Obituaries

Feb 3, 2023

Leonard A. Rukkila, age 94, of Negaunee and formerly of Eben Jct, died early Friday morning, February 3, 2023 at the Jacobetti Home for Veterans in Marquette where he had been a resident for two months. Leonard was born on May 4, 1928 in Escanaba, the son of Hugo and Jennie (Norlund) Rukkila.

Leonard spent his early...

Feb 2, 2023

Peggy Ann Woropay, age 69, of Grand Marais, died peacefully and unexpectedly at her home on Thursday, February 2, 2023.  She was born in Detroit on April 28, 1953 to the late Stanley “Ward” and Dorothy (Harchuk) Woropay.  Peggy grew up in Sterling Heights and graduated from Warren High School in 1971.  She moved to Grand Marais and worked...

Feb 2, 2023

Trenary lost a local character on February 2, 2023. at home on the Aho family farm. Edward Victor Aho was born on February 20, 1939, the 4th of 11 children to William and Ruth (Saari) Aho in Grand Marais, Michigan. He grew up in Trenary where he graduated from high school.

Ed served in the U.S. Army...

Feb 1, 2023

Peter “Dud” John Heyrman, Jr., age 46, of Munising passed away peacefully on the morning of Wednesday, February 1, 2023 at UP Health System in Marquette, MI with loved ones around him.  Pete was born in Munising to Peter and Judy (DesArmo) Heyrman on February 21, 1976.  A Munising resident his whole life, Dud attended Munising Public Schools and...

Jan 25, 2023

Robert “Bobby” John Gamelin, age 69, of Munising, died at his home under the loving care of his family and North Woods Hospice on Wednesday evening, January 25, 2023, after spending months teaching his family and friends how to die with open hearts, an open door for visitors, love, laughs, and faith.  He was born on July 28, 1953...

Jan 23, 2023

Donald E. Hakanen, age 91, of Chatham, died Monday evening, January 23, 2023 at Medilodge in Munising.   Don was born on May 15, 1931 in Slapneck, Michigan to Erick and Lillian (Peterson) Hakanen.  He graduated from Eben High School in 1949.  Don enlisted into the U.S. Air Force in 1951.  He spent time in Japan and served stateside.  Don...

Jan 19, 2023

Patricia “Pat” Ann Cromell, age 91, of Munising, died Thursday, January, 19, 2023 at Medilodge of Munising.  She was born on June 18, 1931 in Sagola, Michigan to the late Joseph and Genevieve (Gomney) Perry.  Pat grew up in Munising and was crowned Miss Alger County in 1946.  She graduated from Wm. G. Mather in 1949, and she was...

Jan 14, 2023

Judith K. “Jude” DesJardins, age 70, of Munising, died Saturday, January 14, 2023 at her home under the loving care of her longtime friend and companion Scot and Northwoods Home Hospice.  She was born on March 4, 1952 in Cass City, Michigan to the late Lewis and Edith (Nybeck) DesJardins.  Jude grew up in Munising and graduated from Wm....

Jan 14, 2023

Robert David Methot, age 32, lifetime resident of Munising, died unexpectedly but peacefully while surrounded by his parents and sister on Saturday morning, January 14, 2023 at UPHS in Marquette following heart issues.  Bobby, as he was known by all, was a young man who loved, respected, and was devoutly loyal to his family and friends, past and present. ...

Jan 12, 2023

Edwin Jalmer Jalonen, age 87, of Eben, died Thursday morning, January 12, 2023 at Medilodge of Munising where he had been receiving excellent care.  He was born on May 17, 1935 in Eben to Jalmer and Celia (Robertson) Jalonen.  Edwin grew up in Eben and graduated from Eben High School in 1953.  He immediately went to work at Kimberly...

Jan 10, 2023

Wetmore

Richard “Rick” W. Nikunen, age 81, of Wetmore died early Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans in Marquette, Michigan.  He was born on July 2, 1941 in Nahma, Michigan to the late William and Elizabeth (Saccator) Nikunen.  Rick served in the U.S. Army from 1964 until 1966 and was honorably discharged as...

Jan 3, 2023

Chatham

Clyde M. Johnson, 86 of Chatham died peacefully surrounded by his family at Munising Memorial Hospital on January 3, 2023.

He was born in Chatham on October 7, 1936 and was the fourth of seven children of Albert and Mildred (Anderson) Johnson.   He grew up on the family dairy farm in Cold Springs where...

Jan 2, 2023

Michael Albert Shelly, age 57, passed away unexpectedly on January 2, 2023 in Flint Township, Michigan.  He was born March 8, 1965 in Manistique, Michigan to Beverly Lou Shelly (nee: LaLonde) and Clyde James Shelly.  He grew up in Shingleton, Michigan until he was 13 years old, then moved to Munising, Michigan until the following summer, then moved to...

Jan 2, 2023

Lola Lee Gollinger, age 89, of Munising, died peacefully on Monday morning, January 2, 2023 at Munising Memorial Hospital where she was surrounded by her loving family. She was born on October 15, 1933 in Munising to Everett and Adeline (Kaufman) Pangborn. Lola grew up in a little house in Frog Hollow. Her father died when she was just...

Jan 1, 2023

Munising

William E. “Bill” Niemi, age 79, of Munising, died Sunday, January 1, 2023 at Harbour View Assisted Living.  He was born April 23, 1943 in Hancock, Michigan to the late William I. and Nathalia I. (Nyholm) Niemi.  Bill grew up in Sundell, Michigan and graduated Eben High School in 1961.  He served four years in the...

Dec 31, 2022

Brian Andrew Wright, age 43, of Rumely, died unexpectedly at his home following a brief illness on Saturday evening, December 31, 2022.  He was born on October 3, 1979 in Midland, Michigan to Gary and Diane (Cable) Wright.  Brian grew up in Midland and worked in numerous restaurants in lower Michigan.  He was an excellent cook and respected by...

Dec 23, 2022

Cherice “Cheri” Kathryn Hays, 67, of Stewartville, MN, was a caring daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She left this world suddenly on Friday, December 23, 2022 at Methodist Hospital. She was born on October 13, 1955 in Munising, MI to George “Ray” and Nancy (Flynn) Morrison. Cheri lived in Munising, MI until 1967, and then spent the rest...

Dec 23, 2022

Munising

Deborah “Debbie” (Truckey) Servia, age 61, of Munising, died with her children by her side at Munising Memorial Hospital on Friday morning, December 23, 2022, following a lengthy respiratory illness.  She was born on May 23, 1961 in Jackson, MI and in November of 1961, she was adopted by her loving parents, Willard “Bill” and Maryrene...

Dec 22, 2022

Daniel William Artibee of Munising, Michigan, passed away on December 22, 2022 after a heroic battle with cancer at the age of 80 under the compassionate care and supervision of his wife as well as North Woods Hospice, peacefully in their home.  Dan was born and raised in the Upper Peninsula to Louis “Luke” and Bernice (Miller) Artibee on...

Dec 20, 2022

Thomas Hannan Luckey III, 83, of Munising, Michigan, died on December 20, 2022, in Belém, Brazil, after a 7-year battle with stage 4 prostate cancer. He and his wife, Marion, were midway through a long-awaited cruise down the Amazon River when he fell ill and was transferred to Hospital Beneficente Portuguesa, where he passed two weeks later.

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