HURON DAILY TRIBUNE, Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan Local obituaries for the week beginning June 17, 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, June 17, 2007 – No obituaries reported Monday, June 18, 2007 Mildred M. Biener Mildred M. Biener, 80, of Clinton Township and formerly of Port Hope, passed away Saturday, June 9, 2007, at her home in Clinton Township. Born in Plymouth on February 19, 1927, she was the daughter of the late Paul and Emma (Zick) Timreck. On May 31, 1980, Mildred was united in marriage to Thomas Biener. He preceded her in death on June 7, 2000. Together they enjoyed boating and visiting their many friends, Mildred attended the Robinson School and Port Hope Community Schools. She was confirmed in the Bloomfield Lutheran Church, Port Hope, and was a retired employee of the Park-Davis Company. Surviving are her two sisters, Beatrice Pardiek, of Harbor Beach, and June Laudermilk and her husband, Quentin, of Harbor Beach. She was preceded in death by a sister, Nora Platte. A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 21, 2007, in the Ramsey Funeral Home, Harbor Beach, with burial in the Lakeview Cemetery in Port Hope. Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday and from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Thursday at the funeral home. Dale V. Champagne Dale V. Champagne, 56, of Ubly, passed away Wednesday, June 13, 2007. He was born April 19, 1951 to Arlene (Schenk) and the late Virgil Champagne in Bad Axe. Mr. Champagne was a 1969 graduate of Ubly High School and lifelong resident of Ubly. He enjoyed gardening, fishing, and astronomy. He is survived by his mother, Arlene Champagne, of Ubly; two sons, Matthew Champagne, of Ypsilanti, and Scott Champagne, of Marlette; one daughter, Kelley (Tom) Guizar, of Akron; three brothers, Roger (Bonnie) Champagne, of Freeland, Wayne Champagne, of Marathon, Florida, and Bryce (Nancy) Champagne, of Ubly; five grandchildren, Isabel, Emily, Elizabeth, Shandi and Veronia; one sister, Pam Champagne, of Ubly; and several nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 21, 2007, at Elkland Cemetery, Cass City. Cremation has taken place at Sunset Valley Crematory in Bay City. Arrangements are being handled by MacAlpine Funeral Home, Bad Axe. Virginia M. Kuntze Mrs. Virginia M. Kuntze, 85, of Caro, passed away Saturday, June 16, 2007, at the Tuscola County Medical Care Facility in Caro. Virginia was born on February 20, 1922 in Caro to the late Hubert and Sara (Hile) Gekeler. She married Vernon Kuntze on October 15, 1952 in Caro. He preceded her in death on April 19, 1991. Virginia was a graduate of Caro High School. She was a former member of the Ubly Miriam Chapter of the Eastern Star. Virginia is survived by one brother, Harold Gekeler and his wife, Marvel, of Cadillac; two nieces, Nancy Pouquette and her husband, Bob, of Marionette, Wisconsin, Mary Blake and her husband, Tim, of Cadillac; two nephews, Jim Gekeler, of Ft. Worth, Texas, Jeff Gekeler and his wife, Theresa, of Issaquah, Washington. Private entombment will take place in the future. Arrangements are being handled by the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly. Gertrude Marie Lawrence Gertrude Marie Lawrence, 79, of Saginaw, beloved wife, mother and grandmother passed into the arms of our Father on Saturday June 16, 2007, at Saint Mary's Hospital, Saginaw. Daughter of the late Peter and Rose (Kubacki) Smaglinski, Gert was born June 6, 1928 in Harbor Beach. She was raised on the Smaglinski farm with her sisters, Edwina, Ernestine, Helen, and Theresa, as well as brothers Peter, Bernard, Anthony, Joseph, Floyd and Valentine. She left the farm at age 14 to provide nanny assistance to a family from her church. She remained in Huron County and was crowned the Huron County Bean Queen in the early '50s. In 1954, she worked with Francis Lawrence at Fran's Restaurant in Bad Axe, and later met Francis' son, William John Lawrence, who became the love of her life and the two became one on April 16, 1955. They resided in Bad Axe, Redford Township, and in 1960, they settled in Saginaw Township where they have lived to this date. Gert held many jobs over the years in Bad Axe; Fran's, Buckhead Bar, Saginaw; Rolling Green, Saginaw Schools and the most important job which she loved till her last breath, "Mom". In Saginaw, they raised John Michael, Patricia Ann, Joseph Alan and Richard James. She has been a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church since 1960 and participated in the Altar Society and the PTA as well as other church and school related activities. She was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council No. 4232 Ladies Auxiliary as well as the Seniors Club. Over the years, she loved snowmobiling, boating, bowling and supporting her children in the many sports and activities in which they participated. Surviving besides her loving husband William John, are three sons and one daughter, John (Sandi) Lawrence, of Chicago, Pat (Bill) Meyers, of Saginaw, Joe (Jeanne) Lawrence, of Saginaw, Rick (Chris) Lawrence, of Rockford; 12 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren; her sisters, Edwina Lackowski, Ernestine (Irwin) Romzek, Theresa (Robert) McElgunn, and brother, Bernard (Susan) Smaglinski. Gert was preceded in death by her sister, Helen; brothers, Peter, Anthony, Joseph, Floyd, and Valentine, and brothers-in-law, Ed (Edwina) Lackowski and Ed (Helen) Monzo. A Funeral Liturgy will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 19, 2007, at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. The Rev. Fr. Leonard Stunek, O.F.M., will officiate with burial in St. Andrew Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. today at The Snow Funeral Home, 3775 N. Center Rd. (between Shattuck and McCarty) in Saginaw, and from 9:30 a.m. until the time of Mass on Tuesday at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. The Knights of Columbus Council No. 4232 Ladies Auxiliary will pray the Rosary at 3 p.m. today and a Vigil Service will take place at 7 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Holy Cross Children's Services, 8759 Clinton-Macon Road, Clinton, Michigan 49236 or St. Thomas Aquinas School. Norma Jean Woodward Norma Jean Woodward, 59, of Port Huron, passed away Friday, June 15, 2007. She was born on October 21, 1947 in Detroit, the daughter of Elmer and Helen Reiche. She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Jeffrey and Belle Woodward, of Illinois; daughter and son-in-law, Sheri and Chris Kanicki, of Harrison; a daughter and her fiancé, Jennifer Zinck and Jason Cunningham; seven grandchildren; parents, Elmer and Helen Reiche, of Harbor Beach; and several aunts, uncles and cousins. A memorial service will take place at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 19, 2007, in Jowett Funeral Home, 1634 Lapeer Avenue at 17th Street, Port Huron, Michigan. Pastor Don Sperling will officiate. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Tuesday at the funeral home. Cremation arrangements are by Jowett Funeral Home. Memorial tributes may be made to wishes of the family. Tuesday, June 19, 2007 – Didn't get obituaries Wednesday, June 20, 2007 Marie E. Jones Marie E. Jones, 92, of Decker, died Monday, June 18, 2007, in St. Mary's Medical Center, Saginaw. She was born February 1, 1915 in Cass City to William and Elizabeth (Blades) McKenzie. She married Albert 'Ab' Jones on December 3, 1938 in Toledo, Ohio. He died April 12, 1999. Marie worked for Walbro Manufacturing for about 15 years. Recently she helped with family genealogy by identifying people in old family photos. She loved caring for her flower gardens. Marie was a 4H leader in Evergreen Township. She enjoyed trips to the family property up north. Marie is survived by her children, Gary (Doris) Jones, of Cass City, Richard (Gerry) Jones, of Caro; grandchildren, Richard S. (Chris) Jones, Michelle (Ken) Tiseo, Matthew (Christina) Jones, Michael (Denise) Jones; great grandchildren, Adam, Braden, Katie, Blair, Caroline, Brendan, Shannon, Jackson and Addison. She is preceded in death by 2 infant sons. A funeral service will be conducted at 1 p.m. on Thursday, June 21, 2007, in Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City. The Rev. Ellen Burns, of Shabbona United Methodist Church, will be officiating. Interment will be in Elkland Township Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Shabbona United Methodist Church. Family and friends may share memories, prayers, and stories with the family at www.kranzfuneralhome.com. Hazel Irene Kosenko Hazel Irene Kosenko, 86, of Elkton, died Monday, June 18, 2007, at St. Joseph Hospital in Clinton Township of heart failure. Hazel was born May 17, 1921 in Chandler Township to the late Albert and Louisa (Kasserman) Miller. On May 29, 1943, she married Steven Kosenko. Steven preceded her in death on December 18, 1978. After marrying, the family moved to Ferndale for 10 years before returning to Elkton in 1953. She was a member of the Elkton United Methodist Church. She was a stay-at-home mother while her children were young. Later she was employed at Scenic Adult Foster Care in Pigeon as a cook. She enjoyed knitting and spending time with her family and friends and sing alongs. Hazel enjoyed playing card games with friends and family. Recently she had moved to the Detroit area to live near her children. She is survived by her sons, Russell and his wife, Denise, of Macomb Township, and Donald and his wife, Linda, of Shelby Township; daughter-in-law, Brenda Kosenko, of Pigeon; grandchildren, Steven, Dale, Ryan, Dwight, Nicole and Jason; great grandchildren, Aliya, Steven and Justice; and sister-in-law, Ella Rose Miller. She was preceded in death by her husband, Steven; son, Glenn; and brother, Etral Miller. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 22, 2007, at the Elkton United Methodist Church with the Rev. David Collins officiating. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. on Thursday at the Champagne Funeral Chapel of Elkton and from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday at the church. Condolences may be shared online at www.cfcElkton.com Thursday, June 21, 2007 Philip "Coach" N. Gray Phil N. Gray, 58, of Cass City, died unexpectedly Tuesday, June 19, 2007, in Hills and Dales General Hospital. He was born February 21, 1949 in Cass City to Norman and Josephine (Olsowy) Gray. He married Linda L. Hicks on August 7, 1970 in Deford. Phil graduated from Central Michigan University with a bachelor of science in secondary education. He taught school in Owendale-Gagetown area schools for 14 years. Phil worked road construction for CR Hunt for nearly 25 years and for Wal-Mart for the last seven years. He was a past member of the Cass City Gavel Club. He was an avid sports fan, enjoying high school, college and professional sports of all kinds. Phil loved spending time with and playing with his grandchildren. Phil is survived by his wife, Linda; sons, Brad (Alissa) Gray, of Flint, Andy (Kim) Gray, of Cass City; grandchildren, Julian, Emma, Spencer, Kalee, Kacee; parents, Norman and Josephine Gray, of Cass City. A funeral service will be conducted at 3 p.m. on Friday, June 22, 2007, in St. Pancratius Catholic Church with the Rev. Stephen J. Fillion officiating. Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday in Kranz Funeral Home and from 2 to 3 p.m. on Friday in the church. There will be a vigil service at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Cass City Athletic Boosters. Family and friends may share memories, prayers, and stories with the family at www.kranzfuneralhome.com. Lois "Joyce" Polk Lois "Joyce" (King) Polk, 79, passed away on October 19, 2006 at Huron Medical Center after a lengthy illness. Joyce was born January 26, 1927 to the late Lewis B. and Edna E. (Musselman) King, sixth of eight children. Joyce was raised in the Pinnebog area. She graduated from Bad Axe High School in 1945. She then joined the Cadet Nurse Corps, Bay City Unit, graduating in 1948. After working as a staff RN in the Detroit area, Joyce returned to Huron County and on November 17, 1956, she and Arthur J. Polk were united in marriage at St. Joseph's Church in Rapson. She then continued to work as a nurse in Huron County until she retired in 1987. Joyce is survived by her two sons, Ronald Polk, of Hersey, and Jerome Polk, of Bad Axe; five granddaughters, Erica Polk, of Argyle, Tracey Polk, of Hersey, Christa and Clarissa Polk, of Saginaw, and Rosie Polk, of Hersey; four grandsons, Leland and Gaven, of Saginaw. and Grant and Lincoln, of Hersey; one great granddaughter, Regene Krumenacker, of Argyle. She is survived by two sisters, Nancy Brown, of Kinde and Shirley Carroll, of Lemon Grove, California; two brothers, Dale King, of Kinde, and Bill King, of Deford. She was preceded in death by one sister and two brothers. She was cremated by Sunset Valley Crematory in Bay City. Burial will be at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 26, 2007, at the Holy Trinity Church Cemetery. Friday, June 21, 2007 Karen Ann Hitesman Karen Ann (Clabuesch) Hitesman, of Pigeon (and formerly of the White Lake area), passed away suddenly at her home in Sand Point on Thursday, June 21, 2007. Mrs. Hitesman was the marketing officer of Thumb National Bank & Trust Company, Bay City. Funeral service arrangements are incomplete and are being conducted by Meyersieck-Bussema Funeral Home, Pigeon. A complete notice will be in Monday's edition of the Huron Daily Tribune. 1