HURON DAILY TRIBUNE, Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan

Local obituaries for the week beginning January 1, 2007


Contributed 2007 by Carol Morrison for use in the USGenWeb Archives.

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Monday, January 1, 2007 – New Year’s Day Holiday


Tuesday, January 02, 2007


John Alfred Adler

John Alfred Adler, 87, of Ruth, passed away Saturday, December 30, 2006, at the Harbor 
Beach Long Term Care Facility where he had been a resident for the past year.   John was 
born September 29, 1919 in Sherman Township to George and Lauretta (Klug) Adler.   
He married Eleanor Messing on May 25, 1946 at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in 
Ruth. He and Eleanor had been married 56 years when she preceded him in death on June 
16, 2002. Together they farmed on their Centennial Farm in Sherman Township until he 
retired in 1981.   John was a graduate of Sherman Center No. 1 Country School. He was a 
World War II veteran serving with the Fifth Armored Division in Europe. He earned five 
Bronze Stars for serving in the Northern France, Normandy, Rhineland, Ardennes (Battle 
of the Bulge) and Central Germany campaigns. He was a member of the VFW Post 5740. 
John was a member of St. John Chrysostom Catholic Church in Forestville where he 
served as an usher for many years. After retirement, until his illness, he loved helping his 
son with farming. The past few years he had enjoyed hearing what was going on around 
the farm and feeding and watching the birds. He was very proud to still own his very first 
tractor, an Allis Chalmers B. He enjoyed euchre, dancing, gardening and visiting with his 
family, relatives and friends.   John is survived by one daughter, Darlene Schelke and her 
husband, Larry, of Harbor Beach; three sons, Ronald Adler and his wife, Ruth Ann 
(Kirsch), of New Hudson, Jerry Adler and his wife, Kathy (Ginnel), of Ruth, Jim Adler 
and his wife, Jan (Kriewall), of Ruth, 11 grandchildren, Shelley (Adler) Strzalkowski and 
her husband Jason, Kris Adler and his wife, Leeanne (Tam), Chad and Jason Adler, 
Daniel and Jackie Adler, Tammy (Messing) Roberts and her husband, Brian, Timothy 
Messing and his wife, Tia (Sontag), Jeffrey, Brad, and Renee Adler; two 
stepgrandchildren, Kelly (Schelke) Block and her husband, Kevin, and Bradley Schelke; 
five great grandchildren, Austin, Makalya and Brenda Roberts, Yan Yee Adler, Caeden 
Graves; two stepgreat grandchildren, Ethan and Nolan Block; one sister, Anna Sawielski, 
of Harbor Beach; three brothers, Herman Adler and his wife, Sylvia, of St. Peters, 
Missouri, Bill Adler and his wife, Helen, of Fraser, Ed Adler and his wife, Janet, of Bad 
Axe; two brothers-in-law, Leonard Messing and his wife, Theresa, of Harbor Beach, and 
Andrew Messing, of Bad Axe; one sister-in-law, Dorothy Roggenbuck, of Harbor Beach.   
A Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, January 3, 2007, at St. John Catholic 
Church of Forestville. The Rev. Paul Bala, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in the 
church cemetery with military honors. Visitation will be from 2:30 to 9 p.m. today and 
from 9 to 10 a.m. on Wednesday at Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly. There will 
be a parish vigil service at 7 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home by Fr. Paul Bala.


Joseph William “Bill” Parrott

Joseph William “Bill” Parrott, 81, of Cass City, died Sunday, December 31, 2006, in 
Marlette Regional Hospital.   He was born May 18, 1925 in Mt. Pleasant to William A. 
and Faye E. (McCulloch) Parrott. He married Cora Marie Westerby on June 12, 1943 in 
Brighton.   At the age of 3, Bill moved with his family to a dairy farm south of Cass City 
where he resided until his death. Bill was a retired dairy farmer and local businessman. 
He owned and operated Parrott Ice Cream Company for over 50 years. He was a member 
of the Ellington Church of the Nazarene, serving as Youth President, Sunday School 
Superintendent, church treasurer and Sunday School teacher over the years. He was a 
former member of the National Dairy Guild. Bill enjoyed woodworking and model 
railroads. His greatest love was his wife, Cora.   Bill is survived by his wife, Cora; his 
children, Sharon (Jerry) Hillaker, of Snover, David (Connie Elliott) Parrott, of Lapeer, 
Janet (Larry) Thane, of Deford, Rebecca (Timothy) Malette, of Hancock; grandchildren, 
Diane (Robert) Baur, Sara (Timothy) Ladd, Jennifer Hillaker, Wesley (Christina) Kempa, 
Christian Parrott, James Elliott, Jim (Brenda) Thane, Stacey (Mark) Dollan, Jared 
(Christina) Thane, Matthew (Ashley) Malette, Skye (Dave) Schultz, Jonathan Malette; 
great grandchildren, Trevin, Kaylee, Jacob, Martin, Tyler, Rylee, Ethan, Braden and two 
new great grandchildren due in early spring; sister, Faith (Bill) Steinkraus, of Colorado 
Springs, Colorado; sisters-in-law, Luella Parrott and Irene Hall; several nieces and 
nephews. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Maurice Parrott, Wendall Parrott and 
Gail Parrott.   A funeral service will be at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, January 3, 2007, in 
Ellington Church of the Nazarene with Pastor Ronald Comfort officiating. Interment will 
be in Ellington Township Cemetery.   Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. today in Kranz 
Funeral Home in Cass City and from 1 to 2 p.m. on Wednesday in the church.   
Memorials may be made to Ellington Church of the Nazarene.   Famiily and friends may 
share memories, prayers and stories with the family at www.kranzfuneralhome.com.


Roman Joseph Sniecikowski

Roman Joseph Sniecikowski, 86, of Caseville Township, passed away Thursday, 
December 28, 2006, at St. Mary's Medical Center in Saginaw.   He was born in Detroit on 
February 28, 1920, son of the late Anthony and Anna (Rodnicki) Sniecikowski. He 
served with the United States Army in the European Theater during World War II earning 
a Purple Heart for his efforts.   On June 25, 1947, he was united in marriage to Lillian 
Yettke who preceded him in death on March 21, 1992. He married Rita Giacolone 
Grabish in Las Vegas on June 14, 1994.  She survives him.  Mr. Sniecikowski worked as 
production supervisor at the Chrysler Corporation Mack Avenue Stamping Plant for 37 
years retiring in 1975. He enjoyed gardening, fishing, watching television and playing 
cards. He was a member of the F.O.E. 3690 in Caseville. He was a member of St. Francis 
Borgia Catholic Church in Pigeon.   In addition to his wife, Rita, he is survived by a son, 
Randy (Jeanne) Sniecikowski, of Pigeon; four grandchildren, Kimberly Foreman, Christy 
(Brian) Roe, Kyle (Jamie) Foreman, and Alicia (Chris) Esch; four great grandchildren, 
Hannah, Jordan, Devin and Alex; two stepchildren, Mary Hilliard, of Pigeon, and Pauline 
(Stanley) Grabish, of Windsor, Ontario, Canada; two stepgrandchildren, Krista Grabish 
and Sherrie Grabish; one stepgreat granddaughter, Ashley; a sister, Blanche Supanich, of 
St. Clair Shores; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a son, 
Robert; a sister, Emily Pasternak; and two brothers, Edward and Phil Sniecikowski.   A 
Funeral Mass was held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, January 2, 2007, at St. Roch Catholic 
Church in Caseville with the Rev. Fr. Kenneth Yaroch, pastor, officiating. Burial will be 
in Caseville Township Cemetery with veterans' honors.   Memorials for Mr. 
Sniecikowski may be made in care of the family. Arrangements were made by 
Meyersieck-Bussema Funeral Home in Pigeon.


Anna M. Sting

Anna M. Sting, 83, of Unionville, died Monday, January 1, 2007, at Bay Regional 
Medical Center in Bay City following a brief illness.   She was born April 30, 1923 in 
Spratt, daughter of the late Nicholas and Theresa (Klopp) Muelrath.   She was united in 
marriage to Waldo B. Sting on August 28, 1943 in Unionville.   Anna was a member of 
St. Peter Lutheran Church in Bach, was in the Ladies Aid and Lutheran Women's 
Missionary League.   She enjoyed gardening, sewing and quilting.   Surviving are her 
husband, Waldo; two sons, one daughter and their spouses, David and Donna Sting, of 
Unionville, Thomas and Janice Sting, of Sebewaing, Joanne Reinbold, of Caro; 10 
grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Lena Provost, 
of Detroit, and Katie and Owen Wissner, of Sebewaing; one brother and sister-in-law, 
Nick and Carol Muelrath, of Livonia; two sisters-in-law, Elizabeth Muelrath and Edna 
O'Brien, both of Livonia; and several nieces and nephews.   She was preceded in death by 
three brothers, John, Joseph and Stephen Muelrath. A funeral service will take place at 11 
a.m. on Thursday, January 4, 2007, at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Bach. The Rev. 
Jonathan Meyer will officiate with burial in the church cemetery.   Visitation will be from 
11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesday at Dinkel-Juengel Funeral home in Sebewaing. She will 
lie in state from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Thursday at the church.   
Memorials may be made to St. Peter Lutheran Church or the American Heart 
Association.


Joan Ellen Waterkuetter

Joan Ellen Waterkuetter, 77, of Caseville, died Friday, December 29, 2006, at the Huron 
County Medical Care Facility in Bad Axe after a short illness.   Joan was born March 6, 
1929 in Brooklyn, New York to the late Joseph E. and Catherine (Hines) Ranagan. Joan 
served in the U.S. Air Force from 1957 to 1961. While stationed at Lackland Air Force
Base in San Antonio, Texas, she met and married Walter T. Waterkuetter of Dayton, 
Ohio on July 29, 1961. Walter preceded her in death on October 15, 1982.   The family 
moved frequently while Walter was in the Air Force, but upon his retirement in 1971 
from the service, the family settled in Bay Port, moving to Caseville in 1973. Joan 
worked from 1975 to 1996 at the Scheurer Hospital Long Term Care Unit as a nurse's 
aid. Joan enjoyed cross-stitching, crocheting, being outdoors and bookkeeping.   Joan is 
survived by her daughter, Teresa, of Caseville; and sons, Karl, of Irving, Texas, and Joe, 
of New Port Richey, Florida; sister, Mabel,and her husband, Frank Sutman, of Linwood, 
New Jersey; and brother, Joseph and his wife, Beth Ranagan, of Sagersville, Maine.   A 
memorial service will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, January 5, 2007, at Fairhaven Mennonite 
Church, 2004 Kuhl Road, Bay Port, with Pastor Wayne Keim officiating. Burial with 
military honors will be at New Bay Port Cemetery.   Arrangements are being handled by 
the Champagne Funeral Chapel of Caseville. Memorials may be made to the Humane 
Society of the United States. Condolences may be shared online at 
www.CfcCaseville.com


Wednesday, January 03, 2007


Julia F. Day

Julia F. Day, 91, of Grand Rapids, died Saturday, December 30, 2006.   Hitesman 
Holdship Funeral Home in Cadillac is conducting the arrangements. Services are 
tentatively scheduled for April.


Leo John Hessling

Leo John Hessling, 92, a resident of Eastpointe for 50 years, died Monday, December 25, 
2006, in Henry Ford Continuing Care, Roseville.   He was born August 18, 1914 in 
Sherman Township to the late Bernard and Theresia (Weber) Hessling.   He was married
to the late Rita Lemanski on June 2, 1945.   Mr. Hessling retired December 31, 1976 as 
an inventory and parts person after many years of employment with Chrysler 
Corporation. He enjoyed gardening and also ran his apartment building in Eastpointe for 
several years.  He is survived by many nephews and nieces.   He was preceded in death 
by his brothers, Charles, George and August, from Ruth, Norman and Joseph, of Harbor 
Beach; two sisters, Petronellia Hessling Geiger, of Ruth, and Theresa Hessling Lemanski, 
of Minden City; father-in-law, Alexander Lemanski; and mother-in-law, Della Lemanski 
Wolschlager.   The funeral was conducted on Friday, December 29, 2006, at St. Basils 
Catholic Church, 22860 Schroeder, Eastpointe. The Rev. Paul K. Ballien officiated. 
Entombment is in Cadillac Memorial Gardens East, Clinton Township.


Frances M. Puvalowski Labeski

Frances M. Puvalowski Labeski, 83, of Ubly, passed away suddenly Monday, January 1, 
2007, at her residence.   She was born February 23, 1923 in Ubly to the late Walter and 
Lucy (Warchuck) Glaza.   Frances married Oscar Puvalowski on November 8, 1941 at St. 
Mary Catholic Church in Parisville. They celebrated 58 joyous and blessed years together 
before he preceded her in death on December 8, 1999. She married her companion, 
Clarence Labeski, on April 13, 2002 at St. Mary's in Parisville.   Frances was a lifelong 
member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Parisville and the St. Mary Rosary Sodality. 
She retired from the Ubly School kitchen staff after many years of work. She was an avid 
gardener. Frances took great pride in her home and truly cherished her family. She found 
constant strength in her faith. She constantly gave of herself to anyone in need and taught 
us all the meaning of unconditional love.   Frances is survived by her husband, Clarence 
Labeski, of Ubly; three children, Noreen (David) Wazny, of Caro, Clarence (Deb) 
Puvalowski, of Minden City, Kenneth (Ruth Ann) Puvalowski, of Minden City; special 
Bushia to her ten grandchildren, Tricia Messing, Kelly Grifka and fiancé, Terry Bernelis, 
Lori (David) White, Amy Puvalowski, Linda Puvalowski, Scott (Nichole) Wazny, 
Tiffanee (Brian) Wazny-Kohl, Shelly (Kevin) Grifka, Sherry (Ryan) Krohn, Vince 
Puvalowski and his special friend, Annette; 14 great grandchildren, Jordan, Blake, and 
Macey Messing, Cody and Tyler Grifka, Josh, and Jenna White, Chloe Wazny, Hadlee 
Kohl, Jack, Evan and Aaron Grifka, Ciara and Ryan Krohn Jr.; one sister, Christine (Art) 
Bukoski; one brother-in-law, Al Puvalowski; two sisters-in-law, Eleanor Glaza and Grace 
Puvalowski; several nieces and nephews.   She was preceded in death by six brothers, 
Cass, Leo, Adam, Roman, Stanley and Bernard Glaza; two sisters, Agnes Heleski and 
Gertrude Sharbowski.   A Funeral Mass will be at noon on Friday, January 5, 2007, at St. 
Mary's Catholic Church in Parisville. The Rev. Jerzy Dobosz, pastor, will officiate. 
Burial will be in the church cemetery.   Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. today and from 
1 to 9 p.m. on Thursday at Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly, and from 11 a.m. to 
noon on Friday at the church. There will be a rosary at 3 p.m. on Thursday by the St. 
Mary Rosary Sodality and a parish vigil service at 7 p.m. by Fr. Jerzy Dobosz. Both 
services will be at the funeral home.   Memorials are requested to St. Mary's Church.


Frieda E. Parker

Frieda E. Parker, 81, of Owendale, died Monday evening, January 1, 2007, at Hills and 
Dales General Hospital in Cass City following a brief illness.   She was born December 
11, 1925 in Sehnde, Germany, daughter of the late Karl and Else (Amme) Kaufeld.   She 
was united in marriage to Kenneth B. Parker on June 12, 1955 in Elkton. Frieda enjoyed 
knitting, weaving, gardening, canning and touring the lakeshore. She loved being with 
her grandchildren.   Surviving are her husband, Kenneth; one daughter, two sons and 
their spouses, Mary Lou (Nick) Gould, of Leroy, Norman (Patti) Parker, of Cass City, 
and Jack (Cindy) Parker, of Sebewaing; seven grandchildren, Stacie (Ryan) Morrish, 
Ryan and Josh Parker, Bridget (Dave) Johnson, Heather Juengel (Robert Montegue), 
Jeremiah Parker (fiancée Kate DeLong) and Crystal Parker; nine great grandchildren, 
McKenzie, Austin, Karlie, Caiden, Madeline, Tyler, Kendra, Shaila and Hannah; one 
brother, Karl Kaufeld, of Sehnde, Germany; and several nieces and nephews. She was 
preceded in death by one sister and one brother.   A funeral service will take place at 1 
p.m. on Thursday, January 4, 2007, at the Dinkel-Juengel Funeral Home in Sebewaing. 
Elder Ellis Gardener and Elder Barent Eliason will officiate with burial in Grant 
Township Cemetery.   Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. until the 
time of the service on Thursday at the funeral home.


Mary J. Ryckman

Mary J. Ryckman, 89, of Port Huron Township, passed away unexpectedly of natural 
causes Tuesday, January 2, 2007, in the home of her daughter, Margaret Pavey.   She was 
born to John and Cecelia Gehring on June 30, 1917 in Ruth.  She attended the Harbor 
Beach schools and graduated from Harbor Beach High School.   On September 6, 1937, 
Mary married Quentin Ryckman in Port Sanilac. He passed away June 11, 2004.   Mary 
enjoyed doing needlepoint and collecting miniature elephants of various materials such as 
porcelain, ceramic and crystal. She also enjoyed original country western music and 
traveling to Nashville, Tennessee with her husband.   She is survived by her daughter, 
Margaret E. Pavey, of Port Huron Township; her brother, Edward (Marianne) Gehring, of 
Harbor Beach; two sisters-in-law, Grace Gehring, of Bad Axe, and Maggie Gehring, of 
Bridgeport; and several nieces and nephews including a special nephew, John Gehring, of 
Bad Axe, and a special niece, Betty Rankin, of Imlay City.   Besides her husband, she 
was preceded in death by two brothers, Elmer and John Gehring; a sister, Elizabeth 
Dutcher; and a son-in-law, Richard Pavey.   The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on 
Thursday, January 4, 2007, in Smith Family Funeral Home-North, 1525 Hancock Street, 
Port Huron. The Rev. Fr. C. Paul Higdon will officiate. Burial will follow in Mt. Hope 
Cemetery.   Visitation will be in the funeral home one hour prior to the service.   
Contributions may be made in Mary's memory to Cross in the Woods Catholic Church, 
Indian River. To send condolences and messages of sympathy visit 
smithfamilyfuneralhome.com.


Thursday, January 4, 2007 – No obituaries reported


Friday, January 5, 2007


Walter A. Lukasiak

Walter A. Lukasiak, 85, of Caseville, died Friday morning, January 5, 2007, at 
Tendercare of Cass City.   A Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, January 8, 
2007, at St. Roch Catholic Church.   Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Saturday and 1 
to 8 p.m. on Sunday at the Champagne Funeral Chapel of Caseville. A complete obituary 
will appear in Monday's Huron Daily Tribune or online at www.cfcCaseville.com.


Dorothy E. Pawlitz

Dorothy E. Pawlitz, 84, of Port Hope, passed away Wednesday, January 3, 2007, in 
Huron Medical Center, Bad Axe.   Born in Port Hope on April 30, 1922, she was the 
daughter of the late Otto and Laura (Detgen) Schave.   On September 27, 1940, Dorothy 
and Edward Pawlitz were united in marriage in Port Hope. Together they farmed in 
Huron Township near Port Hope. Dorothy enjoyed her grandchildren and great 
grandchildren and family.   Surviving are her children, Edwyn Pawlitz, of Rochester, 
Maxine Wiita and her husband, Peter, of Rochester, Norman Pawlitz and his wife, 
Shirley, of Port Hope, Merrell Pawlitz and his wife, Shirley, of Harbor Beach, and 
Howard Pawlitz, of Port Hope; six grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Also 
surviving are her brothers, Alfred Schave and his wife, Betty, of Port Hope, Walter 
Schave, of Port Hope, and Edward Schave and his wife, Anita, of Harbor Beach; and by 
her sisters, Frances Berndt, of Port Hope, and Mabel Siemen, of Cooperstown.   She was 
preceded in death by two brothers, Art and Arnold Schave.   A funeral service will be at 1 
p.m. on Saturday, January 6, 2007, in the Ramsey Funeral Home, Harbor Beach, with the 
Rev. Gregory Eilers officiating. Burial will be in the Marquardt Cemetery, Port Hope.   
Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. today and from noon until the time of the service on 
Saturday in the funeral home.















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