All Obituaries

Norman John Dahl, age 63, of Rockland, Michigan, passed away on June 9th, at his home surrounded by his family after a decade-long battle with ALS.  Norman was born in Garden City, Michigan to Frank and Phyllis Dahl on February 3, 1958. He married the love of his life, Kimberley Lindstrom, in 1984, always insisting he knew he would marry her from the moment they met. His life changed forever when they had their first child, Samantha, in 1985. Their family grew again in 1991, in...

Chester Valentine Kudlaczyk, 94, of Bruce Crossing, Michigan passed away on June 5, 2021. Chester was born in Detroit, Michigan on June 22, 1926 to Louis and Anna (Czuchra) Kudlaczyk.  He graduated as a draftsman from Wilbur Wright Trade School in Detroit.  Chester was a veteran of World War II and served in the U.S. Army 21st Infantry 32nd Red Arrow Division in Japan and the Philippines.  After discharge, he joined the City of Detroit police force where he worked for 25...

Dennis, “Denny” Theodore Kekke(79) of Ontonagon, MI. died on June 4th 2021 at the Omega House in Houghton, MI. Denny was born in Ontonagon on November 21, 1941. Following Graduation from Ontonagon High School in 1959 he enlisted in the Army and served his country honorably for 3 years. He married the former Linda Morin on April 28, 1967 and they raised 2 sons Kevin & Kris. Upon discharge from the Army, Denny took a job at the local Paper mill, retiring as a supervisor from...

James L. Hilger, age 90, of White Pine, Michigan passed away on June 2, 2021, at his home. He was born in Ontonagon, MI to Vida M. Hilger (McGaughey) and James F. Hilger on August 9, 1930. James attended primary school in Rockland, MI and attended Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. James spent his youth in the woods hunting and fishing and helping his father conduct lumber surveys for his timber and pulp business. He spent his working career in operations and quality control in the...

Francis “Frank” Luoto passed away peacefully on May 29, 2021 at the age of 72 in his home in Ontonagon, Michigan. In his battle with cancer over the last several years, Frank’s sisu prevailed until the end.              Frank grew up in Elo with his sister Donna and parents Edward and Elma. They farmed and did all other jobs associated with homesteading in rural Houghton County in the mid-1900s. Frank...

Paul J. Warren, 67, of Ontonagon passed away at home on May 27, 2021. Paul was born in Pontiac MI to Henry & Betty Jo Warren on November 26, 1953. He went to school and graduated from Pontiac High. He married Helen Chynoweth on August 14, 1982. He worked as an equipment operator at Smurfit/Stone. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, going to camp and being in the garage with his boys. Paul is survived by his wife Helen, sons Jason & Allison Borchardt of Weston, WI, Chad & April of...

Kristiina Ann Miilu, 74, of Mass City, passed away Sunday, May 23, 2021, in Tampa, FL after a battle with cancer. Kristiina (Patana) Miilu was born on June 11, 1946, in L’Anse Mi, daughter of the late Nestor and Sofie Patana. She graduated from Baraga High School in 1964, where she was selected Miss Personality at her Senior Prom. She went on to beauty school and graduated in 1965 . Kris worked in the UP before moving to New York to work for the House of Albert,...

Raymond Heinonen, 72, of Kenton passed away at his home on May 20, 2021. Ray was born in Detroit, MI to Walfred & Sylvia Heinonen on August 1, 1948. He married Linda Eisenhauer on August 9, 1971 in Detroit, MI. Ray worked at General Motors Flint Engine South Plant for 29 years, retiring in 2005. He was a veteran during the Vietnam era and served in the Army. Ray loved hunting and camping throughout the U.S. Ray is survived by his wife Linda, sisters Mariann Raisanen, Doris Kennedy and...

Mike Utter, 68, of Green passed away at home on May 17th after a year long illness. He was born in Ontonagon to Mat and Nellie Utter on February 10, 1953. For many years, he worked in the logging industry as a sawyer for several companies. Mike married Mary Asumaa on Dec. 24th, 1985.  Together they enjoyed camping and fishing and eventually sharing their passion with daughters,  Amanda and Anna.  He also enjoyed going to Stubb's Bar on Tuesdays and Wednesdays...

  William Richard Carl Burrows Sr., 73, of Ontonagon, passed away peacefully with his family by his side, on May 10, 2021 at Aspirus Hospital in Ontonagon. William (Bill) was born in Marquette to William Henry Burrows and Margaret Burrows (Perander) on June 27, 1947. He graduated from Ontonagon High School in 1967, and married Carol Jean Usimaki on August 5, 1967 in Munising. Bill worked at the papermill in Ontonagon, the Ontonagon shipyard as a welder, the White Pine mine doing...