Obituaries

Oct 4, 2016

James W. Hiltunen, age 81 of Alston, MI passed away on Tuesday, October 4, 2016 at UP Health System Portage in Hancock, MI. He was born April 7, 1935 on the family farm in Alston, MI son of William and Kathleen (Phillippi) Hiltunen. Jim attended Alston School. At age 16 he began hauling logs. He owned Jim’s Texaco in Baraga...

Sep 22, 2016

Harlo “Tom” Thomas Stapleford, age 73, Navy Vet, loving husband, father, papa, ladies' man, foodie, snappy dresser, and accomplished traveler, passed peacefully at home, September 22, 2016. Tom was born July 12, 1943 in L'Anse, MI., son of Harlo (Rusty) and Irene (Schroeder) Stapleford. He graduated from L'Anse High School in 1961. Tom Served in the US Navy January...

Sep 22, 2016

Lewanta (Wanda) Eveline Burris, age 89 of Mt. Morris, MI died Thursday, September 22, 2016 at Bayside Village in L’Anse, MI. She was born on November 29, 1926 in Union County, IL to Clarence and Hattie (Dublin) Masterson. She attended school in Mt. Morris, MI. In March 1944, Wanda married her husband of 43 years, Robert G. Burris of...

Sep 12, 2016

Arnold E. Juntunen, age 90 of Baraga, MI passed away on Monday, September 12, 2016 at Baraga County Memorial Hospital. He was born May, 15, 1926 in Nisula, MI son of Arthur and Armita (Lepisto) Juntunen. Arnold graduated from Baraga High School in 1944. He then served in the US Army during the Korean Conflict. He married Alice Jolgren on...

Aug 26, 2016

Florence Luella Peterson, age 92 of Aura, MI passed away on Friday, August 26, 2016 at her home. She was born January 13, 1924 in Amherst, WI daughter of Reinhold and Effie (Nelson) Ristow. Florence graduated from Amherst High School. She married Otto Peterson on June 28, 1947 in Amherst. They moved to Aura in 1974. Florence was a member...

Aug 19, 2016

James Edward Bemis, age 29 of Gwinn, MI passed away on Friday, August 19, 2016 at UP Health System Marquette in Marquette, MI. He was born October 30, 1986 in L’Anse, MI son of Debra Lindner and Ralph Bemis. James attended schools in Baraga and Gwinn. He worked as a welder for Van Straten Brothers in Baraga and Northwoods...

Aug 6, 2016

Gertrude Loraine Makela, age 88 of Pelkie, MI passed away on Saturday, August 6th, 2016 at Houghton County Medical Care Facility in Hancock, MI. She was born December 9, 1927 in Trimountain, MI daughter of Abel and Lillian (Moilanen) Byykkonen. Gertrude was a homemaker and raised her 9 children. In 1982 she received her high school diploma from L’Anse...

Aug 3, 2016

Kenneth James Mundo, age 54 of L’Anse, MI passed away on Wednesday, August 3, 2016 at his home. He was born December 23, 1961 in Kalamazoo, MI son of Louis and Mary (Lyle) Mundo. Ken grew up in Lawrence, MI and graduated in 1980 from Lawrence High School. In 1997 he moved to L’Anse and worked as a logger for...

Aug 2, 2016

Avery Brayden Curtis, 3 ½ month old baby boy, passed away on Tuesday, August 2, 2016 at Baraga County Memorial Hospital. He was born premature on April 18, 2016 in Marquette, MI and has been a fighter ever since. He was deeply loved and his grumpy personality will be greatly missed. He is the loving son of Malynda Schiefel...

Jul 26, 2016

Phyllis Lillian Kruse, of L’Anse, Michigan. Loving mother and grandmother, passed away on July 26, 2016 in Rockford, Michigan; she was 76 years old. Phyllis Kruse was born on October 12, 1939 in Hancock, MI to the late William and Elsie (Pythila) Hokkanen. She married Richard J.A. Kruse on June 10, 1961 in Southfield MI. Phyllis was a 1957 graduate...

Jul 23, 2016

Jessie Anne Godfrey, age 88 of Brunswick, ME passed away on Saturday, July 23, 2016 at the Upper Peninsula Health System in Marquette, Michigan. She was born in Philadelphia, PA., daughter of H. Linwood and Dorothy (Ashbey) Godfrey. A native of Washington, D.C., Jessie received her bachelor's and master's degrees from Wellesley College. From 1958 to 1991 she served as...

Jul 22, 2016

Carol Jean Jordan, age 69 of Aura, MI passed away on Friday, July 22, 2016 at her home. She was born July 10, 1947 in Trenton, MI daughter to Donald and Lois (Brayman) Cooper. Carol graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1965. She married Roger Jordan on June 1, 1968 in Wyandotte. In 1995 they moved to Aura. Carol's family...

Jul 21, 2016

Leonard C. LeClaire, of Baraga, MI passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, July 21, 2016 at UP Health System-Marquette. He was born on April 6, 1953 in L’Anse, MI son of Melford and Rita (Miron) LeClaire. Leonard attended school in Baraga and was a lifelong resident of Baraga. He worked as a mechanic at Martin’s Gas Station and Pettibone. Leonard...

Jul 21, 2016

Lyla Martha Eccles, age 95 of L’Anse, MI went to be with the Lord on Thursday, July 21, 2016, surrounded by her family, at the Omega House in Houghton, MI. She was born March 16, 1921 in Elo, MI daughter of Kasper and Aina (Laurinen) Kyllonen. In growing up on the farm she helped with chores such as feeding...

Jul 21, 2016

John Lee Wojciechowski, age 71 of Skanee, MI passed away suddenly on Thursday, July 21, 2016 at Baraga County Memorial Hospital. He was born October 15, 1944 in Milwaukee, WI son of Chester and Esther (Nowak) Wojciechowski. John graduated from Boys Tech High School in Milwaukee. John married the former Bonnie Schiebel on August 19, 1970 and they resided in...

Jul 13, 2016

Nathaniel “Nate” C. Foy, 36, Escanaba, passed away early Wednesday morning, July 13, 2016 at his home. He struggled with PTSD following his years of military service. Nate was born on September 14, 1979 in L’Anse, son of Gabriel Foy and Bonnie Maki. He grew up on Skanee Road and attended L’Anse Schools. As a kid he enjoyed playing...

Jun 23, 2016

Jun 23, 2016

Arthur Edward Gerard, age 87 of Baraga, MI passed away on Thursday, June 23, 2016 at Bayside Village in L’Anse where he has been a resident for the past 10 years. He was born October 2, 1928 in Baraga, MI son of Frank and Stella (Magnant) Gerard. Arthur graduated from Baraga High School in 1946. He married the former...

Jun 23, 2016

Philip Henry Toler Jr., age 54 of L’Anse, MI passed away suddenly on Thursday, June 23, 2016 at his home. He was born on May 18, 1962 in Jersey City, New Jersey and grew up in Alabama. Philip was in the US Army and Coast Guard. He was married to Cynthia Williams Flores. Philip drove truck for various companies...

Jun 11, 2016

Charles Joseph Maki, age 44 of Amasa, MI passed away on Saturday, June 11, 2016 as a result of an accident in L’Anse, MI. He was born May 25, 1972 in New London, WI son of Michael and Lois (Cadotte) Maki. He graduated from West Iron County High School. Charlie worked as an auto technician at McKay’s Chevrolet in...