Obituaries

Jun 16, 2025

Hancock

Kreg James Kelley, 59, a resident of Hancock, passed away in peace and comfort,

surrounded by his family, on Monday, June 16, 2025, after experiencing an unexpected

medical emergency. In his final weeks, he enjoyed life as usual - grilling and deep

discussions with his children, Sunday family dinner with...

Jun 15, 2025

Lake Orion, MI

Janet Pauline (Shafer) Kaarto, 88, passed away peacefully on June 15, 2025. Janet was born on August 9,

1936, the daughter of the late Charles and Esther (Aho) Shafer. She graduated from the Mass High

School, Mass City, Mi., as the valedictorian of the class of 1954, and worked briefly...

Jun 14, 2025

Hancock

Dennis K. Walikainen, 68, a resident of Hancock, passed away Saturday, June 14, 2025, at UP Health

Systems - Portage Hospital surrounded by his loving family, following an 11-year battle with cancer.

Dennis referred to himself as "the luckiest man on the face of the earth," borrowing the phrase from

...

Jun 12, 2025

Hancock

Mary L. Rouleau, 89, a resident of Hancock, passed away on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at the Pewabic House of Portage Pointe in Hancock, where she had been a resident patient.

She was born on June 19, 1935, in Calumet, a daughter of the late Ralph and Elizabeth (Stimac) Tarvis. Mary was raised in...

Jun 10, 2025

Chassell

Russell W. Soumis, known to many as Penore, 81, a resident of Chassell, passed away on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at UP Health System – Portage following a short illness.

Russell was born on March 20, 1944, in Chassell to the late William and Marie (Barrette) Soumis. He was raised in Chassell and attended...

Jun 9, 2025

Hancock

Vickie J. Aro, 68, passed away on June 9, 2025, at Intersect Health Care of Hancock, where she had been a resident patient for the past two years following a lengthy illness.

She was born on January 29, 1957, in Breckenridge, Minnesota, a daughter of the late Charles and Beverly (Ellis) Schroeder. Vickie was...

Jun 5, 2025

Chassell

Jean Ethelyn Maki, 85, a resident of Chassell, passed away Thursday, June 5, 2025, at the Medora House of Portage Pointe in Hancock, where she had been a patient since September of 2024.

She was born on February 25, 1940, in Askel Hill, MI, a daughter of the late John and Mayme (Onkalo) Heikkinen....

Jun 5, 2025

Chassell

Ruth E. Canales, 96, a resident of Chassell, passed away Thursday, June 5, 2025, at Canal View -- Houghton County.

Ruth Canales (Timmonen) was born in Fairport Harbor, OH, on September 6, 1928, a daughter of the late Arvid and Maria (Ridell) Timonen. Ruth was raised in Tapiola and was a graduate of the...

Jun 5, 2025

Liminga

William O'Donnell, 77, died on Thursday morning in his home in Liminga on June 5, 2025

Bill was born on March 9, 1948 in Detroit, Michigan, son of Neil Joseph and Audrey Noah O'Donnell. He was raised by his Mother, Audrey, along with his Sister, Mary Jane, in Farmington Michigan. He graduated from Howe...

Jun 5, 2025

Calumet

Clarence McDonald, 93, a resident of Houghton, passed away Thursday, June 5, 2025, in Calumet following a short illness.

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

Jun 3, 2025

New Port Richey, FL

Sandra L. Patana, 83, a former Copper Country resident, passed away on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at Gulf Side Hospice in New Port Richey, FL, following a lengthy illness.

She was born on September 3, 1941, in Houghton, MI, a daughter of the late Werner and Helmi (Toumisto) Pihlaja.

...

May 25, 2025

Tapiola

Alex (Adam) David Paavola, 39, a resident of Tapiola, passed away on Sunday, May 25, 2025.

Alex was born on January 30th, 1986, in Hancock, MI to David H. and Catherine L. Paavola of Elo, MI. His brother and playmate, Morgan Paavola came 2 ½ years later.

As a young child, Alex...

May 24, 2025

Tapiola

Kenneth Wayne Kommes, 67, a resident of Tapiola, passed away on May 24th, 2025, at UP Health System - Marquette.

He was born January 28, 1958. in Hancock, Michigan to the late Waino and Lorraine (Tuohimaa) Kommes. After graduating from Houghton High School, Ken spent several years in New Hampshire and Louisiana working as...

May 22, 2025

Houghton

In Loving Memory of Gregory (Greg, Greggie) Lee Morin, Beloved Father, Grandfather, Brother,

Uncle, & Friend

Gregory (Greg, Greggie) Lee Morin, 55 of Houghton, passed away peacefully in his sleep on

Thursday, May 22, 2025, due to an extended illness.

Greg was born on November 28, 1969, to...

May 20, 2025

Houghton

Riley Ashton Herlevich, 22, of Dodgeville, passed away peacefully on May 20th, 2025, at the UP Health System - Marquette Hospital following a short illness.

Riley was born on March 14, 2003, in Huntington, WV, the son of Jon and Cheryl (Bredekamp) Herlevich of Atlantic Mine. He was a graduate of Peters Township High...

May 19, 2025

Tapiola

Dennis C. Heikkila, 76, a resident of Tapiola, passed away Monday, May 19, 2025, at UP Health System - Marquette Hospital with his loving wife of 29 years and his children by his side.

He was born on March 29, 1949, in Hancock, a son of the late John and Ida (Myllyla) Heikkila. Dennis...

May 18, 2025

Houghton

Mary Eade Erva, 85, passed away Sunday May 18, 2025, at Canal View -- Houghton County in Hancock where she had been a resident patient.

Mary was born in Hancock, the daughter of E. Raymond and Catherine (Brinkman) Eade on August 17, 1939.

Mary attended the St. Joseph St. Patrick School in...

May 15, 2025

Twin Lakes

In memory of Mary Esther Kieranen, 64, a resident of Twin Lakes (Toivola, Michigan), who died unexpectedly at home early Thursday morning, May 15, 2025.

Mary was born March 24, 1961, as the daughter of Benhart and Esther Kieranen of Mass, Michigan. After her family moved to Twin Lakes a few years later,...

May 11, 2025

Houghton

Carol Jean Benaglio, 86, of Houghton, passed away peacefully on May 11th 2025 at the Portage Pointe Nursing Home in Hancock, MI where she had been a resident for the past 2 ½ years.

Carol was born December 24, 1938 in Ishpeming, the daughter of Edgar and Gladys Curtis of Negaunee. She was a...

May 9, 2025

Obenhoff

Lillian Gloria  (Riutta) (Erickson) Hermanson

Reached her heavenly home on May 9 at the age of 86. Lillian was born on June 4, 1938, to Hilda (Anderson) and Eino Riutta in Hancock Michigan.

Lillian was a graduate of Hancock High School, lived in Ann Arbor, Farmington, and Commerce Township Michigan. She moved...