HURON DAILY TRIBUNE, Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan Local obituaries for the week beginning January 21, 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, January 21, 2007 – No obituaries reported Monday, January 22, 2007 Franklin D. Barker Franklin D. Barker, 74, of Portage, passed away Friday, January 19, 2007, in Portage. He is survived by his wife, the former Norma Weitzel. He was preceded in death by his in-laws, Norman and Inathe Weitzel. A private burial will be in Ft. Custer National Cemetery. Arrangements are by Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Portage Chapel, 411 E. Centre, Portage, Michigan 49002. John Edward Schramski John Edward Schramski, 89, of Kinde, died Friday, January 19, 2007, at Huron Medical Center in Bad Axe. John was born April 8, 1917 in Kinde, the son of Joseph and Mary (Polega) Schramski. He married Helen Fisher on January 17, 1944 at St. Michaels Catholic Church in Port Austin. John was a lifelong member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Kinde where he also was an usher. John was in the Army for 4 1/2 years where he was a decorated World War II veteran and a member of the VFW post No. 4003. He also served in the Normandy Invasion and the European Theatre. John was the Dwight Township Treasurer for 33 years and he was a former board member of the Kinde Farmer's Co-Op. John enjoyed outdoor life, farming, hunting, fishing and spending lots of time with his grandchildren. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Helen; sons, Edward Schramski, of Port Hope, Walter (Linda) Schramski, of Davison, Fred (Doreen) Schramski, of Kingsley, Jim (Valerie) Schramski, of Bad Axe, David (Janice) Schramski, of Port Austin, Paul (Lorrie) Schramski, of Kinde, John (Jean) Schramski, of Kinde; daughter, Ann (Thomas) Smith, of Auburn. He had 16 grandchildren, Angie (Steve) Hendershot, Drs. Annette (Robert) Aquino, Rebecca (Joe) Gilbert, Jason Schramski, Dr. Krista Smith, Bryan Smith, Aaron Schramski, Breann Schramski, Christopher Schramski, Adrienne Schramski, Nate Schramski, Michael Schramski, Nick Schramski, John Schramski, Jake Schramski and Tyler Schramski; three great-grandchildren, Madison Gilbert, Julia Gilbert and Fischer Hendershot; three sisters, Regina Lasceski, of Filion, Genevieve (Eugene) Peruski, of Minden City, and Martha Semrau, of Roseville; brother, Joseph (Ruth) Schramski, of Centerline; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by four brothers, Felix, Tony, Ben and Frank; and two sisters, Anna and Marie. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, January 23, 2007, at the St. Mary's Catholic Church with Father Mietek officiating. Burial will be in the St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. today with a vigil service at 7 p.m. at the MacAlpine Funeral Home in Kinde. Tuesday, January 23, 2007 Bernard "Bud" Bekaert Bernard "Bud" Bekaert, 74, of Port Hope and formerly of Howell, passed away Friday, January 19, 2007, at Harbor Beach Community Hospital. His wife, Bonnie, preceded him in death in 2001. He was the dear father of Merry Jo (Don) Trumbull, of Pinckney; William, of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Betty, of Ann Arbor, Chris Gulick, of Port Hope, and Fred, of Howell; he is also survived by five grandchildren, seven great grandchildren and a brother, William K. Bekaert, of Grand Ledge. Bernard was a 25- year member of Howell Lodge No. 38, F. & A.M., a charter member of the Grindstone City Sportsman Club and an avid hunter and fisherman. He worked 30 years for the State Highway Department and then moved to Port Hope for about 16 years. Bud will be truly missed by friends and family alike. A funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 24, 2007, at MacDonald's Funeral Home, Howell (517) 546-2800. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home with a Masonic memorial service at 7 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to American Lung Association. Visit the online guestbook at www.macdonaldsfuneralhome.com. Clara Frances Bulla Clara Frances Bulla, 73, of Cass City, died Sunday, January 21, 2007, in Tendercare Nursing Facility. She was born July 2, 1933 in Argyle to William Edward and Flora Marian (Lintnuer) Periso. She married John C. Bulla on October 19, 1952 in St. Michaels Catholic Church, Wilmot. He died September 3, 2006. Clara worked in many area restaurants and convalescent homes as a cook. She enjoyed canning and gardening. Clara is survived by her children, Lawrence (Gail) Bulla, of Deford, Arthur Bulla, of Elkton, Hugh Bulla, of Elkton; daughter-in-law, Patsy Bulla, of Cass City; 16 grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren; a brother, Jade Periso, of Cass City; and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her son, John Bulla, in 1990; brothers, Ernest Periso, Ray Periso, Eddie Periso, Fred Periso, John Periso, William Periso; and sisters, Eva Wise, Lola Frye, and Eunice Tankkeman. A funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, January 24, 2007, in Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City, with Scott Mills, of St. Pancratius Catholic Church, officiating. Interment will be in Novesta 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 the charity of the donor's choice. Family and friends may share memories, prayers, and stories with the family at www.kranzfuneralhome.com. Bruce E. Drabek Bruce E. Drabek, 72, of Colfax Township, died Monday morning, January 22, 2007, under hospice care at home with his family at his side. He was born September 20, 1934 in Chandler Township at the home of his parents, the late Peter and Marion (Chiotti) Drabek. They moved to West Branch shortly after his birth where he grew up. After serving three years in the U.S. Army, he returned to Huron County. On December 20, 1966, he was united in marriage to Judy Ann Louks at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Bad Axe. Bruce drove school bus for Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Schools for several years, grew strawberries to sell and planted a huge garden with vegetables for sale. Surviving are his wife, Judy; four children, Lisa (Kurt) Schember, of Bad Axe, Pete (Heather) Drabek, of Bad Axe, Heidi (Ted) Lackie, of Waterford and Melissa (Aaron) Booms, of Bad Axe; eight grandchildren, Alex, Cody, Collyn, Maegan, Dylan, Nicole, Nathan and McKenzie; three brothers, Leo (Aileen) Drabek, of St. Helen, Tom (Susanne) Drabek, of Bay Port, and David (Sally) Drabek, of West Branch. Preceding him in death were three brothers, Jimmy, Bob and Gary Drabek. A funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, January 24, 2007, at the Champagne Funeral Chapel, Elkton. The Rev. Jan Dykeshorn, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, Bad Axe, will officiate with burial in Riverside Cemetery, Elkton. Visitation will be conducted from 2 to 9 p.m. today and after 10 a.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to the donor's choice. Friends and family may sign the guest book at www.cfcElkton.com. James "Rod" Varney James "Rod" Varney, 66, of Caro, passed away peacefully Wednesday, January 17, 2007, at his home surrounded by his family. He was born May 15, 1940 in Port Hope, son of the late Clifford A. and Anna B. (Rees) Varney. He graduated from Bad Axe High School with the class of 1958 and worked for Thumb Electric as a lineman for more than 35 years retiring in 1998. Rod was a family man and was happiest while spending time with his nine grandchildren. He thoroughly enjoyed raising cattle, farming, crop touring and taking walks through the woods. He also was a proud member of the "Wells Angels." Rod is survived by four children and their spouses, Jim and Karen Varney, of Caro, Brenda and Pat Lancaster, of Klamuth Falls, Oregon, Cathy and Jim Kratz, of Caro, and Lori and Don Kukla, of Auburn; nine grandchildren, Jamie, Jordan and Richelle Varney, Denver, Tanner and Cady Lancaster, Hannah and Seth Kratz and Ashley Kukla; two brothers, three sisters and their spouses, Bill Varney, of Frankenmuth, Doug and Minnie Varney, of Caro, Doris and Max McKenzie, of Elkton, Carol and Alvin McKee, of Cass City, and Kate and Merle Sorenson, of Hessel. A funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. on Monday, January 22, 2007, at the Ransford Funeral Home in Caro with Pastor Wendy Orzel, Hospice Chaplain, officiating. Cremation will follow the service. Memorial contributions may be made to the University of Michigan Brain Research. Friends may share memories, thoughts and prayers online at www.ransfordfuneralhome.com. Mary Jean Simpson Dybilas Mary Jean Simpson Dybilas, 42, of Flint and formerly of Cass City, died Sunday, January 21, 2007, unexpectedly in her home. She was born April 1, 1964 in Colorado to Gene and Jacqueline (Minnino) Simpson. She married Paul Dybilas on March 18, 2005 in Snover. Mary enjoyed making wreaths, working with flowers and plants. She enjoyed gardening and decorating houses. Mary volunteered occasionally with the Salvation Army and visited the elderly in nursing homes with her daughter helping with Bingo. Mary loved children. Her family was very important to her. Mary is survived by her husband, Paul; children, Josh (Krista Leavine) Mackowiak, of Cass City, Kyle Wright, of Charlevoix, Jacob Lemanski, of Charlevoix, Amanda Lemanski, of Charlevoix; grandson, Aiden Mackowiak; her parents, Jacqueline and Gene Simpson, of Cass City; brothers, Steve Simpson, of Colorado, Ron (Gerri) Simpson, of Cass City, Brian Simpson, of Cass City, Roy Calahan, of Carsonville, Louis Calahan, of Virginia; sisters, Laura (Amir) Gonzalez, of Detroit, Darlene Simpson, of Cass City, Vicky Hiatt, of Cass City; nieces and nephews, Kevin, Bradley, Quinn, Carley, Luke, Heather, Madison, Angie, Cameron, Christopher. She was preceded in death by her grandparents. A funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, January 24, 2007, in Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City, with Pastor Eric Holmgren officiating. Interment will be in Novesta Township Cemetery. Visitation will be from noon to 2 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor's choice. Family and friends may share memories, prayers and stories with the family at www.kranzfuneralhome.com. Marian G. (Merkel) Shiffler Marian G. (Merkel) Shiffler, 90, of Spring Arbor and formerly of New Port Richey, Florida, passed away Thursday, January 18, 2007. As she requested, cremation has taken place and a service of remembrance will be conducted at a later date. Arrangements by Chas. J. Burden & Son Funeral Home, Jackson. Wednesday, January 24, 2007 – No obituaries reported Thursday, January 25, 2007 Phoebe "Jean" Piotter Phoebe "Jean" Piotter, 86, of Bingham Township, passed away Wednesday, January 24, 2007, at her home. She was born October 4, 1920 to the late William and Annabel (MacQuarrie) Logan. She was united in marriage with Harold Piotter on May 20, 1944 in Bad Axe. He preceded her in death on July 5, 2002. Mrs. Piotter was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Bad Axe. She was active in the United Methodist Women's group and was a greeter. She often helped serve dinners at the church after funerals. Jean enjoyed baseball. In her teens, she kept scrapbooks of the Detroit Tigers. She liked to watch the Tigers play on TV and went to local church softball games. Every day the afternoon soaps kept Jean company, even though she often complained about how they were going. One special skill Jean developed was the ability to talk for hours on the phone, particularly with Lauretta and Vi. However, Jean's biggest joy was spending time with her family, especially watching the little ones grow. She is survived by four sons, William (Gail) Piotter, of Bad Axe, Ronald (Susan) Piotter, of Ubly, John Piotter and James Piotter, both of Bad Axe; six grandchildren, Kathleen (Ron) Yaroch, of Bad Axe, JoLynn (Ryan) Respondek, of Bad Axe, Erin (Michael) Kenny, of Ubly, Rebecca (Darren) Mazure, of Ubly, Rachel (Sebastien) Ivanec, of Paris, France, and Heather Kent and her special friend, Mike, of Brooklyn, New York; six great grandchildren, Ashten and Randen Yaroch, Cody Kenny, Logan Mazure (unborn), Ariane and Nicolas Ivanec; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 27, 2007, at the First United Methodist Church in Bad Axe with the Rev. Greg Rowe officiating. Burial will be in Colfax Township Cemetery. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. today and from 2 to 9 p.m. on Friday at the MacAlpine Funeral Home and from 10 to 11 a.m. on Saturday at the church. Memorials may be made to the Family Discretionary Fund. Friday, January 26, 2007 Judith (Cole) Asher Judith (Cole) Asher, 66, of Fort Thomas, Kentucky. died Thursday, January 4, 2007. She was the devoted mother of Kirk and Dale, daughter of Margaret and the late Convis Cole and sister to Susan (Riches). Judy will be remembered for her quick laugh, bright personality, determination and for the positive contributions she made for the betterment of health care. From her graduation in 1962 from the University of Michigan School of Nursing through her educational pursuits at Michigan State University, the development of the Berkley High School Vocational Health Care program and her late work with the Huron County Health Department, Judy was a consummate professional with integrity and a deeply-held belief that the needs of the patient come first. Her enthusiasm, quick wit, charm and verve will be sorely missed. A small family service was conducted Thursday, January 11, 2007, at the St. Luke Lutheran Church in Cold Spring, Kentucky. Remembrances may be made to the American Lung Association, The Foundation for a Smoke-Free America, or the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Richard Frederick Bauss Richard Frederick Bauss, 84, of Pigeon, died Thursday, January 25, 2007. He was the beloved husband of Elaine for 63 years; loving father of Karen (Jeff) Redick and Rick (Jeanne) Bauss; cherished grandfather of Laura, Adam, Ashley, Austin and Rick; dear brother of Eugene (Evelyn) Bauss, Geraldine Gatsy and the late Marion, Fred, and Gordon. Richard was a World War II Navy Veteran, a member of the Pigeon VFW Post 2236, Eagles Post 3690, a Mason, and a 20-year member of Scenic Golf & Country Club. A funeral service will be at noon on Monday, January 29, 2007, at King of Kings Lutheran Church, 1715 S. Lapeer Road, Lake Orion. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Saturday and from 2 to 8 p.m. on Sunday at the Modetz Funeral Home, 100 E. Silverbell, Orion. Memorials are suggested to the American Lung Association. You may sign the online guestbook at www.modetzfuneralhomes.com. Helen M. Steinbach Helen M. Steinbach, 93, passed away Wednesday, January 24, 2007, at the Huron County Medical Care Facility. Helen was born April 15, 1913 in Hamtramk. Helen is survived by two daughters, Judi Jenks and her husband, Jim, of Scottsdale, Arizona, and Beverly Grabowski and her husband, Bob, of Southgate; two daughters-in-law, Pat Drews, of Filion, and Sandy Drews, of Bad Axe; 11 grandchildren; and 14 great grandchildren. Helen was preceded in death by her beloved husbands, Charles Drews, Herbert Fuhrwerk and Harold Steinbach; her adored children, Edward, Betty and Don; and grandson, Eddie. A funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Sunday, January 28, 2007, at the MacAlpine Funeral Home "Mac" Chapel in Bad Axe with the Rev. Kenneth Lueke, pastor of Our Savior Lutheran Church, Bad Axe, officiating. Burial will be in Colfax Township Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. on Saturday and from 1 p.m. until the time of the service on Sunday at the Mac Chapel in Bad Axe. Memorials may be offered to the Huron County Medical Care Facility where they have taken loving care of her for the past seven years. Frances Bartnik Mrs. Frances Bartnik, 80, of Pontiac, passed away Thursday, January 25, 2007, at Pontiac Osteopathic Hospital. A tentative funeral is being planned for Tuesday at St. Columbkille Catholic Church of Sheridan Corners. A complete obituary will be in Monday's Huron Daily Tribune. Arrangements are being handled by the Zinger- Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly. 6