Obituaries

Feb 11, 2020

Houghton Wenona S. Lund, 91, a resident of The Bluffs in Houghton, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Tuesday, February 11, 2020 at the Omega House. She was born on August 18, 1928, in Roseau, MN to the late Wallace and Cora (Rusten) Strandlie. She graduated from Lutheran Bible Institute in 1948. Wenona then went...

Feb 6, 2020

South Range, Alice M. Kolehmainen, 87, a resident of South Range, passed away Thursday February 6, 2020, at the Omega House in Houghton following a short illness. She was born on September 10, 1932, in South Range, a daughter of the late Eino and Sylvia (Lohela) Kolehmainen. Alice was raised in South Range and was a graduate of Jeffers High...

Feb 3, 2020

Houghton Anne (Mike) Wellman, 72, a resident of Houghton passed away surrounded by her family Monday, February 3, 2020, at the Omega House in Houghton following a short illness. She was born in St Josephs Hospital, Hancock on April 7, 1947, a daughter of Angela and Irving Karry. Anne attended St Ignatius Loyola School, through 8th grade, then Houghton High...

Jan 31, 2020

Fall Creek, WI Robert James Bob Meyers of Fall Creek, Wisconsin passed away suddenly on Friday, January 31, 2020. Bob was born at home in Hurontown, Houghton, Michigan on November 15, 1939, the son of Lloyd and Effie Johnson Meyers. He graduated from Houghton High School in 1958 and Michigan Technological University in 1962. Bob was a loving father, grandfather,...

Jan 30, 2020

Houghton - Richard Thomas (Dick) Dunnebacke passed away January 30, 2020, surrounded by his family. He resided at the Bluffs and was under the care of Portage Home Health Hospice. He was born April 26, 1929 in Marquette, son of Martin and Myrtle Dunnebacke. He grew up on Presque Isle in Marquette and graduated from Bishop Baraga High School in...

Jan 29, 2020

LAnse, Christopher V. Botruff, 57, a resident of LAnse passed away Wednesday January 29, 2020, at his home from injuries received in a fire. He was born and raised in the Detroit area a son of Elmer Botruff and the late Carol Ann (McPherson) Botruff. Christopher was a graduate of the Lee M. Thurston High School. Mr. Botruff moved to...

Jan 27, 2020

Hancock Ruth Ann Kangas (Ruthie), 93, a resident of Hancock passed away Monday, January 27, 2020 at Lighthouse Health and Rehabilitation Center (formerly Cypress Manor) in Hancock where she had been a patient for the past many years. Ruth died of symptoms stemming from a stroke she suffered approximately a week before her death. A memorial gathering will be held...

Jan 27, 2020

Chassell Lori A Lafave, 54, a resident of Chassell passed away unexpectedly at home January 27th 2020. She was born October 19th, 1965, to the late George & Kathy (Colombe) Sauvola. She was raised on Denton Rd and attended Houghton High School. After school, she remained in the area working numerous jobs where most recently she was employed at the...

Jan 25, 2020

Houghton/Big Traverse Robert J. Guay, 86, a resident of the Arbor Green and Big Traverse passed away Saturday January 25, 2020, following an apparent heart attack. The Memorial Chapel & Plowe Funeral Homes are assisting the family with the arrangements which will be announced at a later time.

Jan 19, 2020

Hancock William Edward Heinonen, 74, of Hancock passed away on January 19, 2020. Bill was born in Hancock, Michigan on November 21, 1945 the eldest child of Edward and Elaine (Nordstrom) Heinonen. He was a graduate of Hancock High School. After graduation he worked at Ford Motor Co. for 9 years. He served in the US Army from 1966-1968. In...

Jan 18, 2020

Jan 16, 2020

Chassell Donald B. LeMay, age 86, of Chassell, Michigan passed away on January 16th surrounded by his family. Donald was born in Ishpeming, MI. He graduated from Ishpeming High School and went on to graduate with Honors obtaining a degree in Mining Engineering from Michigan Technological University. He is survived by his loving wife Carole whom he met while attending...

Jan 12, 2020

Chassell William H. Sleeman, 78, a resident of Chassell, passed away Sunday, January 12, 2020 at his home with his family by his side. He was born on March 11, 1941, in Trimountain, MI a son of the late Henry and Lillian (Spiegal) Sleeman. William was raised in Trimountain and was a graduate from the Jeffers High School. On November...

Jan 10, 2020

South Range Michael H. Pyhtila, 55, a resident of South Range, passed away Friday January 10, 2020, at the Lighthouse of Hancock where he had been a patient since this past December following a lengthy illness. He was born on July 8, 1964, in Waukegan, IL, a son of Glenn and Shirley (Kemila) Pyhtila. Mike was raised in Houghton and...

Jan 8, 2020

Chassell Martha E. Hill, 82, a resident of Chassell, passed away Wednesday, January 8, 2020 at the Franklin House of Portage Pointe in Hancock. She was born on February 20, 1937, in Humbolt Twp., MI, a daughter of the late William and Helvi (Lakanen) Mattila. Martha was a graduate of the Republic Schools with the class of 1954. She then...

Jan 7, 2020

Oskar Bay Donald Oscar Hermanson, 78, of Oskar Bay died January 7, 2020 at the Omega House of Houghton. He was born in Hancock as the son of the late Harold and Martha (Ruohonen) Hermanson. Don will be remembered as an avid storyteller, videographer, outdoorsman, musician, and friend. Dons love of music and entertaining others served him well throughout his...

Jan 3, 2020

Hancock William E. Witt, 90, a resident of Hancock passed away Friday, January 3, 2020, at the UofM Hospital in Ann Arbor, following a short illness. He was born on June 28, 1929, in Waukegan, Il, a son of the late Edward and Geraldine (Morris) Witt. Bill was raised in Waukegan, IL, and was a graduate of the Waukegan High...

Jan 3, 2020

Chassell Barbara R. Wells, 73, a resident of Chassell passed away Friday January 3, 2020, at the Omega House in Houghton following a battle with cancer. A memorial service for Barbara is tentatively planned for later this spring. The Memorial Chapel & Plowe Funeral Homes of Chassell are assisting the family with the arrangements.

Dec 29, 2019

Chassell, Lee Andrew Vannewkirk, 53, a resident of Chassell, passed away Sunday December 29, 2019, at the Light House of Hancock where he had been a patient for the past 2 months. The Memorial Chapel & Plowe Funeral Homes of Chassell have been assisting the family with the arrangements.

Dec 28, 2019

Quincy Township Martha A. Pekkala, 97, a resident of Quincy Township, passed away Saturday December 28, 2019, at the Omega House in Houghton. She was born on February 9, 1922, a daughter of the late Werner and Jennie (Kallio) Maki. Martha was united in marriage to Wilho Pekkala. Preceding her in death were her husband; her parents, two brothers and...