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Ruben Bierlein, 92

  Ruben Bierlein, 92, of Reese, died Wednesday evening, September 21, 2016 at Bavarian Comfort Care in Bridgeport. He was born May 24, 1924 in Denmark Township, Tuscola County, son of the late Louis and Barbara (Walter) Bierlein and was raised on a farm in Richville. On July 24, 1949 he was united in marriage to the former Gertrude Bickel in Frankentrost. She survives him. Ruben farmed all of his life in the Reese area. He was employed by the Carling Brewing Company in Frankenmuth for many years. He was a life member at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church in Richville. He was also a member of the Richville Conservation Club. His greatest enjoyment was spending time with his family and also enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing his accordion and playing euchre.
  Surviving besides his wife Gert are his five sons and their spouses, Timothy (Alice) Bierlein, Gerald (Beverly) Bierlein, Brian (Lois) Bierlein, Anthony (Donna) Bierlein, all of Reese and Douglas Bierlein, Wapakoneta, Ohio; 12 grandchildren and their spouses, Kelly Bierlein (fiancée Ben Bernabei), Adam (Christie) Bierlein, Jared (Chelsea) Bierlein, Janelle (Ben) Kolhagen, Casey (Cori) Bierlein, Cole (Corinne) Bierlein, Carmen (Chris) Matthews, Travis (Emily) Bierlein, Dana Bierlein (fiancée Justin Baley), Karli Bierlein, Shayna Bierlein and Carson Bierlein and eight great-grandchildren. Also surviving are his sisters, Hilda Buchinger, Caro and Lorna Koeppendoerfer, Frankenmuth, and his sisters-in-law, Arlene Bierlein and Loretta Bierlein, Irene Bickel and Lillian Bickel, his brother-in-law Herb Schmidt and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by four brothers, Clarence, Adolph, Roland and Wilmar Bierlein, two sisters, Helen Schmidt and Lil Rodammer and by several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.
  Funeral services for Ruben took place Monday, September 26, 2016 from the St. Michael’s Lutheran Church in Richville. The Reverend Wesley Gillaspie and the Reverend Rob Gadeken both officiated with burial following at St. Michael’s Lutheran Cemetery.  Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the St. Michael’s Lutheran Church.  

Ruben Ludwig Matzke, 84

  Reuben Matzke, husband of Shirley Garfield Matzke, entered into eternal rest on July 20, 2016 at the age of 84. Reuben was born April 16, 1932, son of the late Ludwig (Louis) Matzke and Eleanor Scharrer Matzke.  He is a U.S. Marine veteran of the Korean War. Reuben was a retired machinist with Universal Houdaille.
  He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Shirley Matzke; daughter Cindy (James) Suit, two grandsons, James Reuben and Brady Jordan Suit all of Charleston, South Carolina; and numerous nieces and nephews.  He is predeceased by his son Brady Allen Matzke. He is also predeceased by his brothers and sisters; Rudolph Matzke, William Matzke, Harold Matzke, Norbert Matzke, Herbert Matzke, Ruth Cribbins, Anna-Bronner-Langley, Marie Jones, Esther Pavlicek and Lillian Matzke.
  Memorial services will take place on Monday, October 3, 2016 at 11am at Cederberg Funeral Home of Frankenmuth, 590 N. Franklin Street, Pastor Jeffrey Luplow will officiate. Cremation has taken place.  Reuben’s family will receive visitors on Monday, October 3, 2016 from 10am until the time of service. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to Hospice of Charleston, 4975 LaCross Road, Suite 200, North Charleston, South Carolina 29406, hospiceofcharleston.com or St. John's Lutheran Church, Frankenmuth Michigan. Please sign the guest book or share an online condolence with the family at 
www.cederbergfh.com.

Daniel Thomas O'Connell, 29

  Daniel Thomas O'Connell, beloved husband, father, son and brother passed away suddenly Saturday, September 24, 2016 due to injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident. Age 29 years. 
  The son of David and Julie (Kren) O'Connell, Dan was born July 11, 1987 in Saginaw, Michigan. He graduated from Bridgeport High School in 2005 and was employed at Nexteer. 
  Dan married his high school sweetheart, Lindsay Horn, on April 14, 2012. She survives him. He was a member of St. Francis De Sales Catholic Church and Bridgeport Community Church, Richville Conservation Club and U.A.W. Local #699. Dan enjoyed hunting, fishing and riding his motorcycle. Most of all, Dan loved time spent with his family and friends. 
  Surviving besides his wife Lindsay are one daughter, Leah; his parents, David and Julie O'Connell, Bridgeport; three brothers, two sisters and their spouses, David and Shelley O'Connell, Brighton; Timothy and Veronica O'Connell, Birch Run; John and Bonnie O'Connell, Birch Run; Pamela and Jeff Mossner, Frankenmuth; Lauren O'Connell, Bridgeport; Dan’s mother-in-law and father-in-law, Cindy and Mike Horn, Bridgeport; a sister-in-law, Christy Horn and her fiancé Sterling Tenant, Hemlock; grandparents, Thomas Kren, Bridgeport; Joe and Betty Finelli, Birch Run; Sally and Richard Horn, Saginaw; many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and dear friends. Dan was preceded in death by his grandparents, June Kren, Jack and Leah O'Connell.

  Funeral Liturgy took place Wednesday, September 28, 2016 at St. Francis De Sales Catholic Church-St. Christopher Site, 3945 Williamson Road in Bridgeport, Michigan. The Rev. Fr. John Mancini, O.S.F.S., and Pastor Ron Sinclair officiated. Cremation followed the service. 
  Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to an educational fund which will be established for Dan’s daughter, Leah.

Dorothy Laubsch, 72

  Dorothy Laubsch passed away Thursday, September 22, 2016 at Wellspring Lutheran Service, age 72 years.  Dorothy Moerer was born on October 1, 1943 in Minnesota to the late Richard and Ida (Bohling) Moerer.  She was married to Terry Laubsch on June 13, 1970; he survives her. Dorothy served as a Called teacher at St. Lorenz Lutheran School for many years and then at Trinity- St. James in Munger, retiring in 2008. She was a 4-H leader for many years, loved gardening, and volunteered in many capacities at St. Lorenz.
  Surviving besides her husband Terry are five children: Amy Laubsch, Frankenmuth, Christine (Mike) Curry, Virginia, Jennifer Laubsch, Rochester Hills, Jacob Britton, Vassar and Megan Britton, Frankenmuth; two grandchildren: Dylan and Haley Curry; one honorary grandchild: Karli Moulton; four sisters: Elaine Schardt, Nebraska, Margaret (Roger) Simmons, Nebraska, Norma (Lu) Werth, California, Lucy Moerer, Rochester Hills, two sisters-in-law and many nieces and nephews.
  Dorothy was preceded in death by three brothers: Ray, Marvi, and Roger Moerer, and one sister: Judy Moerer. 
  Funeral services took place on Tuesday, September 27, 2016 Cederberg Funeral Home of Frankenmuth, 590 N. Franklin Street and at St. Lorenz Lutheran Church. The Rev. Mark Brandt officiated with burial between services in St. Lorenz Lutheran Cemetery.  In Lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to Wellspring Lutheran Service of Frankenmuth, St. Lorenz Student Aid Fund, or St. Lorenz Caring Tree.
  Please sign the guest book or share an online condolence with the family at www.cederbergfh.com.