Obituaries

Bay City, Michigan

     Mr. Pietryga, age 78, passed away peacefully with his family by his side Monday, May 16, 2011 after a courageous battle with brain cancer at Caretel Inns of Tri-Cities.  Raymond was born January 19, 1933 in Munger, MI to the late Leo and Mary (Ciesla) Pietryga.  He married Sandra A. Gottleber; she survives him.  He was a Korean Conflict veteran and served his country with the US Army as a Staff SGT.  Raymond retired from Grey Iron Foundry in Saginaw after 42 years of dedicated service.  He was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, St. George Society, Pulaski Club, Muskrat Club and a former member of Holy Trinity’s Booster Club.  Raymond enjoyed annual fishing and hunting trips up north with his family and friends.  He was an avid sports fan, especially University of Michigan Football, where he held season tickets and shared them with his daughters over the past several years.

     Surviving besides his wife, Sandy is two daughters, Lori Pietryga and Sheri (Jeff) Kleinschmidt, one loving and precious granddaughter, Nicole, ten brothers and sisters: Leo (Janice) Pietryga, Norbert (Elaine) Pietryga, Leonard Pietryga, Pat Pletzke, Jane (Jack) Smerdon, Alice (Walter) Frasz, Annette (Ron) Majeske, Clarence (Nancy) Pietryga, Lorraine (Jack) Bork and Tom (Sherry) Pietryga, numerous nieces and nephews.  Raymond was predeceased by one sister, Marlene, two brothers: Jerry and James and a sister in-law, Beverly Pietryga.

     The Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, May 20, 2011 at 10:00am at Holy Trinity Catholic Church.  Fr. Bert Gohm will celebrate Mass and interment will take place in the afternoon at Floral Gardens Cemetery.  Friends may call at the Ambrose Funeral Home on Thursday from 2:00 to 8:00pm and at church on Friday after 9:00am.  A Parish Vigil Service for Raymond will be held Thursday at 5:00pm at the funeral home.  Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to the Brain Tumor Research Fund, University of Michigan Health System, Department of Neurology, 1914 Taubman Center, 1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5316.

     The Pietryga family would like to thank all the staff at Caretel Inns of Tri-Cities for their comforting care and guidance.  Also, a special thank you to Raymond’s family and close friends for their overwhelming compassion and support they extended him and his family over the past several months.

Kalamazoo, formerly of Bay City

 Mr. Thomas passed away Saturday morning May 14, 2011 at the Battle Creek V.A. Facility age 89 years.  Son of the late Lafe & Louise (Hazelbarth) Thomas he was born June 9, 1921 in Hastings, Nebraska.  Mr. Thomas served in the U.S. Marines in the Lucian Islands during the Korean Conflict.  Delwin was a Security Guard for the American Brown Hoist for many years.  He was a member of the VFW Post #169 and the Marine Corp. League.

 Surviving is a daughter; Carla Thomas, a son; Christopher (Caren) Thomas, five grandchildren; Leslie, Paul & Ian Carroll, Chad & Katrina Thomas and many great-grandchildren.  He was predeceased by five brothers and two sisters.

 Funeral Service will take place Friday, May 20, 2011 at 1:30 p.m. from the Squires Funeral Home.  Sr. Mary Epple R.S.M. will officiate with burial in Heavenly Rest Cemetery under the auspices of the Bay County Veteran’s Council.  Friends may call at the Squires Funeral Home on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until time of service.  Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider family wishes.www.squiresfuneralchapel.com

Bay City, Michigan

     Alice passed away Friday, May 13, 2011 at the Laurels of Mt. Pleasant after a lengthy illness, age 71.  She was born June 8, 1939 in Detroit, MI to the late Aloysius and Sophia (Bochniak) Andrzejewski.  She married Franklin Cameron; he predeceased her.  Alice later married Rex Michael Mercer on June 16, 1978, he survives her.  She was employed at the Bay Arenac ISD for ten years as a teacher’s aide and was a member of the Bay City Civitan.  She was also a strong supporter of Special Olympics.  Alice was a fantastic cook and a wonderful baker.

     Surviving is her husband, Michael, three children; James (Katrina), Barbara (Leigh Cuthbertson), and Daniel Cameron, five grandchildren; Daniel, William, and Anna Cuthbertson, Claire and Caitlyn Cameron, two sisters; Barbara and Judy Andrzejewski and lifelong friend, Mary Buzzard.

     Cremation has taken place.  A private family service was held.  Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider a charity of donor’s choice.

Bob Buczkowski passed away Sunday morning May 15, 2011 at his home surrounded by his family age 60 years. Son of the late Alexander & Cecelia (Sikorski) Buczkowski he was born April 20, 1951 in Bay City. Bob married the former Cheryl L. Monville August 8, 1970 in Bay City. She predeceased him June 7, 2000. Mr. Buczkowski worked at G.M. for many years before retiring in 2000. Bob loved spending time with his family and they would often take boating trips together in the summer. He enjoyed hunting and working in his garden.

Surviving are two daughters; Connie (Roy) Ballard and their two children; Stephanie & Joshua, Rebecca (John) Kustuch, and two brothers; Richard (Denise) Buczkowski and Mark (Jeannie) Buczkowski.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday May 19, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. from St. Stanislaus Kostka Church. Rev. Fr. Rick Filary will officiate. Friends may call at the Squires Funeral Home on Wednesday from 2 – 5 & 6 – 8 p.m. and at the church on Thursday after 9:00 a.m. There will be a parish vigil service for Bob at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the American Cancer Society-Bay County Unit.

Bay City, Michiganwww.squiresfuneralchapel.com

Bay City, Michigan

     Mr. Stepanski, age 85, 

passed away with his family at his side on April 22, 2011 in Sarasota, Florida. Vaughn was born on March 22, 1926 in Bay City, Michigan to the late Walter and Loretta (Stoddard) Stepanski. Vaughn served his country in the U.S. Air Force and was honorably discharged on July 2, 1946. He retired from the Grand Trunk Railroad as a conductor after 39 years of service. He enjoyed camping with family and many friends. He loved water sports including boating, scuba diving, water skiing and fishing, which always included a fish fry! He was an avid hunter spending time at the farm with his brothers-in-law. In his years after retirement Vaughn and Marjorie traveled the United States and finally settled in Florida for the winter season. His competitive nature added to his enthusiasm for many sports in which he participated. Vaughn spent much time perfecting his game of tennis and continued to play until the age of 85. He enjoyed golf and was proud of getting a hole in one. He loved to play Texas hold-em and organized the bi-weekly games for his neighbors.

He is survived by his wife Marjorie (Fleming), one daughter Loretta “Lori” (Terry) Pelletier, two grandchildren, Craig (Amy) Pelletier and Carrie Pelletier, one great-granddaughter, Ava Pelletier, a sister, Leota Haslip, and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by four brothers, Harold (Ethel) Stepanski, Walter (Maxine) Stepanski, Harvey (Laura) Stepanski, Chester Stepanski and one sister, Loretta (Robert) Jonkis, and one brother-in-law, Frank Haslip.

A memorial service will take place at St. Mary’s Church on Saturday May 21, 2011 at 11:00 am. Visitation will be from 10:00 am until the time of service. In lieu of flowers please consider a memorial donation to Helen M. Nickless Volunteer Clinic, American Cancer Society, or Family Wishes.

Bay City, Michigan

 Mr. Haynes passed away early Wednesday morning May 11, 2011 at Brian’s House age 84 years.  Son of the late Harry & Edith (Briggs) Haynes he was born July 4, 1926 in Bay City.  He married the former Mary Katherine “Katie” Landry January 29, 1948, she survives him.  Harold served in the U.S. Navy during WWII and later retired from Dow Chemical.  Mr. Haynes was a member of the American Legion Post #18.  He was an avid fisherman and woodworker.  He enjoyed raising and racing pigeons, going boating and riding motorcycles.

 Surviving besides his wife Katie he leaves two children; Terry (Susan) Haynes, Valerie Lenarsic, five grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.  Also surviving are two sisters; Helen Frances and Marie Spychalski.  He was predeceased by a son in-law; Jim Lenarsic and two brothers; Harry and Dick Haynes.

 Cremation has taken place and there will be no visitation or services at the funeral home.

www.squiresfuneralchapel.com