HURON DAILY TRIBUNE, Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan Local obituaries for the week beginning March 28, 2004 Sunday, March 28, 2004 James Foote Mr. James Henry Foote, 60, of Argyle, passed away Wednesday, March 24, 2004, at St. Mary's Medical Center in Saginaw. He was born December 29, 1943, the son of Harvey and Lola (Robinson) Foote. He served in the U.S. Air Force. James was a member of the Disabled American Veterans and the American Legion. He is survived by his wife, Julia; children, Shelly, of Croswell, and Jeffrey and his wife, Tina, of Argyle; five grandchildren, Ben, Chelsea, Billy, Chris, and Lakelynn; one great-grandchild, Kent; his mother, Lola Foote, of Caseville; three sisters, Judy Humphrey and her husband, Fred, of Detroit, Ellen Kay Pfaff and her husband, Ed, and Louise Smith, all of Snover; a brother, Tom Foote, of Snover. He was predeceased by his father, Harvey; and a brother-in-law, George Smith. A memorial service will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, April 2, 2004, at St. Joseph Church Hall in Argyle. Memorials may be made to the Family Discretionary Fund. Arrangements made by Thabet Funeral Home of Cass City. Heulah Miller Heulah G. Miller, 92, died Saturday morning, March 27, 2004, at her home in Caseville while under hospice care. Private services and visitation were conducted at the Champagne Funeral Chapel, Caseville. Friends may sign the guest book at www.CFCcaseville.com. Walter Zmierski Mr. Walter Zmierski, 74, of Cass City, passed away Wednesday, March 24, 2004, at his son Michael's home in Elkland Township. Walter was born March 21, 1930 in Detroit, the son of John and Cecelia (Kuczkowska) Zmierski. He served in the U.S. Army and worked as a laborer for General Cable, retiring in 1992. In 1955, he married Evelyn Gabler. Walter was a member of the D.A.V. Atomic War Veterans and the National Rifle Association. He is survived by his sons, Michael and his wife, Deb, of Cass City, and Mark and his wife, Becky, of Caro; daughters, Angela Noble and her husband, Craig, of Charleston, South Carolina and Teresa Enos and her husband, John, of Elk City, Idaho, and Deanne Brown and her husband, Chuck, of Midland; 15 grandchildren; special friend, Florence Byarski. He was predeceased by his parents; his brothers, Joseph, Sylvester, Edward, Casimer, Chester and John; sisters, Helen, Jennie and Eleanor Doerr. A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 29, 2004, at Novesta Church of Christ with the Rev. Chuck Emmert officiating. Inurnment will be in Elkland Township Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Heartland Hospice. Monday, March 29, 2004 Donald Smith Donald H. Smith, 61, long time resident of Davison, died Friday, March 26, 2004, in Bonita Springs, Florida after a year and a half battle with brain cancer. Donald was born January 7, 1943 in Kinde, son of Henry and Marion (Lenaway) Smith and recently resided in Caseville. A 37 year retiree from Consumers Energy in Flint, he was also a longstanding member of the Board of Directors at EL-GA Credit Union, a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Davison and a member of the Knights of Columbus. Don enjoyed hunting, fishing, golf, softball, bowling and celebrating life with his friends and family. He is survived by his wife, Terrie (Derbyshire) Smith; daughters, Carol Yale and her husband, Bill, of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Amy Wichlacz and her husband, John, of Davison, Janice Green and her husband, Matt, of Clio, Alice Fraim and her husband, Eric, of Millington; step-daughter, Tracie King and her husband, Bill, of Mount Morris; mother, Marion Smith, of Port Richie, Florida; sisters, Marie Weingartz and her husband, Ray, of Macomb, Jane Peruski and her husband, Bob, of Ubly, Jean Messing and her husband, Jerry, of Clarkston, Ruth Ann Duda and her husband, Eugene, of Port Richie, Florida, Christine Higgins and her husband, Michael, of Lapeer, Dory Atkinson, of Reseda, California; brothers, Leo Smith and his wife, Lynda, of Sterling Heights, Larry Smith and his wife, Barb, of Caseville, Edward Smith, of Warren; and numerous grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Don was preceded in death by his wife, Sharon (Hyzer); daughters, Grace and Judy; and father, Henry J. Smith. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 1, 2004, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 404 N. Dayton Street, Davison. The Rev. Fr. Andrew Czajkowski will officiate. Burial will be in St. Felix Cemetery in Kinde. Mr. Smith will lie in state at Allen Funeral Home, 9136 E. Davison Road, Davison, where the family will receive visitors from 1 to 9 p.m. both Tuesday and Wednesday. Mr. Smith also will lie in state at the church on Thursday from 10 a.m. until the time of the mass. A rosary will be prayed at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday. A memorial service will be conducted at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday by Davison Knights of Columbus No. 4090. Memorial gifts in his honor may be given to the American Cancer Society for Glioblastoma tumor research (www.cancer.org) or to Hope Hospice and Palliative Care (www.hopehospice.org). Tuesday, March 30, 2004 Ruth Koroleski Ruth Ann Koroleski, 74, lifelong resident of Kinde, died Sunday, March 28, 2004, at Scheurer Hospital in Pigeon. She was born December 19, 1929 in Birmingham, daughter of the late George Joseph and Adelaide C. (Harrison) Hill. Ruth Hill and Jerome Koroleski were united in marriage on October 11, 1952 at St. Edwards Catholic Church in Kinde. Jerome preceded his wife in death on May 9, 1990. Ruth was a member of St. Edward's Catholic Church in Kinde. She was active in the St. Edward's Lady's Sodality and the league of Catholic Women. She enjoyed baking, babysitting, spending time with her grandchildren, reading, and listening to country music. She is survived by her children, Frederick Koroleski and his special friend, Debra, of Kinde, Robert Koroleski and his wife, Linda, of Filion, Theresa Jandreski and her husband, Dave, of Port Austin, Ronald Koroleski and his wife, Belinda, of Hudsonville, Donald Koroleski and his special friend, Sheryl, of Filion, Carol Koroleski and her special friend, Don, of Conklin, Susan Talaski, of Kinde, Mary Thayer and her husband, Gary, of Elkton; 15 grandchildren, Andrea, Candice, Leann, Michael, Elizabeth, Kimberly, Nicholas, Graham, Tyler, Kraig, Kate, Bryan, Jill, Elysia, and Shawn; and two step- grandchildren, Chad and Kristi. Mrs. Koroleski was preceded in death by her husband, Jerome; one brother, George Joseph Hill; and an infant sister, Agnes Hill. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 31, 2004, at St. Edwards Catholic Church in Kinde. Fr. Mieczyslaw Oniskiewicz will officiate. There will be a Parish Scripture service at 7 p.m. and a rosary at 7:30 p.m. today at the MacAlpine Funeral Home - Gage Chapel in Kinde. Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. today and from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be offered to the Family Discretionary Fund. Please visit the web tribute for Ruth at http://macalpine.yourtribute.com/RuthKoroleski. Verna Lowe Verna Irene Lowe, 89, of Snover, died Friday, March 26, 2004, in Mission, Texas. She was born August 27, 1914 in Carsonville to Warren and Mary (Shranpell) Sweet. She married Virgil Albert Lowe on September 25, 1935 in Marysville. Verna was a member of the Argyle United Methodist Church, playing the piano for services. She was also an active lifetime member of the Order of the Eastern Star for 55 years and played the organ with them for 29 years. She enjoyed gardening, canning and cooking. Verna is survived by her husband, Virgil; daughters, Joyce Brown and her husband, Keith, of Ubly, Carolyn Donagay and her husband, Harold, of Sandusky; 11 grandchildren; 21 great- grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandson; sister, Vera Shanks and her husband, Morris, of Deckerville. She was preceded in death by her daughter and son-in-law, Yvonne and George Sangster; granddaughter, Suzanne Brown; and brother, Otis Sweet. The funeral service will be conducted at 1 p.m. on Thursday, April 1, 2004, in Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City, with the Rev. Fred McDowell, of Argyle United Methodist Church, officiating. Interment is in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday in the funeral home with Order of Eastern Star service at 7:30 pm. Memorials may be made to The Gideons International. Bishop Kenneth Untener Bishop Kenneth E. Untener, 66, died Saturday afternoon, March 27, 2004, at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Infirmary in Monroe, of complications from leukemia. He has served as the fourth bishop of the Saginaw Diocese since 1980. Bishop Joseph L. Imesch, of the Diocese of Joliet, Illinois, will be the main celebrant of the funeral liturgy. Concelebrating will be Thomas J. Gumbleton, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Detroit, and Walter J. Schoenherr, retired auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Detroit. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Thursday, April 1, 2004, at 11 a.m. at St. Stephen Church, 2711 Mackinaw Street. Public viewing of Bishop Untener is scheduled at St. Stephen Parish from 1 to 9 p.m. today, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, and from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Thursday. Evening Prayer will take place at 7:30 p.m. today. A vigil will be conducted at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Bishop Untener will be buried at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Saginaw. In lieu of flowers, contributions in the memory of Bishop Untener may be made to the Bishop Untener Educational Scholarship Fund, or to the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Joseph VanHamme Joseph O. VanHamme, 85, of Harbor Beach, passed away on Friday, March 26, 2004, in Courtney Manor Nursing Center in Bad Axe following a long illness. Born in Detroit on April 27, 1918, he was the son of the late Oscar and Alida (Dezen) VanHamme. On August 22, 1969, Joseph and Darleen (Pat) were united in marriage in Roseville. She preceded him in death on June 7, 2002. Joe was a veteran of the U.S. Navy serving in World War II and is a retired employee of the Chrysler Corporation. He had been a resident of the Harbor Beach area for 24 years and is a member of the Port Hope AmVets Post 115. Joe is survived by sons, Barry VanHamme and his wife, Pamela, of Clarkston, and Michael Hojara; daughters, Judy Osmulski and her husband, Ron, of Harbor Beach, Patti Hojara, Nanette Blaska and her husband, Frank, of Warren, Darla Dickson and her husband, Mark, of Las Vegas, Nevada; 20 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; sister, Mary Murdock, of Sterling Heights; brothers, Art, of Delhi, Ontario, Canada; Frank, of Harperwood, and George VanHamme, of East Pointe. Cremation has taken place at Sunset Valley Crematory in Bay City and a memorial service will take place at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 3, 2004, in the Ramsey Funeral Home, Harbor Beach. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the service time on Saturday. Memorials may be given to the Harbor Beach Lighthouse Preservation Society. Wednesday, March 31, 2004 Anna Fritz Anna J. Fritz, 72, of Elkton, died unexpectedly Monday morning, March 29, 2004, at her winter home in Zephyrhills, Florida. She was born December 22, 1931 in Bad Axe to the late Roy and Eva (Leitch) Harder. On December 6, 1952, she was united in marriage to Richard G. Fritz at the First Presbyterian Church in Bad Axe. The couple shared and enjoyed each other's companionship for over 51 years. Anne grew up in Bad Axe and moved to Elkton when she married. She worked with Detroit Edison for a time before taking a position at the Bad Axe Public Schools, serving as a secretary at the George E. Greene Elementary School for 33 years before retiring in 1993. She was a very active member of the Elkton United Methodist Church holding many offices throughout the years. Anne was also a member of the Aim High Farm Bureau group as well as a member of the Elkton chapter of the Red Hat Society. She enjoyed her summers off from school spending time with her grandkids. She was their biggest fan from grade school until they finished college. Surviving are her devoted husband, Richard; children, Richard Fritz, of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, Dave Fritz and his wife, Debra, of Elkton, and Trudi Lang and her husband, Mike, of Port Austin; grandchildren, Michael, Steven, Ryan and Kelly Fritz, Benjamin Lang and Angela Shupe; brothers-in-law, Willard Fritz and his wife, Joyce, Matt Fritz and his wife, Margaret, and Leonard Fritz and his wife, Leona; sisters-in-law, Luella Ewald, Aldine Ewald, and Vernita Schuester; and many nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death were two sisters, Sally Andrus and Letta Leitch. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 2, 2004, at the Elkton United Methodist Church. The Rev. Pete Crawford, pastor, will officiate with burial in Riverside Cemetery, Elkton. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. today and from 2 to 9 p.m. on Thursday at the Champagne Funeral Chapel in Elkton and after 10 a.m. on Friday at the church. Memorial gifts in honor of Anne may be given to the Elkton United Methodist Church or Bay Shore Camp. Friends may sign the guest book at www.CFCelkton.com. John "Jack" Pelton John "Jack" C. Pelton, 87, of Snover, passed away November 18, 2003 at Hills and Dales Hospital in Cass City. Jack was born July 26, 1916 in Tyre to the late Ernest and Annie (Nicol) Pelton. He married Catherine "Cassie" Kolar on February 18, 1939 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Argyle. She preceded him in death on March 29, 2003. Jack was a graduate of Wickware Elementary School. He worked as a commercial carpenter and farmed from 1940 to 1965. He enjoyed hunting and was a loving, devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Jack is survived by his two daughters, Cleopha Zauner and her husband, John, of Los Altos, California, Jacqueline Goretski and her husband, Bill, of St. Clair Shores; four grandchildren, Michael Zauner, of Seattle, Washington, Jennifer Clauson and her husband, Peter, of Lafayette, California, Aimee Goretski, of Burbank, California, Christopher Goretski, of Royal Oak; two great- grandchildren, Travis and Macala Clauson; two sisters, Margaret Cleland, of Ubly, Naomi Wallace, of Cass City; one sister-in-law, Phyllis Pelton, of Cass City; one brother- in-law, Tom Kolar, of Cass City. Jack was preceded in death by one brother, Frank Pelton. A memorial service will be conducted at 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 3, 2004, at the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home of Ubly. The Rev. Ellen Burns, pastor of Ubly United Methodist Church, will officiate. Visitation will be at the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home from 2 to 3 p.m. on Saturday. Thursday, April 1, 2004 John Orr John F. Orr, 78, of Pigeon, passed away Tuesday, March 30, 2004, at Scheurer Hospital in Pigeon following a short illness. He was born in Pigeon on December 22, 1925, son of the late Robert H. and M. Ethel (Striffler) Orr, and served with the U. S. Air Force during World War II. On June 14, 1948, he was united in marriage to Frances G. Novy in Detroit. She preceded him in death on February 11, 1998. Mr. Orr was a 1948 graduate of Wayne State University and was a second generation owner of Orr's Drug Store in Pigeon. He owned and worked at the business as a pharmicist for 40 years, retiring in 1995. He was a charter member of the Pigeon Chamber of Commerce, a member and past master of the Hubbard Winsor Lodge No. 420 F&AM, and a former Boy Scout leader. He was also a member of the First United Methodist Church in Pigeon. He enjoyed boating, hunting, and gardening. He is survived by two sons, Frederick Orr and his wife, Donna, of Pigeon, and Robert Orr and his wife, Gale, of West Caldwell, New Jersey; two daughters, Frances Burdsall and his husband, Kenneth, of Gloucester, Massachussets, and Susan Wagner and his husband, Mark, of Fremont, California; six grandchildren, Robert Orr, Heather Orr, John Orr, Patricia Orr, Laura Wagner, and Catherine Wagner; two sisters, Marjorie Orr and Ethel Fetting, both of Saginaw; a sister- in-law, Betty Orr, of Livonia; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a brother, Robert S. Orr. The funeral service will be conducted at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 3, 2004, at the Meyersiek-Bussema Funeral Home, Pigeon, with the Rev. Margaret Passenger, pastor of the First United Methodist Church in Pigeon, officiating. Burial will be in Elkland Cemetery, Cass City. Visitation will be from 1 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday and from noon until the time of the service at 1 p.m. on Saturday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Scheurer Hospital or the charity of the donor's choice. Charles Kappen Charles Wallace Kappen, 47, of Cass City, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, March 31, 2004, in his home. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 3, 2004, in Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Cass City, with the Rev. Gerald Meyer officiating. Interment of Mr. Kappen's cremated remains will take place at a later date in Elmwood Township Cemetery. Military honors are under the direction of Cass City VFW Post No. 3644. Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday at Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City, and from 10 to 11 a.m. on Saturday in the church. Memorials may be made to Hills and Dales General Hospital, Cass City MMR, or Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Friday, April 2, 2004 Dorothy McPhee Dorothy McPhee, 70, of Filion, died Wednesday, March 31, 2004, at St. Mary's Medical Center in Saginaw. She was born August 21, 1933 in Filion, daughter of the late Charles and Vera (Pettit) Merrick. Dorothy Merrick and James McPhee were united in marriage on August 15, 1953 at Kinde First Presbyterian Church. Dorothy graduated from Kinde High School in 1951. She lived in Detroit for 33 years, moving back to Filion in 1990. She was a member of Our Savior Evangelical Lutheran Church of Bad Axe. She enjoyed bowling, golf and stained glass. Mrs. McPhee is survived by her husband, James; two daughters, Jill Fabbri and her husband, Richard, of Lexington, Janice Parker and her husband, Richard, of Troy; two brothers, Don Merrick and his wife, Lyla, of Filion, Joe Merrick, of Sand Point; two sisters, Alma Pitcher, of Filion, Betty Grecian, of Kinde; seven grandchildren, Scott, Christy, Sherri, Katelyn, James, Ryan, Emily; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be at noon on Monday, April 5, 2004, at Our Savior Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bad Axe. The Rev. Kenneth Lueke will officiate. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. on Sunday at MacAlpine Funeral Home in Bad Axe and from 11 a.m. until the time of service on Monday at the church. Burial will be at Colfax Township Cemetery. Memorials may be offered to Our Savior Evangelical Church Special Projects Fund. Visit the web tribute at macalpine.yourtribute.com/DorothyMcPhee. Katherine Brinker Katherine Wessels Brinker, 62, of Detroit and formerly of Bad Axe, passed away Friday, April 2, 2004, at Mount Clemens General Hospital following a long illness. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time. A complete obituary will be in Sunday's edition of the Huron Daily Tribune. Joanne Hengy Joanne Elaine Hengy, 73, of Caseville, passed away Thursday evening, April 1, 2004, at home. Arrangements are incomplete at this time. Meyersieck-Bussema Funeral Home of Pigeon is handling the arrangements. A complete obituary will be printed in Sunday's Huron Daily Tribune. 8