Obituaries

Bay City, Michigan

     Thomas passed away Sunday, August 21, 2011, age 25.  The son of Herman H. and Donna S. (Porch) Heierman, he was born June 4, 1986 at Scott AFB, Illinois.  Thomas graduated from Bay City Central and was currently a junior at Saginaw Valley State University.  He was also employed at the career center at SVSU.  He loved to play his guitar and was a brown belt in Judo.  Thomas was saved by our Lord Jesus Christ and Baptized at First Baptist Church in New Baden, Illinois and attended Harvest Baptist Church in Bay City. 

     Surviving are his parents Donna and Herman, one brother, Karl Heierman, one sister, Jenifer Shelton, his grandparents: Myron Porch and June and Everett Hudson, aunts and uncles: Frank (Sue) Porch, Katie (Robert) Emge, Lucretia (Dennis) Nievierowski, Karl (Amy) Heierman, girlfriend Laurel Tilot and many cousins and friends.  Thomas was predeceased by his grandmother, Wanda Porch and his grandfather, Harold Heierman.

     The Funeral Service will be held Wednesday, August 24, 2011 at 7:00pm at Ambrose Funeral Home.  Pastor Joe Atchinson will officiate. Friends may call at the funeral home on Wednesday from 3:00 to 7:00pm. Interment will be held at Oak Ridge Cemetery in New Athens, Illinois next to his grandmother, Wanda.  His grandfather Rev. Myron Porch will officiate.

Bay City, Michigan

     Virginia passed away Friday, August 19, 2011 at Brian’s House, age 83.  She was born September 28, 1927 in Bay City to the late Edward and Nettie (Maciag) Galke.  She married Harry D. Girvin on January 5, 1945; he predeceased her.  Virginia worked as a dietary cook for over twenty five years at Bay Medical Center.  She was a member of St. James Church and enjoyed playing cards with her grandchildren, bingo and casino trips.  She also loved watching her favorite “soap”; Days of Our Lives and her favorite baseball team, the Detroit Tigers.

     Surviving are three children: Janet (George) LaVictoire, Frances Gillespie and Harry W. Girvin, eight grandchildren: Jeff (Martha) Baum, Jennice (Chuck) Shaw, Kevin (Hillary) Gillespie, Kendra (Jeffrey) Davis, James Girvin, Tabitha, Nicolus and Nathanael Girvin, fourteen great grandchildren, seven great great grandchildren, one daughter in-law, Anne Girvin, one sister in-law, Elnora Galke and Virginia’s pet cat, “Kitty.”

     Virginia was predeceased by two sons, Phillip and Thomas Girvin, a son in-law, Robert G. Gillespie, one brother, Harry Galke and an uncle, Walter Galke.

     Cremation has taken place.  A Memorial Service will be held at a later date.  Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to “Family Wishes.”

Harlan Fowler age 87 passed away peacefully Friday, August 12, 2011.  Harlan was born September 10, 1923 to the late William C and Cecilia (Mills) Fowler in Tawas, Michigan.  Harlan enjoyed the up-north country living style where he knew everyone, only wore shoes to school and would sneak out food and eat with the local train riders.  Growing up during this time he developed his unique knack of bird calling for fun and the skill of making or tinkering (as he called it) with anything out of necessity.  He brought these skills and his pleasant personality when the family moved to Bay City, Michigan in 1947.   Mr. Fowler was a veteran of WWII and was employed at the Defoe Shipyard and RWC until his retirement. Harlan married the late Florence Rezler.  He then built (mostly by hand) a subterranean home, which is still in existence today.  He didn’t have formal training in thermo-dynamics, he just had a degree in common sense.  He knew it was energy efficient and economical, we just thought it was cool.  Harlan spent his later life cooking new recipes that he collected and shared with everyone.  If this wasn’t enough, at age 70 he bought his first kayak, and along with his good friend Duke, they re-traveled the streams and rivers of his youth.

 Harlan is survived by two sisters; Wanda Cieslinski and Marion Fowler, sister in-law; Lorraine Fowler and a variety of family and people who were fortunate enough to call him friend.

 Funeral service will take place Wednesday August 17, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. from the Ambrose Funeral Home.  Rev. James A. Smith will officiate with burial in Floral Gardens Cemetery under the auspices of the Bay County Veteran’s Council.  Friends may call at the Ambrose Funeral Home on Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. until time of service.

www.ambrosefuneralchapel.com

Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Formerly of Bay City

David James Krawczak passed away Saturday August 13, 2011 in Ft. Lauderdale after a short illness age 53.  He was born July 19, 1958 in Saginaw.  David worked for Carnival and Costa Cruise Lines for many years and truly enjoyed traveling.

Surviving is his mother; Patricia Krawczak, two sisters; Karen (Christophe) Fresneau of France, Diane (Dan) Plowdrey of Freeland, three nephews and a niece; Stephane Fresneau & Catherine, Olivia Fresneau, Andrew & Justin Plowdrey, several aunts, uncles, cousins and special friends; Kevin, Susan, Lynn, Kathleen, Rich, Noreen, John, Barbra, Joe, Kay, Gail, special French family; Francoise, Andre, Nicolas, special Florida family; Bob & Gerrie, Vi and many other special friends.  He was predeceased by his father; Jim Krawczak and his grandparents.

Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be Saturday August 20, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. from St. Hyacinth Church.  Fr. Richard Jozwiak a cousin of David will officiate.  Friends may call at the church only on Saturday after 9:30 a.m.  Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider family wishes.

www.ambrosefuneralchapel.com

Bay City, Michigan

     Mr. Clark passed away Saturday, August 13, 2011 due to injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident, age 34.  The son of Douglas P., Sr. and Mary Lou (Gorney) Clark, he was born June 19, 1977 in Bay City.  Douglas married Rachel Linn Thomas on August 13, 2005; she survives him.  He was a carpenter and truck driver for many years and enjoyed riding his motorcycle and spending time with his children.

     Surviving besides his wife, Rachel are four children and step-children: Payge Pacholka, Cole Clark, Madyson Pacholka and Layne Aecha Clark, his parents, Douglas and Mary Lou Clark, two sisters, Angela (Rod) Fortin and Jennifer (James) Craig, father in-law, Jerry Thomas, three sister in-laws: Jamesine (Troy) Averill, Alana (Luke) Stoumbos and Regina Thomas, many nieces, nepwhews and close friends, Steve and Dave Brondstetter.  Douglas was predeceased by his mother in-law, Aecha Thomas.

     The Funeral Service will be held Thursday, August 18, 2011 at 5:00pm at Ambrose Funeral Home.  Rev. Bill Bodnar will officiate.  Friends may call at the funeral home on Thursday from 1:00 to 5:00pm.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be considered to “Family Wishes.”

Geraldine ‘Gerry’ (Madden) Rousse, age 87, passed away peacefully on August 13, 2011, after a brief illness at Cadillac Mercy Hospital. She was born on April 7, 1924, in Bay City, Michigan to the late Harley and Victoria (Liss) Madden. She graduated from Bay City Central High School in 1943. Gerry married Roger Alfred Rousse on September 3, 1943. They went on to raise 8 children including 2 sets of twins. Gerry’s life was centered on her family, and her favorite past-time was shopping for them, especially for birthdays and Christmas. Gerry was a world class shopaholic and she subscribed to the shoppers code of conduct which mandated that all brands and variety of a product must be closely examined before any purchase is made. Her store of choice was J. L. Hudson’s. She also enjoyed flower gardening around her home, ceramics & baking. She was best known for her famous pork pies, pineapple upside-down cake & graham roll. Gerry enjoyed a lifelong career in retail sales management of confectionery shops. In her retirement, Gerry enjoyed & welcomed each addition to the family. She was preceded in death by her loving husband and their son, Barry; and her siblings, Harley Madden, Art Madden, Olive Madden, Charlotte (Madden) Malleck. Gerry is survived by her sister, Gertrude (Joseph) Bonem; sister-in-law, Kelly Madden; and her children, Barbara (Paul) Miller, of Linwood, MI., David Rousse, of Gladwin, MI., Thomas Rousse, of Bay City, MI., Roger (Allene) Rousse, of Lake Orion, MI., Susan Rousse & Keith LaFond, of Lake City, MI., Martin Rousse, of Lake City, MI., and Michael (Janet) Rousse, of Hartford, MI.; 9 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.  Visitation will take place on August 16, 2011, from 3 to 8 pm., at Squires Funeral Home on 211 N. Henry St. Bay City, MI. A private graveside service will be held on August 17, 2011, at St. Patrick’s Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given to the: Scleroderma Foundation, 300 Rosewood Drive, Suite 105, Danvers, MA 01923 or email to: scleroderma.org

www.squiresfuneralchapel.com