Obituaries

Dec 14, 2025

Dec 13, 2025

Dollar Bay

Sylvia “Cookie” Datto, 83, of Dollar Bay, passed away peacefully on December 13th, 2025, at the Omega House following a short illness.

She was born in Detroit to Katherine (Butkovich) Hill and World War II Veteran, Richard Bruce Hill. After her father was killed in action during the battle of Iwo Jima, Cookie moved to Hancock with her mother and...

Dec 13, 2025

Houghton

David E. Pyykkonen, 84, a resident of Houghton, passed away on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at the Omega House in Houghton.

The Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service - Hancock Chapel is assisting the family with the arrangements which will be announced at a later time.

Dec 11, 2025

Toivola

Shirley M. Luukkonen, 90, a former Toivola resident, passed away on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at Intersect Healthcare of Hancock.

A service for Shirley will take place in the spring in the Toivola Cemetery.

The Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service - Mt View Chapel of South Range is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Dec 5, 2025

Dollar Bay

Mary B. Harju, 96, a resident of Portage Pointe and former Dollar Bay resident, passed away on Friday, December 5, 2025, at the Pewabic House of Portage Pointe in Hancock.

Mary was born on November 25, 1929, in Mohawk, MI to the late Charles and Odivine (Duhaime) Goulette. She attended the Mohawk School.

On May 5, 1949, Mary was united in...

Dec 4, 2025

Liminga

Natalie M. Jurkanis, 85, a resident of the Arbor Green Senior Living Community of Houghton and a former Liminga resident, passed away Thursday, December 4, 2025, at HSHS St. Vincent's Hospital in Green Bay.

She was born on January 25, 1940, in Toivola, a daughter of the late Rafael and Sylvia (Perala) Maki. As a child, Natalie was raised in Toivola...

Dec 1, 2025

South Range

Gretchen Elizabeth Ovist, 71, a resident of South Range, passed away peacefully on December 1, 2025, at Canal View -- Houghton County, surrounded by the love of her family and friends.

Gretchen was born on October 17, 1954, in Hancock, to the late William and Viola (Luoma) Congdon. She was a graduate of Hancock High School with the class of...

Nov 27, 2025

Freda

Mary Linda was born in 1951 to Vincent and Lucille Morin. A proud Yooper, Mary lived in Freda for the majority of her life. Through her work at the West End Grocery and Schmidt's Corner Store, Mary engaged with many members of her community, offering stability, kindness, and a listening ear to those in need. Mary spent her later years...

Nov 25, 2025

Hurontown

Vicki Lindell, 61, a resident of Hurontown, passed away on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at UP Health System - Marquette following a lengthy illness.

The Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service - Hancock Chapel is assisting the family with the arrangements which will be announced at a later time.

Nov 25, 2025

Chassell

Maureen J. Gray, 78, a resident of Chassell, passed away on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at UP Health System - Portage following a lengthy illness.

The Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service - Hancock Chapel is assisting the family with the arrangements which will be announced at a later time.

Nov 24, 2025

Liminga

Juliana Helen Marttila, née Lahnala, passed away peacefully on Monday, November 24, 2025, at Portage Pointe in Hancock, Michigan.

Juliana, affectionately known as "Jewels," was beloved by many. Juliana was born on July 31, 1931, to William and Esther Lahnala on the family farm in Liminga, Michigan. She attended Liminga and Redridge schools and...

Nov 23, 2025

Tapiola

Angeline Lyttinen (née Colombe), 75, of Tapiola, Michigan, passed away

at her home on November 23, 2025. She was born on May 29, 1950, in

Chassell, Michigan, to Cecilia (Beauchamp) and Lawrence Colombe.

Angeline grew up in Houghton County and graduated from Houghton High

School. She was a...

Nov 18, 2025

Dollar Bay

Dr. Leonard W. Beesley, 79, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and a well-known area dentist, passed away peacefully Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at Canal View -- Houghton County, surrounded by the love of his family.

He was born on July 24, 1946, in Hancock, MI, son of the late Richard and Joyce (Elmblad)...

Nov 17, 2025

South Range,

Robert A. Wanhala a resident of South Range, passed away on November 17, 2025, at the UP-Health System – Marquette Hospital.

Most knew him as Bobby or Buzzy.  He came into the world 66 years ago on August 29, 1959.  Born to the late Sharon (Perfetti) Wanhala and the late Bob Mattson.  Later...

Nov 14, 2025

Baltic

Bradley Bonini, 44, a resident of Baltic, unexpectedly passed away on Thursday, November 13, 2025, shortly after being admitted to UP Health System- Portage Hospital from an apparent heart attack.

He was born on July 20, 1981, in Hancock, MI, a son of Robert and Kathy (Phillippi) Bonini. Brad was raised in Baltic and...

Nov 8, 2025

Houghton

Stan Roberts, 86, a resident of Houghton, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at Intersect Health and Rehabilitation in Hancock.

Stan was born on March 24, 1939, in Chassell, to the late Loretta Perreault. He attended Hancock Schools. During his younger years, he taught himself to play guitar. He played in several...

Nov 7, 2025

Paavola

Jerome Arthur Kangas "Jerry", 81, a lifelong resident of Paavola,

passed away Friday, November 7, 2025, at UP Health System - Marquette,

surrounded by his wife and family.

He was born on January 25, 1944, in Hancock, a son of the late William

and Phoebe (Hoitola) Kangas. Jerome...

Nov 6, 2025

Hancock

Kenneth Gerald Simila, age 88, of Hancock, passed away on November 6, 2025.

Kenneth was born in Mohawk, Michigan on July 15, 1937, the son of Claudia and Eino

Simila. He graduated from Calumet High School in 1959.

Kenneth married Carole Pekkala on May 14, 1960, and in 1963, they...

Nov 1, 2025

South Range,

Ralph E. Tapani, 92, a resident of South Range, passed away Saturday, November 1, 2025, at Our Lady of Mercy Convalescent Home in Hubbell, where he had been a resident patient for six weeks. He was born on April 29, 1933, in Atlantic Mine, son of the late Elmer and Sigrid (Nelson)Tapani Ralph married his...

Oct 31, 2025

Houghton

Paul Jukkala, 72, a resident of Houghton, passed away Friday, October 31, 2025, at his home following a lengthy illness.

He was born on July 27, 1953, in Hancock, a son of the late Leonard and Elmi (Wayranen) Jukkala.  Paul was raised in Houghton and attended the Doelle School and graduated from the Houghton...