Obituaries

Apr 8, 2026

Donna M. Brookins passed away peacefully on April 8th at Legacy of the Northwoods in Eagle River, WI. She was born to Henry and Ellen Calkins on August 27th, 1938.

Donna married the love of her life, Leroy Brookins, on November 30th, 1957, and together they raised six children. She worked for many years as a playground attendant for Ontonagon School....

Apr 7, 2026

Lois M. Murray, 98, passed away peacefully at home in Ontonagon on April 7, 2026.

Lois shared 60 years with her husband John. She was a skilled artist, cook and baker and loved sharing her creations with her friends and family. Lois worked as a registered nurse in Chicago, a med/surgical nurse and ER nurse and a nurse at Ontonagon...

Apr 1, 2026

Heaven became a touch spicier on April 1st, 2026 with the arrival of Shirley Ann Johns, a beloved woman known for her fiery spirit and zest for life. She was born on September 8th, 1934 to Tom and Mayme (Kangas) Clark, happily residing her whole life in Ontonagon County. On December 3rd, 1994, she married Howard "Skippy" Johns, who passed...

Apr 1, 2026

Ronald Wayne Daniels was born to Alvin & Barbara (Stapp) Daniels December 31, 1949, in Great Bend, KS.

After high school in 1968 in Ontonagon, Ron enlisted in the Navy.

Ron's basic training was at Great Lakes, IL where he was educated as a hospital corpsman (8404) during the Viet Nam war. Ron put in 3 requests to serve in Viet Nam...

Mar 29, 2026

Arnold "Manny" Anttila 92, of Ontonagon, passed away March 29, 2026 at his home in Ontonagon.

Arnold was born on March 13, 1934, to Tyyne (Aho) and Frank Anttila in Mass City. He married Marilyn Sparpanic in Highland Park, Michigan in 1956 and they enjoyed 63 years together.

Arnold entered the Army in the 1950's and was a proud veteran. He worked...

Mar 25, 2026

John Turpeinen left this world on March 25th, 2026, while hospitalized at UP Health System Marquette. He was born on September 9th, 1929, at his residence in Greenland Michigan. He was raised by his parents Andrew and Hilda in Mass City Michigan after they moved their home from the site in Greenland. He attended school until the 8th grade and...

Mar 22, 2026

Betty L Sullivan, 96, of Woodruff, Wisconsin, entered into eternal rest on Sunday, March 22, 2026 at Friendly Village Rest Home in Rhinelander, Wisconsin.Betty was born on September 12, 1929 to Luther and Mabel (Fankell) Johnson.She spent her early years working in the tobacco fields proudly helping her father plant seeds. She married young and devoted her life to raising...

Mar 7, 2026

Gary Hugo Lukkari, age 78, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on March 7, 2026, at Aspirus Ironwood Hospital.

Gary was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 54 years, Carol; his parents, Hugo Lukkari and Elsa (Keranen) Robb; his stepfather, James Robb; and his brother, Bradley.

He is survived by his three children: Mike (Darcy), Eric (Annie),...

Feb 7, 2026

Mary A. Klups, age 86, of Ontonagon, MI passed away on Saturday February 7, 2026, in Marquette, MI.

Mary was born on July 9, 1939, in Ontonagon, MI to James H and Esther (Skur) Clark. She attended the Ontonagon Schools and graduated with the class of 1957. She worked at the Citizens State Bank for many years. Mary was a member...

Jan 29, 2026

MaryAnn Spetz, 98 years of age and long time resident of Ontonagon, passed away peacefully at home on January 29, 2026.

MaryAnn was born in a "Laying-in home" on Riverstreet in Ontonagon November 15, 1927. She attended school in Bruce Crossing until her family moved into the home her father built in Ontonagon. She graduated in 1945.

She attended secretarial...

Jan 27, 2026

David "Sonny" Kaiponen of Ontonagon, MI passed away peacefully at the age of 92 on January 27, 2026

Born Alden Ray David Kaiponen, he donned several names: David, Sonny, Sonny-Boy, and most proudly Husband, Dad and Grandpa.

Sonny was born on July 5th 1933 and raised in Atlantic Mine, MI to parents Eino and Anna Kaiponen.

He served...

Jan 20, 2026

Thomas J. "Tom" Stahl, a longtime Ontonagon resident, died at his home on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. He was 85.

Born August 1, 1940 in Hubbell, Michigan, Tom was the oldest child of Joseph and Eva Stahl. He attended Saint Cecilia School in Hubbell through the eighth grade, then completed his education at Lake Linden-Hubbell High School, where he was...

Jan 18, 2026

Former President and CEO of Citizens State Bank, Ontonagon, Michigan, Thomas M. Strong passed away peacefully on January 18, 2026. Tom was born on July 31, 1937 to Dr. William F. Strong and Gertrude (Helmbrecht) Strong. Tom was raised on the family farm with his brother Dr. James P. Strong and sisters Sally (Strong) Menigoz and Mary "Lynne" (Strong) Makimaa.

Tom...

Jan 17, 2026

Linda Louise Allen, 75 of Ontonagon Michigan passed away in the early morning hours of January 17, 2026. A beloved daughter, sister, Aunt and friend who graced our lives with compassion and benevolence. Linda's presence will surely be missed. Linda may have passed on, but her spirit lives on in our hearts. As we bid thee farewell to Linda, no...

Jan 9, 2026

Ronald E. Miilu, age 90, of Mass City died peacefully at the home he shared with his son, where he had been under the care of Regional Hospice.

Ron was born May 6, 1935 in Pequaming, to the late Loretta (Maher) and Edwin "Eppie" Miilu. His mother having died when Ronnie was a baby, he was raised...

Jan 8, 2026

Marmaduke "Duke" John Trebilcock passed away on January 8th, 2026 at his home in Ontonagon, Michigan at the age of 86 with his family by his side.

Duke was born on November 12th, 1939 in Ontonagon, Michigan to Marmaduke A. and Bertha S. (White) Trebilcock. He attended school and lived all of his life in Ontonagon, with...

Dec 25, 2025

Raymond Paul Ruuti, 71 of Ontonagon, MI passed away December 25, 2025 at Baraga County Memorial Hospital.

He was born August 17, 1954 in Milwaukee, WI son of the late Wesley and Helen Ruuti.

Ray is survived by three brothers Terry, Russell and Roger and sister Yvonne Ison. He will be deeply missed by his...

Dec 19, 2025

Russell Huhti, 78, of Greenland, MI, passed away on December 19, 2025 in hospice in Green Bay, WI.

Russell was born on January 1 1947, to Walter and Ellen Huhti of Greenland.  He went to school at Mass High School, graduating in 1965, afterwards honorably serving his country in the US Army in Vietnam.  He worked for...

Dec 18, 2025

Paul S. Elosge of Ontonagon, passed away at Aspirus Ironwood Hospital on December 18, 2025

I was born in Sellersville, PA in 1953. I lived in the Philadelphia area, in the New York area, and in Bethlehem, PA until I graduated from college in 1975.

I wanted to design cars, but there was a recession...

Dec 18, 2025

Matthew Dean Wiesen, 57, of Ontonagon, Michigan went to be with his Lord and Savior on December 18, 2025 in his home.

Matt was born in Greenville, Michigan to David and Deborah Wiesen on November 20, 1968. He went to school and graduated from Greenville High School and Montcalm Community College. He married Margaret on October 19,...