Obituaries

Paul M. Mickalich

Jan 22, 2025

Baltic

Paul M. "Sonny" Mickalich, 88, a resident of Baltic passed away Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at the Omega House in Houghton Following a lengthy illness.

He was born on January 24, 1936, in TriMountain, MI, a son of the late Paul and Florence (Skoviak) Mickalich. Paul was raised in South Range and attended the...

Barb Kenny

Jan 21, 2025

Hancock

Barbara Ellen Kenny, 82, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at Canal View – Houghton County following a lengthy illness.

Barb was born on February 6, 1942, in Trimountain, to the late Werner and Mildred (Jokela) Kenny. She attended local schools before moving to Detroit where she worked as a waitress.

...

John D. Kolehmainen

Jan 16, 2025

Elo

John D. Kolehmainen, 76, a longtime resident of Elo, passed away on Thursday, January 16, 2025, at the Omega House in Houghton.

Born on March 10, 1948, in Hancock, MI, John was the son of the late John William and Lilly Anna Maria (Ohman) Kolehmainen. He grew up in Klingville and graduated from Chassell...

Nancy Lee Paananen

Jan 14, 2025

Klingville

Nancy Paananen, 77, a resident of Klingville passed away Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at her home following an apparent heart attack.

She was born on December 30, 1947, in Hancock, MI, a daughter of the late Edwin and Gladys (Piggott) Kautto.  Nancy was raised in Klingville and was a graduate of the Chassell High...

Charles Wiideman

Jan 12, 2025

Truro, MA

Charles William Wiideman, 83, died peacefully on January 12, 2025, at his home in Truro, Massachusetts.

Charles was born in Toivola, Michigan to Esther Wiideman, née Wisti, and Kaarlo Wiideman. Traveling with his

itinerant family, he was schooled in Texas, California, Wisconsin and Michigan.

Charles was the husband of...

Loren David Korpi

Jan 10, 2025

Elo

Loren David Korpi, of Elo, was called home by our Lord on Friday, January 10, 2025, at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee, WI.

Loren was born on June 22, 1972, in Ashby, Massachusetts to his parents, Larry and Nancy (Somero) Korpi. When he was three years old, the family relocated to the Upper Peninsula of...

Bill Kotila

Jan 10, 2025

Quincy Location

William L. Kotila, 93, a resident of Quincy Location passed away Friday January 10, 2025, at his home following an apparent heart attack.

He was born July 17, 1931, in Pewabic Location, a son of the late Andrew and Florence (Wellems) Kotila.

On December 6, 1952, he was united in marriage...

Bob Stancer Jr.

Jan 10, 2025

Houghton

Howard "Bob" Stancer Jr., 91, a resident of Houghton passed away Friday January 10, 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.

Laurie Jean Hillmer

Jan 9, 2025

Houghton

Laurie (Slusarzyk) Hillmer, 64, – passed away peacefully on January 9 th , 2025 at the Omega House after a short but aggressive battle with heart disease.

Per Laurie's wishes a private service will take place at a later date.

She is survived by her father, 3 children, 4 siblings and 2...

Dorothea M. Fricke

Jan 8, 2025

Hurontown

Dorthea M. Fricke, 96, a resident of Cleveland, OH, and a former resident of Hurontown and the Bluff's Senior Living Community in Houghton, passed away Wednesday January 8, 2025, at The Winfield at Richmond Heights Assisted Living under the care of Hospice of Western Reserve, in Richmond Heights, OH.

She was born on February...

Elwood Narhi

Jan 7, 2025

Painesdale

Elwood A. Narhi, 87, a resident of Painesdale, passed away Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at Bayside Village in L'Anse where he was a resident patient.

He was born on August 15, 1937, in Suo District, MI, a son of the late Sulo and Sophie (Belttari) Narhi.  As a child his family moved to Painesdale...

Shirley Mae Niemi

Jan 6, 2025

Dodgeville,

Shirley Niemi formerly of Douglas House Apts and Dodgeville, passed away on 1/06/25 at the age of 86 years old.

She was born in May of 1938 in Trout Creek. She was the daughter of Frank & Elizabeth (Tiura) Aho. She spent early days in Trout Creek, Greenland & Trimountain.

Shirley graduated...

Bertha C. Maki

Jan 2, 2025

Hancock Canal

Bertha C. Maki, 94, a resident of the Hancock Canal passed away Thursday January 2, 2025, at the Omega House in Houghton.

She was born on August 12, 1930, in Chassell, a daughter of the late Matt and Aliina (Laulumaa) Aho. Bertha was raised in Chassell and was a graduate of the Chassell...

Melvin Luokka

Jan 1, 2025

ATLANTIC MINE- Melvin "Mel" Luokka, 87, a former resident of Atlantic Mine, passed away

Wednesday, January 1, 2025, at Canal View – Houghton County where he had been a resident patient

for the past six years after fighting a long battle with Alzheimer's dementia.

He was born on December 12, 1937, in Hurontown,...

Marie L. "Midge" Blakeman

Dec 31, 2024

Hancock

Marie L. (Midge) Blakeman of Hancock, MI, passed away Tuesday December 31, 2024, at Mission Point of Hancock where she had been a resident patient for over the past year.

Marie was born in Hancock, MI, on November 13, 1937, to Edward and Eleanore (Schaaf) O'Connor and was a graduate of the Hancock High...

Barb Lahnala

Dec 31, 2024

Atlantic Mine

Barbara Lahnala, 86 of Atlantic Mine passed away on Tuesday, December 31, 2024 at Green Tree of Hubbell.

Survived by her husband, Erland Lahnala of Atlantic Mine, Daughters Greta (Michael) Maples of Atlantic Mine, Maria (Dale) Vadnais of Atlantic Mine, grandchildren Hannah (Elizabeth) Foreman Kirjava of St. Paul, MN, Briana (Joshua) Kepich of...

Lonnie B. Cotton

Dec 29, 2024

Calumet,

Lonnie Cotton, 72, a resident of Calumet, passed away Sunday December 29, 2024, at the Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital following a short illness.

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

Keith A Hitchens

Dec 28, 2024

Chassell Township

Keith A. Hitchens, 68, a local businessman, passed away on Saturday, December 28, 2024, at his home following a lengthy illness.

Per Keith's wishes, a private family service has taken place.

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

Josie Ruska

Dec 28, 2024

Chassell

Josette M. Ruska (nee Moore), 85, a resident of Broemer Rd., Chassell, passed away Saturday December 28, 2024, at home after a short battle with cancer.

She was born in Milwaukee, WI to Robert Carleton and Blanche Moore. Josie was a graduate with the class of 1957 of Divine Savior Holy Angels High School...

Louis Haataja

Dec 27, 2024

It is with heavy hearts and fond memories that we announce the passing of Louis Gordon Haataja, affectionately known as "Grandpa." Born on June 27, 1940, he grew up in Elo, Michigan and lived a vibrant and full life until the age of 84.

Louis was a man of many talents, an extraordinary individual who could build...