HURON DAILY TRIBUNE, Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan Local obituaries for the week beginning January 28, 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 28, 2007 – No obituaries reported Monday, January 29, 2007 Stella P. Ballagh Mrs. Stella P. Ballagh, 84, of Sheridan Corners, passed away suddenly Saturday, January 27, 2007, at the Huron Medical Center in Bad Axe. Stella was born October 30, 1922 in Shamokin, Pennsylvania to the late William and Pauline (Derlon) Gryskiewicz. She married James T. Ballagh on December 14, 1941 in Ohio. Stella was a graduate of Cass City High School. She worked at Brown's Department Store in Bad Axe and was a salesperson at Buckley Shoes in Bad Axe for over 20 years before retiring. She was a parishioner at St. Columbkille Catholic Church in Sheridan Corners since 1941. She was a former member of the St. Columbkille Christian Mothers and choir. She was a member of a card club. She enjoyed euchre, dancing, decorating and restoring furniture. Stella is survived by her husband, James, of Ubly; her children, William Ballagh and his wife, Dianne, of Dexter, James Ballagh and his wife, Cheryl, of Oxford, Kathleen Milligan and her husband, Alan, of Cass City, Marilou Barszczowski and her husband, Thomas, of Dearborn, David Ballagh and his significant other, Colleen Mouton, of Sheridan; seven grandchildren; three great grandchildren; three sisters, Florence Bruniski, of Shamokin, Pennsylvania, Rita Siedl and her husband, Earl, of Shamokin, Pennsylvania, and Valerie Cahil, of Glendora, New Jersey. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Flory and John Gryskiewicz; seven sisters, Anna, Eleanor, Agnes, Mary, Helen, Frances and Rosemary. A Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, January 31, 2007, at St. Columbkille Catholic Church in Sheridan Corners. The Rev. Joseph Griffin, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery in the spring. Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday at the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly and from 10 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday at the church. There will be a parish vigil service at 8 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home. Frances M. Bartnik Mrs. Frances M. Bartnik, 80, of Pontiac, passed away Thursday, January 25, 2007, at Pontiac Osteopathic Hospital. Frances was born on November 1, 1926 in Bad Axe to the late John and Lottie (Stachura) Janik. She married Chester Bartnik on June 17, 1950 at St. Columbkille Catholic Church of Sheridan Corners. Frances was a graduate of a country school. She moved to Pontiac and has resided there for the past 57 years. She was a parishioner at St. Michael Catholic Church in Pontiac. She enjoyed gardening, canning and visiting with her family and friends. Frances is survived by her husband, Chester Bartnik Sr., of Pontiac; her children, Helen Cunningham and her husband, Dale, of Ortonville, Chester Bartnik Jr. and his wife, Kathleen, of Waterford, Peter Bartnik and his wife, Cathy, of Imlay City, Lottie Hodges and her husband, Courtney, of Goodrich, Mary Muenz and her husband, Douglas, of Prescott; daughter-in-law, Linda Bartnik, of Oxford; 16 grandchildren; three great grandchildren; brothers and sisters, Mary Gucwa, Frank Janik, Helen Storckle and her husband, Walter, Peter Janik, Henry Janik and his wife, Nancy, all of Bad Axe. She was preceded in death by her son, Walter Bartnik; and two brothers, John and Joe Janik. A Funeral Mass will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, January 30, 2007, at St. Columbkille Catholic Church of Sheridan Corners. The Rev. Joseph Griffin, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery in the spring. Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. today at Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly, and from 10 to 11 a.m. on Tuesday at the church. David H. "Bud" Diebel Sr David H. "Bud" Diebel Sr., 78, of Elkton, passed away Wednesday, January 24, 2007, in Tampa, Florida. He was born October 15, 1928 in Elkton to the late Henry and Viola (Rothfuss) Diebel. He married Jacqueline Cliff on December 2, 1950. Bud served in the U.S. Air Force from 1948 to 1950. He was a truck driver at Michigan Lumber Fabricators and Vollmer Ready Mix until his retirement. Bud enjoyed driving his cement truck, camping with his family especially where he could watch the ships pass by, and coffee hour at the Lunch Bucket. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Jacqueline; six children, Connie (Paul) Tomhave, of Spring Lake, Debbie (Curt) Apley, of Bad Axe, Randy (Jean) Diebel, of Gagetown, Cindy (Wayne) Ogden, of Montigue, Jay (Patty) Diebel, of Pigeon, and Kim Blackstock of Flint; 22 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; sisters and brothers, Mildred Dietzel, of Pigeon, Doris (Bill) Webb, of Florida, Annabelle Ort, of Brighton, Ruth Heckroth, of Caseville, Jerry Diebel (Sharon), of Owendale; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a son, David H. "George" Diebel Jr.; sisters and brothers, Arlene, Mary, Jean, Clayton, William and Leland. A memorial service will take place at a later date. Kenneth E. "Red" Kohl Kenneth E. "Red" Kohl, 87, of Whittemore and formerly of Bay Port, passed away Friday, January 26, 2007. He was born April 9, 1919 in Bay Port, son of the late Henry and Fannie (Steckley) Kohl. He graduated from the Quarry School. On March 28, 1943, he was united in marriage to Ruth V. Conger in Bay Port. She preceded him in death on January 2, 1981. Mr. Kohl worked as a manager for Agrico Fertilizer Company in Pigeon for many years retiring in the early 1980s. He enjoyed yard work, gardening and visiting with family and friends, especially his grandchildren. He liked polka music, playing cards, deer hunting and traveling to northern Michigan. More recently, he enjoyed visiting the trailer near Pigeon. He was a member of the Community of Christ in Bay Port. His survivors include two daughters, Ruth Ann (George "Pat") Kelly, of Clarkston, and Kathy (Clare) Swartzendruber, of Bay Port; five grandchildren, Thomas Kelly and his special friend, Nancy, Stacie and Arick Schweitzer, Timothy and Tracey Kelly, Jeffrey and Tiffany Swartzendruber and Shawn and Laura Swartzendruber; two great grandchildren, Tristan Kelly and Thomas Kelly Jr.; four sisters, Vera Deering, of Cass City, Stella Arthur, of Texas, Dorothy (Bill) Roe, of Pigeon, and Florence (Ernest) Haag, of Flint; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by five brothers, Roland, Bob, Floyd, Walt and Henry; and two sisters, Helen and Goldie. A funeral service will be conducted at 1 p.m. on Monday, January 29, 2007, at the Bay Port Community of Christ, with Elder Ervin Haley and Elder Terry Brown officiating. Memorials may be directed to the Bay Port Community of Christ. Meyersieck-Bussema Funeral Home, Pigeon, conducted the arrangements. Tuesday, January 30, 2007 – No obituaries reported Wednesday, January 31, 2007 – No obituaries reported Thursday, February 1, 2007 Olivia Jane Hutchinson Olivia Jane Hutchinson, 98, of Cass City, died peacefully Tuesday, January 30, 2007, in Tendercare Nursing Facility. She was born October 7, 1908 in AuSable to Arthur and Florence (Rothfuss) McClure. She married William Henry Hutchinson on October 16, 1953 in the Lutheran Church Parsonage, Caro. He died February 29, 1968. Olive worked as the secretary to the Superintendent of Schools for the Atherton School District in Flint. She taught Bible study class in her home for 15 years. Olive was an Avon lady since 1969. Olive is survived by her daughters-in-law, Mickey Dann, of Burton, Dora Lee Dann, of Grayling; grandchildren, George (Connie) Dann, of Flint, Marquita Banks, of Burton; 4 great granddaughters; 9 great great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her sons, Robert Dann, Joseph Dann; and a brother, Kilburn McClure. A funeral service will be conducted at 1 p.m. on Friday, February 2, 2007, in Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City, with Pastor David Mercer, of Deford Community Church, officiating. Interment will be in Elkland Township Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Deford Community Church or to the Deford Christian Academy. Family and friends may share memories, prayers, and stories with the family at www.kranzfuneralhome.com. Thomas A. Kolar Thomas A. Kolar, 89, of Grand Blanc and formerly of Cass City, passed away Tuesday, January 30, 2007, at the Genesys Regional Medical Center in Grand Blanc. Thomas was born May 9, 1917 in Tyre to the late Alexander and Mary (Wojciechowska) Kolar. He married Marion M. Lang on January 24, 1942 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Palms. She preceded him in death on March 24, 2000. Thomas was a graduate of the Cumber Country School. He worked as a road construction supervisor for Denton Construction of Grosse Pointe Woods from 1947 until he retired in 1979, working on local, state and national roads. Thomas was a lifelong parishioner at St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Freiburg where he was an altar server. He enjoyed furniture restoration, woodworking, euchre, dancing, gardening, creating Christmas decorations, and hunting and trapping in his younger days. Thomas is survived by his three daughters, Mierial Gage and her husband, James, of Goodrich, Elizabeth Robinson and her husband, Lee, of Fife Lake, Christine Slezak and her husband, Bruce, of Harrison Township; seven grandchildren, Tom Gage and his wife, Traci, of Goodrich, Clint Gage and his wife, Michelle, of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Kristen Cambas and her husband, Edward, of Pembroke Pines, Florida, Heather Proctor and her husband, Paul, of Rocky Mountain, North Carolina, Aliceson Robinson, of London, England, Kenneth Slezak, of Northern Michigan University, and Scott Slezak, of Harrison Township; eight great grandchildren, Leah, Coller, Haylee, Gracin, Max, James, Elliana and Sam; three sisters-in-law, Pearl Lang, of Westland, Maxine Lang, of Mendon, and Helen Oswald, of Essexville; one brother-in- law, Donald Lang and his wife, Marie, of Palms. He was preceded in death by one daughter, Mary; and 12 brothers and sisters. A Funeral Mass will be at 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 3, 2007, at St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Freiburg. The Rev. Joseph Griffin, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery in the spring. Visitation will be from 1:30 to 9 p.m. on Friday at Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly and from noon to 1 p.m. on Saturday at the church. George John Lemanski George John Lemanski, 88, of Bad Axe, passed away Sunday, January 28, 2007, at Courtney Manor of Bad Axe. George was born February 1, 1918 in Rapson to the late Ignatz and Anna (Kucharczyk) Lemanski. He married Evelyn Lemanski Glaza on November 25, 1972 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Parisville. She preceded him in death on April 17, 1981. George was a 1933 graduate of the Lincoln Country School in Rapson. He farmed for most of his life with his family. George farmed in the Rapson and Kinde area. He also farmed in Lincoln Township until 1994 when he moved to Bad Axe. George was employed at Active (Tower) Industries for 13 years before retiring in 1983. He was a former parishioner at St. Mary's in Dwight and St. Joseph's in Rapson. He was a parishioner at Sacred Heart in Bad Axe for the last ten years. George enjoyed playing cards, tending to his home and yard and spending time with his family. He is survived by his step-daughters, MaryAnn Wrubel and her husband, Kenneth, of Parisville, Rita Osentoski and her husband, James, of Ubly, Lorraine Barnes and her husband, James, of Imlay City; one stepson, Ronald Lemanski and his wife, Linda, of Mauldin, South Carolina; 12 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; nephews, Steve Majeski and his wife, Gloria, Ernie Majeski and his wife, Audrey, Elmer Majeski and his friend, Dorothy, Tony Majeski an his wife, Pat, Leonard Majeski and his wife, Dorothy, Harold Majeski and his wife, Mary Ellen; one niece, Rita Champagne and her husband, Lee; several great nieces and nephews; and caregiver, Linda English. George was preceded in death by two brothers, Clarence and Lee Lemanski; two sisters, Connie Majeski and Sophia Respondek; one stepson, Dennis Lemanski; one stepdaughter, Arlene Schultz; two step- grandsons, Marvin Wrubel and Kevin Osentoski; one nephew, Lawrence (Betty) Respondek; and two nieces, Helen (Edward) Tono and Irene (Sylvester) Watchowski. The Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 3, 2007, at Scared Heart Catholic Church in Bad Axe. The Rev. John Weis, of Holy Family Church in Sebewaing, will officiate. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery in Rapson in the spring. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on Saturday at the church only. Memorials may be made to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Arrangements are being handled by the Zinger- Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly. Eugene Wyman Eugene Wyman, 52, of Troy and formerly of Caro and Cass City, passed away unexpectedly Sunday, January 21, 2007, at his home in Troy. He was born March 26, 1954 in Bay Port, the son of Charles Eugene and Frances (Ballard) Wyman and was raised by his beloved grandparents, Raymond and Stella Wyman. Eugene's life's work and passion involved working with flowers and helping people. He was employed with floral shops in Saginaw, Bay City, Cass City, Birmingham and owned floral shops in Caro and Mayville. He was a member of Community of Christ Church in Bay Port. Eugene will be remembered as a family man that loved any activity that involved his children and grandchildren. He had a love for animals and enjoyed playing the organ, gardening and traveling. Eugene is survived by two daughters, Stacy Wyman and Tricia Wyman, both of Caro; his friend and former wife, Nancy (Bragg) Lowe, of Snover; two grandchildren, Aradia and Taylor Bristol, of Caro; his mother, Frances Wyman, of Bad Axe; two halfsisters, Sheryl and John Kuhl, of Bay Port, and Sally and Darrell Rievert, of Sebewaing. Eugene was preceded in death by his father, Charles Wyman; and a half brother, Lynn Herman. A memorial service will take place at 2 p.m. on Saturday, February 3, 2007, at the Community of Christ Church in Bay Port. In accordance with Eugene's wishes, cremation has taken place. Visitation will be at the time of the service on Saturday at the church. Memorials may be made to the Eugene C. Wyman Family Discretionary Fund or Cass River Pet FriendZ. The family was assisted with these arrangements by the Ransford Funeral Home in Caro. Friends may share memories, thoughts and prayers online at www.ransfordfuneralhome.com. Friday, February 2, 2007 Elsie Caroline Augusta Kern Elsie Caroline Augusta Kern, 92, of Bay Port, died Thursday, February 1, 2007, at Scheurer Hospital in Pigeon. She was born in Enid, Oklahoma on September 24, 1914, daughter of Karl and Marie (Fischhaber) Kuck. She was baptized November 1, 1914 at Evangelical Lutheran Church at Glenella, Garfield Township, by Pastor A.C. Traugott, and was confirmed by The Rev. O. Rupprecht on May 27, 1928 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Reese. She graduated from Reese High School in 1933. On September 26, 1937, she married Clarence A. Kern at Trinity Lutheran Church in Reese. He preceded her in death on October 13, 1969. Elsie was a homemaker all her life and helped her husband on the farm. After their marriage, she joined St. Michael Lutheran Church in Richville. In 1958, the family moved to the Bay Port area and became members of St. John's Lutheran Church, Kilmanagh, where Elsie was an active member of the church, serving as Sunday School teacher for 18 years, a member of the Ladies Aid, the Lutheran Women's Missionary League and the Lutheran Child and Family Auxiliary. She conducted offices in each of these societies. She also was on the Board of Lutheran Child and Family Auxiliary of the Michigan District for 25 years. She served as Christian Growth chairman for the Thumb Zone Lutheran Women's Missionary League and was a member of the Widows’ Club. Elsie started the church greeters and was actively involved as a greeter for many years. In her community, Elsie served on the board for the United Way, was a volunteer for the Huron County Mental Health, and was a crusader chairman for the Winsor Township American Cancer Society for 30 years. Elsie enjoyed visiting and mailing cards to the shut-ins, the ill, the grieving or those celebrating important milestones in their lives. She enjoyed hosting family gatherings at her farmhouse. She is survived by three sons and their spouses, Richard and Sharon, of Bay Port, Dale and Marcia, of Stryker, Ohio, and Dennis and Joan, of St. Joseph; 11 grandchildren, Kimberly, Kent (Heidi), Kurt, Karl, Matthew (Claire), Andrew (Christina) Kern, Julie (Eric) Patterson, Nicole (Mark) Hindenberger, Timothy, Christopher and Eric Kern; 13 great grandchildren, Jamie, Ashley, Breanna, Tiffany, Katelyn, Victoria, Lauren, Leah, Joel, Lucas, Reese, Alexander and Brady; a brother, Clarence (Pat) Kuck; a sister, Emily Krause; many nieces and nephews; brothers-in-law, Ralph (JoJane) Kern, Reuben (Leona) Miller and Jack Hill; and sister-in-law, Alice Kern. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her son, Donald Kern, in 1958; a brother, Arthur (Magda) Kuck; sisters, Alice Kuck, Selma (John) Sahr, Celia (Herbert) Rodammer, Helen (Reuben) Rohloff, Eleanor Kuck, Rosie (Carl) Nurminger, and Carl Krause. A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, February 5, 2007, at St. John's Lutheran Church, Kilmanagh, with burial in the church cemetery in Sebewaing. Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. on Sunday at Meyersieck-Bussema Funeral Home, Pigeon, and at 9:30 a.m. on Monday at St. John's Lutheran Church in Kilmanagh. Memorial donations may be made to the St. John's Organ Fund or the charity of the donor's choice. Paul C. Meinhold Paul C. Meinhold, 53, of Bad Axe, passed away Friday, February 2, 2007, in Huntsville, Alabama following an extended illness. A complete obituary will be published in Monday's edition of the Huron Daily Tribune. Arrangements are being handled by the Kaufman Funeral Home in Bad Axe. 7