All Obituaries

Marquette             James “Jake” Niemi, age 62, of Marquette, died early Saturday morning, April 6, 2019 at Medilodge in Munising following a courageous five-month battle with brain cancer.  He was born on June 12, 1956 in Marquette to Eero and Katherine (Dale) Niemi.  Jake grew up in Marquette and graduated from Marquette Senior High School in 1974.  He began working for the LS&I Railroad after high...

Escanaba / Munising             Robert “Bob” Wallace, age 82, of Escanaba and formerly of Munising, died early Monday morning, April 8, 2019 at the Bishop Noa Home in Escanaba.  He was born on November 25, 1936 in Detroit, Michigan to Lorne and Beatrice (Bradley) Wallace.  Bob graduated from Redford High School and attended Wayne State University before serving in the U.S. Army.  He served in Germany and...

Munising Maynard Jerome Robbins, Jr., age 80, of Munising, died late Sunday morning, April 7, 2019 at the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans in Marquette, Michigan.  He was born in Munising, Michigan on September 3, 1938 to the late Maynard and Emma (Kaminsky) Robbins.  Maynard graduated from Wm. G. Mather High School in 1956.  He then entered the United States Army.  Following basic training he married Marlene Barbeau and together they raised their three children. ...

PATTY WHEELER RAY 1937-2019             It is with great sadness that the family of Patty Ray announces her passing in Christmas, MI on April 7, 2019 after a valiant battle with a long illness.  Patty was born November 11, 1937 in Ashland, KY, the daughter of the late Arlie and Beatrice Wheeler. She was also preceded in death by her husband, John Ray and her brother, Arlie...

AuTrain             Gwen McCollum, age 93, of AuTrain, died Monday, April 1, 2019 at her family’s home in AuTrain, under the loving care of her family and Lake Superior Hospice.  She was born on January 31, 1926 in Munising, MI to the late Harry and Hildur (Oas) Olson.  Gwen graduated from Wm. G. Mather High School in the class of 1944.  She began working at the Munising Paper Mill in the time office and mail...

Trenary             Craig Alan Nordness, age 69, of Trenary, died Saturday, March 23, 2019 at U.P. Health Systems – Marquette, following a brief illness.  He was born in Madison, Wisconsin on December 11, 1949 to Jerome and Iris (Flick) Nordness.  Craig graduated from Cambridge High School.  He then entered into the United States Air Force and worked as a liquid fuel technician.  Craig and his family were...

Limestone             Bernard “Bernie” Paul DeRoche, age 66, of Limestone, died following a brief illness on Saturday afternoon, March 16, 2019 at UPHS Marquette.  He was born in Marquette, Michigan on October 2, 1952 to the late Bernard and Shirley (Boucher) DeRoche.  Growing up in Marquette, Bernie and his family were members of St. Michael Church and he attended Bishop Baraga and Marquette High Schools. ...

Chatham             William M. Woimanen, age 81, of Chatham, died peacefully at his home on Thursday, March 14, 2019, the same home he was born in over 81 years ago.  He was born there on December 7, 1937 to the late Oscar and Sarah (Santaholma) Woimanen.  Bill graduated from Eben High School in 1955.  In his younger years, he enjoyed playing softball.  Bill worked for many years at the Brisson Saw Mill and continued...

Munising             Millicent “Millie” Dunn, age 88, of Munising, died at the Munising Memorial Hospital on Sunday, March 10, 2019.   She was born on March 1, 1931 in Marquette, Michigan to the late Charles and Greta (Masters) Trombley.  The family moved to Munising when Millie was two and she grew up in town.  Millie attended Wm. G. Mather High School and worked at the Munising Café and...

Munising             Starr G. “Barney” Deibert, age 72, lifelong Munising resident, died at his home following an unexpected illness on Thursday, March 7, 2019.  He was born on January 1, 1947 in Munising to Alton and Ramona (Kjellin) Deibert.  Barney attended Wm. G. Mather High School and was in the Class of 1965.  He worked as a field assistant in the Geological Survey before entering into the U.S....