HURON DAILY TRIBUNE, Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan Local obituaries for the week beginning July 30, 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, July 30, 2006 Elmer J. Ramisch Elmer J. Ramisch, 92, of Palms, passed away Friday, July 28, 2006, in the long term care unit of the Harbor Beach Community Hospital. Born on May 23, 1914 in Delaware Township near Palms, he was the son of the late Hugo and Mary (Gentner) Ramisch. On June 30, 1943, Elmer and Florence Booms were united in marriage in St. Anthony's Church in Helena. Elmer was a lifelong Delaware Township farmer and lifelong member of St. John Catholic Church in Forestville. Elmer was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, Ruth Council No. 3823. He is survived by his wife, Florence, of Palms; and his children, Mary Ann Kyle and her husband, Rick, of Hudson, Florida, Ronald Ramisch and his wife, Mary, of Harbor Beach, Herbert Ramisch, of Palms, and John Ramisch, of Palms; four grandchildren, Kristen and Jonathan Kyle, Mathew Ney and Laura Ramisch; and a great-grandson, Aiden. He is also survived by a sister, Marion Karzmarczyk, of Bad Axe. Elmer was preceded in death by a sister, Virginia Kramer. A funeral mass for Elmer will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, July 31, 2006, in St. John Catholic Church in Forestville with Fr. Paul Bala, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. A parish vigil service will be at 7 p.m. today and there will be a Knights of Columbus Rosary by the Ruth Council at 8 p.m. today. Both will take place at the Ramsey Funeral Home, Harbor Beach. Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. today and from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at 11 a.m. on Monday at the church. Memorials may be made to the Harbor Beach Long Term Care Unit or St. John Catholic Church. Monday, July 31, 2006 Bonnie H. Fritz Bonnie H. Fritz, 90, resident of the Owendale, Grant Township vicinity, died Saturday morning, July 29, 2006, at Hills and Dales General Hospital, Cass City. Mrs. Fritz was born October 22, 1915 at Rose City. She was the daughter of the late George and Maude (Swartz) Louks. Miss Bonnie Louks and Roy Schram were united in marriage on March 28, 1942. Mr. Schram preceded his wife in death on February 19, 1958. Bonnie was married to Harrison Fritz on May 17, 1961. He preceded her in death on September 4, 1973. Mrs. Fritz attended Faith Gospel Tabernacle, Bad Axe. She enjoyed visiting with her family and friends, cooking, her flower garden and sewing. Bonnie is survived by three daughters, Bonnie Vennevy, of Owendale, Maxine Becker and her husband, Robert, of Cass City, and Arvilla Hobson and her husband, Colin, of Marlette; two sons, Alfred Schram, of Caseville, and Elmer Schram, of Sandusky; 17 grandchildren; 20 great- grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two daughters Jean Mellendorf and Joyce Isaac; six sons, including two infant baby boys, Roy Schram, Earl Schram, Erwin Schram, Ilo Schram, and three grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, August 1, 2006, at the MacAlpine Funeral Home Chapel, Bad Axe. The Rev. Mike Beeler, pastor of Faith Gospel Tabernacle, will officiate. Burial will take place at Oliver Township Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. until the time of the service at 11 a.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be offered to the Family Discretionary Fund. Isabelle L. Scherer Isabelle L. Scherer, 72, of Harbor Beach, passed away Saturday, July 29, 2006, in the long-term care unit of the Harbor Beach Community Hospital. Born July 5, 1934 in Parisville, she was the daughter of the late Leo and Bertha (Suida) Micklash. Isabelle and Melvin Scherer were united in marriage on September 22, 1990. He preceded her in death on March 22, 2003. Isabelle was a retired employee of Tower Automotive in Elkton working for 25 years and retiring in 1994. She was a member of Our Lady of Lake Huron Catholic Church in Harbor Beach. Surviving is a brother, Isadore Henry "Zeke" Micklash; several nieces and nephews and cousins; three sisters-in-law, Beada Currie, of Bad Axe, Eleanor Frankoviac, of St. Clair, and Julie Scherer, of Harbor Beach. Isabelle was preceded in death by two brothers, Raymond and Casimer Micklash. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, August 1, 2006, in the Ramsey Funeral Home, Harbor Beach, with Fr. T.J. Fleming officiating. Burial will be in the Rock Falls Cemetery, Harbor Beach. Visitation will be from 1 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. on Monday and from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to the Harbor Beach Lighthouse Society. Tuesday, August 1, 2006 Gerald Champagne Gerald F. Champagne, 63, of Bad Axe, died on Saturday, July 29, 2006, at Covenant Medical Center following an illness. Gerald was born September 25, 1942 to Edmund and Virginia (Heleski) Champagne. Gerald was a loving husband and father. He enjoyed playing cards and spending time with family and friends. He especially enjoyed a good checker game with his grandson, Ray. In addition to his mother, Virginia, he is survived by his wife, Michalene; four daughters, Becky (Dave) Bucholtz, of Caro, Dawn (Charlie) Hurren, of Caseville, Cindy (Mike) Cook, of Bad Axe, and Cheryl (Dan) Kowalski, of Caseville; five grandchildren, Ray, Tiffany, Taylor, Hanna and Michael; three step- children, Chad, Melissa and David; one sister, Dianna (Richard) Braun, of Gaylord; two brothers, Eugene (Betty) Champagne, of Elkton, and Bill Champagne, of Bad Axe. He was preceded in death by his father, Ed Sr., and brother, Ed Jr. Special thanks to all those at Scheurer Hospital and Covenant Medical Center who cared for Gerald through his illness. The family is honoring Gerald's wishes that no service or visitation will be conducted. Maxwell Hammond Maxwell S. Hammond, 88, of Mt. Pleasant, died Monday, July 31, 2006, at Tendercare Nursing Home in Mt. Pleasant. He was born September 18, 1917 in Coldwater Township to Earl and Edna (Wiley) Hammond. He married Betty Kent on September 14, 1940 in Sherman Township. During World War II, Mr. Hammond was a welder at Defoe Shipbuilding in Bay City. He owned Hammonds Plumbing and Heating in Ubly from 1954 to 1971. For the next 10 years, he was a salesman for Duro Supply Company. Mr. Hammond was the manager of Cass City Apartments from 1987 until his retirement in 1992. Mr. Hammond was a past member of the Masonic Lodge, Eastern Star, OES Temple Chapter in Bay City and past member of Salem Methodist Church in Cass City. Mr. Hammond loved golfing, family, hunting, fishing and traveling. Survivors include his wife, Betty; children, Carolyn (Michael) Holdship, of Cadillac, Linda (Lynn) Smith, of Mayville, Maxwell (Reva) Hammond, of Slavutech, Ukraine, William (Michelle) Hammond, of Flushing, John Hammond, of Ocala, Florida, and Jennifer Jones, of Belding; 21 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; sisters, Madeline Nagy, of Mt. Pleasant, and Doris Doornbos, of Portage; brothers, Harvey (Doris) Hammond, of Harrison, and Curtis (Pauline) Hammond, of Alger. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Orma Spalsbury and Dorothy Theisen; and granddaughter, Heidi Smith. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, August 3, 2006, at the First United Methodist Church, 400 S. Main Street, Mt. Pleasant, with the Rev. John Boley. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, and from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Thursday at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to the Commission on Aging in Mt. Pleasant. Arrangements are through Hitesman-Holdship Funeral Home in Cadillac. Online condolences may be made at www.hitesman- holdship.com. Wednesday, August 1, 2006 Herbert Paul Smith, Sr. Herbert Paul Smith, Sr., 78, lifelong resident of Bad Axe, passed away Tuesday, August 1, 2006, at the Huron County Medical Care Facility after a long illness. Mr. Smith was born to the late Walter Hurd and Eunice Lezetta (Gafney) Smith on July 15, 1928 in Livonia Township which is now the city of Livonia. Herbert Smith was united in marriage to Mary Alice Landenberg on February 4, 1952 in Bisbee, Arizona. She preceded him in death in 1999. He served in the United States Army from 1950 to 1952. Herbert was a member of the Bad Axe First Baptist Church. He was employed with Moczek's Tool & Die north of Bad Axe and later was a watchman in the Merchant Marines on the Great Lakes for 21 years. Herbert was a member of the Verona-Huron Masonic Lodge No. 365 and the Shriners. He enjoyed fishing, farming, gardening and playing cards. Mr. Smith is survived by one son, Herbert Paul Smith, Jr. and his wife, Valerie, of Lapeer; three daughters, Paulette K. Fagone and her husband, Gary, of Elkton, Kathrine P. Welther, of Bay City, and Susan Marie Crowley and her husband, Steven, of Beverly, Massachusetts; one son-in-law, Leslie Andrews, of Bad Axe; two sisters, Parthenia (Keith) Gerber, of Bad Axe, and Margaret Taylor, of Mio; 21 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Pauline Ann Andrews; one son, Don Clair; three brothers, Vern, Arthur and Walter Smith. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Friday, August 4, 2006, at the MacAlpine Funeral Home Chapel in Bad Axe. Burial will be in the Colfax Township Cemetery. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. today, 1 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, and from 10 a.m. until the time of services at 11 a.m. on Friday at the funeral chapel. There will be a Masonic Memorial Service at 7 p.m. on Thursday at the chapel. Memorials may be offered to the Family Discretionary Fund. Thursday, August 3. 2006 Phyllis Reid Phyllis A. Reid, 70, of Marlette, died Tuesday, August 1, 2006, at the Covenant Medical Center — Cooper in Saginaw. Mrs. Reid lived in the Flynn Township area since 1964. She was born February 8, 1936 in Brown City, daughter of the late William and Laura (Franzel) Davis. She married Roger Reid on August 28, 1954 in Port Sanilac. He preceded her in death on May 30, 1998 after 44 years of marriage. Phyllis worked for Hamills Manufacturing in Imlay City and T.R.W. in Washington. She enjoyed flowers, playing cards and family get-togethers. She is survived by two sons, Rod and Chris Reid, of Marlette, and Roger Reid, of Imlay City; five daughters, Suzanne and Jerry Hill, of Attica, Marilyn Davis, of Deckerville, Jane and Floyd Holdwick, of Ruth, Debbie and Daniel Thorman, of Lake Port, and Kelly French, of Marlette; 19 grandchildren; 30 great- grandchildren; three brothers; seven sisters. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, three brothers and four sisters. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 5, 2006, at the Goodnews Assembly of God in Marlette, with Pastor Douglas Richardson officiating. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery in Brown City. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, and from 1 to 9 p.m. on Friday at the Marsh Funeral Chapel in Marlette, and from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday at the church. Memorials may be donated to the family. Arrangements by Marsh Funeral Chapel, Inc., Marlette. Eleanor G. Wagner Eleanor G. Wagner, 96, of Birch Run, died Thursday, July 27, 2006, at the Saginaw Geriatrics Home in Saginaw. Eleanor was born on Flag Day (June 14, 1910) in Hartland, New York to the late Edgar and Clara (Bixler) Griffin. She received her bachelor of science degree in education from Buffalo State Teachers College. She married Wilbur B. Wagner on February 23, 1946. She resided in Bad Axe for many years and was a second grade school teacher at Kinde Public Schools retiring in the 1960's. She was a long time member of the First United Methodist Church in Bad Axe, the Daughters of the American Revolution, Bay City Chapter, and the Bad Axe Historical Society. Surviving is a daughter, Karen (Keith) Abke, of Birch Run. Eleanor was preceded in death by her husband, Wilbur B. Wagner; two sisters, Gladys Mae (Faber) Roberts (Edward) Mills, and Bernice Edna (Clarence) Zimmerman; and an infant brother. A memorial service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 5, 2006, at the O'Guinn Family Funeral Home in Birch Run. Chester Cherry will officiate. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday. Interment has taken place at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly with Wilbur. Memorial contributions may be made to the Bad Axe Historical Society or Saginaw Geriatrics Activity Fund. Please sign our guest book or share an online condolence with the family at www.oguinnfh.com. Friday, August 04, 2006 John "Jack" A. Maurer John "Jack" A. Maurer, 80, of Filion, passed away Wednesday, August 2, 2006, at his home. John was born October 3, 1925 to the late John P. and Caroline (Sebastian) Maurer in Parisville. John Maurer and Barbara Filion were united in marriage on March 1, 1947. She preceded him in death on March 7, 2001 after 54 years of marriage. John was a member of St. Felix Catholic Church near Pinnebog and the Caseville F.O.E. 3690. He retired from the former Active Industries in Elkton in 1988. Mr. Maurer is survived by his special friend, Vonnie Bambach; two sons, John Maurer, of Huma, Louisiana, and Steve Maurer, of Filion, and special friend, Kim Karl; three daughters, Karen Nieschultz, of Bad Axe, Dianne Glaza and her husband, Vern, of Ubly, and Sandra Appold and her husband, Dave, of Bay City; two brothers, Robert Maurer and his wife, Selma, of Filion, and Fred Maurer and his wife, Christine, of Brown City; one sister, Ina Quinn and her husband, Lester, of Marlette; and sister-in-law, Phyllis Maurer; 15 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Joseph and Vincent Maurer; and one sister, Iva Maurer; and sister-in-law, Evelyn Maurer. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 5, 2006, at St. Felix Catholic Church in Pinnebog with Fr. Kenneth Yaroch officiating. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. today at MacAlpine Funeral Home-Gage Chapel in Kinde, and from 10 to 11 a.m. on Saturday at the church. Burial will take place in the church cemetery. Memorials may be offered to the Family Discretionary Fund or the American Cancer Society. 1