Obituaries
Glenn Pyhtila
Sep 4, 2025
Hancock
Glenn Pyhtila, 90, a resident of Hancock and long-time Houghton resident, passed away Thursday, September 4, 2025, at the Eastwood Nursing Center in Negaunee, where he had been a patient for the past two months.
He was born on August 11, 1935, in Hancock, a son fo the late Henry and Hulda Jemina (Jarvela) Pyhtila. Glenn was raised in Detroit, Winona...
Helen Knuuti
Dec 16, 2025
Dodgeville, MIHelen (Riutta) Knuuti passed away on December 16, 2025, while being lovingly cared for by family.Born November 13, 1936, in Hancock, Michigan, Helen spent her childhood years living in Hancock with her parents, older brothers, and her younger sister Gert, eventually moving to the “Riutta” farm.She married Wilho Knuuti in 1957 and had three children, Donald, Linda, and Jane.Wilho’s...
Irene J. Hendrickson
Feb 11, 2026
Hancock
Irene J. Hendrickson, a resident of Hancock, passed away on Wednesday, February 11, 2026. She was born April 7, 1937, the daughter of Alfred and Flora (Ruonavaara) Hendrickson. She was a lifetime member of the Old Apostolic Lutheran Church. She attended the Hancock Public Schools and graduated with the class of 1955. She was employed at the Tervo Insurance Agency.
Preceding...
Melvyn A. Lyttinen
Feb 9, 2026
Tapiola
Melvyn "Rowdy" Lyttinen, 89, of Tapiola, Michigan, passed away unexpectedly on February 9, 2026, at Baraga Memorial Hospital. He was born on June 3, 1936, in Baltic, Michigan, to Sylvia (Wimpari) and Abram Lyttinen.
Melvyn grew up in Houghton County and graduated from the John A. Doelle School in Tapiola in 1954.
On March 14, 1970, He married Angeline Colombe, to whom...
Howard F Lister
Feb 8, 2026
Tapiola
Howard F. Lister, 79, a resident of Tapiola, passed away on Sunday, February 8, 2026, at his home with his family by his side.
The Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service - Mt. View Chapel of South Range is assisting the family with the arrangements, which will be announced at a later time.
Thomas Neil Stimac
Feb 8, 2026
Houghton
Thomas Neil Stimac, 77, of Trimountain, more recently of Houghton, passed away on Sunday, February 8, 2026, after a short battle with MDS. Tom was born on October 21, 1948, in Hancock to Peter and Arlene Stimac, grew up in Trimountain and was a 1966 graduate of Jeffers High School.
In 1968, Tom joined the US Army, serving in the central...
Debra Ann Kangas
Feb 7, 2026
Baltic
Debra A. (Jay Spiegel) Kangas, 71, a resident of Baltic, passed away Saturday, February 7, 2026, at her home.
She was born in Hancock, MI, on June 8, 1954, a daughter of the late Robert and Elaine (Patana) Kangas. Debra was raised in Baltic and was a graduate of the Jeffer’s High School with the class of 1974.
Debra lived with her...
Sandra Elaine Raasio
Feb 5, 2026
Hancock
Sandra (Clyde) Raasio, 83, a resident of Frenchtown, passed away at home on Thursday, February 5, 2026, surrounded by her family.
She was born in 1942, in Flint, MI, a daughter of the late George and Margaret (King) Bearup. Sandra was raised in Flint and was a graduate of Flint Northern High School. Following high school, she worked as a secretary...
Amanda Jean Beneteau
Jan 31, 2026
Phoenix, AZ
Amanda Jean (Dow) Beneteau, 44, passed away peacefully after a short illness on January 31, 2026, surrounded by family and friends. She was born on January 30, 1982, to David and Deborah (Nicholls) Dow.
Amanda was a devoted mother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend whose kindness and compassion touched countless lives. She was the loving mother of her son, Caden,...
Mary Ellen Campo
Jan 31, 2026
HancockMary Ellen Lucchesi was born in Hancock, Michigan, at 2:15 am on June 21st, 1946, to Bruno and Elsie Lucchesi. She would be the second-oldest child of 6 children and the oldest girl of the family. She came with a big, friendly smile, an affable personality, and a love of a challenge.
She attended Hancock High School and Michigan Tech. Mary...
Jerry J MacInnes
Jan 29, 2026
Chassell
Jerry J. MacInnes, 99, a resident of Chassell and well-known community member, passed away Thursday, January 29, 2026, at the Omega House in Houghton.Jerry was born in Erie, PA on September 1, 1926, the daughter of John J. Honey and Inis (Will) Honey. She graduated from Millcreek High School and earned her B.A. from the University of Michigan in 1948.She...
Benaiah James Strong
Jan 28, 2026
Hancock
Benaiah James Strong, stillborn son of Matt and Maddy Strong, went into the arms of the Lord on January 28, 2026, at the UP Health System- Portage Hospital before he had a chance to meet his family.
Surviving are his parents, Matthew and Madeline Strong, his sister Penelope Strong, along with his maternal grandparents, Todd and Angela Anderla, his paternal grandparents,...
Melvin Staricha
Jan 27, 2026
Cedar Bay
Melvin James Staricha, 80, passed away on January 27, 2026, after a brief battle with cancer at Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital.
Melvin was born on January 31, 1945, in Calumet, MI, to Matt and Margaret (Johnson) Staricha.
He was a member of the Old Apostolic Lutheran Church of Hancock, a veteran of the National Guard and a graduate of the Calumet High...
Lorna Ann Kaspala
Jan 22, 2026
Chassell
Lorna A. Kaspala, 82, a resident of Chassell, passed away Thursday, January 22, 2026, at the UP Health System - Portage, shortly after arriving from an apparent heart attack.
She was born on July 13, 1943, in Painesdale, a daughter of the late Gustav and May (Greb) Grohman. Lorna was raised in Painesdale and was a graduate of the Jeffer's High...
Susan Ann Berryman
Jan 20, 2026
Chassell
Susan A. Berryman, 68, a resident of Chassell passed away Tuesday January 20, 2026, at HSHS St Mary’s Medical Center in Green Bay where she had been a patient for the past week.
The Memorial Chapel Funeral And Cremation Service - Chassell Chapel is assisting the family with the arrangements which will be announced at a later time.
Ursula E. Persha
Jan 19, 2026
South RangeUrsula E. Persha, 94, a former resident of South Range, passed away Monday, January 19, 2026, at Canal View -- Houghton County, whereshe had been a resident patient for the past 4 years.
She was born on March 26, 1931, in Trimoutain, a daughter of the late Victor and Helen (Haischer) Chaput. Ursula was raised in Atlantic Mine and was...
Bonnie J. Zerbst
Jan 18, 2026
Hancock
Bonnie J. Zerbst, 75, a resident of Hancock, passed away Sunday, January 18, 2026, at the Medora House of Portage Pointe in Hancock, where she has been a resident patient for the past year.
She was born on October 16, 1950, in Detroit, MI, a daughter of the late Uno and Elise (Ruohonen) Forsman. As a child, she moved with her...
Frederick John Ruelle
Jan 18, 2026
Hancock Frederick “Fred” (Ruth) Ruelle, 81, a resident of Hancock, passed away Sunday morning, January 18, 2026, at the UP Health System –Portage Hospital in Hancock.
He was born on March 18, 1944, in Hancock, a son of the late Bernard and Ruth (Milford) Ruelle. Fred was raised in Hancock and was a graduate of the Hancock High School with...
Christine Ann Ruonavaara
Jan 17, 2026
Onnela
Christine (Nils) Ruonavaara,74, a resident of Onnela, passed away Saturday, January 17, 2026, at her home, following a lengthy illness. She was born on November 2, 1951, in Hancock, a daughter of the late Alvin and Verna (Riutta) Johnson. Christine was raised in Houghton and was a graduate of the Houghton High School with the class of 1969.
Following high school,...
Shirley A. Arvo
Jan 10, 2026
HoughtonShirley Ann (Cooperider) Arvo was born on December 29, 1934, inUnionville Center, Ohio, to William (Lloyd) and Sylvia Aliina(Lassila) Cooperider.At the age of three, her family moved to Hancock, MI. She was raisedin Hancock and graduated from the Hancock High School with the classof 1953. After graduating, she attended Suomi College/ FinlandiaUniversity. She moved to Detroit in the summer of...
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