Gladwin County, Michigan obits:
Margaret I. Freier, Beloved wife, mother and grandmother, Margaret I. Freier was born June 10, 1918 in Beaverton to John and Isabel Trumble McGrath.
Melvin E. Freier and Margaret were married in Gladwin, May 9, 1938 and have celebrated more than 60 years of life together. For the past four years, she has resided at the Gladwin Living Centre.
Margaret is survived by her husband; one son, John (Linda) Freier; two daughters, Darlene DeMoines (Kip Fritcher), and Hazel (Roger) Heyn; six grandchildren, Kurt, Karl (Kristine,) Dawn (Jack), Trevor, Eric (Corina), and Chad; six great-grandchildren, Keith, Kaitlyn, Jonathon, Kurt, Kirk, and Nathan; one sister, Mary (Paul) Offenbeck; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents; stepfather, Walter Martin; and brother, John McGrath.
Margaret was self-employed and operated an adult foster care home for 20 years. She was a member of the Wagarville Methodist Church. She devoted her life to the happiness of others.
Our deepest appreciation and gratitude are extended to her loving caregiver and our friend, Sharon Fitzpatrick.
Cremation has taken place and interment will be in Ridge Cemetery.
A celebration of her life was commemorated privately by her immediate family at the family homestead.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of one's choice.
Hall Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
(Dated 02/16/2000)
Chester C. Sarzynski Sr., 78, of Gladwin, died Saturday, Feb. 12, 2000 at MidMichigan Medical Center-Gladwin afer a short illness.
Born June 9, 1921 in Detroit, he lived in Gladwin County for 21 years and previously lived in Detroit.
Chester married Dolores (Fini), Feb. 21, 1942 in Detroit. He was a veteran of World War II serving in the Merchant Marines.
He was a truck driver for United Trucking Service Inc. in Detroit, retiring in 1974 after 30 years. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, American Legion Post 171, and Detroit Teamsters Local 299.
Besides his wife he is survived by two sons, Anthony Sarzynski of Los Angeles, Calif., and Chester Jr. and wife Margaret of Dearborn Heights; two daughters, Dolores and husband Larry Masteller of Sun City West, Ariz., and Norma Shewchenko of Gladwin; two sisters, Mary Slowik of Oklahoma City, Okla., and Christine Wojcik of Westland; one brother, Rudolph Zakay of Bonita Springs, Fla.; five grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and one brother, Edmond
There will be a memorial services at noon tomorrow (Thursday) at Northridge Church in Plymouth with John Paton officiating.
There will also be a memorial service at 10 a.m. Saturday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Rev. Father Patrick Jankowiak officiating. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the time of the service at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
Hall Funeral Homes Gladwin & Beaverton were in charge of the arrangements.
Dorothy A. Raber, 55, of Sanford, died Monday, Feb. 14, 2000 at MidMichigan Medical Center in Midland after a short illness.
Born Feb. 16, 1944 in Baltimore, she lived in Midland County for 25 years and previously lived in Clio.
Dorothy married William Raber, Oct. 28, 1961 in Baltimore, Md. She was a nurses aid for MidMichigan Regional Medical Center-Midland, retiring in 1978 after 12 years.
Besides her husband she is survived by four sons, Andrew of Sanford, Robert and wife Deborah, Adam and wife Billie Jo, and Bradley and wife Casey, all of Midland; and 14 grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Dorothy Barnes.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. tomorrow (Thursday) at Hall Funeral Home, Beaverton Chapel, with Rev. David Marsteller officiating. Burial will be in New Edenville Cemetery in Edenville. Visitation will be at the Hall Funeral Home, Beaverton, today (Wednesday) from 4 to 9 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to the donor's favorite charity.
Harry J. Bender, 82, of Saginaw, died Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2000.
Born March 4, 1918 in Gladwin Township, he was the son of Arthur and Renada (Nickodemus) Bender.
Harry married Caroline Lummen, Nov. 4, 1967. She preceded him in death, Feb. 26, 1992. He was of the Lutheran faith.
He was retired from Consumers Power Company after many years of service. He was also a member of the Mid-Michigan Antique Machinery Association.
Surviving are two stepdaughters, Janice Sayers, and Marian and husband Thomas Krupka, all of Saginaw; seven grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; three sisters, Elsie Prell of Washington, Mich.; Alice Sahr of Saginaw, and Caroline Bellinger of Gladwin; one brother, Arthur Bender of Gladwin; many other loving family members; and a very dear friend, Genevieve Hendricks.
He was preceded in death by a stepdaughter, Shirley Lummen; and one grandson, Todd Lummen.
Services were held Saturday.
Harry D. Hercliff, 46, of New Waterford, Ohio, died Saturday, Feb. 5, 2000 at Salem Community Hospital in Salem, Ohio, after suffering a heart attack.
He was born Jan. 1, 1954 in Ferndale, the son of Margaret (Cromey) Hercliff and the late Howard Hercliff and graduated from Harrison High School in 1972. He had lived in Ohio for the past 10 years where he was a driver for Magneco Metrel Company in Negley.
In addition to his mother, Margaret Hercliff of Antler Arms, Gladwin, he is survived by his wife, the former Sandra L. Lohler, whom he married Aug. 14, 1994; a daughter, Melissa Bauer of Columbia, Tenn.; three stepdaughters, Carrie Stone at home, Pamela Stone of East Palestine, Ohio, and Glenda Ward of New Waterford, Ohio; three stepsons, Curt Stone of New Brighton, Pa., Richard Stone of Parkman, Ohio, and Robert Blymiller at home; a brother, George and wife Deb of Clare; two sisters, Lorraine and husband Jerry Wheeler of Pinconning and Elaine and husband Elton Williams of Lennon; and eight grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his father; a brother, Dale; and a stepson, Billy Stone.
Services were held Tuesday, Feb. 8 at the Oliver-Linsley Funeral Home in East Palestine, Ohio with Keith Conkle officiating. Burial was in New Waterford Cemetery.
Irene C. Skurya, 77, of Gladwin, died Sunday, Feb. 13, 2000 at MidMichigan Medical Center-Gladwin following a short illness.
Born Jan. 23, 1923 in Ohio, she lived in Gladwin County since 1975 and previously lived in Detroit.
Irene married Mike Skurya in 1954 in Angola, Ind. She was a homemaker and a member of St. Anne's Catholic Church.
Besides her husband she is survived by one daughter, Patricia Diederich of Texas; one son, Greg G. Balogh of Texas; one brother, Daniel Pikula of Pennsylvania; several grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Cremation has taken place.
Hall Funeral Homes Gladwin & Beaverton were in charge of the arrangements.
