All Obituaries

Charlotte R. Niemi, age 85, of Ewen, Michigan, went to be with the Lord on April 19th, 2020 while a resident at the Ontonagon Aspirus Long Term Care Unit.  She was born on August 30, 1934, in Wakefield, Michigan, to Charles and Dorothy (Hatfield) Gerber of Bruce Crossing, Michigan. Besides her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Clifford Niemi; daughter, Mary Niemi; two sisters, Jean (Louie) Johnson and Barbara (Bill) Anderson.  She is survived by brothers, Donald...

Daniel Joseph Lemery 42 of Caspian passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, April 16, 2021. He was born on February 13, 1979 in Iron River,  MI. Daniel was a graduate of West Iron County High School.  He was known as a “homebody” who loved spending time with his grandchildren. Daniel is survived by his mother Bernice Weisnan, wife Michelle Lemery, daughter Mary Lynn LaRay, brother Terrance (Sheri) Lemery, 8 grandchildren and numerous nieces and...

Earl Warren Applekamp, 86, of Topaz, MI, passed away Thursday morning, April 8, 2021, at Victorian Pines Estates in Iron Mountain, MI. Earl was born October 15, 1934, in Topaz to William and Adela (Grapentine) Applekamp. He graduated in 1952 from Bergland High School, and on June 18, 1955, he married Mary Elizabeth (Dembroski) Swanson at Maple Grove Hall in Paulding, MI. He worked in the engineering group at the White Pine Copper Mine for 50+ years. After that, he started his own business...

Michael "Mike" Rubich, 78, died peacefully at home on March 28. Mike was born in Ontonagon on December 15, 1942 to Michael and Louise Rubich. After graduating from Ontonagon High School, Mike married the love of his life Mary Jane Colclasure on February 8, 1964. After living and working in Milwaukee for a short time, they returned to Ontonagon to raise their family. While Mike was a proud retired papermaker and loved to take pictures, he was proudest of his family. He is survived...

Kathy Seppamaki – a life well lived With profound sadness we announce the passing of Kathy, our loving and devoted mother and friend to all whose lives she touched, on March 24, 2021.  Kathy Seppamaki, 75, of Greenland, formerly of Ewen and Bruce Crossing, passed away unexpectedly in her sleep at her home.  Kathy lived her whole life in the UP,  complained about the winters but stayed just the same.  She visited some warm places but always came back. Kathleen...

Peggy Norris-Marcus, of Ontonagon, formerly of Ortonville, age 71, died March 23, 2021 after a struggle with cancer. Peggy was born February 28, 1950 in Detroit, the daughter of Manuel and Jane Marcus.  She attended Redford High School. Peggy had a strong sense of community and enjoyed serving others in Ontonagon.  Peggy was involved in the St. Nicholas Project for over two decades; helping to ensure that every family had food and every child received a gift at...

Francis “Frank” Stanley Dombkowski of Clarkston, MI, previously of Rousseau, MI, passed away March 14, 2021, after a long struggle with COPD. He was 71. Frank was born March 28, 1949, in Detroit. He was preceded in death by his father, Stanley, of Commerce Township, MI. He is survived by his mother, Lucille (Lucy) Dombkowski of Dearborn Heights, MI; his brothers Dennis (Vera) of Springfield, VA, Mark (Karen) of Mountain Home, AR, Michael (Ann) of Juneau, AK, Kevin (Julie) of...

Joseph "Joe" Michael Gerzetich, 79, of Ontonagon, Michigan passed away peacefully on Friday, March 12, 2021 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital after having complications from Covid. The beloved husband and father was born on March 23, 1941 to Frank and Katherine Gerzetich. He was married on December 26, 1964 to Delores Picotte. Together, they raised two sons, Joe and Tom Gerzetich. He graduated from Ontonagon Area High School in 1959. Upon completing high school, he enlisted in the Navy...

Elsie Evelyn Elaine Chascsa, 89, of Ontonagon, passed away peacefully, at home, with her loving family at her side into the arms of the angels and eternal life on March 3, 2021. She was a life long resident of Ontonagon, the 5th of 12 children born to Olga and John Leiviska. She married Andrew Thomas Chascsa in February of 1949, and the couple had 5 children. She was a devoted wife and mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She truly was the Heart of the Home. She was a talented...

Surrounded by her family, Ella Mae Thompson passed away peacefully in the comfort of her home on February 17, 2021. Ella was born in Ironwood, MI on May 14, 1941 to the late Charles Rae Cox and Alma Saari Cox, step-mother Vera Cox. She grew up in Bessemer, MI and was part of the 1959 AD Johnston H.S. graduating class. Ella married her one true love, Patrick Thompson, in 1960. They raised their four children; Jane, Penny, Dan, and Pete (Connie) Thompson in Ontonagon, MI. Ella was dedicated...