Joseph “Pepper” P. VanLandschoot, age 83, of Munising, died early Friday morning, August 21, 2026 at the Jacobetti Home for Veterans in Marquette with the love of his life by his side. Pepper was born on January 24, 1943 in his childhood home in Brown’s Addition in Munising to Joseph and Lois “Didi” (Forgette) VanLandschoot. He grew up in a fisherman’s family and graduated from Sacred Heart School and then Wm. G. Mather High School in 1961. Pepper went to work at Hartho after graduation. He served in the U.S. Army from December 1, 1964 until September 12, 1966. Pepper was a medic in the 43rd MASH unit in Korea during the Vietnam War. He returned home to Munising and worked at Kimberly Clark. On October 26, 1968, he married the love of his life, Claudia Carberry and together they proudly raised their two daughters in the Cox Addition neighborhood. Pepper continued to work at the mill and retired from the Human Resources Department in 1999.

Pepper was proud of being a lifetime resident of Munising and after retirement he continued to be active in the community. If you knew Pepper, you knew he was blessed with “the gift of gab.” If Pepper had a microphone, he was in his glory and was good at whatever he was doing. He worked as a narrator for the Shipwreck Tours Glass Bottom Boats from 2005 until 2016. Pepper loved being with the people and teaching them about the Lake and shipwrecks. He emceed several USO shows as Bob Hope. Pepper was an active member of Sacred Heart Church and was a member of the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus where he was past Faithful Navigator and Grand Knight. He also served many years as an usher. Pepper was a lifetime member American Legion and served as Past Commander and was a faithful member of the Alger County Honor Guard where he served as Chaplain. Pepper ran trivia at the post on Monday nights and helped cook for their fish fry on Friday nights and the yearly fish fry for the Veterans at Jacobetti. He spent many years as an Alger County Commissioner and served on many subcommittees for the County.

Pepper and Claudia were integral organizers and dedicated workers for Munising’s flower beautification projects in Brown’s Addition and the old triangle (now roundabout.) He was a member of the Jaycees and sang with the Vanguards. Pepper coached the legendary women’s softball team, The Pepper’s, for almost twenty years and those players have tons of stories and memories all surrounded by laughter. Pepper was a witty man. His grandson Noah compiled a list of one-liner “Pepperisms” over the years. He and Claudia spent most summers camping at the Tourist Park and they enjoyed traveling together, family game nights, and listening to live music at the park and breweries. Pepper enjoyed riding his motorcycle in the summer and downhill skiing, cross country skiing, and snowmobiling in the winter. Pepper always had the best decorated house in Cox Addition during the Christmas holiday season. Every year, the neighborhood looked forward to his next creative idea.

Pepper was a family man who loved his wife and was proud and supportive of his daughters and grandchildren’s sporting and extracurricular activities. Pepper once said, “The Lord gives you core values and gifts to use. If you don’t use them, how are you going to explain yourself when you get up there? I’ve been given so much.” Well done good and faithful servant. Rest easy, Pepper.

Pepper is survived by his loving wife of almost fifty-eight years – Claudia VanLandschoot; loving daughters and sons-in-law – Paula and Joe Ackerman and Tara and Rod Henry; grandchildren – Noah (Liv) Ackerman, Kelsea (Ethan) Vruggink, Marissa (Mikey) Graves, and Marcus, A.J., and Nick Henry; sister – Mary (Jim) Jassik; brothers – Jon, Michael “Ash”, and Jim “Budd” (Betsy) Van Landschoot; in-laws - Judy (Rick) Green. Rochelle Cotey. Patti Daniels-Hansen. Char (Barb) Carberry. Peggy (Joe) Carberry. Suzette Carberry. Christine (Carl) Sutter. Bill (Dixie) Beerman. Cassie (Chuck) Angell-Lappenbush, and John (Nicolette) Beerman; numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. Pepper was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Didi VanLandschoot and his sister Lois VanLandschoot, and sister-in-law Donnell Heuer.

Visiting time with family and friends will be held at the Bowerman Funeral Home on Sunday, September 6, 2026 from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. Deacon Tom Moseley will lead Pepper’s memorial service on Monday, September 7, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church in Munising. Interment will follow at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Munising where the Alger County Veterans Honor Guard will render military honors. A fellowship gathering will take place at the American Legion following the services at the cemetery.