Obituaries Week of December 19, 1999, Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan Copyright © 2000 by Carol Morrison. This copy contributed for use in the MIGenWeb Archives. MIGENWEB 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 MIGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the MIGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. HURON DAILY TRIBUNE, Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan Local Obituaries Week of December 19, 1999 Alvin Gwisdalla Mr. Alvin B. Gwisdalla, 66, of Ubly and formerly of Utica, died Thursday morning, Dec. 23, 1999, in Haslett. He was born June 5, 1933, in Bad Axe, the son of the late Frank and Martha (Zulka) Gwisdalla. He is survived by one son, Douglas Gwisdalla and his wife, Dawn, of Lake Orion; three daughters, Catherine Wosik and her husband, Kenneth, of Utica, Nancy Bloodworth and her husband, Christopher, of Utica, and Kimberley Goodrich and her husband, Glenn, of Utica; six grandchildren, Kenneth Wosik, Jr. , Allen Wosik, Christopher Bloodworth, Jr., Andrea Bloodworth, Amanda Gwisdalla and Nicholas Gwisdalla; one brother, Cass Gwisdalla and his wife, Mary, of Shelby; and one sister, Celestine Blankenship, of St. Clair Shores. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Frank, Elmer and Sylvester Gwisdalla, and one sister, Isabelle Oswald. Mass of Resurrection will be conducted at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 28, 1999, at St. Mary's Catholic Church of Parisville. The Rev. Ronald Wagner, pastor of SS. Peter and Paul Church of Ruth, will officiate. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery with graveside military honors by Thumb Veterans Organization No. 1. Robert Webber Sr. Robert Wayne Webber, Sr., 77, of Bay Port passed away on Thursday, Dec. 23, 1999, at Covenant Hospital in Saginaw. He was born in Caseville on May 22, 1922, the son of the late Peter Edwin and Mabel (Newman) Webber. He was united in marriage to Orpha B. Gettel in Caro on Dec. 25, 1941. She preceded him in death on April 19, 1991. On Dec. 6, 1994, he was married to Pat McBride, who survives him. Mr. Webber is survived by his wife, Pat; daughter, Jerailyn Lee Schroeder and her husband, Ronald, of Port Austin; two sons, Robert Webber Jr. and his wife, Jean, of Bay Port and Edwin Leonard Webber and his wife, Carol, of Lebanon, Pa.; 10 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; four stepchildren, Terry Lucas and his wife, Grace, Jim Lucas, Julie Cienmiack and her husband, Bruce, and Nancy Smith and her husband, Dean; eight stepgrandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Christa Lyn Schneirla; brothers, Miner and Leonard; and sisters, Edna Webber and Leone Allen. Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 27, 1999, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Berne, with the Rev. James Gorsegner, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery in McKinley Township. Henry Sienkiewicz Henry F. Sienkiewicz, 76, of Lake Township died Friday, Dec. 24, 1999, at his home following a long illness. Arrangements are being handled by Champagne Funeral Chapel in Caseville. Listen to WLEW for further details. James Blades James L. Blades, 63, of Nacogdoches, Texas, and formerly of Cass City, died Friday, Nov. 19, 1999, in Texas. Memorial services will be conducted at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 28, 1999, in Kranz Funeral Home in Cass City, with the Rev. Margaret Passenger of Kingston United Methodist Church officiating. Lottie Miller Lottie L. Miller, 83, of Port Austin died on Tuesday, Dec. 21, 1999, at the Huron Medical Care Facility in Bad Axe. She was born on May 8, 1916, in Dwight Township, the daughter of the late Joseph and Tillie (Chaplinski) Krajenka. Lottie and Samuel Miller were married on Sept. 27, 1937, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Dwight Township. Surviving are her husband, Samuel, of Port Austin; one daughter, Deanna Juback and her husband, Henry, of Wyandotte; two sons, Reginald Miller and his wife, Rose, of Durand and Aaron Miller and his wife, Peggy, of Harbor Beach; eight grandchildren, Bruce Juback and his wife, Karen, Brian Juback and his wife, Mary, Alan Juback and his wife, Wendy, and Glen Juback and his wife, Theresa, Mary, Michael, Dustin and Patrick Miller; seven great-grandchildren; four sisters, Irene Tschirhart of Bad Axe, Helen Lemanski of Madison Heights, Emilie Szeszycki of Warren and Jannette Knoblock and her husband, Lewie, of Kinde. She was preceded in death by four sisters, Alice Lazarowicz, Genevieve Horetski, Mary Goretski and Viola Andreski; and one brother, Joseph Krajenka. Mass of the Resurrection will be conducted at 10 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 24, 1999, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Port Austin. The Rev. Fr. Michael J. Bell, pastor, will officiate. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Jack Collis John J. "Jack" Collis, 80, of Caseville died Tuesday, Dec. 21, 1999, at Courtney Manor in Bad Axe. He was born on Oct. 31, 1919, at the home of his parents, the late Percy and Mary (Liska) Collis in Caseville Township. Surviving are his wife, Hilda; daughter Saundra Charlton of Caseville; three sons, Gene Henderson and his wife, Penny, of Saginaw, Jon Collis and his wife, Regina, of Mud Creek and Rodney Collis and his wife, Kimberly, of Wyoming; five grandchildren, Eric, Jill, Heather, Robert and Calvin; two great-granddaughters, Ashley and Victoria; a great-great-grandson, Austin; four sisters, Flora Collis of Vassar, Evelyn Worvie and her husband, Art, of Davison, Annabelle Theide of Vassar and Phyllis Parent of Reese. A memorial service will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 8, 1999, at the Champagne Funeral Chapel in Caseville. Interment will be in the Caseville Township Cemetery. Lowell Dufty Lowell R. Dufty, 67, owner of Dufty's Blue Water Inn died Tuesday, Dec. 21, 1999, at Covenant Cooper in Saginaw. He was born on April 15, 1932, in Bad Axe, the only son of the late William and Alys (Chappel) Dufty. On Oct. 31, 1953, he was united in marriage to Janet E. Whitcomb at the Methodist parsonage in Caseville. Surviving are his wife, Janet; three daughters, Gwen Summers and her husband, Gary, of Grayling, Jill Dufty of Caseville and Lori Wisenbaugh and her husband, Todd, of Pigeon; eight grandchildren, Brandon, Carrie Jo, Jason, Kelly Jo, Kristin, Kayla, Alyssa and Ciara; and a great-granddaughter, Cierra. Preceding him in death was his son, Patrick Dufty. Funeral services will be conducted at noon on Monday, Dec. 27, 1999, at St. Roch Church to allow more seating. The Rev. Michael Quayle, pastor of the Caseville United Methodist Church, will officiate with burial in the Caseville Township Cemetery. James Niehaus James S. Niehaus, 74, of Harbor Beach and formerly of Peck, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, Dec. 20, 1999, at Harbor Beach Community Hospital. He was born on Nov. 7, 1925, in Nebraska to the late Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Niehaus. He and Irene May were married in Niagara Falls, N.Y., and she preceded him in death in 1984. He is survived by a daughter, Pamela Seiferlein and her husband, Art, of Saginaw; three sons, James Niehaus Jr. of Florida, William Niehaus and his wife, Debbie, of South Carolina and Russell Niehaus of Peck; and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a sister. At Jim's request, he will be cremated and no service will be conducted. Ramsey's Funeral Home of Harbor Beach, a Golden Rule Funeral Home, is handling the arrangements. Mary Smith Mary Alice Smith, 67, of Bad Axe died Monday, Dec. 20, 1999, at Covenant Care Cooper in Saginaw. She was born on May 27, 1932, in Harbor Beach, the daughter of the late William and Ethel (Arntz) Landenberg. She was a 1951 graduate of Harbor Beach High School. Miss Mary Landenberg and Mr. Herbert Paul Smith were married on Feb. 4. 1952, in Brisbee, Ariz. They were married 47 years. She is survived by her husband, Herbert "Paul" of Bad Axe; one son, Paul Smith Jr. and his wife Valerie, of Lapeer; three daughters, Paulette Fagone and her husband, Gary, of Elkton, Katherine Welther and her husband, Tim, of Bad Axe and Susan Crowley and her husband, Steven, of Sedalia, Mo.; 22 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; one son-in-law, Les Andrews of Bad Axe; five brothers, Ken Landenberg and his wife, Marian, of Stone Mountain, Ga., Russ Landenberg and his wife, Sharon, of Lupton, Keith Landenberg of Stone Mountain, Ga., David Landenberg and his wife, Julie, of Lupton and Ron Landenberg and his wife, Sue, of Bad Axe; three sisters, Esther Porter and her husband, Mike, of Pinconning, Sally Kipper of Bad Axe and Diane Lavigne of St. Louis, Mich.; two sisters- in-law, Charlotte Landenberg of Flint and Gloria Landenberg of Lupton; several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by one daughter, Pauline Andrews; one son, Don Clare Smith and one brother, Don Landenberg. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 23, 1999, at New Life Ministry Church in Filion. Burial will follow in Colfax Cemetery in Bad Axe. The Order of the Eastern Star will conduct a service at 8 p.m. Wednesday at the MacAlpine Funeral Home in Bad Axe. Thomas Brinker Thomas T. Brinker, 55, of Detroit passed away on Monday, Dec. 20, 1999, at St. John's Hospital in Detroit. He was born on July 13, 1944, in Detroit, the son of the late Gordon and Louise Brinker. He married Kathryn H. Wessels on June 16, 1979, in St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Rapson. He is survived by his wife, Kathryn Brinker of Detroit; one sister, Mary Lou Wolfe and her husband, Ed, of Southgate; two brothers, Frank Brinker and his wife, Maggie, of Fraser and Joe Brinker and his wife, Marguerita, of Mt. Clemens; and many nieces and nephews. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 23, 1999, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rapson. Officiating will be the Rev. Fr. John Weis, pastor. Burial will be in Colfax Cemetery. Ronald Schember Ronald J. Schember, 43, of Caseville died Monday, Dec. 20, 1999, at his home following a long battle with cancer. There will be no visitation or public funeral. Arrangements being handled by the Champagne Funeral Home in Elkton. Lester Thompson Lester Milton Thompson, 86, of Bad Axe died on Sunday, Dec. 19, 1999, at Huron Memorial Hospital in Bad Axe. He was born on Sept. 23, 1913, in Marlette. He was the son of the late Anton and Johanna (Pederson) Thompson. Mr. Lester Thompson and Miss Barbara Gorang were married on June 25, 1934. The were married 63 years. She preceded him in death on March 14, 1998. Surviving are six sons, James Thompson and his wife, Mary, of Long Beach, Calif., Robert Thompson and his wife, Phyllis, of Las Vegas, Nev., Earl Thompson of Lakewood, Calif., Gary Thompson and his wife, Dianne, of Taylor, Donald Thompson and his wife, Susann, of West Port, N.Y., and Eric Thompson of Davison; one daughter, Jeanette Owen of Tavares, Fla.; 13 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son-in-law Donald Owen; daughter-in-law Linda Thompson; great-granddaughter, Larissa Thompson; five brothers, Thomas, Clarence, Anton, Martin and Andrew Thompson; six sisters, Inger Garbutt, Mamie Schellenberger, Anna Langdon, Lillian DesJardin, Clara Fifield and Marie Kinney. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 23, 1999, at the MacAlpine Funeral Home in Bad Axe with the Rev. Kenneth D. Lueke, pastor of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Bad Axe, officiating. Burial will follow in Verona Cemetery. John Christner John C. "Jack" Christner, 94, of Pigeon passed away Friday, Dec. 17, 1999, at Scheurer Hospital's Long-Term Care Unit in Pigeon. He was born in Kokomo, Ind., on Jan. 6, 1905, the son of the late John A. and Lydia (Boshart) Christner. On Dec. 31, 1929, he was united in marriage to Rhea H. Haist in Pigeon. She preceded him in death on Nov. 7, 1999. He is survived by a daughter, Ellamae Bedford and her husband, Howard, of Pigeon; two sons, Dale a Christner and his wife, Joyce, of Pigeon and Glen A. Christner and his wife, Nancy, of Gagetown; eight grandchildren, Jeffery Diachenko, Melony Cross and her husband, Marc, Teresa Stiles, Christine Bean and her husband, Michael, Kent Christner and his wife, Karen, Norman Christner and his wife, Melissa, Karrie Foy and her husband, Gregory, and Debby Johnson and her husband, Michael; 11 great- grandchildren; three step-great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; and a brother-in- law, Howard Haist of Pontiac. He was preceded in death by a granddaughter, two brothers and four sisters. Funeral services will take place at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 20, 1999, at the Salem United Methodist Church with the Rev. Calvin Long, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Grand Lawn Cemetery, Winsor Township. Lillian Gliniecki Mrs. Lillian Gliniecki, 82, of Parisville died suddenly Friday, Dec. 17, 1999, at Huron Memorial Hospital in Bad Axe. She was born Nov. 17, 1917, in Parisville, the daughter of the late Frank and Sophie (Kucharczyk) Maikrzek. She married August "Mr. Gus" Gliniecki on June 6, 1942, at St. Mary's in Parisville. He preceded her in death on Sunday, March 28, 1993. She is survived by her son, Conrad Gliniecki and his wife, Mary, of Ossineke; two daughters, Kathleen Harris and her husband, Calvin, of Petoskey, and Anita Gliniecki and her husband, Robert Dombroski, of North Street; eight grandchildren, Judi Gliniecki and her husband, Serguisz Szermeta, of Warsaw, Poland, Ren Olson and her husband, Jeff, of San Ramon, Calif., Amy Swartzinski of Ossineke, Jason Harris and his wife, Amy, of Port Vila Vanteau, Scott Harris of Grand Rapids, Kristin Harris of Grand Rapids, Kara Dombroski and Ariel Dombroski both of North Street; three great-grandchildren, Paige, Claire Olson, Natalie Szermeta; one sister, Genevieve Gorman and her husband, Thomas, of Royal Oak; and one brother, Harold Mychek and his wife, Evelyn, of Port Austin. She was preceded in death by one daughter, Judith Gliniecki in 1962; six sisters, Delphine Kubacki, Amelia Richards, Constance Mitchell, Theresa Smielewski, Selma "Sally"Abendroth, Lucy Stomack; and two brothers, Arnold Mackezyk and Elmer Maikrzek. Mass of Resurrection will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 21, 1999, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Parisville. The Rev. Charles Hammond, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Joyce Kretzschmer Joyce Jean Haley Kretzschmer, 53, of Caseville, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, Dec. 16, 1999, at her home. She was born in Bad Axe on Dec. 22, 1945, the daughter of Robert and Laura (Murdock) Haley. On Jan. 9, 1965, she married Leon E. Kretzschmer at the Elkton United Methodist Church. Her survivors include her husband, Leon; daughters, Tammy Kretzschmer of Saginaw and Sandra Kretzschmer, and her husband, Jeff Williams, of Grandville; son, Mark Kretzschmer and his wife, Brenda, of Pigeon; grandchildren, Katelyn and Jacob Kretzschmer; her mother, Laura Haley of Elkton; several nieces and nephews; and sisters-in-law, Carol and Jeanne Haley. She was preceded in death by her father, Robert; and brothers, Gary and Robert Haley. Funeral services will conducted at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 19, 1999, at the Caseville United Methodist Church with the Rev. Michael Quayle, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Grand Lawn Cemetery in Winsor Township. Harry Learman Harry William Learman, 72, of Bad Axe in Verona Township, died Friday, Dec. 17, 1999, at St. Mary's Medical Center in Saginaw. He was born Jan. 20, 1927, in Harbor Beach. He was the son of the late Frank and Ollie (Karg) Learman. Mr. Harry Learman and Miss Doris Krug were married July 26, 1947, in the Presbyterian Church in Harbor Beach by the Rev. Lowe. He is survived by his wife, Doris, of Bad Axe; five sons, Ron Learman and his wife, Carol, of Harbor Beach, Dennis Learman of Elkton, Randy Learman and his wife, Debbie, of Evansville, Ind., Perry Learman of Galesburg, and Ricky Learman and his wife, Theresa, of Bad Axe; one daughter, Diane Lewis and her husband, Jackie, of Bylthevile, Ark.; 11 grandchildren; two stepgrandchildren; one great- grandchild; one brother, Earl Learman and his wife, Judy, of Harbor Beach; four sisters, Eileen Noble, and her husband, Ray, of Harbor Beach, Nancy Poppeck of Harbor Beach, Linda Coulston and her husband, Ken, of Okemos, and Gloria Cox and her husband, Jim, of Port Huron; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister, Alice Coaster. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 20, 1999, at the First United Methodist Church in Bad Axe, with the Rev. William Wright, pastor, officiating. Burial with military graveside services will follow at Verona Cemetery. Ephraim Tetreau Ephraim Taft Tetreau, 88, of Bad Axe in Lincoln Township, died unexpectedly Friday morning, Dec. 17, 1999, at Huron Memorial Hospital in Bad Axe. He was born Feb. 20, 1911, in Bad Axe and was the son of the late Joshua and Lucy (Gravelle) Tetreau. Mr. Ephraim Tetreau and Miss Elizabeth Randall were married Dec. 11, 1937. She preceded him in death on March 23, 1994. He is survived by his daughter, Jean Tetreau, of Romeo; his son, Lyle Tetreau and his wife, Wendy, of Bad Axe; his son-in-law, Gene Hanson, of Cass City; his grandchildren, Shelly Hanson, Kevin Tetreau, Pam Tetreau and Lyn Tetreau and his wife, Shannon; eight great-grandchildren; two brothers, Clyde Tetreau of Frankenmuth and Charles Tetreau and his wife, Dorothy, of Sebring, Fla.; three sisters, Elsie Meader and her husband, Bob, of Sebring, Fla., Lucille Shively and her husband, Paul, of Boyne Falls, and Lilly Richardson of Bad Axe; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by one daughter, Karen Hanson; one son, Melvin Tetreau; one grandson, Joey Hanson; one granddaughter, Diane Tetreau; one sister, Alice Green; and three brothers, Ted Tetreau, Bob Tetreau and Elger Tetreau. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 20, 1999, from the Bad Axe First Baptist Church with the Rev. Jay Barsaleau, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow at Colfax Township Cemetery. 1