HURON DAILY TRIBUNE, Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan Local obituaries for the week beginning February 6, 2005 Contributed 2005 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 represent- ative 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, February 6, 2005 Kathleen Hayes Kathleen Ann Hayes, 68, of Decker, passed away on Saturday, February 5, 2005, in St. Mary's Medical Center, Saginaw. She was born October 7, 1936 at home in Huron County to Gayer and Alma (Cramer) Gregor. She married Patrick J. Hayes on November 22, 1978 in Las Vegas, Nevada. He passed away on November 1, 1994. Kathleen graduated from Sebewaing High School. She attended a technical school for secretarial skills. She worked for Lufkin Rule as a secretary and she helped her parents on the family farm. Kathleen is survived by many cousins and other family members. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, February 7, 2005, in Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City, with the Rev. George Ward, of Cass City United Methodist Church, officiating. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, Sebewaing. Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Friends and family may share memories, prayers and stories with the family at www.kranzfuneralhome.com. Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association. Evelyn V. Maschke Evelyn V. Maschke, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, went to be with the Lord Friday, February 4, 2005, in the long term care unit of the Harbor Beach Community Hospital. Evelyn was 83 and lived in Port Hope. Born in Port Hope on March 6, 1921, she was the daughter of the late William and Zula (Eggert) Schave. On December 1, 1945, Evelyn and August (Bob) Maschke were united in marriage in Port Hope. She was a member of St. John Lutheran Church of Port Hope, the Ladies Aide, life member of the Am Vets Auxiliary Post No. 115 of Port Hope, Sewing Circle and former Sunday School teacher. She was a member of the Port Hope Retirees and was the tour organizer. Evelyn is survived by her husband, August (Bob) Maschke, of Port Hope; their children Diane Eichinger and her husband, Kurt, of Bay City, twin sons, Charles Maschke and his wife, Marsha, of Port Hope and August Maschke and his wife, Del, of Spring, Texas; grandchildren, Kurt, Jason (Gail), Jeremy (Sheila), Jonathan, Melissa, Richard (Kelly), Terri (Lisa), Kelly, Jeff (Eileen), Michael (Adrienna), Lora (Justin); 16 great- grandchildren; a brother, Walter Schave, of St. Clair Shores; a sister, Elaine Weiss, of Roseville. She was preceded in death by a brother, Edward Schave. Funeral services for Evelyn will be at 1 p.m. on Monday, February 7, 2005, in St. John Lutheran Church, Port Hope, with the Rev. Greg Eilers officiating. Burial will follow in the Marquardt Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. today in the Ramsey Funeral Home, Harbor Beach, and from noon until the time of service on Monday in the church. A White Clover Ceremony will take place at 7 tonight at the funeral home followed by a scripture service at 7:30 p.m. Laverne Purkhiser Laverne Purkhiser, 84, of Port Hope near Lighthouse Park, passed away at her home on Saturday, February 5, 2005, following an extended illness. Born in Louisville, Kentucky, on January 13, 1921, she was the daughter of the late Orville and Emma (Humphrey) Schardine. She was married to Robert Purkhiser and together they owned and operated the Purkhiser Rustic Cottages near Lighthouse Park from 1972 to 1989. Laverne was a gifted artist painting many pictures, and was a seamstress, enjoying making clothes. She was a wonderful, loving wife, mother and grandmother. She was a former member of the Order of Eastern Star and the BPW in Bluffton, Indiana. She is survived by her husband, Robert Purkhiser, of Port Hope; a son, Jay Purkhiser and his wife, Beth, of Auburn, Indiana; a daughter-in-law, Suzy Purkhiser, of Villeur Banne, France, and two grandchildren, Caitlin and Kelly. She was preceded in death by a son, Robert Purkhiser, in 1982. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, February 8, 2005, at the Ramsey Funeral Home in Harbor Beach with Karen Bouverette, chaplain for Heartland Hospice, officiating. Burial will be in the New River Cemetery, Huron City. Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. on Monday and from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home on Tuesday. Charlotte Vernon Charlotte Vernon, 91, of Harbor Beach, passed away on Thursday, February 3, 2005, in Marwood Manor Nursing Home in Port Huron following an extended illness. Charlotte was born on December 30, 1913 to the late Herman and Mathilde (Heyden) Winkel in Stolp, Germany. Charlotte then moved to the United States in 1923 at the age of 10. She and Jerry Vernon were united in marriage on September 30, 1930 in Harbor Beach. She worked at the Huron Milling Company, and at Harbor Beach Community Hospital for 15 years. Charlotte was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, a charter member of the Lutheran Laymens League, a member of the Lutheran Women Missionary League and Lutheran Ladies Auxiliary. She is survived by her daughters, Victoria Dornfeld and her husband, Herb, of Port Huron, Annette Shepard and her husband, Ted, of Troy, Phyllis Randolph, of Marysville; a son, Rudy Vernon and his wife, Sharon, of St. Clair; 15 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry; a brother, Werner Winkel; a sister, Hildegard Weichsler; her infant twin sister, Louise; infant son, Joseph; and her great-grandson, Nathan Hamilton. Funeral Services for Charlotte will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, February 7, 2005, at the Zion Lutheran Church of Harbor Beach with the Rev. Mark Girardin officiating. Burial will follow in Rock Falls Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. today in the Ramsey Funeral Home of Harbor Beach and from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Monday at the church. A scripture service will take place at 7 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home. Monday, February 7, 2005 Edward J. Blach Edward J. Blach, 80, of New Port Richey, Florida, died peacefully on Thursday, February 3, 2005, at the Marliere Hospice Center in New Port Richey, Florida. Edward, fifth son of the late John and Martha (Horetski) Blach, was born April 28, 1924 in Detroit. At age 4, Edward moved to Huron County and was raised by his maternal grandparents, Martin and Maggie (Peyok) Horetski on their Kinde-area farm. Mr. Blach, was a World War II, U.S. Navy Veteran. He served in the Pacific Theater. After his return from service, he was united in marriage on September 25, 1948 to Georgina M. Mousseau, daughter of the late Nelson and Arla (Chapdelaine) Mousseau, at St. Edwards Catholic Church in Kinde. He retired in 1987 as a construction sheet metal worker for Hayden Sweitzer, Sterling Heights, and they moved permanently to Florida where he was a member of American Legion Post 79 and Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church. Surviving are his wife of 56 years, Georgina; five sons, Timothy, of St. Clair, John, of Hazel Park, Michael, of Shelby Township, Edmund, of Braddyville, Iowa, James, of Warren; two daughters, Sally Blach, of Dryden, and Annette Blach-Moller of San Diego, California; seven grandchildren, Dana (Beaver), Nicole, Leonard, Joshua (Lucas), Ashley, Natalie (Moller), and Christian (Moller); three great-grandchildren, Steven (Lucas), Elijah (Lucas) and Robert. He was preceded by a daughter, Michelle. Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, February 10, 2005, at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, followed by interment with Honor Guard at Bushnell National Cemetery, in Bushnell, Florida. Memorials may be made to Hernando Pasco County Hospice, Florida. Gene Dwight Hay Gene Dwight Hay, 58, of Ubly, passed away on Saturday, February 5, 2005. Loving father of Bryan (Krista) Hay and Sheri (Jack) Beall. Dear grandfather of McKinnon, Kennedy, Keagan, Jillian, and Skylar. Also survived by his brother, Bob Yagle. Gene owned Gene's Barbershop in Warren for 30 years. Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, February 8, 2005, at the Potere-Modetz Funeral Home, 339 Walnut Boulevard., Rochester. Burial will take place in the spring at the Valley Cemetery in Ubly. Suggested memorials to the McCarty Cancer Foundation/Melanoma Research, 27387 Woodward Avenue, Berkley, Michigan 48072. Online guestbook is at www.modetzfuneralhome.com. Tuesday, February 8, 2005 – No obituaries reported Wednesday, February 9, 2005 Helen A. Breternitz Helen A. "Tobi" (Horny) Breternitz, 59, of Bay Port and formerly of Bay City, left this earth Monday evening, February 7, 2005, at Covenant Healthcare Harrison following a short battle with cancer. She went to meet her Lord Jesus Christ, and will be reunited with her parents, John and Augusta (Gregus) Horny; sisters, Agnes and Mary Ann (Horny) Fordos; and brother, Jimmy Horny. She was born September 28, 1945 in Saginaw. She had been employed by the U.S. Post Office in both Hemlock and Bay City as a rural mail carrier for 27 years before retiring in 2000. Tobi was a very active volunteer in the Bay City community; a member of St. Patrick's Parade Association; Fireworks Festival charter member; a lifetime member of the AmVets Post No. 22. Tobi was a host parent to over 97 foreign exchange students and was the first recipient of the Princess Wenona Award for volunteerism in 1985. She also was a life member of the Scotch Picnic Society in Fremont Township and she was Secretary of the Rose Island Association in Bay Port. Tobi made her mark on Bay City by serving as the 3rd Ward City Commissioner and running for mayor. She made a mark on our hearts and lives forever by loving and giving of herself continuously and unselfishly. Tobi is survived by the highlights of her life, her children, Troy Bushong and his wife, Carolyn, of Comstock Park; Tricia Rutherford and her husband, Scott, of Bay City; four precious grandchildren, Jarrod and Gabriel Bushong and Aaron and Trinity Rutherford; also her wonderful siblings and families, John "Sonny" and Sharon Horny, of Sebewaing, Virginia Siler, of Merrill, Barbara Lewandowski, of Bay City, Stephen James and Diana Horny, of Saginaw; RoseAnn and Larry Delemeester, of St. Charles, Patricia and Fred Hoewe, of Freeland, Betty and Mike McGee, of Sebewaing, Joan Duran, Robert Horny and Don Horny, all of Hemlock; hundreds of nieces and nephews and thousands of neighbors and friends. Tobi left these parting words: "If I have touched your life in any way and you have touched mine by loving me back, than I have completed the circle of life, and I thank you. I love you all and am waiting until we meet again." A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11 a.m. on Friday, February 11, 2005, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Sebewaing. Fr. John Weis and Fr. Jim Bessert will officiate with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m. today and 1 to 9 p.m. on Thursday at the Dinkel-Juengel Funeral Home in Sebewaing. She will lie in state from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Friday at the church. Jacqueline Garcia Jacqueline Mary (Kautz) Garcia, 56, of Denver, Colorado, passed away January 28, 2005. Jackie was born on February 4, 1948 to the late Carl Kautz and June Kautz. She was employed by J. Walter Thompson in Denver as an officer and broadcast production manager. She is survived by her son, John Carlos Garcia III, who is a fourth-year business economics major at the University of California-Davis. She is also survived by her mother, June Kautz, of Caro; and seven brothers and sisters, Joan Blake and her husband, Jack, of Pt. Pleasant, New Jersey, Joyce Higgins and her husband, Gene, of Prosperity, South Carolina, Judy Shannon and her husband, Ed, of Schaumburg, Illinois, Jeanie McGee and her husband, Pat, of Caro, Jim Kautz and his wife, Felicia, of High Shoals, Georgia, Jerry Kautz, of Athens, Georgia, Jayne Yount and her husband, Mark, of Bartlett, Illinois; and many nieces and nephews. A memorial Mass was conducted at St. Cajetan Catholic Church in Denver, Colorado, on Friday, February 4, 2005. Memorials may be made to the Jacqueline M. Garcia Fund at Rocky Mountain Law Enforcement Federal Credit Union, 700 W. 39th Avenue, Denver, Colorado 80216. Peter Guster Peter Guster, 80, of Caseville, died Tuesday, February 8, 2005, at Huron Medical Care Facility in Bad Axe of pneumonia. Peter was born February 13, 1924 in Chicago to the late Joseph and Elizabeth (Steinbach) Guster. He grew up in Caseville. He then entered the U.S. Navy during World War II serving in the South Pacific. After the war, he returned to Caseville and married Elaine Bolzman on August 20, 1949 in Bach. In 1952, they moved to California where Peter worked at the George Air Force Base in Adelanto as a carpenter, retiring in 1972. While in Adelanto, he was a life member of the American Legion and the Assistant Fire Chief of the fire department. In 1973, they moved to Reno, and then in 1983, they returned to Caseville. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, and carpentry. He was a member of the Caseville Eagles, Sebewaing VFW, and Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Peter is survived by his wife, Elaine; daughter, Cheryl Hollander and her husband, Ron, of Omaha, Nebraska; granddaughters, Cherie Kitson and her husband, Mark, of Omaha, Stephanie Acamo and her husband, John, of Bellevue, Nebraska, Destiny Limberger and her husband, Donald, of Bad Axe, and Crystal Powell and her husband, Timothy, of Caseville; great-grandchildren, Caitlin, Colin, Johnny, Patrick, Nicole, Eddie, Danielle, Brett, Zack, Denise, Madison, Aleiqha, and Dylon; and a brother, John Guster and his wife, Betty, of Caseville. He was preceded in death by his son, Glenn, in 1978. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, February 11, 2005, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Caseville, with Pastor Jim Nihiser officiating. Burial with military honors will be at the Caseville Township Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. on Thursday at the Champagne Funeral Chapel, Caseville. He will lie in state from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Friday at the church. Memorials may be made to Heartland Hospice. Condolences may be shared online at www.cfcCaseville.com. Thursday, February 10, 2005 Mildred Mary Sabo Mildred Mary Sabo, 84, of Deford, passed away suddenly Tuesday afternoon, February 8, 2005, while baking cookies in her home of 59 years. Mary was born a twin on February 7, 1921 in Belmont to Walter and Beulah (Lynch) Schultz. Her father died when she was 8 and with her mother and eight siblings, she moved to Traverse City where Mary graduated from St. Francis High School in 1939. She worked her way through high school, later working in Pontiac and Bloomfield Hills. She lived and worked in Cleveland, Ohio during World War II where she met and married Louis Sabo, Jr., on July 4, 1945. They moved to Deford in 1946 where they raised eight children and cared for her aged in-laws. Louis preceded her in death on December 13, 1981. Mary and her sons continued farming and she worked at Highland Pines in Caro and Colony House near Cass City. Mary was an active member of St. Michael's Catholic Church, Wilmont, where she served many years on the Parish Council, as President of the Ladies Alter Society, as Chair of the Funeral Breakfast Committee and Catechism teacher. Mary loved to read and to sew. She enjoyed cooking, baking, gardening, and writing stories about her youth. She especially enjoyed Sunday dinners with her children and grandchildren and spending time with her many close friends in the area. Her memory will be cherished by her children, Delores Sabo, of Deford; Mary Ann Pohlod and her husband, Roger, of Deford, Vera Bouck and her husband, Roger, of Cass City, Luella Krug and her husband, John, of Deford, Louis Sabo and his wife, Rochelle, of Marlette, Madelene Parker and her husband, Bill, of Caro, Michael Sabo and his wife, Jenny, of Fairgrove, and Thomas Sabo and his wife, Michelle, of Deford and daughter-in-law, Sherry Kish, of Cass City. She will be sadly missed by 28 grandchildren and seven great- grandchildren, Nicholas (Michele) Pohlod and Kelsey; Damian, Adrian and Andrea Pohlod; Victor (Shelli) Pohlod, Katie and Bradley; Patricia (Robert) Widger and Emma; Ronald Bouck and his friend, Sandi, and Jordan; Nathan Bouck and his friend, Rachel; Zachary and Jesse Bouck; Mary Ann (James) Vanderhieden, James and Devin; Effie, Luke and Rose Krug; Allison and Ryan Sabo; Gavin Parker; Janet, Michael, and Timothy Sabo; Tara, Sara, Samantha, Tom and Darrin Sabo and Brandy and Steven Rychlewski. She is remembered lovingly by her many friends, former co-workers, classmates and the community at St. Michael's. She is survived by three sisters-in-law; two brother-in-laws and many loving nieces and nephews. Mary's siblings, Daniel, John, Robert, Bernard, James (her twin), Margaret, Gertrude and Francis all preceded her in death. A Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 12, 2005, at St. Michael's Catholic Church, Wilmont. Internment at St. Michael Cemetery. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. today and from 1 to 9 p.m. on Friday at Marsh Funeral Chapel, Marlette. A scripture service will be at 7 p.m. on Friday at the funeral chapel. Memorials may be made to the Family Discretionary Fund. Friday, February 11, 2005 Geraldine McNamara Holdship Geraldine McNamara Holdship, 92, of Ubly, passed away Thursday, February 10, 2005, at Sunny Acres Nursing Center in Bad Axe. She was born on December 12, 1912 in Palms to the late Michael McNamara and Elizabeth (Duggan) McNamara. She married Keith Holdship on June 21, 1940 at St. John's in Ubly. She was preceded in death by her husband on July 7, 2001. Geraldine was a graduate of Ubly High School and worked for Bell Telephone Company following graduation. She was a member of St. John Catholic Church of Ubly and St. John Christian Mothers. She enjoyed visiting with family and friends and had a special devotion to the church and our Lord. She is survived by two sons, Michael and his wife, Carolyn, of Cadillac, Richard and his wife, Richelle, of Ubly; two daughters, Jean Beltz, of Clinton Township, Patricia Thrune and her husband, Chuck, of Midland; five grandchildren, Brooke Garber, David Beltz, Mark Holdship and his wife, Patti, Dr. Matthew Holdship, DDS, MD, and Lisa Chumbler and her husband, Dan; three step-grandchildren, Danielle and Christopher Cook and his wife, Melissa, Leigh Oistad and his wife, Dawn; six great-grandchildren, Isabel and Jonah Garber, Michael and Holly Holdship, Chloe and Olivia Chumbler; two step-great-grandchildren, Wyatt and Haley Oistad; one sister, Marjorie Ruthig, of Sterling Heights; and one sister-in-law, Dian Holdship, of Bad Axe. She was preceded in death by her husband, Keith Holdship; two sisters, Catherine Mills and Mary Krug; and one brother, Joe McNamara. A Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, February 14, 2005, at St. John's Catholic Church of Ubly. The Rev. Steve Filion will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery. There will be a rosary at 3 p.m. by the St. John's Christian Mothers of St. John Church and a vigil service for Geraldine at 7 p.m. on Sunday evening. Both services will be at the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home of Ubly. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. on Sunday and from 9 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. on Monday at the funeral home. Memorials are requested to go to the St. John's Evangelist Building Fund. Mary Anna Nitz Mary Anna Nitz, 89, of Harbor Beach, passed away Thursday, February 10, 2005, in the Harbor Beach Community Hospital Long Term Care Unit. Mary was born on March 17, 1915 in Harbor Beach to the late Fred and Lena (Glabba) Lacey. She and Walter Nitz were united in holy matrimony on June 6, 1933 in Harbor Beach. He preceded her in death on September 28, 1968. Mary was a member of Our Lady of Lake Huron Catholic Church, and a former member of the Farm Bureau and Extension. She enjoyed playing cards, gardening, knitting, quilting, sewing, and crocheting. Surviving are her children, Margaret Hessling and her husband, Clarence, of Livonia, Marian O'Parka and her husband, Leo, of Harbor Beach, Marie Nitz, of Sacramento, California, Marilyn Stacer, of Bad Axe, and Marvin Nitz, of Harbor Beach; 17 grandchildren, Barb Hazelton and her husband, Bruce, Steve Hessling, Connie Harper and her husband, Milton, Bruce Hessling and his wife, Mary Ann, Lisa Niessen and her husband, Marcus, Janice Hertzog and her husband, Scott, Lynn Rae Sample and her husband, Ken, Allison Rice and her husband, Ron, Carrie Dekoski and her husband, Kurt, Kevin Nitz, Denise Buckley and her husband, Sam, Dean Stacer, Andrew Stacer, Erin Stacer, Jessica Nitz, Joseph Nitz, Justin Nitz; 13 great-grandchildren, Seth and Evan Harper, Nathan, Alex, and Brendan Hessling, Briana, Deborah, and Katie Niessen, Cherromyne Barfield, Erica Carter, Louis Hertzog, Nicole and Kelly Rice; and two great-great-grandchildren, Seth and Jubliee Barfield; two sisters-in-law, Harriett Leese, of Yale, and Eleanore Lockhart, of Santa Cruz, California. She was preceded in death by six brothers, Walter, George, Harold, Fred, Otto, and Herman Lacey; and four sisters, Emma Kretchman, Elma Choppa, Dora Marchenske, Lena Frantz. A Funeral Mass will be at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, February 14, 2005, in Our Lady of Lake Huron Catholic Church in Harbor Beach with Fr. Charlie Hammond officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. A parish vigil service will be at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday in the Ramsey Funeral Home, Harbor Beach, where visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, from 1 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Sunday, and from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Monday at the church. Elmer Grifka Elmer Grifka, 55, of Argyle, passed away Thursday, February 10, 2005, at the United Hospice Residence in Marlette. A complete obituary will be in Sunday's Huron Daily Tribune. Arrangements are being handled by the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home. Mildred M. Kraft Mildred M. Kraft, 88, of Pigeon and formerly of Escanaba and Flat Rock, died Friday, February 11, 2005, at her home at Country Bay Village in Pigeon. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. on Sunday, February 13, 2005, at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Berne. Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. on Saturday at the Meyersieck-Bussema Funeral Home, Pigeon. A complete notice will appear in Sunday's Huron Daily Tribune. 1