Obituaries

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...

Oct 27, 2025

Traverse City, MI

Ashley Alexandria Aho (27), a current Traverse City resident and former Calumet resident, passed away Monday, October 27th, 202,5 after a suspected accidental fentanyl overdose (still under investigation). She is survived by her parents Stephanie Booth (Timothy Booth) and Loren Aho (Beth Campbell), sisters (Alexis Aho, Emma Aho), half sister (Kayla Parkin), grandparents (Judy...

Oct 26, 2025

Hancock

Katherine (Kathy) L. Karvonen, 89, entered eternal life on Sunday, October 26 at Canal View Woodland Haven where she had been a resident for past three years. Kathy leaves a legacy of fiercely loving her family, especially her grandchildren with who she played an active role doing things like picking them up after school every day....

Oct 26, 2025

James Michael Tapio, age 67, passed from life to eternity on October 26, 2025, at his home in Vancouver, Washington.

James, mostly known as Jim, was born on January 21, 1958, in Hancock, Michigan, to the late Albert and Elfie Tapio. He grew up in Chassell where he attended school, graduating from Chassell High School in 1976....

Oct 25, 2025

Hubbell

Charlissa "Lisa" Shelp-Janeski, 63, a resident patient of Our Lady of Mercy Health and Rehab in Hubbell and a former Hancock resident, passed away Saturday, October 25, 2025.

She was born on May 22, 1962, in Hutchinson, KS, a daughter of the late Charles and Ruby (Cox) Shelp. Lisa was raised in Independence, MO,...

Oct 24, 2025

Chassell

Gary L. Archambeau, 73, a resident of Chassell, passed away on Friday, October 24, 2025, at the Omega House in Houghton following a lengthy illness, with family by his side.

A private graveside service for Gary will be held at a later time in Elo Cemetery.

Memorial donations in Gary's name are...

Oct 24, 2025

Houghton

Denis William Skoglund, 78, of Houghton, Michigan, passed away on October 24, 2025, surrounded by his family.

Denis was born on April 26, 1947, in Marquette, Michigan, to Herbert and Edna (Lockard) Skoglund. He grew up in Munising and graduated from Mather High School in 1965. A proud Michigan State Spartan, Denis earned his...

Oct 23, 2025

Calumet

Nathan Edwin Ruonavaara, 97, a resident of Calumet, passed away Thursday, October 23, 2025, at his home with his family by his side.

Nathan was born in Mohawk, MI on April 28, 1928, the second of seven children, to Felix and Anna (Lassila) Ruonavaara. He spent his childhood years in Gay and Fulton, MI....

Oct 22, 2025

Houghton

Marilyn E. (Kettenbeil) Jukuri, 93, a resident of the Bluff's Senior Living Community in Houghton and a former Keweenaw Bay resident, passed away Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at the Gardenview Assisted Living in Calumet, where she had been a resident patient since this past November.

She was born on April 1, 1932, in Lake...

Oct 16, 2025

Ripley

Charlotte (Char) A. Pera, 81, a former resident of Ripley, passed away Thursday, October 16, 2025, at the Delaware House of Portage Pointe in Hancock following a lengthy illness.

She was born on June 1, 1944, in Hancock, a daughter of the late Paul and Doris (Ross) Nomellini. Char was raised in Hancock and...

Oct 13, 2025

Chassell

Donna Christine Granroth, 78, of Chassell, Michigan died peacefully at her home on Monday, October 13, 2025. She was born on March 14, 1947, in Laurium, Michigan to Reuben and Edna (Joki) Waara.

They raised her with her younger sister Jeanette on a farm in nearby Traprock Valley, and they later moved to a...

Oct 8, 2025

Laurium

Donald J. Secor, a resident of Laurium, MI, passed away at age 84 at Canal View in Hancock, MI following a short illness.

Don is survived by his wife of 58 years, Karen, along with his children Peter, Matthew, Timothy, and 14 grandchildren (Ryden, Andrei, Kiril, Torin, Dimitri, Leif, Paaloma, Anton, Amelie, Quint, Victor,...

Oct 5, 2025

Houghton

Shuanglin Zhang passed away peacefully on October 5, 2025, at his home in Houghton, Michigan, due to complications from ALS. He is lovingly remembered by his devoted wife, Ying, his son, Bo, as well as his three sisters and one brother.

Born in a rural village in China as the fourth of five children,...

Oct 2, 2025

Chassell

Paul Lampinen, 73, a resident of Chassell, passed away Thursday, October 2, 2025, at his home following a lengthy illness.

He was born on November 13, 1951, in Hancock, a son of the late Roy and Dorothy (Golden) Lampinen. Paul was raised in Chassell and was a graduate of the Chassell High School with...

Oct 2, 2025

Hancock

Ronald Shuford, 89, a resident of Hancock, passed away Thursday, October 2, 2025, at UP Health System- Portage Hospital following a short illness.

He was born on January 20, 1936, in Dallas, TX, a son of the late Prante and Lena (Decas) Shuford. Ronald was raised in Dallas and was a graduate of Crozier...

Sep 28, 2025

Chassell

Ron M. Tapani, 69, a resident of Klingville, passed away Sunday, September 28, 2025, at the Omega House in Houghton following a lengthy illness.

Ron was born on September 19, 1956, in Hancock to the late Allen and Elizabeth (Rothenberger) Tapani. He was raised in Klingville and graduated from Chassell Schools.

Ron...

Sep 28, 2025

LIMINGA – Longtime area resident, Phyllis Gildersleeve, 90, passed

away peacefully on Sunday, September 28, 2025 at the Howard Young

Medical Center in Woodruff, Wisconsin.

She was born November 15, 1934, in Crystal Falls, Michigan, daughter of

Peter and Marion LeGault.

Phyllis attended Michigan Technological University where she graduated...

Sep 27, 2025

Hancock

William R. Knudsen, 63, a resident of Hancock unexpectedly passed away at his home from an apparent heart attack.

The Memorial Chapel Funeral and Cremation Service - Hancock Chapel is assisting the family with the arrangements

Sep 24, 2025

Chassell

David Rand Strong, 73, of Chassell, MI, died on September 24, 2025. Dave was born in Hancock,

MI on May 12, 1952 to Alfred and Esther (Niemi) Strong, and attended Ripley School. Dave

graduated from Hancock High School before studying Mathematics at Michigan Tech University.

A life-long learner, Dave completed...