HURON DAILY TRIBUNE, Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan Local obituaries for the week beginning May 6, 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, May 6, 2007 – No obituaries reported Monday, May 7, 2007 Clarence B. Diebel Clarence B. Diebel, 103, of Gagetown, passed away Saturday, May 5, 2007, at the Huron County Medical Care Facility, Bad Axe. He was born in Oliver Township on May 13, 1903, son of the late John and Christina (Buck) Diebel. On March 3, 1926, he was united in marriage to Violet L. Born in Linkville. She preceded him in death on November 23, 1992. Mr. Diebel was a farmer and carpenter throughout his lifetime. He enjoyed yard work, reading, and watching television programs. He was a member of the St. Peter Lutheran Church, Bach. His survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Lois and Martin Blondell, of Owendale; a son, Calvin Diebel, of Bad Axe; eight grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren; 12 great great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two sons, Raymond and Robert; five sisters, Ella McNamra, Emma Faust, Mary Wilhelm, Hattie Abbe, and Bessie Bertrand; and three brothers, William, Henry and John. A funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 9, 2007, at St. Peter Lutheran Church, Bach, with the Rev. Jonathan Meyer, Pastor, and the Rev. Daniel Hahn officiating. Burial will be in Grant Township Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday at the Meyersieck-Bussema Funeral Home, Pigeon, and at 10 a.m. on Wednesday at the church. Memorials for Mr. Diebel may be made to the St. Peter Lutheran Church. Verdalee E. Knechtel Verdalee E. Knechtel, 88, of Elkton, died Saturday afternoon, May 5, 2007, at Courtney Manor, Bad Axe. She was born June 10, 1918 at the home of her parents, the late Roy and Anna (Heckroth) Bouck in Chandler Township. On January 14, 1939, she was united in marriage to Waldron Knechtel in Berne, Indiana. They raised their four children and lived in the Elkton area most of their married lives. Waldron preceded her in death on January 10, 2003. She was a wonderful homemaker and enjoyed cooking and baking for her family and friends. She was also a great seamstress, making many of her daughters' clothes as they grew up. Verdalee was a member of the Elkton United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women and a past member of the Elkton Women's Civic Club. Surviving are her son, Robert (Diane) Knechtel, of Scotch Plains, New Jersey; three daughters, Karen (Doug) Roth, of Dryden, Darlene Wardhammar, of Marysville, and Beth (Kent) Tibbits, of Pigeon; also surviving are eight grandchildren, Tammy, Debbie, Scott, Brad, Robert, Paul, Lance and Logan; and 14 great grandchildren, James, John, Joey, Melissa, Josh, Becky, Maggie, Trent, Karly, Carson, Christian, Meghan, Taryn and Madison; a great great grandson, Dylan; and her brother, Charles (Virginia) Bouck, of Elkton. She was preceded in death by four brothers, Orville, William, Olin and Floyd Bouck; and a sister, Lillian Kunsman. A funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 9, 2007, at the Elkton United Methodist Church. The Rev. David Collins, pastor, will officiate with burial in Riverside Cemetery, Elkton. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday at the Champagne Funeral Chapel, Elkton, and after 10 a.m. on Wednesday at the church. Memorials may be given to the church, Home and Hospice Advantage, or Bay Shore Camp. Lee V. Potter Lee V. Potter, 76, of Harbor Beach, passed away Saturday, May 5, 2007, at St. Mary's Medical Center in Saginaw. Born in Harbor Beach on December 3, 1930, he was the son of the late Sidney and Pearl (Caryl) Potter. On December 31, 1953, Lee and Genevieve Lee were united in marriage in Angola, Indiana. Lee was a retired employee of the Michigan Department of Transportation. He worked for the State Highway Department for 24 years retiring in 1996. He enjoyed being with his grandchildren and doing woodworking crafts, working on crossword puzzles, reading and growing roses. He is survived by his wife, Genevieve, of Harbor Beach; a son, Richard Potter and his wife, Rebecca, of Caro; a daughter, Amy Potter, of Bad Axe; grandchildren, Kristen Berndt and her fiancé, George Hiller, Kayla Roggenbuck and her husband, Jeremy, Daniel Nowiski, Brian, Bobby Scharrer, Nathan Potter and Sidney Potter; and great grandchild, Alex Hiller. A funeral service for Lee will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 9, 2007, in the Ramsey Funeral Home, Harbor Beach, with the Rev. Paula Timm, of the United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be in the Rock Falls Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday and from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Wednesday at the funeral home. Mitchell H. Ryan Mitchell H. Ryan, 87, of Caseville, died Saturday, May 5, 2007, at Scheurer Hospital in Pigeon. His body is being donated to the University of Michigan Hospital, Ann Arbor. There will be no services. Champagne Funeral Chapel of Caseville is handling the arrangements. Kenneth C. Standish Kenneth C. Standish, 44, of Caseville, died Saturday afternoon, May 5, 2007, at Bay Regional Medical Center, Bay City. A team of doctors from "Gift of Life" immediately took him to surgery to retrieve the organs he donated, so that others might get a second chance. He was born October 8, 1962, in Detroit to Charles and Rosalie (Lines) Standish and grew up in the Roseville area. In 1991, he moved to Caseville with his parents and worked in the Caseville area providing residential cleaning services. Kenny enjoyed all types of sports while living in Roseville; he attended many Tiger, Red Wings, Lions and Piston games. When they moved north, he watched them on television. Surviving are his parents, Chuck and Rosalie Standish, of Caseville; his brother, Craig Standish and his special friend, Rhonda Hager, of Chesterfield Township; two sisters, Colette Durphey and her husband, Tim, of Ortonville, and Donna Lincourt and her husband, Mike, of Farmington Hills; several nieces, nephews, and cousins, and Michele Niebel, of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Funeral services were conducted at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 7, 2007, at the Champagne Funeral Chapel, Elkton. Burial was in St. Francis Borgia Catholic Cemetery, Pigeon. Memorials may be given to the family. Words of condolence may be shared at www.cfcElkton.com. Harold H. Schulz Harold H. Schulz, 82, of Pigeon, passed away Monday, May 7, 2007, at home. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and are being handled by Meyersieck-Bussema Funeral Home, Pigeon. A complete notice will be in a future edition. Tuesday, May 8, 2007 Edwin Walter Wichert Edwin Walter Wichert, 78, died Tuesday, May 1, 2007, peacefully at his home. He was born April 9, 1929 in Bay Port, the son of Walter F. and Lena L. (Kleinfelder) Wichert. Edwin was an outstanding athlete at Pigeon Rural Agricultural High School. He attended CMU where he lettered in cross country and baseball. He received a BS in Math and Physical Education. Ed played semi-pro baseball for the International Falls Minnesota Mandos. He later became a sub scout for the Cleveland Indians and Houston Astros. He taught and coached in the Pennfield Battle Creek, Benzonia, Clio, and Elkton schools. Ed moved on to coach and teach at Andover High School in Bloomfield Hills for three years. After a successful basketball season, he became the first full-time director of Community Education/Recreation. He was responsible for the development of this department and it was considered one of the best in the state. He also was responsible for the development of a community recreation master plan for Bloomfield Hills and organized a successful millage to support the program. During this time, he was very involved with the Franklin Baseball League and the Bloomfield Baseball League. When he retired from education, he and his wife moved to Old Mission where he entered into the antique business. Antiques led him to Frankfort, where he purchased the biggest and oldest antique of his life – namely, the old Bochoven House on Leelanau Avenue. He and his wife restored the house and operated it for three years as the Frankfort Land Company Bed and Breakfast. Ed was elected to and served on the Frankfort City Council in 1990 for four years. He was involved in the Frankfort Community Association and the City of Frankfort Parks and Recreation Board. Surviving Ed are his wife, Mary Lou "Lou"; and three children, Timothy James (Karen) Wichert, Paul Joseph Wichert, and Elizabeth Ann (William) Van de Mark; grandchildren, Aleph Craven, Stevie Craven Morris, Wendy Beth Wichert, and Zoe Van de Mark; siblings, Nancy (Jed) Kain, Donald (Delcia) Wichert, Robert J. Wichert and Arlene (Sherman) Stevens. He also is survived by many nieces and nephews. The Rev. Greg Culver will officiate a memorial service at 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 1, 2007, at the Frankfort United Methodist Church where family will greet friends afterward for a luncheon. Memorial contributions may be directed to Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital/Cardiac Rehabilitation Program or the City of Frankfort, Harborview Recreation Center. The Frankfort Chapel of McElduff-Jowett Funeral Home and Cremation Service is handling the arrangements. Wednesday, May 9, 2007 David H. "Bud" Diebel Sr. David H. "Bud" Diebel Sr., 78, of Elkton, passed away Wednesday, January 24, 2007, in Tampa, Florida. He was born October 15, 1928 in Elkton to the late Henry and Viola (Rothfuss) Diebel. He was married to Jacqueline Cliff on December 2, 1950. Bud served in the U.S. Air Force from 1948 to 1950. He was a truck driver at Michigan Lumber Fabrications and Vollmer Ready Mix until his retirement. Bud enjoyed driving his cement truck, camping with his family, especially where he could watch the ships pass by, and coffee hour at the Lunch Bucket. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Jacqueline; six children, Connie (Paul) Tomhave, of Spring Lake, Debbie (Curt) Apley, of Bad Axe, Randy (Jean) Diebel, of Gagetown, Cindy (Wayne) Ogden, of Montigue, Jay (Patty) Diebel, of Pigeon and Kim Blackstock, of Flint; 22 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; sisters and brothers, Mildred Dietzel, of Pigeon, Doris (Bill) Webb, of Florida, Annabelle Ort, of Brighton, Ruth Heckroth, of Caseville, Jerry (Sharon) Diebel, of Owendale; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a son, David H. "George" Diebel, Jr.; sisters and brothers, Arlene, Mary, Jean, Clayton, William and Leland. A memorial service will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 12, 2007, at the Wesleyan Church in Elkton. The Rev. Randy Diebel, Jr. will officiate. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at 11 a.m. on Saturday. Memorials may be made to the Wesleyan Church of Elkton or the Elkton Lion's Club. Jeanette A. Gwisdalla Jeanette A. Gwisdalla, 72, of Mt. Clemens, passed away Monday, May 7, 2007, at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. Jeanette was born November 11, 1934 in Minden City to the late Zigmund and Emma (Grifka) Gwisdalla. Jeanette was a 1953 graduate of Ubly High School. She worked for Chrysler and General Dynamics since graduation, retiring in 1996. Jeanette is survived by her siblings, Gloria Smalley and her husband, Eugene, of Ubly, Shirley Lewan and her husband, Roger, of Galina, Ohio, Elmer Gwisdalla and his wife, Judy, of Bad Axe, Marge Perakis and her husband, Dean, of Plymouth; and many nieces and nephews. Jeanette was preceded in death by two brothers, Eugene and Larry Gwisdalla. A Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 10, 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 4:30 to 9 p.m. today at the Zinger- Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly and from 10 to 11 a.m. on Thursday at the church. There will be a parish vigil service at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. The family has requested donations to Hospice of Michigan or Heartland Hospice. James Pelham, Sr. James Pelham Sr., 79, of Clarklake, died Monday, May 7, 2007. Mr. Pelham was born July 30, 1927 in Cement City, the son of Charles Wallace and Edna Chloe (Hamman) Pelham. Jim was married to Mary Louise Miller and she preceded him in death on April 27, 1987. He married Rose Ann Smith Wittenburg on February 2, 1990. Mr. Pelham was born, raised and attended high school in Cement City. Mr. Pelham was the first teacher of vocational agriculture in 1954 and left the school to become MSU Huron County Agricultural agent during 1959-60. Mr. Pelham is survived by his son, James Jr. (Mary) Pelham, of Blissfield; daughters, Marsha (Kenneth) Garrison, of Clarklake and Carol (Rick) Coomer, of Portage; stepchildren, Eric (Arlene) Wittenberg, of Cement City, Willis (Sherry) Wittenberg, of Cement City, Mark (Anne) Seifert, of Lake LeAnn, Fern (Charles) Pearson, of Longwood, Florida; and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. A healing service will be conducted at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 12, 2007, at the Cement City Baptist Church with Pastor Ned Bernstein officiating. Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. on Friday at the Borek Jennings Funeral Home, Braun Chapel. Memorial donations may be given to Cement City Baptist Church. Kenneth E. Ulfig Kenneth E. Ulfig, 62, of Sterling Heights and formerly of Harbor Beach, passed away Monday, May 7, 2007, at Harper Hospital in Detroit. Kenneth was born in December 1944 in Bad Axe to the late August and Bibiana "Dorothy" (Rutkowski) Ulfig. Kenneth was a graduate of Our Lady of Lake Huron High School. He retired from Sears after 25 years of employment. He was a parishioner at St. Anne's Catholic Church in Warren. Kenneth was an avid euchre player and enjoyed polka music, sports and gardening. Kenneth is survived by his siblings, Richard Ulfig, of Sterling Heights, Gerald Ulfig and his wife, Patricia, of Macomb Township, Arlene O'Mara and her husband, Patrick Sr., of Croswell, Melvin Ulfig and his wife, Mary Jo, of Auburn Hills, Diane Messing and her husband, Dale, of Taylor, Texas, Judith Reyes and her husband, Augustine, of Honolulu, Hawaii, Geralyn Bono, of Warren; many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews; aunt, Theresa Miller, of Fraser. Kenneth was preceded in death by one brother-in-law, Kenneth Bono. A Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 11, 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 2 to 9 p.m. on Thursday at Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly and from 10 to 11 a.m. on Friday at the church. There will be a parish vigil service at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Epilepsy Foundation or the American Cancer Society. Orla M. McGee Orla M. McGee, 78, resident of Bad Axe and of Palm Harbor, Florida, passed away Tuesday, May 8, 2007, in Florida. A memorial service will be conducted at a later date and arrangements are being handled by the MacAlpine Funeral Home in Bad Axe. A full obituary will appear in the Huron Daily Tribune at a later date. Thursday, May 10, 2007 Dave Briggs Dave Briggs, 62, passed away suddenly Tuesday night, April 24, 2007, at Parkwest Medical Center. He was the owner of Chef Dave's Cut "N" Board and The Chef's Table and Event Center. Beloved husband, father, son, grandfather and great grandfather, he was preceded in death by his father, James Elton Briggs. He is survived by his wife, Beverly; son, Bryan Briggs and his wife, Orianna; grandchildren, McKenzie and Bradyn Briggs and Angela Burgos; stepdaughter, Tracy Burgos; great granddaughter, Gabriella Burgos; mother, Carol Clark Briggs; brothers, Dwight and Lonnie Briggs; mother-in-law, Edith Kaptaine; aunts, Donna Sides and Judy Haines, of Cincinnati, Ohio; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Dave was a Vietnam veteran and served with the U.S. Air Force. Funeral services have taken place. Since Dave was very active with the Signature Chefs Action for the March of Dimes, the family requests memorials may be made to March of Dimes, 322 Nancy Lynn Lane, Suite 11, Knoxville, Tennessee 37919. Joanne M. Kundinger Joanne M. Kundinger, 69, of Caseville, died Wednesday, May 9, 2007, at St. Mary Hospital in Saginaw after a short illness. Joanne was born at home on September 1, 1937 in Bay Port to Helen (Frei) and the late William Deering. She graduated from Bay Port High School in 1955. She married Robert N. Kundinger, of Caseville, on December 8, 1956 at the RLDS Church in Caseville. Robert preceded her in death on October 10, 1987. Joanne had worked at Hamill Manufacturing in Bad Axe. She was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Caseville and active in Caseville athletics and little league. She enjoyed crafts, sports and spending time with her family. Joanne is survived by her children, Robert J. and Jeri Kay, both of Lubbock, Texas, and Leeann Willard, of Abilene, Texas; grandchildren, Tricia, Zachary, Robert and Rebecca; mother, Helen Deering, of Bay Port; brother, Gerald Deering, of Bay Port; and sister, Janet Hydorn, of Caseville. She was preceded in death by an infant son and her brother, Richard Deering. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 12, 2007, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Caseville, with Pastor Jim Nihiser officiating. Burial will be in Caseville Township Cemetery. Visitation will be 1 to 8 p.m. on Friday at the Champagne Funeral Chapel of Caseville and from 10 a.m. on Saturday at the church. Memorials may be made to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Condolences may be shared online at www.cfcCaseville.com Ollie E. Smith Ollie E. Smith, 91, of Pigeon, passed away Wednesday, May 9, 2007, at her home. She was born in Kinde on May 20, 1915 and was the daughter of the late Robert Roy and Mary (Spalding) Tomlinson. On September 16, 1939, she was united in marriage to Rollie G. Smith in Kinde. He preceded her in death on October 23, 1990. Ollie was a self-employed beautician and attended the National Hairdressers Association School. She enjoyed traveling and visiting family members, and enjoyed being with her friends and family. She was a member of the Pigeon First United Methodist Church. Her survivors include a sister-in-law, Carolyn Tomlinson, of Kinde; a brother in-law, Wendell Ramsyer, of Poway, California; and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by three brothers and four sisters. A funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 12, 2007, at the Pigeon First United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Margaret Passenger officiating. Burial will be in New River Cemetery, Huron Township. Visitation will be from 4 to 9 p.m. on Friday at Meyersieck-Bussema Funeral Home, Pigeon, and from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday at the church. Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor's choice or Pigeon First United Methodist Church. Gerald D. Bass Gerald D. Bass, 93, of Caseville Township and formerly of Clarkston, passed away Tuesday, May 8, 2007, at Scheurer Hospital, Pigeon. Cremation has taken place and private family services will be at Kingston Cemetery at a later date. Meyersieck- Bussema Funeral Home, Pigeon, conducted the arrangements. Friday, May 11, 2007 Jack S. Hurren Jack S. Hurren, 54, of Harbor Beach, passed away Thursday, May 10, 2007, at Harbor Beach Community Hospital following an apparent heart attack. He was born in Harbor Beach on April 11, 1953 to Edith (Zurek) Hurren and the late Kenneth Hurren. He married Bonnie Pawlowski on August 9, 1997 in Caseville. Jack was employed by Dow AgroSciences in Harbor Beach for 32 years as a fermentation operator. He was a fanatic Michigan fan, loved watching the Tigers, loved to shoot pool at Farmer's Tavern, enjoyed tinkering with wood projects in his shed and enjoyed going for rides on his motorcycle. He was loved by all who came in contact with him. Jack enjoyed golfing and camping and looked forward to purchasing a cabin up north for many family memories. Last but not least, Jack loved dogs. His dog, Duke, enjoyed going for rides and frequent McDonald's visits for a Happy Meal. Jack is survived by his wife, Bonnie, of Ruth; son, Aaron Hurren and his wife, Talisa; daughter, Stephanie Arnold and her husband, Jonathon; son, Curtis Hurren; mother, Edith Hurren; grandchildren, Tori and Taryn Hurren, Bella Arnold and a future grandson; brother, Tom Hurren and his wife, Nancy, Norm Hurren and his wife, Joyce; several nieces and nephews; sister and brothers-in-law, Connie and Mark Tenbusch, Bob and Diane Pawlowski, Patsy and Ralph Swantek, and Gloria Pawlowski. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, and friend. A Funeral Mass for Jack will be on Monday, May 14, 2007, at 11:30 a.m. in Our Lady of Lake Huron Catholic Church with Fr. T.J. Fleming officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. on Sunday, and from 10 to 11 a.m. on Monday in the Ramsey Funeral Home of Harbor Beach. A parish vigil service will be at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday in the funeral home. Dolly A. Halley Dolly A. Halley, 57, of Bellowfalls, Vermont, died May 7, 2007. She was born March 16, 1950 to Raymond and Margaret King. She has three children; and six grandchildren. 1