Brenden J. Rathje

Brenden J. Rathje, 16, of Elkton died Sunday afternoon, December 3, in Oliver Twp. from injuries he received in an auto accident.
He was born August 19, 1990 in Bad Axe to William Rathje and Kimberly (Brill) Clunis.
Brenden grew up and lived in the Elkton area most of his life. He was a freshman at Bad Axe High School where he was on the Cross Country Track Team. He had also been very much involved in baseball and football. Brenden had been in the Elkton Cub Scouts and was in the Elkton Boy Scouts. He was a member of the Community Wesleyan Church and enjoyed fishing, snowmobiling, 4 wheeling, paintball and loved music.
Surviving are his father, Billy Rathje of Bad Axe; his mother, Kim (Doug) Clunis of Elkton; three brothers, Ryan, Austin and Zack and two sisters, Heather and Madison all at home. Also surviving are his grandparents, Nancy and Bob Bursick of Bad Axe, William and Carol Rathje of Standish, Ken & Sandi Brill of Swartz Creek, Linda Robarts of Bad Axe and Doug Clunis Sr. of Elkton; great grandparents, Jim and Pauline Buchholz of Mayville, Jim and Burgi Hockmuth of Livonia, Ward and Loretta Sheldon of Walled Lake, Mary Bursick of Bad Axe, Arthur Brill of Roscommon and Dick & Boots Abrams of Swartz Creek; and many uncles, aunts and cousins.
Preceding him in death was his stepfather, Richard Varty.
Funeral services will be conducted 11:00 AM Thursday, December 7, at the Missionary Outreach Center, Elkton. Rev. Daniel Stone, pastor and Rev. Jerry Sutton, pastor of the Bad Axe Free Methodist Church will officiate with burial in Riverside Cemetery, Elkton.
Friends may call at the Champagne Funeral Chapel, Elkton from 7 to 9 PM Tuesday, 2 to 9 PM Wednesday and at the church after 10 AM Thursday.
Memorials may be given to the family.