Obituaries

Sep 14, 2024

Pelkie,

James W. Klein, 65, resident of Pelkie, passed Saturday, September 14, 2024, at the North Shore Health Center in Florence, WI, where he was a patient.

He was born on June 24, 1959, in Hancock, MI, a son of the late George and Mary (Kendall) Klein. Jim was raised on Quincy Hill and was...

Sep 11, 2024

Salo Location

Virginia M. Bastian, 77, a former resident of Salo Location, passed away Wednesday September 11, 2024, at Canal View – Houghton County where she had been a resident patient for the past five years.

She was born on August 25, 1947, in Hancock, a daughter of the late Albert and Ann (Pavolich) Butkovich. ...

Sep 10, 2024

Chassell

Matt E. Kiilunen, 87, a resident of Chassell passed away at home on Tuesday, September 10, 2024.

He was born on January 21, 1937, in Big Traverse, a son of the late Matt and Lillian (Heikkinen) Kiilunen.

Matt was united in marriage to the former Elaine Pietila.

Mr. Kiilunen was...

Sep 9, 2024

Houghton

James A. Britz, 87, a resident of Houghton peacefully passed away at his home on Monday, September 9, 2024, following a short illness.

He was born on December 12, 1936, in Hancock a son of the late Leo and Helen (Piggott) Britz.  Jim was raised in Houghton and attended the Houghton High School where...

Sep 8, 2024

Chassell

Paul J. Makela, 83, a resident of Chassell passed away September 8, 2024, at UP Health Systems - Marquette Hospital following a short illness.

He was born on January 20, 1941, in Chassell, MI, a son of the late John and Kate (Jaaskari) Makela. Paul was raised in Chassell and graduated from Chassell High...

Sep 8, 2024

Hancock

William L. Ciabattari, 90, a former resident of Hancock and Heritage Manor in Houghton passed away Sunday, September 8, 2024, at the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans in Marquette where he had been a resident for the past year.

He was born on September 7, 1934, in Hancock a son of the late Peter...

Aug 30, 2024

Shelby Twp.

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Margaret A. "Peggy" Puuri on August 30, 2024.

Peggy was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Theodore "Ted" Puuri. She was the loving mother of Howard (Linda La Croix) Puuri, Carolyn (Marc) Caspary, Steve (Jamie) Puuri, and Dianne (Dale) Larson. Peggy...

Aug 30, 2024

Oskar-

Larry William Korpi, a resident patient of Canal View—Houghton County and former resident of Atlantic Mine and Oskar, went home to be with our Lord on August 30, 2024, at the age of 81.

Larry was born February 2, 1943, in Peterborough, New Hampshire. He was the son of William (Bill) and Ellen (Ojala)...

Aug 29, 2024

Point Mills

Julie L. (Robert) Joyal, 53, a resident of Point Mills, passed away Thursday August 29, 2024, at UP Health Systems – Portage Hospital shortly after being admitted.

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

Aug 24, 2024

Houghton

Dr. Otto George Ruehr, 91, passed away at home in Houghton on August 24, 2024.

He was born December 19, 1932 in Detroit, Michigan, son of Reinhold Ruehr and Louise Ruehr (née Kranz).

On August 28, 1954, he married Ruthann Ruehr (née Richwine) and they were together until her death in 2020....

Aug 22, 2024

Klingville

Lorraine Lassila, 92, a resident of Klingville, passed away Thursday, August 22, 2024, at Portage Pointe Nursing Home in Hancock where she had recently become a resident.

Lorraine was born at home "down by Pike River" on February 20, 1932, just around the corner from where the midwife lived. She grew up in her...

Aug 22, 2024

Hancock

Matthew J. Nyland, 50, a resident of Hancock passed away Thursday morning August 22, 2024, from injuries received in an accident.

He was born on May 21,1974, in Oak Lawn, IL, a son of the late Michael and Patricia (Roma) Nyland. As a child Matt moved to Quincy Hill where he was raised by...

Aug 21, 2024

Atlantic Mine

Eva Susan Koskela, 78, a resident of Atlantic Mine passed away Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at Canal View — Houghton County in Hancock where she was a resident patient.

She was born on August 27, 1945, in Brooklyn Location, a daughter of the late William and Helen (Haivala) Onkalo. Susan was raised in...

Aug 20, 2024

Dodgeville

James M. "Chops" Dunstan, 61, a resident of Dodgeville, passed away passed away Tuesday August 20, 2024, at St. Vincent's Hospital in Green Bay following a short illness.

Chop's family would appreciate any assistance to help cover the expenses of his arrangements.

The memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service – Hancock Chapel...

Aug 18, 2024

Chassell

Mary Lee Nordstrom made her grand entrance to Heaven today, August 18th 2024, at 8am just

before the "Oldies" started playing on WMPL 107.3.

Mary Lee was 79. She was born at home in Portage Entry, Chassell, MI. She was the 5 th child of

Henry and Lili Tormala (both...

Aug 14, 2024

Houghton

Darlene E. Siekas, 98, a resident of Arbor Green in Houghton and former Tapiola resident died at the Omega House on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, following a short illness.

She was born on January 16, 1926, in Atlantic Mine, to Lauri and Sadie Sandberg. She graduated from Jeffers High School in 1943. On November...

Aug 13, 2024

Elo

Edwin R. "Eppie" Maki, 88, a resident of Elo, passed away Tuesday, August 13, 2024, at Bayside Village in L'Anse.

Edwin was born on December 29, 1935, in Elo, son of the late Leonard and Sophie (Autio) Maki. He was raised n Elo and graduated from the John A. Doelle School with the class...

Aug 12, 2024

Negaunee

Jeremy John (Jerry) DeForge, age 53, passed away on Monday, August 12, 2024 at UP Health Systems-Marquette.

He was born July 16, 1971, in Hancock MI to John (Nonnie) DeForge Jr and Lynn DeForge Baldwin. Jerry was raised in Trimountain, MI, and graduated from Jeffers High School Class of 1989. He went on to...

Aug 11, 2024

Houghton

The Bluff's Houghton resident, Ray Saarinen, passed away Sunday, August 11, 2024, at UP Health

System-Portage following a short illness.

Ray was born in Pelkie on March 7, 1933, the son of the late Oliver and Hilda Saarinen. He was a

graduate of Hancock High School, class of 1951. After...

Aug 11, 2024

Hancock

Dennis H. Byers, of Hancock, M.I., passed away on August 11, 2024 after an illness. He was 69 years old.

Dennis was married to Doreen B. Byers (Nydam) for 39 years. In support of his family, he worked with Lapp Electric as an Electrician and then Vice President of Operations and later at Dematic...