Obituaries

Sep 19, 2020

Shirley Ann Thoune, age 88 of Munising, died early Saturday morning, September 19, 2020 at Munising Memorial Hospital.  She was born in Stephenson, Michigan to Wilbert and Alice (Nelson) Winter.  Shirley grew up in Stephenson and graduated from Stephenson High School in 1950.  She married Alvin Joseph Thoune on July 19, 1952 and together they raised their three children. ...

Sep 18, 2020

Barbara Jean Whipple, age 90, of Munising and longtime resident of Hudson, Michigan, died late afternoon on Friday, September 18, 2020 at Medilodge in Munising.  She was born on November 5, 1929 in Adrian, Michigan to Okie and Sadie (Briggs) Case and grew up in Hudson.  She married Mahylon Whipple in 1948 and they raised their three children in...

Sep 17, 2020

Mary Theresa D’Elia, age 92, of Munising and longtime Woburn, Massachusetts resident was called Home on Thursday morning, September 17, 2020.  She was born the only child of Joseph and Theresa (Doherty) Corcoran on July 25, 1928 in Woburn.  Mary graduated from Woburn High School and worked at home before she married Ralph Vincent D’Elia in 1955.  Together they...

Sep 14, 2020

Life is beautiful.  Count your blessings.  That is the legacy that Kathy Fulcher left to her friends and family as she departed this world and entered into her heavenly kingdom by her strong faith on Monday morning, September 14, 2020 following a brief and unexpected illness.  She was born on June 2, 1959 in Munising to Marlin and Bonnie...

Sep 11, 2020

AuTrain

Fred Bark, age 85, of AuTrain Lake, died Friday, September 11, 2020 at Medilodge of Munising.  He was born on August 4, 1935 in St. Clair, Michigan to the late Cyril and Virginia (Stojanovich) Bark.  In 1945, his family moved to AuTrain, and began building the Bark Resort.  In 1950, the Bark Sawmill was opened, and...

Sep 11, 2020

Frank Joseph Stimac, Jr., age 86, of Munising, died Friday evening, September 11, 2020 at his home under the loving care of his family and North Woods Hospice.  He was born in Munising on April 16, 1934 to Frank and Albena (Shega) Stimac.  Frank participated in track during high school and graduated from Wm. G. Mather High School in...

Sep 10, 2020

Carl Edward Wrona II, age 62, of Munising passed away surrounded by his loving family on Thursday morning, September 10, 2020 following a courageous battle with a rare form of urothelial cancer.  He was born on February 26, 1958 in Marquette the son of the late Carl and Naomi (Sortore) Wrona.

Carl is survived by...

Sep 5, 2020

Wetmore / Morley, MI

Steven F. Almas, Sr., age 69, of Wetmore and Morley, MI, died Saturday, September 5, 2020 at UP Health Systems – Marquette following a brief and unexpected illness.  He was born on June 26, 1951 in Lakeview, MI to the late Charles and Merie (Thurston) Almas.  Steve grew up in Morley on his...

Sep 2, 2020

Carol Sue Chartier, age 77, of Manistique, died following a lengthy illness on Wednesday morning, September 2, 2020 at Medilodge in Munising.  She was born in San Diego, California and lived throughout California, Nevada, Washington, and Michigan throughout her life.   Carol's work history included working at Timber Products in Munising and working for home health, and managing Hardees in...

Aug 28, 2020

Judy Gordon, age 77, of Eben Junction, Michigan and formerly of Grosse Ile, Michigan, died Friday, August 28, 2020 at her home under the loving care of her family and Northwoods Home Hospice, following a prolonged illness.  She was born on October 7, 1942 in Detroit, Michigan to the late William and Dorothy (White) Gale.  Judy graduated from Kimball...

Aug 28, 2020

Patricia Ann Walther, age 80, of AuTrain, went to join her Lord with her family present on Friday, August 28, 2020 at UPHS Marquette due to a tragic automobile accident.  Pat was born one of eight children to Wilbur James Seger and Agnes Marie (Rozek) Seger on February 27, 1940: however, she truly believed she was born on February...

Aug 27, 2020

Chatham

Arvo “Bernie” Takkinen, age 88, of Chatham, died unexpectedly from heart complications late Thursday morning, August 27, 2020 at UP Health System – Marquette.  He was born in the house he lives in on Takkinen Road on March 28, 1932 to Abel and Saima (Posa) Takkinen.  Bernie grew up working on the farm.  On June 28,...

Aug 23, 2020

Janice E. Downs, age 73, of AuTrain, died unexpectedly and peacefully in her sleep at her home on Sunday morning, August 23, 2020.  Jan was born on February 18, 1947 in Adrian, Michigan to Irvin and Wavel (Russell) Enders.  She spent her first nine years in Adrian before her father’s employment took the family to Fairfield, Iowa.  Jan and...

Aug 18, 2020

Jay S. Richmond, age 63, of Trenary, died Tuesday morning, August 18, 2020 at his home after a 21 year battle with cancer. He was under the loving care of his wife, daughters, and Lake Superior Hospice.  He was born in Escanaba on July 8, 1957 to George “Sonny” and Jacqueline “Jackie” (Breault) Richmond.  Jay was raised in Trenary...

Aug 17, 2020

Chatham

James “Heikki” Mannisto, age 64, of Chatham, died Monday, August 17, 2020 at UP Health Systems - Marquette following a year long battle with cancer.  He was born on September 23, 1955 in Munising, the ninth of ten children to George and Isabelle (Kelly) Mannisto.  Jim grew up on Koski Road and graduated from Wm. G....

Aug 13, 2020

Aili E. Praznik (nee Salminen), age 96, of Trenary, died Thursday, August 13, 2020 at Brookridge Assisted living in Marquette.  She was born in Marquette, Michigan on April 5, 1924, the eighth of eleven children to Jack and Hilma (Lehtomaki) Salminen.  Aili graduated from Eben High School.  She married Louis F. Praznik on September 30, 1944 and together they...

Aug 3, 2020

Paul Edward Petosky, age 79, of Munising, died at his home on Wednesday evening, July 29, 2020 following a lengthy illness.   Paul was born on March 31, 1941 in Newberry, Michigan to Frank and Hazel (McMullen) Petosky. Paul’s father was a career Coast Guard man at the Vermillion Life Saving Station and this is where Paul spent his first...

Jul 31, 2020

Wetmore

Katherine Mary “Honey” Kolbus, age 84, of Wetmore, died unexpectedly, at Munising Memorial Hospital on Friday, July 31, 2020.  She was born in Munising on December 4, 1935, the eleventh of twelve children to the late Thomas and Inez (Carr) McNally.  Katherine graduated from Wm. G. Mather High School in 1954.  Through school she was active...

Jul 24, 2020

Edward Arthur “Art” Parkkila, Jr., age 76, of Wetmore, died peacefully in his sleep at his home on Friday, July 24, 2020.  He was born on August 11, 1943 in Munising to the late Edward “Art” and Adeline (McKinney) Parkkila.  Art grew up in Munising and graduated from Wm. G. Mather High School in 1961.  He entered the U.S....

Jul 21, 2020

Charles “Chuck” H. Atherton, age 94, of Trenary, died Tuesday, July 21, 2020 at D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans in Marquette.  He was born on March 14, 1926 in Corunna, Michigan to the late Delbert and Evaline (Brothers) Atherton.  Chuck’s family moved to the U.P. when he was young, and they settled in Traunik.  In 1951, he entered into...