ALETA (LETE) WILLS
Aleta (Lete) Wills, 87, of Bad Axe passed away Thursday evening, Oct. 27, 2005 at Courtney Manor after a long illness.
She was born June 13, 1918 in Lincoln Township, daughter of the late Fred and Effie (Woods) Gilbert.
Lete and Elgin Wills were married Jan. 9, 1937 in Bad Axe. He preceded her in death on Nov. 7, 1981.
The couple farmed in Sheridan Township for many years before moving to Bad Axe and Mrs. Wills was very proud of the fact that she lived her entire life in Huron County, with the exception of a couple of winters spent in Port Richey, Fla.
She was a 1935 graduate of Bad Axe High School and was employed for many years as a bookkeeper and cashier for A&P, after which she worked at the Reimann-Snyder Furniture Store, retiring in 1980.
Aleta was a member of the Bad Axe First Presbyterian Church and a 68-year life member and past matron of the Ubly Miriam Chapter 214 of the Order of the Eastern Star.
Surviving are two daughters, Helen Waggoner and her husband, Ray, of Vassar, and JoAnn Lipan and her husband, Tom, of Sand Point; three grandsons, Randy Hartwick and his wife, Kelly, Richard Hartwick and his wife, Donna, and Scott McDonald and his wife, Becky; three granddaughters, Robin Geesey and her husband, Gregg, Amy Osentoski and her husband, Marvin, and Julie Helewski and her husband, Richard; nine great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; and many nieces and nephews.
One grandson, Ryan Hartwick; one son-in-law, Don McDonald; three sisters, Eldora Gowen, Jackie Wooley, and Eva Reimann; and one brother, Kenneth Gilbert, preceded her in death.
Services were conducted Monday, Oct. 31, 2005 at the Bad Axe First Presbyterian Church. The Rev. Jan Dykshoorn, pastor, officiated. Burial in Elkland Cemetery, Cass City.
The Ubly Miriam Chapter 214 of the Order of the Eastern Star will conducted a memorial service Sunday, Oct. 30 at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to the Bad Axe First Presbyterian Church or the Ubly Miriam Chapter 214 of the Order of the Eastern Star.
DOREEN V. TORREY
Doreen V. Torrey of Vassar, age 77, died Monday, October 24, 2005 at her home. Doreen was born August 10, 1928 in England, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Edward and Frances Jane (Bolton) Hutchings.
She and Dale Torrey were united in marriage September 21, 1956 in Yakima, Washington. He preceded her in death on October 28, 1984.
Doreen worked as a nurse for the Caro Center. She was a member of Holiness Missionary Church in Vassar. Surviving are two children Francis McFarland of Akron and Mike and wife Lindy Torrey of Vassar; 5 grandchildren; 1 great grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her parents and husband Dale Torrey.
Funeral services were held on October 27, 2005 at Martin Funeral Home in Vassar. Those desiring, may consider memorial contributions to Meals on Wheels. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.
Arrangements by Martin Funeral Home in Vassar.
ROBERT MCCRUMB
Robert McCrumb, age 81, died Saturday, October 22, 2005 at his home surrounded by his family.
Robert was born September 16, 1924 in Tuscola, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Gerald and Bertha (Wilbur) McCrumb.
He and Mary Ann Monkhouse were united in marriage July 26, 1974 at the Vassar First Presbyterian Church. She preceded him in death July 3, 2004.
Robert was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, having served during WWII. He retired from Malleable Iron in Saginaw after 38 years of service and from Vassar Building Center after 30 years. He was completely devoted to his family and friends. He will be greatly missed by his nine children, Don and wife JoAnn McCrumb of Vassar, Dianne German of Vassar and special friend James Keenan, Dean McCrumb and fiancé Roxanne of Millington-Vassar, Penny Germain of Vassar, Doug and wife Laura Bellamy of Fenton, Rod and wife Cinde Bellamy of Grand Blanc, Becky and husband Jim Gorleski of Vassar, Chuck and wife Rene Bellamy of Vassar, Todd and wife Denise Bellamy of Caseville; 25 grandchildren, Shari and husband Rich Zietz of Saginaw, Bob and wife Tracy McCrumb of Birch Run, Wendy and husband Andy Heinrich of Vassar, Alana and husband Doug Eckenswiller of Reese, Mikel McCrumb of Caro, David and wife Erin German of Clio, Scott and wife Julie Germain of Vassar, Dan and wife Chris Germain of Vassar, Bill Germain of Vassar, Jeremy Bellamy and Denae Sutton of Fenton, Melanie and Brian Sheppard of Fenton, Rachel Babcock of Fenton, Mara Lee Babcock of Fenton, Ron Bellamy of Grand Blanc, Bob and wife Brenda Nancarrow of Corunna, Autumn and husband Chris Lamb of Traverse City, Malissa and husband Wayne Mansueto of Vassar, Mary Gorleski of Vassar, Mason Gorleski of Vassar, Trent Bellamy of Vassar, Hailey Bellamy of Vassar, Trevor Bellamy of Vassar, Lindsay Bellamy of Vassar, Mack Bellamy of Vassar, Loren Bellamy of Vassar; 25 great-grandchildren; 3 sisters, Gerry Perkins of Lapeer, Ella Mae Farnum of Watrousville, Joyce and husband Bob Klopf of Vassar; Several nieces and nephews; Very special friends, Dan Seney, Ron Rittenberg, and Merri Lemcke.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Mary Ann McCrumb, three brothers Clare Keech, Chuck Keech and Buck McCrumb, and one sister Margaurite Campbell.
Funeral services were held on October 26, 2005 at Vassar First Presbyterian Church with Rev. John Becker officiating. Memorial contributions may be considered for the American Diabetes Association or Lutheran Hospice of Hope in Frankenmuth. Envelopes are available at the funeral home and at church.
ROBERT A. SKOWER
Robert Anselm Skower, 79, of Yuba City, California passed away on October 12, 2005 at his residence.
Mr. Skower was born in Detroit, and was a Yuba-Sutter resident since 1968. Robert was a chiropractor for more than 20 years, with a practice in Marysville for 18 years, and a reserve deputy for the Yuba County Sheriff’s Department for 20 years.
Survivors include a son, Haynes R. Skower of Yuba City; four daughters, Donna M. Alcorn of Dobbins, Julianna Woodward of Marysville, Jean Wells of Folsom and Barbara A. Peebles of Napa; two brothers, Joseph J. Skower Sr. of Vassar and Francis E. Ging of Grand Rapids; a sister, Pat King of Vassar; 15 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
Robert was preceded in death by a son, Robert E. Skower; a sister, Thelma Chaltron; and a grandson.
A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Dobbins, with Rev. Robert Copsey officiating. Burial at Keystone Cemetery in Dobbins. Contributions can be made to Sutter North Hospice, 826 Fourth St., Marysville, CA 95901.
ORTON J. “OJ” STANGE
Orton J. Stange, age 81, passed away October 23, 2005 at the Medical Care Facility in Caro.
Orton was born on July 20, 1924 to the late Otto and Frances (Greenleaf) Stange. Mr. Stange was married to Lois Dodge on October 24, 1944 in Caro. Lois survives him.
O.J. worked for many years in both retail and wholesale, retiring from United Church Directories in 1986. Mr. Stange was a member of Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church.
O.J. was a graduate of Arthur Hill High School graduating in 1942. Orton then served in the United States Army.
O.J. enjoyed reading, writing poetry, and drawing. Spending time with his family was his greatest joy, for he was a loving husband, father, and grandfather for nearly 61 years.
Surviving besides his wife are two daughters Sandy (Tom) Gaudreau, of Vassar and Lauri Kienzlen, of The Colony, Texas; two grandsons, Ryan, and Drew Kienzlen whose talents on and off the soccer field were to O.J. a source of great pride and joy.
O.J.’s family would like to send their sincerest thanks to all the staff at Shattuck Manor, Hoyt Nursing Home and Medical Care Facility. And a special thank you to Pastor Mike Hahn.
In addition to his parents, O.J. was preceded in death by two infant brothers.
Funeral services were held on October 26, 2005 at Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2405 Bay Road. Pastor Mike Hahn officiated with burial in Riverside Cemetery in Vassar.
Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church.
STANLEY L. GUTEK
Stanley L. Gutek of Saginaw, age 90, died Monday, October 24, 2005 at Healthsource in Saginaw. Stanley was born May 2, 1915 in Detroit, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Felix and Mary (Czech) Gutek. He and Shirley Lewis were united in marriage Nov. 10, 1945 in Reese. Stanley worked as a millwright at Eaton Corporation in Vassar.
He attended St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Saginaw and St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Catholic Church in Vassar. He was a charter member of Vassar Eagles and Knights of Columbus #4232.
Surviving is his wife Shirley of Saginaw; children, Robert and wife Sarah Gutek of Grand Rapids, Mary and husband Rick Moessner of Stow, Ohio; daughter-in-law, Beth Gutek of Traverse City; grandchildren, Rachelle Schoo, Michele Gutek, Sue and husband Monte Henderson, Jessica and husband Jim Messner, Jason Moessner, Christine and husband Chris Alexander; great-grandchildren, Evelyn Messner, Ian and Emma Henderson; sister, Virginia Strause.
Stanley was preceded in death by his parents; son Michael Gutek; sisters Helen Gibson and Frances Urbanski; brother Fred Gutek.
Funeral Service were held on October 28, 2005 at St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Catholic Church in Vassar with Rev. Fr. John Ederer officiating. Burial followed at St. Elizabeth Cemetery. Cremation took place.
Those desiring, may consider memorial contributions to Heartland Hospice. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.
Arrangements by Martin Funeral Home in Vassar.
LAURA HELEN SERVICE
Laura Service, age 96, passed away Monday, October 24, 2005 at the Lutheran Home in Frankenmuth.
Laura was born in Millington into a good Christian Irish family and she attended church at the same little church where her grandfather, Nelson Riness, was the minister.
Her rich auburn hair blended with that of her three brothers and three sisters and she was a lighthearted, happy young woman that captured the heart of George Service. She said that if she could have him she would never want anyone else. They married when she was just 17. They spent 40 happy years together before death claimed him in 1965. She said that she would be Mrs. George Service when she went to her grave and this week she kept her word. For 79 years she remained true to her husband, and now she’s gone to join him.
We will all miss her Irish spirit and her happy smile. She was American through and through but Irish in spirit forevermore. Her Irish wit and spirit lives on in her descendants and somewhere over Ireland a new star is blinking a message of love and blarney to those who are left to mourn her passing.
Survivors include two children, Leland “Buck” (Norma) Service of Vassar and Connie (Al) Trimble of Millington; six grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Pauline Halliday and Dorothy O’Connor; son-in-law, Ernie Rogner.
She was preceded in death by a daughter, Suzanne Rogner; sister, Meda Landis; brothers, Jess, Charles and Nelson Riness.
Funeral services were held on October 28, 2005 at the Penzien-Steele Funeral Home, 149 N. Main St., Vassar. Rev. Harold Stratton officiated with burial following at Riverside Cemetery.
Those desiring may make contributions to the First United Methodist Church.
