Obituaries
Karen J Swykert
Aug 11, 2026
Mohawk
Karen J. Swykert, 83, a resident of Mohawk, passed away on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at UP Health System - Portage following a short illness.
Karen was born on November 11, 1942, in Renfro Valley, Kentucky, to the late Grover and Caroline (Morelli) Cooley. She was raised in Dearborn, Michigan, where she attended local school. She was employed by Adistra Corporation,...
Robert Angelo Traglia
Aug 9, 2026
Chicago
Robert A. Traglia, 97, a Chicago resident and former Copper Country resident, passed away on Sunday, August 9, 2026, at Hines Medical Center in Chicago following a lengthy illness.
The Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service - Hancock Chapel is assisting the family with the arrangements, which will be announced at a later time.
Shawn L.K. Swain
Aug 6, 2026
Our beloved father, son, brother, uncle, and friend, Shawn Lee Swain, 50, of Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, passed away on August 6, 2026, in Houghton, Michigan.
He was born on October 23, 1975, in Wellsboro, PA, the son of Wendy Coolidge Medeiros and the late Gary Swain.
Shawn worked for many years as a heavy equipment operator for the union and took pride in...
Helen J. Salo
Aug 1, 2026
Chassell
Helen (Dennis) Salo, 84, a resident of Chassell and the Bluff’s Senior Living Community in Houghton, passed away Saturday, August 1, 2026, at Canal View – Houghton County following a lengthy illness.
Helen was born on October 7, 1941, in Alston, MI, the 5th of 7 children to the late Wilbert and Helen (Oger) Maki. She was raised in Alston, MI,...
Joseph Matt Swetich
Jul 28, 2026
Alston
Joseph M. Swetich, 79, a resident of Alston, passed away on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at his home.
The Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service - Mt. View Chapel of South Range is assisting the family with the arrangements.
Keith Rintala
Jul 27, 2026
Houghton Canal
Keith Kenneth Rintala 69, a resident of Houghton, MI passed away unexpectantly July 27, 2026. He was born in Hancock, MI January 18, 1957 to the late Kenneth and LaVerne (Maatta) Rintala.
The phenomenon that was Keith:
Unlimited in love, patience, Sisu and lust for life. Friend to everyone; An inspiration and example for all of us.
He began his adventure in...
Ralph C. Heikka
Jul 27, 2026
Plymouth, WI
Ralph C. Heikka, 85, entered heaven peacefully on Monday, July 27, 2026, at the Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with his wife by his side.
Ralph was born on June 5, 1941, in Detroit, Michigan to Peter V. and Allie E. (Anderson) Heikka and was raised in Tamarack City on Osceola Hill in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Ralph was...
Barbara J Fox
Jul 24, 2026
Chassell
Barbara J Fox, 94, a resident of Chassell, MI, previously of Baltic, MI, passed away July 24, 2026, at the Omega House in Houghton.
Barbara was born on March 14, 1932, in Sacramento, CA, a daughter of the late LLoyd and Irene (Pierce) Bertschi. Barbara was raised in Modesto, CA around farm land where her parents owned a grocery...
Maxine Ruth Morlan
Jul 22, 2026
Painesdale
Maxine Ruth Morlan, age 83, passed away peacefully at her home, with her family, on Wednesday, July 22, 2026.
Maxine was born July 31st, 1942, in Trimountain, MI, to Eric and Elsie Sporbert. She grew up in Painesdale, MI, and graduated from Jeffers High School in 1960. She went on to marry her soulmate, Donald Morlan, with whom she had four...
Mary Kay Moilainen (Herlevich)
Jul 19, 2026
Hubbell
Mary Moilanen (Herlevich),73, of Hubbell, entered heaven peacefully surrounded by family. She was born in 1952 to Arvid and Dorothy (Bradshaw) Ranta of the Houghton Canal.
She graduated from Houghton High School in 1970. She had a first career of 25 years managing JoAnn Fabric stores, and then became the House Manager for 10 years at the Omega House when it...
Patricia Ann Laux
Jul 17, 2026
Dollar Bay
Patricia A. Laux, 82, a resident of Dollar Bay, passed away on Friday, July 17, 2026, at Canal View – Houghton County following a lengthy illness.
She was born on November 23, 1943, in Hancock, a daughter of the late Leo and Celia (Collins) Morency. She was raised in Dollar Bay and was a graduate of the Dollar Bay High...
Arthur Laurn
Jul 11, 2026
HoughtonArthur R. "Baba” Laurn, 88, a resident of Houghton, passed away Saturday, July 11, 2026, at Canal View -- Houghton County, following a lengthy illness.
He was born on October 24, 1937, in Hancock, MI, a son of the late Arthur T. and Fannie E. (Strang) Laurn. As a child, Art was raised on Quincy Hill and then on the Houghton...
Milton William Ruikka
Jul 8, 2026
Phoenix, Az
Milton Ruikka passed away in Phoenix, AZ, July 8, 2026. Milton was born March 29, 1939, in Hancock, MI, and lived in South Range. Son of William and Alma Ruikka, he is survived by his wife, Carol; son Daran; grandson Ian; and brother Robert. Milt moved to Phoenix, AZ, and became successful in real estate sales and investment. Always...
Doris M. McKilligan
Jul 8, 2026
Chassell
Doris Marion McKilligan (Stipech), 78, of Chassell, MI, passed away peacefully on July 8th, 2026, in Hancock, MI, after a short illness.
She was born on April 1st, 1948, to Hildegard (Benischek) and Edward Stipech in Vienna, Austria. As an Army brat, she experienced living in various parts of the United States before settling on Broemer Road with her family. As...
Nancy Jean Jarvi
Jul 5, 2026
Houghton
Nancy J. Jarvi, 77, a resident of the Arbor Green Senior Living Community, passed away Sunday, July 5, 2026, at the Omega House in Houghton.
She was born on August 13, 1948, in Laurium, MI, a daughter of the late Isaac and Martha (Toyra) Jarvi. Nancy was raised in Oneco Location and attended the Dollar Bay School before graduating from Lake...
Gretchen H. Mayra
Jul 2, 2026
Hancock
Gretchen H. Mayra, age 68, a resident of Hancock, passed away at the Delaware House of Portage Pointe on Thursday, July 2, 2026, where she resided for the past seven months.
Gretchen was the daughter of the late Alfred and Flora Hendrickson. After graduating from Hancock Central High School with the class of 1976, she worked at Cypress Manor and as...
John T. Welch
Jun 24, 2026
Tapiola.
John Welch, 78, a resident of Tapiola, MI, passed away on June 24, 2026, at the Omega House in Houghton.
A celebration of life is planned for a later date.
Condolences to John's family may be given by going to www.memorialchapel.net.
The Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service - Hancock Chapel is assisting the family with the arrangements.
Robert Joel Kolehmainen
Jun 23, 2026
Redridge
Robert J. “Bert” Kolehmainen, 81, a resident of Redridge, MI, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at his home following an apparent heart attack.
Bert was born on July 7, 1944, in Trimountain, MI, to the late Henry and Olga (Marttila) Kolehmainen. He was a graduate of Houghton High School with the class of 1962. Following school, Bert enlisted...
Ronald L. Markham
Jun 22, 2026
Baraga
Ronald L. Markham, 69, a resident of Baraga, unexpectedly passed away on Monday, June 22, 2026, at his home in Baraga.
The Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service - Hancock Chapel is assisting the family with the arrangements, which will be announced at a later time.
Philip Raymond Johnson
Jun 17, 2026
Dollar BayPhilip R. Johnson, 83, a resident of Dollar Bay, unexpectedly passed away at his home in Dollar Bay.The Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service - Hancock Chapel is assisting the family with the arrangements.
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