Obituaries

Nov 25, 2025

Negaunee — Brian J. Mattice, age 40, a lifelong resident of Negaunee, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Tuesday, November 25, 2025.

Brian was born in Marquette on November 23, 1985, to David and Carol (Saari) Mattice. He grew up in Negaunee and graduated with the Negaunee High School Class of 2004, proudly playing on the...

Nov 22, 2025

ISHPEMING, MI — Thomas "Tom" Lee Erickson, age 49, of Ishpeming, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Saturday, November 22, 2025.

Tom was born August 11, 1976, in Eugene, Oregon, the son of Richard and Kathy (Howell) Erickson. He spent his childhood in the Eugene area and was known to many as their local paperboy. Tom...

Nov 20, 2025

Negaunee, MI — Paul A. "Jet Man" Jette, 85, of 96 Croix Street, passed away at his home on Thursday, November 20, 2025.

Paul was born in Negaunee on December 28, 1939, the son of the late Eugene J. and Mary U. (DuBord) Jette. He proudly served his country in the United States Navy during the Vietnam...

Nov 18, 2025

Ishpeming, MI – Norman W. Duman, age 81, longtime Ishpeming resident, passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, November 18, 2025.

Norman was born July 30, 1944, in Cheboygan, MI to Harold and Della (Eytcheson) Duman. From a young age he learned the value of hard work—first as a farmhand, and by his teenage years in...

Nov 18, 2025

Ishpeming, MI- Paul K. Koch, age 54, Ishpeming resident passed away Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at St. Mary's Hospital, Rochester, MN.

Paul was born on September 30, 1971, at the K.I. Sawyer A.F.B. a son of Darlene (Pleau) and the late Paul Koch. Paul was a big sports fan, his favorite teams include the Chicago Cubs, Las...

Nov 18, 2025

ISHPEMING, MI – Andrew "Andy" Edward Besander Jr., age 56, of Ishpeming, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, November 18, 2025, in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Andy was born July 18, 1969, in Ishpeming, son of the late Andrew and Dolores (Mathison) Besander. As a child, Andy loved spending time with his dad - hunting, fishing and tinkering. He also...

Nov 15, 2025

Ishpeming, MI — Nancy H. Kelly, age 76, a lifelong Ishpeming area resident, passed away on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at the Marquette County Medical Care Facility, where she had resided since August.

Nancy was born in Ishpeming on January 30, 1949, a daughter of the late Alice (Lampshire) and Robert Nelson. She was a graduate of...

Nov 14, 2025

Ishpeming, MI — Robert Elvis Brooks, age 86, originally of Idaho, currently residing in Ishpeming, passed away on Friday, November 14, 2025, at UP Health System–Bell.

Robert was born in Old Meadows, Idaho, on December 31, 1938, the youngest child and only son of the late Raymond Latha and Eva May (Cox) Brooks. He proudly served in...

Nov 13, 2025

Ishpeming, MI — Jacqueline Claire Hewitt, age 94, a longtime resident of Ishpeming, passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at the Marquette County Medical Care Facility, surrounded by the loving care of her family, Lake Superior Life Care and Hospice, and the dedicated staff of MCMCF.

Jacqueline was born in Monico, WI, on April 11,...

Nov 13, 2025

ISHPEMING, MI – John Thomas Solomon, age 70, of Ishpeming, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at Upper Peninsula Health System – Bell. A lifelong friend to many, John will be remembered for his warm smile and the way he made everyone feel like family.

John was born in Ishpeming on October 10th, 1955, to...

Nov 11, 2025

Republic — Charles W. "Choker" Mattila, age 85, a lifelong resident of Republic, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at the Eastwood Nursing Center, surrounded by the loving care of his family and the dedicated nursing staff.

Choker was born in Ishpeming on October 28, 1940, the son of the late Alger and Ruth (Carlson)...

Nov 7, 2025

ISHPEMING, MI - Marlene J. Eliason, age 88, longtime resident of 195 Copper St., West Ishpeming, passed away on Friday, November 7, 2025, at the Marquette County Medical Care Facility where she had been a resident for the past four years and stole many hearts.

Marlene was born on September 14, 1937, in Ishpeming, to Victor and...

Nov 4, 2025

ISHPEMING, MI - Blake J. Williams, age 64, of Ishpeming Township, passed away at his home on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.

Blake was born in Ishpeming to John "Jack" and Dorothy "Joyce" (Peterson) Williams. Blake attended Ishpeming High School with the Class of 1980. After high school he proudly served in the U.S. Navy and was stationed...

Nov 4, 2025

NEGAUNEE TOWNSHIP – Grace E. Parolini, age 84, of Negaunee Township, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 4th, 2025, at the Mill Creek Senior Living Community in Marquette.

Born on July 28, 1941, in Tri Mountain and raised in Painesdale, MI, she was the daughter of George and Lois (Key) Kilmer. As a child Grace loved the...

Nov 4, 2025

Ishpeming, MI- Virginia Rose Holmgren, 97, a lifelong resident of Ishpeming, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at the Marquette County Medical Care Facility.

Born on September 22, 1928, in Ishpeming, Michigan, Virginia was the daughter of the late Patrick and Verna (Oikari) Lyons. She graduated from Ishpeming High School in 1946 and soon began...

Nov 1, 2025

Ishpeming- Curtis Jon LeSage passed peacefully with his family by his side on November 1, 2025. Curt was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin on July 9, 1963 to Donna and Jerry LeSage. He was raised in Ishpeming, Michigan and graduated from Ishpeming High School in 1981. He completed his bachelor's degree in Paramedicine Technology in 2014.

Curt married...

Oct 29, 2025

Judy Kay (Van Luke) Van Riper was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan on July 14, 1944 to a truly badass mom, Eugenie "Jean" Pearl Sovey, who wore red lipstick, smoked Lark cigarettes, made the best molasses cookies, and exclaimed "Whoop-De-Doodie-Do" when she won at bingo or cards. Gramma Jean raised Judy with lots of fierce love and care. Judy in...

Oct 26, 2025

Ishpeming- Concetta (Connie) Florence Brewer (Carello) of Ishpeming passed away on October 26, 2025 at the age of 78. She was born July 10, 1947 to Dominic and Joyce (Kennedy) Carello.

Connie attended nursing courses at Northern Michigan University and worked as a home healthcare aide for many years. She comforted countless patients and their families with...

Oct 19, 2025

Republic, MI - Mildred M. Alatalo (Millie), age 83, a lifelong Republic resident, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 19, 2025, at St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay, WI, while surrounded by her loving family.

Born in Ishpeming on June 13, 1942, to the late John and Ellen (Hendrickson) Augustson, Millie grew up in Republic, attending school...

Oct 15, 2025

Marquette, MI- Kenneth Bernard Pringle, lovingly known as "Papa Ken" age 89, of Marquette, Michigan, passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, on October 15, 2025.

Ken was born at home in Sagola, Michigan, on August 9, 1936, to Bernard ("Bernie") and Elizabeth ("Betty") Pringle, both of whom preceded him in death. He spent his life rooted...