Obituaries

Jan 5, 2021

Marquette - Jodi B. Dix, age 60, of 600 Altamont St. Marquette, passed away on Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at her home.

Jodi was born in Ishpeming on November 3, 1960, a daughter of Alice (Annala) and Clarence "Buck" Johnson. She was a graduate of the Westwood High School, Class of 1978 and had participated in track...

Dec 30, 2020

Mesa, AZ - John J. Todd, age 81, passed away Wednesday, December 30th at Mountain Vista hospital after contracting COVID-19.

John was born in Teaneck, New Jersey on June 4, 1939, a son of the late David and Louise Todd.

He met and married his wife Myrna Aho in the U.P.  Worked for and retired...

Dec 28, 2020

Ishpeming - Kay E. Villeneuve, age 61, longtime Ishpeming resident passed away on Monday, December 28, 2020 while under the care of Lake Superior Life Care and Hospice at the Norlite Nursing Center in Marquette where she had resided for the past two weeks.

Kay was born in Ishpeming, on May 17, 1959, a daughter of the...

Dec 27, 2020

Republic, MI- Donald Arthur Kangas, 82, longtime resident of Republic, passed to eternal life peacefully at home while in the loving care of his family on December 27, 2020.

Don was born on January 26, 1938 in Detroit, the son of Arthur and Helen (Waananen) Kangas.  He graduated from Republic High School in 1955 and went on...

Dec 21, 2020

Ishpeming- Russell L. "Russ" Balconi, Jr., age 92, a longtime Ishpeming resident passed away Monday, December 21, 2020 at his home while in the loving care of his family and UP Home Health and Hospice.

Russell was born in Negaunee, MI on November 23, 1928, a son of the late Russell and Aline (Oster) Balconi.  Russ graduated...

Dec 19, 2020

Ishpeming - Sheila A. Sihtala, age 55, of 230 Copper St. Ishpeming, passed away suddenly on Saturday, December 19, 2020 at her home.

Sheila was born in Cherry Point, NC on May 6, 1965, a daughter of the late Verna (Moilanen) and Gordon Lehtola. She moved to West Ishpeming in her youth and was a graduate of...

Dec 19, 2020

Ishpeming- Pauline Mary (Poirier) Laroen, age 80, of Ishpeming passed away on December 19, 2020 at UP Health System Bell. Pauline was born to Roy and Clara (Bucco) Poirier in Ishpeming on March 30, 1940. She was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church. Pauline lived and worked for various insurance companies in the Twin Cities for about 60 years. After...

Dec 18, 2020

Ishpeming - Edward Joseph LaFond, age 78, of Ishpeming, passed away on Friday, December 18th, 2020 at his home after a battle with cancer.

Ed was born in Ishpeming on February 20, 1942, a son of the late Rose Marie (Trudell) and Ernest  LaFond.

He attended the St. Paul's High School in...

Dec 16, 2020

Naples, Fl- Steven G. Nelson, 53, of Naples, Florida, passed away unexpectedly at home on December 16, 2020.

Steve was born in Ishpeming, MI on May 5, 1967 to Allyson M. Nelson (Hyett) and Kenneth D. Nelson Sr., graduated from Westwood High School Class of 1985, and went on to graduate with an Engineering Degree from Michigan...

Dec 15, 2020

Ishpeming - Sally S. Truscott, age 84, of Ishpeming, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at UP Health System Bell in Ishpeming following a brief illness.

Sally was born in Ishpeming on May 25, 1936, a daughter of the late Myrtle (Pohlman) and Earl Knight. She was a graduate of the Ishpeming High School, Class...

Dec 14, 2020

Ishpeming- Lorraine Cecelia St. Onge, age 97, long time Ishpeming resident passed away on Monday, December 14, 2020 at Mission Point Nursing & Physical Rehabilitation Center of Ishpeming as of result of COVID-19.

Lorraine was born in Ishpeming, Michigan on August 10, 1923, a daughter of the late Edward and Antoinette (George) LaFave.

Lorraine worked...

Dec 14, 2020

Ishpeming- Michael G. "Mickey" Ketola, age 75 longtime Ishpeming resident, passed away at his home on Monday Decebmer 14, 2020 while in the loving care of his family, and UP Home Health and Hospice.

Mickey was born in Newberry,MI on May 22, 1945, son of the late Esko and Irene Ketola. He graduated from Newberry High School...

Dec 11, 2020

Negaunee- Gwendolyn Marie Swan, age 74, of 98 Croix St. Negaunee, and former Ishpeming resident passed away on Friday, December 11, 2020 at her residence.

Gwendolyn was born in Troupe, Texas on December 30, 1945, a daughter of the late Jesse and Gracie M. (Carlile) Dowdy.

Gwen worked at Sam's Club and Walmart for 24...

Dec 10, 2020

Ishpeming - Joseph Alfred Anderson, age 85, of 1447 Co Rd PRG Ishpeming, passed away on Thursday, December 10, 2020 at UP Health System Bell in Ishpeming after contracting COVID-19.

Joseph was born in Escanaba, Michigan on August 25, 1935, a son of the late Marie (Pepin) and Alfred Anderson. Joe grew up in Green Creek Location...

Dec 10, 2020

Ishpeming- Allen F. Kutchie, age 79, passed away on Thursday December 10, 2020, at the Marquette County Medical Care Facility while in the loving care of nursing home staff.

Allen was born in Ishpeming, MI, on January 19, 1941, son of the late Francis and Grace (Carlyon) Kutchie. He attended St. Lawrence Seminary for three years before...

Dec 9, 2020

Phoenix, AZ - Douglas D. Larson, age 89, longtime Ishpeming resident passed away Wednesday, December 9, 2020 at Hawthorn Court at Ahwatukee in Phoenix, AZ.

Douglas was born in Ishpeming, MI on July 19, 1931, a son of the late Margaret Annie (Dobson) and Verner Larson. Doug was a graduate of the Ishpeming High School, Class of...

Dec 8, 2020

Ishpeming- Carol Bluekamp, 88, of Ishpeming was called home by her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020 at UP Health Systems Bell in Ishpeming after losing her battle with Covid-19.

Carol was born on September 26, 1932 in Holland, Michigan to the late Henry and Charlotte (Koning) Vander Hill.  Carol graduated from Holland High School...

Dec 8, 2020

Ishpeming- Harold James "Jim" Marinich, age 80, long time Ishpeming Township resident, passed away on Tuesday December 8, 2020 at his home.

Jim was born on March 25, 1940 in L'Anse, MI, son of the late John and Agnes (Campeau) Marinich. He served his country in the United States Army and recently enjoyed going on the UP...

Dec 7, 2020

Ishpeming- Sharon Sue Maynard age 71, of Ishpeming, passed away on Monday December 7, 2020 while in the loving care of her nurses at Mission Point of Ishpeming.

Sharon was born on February 17, 1949 in Ishpeming daughter of the late Oscar and Tynne Aho. She was raised in National Mine and graduated from National Mine High...

Dec 7, 2020

Ishpeming- Mark D. Stampee, age 56, of 757 Cooper Lake Rd. Ishpeming, MI, passed away Monday, December 7, 2020 at UP Health System Marquette, where he had been a patient since November 14, 2020.

Mark was born in Ishpeming, Michigan on June 5, 1964, a son of Barbara M. (Dushane) Stampee, and the late Gerald Julius Stampee....