Obituaries

Bay City, Michigan

     John passed away Wednesday, August 31, 2011 at his residence, age 64.  The son of Robert R. and Jeanne M. (Moore) Harris; he was born January 25, 1947 in Bay City.  John married Suzanne M. Hewitt; she survives him.  He was a Vietnam veteran and served his country with the US Air Force.  John was a foreman with Globe Fire Sprinklers in Standish for over twenty years.  He enjoyed watching old movies and loved hunting in his younger years.

     Surviving is his wife, Suzanne, their “kids”: Freckles, Stormy and Rainy, his mother, Jeanne M. Harris, one brother, Michael (Kathy) Harris, two sisters, Anne Harris and Carole Wright, one sister in-law, Pam Bunker, several nieces and nephews.  John was predeceased by his father, Robert R. Harris, one sister, Colleen DeVille and one brother in-law, Rob Wright.

     The Funeral Service and Military Honors, under the auspices of the Bay County Veterans Council will be held Saturday, September 3, 2011 at 1:00pm at Squires Funeral Home.  Pastor Loyd Ayres will officiate and private inurnment will be in Calvary Cemetery.  Friends may call at the funeral home on Saturday from 11:00am until the time of service.  Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to the Bay County Humane Society.

Tracy Avila passed away Saturday August 27, 2011 at Franciscan Saint Elizabeth Central Hospital age 45.  He was born April 14, 1966 in Bay City.  Tracy truly enjoyed playing his guitar, being outdoors and he loved being in Florida near the ocean.

 Surviving is a daughter; Krystal Ondrais, mother and step-father; Inez & Benjamin Fisher, father and step-mother; Fred & Ellie Avila, grandparents; Hank (Helen) Balderrama, one brother; Fred(Lori) Avila & their children, Grace & Chloe, two sisters; Dawn (Duane) Blake-Hornbacher and their children, Joey & Hallie, Vicky Charbonneau and her children, Karlie & Brock, a half-sister; Cindy (Chris) Brown and their daughter, Carma.

 Funeral and committal service will take place Friday September 2, 2011 at 4:00 p.m. from the Squires Funeral Home.  Pastor Joe Atchinson will officiate.  Friends may call at the Squires Funeral Home on Friday from 12 noon until time of service.  Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the Good Samaritan Rescue Mission of Bay City.

www.squiresfuneralchapel.com

Mr. Rybkowski passed away suddenly Monday August 29, 2011 at the Bay Regional Medical Center age 75 years.  Son of the late John & Nettie (Norlock) Rybkowski he was born March 14, 1936 in Bay City.  He married the former Gloria Jeanne Mosher.  She survives him.  Rip worked for VanHaaron Trucking for many years before retiring.  He was an avid golfer, bowler, playing cards, enjoyed gardening and watching the Detroit Tigers and the Detroit Lions.

 Surviving besides his wife Gloria Jeanne he leaves six children; Roxane Gawne, Ricky (Diane) Rybkowski, Renee (Dale) Rahn, Robby and Rhonda Rybkowski, Sandi (Bill) Maxfield, Kenny Thorne, twelve grandchildren; Dustin, Rachel, Eric, Jon-David, Austin, Robyn, Racquel, Ryan, Katie, Beverly, Greg, Steve and several great-grandchildren.  Also surviving are one brother and two sisters; Lefty Rybkowski, Carol Bell, Esther Hummel and his two dogs; Brandi Lou and Amber Darling.  He was predeceased by numerous brothers and sisters.

 Funeral Service will take place Thursday September 1, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. from the Squires Funeral Home.  Pastor David Dunn will officiate.  Friends may call at the Squires Funeral Home on Thursday from 1:00 – 6:00 p.m.  Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider family wishes.

www.squiresfuneralchapel.com

Essexville, Michigan

     Ike passed away Saturday, August 27, 2011 at home watching his favorite sports on television, age 73.  He was born September 23, 1937 in Bay City to the late Aaron and Antoinette (Jankowski) Eichhorn.  Ike married Catherine A. “Cathy” Wiescinski in St. Boniface Church on April 30, 1966; she survives him.  He was a veteran and served his country with the US Marine Corps.  Ike worked for over 35 years in the Operating Engineers Union #324.  He enjoyed trying his luck at the casinos and was an avid sports fan, especially the Detroit Lions and University of Michigan Football.

     Surviving besides his wife Cathy are three children: Chris (Melissa) Eichhorn, Lori (fiancé, Jeremy Powers) Eichhorn and Tim Eichhorn, seven grandchildren: Brett Eichhorn, Brianna, Lakin and Alyvia Hahn, Emily, Paige and Kelsey Andrzejewski, two sister in-laws: Anita and Noel Eichhorn, several nieces and nephews.  Aaron was predeceased by two brothers: Don and Ron Eichhorn.

     The Funeral Service will be held Thursday, September 1, 2011 at 11:00am at Ambrose Funeral Home.  Pastor Joe Atchinson will officiate and interment will follow in Floral Gardens Cemetery, under the auspices of the Bay County Veterans Council and the US Marine Corps Reserves.  Friends may call at the funeral home on Wednesday from 2:00 to 8:00pm and Thursday after 10:00am.  Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to “Family Wishes.”

Bay City, Michigan

     Connie passed away Monday, August 29, 2011 at her home with her family by her side, age 76.  She was born May 14, 1935 in Bay City to the late Thomas and Genevieve (Stajkowski) Swantek.  Connie married Kenneth R. Yax on July 18, 1953; he predeceased her on September 22, 2006.  She was a member of St. Hyacinth Church, the Rosary Society, Senior Citizens, Funeral Luncheon Committee #3 and the Knights of Columbus Council #4102 Ladies Auxiliary.  Connie loved to visit; she especially looked forward to her monthly breakfast with her lady friends at Krzysiak’s Restaurant.

     Surviving are two sons, Mark (Robin Pilon) Yax and Craig (Ramona) Yax, five grandchildren: Nicholas (Jen) Yax, Christopher, Matthew (Teri) Yax, Jacqulynn and Ashlee Yax, one brother, Richard (Judy) Swantek and Connie was a “great” great grandmother as well.

    The Funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday, September 1, 2011 at 10:00am at St. Hyacinth Church.  Fr. Edward J. Konieczka will celebrate Mass and interment will be held in Floral Gardens Cemetery.  Friends may call at the Ambrose Funeral Home on Wednesday from 1:00 to 8:00pm and at church on Thursday after 9:00am.  Members of St. Hyacinth Rosary Society will pray the Rosary Wednesday at 2:00pm, followed later by a Parish Vigil Service at 7:00pm.  Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to St. Hyacinth Church or McLaren Visiting Nurse and Hospice.

Erika Hax (Pose`)

Bay City, Michigan

     Erika passed away Sunday, August 21, 2011 at Bay Medical Care Facility, age 87. She was born August 7, 1924 in Berlin Germany to the late Bernard and Valerie (Malotake) Pose’. She lived in Bay City most of her life. Erika divorced Lorris Coppinger and later married Robert Hax, who was with her until he passed away. She worked at General Hospital and Bay Medical Center for nearly 30 years. She loved gardening, reading, sewing and especially cooking. Erika spoke four languages, and served as a young interpreter in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin Germany.

     Erika leaves behind, two sons and one daughter: Reinhardt Coppinger, Coree Coppinger and Ronald (Sharon) Coppinger, three grandchildren: Kristy (Nate) Boyette, Michelle Kluver and Ryanne Coppinger and four great grandchildren: Layne and Evan Boyette, Jillian Coppinger and Duncan Kluver.

     A Memorial Service will be held Sunday, August 28, 2011 at 4:00pm at Squires Funeral Home.  Sr. Mary Epple will officiate.  Friends may call at the funeral home on Sunday from 2:00 to 4:00pm.