Mark A. Massie
Apr 13, 2026
MARENISCO TOWNSHIP, MI - Mark Anthony Massie, beloved father, grandfather, brother, and friend, of Marenisco Township, Michigan, passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, April 13, 2026, at age 66.
Mark was born August 21, 1959, in Wakefield, MI, the son of the late Dr. John and Mary Louise (Massa) Massie. Mark graduated from Ishpeming High School in 1978. After...
Krista R. Wealton
Apr 10, 2026
Krista Rae (Knutson) Wealton, 54, of Cape Coral, Florida, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on April 10, 2026, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Krista was born on August 30, 1971, in Ishpeming, Michigan, to Earl and Donna Knutson.
Krista was known for her kindness, strength, and compassion. Her faith in Jesus Christ was an important part of her life, guiding...
Sharon M. Hanson
May 28, 2026
Negaunee – Sharon M. Hanson, 79, passed away peacefully on May 28, 2026, at Unity Hospice in De Pere, Wisconsin, surrounded by the love of her family and caregivers.
Born on March 16, 1947, in Escanaba, Michigan, Sharon was the daughter of Stanley LeMay and Shirley (Moreau) Shafer. After graduating from high school, she moved to Marquette to attend school, where...
Donald R. Rankinen
May 27, 2026
REPUBLIC, MI – Donald R. Rankinen, age 88, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at UP Health System - Marquette, while surrounded by the love and care of his family.
Donald was born on October 27, 1937, in Ishpeming, the son of Clarence and Helmi (Olander) Rankinen. He was raised in Republic and graduated from Republic High School with...
Gene R. Keto
May 26, 2026
ISHPEMING, MI – Gene Raymond Keto, age 84, of Ishpeming, passed away Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at UP Health System – Marquette while in the compassionate care of the ICU staff.
Gene was born in Ishpeming on May 9, 1942, to Walter and Lydia (Manniko) Keto. He graduated from National Mine High School with the Class of 1961.
Following high school, Gene...
Betty A. (Van Driessche) Larson
May 25, 2026
ISHPEMING, MI – Betty A. (Van Driessche) Larson, age 93, passed away at her home on Monday May 25, 2026, while in the comforting care of her family.
Betty was born April 5, 1933, to Marcella (De Clark) and Edmond Van Driessche in Norway, MI. She lived on a farm in Vulcan until 1941 when the family then moved to Chicago,...
Joseph E. Harper Jr.
May 24, 2026
Joseph Earl Harper, Jr., age 78, passed away on May 24, 2026 in the Philippines, where he had lived with his wife of 25 years, Melency.
Joe embraced life with a love for the outdoors, a deep appreciation for friendship, and a genuine enjoyment of simple pleasures. He was happiest surrounded by good company, exploring the beauty of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula,...
Wayne A. Vadnais
May 22, 2026
REPUBLIC, MI – Wayne Allen Vadnais, age 72, passed away peacefully on Friday May 22, 2026, at UP Health System – Marquette, surrounded by the love of his family and the compassionate care of the ICU staff.
Wayne was born on September 25, 1953, in Ishpeming, Michigan, to Dolphus and Tyyne (Maki) Vadnais. The youngest of five children, Wayne learned early...
Robert "Otto" Luoma
May 21, 2026
Ely Twp.- Robert “Otto” Luoma, age 81, lifelong area resident, passed away on Thursday May 21, 2026 at his home, while in the loving care of his family, and UP Home Health and Hospice.
Otto was born on February 6, 1945, son of the late Uuno and Alice (Wiljanen) Luoma. He grew up in the Champion area and was a graduate...
Kenneth C. Larson
May 20, 2026
ISHPEMING, MI - Kenneth C. Larson, age 95, passed away at his home on Wednesday May 20, 2026, surrounded by the loving care of his family and Lake Superior Home Health and Hospice staff.
Kenneth was born June 2, 1930, to Carl and Sophie (Jarvi) Larson, the third child of a family of five. He grew up in Ishpeming and National...
William E. Eman Sr.
May 20, 2026
Ishpeming- William “Bill” Edward Eman, Sr., age 78, passed away on Wednesday May 20, 2026 at the DJ Jacobetti MI Veterans facility while in the loving care of his family, facility staff, and Lake Superior Life Care and Hospice.
Bill was born on March 1, 1948 in Ishpeming, son of the late Robert and Ruth (Lloyd) Eman.
Bill was a proud veteran,...
Dennis J. Karuzas
May 17, 2026
NORWAY, MI – Dennis John Karuzas passed away with his daughters by his side on May 17, 2026. Though his loss came far too soon, he leaves behind a lifetime of memories shared with family, friends, and all who knew him.
Dennis was born in Saratoga Springs, New York, on May 20, 1963, to Frances and John Karuzas. He graduated from...
Carol J. Beck
May 17, 2026
CHAMPION, MI – Carol J. Beck, age 95, of Champion, passed away Sunday, May 17, 2026, at the Marquette County Medical Care Facility in Ishpeming.
Carol was born on August 28, 1930, in Hermansville, Michigan, to the late William and Esther (Bengtson) Laitinen. She made her home in Champion for more than 50 years.
Carol enjoyed painting, decorating cakes, crocheting, and creating...
Sandra R. Salmela
May 16, 2026
Sandra “Sandy” Ruth (Nicholas) Salmela, age 75, of Negaunee, Michigan passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at her home in Negaunee.
Sandy was born on April 28, 1951, in Negaunee, Michigan, to Lester and Ruth (Stolnack) Nicholas. She was raised in Negaunee and graduated from Negaunee High School in 1969.
On October 30, 1971, Sandy was united in marriage to...
Aaron D. Butterfield
May 13, 2026
Aaron Dean Butterfield, a man who could fix anything and make anyone laugh while doing it, passed away on May 13, 2026, just two days before his 52nd birthday.
A resident of Ishpeming, Michigan, Aaron lived life on his own terms — with a joke ready and a skill for every situation. A true jack of all trades, Aaron had a...
Norma S. Aho
May 11, 2026
ISHPEMING, MI – Norma Suszann Aho, age 66, of Ishpeming, passed away on Monday May 11, 2026, at the Aurora BayCare Medical Center in Green Bay, WI.
Norma was born in Ishpeming on June 8, 1959, the daughter of the late Norman and Esther (Nystedt) Aho. She was raised in Ishpeming alongside her older sister, Kathy, and was known from an...
Sally (Hakala) Forsman
May 8, 2026
ISHPMEING, MI - Sally (Hakala) Forsman passed away on May 8, 2026. Born to Toivo and Ingrid Hakala, Sally grew up surrounded by a close-knit circle of family. She often remarked that she was raised by "six mothers"—her mother Ingrid, her older sisters Carol and Lois, and her aunts Eva, Martha, and Elmie. She was often surrounded by numerous cousins....
Sherry L. Solka
May 6, 2026
ISHPEMING, MI – Sherry Lynn Solka, age 69, of Ishpeming, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at the Marquette County Medical Care Facility while in the comforting care of her family and nursing home staff.
Sherry was born in Ishpeming, MI, on July 22, 1956, the daughter of James and Beverly (Duhame) Solka, and was raised in National Mine....
Jane A. Wiljanen
May 5, 2026
Michigamme- Jane A. Wiljanen, age 75, longtime area resident, passed away on Tuesday May 5, 2026 at the Norlite Nursing Center while in the loving care of her family, nursing home staff, and Lake Superior Life Care and Hospice.
Jane was born in Marquette on June 10, 1950, daughter of the late Larry and Aileen (Piirto) Taeger. She grew up in...
Mary G. Honkala
Apr 25, 2026
ISHPEMING, MI – Mary Gail Honkala, age 85, of Ishpeming, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at UP Health System – Marquette.
Mary was born on May 9, 1940, in Ishpeming, to George and Teckla (Johnson) Holmgren. She grew up in a small family and developed an early love for the outdoors, spending as much time as she could...
