HURON DAILY TRIBUNE, Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan Local obituaries for the week beginning March 25, 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, March 25, 2007 Monday, March 26, 2007 Carol A. Beitz Carol A. Beitz, 68, of Gagetown, died Friday, March 23, 2007, at Bay Regional Medical Center in Bay City following a 10-month illness. She was born March 27, 1938 in Sebewaing, daughter of the late Elmer E. and Marian J. (Euler) Kuhl. She was united in marriage to Gene Beitz on November 2, 1963 in Unionville. Carol was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Unionville and its choir. She also was a very avid member of the Sweet Adelines and the Unionville-Sebewaing Area Community Choir. She enjoyed knitting and camping. Surviving are her husband, Gene; one son, Dale Beitz, of Lansing; one daughter, Ann Beitz, of Mt. Morris; one granddaughter, Mandy; brother-in- law, Merton Hessler, of Dallas, Texas; uncle and aunt, Robert and Shirley Euler, of Sebewaing; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Diana Follebout and Sandra Hessler. The funeral service will take place at 1 p.m. on Monday, March 26, 2007, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Unionville. The Rev. Michael Allen will officiate with burial in Columbia Township Cemetery in Unionville. Memorials may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church, its choir, the American Cancer Society or the donor's choice. Donna J. Diebel Donna J. Diebel, 72, of Sebewaing and formerly of Pigeon, passed away Sunday, March 25, 2007, at St. Mary's Medical Center in Saginaw following a one-week illness. She was born August 23, 1934 in Owendale, daughter of the late Walter John and Alberta (Cramer) Hanniman. She attended Pigeon High School. She was united in marriage to Norris E. Diebel on April 15, 1972 in Pigeon. Donna was a homemaker throughout her lifetime and also was self-employed as a furniture upholsterer for more than 25 years. They had resided in Pigeon until moving to Sebewaing seven years ago. She attended Trinity United Methodist Church in Sebewaing. She enjoyed knitting and especially enjoyed her family and grandchildren. Surviving are her husband, Norris, of Sebewaing; children, Beth (Dan) Walz, of Sebewaing, Kathy (David) Ignash, Deborah Leitch and Denny, all of Pigeon, Bonnie (Kenneth) Moore, of Millington, Deborah (Daniel) Powell, of Calverton, Virginia, Rebecca (Murray) Swanson, of Rocky Ridge, Maryland, Jillian Diebel, of Burlington, Wisconsin, Becca Diebel, of Trenton, Tennessee; 23 grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; four sisters, Marjorie (John) Orcutt, of Vero Beach, Florida, Lola Shivley and Mary (Ronald) Snider, all of Pigeon, Judith (Jim) Regis, of Northport, Washington; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by one son, Henry W. Leitch. Cremation has taken place at Sunset Valley Crematory in Bay City. A memorial service will take place at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 30, 2007, at the Meyersieck-Bussema Funeral Home in Pigeon. The Rev. William Wright will officiate with inurnment in Grandlawn Cemetery, Pigeon. Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. until the time of the service at 11 a.m. on Friday at the funeral home. Memorials can be made to Scheurer Hospital in Pigeon or Jefferson Hospitality House. Frances M. Heleski Frances M. Heleski, 81, of Harbor Beach, went to be with her heavenly Father on Saturday, March 24, 2007, at Covenant Cooper Medical Center, Saginaw. Born in Parisville on May 15, 1925, she was the daughter of the late August and Otilia (Uller) Abraham. On February 16, 1941, Frances and John Heleski were united in marriage in Parisville. John preceded her in death in 1984. Frances was a member of the Our Lady of Lake Huron Catholic Church in Harbor Beach and enjoyed being with her family, especially her grandchildren. She loved to polka dance, crochet and gardening with her flowers. Frances is survived by her children, James Heleski and his wife, Bernadette, of Caseville, Marie Heleski, of Harbor Beach, Rita Reid and her husband, Louis, of Harbor Beach, Daniel Heleski and his wife, Cathy, of Lakeland, Florida, Jacqueline Burton and her husband, Gary, of Kingston, New York, and Margaret Tobiassen and her husband, Bernard, of Catskill, New York; 14 grandchildren; and 11 great grandchildren; a daughter-in-law, Jane Heleski, of Harbor Beach; and a special friend, Harold Edwards, of Harbor Beach; brother, August Abraham and his wife, Agnes, of Ruth; four sisters, Elizabeth Zurek, of Dearborn, Rita Shaw and her husband, George, of Elkton, Marjorie Alent, of Ubly, and Molly Depcinski and her husband, Eugene, of Bad Axe. She was preceded in death by a son, John Heleski; her brothers, Sylvester, John, Eugene, Adam, Anthony and Stanley; and a sister, Rose. A Funeral Mass will be at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 28, 2007, in Our Lady of Lake Huron Catholic Church, Harbor Beach, with Fr. T.J. Fleming officiating. Burial will be in the St. Joseph's Church Cemetery, Rapson. Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m. today, from 1 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday in the Ramsey Funeral Home, Harbor Beach, and from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Wednesday at the church. A parish vigil service will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday in the funeral home. Memorials may be given to OLLH School, American Heart Association or to donor's choice. Lois M. Johnson Lois M. Johnson, 91, of Deckerville, died Friday, March 23, 2007, in Autumnwood of Deckerville. She was born June 11, 1915 in Newberry Township, Ohio to Noel Lee and Minerva Mae (Lambert) Johnston. She married Frederick Headly Johnson on August 1, 1947 in Covington, Ohio. He died June 1994. Lois graduated both from Marion College in Indiana (two-year teaching degree) and from Cascade College in Portland, Oregon (AB degree). Upon graduation from Marion College, Lois received first prize for an essay she wrote. Lois also wrote the music to her high school senior class song and sang in a quartet at the commencement exercises. Before going to Cascade College, she was employed as a school teacher in Covington Elementary Schools for seven years and for two and a half years, she worked at the Dakota Avenue Mennonite Brethren in Christ Church in Detroit. She also served on the faculty at Cascade College. Lois drove across the country from Ohio to Oregon by herself in a Model T Ford. It was at Cascade College that she met and married Frederick H. Johnson. She only needed to remove a "t" from her last name. To this union were born three daughters, Ruth Ann, Esther Mae, and Jane Marie. Together, Fred and Lois served the following churches, Vanport Community Church (Vanport City, Oregon), Soap Lake Community Church (Soap Lake, Washington), Wapato United Missionary Church (Wapato, Washington), Pleasant Hill UMC (Bronson), Indiana Chapel UMC (Bremen, Indiana), Mizpah, Riverside and New Greenleaf Circuit UMC (Cass City), Cass City UMC (Cass City), and East Wenatchee Friends Church (East Wenatchee, Washington). While serving many of these churches, Lois also taught at local public schools. Of the many events in their lives, the Vanport flood stands out the most. It occurred on Sunday, May 30, 1948. Lois wrote a small booklet detailing how God miraculously saved them from the flood waters by starting their car with a screwdriver. It was from this event that their life verse and song became Isaiah 43:2 and God Leads His Dear Children Along. Lois taught at Evergreen Country School. She was very active in the Cass City Missionary Church serving as choir director, church organist and in the children's ministry. Lois truly enjoyed music. Lois is survived by her daughters, Ruth Ann (David M.) Waid, of Cassopolis, Jane Marie (Mitchell) Anderson, of Portland Oregon; grandchildren, Christy Rand, of Portland Oregon, Andrew Waid, of Osceola, Indiana, James (Shannon) Waid, of New Boston, Timothy Waid, of New Boston, Jeremy Rand, of Portland Oregon; great grandchildren, Nikolas, Aaron, Kylie and Elleanna. She was preceded in death by her infant daughter, Esther Mae Johnson; four sisters; a brother; a brother-in-law; and her parents. A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 26, 2007, in the Kranz Funeral Home in Cass City. Interment will be in the Elkland Township Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Cass City Missionary Church. Family and friends may share memories, prayers and stories with the family at www.kranzfuneralhome.com. William Keith Lamont William Keith Lamont, 93, of Deckerville, died Saturday, March 24, 2007, in the Deckerville Hospital. He was born January 10, 1914 in Marion Township, the son of the late William and Clara (Burgett) Lamont. He married Madeline Smith on June 8, 1935 in Snover. She preceded him in death on April 20, 2006. Mr. Lamont was a lifelong area farmer who enjoyed raising animals, reading, and sports events. He especially liked to be with his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren. He is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Rose Marie and William Brabant, of Pennsylvania, Barbara and Fred Leibinger, of Deckerville; two sisters, Mrs. Mary Wilkowski and Mrs. Thelma Smith, both of Deckerville; 11 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; two great great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by one daughter and son-in-law, Ilean and Darwin Gracey; one infant grandson, Bobbie; and one grandson, Ron Gracey. A funeral service to celebrate the life of William Keith Lamont will be at 1 p.m. on Monday, March 26, 2007, in the Apsey Funeral Home. Pastor Paul Slivka will officiate. Burial in East Marion Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the family discretionary fund. Paul E. Reinhold Paul E. Reinhold, 89, of Sebewaing, died Saturday, March 24, 2007, at Maple Woods Manor in Clio. He was born August 3, 1917 in Sebewaing, son of the late Ernst C. and Louise W. (Pommerenke) Reinhold. Paul had been employed at the Michigan Milk Producer's Dairy in Sebewaing for 30 years before retiring in January 1980. He served in the U.S. Army 65th Infantry 3rd Army Division in the European Theatre during World War II. He was awarded two bronze stars. He was a life member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, had served as a trustee and on the evangelism board and had been secretary of the Lutheran Layman's League. He was a life member of the Sebewaing V.F.W. Post No. 4115. Surviving are one sister, Ruth Potts, of Clio; two nephews, Richard (Sonnie) Robinson, of Swartz Creek, and James Nelson, of San Diego, California; four nieces, Carol Fouchea, of Burt, Diane (Rick) Berry, of Clio, Pam (Craig) Lamkin, of Collinsville, Texas and JackLynn Stausser, of Sandy, Utah. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Edna Robinson and Johanna Nelson; and one brother, Carl Reinhold. The funeral service took place at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 26, 2007, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Sebewaing with the Rev. Daniel Hahn officiating. Burial was in Northlawn Cemetery. Dinkel-Juengel Funeral Home in Sebewaing handled the arrangements. A graveside committal service was conducted under the auspices of V.F.W. Post No. 4115 and the American Legion Post No. 293 of Sebewaing. Memorial contributions can be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church. Tuesday, March 27, 2007 Leola Christine Davis Leola Christine (MacAlpine) Davis, 84, of Indianapolis, Indiana, passed away Monday, March 26, 2007. She was born in Bad Axe on July 5, 1922 to the late Duncan and Christine (McTaggert) MacAlpine. Mrs. Davis graduated from Bad Axe High School in 1940. She was a registered nurse and during her career, she was employed by Saginaw General Hospital and Harper Hospital. She retired in 1985 after 32 years of employment with the Veterans Administration Hospital in Indiana. She is survived by four sons, Michael (Eileen) Davis, Ronald Lee Davis, David Alan Davis, all of Indianapolis, and Steven (Judy) Davis, of Valparaiso, Indiana; one brother, Dr. Orville (Jean) MacAlpine; three grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by two brothers, John and Alden MacAlpine; one sister, Margaret Marie MacAlpine; and two stepsisters, Helen Miller and Tesla Marybell. A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 29, 2007, at the MacAlpine Funeral Home in Bad Axe. Burial will be at McTaggert Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Thursday. Ella Mae Horn Ella Mae Horn, 91, of Caseville, passed away Sunday, March 25, 2007, at Courtney Manor in Bad Axe. She was born in Caseville on August 29, 1915, daughter of the late Vernon J. and Chloe L. (Reed) Wilson. She graduated from high school in Detroit. She was married to Herbert Blackburn. She was later married to Gary Horn. Ella retired from Michigan Sugar Company in Sebewaing. She loved ceramics and owned and operated a ceramics shop in Caseville. She also enjoyed reading, knitting, and crossword puzzles - anything to keep her hands and mind busy. She dearly loved her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She is survived by five children, Chris (Marty) Leipprandt, of Caseville, Carol Perkins, of Macomb, Earl (Jan) Blackburn, of Pinckney, Herb Blackburn, of Caseville, and Kenny Blackburn, of Georgia; 17 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; and sister, Betty Flory, of Seattle, Washington. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Norman Wilson and Robert Wilson; and a sister, Marie Wilson. A funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 28, 2007, at the Meyersieck-Bussema Funeral Home, Pigeon, with burial in Caseville Township Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the children's programs at Caseville United Methodist Church. Joseph F. Konkel Joseph F. Konkel, 82, of Bad Axe, passed away on Sunday, March 25, 2007, at the Bay Special Care Hospital in Bay City. He was born on October 1, 1924 in Detroit, son of the late John and Josephine (Obara) Konkel. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and enjoyed playing baseball and hunting. He is survived by three sisters, Dorothy Harris, of Bad Axe, Alfreda Gile, of Tennessee, and Julie Konkel; two brothers, Stanley (Norma) Konkel, of Detroit, Lawrence (Eileen) Konkel, of Cass City; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Mary Margaret Konkel and Joanne Konkel; one brother, Carl Konkel; and special friend, Carol Steinman. A funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Friday, March 30, 2007, at the Kaufman Funeral Home in Bad Axe. Burial will be in Our Lady of Lake Huron Catholic Cemetery in Harbor Beach with military honors. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at 2 p.m. on Friday at the Kaufman Funeral Home in Bad Axe. Mary Louise Kranz Mrs. Mary Louise "Mary Lou" Kranz, 69, of Harbor Beach, passed away Sunday, March 25, 2007, at Covenant Hospital in Saginaw after a long illness. Mary Lou was born on January 29, 1938 in Detroit to the late Tony and Aurelia (Vlad) Morano. She married Dennis Kranz on August 23, 1968 at St. John Baptist Church in Dearborn where they lived for 10 years before moving to Sherman Township in 1978. Mary Lou was a 1956 graduate of Roosevelt High School in Dearborn. She worked as a teletype operator for 15 years at Massey Ferguson in Detroit. Mary Lou enjoyed bowling for 10 years with the All Stars in Detroit. After moving to the Thumb, Mary Lou tended bar and was a hostess for the Franklin Inn, Harbor Lite, and Klumps Restaurant. She was a hospice volunteer in Huron County for several years. She enjoyed cooking and collecting cookbooks, entertaining, painting ceramics and playing cards with her friends and neighbors. Mary Lou is survived by her husband, Dennis Kranz, of Harbor Beach; two sisters, Diane Kroll and her husband, John, of Northville, Kristen Roggero and her husband, Ronald, of Howell; and several nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be at noon on Wednesday, March 28, 2007, at the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly. The Rev. Jerzy Dobosz, pastor of St. Anthony Catholic Church in Helena, will officiate. Burial will be in St. Anthony's Cemetery in Helena. Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday and from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at noon on Wednesday at the Zinger- Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly. Harriett Mae Sturm Harriett Mae (Williams) Sturm, 81, of Pigeon, passed away Sunday, March 25, 2007, at home. Harriett was born on November 12, 1925 into an accomplished farming family in Yorktown, Indiana. As a youth, Harriett attended the Friends Meeting House (now the Friends Memorial Church) in Muncie, where she began her lifelong enjoyment of church choirs as well as her married life. Harriett was active in local and national 4-H activities and the Friends Junior Leadership Conference; academically, she became a contestant in the Indiana State Mathematics and Indiana District Latin competitions as a sophomore in high school and, as a senior, she was a representative at the state Debaters' Conference. After graduating as salutatorian from Yorktown High School in 1943, she joined the Yorktown State Bank, where she became skilled in accounting and financial management. Harriett developed the habit of joining other bank employees in the vault at the noon hour learning, against her instincts, to dine on olives. In 1950, she met her future husband of 56 years, Wayne Sturm, of Pigeon, at a Rural Youth and Junior Farm Bureau event in Door County, Wisconsin. She married Wayne in 1951 and transplanted her farming roots to Huron County, where she flourished for the next 56 years. Her Hoosier background and family remained dear to her always. The integrity and knowledge that seeped into her fiber as a youth in Indiana served her exceptionally well over the next six decades in her meticulous accounting of the finances of the Sturm family farm and with the Pigeon Co-op Oil Company where she kept the books for 11 years. Harriett will be remembered by her friends and family as a tireless organizer and supporter of activities at the First United Methodist Church in Pigeon. She was not only a personal friend of fellow parishioners but also of many classic church hymns. In addition to her enthusiastic membership in the choir, she taught Sunday school and served as church secretary and was on a number of church committees. Unbeknownst to many, her shovel broke ground on the church's Fellowship Hall in 1961, and her hands polished the dishes of countless clueless guests at Community Men's Breakfasts over the years. She also belonged to the Port Huron District United Methodist Women, where she acted as treasurer. In addition to her church activities, Harriett was active in the Lucky 50 Farm Bureau Group, the McKinley Homemakers Club and the Town & Country Square Dance Club. Harriett's sisters, Garnet Showalter and Nancy Michel, together with her husband, Donald, paid a much-appreciated visit to Pigeon to visit Harriett in her last days. Harriett's parents, Claude and Carrie Williams, as well her sisters, Evelyn and Dorothy, predeceased her. Harriett's three children, Randall Sturm, Deborah Sturm, and Barbara Sonneborn, together with Harriett's beloved husband, Wayne, and other thoughtful family members and friends attended to Harriett's needs in her final days - with the kind, professional help and care of the wonderful staff of Heartland Hospice Services of Bad Axe. Three grandchildren, Martin and Jenny Sturm, children of Randall and Cheryl, and Emilie Pulver, daughter of Barbara, will miss their grandmother, as will Harriett's cat, Pusqitti and her granddog, Rufus. A funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 28, 2007, at the First United Methodist Church in Pigeon with the Rev. John Britt, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Grandlawn Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. today at Meyersieck-Bussema Funeral Home, Pigeon, and from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Wednesday at the church. The family will appreciate any charitable contributions made in Harriett's memory but have selected the following organizations, First United Methodist Church of Pigeon, Scheurer Hospital of Pigeon, the American Cancer Society, and a fund to be established for the support of local patients in hospice care and their families. The family would appreciate any written recollections and copies of photographs. Before the funeral, these may be directed to the First United Methodist Church or the Meyersieck-Bussema Funeral Home of Pigeon. After the funeral, they may later be sent to the family. Robert Zurek Robert Zurek, 79, of Bad Axe, passed away on Monday, March 26, 2007, at his home. He was born on February 19, 1928 in Detroit, son of the late Boniface and Phoebe (Lorkowski) Zurek. He married Jardine Depcinski on April 16, 1971. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. He is survived by his wife, Jardine, of Bad Axe; one son, Robin (Carol) Zurek, of Bad Axe; one stepson, David (Sherry) Mitchell, of Ubly; two stepdaughters, Paula Mitchell, of Bad Axe, Julie (Mike) Sutherland, of Bad Axe; one brother, Melvin (Jean) Zurek, of Harbor Beach; four sisters, Evelyn Kubacki, of Ubly, Phyllis (Marvin) Kociba, of Harbor Beach, Anna Mae (Gerald) Learman, of Filion, Margaret (Jim) Ritter, of Bad Axe; six grandchildren, Robert (Donna) Mitchell, Alaina Mitchell, Tonia (Chuck) Mosack, Tammy (Corey) Kalo, Adam Sutherland, and Amy Sutherland; two great granddaughters, Megan and Madison Mellendorf. He was preceded in death by one sister, Jeannette Guza. A funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 29, 2007, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bad Axe. Officiating will be Fr. James Carlson, pastor. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday and from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on Thursday at the Kaufman Funeral Home in Bad Axe. A scripture service will be offered at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Wednesday, March 28, 2007 Catherine A. Chapin Catherine A. Chapin, 54, went to be with the Lord at 9:34 a.m. on Sunday, March 25, 2007, in her residence. She was born September 25, 1952 in Huron County and moved to Marion, Indiana in 1963. She attended St. Paul School and graduated from Marion High School and Ivy Tech. She was an in-home care provider for Carey Industries. She loved to love her grandson and loved to play with him. She loved her animals, reading and gardening. She was a member of St. Paul Catholic Church. She is survived by her son, David L. (Sandy) Chapin, of Kokomo, Indiana; her parents, Donna and George R. Ruth, of Marion, Indiana; brothers, Dennis (Debbie) Ruth, of Marion, Indiana, and Edward (Donna) Ruth, of Lewisbury, Pennsylvania; sister, Lynette (Robert) Hocking, of Hull, England; and one grandson, Ethan Ryan Chapin. She was preceded in death by one brother, Paul W. Ruth; grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Mosseau and Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Ruth. A Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 31, 2007, at St. Paul Catholic Church, 1009 Kem Road, Marion, Indiana, with the Rev. Richard Weisenberger officiating. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday at the Owen-Weilert-Duncan Funeral Home, Marion Chapel, 2722 South Washington Street, Marion, Indiana. The rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. Online condolences can be left at www.owenweilertduncan.com. Margaret T. Forray Margaret T. Forray, 90, of Caseville, died Tuesday morning, March 27, 2007, at the Huron County Medical Care Facility, Bad Axe. She was born August 22, 1916 in Detroit to the late William and Anna Marie (Koebele) Schultz. On November 30, 1935, she was united in marriage to Joseph Forray in Detroit. They lived and raised their family in the Detroit area moving to Caseville after retiring in 1990. Margaret was an avid gardener, growing a large array of beautiful flowers. She also enjoyed quilting and crafts. She was a member of St. Roch Catholic Church and the Caseville Retirement Club. Surviving are two daughters, Leona (William) VanSteenkiste and Margaret (Nicholas) Kozak, both of Shelby Township; nine grandchildren, Kimberly Beil, Brian Kinn, William VanSteenkiste, Debra Byrd, Danielle Allard, Nicole Adler, Tamara Westlake, Lisa Kozak, and Paul Kozak; 14 great grandchildren; and her brother, James Dupuis, of Harper Woods. Preceding her in death was a daughter, Elizabeth; her brother, Alex; and her sister, Leona. A Funeral Mass will be conducted at 1 p.m. on Thursday, March 29, 2007, at St. Roch Catholic Church, Caseville. The Rev. Fr. Kenneth Yaroch, pastor, will officiate with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the time of the service on Thursday at the church. Memorials may be given to the Huron County Medical Care Activities Fund. Those unable to attend may sign the guest book at www.cfcCaseville.com. Anthony George Roth Anthony George Roth, 88, of Palms, passed away Tuesday, March 27, 2007, at the Bay Regional Medical Center in Bay City. Tony was born December 30, 1918 in Palms to the late George and Clara (Heilig) Roth. He married Edna Roggenbuck on June 5, 1946 at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Helena. Tony was a graduate of the Hunt Country School where he later became a member of the school board. He attended Minden City High School. Tony was a dairy farmer all his life and was a member of the Michigan Milk Producers Association. He was a master fixer and enjoyed working with his sons. Tony was a parishioner of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Palms where he was a member of the parish council for many years. He was an usher, choir member and former member of the Men's Club at St. Patrick's. He also worked many brunches and other church functions. He was a former member of the Ruth Knights of Columbus Council No. 3823. Tony loved to play cards and was the host of the Palms Euchre Group. He was a member of the Deckerville Senior Citizens. Tony is survived by his wife of 60 years, Edna; 13 children, Louise (Ray) Weber, of Minden City, Dr. Julie (Jim) Roth-Schwartz, of Lakewood, Colorado, Rhonda (Gary) Lang, of Littleton, Colorado, Dr. Elizabeth (Barry Segal) Roth, of Morrison, Colorado, Leslie (Margo) Roth, of Bad Axe, James (Vicki) Roth, of Bad Axe, Phil (Ellen) Roth, of Bad Axe, Joseph (Carol) Roth, of Minden City, Martin (Adrienne) Roth, of Greeley, Colorado, Dan (Muriel) Roth, of Pt. Ewen, New York, Christopher Roth, of Littleton, Colorado, Gregory Roth, of Thornton, Colorado, and John Roth, of Pt. Sanilac; 24 grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; two sisters, Emma Casstevens, of Pontiac, and Mary (Walter) Phare, of Port Huron; sister-in-law, Beatrice Roth, of Palms. Tony was preceded in death by one brother, Ray Roth; two sisters, Helen Franzel and Mabel (John) Roberts. A Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 30, 2007, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Palms. Sr. Mary Ann Ankoviak, pastoral administrator of St. Patrick's, and Rev. T.J. Fleming, pastor of Our Lady of Lake Huron Catholic Church in Harbor Beach, will officiate. Burial will be in the SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery in Ruth. Visitation will be from 6:30 to 9 p.m. today and from 2 to 9 p.m. on Thursday at Smigielski Funeral Home on Cass Avenue in Minden City, and from 10 to 11 a.m. on Friday at St. Patrick Church. There will be a parish vigil service at 6 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home by Sr. Mary Ann Ankoviak. Memorials are requested to go to Deckerville Hospital or St. Patrick Church in Palms. Thursday, March 29, 2007 Richard L. "Dick" Dast Richard L. "Dick" Dast, 82, of Pigeon, passed away Tuesday evening, March 27, 2007, at St. Mary's of Michigan. He was born May 17, 1924 in Bay Port, son of the late Carl and Alice (Jaster) Dast. He was a 1943 graduate of Bay Port High School. During World War II in 1944, he served in the European Theatre under General Patton in the 5th Infantry Division. He was wounded twice in the Battle of the Bulge and was awarded the Purple Heart, Gold Leaf Cluster and Bronze Star for action beyond the call of duty. On May 27, 1946, he was united in marriage to Marian Kleinschmidt Coyle of Plymouth. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in 2006. Richard worked for the Pigeon Post Office for 39 years. He was a former member of the Scenic Golf and Country Club and a past Lions Club member. For four years he served as mayor of the village of Pigeon and was a past library board member. He also was a faithful member of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church at Berne. He enjoyed all sports including baseball, football, bowling and golfing. Traveling with his wife, Marian, was a priority later in life, especially a trip to Europe revisiting World War II areas. Richard is survived by his wife, Marian; a son, Philip (Karen) Dast, of Sebewaing; two daughters, Patricia Picklo, of Howell, and Suzanne (George) Busse, of Mount Prospect, Illinois; seven grandchildren, Kevin (Amanda) Picklo, Graham Dast, Bryan Dast, Tricia (Steve) Johnson, Lora (Ken) Merley, Rochelle Taves. and Kendrick Taves; three stepgrandchildren, Brent, Emily and Andrew Busse; four great grandchildren; a brother, Robert (Mary) Dast; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Leon Dast. A funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 31, 2007, at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church at Berne with the Rev. James A. Gorsenger, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Mr. Dast's grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. on Friday at Meyersieck-Bussema Funeral Home, Pigeon, and at 10 a.m. on Saturday at the church. A veterans' tribute service will take place at 7 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to St. John's Lutheran Church, or the charity of the donor's choice. Friday, March 30, 2007 Maryann C. Karafa Maryann C. Karafa, of Port Austin and formerly of Rochester, owner and operator of Hiawatha Trailer Park, Oak Beach, put up a tough fight, but on Wednesday, March 28, 2007, was reunited with her beloved husband, the late Albert P. Karafa Jr.; parents, Phil and Anna Berezik; and dear nephew, Gerry Berezik. Maryann always will be remembered in the hearts of her children and grandchildren, Dennis, of Port Austin, Jolene and Charles, of Caseville, Paula and Michael Spencer, of Lake Orion, Michael Jr., of Portland, Oregon, Ana, of Chicago, Illinois, Allan Karafa, of Port Austin, Christopher, of Los Angeles, and Emma, of Rochester. She was the oldest and beloved sister of Phil and Elizabeth Berezik, of Balsam Grove, North Carolina, Gerry Berezik, of Iron River, Susan and Max Tomon, of Sterling Heights, Marlene and George D'Hulster, of Anchorville, and Robert Karafa, of Smiths Creek. She has left her handprints on all the hearts of her many nieces and nephews who affectionately called her "Auntie Mare." "Mare" also will be remembered by her loyal and long time friend, Gertie (Jerry) Borkowski, whose friendship began more than 65 years ago and her special neighbors, Jim and Debbie Roland, who kept a watchful eye over her. A Funeral Mass will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Monday, April 2, 2007, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Port Austin. Officiating will be the Rev. Robert Paré, pastor. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be conducted from 3 to 8 p.m. on Sunday at the Knoblock Funeral Home in Kinde and from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Monday at the church. A rosary will be conducted at 6 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home. Joseph L. Mosher Joseph L. Mosher, 60, of Gagetown, passed away Tuesday, March 27, 2007, suddenly at Hills and Dales General Hospital, Cass City. Joseph was born September 1, 1946 in Elmwood Township, the son of E. James and Joyce (Chisholm) Mosher. In August 1987, he married Nadine Conley. Joseph was a lifelong farmer and also worked as a mechanic. Joseph is survived by his wife, Nadine; his mother, Joyce Mosher, of Cass City; three brothers, Robert Mosher, of Lansing, James Mosher, of Rochester, and Gary (Janice) Mosher, of Texas. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Lori Ann Mosher in 1986; his father, E. James Mosher; and a sister, Geyle Mosher. Honoring Joseph's wishes, cremation has taken place. Arrangements are by the Thabet Funeral Home, Cass City. 1