Obituaries

Jun 26, 2025

Atlantic Mine

Michael R. Guilbault, 48, a resident of Atlantic Mine, passed away Thursday, June 26, 2025, at his home from an apparent heart attack.

Mike was born on December 18, 1976, in Hancock, MI, a son of Rodney and Debra (Burkman) Guilbault. He was raised in Houghton and was a graduate of the Jeffer's...

Jun 23, 2025

Hancock

Wesley I. Byykkonen, 87, a resident of Hancock, passed away Monday, June 23, 2025, at Canal View -- Houghton County, where he had been a resident patient for the past month.

He was born on July 27, 1937, in Elo, MI,a son of the late John and Lempi (Koupus) Byykkonen.  Wes was raised in...

Jun 23, 2025

Houghton

Marie Ann Kellan, 83, of Houghton passed away on Monday, June 23, 2025, at the Omega House in Houghton following a short illness.

Marie was born in Hancock on August 17, 1941, to Henry and Marcella (Miller) Kellan.

Marie attended St. Ignatius Loyola Grade School in Houghton and Houghton High School, graduating...

Jun 23, 2025

Calumet

Mary Cornish, 93, a resident of Calumet, passed away on Monday, June 23, 2025, at Garden view Assisted Living in Calumet following a short illness.

Married for the last 32 years to Patrick Cornish, the couple enjoyed traveling to Florida and Arizona in the winter to spend time together with many new friends. Locally,...

Jun 22, 2025

Joanne Eunice (Kaarlela) Palonen, 89, passed away with family

by her side on June 22, 2025. Born to the late Henry and Lydia

Kaarlela on August 17, 1935 at her family home south of

Calumet Michigan under the care of a midwife. Joanne was

married to Rudolf Elmer Palonen on June...

Jun 21, 2025

Chassell

Rosalie "Rose" Jean Freeman, 87, of Chassell, MI, passed away peacefully on June 21, 2025,

at Canal View, with loved ones by her side.

Born on April 19, 1938, in Calumet, MI, Rosalie was the beloved daughter of Martin and Anne

(Sorenson) Mihelich. Her Childhood was spent in the family-built...

Jun 19, 2025

Hancock/Largo, FL

Paul J. Leach, 91, a resident of Largo, FL, and Hancock, MI, passed away on Thursday, June 19, 2025, while under hospice care in Florida.

A graveside service for Paul will be held at 11 am, Friday, August 8, 2025, in Section 5 of the Lakeside Cemetery in Hancock with Rev. Brahm Semmler-Smith...

Jun 18, 2025

Hancock

Thomas Ex, 77, a resident of Hancock, passed away Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at the Omega House in Houghton, following a short illness.

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

Jun 17, 2025

Chassell

Dale R. Peterson, 85, a resident of Chassell, Spring Lake, MI and Boynton Beach, FL, passed away Tuesday, June 17, 2025, in Spring Lake, MI, with his family by his side.

He was born January 11, 1940, in Detroit, Michigan. Son of Reino A. Peterson and Helen J. Peterson, previously deceased.

Dale...

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.

...