February 7, 1958 at the Hayes United Methodist Church 
outside Caseville. They moved to Grand Blanc and raised their family there. Coy retired 
in 1982 from AC Spark Plug after 31 years. Coy enjoyed spending time with her family 
and time at their second home in Caseville.   She is survived by her husband, Richard; 
children, William Adams, of Grand Blanc, Daniel (Carol) Adams, of Germany, Linda 
Adams, of Millington, Christine (Michael) Hayes, of Florida, Nancy (Jose) Gutierrez, of 
Burton, Kimberly (Michael) Kelly, of Caseville, and Richard Jr. (Angela), of Caseville; 
grandchildren, Tina, Nicole, Danielle, Jodi, Brittany, Quinn, Spencer, Kelsey, Hailey and 
Brenden; and great-grandchildren, Kyle, Kayla, Hayley and Heidi; brother, Robert 
(Eleanor) Barker, of Goodrich; and sister, Jolene Fogarty, of Indiana.   Funeral services 
will be at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 21, 2006, at the Champagne Funeral Chapel of 
Caseville with Pastor Wayne Keim, of Fair Haven Mennonite Church in Bay Port, 
officiating. Burial will be in Caseville Township Cemetery. Visitation will be 3 to 8 p.m. 
on Friday at Swartz Funeral Home in Flint and 3 to 8 p.m. on Saturday at the Champagne 
Funeral Chapel of Caseville.   In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Genesys 
Hospice. Condolences may be shared online at www.cfcCaseville.com. 


Helen G. Yaroch 

Helen G. Yaroch, 82, of Kinde, died Thursday, May 18, 2006, at the Huron County 
Medical Care Facility.   She was born August 27, 1923 in Dwight Township near Kinde, 
the daughter of the late Michael and Catherine (Wadas) Koroleski.   Helen Koroleski was 
united in marriage to Michael Yaroch on November 17, 1945 in St. Mary's Catholic 
Church in Dwight. He preceded her in death on January 5, 1969.   Mrs. Yaroch was a 
member of the Holy Rosary Sodality of St. Mary's and the Frank Horetski American 
Legion #499 Auxiliary. She enjoyed playing bingo, watching the Detroit Tigers and 
spending time with her family.   She is survived by her sons, Ronald M. Yaroch and 
Kenneth (Janice) Yaroch, both of Port Austin; daughters, Joan Yaroch, of Kinde, Linda 
Rutkowski (Kenneth), of Port Austin, and Debbie Osentoski (Carl), of Ubly;   
grandchildren, Jodi Yaroch, of Winter Haven, Florida, Lisa Yaroch, of Port Austin, Tony 
and Marianne Rutkowski, both of Port Austin, and Sam and Alex Osentoski, both of 
Ubly; and several nieces and nephews.   Helen was preceded in death by eight brothers, 
Edward Theodore, Sylvester, Walter, Leo, Martin, Benny and Michael; three sisters, 
Bernice Rice, Jeanette Yaroch, and Rose Baranski.   Mass of Christian burial will be 
conducted at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 20, 2006, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in 
Dwight. Fr. Mieczyslaw Oniskiewiez, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in the church 
cemetery.   Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. today at MacAlpine Funeral Home-Gage 
Chapel in Kinde. A parish wake scripture service will be at 7 p.m. tonight followed by a 
rosary at 7:30 p.m. by the Holy Rosary Sodality, and from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday 
at the funeral home.   Memorials may be offered to the family discretionary fund 







1