HURON DAILY TRIBUNE, Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan Local obituaries for the week beginning April 1, 2007 Contributed 2007 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, April 1, 2007 – No obituaries reported Monday, April 2, 2007 Ruthann C. Czekai Ruthann C. Czekai, 66, of Cass City, died Thursday, March 29, 2007, in Marlette Hospice Residence following a short illness. She was born October 25, 1940 in Cass City to Leslie and Bernice (McKellar) Muntz. She married Wallace S. Czekai on September 24, 1959 in Cass City. He died October 22, 2001. Ruthann worked for about nine years for Provincial House in Cass City as a cook and kitchen helper. She later worked for Hardy's Restaurant for a short time. Ruthann was a member of St. Pancratius Catholic Church. She enjoyed cooking, gardening, word search puzzles and camping. Ruthann is survived by her children, Kim (Tim) Williams, of Inkster, Kevin (Jennifer) Czekai, of North Port, Florida; grandson, Cameron Czekai. She is preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Dorothy Crawford. A funeral service will be conducted at 11:15 a.m. today, April 2, 2007, in St. Pancratius Catholic Church with the Rev. Stephen J. Fillion officiating. Interment will be in Elkland Township Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10:15 to 11:15 a.m. today in the church. Memorials may be made to Family Discretionary Fund. Kranz Funeral Home in Cass City is handling the arrangements. Family and friends may share memories, prayers and stories with the family at www.kranzfuneralhome.com. Opal E. Hunter Opal E. Hunter, 86, of Mayville, died Thursday, March 29, 2007, in Covenant Medical Center Cooper Campus, Saginaw, following a short illness. She was born March 17, 1921 at home in Tuscola County to Roy E. and Kathryn (McTavish) Durkee. She married Clayton R. Hunter on January 27, 1940. He died January 26, 1976. Opal graduated from Kingston High School in 1937. She attended County Normal in Caro to get her teaching certification. Soon after, she began teaching in Smith School and later in West Dayton School. Both schools were located in Dayton Township. In 1959, Opal started working at Caro State Hospital as an attendant nurse. About ten years later she started working for Tuscola County Probate Court as a case worker later becoming County Juvenile Officer. She retired in 1986. After retirement, she served as Dayton Township Clerk for 12 years. Opal had a natural ability for playing the piano. She played with a "swing" style creating a unique sound. She played at many functions including church and Eastern Star functions. Opal was a lifetime member of the Order of the Eastern Star. She enjoyed cross stitching, knitting, and crocheting. Opal loved spending time with her friends and playing dominoes with them. She was a wonderful mother and grandmother and enjoyed every moment with her family. Opal is survived by her daughters, Rebecca (Loren) Helmreich, and Karen (Robert) Roberson, both of Mayville; grandchildren, Diana Roberson, Lisa (Sam) Mosher, Shawn Roberson, Bobbi Roberson, Todd (Lacey) Roberson, Aubray Helmreich, Andrew Helmreich; great grandchildren, Chrystena, Jessica, Tony, Zac, Lauren, Braden, Dezerick, Jordis and Malawi; great great grandchildren, Madisson, Dominick, Keetan, and Lillieyannah; many nieces, nephews and friends. She was preceded in death by her sisters, Doris Durkee Nicol, Avis Durkee Starr, Ethel Curry Seddon, Iola Curry Ross. A funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. today, April 2, 2007, in Kingston United Methodist Church with the Rev. Richard Brown officiating. Interment will be in Indianfields Township Cemetery, Caro. Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m. today at the church. Memorials may be made to Kingston United Methodist Church. Family and friends may share memories, prayers and stories with the family at www.kranzfuneralhome.com. Thomas James Schumacher Thomas James Schumacher, 65, a lifelong Sherman Township resident, died Thursday, March 29, 2007, at his home of an apparent heart attack. He was born July 25, 1941 in Sherman Township, son of the late Raymond and Lauretta (Kirsch) Schumacher. He married Jacqueline Ann Messing on November 27, 1965 at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Ruth. Mr. Schumacher attended SS. Peter and Paul Catholic School in Ruth and was a 1958 graduate of Harbor Beach High School. He was a retired construction worker and farmer. Thomas enjoyed playing cards, pool, going to antique tractor shows and hunting. He was a member of the Old Farts Pool Team, The Thumb Two Cylinder Club, the "House of Knowledge" in Ruth, and was president of the Farmers' Mutual Fire Agency. He also enjoyed spending time with his family, friends and horses. He is survived by his wife, Jacqueline Ann, of Sherman Township; five daughters, Michelle Seidl and her husband, Gerard, of Croswell, Kathleen Hall and her husband, Thomas, of Livonia, Francine Kinsella and her husband, Robert, of San Diego, California, Stephanie Kartha and her husband, Mohan, of Ypsilanti, and Kimberly Schumacher, of Ypsilanti; nine grandchildren, Amy, Bradley, Eric and Kyle Seidl, Jacob, Dillon and Alexander Hall, Nathan and Makensie Kinsella; three stepgrandchildren, Jessica Kinsella, Michael Barrios and Caleb Kartha; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Clement and Donna Messing, of Ruth; one brother, Lloyd Schumacher and his wife, Betty, of Sandusky; four sisters, Arlene Martin, of Northville, Ann Uicker, of Madison, Wisconsin, Bessie Kirsch and her husband, Donald, of Port Hope, and Jane Volmering and her husband, Ronald, of Ruth; 24 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by three brothers-in-law, Richard Martin, Ronald Messing, and Richard Feury; and one nephew, Terence Kirsch. A Funeral Mass for Mr. Schumacher will be at 11 a.m. today, April 2, 2007, at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Ruth. The Rev. T.J. Fleming, pastor of Our Lady of Lake Huron Parish in Harbor Beach, will officiate. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the Funeral Mass at 11 a.m. today at the church. Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly is handling the arrangements. Memorials may be made to the family discretionary fund. James Sherman James Sherman, 67, of Cass City, died Sunday, April 1, 2007, in Select Specialty Residence of Covenant Medical Center Harrison Campus, Saginaw, following a long illness. He was born April 26, 1939 in Miami, Florida to Neil James and Janet Faye (Gainor) Sherman. He married Erika Ursula Thierer on August 27, 1961 in Cass City. Jim served in the U.S. Army after the Korean War. He worked for General Motors then, for a time, as a journeyman carpenter, but his life work was the family strawberry and vegetable farm and restaurant. In his later years, until his recent retirement, Jim worked for Plastech in Caro. Jim was a member of the Caro Moose Lodge #1049. Jim is survived by his children, Tina (Tim) Senior, Howard Sherman, of Cass City, Katy (Greg) Irwin, of Sandusky, Ruby (Brian) Rideout, of South Bend, Indiana; grandchildren, Heather, Christa, Joshua, Jessica, Sarah; great grandchildren, Jordan, Paris, Alexa, Ava and Nathan. He was preceded in death by his parents. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, April 9, 2007, in Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City, with Debra L. Kranz, Funeral Service Celebrant, and Cass City VFW Post No. 3644 officiating. Interment will be in Elkland Township Cemetery. Military honors will be under the direction of the Cass City VFW Post No. 3644. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. on Sunday and from 10 to 11 a.m. on Monday, April 9, at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to American Diabetes Association or Cass City VFW Post No. 3644. Family and friends may share memories, prayers and stories with the family at www.kranzfuneralhome.com. Tuesday, April 3, 2007 Regina Fisher Regina Fisher, 96, resident of Warren and formerly a longtime resident of both Detroit and Port Austin, died Saturday, March 31, 2007. She was the beloved wife of the late Edward Fisher (who died September 30, 1999); loving mother of the late Ernest (Helen) Fisher, Lorraine (the late Donald) Vargo, and Marlene (Edward) Koss; daughter of the late Edward and the late Frances Stockoski; grandmother of 13; great grandmother of 17; and great great grandmother of one; sister of Helen (Steve) Lapka, Josephine (the late Martin) Korleski, Lillian (Roy) Wills, Irvin (the late Dorothy) Stockoski, Leonard (the late Rita) Stockoski, Roman (the late Elizabeth) Stockoski, the late Chris (the late Stubby) Wolfe, the late Mary (the late James) Palmer, and the late Emma (the late William) Yaroch. Regina was born May 8, 1910 in Dwight Township, near Port Austin. Regina attended Ford School in Dwight as a young girl. As an adult, she liked to cook, bake, sew and crochet. Regina and Edward Fisher were united in marriage on May 31, 1929 at St. Michael's Parish in Port Austin by the late Fr. Rosinski. As a young married couple, Regina and Edward moved to Detroit to raise a family. She was employed at the Emmet Shop in Detroit until she retired. She was a member of Holy Name Church in Detroit and the Christian Mother's Sodality in Detroit. Following retirement, Regina and Edward moved back to Port Austin. She was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church in Port Austin, the Holy Rosary Sodality, the League of Catholic Women of Huron County, the Senior Citizens of St. Michael's Parish, the U & I Club, and a lifetime member of the St. Jude Guild. The couple celebrated 70 years of marriage prior to Edward's death in 1999. Regina moved to Warren following Edward's death. A funeral Mass was conducted on Tuesday, April 3, 2007, at St. Dennis Catholic Church in Royal Oak. Burial was in St. Michael's Cemetery. Donations can be made to the Capuchin Soup Kitchen, 4390 Conner Street, Detroit, Michigan, 48215. Arrangements are by the Edward Swanson & Son Funeral Home in Madison Heights. Wednesday, April 4, 2007 Gladys Cook Mrs. Gladys Cook, 92, of Harbor Beach, passed away Monday, April 2, 2007, at Lakeview Extended Care and Rehab Center in Harbor Beach. She was born July 17, 1914 in Parisville, daughter of Matthew and Josephine (Zmich) Susalla. She was the youngest of 13 children. Gladys married Philip Cook on May 6, 1933 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Parisville. They celebrated 72 years of married life. Philip preceded her in death on September 3, 2005. Gladys and Philip farmed in Sigel Township for 50 years and raised their family there. She enjoyed her family, senior activities, quilting, playing cards and visiting. She and Philip enjoyed traveling and spent 27 winters in Texas and Florida. Gladys was a 60-year member of Our Lady of Lake Huron Parish. She is survived by two daughters, Delphine Cook, of Long Beach, California, and Joanne (John) Bowers, of Ortonville; and four sons, Melvin and his fiancée, Bonnie McHugh, of Midland, Hilary (Marie), of Verona, Tom (Arlene), and Dan (Linda), of Harbor Beach. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren, Marc (Pam), Kathy, Michael (Pam) Jance, Lori (Dave) Reder, Douglas (Wendy) Cook, Melanie (Joe) Shugart, Leann (Brad) Walker, Randy Cook and his fiancée, Jill Smith, Matthew (Cindy) Cook, Ryan (Jen) Cook, and Tina Cook; 13 great grandchildren, Philip, Nathan, Christopher, Becky, Kaitlyn and Jessica Jance, Joshua, Tyler and Erica Reder, Jacob and Taylor Cook, Josie Walker, and Harrison Cook. She is also survived by four sisters-in-law, Gertrude O'Berski, of Ubly, Mary Cook, of Parisville, Edith Cook, of Harper Woods, and Rita Cook, of Harbor Beach; and one brother-in-law, Walter Cook and his wife, Minnie, of Harbor Beach. Gladys was preceded in death by four sisters, Anna Pawlowski, Albina Particka, Dora Cook, and Rose Guza; and eight brothers, Victoria, Fabian, Alex, Nicholas, Aloize, Leo, William and Lucian Susalla. She was also preceded in death by brothers and sisters-in- law, William Cook, Clements and Cecelia Cook, Gordon and Sylvia Cook, Albert O'Berski, Carl Cook, Leo and Angeline Grifka, and Albert Cook. A prayer service will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 5, 2007, at Our Lady of Lake Huron Catholic Church in Harbor Beach. The Rev. T.J. Fleming, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. today at Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home, and from 10 to 11 a.m. on Thursday at the church. There will be a parish vigil service at 6:30 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorials are requested to Our Lady of Lake Huron Catholic Church or the donor's choice. Bernice J. "Bunny" O'Berski Mrs. Bernice J. "Bunny" O'Berski, 85, of Ubly and former owner of City Cleaners, passed away Tuesday, April 3, 2007, at her residence under hospice care. Bunny was born October 23, 1921 in Sebewaing to the late Frank and Pauline (Osowska) Masa. She married Elmer M. O'Berski on August 20, 1949 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bad Axe. He preceded her in death on August 7, 1990. Bunny was a graduate of Big Burning School and Bad Axe High School. She was also a graduate of Cleary Business College in Ypsilanti. Bunny was former owner of City Cleaners in Bad Axe and Ubly for 36 years before retiring in 1985. She was a local reporter for the Minden City Herald and the Ubly Courier. Bunny was a parishioner at St. John Catholic Church in Ubly where she was a member of the St. John Christian Mothers. She was a member of the Daughters of Isabella Fidelis Regina Circle No. 608 of Bad Axe. Bunny was an excellent seamstress. She was a performer and seamstress for all of the Alabama Jubilees. Bunny enjoyed golf and playing cards with her card club. She is survived by three sons, Dennis O'Berski, of Cass City, Kenneth O'Berski and his wife, Christine, and Garrett O'Berski, both of Ubly; two daughters, Kathy Kelly and her husband, Larry, of Bad Axe, and Diana Adrianse and her husband, Ronald, of Oscoda; six grandchildren, Jodie Nelson, Richard Nelson and his special friend, Tonia, Chad O'Berski, Michelle O'Berski, Garrett S. O'Berski and Julie (David) Kolb; brothers and sisters, Augustine Gretch, of Bad Axe, Helen Radomski and her husband, Joseph, of Filion; Frances Dolan, of Warren, Josephine Nagel, of Bad Axe, Edward Masa, of Fayetteville, Arkansas. Bunny was preceded in death by one son-in- law, Richard Nelson; one daughter-in-law, Anita O'Berski; two sisters, Valeria LaBelle and Lucy Masa; three brothers, Felix, Thomas and John Masa. A prayer service will be at 1 p.m. on Thursday, April 5, 2007, at St. John Catholic Church in Ubly. The Rev. Joseph Griffin, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery later in the spring. Visitation will be from 2:30 to 9 p.m. today at Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly and from noon to 1 p.m. on Thursday at the church. There will be a Daughters of Isabella rosary at 4 p.m. and a St. John Christian Mothers' rosary at 7:30 p.m. with both services today at the funeral home. Thursday, April 5, 2007 Sharon A. Horne Sharon A. (Hayward) Horne, 63, Decker, died Monday, April 2, 2007, at her home. She was born May 2, 1943 in Cass City, daughter to the late Russell and Julia (Sherman) Hayward. She graduated from Marlette High School in 1961. She married Fred Horne on May 18, 1984 in Cass City. Mrs. Horne was a member of the Marlette Classic Car Club where she was an officer and also a member of the Lamotte Township Firefighters Auxiliary and Bingo. She is survived by her husband, Fred, of Decker; five children, Dale R. (Susan) Potter, of Kingston, Lora Walker and Rodney Long, of Sandusky, Elton John (Brandy) Horne and Levi Horne (Barb Horak), of Decker, Reva (Bill) Diehl, of Caro; sister, Marion (Robert) Fields, of Decker; brother, Harold (Helen) Hayward, of Oxford; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Alfred and Mary Horne, of Cass City; sister-in- law, Marie (Larry) Groombridge, of Traverse City; brothers-in-law, Curt Horne, of Virginia, Randy (Marie) Horne, of Cass City, Donald (Robin) Horne, of Cass City, Allen (Jenny) Horne, of Cass City, Michael (Danyal) Horne, of Cass City, Robert Horne, of Cass City; 13 grandchildren, Michelle Craig, of Mayville, Bill Grimmer (who's on active duty in Iraq), Amanda and Stephanie Potter, of Kingston, LeAnne and Tammy Walker, of Sandusky, Cacealya and Dustin Horne, of Decker, Cody Horne, of Decker, Ashley, Jessica, Billy, and Justin Diehl, of Caro; three great grandchildren, McKayla, Abbigail, and Destiny Craig, of Mayville; many nieces and nephews and special friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Russell and Julia Hayward; sister, Doris; brother-in- law, Art Fishell; sister, Norma Jean Hayward; and brother, Duane Hayward. There will be a memorial service in Sharon's honor at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 15, 2007, at the Lamotte Township Hall in Decker with Pastor Gerald Steele officiating. Cremation has taken place at the Sunset Valley Crematory in Bay City. Visitation will be from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday at the Lamotte Township Hall. Memorials may be donated to the United Hospice Service, Lamotte Township Firefighters Auxiliary or the family. Arrangements are by Marsh Funeral Chapel in Marlette. Friday, April 6, 2007 Patricia "Patty" Joyce McCloskey Patricia "Patty" Joyce McCloskey, 54, formerly of Cass City, passed away Friday, March 30, 2007, following a lingering illness. She was born on July 23, 1952, daughter of the late Charles (Bud) and Doris McCloskey. Patty graduated from Kingston High School in 1970. She worked as a bartender, most of that time being at the Rolling Hills Golf Course in Cass City. She loved shooting pool, playing cribbage, riding horses, animals and her '67 Mustang. Patty is survived by her three children and their spouses, Bob & Patty Kababik, of Caro, Billy & Julie Maynard, of Niles, Christina Kababik, and John McNaughton, of Bay City; three grandchildren, Alec and Chase Kababik, and Cody Maynard; five siblings, Marion Wheil, Becky Wright, Robie & Dave Crosby, Brian & Ruth McCloskey, and Devin McCloskey; beloved friends, Joe Kababik and Jerry Parker (J. P. aka Bitter Creek); 10 nieces and nephews, Levi Crosby, Melissa, Ryan and Chad McCloskey, Heather, Ashley and Melissa Wilmoth, Cassandra Hartwick, Kaitlyn Trapp, and Holden Barber. She was predeceased by her parents, brothers, Brad and Tommy McCloskey; close grandmother, Marion Leham; niece, Doris Nelson; nephews, Neil and Wayne Nelson. The memorial service will be at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 21, 2007, at the Kranz Funeral Home in Cass City. Visitation will be conducted from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 21, 2007, at the funeral home. Memorials can be made to the Family Discretionary Fund. Terrance P. "Terry" Bouverette Terrance P. "Terry" Bouverette, 52, of Elkton, died Friday, April 6, 2007. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time. Champagne Funeral Chapel of Elkton is handling the arrangements. Ann J. Cottick Ann J. Cottick, 88, of Caseville, died Thursday, April 5, 2007, at Huron Medical Care Facility in Bad Axe. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time. Champagne Funeral Chapel of Caseville is handling the arrangements. 1