HURON DAILY TRIBUNE, Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan Local obituaries for the week beginning February 11, 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, February 11, 2007 – No obituaries reported Monday, February 12, 2007 Mary E. Hazard Mary E. Hazard, 89, of Bad Axe, died Friday afternoon, February 9, 2007, at St. Mary's Medical Center, Saginaw. She was born November 7, 1917 at the home of her parents, the late David and Anna (Heck) Thompson in Chandler Township. On January 30, 1933, she was united in marriage to John "Jack" Hazard in Detroit and they lived in the Elkton area all her married life. Jack died October 11, 1996. In April 1999, Mary moved from the country into Bad Axe. She was attending the First Presbyterian Church in Bad Axe until her health failed. Surviving are three daughters, Winnie Robinson, of Edwardsberg, Virginia (Dick Hamlin) Trost, of Troy, and Ruth (Jim) Fitchett, of Caro; two sons, Bob (Dorene) Hazard, of Grand Ledge, and Herman Hazard, of Bridgeport; 17 grandchildren; 47 great grandchildren; and eight great great grandchildren; three sisters, Zelma (Herman) Bauer, of Souletown, Ruth Gilbert, of Grant Township, and Bessie (Jim) Champagne, of Elkton; and her brother, Lorney (Leona) Thompson, of Zephyrhills, Florida. Preceding her in death were a son, John; a daughter, Helen Bassett; and four brothers, Henry, Ervin, Raymond and Bob Thompson. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, February 20, 2007, at the First Presbyterian Church, Bad Axe. The Rev. Jan Dykeshorn, pastor, will officiate with burial in Colfax Township Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 2 to 8 p.m. on Monday, February 19, 2007, at the Champagne Funeral Chapel, Elkton, and after 1 p.m. on Tuesday, February 20, 2007, at the church. Memorials may be given to the First Presbyterian Church of Bad Axe or the Bad Axe Free Methodist Church. Those unable to attend may sign the guest book at www.cfcElkton.com. Martha "Minnie" Mathews Martha "Minnie" Mathews, 92, of Clinton Township, passed away Saturday, February 10, 2007, at St. Joseph Hospital in Clinton Township. Martha was born March 8, 1914 in Sand Beach Township to the late Peter "Hank" and Frances (Miller) Wrubel. She married William Mathews on February 28, 1936 in Detroit. He preceded her in death on August 22, 1977. Martha was a graduate of a country school. She worked in area factories during the war. She and her husband moved to North Carolina and were co- owners of a restaurant there for 10 years. They returned to Michigan to reside in Warren before retiring and splitting their time between Sand Point and Stuart, Florida for many years. Martha resided in Clinton Township for the last nine years. She enjoyed cooking and playing euchre and other card games. Martha is survived by her son, Roger Mathews and his wife, Valerie, of Clinton Township; her daughter, Connie MacDonald, of St. Clair Shores; eight grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; one great great grandson; one brother, Stanley Wrubel. She was preceded in death by three sisters, Sophie Swartz, Agnes Gornowicz, and Bertha Hammock; and four brothers, Mike, Adam, Henry and Edward Wrubel. A funeral service will be Tuesday, February 13, 2007, at the Zinger- Smigieslki Funeral Home in Ubly. The Rev. James Carlson, pastor of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bad Axe, will officiate. Burial will be in the St. Ignatius Cemetery in Freiburg in the spring. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the time of the service at 1 p.m. on Tuesday at the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly. Jean Margaret Osborne Jean Margaret Osborne, 79, of Chandler Township, died Friday morning, February 9, 2007, at the home of her daughter with her family at her bedside. She was born September 27, 1927 in Bad Axe to the late Ernest and Josephine (Jean) McCrimmon. After graduating from Elkton High School in 1945, Jean went to Saginaw General School of Nursing graduating in 1948. Later that year, she was united in marriage to John "Jack" Osborne on November 12 at the Chandler Methodist Church. He preceded her in death on August 18, 1998. Jean was employed by Scheurer Hospital and the Pigeon Clinic her entire career, 35 years, retiring in 1979. She was a lifelong resident of Huron County and a past member of the Chandler Methodist Church. In her free time, Jean enjoyed quilting, knitting and other crafts, and was an avid bingo player. Surviving are four children, Kathleen (Rafael) de los Santos, of Okemos, Margaret (Michael) Newton, of Akron, Lisa (Dan) Barrigar, of Unionville, and Bruce (Rosetta) Osborne, of Rex, Georgia; 11 grandchildren, Sean, Brad, Brian, Andy, Tom, Rachael, Samantha, Allie, Sean, MaryJo and Mylisa; many great grandchildren; her brother, Hector McCrimmon, of Florida; and her sister-in-law, Janet McCrimmon, of Caseville. Preceding her in death was a daughter, Deborah; and two brothers, James and Ernie McCrimmon. A funeral service was conducted on Sunday, February 11, 2007, at the Champagne Funeral Chapel, Elkton. Heartland Hospice Chaplain, Karen Bouverette, officiated with burial in Colfax Township Cemetery. Michael Roy St. John Michael Roy St. John, 64, of Caseville, died Friday, February 9, 2007, at his son's home after a long battle with lung cancer. Michael was born April 18, 1942 in Detroit to the late Roy and Pearl (Merchant) St. John. He grew up and attended school in Utica. He married Donna Lee Ainsley of Madison Heights on March 19, 1960 at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Rochester. The family settled in Madison Heights and raised their family there. Mike worked in the automotive tool and die field in the Detroit area. After vacationing in Caseville for many years, he retired here permanently in 1990. He was the owner of the former Cozy Cafe and current owner of Shakers. He was a member of St. Roch Catholic Church, the Caseville Kiwanis, Caseville Historical Society, active in local politics and a former member of the Caseville Eagles. He enjoyed hunting, gambling, people watching, watching sports, woodworking, and spending time with his favorite puppy, Sue. Michael is survived by his daughter, Dawn Marie (Kenneth) Urick, of Caseville; sons, Ronald Douglas (Denise Kelly), of Caseville, and Gerald Allan (Connie), of Linwood; grandchildren, Amanda Nicole and Scott Michael St. John, James Kenneth (Amanda) Urick and Marcie (Chris) Papkey; sisters, Sharon Louise (James) Miller and Beverly Ann Taylor, both of Troy. He was preceded in death by his wife, Donna Lee, in 2002; and son, LeRoy Michael. A Funeral Mass will be at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, February 13, 2007, at St. Roch Catholic Church with Fr. Rob Pare presiding. Burial will be in St. Roch Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. today at the Champagne Funeral Chapel of Caseville and from noon until the time of Mass on Tuesday at the church. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or the St. Roch Food Pantry. Condolences may be shared online at www.cfcCaseville.com. Tuesday, February 13, 2007 Alden Bernard “Barney” Freiburger Alden Bernard “Barney” Freiburger, 86, of Cass City, died Sunday, February 11, 2007, in Hills and Dales General Hospital following a short illness. He was born April 21, 1920 in Argyle to Sigmund and Everene (Morrell) Freiburger. He married Jacqueline "Jackie" Sullivan on June 8, 1946 in St. Joseph Catholic Church in Sandusky. She died January 17, 2004. Bernard served in the U.S. Navy during World War II in North Africa, Suez Canal, Iran, Scotland, England and Italy. He was in Naples during the invasion of Southern France and was "missing in action" for several months. Bernard and Jackie made their home in Cass City after their wedding. They owned and operated a grocery store and butter creamery with Barney's brother, Alger Freiburger, formerly known as Kinney Grocery & Creamery. He won first place at the State Fair in a butter contest. They closed the business in 1967. Barney managed the Mill End stores in Bad Axe and East Tawas starting in 1968 until his retirement in 1984. Barney was a volunteer fireman from 1946 until 1968. He was a member of the Gavel Club, holding many office positions and he helped build the track at the park. He was a member of the chamber of commerce, serving as president in 1953. Barney was also a member of the Community Club, holding many offices and he was a member of the village council for several terms during which he was responsible for finding the Cass City Dump site. He worked with the village creating Christmas Town. Barney helped create the decorations for downtown and was one of the Three Wise Men in the Christmas pageant. He was a member of the St. Pancratius Church since 1945, serving on the church board and as a volunteer. Barney is survived by his children, Linda (Homer) Bailey, of Cass City, Bernard "Butch" (Joyce) Freiburger, of Lake Orion, and Kurt Freiburger, of Wyoming; grandchildren, Lisa Kamrad, Laura Edwards, Leana Edwards, Scott Freiburger, Jeff Freiburger, Heather Freiburger, Kimberly Freiburger and Christopher Freiburger; great grandchildren, Alexa, Tyler, Kennedy, Makenna, Nicholas and Cassaundra; sister, Patricia Reinelt, of Waterford; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Mabel Babcock, Merwina Volmer, Reeva Byrne, Gertrude Szarapski, Irene Freeman; and a brother, Alger Freiburger. A funeral service will be conducted at 11:15 a.m. on Friday, February 16, 2007, in St. Pancratius Catholic Church with the Rev. Stephen J. Fillion officiating. Interment will be in St. Elizabeth Cemetery, Marlette. Military honors will be under the direction of Cass City VFW Post No. 3644 and the U.S. Navy. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday and from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday in the Kranz Funeral Home in Cass City and from 10:15 to 11:15 a.m. on Friday in the church. Memorials may be made to American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association, or St. Pancratius Catholic Church. Family and friends may share memories, prayers and stories with the family at www.kranzfuneralhome.com. Wednesday, February 14, 2007 Anita M. Gettel Anita M. Gettel, 80, of Pigeon, passed away Monday, February 12, 2007, at St. Mary's Medical Center in Saginaw. Born in Linkville on March 26, 1926, she was the daughter of the late Alfred and Beatrice (Dunn) Deichmann and stepfather Herman D. Fritz. She was baptized in 1926 and confirmed in 1939 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Linkville, where she was a faithful and active lifetime member. Anita was a graduate of the Owendale High School and was united in marriage to Omar S. Gettel on November 13, 1948. He preceded her in death in 1978. She was employed as a school bus driver for the Laker School District for many years. She was also on many boards and committees including St. Paul Lutheran Church's Ladies Aid, Missionary League, Golden Agers, VFW Ladies Auxiliary 2236, and Pigeon Association of Retired School Personnel. Anita is survived by her daughter, Dawn Saunders, of Lapeer; two sons, Alan Gettel and his wife, Ruthie, of Las Vegas, Nevada, and Terry Gettel and his wife, Chris, of Pigeon; four grandchildren, Michelle, Annette and Eric Saunders and Amanda Gettel; three stepgrandchildren, Lynn, Christina and Michael; five stepgreat grandchildren; and a brother, Harold (Dee) Deichmann, of San Diego, California. She was preceded in death by her siblings Don (Joyce) Deichmann, Robert Deichmann, and Doris Deichmann. A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, February 16, 2007, in St. Paul Lutheran Church in Linkville with the Rev. Lee Wenskay officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. on Thursday at Meyersieck-Bussema Funeral Home in Pigeon, and from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Linkville. Thursday, February 15, 2007 Vera M. Hoadley Vera M. Hoadley, 100, of Cass City, died Tuesday, February 13, 2007, in Northwood Meadows Medical Care Unit. She was born April 28, 1906 in Sanilac County to Thomas and Mary (Healey) Flint. She married Robert Hoadley on December 30, 1940 in Detroit. He died October 6, 1974. Vera graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a teaching degree. She taught school at various country schools and retired from Deford Elementary School in 1971 after nearly 16 years. She was a member of Cass City First Presbyterian Church and a former member of O.E.S. Vera is survived by her daughter, Patricia (Stanley) Hott, of Lansing. She was preceded in death by her sister, Erma Cardew; and her brother, Elmer Flint. A funeral service will be conducted at 1 p.m. on Sunday, February 18, 2007, in Kranz Funeral Home in Cass City. The Rev. David Blackburn, of Cass City First Presbyterian Church, will officiate. Interment will be in Elkland Township Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Saturday at Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City. Memorials may be made to Cass City First Presbyterian Church. Family and friends may share memories, prayers, and stories with the family at www.kranzfuneralhome.com. John George Linzner Jr. John George Linzner Jr., 66, of Unionville, passed away unexpectedly Thursday, February 8, 2007, while on vacation in California. He was born February 8, 1941 in Cass City, the son of John G. and Ethel Dorothy (Trischler) Linzner. He was a self employed electrician that worked all over the United States, including Active Industries, Saginaw Parts Plant, Hercules Company in Harbor Beach as well as in Mexico, and in South America on pipe line installation projects. When not working, John enjoyed golfing, tinkering with inventions, his grandchildren and certainly helping people with their natural health care. John is survived by three children and their spouses, JoVal and David Deering, of Sebewaing, Carnel and William Fader, of Unionville, and Mark and Melissa Linzner, of Sebewaing; six grandchildren, Michael and Marcus, of Sebewaing, Michalla, of Unionville, Marissa, Morgan and Madelyn, of Sebewaing; the mother of his children, Valerie Linzner, of Sebewaing; his mother, Ethel Smart, of Unionville; one sister; and two brothers and their spouses, Ronald and Judith Linzner of Livonia, Jacob and Gloria Linzner, of Sebewaing, and Julia and Gene Mounts, of Standish; his separated wife, Georgina Sue Linzner, living in New York state; and many nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his father, John G. Linzner Sr.; and his stepfather, Isaac Smart. A funeral service will take place at 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 17, 2007, at Trinity United Methodist Church in Sebewaing with the Rev. William Wright officiating. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday at Dinkel-Juengel Funeral Home in Sebewaing and after 9 a.m. until the time of the service at 1 p.m. on Saturday at the church. Memorials may be made to John G. Linzner Jr. Family Discretionary Fund in care of Carnel Fader at 1871 West Dickerson Road, Unionville, Michigan 48767. Henry Zakrzewski Henry Zakrzewski, 84, of Caseville, died Wednesday, February 14, 2007, at Saint Mary's Hospital in Saginaw after a long illness. Henry was born December 27, 1922 in Detroit to the late Harry and Angeline (Kwasniewicz) Zakrzewski. He grew up and attended school in Detroit until entering the U.S. Navy. He served in World War II in the Pacific Theatre. Henry married Margaret Grace Kreft on August 5, 1950 at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Detroit. He worked for Eaton Corporation for 29 years, then in 1974, he began working for Chrysler. He retired in 1986 and after many years of vacationing in Caseville, he and his wife settled there permanently at that time. He was a member of St. Roch Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus Council No. 8042, Fourth Degree K of C Assembly No. 2372, Caseville Eagles No. 3690, Tip of the Thumb VFW Post No. 2236, Polish Alliance Club in Caro, and the Caseville Retirement Club. He enjoyed tinkering, golfing, playing cards and spending time with his many friends in the area. Survivors include his wife, Margaret; a daughter, Nancy and her husband, Al Smith, of Charlotte, North Carolina; and a son, Brian, of Ferndale; eight grandchildren; and five great grandchildren; and a sister, Myra Golden, of Eastpointe. He was preceded in death by his brother, Casmir. A Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 17, 2007, at St. Roch Catholic Church with Fr. Robert Pare presiding. Military honors will be presented by the Pigeon VFW and Caseville American Legion. Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. on Friday at the Champagne Funeral Chapel of Caseville, and from 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Saturday at the church. There will be an Eagles' Ritual at 3 p.m. on Friday and a K of C Rosary at 7 p.m. on Friday at the funeral chapel. Memorials may be made to the St. Roch Building Fund. Condolences may be shared online at www.cfcCaseville.com. Friday, February 16, 2007 Wallace R. Sageman Wallace R. Sageman, 81, of Bad Axe, passed away Wednesday, February 14, 2007, at his residence. Wallace was born March 8, 1925 in Verona Township to the late Joseph and Olga (Rienke) Sageman. He was united in marriage to Virginia M. Musselman on December 18, 1948. He was employed at Thumb Distributing as a truck driver for 22 years. He also was a farmer. He is survived by one son, Daniel and his wife, Crystal, of Roseville, Illinois; one daughter, Debra Renner and her husband, Duane, of Manistee; one sister, Harriett Britt, of Bad Axe; one brother, Earl Sageman and his wife, Mary Alice, of Bad Axe; six grandchildren, Richard Will and his wife, Marsha, of Owendale, Tina Will, of Manistee, Mike Will, of Bad Axe, Sarah Will, of Filion, and Christina Smith and her husband, Chad, and Robert Sageman, all of Hoopeston, Illinois; 12 great grandchildren, Adam Harp, of Owendale, Mariah Will, of Bad Axe, Brandon Will, of Manistee, Marissa and Tori Hiller, of Bad Axe, Savanna and Matthew Will, of Owendale, Kylie, Kairi and Chloe Smith, of Hoopeston, Illinois, Makayla and Brenten Sageman, of Hoopeston, Illinois. Wallace was preceded in death by a son, Gary; an infant son, Kenneth; and brothers, Glen, Joseph, Herold and Winston Sageman. A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 17, 2007, at the MacAlpine Chapel of the MacAlpine Funeral Home in Bad Axe. The Rev. Kenneth Lueke will officiate. Burial will take place at a later date at Verona Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. today, and from 10 to 11 a.m. on Saturday. Floyd L. Kamp Floyd L. Kamp, 86, of Harbor Beach, passed away Thursday evening, February 15, 2007, at Huron Medical Center in Bad Axe. A Funeral Mass will be at 1 p.m. on Monday, February 19, 2007, in the Ramsey Funeral Home, Harbor Beach. Visitation will be from 1 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Sunday in the funeral home. Ramsey Funeral Home, Harbor Beach, is handling arrangements. A complete obituary will be in Monday's Huron Daily Tribune or view RamseyFH.Com. 7