Obituaries

Jun 9, 2020

Donald W. Abson, age 66, of Seney, died at his home early Tuesday evening, June 9, 2020 under the loving care of his family and North Woods Home Hospice following a year long illness.  Don was born on July 30, 1953 in Akron, Ohio to Henry and Margaret (Aikey) Abson.  At a young age, his family moved to Belding,...

Jun 7, 2020

Dr. John Collins Adams, born September 18, 1938, passed away June 7, 2020 after a brief battle with cancer.

He was born in New Albany, Indiana to Clarence Delmer and Marie Collins Adams. He graduated from New Albany High School in 1956. He received his Bachelors from Purdue University, his Masters from Iowa State University and his...

May 31, 2020

Patricia “Pat” L. Rzanca, age 83, of Munising, died Sunday, May 31, 2020 at Medilodge of Munising with her family at her side.  She was born on October 22, 1936 in Cheboygan, Michigan to the late Jennings and Harriett (Eno) Couture.  Pat grew up in Cheboygan and graduated from the Catholic High School in 1954.  In her younger years...

May 30, 2020

Virginia Minor, 87, from Grand Marais, died after a short illness Saturday, May 30th, 2020 in the afternoon at her home surrounded by her beloved family. She was born in Onaway, MI, July 3rd, 1932 to Elizabeth (Bruski) and Joseph Kapalla. “Ginny,” her nickname, had three older brothers, Edward, Floyd, and Chet. On August 21st, 1954, she...

May 24, 2020

Charlene Ann Belfry, age 88, of Munising, died surrounded by her girls following a brief illness at her home on Sunday, May 24, 2020.  She was born on August 31, 1931 in Jackson, Michigan, daughter of Donald and Marcia (Sebright) Freeland.  Char moved to Munising at a young age and lived with the Andrew and Alice Soukup family.  She...

May 19, 2020

Munising

Amy Lou Lindquist, age 45, of Munising, passed away Tuesday, May 19, 2020. She left us unexpectedly after fighting a battle with a heart condition that was still undiagnosed. She just couldn't wait any longer.  Amy was born on July 7, 1974 to Roger Thornton and Lois Martin in Onaway, Michigan.  She grew up in Petoskey...

May 16, 2020

Karen R. Hamilla, age 80, of Munising, died peacefully on Saturday morning, May 16, 2020 with the morning sunshine on her face at Munising Memorial Hospital.  Annette (Brebner) and Felix Boyak welcomed her into their world on New Year’s Day – 1940.  Her childhood in Munising instilled the roots of faith, love, and family that Karen carried throughout her...

May 15, 2020

Munising

Phyllis Clair Baij, age 86 of Munising, died Friday, May 15, 2020 at the Jericho House in Munising. She was born in 1933 in Munising to Alexander “Herman” Monette and Ellen Maki. She grew up between there and Deerton with her brother, Art, and sisters, Gerry and Arlene.  She married Harry “Hans” Baij in 1952 and...

May 13, 2020

Kevin Paul Pond was born February 5, 1952 in Munising Michigan and passed (walked on) on May 13, 2020 in Phoenix, Arizona. He was proud to grow up in the “West End” of Munising where a bond with friends remained forever. He loved the annual Class of 71 golf outing to which he organized with Darlene Steinhoff and the...

May 4, 2020

Pembine, WI / Limestone, MI

Gary Harold Anttila, age 70, of Pembine, Wisconsin and formerly of Limestone, died Monday, May 4, 2020 at the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center in Iron Mountain.  He was born in Marquette, Michigan to the late Harold and Lillian (Laakso) Anttila on March 31, 1950.  Gary grew up in Limestone and...

Apr 27, 2020

Grand Marais

Stanley E. Smith, age 65, of Grand Marais, Michigan and formerly of Detroit, Michigan, died Monday, April 27, 2020 at Medilodge of Munising following a courageous battle with cancer.  He was born in Detroit to James and Martha (Wheeler) Smith.  Stan grew up in Detroit and graduated from Osborn High School in 1972.  He attended...

Apr 25, 2020

Anita H. Hase, age 90, of Wetmore, died Saturday morning, April 25, 2020 at Medilodge in Munising.  She was born on October 13, 1929 in Gladstone, Michigan to William and Emma (Olson) Balko.  The Balko family moved to Wetmore when Anita was a young girl and she attended school in Wetmore and Munising.  She married Walter “Bud” Hase on...

Apr 19, 2020

Grand Marais

John L. Whittingham, age 74, of Grand Marais, MI and formerly of Green Bay, WI passed away Sunday, April 19, 2020 peacefully at his home under the loving care of his family and North Woods Home Hospice.  He was born on January 18, 1946 in Ontonagon, MI to the late Helen Briggs and Lee Knudsen. ...

Apr 17, 2020

Christmas

Robert “Bob” Soles, age 65, of Christmas, died unexpectedly Friday, April 17, 2020 at UP Health Systems Marquette.  He was born in Munising, Michigan on December 20, 1954 to the late Glen and Rhoda (Root) Soles.  Bob grew up in Munising and was a standout athlete in school.  He graduated from Wm. G. Mather...

Apr 15, 2020

A. Victoria “Piika” Shega, age 83, of Traunik, died early Wednesday morning, April 15, 2020 at UPHS – Marquette after a brief illness   She was born on September 29, 1936 in Chatham, Michigan to Arvid and Jennie (Norcole) Hill. She was the 11th born of 12 siblings, and her dad nicknamed her “Piika” as she was the baby girl...

Apr 14, 2020

Bruce Gregory Bray, age 75, of Shelter Bay, died unexpectedly at his home following a lengthy illness on Tuesday, April 14, 2020.  He was born on October 5, 1944 in Long Branch, New Jersey to the late Harold and Phyllis (Forbes) Bray.  The family moved to Michigan and Bruce grew up in Davison, Elk Rapids, Imlay City, and Ionia. ...

Apr 6, 2020

Charles J. (Charlie) Anderson, age 71, entered eternal rest on Monday, April 6, 2020, at U.P. Health System.  Charlie was born in Munising, Michigan on April 19, 1948 to George and Estelle Anderson and was a lifelong resident of Munising.  He was a 1966 graduate of Mather High School.  Charlie began his employment with Kimberly-Clark on October 3, 1966...

Apr 2, 2020

Munising

Walter “Elmer” Rantanen, age 87, of Munising, died Thursday, April 2, 2020 at Medilodge of Munising.  He was born on October 16, 1932 in Forest Lake, Michigan to the late Walter N. and Martha (Maki) Rantanen.  Elmer grew up in Forest Lake with an outhouse out back and a horse drawn cart that his father would...

Mar 19, 2020

D. Lorraine Vertz, age 83, of Munising, died early Thursday morning, March 19, 2020 at Medilodge of Munising where she had been surrounded by her family.  She was born on February 2, 1937 in Munising to Donald and Hilma (Lahtinen) Adair.  Lorraine graduated from Wm. G. Mather High School in 1955 and then went to beauty school in Monroe,...

Mar 10, 2020

Trenary

William E. “Bill” Davis, age 90, of Trenary, died early Tuesday morning March 10, 2020 at his home under the loving care of his family and North Woods Home Hospice.   He was born on June 9, 1929 in Trenary, Michigan to the late Vance “V.B.” and Elizabeth (Elliot) Davis.  Bill graduated from Trenary High School in...