Eugene Grifka

Funeral Information

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at 11:00 am at St. Hubert Parish/Sacred Heart Catholic Church Bad Axe with Fr. Yesu Mulakaleti officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday, December 16, 2025, 10:00 am until time of service at St. Hubert Parish/Sacred Heart Catholic church with burial to follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Bad Axe. Memorials in Eugene’s name may be offered to: Knights of Columbus of Bad Axe and Condolences may be shared with the family at www.macalpinefuneralhome.com.

Family of the Deceased

Eugene is survived by his loving wife Dorothy Grifka (Parrish). They were married at St. Felix Catholic Church on October 24th, 1959. They were blessed with sixty-six years of marriage. He is survived by five children Perry (Michelle) Grifka of Grand Rapids, Dale (Lisa) Grifka of Bad Axe, Kerry (Sheila) Grifka of Ubly, Lori (David) Hart of Allendale, Lynette (Steve) Unruh of Oxford, and thirteen grandchildren: Allison (Scott) Aardema, David Grifka, Emily Grifka of Grand Rapids, Kiefer (Isabella) Thies of Pigeon, Kilian Thies (Fiancé Katie Ozorowicz) of Kingston, Lance Thies of Pigeon, Adam Grifka of Sault Ste. Marie, Alex Grifka of Anchorage, Alaska, Andrea Grifka of Mount Pleasant, Shaun and Ryan Hart of Allendale, Claire, Courtney and Carter Unruh of Oxford, MI, as well as, three great grandchildren: Theodore and Eleanor Aardema of Grand Rapids and Dawson Ozorowicz of Kingston. He is survived by his one sister Elaine Feige of Romeo and two brothers Virgil Grifka of Capac and Duane (Connie) Grifka of Bad Axe. He was preceded in death by his son Gregory Grifka of Bad Axe, parents August and Theresa (Osentoski) Grifka of Ubly, sisters Geraldine (Eugene) Briolat of Ruth and Judy (Terry) Sheridan of Sterling Heights and brothers Chester (Sylvia) Grifka of Durand and George (Diane/Kathy) Grifka of Ubly.

Biography

Eugene Enoch Grifka, 90 years old of Bad Axe, passed away on December 11, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Tyre, MI, on November 20, 1935, to the late August and Theresa (Osentoski) Grifka. He attended Hogsback Country School in Tyre, MI. Eugene later graduated from Bad Axe High School in 1973. Eugene honorably served our country in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955. He worked in road construction until 1959. He also worked at Universal Engineering of Bad Axe. Later, he worked at Active Industries in Elkton and Axly Tool & Bushing in Bad Axe. Eugene enjoyed camping by the lakeshore, going to garage sales, meeting with his coffee mates in Bad Axe, collecting tractors, gardening and spending time with his wonderful family. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus in Bad Axe.

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David Winston

Funeral Information

Per his wishes, cremation is taking place and no services will be held. Arrangements are being handled by the Knoblock Funeral Home in Kinde.

Biography

David R. “Doc” Winston, 96, died Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at Meadow Lane Assisted Living in Bad Axe. He was born on December 8, 1929, in Lansing, Michigan, the only son of the late Roland and Frances (Dundax) Winston. “Doc” was a graduate of Lansing Sexton High School, Alma College, and the United States Naval Officers Candidate School. He received his teaching certificate from Michigan State University. He joined the United States Navy in May of 1954 and was discharged in May of 1956 and began his teaching career at North Huron Schools in 1957. He was a full-time high school teacher for 34 years until his retirement in the spring of 1991. He served as a volunteer at the North Huron elementary school for 24 years after his retirement.

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Laura Wessels

Funeral Information

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Memorials may be offered to the Thumb Animal Shelter or the discretion of the family, in care of Donna Wessels. If you wish to offer your condolences to the Wessels family, please go to www.kaufmanfuneralhome.com

Family of the Deceased

Laura is survived by her partner and caregiver Matt Sanburn, her mother, Donna Wessels, her brother Erich (Nancy) Wessels, nieces Monica and Lauren and nephew Nick. She was preceded in death by her father, Erich Wessels.

Biography

Laura Jean Wessels, age 58 of Bay City, formerly of Bad Axe, passed away on Saturday, December 6, 2025, after a two-year battle with cancer. Laura was born on October 24, 1967 in Livonia to Erich and Donna Wessels. The family moved to Huron County in 1969, where she attended Church School in Lincoln Township and the Bad Axe High School, graduating in 1985. She was employed at the Huron Daily Tribune for over 28 years. Laura was a lifelong advocate for animals and had a genuine knack for connecting with cats and dogs.

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Lorna Baur

Funeral Information

Lorna’s funeral service will be on Wednesday, December 10, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at the Ransford Funeral Home in Pigeon. The family will be present to receive visitors on Tuesday, December 9, 2025 at the funeral home from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and again on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of her service. Rev. Bea Graf will officiate with the burial at Caseville Twp. Cemetery. The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff at Courtney Manor, A & D Hospice, and Schuerer Hospital for their compassionate and exceptional care they gave Lorna. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider memorial contributions to Hayes United Methodist Church, Scheuer Hospital, or the donor’s choice. The family was assisted with these arrangements by the Ransford Funeral Home - Pigeon. Friends may share memories, thoughts, and prayers online at www.RansfordFuneralHome.com.

Family of the Deceased

Lorna leaves to cherish her memory, her loving husband, Randy; daughter Cheryl Baur and her husband, Alex Amaya and their children, Sydney and William, all of Grosse Pointe Farms; siblings, Dorothy Fischer and Martin Hyzer; sister-in-law, Sandy Hyzer; several nieces, nephews, and a few cats. In addition to her parents, Lorna was preceded in death by her sister, Janice Foster.

Biography

Lorna Diane Baur, age 79, of Bay Port, passed away on December 2, 2025, at Courtney Manor Nursing and Rehab in Bad Axe. She was born on May 6, 1946, the daughter of the late Robert and Frieda (Horton) Hyzer. A 1964 graduate of Lakers High School, Lorna married the love of her life, Randall Baur, on August 21, 1965, at Hayes United Methodist Church. Their sixty years together were filled with devotion, laughter, and countless cherished memories. Lorna loved being a mother, and she was deeply involved in her daughter Cheryl’s life. She served as Cheryl’s Girl Scout leader and took great pride in supporting her in every activity and endeavor. Over the years, Lorna held many roles, cleaning hospitals and homes, working as a cosmetologist, and, in the late 1980s, returning to school to pursue accounting. She graduated with honors from St. Clair Community College with her associate’s degree and went on to work as an accountant at Bay Shore Camp, where she remained until her retirement in 2012. Lorna’s Christian faith was central to her life. She was a devoted member of Hayes United Methodist Church, active in the United Methodist Women, a pianist, and a joyful voice in the church choir. She enjoyed baking bread for her family each month and was especially known for her delicious chocolate chip cookies. Lorna and Randy treasured their time camping and wintering in Las Olas, Florida, creating memories that will last for generations. Lorna had a gift for connecting with people; she loved visiting, talking, and simply being in the company of others. She was resourceful, organized, and a natural planner. Above all, Lorna loved her family. Her husband, daughter, and grandchildren were the lights of her life. She was a devoted grandmother and remained actively involved in her grandchildren’s lives. Her loving, caring, and gentle spirit will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

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Caroyln Morrison

Funeral Information

A funeral service to honor Carolyn's life will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 6, 2025 at Salem Church in Pigeon, Michigan. Rev. Michael Sawicki will officiate with private burial at Caseville Twp. Cemetery. The family will be present to receive visitors on Friday, December 5, 2025 from 1:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Ransford Funeral Home in Pigeon and again at church on Saturday from 3:00 p.m. until the time of her service. A dinner will be hosted by the church directly after the service. An additional opportunity to honor Carolyn will be arranged in mid-December in the Metro-Detroit area. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Carolyn's memory to Scheurer Hospital in honor of her passion for helping others through quality healthcare, https://www.scheurer.org/foundation. The family was assisted with these arrangements by the Ransford Funeral Home - Pigeon. Friends may share memories, thoughts, and prayers online at www.RansfordFuneralHome.com.

Family of the Deceased

Carolyn is survived by her children, Scott (Christine) Morrison, Lynn Lonsway, Kathy (Kevin) Feldt, and Elizabeth (James) Shirey; her grandchildren, Stephen (Anna), Claire (Shane), Ryan, Daniel, Joshua, Megan, Emma, Noelle, and Caroline; and her great-grandchildren, Bernadette, Theodore, Frederick, and Samuel. She is preceded in death by her husband, Don Morrison; her brother, Jim Tribby; and her grandson, Justin Lonsway.

Biography

Carolyn Kay Morrison passed away on Saturday, November 29, 2025 at the age of 83. Born on January 31, 1942 in Rhodes, Iowa, Carolyn was a woman of quiet strength and tremendous kindness, both in her personal life and her extensive nursing career. Carolyn grew up in rural Iowa, graduated from Southeastern High School in Detroit in 1959 and then earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Carolyn married Don in 1963 and they spent the chapters of their lives in many communities around Michigan including: Detroit, Fenton, Beverley Hills, Rochester Hills, Pigeon, and Grosse Pointe Woods. Carolyn made an impact in every community she joined, and every room (and elevator!) she entered. She had a special ability to make people feel welcome, seen, and cared for in any situation. Her spirit lives on in the memories she created, the lives she shaped, and the love she poured into her family and friends. Carolyn’s positivity and strength came from faith, family, and friendships including the “Michigan girls” from the U of M Nursing Class of 1963, the quilting “Bernina sisters” from Pigeon, neighbors on Sand Pointe, members of Salem church, employees and patients at Crittenton Hospital and Scheurer Health Network, and the Country Bay and Sunrise senior living communities. Some of her happiest times were spent on Wildfowl Bay while hosting family and friends.

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Eugene Ignash

Funeral Information

Memorial Service will be held on December 11, 2025 at St. Mary of Czestochowa Church (Annunciation of the Lord’s Parish) Dwight Township, Kinde, Michigan. Visitation will be before the service from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the church. Eugene’s family would like to offer special thanks to Compassus Hospice and everyone at Covenant Glen of Frankenmuth for your compassionate support and care, and to the staff at Covenant Glen who went above and beyond their duties. Thank YOU. Memorials may be offered in name to St. Mary of Czestochowa Church (Annunciation of the Lord’s Parish). Condolences may be shared at www.macalpinefuneralhome.com.

Family of the Deceased

Eugene is survived by his children; Dale Ignash, Rachel Ignash, and Kenneth (Fay) Ignash. Four grandchildren; Kellee (Forrest) Roth, Katie (Eric) Wissner, Eric (Heather) Ignash, and Justin Ignash; 3 great grandchildren Everlee, Wilder, Grant; and one sister Joann Kalka. In addition to his wife Virginia, Eugene is predeceased by his siblings, Edna (Fred) Weiss, Theresa (Ernie) Duda, Viola (Floyd) Brzezinski brothers, Carl, George (Louise), and Donald, Benjamin (Virginia), Ervin (Audrey), Arnold (Delphine) Ignash; and numerous nieces and nephews that are left to cherish his memories. Per Eugene’s wishes, cremation has taken place. He will be buried with his wife Virginia at St. Mary’s Cemetery, in Dwight Township, at a later date.

Biography

Eugene (Butch) Ignash 94, of Filion passed away peacefully on November 23, 2025, at Covenant Glen of Frankenmuth, Michigan. He was born on May 13, 1931, in Kinde to Louis and Agnes (Matelski) Ignash, one of 11 children. He married Virginia Wisneski on October 21st, 1950, and she preceded him in death on October 19th, 2020, just two days short of their 70th anniversary. Eugene was a hardworking, compassionate farmer his entire life, starting at the age of 4 milking cows; and taking over the family farm at the age of 13. He loved his Wintergreen tobacco, flannel shirts, honey, blueberries and Archway gingersnap cookies, and loved when someone stopped by to visit. He loved his John Deere tractors, working horses; Tom and Nel, and farming God’s land. During retirement, he lent a hand to the Richmond brothers: Mike, Ken, and Glenn, with their farm operations.

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Wayne Swartzendruber

Funeral Information

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 13, 2025 at the Ransford Funeral Home in Pigeon. Wayne’s family will be present to receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the service at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Thumb Breadbasket (PO Box 648, Pigeon, MI, United States, Michigan) or Faith in Action (https://faithinaction1.org/donate/). The family was assisted with these arrangements by the Ransford Funeral Home of Pigeon. Friends may share memories, thoughts, and prayers online at www.RansfordFuneralHome.com.

Family of the Deceased

Wayne is survived by his wife, Geraldine Swartzendruber of Chelsea; two children and their spouses, Brian & Tracy Swartzendruber of Hudson, Ohio, and Dawn & Chris Putnam of Chelsea; grandchildren, John Putnam, Grace Swartzendruber, Marah Putnam, and Henry Swartzendruber; and two brothers, John Swartzendruber of Heston, Kansas, and Rich Swartzendruber of Bad Axe.

Biography

Wayne J. Swartzendruber of Chelsea, formerly of Pigeon, age 80, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 8, 2025. Wayne was born November 11, 1944 in Pigeon, the son of the late John and Alta (Maust) Swartzendruber. He grew up in a close-knit community and attended Laker High School, where he was proud to be a member of the school’s first graduating class in 1963. Following high school, he pursued higher education at Eastern Mennonite College in Harrisonburg, Virginia. On August 31, 1968, Wayne married the former Geraldine Dietzel. The couple cherished over fifty-seven years of marriage and raised two beloved children, building a life centered around faith and family together. He began his professional career as a physical therapy assistant at Scheurer Hospital, and later worked for Dietzel Electric, Shelter Plumbing, and eventually Standard Electric, where he served as a delivery driver until his well-earned retirement. Wayne was a longtime devoted member of the Pigeon River Mennonite Church, where he grew in his relationship with God and cherished the fellowship of his church family. After moving to Chelsea, Wayne joined the Silver Maples Retirement Community, where he found new friendships and enjoyed the peace of retirement. In his spare time, he enjoyed reading and working on his remote-controlled airplanes. He spent countless hours building, perfecting, and flying them, taking great satisfaction in the challenge and simple joy of watching them soar. Above all, Wayne will be remembered for his deep faith in the Lord and the boundless love he had for his family as a devoted husband, loving father, and proud grandfather.

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