Ishpeming Twp. – Michael J. Beauparland, age 52, of 145 Marble St., Ishpeming Twp. passed away on at 1:35pm on Wednesday, January 18, 2012 while in the loving care of his family and the Lake Superior Hospice, following a courageous 15 month battle with cancer.


Mike was born October 30, 1959 in Munising, MI the son of the late Jerome and Mary (Jacobson) Beauparland. He grew up in Munising, graduating in 1977 from the Wm. Mather High School in Munising. While in Munising, Mike enjoyed his years with his fellow corps members in the Castle Rangers Drum & Bugle Corps. Mike served in the United States Navy from 1982-1985. He had spent some time living in Ft. Lauderdale, FL prior to moving back to the Upper Peninsula in 1989. In 1993 Mike was employed by the Bell Memorial Hospital, working his way up to be the only Certified Central Supply Technician in the Upper Peninsula, a distinction in which he was most proud of.


Mike was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church where he was active in the Church Choir, and had also been active in the St. John's Church Choir. His enjoyment of music also led him to be a member of the Negaunee Male Chorus. Mike was well known for his Deviled Eggs and those will certainly be missed at Hospital Pot Luck's and Family gatherings.


Survivors include his sister Nancy (Jack) Barnes of Shelter Bay, his niece Anna and nephews Philip and Tony of whom he would brag about to anyone willing to listen, an Aunt & Uncle – Paul & Mary Beauparland, of Tawas, MI, several cousins, along with a special friend Vicky Kamenz of East Troy, WI.


The family will greet friends from 11:00am until 12noon on Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Ishpeming. A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 12:00noon on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012 at St. Joseph Catholic Church with the Rev. Fr. James Challancin to officiate. All are invited to a luncheon following the services in the Church Hall.


In lieu of flowers, memorial considerations may be directed to Lake Superior Hospice at www.lakesuperiorhospice.org or 914 W. Baraga Ave., Marquette, MI 49855, The Bell Foundation at www.foundationbell.org or 97 S. Fourth St., Ishpeming, MI 49489 or Cancer Care of Marquette Co., 1238 Knudsen Rd., Gwinn, MI 49841 in Mike's memory.

"Be at peace with your own soul.
Enter eagerly into the treasure house that is inside you.
The ladder leading to the Kingdom is hidden within your soul.
Dive into yourself, and in your soul you will discover the stairs by which to ascend."
Isaac of Ninevah