Obituaries
Michael Charles Sorvala
Aug 24, 2026
Dollar Bay
Michael C. Sorvala, 60, a resident of Dollar Bay, passed away on Monday, August 24, 2026, at his home following an apparent heart attack.
A memorial service for Michael will be held at a later time. The family asks that memorial contributions may be directed to Memorial Chapel to assist with expenses.
The Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service – Hancock...
Ruth J. Lucier
Aug 23, 2026
Hancock
Ruth J. Lucier, 89, of Hancock, Michigan, passed away Sunday, August 23, at the Omega House in Houghton, with her family by her side. She was born July 6, 1937, in Hancock, Michigan, the daughter of the late Arvid and Ida (Saviluoto) Anderson.
Ruth was born and raised in Hancock and was the youngest of 11 children. She graduated from Hancock...
Gary Thomas Evans
Aug 22, 2026
Gary Thomas Evans, longtime resident of Houghton, died Saturday, August 22, 2026, at the Omega House in Houghton.
He was born December 30, 1940, in El Paso, Texas; he was the son of Thomas J. and Evelyn (Graver) Evans. His life's work was as an educator and educational consultant, primarily in the field of adult religious education and spiritual formation. Although...
Edward Joseph Virtanen
Aug 22, 2026
Trimountain
Edward Joseph Virtanen, 64, of Trimountain, Michigan passed away peacefully on August 22, 2026 after a lifetime of perseverance, strength, and determination. He was born on November 18, 1961 to Frances Wiideman and Francis Virtanen of Toivola, Michigan.
Edward was a devoted father, grandfather, brother, friend, and a man others could always count on. He was a quiet and stoic man,...
Marilyn Mickelsen
Aug 21, 2026
Wesley Chapel, FLMarilyn M. Mickelsen, 83, a resident of Wesley Chapel, FL, and a former resident of Hancock, MI, passed away on Friday, August 21, 2026, in Wesley Chapel, FL.The Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service - Hancock Chapel is assisting the family with the arrangements, which will be announced at a later time.
Lynda Vera Miller
Aug 20, 2026
HancockLynda Miller, 54, passed away on August 20, 2026, surrounded by her loved ones at PortagePointe, Winona House.
Lynda Miller was born on September 5, 1971, in Detroit, Michigan. She is the cherished daughter of Kenneth and Josephine Miller. She was raised in Clinton Township and graduated from Warren Woods Tower High School in 1998. Later on, she moved to Hancock,...
James Douglas Mountjoy
Aug 18, 2026
South RangeJames D. Mountjoy, 78, a resident of South Range, passed away at his home August 18, 2026.He was born on November 5, 1947, in Hancock, a son of the late William and Amanda(Maki) Mountjoy. James was raised in South Range and was a graduate of the Hancock High School.Mr. Mountjoy was a veteran having served with the United States...
Timothy Ovist
Aug 18, 2026
South Range
Timothy Ovist, 61, a resident of South Range, passed away on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at his home following a short illness.
He was born on February 23, 1965, in Hancock, MI, a son of the late Robert “Bucky” and Elizabeth (Lexson) Ovist. Tim was raised in Oskar and attended the E.B. Holman School before graduating from Houghton High School...
Paul Massie
Aug 16, 2026
Ontonagon
Paul Glenn Massie, 59, a resident of Ontonagon, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Sunday, August 16, 2026, following a lengthy illness.
Paul was born on January 6, 1967, in Hancock, to the late James and Rita (O’Brien) Massie. He attended local schools. He pursued his enjoyment of working on many boats, cars, and small engines. Paul...
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 passed away peacefully on August 9, 2026, at the age of 97, at the Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital in Chicago.
Bob was born on February 27, 1929, in Saginaw, MI, to Anton Traglia and Desolina Balagna Traglia. At the age of 7, the family moved to Houghton, MI, where he graduated from Saint Ignatius Loyola Grade School...
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...
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