HURON DAILY TRIBUNE, Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan

Local obituaries for the week beginning May 13, 2007


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

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Sunday, May 13, 2007 – No obituaries reported


Monday, May 14, 2007 


Clarence A. Fibranz

Clarence A. Fibranz, 88, of Pigeon, died Saturday, May 12, 2007, at Tendercare in Cass 
City following a three-month illness.   He was born September 19, 1918 in Kilmanagh, 
son of the late William and Elizabeth (Stueck) Fibranz.   He was married to Laura L. 
Hallows on September 29, 1942 in Detroit.   Clarence had been employed at Wallace and 
Morley Elevators and later at JP Burrows and then Blount Elevators for 38 years before 
retiring in 1982.   He served in the U.S. Army in New Guinea and the Philippine Islands.   
He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Linkville and the Pigeon V.F.W. Post 
#2236. He enjoyed hunting, boating, fishing and watching television.   Surviving are his 
wife, Laura; his children, Bob and Ada Griffith, of Frankfort, Missouri, Judy Alexander 
and her fiancé, Lee, of Greenville, South Carolina, Fay Estas, of Yuma, Arizona, 
Clarence and Carol Fibranz, of Bad Axe, Ida and Tom Haag, of Sebewaing, Beverly and 
Richard Wise, of Pigeon, Raymond and Donna Fibranz, of Owendale, Norma and Doug 
Janowiak, of Clayton, North Carolina, Betty Haag, of Pinckney, Ricky Fibranz, of 
Roseville, Donald Fibranz, of Pigeon, Christina and John Matthews, of Unionville; 58 
grandchildren; 68 great grandchildren; brothers, Elmer and Krista Fibranz, of Centerville, 
Ohio, Bruce and Jean Fibranz, of Deer Park, Texas; stepbrother, Jack Pitcher, of 
Unionville; sister-in-law, Harriet Fibranz, of Caro; many nieces and nephews.   He was 
preceded in death by grandson, Patrick Fibranz; son-in-law, Dana Estas; grandson-in-law, 
Mike Frolos; brothers, Ed, Otto, Gary, and Lowell Fibranz; stepbrother, Cy Pitcher, and 
sisters, Helen Pfahlert, Minnie Wing, and Virginia Irrer. A funeral service will take place 
at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 15, 2007, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Linkville. The Rev. 
Lee C. Wenskay will officiate with burial in the church cemetery.   Visitation will be 
from 1 to 9 p.m. today at the Dinkel-Juengel Funeral Home in Sebewaing and from 10 
a.m. until the time of the service on Tuesday in the church. Memorials may be made to 
St. Paul Lutheran Building Fund. Graveside military committal services will be 
conducted under the auspices of the Pigeon V.F.W. Post #2236. 


Gertrude "Gertie" Lerash

Gertrude "Gertie" Lerash, 93, of Kinde, passed away on Sunday, May 13, 2007, at the 
Huron County Medical Care Facility in Bad Axe.   She was born in Grindstone City on 
December 6, 1913, daughter of the late Thomas and Katherine (Zagorski) Rice.   On 
October 30, 1933, she was united in marriage to John Lerash at St. Edward's Catholic 
Church in Kinde.   Gertie and her husband, John, owned and operated the Lerash Hotel in 
Kinde and later the Lerash Super Market in Kinde. She was a member of St. Edward's 
Alter Sodality. She enjoyed playing cards, bingo, gardening and cooking.   She is 
survived by one son, Thomas (Debra) Lerash, of Bad Axe; one daughter, Jeanette (June) 
Fisher, of Kinde; one sister, Helen (Stanley) Bodis, of St. Clair Shores; seven 
grandchildren, Paul (Ann) Fisher, of Port Austin, Richard Fisher, of Filion, Roger Fisher, 
of Detroit, Tina Fisher, of Bad Axe, Pam Fisher, of Warren, Jackie Lerash, of Berkley, 
and Jena (Jordan) Mattison, of Chicago; eight great grandchildren; and one great great 
grandson; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, 
John; one, son, William; and one sister, Viola (Tony) Lerash.   A funeral service will be 
conducted at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 16, 2007, at St. Edward's Catholic Church with 
Father Harold Sikorski officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.   Visitation will 
be from 1 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday and from 9 to 10 a.m. on Wednesday at the MacAlpine 
Funeral Home, Gage Chapel in Kinde. There will be a parish vigil service at 7 p.m. on 
Tuesday at the funeral home. 


George A. Opalewski

George A. Opalewski, 94, of Sebewaing and formerly of Harper Woods, died Saturday, 
May 12, 2007, at his residence in Medallion Village in Sebewaing. He was born October 
4, 1912 in Detroit, son of the late John and Anna (Slovie) Opalewski.   George had been a 
tool and die maker in Detroit for Murray Body Corporation for 23 years and later for 
Chrysler Motors before retiring on December 31, 1979. He was a member of St. Agatha 
Catholic Church in Gagetown.   He enjoyed bowling, joke-telling, reading, and doing 
puzzles. Surviving are one son and two daughters, Kenneth and Linda Opalewski, of 
Clio, Priscilla and George Kubicki, of Sebewaing, Karen and Bill Apel, of Sterling 
Heights; four grandchildren, Tom (Rev. Kelly) Loy, Jeffrey Loy, Amy Apel, and Brian 
Opalewski; three great grandchildren, Garrett, Justin, and Caleb Loy; and several nieces 
and nephews.   He was preceded in death by four sisters.   A vigil service will be 
conducted at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 15, 2007, at the Dinkel-Juengel Funeral Home in 
Sebewaing. Pastoral Administrator Sister Dorothy Ann will officiate.   Cremation will 
take place later at Sunset Valley Crematory in Bay City with interment in St. Agatha 
Catholic Cemetery in Gagetown.   Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday at the 
funeral home.   Memorials may be made to St. Jude Hospital or the Shriners Crippled 
Children's Hospital.


Tuesday, May 15, 2007


Janice (Moran) Chaput

Janice (Moran) Chaput, 90, of St. Clair, died Sunday, May 13, 2007.   Janice was born on 
February 2, 1917 in Bad Axe to the late Ralph and Lillie Moran. She received her 
undergraduate teaching degree from Central Michigan University and her master in 
guidance from the University of Michigan. She was a guidance counselor at St. Clair 
High School for 35 years.   Janice married Joseph Chaput in 1967, and he died in 1984.   
She is survived by her son, James (Christina) Chaput; and daughter, Emily (Garry) 
Foraker; grandchildren, Jason, Cale, Myla, Amy, Laura and David; great grandchildren, 
Weston, Shannon, Caden, Megan, and William; sister, Patricia (the late Carl) Swanson; 
nieces, Carla (John) Corbin and Lisa (Mick) Devins; and her grandnephews and nieces, 
Evan, Aaron, Ian and Abigail.   A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 
16, 2007, at L.C. Friederichs & Sons Funeral Home, 214 Trumbull, St. Clair, Michigan. 
The Rev. Michael Devins, Janice's nephew, will be officiating. Burial in St. Mary's 
Cemetery.   Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral 
home.   Memorials may be made to The Gideon's or The American Cancer Society. 


Mabel D. Sprague

Mabel D. Sprague, 98, of Caro and formerly of Bay Port, died Monday, May 14, 2007, at 
the Tuscola County Medical Care Facility in Caro.   She was born March 17, 1909 in 
Pinnebog, daughter of the late Albert and DeLena (Mayhew) St. George.   She was 
married to George Harder in 1927. He preceded her in death in 1953. She then married 
Nijay Sprague on September 26, 1959. He died June 27, 1983.   Mabel was a member of 
St. John Lutheran Church in Berne.   She enjoyed crocheting, playing cards, doing 
puzzles and especially enjoyed visiting with family and friends.   Surviving are her 
children, Iola (Bernard) Kreh, of Caro, George (Marjean) Harder, Roxanna Albrecht, all 
of Bay Port, Burma (Lyle) Gettel, of Sebewaing, stepchildren, Russell Sprague, Robert 
(Shirley) Sprague, Dolores Mitchell, all of Bay Port, Edwin Sprague, of Essexville, Mary 
(Clifford) Turmell, of Bay City; 23 grandchildren; 17 stepgrandchildren; numerous great 
grandchildren and great great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.   She was 
preceded in death by four sons, Elvin, Weaver, Simeon, and Sampson Harder; one 
daughter, Susanne Young; stepsons, Gilbert and Harold Sprague; great grandson, Cody 
Graf; and great great granddaughter, Clare Foreman. A funeral service will take place at 
11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 16, 2007, at the Dinkel-Juengel Funeral Home in 
Sebewaing. The Rev. James A. Gorsegner will officiate with burial in New Bay Port 
Cemetery, Bay Port.   Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday and from 9 a.m. 
until the time of the service on Wednesday at Dinkel-Juengel Funeral Home in 
Sebewaing.   Memorials may be made to St. John's Lutheran Church. 


June E. Terwillegar

June E. Terwillegar, 83, of Freeland, passed away at her home surrounded by family on 
Thursday, May 10, 2007.   She was born February 19, 1924 in Sandusky to the late 
George and Clara (Warren Sisco) Thomas.   She was united in marriage to Otis 
Terwillegar on May 6, 1946, with her uncle Lewis Thomas officiating in Breckenridge. 
June and Otis lived on their family farm in Midland until Otis's retirement from farming. 
They lived in the Freeland-Midland area their entire lives together.   June was an active 
member of the Midland Mennonite Church where she was in charge of the kitchen for 
many years. June was a homemaker on the family farm, a caregiver to all, and an 
excellent cook and baker. She was a lifetime member of the TOPS club and a member of 
the Bishop Home Extension Group. June was always lending her hand and heart to 
anyone in need, whether it was a kind word, something handsewn or a warm baked good. 
She enjoyed family reunions, and the many hours spent watching her husband and sons 
play ball, along with watching the Detroit Tigers and Pistons. June was a constant witness 
to her faith and a true believer that faith would lead you home. She will be dearly missed 
by all who knew and loved her.   She is survived by her husband of over 61 years, Otis; 
three sons, Tom (Judy) Terwillegar, of Midland, Tim (Reneé) Terwillegar, of Harbor 
Beach, and Will Terwillegar, of Midland; two daughters, Fay (George) VanCise, of 
Freeland, and Connie (Harry) Swartzentruber, of Ubly; a special nephew, Carl (Sue) 
Thomas, of Freeland; a special niece, Marge (Leroy) Gnagey, of Pigeon; 13 
grandchildren, Troy (Michelle), Kirt (Heidi), Shane, Ryan, Bill, and Joe Terwilligar, Lisa 
(Bill) Arnold, Eva and Marty Swartzentruber, Kay (Frank) Particka, Pat and Kathy 
VanCise, Becky (Brian) Stoll; and 17 great grandchildren.   She was preceded in death by 
two brothers, Walter and Ralph Thomas; nine sisters, Ida Sisco, Blanche Thomas, Edith 
Berger, Marion Gerstenberger, Florence Thomas, Esther Wyse, Velma Starr, Fern 
Thomas and Bessie Gerlica.   A funeral service for Mrs. Terwillegar took place on 
Monday morning, May 14, 2007, at the Midland Mennonite Church with the Rev. Don 
Duford officiating. Interment followed in the Poseyville Cemetery. Smith-Miner Funeral 
Home handled the arrangements.   Memorials may be made to Midland Mennonite 
Church. 


Wednesday, May 16, 2007


Tom Bowerbank

Tom Bowerbank, 79, of Bad Axe, passed away on Tuesday, May 15, 2007, at his home. 
He was born in Omskirk, England to the late Tom and Margaret (Pilkington) Bowerbank.   
He married June Roberts on March 23, 1957 in Liverpool, England. The couple came to 
the United States in 1970.   Tom was the plant manager at NutraSweet in Harbor Beach 
for 25 years. He enjoyed fishing, blacksmithing, woodworking, machining, and painting, 
as well as being an avid gardener. He served in the British Army, and was a member of 
the Pigeon Lions Club.   He is survived by his wife, June, of Bad Axe; one son, John 
(Deneen) Bowerbank, of Rosedale, Virginia.; one daughter, Elizabeth (Russ) Mitchell, of 
East Greenville, Pennsylvania; seven grandchildren, Kathlyn Miller, Hannah Miller, Sean 
Thomas Bowerbank, Tori Beth Bowerbank, Philip Brooks, Brian Mitchell, and Matthew 
Mitchell.   A celebration of life will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 19, 2007, 
at the Kaufman Funeral Home in Bad Axe   Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. on Friday 
and from 9:30 until 11 a.m. on Saturday at the funeral home.   Memorials may be offered 
to Clothe A Child, the Salvation Army, or the Bad Axe Library. 



Mary L. Hendricks

Mary L. Hendricks, 83, of Tarpon Springs, Florida, died on Saturday, April 7, 2007, with 
family by her side.   She was born in Ewen on March 12, 1924.   Mary enjoyed being 
with her family and friends and traveled extensively with them. She camped every year at 
Conway Lake in Big Bay where she grew up as a child.  She also enjoyed gardening at 
her daughter's home.   She is survived by her daughters, Carol Boersma, Gail Wheeler, 
Linda (Curtis) Campbell, Cheryl Checkley, Penny (Chris) Hill, Becky (Rick) Whitis, 
Wendy (Howard) Jenkins; one son, Gary (Darlene) Checkley; 22 grandchildren; 34 great 
grandchildren; one great great grandson; sister, Lorraine (Russell) Neat; and several 
nephews and nieces.   She was preceded in death by her husband, William C. Hendricks; 
two sisters; two granddaughters; and one great granddaughter.   A celebration of life will 
be conducted at the Pinnebog United Methodist Church in Pinnebog at 1 p.m. on 
Saturday, May 19, 2007, with Pastor John Rzendzian officiating. Cremation has taken 
place at the National Cremation Society in Clearwater, Florida.   Memorials may be made 
to The Hospice of the Florida Suncoast, Clearwater, Florida 33760. 


Jacob "Jake" Jacoby

Jacob "Jake" Jacoby, 96, of Unionville, passed away on Monday, May 14, 2007, at St. 
Mary's Hospital of Saginaw.   He was born February 13, 1911 in Russia, a son of John 
and Eve Elizabeth (Stromberger) Jacoby.  On May 2, 1929, he married Millie Ruppal and 
they celebrated 75 years together.  She preceded him in death on January 28, 2005.  Jake 
was an active member of the Moravian Church where he had served as an elder.  He 
came to Michigan to work in the sugar beet fields and worked in the coal mines just 
outside of Unionville before becoming a fulltime farmer.   He enjoyed farming even after 
his retirement.   A favorite pastime was attending sports events of his grandchildren and 
great grandchildren, especially baseball.   He was a resident of Medallion Village, 
Sebewaing, the past two years, moving there shortly after the death of his wife, Millie.   
Jake is survived by his loving son and daughter-in-law, James and Mary Ellen Jacoby, of 
Unionville; his granddaughter, Kayeleen (William) Jacoby; and grandson, Chad (Julie) 
Jacoby;  two daughters, Betty (Robert) Brinkman, of Caro, Bonnie (Jack) Brinkman, of 
Cass City; plus eight additional grandchildren; 26 great grandchildren; and 10 great great 
grandchildren; one brother, Henry (Lydia) Jacoby, of Sebewaing, and sister, Katherine 
Jacoby, of Bay City; one brother-in-law, Harold (Norma) Ruppal, of Akron; two sisters-
in-law, Clara Halabis, of Caro, and Genevive Ruppal, of Bay City.   Besides his wife, he 
was preceded in death by a daughter, Bertha Houthoofd; granddaughter, Deborah 
Brinkman; parents, John and Eva Jacoby; a brother, John; and three sisters, Eva Balzer, 
Rachel Balzer, and Elizabeth Jacoby; and several nieces and nephews.   The funeral will 
take place at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 17, 2007, at the Unionville Moravian Church 
with Rev. Glenn Heintzelman officiating.  Visitation will be today from 4 to 9 p.m. at the 
church. Interment will be in the church cemetery.  The family has suggested that 
memorials may be made to the Moravian Church or to Heartland Hospice. Funeral 
arrangements are being made by the Unionville Funeral Chapel, Unionville. 


Lorraine Pearce

Lorraine Pearce, 90, of Zeeland, died Monday, May 14, 2007, in Holland Hospital, 
Holland.  She was born April 19, 1917 in Cass City to Milton and Edith (Vader) 
Hoffman. She married Keath Pearce in 1941. He died June 17, 2000.   Lorraine graduated 
from Michigan State College (MSU) in 1940 with a bachelor's degree in Home 
Economics. After her marriage, she managed and kept the books for her husband's 
veterinary business, Pearce Veterinary Hospital in Coldwater. Lorraine sang with the 
Coldwater Sweet Adeline's for over 50 years, many of those years serving as their 
costuming chairperson. She was a member of MSU's Alpha Gamma Delta sorority, 
Coldwater's Beta Sigma Phi sorority and an auxiliary member of Southwest Michigan 
Veterinary Medical Association. Lorraine was very artistic and creative and an extremely 
talented seamstress. She was a voracious reader and loved music. She was the chaperone, 
for many years, for the Miss Branch County Pageant, providing mentoring and guidance 
to the contestants.  Lorraine loved attending her granddaughters' many different school 
activities.   Lorraine is survived by her children, Marc Lee Pearce, of Longmont, 
Colorado; Lynne (Christopher) Miller, of Zeeland; granddaughters, Lindsey Lee Miller, 
of Zeeland, Sara Elizabeth Miller, of Zeeland; brother, Arlington "Barney" (Ruth) 
Hoffman, of Cass City; nieces, Gail Ian, of Northville, Robin (Jon) Rice, of Caro; 
nephews, Kell (Shirley) Hoffman, of Cass City, and Randy (Kim) Hoffman, of 
Harrisonburg, Virginia.   The funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, 
May 16, 2007, in Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City, with Debra L. Kranz, Funeral Service 
Celebrant, officiating. Interment will be in Elkland Township Cemetery.   Visitation is 
from 1 to 2 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home.   Memorials may be made to the 
Hospice of Holland, 270 Hoover Boulevard, Holland, Michigan 49423. Family and 
friends may share memories, prayers, and stories with the family at 
www.kranzfuneralhome.com. 


Thursday, May 17, 2007 – No obituaries reported

Friday, May 18, 2007


David G. Harrington

David G. Harrington, 72, of Ubly, passed away on Thursday, May 17, 2007, at Huron 
Medical Center in Bad Axe.   Dave was born on August 14, 1934 in Detroit to the late 
Harold and Anna (Kipp) Harrington. He married Judith MacDonald on November 7, 
1973 in Detroit.   Dave was a 1952 graduate of Southeastern High School in Detroit. He 
was an Eagle Scout, receiving certification by President Harry S. Truman.  He was a Boy 
Scout Leader in Romeo for many years and a Cub Scout Leader in Ubly. He attended 
both Wayne State University and The Center for Creative Design, both in Detroit. Dave 
served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War for three years. He was an accountant for 
Rexaire International in Detroit. He was also employed at the GM Tech Center in the 
Creative Design Department. Dave moved to Ubly in 1983. He and his wife, Judy, were 
co-owners of Ubly Welding Ltd. for 17 years. Dave was a parishioner at St. John 
Catholic Church in Ubly and a former member of the choir. He was the Vice Commander 
of the Zurek-Graham VFW Post No. 6965. He was a member and former Grand Knight 
of the Ubly Knights of Columbus Council No. 12850 and an American Legion member. 
Dave enjoyed singing and dressing in his Scottish kilt for various occasions.   Dave is 
survived by his wife, Judith "Judy", of Ubly; one son, Michael "Mike" Harrington and his 
wife, Susan, of Ray Township; one brother, Eugene Harrington and his wife, Linda, of 
Warren; one sister, Betty Mitchell and her husband, Donald, of West Virginia; and many 
nieces and nephews.   Dave was preceded in death by one brother, Stanley Harrington.   
A Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 19, 2007, at St. John Catholic 
Church in Ubly. The Rev. Joseph Griffin, pastor, will officiate. Military honors will be 
provided by the Ubly Military Organizations.   Visitation will be from 2:30 to 9 p.m. on 
Friday and from 9 to 10 a.m. on Saturday at the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home in 
Ubly. There will be a parish vigil service at 7:30 p.m. on Friday evening at the funeral 
home.   Memorials may be made to Sleeper Public Library or St. John Church Choir.


John Lorencz

John Lorencz, 83, of Owendale, passed away on Wednesday, May 16, 2007, at his farm 
home with his family following a one-year illness.   He was born June 2, 1923 in 
Wyandotte, the second of nine children born to the late Joseph and Mary (Hozsa) 
Lorencz, Sr., Hungarian immigrants.   He spent summers working on his family's 
Owendale farm during the 1930's, and he moved to Owendale permanently in 1939. He 
was especially proud of his first job as a shoeshine boy in Wyandotte. In 1941, John 
graduated from Owendale High School.   John served in the United States Army 
occupation of Japan in 1945. He worked for over 30 years at Automotive Industries in 
Owendale where he met his wife, Althea, and later retired in 1985 as a millwright from 
Prestolite Automotive in Bay City, yet continued farming until age 81.   He was united in 
marriage to Althea Winchester on May 24, 1952. They had celebrated 51 years of life 
together when she preceded him in death in 2003.   He was actively involved at the 
Colwood Church of the United Brethren in Christ, Caro, for the last 14 years. He 
previously attended the United Methodist Church in Owendale. He loved spending time 
with his family, especially his grandchildren, at his farm. He also enjoyed introducing 
many people, including international students, to American farm life.   He is survived by 
four children, Joseph Lorencz and his wife, Virginia, of San Leandro, California; Cynthia 
Bennett and her husband, Douglas, of Dearborn; Michael Lorencz and his wife, Lynn, of 
Owendale; and Timothy Lorencz, of Baltimore, Maryland. He is also survived by nine 
granddaughters and one grandson, Bethany (Patrick) Hardy, Ben, Rachel, and Rebekah 
Lorencz, all of California; Emily, Erin, Meredith, and Abigail Lorencz, all of Michigan; 
and Ilona and Nadia Lorencz, of Maryland. He also leaves behind four sisters, Helen 
Smith and Elizabeth (Richard) Binder, of Essexville, Nancy (Ronald) Prokopenko, of 
Bay City, and Dr. Kathleen Lorencz, of Beverly Hills; a brother-in-law, William Howell, 
of Bay City; a sister-in-law, Mary Lou Lorencz, of Owendale; 24 nieces and nephews, 
and several cousins. He is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Gwendolyn Sommers, of 
Bad Axe, and June (Willis) Farnum, of Owendale, and two brothers-in-law, William 
Winchester and Gerald (Betty) Winchester, of Gagetown.   He was preceded in death by 
a brother, Joseph; sisters, Marion Howell, Rose Mary Lorencz, sister, Joan (Anna); and 
brother-in-law, Alger Smith.   A funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Sunday, 
May 20, 2007, at the Colwood Church of the United Brethren in Christ, Caro, with Rev. 
Phil Whipple, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Elmwood Township Cemetery.   
Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. on Saturday at the Meyersieck-Bussema Funeral 
Home, Pigeon, and from 1 p.m. until the time of the funeral on Sunday at the church.   
Memorials for Mr. Lorencz may be made to Positive Alternatives, the Gideons, or the 
church. 












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