HURON DAILY TRIBUNE, Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan Local obituaries for the week beginning March 2, 2003 Contributed 2003 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 2, 2003 Larry Abke Larry L. Abke, 60, of Unionville, died unexpectedly on Friday, Feb. 28, 2003, at Hurley Medical Center in Flint. He was born Oct. 29, 1942 in Unionville, son of Martha A. (Wiehl) Abke and the late Cecil V. Abke. Larry was a 1961 graduate of Sebewaing High School. He then attended Michigan State University in East Lansing. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. Larry had been employed with Car Quest for the past 32 years working in Bay City and later had been manager in Vassar, Millington, and for the past two years in Sebewaing. He enjoyed tinkering with cars and his tractors. Surviving are two daughters and their spouses: Tonya M. and Kevin Cook of Lapeer, Tracy L. and Leroy Boesch II, of Bay Port; four grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Tommy, Jacob and Cody; also his mother, Martha Abke, of Unionville; one sister, Marcia Hoffman and her husband, Elmer, of Cass City; one brother, Richard Abke of Unionville; one niece, three nephews and seven great-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father; and one granddaughter, Haley Boesch. The funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 4, 2003 at the Dinkel-Juengel Funeral Home in Sebewaing. The Rev. Kim Lewis of the First Baptist Church in Essexville will officiate with burial in the Columbia Township Cemetery near Unionville. Visitation will be from noon until 9 p.m. on Monday and from 9 a.m. until the time of service on Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Family Discretionary Fund. Valerie Gutierrez Valerie Gutierrez, 53, of Lafayette, Colo., passed away on Monday, Feb. 24, 2003, of heart failure. She was born in Pigeon on Nov. 2, 1949, the daughter of Fred and Lola (Brown) Morin. On Nov. 23, 1990, she married Mark Gutierrez in Boulder, Colo. Valerie attended Ferris State University in Big Rapids. She worked as a cashier at Boulder Community Hospital for 15 years. She enjoyed gardening and cooking, and she was very active as a volunteer at Lafayette Elementary School and the Boulder Humane Society of Boulder Valley. Valerie is survived by her husband, Mark, of Lafayette, Colo.; a son, Kyle Gutierrez of Layfayette, Colo.; her parents, Fred and Lola Morin of Bad Axe; two sisters, Kathy Morin of Greeley, Colo., and Diane Morin of Ortonville; her father-in-law, Robert E. Gutierrez of Boulder, Colo. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Larry and Dennis Morin. Funeral services for Valerie took place on Saturday, March 1, 2003, at the Crist Mortuary in Boulder, Colo. Memorials may be made in Valerie's name to Kyle's College Fund in care of Mark Gutierrez at 200 W. Cannon St., Lafayette, Colo., 80026. Frank Karle Sr. Frank Karle, Sr., 78, of Pigeon, passed away Thursday, Feb. 27, 2003, at the Huron County Medical Care Facility, Bad Axe. He was born in Pikeville, Ky. on Jan. 31, 1925, the son of the late Martin and Frances (Reyer) Karle. On Nov. 11, 1950, he was united in marriage to Delores M. Maxwell at the St. Frances Borgia Rectory in Pigeon. She preceded him in death on May 12, 1998. Mr. Karle drove a milk truck and delivered milk before he worked for Pigeon Manufacturing as a truck driver for 36 years. He retired in 1988. He was a member of the St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church, where he was also baptized. He enjoyed fishing and loved being with his family and friends. He is survived by two daughters, Annamarie Murray and her husband, Errol, of Bay Port and Betty Hoover and her husband, Joseph, of Caseville; a son, Frank Karle Jr. and his wife, Odile, of Unionville; nine grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; a sister, Elizabeth McCloud and her husband, Donald, of Pigeon; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by three brothers, John, Martin, and Peter; and two sisters, Mary Prutchick and Ann Proper. The funeral liturgy will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 3, 2003, at the St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church, with Sr. Theresa Fox O.P. officiating. Burial will be in Grand Lawn Cemetery in Pigeon. The wake service will be conducted at 7 tonight at the Meyersieck-Bussema Funeral Home in Pigeon. Visitation will be from 2:30 to 9 today at the funeral home, and from 10 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m. on Monday at the church. Memorials for Mr. Karle may be made to St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church Special Projects Fund. Monday, March 3, 2003 Mary Ann Polega Mary Ann Polega, 73, of Caseville died Sunday, March 2, 2003, at her home while under hospice care. She was born May 22, 1929 at the home of her parents, the late Alex and Anna (Grates) Talaski in Sigel Township. On June 14, 1947, she was united in marriage to Irvin E. Polega at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rapson. They raised their family in Bloomfield Township near Rapson where she was a 4-H leader for many years. Mary Ann was employed at Hamill Manufacturing in Bad Axe and Ubly for more 12 years. In March of 1977, they retired and moved to Caseville Township. She was a member of St. Roch Catholic Church and Women's Society in Caseville, the Caseville Eagle Auxiliary and the Caseville Library Club. Mary Ann was very artistic with needle and thread. Her passion was quilting and she made many beautiful quilts that she shared with family and friends. She is survived by her husband, Irvin; four sons, Bernard Polega and his wife, Carol, of New Waverly, Texas, Ronald Polega and his wife, Sheila, of Shelby Township, Melvin Polega and his wife, Sandi, of Allegan, Dennis Polega and his wife, Laurie, of Kinde; four daughters, Patricia Carpenter and her husband, Ronald, of Waterford, Linda Kozfkay and her husband, Robert, of Lexington, Joyce Messing and her husband, Paul, of Haslett, Irene Muehlfeld and her husband, David, of Cypress, Calif.; 25 grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; three brothers, Thomas Talaski and Julius Talaski of Filion, Carl Talaski of Milford; four sisters, Edna Peyerk, Irene Gorney and Marge Woychowski, all of Bad Axe, and Magdalin Leppek of Filion. Preceding her in death were four brothers, Lawrence, Bernard, Frank and Robert Talaski. A funeral mass will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 6, 2003, at St. Roch Catholic Church. The Rev. Fr. Kenneth Yaroch, pastor will officiate with burial in the church cemetery. A parish rosary service will be conducted at 8 p.m. on Wednesday at the Champagne Funeral Chapel in Caseville. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, 2 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home, and after 10 a.m. on Thursday at the church. Memorials may be given to St. Roch Building Fund or United Hospice. Tuesday, March 4, 2003 Mike Miller Mike G. Miller, 86, of Filion, passed away Monday, March 3, 2003, at Sunny Acres Nursing Home of Bad Axe. Mike was born on April 13, 1916 in Harbor Beach to the late Andrew and Frances (Odwoska) (Wodwaska) Miller. He married Josephine Buckowski on Oct. 7, 1939 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Parisville. She preceded him in death on March 1, 1994. Mike was a graduate of the Duda Country School. He farmed for 40 years in Lincoln Township and did block laying for many area families. He was a parishioner of St. Joseph Catholic Church of Rapson since 1940. He enjoyed fishing, hunting pheasants, playing cards and bingo. Mike is survived by two sons, Marvin Miller and his wife, Judy, of Dryden, Gordon Miller and his wife, Catherine, of Bad Axe; three daughters, Leta Bambach and her husband, David, of Kinde, Anna Marie Miller of Bad Axe, Leona Maurer and her husband, Clarence, of Bad Axe; 11 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; two step great-grandchildren; two brothers, Clements Miller and his wife, Theresa, of Fraser, Aloise Miller and his wife, Evelyn, of Ubly; two sisters, Clara Walajtys of Warren, and Gladys Sawinski of Mt. Clemens; five sisters-in-law, Emma Fisher, Bernice Ignash, Theresa Glaza, Marie Krozek and Matilda Particka. Mike was preceded in death by two infant sons, Ronald and Larry; two brothers, Basil Miller and his infant twin, Stanley. Funeral mass for Mike Miller will be 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 6, 2003, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rapson. The Rev. John Weis, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. tonight, from 1 to 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday and from 9 to 10 a.m. on Thursday at Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home of Ubly. Wednesday, March 5, 2003 – No obituaries reported Thursday, March 06, 2003 Jack Broadworth Jack L. Broadworth, 49, of Bay City, died Tuesday, March 4, 2003, at Bay Medical Center in Bay City following a brief illness. He was born May 20, 1953 in Philadelphia, Pa., son of Nancy A. (Chance) Welther and the late Lee J. Broadworth. Jack was a member of the Lutheran faith. He enjoyed the North Bay Activity Center in Bay City and was an avid card player and a collector of coffee mugs. He is survived by his mother and stepfather, Nancy and Larry Welther of Sebewaing; one sister, Susan Fry of Bay City; two brothers, Lee Broadworth of Sebewaing, Mark Broadworth and his wife, Gherda, of Sterling Heights; two stepbrothers, David Welther and his wife, Leslie, of Munith, Tim Welther and his wife, Kathy, of Caseville; many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. The funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 7, 2003, at the Dinkel-Juengel Funeral Home in Sebewaing. The Rev. Daniel Hahn from Immanuel Lutheran Church in Sebewaing will officiate with burial in the Demorest Cemetery near Akron. Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. tonight and from 9 a.m. until the time of service on Friday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Christ the King Lutheran School. Friday, March 7, 2003 Sally Aubry Sally Aubry, 69, of Port Austin, died Thursday, March 6, 2003, at her home. She was born on March 1, 1933 in Roseville, daughter of the late Russell and Mildred (Tomlinson) Kitchen. She and Billie Lee Aubry were married on July 3, 1954. He preceded her in death in May of 1983. Sally loved spending time with her family. She is survived by three sons, Russell Keith Aubry and his wife, Christine, of Romeo, Steven David Aubry and his wife, Patricia, of Sebewaing and Bruce Alan Aubry and his wife, Marcy, of Marlboro, Mass.; five grandchildren, Jason and his wife, Christine, Laura, Leslie and Brian; three great-grandchildren, Victoria, Jordan, and Aubry Joy; three brothers, James Kitchen of Port Austin, Richard Kitchen and his wife, Gerry, of Port Austin, and Austin Kitchen and his wife, Jan, of Clinton Township. She was preceded in death by her brother, Robert Kitchen. A funeral service will be conducted at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 9, 2003, at the Knoblock Funeral Home in Kinde. Officiating will be the Rev. Ray McGee, pastor of the Trinity United Methodist Church in Sebewaing. Burial will follow in the Port Austin Township Cemetery. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. tonight, from 1 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, and from noon until the time of the funeral service at 3 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Grace Lemanski Grace R. Lemanski, 86, of Westland and formerly of Deford, passed away Tuesday, March 4, 2003, at the American House of Westland. Grace was born on Aug. 1, 1916 in Tyre to the late Matthias and Martha (Grimski) Bezemek. She married Kenneth Sampica in Tyre. He preceded her in death in June of 1976. She married Frank J. Lemanski in May of 1982 at St. Michael's of Wilmont. He preceded her in death on March 21, 2000. Grace attended Ubly High School. She worked as a secretary for Hudson Motor Car Company. She was supervisor of the Millinery Department at J.L. Hudson Department Store in Detroit. She also worked at the Spartan Atlantic Mills Department Store for more than 10 years as the district manager of the jewelry department for 10 stores. She was an excellent homemaker and Polish cook. She had a green thumb, and loved gardening and indoor and outdoor plants. She loved her family and spending time with her children and grandchildren. Grace is survived by one son, David Sampica and his wife, Christine, of Zimmerman, Minn.; five grandchildren, Mark Sampica and his wife, Jill, Michael Sampica, Stephen Sampica and his wife, Kristine, Kristie Nelson and her husband, James, Kerry Sampica; eight great-grandchildren; one son-in-law, David Gross of South Lyons; one brother, Orville Bezemek of Westland. Grace was preceded in death by her daughter, Kim Marie Gross, on May 16, 2002, and her brother, Leonard Bezemek, on Oct. 1, 2001. Funeral mass for Grace Lemanski will be at noon on Saturday, March 8, 2003, at St. Patrick Catholic Church of Brighton. The Rev. Ike Agunwa will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation for Grace Lemanski will be from 3 to 9:30 p.m. tonight at the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home of Ubly and from 11 to noon on Saturday at the church. George Willoughby George W. Willoughby, 55, retired Michigan State Trooper, of Caseville, died Saturday, March 1, 2003, at his home from multiple heart and lung problems. He was born Oct. 16, 1947 in Ann Arbor and grew up in Monroe with his parents, the late Harold and Doris Willoughby. After high school, he studied chemical engineering at Northern Michigan University on a football scholarship. After a serious knee injury, his interest took a turn toward law enforcement. In 1969, on his 21st birthday, he applied for and was accepted into the 76th Recruit School. He was first assigned to the St. Clair Post in December of 1969 and was nominated Trooper of the Year in 1972. In 1973, he was transferred to Grand Haven, and to Rockford in 1974. In 1975, he was assigned to duty in Lansing, working in various capacities, including his assistance in the development of the Automated Major Case System. He was a consultant with the investigation of such notorious cases as the Son of Sam killings and the Hilltop Strangler, among others. He was promoted to sergeant in 1981 and assigned to the Sandusky Post. In 1986, he came to the Bad Axe Post and became a very active part of the Elkton community, which he had done in every community that he had been assigned. He was the chairman of the Huron County Youth Advisory Board, and spent many hours renovating the building that's now known as the Huron Youth Center. He served on the Elkton Village Council and became mayor. In 1991, he was again nominated Trooper of the Year. In 1993 he became a lieutenant, assigned to Gladwin, and in 1994, a first lieutenant serving in East Tawas. After retiring in 1995, George returned to Huron County and settled in Caseville where he enjoyed the Saginaw Bay, fishing and boating. Surviving are his daughter, Brandi Johnston and her husband, Chris, of Johnstown, Ohio; a son, Skip Willoughby, of East Pointe; two grandchildren, Blake and Rilee; and two brothers, Cal Lane of North Carolina and Fredrick Willoughby of Nevada. A funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 8, 2003, at the Champagne Funeral Chapel, Elkton. The Caseville Eagles will conduct their ritual at 7 p.m. tonight at the funeral home. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. tonight and after 10 a.m. on Saturday. Memorials may be directed to the family. Friends may sign the guest book at www.CFCelkton.com. Veronica Gelnaw Veronica Louise Gelnaw, 76, long-time resident of Elkton, passed away on March 6, 2003. She is survived by five children, Joe Kleiss and his wife, Sue, Becky Bishoff and her husband, Art, Jane Dumm and her husband, Bob, Bill Kleiss and his wife, Lori, Rob Kleiss; grandchildren, AJ, Dawn, Sally, Dawn, Jeniffer, Bridget, Rachel, and Bobby; great-grandsons, Tyler and Sam; sister, Sister Martina Finn O.P.; brother, Bert Finn. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Ted and Joe Kleiss; brothers, Tom Finn, Micky Finn; sisters, Betty Amman, Agnes Kleiss. Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. on Sunday at Kaul Funeral Home, 35201 Garfield, Clinton Township and from 9:30 until the time of the Mass at 10 a.m. on Monday at Our Lady Queen of All Saints Catholic Church, Fraser. Memorials may be made to the Hospice of Michigan. Gertrude McPeak Gertrude M. McPeak, 78, of Port Hope, passed away Thursday, March 6, 2003, at Autumnwood of Deckerville following a long illness. Arrangements are incomplete at this time and are being handled by Ramsey Funeral Home, Harbor Beach. A complete obituary will appear in Sunday's Huron Daily Tribune or can be seen by viewing RamseyFH.Com. 1