Obituaries

Oct 8, 2024

Calumet

Daryl Ernest Puuri, 41, a beloved son, nephew, brother, father and grandfather, unexpectedly passed away at his home in Calumet.

He was born on May 19, 1983, in Hancock, MI, to his loving parents Duane and Brenda (Olson) Puuri. Daryl was raised in Houghton and attended the Houghton Schools.

Currently, Daryl was...

Oct 3, 2024

Pelkie

Geri L. (Paul) Maki, 60, a resident of Pelkie, passed awayThursday, October 3, 2024, at St.Vincent's Hospital in Green Bay, WI, following a short illness.

Surviving Geri are: Her husband Paul Maki; Her parents Ronald and Brenda Ervast; and Her brother: Ron (Mari) Ervast Jr.

As requested, no service will take place...

Sep 29, 2024

Chassell

Ruth H. Landen, 96, a former resident of Chassell passed away Sunday, September 29, 2024, at Mission Point of Hancock where she had been a resident patient.

She was born on October 3, 1927, in Chassell, MI, a daughter of the late John and Kaisa (Isovita) Kivari. Ruth was a graduate of the Chassell...

Sep 28, 2024

Dollar Bay

Walter J. Kiiskila, 87, a longtime resident of Dollar Bay passed away Saturday, September 28, 2024, at the Omega House in Houghton.

He was born on August 6, 1937, in Hancock, a son of the late John August and Mabel Senia (Klintti) Kiiskila. Walter was raised on the family farm on Lake Annie...

Sep 23, 2024

Painesdale

Eleanor Bertolli, 104, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 23, 2024, at the Franklin House of Portage Pointe in Hancock.

Eleanor was born on August 3, 1920, in Paavola, to the late Abraham and Brita (Boom) Naponen. She attended the Arcadian and Hancock Schools.

On March 7, 1942, she married the love...

Sep 22, 2024

Houghton

Valerie, E. Frea, 89, a resident of Houghton passed away peacefully Sunday, September 22, 2024, at UpJohn Heritage Nursing Home in Kalamazoo where she had been a patient for the past.

She was born on March 15, 1935, in Hancock, MI, a daughter of the late Bernard and Wendalla (Marsyala ) Demars. Valerie was...

Sep 16, 2024

Chassell

James Gordon Cote was born on November 3, 1944, in Hancock, MI to William and Laura

(Pakkala) Cote. He passed away on September 16, 2024, at Corewell Health Grand Rapids-

Butterworth Hospital where he had been a patient having had heart surgery a few weeks before.

Jim spent his early...

Sep 15, 2024

Hancock

Charles E. "Chuck" Bailey, 60, a resident of Hancock, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, September 15, 2024.

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

Sep 15, 2024

In Loving Memory of Carole J. Le May

Carole Jeanne LeMay, beloved wife, mother, sister and grandmother passed away peacefully on

September 15th, 2024 at the age of 90. Born on March 24, 1934, the fifth daughter of Albin J.

and Tyne (Rintala) Stein in Hancock, Michigan. She lived a life filled with...

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...