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Carlton E. Rifenburgh
Bronson - Carlton E. Rifenburgh, age 78, of Bronson, died Friday morning at his home following an apparent heart attack.
He was born September 19, 1924 in the same house he has lived in all of his life. He was the son of John S. and Edna (Miller) Rifenburgh. Carlton graduated from Bronson High School in 1943 and entered the Marine Corps that same year, serving on Midway Island in the Pacific.
He married Virginia Sobeske on June 28, 1947 in St. Mary of Assumption Catholic Church. Carlton worked for 41 years at Douglas Autotech Corporation (formerly Douglas Manufacturing Co,) retiring in 1986.
He was a member of St. Mary of Assumption Catholic Church, American Legion Post 259 and VFW Post 5003 both in Bronson, the UCT in Coldwater and the AARP.
Carlie enjoyed out door work and always kept a beautiful yard and flower garden. He and Virginia raised wire hair fox terriers since 1958 and he enjoyed hobby farming.
Surviving are his wife Virginia, a daughter and son-in-law, Mary M. and Ned Haylett of Sturgis, his son and daughter-in-law, Carl and Debra Rifenburgh of Bronson; two grandchildren, Jamie Rifenburgh of Bronson and Corey Rifenburgh of Huntington Beach, Calif; two brothers, John Kenneth Rifenburgh and David Rifenburgh both of Bronson; a sister Carolyn Beery of Kernersville, North Carolina and several nieces and nephews.
The Funeral Mass celebrating the life of Carlton E. Rifenburgh will be held at 11 AM Monday at St. Mary of Assumption Catholic Church with Rev. Fr. Richard Fritz officiating. Interment will follow in Bronson cemetery with full military honors conferred by the Bronson Posts of the American Legion and VFW. Prayers before Mass will be held at the Kolcz Funeral Home in Bronson at 10:30 AM Monday.
Friends may call at the Kolcz Funeral Home anytime Sunday where the family will be present from 2-4 & 6-8 PM. The Rosary will be recited at 3 PM Sunday. Memorial Donations are suggested to the Bronson Community Foundation or to St. Mary’s School. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.
Marie M. Albright
Coldwater- Marie M. Albright, age 81, of Coldwater, died Saturday, August 2, 2003 at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo shortly after her arrival after being stricken at home with apparent heart problems.
She was born September 4, 1921 in Hamtramck, daughter of Joseph and Catherine (Plocinski) Kuraszewski and graduated from St. Florian High School in 1939. She married Frank Albright in St. Florian Catholic Church on October 8, 1949 and the couple settled in Branch County.
Marie was a housekeeper for many years including the former Kubasiak (now Kolcz) Funeral Home. She was a member of St. Mary of Assumption Catholic Church and the Rosary Society and Sacred Heart Society. She was also a member of the Lady Knights of Columbus in Bronson and a life member of the Polish National Alliance in Chicago, IL.
Although writing letters was a favorite pastime, Marie also enjoyed sewing, cooking, baking canning and reading. She was also known for the calendars that she would embroider each year.
Surviving are her husband Frank, a daughter Ann Albright of Fountain Hills, Arizona, son and daughter-in-law, Stan and Diana Albright, son Steve Albright all of Coldwater; three grandchildren, Tracy Sims, Stahycee Smith and Casey Rice; four great grandchildren, James Kidd, Kyle Kidd, Lakita Winger and Tahylin Porath; her twin sister, Monica Herman of Kalamazoo and sister Betty Crachiola of Hamtramck and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral Mass celebrating the life of Marie Albright will be held at 10:30 AM Tuesday, August 5, 2003 at St. Mary of Assumption Catholic Church with Rev. Fr. Richard A. Fritz officiating. Interment will follow in St. Mary cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the Kolcz Funeral Home in Bronson from 2 – 8 PM Monday where Deacon Smoker will recite the Rosary at 7 PM Monday. Memorial Donations are suggested to St. Mary School.
Jimmie Hendon
Bronson - Jimmie Hendon, age 82, of Bronson, died Sunday, August 3, 2003 at his home following a long illness.
He was born September 11, 1920 in Madison County, Alabama, son of James William and Lula (Hopkins) Hendon . He married Delia Louise Abbott on November 26, 1948 in Jeffersonville, Indiana. She died July 8, 1986. Jimmie then married Learlean (Wireman) Munger on May 20, 1988 in Coldwater.
Jimmie retired in 1986 from the former Douglas Manufacturing Co. (now Douglas Autotech Corporation). He was a charter member of the Church of the Holy Spirit in Coldwater. Jimmie enjoyed playing the guitar, liked to read especially his Bible, always had a large garden and genuinely liked people. He also was a driver for the Amish.
Surviving are his wife, Learlean; daughters Barbara Southworth of Orland, Indiana and Carol Wohlers of Bronson,; a step-daughter, Edith Dale Brown of Reading, MI; 12 Grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; three brothers, John Hendon of Demont, Indiana, Dan Hendon of Scottsboro, Alabama and Bill Hendon of Iron Mountain, MI and four sisters, Kathleen Carbonaeo of Huntsville, Alabama, Geneva Cherry of Hammond, Indiana, Wilma Barnes of Tennessee and Irene York of San Diego, California. A sister preceded him in death.
Funeral services celebrating the life of Jimmie Hendon will be held at 1 PM Thursday, August 7, 2003 at the Kolcz Funeral Home in Bronson with
Pastor Angel Rojas of the Church of the Holy Spirit officiating. Interment will follow in Snow Prairie cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the Kolcz Funeral Home from 10 AM Thursday until the time of service. Memorial Donations are suggested to the family.
Janice E. Fisher
Bronson - Janice E. Fisher, age 54, of Bronson, died Thursday, July 17, 2003 at the Community health center of Branch County following a short illness.
She was born October 27, 1948 in Matteson Township, daughter of Elwood "Jack" and Ruth (Frederick) Johnson and was a lifelong area resident. Janice graduated from Colon High School in 1966 and attended Kellogg Community College. She married Joseph L. Fisher on June 21, 1975 at the First United Methodist Church in Bronson.
Janice worked for 10 years at the Bronson Middle School, then took a few years to have her children. She then went to work at the Bronson High School as a Library Aide. She developed an interest in Library research in seventh grade and thoroughly enjoyed researching almost anything, but had a special interest in Genealogy. She was known as the curator of the family history.
Janice enjoyed a private lifestyle but enjoyed life and liked to try different things at least once. She loved to read, was very artistic, would like to sew, draw, make quilts and her personal favorite, teddy bears. Many students over the years liked to call her "Mom" and their house was always open to anyone that wanted to visit. Family was most important in her life.
Surviving are her loving husband, Joe; daughter and son-in-law, Elizabeth and Fernando Hernandez of Bronson, son Jonathan Fisher of Bronson; two grandchildren; her Mother Ruth Johnson of Bronson, her sister and brother-in-law, Diane and Leo Heitger of Bronson and several nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Service celebrating the life of Janice E. Fisher will be held at 11 AM Saturday, July 26, 2003 at the Kolcz Funeral Home of Bronson. Rev. Mona Joslyn and Rev. Carolyn Fisher will officiate.
A gathering of family and friends will be held from 9 AM to the start of Service at 11 AM. According to her wishes, Cremation has taken place. Memorial Donations are suggested to the Bronson High School Library in her name.
Marion Mallow
Bronson - Marion Mallow, age 86, of Bronson, died Wednesday, July 16, 2003 at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis where she had been a resident for the past two years.
She was born April 30, 1917 in Detroit, daughter of George and Mary Foss. She was first married to Clarence King and together they operated the Maple Lodge on County Line Road. A few years after Clarence’s death, Marion married Dale Mallow on March 12, 1951 in Angola, Indiana. Together they operated Mallow Farms in Noble Township. For about 10 years, she also served as a Nurse’s Aide (Candy Striper) at the Sturgis Hospital.
Marion enjoyed being a home maker, a farm wife and did oil painting as a hobby.
Surviving are her husband, Dale, her son and daughter-in-law, Eugene and Thelma King of Sturgis; step-sons and daughters-in-law, Lloyd and Ruth Mallow and Leslie and Carole Mallow; two grandchildren; two brothers, Jerry Foss and Gene Foss both in the Detroit area and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services celebrating the life of Marion Mallow will be held at 11 AM Saturday, July 19, 2003 at the Kolcz Funeral Home in Bronson. Interment will follow in Fry cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the Kolcz Funeral Home from 2 – 4 & 6 – 8 PM Friday where Memorial Donations may be made to Thurston Woods Village.
Max Cranson
Bronson - Max Cranson of Florida, formely of Bronson, died Friday, October 10, 2003 in Florida.
According to his wishes, cremation will take place. A Memorial Service will be scheduled with the Kolcz Funeral Home at a date and time to be announced.
George R. Kimbel
Bronson – George R. Kimbel, age 78,of Bronson, died early Saturday, October 11, 2003 at the Community Health center of Branch County following a nine month illness.
He was born November 13, 1924 in Grand Rapids, MI. son of George Lee and Theresa (Piotrach) Kimbel and was raised in the Bronson area.
George attended the Coyne Electrical School in Chicago, Illinois, graduated as an electrician and moved to Elkhart, Indiana where he married Donna Lambka in March, 1954. Together they owned and operated K & S Electric in Elkhart for over 30 years before he retired in 1988 and moved back to Bronson.
George was a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) the NRA and enjoyed gardening, farming, anything outdoors and was known for several years for this Rottweiller dogs. He also enjoyed lapidary.
Surviving are his daughters, Sue Welling of Elkhart, IN,. Sally Kimbel of Troy, MI and Sylvia Kimbel of Mishawaka, IN; his grandson Blair Welling of Elkhart, sisters, Lois Rice and Irene Paschmeyer both of Bronson and sisters-in-law, Sally Kimbel and Dixie Rice both of Bronson. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Edmund Kimbel, Clyde Rice and Herman Nogle.
Funeral Services celebrating the life of George R. Kimbel will be held at 11 AM Tuesday, October 14, 2003 at the Kolcz Funeral Home of Bronson. Interment will follow in Bronson cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the Kolcz Funeral Home from 4 – 8 PM Monday where Memorial Donations may be made to the Branch County Commission On Aging for the Meals on Wheels Program or to the Branch County Humane Society.
Wanda V. Rzepka-Auten
Coldwater - Wanda Rzepka-Auten, age 87 of Coldwater, formerly of Bronson, died Tuesday, October 7, 2003 at the Laurels of Coldwater. She had been in failing health.
She was born September 8, 1916 in Elkhart, Indiana, daughter of Frank and Bernice (Paprocki) Ludwick and was a lifelong Bronson area resident.
Wanda married Frank Rzepka on May 23, 1936 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Bronson. Frank died August 22, 1988 after 52 years of marriage. Eleven years later, she married Lyle Auten on May 8, 1999 also at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Lyle died December 6, 2002.
Wanda was active in St. Mary’s Catholic Church and the Rosary Society. She was a 27 year volunteer for the American Red Cross Blood Drives, member of the AARP and President of the local chapter of the Mothers of World War 2.
For many years, Wanda cooked for weddings, and was a cook for the Bronson Rotary Club. She enjoyed cooking, baking, was an avid reader and liked visiting with people. She also liked to crochet and had crocheted an afghan for each of her grandchildren. Early in life, she worked at the former H.A. Douglas Manufacturing Company in Bronson (now Douglas Autotech Corporation).
Surviving are her sons and daughters-in-law, Jerome and Susan Rzepka and Craig and Janet Rzepka all of Coldwater; seven grandchildren; seven great grandchildren and four sisters, Virginia Wilson, Elizabeth Sielken and Nellie Hyska all of Bronson and Lillian Warkoczeski of Coldwater.
The Funeral Mass celebrating the life of Wanda V. Rzepka-Auten will be held at 10 AM Friday, October 10, 2003 at St. Mary of Assumption Catholic Church in Bronson with Rev. Fr. Richard A. Fritz officiating. Interment will follow in St. Mary cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the Kolcz Funeral Home in Bronson from 4 – 8 PM Thursday where the Rosary will be recited at 7 PM Thursday. Memorial Donations may be made to St. Mary Catholic Church, the Bronson Food Pantry or Fr. Evanson’ s Mission in Kenya.
Irene P. Musial
Bronson - Irene P. Musial, age 78 of Bronson, died Monday, October 6, 2003 at Select Specialty Hospital of Battle Creek Health System.
She was born December 4, 1924 in Lawrence, Massachusetts, daughter of Henry and Eva (Mashard) Lamontagne. Her family left Massachusetts while she was a child and moved to Detroit, Michigan. She had lived between Detroit and Bronson for several years moving to Bronson permanently in 1989.
Irene was first married to Phillip Rigg on December 12, 1940 in Detroit. He died December 24, 1958. She then married Cass Musial on January 1, 1973 in Westland, MI. He died June 13, 1982.
She worked for several local factories including Douglas Manufacturing, L.A. Darling, Bronson Reel, Kirsch Company and Bronson Plating. She retired as a waitress at Crabby Joe’s Restaurant in Dearborn, MI.
Irene enjoyed Bingo, crochet and especially her family including her great grandchildren.
Surviving are her daughter and son-in-law, Carol and Bill Butters of Bronson, six grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; three great great grandchildren; four brothers, Clifford Lamontagne of Fort Worth, TX, Henry Lamontagne of Milford, MI, Robert Lamontagne of Dearborn, and Larry Lamontagne of Bronson; nine sisters, Claire O’Brien of Arizona, Theresa Owens of Bronson, Alice Kernahan of Dearborn, Blanche Clark of Westland,MI, Nancy Fisher of Plymouth, MI Patricia Giacomento of California, Virginia "Ginger" Garstrom of Minnesota, Terry Lamontagne of California and Carlene Sullivan of Ohio and several nieces and nephews. A daughter June Preston preceded her in death.
Funeral Services celebrating the life of Irene P. Musial will be held at 1:30 PM Thursday, October 9, 2003 at the Kolcz Funeral Home in Bronson with Pastor John Fields of the First Baptist Church of Bronson officiating. Interment will follow in Bronson cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the Kolcz Funeral Home from 10 AM Thursday until the time of service at 1:30 PM. Memorial Donations may be made to the Bronson Food Pantry. Envelopes are available at the Kolcz Funeral Home.
W. Ruth Watson
Coldwater, MI.- W. Ruth Watson, age 91, of Coldwater, formerly of Bronson, died Tuesday, September 30, 2003 at Maple Lawn Medical Care Facility in Coldwater. She had been in failing health.
Ruth was born June 19, 1912 in Howard County, Indiana, daughter of Fred and Bertha (Linson) Watson. She and her two sisters, Inez Watson and Frieda Hale moved to Bronson in the 1940’s and all had worked at the Douglas Manufacturing Company in Bronson (now Douglas Autotech Corporation).
Frieda died in 1987 and Inez died in 1992. Surviving are several cousins.
Friends may call at the Kolcz Funeral Home in Bronson from 2 – 5 PM (Michigan time) Thursday, October 2, 2003. Miss Watson will then be transferred to Stout & Sons Funeral Home in Russiaville, Indiana.
Visitation in Russiaville will begin at 10 AM Saturday (Indiana Time) with the Funeral Service at 11 AM. Interment will follow in Russiaville cemetery.
Paul E. Lutz
Coldwater - Paul E. Lutz, age 56 of Coldwater, died Friday, September 26, 2003 at the Community Health Center of Branch County following a one-year illness.
He was born Jun 6, 1947 in Coldwater, son of Marion and Marjorie (McDonald) Lutz and was a lifelong Branch County resident. Paul graduated from Bronson High School in 1965 and first worked at Dana Weatherhead in Angola. In 1976, he began work at Douglas Manufacturing Company in Bronson (now Douglas Autotech) as a screw machine operator where he is a member of the UAW Local 822. He was also a member of the Sons of the American Legion in Bronson. In his spare time, he enjoyed tinkering in his garage with machines or woodworking.
Paul married Kathryn Freed on March 19, 1975 in Coldwater. She died May 15, 1989.
Surviving are his daughters and sons-in-law, Jennifer and Charles Scott of Cartersville, Georgia, Angie and Dennis Matteoni of Union City, son Matthew Lutz of Coldwater; step-daughter Melinda and Kevin Cronkhite of Bronson; 11 Grandchildren; his Mother Marjorie Lutz of Bronson; a brother Max Lutz of Bronson; a sister Pam Herndon of Waterloo, Indiana and his significant other, Josie Cares of Coldwater. His Father Marion Lutz and a brother Bernard Lutz preceded him in death.
The Funeral Service celebrating the life of Paul Lutz will be held at 11 AM Monday, September 29, 2003 at the Kolcz Funeral Home in Bronson with Rev. Fr. Richard Fritz officiating. Interment will follow in Oak Grove cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the Kolcz Funeral Home from 4 – 8 PM Sunday where Memorial Donations may be made to the Branch Area Food Pantry.
Lillian B. Wood
Terre Haute, Indiana - Lillian B. Wood, age 88, of Terre Haute, formerly of Bronson, Michigan died Saturday, September 20, 2003 at the Royal Oak Nursing Center in Terre Haute after a brief illness.
Lillian was born August 5, 1915 in Des Moine, Iowa daughterof Andrew and Elin (Fredrickson) Anderson and moved to Bronson, Michigan in 1938 after her marriage to Morris Wood on March 15, 1938 in Des Moine.Morris preceded her in death on November 29, 1996. In 1998, Lillian moved to terre Haute, IN to live with her daughter Carole and family.
Lillian was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, a home maker, a member of the Snow Prairie Bible Church, the Branch County Historical Society and most recently the Farrington Grove Christian Fellowship in Terre Haute. She enjoyed embroidery, quilting and made dozens of baby quilts. Spending time with family and friends brought her great joy.
Surviving are two daughters and sons-in-law, Carole and Barry Bostrom of Terre Haute, IN, and Lynne and Richard Mead of Hastings, MI.; two sons and daughters-in-law, Richard and Peggy Wood of Portage, MI and Dennis and Nancy Wood of Slidell, LA; 13 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. Lillian, the youngest of nine, was preceded in death by three brothers, five sisters and one grandson Kyle David Wood in 1986.
Funeral Services celebrating the life of Lillian B. Wood will be held at 11 AM Friday, September 26, 2003 at the Kolcz Funeral Home in Bronson with Pastor Phil Charles officiating. Interment will follow in Bronson cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Kolcz Funeral Home from 6 - 8 PM Thursday where Memorial Donations may be made to Snow Prairie Bible Church, 302 S. Snow Prairie Rd. Coldwater, MI. 49036.
