Tuscola Obituaries A

Tuscola Obituaries A - M

The following obituaries have been contributed by fellow genealogists. If you would like to submit an obituary, please contact Deb Spencer-Axtman.

Hon. Enos Goodrich

Submitted by Bonnie Barnes. Taken from a collection compiled by Amelia (MENZER) BUSH b. 1861, d. 1937.

September 16, 1897

AN OLD PIONEER GONE

Death of Hon. Enos Goodrich, of Fostoria

"The Sun of Life Sets on the Career of One Who Helped Redeem the Wilderness in the County's Early Days."

Hon. Enos Goodrich died Thursday afternoon at 3 at his home is Watertown, Tuscola county, near Fostoria. He had been failing for some time. Deceased was in his eighty-fifth year and was an old pioneer of this county, coming to Atlas in 1835. In 1846, he was elected to the lower house of the state Legislature and took an active and conspicuous part in the struggle in the session of 1847, for the removal of the capital to Lansing. In 1852, he was elected to the state Senate. He secured the establishment of the post-office at Goodrich in 1846, and was commissioned its first postmaster. He was also interested in the grist mill at Goodrich with his brother Reuben, and was a man of remarkable natural ability. His wife died several years ago at his home near Fostoria, where deceased took up his residence some years ago. Deceased was the father of Enos Goodrich, of Fostoria and of Mrs. Jeremiah Narrin, of Goodrich. (September 16, 1897)

Edward N. Hartt

Obituary contributed by Sue Hartt.

Note: Extracted from a local (Michigan) newspaper (undated). I know from other sources that Edward Nicholas Hartt died on October 7, 1937.

Funeral services were held Sunday for Edward N. Hartt who died Thursday at his home north of Kingston of a heart ailment. He was born in Sanilac County in October, 1862 and came to Kingston at the age of twenty years. He held a number of township offices. He was justice of peace for 41 years and a member 0f the Masonic lodge for the past twenty years.

Mr. Hartt married Miss Harriet Legg, at North Branch on April 5, 1887. They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary last April. He is survived by his widow Harriet and six children: Mrs. Ella Mapley of Pontiac, Mrs. Bessie Hopps of Highland Park, Miss Alice Hartt of Detroit, Ross and Barton of Detroit and Basil of Pontiac. Sixteen grandchildren and one great grandchild. (sic). Burial was in the Kingston Cemetery.

Audley E. Horner

Contributed by Don Rickwalt.

Audley E Horner, 85, of Shelbyville, TN, formerly of Cass City, MI died Saturday October 18, 1997 in his home. He was born December 25, 1911 in Deford, MI to Robert F and Ella C (Lewis) Horner. He married Charlotte E Warner January 1, 1938 in Cass City. Audley worked for Pontiac Motors as a toolmaker retiring after 25 years. He lived in the Highland-Milford area for over 14 years. Audley was a member of Novesta Church of Christ, Cass City, MI and Franklin Christian Church, Franklin, TN. He was an Elder at Novest Church of Christ. He dedicated his life to his family and his church. Audley is survived by his wife, Charlotte, children: Marilyn Lee (Duane) Lester of Mt Vernon, WA, Charlotte "Ann" Agemy of Rochester Hills, Louis (Janice) Horner of Cass City, Catherine (Patrick) Hayes of Shelbyville, TN, Geraldine "Geri" (Gary) Suzor of Cass city, 15 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren and one more expected soon; brother Lewis Horner of Exxexville, sisters; Miriam Rickwalt, and Maxine Graham both of Caro, son-in-law, William Barnfather; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Roberta Jean Barnfather; brothers Romney Horner, who died in France during WW!!, and Keith Horner; sister, Edna Wethers. Funeral services held 11:00AM Tuesday October 21, 1997 in Novesa Church of Christ, Cass City, MI with Chuck Emmert officiating. Memorials may be made to Novesta Church of Christ, the Great Lakes Bible College or Highland Hospice. Interment is in Novesta Township Cemetery, Cass City MI.

Mrs. John Horner

Contributed by Don Rickwalt.

Cass City Chronicle

September 3, 1920

Mrs John Horner died on the 22nd and was buried on the 24th. Services were held at Novesta F.W.B Church of which she was a member.

Mrs Robert Horner

Contributed by Don Rickwalt.

Mrs Robert Horner, Deford--Funeral services for Mrs. Robert Horner, 77, of Deford, were held Wednesday afternoon at the Novesta Church of Christ of which she was a member. The Rev. Horace Freeman, of Decker, officiated and burial was in the Novesta cemetery. Mrs Horner died suddenly Monday at the home of her daughter, Mrs Kenneth Graham, North of Caro. She had been in poor health for three years and had been with her daughter for three weeks.

Daughter of the late Edwin and Miriam Lewis, the former Miss Ella Chatherin Lewis was born July 6, 1873, at Dryden. She married Robert Horner on Feb. 14, 1901, at Deford. Surviving are her husband; three sons, Keith of Flint, Louis , of Pontiac, and Audley, of Cass City; three daughters, Mrs Miriam Rickwalt and Mrs Graham, of Caro, and Mrs Edna Wethers, of Kenmore, N. Y. and 18 grandchildren. A son, Romney, was killed in World War II in the European Theatre.

Sgt. Romney Horner

Contributed by Don Rickwalt.

Killed in France

Technical Sgt. Romney F Horner, 30, former employee of Hotel Durant, was killed in action Aug. 30 in France, according to word received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert F Horner, Deford, Mich. Graduate of Cass City High School and former Michigan State College student, the infantryman was inducted in March, 1941, while employed by GM Truck & Coach, Pontiac. He had been overseas since May. Besides his parents, Sgt. Horner is survived by three sisters, Mrs. Fred Rickwalt and Mrs. Kenneth Graham of Caro, and Mrs. Paul Wethers of Kenmore N.Y.; three brothers, Audley, Detroit, Keith, Flint, and Lewis at home.

Robert James Hutchinson

Submitted by Maxine Shannon.

Robert James Hutchinson was one of the oldest residents of Tuscola Country, died of cancer Tuesday morning at the home of his son Joseph Hutchinson of Ellington at the age of 91 years. Mr. Hutchinson was the oldest of five generations of his family a story which appeared in the Advertiser in May of this year. Mr. Hutchinson was born in Mallorytown Ontario December 4, 1838.

In 1857 he married Martha Smith who died about 25 yrs ago. In 1861 he moved to Elmwood Township where he cleared a farm of 130 acres which had since been his home.

Four sons survive the father. Joseph Hutchinson of Ellington, Deputy Sheriff Robert J. Hutchinson of Caro. David and Smith Hutchinson of Cass City. He also leaves an aged brother William Hutchinson of Wellington the only survivor of eight children. A large number of grandchildren, nieces and nephews are left to mourn an great-grandchildren and one great great grandaughter.

Funeral services were held Thursday afternoon at the Sutton Church under the direction of Charles Schriber, Rev Wilson officiating and burial was made in the Ellington Cemetery.

William LeFlamboy

Submitted by Bonnie Barnes. Taken from a collection compiled by Amelia (MENZER) BUSH b. 1861, d. 1937.

June 19, 1899

William LeFlamboy, a veteran of the civil war, died at his home near the Thread Thursday, aged 53 years. He leaves a wife, a son, Clarence, of Chicago, and two daughters who live in Goodrich, all by a former wife. Mrs. John Newell, Ed and William Reynard, of this city, are step-children. The funeral was held Saturday at 3 o'clock, Rev. H. E. Wolfe officiating. Burial took place Sunday at Ortonville. Deceased belonged to 12th N.Y. Cavalry. (June 29, 1899)

Vassar Resident for 90 years, W. T. Lewis Dies

[1953]

Contributed by Diane Gillett Dibble

One of the true pioneer residents of Vassar, a man respected and loved by countless friends and during his long sojourn here, has passed away. W. T. Lewis for many years was the source of information on anything pertaining to the early days of Vassar, a town which he served in many ways during his long life.

Mr. Lewis, who had lived in Vassar most of his 93 years, died Saturday morning at his home, 230 Main street. Although he had retired, he had engaged in farming on the Lewis homestead for many years. He had been an employee of the railroad and had lived in Omaha, Nebr., for a short time. From 1905 to 1930, he held the office of president, secretary or treasurer of the State Mutual Fire Insurance Company, which he helped to organize. For a seven year period during these years, he lived in Lansing.

An active leader in the community, Mr. Lewis’s affiliations were many. He was a member of the Vassar Presbyterian Church and had served as church treasurer; he was a 32^nd Mason and a member of the Bay City Consistory. He was also a member of the Gleaners, the Foresters, and a life member of the IOOF. He was president of the Vassar Historical Society and organizer of the North Vassar Farmer’s Club. In past years he had served as president of the Board of Education; supervisor for Vassar township and a member of the Fair Board.

During the Vassar Centennial, Mr. Lewis was "Mr. Vassar". He also was the oldes local former pupil of the Belknap School. W. R. Bartlett, founder of the Pioneer Times, was his first cousin. Mr. Lewis was born December 6, 1859 in Norwalk, Ohio, and came to Vassar at the age of three years. He married Jenny E. Ladd of Utica, Michigan, on March 2, 1887. Mrs Lewis died in 1948. He leaves a daughter, Mrs. Ralph Dibble of Lansing; three sons, William of Lansing; LeRoy of Vassar, Charles of Milwaukee; six grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

The funeral of William Tell Lewis, who lived in Vassar the longest of any resident, took place Tuesday afternoon at 2:00 o’clock at the Gage Funeral Home. Rev. Dean Parker of the Methodist Church officiated an burial was in Riverside cemetery. The internment service was under the auspices of the Masonic Lodge.

Russell H. McCartney

Contributed by Helen Cameron.

Saginaw News Courier 24 July 1920

Russell H. McCARTNEY - 29 years old, died at the home of his sister in Gagetown Thursday afternoon. He was born in Marlette, April 12, 1891 and came to Saginaw in 1910. He was married to Mrs. Bertha Harmon July 25, 1917. He was a member of the Salvation Army. He is survived by his widow; one son, Russell, Jr.; two daughters, Elizabeth and Nettie; two stepsons, Homer and Sheldon Harmon, three sisters, Mrs. J. R. Randall of Kingston, Mrs. Robert Daunt of Detroit and Mrs. James McLellen of Georgetown (Gagetown), and three brothers, Marshall of Detroit, Will of Deford and Roy of Saginaw. The funeral will take place Monday afternoon at 1 o'clock from the home, 630 1/2 Potter Street, and at 1:30 o'clock from the Salvation Army citadel on South Baum Street. Captain E. Stewart will officiate and burial will be in Forest Lawn.

(This McCartney family resided in Tuscola Co. from late 1880's to 1920 at least.)

Mrs. Elizabeth Merrill

Contributed by Vicki Johnston.

MOTHER OF VASSAR, WOMAN CALLED AT 89

Mrs. Elizabeth Merrill passed away Tuesday, February 13, 1923, at the home of her son, Burr Merrill. In East Thetford, at the age of 89. She had lived in Vassar for over 50 years. But for the past eight years had resided with her son Burr Merrill. She leaves four children, Mrs Mary Holland of Lompoc, Calf., Fred Merrill of Tuscola, Burr Merrill of East Thetford, and Mrs. Cora Wilson Of Vassar. Funeral services were held Saturday from the home of her son. Interment was in Tuscola cemetery.

Harriet (Hattie) Morse

Obituary of Vicki Johnston's great-aunt. Contributed by Vicki Johnston.

Harriet (Hattie) Morse died at her home one mile west and one mile south of Vassar, Tuesday, January 26th. She was married to George Morse. Death was due to pneumonia, and her illness was of about two weeks duration. Hattie Morse was the daughter of Andrew J. and Elizabeth Merrill. Hattie was born in Bay City September 11th, 1868.

She was a lady most highly regarded in her neighborhood, and her death is greatly regretted by all.She leaves besides her aged parents, her father being 86 and the mother 82, her husband and an adopted daughter, now Mrs. Edward Bodimer, She also leaves 2 sisters, Mrs. Cora Wilson of Vassar and Mrs. Mary Holland of California. 2 brothers, Fred Merrill of Tuscola, and Burr Merrill of Thetford. The funeral was held Thursday afternoon at one o'clock from the family home. Buried in Tuscola Cemetery.

Updated December 1998

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