Wakeman Funeral Home, Inc.

02/26/2026

Morgrette, John R.
Saginaw Township, Michigan

Passed away Thursday morning, February 26, 2026, at Healthsource Saginaw. Age 84 years. John was born on September 26, 1941, in Saginaw, Michigan to the late Dr. Leonard J. and Eunice (Jones) Morgrette. He married Vickie C. Jewell on June 11,...

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02/20/2026

We hope you and your family can reflect upon the season of Lent with peace and reverence. May you also enjoy any of the great Friday fish dinners available all throughout our community during Lent.

Where is your don't-miss fish fry?

02/17/2026

Passed away on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at Covenant Medical Center-Harrison, Saginaw. Age 71 years. Shirley was born on June 16, 1954, in Saginaw, to the late Carl and Ethel R. (Floud) Schoenheit. She was married to Terry Elrich on February 17, 1979, in Saginaw. He survives her. Shirley...

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02/16/2026

Quick, Kathy Jo
Thomas Township,
Saginaw, Michigan

Kathy passed away peacefully on January 30, 2026. She was 73 years of age. Kathy Jo (Klaczkiewicz) Quick was born on July 9, 1952, in Saginaw, MI, to the late Alexander and Gennette (Tuck) Klaczkiewicz. Kathy was married to Lavern F. Quick and...

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02/14/2026

Why “funeral home?”
A historical prospectus of the funeral surname
By Rodney Wakeman, funeral director

Today’s funerary practices emerged out of society’s needs following the very public death and burial of President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War.

The practices of the time, very few people were able to travel long distances to participate in the funeral of a loved one. Most learned about deaths through word of mouth. Time was also of the essence as bodies were buried soon after death. After Lincoln’s death, his funeral train stopped at multiple locations en route to his burial in Illinois. What made his funeral unique is he had been embalmed to allow time for his trip. Countless Americans witnessed Lincoln’s preparation while attending his funerals during the stopovers. Knowledge that the undertaker could prepare bodies now meant the funeral could be delayed allowing family members time to travel and participate in the funeral.

This change gave rise to a new and expanding funeral industry. Schools opened to teach embalming and licenses were issued. Preparation of the body became a widely held practice throughout the United States because of its benefits to the family.

Also in this era, the deceased was placed in a coffin (different shape from today’s casket) and shown to the public in the parlor of their personal home.

Due to the interruption of life and privacy this activity had on survivors, the undertaker began offering space at his business for public viewing. These businessmen set up the interiors of their buildings to look like homes common throughout their communities. In time, these places became widely known as the “funeral parlor” or “funeral home.”

As with our predecessors, we take considerable pride in offering comfortable spaces inside our facility for our client families during their time with us.

02/11/2026

We are proud of our unique place in Saginaw funeral history. 2026 marks our 115th year in operation. We also hold the distinction of being the oldest continuously operating funeral home in the city of Saginaw. To view our complete history, please visit the About Us page of our website.

https://www.wakemanfuneralhome.com/about-us/our-history-and-staff

02/02/2026

Rogal, Jessica A.
Hemlock, Michigan and
Waco, Texas

Jessica passed away Sunday morning, February 1, 2026, at St. Francis Home. Age 39 years. Jessica A. Valtierra was born on September 21, 1986, in Frankfort, Germany to Ernesto and Kelly (Prenzler) Valtierra. She was married to David Rogal on...

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01/28/2026

Tresa Linn Teenier passed away suddenly on January 11, 2026, in Saginaw, MI. She enjoyed camping, cooking and her fur babies. She was born to Ralph & Jane Teenier on December 18, 1960. Surviving is her brother, Thaddeus Teenier and Janel Teenier (sister-in-law), extended family, and a special...

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01/17/2026

Sandra Kay Weess
Saginaw Township, Michigan

Sandra passed away on Friday, January 16, 2026, at Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit. Age 65 years. Sandra was born on March 18, 1960, in Saginaw to the late Gerhard H. and Sallyann K. (Alles) Weess. She attended Douglas MacArthur high school. She was...

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01/09/2026

THOMAS J. SCHAAF
Saginaw Twp., Michigan

Tom “Big Man” Schaaf passed away unexpectedly on Monday, January 5, 2026, at the age of 63 years. Thomas Joseph Schaaf was born on September 11, 1962, in Hancock, Michigan. Tom is survived by his brothers, Gerry Schaaf and Larry Schaaf and his wife Dana;...

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01/09/2026

Poyer, Kimberly “Kimmie” A. (Bierlein)
Saginaw, Michigan

Passed away unexpectedly at home in her sleep on Saturday, January 3, 2026. Age 51 years. Kimmie was born on February 21, 1974, in Saginaw, to Vernon “Mike” L. and Roseanne M (Bugaki) Bickel. She married her teenage sweetheart and love...

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01/05/2026

Cheryl Eileen Coyer, age 82, of Saginaw Township, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 2, 2026, at Transitions of Saginaw.

Cheryl was born on November 18, 1943, in Saginaw, Michigan, to the late Howard and Leah (Kibby) Beem. Cheryl was married to Hank Coyer, who preceded her in...

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