Obituaries

Bay City, Michigan

     Our loving husband, father and grandfather passed away Monday, January 16, 2012 at Bay Regional Medical Center, age 70.  He was born January 26, 1941 in Bay City to the late Perl D. and Zella Ruth (Billingsley) Eckerd.  Gerald married Lorraine C. Engel in Saginaw on August 15, 1964; she survives him.  He retired from General Motors-Saginaw Metal Casting in 2003 after 39 years of dedicated service. Gerald was a member of the Wenona Masonic Lodge #256 in Bay City and the Elf Khurafeh Shriners in Saginaw.  He received his HAMM radio license (call sign, WB8ROC) in 1973 and was very involved with the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts.  He was a Life Scout, Cub Master, Scout Master and Explore Advisor for several years.  Gerald had several hobbies but most important was spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

     Surviving besides his wife, Lorraine is four children: Kenneth (Tammy) Eckerd, Barbara (Lyle) Behmlander, Patricia (Joel) Bukowski and Daniel (Cylithria) Eckerd, seven grandchildren: Jonathan, Kimberlyn, Daniel, Nicklas, Kella, Kristina and Jena, Gerald’s mother in-law, Ida R. Engel, sister in-law, Janice (Don) Lipfert, brother in-law, Terry (Lois) Engel, special friends and very close cousins, Patsy (James) Germain.  Gerald was predeceased by a sister, Joan (Jim) Perry and a nephew, James Perry.

     The Funeral Service will be held Friday, January 20, 2012 at 11:00am at Squires Funeral Home.  Rev. Paul D. Theiss will officiate and private interment will be in Oak Ridge Cemetery.  Friends may call at the funeral home on Thursday from 3:00 to 9:00pm and Friday after 10:00am.  Members of the Masonic Lodge will hold their Lodge of Sorrow service Thursday at 7:00pm at the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are asked to be considered to the Elf Khurafeh Shrine Saginaw Building Fund or a charity of donor’s choice.

Bay City, Michigan

     Our loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother passed away Friday, January 13, 2012 at Brian’s House, age 89.  She was born November 26, 1922 in Bay City to the late Arthur and Rebecca (Norgan) Braley.  Betty married Walter R. Pritchard on November 8, 1941; he predeceased her on January 24, 1988.  She was a member of Visitation Catholic Church and enjoyed playing bingo, watching the Detroit Tigers, camping and playing cards.  She especially liked to try her luck at the casino with her grandson, Mark. 

     Surviving are four children: Walter R. Pritchard, Jr., Nancy (Robert) Neal, Linda S. Murawski and Robert (Martha) Pritchard, twelve grandchildren: Steve (Jody), Scott (Janet) and Jeff (Eva) Pritchard; Mark, Mike (Dorie) and Kevin Wenglikowski; Rachel (Dwayne) Taylor; Ryan (Sara) Murawski; Kristin, Danielle and Kyle Pritchard; Austin Webb, five great grandchildren: David and Katie Pritchard; Kaileigh, Kody and Mallory Wenglikowski.  Betty was predeceased by a daughter, Deborah K. Webb, son in-law, Kenneth Murawski, daughter in-law, Gaye Pritchard, four brothers and three sisters.

     The Funeral Mass and Rite of Committal will be celebrated Monday, January 16, 2012 at 10:00am at Visitation Catholic Church.  Fr. Stephen Fillion will celebrate Mass.  Private interment will be in Oak Ridge Cemetery.  Friends may call at the Squires Funeral Home on Sunday from 2:00 to 8:00pm and at church on Monday after 9:00am.  A Parish Vigil Service for Betty will be held Sunday at 3:00pm.  In lieu of flowers, those wishing an expression of sympathy are asked to consider Brian’s House or the Boys and Girls Club of Bay County.

     “Special Mention to Michael and Dorie, whenever Mom/Grandma needed you, you were only a Heartbeat away….”

Deloris E. Hill passed away Wednesday January 11, 2012 at the Hospice House of Holland age 87 years.  Daughter of the late Stephan J. & Cecelia (Michalak) Buda she was born June 17, 1924 in Bay City.  She married Joseph W. Hill April 14, 1945 in St. Stanislaus Kostka Church.  He predeceased her August 29, 1997.  Deloris enjoyed cooking, crochet, baking wedding cakes and spending time with her family especially her grandchildren.

Surviving are two daughters; Barbara Karr, Cecelia Fenwick, five grandchildren; Stephanie Karr & her fiancé Virgil Strang, Adrian Karr & Isabel Gamez, Aaron Karr, J.Nicholas (Linda) Fenwick, Elizabeth Fenwick, seven great-grandchildren; Danielle & Kyle Willson, Justin Bonnell & Danielle Dorian, Austin, Hannah, Caedyn & Abigail Fenwick, one great-great grand-daughter; Jordyn Bonnell and two nephews.  She was predeceased by a son; Mark Hill and a brother; Raymond (Wilma) Buda.

Funeral Service will take place Monday January 16, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. from the Ambrose Funeral Home.  Rev. Fr. George Serour will officiate with burial in St. Stanislaus Cemetery.  Friends may call at the Ambrose Funeral Home on Sunday from 2 -8 p.m. and on Monday after 10:00 a.m.  Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider family wishes.

www.ambrosefuneralchapel.com

Georgianna “Gen” Campbell passed away early Thursday morning January 12, 2012 at Brian’s House age 93 years.  Daughter of the late Joseph & Leona (LeVasseur) Fournier she was born December 31, 1918 in Beaver Twp.  She married LeRoy Campbell Sr. November 8, 1941 in Sacred Heart Church of Kawkawlin.  He predeceased her November 17, 1978.  Gen worked at Sempliners as a seamstress for many years.  She was a member of St. Marys of the Assumption Church, Altar Society, St. Anthony Circle and the League of Catholic Women and Men.  Gen worked on the funeral luncheons for many years, she liked reading, doing puzzles, watching the Detroit Tigers and spending time with her family.

 Surviving are six children; Duane (Patsy) Campbell, Karen Pridgen, Janice Tiitola, Thomas (Jenny) Campbell, LeRoy Jr. (Barbara) Campbell, Patsy (Bruce) Clark, Agnes (Greg) Laube, thirteen grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren.  Also surviving are two brothers; Joseph (Lorraine) Fournier, Lawrence Fournier, two sisters in-law; June Fournier, Emma Campbell and many nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by a daughter; Lisa T. Campbell, two sons in-law; Don Pridgen, Hannu Tiitola, three brothers; Leo, her twin brother, George, Lloyd Fournier, two sisters; Anna “Isabelle” Leske, Ruth VanSumeren, five sisters in-law and two brothers in-law.

 Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday January 14, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. from St. Mary of the Assumption Church.  Rev. Fr. Craig Albrecht will officiate with private burial in Calvary Cemetery.  Friends may call at the Squires Funeral Home on Friday from 3 – 8 p.m. and at the church on Saturday after 10:00 a.m.  There will be a parish vigil service for Gen at 7:00 p.m. Friday.  Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the American Diabetes Association, St. Mary’s Roof/Debt reduction or Brian’s House.

www.squiresfuneralchapel.com

Bay City, Michigan

     Frederick passed away Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at St. Mary’s of Michigan, age 80.  He was born December 12, 1931 in Bay City to the late John and Fleeta (McIntyer) Steinhoff, Sr.  He married Patricia Casteneda in St. Hyacinth Church on October 10, 1953; she survives him.  Frederick was a veteran and served his country with the US Army during the Korean Conflict.  He retired from General Motors in 1982 and was a member of St. Hyacinth Church.  Frederick enjoyed fishing year around and was an umpire for several years for Bay County Softball.

     Surviving besides his wife, Patricia, is five children: Mike (Patti) Steinhoff, Linda Petee, Patrick (Nan) Steinhoff, Susan (Jeff) Steinhoff-Smith and Trudy (Todd) Robbins, seven grandchildren: Theresa (Brian) Smith, Nick Petee, Ivan and Alex Arnot, Lilly Robbins, Tarp and Renn Steinhoff, one great granddaughter, Samantha Smith, one brother, Jim (Poh-Suan) Steinhoff, one sister, Doris Chesney and one sister in-law, Patricia Steinhoff.  Frederick was predeceased by five brothers: John Jr., Wayne (Virginia), Benny (Eva), Richard and Jerry (Elsie) Steinhoff and one sister, Catherine (Lloyd) Periard.

     A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, January 14, 2011 at 12:00noon at Ambrose Funeral Home.  Fr. Edward J. Konieczka will officiate.  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 Aleda E. Lutz VA Medical Center in Saginaw or “Family Wishes.”

Bay City, Michigan

     Our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother passed away Monday, January 9, 2012 at Bay Regional Medical Center, age 79.  She was born May 13, 1932 in Macomb County, Oklahoma to the late Neville N. and Minnie (Baugus) Coy.  She enjoyed music, singing and spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

     Surviving are six children: Michael S. (Lisa), Barry D., Mark D. (Julie) Talaga, Joan C. (Jim) Van Wormer, Judy A. and Karen M. Talaga, their father, Richard S. Talaga predeceased them in January of 2008, eight grandchildren: Ryan Van Wormer, Grant (Karissa) Wark, Kristen (John) Halstead, Scott (Krystal) Wark, Candace, Mark, Michael and Lauren Talaga, eight great grandchildren: Caiden and Ethen Wark, Ava and Jett Halstead, Isabella Talaga, Briella Wark, Madison Riley and Brennan, one sister, Willie Mae Smith and one brother in-law, Kenneth S. Waite.  Esta was predeceased by three sisters: Wanda Lee Coy, Maxine Waite-Coy and Erma Jean Hartman-Coy, two brothers, Jack and James Coy.

     The Talaga family would like to thank all the staff at Bay Medical Care Facility, Bay Regional Medical Center Critical Care and 4^th Floor for their kindness toward mom and our family during this most difficult time in our life.  Also, a special blessing to Patty, Larry and John at Guardian Angel AFC home, who dedicated many years to our mother with love and kindness.

     The Funeral Service will be held Thursday, January 12, 2012 at 12 noon at Ambrose Funeral Home.  Nancy Rivet will officiate and graveside interment will follow in St. Patrick’s Cemetery.  Friends may call at the funeral home on Thursday from 11:00 AM until the time of services.  Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to “Family Wishes.”

     “Mom, thank you for giving us life and filling our lives with your tender and unconditional love.”