HURON DAILY TRIBUNE, Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan

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Local obituaries for the week beginning August 25, 2002

Sunday, August 25, 2002

Melvin Heins
Melvin F. Heins, 55, of Guam and formerly of Port Austin, passed away Tuesday, Aug.
6, 2002, following an apparent heart attack. He was born Nov. 7, 1946, in Taylor, son of
the late Raymond and Verna (Borio) Heins. Mel was a graduate of Port Austin High
School and Central Michigan University with a bachelor and master's degree in
education. He taught at Port Austin High, in Detroit and in California. Mel received his
master's degree in business administration at the University of Guam. He was vice
principal at the Johnston Middle School in Guam. Mel enjoyed basketball, tennis and was
an avid reader. He is survived by a daughter, Candace and her husband, Noah, of
Carmel, Calif.; two grandsons, Jonah and Rowan; three brothers, Raymond and his wife,
Arlene, of Port Austin, Dale and his wife, Rita, of Texas, and Darrell (Charlie) of Port
Austin; a sister, Barbara and her husband, Ozzie, of Tennessee; several nieces and
nephews. Cremation took place in Guam.

Rosalyn L. Schember
Rosalyn Lillie Schember, 55, died Thursday, Aug. 22, 2002, at Saint Mary's Medical
Center in Saginaw following a lengthy illness. She was born Oct. 13, 1946, in Pigeon,
daughter of Lillian (Fuerst) Rothfuss and the late Eli F. Rothfuss. She was a 1964
graduate of the Sebewaing High School. Rosalyn was an avid crafter and loved her
garden and flowers. Surviving are two daughters, Chris Huizar and her husband, Josh,
of Unionville, and Jodi Juzek and her husband, Woody, of Port Austin; one son, James
Schember and his fiancee, Monica McHalpine, of Sebewaing; her mother, Lillian
Rothfuss of Sebewaing; two grandchildren, Lyn Karl and Zane Schember; several aunts,
uncles and cousins. She was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Michelle
Schember. Private funeral service took place at the Dinkel-Juengel Funeral Home in
Sebewaing. Burial was in the Sebewaing Assembly of God Cemetery. There will be a
memorial service at 10 a.m. Saturday (August 31) at St. Paul Lutheran Church in
Linkville.

Monday, August 26, 2002

William Harold Henderson
William Harold Henderson, 82, of Bad Axe passed away Sunday, Aug. 25, 2002, at his
home after an extended illness. He was born July 16, 1920 in Sandusky to the late Elroy
and Iva (Starr) Henderson. Harold married Barbara Paterson on June 30, 1944, in
Sandusky. Harold farmed in the Sandusky and Carsonville area until 1960 when the
family began Henderson Sales, a farm equipment business in Bad Axe. Harold, Barbara
and family operated the business from 1960-1995. Harold assembled the Henderson Sales
building. For many years they resided in the Bradenton, Fla. area each winter. Harold was
a volunteer for the Bible Alliance for 20 years. He enjoyed carpentry, working, building,
and helping people and was an avid reader. Harold is survived by his wife, Barbara; four
children, Larry Henderson and his wife, Genny, of Bad Axe, Shalda Rea and her
husband, Michael, of Cass City, Rodney Henderson and his wife, Sharon, of Middleville,
Ty Henderson and his wife, Amy, of Pigeon; two brothers, Melvin Henderson and his
wife, Isabelle, of Sandusky and Harlyn Henderson and his wife, Gladys, of Sandusky; 12
grandchildren, Tim Henderson, Ted Henderson, Becky Henderson, Barbie Henderson,
John Rea, Andrea Rea, Will Henderson, Diana Henderson, Michael Mead, Cortney
Henderson, Dustin Henderson, and Christine Henderson; and two great-grandsons,
Brandon Mead and Noah Henderson. Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2002, at Bad Axe Free Methodist Church. Pastor Jerry Sutton will
officiate. Visitation will be 7 to 9 p.m. tonight and 1 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at MacAlpine
Funeral Home in Bad Axe and from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at the church. Memorials
may be offered to Bluewater Thumb Youth for Christ, The Gideon's, or the donor's
choice.

Eleanor C. Kosinski
Eleanor C. Kosinski, 81, of Hume Township died Saturday, Aug. 24, 2002, at the Huron
County Medical Care Facility in Bad Axe. She was born March 22, 1921, in Port Austin
Township, daughter of the late Joseph and Ida (Goretski) Kula. She and Eugene Kosinski
were married on Nov. 19, 1938, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Port Austin. He
preceded her in death on July 1, 1980. Eleanor was a member of St. Michael's Catholic
Church in Port Austin. She retired from farming in 1992, but continued to enjoy cutting
the grass or anything that would allow her to spend time on a tractor. She enjoyed
traveling, especially her yearly trips to Florida and her trips to Indiana where she visited
the Amish country. Eleanor also enjoyed playing cards, listening to polkas, and listening
to Ladies Line on WLEW-AM. She is survived by five daughters, Ann Parks and her
husband, John, of Port Austin, Alice Craig and her husband, Eugene, of Kinde, Cynthia
Forbing and her husband, John, of Filion, Vivian Thuemmel and her husband, Daniel, of
Port Austin and Colleen Mouton and her special friend, Dave Ballagh, of Bad Axe; four
sons, Donald Kosinski and his wife, Diana, of Port Austin, Eugene Kosinski and his wife,
Tammy, of Port Austin, Edward Kosinski and his wife, Mary Jo, of Elkton and Fred
Kosinski of Port Austin; 35 grandchildren; 43 great-grandchildren; three step-
grandchildren; four step-great-grandchildren; two step great-great-grandchildren; a sister,
Agnes Schipinski and her husband, Roy, of Filion; and a sister-in-law, Louise Wojtasik.
She was preceded in death by three grandchildren, Charles P. Parks, Melinda K. Parks
and Bruce K. Kosinski; sister, Katherine Strozeski and infant sister, Victoria Kula; and
five brothers, Albert, Raymond, Aloysious, Joseph and Harry Kula. Funeral mass will
be 11 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2002, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Port Austin.
Officiating will be the Rev. Robert Pare. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. A
rosary will be at 8 p.m. Tuesday evening and a vigil will take place at 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday at the Knoblock Funeral Home in Kinde. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m.
Tuesday, 1 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, and 9 to 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to the Port Austin Library, the North Huron Schools library, the
Huron County Medical Care Facility and the Diabetes Association.

Ernest Spencer
Ernest E. Spencer, 71, of Caro passed away Sunday, Aug. 25, 2002, at Adela E. Lutz VA
Medical Center in Saginaw. Funeral services will take place at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Aug.
28, 2002, at Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. today,
and 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to
the Family Discretionary Fund.

Tuesday, August 27, 2002

Frederick Hagen
Mr. Frederick "Fred" Joseph Hagen, 78, of Ubly passed away Monday, Aug. 26, 2002, at
Huron Medical Center of Bad Axe. Fred was born June 3, 1924, in Ubly to the late
Ernest and Laura (Jurges) Hagen. He married Hila Wills on April 13, 1957, at Frazer
Presbyterian Church. She preceded him in death on Aug. 3, 1979. He married Myrtle
(Bowman) Bolzman on Aug. 25, 1984. Fred was a dedicated farmer all his life. He read
farm magazines and enjoyed farm programs, socializing with stock yard buddies, and
square dancing. He belonged to the Ubly First Presbyterian Church. He was a member of
the Farm Bureau. He was a former member of the Thumb Dance Club and the Tip of the
Thumb Dance Club. Fred is survived by his wife, Myrtle, of Ubly; two sons, Karl
Hagen and his wife, Carol, of Alma, Eric Hagen and his wife, Jeanette, of Ubly; five
step- children, Janet Kinkade and her husband, Gary, of Port Byron, Ill., Donald Bolzman
and his wife, Kathy, of Aurora, Colo., Ilene Sentz and her husband, Dennis, of Midland,
Michael Bolzman and his wife, Jodie, of Unionville, Scott Bolzman and his wife, Connie,
of Essexville; six grandchildren, Kristyn, Kyle, Korey, Karalyse, Marissa and Grant; 15
step-grandchildren, Lonnie Borodychuck and his wife, Rhonda, Cami Schwenneker and
her husband, Jim, Kurt Kinkade and his wife, Hilda, Jill Mattingly, Sherry Slentz and her
husband, Larry, Joel Bolzman and his wife, Kris, Kelli, Kathi, Steven and Krysti Sentz,
Angie and Jenny Gremel, Jordan, Danielle, and Drew Bolzman; 10 step-great-
granchildren; one sister, Grace Aardol and her husband, Paul, of Howell; two brothers,
Bryce Hagen and his wife, Bettie, of Ubly, and Wallace Hagen and his wife, Sonia, of
Caseville; one sister-in-law, Janet Hagen of Grosse Pointe. Fred was preceded in death
by one brother, Clare Hagen. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug.
30, 2002, at the Zinger-Smigielski Chapel. Mr. Hubert Howell, minister of the Ubly First
Presbyterian Church, will officiate. Burial will be in the Valley Cemetery of Ubly.
Visitation will be from 2 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday and from 9:30 a.m. until the time of
service Friday at the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home of Ubly. Memorials are requested
to the American Cancer Society or the Ubly First Presbyterian Church of Ubly.

Olive McCoy
Mrs. Olive S. McCoy, 81, of Bad Axe passed away Sunday evening, August 25, 2002, at
the Huron Medical Care Facility of Bad Axe. Olive was born Oct. 10, 1920 in Minden
City to the late Dolph and Mary (Stein) Schock. She married William McCoy on Dec. 30,
1939 at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church of Saginaw. Olive was a 1938 graduate of
Bad Axe High School. She received her teaching certificate and her masters degree in
arts from Central Michigan University. She taught for 48 years at various area schools
including Muldoon Rural School, Minden City Public School, Harbor Beach Public
School, Bad Axe Public School, N.E. Sanilac County School, and Ubly Public School,
where she was elementary principal from 1965 to 1969. She enjoyed teaching,
especially in the lower elementary grades where according to her, the children would
readily absorb their lessons much like a sponge absorbs water. She was active in PTA in
all schools, and recognized the importance of keeping parents informed and involved in
their children's education. She was a member of the Michigan Education Association and
the Michigan Public School Employee Retirement System (MPSERS) and a past
president president of the Huron County MPSERS. She loved every minute of her 48-
year career before she retired in 1990. Religion was of great importance and provided
much meaning and comfort to Olive throughout her life. For many years, she was a
parishioner at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church of Ruth before becoming a parishioner
at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bad Axe. She belonged to the Christian Mothers
Society at both parishes. She was a former member of the Bad Axe Daughters of Isabella.
She was a dedicated wife, mother, and teacher. Her love and enthusiasm for life provided
her with many interests, especially continual education. She also loved dancing, bowling,
and playing cards, especially bridge. She had a special fondness for flowers. Olive will
be missed very much by those who love her. She is survived by her husband, William, of
Bad Axe; two sons, Donald J. McCoy and his wife, Michele, of Holly, and Richard J.
McCoy and his wife, Patricia, of Bad Axe; two daughters, Nancy MacKenzie and her
husband, Alister, of Lake Port, and Karen Resmer and her husband, Gerry, of Midland;
nine special grandchildren, Justin, Simon, Kathy, Don, Bill and his wife, Angela, Kim,
Matt, Sarajane, and Emily Ann; three sisters, Betty Moxlow of Detroit, Marion Teeple
and her husband, Donald Sr., of Minden City, and Doris Schumacker and her husband,
Gerald, of Romeo; sister-in-law Audrey Schock of Minden City; and a very special care
giver, Nancy Ligrow. Olive was preceded in death by two sons, James P. in 1962, and
William J. Jr., in 1966; one brother, Harold Schock Sr.; and one brother-in-law, Robert
Muxlow. Funeral mass for Olive McCoy will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 29, 2002, at
Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Bad Axe. The Rev. John Killop, pastor, will officiate.
Burial will be in Sts. Peter & Paul Cemetery of Ruth. There will be a parish vigil service
at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home of Ubly. Visitation will be
from 2 to 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, and from 9 to 10 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Memorials may be given to the Bad Axe Public Library.

Adam Paionk
Mr. Adam C. Paionk, 57, of Parisville went to be with the Lord on Sunday, Aug. 25,
2002, at Harbor Beach Community Hospital. Adam was born Dec. 11, 1944, in Bad Axe
to Adam Paionk and Eleanor (Peruski) Peplinski. He married Lucille Lamke on Sept. 21,
1968, at St. Mary Catholic Church of Parisville. Adam graduated from South Lake High
School in St. Clair Shores in 1962. He then attended the McSweeney Trade School in
Detroit where he went for heavy equipment training. He served in the U.S. Air Force
from 1964 to 1968. He also attended the C.T.S. Truck Driving Trade School in Detroit.
He worked as an truck driver for CKS Tool & Engineering in Bad Axe for 10 years. He
owned the Countryside Bar in Parisville for 20 years where he enjoyed socializing with
many of his good friends. He was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Parisville,
and a member of the St. Mary Men's Club. He was a member of the Ubly V.F.W. Post
No. 6965. Adam cherished his wife of 33 years and was a devoted father of three
children. Music was his passion. He played several instruments in various bands through
much of his life. He organized and led the Starlights Band for more than a decade. He
also played with many bands at local functions. He enjoyed spending time in the
backyard playing with his granddaughter and listening to polkas. Adam is survived by
his wife, Lucille, of Parisville; two sons, Blaine Paionk and his wife, Michelle, of Bad
Axe and Troy Paionk of Shelby Township; one daughter, Lori Paionk of Port Huron; one
granddaughter, Makenzie; one brother, Daren Peplinski of Sterling Heights; two sisters,
Ryme Greenwood and her husband, Burrell, of Royal Oak, and Vivian Peplinski of Salt
Lake City; two sisters-in-law, Viola Church and her husband, Wayne, of Kinde, and
Patricia Limbacher and her husband, Dick, of Carsonville; two brothers-in-law, Myron
Lamke and his wife, Joyce, of Ubly, and Marvin Lamke and his wife, Sally, of Ruth; and
many nieces and nephews. Adam was preceded in death by his parents and his
stepfather, Clements Peplinski. The funeral mass for Mr. Paionk will be at 11 a.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2002, at St. Mary Catholic Church of Parisville. The Rev. Charles
Hammond, pastor will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery with graveside
military honors. There will be a parish vigil service by Fr. Hammond at 7 p.m., and a
rosary by the St. Mary Men's Club at 8 p.m., Tuesday at the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral
Home of Ubly. Visitation will be from 1 to 9:30 p.m. today and from 9 to 10 a.m.
Wednesday at the funeral home.

Wednesday, August 28, 2002

Dustin G. Shannon
On Saturday, August 24, 2002 the United States lost one of the finest young leaders of its
next generation. Dustin G. Shannon, 1st Lieutenant of the United States Army was killed
in the line of duty as his aircraft crashed in the mountainous terrain of South Korea. His
ultimate sacrifice for the love and honor of his country will be remembered forever by
everyone fortunate enough to have known him. Dustin was a 1996 graduate of Vassar
High School and a 2000 graduate from the United States Military Academy at West
Point, New York. He completed flight school at Fort Rucker, Alabama, certified to fly the
Apache attack helicopter. To say he lived life to the fullest would be a mockery; he lived
life with a vengeance. Dustin lived by a code of honor that was second nature to himself,
but often insurmountable to others. He lived by the sacred fundamentals of The Long
Gray Line in Duty, Honor, Country; to never lie, cheat or steal, values that have gone
unchanged in 200 years. He served his country with the strongest sense of Army values
prioritizing his life in My mission, My men, My self. This selfless persona caused those
around him not only to love him, but to rally to his cause. He in every way embodied the
type of person we all strive to be, but all too frequently fall short on in our attempts.
Dustin was many things to many people, a loving brother, son and friend. To others he
was a dedicated superior or subordinate. In all of these people he was able to light a spark
that allowed them to burn brighter than what they could have before. To list his survivors
would be impossible. He touched people around the world, and to single out any one
person would be an injustice to the rest. There is not a person in this group who would
not have most willingly laid out their life for Dustin, as he did so for them with his. In a
lifetime of moments, he defined each instead of letting such moments define him. In his
own words, it is far better to burn out than to fade away. For those of you who wish to
say goodbye to Dustin, you may wish to call on his friends and family at Martin Funeral
Home-Clark Chapel, top of the hill in Vassar on Friday, August 30, from 6-9 p.m. and
Saturday, August 31, from 1-6 p.m. Visitation will also occur on Sunday, September 1 at
the Vassar High School auditorium, 220 Athletic Street, from 12 noon until 2 p.m. with
services to follow at that location. Reverend John Becker will officiate with full military
burial rites to follow at the Riverside Cemetery of Vassar, under the auspices of the
United States Army. Dustin was born on October 6, 1978 in San Diego, California and
moved to Michigan with his mother Sandy Walker and his father Gary and brother Ethan
Shannon. He attended Vassar Public Schools until graduating in 1996 whereon he chose
to pursue a career in the military as an officer by entering the United States Military
Academy. Graduating from West Point in 2000, he went on to complete flight school.
Along the way he was the winner of numerous awards and recognition, but none were
more important to him than the respect of his peers. Countless friends and family will
continue to cherish his memory, including his fore-mentioned brother and loving parents.
He will be dearly missed by all, and never forgotten. Friends and family wishing to
honor Dustin's memory should consider a monetary donation to the Dustin G. Shannon
Memorial Scholarship Fund in place of other forms of expression of their grief. It is the
hope of his family it will allow others of his up bringing to be afforded the same
opportunities for excellence that he so desperately fought for each day of his life.
Friends may share a memory with the family at the funeral home or online at
http://www.tir.com/~mmfh.

Helen Warczinsky
Helen M. Warczinsky, 75, of Palms died Monday, Aug. 26, 2002, in her home. She was
born on Nov. 18, 1926, in the home of her parents, the late Joseph and Gradie (Abram)
Hirzke of Wheatland Township. She was married to Wilfred Warczinsky on Sept. 22,
1945, in St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Sandusky by the late Rev. Louis Keinath. They
celebrated 56 years of marriage on Sept. 22, 2001. Mrs. Warczinsky enjoyed her
children, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed crafts, card playing and
her flower garden, also. She retired in 1995 after 15 years of employment at the
Deckerville Community Hospital. She is survived by her husband, Wilfred, of Palms;
four sons, Larry and his wife, Helen, of Palms, Ronald and his wife, Barbara, of Midland,
James and his wife, Connie, of Perrinton and John and his wife, Bonnie, of Fenton; one
daughter, Brenda Kaufman and her husband, Dale, of Sandusky; 13 grandchildren; six
great-grandchildren; four sisters, Mrs. Evelyn Campbell of Deckerville, Mrs. Alice
Thomson and her husband, Durelle, of Arizona, Mrs. Joyce McIntyre and her husband,
John, of California, and special sister, Mrs. Martha Lutat of Deckerville; sister-in-law,
Mrs. Grace (Hirzke) McEachin and her husband, Richard, of Deckerville; special sister-
in-law, Lilly Pagel and her husband, Lawrence, of Palms; many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and a brother, Edmund Hirzke, on March 25,
1959. Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 30, 2002, at St. John's
Lutheran Church in Palms. Pastor Henry Malone will officiate. Burial will be in St.
John's Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. today and from 3 to 9
p.m. Thursday at the Apsey Funeral Home in Deckerville. Memorials may be made to
United Hospice or St. John's Building Fund.

Thursday, August 29, 2002 – None

Friday, August 30, 2002

David Desrosiers
David Desrosiers, 66, of Bad Axe died Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2002, following a
car/bicycle accident. David was born Dec. 25, 1935, in Detroit to the late Omer and
Adele (LaCroix) Desrosiers. He was united in marriage to Carolyn McVey on Jan. 6,
2001. David was a long-time Lion's Club member. He worked as an engineer at Ford,
Chrysler, and General Motors. Mr. Desrosiers is survived by his wife, Carolyn; one son,
David Desrosiers of Memphis, Mich.; four daughters, Josette DiMercurio of Ortonville,
Darlene Palazzolo and her special friend, Frank, of Washington, Sarah Utich and her
husband, Kurt, of Sterling Heights, and Deb Turner and her husband, Kim, of
Waynesfield, Ohio; three stepsons, Robert McVey and his wife, Cheryl, of Greenville,
Sean McVey and his wife, Denise, of Bad Axe, and Patrick McVey and his wife, Cari, of
Bad Axe; one stepdaughter, Carrie Errer and her husband, Thomas, of Howell; one
brother, Daniel and his wife, Dorothy, of Stoney Point, Ontario; one sister, Jean Mason of
Naperville, Ill.; 13 grandchildren, Shawn and Shane Palazzolo, Jennifer Utich, David
Joseph Desrosiers III, Nicholas Palazzolo, Kurt Utich II, Frank DiMercurio, Devin
Desrosiers, Michael DiMercurio, Dane Desrosiers, Mackenzie, Taylor, and Lake Turner;
six step-grandchildren, Allison, Matthew, Benjamin, and Ian McVey, and Nicholas and
William Errer; and two great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted at 10
a.m. Saturday, Aug. 31, 2002, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bad Axe. Fr. John
Killop will officiate. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery. There will be a
scripture service led by Jan Rapson at 7 p.m. and a Lion's Club tribute at 7:30 tonight at
the MacAlpine Funeral Home in Bad Axe. Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. today and
from 9 to 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Memorials may be offered to Lion's
Club Leader Dog School, Sacred Heart Catholic Church or Donor's Choice.

Wan LaBute
Mrs. Wan LaBute (Labeski), 90, of Farmington Hills and formerly of Ubly, passed away
Thursday, Aug. 29, 2002. A funeral mass will be at 12 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31, 2002, at
St. Mary Catholic Church of Parisville. The Rev. Charles Hammond, pastor, will
officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the
time of the mass Saturday at the church. Local arrangements made by Zinger-Smigielski
Funeral Home.