www.newbuffalotimes.com
THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016
OBITUARIES Dorothy F. Kendzierski
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1926-2016
orothy F. Kendzierski, age 89 years formerly of Niles, Michigan died at 8:50 a.m. on Thursday, June 16, 2016 at Samaritan Evergreen Hospice House in Albany, Oregon following an illness. She was born on September 26, 1926 in Detroit, Michigan. She graduated from Cass Tech, in Detroit and also lived in Mount Pleasant, Pontiac, Paw Paw and New Buffalo, Michigan – moving with her husband’s career as a Michigan State Trooper – before settling in Niles in 1979. In her later years she lived in Indianapolis, IN, Klamath Falls, OR and Albany, OR. An accomplished seamstress, Dorothy made her own wedding dress, swimsuits, doll clothes and many other items of apparel for herself and her family. An avid bowler who rolled a 300 game, she also enjoyed dancing, gardening and playing softball. On September 4, 1948 in Detroit she married the love of her life, Joseph Kendzierski with whom she celebrated forty-seven blessed years prior to his death on December 18, 1995. They were also preceded in death by a son, Joseph J. Kendzierski in 1989, a daughter, Francine Berman in 2009; son in law Craig Zemke and Dorothy’s sister, Rose Marie Grego and brothers, John Presher and Carl Presher. Surviving family includes her children, Mary Ann Zemke of Corvallis, Oregon, Richard (& Rosanne) Josephs of Macomb, Michigan; Gary Kendzierski of Lake Linden, Michigan; grandchildren Mark (& Lauren) Josephs, Katie Josephs, Lisa (& Dave) Garwood, Ron Huffstutter, Bronson (& Jennifer) Kendzierski, Joseph (& Rachel) Kendzierski; great-grandchildren Joie Garwood, Jenna Garwood, Lillian Josephs, Michael Josephs, and Dorothy’s sister, Betty Jane Kirk of Corunna, Michigan; and many nieces and nephews. The Mass of Christian Burial for Dorothy Kendzierski will be celebrated at Saint Mary Catholic Church in Niles at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 25th, 2016 by the Rev. Alphonse Savarimuthu, MSFS of the parish assisted by Deacon Roger Gregorski. Committal Rites will follow at
the Calvary Cemetery in Niles. The family received relatives and friends on Friday, June 24 from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with recitation of The Rosary at 7:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Dorothy Kendzierski may be made to Saint Mary Catholic Church, 219 South State Street, Niles, Michigan 49120, or Samaritan Evergreen Hospice House, 4600 Evergreen Place SE, Albany, OR, 97321. www.halbritterfunerals.com
Virginia L. Herrbach
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1918-2016
irginia L. Herrbach, 98, formerly of New Buffalo, Michigan now of Michigan City, Indiana passed away on Friday, June 24, 2016. Arrangements have been entrusted to Sommerfeld Chapel in New Buffalo, Michigan. Virginia was born April 18, 1918 in Michigan City, Indiana to Henry and Alice (Poston) Schwinkendorf. On November 26, 1941 in Pinhook, Indiana she married Lewis Herrbach; he preceded her in death on February 24, 2006. Virginia is survived by her children – Patricia (George) Rowe of Stevensville, Michigan, Janet (James) Campbell of Michigan City, Indiana, and Roger (Karen) Herrbach of New Buffalo, Michigan; five grandchildren and five great grandchildren. She is also preceded in death by her two brothers and three sisters. A Celebration of Life service was held Wednesday, June 29, 11 a.m. at Sommerfeld Chapel, 15 N. Barton St., New Buffalo, Michigan. Burial followed at Pine Grove Cemetery in New Buffalo. Visitation with the family was Tuesday, June 28, from 5 - 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Franciscan Hospice in Michigan City, Indiana or to the American Cancer Society. Friends wishing to leave the family a message of condolence can do so at www.sommerfeldchapel.com
Cathleen Anne McCarten
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1943-2016
athy McCarten, beloved daughter of Leo and Mary Franklin McCarten, grew up on centennial family farms in Lakeside, Michigan. She walked the mile to Lakeside Elementary School, passing fields where seven Irish McCarten brothers had settled 1200 acres of fertile Galien River bottomland in 1862 from Kruger Road to Warren Woods Road. Century-old hardwood trees of all
species lined Lakeside Road then, and Charlie McCarten’s team still pulled the buckboard to harvest hay. While at Three Oaks High School, where she scored in the 99th percentile nationally on comprehensive testing, Lakeside’s landscape “modernized.” Eminent Domain cut the rich fields into unusable plots for I-94’s asphalted bridges, ramps, and cloverleafs that buried the good black dirt. At Michigan State University Cathy earned all As in elementary education, and, after two Master’s from the University of Michigan, she taught in public schools. Cathy returned to Lakeside to care for her parents as they aged, enabling them to stay at the home her father had built, now moved to a lot due to I-94, on through to their deaths. She became a skilled knitter, crafting beautiful heavy sweaters and outerwear. She retired to Whitefield, Maine in 2007 to live near her sister Judy McCarten Powell and brother-in-law Ford Powell. Survived by many cousins, she will rest with her parents and many generations of Irish Catholic relatives in Pine Grove Cemetery, New Buffalo, Michigan.
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Linda J. O’Donnell 1947-2016
inda J. O’Donnell, 68, of New Buffalo, Michigan passed away in New Buffalo on Thursday, June 23, 2016. Arrangements have been entrusted to Sommerfeld Chapel, 15 N. Barton St., New Buffalo, Michigan. Linda was born in Chicago, Illinois on Oct. 28, 1947 to the late John and Shirley (Allegrezza) Werygo. In the summer of 1972 she married Louis H. O’Donnell, III. Linda owned and operated Executive Group Realty in New Buffalo for over 25 years. Linda loved her family, friends and people she didn’t even know. She was an inspiration, intelligent and giving. She loved nature, sunsets, animals and happiness. Linda wants everyone to “BELIEVE”. Linda is survived by her husband Louis; her three children – Louis, Joseph and Carie all of New Buffalo; three grandchildren – Benjamin, Fallyn and Joey, Jr.; and two brothers – Richard Petersen of New Buffalo and Bruce Werygo of Temecula, CA. A Celebration of Life service was held on Monday, June 27, 11:00am (EST) at Sommerfeld Chapel in New Buffalo. Family received visitors on Sunday,
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June 26, from 4:00-7:00pm (EST) at the funeral home. Linda’s final resting place will be at Pine Grove Cemetery in New Buffalo. Memorial contributions may be made to the Michiana Humane Society. Friends wishing to leave the family a message of condolence may do so at www. sommerfeldchapel.com
Eugene Frank Zernia
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1928-2016
ugene “Gene” Frank Zernia, 88, of Three Oaks, passed away at Woodland Terrace in Niles on Thursday, June 23, 2016 surrounded by his loving
family. Gene was born on March 16, 1928 to John and Alice (Smith) Zernia in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. At the age of 15 Gene knew he was a man that was meant to be in the Navy. He started asking for his mom’s permission to join and after two long years she relented and Gene joined the United States Navy, during World War II, at the age of 17. He served on the USS Pennsylvania, among other ships, and was present in the Bikini Islands when the first Atom Bomb was detonated. On November 26, 1949 Gene wed the love of his life and constant companion, Esther Mae Freshour, at a ceremony in Milwaukee. Together the two had seven children. Gene enjoyed helping out others in his community. He joined the Masonic Lodge on May 1, 1951 and advanced to become a 33rd Degree Mason. Over his 65 years of service some of his favorite organizations were the Niles Commandry #12, The Royal Arch St. Joseph Valley Chapter #2, and the Knights of the York Cross of Honor. He was a current member of the Three Oaks Lodge #239 where he was a past Master and enjoyed 25 years of serving pancakes. One of Gene’s greatest personal joys were his trips to the Shriner’s Hospital in Chicago where he transported children for treatments. Gene was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and son-in-law Donald Staples and is survived by his children, Karen Staples of Harbert, Elaine (Raymond) Monroe of Buchanan, Jerry (Peggy) Zernia of Joliet, Illinois, Shari Kilheeney of Sawyer, David (Maribeth) Zernia of Tinley Park, Illinois, Mark (Krista) Zernia of Plainfield, Illinois, and Andrew (Chris Scott) Zernia of Granger, Indiana; 21 grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren, three great great grandchildren; sister, Sharon Otto of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin; and several extended family and friends. Gene will be interred at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, Michigan in July with full military honors. Those wishing to make a donation in Gene’s name may do so to the Shriner’s Hospital. Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Niles. www. BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com